Total sales of Japanese overseas subsidiaries have improved 8.6 percent from the previous year for July to September 2017, according to a recent survey published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of increasing sales. Sales by Region Sales in Asia, the region with the highest ratio of overseas subsidiaries at 50.7 […]
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has recently decided on a Basic Hydrogen Strategy to build a world-leading hydrogen-based society. The strategy outlines future visions that Japan should achieve with an eye on 2050, and serves as an action plan to accomplish these visions by 2030. As part of the strategy, Japan aims to reduce hydrogen costs […]
Americans think that Japan is the most important partner of the U.S. in Asia, according to a March 2017 opinion poll conducted by Nielsen Consumer Insights on behalf of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The poll is the latest in a series of polls on the image of Japan done almost every year since 1960. For a general […]
In 2016, Japanese exporters had a rough time due to the strong Japanese yen. 2017 has been a bad year for the U.S. dollar, which has lost ground against most currencies. This has helped exporters in Japan, but many would prefer the yen to be even weaker. What does the next year hold for the Japanese currency, and how will […]
Japan sees significant increases in inward foreign direct investment, or FDI, according to the “Invest Japan Report 2017” just published by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). In a new trend, the report finds foreign technology contributing to innovation in Japanese society. Significant increase in Japan’s inward FDI Japan’s inward FDI stock at the end of 2016 was 27.8 trillion […]
The Statistics Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has published the Japan Statistical Yearbook 2018. The annual publication is a systematic summary of statistical information published by government and private organisations. The yearbook covers 30 wide-ranging fields such as land, population, economy, society and culture in 539 tables. Read the Japan Statistical Yearbook 2018 here.
Manufacturing companies in Japan invested in 499 new factory locations between January and June 2017, according to a report by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Up 9.4 percent compared to the previous year, this marked the return to a level comparable to that of 2014. The total area covered by new factory locations stood at 569 hectars, […]
Japan will relax requirements for multiple-entry visa for short-term stay for Indian nationals from Jan. 1, 2018. The government will simplify visa application documents and expand the scope of eligible applicants. (1) Simplification of visa application documents The “Applicant’s Employment Certificate” and “Explanation Letter stating the reason of applying for multiple-entry-visa” will be exempted in applying for multiple-entry-visa. In principle, […]
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations have made substantial progress when negotiators on Nov. 10 reached agreement for a way forward at the TPP Ministerial Meeting held in Vietnam. This marks an important milestone for building the broader free trade area in the Asia-Pacific region, which experienced a stumble block when U.S. President Trump pulled out of negotiations back im January. Yet […]
The Japanese Cabinet is setting aside 46 billion yen ($416 million) in planned subsidies for SMEs, small enterprises or other entities in fiscal 2017, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The subsidies are part of the government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and geared toward business activities based on R&D results. Subsidies for SMEs The […]
Small and Medium Enterprises form the backbone of Japan’s economy. They employ the majority of people and account for a large share of the country’s economic power. Yet as the aging population of business owners increases, hundreds of thousands of SMEs in Japan are about to face the time when they must hand over their businesses to the next generation. […]
Total sales of Japanese overseas subsidiaries have increased 7.9 percent from January to March 2017, according to a recent survey published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of increasing sales. Sales by Region Sales in Asia grew 8.8 percent during the quarter, also showing growth for the fourth quarter in a […]
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) will open the INPIT-KANSAI center of intellectual property public services on July 31. The new office is located in Osaka’s Grand Front Osaka Building and aims to support the business growth of firms in the Kansai region, including SMEs and startups. It is part of the Japanese government’s push to foster local economies. The new […]
Green driving just got one option richer in Japan. At one of its largest press conferences since introducing the Mirai two years ago, Toyota launched its new Prius PHV plug-in hybrid. The automaker is shooting to sell each month 2,500 of the car it considers to be a key to sustainable mobility. Consumers nowadays have a broad range of electrified […]
If you are looking to start a career or change jobs in Japan, you might well keep an eye on its manufacturing industries. Besides being home to many globally leading players, they also account for four of the Top 5 jobs in Japan that recruiting firm Hays expects to be in growing demand in the country’s job market in 2017. As technologies advance, some sectors have […]
