Japan ending tax tied to ditching of acquired shell companies

TOKYO -- Japan looks to remove the tax liability often faced by businesses that eliminate shell companies inherited in foreign acquisitions, a change that would encourage strong and simple corporate structures while limiting the potential for tax avoidance. ( read original story ...)

Luxury brands lifting prices in Japan amid brisk demand

Tax-free shoppers increased 56% on the year to around 380,000 in October, according to the Japan Department Stores Association. The Nikkei Stock Average has reached its highest in 26 years, fueling hopes for consumption. "People tend to loosen their purse ... ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan normalisation: too soon to consider?

Most forecasters thought they could dismiss the Bank of Japan from their 2018 lists of central banks to watch. Amid talk of a retreat from quantitative easing, the BoJ looked nailed on to maintain its “yield curve control” policy, putting off the idea ... ( read original story ...)

Two decades after Japan’s financial crisis

Behind the streamlining plans by the major banks is the sector’s difficult business climate. The ultra-low interest rates under the Bank of Japan’s unprecedented monetary easing policy have reduced the lending margin on bank loans, which is not ... ( read original story ...)

Can the Metro do a Tokyo for Hyderabad?

Serving about 7 million passengers per day in the world’s most populous urban conglomeration, Tokyo Metro stands out for a seamless transport network spanning 195 km with nine lines. During a recent visit to Japan, I experienced the top quality ... ( read original story ...)

Japan to offer ride sharing as way to explore far-flung areas

TOKYO -- The government here will let people use personal cars to ferry tourists and other passengers for pay in a strategic special zone in western Japan, aiming to gauge the benefits of ride sharing in hopes that it will help sightseers venture outside ... ( read original story ...)

Japan carmakers make fresh push on hydrogen stations

A consortium of Japanese auto giants on Tuesday announced plans to set up a new company next year to build more hydrogen refuelling stations, in an effort to bring fuel-cell cars into the mainstream. There are currently 2,200 fuel-cell cars in Japan with ... ( read original story ...)

Ex-U.S. deserter to North Korea who married Japan abductee dies

TOKYO -- Charles Jenkins, a U.S Army deserter to North Korea who married a Japanese abductee and lived in Japan after their release, has died. He was 77. Jenkins was found collapsed outside his home in Sado, northern Japan, on Monday and rushed to a ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese co IRI files to raise NIS 44m in TASE IPO

The money raised will be used mostly for investments in startups in Israel and Japan. The Internet Research Institute (IRI), a Japanese company, is planning an IPO on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE). The company wants to raise at least NIS 43.9 million ... ( read original story ...)

Baidu Japan will diagnose whether your website is China-friendly

TOKYO -- Imagine you are in charge of e-commerce at a Japanese company. You know that Chinese shoppers are visiting Japan in droves and you are eager to grab a piece of their wallets. So you create a slick Chinese-language website to promote your product ... ( read original story ...)

Brewer of Japan’s famed Dassai sake to open New York plant

YAMAGUCHI, Japan -- The brewer behind Japan's premium Dassai sake brand wants to sell high-quality but affordable bottles to the American masses, and it plans to open a large brewery in New York State to do it. Asahishuzo, the brewer, has been exporting ... ( read original story ...)

Japan picks ‘North’ as 2017 symbol amid N. Korea threat

Japan on Tuesday chose the Chinese character for "North" as ... At the end of every year, the general public votes for a Chinese character they think embodies the key news and events of the previous 12 months. A total of 7,104 people out of 153,594 voted ... ( read original story ...)

Capsule hotels: Japan’s latest growth sector

TOKYO -- Move over, salaryman, Japan's capsule hotels want to make room for guests willing to pay a bit more for a night's sleep. The minimalist facilities typically offer narrow, rectangular compartments for 2,000 yen to 3,000 yen ($18 to $26) a night. ( read original story ...)