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Supriya Singh
For Supriya Singh's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Hideyuki Sakamoto, executive vice president for manufacturing and supply chain management at Nissan, speaks during a media briefing at the company's plant in Yokohama on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 16, 2024
Nissan looks to Tesla’s style of carmaking to build cheaper EVs
The carmaker will use machines with about 6,000 tons of force to make the rear floors of EVs to be sold from fiscal 2027 onward.
Japan Airlines has kicked off an unmanned drone service to deliver goods and medical supplies in the remote town of Setouchi.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 29, 2024
Japan Airlines starts drone service in remote areas for disasters
The carrier is working with local authorities in the town of Setouchi, a tiny inlet in Okayama Prefecture that's home to 8,000 residents.
A Honda CR-V e:FCEV on display at H2 & FC Expo in Tokyo on Wednesday
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 28, 2024
Honda to sell plug-in hydrogen vehicle in North America, Japan
Japan's second-largest carmaker hopes to ease drivers’ anxiety over finding hydrogen stations by adding electric recharging capabilities.
Nissan is planning an autonomous vehicle ride-share service for Japan with a 2027 launch date to address a lack of taxi drivers due to the nation’s aging population.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 28, 2024
Nissan plans 2027 driverless ride-share service for aging Japan
Nissan will trial the service in Yokohama's Minato Mirai area, with 20 vehicles equipped with a safety monitor in each driver’s seat.
ANA said the cheating involving 78 of its drivers took place between August 2022 and February 2024 while JAL said 11 drivers of its drivers cheated on tests conducted between May 2022 and January 2024.
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2024
Japanese airlines say baggage car drivers cheated on written exam
ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines said their subsidiaries allowed workers at Haneda Airport to cheat on the test to obtain driving licenses.
An Enechange electric vehicle charging station in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture. There are around 37,000 public charging ports in Japan.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 19, 2024
Japan needs more priority EV parking spots, Enechange CEO says
In space-challenged Japan, where electric vehicles only account for around 3% of new car sales, regular cars often park in charging spots instead.
Japan Airlines has reported third-quarter income that beat average analyst estimates.
BUSINESS
Feb 2, 2024
JAL expects ¥2 billion in lost revenue due to Haneda jet crash
JAL said Friday the amount also includes losses incurred from having to take the A350 out of service.
FACTEV shows that a Nissan Leaf electric car driven in Hokkaido will get between 106 kilometers and 212 kilometers per charge in its first year.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 12, 2023
Using big data to speed up Japan’s slow electric car transition
Gaming company DeNA has developed an EV simulation tool that can assess the lifespan and cruising range per charge of battery cars over time.
As a customer for Renault's combustion-engine venture, Nissan will receive gearboxes and engines for 12 of its plants.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 6, 2023
Nissan to buy engines and gearboxes from Renault-Geely venture
The step is part of a major revamp of the firms working together following years of growing tensions.
The government plans to raise the retirement age of drivers of privately owned cabs to 80, from 75 currently, as rural areas in particular suffer from an acute shortage of transportation for the elderly.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 4, 2023
Expanding labor shortage pushes Japan to find new ways to fill jobs
Companies have been forced to come up with new ways to find labor and keep their operations running smoothly, sometimes with novel ideas.
Honda will invest ¥500 billion in its electric motorcycle business by 2030.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 30, 2023
Honda to invest $3.4 billion in electric motorcycles by 2030
The company plans to introduce 30 new electric motorcycle models worldwide by the same year.
Toshihiro Mibe, president and chief executive officer of Honda at the Japan Mobility Show, in Tokyo in October
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 12, 2023
Booming profits bolster Japan automakers’ cautious EV shift
The Japanese auto sector is on track this year to exceed its peak operating profit of around ¥5.4 trillion in fiscal 2015.
Nissan Motor Sakura electric vehicles (left and center), and a Mitsubishi Motors eK X electric vehicle on display during their release ceremony at the Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima plant in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, in May 2022.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 24, 2023
Japan's bestselling EV isn’t a Tesla but a $13,000 minicar
A jointly developed minicar sold as the Nissan Motors Sakura and Mitsubishi Motors eK X accounts for roughly half of all EV sales in Japan.
Passengers line up to board a bullet train at Tokyo Station in August.
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2023
Shinkansen rail pass prices soar 70% for tourists
Even with the big increase, demand is likely to stay strong thanks to a cheaper yen and steady flow of inbound visitors.
An illustration of one of Japan Airlines' future flagship long-haul Airbus SE A350-1000 jets
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 3, 2023
Japan Airlines revamps first class with luxury double-bed suites
The firm is calculating that a premium-heavy configuration on its future planes will help deliver greater profitability.
Self-driving vehicles featuring level-4 capabilities in Eiheiji, Fukui Prefecture. The limited availability of autonomous driving in Japan stands in stark contrast to the U.S. and China.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 2, 2023
Autonomous driving remains a distant reality in Japan
The limited availability of autonomous driving stands in stark contrast to the U.S. and China, where robotaxis already roam the streets in some cities.
An All Nippon Airways employee escorts a group of Chinese tourists through Haneda Airport in Tokyo last month.
BUSINESS
Sep 7, 2023
Fukushima water release won’t deter Chinese tourists: ANA CEO
The number of inbound visitors from China was about 300,000 in July, he said, compared with 30,000 in January, says Koji Shibata.
Toyota's sales in China fell in July amid intense competition with local brands.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 30, 2023
Toyota output hits monthly record for July on robust demand
Worldwide sales, including for subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino, rose 5.2% to 918,345 units.
Nissan Motor has finalized plans to invest in Renault’s electric-vehicle venture Ampere, capping months of negotiations to rebalance the troubled automotive alliance.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 26, 2023
Nissan to invest $663 million in Renault EV unit as alliance rejigged
The deal caps months of negotiations aimed at rebalancing the troubled automotive alliance.
The engine of a Toyota Motor's Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 25, 2023
Taxi firm’s hydrogen cell experience highlights fuel’s pitfalls
It’s not that there’s anything wrong specifically with the cars, good looking midsized sedans with Lexus-level luxury. Rather, it’s the high cost of hydrogen.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
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