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July 04, 2025
 

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THE VIEW FROM EUROPE

BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Sep 6, 2014
Automakers may miss boat on modularization
Toyota successfully defended its status as the world's largest automaker in the first half of 2014. However, Volkswagen has gotten very close and is widely expected to overtake Toyota either by the end of the year or in 2015 at latest.
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
May 10, 2014
Industry 4.0: Germany rethinks manufacturing
Last month, the chief executive officer of one of the country's largest manufacturers spoke in a closed-door meeting to a group of Japanese executives on his company's global strategy. Remarkably, he spend 20 percent of his time praising German companies, from traditional heavyweights such as Siemens...
BUSINESS / Economy / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Mar 15, 2014
Economy can do without structural reform
While critics of "Abenomics" begrudgingly agree Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy package has been a success so far, they are equally quick to highlight its looming headwinds.
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Feb 8, 2014
First cracks appear in Abe's PR campaign
Japan stormed back in 2013. Even the staunchest critics of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have had to admit that his administration managed to achieve roaring success in its first year. This success owes much to a shift of perception based on an excellently devised and executed public relations strategy....
COMMENTARY / Japan / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Dec 14, 2013
Leaders from outside box could ignite Japan
On Nov. 30, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company shocked Japan Inc. by announcing that it plans to appoint Frenchman Christophe Weber as its next president by June 2014. Until then, Japanese companies with foreigners in the top spot had fallen into two categories: those that promote foreigners who have performed...
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Oct 13, 2013
Crumbling keiretsu networks good sign for foreign firms and Japan
For years and decades, foreign observers have cried foul over various barriers — both existing and perceived — to the Japanese economy. Their main target is usually the keiretsu, the closely knit business networks automakers exclusively maintain with groups of 200 to 300 suppliers.
BUSINESS / Companies / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Aug 18, 2013
Japan must open up to foreign investment — especially from China
Earlier this year, NHK aired the three-part TV program "Made in Japan," which dramatized an electronics company's struggle to survive tough economic times. While fictional, the story detailed the harsh reality Japan Inc. faces from Chinese competition.
COMMENTARY / Japan / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Jul 1, 2013
Constitutional revision debate could make or break 'Abenomics'
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's popularity continues — the latest Nikkei and TV Tokyo survey shows his approval rating at 66 percent, his Liberal Democratic Party's victory in the Upper House election seems highly probable, "Abenomics" is still on course, and even medium-term economic growth seems possible...
COMMENTARY / Japan / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Apr 22, 2013
Polished PR, perception strategy fourth arrow in 'Abenomics' quiver
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is back and so, it appears, is Japan. The yen is down, the Nikkei up, and approval ratings and expectations for the new government are sky high.
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Feb 25, 2013
Debate over weak yen, currency war misses point: demand is slack
Since mid-November, the yen has weakened substantially against the dollar, the euro and other currencies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Dec 3, 2012
The best-kept secret in Japanese politics is that policies don't matter
Political parties in Japan are busy preparing for the Dec. 16 Lower House election. Each day, voters face new or newly merged parties, most of them determined to become part of the "third political force" or "third pole" forming to challenge the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and its two rivals —...
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Oct 1, 2012
Flip-flop on no-nuclear energy policy bodes ill for the future of Japan
On Sept. 14, the Japanese government presented to the public a new national energy strategy. This long-awaited plan included as its focal point the objective of eliminating nuclear power by the end of the 2030s. Less than a week later, however, Japan's hopes for a nuclear-free world were dashed. In the...
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
May 21, 2012
For better or worse, Japan might remain nuclear-free forever
On May 5, Japan's last operating nuclear reactor was shut down, turning it into a nuclear energy-free country. The government is working desperately to restart two reactors in the town of Oi in Fukui Prefecture, but the outcome is difficult to predict.
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Mar 5, 2012
Todai plan to shift school year could be catalyst for wider Japanese reforms
The University of Tokyo, locally known as Todai, has announced a draft plan to shift the start of its academic year from spring to autumn and called on 11 other major universities to join it. Public discussion of the proposal has been immense since the announcement in mid-January, and for good reason....
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Jan 9, 2012
South Korea's opening leaves wishy-washy Japan farther behind
On July 1, 2011, the European Union-South Korea free-trade agreement took effect, promising to significantly facilitate the exchange of goods and services and give both nations a major economic boost. The conclusion of the deal demonstrated the huge European interest in South Korea's economy and markets....
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Nov 7, 2011
A U.S. of Euro Land may be what's needed but unity is in short supply
Japan launched major yen-selling intervention on Oct. 31 in response to massive speculative yen-buying — the first such action since August. The ever-rising yen is threatening Japan's export industry and can easily derail the eagerly awaited economic recovery from the March 11 shock. However, it remains...
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Sep 19, 2011
Japan faces crossroads for rebranding itself after Fukushima crisis
The Fukushima power plant crisis has clearly damaged Japan as a country brand. There has been an outpouring of sympathy for the victims and a widespread admiration for Japan's perseverance, stoicism and orderly response, but the overwhelming perception overseas is negative: disbelief that such an accident...
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Jul 18, 2011
German energy study offers framework for Japanese policy chaos
Pure chaos is reigning over Japanese energy policy and the future of its nuclear power industry.
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
May 9, 2011
Meaningful future needed to preserve Tokyo Motor Show
Japanese automakers were hit hard by the March earthquake and the massive supply chain interruptions continue. It's so bad in fact that normalization of production at most domestic and overseas plants is expected to take until the end of the year.
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Mar 7, 2011
Germany's economic miracle: New lessons await for old Japan
The economies of Japan and Germany, similar in many respects, are often compared. Not only did both rise from the ashes of World War II to become the leading economies in their regions, but they also formed strong manufacturing bases, large numbers of successful midsize companies and enjoyed extreme...
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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