Latest news with #Shimizu
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
Fuji Media Turns to Shimizu for Post-Scandal Overhaul
このページを 日本語 で読む Fuji Media Holdings (FMH) new president, Kenji Shimizu, is pledging sweeping reforms to restore trust and reinvent the business after an industry scandal earlier this year. The network was rocked in January by a scandal involving former pop idol Masahiro Nakai, which exposed an opaque corporate culture at Fuji TV Fuji's initial closed-door handling of the misconduct allegations drew intense public criticism, forcing an open apology and a third-party probe into the company's governance. The fallout prompted a broad shake-up of Fuji's leadership and internal policies, including the resignation of top executives and the appointment of Shimizu as president to lead an urgent reform effort In a candid interview with The Sankei Shimbun , Shimizu, set to take over as president of FMH on June 25, acknowledged deep-rooted issues at the heart of recent scandals. He outlined a reform agenda aimed at restoring trust and revitalizing Fuji's content business. At the core of the recent problems, said Shimizu, was the "rigidity and homogeneity" in Fuji's personnel system. Over time, this led to an environment where "no one could speak up, even when they sensed something was wrong." He pointed to structural reforms already underway, including a reconstituted board with a majority of independent outside directors and a higher ratio of women. These, he said, would significantly improve governance transparency. When asked about the lingering influence of Hisashi Hieda, the former chairman who served for over 40 years on the board, Shimizu dismissed concerns. "There is absolutely no influence from Mr Hieda on the new leadership team," he affirmed. He added that Fuji has introduced stricter retirement policies and abolished its advisor system to ensure board independence. Kenji Shimizu, President of Fuji TV, during an interview (©Sankei by Yasuhiro Yajima). On the decision to reject a shareholder proposal from the American investment fund Dalton Investments, Shimizu said the company conducted interviews with all director candidates, including those proposed by Dalton, and applied the same selection process. "We saw no reason to increase the board size or change direction. The current team offers both balance and effectiveness." Asked whether profits from Fuji's real estate division have led to complacency in the media arm, Shimizu defended the group's strategy. The real estate and tourism businesses have evolved dramatically, he noted. But the real issue is the "low profitability of media content," which he intends to address head-on. Reflecting on past missteps, Shimizu admitted that Fuji "hasn't done enough to monetize its content." He said the company needs to move away from planning shows just for TV broadcast and start designing projects with broader revenue streams in mind, from streaming and theatrical releases to merchandising and gaming. "If we stop assuming terrestrial TV is the default outlet, our creative horizons will widen." Shimizu emphasized that his ultimate goal as president is for Fuji to grow while contributing to society. "Profit is just a means," he said. "A company that doesn't help solve social problems or improve something has no reason to exist." Drawing on his background in anime production, Shimizu said he never saw animation as something just for children. "Kids are sharp," he explained. "They don't fall for cheap tricks. They evaluate entertainment honestly." Producing Dragon Ball and Chibi Maruko-chan, he said, taught him valuable lessons about pacing, emotional storytelling, and understanding an audience. He recalled how Dragon Ball captivated viewers with its explosive speed — "a new villain appears, and by the next panel, he's already sliced down." With Chibi Maruko-chan, the challenge was entirely different: bringing to life a still world frozen in the psychological landscape of author Momoko Sakura. To preserve that vision, he built a writing team of women from the same generation as Sakura. Shimizu also discussed managing the fallout of the recent scandal. Fuji has done everything possible to avoid passing costs onto its affiliates or production partners, he noted. Even when sponsors pulled out, Fuji continued to fully fund production. "Supporting our partners and stakeholders is a responsibility we won't compromise on," he said. Interview by Katsutoshi Takagi Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Mainichi
Recent quakes in southeast Hokkaido not precursor to big one, but JMA urges preparedness
TOKYO -- The northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido has seen a series of earthquakes registering 4 on Japan's 7-point seismic intensity scale since mid-May. While the country's weather body says these temblors are not large enough to trigger others, it is urging residents to regularly check their preparedness amid concern over a potential massive quake along the Chishima Trench off the prefecture's coast. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), five earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 4 were recorded on the Pacific side of Hokkaido between May 15 and June 2. The magnitudes of these quakes ranged from 4.7 to 6.3. The areas these struck are known for frequent seismic activity. Off eastern Hokkaido, the Pacific plate is constantly subducting beneath the continental plate. At the boundary of the two, there are areas where they are strongly attached, accumulating energy that could lead to a large quake. In 2003, the Tokachi-Oki earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.0, registered a maximum intensity of lower 6 on the 7-point scale. Jumpei Shimizu, an inspector at the JMA's Office of Large-scale Earthquake Analysis, noted about recent tremors, "The epicenters are distant from each other, making it unlikely they are related." He added, "They are not of a scale that would induce other earthquakes, nor can they be considered a precursor to a major quake." However, along the Chishima Trench stretching from off the coast of the Tokachi region in southeast Hokkaido to the Chishima Islands, also called the Kuril Islands, a major earthquake apparently could occur at any time. The national government's Earthquake Research Committee estimates a 7% to 40% chance of a magnitude 9-class quake occurring within the next 30 years. Shimizu emphasized, "It's important to think about what actions to take when such an event happens." There are also concerns about a major earthquake along the Japan Trench, which stretches on the Pacific side from off the coast of Honshu's Tohoku region to off Hidaka in southern Hokkaido. If a major quake occurs in the Japan Trench or Chishima Trench, it is anticipated that a tsunami could result in up to about 200,000 fatalities. If an earthquake of magnitude 7 or greater occurs around the Japan Trench, the JMA will issue a "Hokkaido-Sanriku offshore subsequent earthquake advisory," warning of the potential for an even larger subsequent tremor. This advisory covers 182 municipalities across seven prefectures from Hokkaido to Chiba. While it does not call for preemptive evacuation, it advises residents to be vigilant for about a week. The government expected to issue this advisory about once every two years, but since its introduction in December 2022, it has not yet been issued.
Yomiuri Shimbun
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Fuji Media to Swing into Net Loss
Japan News file photo Fuji Television Network building in Odaiba, Tokyo. Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Fuji Media Holdings Inc. said Wednesday that it expects to swing into a net loss in the year that ended in March due to the fallout of a scandal over its response to a sexual assault involving former television star Masahiro Nakai. The parent of Fuji Television Network Inc. expects to post a consolidated net loss of ¥20.1 billion , its first loss since the Japanese TV broadcaster shifted to the holding company structure. Fuji Media President Osamu Kanemitsu and three outside directors at the parent company will step down at a shareholders' meeting in June. The company previously said they would remain on the board. The three outside directors are Yoshishige Shimatani, chairman of film studio Toho Co., Kiyoto Saito, president of radio broadcaster Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Inc., and Yuzaburo Mogi, honorary chairman of food company Kikkoman Co. The reshuffle comes as Fuji Media adopted measures to prevent a repeat of the scandal, including scrapping its advisor system, introducing a retirement age system for executives and setting a term limit for outside directors. Kanemitsu and Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu visited the communications ministry and reported the measures. Fuji Media lowered its earnings forecast for the year ended last March for the second time. This time, it booked impairment losses on its fixed assets after many companies pulled advertisements out of Fuji TV. Previously, the company had projected a net profit of ¥9.8 billion . Shimizu will be the only remaining executive who has been sitting on the Fuji Media board since before the scandal came to light. 'We compiled the reform plan with a strong determination to wipe out our bad customs and culture,' Shimizu told reporters. 'We promise that Fuji TV will be reborn.'
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Mitsubishi IP Leader to Head Sisvel Japan
LUXEMBOURG, April 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yoshinori Shimizu has become managing director of the Japanese office of Sisvel, Europe's biggest and longest-established patent pool operator. The appointment coincides with the retirement of Tetsuro Fuse, who will continue to work with Sisvel in an advisory capacity. Mr Shimizu is widely acknowledged as one of Japan's leading IP professionals and most recently served as Deputy General Manager of the Corporate Export Control Division at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, where he worked for 29 years. During his time at Mitsubishi, Mr Shimizu was instrumental in shaping the company's global IP strategy, negotiating patent licensing agreements and resolving disputes. He has also played a key role in several patent pool initiatives, including those operated by Sisvel. As managing director of Sisvel Japan, Mr Shimizu will work closely with Sisvel's global leadership team to drive the continued growth of the firm's licensing programmes in Japan and across Asia. "Having worked with Sisvel as a business partner for nearly a decade, I greatly admire its creativity and dynamism," Mr. Shimizu says. "Sisvel has achieved significant success in its mission to build a healthy innovation ecosystem by providing fair and efficient patent licensing programmes. It is truly an honour to join the team. I look forward to driving the continued development of Sisvel Japan, which has thrived under the leadership of Mr Fuse." "We are very grateful to Mr Fuse for his valuable contributions to Sisvel, and I am excited to now welcome Mr Shimizu to the team," says Sisvel CEO Mattia Fogliacco. "Japan plays a critical role in so many of the technologies we deal with, and we have cultivated deep relationships with Japanese companies on both the licensor and licensee sides. Today's announcement signals our commitment to maintaining a strong presence in this vital market." About Sisvel Sisvel is driven by a belief in the importance of collaboration, ingenuity and efficiency to bridge the needs of patent owners and those who wish to access their technologies. In a complex and constantly evolving marketplace, our guiding principle is to create a level playing field with the development and implementation of flexible, accessible, commercialisation solutions. Sisvel | We Power Innovation View source version on Contacts Sisvel Media Contact Giulia DiniCommunications ManagerTel: +34 93 131 Sign in to access your portfolio
New York Times
21-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
MLB is trying to expand in Japan. Can Japan's NPB grow in America?
TOKYO — Twenty minutes from the Tokyo Dome sits another of Japan's most revered ballparks, the 99-year-old Meiji Jingu Stadium, one of the few fields still in use anywhere that can claim Babe Ruth as a batter. Jingu's home club, the Yakult Swallows, held a spring exhibition Tuesday afternoon against the Hanshin Tigers, creating a crosstown doubleheader opportunity for fans lucky enough to also have tickets for the Dodgers-Cubs season opener at the Dome that night. Advertisement Swallows fans bob small umbrellas at their seats during coordinated cheers — an umbrella dance — and unlike at the Tokyo Dome, a contest at Jingu is open-air, a gorgeous scene on the right day. But what Jeff Shimizu of Los Angeles enjoyed most was the gameplay. When a batter pretended he would bunt and then pulled back to swing, something rarely seen in Major League Baseball anymore, the 70-year-old Shimizu called it out in the stands: 'That's a slash play!' 'I love how Japanese baseball is so much more fundamentally pure,' said Shimizu, who spent many years as a youth baseball coach. 'It's a big difference. I watch major-league games, you see them make really rookie mistakes frequently. You don't see that out here.' Shimizu arrived in Tokyo as part of a tour run by JapanBall, a business founded in 1999 that arranges travel for fans interested in seeing the country's top league, Nippon Professional Baseball. Plenty of Japanese fans have been drawn to MLB in the last 30 years as stars like Shohei Ohtani, formerly of the Nippon Ham Fighters, make their mark stateside, but new interest has also grown in the other direction. Some fans in the U.S. have taken a liking to the Japanese baseball circuit, albeit on a smaller scale. 'The metrics of how many people want to come on our tours and how many people want to subscribe to our NPB newsletter, follow our social media accounts — it's just been a steady, steady growth, and then it really feels like it's just exploded last year,' said Shane Barclay, who owns JapanBall. 'Ohtani is obviously the main force in everything.' JapanBall email subscribers have grown 31 percent in the last 12 months, Barclay said, while its Instagram and X followers have grown 27 percent. Yet, at a time when MLB is aggressively trying to leverage Ohtani's rise for its own gain in Japan — and making no secret of those ambitions — the 12-team NPB is not moving with nearly the same verve to capture its own set of international fans. That's because NPB rarely moves together as one, for reasons both cultural and institutional. Advertisement 'Japanese baseball has not grown in, I would say, 50 years,' said player agent Don Nomura, who was a thorn in the league's side when he orchestrated pitcher Hideo Nomo's groundbreaking departure to MLB in 1995. 'The uniforms, the players have changed, but their structure of baseball hasn't changed. They're owned by major, big corporations, and mostly what they care about is advertisement of their club, and they're not really into baseball business.' The result is what some fans in the U.S. consider a missed opportunity, hampering their ability to easily follow the sport from afar. Live in New York and want to buy an NPB jersey? There is no league-wide online store to do so. Resellers on eBay or Amazon might be your best bet. NPB also does not offer a full-league TV package, leading some to seek creative solutions. The New York-based author Robert Fitts, who's written several books on Japanese baseball and trading cards, signed up for a Japanese cable company's streaming bundle for about $200 a year. 'I have like 81 channels all in Japanese,' Fitts said 'Every morning it's like, OK, where's the game? It takes me 20 minutes.' For a long time, MLB was divided into two meaningfully different bodies, the American and National Leagues, but the distinction is irrelevant today outside of the standings. Not so in Japan, where the Central League and Pacific League run different programs. 'They function completely separately from each other,' said Yuri Karasawa, who built a following writing about NPB on social media and runs the website Yakyu Cosmopolitan. 'The league would have so much more recognition and so much more popularity overseas if they actually tried to get it. But they don't seem to be doing that.' Individual clubs hold virtually all the power in NPB, a contrast to baseball in the U.S.. Yomiuri is the most powerful team. While MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is ultimately at the mercy of his owners, his office is formally empowered to handle far more than the office of the NPB commissioner Sadayuki Sakakibara. One of the two leagues inside NPB is more progressive than the other, however. The six teams in the Pacific League operate a marketing venture that sells a streaming package for its half of NPB. The company, Pacific League Marketing, said it had approximately 490,000 digital viewers in North America last year. Advertisement Just last month, the Pacific League also began selling tickets on an English-language website, Tickets in Japan, run by an online ticket seller, WaveDash. 'We found that a very small percentage of visitors to Japan were taking advantage of the thriving live events scene,' Tickets in Japan said. 'The data shows that only about 1 percent of annual spending by international visitors in Japan is on sports events, and 2 percent on theater and music performances. … We know there is consumer demand and interest to capture, it's a matter of accessibility.' The U.S. isn't the only country where NPB could see more business, if it chose to pursue it. Tickets in Japan said it's getting traction among baseball fans in Taiwan, and that country might be the next frontier for merchandise sales, too. Fanatics, the major U.S. sports apparel retailer, has partnered with five NPB teams, including the Giants. Nori Kawana, head of the company's East Asia division, said that some club executives are interested in pushing further abroad, but bringing NPB marks to the States is tricky. 'There are complications around what IPs are protected in U.S.,' Kawana said. 'Let's say Tokyo Giants. Can you sell Giants in the U.S. where the San Francisco Giants are? 'There's definitely interest (in expanding sales) more towards Asia, like Taiwan. There are Taiwanese players, there are Korean players playing in Japan. NPB definitely has a potential to go beyond Japan, which is somewhere I think we can play a big role.' Topps, the Fanatics-owned trading card company, produces its own sets of NPB cards, competing with three other major manufacturers: BBM, Epoch and Calbee. The last sells its cards with potato chips. NPB cards sell 'very, very well' in Japan, Topps head of trading cards David Leiner said, but the U.S. allocation is 'much more limited because the demand isn't as strong.' Advertisement 'They like that we're exposing them further in the States, but I don't know how big of a push it actually is for them,' Leiner said of NPB. 'The Samurai, the national team, their global presence is definitely important.' Asked if Topps was interested in acquiring any of the other card makers, Leiner said, 'At Fanatics, everything's on the table.' Amy Moses, a 48-year-old Virginia resident, has attended several MLB special events in the past, including games in London, but had never been to Japan before joining JapanBall's tour. She watched Hanshin play both at Meiji Jingu on Tuesday and on Saturday as well, in an exhibition against her Cubs at the Dome. 'I had no idea what it'd be like coming into this,' Moses said. 'I was so excited because the Hanshin Tiger fans were electric, and I've never been in an atmosphere like that.' On Sunday, Moses spoke with Japanese fans in the stands about their game's idiosyncrasies: Where were the bullpens at the Tokyo Dome? The conversation later moved to cheering. In Japan, fans often hit souvenir sticks together, which is not as common in the U.S. 'He said, 'How do you make noise in America? Is it just with your voice and your hands?'' Moses said. 'And I thought that was such an unusual way to phrase it, right? What I love the most was talking to the two of them and then sharing back and forth.' Moses on the trip read a well-known book about Japanese baseball, 'You Gotta Have Wa,' by Robert Whiting. Whiting, who first came to Japan in the 1960s and has chronicled the sport and country for decades, feels NPB's reliance on the status quo could eventually be perilous, if it isn't already. 'The days of NPB games on nightly nationwide TV are long declining as Japanese people prefer to watch Japanese players like Ohtani in MLB telecasts rather than NPB,' Whiting said. 'Younger people find baseball too slow.' Whiting thinks NPB needs to pay its players more and shell out big bucks to pry away some top MLB talent to come to NPB. Advertisement NPB's revenues were about $2 billion in 2024, a person briefed on the league's finances who was not authorized to speak publicly said. That's about $10 billion less than MLB. But growth and expansion aren't necessarily goals unto themselves for the league's owners. In part, that's because of a lack of competition. Unlike in the U.S., where MLB has to compete with the NFL and NBA, baseball and NPB are at the top of the chain. 'It's not all about making every dollar, maximizing our team's exposure and doing everything we can to win,' Barclay of JapanBall said. 'That's a reason behind a lot of appealing things about Japanese baseball, because I think any MLB fan can tell you how much they resent being treated as just a credit card to maximize spending at every game. 'But then in other ways, it's frustrating, because I'm like, 'I want to give you money.'' The longtime Japanese baseball writer Jim Allen, of said the goal for NPB teams is to maximize advertising value and take a tax deduction on the operating losses. New stadiums, which can boost attendance and profits, also aren't built very often. Only two have opened this century. 'It's not America. They can't just go to Tokyo (government) and say, 'Build me a stadium or I'm gonna leave,'' Allen said. 'They'll say, 'Yeah, take a hike.'' Change in NPB might always be gradual. A new generation of owners could produce different thinking, but nothing is likely to happen fast, save perhaps for a scenario where NPB starts to be threatened by MLB's competition for top players. 'I think you're going to have to see just a mass, mass exodus, and even then, I don't know if it'd be enough to spur change,' said reporter Jason Coskrey of The Japan Times, who grew up in the States and went to Japan to cover baseball in 2007. 'There's no impetus to make money. There's no impetus to grow the fan base. It's a very insular way of thinking. It's like, 'This works in Japan, so why should we do anything else?'' Advertisement Shimizu had done a JapanBall tour once before, of the league's spring training. He liked it so much that he returned. But back home in the States, he doesn't detect a lot of interest in NPB around him. 'Not much, to be quite honest,' Shimizu said. 'It's not really on the radar unless you're a baseball guy like me.' (Top photo of Jingu Stadium: Kiyoshi Ota / Getty Images)
