Harley-Davidson recalls 512 motorcycles

December 21, 2005

Harley-Davidson Japan said Wednesday it is recalling a total of 512 units of six motorcycle models, including the FXDLI Dyna Low Rider, due to defective transmissions. The motorcycles were imported in the August-October period, the company said in...

Nojima to buy Tower Records Japan music store unit

December 21, 2005

Nojima Corp plans to acquire a 100% interest in Wave Co, a wholly owned music store chain subsidiary of Tower Records Japan Inc, as early as January for an estimated 2 billion yen, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Thursday. A major volume retaile...

Kerosene prices hit record highs

December 21, 2005

Increased demands for heating due to recent unusually cold weather have pushed kerosene prices higher with average retail prices reaching record high levels, an industry body said Wednesday. As of Monday, the nationwide average retail price rose 1...

More insurance products to be sold at banks

December 21, 2005

The government will allow banks Thursday to sell more insurance products, such as single-premium whole life insurance policies, over the counter. Other products also available over the counter at banks will include single-premium endowment and sav...

Sanyo to raise Y300 billion via 3rd-party share allotment

December 21, 2005

Sanyo Electric Co said Wednesday it will raise 300 billion yen in capital through a new preferred share allotment scheme involving three corporate allies in a bid to boost its depleted capital. The struggling electronics appliance giant identifie...

Seibu Railway shareholders OK plan to reorganize group operations

December 21, 2005

Shareholders of Seibu Railway Co endorsed a plan Wednesday to reorganize the operations of the Seibu group under a holding firm, putting an end to control of the railway and resort conglomerate by business tycoon Yoshiaki Tsutsumi through Kokudo Corp...

Mizuho Corporate Bank to open Wuxi branch

December 21, 2005

The China Banking Regulatory Commission has permitted Mizuho Corporate Bank to open a branch in Wuxi, a suburb of Shanghai, the Japanese bank said Wednesday. Mizuho Corporate, a core unit of Mizuho Financial Group Inc, said it is the first foreign ba...

Nissan's new Bluebird Sylphy targets design-savvy women

December 21, 2005

Nissan Motor Co rolled out the new Bluebird Sylphy on Wednesday targeting mainly design-savvy, mature women who are often seen as having the final say in choosing new family cars. Nissan has developed the new midsize sedan with features that will...

Two Coca-Cola firms to tie up

December 21, 2005

Kinki Coca-Cola Bottling Co and Coca-Cola West Japan Co agreed Wednesday to form a business tie-up to become Japan's second largest soft drink vendor, the two companies said. The two companies said they will integrate their operations in areas ran...

Auto unions to demand pay hike next spring

December 21, 2005

The Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions decided Tuesday to demand a wage increase in pay negotiations with management next spring for the first time in four years, union officials said. The JAW thus joined other key labor unions unde...