author

 
 

Meta

Takashi Mochizuki
For Takashi Mochizuki's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 2, 2022
Private equity firms eyeing Toshiba buyout face nuclear dilemma
Toshiba's nuclear business is involved in decommissioning the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, making it hard for the government to accept a transfer of ownership to an overseas firm.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 28, 2022
As sinking yen causes pain for many, SoftBank and game-makers are rare beneficiaries
Game publishers such as Nintendo and Capcom create software in Japan, meaning the bulk of their costs are in yen, while a large portion of their sales come from overseas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Apr 14, 2022
Toshiba’s talk of privatization leaves some analysts with doubts
Toshiba is in talks with financial institutions on a buyout plan that would be led by domestic investors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 8, 2022
Murata to run more plants entirely on renewable energy by March 2023
A third of Murata's u00a5230 billion capital expenditure budget over the next three years will be dedicated to environment-related projects, Murata President Norio Nakajima said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 25, 2022
Japanese firm that moves world’s chips counts on data explosion
Daifuku Co. is redesigning its ubiquitous overhead conveyors for factories to handle an 'exponential” surge in data usage and global chip demand.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 14, 2022
Toshiba to hold extraordinary meeting in March on new separation plan
The meeting, intended to gain feedback from investors, presents the possibility of a showdown with activist stock holders that may oppose the conglomerate's restructuring proposal.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 7, 2022
Troubled Toshiba to split into two firms instead of three
The new plan scraps the earlier intention to separate out its infrastructure operations, which will instead continue to be under Toshiba Corp.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 12, 2022
Sony is dealing with PlayStation 5 shortage by making more PS4s
The older console uses less advanced chips, is simpler to make and provides a budget-friendly alternative to the flagship model.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 5, 2022
Sony unveils PlayStation VR2 headset and new immersive Horizon game
Sony's next-generation wired gaming goggles, which plug into the PlayStation 5 home console, will feature OLED panels with increased resolution from the first generation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 10, 2021
Supply chain woes force Murata to ship lithium batteries by air
On top of inflated base cargo fees fueled by high demand, batteries shipped via air incur extra handling charges because they're a fire hazard.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 25, 2021
For aging Japan, a cooker that makes chicken as soft as butter
The invention by two Panasonic Corp. engineers is designed to help people with swallowing difficulties.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 13, 2021
Tencent buys game studio behind hit Nintendo Switch titles
The Shenzhen-based entertainment giant has taken about a 90% stake in Wake Up Interactive Ltd. for more than u00a55 billion ($44 million), sources said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 11, 2021
It's going to get even harder to buy a PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 became the fastest Sony console to reach 10 million units sold this July, but it has fallen behind the sales pace of its predecessor PlayStation 4 since then.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 14, 2021
New Nintendo Switch’s Japan debut bodes ill for global sales
While Nintendo grapples with supply challenges, there's also concern about the strength of long-term demand for the OLED model.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 11, 2021
Toshiba’s independent probe was biased, say two former directors
The pair rejected the conclusions of a 139-page report by a law firm that determined the firm had worked with Japan's trade ministry to prevent shareholders from exercising their rights.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Sep 30, 2021
Developers are making games for a Nintendo 4K console that doesn’t exist
The lack of a console with 4K technology risks alienating developers who have spent months tailoring their games to take advantage of upgraded hardware capabilities.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 3, 2021
Toshiba warns power-chip supply will stay tight for another year
Mature tech such as Toshiba's power chips is cheaper than cutting-edge memory and sensors but no less important for any electronic device.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Aug 30, 2021
Western Digital pitch for new Kioxia deal faces familiar hurdles
Resistance from within Japan, China and Kioxia's own management are among the challenges ahead.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 27, 2021
Chip crunch may last through 2022, Toyota supplier Rohm warns
'All of our production facilities have been running at their full capacity since September last year, but orders from customers are overwhelming,” the firm's CEO said this week.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 5, 2021
Nintendo to buy back shares after profit misses estimates
The Kyoto-based company reported operating income of u00a5119.75 billion ($1.1 billion) for the June quarter.

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree