Articles
Jul. 25, 2025
CEO_Column TICAD9 is just around the corner – take some time to think about Africa
The rainy season ended in Tokyo last week.
It was absolutely a dry rainy season that I didn’t even realize the rainy season had even started, with precipitation only reaching about 60% of the average. I'm worried about the water shortage this summer. While I want to avoid the damage caused by heavy rain and typhoons of course, I want to have some moderate, blessed rain at least. Then I started singing “Africa” – one of my favorite songs of TOTO with slight changes to the lyrics - “I bless the rains down in Tokyo…”Jun. 23, 2025
CEO_Column A Shifting World — And a Quiet Reflection on Japan's Place Within It
The war in Ukraine shows no signs of resolution, and tensions in the Middle East continue making the situation even more uncertain .At last week’s G7 summit held in Kananaskis on 12-13 June 2025, there were hints of weakening unity among the major powers, underscoring how economic and security frameworks are quietly undergoing a transformation. In the Asia-Pacific region, maritime activity is intensifying, and questions around territorial boundaries and governance are becoming increasingly intricate. Amidst these turbulent dynamics, I am reminded of how crucial it is to consider from where — and how — we view the world.Jun. 6, 2025
Global Network Maputo, Mozambique: Marking 50 Years of Independence and Looking Ahead
In June 2025, Mozambique celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence from over 470 years of Portuguese colonial rule. For perspective, Japan marked 50 years since the end of WWII in 1995. Back then, to me, the Pacific War already felt like “history”—a distant past. Fifty years seemed long enough for a nation’s socioeconomic landscape to undergo major transformation.
But for Mozambique, the road since independence has been far from smooth. A brutal civil war erupted shortly after independence and lasted for 15 years until 1992. If you include the conflict leading up to independence, the country endured nearly 30 years of turmoil. The devastation from those decades still casts a long shadow, and Mozambique remains one of the world’s poorest nations.
Politically, the party that led the independence movement has stayed in power ever...May 8, 2025
Global Network Seoul, Korea: Seoul Marks the 60th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and South Korea
Recently, in Japan, K-Pop groups have gained popularity, while in Korea, interest in Japanese manga and movies has increased. Additionally, the inbound demand for tourism, cuisine, and other cultural aspects from both countries has combined to bring a resurgence in private exchanges. As K-Pop and Korean dramas expand globally and Japanese content becomes more accessible through digitalization, the distance between Korea and Japan is narrowing, primarily due to cultural aspects that are less influenced by political and historical issues.Apr. 11, 2025
Global Network Oslo, Norway: Reflecting on "Happiness" and "Peace" from Norway
What comes to mind when you think of Norway? Perhaps the aurora borealis, the fjords, or famous artworks like Edvard Munch's renowned painting "The Scream" and Disney's "Frozen." While these elements may feel familiar, Norway might still seem like a "close yet distant country."Apr. 1, 2025
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Feb. 25, 2025
Global Network Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand and the Maori -Latest Political Developments
"Kia Ora!" is a Maori greeting in New Zealand, meaning "hello". The deep connection between Maori culture and New Zealand is reflected in the fact that Maori language is recognized as an official language alongside English. However, recent tensions over Maori rights and government policies have been highlighted recently. In November 2024, a bill to review Maori privileges was submitted, prompting protests form Maori Party members. Some of the members performed the haka (*1) in Parliament, an event that also made headlines in Japan. I would like to share the latest political developments concerning the Maori from a local perspective.Feb. 5, 2025
Global Network Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A Rich Country of "Polepole" (Slow and Relaxed)
When people hear "Africa," they often think of negative images such as inflation, currency crises, ethnic conflicts, famine, and China's debt traps. However, if you visit Tanzania, you might be surprised by the gap between these images and reality.
Tanzania is relatively safe, has a warm climate, and abundant food, flowing with a leisurely "polepole" time. Let me introduce you to this relaxed country.Jan. 23, 2025
Global Network Bangkok, Thailand: Diverse Attractions That Captivate People from All Over the World
Thailand is one of Asia's top tourist destinations, with over 35 million foreign tourists visiting in 2024 and over 5 million foreigners reside in the country. Thus, Thailand is a country that fascinates people from all around the world. What makes Thailand attractive varies from person to person, but here I would like to introduce the attractions I have felt during my less than a year of living in Thailand.Jan. 21, 2025
Sumitomo Corporation Global Research Co., Ltd., as a think tank of Sumitomo Corporation Group, has decided to prepare and publish a publicly released version of the 2025 Global Situation and Economic Outlook. The title of this year's edition is " A Shaken World Under New Structure".Dec. 6, 2024
Global Network Calgary, Canada: Be Part of the Energy
Those who live outside of Calgary or Western Canada may have vague associations of just Old Man Winter!
The City of Calgary's population is 1.6 Million and covers approximately 622 sq KM. Elevation is 1,045 meters above sea level.
Yes, it snows here in late November/December but, is gone by March. Due to our proximity to the mountains, we receive Chinook winds off the mountains, 2 - 5 days per week. These are warm Pacific winds (The Blackfoot people call the winds the "snow eater“) can swing winter temps from -20 in the morning to +20 in the afternoon.
Calgary has over 333 cloud free days and is the sunniest city in all of Canada!Oct. 31, 2024
Global Network Lima, Peru: Unmissable Attractions in Miraflores District
The number of foreigners visiting Peru is around 4 million a year (before the COVID-19 pandemic). In addition, the number of tourists visiting from Japan, a country far from Peru, is approximately 40,000 annually (source: Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, MINCETUR【Arrivals of International Tourists】). The prime destination for tourists in Peru is, unsurprisingly, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. To reach Machu Picchu from Japan, visitors must connect to a domestic flight from the capital Lima, the gateway to the country, to Cusco, a city in southern Peru that once flourished as the capital of the Inca Empire. There are no direct flights from Japan to Lima, so you will usually have to make two connections, one in the USA and one in Lima, making the total travel time to Cusco approximately 30 hours.Sep. 26, 2024
Global Network Shanghai, China: a city where technology and analog coexist
Regardless of the severe lockdown under the pandemic and the economic decline reported in the news, Shanghai remains a leading international city in China. While it is true that the real estate market is shrinking and unemployment rates are rising, the living standards remain so high, and the city continues to grow even after the pandemic. Many of our business travelers, who have not been to Shanghai in a long time, often comment that they were surprised by the city's further development. Although Shanghai's futuristic skyscrapers give an impact, if you live in Shanghai, you may find that Shanghai is a city with many cultural and historical attractions, such as lush green parks and renovated stylish café areas with architecture from the French Concession era. The word "city walk" is often used in China, and Shanghai is a city with hidden ...Aug. 26, 2024
Global Network Paris, France: French Values viewed from the Olympics
On July 26, the curtain rose on the third Olympic Games for Paris. It was the first time in 100 years that Paris hosted the Olympics. Although there were mixed reviews of some of the performances at the opening ceremony, the bold and spectacular opening, which fully demonstrated France's unique characteristics, was generally well rated.
While the success of the Olympic Games has been reported in the press, this time I would like to change the prespective a little and introduce the issues and values of French society from a point of view of ordinary person living in Paris, using the opening ceremony as a straight point.Aug. 1, 2024
Global Network Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: The evolving birthplace of Islam
Saudi Arabia, with King Salman at its apex and being a country of absolute monarchy that houses Mecca and Medina, known as the two major sanctuaries of Islam, and hence called the "birthplace of Islam," is regarded as one of the strictest countries in terms of Islamic law among Islamic countries. However, in 2016, the "Saudi Vision 2030" was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto leader, and large-scale national projects called the Giga Project to get away from the one-trick pony oil economy were announced one after another. Among these, the flat-line future city THE LINE, which is planned to be built in the northwestern region with a total length of over 170 kilometers (a flagship project of NEOM composed of four projects), attracted particular attention. Recently, there have been reports of speculation tha...Jun. 28, 2024
Global Network Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Exploring a Day in Rio de Janeiro - A City of Beauty and Energy
On the other side of the globe from Japan, the tropical city of Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its stunning landscapes, earning it a place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Additionally, the cheerful and sociable Cariocas (a term used in Portuguese to refer to the residents of Rio de Janeiro), along with the city's unique music and local cuisine, capture the hearts of all who visit. Let's take a peek into a day in Rio de Janeiro.Jun. 12, 2024
Global Network Vancouver, Canada: The jewel of the Pacific Northwest
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Coast Mountains, Vancouver stands as a vibrant metropolis renowned for its stunning natural beauty, diverse culture, and thriving business environment. With a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and lush greenery, Vancouver offers an unparalleled quality of life that attracts residents and businesses alike. The city's strategic location as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region positions it as a hub for international trade and investment, fostering a dynamic economy driven by sectors such as technology, tourism, and green innovation.May 8, 2024
Global Network London, UK: Spring in London - an exciting mix of traditional and modern
A variety of spring flowers start to bloom in London from around February; and so, I would like to take you on a tour of London's spring landscape. Thanks to warm currents and prevailing westerly winds, winters are relatively warm, and the days become longer and more exciting after the spring equinox.Apr. 2, 2024
Global Network Jakarta, Indonesia: A country where tomorrow is better than today
What kind of image do you have when you hear the country name "Indonesia"? It has only been a little over nine months since I was located here, but I am strongly impressed that "Indonesia is a country where tomorrow is better than today". Like other countries, Indonesia faces a variety of challenges, but it continues to develop at a dizzying pace taking into account importance of unity in its religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Surrounded by cheerful people who don't dwell on trivial matters, I often feel naturally energized. I believe that the reason why I feel this way is because many people naturally think and feel that tomorrow will be better than today.Mar. 13, 2024
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