J. Front starts operations as Japan's top department store group

J. Front starts operations as Japan's top department store group

TOKYO, Japan - Tsutomu Okuda (L), former chairman of Daimaru Inc., poses with Kunihiko Okada, former chairman of Matsuzakaya Holdings Co., at a news conference in Tokyo on Sept. 3 after the two companies merged into a holding company, J. Front Retailing Co. Okuda became president and chief executive officer of J. Front, while Kunihiko Okada assumed the post of chairman in the new company.

Daimaru, Matsuzakaya to merge in Sept. to be top dept. store

Daimaru, Matsuzakaya to merge in Sept. to be top dept. store

NAGOYA, Japan - Kunihiko Okada (R), chairman of Matsuzakaya Holdings Co., and Ryoichi Yamamoto, president of Daimaru Inc., shake hands for photos at the Nagoya Stock Exchange in Nagoya on March 14 after the end of their joint press conference. They announced the two companies will integrate under a joint holding company in September to become Japan's biggest department store group.

Matsuzakaya head announces closure of Yokkaichi outlet

Matsuzakaya head announces closure of Yokkaichi outlet

NAGOYA, Japan - Kunihiko Okada (R), president of department store operator Matsuzakaya Co., tells reporters in Nagoya on Jan. 30 that the company will close its loss-making outlet in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, western Japan, on May 31. The Yokkaichi store, which opened in 1991, incurred a cumulative 18.8 billion yen loss in the 1999 business year.

Daimaru, Matsuzakaya to merge in Sept. to be top dept. store

Daimaru, Matsuzakaya to merge in Sept. to be top dept. store

NAGOYA, Japan - Kunihiko Okada (R), chairman of Matsuzakaya Holdings Co., and Ryoichi Yamamoto, president of Daimaru Inc., shake hands for photos at the Nagoya Stock Exchange in Nagoya on March 14 after the end of their joint press conference. They announced the two companies will integrate under a joint holding company in September to become Japan's biggest department store group. (Kyodo)

J. Front starts operations as Japan's top department store group

J. Front starts operations as Japan's top department store group

TOKYO, Japan - Tsutomu Okuda (L), former chairman of Daimaru Inc., poses with Kunihiko Okada, former chairman of Matsuzakaya Holdings Co., at a news conference in Tokyo on Sept. 3 after the two companies merged into a holding company, J. Front Retailing Co. Okuda became president and chief executive officer of J. Front, while Kunihiko Okada assumed the post of chairman in the new company. (Kyodo)

Matsuzakaya head announces closure of Yokkaichi outlet

Matsuzakaya head announces closure of Yokkaichi outlet

NAGOYA, Japan - Kunihiko Okada (R), president of department store operator Matsuzakaya Co., tells reporters in Nagoya on Jan. 30 that the company will close its loss-making outlet in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, western Japan, on May 31. The Yokkaichi store, which opened in 1991, incurred a cumulative 18.8 billion yen loss in the 1999 business year.