NTT Docomo to invest $415 mil. in metaverse business
NTTドコモ、XR事業の新会社を来月から始動 “新しい価値”提供へ
TOKYO, Sep 29 (NHK) -
Major Japanese mobile phone carrier NTT Docomo says it will spend 60 billion yen, or about 415 million dollars to fully enter the metaverse market.
The metaverse is a virtual space where users interact in a computer-generated environment.
A new subsidiary, NTT Qonoq will provide entertainment-related services such as virtual live performances. It will also offer metaverse space to other companies.
NTT Docomo aims to make the projects a key new revenue source. Growth in the mobile phone business has been sluggish due to Japan's declining population.
The company plans to work with a range of partners to provide a variety of content.
Sep 29 (ANNnewsCH) - NTTドコモは現実の世界と仮想の世界を融合することで疑似体験を提供するXR事業について、新会社が来月1日から業務を始めると発表しました。 ...continue reading
BOJ's paper loss on bond holdings spikes tenfold
Nikkei - Mar 18
The Bank of Japan's paper loss on Japanese government bond holdings grew more than 10 times at the end of last year from three months earlier as rises in long-term rates undercut the value of the assets.
Japan Should Increase Liquidity in Labor Market: Kishida's Adviser
Bloomberg - Mar 17
Ken Shibusawa, a member of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's new capitalism panel and chairman of Commons Asset Management, discusses the challenges the economy, the government and the central bank face.
Hot spring baths block Japan's geothermal potential
AFP - Mar 16
The hot springs at Tsuchiyu Onsen are beloved by bathers but also power a small geothermal plant, making use of an abundant yet barely tapped green energy source in Japan.
Japan's big firms offer largest pay rises in decades
nasdaq.com - Mar 15
Japan's top companies offered their largest pay increases in a quarter century on Wednesday, as the outcome of annual labour talks showed Japan Inc heeding Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's calls for higher wages to counter a surge in inflation.
Japan parliament endorses Kazuo Ueda as next BOJ governor
Nikkei - Mar 10
Japan's parliament on Friday approved academic Kazuo Ueda as the next Bank of Japan governor, entrusting him with the formidable task of minimizing the side-effects of the central bank's protracted monetary easing and preparing the ground for an exit strategy once its inflation target is within reach.
Japan's producer prices up in February but pace eases
NHK - Mar 10
The prices of goods traded among companies in Japan rose in February. The increase was slower than the previous month due to slowing energy cost rises.
Isuzu launches first electric truck
NHK - Mar 08
Isuzu Motors is the latest entrant in Japan's increasingly competitive EV truck sector.
Japan runs record current account deficit in January
whtc.com - Mar 08
Japan logged a record current account deficit in January on persistent rises in the cost of importing fuel, government data showed on Wednesday.
Why Japan’s ‘shunto’ spring wage talks matter
whtc.com - Mar 08
Every March, management of major Japanese firms meet with unions for wage talks across industries that set the tone for employees’ pay in the new fiscal year.
Government's decision to raise Tokyo taxi fares is unreasonable, court says
NHK - Mar 07
The Tokyo District Court says the central government's decision to raise taxi fares in the capital is unreasonable as it forces taxi firms to raise fares regardless of their situations.
2023年のインフレ見通し
newsonjapan.com - Mar 06
2022年はここ数十年で稀に見る世界的なインフレの年だった。日本以外の多くの国がインフレ抑制のために金利を大きく引き上げたことで、昨年末からようやくインフレ低下の兆しが見えてきている。
Google Japan employees form union as layoff threat looms
Nikkei - Mar 04
Employees at Google's Japanese arm has unionized for the first time, as the wave of layoffs by big tech companies spreads beyond the U.S.
Japan authorities seek criminal charges against Dentsu, others over Olympics contracts
Reuters - Feb 28
Japan's Fair Trade Commission said on Tuesday it filed criminal complaints against Dentsu and five other advertising firms as well as seven individuals over alleged bid-rigging on contracts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Nissan accelerates electric transition plans
NHK - Feb 28
Nissan Motor is planning to speed up its rollout of electric cars in some of its biggest markets. The Japanese automaker says it now expects hybrid and fully electric vehicles to make up 98 percent of its European sales by fiscal 2026.
Japan's consumer price inflation hits 41-year high
NHK - Feb 25
Consumer prices in Japan rose at the fastest pace in over four decades in January. Electricity, gas, and food costs in particular, are soaring.
