For Kenji Hayashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's clout extends not just to U.S. equities. He also appears to hold the price of gold in the palm of his hand. If Greenspan can deftly rein in the runaway U.S. economy, slowing it enough to quell inflation but ...
There are two main reasons for the current weakness of the euro. One is the interest rate differential between the dollar and the euro, a gap that was temporarily contracting but is now widening again based on the extraordinary strength of the U.S. economy. The ...
Department stores have been facing intensifying harsh conditions caused by weak consumer spending, mounting bad debts stem- ming from the bubble economy, and marketing offensives by supermarkets and discount stores. However, if the industry adopts the right strategy, stores can be rehabilitated. Because department stores stock ...
German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim achieved the first successful hostile takeover of a publicly listed company in Japan when it went for SSP Co. With the external environment gradually changing, companies accustomed to Japan's "village society" will be subjected to U.S.-style takeover attempts. Last year, the ...
With money flowing into the stock market, investors are opting to purchase long-neglected low-priced stocks. This year, a recovery in corporate earnings and excess market liquidity should be in evidence. We are likely to see funds finally flow into stocks that have been stagnant in price, ...
