From rice to ruin

Article Abstract:

Japan's agricultural cooperatives, called Nokyo, were the biggest losers in the bubble economy's collapse in the early 1990s. The government salvaged their financial losses of trillions of yen, but could not help their shattered reputation. The Nokyo had been flush with cash because their 5.5 million members, an aging group, borrowed far less than they saved, creating a vast pool of money beyond the cooperatives' management expertise. Now they face competition in both their services to farmers and their sales of rice.

Japan, Finance, Grain industry, Agricultural cooperatives, Agriculture, Cooperative

---

Cyber punk: youthful computer whiz wants to drag his fellow citizens into the Internet age

Article Abstract:

The young software developer Joichi Ito is strongly promoting the Internet in Japan and running his software and networking companies, Eccosys and Digital Garage. Born in Japan, he lived in the US for several years and returned to his native country in 1981. He believes multimedia will develop tremendously in Japan and wants to help in computer networking. Some believe he is too carefree for a serious businessman, but others think this characteristic helps him promote the entertaining aspects of multimedia.

Computer industry, Behavior, Personalities, Ito, Joichi

---

What floor, please?

Article Abstract:

There are very few elevator girls left in department stores in Japan because the stores are having to make cost savings and elevator girls are regarded as unnecessary. Customers also prefer to operate lifts themselves. The Mitsukoshi department store has made 20% of its staff redundant since 1992 but it insists that it will still have some elevator girls, while other stores are trying to assist customers by employing saleswomen to walk around asking customers if they need help.

Department Stores, Management, Officials and employees, Customer service, Mitsukoshi

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: French trawlers to fit PairLink. Sound barrier for dolphins. Versatile transceiver
• Abstracts: Japan: too close to the sun? Inflation: lower your sights. Tax: is the US deal a dream?
• Abstracts: Airline turbulence in India. Saudi Arabian power plans. Dabhol leads to power policy review
• Abstracts: Reasons to be cheerful. Horses for courses
• Abstracts: Freedom from all allergies! Beat spring allergies. Combat winter allergies

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.