Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has released results of its 2017 Basic Survey of Japanese Business Structure and Activities. The report surveyed 28,550 companies with the goal to shed light on how management strategies of Japanese enterprises and industrial structures evolve. Sales and profit conditions Sales per company decreased by 2.9 percent year-on-year to 3.04 billion yen […]
The Japanese government underlines the country’s strength in robotics by launching the World Robot Summit 2018 in October this year. The event will bring together the world’s most advanced robots and robotic technologies along with researchers and developers of robots and key government and private industry players. Hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New […]
Rakuten and Walmart are joining forces to launch an online grocery delivery service in Japan and a new eBooks and audiobooks offering in the U.S. The new strategic alliance looks to use each company’s strengths and assets to make sure that customers are served better. The new online grocery delivery service in Japan is slated for launch at the beginning […]
Japanese companies see improved business confidence in Asia and Oceania in 2017, according to a recent survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). While being particularly upbeat on opportunities in Southwest Asia, motivation to expand business in China has recovered as well. Increasing profitability With 67.4 percent of respondents estimating an operational profit – an increase by 4.6 percent […]
Tourist spending in Japan topped a record-breaking 4.4 trillion yen ($39.7 billion) in 2017, according to a recent survey by the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA). An increase of 17.8 percent from the previous year, this marked the first time that travel expenditures exceeded 4 billion yen and the fifth record year in a row. By country and region, spending of […]
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 […]
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 […]
Japan’s trade balance last year marked its first surplus in six years, according to the recently released Global Trade and Investment Report 2017 by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). At the same time, the country’s outward FDI stood at record highs, while inward FDI from Asia to Japan continued to grow. Global trade declines 3.1%, downturn for two straight […]
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 […]
