National Dec 31, 2021
Heavy snow snarls travel in Japan during year-end holidays
Scores of flights were canceled, warnings were issued of possible highway closures and trains delayed by the storm on Friday.
Masumi Suga
For Masumi Suga's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Business / Corporate Nov 30, 2021
Japan’s steel giant is set to win price hikes as metal rallies
Nippon Steel Corp. executives have been increasingly vocal in seeking better terms for domestic contract prices to bridge the gap with international prices.
Business / Economy Nov 22, 2021
From bathhouses to fisheries, hidden inflation is creeping across Japan
Gasoline prices soared to a seven-year high this month and the government is expecting the tightest power supply in a decade this winter.
Business Sep 16, 2021
Japan’s ‘carbon neutral’ liquefied natural gas shipments may not offset emissions
Measures such as preventing deforestation or supporting renewable energy projects actually do little to extract additional carbon from the air, and shouldn’t contribute to net-zero claims.
Business / Corporate Aug 31, 2021
Nippon Steel riding Beijing policy tailwind to record profit
China’s push to reduce carbon emissions is providing a tailwind for steel producers worldwide as it limits output from the country and pushes down the cost of key ingredient iron ore.
Business Jul 7, 2021
Every roof in Japan could have solar panels in the future
Japan has a long way to go to wean itself off coal and natural gas, which is used to generate more than 70% of its electricity.
Business Jun 11, 2021
Prices on everything from electric cars to beer cans may go up as aluminum costs surge in Japan
Producers of the lightweight metal are increasingly calling the shots in pricing talks with Japanese buyers, as demand climbs amid a tightening global market.
Business / Corporate Jun 4, 2021
Nippon Steel says higher prices needed to guarantee supply
A huge gap has been created between international and domestic steel prices, and Nippon Steel Corp. risks falling behind, the firm's executive vice president, Takahiro Mori, has said.
Business / Corporate Mar 2, 2021
Japanese steel giant shifts to recycled metal in green race
Taking steps toward decarbonization is one of the pillars of Nippon Steel’s mid-term business plan starting April, the firm said.
National Dec 23, 2020
Japan residents urged to wear masks at home as cases soar
Koike and other prefectural leaders have urged older people and people with underlying health issues — and those living with them — to don masks at home during the New Year break.