Welcome to the 15th edition of BizCast Japan. In this edition of the show, co-hosts Albrecht Stahmer and Ken Worsley begin by taking a look at the role Japanese firms are playing in the global financial crisis. Nomura has taken a stake of Lehman Brothers’ operations, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is taking a huge equity stake in Morgan Stanley. Our hosts looks at what these moves mean, and how they might play out.

After that, the discussion moves on to Japan’s retail industry, where supermarkets and department stores continue to struggle as convenience stores still see more new shops opening and a growth in sales. Strategies for supermarket and department store growth are considered, and talk then turns to the battle between imported and domestic food products in the marketplace.

Then, Alby and Ken discuss Sapporo Brewery’s decision to label its products with the grams of carbon emitted during production. Although this is something the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is planning to make mandatory for businesses in Japan, “green” marketing techniques form the core of the discussion.

Finally, the real estate situation is examined. As credit lines from banks become more and more difficult to open or keep open, real estate developers are declaring bankruptcy in Japan on an almost daily basis. What might be the implications for the market?

As always, thank you for listening.

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It has been brought to our attention that at least one of our fine listeners has nominated Trans-Pacific Radio for a 2008 PodCast Award in the Political category. As we lack the modesty or humility to decline such chances to draw a wider audience, we heartily encourage any and all of you who care to second that motion to head over to PodCastAwards.com and nominate Trans-Pacific Radio in the Political category (which the wise listener who initially nominated us decided was the most suitable category.) Don’t forget to leave a comment explaining why you’re nominating us.

Time is short, the dealine is 23:59 on September 30th, which gives those of you here in Japan until 12:59 p.m. on October 1st (if we’re correct in guessing that the PodCast Awards are on EST.)

Much obliged,
All of us here at TPR

For those who hoped that former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi might find another way back into the top seat, today those dreams came to an end, as Mr Koizumi has apparently indicated that he will not seek the re-election of his lower house seat in the next general election.

Although details are still scant, Kyodo news has speculated that his son Shinjiro might make a run for Koizumi the Elder’s seat.

Taro Aso, 68, secretary-general of the LDP, was elected president of his party in an intra-party election today.

He is poised to succeed Yasuo Fukuda as prime minister on Wednesday when the LDP-controlled lower house of parliament makes its choice.

The LDP presidential election involved five candidates, and Aso coasted to victory on 351 of the 527 available votes. In second was incumbent Fiscal Policy Minister, Kaoru Yosano, with 66 votes. Third was Yuriko Koike, a former Defense Minister, with 46 votes.  Nobuteru Ishihara, the former LDP policy chief, grabbed 37 votes, and bringing up the rear was another former Defense Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, with only 25 votes.

For more information about Taro Aso, listen to this podcast.

In the 48th edition of Seijigiri, Co-hosts Garrett DeOrio and Ken Worsley start off by discussing Taro Aso as Japan’s next Prime Minister. The talk soon moves on to LDP policy and the debate between the reform camp and those, like Aso, who are pushing for increased government spending and economic stimulus.

After that, discussion focuses on the rumors of a general election to come as soon as October 26. Both hosts get into their predictions, and speculate on whether the ruling LDP-New Komeito coalition might be worse off following such an election. Is there actually a chance that the DPJ could take control of the lower house?

Finally, a few quick words on LDP upper house member Tamayo Marukawa, who was elected in last summer’s election. Her camp is scrambling to explain how 11 million yen in office expenses were racked up last year while her condo in Shinjuku doubled as her office.

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We recently had a chance to sit down with Dan Gordon and speak with him about his newly released book, Haunted Baseball: Ghosts, Curses, Legends and Eerie Events, which he co-authored with Mickey Bradley.

The book covers some of the folk and ghostlore that players in North America have traded for generations as they make their way from city to city every summer.

(Read on …)

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In this edition of TPR News: The LDP presidential candidates are announced and the factions line up, Ozawa cruises back into the DPJ presidency, Japan to pull out of Iraq, Government to issue more bonds, electric motorcycles, good times for Suntory Beer, and much more.

Politics

On Wednesday, the LDP presidential campaign officially started with five candidates placing their names in contention. The contenders are: Taro Aso, currently the LDP Secretary General, former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, Shigeru Ishiba, also a former Defense Minister, State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano, and former LDP policy chief Nobuteru Ishihara. (Read on …)

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 TPR News: 9/12/08: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Justice Minister Okiharu Yasuoka kept his vow to largely follow the lead of his predecessor Kunio Hatoyama and recently ordered the execution of three death row inmates.

Yasuoka was recently installed as Justice Minister when outgoing Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, reshuffled his cabinet on August 1st, 2008. He had previously served as Justice Minister under Prime Minister Mori (second cabinet) in 2000.

Prisoners executed: (Read on …)

A new edition of TPR News should be up soon and a new Seijigiri should follow not long after.

In the meantime, Daily J has been kind enough to publish an interview with Ken Worsley and Garrett DeOrio, which might be of interest to TPR’s readers and listeners.

Also, Pajamas Media has published Garrett’s brief take on Fukuda’s resignation.

And don’t forget that you can see Ken’s work in every issue of Japan Inc.

In this edition of TPR News: Prime Minister Fukuda resigns, Taro Aso declares his candidacy for the post, LDP reformers consider Yuriko Koike, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa officially declares for reelection in a race that will be uncontested, a new third party, the Reform Club, is formed, more Russian rikishi and an Australian rugby player are busted for pot smoking, police begin videotaping some confessions, and much, much more.

Politics

The big news, of course, is that Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced his resignation at 9:30 p.m. on Monday night.

Fukuda said he had come to the conclusion that a new leader would be more able to pass contentious legislation in the upcoming extraordinary Diet session and deal with the opposition camp that had locked horns with the ruling camp and forced the LDP-New Komeito coalition to fifty-nine bills through using its Lower House supermajority.

Of his decision, Fukuda said, “When taking into consideration that the lives of the public come first, we must not create a political vacuum by political horse-trading. On this occasion, we must promote policies with a new lineup — that is my conclusion and I have decided today to resign.” (Read on …)

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 TPR News: 9/04/08: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download