author

 
Menu
Search
 
May 04, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Makiko Yamazaki
For Makiko Yamazaki's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 26, 2023
Mitsubishi UFJ to buy Indonesian auto loan firm Mandala for $467 million
Japanese companies are expanding their footprint in Southeast Asia, hoping to capture an emerging middle class in a region with around 690 million people.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2023
Cosmo Energy wins investor approval for 'poison pill' against activist
The approval marks the second such vote on a poison pill in Japan that excludes an investor, in a practice some governance experts say could deter shareholder activism.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2023
Nearly 70% of Japan firms expect more activist proposals, poll shows
More than 340 shareholder resolutions have been submitted to about 90 listed companies for voting at annual shareholders meetings in June, when most Japanese firms hold such meetings.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 19, 2023
Japan's financial regulator sounds out top banks about China risks
The Financial Services Agency has asked whether they have plans in place if Sino-Western tensions escalate.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 28, 2023
Proxy adviser ISS backs Toyota shareholder proposal on climate disclosure
A proxy adviser has recommended that shareholders of Toyota vote in favor of a resolution urging the automaker to improve disclosure of its lobbying related to climate change.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 25, 2023
Cosmo CEO says controversial vote tactics justified in activist defense
A vote on a 'poison pill' takeover defense will exclude Cosmo's largest shareholder grouping.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 1, 2023
Japan activist group hails stock exchange reform as remedy for undervalued stocks
Investors say the move is a testament to the fact that firms can no longer brush aside stock underperformance and must end the practice of asset-hoarding.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 10, 2023
Japan's three mega-banks to face votes on climate change
Climate groups are targeting mega-banks Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group over financing linked to fossil fuels.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 4, 2023
Family office of Nintendo heirs says patience is a superpower
The investment firm is willing to play a long game when it comes to portfolio companies and can wait more than a decade to see a turnaround, a top executive said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 24, 2023
Fujitec shareholders oust three directors in major activist win
The victory is a departure for Japan, where activists have had little success to date in convincing shareholders to back proposals to fire incumbents.
BUSINESS
Feb 22, 2023
Going down: Battle at Japanese elevator maker Fujitec reaches final level
The firm's top shareholder with a 17% stake, Oasis Management, aims to replace all five outside directors of an eight-strong board with its own candidates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 9, 2023
JIP-led group has secured loans worth ¥1.4 trillion for Toshiba buyout, sources say
Toshiba named the consortium as its preferred bidder last October, but the group was unable to meet a requirement to provide commitment letters from banks by Nov. 7.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 5, 2023
Japan's SMFG to extend Jefferies alliance beyond U.S., CEO says
'We will cooperate anywhere we can,' leveraging Jefferies' investment banking expertise and SMFG's huge balance sheet, Jun Ohta said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 4, 2022
Fuji Soft proxy fight the latest test of Japan Inc. board independence
Governance experts say outside directors are only nominally independent if they have close ties to management or fail to give proper oversight.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 24, 2022
Mitsubishi UFJ to buy two Asia units of Home Credit for $620 million
The deal comes as Japan's largest lender aims to beef up its business in Asia to tap growth in consumption in emerging markets.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 22, 2022
Carlyle expands presence in Japan's auto sector as EV shift shakes supply chains
U.S. private equity firm announced this month a u00a538 billion tender offer for Totoku Electric, a manufacturer of electric wire whose products include wiring for automotive seat heaters.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 21, 2022
Warren Buffett's Berkshire boosts stakes in Japan's five biggest trading houses
The move is in line with Berkshire's statement in 2020 that its investments in the Japanese trading houses were for the long term and the stakes could rise to 9.9%.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 7, 2022
Fate of Toshiba management causing friction for banks in buyout plan
There is concern preferred bidder JIP's plan to retain Toshiba CEO Taro Shimada and his team could impede the reorganization needed to put the firm on the road to recovery.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 18, 2022
Toshiba's preferred bidder offers less than key ¥6,000 a share, sources say
During a strategic review last year, at least one global private equity firm told Toshiba's review committee that a deal could be done at u00a56,000 a share or more.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 29, 2022
Olympus to sell microscope unit to Bain for $3 billion
In a statement, Olympus said the transfer to Bain would be in its best interest to allow the business to grow with more agile and flexible decision-making based on market needs.
Biden calls ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with rivals China and Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in Syracuse, New York, on April 25.
Yen swings stir talk that Japan is in the FX market once again
An electronic screen in Tokyo displays the yen exchange rate against the U.S. dollar and the graph showing its recent swings, on Thursday.
Harajuku strives to reclaim its former glory — and surpass it
Laforet Harajuku, which celebrated its 45th anniversary last year, has been a witness to the district's evolution over the years.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Japan's May 1 intervention may have cost ¥3.66 trillion, BOJ data suggests
An electronic screen displays a graph showing Japanese yen exchange rates surging against the dollar amid signs of intervention by authorities, in Tokyo on Thursday.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces
By Stephen Mansfield

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Cultural properties:A Fujiya Hotel insider’s view
Cultural properties:A Fujiya Hotel insider’s view

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER