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Masumi Suga
For Masumi Suga's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 3, 2023
Japan’s top steelmaker eyes $700 million ‘green steel’ project
Nippon Steel is looking at Australia and Brazil, where high-grade iron ore is accessible along with cheaper electricity than in Japan, for its new plan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 22, 2023
Investors watch Japan’s spring wage talks for clues on BOJ moves
This year, the outcome of annual wage negotiations matters to bond investors, stock traders and anyone, really, with anything at stake in the country.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 22, 2023
Sole U.S. rare earth producer will ship to Japan in new deal that skips China
Output from the Mountain Pass mine in California has typically gone to China for processing, with Japanese companies purchasing from there.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 6, 2022
Nippon Steel and JFE may further boost output of niche steel for electric vehicles
Electrical steels have enhanced magnetic properties and help limit energy loss in EV motors, and are also used in power-generation equipment and mobile phones.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 21, 2022
Toyota-Panasonic battery venture looking for new coastal site
The company, which formally started operations in 2020, also plans to pare production costs by adopting Toyotau2019s so-called kaizen process of increasing productivity via tiny improvements.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 17, 2022
Toyota unveils new Prius, betting hybrids will stick around
The fifth generation of the car, with bigger wheels and a sportier design, offers three different hybrid powertrain options and will go on sale starting this winter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 28, 2022
One key, not two, for Toyota customers as chip shortage bites
Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, will temporarily give new car buyers in Japan just one smart key instead of two as it seeks to ration semiconductors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 27, 2022
Japanese Tesla supplier to take on Chinese rivals to tap EV boom
Sumitomo Metal Mining wants to start making materials for a cheaper type of electric vehicle battery that contains no nickel.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 14, 2022
Honda speeds up electric motorcycle shift to meet carbon neutrality goals
The carmaker, which also has the biggest global market share in motorbikes, set a target to make all of its bikes carbon neutral before the middle of the century.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 8, 2022
Toyota ranks last in top 10 carmakers for decarbonization efforts
Zero-emission vehicles made up just 0.18% of the firm's total sales last year versus General Motors Co. at 8.18%
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 2, 2022
Steel price hikes to impact Japan’s manufacturers as costs surge
The latest round of price negotiations in Japan comes as the global market takes a hit from the slump in China, which makes more than half of the worldu2019s steel.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 31, 2022
Toyota to invest $5.6 billion in U.S. and Japan EV battery output
Although Toyota sees hybrid and even hydrogen fuel cell cars as part of a green future, it has hastened its push to electrify more of its lineup in recent months.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 4, 2022
Toyota shares drop after carmaker maintains sober profit outlook
The automaker's decision comes even as a weaker yen boosts income in its home currency.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 21, 2022
Surging energy prices force Japanese steel giant to revisit coal
Nippon Steelu2019s potential move to bolster its upstream presence underscores how inflation is making companies prioritize their short-term operational needs over longer-term emissions goals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 27, 2022
Japan steel giant warns more hikes coming for cars and appliances
Nippon Steel will need to pass on the sharp cost increases for inputs such as iron ore and coking coal "promptly and fairly,u201d an executive has said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 16, 2022
Weaker yen and supply chain chaos prompt Japanese manufacturers to head home
Among those moving manufacturing to Japan are makers of everything from auto parts to cosmetics and consumer electronics, a Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. executive has said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 14, 2022
Japanese steel-makers raising prices and warning of more hikes
The prices of the two main inputs for steel production u2014 iron ore and coal u2014 have risen as Russiau2019s invasion of Ukraine exacerbated supply shortages.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 8, 2022
As Boeing avoids Russian titanium supply, a Japanese producer is stepping in
Japan has emerged as a beneficiary as the global aviation industry seeks to cut ties with Russiau2019s VSMPO-Avisma, the worldu2019s biggest titanium producer.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2022
Tokyo power squeeze easing, government says, after residents and businesses cut back
An electricity shortage warning for Tokyo was lifted Wednesday, with solar supplies expected to be more abundant and cold weather subsiding, according to the trade ministry.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 13, 2022
Japan’s titanium suppliers eye plane-maker exit from Russia
The war in Ukraine will likely prompt Boeing Co. and Airbus SE to review their long-term procurement and look for alternative sources to Russian titanium.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world