Japanese Companies Research Articles

치료약과 강장제 사이에서

This paper illustrates how South Koreans encountered and adopted vitamin supplements in the 20th century and analyzes what is unique about the Korean case. Koreans were first introduced to vitamin supplements by Japanese pharmaceutical companies during the Japanese colonial period. As beriberi was not as prevalent in premodern and early modern Korea as in Japan and Southeast Asia, the advertising strategy of emphasizing the risk of deficiency was not as successful as in Japan. During the mid-to-late Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula, vitamin supplement advertisements shifted their focus from the threat of beriberi to emphasizing potential benefits, such as recovery from fatigue and growth and development in children. This idea of vitamins as a “modern tonic” was so ingrained in the public that, although there was no demand as a remedy, the market for vitamin supplements in Korea kept growing in the age of economic development.

A New, Ultra-Low-Cost Power Quality and Energy Measurement Technology Bringing SmartGrid on the Factory and Automation Floor

This paper introduces a new application for Power Quality and Energy Monitoring: embedding power quality monitors inside sensitive industrial, commercial, automation, manufacturing and medical equipment – and bringing SmartGrid to the factory and automation floor. Using power quality monitors to solve intermittent problems has also been limited by the cost of monitors. In this case, the monitors are generally installed at the equipment terminals. So the monitors can either directly interface with the load, or they can interface via e-mail or WebServer with a remotely connected user. In addition the new technology also combines a high accuracy energy monitor that can precisely control loads based on the load profile. It also introduces IEC 61000-4-30 which is an excellent standard that ensures that all compliant power quality instruments, regardless of manufacturer, will produce the same results when connected to the same signal. However, instruments that comply with the Class A requirements of this standard have, until now, been too expensive for common use. Now a new set of technologies developed by an American company, in cooperation with a Japanese company, demonstrate that it is possible to manufacture three-phase power quality instruments that are fully compliant with the Class A requirements of IEC 61000-4-30, and to do so at ultra-low-cost, allowing these monitoring devices to be used even at entry levels of individual loads.

Climate change disclosure and evolving institutional investor salience: Roles of the Principles for Responsible Investment

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between climate change disclosure and institutional investors. A particular focus of the present study is the question of if and how the relationship is affected by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). A relevant context to the question is shareholder engagement, where institutional investors' legitimacy affects the outcomes. Thus, this study examines Japan, where shareholder engagement is the main pathway for institutional investors to convey their ESG‐related influence to investee companies. Using the stakeholder salience theory as a theoretical framework, the empirical results of analyzing 17,604 firm‐year eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) documents of listed Japanese companies provide evidence for the following. First, institutional stakeholders' holding ratio has positively influenced corporate climate change disclosure (power). Second, the positive influence of institutional investors is more significant when PRI‐signed institutional investors are present (legitimacy). Third, the aforementioned relations gained statistical significance gradually during the analysis period (urgency). Fundamentally, this study shows that the stakeholder salience theory contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship.

Distinctive features of modern Japanese diplomatic service

The present study is an inquiry into the current state of Japanese diplomatic service and its distinctive features. The author makes use of the latest Japanese-language primary and secondary sources in his analysis that are rarely employed in Russian Japanology. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is the main government body responsible for Japan’s foreign affairs and its diplomatic service. The Ministry’s work is based on a number of laws mostly enacted in the 20th century, though all of them have gone through a series of amendments. Since these laws provide for only a necessary framework with little detail, their implementation lies in the hands of bureaucracy, which allows for a swift response to changes that may occur by adapting the structure of the Ministry and creating ad hoc chambers without amending the basic laws. This is of paramount importance given the turbulent state of global affairs and Japanese leaders’ bid to elevate Japan to a top-tier cohort in the international arena. To address the challenge, the Japanese leadership has made the Foreign Ministry more accountable and dependent on the ruling party and the prime minister, reflecting Prime Minister Abe’s long-standing desire to act with fewer constraints on the side of bureaucracy. At the same time, the Japanese diplomatic service has faced quite a few issues. Over the last decade, new embassies have been established, and their functions have been greatly bolstered, most prominently regarding the support for Japanese companies’ expansion overseas. However, the Ministry’s ranks fail to expand quickly enough to offset the amount of work to be done. The annual intake to the Ministry stands at about 80 ‘generalists’ and ‘specialists.’ The understaffed diplomatic service runs the risks of becoming overwhelmed and thus ineffective. While the leadership is aware of the problem, it is yet unclear how exactly the problem is to be tackled.

The uncertainty‐handling function of project leaders' political behavior in breakthrough innovation

AbstractInnovation management research demonstrates that political behavior is necessary for project leaders to conduct breakthrough innovation (BI) projects successfully. Although it is known that project leaders' political behavior contributes to BI project success by maintaining continued support for the projects, this study focuses on another function of organizational politics: the uncertainty‐handling function. Project leaders encounter uncertainties during their BI projects and are tormented by unintended project stagnation. While scholars and practitioners have developed several logic‐based responsive approaches to address uncertainty problems, project leaders also employ political behavior. The realization provokes questions such as, what type of uncertainty in particular triggers a project manager's political behavior in the context of BI development? Is there any specific linkage between a particular type of uncertainty and particular political behavior? What mechanisms underpin those relationships? To answer these questions, we investigate six BI projects in five mature Japanese companies through the lens of the meaning management perspective. The analysis reveals that (1) project leaders use political behavior to address a specific situation in which two uncertainties are intertwined; (2) project leaders use different political behavior depending on the type of intertwined uncertainties; and (3) project leaders resolve intertwined uncertainties with political behavior and then address each uncertainty in their BI projects. This study contributes to the innovation politics literature and innovation management practices by identifying specific conditions under which BI project leaders use political behavior and suggesting the fit between particular political behaviors and uncertainty conditions.

A new, ultra-low-cost power quality measurement technology

IEC 61000-4-30 is an excellent standard that ensures that all compliant power quality instruments, regardless of manufacturer, will produce the same results when connected to the same signal. However, instruments that comply with the Class A requirements of this standard have, until now, been too expensive for common use. Now a new set of technologies developed by an American company, in cooperation with a Japanese company, demonstrate that it is possible to manufacture three-phase power quality instruments that are fully compliant with the Class A requirements of IEC 61000-4-30 at ultra-low-cost (selling price less than 500 Euros in quantity). The development uses technologies from several fields that have not previously been related to power quality, including digital cameras, power-over-ethernet, mobile phones, and submarine sonar systems. These new technologies have been packaged in a demonstration instrument, and may be licensed to instrument manufacturers as well.

Extrinsic shocks and corporate accounting behaviour: The case of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923

This study examines how the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 influenced the depreciation disclosure practice adopted by Japanese companies in the years that followed. Prior to World War II, corporate accounting behaviour varied widely in Japan, as there were few substantive rules regulating the contents of financial statements. Assessing how a large-scale extrinsic shock such as a major earthquake affects and shapes corporate accounting practices in an unregulated disclosure environment such as this would seem important to understand the intrinsic impact of exogenous shocks. By statistically analysing the contents of 547 financial statements issued by 51 machinery, electrical and transportation equipment manufacturers during the six years from 1921 to 1926, this study shows that the substantial damage inflicted by the Great Kanto Earthquake discouraged companies from disclosing depreciation expenses by reducing or failing to recognise them at all and rendering them less important in their financial statements.

Board Gender Diversity and Firm Performance: Recent Evidence from Japan

Gender diversity is increasingly recognized as a critical element in corporate management. However, existing research on its impact on firm performance demonstrates inconsistency in a global context. This study employs 1990 publicly listed Japanese companies from 2006 to 2023 and examines the effect of board gender diversity on firm performance in Japan. Findings from the fixed-effects regression model revealed a significant negative impact of board gender diversity on firm performance. This adverse correlation is more pronounced in smaller firms, those with greater leverage and reduced institutional ownership, and regulated and consumer-focused industries, particularly pre-COVID-19. The detrimental impact of board gender diversity on firm performance is transmitted via corporate social responsibility and firm innovation instead of board independence or CEO duality. Notably, the two-stage least squares estimation addresses potential endogeneity, employing an equal opportunity policy as an instrumental variable. Moreover, the robustness of our results is affirmed via the substitution of return on equity for return on assets as an indicator of firm performance. Lastly, our analysis does not reveal a U-shaped nonlinear relationship between board gender diversity and corporate performance. As Japan progressively promotes women’s participation in corporate governance, this research bears significant implications for corporate leaders, investors, and policymakers in Japan.

How brand loyalty and its marketing activities affect Japanese fashion companies' financial performance

PurposeTo investigate (1) the relationship between young adults' behavioural brand loyalty (BBL) and Japanese fashion companies' financial performance (FP) and (2) FP improvement from the perspectives of social media brand engagement (BE) and loyalty programmes (LPs) by applying the complexity theory.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology was employed by combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine the prediction of outcomes by various variables in a realistic context. The integrated model associated BE and LPs with BBL and FP, which are essential for fashion companies. We selected 14 fashion brands belonging to 14 publicly traded Japanese fashion companies and surveyed 183 Japanese consumers (aged 18–25 years) who chose these brands as their favourites, engaged with the brands and participated in LPs.FindingsThe findings reveal the positive and negative effects of the variables (BE and LP) on the outcomes (short- and long-term FP). They offer marketing implications regarding brand strategy and financial improvement by considering various combinations of causal factors and complex situations, such as the fashion brands' and consumers' characteristics.Originality/valueExisting empirical studies consider consumers' symmetric reactions to the benefits and losses from variables (BE, LP and BBL) but do not realistically reveal the negative and positive effects on outcomes (FP). This study addresses this gap by applying the complexity theory and offers multiple solutions to target different consumer types to predict high FP.

Can logistics and supply chain resilience strategies minimize the impacts of disruptions: evidence from Japan

PurposeThis study investigates whether logistics and supply chain resilience strategies (SCREST) can help mitigate the negative impacts of disruptions on firm performance and logistics and supply chain (SC) activities of companies, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected primary data on the implementation of different types of SCRESTs and measured the impact of COVID-19 in terms of firm performance and logistics and SC metrics through a survey of Japanese manufacturing companies in four sectors. The authors used these data to illustrate whether the companies benefitted from SCRESTs in mitigating the negative impacts of COVID-19. A questionnaire comprising structured and open-ended questions was sent to 8,000 companies all over Japan that met the selection criteria, using a combination of mail and web-based media. The respondents were logistics and SC professionals. A combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed for data analysis and interpretation.FindingsResearch conducted within the case of the Japanese context revealed that findings varied depending on the methodology applied. The use of a direct analysis approach and qualitative analysis suggested that the implementation of SCRESTs is beneficial in addressing the negative impacts of COVID-19 on firm performance and logistics and SC activities, whereas the application of indirect analysis approach yielded mixed results. The analysis also indicated a shift in the preferred SCRESTs during COVID-19.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the benefits of implementing SCRESTs using primary data from the manufacturing sector of Japan. Furthermore, empirical research on this topic is generally lacking.

An analysis of sustainable procurement guidelines in Japanese manufacturing companies: clarifying the current state and future directions

An analysis of sustainable procurement guidelines in Japanese manufacturing companies: clarifying the current state and future directions

A Qualitative Interview Study on Expanded Access Clinical Trials for Compassionate Use in Japan.

An expanded access clinical trials (EACTs) provides exceptional patient access to investigational new drugs for life-threatening diseases for which no effective treatment exists. Based on public information, we have studied EACTs since 2016, when the EACT system was launched in Japan. In this study, we investigated the reality of EACTs by interviewing pharmaceutical companies and clarifying how they view them. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs. This study aims to clarify the status of EACTs, so we selected pharmaceutical companies that develop innovative drugs for which they may perform EACTs (however, experience in conducting EACTs was optional). All those surveyed were aware of EACTs. Twelve access clinical trials were conducted, and the EACT implementation rate for pivotal clinical trials was 2.5%. The most common reason for implementing an EACT was "requests from physicians and medical institutions" (nine companies, 90.0%), and the most common reason for not implementing an EACT was "the applicability of the system" (five companies). Improvements to EACTs were identified by eight companies (80.0%); financial assistance by six companies (60.0%); reducing the scope of data to be collected and simplifying the procedure by six companies (60.0%). Seven companies (70.0%) responded that a Single Patient Investigational New Drug Application should be conducted, suggesting that the system should be revised. An interview survey of ten pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs in Japan regarding expanded access clinical trials indicated that there were issues with the system. Many wished to improve the system by establishing a single patient access system, supporting resources, and simplifying procedures. Based on our interviews with 10 Japanese pharmaceutical companies, it was found that the system needed to be improved by introducing a single patient access system, providing supporting resources, and simplifying procedures. In Japan, about eight years have passed since EACT was established, and it appears a revision of the EACT legislation is due.

НЕКОТОРЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ ГЕОСТРАТЕГИЧЕСКИХ ИНТЕРЕСОВ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ ЯПОНИИ В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ В НАЧАЛЕ ХХI ВЕКА

The article presents the features of Japan's economic policy in the five Central Asian republics in 2000-2024 on the basis of materials from authoritative sources in Russian, English and Japanese. On the basis of authoritative sources, the specifics of the geostrategic importance of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan for Japan in a developing multipolar world and Tokyo's vital need for stable partnerships in order to increase its influence are reflected. The main specific trends of economic relations between Japan and Central Asia are revealed. The period 2000-2024 of the study is a logical period of time defining Tokyo's policy in the five republics, as a successor to the previous 1993-1999. This shows the predictability and logic of building schemes for stable economic relations of Tokyo in the region. The specific trends of Japan's policy changes in Central Asia are revealed, taking into account the competitive advantages of the great powers in the region. Seoul's strategies have been taken into account, which are similar to Tokyo's course in the five republics. The main regions in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have been identified, where Japanese companies conduct main and contract economic activities at the beginning of the XX1 century, taking into account the dynamics of the previous period 1993-1999. The forecast of the prospects for the development of the dialogue between Japan and Central Asian countries in the 2030s is given.

Grade of the law of distribution of the vector of the digital twin of the enterprise

Digital transformation acts as a main factor in the development and competitiveness of Japanese companies. In this context, the digital copy management algorithm based on the P2M (Project to Method) method plays a significant role in increasing efficiency and reducing costs through the implementation of digital technologies. This research aims to develop and implement an algorithm for managing a digital copy of a project using the P2M method using the Kolmogorov test to evaluate the effectiveness of various processes and determine the best ways to improve productivity.

Some Antecedents of Employee Engagement of Japanese Companies

Some Antecedents of Employee Engagement of Japanese Companies

ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ СВІТОВОГО ДОСВІДУ У ФОРМУВАННЯ ЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

The key goal of any enterprise is to maximize its profit. Achieving this goal lies in the active use of economic security measures. Thus, the economic security of the enterprise is a continuous process that guarantees the stability and stability of the economic environment. It is natural that the current socio-economic and geopolitical instability in the world provokes a significant negative impact on the activities of enterprises. Therefore, for their effective functioning and further development in the conditions of destabilizing factors of the external environment, the necessary level of their economic security must be constantly maintained. The global nature of the negative impact of destabilizing factors on economic security makes it necessary to turn to the experience of foreign countries regarding the mechanisms of its provision. The article identifies a number of factors that exert the main influence on the economic security of the enterprise in recent years. The approaches of various scientists to the definition and content of the concept of economic security have been studied. The components of the economic security system of the enterprise are illustrated. The main goals of increasing the level of economic security of the enterprise have been systematized. The reaction of the European Union to threats to economic security in the region due to the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war is determined. Using the example of Japan, the impact of the war on the economic security of hundreds of enterprises that play an important role in the economy of this country is determined in detail. Research was conducted in terms of such components as revision of risk assessments of other regions, change of suppliers, increase in costs from sanctions, careful selection of business partners, suppliers and customers, suspension or closure of the enterprise, decrease in earnings. Measures implemented by Japanese companies to support economic security are analyzed. The experience of Germany and the USA in supporting the economic security of enterprises was studied, with the specification of the measures taken for this purpose. The parallel of the specified measures to support economic security with the functioning of domestic enterprises was carried out. Achievements and forecasts regarding the future level of their economic security are highlighted.

A Japanese Language Proficiency and Business Japanese Competence: What do Malaysian Japanese Companies Expect?

A Japanese Language Proficiency and Business Japanese Competence: What do Malaysian Japanese Companies Expect?

국제 환경 변화에 따른 동아시아 해운 기업의 경영 전략 연구

This study aims to present the strategic direction of domestic shipping companies by comparing and analyzing the management strategies of representative Korean, Chinese, and Japanese East Asian shipping companies that are competitive in the frequently changing shipping industry. As a research method, literature research and case studies were conducted. The results of this study are as follows. First of all, most East Asian shipping companies were found to be adopting both a cost leadership strategy and a strategic partnership strategy, but as seen in the cases of Japanese and Chinese companies, it is also considered a strategy worth considering to solidify the position of the shipping industry by choosing a centralized strategy that provides more reliable maritime transport services to specific customers. Next, a common problem among shipping companies was found to be low punctuality. To solve this problem, introduce a logistics system that optimizes ship operation routes using big data analysis and provide customer support from ship and cargo schedule inquiries to real-time tracking. It appears that a differentiated strategy is needed to provide all transportation-related services.

Konstruksi Predominant Leader dalam Kebijakan Moon Jae In terhadap Jepang dalam isu Comfort Women pada Tahun 2017-2022

Comfort Women refers to the practice of forced sexual services on thousands of women by Japanese soldiers during World War II. This issue has been a source of tension in relations between South Korea and Japan for several years. In this research, the concept of "predominant leader" is used as a lens for analyzing the role played by President Moon Jae-in in making various policies related to this issue. The method used is descriptive-qualitative with literature study techniques, and the data used is secondary data originating from books, journals, and official websites. This research includes an analysis of several of Moon Jae In's foreign policies towards Japan, such as efforts to register the history of comfort women at UNESCO, demands for compensation against Japanese companies, withdrawal from GSOMIA, and the dissolution of the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation. The results of this research illustrate the complexity of the comfort women issue, with emphasis on ‘goal-driven’ and ‘situationally responsive’ aspects when it comes to policies issued in his effort to seek justice for the victims

Increasing the Resilience of Japanese Companies to Address Multi-hazard Risks

The risk environment surrounding companies has become increasingly complex because of unexpected high-magnitude earthquakes, frequent extreme weather events, adverse effects of climate change, COVID-19, and the impact of the recent Ukraine crisis. Unless companies adequately adapt to the changes in their business environments with their business continuity management (BCM) to address a multi-hazard, they may suffer severe impacts on their business performances and may not survive. Japan is one of the most natural hazard-prone countries with the most corporate assets in the world. However, it currently has various challenges in developing and implementing BCM. This study provides a method to increase the business resilience of Japanese companies for effective management of current and future risks against multi-hazards. This study reviews the hazards faced by Japanese companies and their effects. The recent progress of and challenges to BCM and the related policies in Japan are assessed because a more effective BCM can form the foundation for increasing business resilience. Moreover, this study considers how business resilience can be increased to tackle current and future multi-hazards. The results show that the Japanese companies’ BC plan (BCP) currently tends to focus on single or some particular hazards considering less on fund procurement. Thus, more comprehensive approaches to address unexpected consequences regardless of the hazard type should be highly promoted in the political and practical aspects, and financial strategies should be more mainstreamed on BCM because these improvements will lead to increased business resilience and corporate value.