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April 25, 2025
 

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Tomoko Otake

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Tomoko Otake
Tomoko Otake is a senior writer with a strong interest in health, medical and social issues. A native of Nara Prefecture, she obtained an M.A. in journalism from The University of Montana.
BUSINESS
Sep 4, 2000
Japanese seen embracing a risky future
At 30, Tetsushi Nakamura is a seasoned stock investor. The system engineer from Hibarigaoka, Saitama Prefecture, got his hands on stocks when he was in his fourth year of elementary school, buying shares of a construction company on his dad's advice.
BUSINESS
Jul 18, 2000
BOJ decision said to be ambiguous
The Bank of Japan's decision Monday to leave the "zero-interest-rate" policy unchanged did not surprise many, given the shock financial markets received from the virtual bankruptcy last week of department store operator Sogo Co.
BUSINESS
Jul 7, 2000
FRC may detail Sogo bailout
The Financial Reconstruction Commission is to consider whether it can disclose the numerical data that led to the government's decision to forgive loans to troubled department store chain Sogo Co., the newly appointed FRC chairman said.
BUSINESS
Jun 27, 2000
Amex out to change 'stereotypes' of card users
American Express International is trying to change the widely held perception in Japan that only affluent customers use American Express, and only for overseas travel.
BUSINESS
Jun 16, 2000
BTM will survive competition of new era, future chief says
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, currently the biggest bank in Japan, will strive to survive intensifying competition in the banking industry by utilizing its mostly upscale retail customer base and solid international networks, the future president of the bank said.
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2000
Public 'on strike' against state
The economy has stayed in a prolonged slump because the public is "subconsciously" on strike against lawmakers for their lack of vision for the future, said Mizue Tsukushi, president of The Good Bankers asset management firm.
BUSINESS
Jun 1, 2000
Unclear rules hinder day trading in Japan
Hajime Mabuchi is an early riser. After sobering up in a hot Jacuzzi at his home in a Seattle suburb, he takes some vitamins and drives to a nearby Starbucks coffee shop. He arrives at 6 a.m.
BUSINESS
May 25, 2000
No end in sight for treadmill of bad loans
It has been the same story for years. When banks release their earnings reports in May, bank officials say they have written off their bad loans "pre-emptively." Since they have written off huge portions of their problem loans, their future costs for bad-loan disposal will be marginal, they say.
BUSINESS
May 23, 2000
Sanwa, Tokai, Asahi megabank taking shape
The organizational structure of the financial group to be formed in April through the integration of Sanwa Bank, Tokai Bank and Asahi Bank will be finalized by September, Sanwa Bank President Kaneo Muromachi said in a recent interview.
BUSINESS
May 9, 2000
AXA Nichidan Life exec eyes challenges
The challenges surrounding the newly launched AXA Nichidan Life Insurance Co. and Japan's insurance industry do not elude Hisashi Ohgaki, the firm's executive director and chief products and marketing officer.
BUSINESS
Mar 24, 2000
Daiwa's rogue trader dreams of a return
ATLANTA -- The culprit in a financial scandal that rocked Japan nearly five years ago now has his eye on a second shot at the financial arena from a most unlikely place -- a small town some 60 km northeast of Atlanta.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2000
Tradescape.com enters Japan
In a move that could take the nation's online trading boom to another level, U.S. electronic trading broker Tradescape.com will join with Softbank Finance Corp. to launch Japan's first electronic communications network for securities trading as early as this summer.
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2000
BOJ's ultraeasy-credit policy a double-edged sword
As the Bank of Japan carries its zero-interest rate policy into the second year, there is no sign that the policy the BOJ itself calls abnormal will end anytime soon.
JAPAN
Feb 2, 2000
Loan firms aim to mend image by joining banks
Staff writer Major consumer finance companies, despite their soaring profits and superb risk assessment skills, still lack one thing: a positive image. Hiroki Jinnai, president of top consumer moneylender Promise Co., is well aware of that weakness. And it is exactly why he wants the firm's planned...
BUSINESS
Feb 2, 2000
Chuo relinquishes helm of merged bank to Mitsui
Top executives of Mitsui Trust & Banking Co. and Chuo Trust & Banking Co. were inundated with questions from reporters Monday as they announced the reversal of an earlier decision regarding the leadership structure of a bank to be set up through a merger of the two firms in April.
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2000
Chuo relinquishes presidency of merged bank
Staff writer Top executives of Mitsui Trust & Banking Co. and Chuo Trust & Banking Co. were inundated with questions from reporters Monday as they announced the reversal of an earlier decision regarding the leadership structure of a bank to be set up through a merger of the two firms in April. When...
BUSINESS
Jan 4, 2000
Domestic banks embrace information technology
Domestic banks, lagging behind their American counterparts in the use of information technology, are stepping up their Internet banking operations and expanding services available to retail customers via the Net.
JAPAN
Nov 22, 1999
Hong Kong's GEM joins race to woo startups
Staff writer
JAPAN
Nov 11, 1999
Economists give stimulus plan mixed reception
Staff writer
JAPAN
Oct 29, 1999
Auto insurers to offer premium rebates
Staff writer
Amid uncertain tariffs, is now the time to buy a new iPhone?
An Apple store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward in September. Prices for the newest iPhone models start at around ¥100,000 ($700) in Japan.
Japan must correct Trump’s false data for trade talks, says Kono
Former Foreign Minister Taro Kono
Japan wants to 'separate' tariff and security issues. That may be tough.
Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, poses with a "Make America Great Again" cap at the White House in Washington on April 16.
Social media helps fuel growing 'sex tourism' in Japan
People walk down a street in the red-light entertainment area of Kabukicho in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo on March 31.
Japan set to fine cyclists on the spot for rule violations from 2026
Under new rules, those who use smartphones while riding a bicycle would be subject to the maximum fine of ¥12,000.
Amid uncertain tariffs, is now the time to buy a new iPhone?
An Apple store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward in September. Prices for the newest iPhone models start at around ¥100,000 ($700) in Japan.
Built in a flash, Osaka Expo pavilions wrestle with sustainability
Kengo Kuma & Associates oversaw the construction of the Malaysia pavilion, which is encased in interwoven rows of bamboo that appear to ripple.
Japan weighs using U.S. rice imports as tariff negotiation tool with Trump
A restaurant owner pours California-grown Calrose rice into a rice cooker at his restaurant in Tokyo
Is Japan’s parliament ready to welcome more youth to its ranks?
Lower House lawmaker Kai Odake in his Tokyo office on Wednesday
Crow meat, goat tartare: Mauvaise Herbe raises its game
Crow meat, shaped into a ball and attached to a foot of the bird, is one of the peculiar offerings of game at Mauvaise Herbe.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.
By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027
Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

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