Mayumi Negishi - The Japan Times

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Mayumi Negishi

JAPAN

Dec 13, 2003

Optimism among big manufacturers soars

Bolstered by strong overseas and information technology-related demand, optimism among large manufacturers overcame fears over a rising yen and soared to a 6 1/2 year high, according to a key business survey released Friday.

BUSINESS

Dec 12, 2003

Regional bank bailout plan gets LDP nod

The Liberal Democratic Party approved a plan Thursday that will give the government greater freedom to inject public funds into troubled regional banks and credit unions.

BUSINESS

Dec 11, 2003

Ashikaga FG shares do brisk trade despite core unit's nationalization

It ain't over till the fat lady sings. Investors are buying up Ashikaga Financial Group Inc. shares, never mind that regulators nationalized the group's core unit, Ashikaga Bank, after declaring it insolvent.

BUSINESS

Dec 9, 2003

Bank lending slipped again in November

The volume of bank lending fell in November to a new low for the second consecutive month, as major banks remain focused on writing off past loans gone bad and large corporations continue to write down debt instead of borrowing new funds.

JAPAN / TALKING SHOP

Dec 8, 2003

When lenders balk, entrepreneur banks on worthy cause, trust

When Safia Minney first learned over a decade ago the Japanese phrase "mottai-nai" (what a waste) in regard to resources, she knew she was on the right track.

BUSINESS

Dec 5, 2003

FSA seeks DIP experts to run Ashikaga Bank

The Financial Services Agency will seek new managers for the nationalized Ashikaga Bank who boast expertise in extending short-term loans to troubled companies and can respond to the claims of local businesses.

JAPAN

Dec 1, 2003

Tochigi tries to pick up the pieces

UTSUNOMIYA, Tochigi Pref. -- One sleepless night after the government's decision to nationalize Ashikaga Bank, senior executives at manufacturer Rheon Automatic Machinery Co. held an emergency meeting Sunday at its headquarters to assess the damage.

JAPAN

Nov 30, 2003

Government intervenes to rescue Ashikaga Bank

Stepping into a political minefield, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi decided Saturday that the government would temporarily nationalize Ashikaga Bank, currently part of the Ashikaga Financial Group Inc.

BUSINESS

Nov 28, 2003

Life insurers surviving but see business shrink

Stable stock prices have eased concerns about potential failure at the nation's nine largest life insurance companies, but they continue to struggle against shrinking business volume, according to interim reports announced as of Thursday.

JAPAN

Nov 26, 2003

Top banks project profits for full year

All but one of the nation's seven major banks are projecting that they will coast to full-year profits in March given stable stock prices and improved corporate sentiment.

BUSINESS

Nov 22, 2003

Most key nonlife insurers report rise in net profits

Seven of the nation's nine largest nonlife insurers reported an increase in net profits Friday, as elevated stock prices helped cover for limping sales.

BUSINESS

Nov 15, 2003

Resona forecasts huge full-year loss

Bailed-out banking group Resona Holdings Inc. said Friday it expects a group net loss of 1.71 trillion yen for the year to March 31, reversing its June estimate of a 63.5 billion yen profit.

Japan Times

BUSINESS

Nov 13, 2003

Aozora poaches executive from Sumitomo Trust

In a departure from Japanese banking practice, Aozora Bank announced Wednesday its next president is coming from rival Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co.

BUSINESS

Nov 8, 2003

IY Bank's 24-hour ATMs turn profit

Seeking to meet consumer needs long ignored by conventional Japanese banks, IY Bank announced a first-half net profit of 104 million yen on Friday.

JAPAN

Nov 6, 2003

'Loan Shark King' plea held till mob probe ends

A former gangster dubbed the "Loan Shark King" said during his first trial session Wednesday he was putting off entering a plea on charges of lending money at exorbitant interest rates.

BUSINESS

Nov 5, 2003

Guarantee deposit must end in March 2005, Fukui says

The economy cannot afford an extension of the government's full guarantee on regular deposits beyond the end of March 2005, Bank of Japan Gov. Toshihiko Fukui said Tuesday.

BUSINESS

Nov 1, 2003

Deflation to slow in 2004, economy will continue slow recovery: BOJ says

While deflation will slow, the economy is unlikely to move forward beyond a snail's pace through fiscal 2004, the Bank of Japan said Friday.

BUSINESS

Oct 29, 2003

UFJ Holdings triples forecast for group profit

UFJ Holdings Inc. on Tuesday tripled its group net profit forecast for the first half of the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, thanks to strong profits from bond trading, and a tax rebate and interest from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

BUSINESS

Oct 16, 2003

Bankruptcies decline as firms go on life support

The number of corporate bankruptcies fell 14.2 percent on a year-on-year basis to 8,183 cases in the six months through September, Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. said Wednesday.

Japan Times

BUSINESS

Oct 13, 2003

Making the pitch in English: dry mouth and lots of practice

Everything hangs on the first three minutes of a pitch, whether in Tokyo or New York.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.

What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji

By Alex K.T. Martin

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