Sony chief says time needed to study proposal
TOKYO — Sony Corp. needs more time to study a key proposal from a U.S. hedge fund to spin off a part of its entertainment unit as a way to propel its fledgling revival, the chief executive told shareholders Thursday. Sony Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai was speaking to a Tokyo hall packed with thousands of […]
Ripken to visit Japan as U.S. sports ambassador
Cal Ripken Jr. aspires to one day become president and CEO of a major league baseball team. For now, the Hall of Fame infielder is satisfied with his current title: U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy, a position that provides him the opportunity to embark next week on a nine-day mission through Japan as a sports diplomat […]
Lift-off: New 787 lives up to its lofty promise
ABOARD ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS FLIGHT 7871 — It’s the plane that is supposed to change the experience of flying. No more stuffy noses, dry throats or severe fatigue. Larger windows to provide a stronger connection to the world outside. And mood lighting that can either ease jet lag or turn the plane into a nightclub […]
Toyota expects annual profit to fall 31 percent
TOKYO — Toyota forecasts its annual profit to dive 31 percent, hammered by production disruptions from parts shortages, but its outlook Friday projects a robust recovery from the earthquake and tsunami in coming months. Toyota Motor Corp. had not given an earnings forecast earlier because of uncertainties about its production outlook after the March 11 […]
Toyota recalls 106,000 Prius cars
TOKYO — Toyota recalled 106,000 first-generation Prius hybrid cars globally on Wednesday for faulty steering caused by a nut that may come loose. The single minor accident suspected of being related to the problem was reported in the U.S., according to Toyota Motor Corp. The latest recall from Toyota, which has taken hit to its […]
Sony to report $3.2 billion annual loss
TOKYO — Sony Corp. is expecting an annual loss of $3.2 billion, reversing its earlier projection of a return to profit, as the electronics giant struggles with production disruptions from Japan’s tsunami. The Japanese maker of PlayStation 3 video game machines and Bravia flat-panel TVs said Monday that the projection of a 260 billion yen […]
Toyota quarterly profit slides on Japan quake disruption
Toyota should have owned the road this summer. When gas prices go up, American drivers go for smaller, fuel-efficient cars. The last time prices at the pump spiked in 2008, Toyota captured the title of world’s No. 1 automaker — and has held it ever since. Now gas costs about $4 a gallon again, but […]
Nintendo won’t discount Wii for Christmas
TOKYO — Nintendo’s president said efforts to boost Wii sales ahead of Christmas will focus on limited deals in cooperation with retailers and special packages that add game software or other products to give buyers a feeling of a discount — not an outright price cut. Satoru Iwata’s remarks Friday come a day after the […]
US agency steps up probe of stalling Toyotas
WASHINGTON — U.S. safety regulators have stepped up their investigation into complaints of stalled engines on Toyota Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks, but government officials stopped short of announcing a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration upgraded its investigation last week and is looking at two possible causes behind the stalling: Improper coating on […]