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Oil crisis 2.0? Central banks brace for Middle East fallout
This week, as central bankers overseeing 40% of global economic growth plot interest rate strategies, they are doing so, effectively, while wearing blindfolds.
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Nikkei Asia
an hour ago
- Nikkei Asia
Singapore's DayOne Data Centers eyes Japan, Thailand for growth
DayOne's data centers in Johor: The company was one of the first to arrive in the southern Malaysian state, which has become a regional hub for data centers. (DayOne) TSUBASA SURUGA ISKANDAR PUTERI, Malaysia -- Singapore-based DayOne Data Centers, which develops IT infrastructure in the city-state and its neighbors, is accelerating its expansion across Asia, with new projects in Japan and Thailand, according to its chief executive. "We are still looking to grow wherever possible, obviously at existing markets like Malaysia, Singapore and Batam [Indonesia], but also in new ones like Japan and Thailand," CEO Jamie Khoo said in an interview last month on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum Medini, Johor 2025. "Those are two very interesting markets we've been working on."
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Array of Tokyo-Made Gins Exude Scents of Local Nature; Island Flowers, Mountain Wood, Urban Citrus Add Flavor
The production of 'Tokyo-made craft gin' using fruits and water sourced within the metropolis is gaining momentum. As gin is growing in popularity as a spirit that can be used in various cocktails, gin makers also hope to draw attention to Tokyo's natural environment. At the bar counter of the Janu Tokyo hotel in the Azabudai Hills complex in Minato Ward, a refreshing aroma of citrus fruits filled the air when Toshio Imai, the assistant director of the hotel's food and beverage division, poured his original gin into a glass filled with ice. He added tonic water to it, making a gin and tonic, the bar's most popular cocktail. 'The aroma of the fruit fills your mouth, and the taste is refreshing,' he and kabosu grown at Azabudai Hills are used to make the gin. There is an orchard where about 20 types of fruits, such as mandarin oranges and herbs, are grown on the sunny slope in Azabudai Hill's central square. According to Mori Building Co., which manages the complex, they have made efforts to create an environment conducive to crop growth by mixing leaf mold into the artificial soil. After learning about the orchard at Azabudai Hills, Imai and others decided to create a gin using these fruits. They collaborated with The Ethical Spirits, a craft gin maker in Taito Ward, to produce an original gin. The gin was produced with even more time and care than usual, resulting in a stronger fruit aroma. Chikara Ono, chief executive officer of the company, said, 'We want people to enjoy the aroma of fruits grown at Azabudai Hills, right in the heart of Tokyo.' According to Suntory Spirits Ltd. in Minato Ward, gin is easy to make because there are fewer restrictions on ingredients and manufacturing methods than for whiskey and tequila. There are more than 140 facilities to produce gin in Japan, which is more than the number of whiskey distilleries. The domestic market is also growing, reaching ¥25 billion last year, about 3.5 times greater than in high degree of freedom in production methods makes it easy to create 'local gin' using local specialties, and production within Tokyo is also expanding. Toranomon Distillery at Toranomon Hills in Minato Ward has produced over 20 types of gin using ingredients such as passion fruit from Hachijojima Island, gardenia from Izu Oshima Island and osmanthus harvested in Tokyo. Teppei Ichiba, a distiller at the distillery, said, 'I want people to learn about the rich nature of Tokyo through gin and convey the charm of Tokyo to people overseas.' Haneda Brewery, which makes beer and gin in Ota Ward, produces a unique gin using thinned cedar and cypress wood from Ome in western Tokyo for flavoring. This also contributes to environmental protection. Shunsuke Noro, chief of the company's sales department, hopes that 'the scent of the wood will help people relax and encourage them to think about protecting the forest.' Yutaka Okada, senior researcher at the private think tank Sompo Institute Plus Inc., notes that such craft gins 'have the added value of being 'made in Tokyo,' which makes them probably more appealing and popular. It is also expected to contribute to enhancing the image of the region and revitalizing it.'
Japan Times
20 hours ago
- Japan Times
Locker-to-hotel luggage delivery service expanding in Japan
As the nation's tourism boom continues, a delivery service that transports traveler's luggage from train station lockers to hotels is expanding in Japan. The service allows users to leave their luggage in lockers and have their items delivered the same day to the hotels where they are staying. Last year, West Japan Railway and Osaka Metro launched the service in Osaka Prefecture, which has been attracting many visitors due to the World Expo. East Japan Railway and Tokyo Metro are increasing the number of stations in Tokyo where the service is available. Tourists bringing large suitcases onto trains and buses have sometimes caused problems. The expansion of the locker-to-hotel delivery service is expected to ease congestion on public transportation. To use the delivery service, the luggage must be placed in a specific locker. Fees vary depending on the size of the luggage and location, ranging from around ¥1,500 to ¥3,500. In March last year, JR West launched the service with lockers in Shin-Osaka Station and Universal-City Station, the closest station to Universal Studios Japan. In Osaka, the service is currently available at seven stations. The monthly average number of users in March-May this year was up roughly threefold compared with the period between April last year to February this year. A JR West official said that the service is thriving due in part to inbound demand. Spacer, a Tokyo-based company that manufactures and operates lockers for the service, said that the firm launched the business in Osaka by collaborating with railway companies and others in anticipation of train congestion after the kickoff of the Osaka Expo. "The service has gradually spread," said Daisuke Tokunaga, president of Spacer. Osaka Metro has also teamed up with Spacer to provide the service since December last year. Tokyo Metro, which launched the service at Oshiage Station in May, plans to boost the number stations where the service is available to around 20 in the capital. JR East Smart Logistics Co. entered the business in September last year. It has lockers for the service at 15 stations in Tokyo, including Tokyo and Shinjuku stations. The firm also set up the lockers at four stations belonging to Keihan Electric Railway in Kansai in April and at Kyoto Station in June in collaboration with Central Japan Railway. "We are still in the phase of gaining recognition (for the service,) but usage is increasing gradually," said an official of JR East Smart Logistics.
