Last year, the overall M&A market was estimated at $8 billion, of which the property sector accounted for the largest proportion. The investors came from many different countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and, increasingly, mainland China. ( read original story ...)
Uber focuses on filling Japan’s ride-hailing void
The Nikkei reported on Monday that the U.S. company is negotiating to add taxi operator Daiichi Koutsu Sangyo's vehicles to its network. "The Japanese taxi industry is [high] quality but it suffers from low utilization rates," Khosrowshahi said. ( read original story ...)
How Japan’s Central Bank Policy Is Driving Speculation About Stimulus
When the Bank of Japan reduced its purchases of government bonds in January, some investors saw it as another sign that the bank was scaling back its massive monetary stimulus program. The BOJ disagrees with that interpretation, but in February the bond ... ( read original story ...)
Sony to launch a ride-hailing app in Japan as Uber CEO signals further push in the country
Sony announced partnerships with several taxi firms to start a ride-hailing service in Japan on Tuesday. Hours later, Uber's CEO Dara Khosrowshahi signaled his company's intention to expand further into the country. Sony's ride-hailing service will be ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s FSA finds regional banks incurred losses on foreign bond investments: source
Over half of Japan’s 100 or so regional banks lost money on their core ... Finance Minister Taro Aso told a regular news conference on Tuesday that while some regional banks have incurred capital losses on their foreign bond investments, it has not ... ( read original story ...)
Japan task force echoes foreign minister calls to back renewables over coal, nuclear
TOKYO, (Reuters) - An energy task force advising Japan’s foreign minister has proposed boosting renewable energy and shifting away from coal-fired and nuclear power at home, arguing the country’s energy policies are outdated and undermine its global ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo to build world’s tallest timber tower
A Tokyo skyscraper is set to become the world's tallest wooden building. Japanese company Sumitomo Forestry says its 1,148-feet-tall timber tower will be completed by in 2041, to mark the 350th anniversary of the business that year. The W350 tower will ... ( read original story ...)
360-degree Virtual Reality Videos Launched to Experience Charms of Tokyo and Hiroshima Prefecture
TOKYO, Feb. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to encourage individual foreign travelers in Tokyo to venture on to the Chugoku and Shikoku regions with little stress, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has mapped out sightseeing routes originating from ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo venue offers virtual reality ‘flights’ to see the sights of Paris
That’s exactly what 12 passengers did at First Airlines in central Tokyo last week, relaxing in first- and business-class seats, served with four-course dinners, before immersing themselves in a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) tour of the City of Lights. ( read original story ...)
Experiencing Yokohama’s dramatically silent Advan dB V552
When I think of the Yokohama Advan lineup, the first thoughts that come to my mind are those of high-performance, motorsports and lap times. From the popular Neova AD08R to the race-purposed A048, the Advan range is always one of the top choices for any ... ( read original story ...)
Sapporo’s owner brings fancy sushi, elevated teriyaki to Longview
Cho officially opened his latest business venture, Sapporo Sushi & Grill at 902 14th Avenue, last week. Long-time area residents may remember the building as the old home of the Rusty Duck and several other restaurants. Cho said cheap rent compared to ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo to be home to the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper
Tokyo will soon be home to the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper. Japanese construction firm Sumitomo Forestry announced plans to develop a 1,148ft, 70-story tall skyscraper in Tokyo constructed of wood to mark its 350th anniversary in 2041. The W350 ... ( read original story ...)
Over half of Japan firms do not plan base pay rise this year
TOKYO (Reuters) - More than half of Japan’s companies do not plan to raise base pay in annual wage talks in coming months, a set back for the prime minister and the country’s main business lobby which has called for wage rises of 3 percent to fuel an ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s Sony Corp to form alliance to build taxi-hailing system: Nikkei
(Reuters) - Japan's Sony Corp plans to form a joint venture to develop an artificial intelligence-based taxi-hailing system in Japan, the Nikkei Asian Review reported on Tuesday. Partners for the joint venture include Daiwa Motor Transportation, Hinomaru ... ( read original story ...)
Japan exports grow, but manufacturers’ confidence slips amid fears of rising yen
TOKYO: Buoyant sales of cars and electronics led Japan’s exports to a 14th straight month of growth in January but manufacturers’ business confidence slid — highlighting fears of the rising yen disrupting an export-led recovery. The trade data came ... ( read original story ...)
Japan January export growth points to continued economic recovery
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s exports grew in January for a 14th straight month ... continued to underpin growth in the world’s third largest economy. Ministry of Finance (MOF) data showed on Monday that exports grew 12.2 percent in January from a year ... ( read original story ...)