KAGA, Ishikawa Pref. (Kyodo) When U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs told developer Shin Higeta he could shut down the famous Shiroganeya inn in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, for renovations, he was surprised.

"It is amazing that a foreign fund can actually stand a business suspension as long as four months," said Higeta, who works for Hoshino Resort Inc., based in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture.

Higeta was put in charge of renovating the ryokan, which was built in 1624 and is famous for being patronized by artist Rosanjin Kitaoji (1883-1959).