Trading Firms Look To Video Streaming

Trading firms look to video streaming

Major Japanese trading firms are making inroads into the growing market for online video streaming.

Mitsui & Company is taking a 51-percent stake in the Japanese affiliate of Tastemade, a US video network that offers food- and travel-related programming to an online audience.

Govt. To Subsidize Transport Firms To Fight Virus

Govt. to subsidize transport firms to fight virus

The Japanese government plans to subsidize operators of public transportation systems to help them introduce new anti-virus measures and cashless payment systems.

Operators of buses, railways and taxis are struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the financial difficulties, some of them are keeping their timetables unchanged so as not to inconvenience local residents as well as medical workers.

Japanese Firms Suffered Cyberattacks

Japanese firms suffered cyberattacks

About half of Japanese firms responding to a survey say they were targeted by cyberattacks involving ransomware in the past year.

IT security firm CrowdStrike surveyed 2,200 data security officials at companies around the globe. In Japan, 200 officials from major companies in finance, automobile and other sectors responded.

Firms Welcome Restart Of Biz Travel With China

Firms welcome restart of biz travel with China

Japanese companies with plants in China are welcoming the planned resumption of business travel between the two countries this month.

Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed on the measure at a meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Most Firms Won't Celebrate Year End Or New Year

Most firms won't celebrate year end or new year

The surge in coronavirus cases across Japan is putting a damper on plans for the festive season, with many bosses say they won't throw parties for their employees this year.

A research firm surveyed more than 10,000 companies about their plans to celebrate the end of 2020 and the start of 2021.

Japanese Firms Streamline Offices Amid Telework

Japanese firms streamline offices amid telework

Major Japanese companies are streamlining their offices as they embrace working from home amid the pandemic. Some even see the change becoming a more permanent solution.

NHK has learned that Mitsubishi Chemical is planning to reduce its three head offices in Tokyo to a single site next April.

Govt. Approves Taxi Firms' Anti-virus Measures

Govt. approves taxi firms' anti-virus measures

Japan's transport ministry has approved a measure allowing some taxi operators to reject passengers who refuse to wear face masks without proper reasons.

Ten taxi operators, including a major taxi company in Tokyo, had asked the ministry to review their rules. Taxi drivers are essentially banned from refusing passengers except under some circumstances.

6 Japanese Firms Ally For Digital Transformation

6 Japanese firms ally for digital transformation

Six major Japanese companies are joining forces to launch an unprecedented cross-industrial project using digital technology to create new products and services.

The digital transformation -- or DX project -- will be coordinated by Silicon Valley-based investment firm Scrum Ventures. The companies include East Japan Railway and Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development.

More Japanese Firms Ask Workers To Retire Early

More Japanese firms ask workers to retire early

More companies in Japan are asking staff to take early, voluntary retirement, as some of them struggle to weather the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Private research firm Tokyo Shoko Research says 41 companies did so during the first half of this year. That is already more than the 35 in the whole of last year. It is also the first time since 2010 that the figure has topped 40 in a six-month period.

Govt. Picks Over 100 Top Firms In Niche Industries

Govt. picks over 100 top firms in niche industries

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has compiled this year's list of more than 100 top domestic companies in niche industries worldwide.

The ministry selected the firms based on their global market shares and techniques to produce key parts or materials for supply chains. It plans to support the research and development of those companies.

Jetro To Help Firms Get Access To Online Fair

JETRO to help firms get access to online fair

Sources say the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO, will tie up with Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group to help small and mid-sized companies get easier access to the world's largest online trade show run by the group.

JETRO aims to support firms that are unable to hold face-to-face business meetings overseas because of travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Japanese Venture Firm's Rocket Launch Fails

Japanese venture firm's rocket launch fails

A rocket developed by a Japanese venture firm has failed to reach space.

Interstellar Technologies, which is based in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, launched the 5th version of its "Momo" rocket at 5:15 a.m. on Sunday from a site in the town of Taiki.

Poll: 76% In Favor Of Redress For Virus-hit Firms

Poll: 76% in favor of redress for virus-hit firms

Over 70 percent of the respondents to an NHK survey are in favor of the idea of state compensation for businesses that join efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

NHK conducted the telephone survey of over 2,000 randomly chosen people aged 18 or older between Friday and Sunday. More than 1,200 people responded.

Govt. Wants Firms To Reduce In-office Workers

Govt. wants firms to reduce in-office workers

The Japanese government plans to continue asking businesses to let more employees work from home, to substantially cut social contact for the coronavirus in state-of-emergency areas.

The government wants to mitigate person-to-person contacts by at least 70 percent, or preferably by 80 percent, in Tokyo and six other prefectures. It says the reduction will help contain the spread of the virus as quickly as possible.