Tourism and Investment in Japan

Japan’s GDP surges annualized 21.4% with the government programs stimulating hardest hit industries by the pandemic The Japanese Cabinet Office announced on November 16 that GDP in July – September period in real terms increased by 21.4% year-on-year, the highest growth rate ever since 1980. Thanks to the resumption of economic activity, the export increased by 7.0% from the previous quarter and domestic consumption was brisk with food and restaurant service industries performing well.  Although GDP is still less than that of the same period of the previous year by 5.8% in nominal term showing the economy has not returned to the state before the pandemic, economists of securities firms expect Japan’s economy to continue its steady recovery as the number of infected people in Japan are well under control compared to Europe and the United States.  According to the Economy Watchers Survey for October released by the Cabinet Office, people's business sentiment is also improving with

JR Central posted the first deficit since its privatization The number of railway users in Japan declined due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. The consolidated earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2021 announced by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) is that sales will decrease 53.2% from the previous year to 863 billion yen ending up with operating loss of 185 billion yen, ordinary loss of 258 billion yen and net loss of 192 billion yen.  This is the first full-year deficit since 1987 when JR Central was privatized.  JR Central expects that railroad use will continue to stagnate until the end of the year and then it will recover after that. Especially, rebound of the Shinkansen's business is sluggish compared to the conventional lines. The stagnation has a major impact on JR Central's profits as approximately 90% of the profits of JR Central's railway business come from Tokaido Shinkansen.  In addition, sales of department stores and h

Toyota expands its business to new mobility fields, biotechnology, afforestation, environment and energy. Toyota Motor Corporation has been developing new businesses in various fields such as housing, finance and telecommunications in addition to its main business of automobile manufacturing and sales. Recently, Toyota also focuses on fields such as automobile related business, new mobility fields, biotechnology, afforestation, environment and energy.  Toyota recognizes developing new businesses is indispensable to maintain its vitality and grow sustainably. Toyota has announced a number of new businesses and initiatives since the beginning of this year. For example, Toyota will establish a preparatory committee for the "Hydrogen Value Chain Promotion Council," a new organization that promotes global cooperation on the use of hydrogen and the formation of a supply chain, together with private companies to build a hydrogen society. ENEOS, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kansai El