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TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Co, Inc)
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html
One of the world's largest electric utilities, supplies electricity
to some 25 million residential and business customers in Tokyo
and the Kanto region. Established as Tokyo Electric Lighting in
1883 and took its present name in 1951. Power generation is from
a combination of thermoelectric (56 percent), nuclear (30 percent)
and hydroelectric plants (14 percent). Imports oil, liqufied natural
gas and nuclear fuel. About one third of power use is domestic.
Holds stakes in power plants in China, India and Southeast Asia.
In 1999, announced a joint venture with Microsoft and Softbank
to develop wireless Internet access over its power lines. Headquarters
are in Tokyo.
Tokyu Corporation
http://www.tokyu.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Leader of the Tokyu group, which is made up of some 400 companies,
including Tokyu Land Corporation, Tokyu Hotel Chain Co, Tokyu
Department Store Co and Japan Air System Co. Incorporated as a local railway company in 1922, currently operates
train and bus transportation routes in the south-central area
of Japan. Rail routes carry almost 1 billion passengers annually.
The largest real estate developer in the country, operates 36
hotels in Japan. Also involved in real estate development and
the operation of hotels in the US, Asia and Australia. Headquarters
are in Tokyo.
TOMEN Corporation
http://www.tomen.co.jp/earthee.html
Ranked seventh of the nine major general trading companies in
Japan. Broke away from Mitsui & Co Ltd in 1920. Has more than 470 subsidiaries and affiliates in 60
countries. Sales are mainly in chemicals and energy but also telecommunications
and electronics, metals, construction materials, machinery, textiles
and apparel, and food. Headquarters are in Osaka.
Toshiba Corporation
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
Formed from the merger of Tokyo Electric Co, Ltd and Shibaura
Engineering works, Co, Ltd in 1939. No.1 in the world in the portable
computer market. In Europe, the company's market share was over
25 percent in 1998. Major manufacturer of communication systems,
consumer goods and electronic devices. Also sells facilities for
hydroelectric, thermoelectric and atomic power generation worldwide.
Introduced the SmartMedia and Secure Digital Memory Card, both popular as memory media for digital devices. In August
2001, announced the layoffs of some 10% of its 190,000 workforce.
Affiliated with the Mitsui Group and has ties to General Electric of the US. Toshiba's elevator in the Taipei 101 building in Taiwan is the fastest in the world. Headquarters are
in Tokyo.
Toyota Motor Corporation
http://www.toyota.co.jp/index.html (Japanese only)
http://www.toyota.com/
Until Nissan's partnership with Renault of France, Japan's largest carmaker
and currently the fifth-largest in the world (Fortune Global 500,
1999). Established in 1933, produced its first prototype in 1935
and took its present name in 1937. Didn't recover from the devastation
of World War II until the mid-1950's when it introduced the Toyopet
Crown. The Crown model remains the company's flagship model. In 1987,
became the first Japanese company, and the fourth in the world,
to pass the 60 million unit production figure. Operates some 14
plants in Japan and some 30 overseas. Established the Toyota Motor Foundation in 1974 to promote research into the effects of technological
change on society and to foster relations between Japan and Southeast
Asia. Headquarters are in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.
United Financial of Japan (UFJ) Group Holdings
http://www.ufj.co.jp/renew/english/index.html
One of the so-called 'megabank' groups. United Financial of Japan
(UFJ) Group Holdings was established by Sanwa Bank, Tokai Bank and Toyo Trust and Banking Co in April 2001. The bank plans to focus on lending to small and
medium-sized businesses rather than leading companies. However, when UFJ bank was officially launched in January 2002, a major
hurdle for the company was dealing with the outstanding debts of the huge Daiei supermarket chain. The bank is the second biggest in Japan.
Headquarters are in Tokyo.
Victor Company of Japan, Ltd
http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/index-e.html
Established in 1927 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the present-day
RCA of the US and took its present name in 1945. A member of the
Matsushita group. Produces VCR's, TV's, audio equipment, CD's and computers.
Known overseas under the brand JVC. Employs over 30,000 people (March 1998). Headquarters are in
Yokohama.
Yakult Honsha Co, Ltd
http://www.yakult.co.jp/english/
Manufacturer of dairy products, foods and cosmetics and owner
of the Yakult Swallows professional baseball team. Famous for its Yakult drink and its
'Yakult Ladies', a door-to-door sales force. A former vice president
was involved in the massive fraud investigation of the American
brokerage firm Cresvale International in late 1999. Headquarters
are in Tokyo.
Yamaha Corporation
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/index.html
The largest manufacturer of musical instruments in the world,
established by Yamaha Torakusu in 1887. Produces instruments such
as pianos, guitars and synthesisers as well as audio equipment.
Also operates leisure facilities and is heavily involved in event
promotion. Headquarters are in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Yamaha Motor Co, Ltd
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/
Separated from Yamaha Corporation in 1955 and started manufacturing
motorcycles. World renowned for road and racing motorcycles, also
produces snowmobiles, car engines and industrial robots. Japan's
No.2 bike producer, behind Honda. Products are manufactured in 45 countries. Sponsors the Jubilo Iwata J-League professional soccer team. Headquarters are in Iwata,
Shizuoka Prefecture.
YKK (Yoshida Kogyo KK)
http://www.ykk.com/english/index_e.html
The world's No.1 manufacturer of zippers, also produces machinery
and aluminium materials. Founded in 1934, the company is not listed
on the stock exchange but issues stocks to employees, who take
part in management. Exports to over 120 countries and has plants
in over 50. Headquarters are in Tokyo. |
