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 Shusuke Murai

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Shusuke Murai
Shusuke Murai was born in Japan and spent his teen years in central Ohio. He graduated from New York University with a M.A. in Communication. His interests include the activities of virtual communities, intercultural interactions in the information society and futuristic gadgets.
For Shusuke Murai's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
Reference / EXPLAINER,Q&A
Jul 20, 2018
Q&A: How to survive this year's scorching summer in Japan
This year's heat wave is again lethal, having already killed over 30 people and sent more than 10,000 to hospitals since July 9 due to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / IDEAS IN ACTION
Jul 19, 2018
Biz matchmaker helps free employees, turn everyone into an expert
In Japan's notoriously closed business culture, employees rarely enjoy opportunities to expand their professional networks or test their skills and knowledge outside their companies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / Taking the Lead
Jul 15, 2018
NewsPicks founder Yusuke Umeda aims to lead business news into social media age
Five years ago, Yusuke Umeda was in search of a media industry business model strong enough to survive a difficult time in journalism.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 13, 2018
At least four firms used foreign trainees to clean up radioactive contamination from Fukushima nuclear plant: ministry
At least four contractors used foreign trainees for decontamination work related to the Fukushima disaster, the Justice Ministry determines after a 182-company internship probe.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 9, 2018
Operations suspended at automakers and other firms across western Japan after torrential rain
Numerous companies have to curtail their activities in flood-hit areas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 5, 2018
New Tokyo research center aims to boost Japan's 'Fourth Industrial Revolution'
Technology today is advancing — often so fast that society fails to take full advantage of some great innovations due to outdated regulations, says the head of a new research center in Tokyo.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 28, 2018
Japan's automakers chase IT tie-ups in race for driving's future
The race to transform the global auto industry has reached full throttle.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 19, 2018
Mercari's IPO raises over ¥60 billion on Mothers, putting Japanese flea market app in spotlight
Mercari Inc., Japanu2019s first unicorn to go public, made its debut Tuesday on the Tokyo Stock Exchangeu2019s Mothers section, becoming the largest IPO this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2018
Abductees' relatives hope Trump-Kim summit will lead to return of loved ones
As they watched footage of the historic summit between leaders of the United States and North Korea on Tuesday, relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago expressed hope that the landmark meeting in Singapore will lead to the return of their loved ones.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 6, 2018
Honda Aircraft starts taking business jet orders in Japan
Honda Aircraft Co.'s "flying sports car" is set for take-off in Japan after the firm announced Wednesday it has begun accepting orders for its private business jet, HondaJet Elite, from domestic customers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 31, 2018
Japan launches entrepreneurial matching platform to boost space startups
In a bid to boost investment in domestic space startups, the government launched on Thursday an online platform to help connect investors with entrepreneurs seeking funds to put unique ideas into action.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / IDEAS IN ACTION
May 29, 2018
Infostellar aims to knit together a global network of satellite antenna stations
Ever since broadband internet access prevailed throughout the world, constant connectivity has been vital to every part of people's lives.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 16, 2018
Japan shouldn't try and replicate Silicon Valley to spur innovation, venture capitalist says
If Japan wants to spur innovation from startups, it shouldn't try to replicate Silicon Valley.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 15, 2018
Toshiba books first net profit in four years
The firm said it improved its balance sheet by recording u00a5783.1 billion in shareholdersu2019 equity at the end of March, staving off a risk of being delisted.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
May 14, 2018
Japanese automakers' rosy profits may be short-lived
Japan's big three automakers enjoyed soaring net profits in the last business year, but analysts warn it is too early to say the robust results suggest a return to their glory days.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 9, 2018
Toyota announces record net profit of ¥2.49 trillion
The companyu2019s record figure comes in the face of once-in-a-century changes faced by the automobile industry and rising protectionism.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 27, 2018
Free trade, energy diversity and 'real' big data vital to Japan's survival, says METI chief Hiroshige Seko
As a resource-poor nation, Japan's prosperity relies on free trade. Under worldwide protectionism, it can't survive.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 20, 2018
Professionals from Japan and India brainstorm on future IT ties at Tokyo tech event
As the domestic market faces a shortage of information technology engineers, Japan has turned its eyes on India's abundance of IT talent to prepare for the anticipated "internet of things" society.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / Taking the Lead
Apr 15, 2018
Hands-on Toyota exec passes down monozukuri spirit
Mitsuru Kawai drops by a bathhouse for factory workers at Toyota Motor's headquarters in Aichi Prefecture each day before work.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 13, 2018
Japan calls for 'emergency measure' blocking access to websites that pirate manga and anime
A government report calls for taking an u201cemergency measureu201d to block access to websites that pirate anime and manga, including Mangamura, Anitube and Miomio.

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