Businesses, academia launch campaign to heighten Japan's brand image

January 28, 2006

Leading businesses including Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. as well as universities and designers launched a three-year campaign Saturday to heighten Japan's brand image based on its traditional culture. A total of 48 companies, seven schools, 11 industrial groups and 20 individuals set up a council to promote the campaign under the slogan of ''Japanesque modern.''

Gov't to investigate 120 Toyoko Inn hotels across nation

January 28, 2006

The land ministry has decided to launch full-scale investigations into about 120 hotels operated by Toyoko Inn Co., following revelations that two of its hotels in Yokohama removed mandatory parking facilities for the disabled after the hotels had passed inspection, ministry officials said Saturday. The decision was made after Toyoko Inn President Norimasa Nishida admitted to the modification, which is illegal, at a news conference hastily convened Friday following the Asahi Shimbun's report on the matter.

Securities watchdog probing possible Livedoor-linked insider trading

January 28, 2006

Japan's securities watchdog has been probing the possibility of insider trading related to scandal-hit Internet company Livedoor Co's takeover of a used automobile dealer, sources close to the case said Saturday. The share price of Jac Holdings Co. experienced sharp gains in abnormally large transactions on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Aug. 25 last year, before Livedoor's announcement of its intention to acquire the company, which was made after that day's trading had finished, they said.

Hitachi to build new plasma TV panel factory

January 28, 2006

Hitachi Ltd. is mulling building a new factory to boost production of plasma TV panels to help meet soaring demand for panel TVs, company officials said Saturday. The company is expected to spend some 100 billion yen on the new factory, aiming to have it become operational as early as 2008, sources familiar with the matter said.