Latest news with #Hayashi
2 hours ago
- Business
Japan Looking Closely at Trump's Tariff Policy: Spokesman
News from Japan Politics Jun 2, 2025 16:27 (JST) Tokyo, June 2 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is closely examining U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy, Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Monday. "We will monitor details of the U.S. tariff measures that will be unveiled in the near future," Hayashi, Japan's top government spokesman, told a press conference, after the president announced last week that he plans to double his country's tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum products to 50 pct. The series of additional tariff measures by the U.S. government are "extremely regrettable, Hayashi said, adding that Japan will continue to urge the U.S. side to reconsider them. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Techday NZ
6 hours ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
APAC Retailers Embrace AI Amid Shifting Consumer Preferences
New research from Adyen reveals significant shifts in consumer habits in Asia-Pacific as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into retail transactions and decision-making processes. The 2025 Annual Retail Report by Adyen examined the behaviour of 41,000 consumers across 28 international markets, including key locations such as Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Malaysia. According to the findings, over a third (38%) of APAC consumers now use AI to assist with shopping. This represents a 39% increase compared to the previous year, with more than one in ten (11%) utilising AI for shopping for the first time during the past 12 months. The report finds AI is perceived positively by users. Nearly two-thirds (63%) indicated that AI helps inspire their purchase decisions, whether for clothing or meals, at a faster rate than other sources. In addition, 62% expressed a desire to use AI to discover unique brands and new shopping experiences, creating opportunities for brands to drive sales through partnerships and cross-selling. Adyen's research also noted that 59% of APAC consumers are open to the idea of making purchases using AI in the future. The adoption of AI is evident across generations. While Generation Z leads in usage—particularly in Malaysia (74%) and Hong Kong (64%)—older groups are showing increased engagement. In Singapore, Generation X and Millennials registered the sharpest rises in AI-powered shopping over the past 12 months at 45% and 28% respectively. The report also found that 30% of those aged 60 and above are currently using AI to support their shopping decisions. Warren Hayashi, President, Asia Pacific, Adyen, said: "The introduction of AI in shopping has created new shopper journeys that are more exciting than ever. From it, we see an emergence of new consumer behaviors — one characterized by personalization and convenience. For retailers, embracing AI isn't just about staying current; it's about meeting evolving consumer expectations and staying competitive in a fast-changing retail landscape." AI is also being viewed as a tool to drive business growth. When asked about strategies for boosting revenues in 2025, more than a third (34%) of APAC retailers identified increased investment in AI to support sales and marketing, product innovation, as well as security and fraud prevention. Hayashi further commented: "Retailers generate vast amounts of payments data through their daily operations, presenting a substantial untapped opportunity. Where AI comes into play is to drive conversions at scale. Building on this potential, we recently launched an AI-powered payment optimisation solution called Adyen Uplift. By training AI on all of the transactions Adyen processes, we help retailers identify genuine shoppers at scale, and fly them through checkout securely and with minimal friction." Concerns over fraud remain pronounced. The report noted that one in three consumers across the region have experienced fraud involving account takeover, identity theft or social engineering. For businesses, the resulting losses from such incidents averaged over SGD $3 million during the last 12 months. The growing prevalence of AI in commerce has heightened consumer unease; 26% of APAC consumers reported increased concern regarding fraud and scams, and one in five avoid enabling their devices to remember payment details because of these fears. Hayashi addressed these issues, explaining: "Besides optimizing revenue, AI could aid in the fraud-fighting efforts of retailers. By training AI on the thousands of transaction data retailers process each day, it can spot anomalies, identify patterns, and predict fraud attempts – ultimately ensuring consumer trust and protecting retailers' hard-earned revenue." Currently, 40% of regional retailers use AI to assist in fraud prevention. Despite a push for digital solutions, APAC consumers continue to value physical stores. The report cites that while 36% of consumers in the region shop via social media, and 46% expect the ability to purchase across various digital touchpoints, physical presence is still important. Forty-two percent prefer both physical and online channels equally, with a further 35% favouring traditional brick-and-mortar outlets. The opportunity to see and feel products (48%), try them on (41%), and take items home immediately after purchase (35%) are the top reasons cited for this ongoing preference. The report also highlights that less than half (46%) of APAC retailers currently offer streamlined omnichannel experiences, though an additional 19% are planning such investments over the coming year. Social responsibility is another theme. A growing segment of APAC consumers now favours retailers with a strong social purpose and charitable initiatives. Correspondingly, 30% of businesses in the region are investing in social impact causes. The research, conducted by Censuswide, involved both consumers and merchants, applying standards set by the Market Research Society and ESOMAR. The data was collected in early 2025, reflecting the most recent trends in technology-led transformation within the retail sector.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Morgan Stanley Sticks to Their Sell Rating for Nihon Kohden Corporation (6849)
Morgan Stanley analyst Ryotaro Hayashi maintained a Sell rating on Nihon Kohden Corporation (6849 – Research Report) yesterday and set a price target of Yen1,500.00. Confident Investing Starts Here: Hayashi covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Asahi Intecc Co, Sysmex, and PHC Holdings Corp.. According to TipRanks, Hayashi has an average return of 1.8% and a 35.29% success rate on recommended stocks. Currently, the analyst consensus on Nihon Kohden Corporation is a Hold with an average price target of Yen2,000.00. Based on Nihon Kohden Corporation's latest earnings release for the quarter ending March 31, the company reported a quarterly revenue of Yen66.95 billion and a net profit of Yen5.96 billion. In comparison, last year the company earned a revenue of Yen65.82 billion and had a net profit of Yen9.1 billion
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Morgan Stanley Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Asahi Intecc Co (AHICF)
Morgan Stanley analyst Ryotaro Hayashi maintained a Buy rating on Asahi Intecc Co (AHICF – Research Report) yesterday and set a price target of Yen3,600.00. The company's shares closed last Wednesday at $16.17. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Hayashi is a 2-star analyst with an average return of 1.8% and a 35.29% success rate. Hayashi covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Asahi Intecc Co, Sysmex, and PHC Holdings Corp.. Currently, the analyst consensus on Asahi Intecc Co is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of $17.12, representing a 5.88% upside. In a report released on May 20, CLSA also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a Yen2,490.00 price target. Based on Asahi Intecc Co's latest earnings release for the quarter ending December 31, the company reported a quarterly revenue of $30.31 billion and a net profit of $5.48 billion. In comparison, last year the company earned a revenue of $25.63 billion and had a net profit of $3.74 billion
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China set to resume seafood imports after Fukushima scare
China has agreed on procedures to resume imports of Japanese seafood products, Japan's government said yesterday, marking a step towards ending a nearly two-year trade ban. Officials from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and China's Customs reached the agreement during a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, the ministry said, adding that China-bound seafood exports were expected to resume after China completes 'necessary procedures'. China's General Administration of Customs said that the two countries made 'substantial progress' following another round of talks on the trade of Japanese aquatic products. The agreement comes as both governments work to ease tensions stemming from the 2023 release of treated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It 'marks one important milestone', Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a regular press conference. 'We will continue calling for the resumption of Japan's exports of its beef to China and the lifting of import restrictions on agricultural and marine products from ten prefectures,' including Fukushima and Tokyo, Hayashi added. Those prefectures were not included in the agreement. Under the agreed measures, Japan will register fishery processing facilities with Chinese authorities, and exports will include inspection certificates confirming the absence of radioactive substances, the farm ministry said. The Nikkei newspaper, which reported the news earlier, said that China is expected to formally announce the resumption of seafood imports from Japanese prefectures outside the Fukushima region in the near future. China imposed the ban on Japanese seafood imports shortly after Tokyo began releasing the treated Fukushima wastewater, prompting a diplomatic and economic backlash. — Reuters
