Higher interest rates "important driver" of global debt growth: IMF fiscal chief

STORY: Higher interest rates "important driver" of global debt growth: IMF fiscal chief DATELINE: Oct. 14, 2023 LENGTH: 0:03:04 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): VITOR GASPAR, Director of IMF's fiscal affairs department STORYLINE: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) senior official has said that with global public debt projected to grow faster, higher interest rates have been pushing up borrowing costs, becoming an important driver of public debt dynamics. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): VITOR GASPAR, Director of IMF's fiscal affairs department "Global public debt went up quite a lot in the year of the pandemic 2020. Then given very strong catch-up growth from the contraction in the pandemic plus inflation surprises, it came sharply down in 2021 and 2022. But as you said, public debt ratios are now higher and they're projected to grow faster than under pre-pandemic projections." According to the newly released IMF's Fiscal Monitor, total debt liabilities of governments

Trebling output of 'Kindai tuna' in FY 2020 eyed

Trebling output of 'Kindai tuna' in FY 2020 eyed

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeru Miyashita (2nd from L), head of the Kinki University Fisheries Laboratory, shows a certificate to recognize Toyota Tsusho Corp.-raised bluefin tuna as "Kindai tuna," the university brand tuna, at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014. They plan to increase yearly output of tuna to 6,000 in fiscal 2020.

Japan sets new greenhouse gas emissions reduction target

Japan sets new greenhouse gas emissions reduction target

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Nov. 15, 2013, on a new greenhouse gas emission reduction target. The Japanese government decided the same day to aim at a 3.8 percent reduction from fiscal 2005 in its greenhouse gas emissions target for fiscal 2020, assuming the country's nuclear power plants remain offline. The new target represents an increase of about 3 percent from the Kyoto Protocol base year of fiscal 1990.

IHI to launch R&D firm for algae biofuel

IHI to launch R&D firm for algae biofuel

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows algae biofuel (front) and a bottle containing algae at the headquarters of heavy machinery maker IHI Corp. in Tokyo on July 7, 2011. The company said it will jointly establish a research and development company for algae biofuel in early August with a university venture, eyeing commercial production in fiscal 2020.

Hiroshima assembly kills budget for 2020 Olympics bid

Hiroshima assembly kills budget for 2020 Olympics bid

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba (C) watches members of the Hiroshima City Council stand to approve a motion to omit a 25.69 million yen request for formulating a basic bid plan for the 2020 Summer Olympics from the city's fiscal 2010 budget bill during a plenary session on March 26, 2010.

Hiroshima assembly kills budgets for 2020 Olympics bid

Hiroshima assembly kills budgets for 2020 Olympics bid

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Members of the Hiroshima City Council stand to approve a motion to omit a 25.69 million yen request for formulating the basic bid plan for the 2020 Summer Olympics from the city's fiscal 2010 budget bill at a plenary session on March 26, 2010.

Remittances from Egyptian expatriates hit 31.9 bln USD in fiscal 2021-2022

STORY: Remittances from Egyptian expatriates hit 31.9 bln USD in fiscal 2021-2022 DATELINE: Aug. 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) 2. various of an accountant counting banknotes 3. various of different banks and ATMs in Egypt STORYLINE: The remittances from Egyptian expatriates rose to 31.9 billion U.S. dollars in the fiscal year 2021-2022 ending June, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said Tuesday. The figure registers a 1.6-percent increase from 31.4 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2020-2021, according to a CBE statement. Official statistics show some 13 million Egyptians living and working abroad, mainly in the Gulf countries. "Remittances from Egyptian expats, which were more than the total revenues of direct investments, Suez Canal and tourism in the fiscal year 2021-2022, have become a cornerstone of Egypt's economy," Egyptian economist Karim Al-Omda said. He explained that the Egyptian workers abroad p

Japan Crown Prince Fumihito at ceremony

Japan Crown Prince Fumihito at ceremony

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (R, back) attends a ceremony in Tokyo on July 19, 2022, to celebrate awardees who contributed to the agricultural development following the cancellation of award ceremonies for fiscal 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Pool photo)

Japan Crown Prince Fumihito at ceremony

Japan Crown Prince Fumihito at ceremony

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito attends a ceremony in Tokyo on July 19, 2022, to celebrate awardees who contributed to the agricultural development following the cancellation of award ceremonies for fiscal 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

India's agri-products exports see significant rise despite pandemic

STORY: India's agri-products exports see significant rise despite pandemic DATELINE: March 8, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:46 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of India gate 2. various of government buildings 3. various of farming field 4. various of crops 5. various of farmers working in field 6. various of traffic STORYLINE: India's exports of agricultural and processed food products rose by more than 23 percent year on year during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year (starting April 2021), said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday. This is despite logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, said the ministry in a statement. The exports of products under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) ambit increased from 15.9 billion U.S. dollars in April-January 2020-21 to 19.7 billion U.S. dollars during the period. For the current financial year, the ministry has fixed the exports target under APEDA basket products at

Myanmar's sea trade surges in interim budget period

STORY: Myanmar's sea trade surges in interim budget period DATELINE: Feb. 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of transports used for sea trade in Myanmar around Htee Tan Port Terminal STORYLINE: Myanmar's maritime trade increased by over 770.2 million U.S. dollars in the first four months of the interim budget period, compared to the same period of the last fiscal year of 2020-2021, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The sea-route foreign trade amounted to over 8.7 billion U.S. dollars as of Feb. 11 in the six-month interim budget period which started in October last year. The Southeast Asian country announced changing its fiscal year from the original October-September to April-March beginning 2022-2023, producing a six-month interim budget period from October last year to March this year. From Oct. 1 last year to Feb. 11 this year, the country's maritime foreign export saw an increase of more than 671.8 million U.S. dollars while its maritime

Manaorana, shoes developed and sold by Lyle that can be worn by people with disabilities

Manaorana, shoes developed and sold by Lyle that can be worn by people with disabilities

He began developing the shoes after realizing that there were few shoes that could be worn while wearing a lower limb orthosis to assist with walking. The shoes are designed with wider tips and widths so that the lower-limb orthoses do not interfere with the shoes. In addition, the shoes can be put on and taken off with one hand so that people with partial body disabilities can also wear them. Currently, business shoes and pumps are available. They are priced between 34,000 and 49,800 yen, excluding consumption tax. There are requests to use the shoes for job-hunting activities and ceremonies, and the company plans to start renting them in fiscal 2008. Photo taken on March 17, 2020, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Toyoko INN Tokyo Station Shin-Ohashi-mae Room Facilities

Toyoko INN Tokyo Station Shin-Ohashi-mae Room Facilities

In principle, patients are not allowed to go out of the hotel, and if their condition should suddenly change, they will be taken to a medical institution. Tokyo Metropolitan Government employees will also be on hand. Nurses, doctors, metropolitan government officials and hotel employees will not come face-to-face with patients. Kaori Okamoto, head of the department in charge of medical system improvement, plans to expand the program by gaining expertise in its operation. The metropolitan government has earmarked 6.5 billion yen in its fiscal 2020 supplementary budget to cover the cost of renting these hotels, disinfecting them, paying for meals and dispatching medical personnel. Toyoko Inn Co. of Ota Ward, Tokyo, was selected because it has a track record of accepting people awaiting test results at other hotels and because Toyoko Inn Tokyo Station Shin-Ohashi-mae is air-conditioned in private rooms, not the entire building. April 7, 2027, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Panasonic's BQ1 Series Electronic Blackboard for Schools

Panasonic's BQ1 Series Electronic Blackboard for Schools

Panasonic will increase its share of the domestic market for 60-inch and larger electronic blackboards to 30% (4,000 units) in fiscal 2008, up 10 percentage points from fiscal 2006, using 4K high-definition touch-screen LCD displays. The estimated market price is 600,000 yen (excluding consumption tax) for the 65-inch model and 1,400,000 yen for the 75-inch model. A new "comparison mode" that can display up to nine screens has been added so that multiple opinions can be shown on the display and shared in group learning. Up to four teaching materials can be displayed so that digital textbooks can be used effectively. It has acquired "Color Universal Design Certification" for its color scheme, which is distinguishable even by people with color blindness. Sharp (36%), Panasonic (25%), and NEC (16%) hold the largest share of the domestic market for commercial displays. (Photo taken on January 17, 2020, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Demonstration experiment of remote medical treatment using NTT DOCOMO's 5G-compatible mobile medical vehicles

Demonstration experiment of remote medical treatment using NTT DOCOMO's 5G-compatible mobile medical vehicles

Based on the results of the demonstration, the team aims to put the vehicle to practical use at an early date. A 5G-compatible mobile medical vehicle (photo) was dispatched to the Hidakagawa Town Health and Welfare Center (Hidakagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture) to temporarily establish a communication environment. Yukihiko Okumura, director of the 5G Innovation Promotion Office, expressed his expectation, saying, "We will be able to rush to the patients' side (even in depopulated areas). NTT DOCOMO and Wakayama Prefectural University of Medical Science have been conducting a verification experiment since fiscal 2017, and this is the third time they have conducted the experiment. Hidakagawa-cho Health and Welfare Center in Hidakagawa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture on January 8, 2020. Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Moss Food Service's experiment to introduce "Slow Cash Register" using Orihime

Moss Food Service's experiment to introduce "Slow Cash Register" using Orihime

On April 21, Moss Food Service disclosed to the press an experiment to introduce a "slow cash register" using Orihime (photo), an alter ego robot from ORIY Laboratory (Minato-ku, Tokyo), at the Moss Burger Osaki store (Shinagawa-ku) from April 27. While conversing with customers, the operators move Orihime with their personal computers or smart phones and also input orders. The order is transferred to the store via the Internet and the order is completed. The operator, Hiroto Takehisa, 19, a resident of Osaka Prefecture, said, "The operation is not difficult. I will have fun while doing it. The experiment will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays until the end of August. Based on the results of this experiment, Moss Food Service plans to conduct other experiments within fiscal 2020, including drive-through order handling and meal delivery operations using self-propelled robots. Mos Burger Osaki store in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo on July 21, 2020 (Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Moss Food Service's experiment to introduce "Slow Cash Register" using Orihime

Moss Food Service's experiment to introduce "Slow Cash Register" using Orihime

On April 21, Moss Food Service disclosed to the press an experiment to introduce a "slow cash register" using Orihime (photo), an alter ego robot from ORIY Laboratory (Minato-ku, Tokyo), at the Moss Burger Osaki store (Shinagawa-ku) from April 27. In the experiment, two physically challenged people living in the Kansai region will operate and handle the robot. While conversing with customers, the operators move Orihime with their personal computers or smart phones and also input orders. The experiment will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays until the end of August. Based on the results of this experiment, Moss Food Service plans to conduct other experiments within fiscal 2020, including drive-through order handling and meal delivery operations using self-propelled robots. Mos Burger Osaki store in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo on July 21, 2020 (Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba announced on May 26 that it will transfer 66.6% of the shares of its subsidiary Toshiba Logistics to SBS Holdings (HD), and Toshiba will announce its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2020 on June 5. (May 29, 2020, Kawasaki Higashi Ogishima, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba announced on May 26 that it will transfer 66.6% of the shares of its subsidiary Toshiba Logistics to SBS Holdings (HD), and Toshiba will announce its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2020 on June 5. (May 29, 2020, Kawasaki Higashi Ogishima, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba announced on May 26 that it will transfer 66.6% of the shares of its subsidiary Toshiba Logistics to SBS Holdings (HD), and Toshiba will announce its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2020 on June 5. (May 29, 2020, Kawasaki Higashi Ogishima, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba announced on May 26 that it will transfer 66.6% of the shares of its subsidiary Toshiba Logistics to SBS Holdings (HD), and Toshiba will announce its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2020 on June 5. (May 29, 2020, Kawasaki Higashi Ogishima, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba Logistics logo

Toshiba announced on May 26 that it will transfer 66.6% of the shares of its subsidiary Toshiba Logistics to SBS Holdings (HD), and Toshiba will announce its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2020 on June 5. (May 29, 2020, Kawasaki Higashi Ogishima, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

NTT DOCOMO's 5G, New Services and New Products Presentation

NTT DOCOMO's 5G, New Services and New Products Presentation

NTT DoCoMo announced on the 18th that it will start commercial service of the 5th generation communication (5G) on the 25th. The "5G Gigaho" pricing plan will have unlimited data usage capacity for the time being, with a monthly fee starting at 4,480 yen (excluding consumption tax), 500 yen more than the current "Gigaho" 4G plan. The company aims to set up 20,000 5G base stations by fiscal 2021 and 20 million subscribers by fiscal 2011. 500 5G base stations will be installed within the month. The service will be available at 150 locations, including major stadiums such as Yokohama International Stadium and Hanshin Koshien Stadium, major transportation and tourist facilities such as Haneda International Airport, JR Osaka Station and Tokyo Sky Tree, and some docomo shops. Photo taken on March 18, 2020, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Fujitsu Advanced Engineering's system for sorting bulk goods

Fujitsu Advanced Engineering's system for sorting bulk goods

FUJITSU ADVANCED ENGINEERING LIMITED (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) has developed a system that allows users to remotely control picking robots as if they were playing a game, and to sort bulk goods that are difficult to recognize automatically. The robot's field of vision is displayed on a tablet terminal, and when the user clicks on an item, the robot picks it up and picks it. The company aims to commercialize the system in fiscal 2021. The operator clicks on products on a tablet or other device according to instructions. Then, robots in distribution warehouses and factories aim at the click point and suck the suction cup. The system is expected to be used not only by telecommuters but also for light work during hospitalization and cognitive training for the elderly. Photo taken on February 20, 2020, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Cardboard robot kit "M-Bot

Cardboard robot kit "M-Bot

Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, has signed a memorandum of understanding with TOMY and NTT DoCoMo regarding programming education in elementary schools, etc. The "e-Craft Series embot," a cardboard robot kit developed by NTT DoCoMo and manufactured and sold by TOMY, will be used in classes. It will be introduced to elementary schools and special needs schools in the ward after 2020, when programming education in elementary schools will become compulsory. The ward has allocated 14 million yen for the purchase of the kit and other expenses in the third supplementary budget plan for fiscal 2007. The classes using the kit are for 5th graders. During the fiscal year 2007, lessons for teachers and preliminary lessons will be held at some elementary schools. The results of the classes will be used as feedback for future product development. The ward plans to collaborate with the two companies in fields other than programming education. Photo taken on November 21, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Station Desk, a shared office opened in JR East's Tokyo Station.

Station Desk, a shared office opened in JR East's Tokyo Station.

On April 21, JR East opened its first shared office store, "STATION DESK Tokyo Marunouchi," in Tokyo Station. It is located near the south ticket gate of Marunouchi Station and occupies a former office of approximately 50 square meters. The 16 seats are available by reservation only, with six types of seating available to suit different work styles. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with wireless LAN, power supply, and tea machines available. For the time being, the fee is 150 yen per 15 minutes, excluding tax. JR East has been operating "Station Booths," box-type shared offices in four stations in Tokyo, and plans to increase the number of locations to 30 in fiscal 2020. At a press conference held on the same day, Futoshi Sano, manager of the Business Creation Division, said, "We want to develop shared offices that are unique to stations, valuing every second of the workers' lives. (= November 21, 2019, inside JR Tokyo Station, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Current Toshiba "SCiB" products

Current Toshiba "SCiB" products

Toshiba is planning to commercialize the next generation of its proprietary SCiB lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in fiscal 2020 or later, with an energy density that is more than 50% higher than that of conventional products. The company has already developed a prototype cell at its research laboratory and will establish mass production technology. While SCiBs are strong in terms of longevity and fast charging performance, energy density, which leads to higher battery capacity, has been an issue. The company aims to expand its business by focusing on hybrid vehicles (HV), railroads and stationary applications. However, in the lithium-ion battery market as a whole, major manufacturers in Japan, China and South Korea are competing with each other. Toshiba's strategy is to target a "niche top" market by narrowing down the target market because price competition is not in Toshiba's favor. (Photo taken on November 15, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

The company announced that it has revised its consolidated net income forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 110 billion yen, down 60 billion yen from the previous forecast. Managing Executive Officer Stephen Ma, who will become CFO next month. Nissan Motor Global Headquarters, November 12, 2019.

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

The company announced that it has revised its consolidated net income forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 110 billion yen, down 60 billion yen from the previous forecast. Managing Executive Officer Stephen Ma, who will become CFO next month. Nissan Motor Global Headquarters, November 12, 2019.

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

The company announced that it has revised its consolidated net income forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 110 billion yen, down 60 billion yen from the previous forecast. Managing Executive Officer Stephen Ma, who will become CFO next month. Nissan Motor Global Headquarters, November 12, 2019.

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

The company announced that it has revised its consolidated net income forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 110 billion yen, down 60 billion yen from the previous forecast. Managing Executive Officer Stephen Ma, who will become CFO next month. Nissan Motor Global Headquarters, November 12, 2019.

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

The company announced that it has revised its consolidated net income forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 110 billion yen, down 60 billion yen from the previous forecast. Managing Executive Officer Stephen Ma, who will become CFO next month. Nissan Motor Global Headquarters, November 12, 2019.

Obic's Cloud Data Center

Obic's Cloud Data Center

Obic is focusing on its "Obic 7 Cloud Solution," which provides an integrated business package (ERP) in a cloud computing environment. Cloud-related sales for the April-September period were 5.2 billion yen, up 60% from the same period last year. In the fiscal year ending March 2020, the company expects to achieve 10 billion yen, up about 33% from the fiscal year ending March 2007. The use of cloud computing has been supported by client companies for its ability to achieve short-term system implementation and optimization. Obic 7 Cloud is a cloud-based service that provides accounting, HR, attendance, business, and industry solutions. The company says that cloud adoption among its entire customer base is around 30%. The company has a high market share in ERP for small and medium-sized businesses. The company plans to achieve cloud usage by all users, including small and midsize businesses, over the next few years. Photo taken on May 27, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

HIGHTECH SEIKO's newly installed vacuum furnace.

HIGHTECH SEIKO's newly installed vacuum furnace.

Hitec Seiko (Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba City) has introduced a new type of vacuum heat treatment furnace. The new furnace reduces the processing time to about 10 hours, 30% less than the previous model. By increasing the utilization rate and providing more space in the furnace, the company aims to stabilize the quality. We will increase the sales of the heat treatment business to 270 million yen in the fiscal year ending March 2020, up 12.5% from the previous fiscal year. The company has newly introduced the PQ-65 pressure-cooled horizontal vacuum furnace manufactured by IHI Mechanical Systems (Koto-ku, Tokyo), with a view to entering the aerospace field in the future. The maximum processing capacity of the vacuum furnace is 400 kilograms, which is the same as the conventional furnace, but the processing time can be reduced from 15 hours with the conventional furnace. HIGHTECH SEIKO, Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba City, July 19, 2019. Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

ATOUN's powered suit, "ATOUN Model Y."

ATOUN's powered suit, "ATOUN Model Y."

On April 24, ATOUN (Nara City), a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation, announced that it will enter the nursing care industry in earnest. The company will offer the "ATOUN Model Y" power suit (photo), mainly for tasks that require long hours and a heavy workload, such as helping people change clothes in bed. The company is proposing to sort out the tasks that are easy to use in nursing care and those that are not. In the future, the company will also improve the suit's functions by making it smaller and lighter. On the same day, Takayuki Fujiwara, deputy director of teaching at Osaka College of Health and Welfare (Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City), saying, This time, the company plans to add the nursing care industry to its lineup and expand its annual sales volume to about 3,000 units, about three times the current level, by fiscal 2020. Photo taken on July 24, 2019, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Plant Patrol Explosion-Proof Robot

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Plant Patrol Explosion-Proof Robot

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and JXTG Energy Corporation (JXTG) announced today that they have jointly conducted a driving test of the EX ROVR, an explosion-proof robot that patrols the plant, at JXTG's Mizushima Refinery in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. It was confirmed that the basic functional requirements were met. In the future, the company will delve deeper into the evaluation of the test results and make improvements, aiming to start receiving orders from petrochemical manufacturers and others in fiscal 2020. The JXTG Mizushima Refinery in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, March 6, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Terminal of "Mitsuren," a mobile battery rental service

Terminal of "Mitsuren," a mobile battery rental service

Major power and gas companies are working to launch and expand new energy-related businesses. Tokyo Electric Power Holdings (HD) will call for tie-ups with major companies that operate chains in order to achieve its goal of installing 10,000 rental terminals for smartphone recharging services by the end of fiscal 2020. Tokyo Gas will establish a new company by the end of FY 2007 to start a new business utilizing storage batteries. As domestic demand for energy is expected to decline in the medium to long term due to a declining population and progress in energy conservation, the company will develop a new source of revenue. Photo taken on May 20, 2019, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

The company announced that it has revised its consolidated net income forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 110 billion yen, down 60 billion yen from the previous forecast. Managing Executive Officer Stephen Ma, who will become CFO next month. Nissan Motor Global Headquarters, November 12, 2019.

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

Nissan Motor reports financial results for the first half of fiscal 2019

The company announced that it has revised its consolidated net income forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 110 billion yen, down 60 billion yen from the previous forecast. Managing Executive Officer Stephen Ma, who will become CFO next month. Nissan Motor Global Headquarters, November 12, 2019.

Scandal-hit Amari gives economic policy speech

Scandal-hit Amari gives economic policy speech

Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari explains on Jan. 22, 2016, at the House of Representatives plenary session about allegations that he received money in return for doing favors for a construction company. In his economic policy speech, Amari called for stimulating private demand to lift Japan's nominal GDP by 20 percent from the current level to 600 trillion yen by around 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Roof panels of Fukushima Daiichi No. 1 reactor building removed

Roof panels of Fukushima Daiichi No. 1 reactor building removed

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the reactor building of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi complex's No. 1 unit, where panels covering the building roof were removed on Oct. 5, 2015. Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to start to take out spent fuel assemblies from the building's pool in fiscal 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Roof panels of Fukushima Daiichi No. 1 reactor building removed

Roof panels of Fukushima Daiichi No. 1 reactor building removed

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the reactor building of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi complex's No. 1 unit, where panels covering the building roof were removed on Oct. 5, 2015. Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to start to take out spent fuel assemblies from the building's pool in fiscal 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe takes trial ride in fuel-cell bus

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe takes trial ride in fuel-cell bus

A fuel-cell bus carrying Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe departs from the Tokyo metropolitan government building on July 24, 2015. The metropolis aims to introduce the bus from fiscal 2016 and increase the fleet to over 100 by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Gov't expecting smaller deficit of 6.2 tril. yen in FY 2020

Gov't expecting smaller deficit of 6.2 tril. yen in FY 2020

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) speaks at a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy at his office in Tokyo on July 22, 2015. At the meeting, the Cabinet Office presented its estimates that the government is expecting a primary deficit of 6.2 trillion yen ($50 billion) in fiscal 2020, lower than earlier predicted, due partly to the recent economic recovery. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan aims for 2020 fiscal reform goal through robust growth

Japan aims for 2020 fiscal reform goal through robust growth

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd from R) speaks at an economic and fiscal policy meeting in Tokyo on June 30, 2015. The Cabinet the same day adopted a plan to realize its key fiscal reform goal in fiscal 2020 with increased tax revenues from robust economic growth led by the business sector, amid swelling social security costs in fast-aging Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan aims for 2020 fiscal reform goal through robust growth

Japan aims for 2020 fiscal reform goal through robust growth

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) and Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari attend an extraordinary Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on June 30, 2015. The government adopted a plan to realize its key fiscal reform goal in fiscal 2020 with increased tax revenues from robust economic growth. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Toshiba aiming to boost hydrogen energy sales to 100 bil. yen

Toshiba aiming to boost hydrogen energy sales to 100 bil. yen

Toshiba Corp. executives, led by President Hisao Tanaka (R), attend a tape-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its hydrogen energy research and development center in Tokyo on April 6, 2015. The electronics maker aims to boost sales of its hydrogen energy business to 100 billion yen ($840 million) by fiscal 2020 ending March 2021, from 15 billion to 20 billion yen expected in fiscal 2014. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Abe advised to trim budget deficit by 2.5 tril. yen annually

Abe advised to trim budget deficit by 2.5 tril. yen annually

Nongovernmental members of the Council on Fiscal and Economic Policy propose at a meeting in Tokyo on Feb. 12, 2015, that the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should trim the budget deficit by an annual amount of 2.5 trillion yen to attain its goal of turning the primary balance into surplus by fiscal 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan enacts 19 tril. yen extra budget to fight virus

Japan enacts 19 tril. yen extra budget to fight virus

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (front, far right) bows during a House of Councillors plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 28, 2021, after the upper chamber passed and enacted a third extra budget for fiscal 2020 totaling 19.18 trillion yen to ramp up measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan enacts 19 tril. yen extra budget to fight virus

Japan enacts 19 tril. yen extra budget to fight virus

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (L) and Komeito party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi bump elbows in Tokyo on Jan. 28, 2021, after parliament enacted a third extra budget for fiscal 2020 totaling 19.18 trillion yen to ramp up measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic.