“Japan’s top currency official says govt ready to act to curb yen volatility” February 22, 2019February 22, 2019 David Z “TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese official said on Tuesday that volatility was rising in the currency market and the government stands ready to take necessary steps if the market becomes too erratic.” – Reuters
Power Clash at the Top of SoftBank Puts Son’s Vision in Question February 9, 2019February 9, 2019 David Z Masayoshi Son’s grand vision for SoftBank Group Corp. has been dealt a setback by an internal power struggle between two of his closest lieutenants. Marcelo Claure was named chief operating officer in May with the goal of improving operations across SoftBank portfolio companies and getting startups such as Uber Technologies Inc. and WeWork Cos Inc. to work together. Yet he clashed from the start with Rajeev Misra, who oversees SoftBank’s $100 billion Vision Fund and many of Son’s most important investments, according to people familiar with the matter. – Bloomberg
Japan’s third-quarter economic contraction seen deepening as businesses cut spending: Reuters poll February 2, 2019 David Z TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s economy is expected to have contracted more sharply than initially estimated in the third quarter, with analysts in a Reuters poll forecasting a steep drop in capital spending in a sign of rising headwinds in 2019 as global demand ebbs.
“Foreign talent eager to work for Japanese firms, but staid office culture a hindrance” January 23, 2019January 19, 2019 David Z “However, Japan Inc. may not be all a bed of roses when it comes to conservative labor customs. These include the male-dominated management style, rigid seniority system and long hours that sometimes even results in death from overwork, the phenomenon known as karōshi.” – The Japan Times
“Business leaders want structural reform, innovation to move Japan forward” January 20, 2019January 19, 2019 David Z “TOKYO – The Japanese business lobby stressed on Tuesday the importance of structural reforms while pushing for actors in the political and corporate spheres to drive the innovation they say will help overcome the nation’s labor and productivity challenges.” – Japan Today
“Japan to draw up list of foreigner-friendly hospitals” December 29, 2018December 28, 2018 David Z “TOKYO — With overseas visitors surpassing 30 million visitors in 2018 and expected to increase further in coming years, Japan is creating a list of hospitals with interpretation services for foreign patients to make treatment and billing procedures easier for all parties involved.” – Nikkei Asian Review
