Politics

Unveiling the Impact: Haruhiko Kuroda’s Controversial Monetary Legacy in Review

The recent appearance of former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda in the Nikkei Newspaper’s renowned column “My Resume” raises eyebrows, especially given the controversial timing amidst the ongoing challenges of his “unprecedented monetary easing” policy. This policy, launched over a decade ago and characterized by the mantra “2 years, 2%, 2 times,” has survived numerous amendments but failed to achieve its core goal of 2% inflation. Kuroda’s successor, Kazuo Ueda, is currently grappling with the side effects of this policy, including currency devaluation and increased fiscal risks. Kuroda’s entry in “My Resume,” a column traditionally reserved for individuals with significant achievements in politics, economics, culture, and sports, seems premature....
Art

Deciphering the Pink Lady Case: A Landmark Ruling on Publicity Rights in Japan

On February 2nd of this year, Japan’s Supreme Court issued a landmark decision regarding the right of publicity, a ruling that drew considerable attention as it was the first time the court had determined the significance and infringement criteria of this right. The case in question, widely covered in the media as the “Pink Lady case,” involved a lawsuit by the members of Pink Lady, a popular music duo, against a publisher for unauthorized use of their photographs in a magazine article titled “Pink Lady de Diet.” The article in question had featured 14 photographs of Pink Lady, explaining a diet method inspired by the choreography of their songs. The...
Economy

Bushido Capitalism: Visionary Leadership Amid Scrutiny

The book known by the title “Bushido Capitalism” was penned by Kengo Sakurada, the Chairman of SOMPO Holdings (a Japanese financial services company) and former Chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai). After being released in English in July 2021, it was translated by Satomi Shibata and subsequently released in Japan in January 2022. Sakurada, drawing inspiration from Inazo Nitobe’s “Bushido: The Soul of Japan,” wrote this book with the belief that the Japanese way of the warrior, or bushido, could offer insights to global business leaders. The book boasts of integrating fashionable business theories while lauding Sakurada’s own efforts in transforming SOMPO Holdings into a company...
Economy

Lessons from 17 Years Ago: BoJ’s Rate Hike Not Necessarily Concurrent with Inflation Forecast Publication

The Bank of Japan decided on a policy amendment at the end of October that further rendered long-term interest rate operations a formality. This has now shifted the focus to the timing of the exit from negative interest rate policies. Market expectations are predominantly pointing to April next year. For instance, in an article published in mid-October, a survey by the Nikkei newspaper showed that out of 16 economists, 9 predicted April of the following year (with the monetary policy decision meeting set for the 25th and 26th). Adding one person who predicted January (with the meeting on the 22nd and 23rd), over 60% expect the policy to be lifted...
Economy

For the First Time Revealed: The ‘Top 20’ List of Medical Device Money

Medical device manufacturers such as Abbott and Terumo have funneled an annual 34 billion yen into the medical field, with Japan Medtronic at the top with 3.9 billion yen. In September 2023, a bribery scandal surrounding the selection of medical devices at the National Cancer Center East Hospital came to light. A physician formerly employed by the hospital and the former president of medical device maker Zeon Medical were arrested for accepting cash in exchange for product adoption. While incidents of financial misconduct between the medical device industry and healthcare providers have been increasingly reported, the full extent of the money flow from medical device companies to the healthcare sector...
Politics

The Tangle of Politics: How Japan’s Constitutional Democratic Party Got Entwined with Communist Strategy

The Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) has unwittingly fallen into a tactical ploy by the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), as they navigate the political fallout from mixed results in two recent by-elections. Intent on reconstructing a united opposition front to make up for their own failed expansion, the JCP has cleverly capitalized on the situation. On October 23, following the by-elections in Kochi-Tokushima and the House of Representatives’ Nagasaki 4th district, CDP leader Kenta Izumi, along with other party officials, approached various opposition parties seeking policy collaboration and strategizing to maximize opposition seats in the general election—an unusual move for the main opposition party. The JCP didn’t miss this opportunity. Soon...
Politics

Yamagata Newspaper’s Controversial Expansion of Recycling Initiative Ignites Tension Among Distributors and Schools

Yamagata Newspaper’s autocratic Chairman Hiroji Sagae has faced significant criticism for his unilateral editorial decisions. Despite announcing his resignation as President in April and moving to the Chairman position in June, Sagae retained his power as the company’s representative and chief editor, leading to claims that his dictatorship continues. One of the most controversial policies implemented under Sagae’s leadership is the “old paper collection” initiative. Launched during his presidency, this project aims to collect used newspapers from readers and recycle them into new paper, in collaboration with major paper manufacturer Nippon Paper Industries. While this appears to contribute to a sustainable society, local distributors express anger due to the increased...
Politics

Kishida’s Ambiguity on Year-end Dissolution

Despite a confidential poll conducted by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in late September showing a favorable tailwind, suggesting they could secure a number of seats close to their current count… #TaxHikeGlasses#増税メガネ The hashtag emerged on X (formerly Twitter) in late August. It’s a tag associated with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Clicking on it reveals a series of scathing comments on Kishida’s tax hike policy. Derivatives such as “TaxHikeStupidGlasses” have been spawned and continue to spread. “The criticism about the tax hike policy is quite tough to handle…” Kishida lamented to those around him, but it’s essentially a problem of his own making. In December 2021, it was Kishida himself...
Politics

First Female Prime Minister Candidate! Is Yoko Kamikawa the “Quiet Makiko Tanaka”?

Why is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wary of its new minister? “Difficult to handle” and “scary when angered” were the reputations she had. This summer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a double shock. On September 13th, during the cabinet reshuffle, Yoko Kamikawa, former Minister of Justice (aged 70), was appointed as the successor to the Foreign Minister, Fumio Hayashi. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida served as Foreign Minister during the Abe administration for over four and a half years. Thus, there was a strong belief that Hayashi, who took office in November 2021, would continue in this role. Senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted they had...
Politics

Prime Minister Kishida to make ‘surprise visit to Ukraine’ decision/Leaving on 31st of this month, summit meeting with President Zelensky/’3 days and 0 nights’ forced march

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Ukraine is moving again behind the scenes. He is negotiating with Ukrainian diplomatic authorities to leave Japan on the 31st of this month and enter the capital, Kyiv, via Poland. In addition to holding a summit meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, he is planning to visit a battleground near Kyiv to offer flowers to the victims, the official said. Prime Minister Kishida seriously considered visiting Ukraine three times, in June and December last year and in February this year, but gave up due to security and other problems. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine in February, a year after...