BUSINESS

Japan’s healthcare system faces an unprecedented crisis in 2025, with 35 medical institutions going bankrupt in just six months. Hospitals and dental clinics are closing one after another as rising operational costs, stagnant medical fees, and workforce shortages converge. The nation is edging toward a society where healthcare can no longer be sustained. This article explores what is happening on the ground and the transformation required for Japan’s healthcare future.

Fast Retailing expects its fifth consecutive year of revenue and profit growth, fueled by UNIQLO’s data-driven operations and global expansion. Its commitment to environmentally conscious management continues to enhance the brand’s international reputation.

Woven City, launched in Susono, Shizuoka, is an experimental city built to tackle future global challenges. Residents live while testing innovations in energy, mobility, and healthcare, making it a unique platform for integrated real-world experiments.

Renowned as a luxury select shop, Barneys New York Ginza Main Store has reopened with new features such as fortune-telling and a café, evolving into a sophisticated gathering place for adults that goes far beyond traditional shopping.

In response to the growing demand for electric vehicles, Japan and the EU are deepening their cooperation on batteries. The initiative emphasizes sustainability, recycling, and innovation in next-generation batteries, aiming to build a diverse and secure supply chain that can withstand global challenges.

After closing all of its stores in South Korea in 2021, Marugame Seimen is making a second attempt at success. By leveraging Lotte’s powerful distribution network and adapting its menu to Korean preferences, the chain hopes to overcome past challenges. The new store in central Seoul showcases both traditional Japanese self-service udon and locally inspired innovations.

Held on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, EXPO 2025 brings together nations and innovations from all over the world. Japanese visitors describe their experiences as a mixture of joy, pride, and frustration, showing both the inspiring highlights and the practical challenges that shaped their visit.

With an investment of ¥15 billion and the adoption of cutting-edge digital solutions, Hitachi has opened a new railway facility in the U.S. The plant will employ about 460 people, producing vehicles that will enhance safety and efficiency across American public transit networks.

By establishing a research hub in the Netherlands, DNP is positioning itself at the center of Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem. The company’s commitment to optoelectronic fusion—a technology that combines the strengths of light and electricity—signals its ambition to play a leading role in global innovation.

Japan’s frozen food market is rapidly expanding, and frozen gyoza stands out as one of the fastest-growing categories. Leveraging innovative product development and robust distribution networks, CJ CheilJedang and Itochu are positioning themselves for growth in Japan’s highly competitive market.