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Hiroshi Yamagiwa
For Hiroshi Yamagiwa's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
BUSINESS
Sep 24, 2002
'Al-Qaeda' economist slams band-aid mentality
Masaru Kaneko calls himself an "al-Qaeda" among economic academics, noting that his position has won him no sympathy from the mainstream.
BUSINESS
Aug 6, 2002
Professor champions cause of small manufacturers
Small and midsize manufacturers don't make for as flashy headlines as giants like Sony and Toyota. They are sometimes even collectively considered a symbol of a debt-laden Japan Inc.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / THE WRITERS' SPIN
May 31, 2002
Keio professor applies soccer tactics to business
Watching World Cup soccer games may give corporate managers a good clue about productive organization. Shunsuke Takahashi, an expert on human resources management, said that in a "soccer style" organization, team members work autonomously and flexibly. Even defenders can take shots on goal.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / THE WRITERS' SPIN
Apr 3, 2002
Tokyo should be more wary of remarks by fickle economists
Economists always disagree on how to mend Japan's flagging economy.
BUSINESS
Feb 23, 2002
Analyst reckons Japan distributors' systems put consumers in driving seat
If you believe that Japan's distribution system is inefficient and does consumers no good, try telling that to Masahiro Matsuoka.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / THE WRITERS' SPIN
Jan 23, 2002
Consultant wary of 'U.S.-style' info, mutual funds
Hajime Yamazaki must be an enemy of mutual fund companies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / THE WRITERS' SPIN
Dec 4, 2001
'Dull' firms blamed for slump
Many people blame the government for the nation's prolonged economic slump. But business consultant Tadashi Saegusa believes companies that delay internal restructuring are the prime culprits.
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2001
Bankruptcy rush simmering: Teikoku Databank expert
Katsuyuki Kumagai has witnessed an abundance of corporate bankruptcies during his 17-year tenure at a credit research firm.
BUSINESS / THE WRITERS' SPIN
Aug 30, 2001
Internet bank's accidental author is by no means an accidental Sony man
Staff writer Hiroki Totoki is a Sony Bank director and an accidental author.
JAPAN
Nov 10, 2000
White House change won't alter policies
Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential race, Japan will continue talks with the new administration regarding Okinawa Prefecture's demand for a 15-year limit on the U.S. military's use of a planned new airfield there, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Sep 29, 2000
Mori ignorant of key policy term
When Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori made a policy speech before the Diet on Sept. 21, it was obvious he was biting off more than he could chew in his priority area of information technology.
BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2000
Fiscal reconstruction 'up to politicians'
For anyone wondering when the Finance Ministry will start to put the nation's debt-ridden public finances in order, Vice Minister Toshiro Muto has the clear answer: Whenever the politicians are ready.
BUSINESS
Aug 22, 2000
Stock games aimed at educating investors
High school students hooked on stock-trading games in class are still a rarity in Japan -- for better or worse.
BUSINESS
Aug 11, 2000
Politicians know ordinary people best: Aizawa
The government will not delay again the sale of the nationalized Nippon Credit Bank to a Softbank Corp.-led consortium on Sept. 1, despite a controversial clause in the contract, the new chairman of the Financial Reconstruction Commission said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Jul 22, 2000
G7 upbeat on global economy
NAGO, Okinawa Pref. — Leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations on Friday hailed the positive outlook for the global economy — including Japan's — but expressed concern about high oil prices that could dent economic stability.
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2000
G8 chiefs' script covers debt relief, 'digital divide'
Helping developing countries ride the global wave of the information technology revolution will top the economic agenda at the Friday-Sunday Group of Eight summit in Okinawa.
BUSINESS
Jul 15, 2000
Tax Commission report hints that tax hike is in the pipeline
The medium-term report released Friday by the government Tax Commission has sent one important message to the public, albeit between the lines: A tax hike is inevitable in the not-so-distant future.
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2000
G7 ministers agree on policies for IT
FUKUOKA — Finance ministers from the Group of Seven economic powers agreed Saturday that governments need to maximize the benefits of the information technology revolution and minimize the risks through deregulation and coordinating their regulatory policies.
BUSINESS
Jul 6, 2000
Miyazawa open to IT-aimed supplementary budget
The government should draw up, if necessary, an extra budget focused on information technology and new public projects later this year, Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jun 17, 2000
401(k)-type plans to appear online
man. Yamaguchi played a key role last September in the introduction of a new type of pension -- similar to the 401(k) plans used in the United States -- at Pasona Inc., the major temporary-staff agency in Tokyo where he works.

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