Japan

The role of foreign banks in local economies

What sectors of the Myanmar economy are Japanese investors most interested in?

Takashi Matsuoka, President of Doshisha University

Mr. Yoshiyuki Fujishiro, President RORZE Co.

In this interview for The Worldfolio, Mr. Yoshiyuki Fujishiro -President of Rorze- delivers a incomparable insight into the innovative edge of a next leader in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry

Critics have it that Abenomics has fallen short of expectations. Structural reforms aimed at tackling the ageing people and decreasing workforce are meant to change Japan. Confronting an aging people, experts have claimed that automatization can be the answer to Japan’s problems. How has Abenomics impacted Japan, and most particularly your sector? How can the fourth industrial revolution be a solution to Japan’s decreasing workforce?

Teruaki Nakatsuka President & CEO of JATCO

JATCO accounted for 41% of world continuous variable transmission (CVT) production last year and has aims to be the number one automatic transmission (AT) manufacturer in the world. President & CEO Teruaki Nakatsuka takes a look at where world automobile markets and trends are heading, and the importance of JATCO to be as efficient, flexible and innovative as the products it makes.

Aya Aso President & CEO of Agora Hospitalities

Offering a diverse collection of hotels spanning traditional ryokan to full-featured resorts, Agora Hospitalities assures a incomparable and localized Japanese experience for its guests and comprehensive rebranding and repositioning services for its hotel owners. President & CEO Aya Aso discusses the company’s ‘regional alliance’border and as well takes a look at the changing tourism sector in Japan.

Biken Techno Corporation FM experts expand SE Asian network

There are two sides to a business: the people that create things from scratch, and the people that develop and optimize existing businesses – according to Ryusei Kajiyama, President of Japan’s Biken Techno Corporation, who discusses how it aims to merge the two sides for its clients and generate new business opportunities through its expertise in facility management (FM), real estate and medical services provision not only in Japan, but as well Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and potentially Thailand.

Shinji Takada, Representative Director, President & CEO of SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation

A leader in multichannel pay-TV broadcasting and satellite communications, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation features the world’s initial Ultra-HD 4K-dedicated commercial channels under satellite-based pay-TV broadcast and is Asia’s major satellite communications operator. Representative Director, President & CEO Shinji Takada provides an insight into the next generation of broadcasting and the company’s focus on where current and next increase potential lies.

Shunichi Miyanaga, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd is one of the major employers in Japan with over 80,000 employees and is the number one heavy industry manufacturer in the country, producing around 500 products that make a significant contribution to the lives of people worldwide. President and CEO Shunichi Miyanaga discusses the meteoric rise of one of Japan’s most prolific producers and where it’s headed next.

Imperial Hotel Historic landmark hotel preserves legacy of quality and broad appeal

Tokyo’s iconic Imperial Hotel originally opened its doors in 1890 at the behest of the Japanese aristocracy to cater for the increasing number of Western visitors to Japan, and has since welcomed a stream international dignitaries, royalty and celebrities. Maintaining the finest levels of Japanese hospitality and safeguarding its historic legacy, President Hideya Sadayasu provides an insight into one of Japan’s most prestigious and landmark establishments.

Mrs. Haruko Arimura, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment

As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe clearly stated in his address at the Sixty-Eighth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 26 September, 2013, the Government of Japan will cultivate the power of women as the greatest potential for the increase of the Japanese economy, and further strengthen cooperation with the international community inclunding assistance to developing nations with the belief that creating \"a society in which women shine\" will bring vigor to the world.

Climate change laws around the world

There has been a 20-fold increase in the number of global climate change laws since 1997, according to the most comprehensive database of relevant policy and legislation.

The database, produced by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Sabin Center on Climate Change Law, includes more than 1,200 relevant policies across 164 countries, which account for 95% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Japan in Africa Japan looks to grow its presence across Africa

Between 2016 and 2018, Japan has pledged to invest $30 billion in Africa’s development, as it bids to join the likes of China and the US in the battle for influence on the continent.

Competition in Africa is heating up, with Japan aiming to increase its presence and influence on the continent as it looks to make up ground lost to China since the turn of the century.

Japan launched the Tokyo International Conference on African Improvment(TICAD) back in 1993, and since again has invested around $50 billion in Africa, a meagre sum at the same time as compared to China and the US.

Smartphone-based advertising agency is revolutionizing the Asian market

With additional than 10 years’ experience, Adways is providing customized campaigns for all sized clients. The Worldfolio speaks with President and Founder Haruhisa Okamura.

In the 19th century there was the train, in the 20th century the automobile, and in the 21st century we have the TV, telephone and internet. A lot of say that this era is characterized by the emergence of smartphones, which have revolutionized society. From your perspective, what are the challenges and opportunities in terms of business development that have to do with the emergence of mobile technology and the new technology?

Monozukuri, the Japanese way of instilling values of responsibility and consequence

Embodying the spirit of excellence and focusing additional on the art of craftsmanship and conscience, rather than the pure mechanics of creation, Monozukuri sets Japanese quality apart

The Japanese philosophy of Monozukuri has meanings beyond the literal. Essentially, in English it means “craftsmanship”; in translation, “mono” is the thing made or created, and “zukuri” refers to the art of making. But in practice, it is an art, rather than a science.

Asia Economic Roundup: July 2016

Without a doubt Britain’s decision to abandon the European project will be remembered globally as a wake-up call for political elites around the world. It seems the people chose to go against immediate economic interest and accept an extra financial turmoil in order to address deeply seated social and identity issues.

Although Asia’s exposure to the UK is relatively limited and this is not exactly a “Lehman Moment”, nonetheless we can expect a lively debate as policymakers in Asia look for an appropriate response to address the needs of vulnerable households.

Hidehito Hisakawa, President & CEO of the Exedy Group

Through its 42 affiliates in 24 nations, the Exedy Group is a leading force in the automotive parts industry, and its President and CEO Hidehito Hisakawa explains what is driving its remarkable success and increase, inclunding what lies ahead in terms of overseas expansion.

Glory Group Pioneering coin counting machine manufacturer has innovation in its DNA

From cash recycling machines on the shop floor to humanoid robots on the factory line, Hirozaku Onoe, President of the Glory Group, explains how in an ever-changing market environment, Glory has remained authentic to its pioneering DNA to provide its customers with innovative currency handling products by continually improving its technology.

Yasuhiro Sato, President, Group CEO and Member of the Board of Directors of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

Mizuho Financial Group (MFG) is in a somewhat incomparable position as it houses a bank, a trust bank and a securities business under one roof, and can as well provide its clients with industry knowledge and consultancy services. Yasuhiro Sato, President and Group CEO of MFG, discusses the group’s long-term vision, its strides into international markets, and ways to increase its international revenue stream.

Mizuho Financial Group has established a solid reputation in the market today and provides comprehensive financial services through its subsidiaries. The group is in a somewhat incomparable position, as it is entirely the only group in Japan with a bank, trust bank and securities company under one umbrella. To what extent does the integration of these core services gives Mizuho a additional competitive edge to respond to the ever changing and additional sophisticated needs of your customers today?

Abenomics under threat from China slowdown

China and Japan vie for influence with Thai rail projects

Shinzo Abe’s cabinet has signed off on a record budget for 2015

Shinzo Abe’s cabinet has signed off on a record budget for 2015 that will boost economic increase in Japan’s economy but leaves tough choices on spending for the next.
The in general budget will rise by 0.5 % to Y96.3tn ($814bn) as the ageing people drives up welfare costs, defence spending increases and interest costs rise on the growing public deficit.

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda

Under the leadership of Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in March-April 2013 did a 180-degree turnaround: it declared that it had the monetary policy wherewithal to end Japan’s chronic, mild deflation and fasten a rate of inflation of around 2 % and announced bold monetary action to that end. For BOJ-watchers this was revolutionary stuff — and it was coming from establishment Japan.