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Japan Times
18-04-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Times
Tokyo broker advises Trump-proofing portfolios with Godzilla-creator Toho
The Tokyo stock market has been the worst performing major equity market year-to-date, in part because Japan's exporters have been hit hard by tariffs. Toyota, the country's largest company, is down 16%. The Nikkei 225 stock index is off about 12%. What's missing in this picture is a Japan that is often overlooked, a Japan of companies that aren't so reliant on overseas demand, those that sell domestically or are in businesses otherwise insulated from tariffs on goods. Brewers, bakers and utilities are some of the companies that tend to hold up better when the export economy is under threat. Retailers and railroads also do well, while analysts are especially bullish on entertainment stocks in this environment. Companies that performed well as Trump tariffs were rolled out and might continue to do well if the trade war becomes protracted include: Yamazaki Baking, Japan's largest baking company; West Japan Railway; Aeon; Marui Group; and Tokyo Gas. 'It's a high-risk situation to invest in manufacturing shares, so there is a clear trend where domestic-demand stocks are being favored over foreign-demand stocks now," said Eiji Sato, portfolio manager at Nakano Asset Management. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed a round of brutal tariffs on products entering the United States. Most imports from Japan are being hit with 10% duties, while steel and cars are attracting higher rates. Exporter stocks are down as a result, and because they are so large, they are pulling the index down with them. In addition to Toyota, shares of other carmakers have declined, as have the shares of electronics companies such as TDK and Tokyo Electron, and those of steelmakers. Brokers are cautioning investors that the bet is not so simple. Tariffs are already priced into stocks, and negotiations with the United States are ongoing. It is very possible that an agreement will be reached, or that Trump simply chooses to lift some tariffs for Japan. The panic-selling phase seems to be over, so investors might want to be careful about shifting too much to domestic-demand stocks, noted Chisa Kobayashi, an analyst at UBS SuMi Trust Wealth Management. 'While focusing on a defensive strategy, we think it's good to maintain some exposure to foreign-demand shares; otherwise, there would be a risk of missing out opportunities once the market starts rallying again,' she added. It is also possible the tariffs stick or that the situation worsens. The United States suspended 24% "reciprocal" tariffs on Japan for 90 days, and that rate could kick in again in July. Solutions proposed by the United States might weigh on exporters as well. The appreciation of the yen in a possible Plaza Accord 2.0 would be particularly troublesome for companies that depend on selling into the U.S. market. Sato listed Cosmos Pharmaceutical, an operator of discount drugstores, and Kobe Bussan, which runs wholesale supermarkets, as potential winners in a trade war that drags on. He also said Nakano Asset Management is over-weighting companies with core businesses not likely to be affected by the trade war and with long-term growth potential. Given that the popularity of Japanese anime has been growing considerably in recent years, entertainment businesses appear promising, and soft content would be less affected by tariffs. Sony owns Crunchyroll, which is a popular streaming platform for overseas anime fans, along with running other entertainment businesses. With this portfolio, it can create synergetic effects, Sato argues. It can make anime movies and anime theme songs. Its video games can be on the PlayStation platform as well. "If tariffs are imposed on gaming hardware, the impact would be unavoidable, but we believe the expected growth of Sony's intangible assets would more than make up for it," Sato said. He also mentioned Toho, creator of Godzilla and distributor of hit anime movie series including "One Piece" and "Dragon Ball." The company has strengthened its capabilities to produce anime content in recent years. Toho shares are up by one-third since the beginning of the year. Prior to the announcement of Trump tariffs, shares of Japanese banks were generally seen as promising, since the Bank of Japan has been intending to raise rates, which can boost bank profits. But the central bank may now slow the pace of rate increases given the threat to economic growth. 'We think investor appetite for banks has declined quite a bit,' Kobayashi said. For the next several weeks, investors should pay attention to whether companies release earnings projections for this fiscal year, analysts argue. "I think some companies might not disclose earnings guidance under the current situation, but those that do provide guidance will probably be viewed more favorably by investors,' Kobayashi said, adding that companies that didn't issue guidance during the pandemic underperformed later.
Boston Globe
08-04-2025
- Boston Globe
How Japan built a 3D-printed train station in 6 hours
Advertisement The new station, Hatsushima, is in a quiet seaside town that is part of Arida, a 25,000-population city in Wakayama prefecture, which borders two popular tourist destinations, Osaka and Nara prefectures. The station, served by a single line with trains that run one to three times an hour, serves around 530 riders a day. Yui Nishino, 19, uses it every day for her commute to university. She said she was surprised when she first heard that the world's first 3D-printed station building was going to be built here. "Watching it, the work is progressing at a speed that would be impossible with normal construction," she said. "I hope that they can make more buildings with 3D-printing technology." Advertisement Serendix, the construction firm that worked with West Japan Railway on the project, said printing the parts and reinforcing them with concrete took seven days. The printing was done at a factory in Kumamoto prefecture on the southwestern island of Kyushu. The parts left the factory on the morning of March 24, to be transported about 500 miles northeast by road to Hatsushima Station. 'Normally, construction takes place over several months while the trains are not running every night,' said Kunihiro Handa, a co-founder of Serendix. Construction work near commercial lines is subject to strict restrictions and is usually carried out overnight, so as not to disrupt timetables. As trucks carrying the 3D-printed parts started pulling in on a Tuesday night in late March, several dozen residents gathered to watch the first-of-its-kind initiative get underway, in a place deeply familiar to them. Then, after the last train pulled away at 11:57 p.m., workers got busy building the new station. In less than six hours, the preprinted parts, made of a special mortar, were assembled. They were delivered on separate trucks, and a large crane was used to lift each one down to where workers were piecing them together, just a few feet from the old station. The new station, which measures just over 100 square feet, was completed before the first train arrived at 5:45 a.m. It is a minimalistic, white building, featuring designs that include a mandarin orange and a scabbardfish, specialties of Arida. It still needed interior work, as well as equipment like ticket machines and transportation card readers. West Japan Railway said it expected to open the new building for use in July. Advertisement Railway officials say that they hope the station will show how service can be maintained in remote locations with new technology and fewer workers. 'We believe that the significance of this project lies in the fact that the total number of people required will be reduced greatly,' said Ryo Kawamoto, president of JR West Innovations, a venture capital unit of the rail operator. The wooden building that the new station will replace was completed in 1948. Since 2018, it has been automated, like many smaller stations in Japan. Toshifumi Norimatsu, 56, who manages the post office a few hundred feet away, had bittersweet feelings about the new building. "I am a little sad about the old station being taken down," he said. "But I would be happy if this station could become a pioneer and benefit other stations." This article originally appeared in
Japan Times
26-03-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
3D printer used to construct train station building in Japan
West Japan Railway (JR West) on Wednesday built a station building that consists of parts made with 3D printer technology. The station building in Wakayama Prefecture is the world's first to be built with 3D printer technology, the company said. The building at Hatsushima Station in the city of Arida on the Kisei Line is some 2.6 meters high, with an area of about 10 square meters. The company aims to open it in July. The building consists of four parts, including the roof and walls, which were produced by Japanese housing maker Serendix. The formwork was formed using mortar with a 3D printer, and reinforcing steel was put in the hollow part and concrete was filled. The building has earthquake resistance similar to that of reinforced concrete houses, JR West said. The company undertook the construction after the end of daily train services and completed the work in about two and half hours, a considerably shorter length of time than conventional methods. The cost for constructing the building is estimated to be half that of using reinforced concrete, the company said. JR West said that it is considering using 3D printer technology in rebuilding other station buildings.
CNN
18-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
The world's first 3D-printed train station will take just six hours to build
A major railway operator in Japan is embarking on a journey to build what it says will be the world's first 3D-printed train station. The new station structure, measuring about 108 square feet, will be located in the southern prefecture of Wakayama, 60 miles south of Osaka, Japan's third most populated city, West Japan Railway (JR West) said last week. It will replace a weathered wooden complex that has been sheltering commuters at Hatsushima Station, it added. A computer rendering shows a minimalist white shed under a curved roof, with a slice of mandarin oranges — which are grown in the area — carved on its facade. The station — eki in Japanese — is a gateway to Jinoshima, an uninhabited island where locals go for swimming, camping, and stand-up paddleboarding. The nearby Arida City is home to local fishing ports and a breathtaking mountain range dotted with orange groves. Structural components will be prefabricated with 3D-printing technology before they are ferried to the site, where workers are expected to assemble them within six hours, JR West said. Work will begin after the last train runs on March 25, according to local media. Joining the project is construction firm Serendix, known for building futuristic-looking homes with 3D printing technology. It is not immediately clear why the lesser-known Hatsushima Station was chosen to be the home of the 3D printed station, but JR West said the project will provide them and other Japanese transit companies a chance to explore 'sustainable building materials and cutting-edge technologies' for other regions in the future. Japan is facing a shrinking workforce due to its aging population. More than 40% of its population will be aged 65 or over by 2070, according to official figures. 'With Japan facing a declining and aging workforce, introducing innovative technologies such as 3D printing will facilitate the modernization of railway infrastructure planning,' JR West also said. ___________________________________ Like what you've just read? Here is more of our recent travel news, Prev Next A golden rule of travel should be 'leave room in your suitcase — but also your belly.' Feasting on local delights is the glorious reward that follows a few hours' sightseeing in a new locale. To aid your next culinary adventure, publishing giant Time Out has just released its list of the best cities in which to eat. New Orleans came out on top in its global survey of more than 18,500 people, thanks to its culinary blend of French, Spanish, Vietnamese and African influences. These are deliciously manifested in treats such as gumbo, jambalaya and beignets. The No. 2 spot went to Bangkok, Thailand, with its glorious food scene covering everything from Michelin-starred fine dining such as the acclaimed restaurant Gaggan Anand to a multitude of markets with $3 street-food stars. At No. 3, Medellín, Colombia, impressed Time Out's readers with its affordability and cheap coffee. In South Africa's Cape Town, at No. 4, locals love the coastal city's diverse food offerings, particularly the seafood. Madrid's flourishing food scene (at No. 5) is both 'diverse' and 'experimental,' say locals, and in recent years Mexico City (No. 6) has become a top destination for international foodies in the know. Jollof rice and smoky suya fuel locals in the vibrant Nigerian city of Lagos (at No. 7). In Shanghai, China, at No. 8, thousands of years of food history have been perfected in today's adventurous culinary scene. France is the birthplace of haute cuisine so it's only fitting that the French capital is in the top 10 at No. 9. The leaderboard is filled out by Jakarta at No. 10. CNN readers once voted rendang the most delicious food in the world, but it's just one of the many lip-smacking dishes Indonesia has to offer. These are the rest of the cities in the top 20: Marrakech, Morocco (No. 11). Lima, Peru (No. 12). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (No. 13). Mumbai, India (No. 14). Abu Dhabi, UAE (No. 15). Cairo (No. 16). Porto, Portugal (No. 17). Montreal (No. 18). Naples, Italy (No. 19). San José, Costa Rica (No. 20). A few years back, Texan Janice Deerwester decided she wanted more from life. So, in her 70s, she moved to France for a new life in Fontainebleau, just outside Paris. 'I'm just blessed every day that I get to live here,' she tells CNN. A vast undersea tunnel is being built that will change the road and rail map of Europe. The engineering marvel is unfolding under the Baltic Sea. 'White Lotus' Season 3 promises to lure more travelers to Thailand. These are the locations featured on the hit show. Four friends went on vacation. Then they recreated a favorite photo from 35 years ago. There's science behind airplane de-icing. A mechanical engineer explains.
CNN
18-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
The world's first 3D-printed train station will take just six hours to build
A major railway operator in Japan is embarking on a journey to build what it says will be the world's first 3D-printed train station. The new station structure, measuring about 108 square feet, will be located in the southern prefecture of Wakayama, 60 miles south of Osaka, Japan's third most populated city, West Japan Railway (JR West) said last week. It will replace a weathered wooden complex that has been sheltering commuters at Hatsushima Station, it added. A computer rendering shows a minimalist white shed under a curved roof, with a slice of mandarin oranges — which are grown in the area — carved on its facade. The station — eki in Japanese — is a gateway to Jinoshima, an uninhabited island where locals go for swimming, camping, and stand-up paddleboarding. The nearby Arida City is home to local fishing ports and a breathtaking mountain range dotted with orange groves. Structural components will be prefabricated with 3D-printing technology before they are ferried to the site, where workers are expected to assemble them within six hours, JR West said. Work will begin after the last train runs on March 25, according to local media. Joining the project is construction firm Serendix, known for building futuristic-looking homes with 3D printing technology. It is not immediately clear why the lesser-known Hatsushima Station was chosen to be the home of the 3D printed station, but JR West said the project will provide them and other Japanese transit companies a chance to explore 'sustainable building materials and cutting-edge technologies' for other regions in the future. Japan is facing a shrinking workforce due to its aging population. More than 40% of its population will be aged 65 or over by 2070, according to official figures. 'With Japan facing a declining and aging workforce, introducing innovative technologies such as 3D printing will facilitate the modernization of railway infrastructure planning,' JR West also said. ___________________________________ Like what you've just read? Here is more of our recent travel news, Prev Next A golden rule of travel should be 'leave room in your suitcase — but also your belly.' Feasting on local delights is the glorious reward that follows a few hours' sightseeing in a new locale. To aid your next culinary adventure, publishing giant Time Out has just released its list of the best cities in which to eat. New Orleans came out on top in its global survey of more than 18,500 people, thanks to its culinary blend of French, Spanish, Vietnamese and African influences. These are deliciously manifested in treats such as gumbo, jambalaya and beignets. The No. 2 spot went to Bangkok, Thailand, with its glorious food scene covering everything from Michelin-starred fine dining such as the acclaimed restaurant Gaggan Anand to a multitude of markets with $3 street-food stars. At No. 3, Medellín, Colombia, impressed Time Out's readers with its affordability and cheap coffee. In South Africa's Cape Town, at No. 4, locals love the coastal city's diverse food offerings, particularly the seafood. Madrid's flourishing food scene (at No. 5) is both 'diverse' and 'experimental,' say locals, and in recent years Mexico City (No. 6) has become a top destination for international foodies in the know. Jollof rice and smoky suya fuel locals in the vibrant Nigerian city of Lagos (at No. 7). In Shanghai, China, at No. 8, thousands of years of food history have been perfected in today's adventurous culinary scene. France is the birthplace of haute cuisine so it's only fitting that the French capital is in the top 10 at No. 9. The leaderboard is filled out by Jakarta at No. 10. CNN readers once voted rendang the most delicious food in the world, but it's just one of the many lip-smacking dishes Indonesia has to offer. These are the rest of the cities in the top 20: Marrakech, Morocco (No. 11). Lima, Peru (No. 12). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (No. 13). Mumbai, India (No. 14). Abu Dhabi, UAE (No. 15). Cairo (No. 16). Porto, Portugal (No. 17). Montreal (No. 18). Naples, Italy (No. 19). San José, Costa Rica (No. 20). A few years back, Texan Janice Deerwester decided she wanted more from life. So, in her 70s, she moved to France for a new life in Fontainebleau, just outside Paris. 'I'm just blessed every day that I get to live here,' she tells CNN. A vast undersea tunnel is being built that will change the road and rail map of Europe. The engineering marvel is unfolding under the Baltic Sea. 'White Lotus' Season 3 promises to lure more travelers to Thailand. These are the locations featured on the hit show. Four friends went on vacation. Then they recreated a favorite photo from 35 years ago. There's science behind airplane de-icing. A mechanical engineer explains.
