![Podcast [English World] Episode 103: Shareholder perks used to help NPOs](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kyodonews.net%2Fenglish%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fposts%2F8367a5e1916be92c4e60b9cb878b241b%2Fcropped_image_l.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Podcast [English World] Episode 103: Shareholder perks used to help NPOs
KYODO NEWS - 6 minutes ago - 10:10 | All, Podcast
What is a shareholder perk?
Three Kyodo News reporters -- Toma Mochizuki, Risako Nakanishi and Mari Tokumitsu -- talk about an article written by Mari about shareholder perks and how securities firms have been utilizing the system to donate items to nonprofit organizations. Listen as they discuss what items are particularly sought after and what kind of struggles the program faces.
Article mentioned in the podcast:
Japan brokerages donating shareholder perks to help kids in poverty
Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.
Related coverage:
Podcast [English World] Episode 102: Births dip below 700,000 for 1st time
Podcast [English World] Episode 101: Stockpiled rice
Podcast [English World] Episode 100: Atomic bomb trees
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tokyo Weekender
an hour ago
- Tokyo Weekender
Inside Sakebaro, Japan's Most Mysterious Sake Bar
Sakebaro is not a bar in any conventional sense. It's a members-only experience built around a simple but powerful idea: that sake is best experienced mindfully, thoughtfully, in serene surroundings. Operating quietly at four locations — two in Tokyo, one in Kyoto and one in Fukuoka — Sakebaro keeps its exact addresses closely guarded. When you enter one of its spaces — after stealing away down a side street and making your way through a nondescript entrance — you're plunged into a world of darkness and sophistication. The lighting is delicately muted, recalling the feeling of moonlight, conversations are alluringly hushed and every detail is an invitation to appreciate and perceive more deeply. The Sakebaro Story: Membership With Meaning Sakebaro offers a rare experience of Japanese culture for those who prize depth, serenity and intention. Every detail — from the space design to the music to the vessels in which each drink is served — is carefully curated. Membership applications are carefully reviewed, not for the purpose of being exclusive, but to preserve a sense of authenticity, safety and emotional intention. As founder Jun Oonishi explains, the goal is to cultivate an environment where guests can engage with sake — and with one another — in a meaningful, open-hearted way. The membership system helps maintain the integrity of this experience. It ensures that each guest is aligned with the values of curiosity, respect and mindful presence. In Oonishi's words, 'We are not seeking to attract many people, but the right people — those who feel an affinity with our values.' Sakebaro members tend to be artists, aesthetes and well-connected individuals. What unites them all is a deep appreciation of Japanese craftsmanship and culture. Membership becomes less of a status symbol and more of a quiet commitment to approach each visit with care and reverence. Philosophically, Sakebaro has a deep kinship with Junichiro Tanizaki's In Praise of Shadows , a renowned essay that explores the distinctly Japanese aesthetic of finding refined beauty in darkness and stillness. In Tanizaki's world, shadows are not a lack of light, but a place where textures, emotions and subtleties come alive. Sakebaro's elegant speakeasies embody this sensibility with every design choice, blending minimalism and mystery with traditional Japanese flourishes. Down the Rabbit Hole Currently, Sakebaro operates in Tokyo's Nakameguro and Aoyama districts, Higashiyama in Kyoto and Nakasu in Fukuoka. For the curious, some of these locations have opened their doors for a special dinner service, permitting outside visitors a rare peek into the members-only world. Guests can partake in a course meal designed to complement the complexities of sake, with each pour carefully selected by an in-house sake sommelier and paired with dishes that enhance the drink without overwhelming it. Each of these spaces embodies the grace and history of its surrounding area. In spring, the Nakameguro location is decorated with a profusion of cherry blossoms; the Higashiyama location contains a second-floor tatami room as well as a gold leaf-gilded bar; Nakasu's counter is made of tin, cool to the touch and quietly elegant. The dinner experiences can be reserved online, but discretion is maintained. Once your reservation has been confirmed, you'll be sent an email with the address and phone number of your establishment of choice. Additionally, after your meal, you can continue to enjoy the space as a bar. A Space for Artful Exchange For its members and visitors, Sakebaro also serves a platform for art and ideas. In select locations, the space occasionally opens up for private events, including small concerts, exhibitions and gatherings with local and international artists. Guests from around the world are drawn not only by a chance to enjoy some of Japan's best sake, but by a shared curiosity and desire to connect through culture, quietude and tradition. Sakebaro becomes a crossroads where artists, thinkers and travelers converge. The subtle pleasure of each visit mirrors the complexity of sake itself: dry or floral, earthy or crisp, each pour revealing something different depending on the mood, the moment and even the vessel in which it's served. The flavors and notes of sake have been put into words countless times, but Sakebaro allows for guests to experience the ancient beverage like never before. Pure Enjoyment Unlike other establishments of a similar nature, Sakebaro doesn't overwhelm with information or academic-feeling details. The point is not consumption — it's contemplation. 'Our purpose is for guests to enjoy sake intuitively, beyond preconceived ideas or overly complicated knowledge,' Oonishi writes in a blog post introducing the brand. 'My philosophy is simple: Choose sake instinctively, savor it sincerely, and enjoy it purely.' For those who feel drawn to Sakebaro, the door is open, though harder to find than your average bar. And more locations will arrive soon: The brand plans to expand internationally in 2025, sharing the quiet elegance of sake and the unseen beauty of Japan overseas as well. More Info To learn more about Sakebaro and its membership system, visit its website or head to its Instagram account .
Yomiuri Shimbun
an hour ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Nippon Steel: Acquisition of Major U.S. Manufacturer Aimed at Regaining Top Spot
Can Nippon Steel Corp., once the world's largest steelmaker, regain the top spot? The Japanese steelmaker will be tested as to whether it will be able to work out an investment strategy in U.S. steel giant United States Steel Corp. and promptly reorganize the management of the U.S. manufacturer. Nippon Steel acquired all common shares of U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion (about ¥2 trillion), making the U.S. company a wholly owned subsidiary. Nippon Steel's crude steel production will increase to 58 million tons a year, almost on par with Chinese company Ansteel Group Corp., the third largest producer worldwide. Although there is a gap with the No. 1 producer, China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Nippon Steel is nearing the No. 2 spot currently held by Europe's ArcelorMittal SA, which produces 65 million tons a year, and has the European firm in its sights. Its presence in the global market will certainly increase. Steel, which is a basic material indispensable for manufacturing automobiles, ships, home appliances and other products, has shored up the competitiveness of Japan's manufacturing industry. Nippon Steel has been expanding its global operations in cooperation with automakers and other companies. In addition to Japan, Nippon Steel has major plants in other countries, including India and Brazil. With the completion of the buyout of U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel will immediately put U.S. Steel production bases in the United States and Europe under its umbrella. It is significant that Nippon Steel will be able to strengthen its global production networks. It can be said that Nippon Steel's acquisition strategy is based on the global trend of emphasizing economic security. This is because, although free trade is important, the reality is that the United States, Europe and other countries are increasingly protecting their own industries from an economic security perspective to counter China's growing hegemonic activities. The issue for the future is how to obtain profits commensurate with the huge investment in U.S. Steel. Nippon Steel initially planned to invest $1.4 billion, but it added $1.3 billion to the amount in summer last year. The planned investment finally swelled to $11 billion in total as a result of negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. It will be necessary to devise a way to procure funds so the investment rating will not be lowered. It is estimated that wages in the U.S. manufacturing industry are nearly double that of Japan. It is not easy to secure skilled workers in the United States, where the manufacturing industry is declining. It is good news that since U.S. Steel has been allowed to become a wholly owned subsidiary, Nippon Steel no longer needs to worry about technology being leaked outside. It is hoped that Nippon Steel will quickly provide its advanced technologies, such as high-tensile steel plates for automobiles, and quickly expand its production bases. In order to obtain approval for the acquisition, U.S. Steel agreed to issue a 'golden share' to the U.S. government. The U.S. government will be able to veto important issues, such as changing the company name, moving its headquarters and closing plants in the United States. U.S. Steel was protected by high tariffs, but its facilities became obsolete. To regain competitiveness, it is important to respect the autonomous management of the private sector. The U.S. government should exercise its golden share rights in a restrained manner. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 25, 2025)
Kyodo News
2 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: June 25, 2025
KYODO NEWS - 5 hours ago - 09:18 | World, All, Japan The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- U.S. Marine in Okinawa gets 7-year term over sexual assault NAHA, Japan - A Japanese district court on Tuesday sentenced a U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa Prefecture to seven years in prison for a sexual assault committed in May 2024, concluding that the victim's testimony demonstrated a "high level of credibility." Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, who pleaded not guilty in the case, was accused of injuring a woman in her 20s by choking her while attempting to rape her. He denied having any sexual intent or using physical force against her. ---------- Nissan forecasts net loss in April-June as shareholders grill management YOKOHAMA - Nissan Motor Co. on Tuesday said it forecasts a net loss of 200 billion yen ($1.38 billion) for the April-June quarter and apologized for the worsening performance as it faced criticism from shareholders at their annual meeting. New President and CEO Ivan Espinosa, who took over from Makoto Uchida in April, vowed to return the business to profitability by fiscal 2026 after apologizing for the poor outlook, encumbered by high auto tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. ---------- Japan maps out support steps for key game, anime industries TOKYO - The Japanese government said Tuesday that it is seeking to provide support for video game production costs and improve working conditions in the anime industry under a five-year plan to further boost the country's entertainment sector, a key source of exports. The plan, announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, also includes anti-piracy measures such as stronger investigations and enforcement. ---------- Japan protests China's new activity in contested sea TOKYO - Japan's government on Tuesday lodged a protest with China over another suspected resource development activity in the East China Sea, after confirming that Beijing has taken steps to construct a new structure in the contested area. The structure is located close to a Tokyo-proposed median line separating the exclusive economic zones of the two countries in the sea, the Foreign Ministry said. A similar Chinese move was confirmed in May. ---------- Japan ispace says Moon landing failure due to altimeter abnormality TOKYO - Japanese startup ispace Inc. said Tuesday its latest failure to land a spacecraft on the Moon was due to an altimeter abnormality, while vowing to pursue another attempt in 2027. The Tokyo-based company has been analyzing the cause of the apparent crash of its lunar lander, Resilience, in early June, which, if successful, would have made it the first private firm in Asia to achieve a Moon landing. Its first touchdown attempt in 2023 with a different spacecraft was also unsuccessful. ---------- Hundreds of quakes rattle Japan's southwest islands in recent days TOKYO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 hit Akuseki Island in the Tokara island chain in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, following more than 330 quakes recorded around the chain since Saturday. The quake struck the island in Toshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, at around 4:04 p.m. and measured a 4 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. ---------- Scientists obtain unstable gold from lead, practical use uncertain GENEVA - A team of scientists including those from Asian countries has successfully transformed lead into gold, though it disappeared in microseconds, with the discovery published in a U.S. physics magazine last month. The team's spokesperson at CERN, a research organization on the Swiss-French border, said that although it was only an experimental finding, it could help advance human knowledge and enable the development of advanced equipment in the future. Video: Traditional dance performances at Osaka Expo's Peru Pavilion
