「yoshizuka」の記事

Social

A Century of Grace: The Inspiring Life of Fusa Tatsumi, Japan’s Oldest Supercentenarian

Fusa Tatsumi (April 25, 1907 – December 12, 2023) was a celebrated Japanese supercentenarian. Holding the title of the oldest living person in Japan from April 19, 2022, until her death, Tatsumi’s remarkable longevity captured the hearts and interest of many in Japan and around the world. Born in the late Meiji era, Tatsumi witnessed over a century of profound changes in Japanese history, including major historical events such as World War II, the economic miracle post-World War II, and the transition into the Reiwa era. She was born in Yao Town, which is now part of Yao City in Osaka Prefecture, as the second daughter in a family of...

Economy

Shaping the Future: Japan’s Bold Leap into University Excellence and Innovation

In September 2023, Tohoku University was selected as a candidate for the International University of Excellence, supported by a university fund. With a fund size of 10 trillion yen, expectations are high, but can it curb the decline in research capabilities? This article analyzes its system design and policy process. The university fund, managed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, involves borrowing financial investment funds to create and market-manage a fund that supports specific universities in becoming world-class research universities. The plan is to contribute 300 billion yen annually. For universities to be accredited, they need to strengthen their research and administrative systems. Government documents appraise universities like Harvard...

Economy

Japan’s Corporate Challenge: Embracing Risk for Global Success

Japanese companies and their leaders’ risk-averse nature have led to missed growth opportunities in the global market. To overcome this, a fundamental enhancement and development of management personnel are crucial. Entrepreneurship involves understanding one’s capabilities and taking on market and technological risks while developing unique strategies for creating new value and returns. However, a study by Yasuhiro Arikawa, an associate professor at Waseda University, in 2017 showed that Japanese companies ranked 26th out of 27 major countries in risk-taking and last in return on assets (ROA). This highlights the issue of low returns due to a lack of risk-taking. Japanese firms face various challenges due to this risk aversion. They...

Social

Tragedy on the Track: Unveiling the Hidden Dangers of the Tour de Hokkaido

In 1987, Japan launched its largest domestic bicycle road race, the “Tour de Hokkaido,” which recently experienced an unprecedented fatal accident. On the first day of the race, a Chuo University cyclist collided head-on with a car on a curved road in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. The impact was severe, shattering the car’s windshield and tragically leading to the cyclist’s death the following day. The race, known for its high-speed biking through narrow mountain roads, continued to allow general traffic in the opposite lane, a practice unique to the Tour de Hokkaido. Organizers, the Tour de Hokkaido Association, only secured permission to use one lane for cyclists, leaving the other lane under...

Economy

End of an Era: Nikkei’s Strategic Shift Amidst Economic Challenges and Media Evolution

Nikkei Inc., renowned for its economic news coverage, is set to cease publication of two of its specialty papers, Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun and Nikkei Veritas, by the end of the year. This decision comes amidst a challenging climate in the declining newspaper industry, exacerbated by surging costs for newsprint and a shortage of writers. Despite Nikkei’s relative advantage over other national newspapers, its flagship paper has seen its circulation halve from its peak, and growth in digital subscriptions has stagnated. The company marks the 50th anniversary of the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun this October, a publication born to compete with the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun during the industrial boom. It is known...

Economy

Japan’s Economic Transition in the Global Context

The recent depreciation of the yen has ignited a multifaceted discussion about its consequences and the evolving landscape of Japan’s economy. While this depreciation has certainly bolstered the export sector and improved corporate performance, it has also raised concerns about the impact on the average citizen’s purchasing power. Japan’s persistent structural trade deficits and its significant reliance on government spending have provided a safety net against fiscal collapse. However, this approach has come at the cost of eroding the credibility of its currency on the global stage. The currency markets bear the brunt of these adjustments, leading to the continuous depreciation of the yen. While this may benefit exporters and...

Politics

Breaking Barriers: Japan’s Communist Party on the Brink of Historic Leadership Change

The Communist Party of Japan, a political mainstay for over a century, is poised for its first leadership change since 2000, with Tomoko Tamura, the 58-year-old policy chief, set to make history as the party’s first female leader. Amidst dwindling support for opposition coalitions and organizational weakening, this surprising appointment could be a strategic move to revitalize the party’s influence. Tamura’s rise to prominence was sealed at the 10th Central Committee General Assembly, where she took the helm from Kazuo Shii, the incumbent leader, to propose a draft resolution for the party’s 29th Congress in January 2024. Her powerful closing speech, echoed by the party’s newspaper, ‘Shimbun Akahata,’ marked a...

Academic

Japan’s Scientific Downfall: A Call for Revival in Research and Innovation

Blog Article: A recent article on the prestigious scientific journal Nature’s website, dated October 25, delivered a stark message: Japan’s research capabilities no longer align with global standards. This revelation is significant, given Nature’s influence in the scientific community. The report is based on findings from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology’s think tank, which published the ‘Science and Technology Indicators 2023’ on August 8. The data paints a bleak picture: Japan, once a research powerhouse, now ranks fifth in terms of the number of research papers published and a dismal thirteenth in top-cited papers. This decline is stark compared to Japan’s earlier standing – second...

Politics

Rising to the Challenge: Japan’s Quest for a Stronger Defense Industry Presence

October 2023 marked a significant moment in the global defense industry with the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Industry Exhibition. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol proudly declared the nation’s transformation from a defense importer to an advanced fighter jet exporter. With ambitions to secure a 5% share in the global arms market by 2027, South Korea’s defense exports in 2022 reached approximately 2.59 trillion yen, ranking around the world’s top 10. In contrast, Japan’s approach to defense equipment transfer, as outlined in the recently approved security documents, focuses on strategic foreign policy and nurturing the defense industry’s growth. However, discussions between Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito have been...