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July 24, 2026
 

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Shery Ahn
Kei Uruma, chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Electric, says his firm aims to reach a deal by September with rivals Toshiba and Rohm to combine their power semiconductor operations.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 19, 2026
Mitsubishi Electric eyes power-chip merger with Rohm and Toshiba
The move would consolidate three of the world¡¯s top suppliers of a growing segment of the electronics supply chain.
Since their listing in 2024, Kioxia¡¯s shares have surged on runaway demand for AI memory chips.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 9, 2026
Bain Capital exits Kioxia after chip deal yields big returns
A global spending spree on AI catapulted Kioxia¡¯s shares more than 4,800% from their debut, transforming the chipmaker into one of Japan¡¯s most valuable companies.
An Onitsuka Tiger store in the Omotesando district of Tokyo. The footwear brand prepares to transform into a luxury lifestyle label distinct from Asics.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 18, 2026
Onitsuka Tiger pivots from Asics stripes to tap luxury market
The 77-year-old sneaker-maker is set to be spun off from parent Asics to capitalize on a resurgence in interest for retro aesthetics and Japanese style.
Kenichi Hori, CEO of Mitsui & Co., speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2026
Mitsui seeks LNG investments as data centers boost power demand
Companies seeking clean energy to power artificial intelligence infrastructure are creating ¡°big additional demand¡± for LNG, Mitsui CEO Kenichi Hori said.
Mizuho Financial Group¡¯s CEO Masahiro Kihara said on Wednesday that he expects the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates in June or July, though any modest hike is unlikely to have a major market impact.
BUSINESS
May 27, 2026
Mizuho CEO floats idea of first outsized BOJ hike since 1990
Masahiro Kihara says whether the BOJ raises rates in June or July is unlikely to have a big impact on the market unless the increase is large.
Morgan Stanley Japan chief Alberto Tamura said warned the yen could weaken to 170 versus the dollar or gain to 140 depending on how the Bank of Japan decides to act.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 20, 2026
Morgan Stanley Japan head says BOJ hike key to strengthening yen
If the central bank fails to raise interest rates in June, that would have an impact on the bond and currency markets, Alberto Tamura said in an interview.
Tokyo Gas President Shinichi Sasayama said the company is looking to deploy capital in assets like liquefaction plants, export terminals and the energy services sector.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 15, 2025
Tokyo Gas to invest in U.S. downstream assets to drive growth
The company is looking to deploy capital in assets like liquefaction plants, export terminals and the energy services sector.
Mizuho Financial Group has completed the integration of U.S. boutique investment bank Greenhill & Co., which it purchased two years ago, and is now reaping the benefits, CEO Masahiro Kihara said on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 11, 2025
Mizuho CEO upbeat on dealmaking prospects in Japan and U.S.
Mizuho Financial Group¡¯s CEO expressed optimism that momentum in investment banking will continue both at home and in the United States.
Osaka Gas President Masataka Fujiwara says the company is looking to invest in more U.S. gas-fired power plants.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 27, 2025
Osaka Gas targets U.S. power plant investments on AI-driven demand
The company is eyeing existing assets as building new facilities can be challenging due to an ongoing global shortage of gas turbines.
"The method of investment, the amount of investment, the timeline and how we will share the losses and divide the dividends ¡ª all of these remain sticking points,¡± South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said of an investment pledge with the U.S., during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday.
BUSINESS
Oct 27, 2025
U.S.-South Korea fund stuck on key points ahead of Trump visit, Lee says
While Lee and senior officials in Seoul say important differences remain between the two sides, Trump said the U.S. was ¡°pretty close¡± to finalizing the deal with South Korea.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. In a recent interview, Kim said that until visa issues related to South Korea's investment projects in the U.S. are resolved, progress on the projects will be "virtually impossible."
BUSINESS
Sep 25, 2025
South Korea says U.S. projects unlikely to progress until visa issue resolution
Images of shackled workers have circulated widely and fueled public anger, casting a cloud over hefty investment plans by South Korean conglomerates.
Nippon Yusen CEO Takaya Soga says the company is planning to boost its LNG fleet to more than 130 vessels by early 2029, up from 89.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 18, 2025
Japan¡¯s top shipping company to expand LNG fleet as global demand climbs
Nippon Yusen is planning to boost its fleet to more than 130 vessels by early 2029, up from 89.
Kono Taro, Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker and former digital transformation minister, speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 9, 2025
BOJ should raise rates to strengthen yen and curb inflation, says Taro Kono
The comments come days after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba¡¯s decision to resign raised questions about the outlook for economic policies.
"We have access to cutting-edge wafers, and our ability to provide cutting-edge process technology will become overwhelmingly faster than Chinese makers,¡± said Tokyo Electron CEO Toshiki Kawai.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 27, 2025
Tokyo Electron shrugs off fears of Chinese rivals catching up
Technology at the company is advancing faster than its Chinese rivals¡¯ due in part to close collaboration with contract chipmakers.
Former Foreign Minister Taro Kono
BUSINESS
Apr 23, 2025
Japan must correct Trump¡¯s false data for trade talks, says Kono
Kono said matters related to regional security shouldn¡¯t be discussed as part of the trade talks, nor should the question of how best to manage relationships with China.
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 7, 2025
Bank of America CEO willing to hire in Japan amid revival
The bank, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has about 800 employees in Japan.
Tokyo Gas President Shinichi Sasayama speaks during an interview at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 16.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 22, 2025
Tokyo Gas focusing on more U.S. investment opportunities
¡°Among our overseas businesses, North America is an especially important growth market for us,¡± said President Shinichi Sasayama.
Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani says the company sees an opportunity in Japan, which has been a laggard in the adoption of digital and artificial intelligence-powered technologies.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 21, 2025
Rakuten founder defends costly mobile foray with big AI bet
Rakuten Mobile and its 8 million-plus users help train an AI poised to expand the conglomerate¡¯s business, according to billionaire founder Hiroshi Mikitani.
Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani speaks during an interview at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 17, 2025
Rakuten¡¯s Mikitani wants to sell bonds to Japanese investors
Market pricing indicates that views on Rakuten are improving after years of losses and a stretched balance sheet.
Cables connect to servers at a data center. The rapid global adoption of AI has triggered a boom in demand for the energy-hungry data centers on which the technology depends, putting power grids to the test.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Dec 12, 2024
Fossil fuels initially needed for AI boom, Tepco adviser says
While electricity demand has been trending downward in Japan, experts have suggested that the decline could be reversed as the nation builds more data centers.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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