Latest news with #KazuhiroNOGI
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Japan's Sega eyes return to 1990s gaming glory
Published Jul 17, 2025 • Last updated 33 minutes ago • 3 minute read Sega opens its first flagship merchandise store in Japan on Friday. Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP Tokyo (AFP) — The big-screen success of 1990s video game speedster 'Sonic the Hedgehog' has brought new fans to Japan's Sega, which says it is poised for a comeback after two tough decades. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account This year all eyes have been on Nintendo, whose Switch 2 recently became the fastest-selling console in history. But unlike its former arch-rival, Sega has not sold gaming hardware since its Dreamcast console was discontinued in 2001, instead focusing on making games for other platforms. Now, as record tourism to Japan helps boost global appetite for the country's pop culture, the company sees a chance to reinvent itself — including through nostalgic game remakes and movie adaptations like the hit 'Sonic' series. Sega opens its first flagship merchandise store in Japan on Friday, having launched a similar shop in Shanghai in May. Sega has not sold gaming hardware since its Dreamcast console was discontinued in 2001. (Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP) Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP 'Opportunities are expanding,' chief operating officer Shuji Utsumi told AFP. 'We've been struggling… for a while, but now we are coming back.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The company aims 'to expand our business globally rather than focusing on the Japanese market', he said. Sega was a top industry player in the 1980s and 1990s, its name synonymous with noisy arcades, home consoles and game franchises, such as beat-em-up 'Streets of Rage' and ninja series 'Shinobi'. But it struggled to keep up with intense competition, falling on hard times financially as multiplayer online titles from US publishers, such as 'World of Warcraft', took off in the 2000s. 'Persona' movie? After Sega quit the hardware business, its game offerings 'got a little stale', said David Cole of the US-based games market research firm DFC Intelligence. But 'the kids who grew up in the 1990s are now in their 30s, 40s, even older, and really like those franchises' — and are introducing them to their own children — he told AFP. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Opportunities are expanding,' Sega's chief operating officer Shuji Utsumi says. (Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP) Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP 'It's untapped value' that Sega — just like its Japanese peers including Nintendo — is trying to capitalize on through new movies, stores and theme park rides, Cole added. Last year, the film 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' starring Jim Carrey as the villain zipped to the top of the North American box office in one of the best December openings in years. It followed the first live-action 'Sonic' movie in 2020, as Sega cashes in on a video-game movie craze that saw 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie', based on the Nintendo characters, become the second-highest grossing film of 2023. 'Shinobi' is also being turned into a film, while Sega's 'Yakuza' game series has been adapted for television. When asked if cult franchise 'Persona' could be next, Sega's Utsumi said fans should 'stay tuned'. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are talking to a lot of interesting potential partners. So we are under some discussions, but I can't say too much about it,' he said. Super Game Sega bought Finland's Rovio, creator of 'Angry Birds', in 2023, seeking to expand into the mobile gaming market. 'Gamers' behaviour has been changing' since Sega's original heyday, going beyond TV-connected consoles, Utsumi said. But Cole said that in the long run Sega should concentrate on 'high-end' gaming: larger-scale, more involved titles that encourage brand loyalty. Sega is seeking to reinvent itself through nostalgic game remakes and movie adaptations like the hit 'Sonic' series. (Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP) Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP Sega is working on what it calls a 'Super Game' with big-budget international ambition and a scope that is 'not only just a game — communication, social, maybe potentially AI', Utsumi said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The competition in the game market is very fierce,' he cautioned. 'It's important to really have a fan base close to us. But at the same time, when we develop a great game, it takes time.' Sega's parent company Sega Sammy also makes arcade and gambling machines, including those used in Japanese 'pachinko' parlours, whose numbers are in decline. That makes Sega's entertainment business 'really the growth opportunity for the company', Cole said. Sega Sammy said in May its 'Sonic' intellectual property 'has contributed to an increase in both game and character licensing revenue'. Young tourists in Tokyo shopping near Sega's new store ahead of the opening seemed to confirm this. 'I've always liked Sega. I kind of grew up around their games,' said 19-year-old American Danny Villasenor. 'They're pretty retro. But I think they've evolved with time pretty well.' William Harrington, 24, who lives in Los Angeles, said his father 'put me on to a lot of the older games back in the day', and so to him, Sega 'feels like childhood'. Celebrity Columnists MMA Canada World
Sinar Daily
09-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Trump's tariffs on Asean may drive Southeast Asia's trade with China, India
On Monday, Trump began sending out trade letters to foreign countries, outlining tariff rates on imports to the US. 09 Jul 2025 09:05am A cargo ship arrives at the international cargo terminal at the port of Tokyo on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) MOSCOW - Tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on imports from ASEAN member countries are likely to strengthen their trade ties with other nations, such as China and India. They will undermine the United States' credibility as a reliable economic partner in the region, according to Khoo Ying Hooi, Associate Professor of International Relations and Human Rights at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, in an interview with RIA Novosti. A cargo ship docks at the quay of the international cargo terminal at the port of Tokyo on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) On Monday, Trump began sending out trade letters to foreign countries, outlining tariff rates on imports to the US. Among ASEAN states, Indonesia was subjected to a 32 per cent tariff, Thailand and Cambodia faced a 36 per cent tariff, while Malaysia will pay the tariff of 25 per cent. The highest tariff rate of 40 per cent was introduced for Laos and Myanmar. "In many ways, this process [of reorienting ASEAN exports to countries other than the US] has already begun. We've seen ASEAN countries deepen trade ties with other partners through multilateral arrangements, such as RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership] and CPTPP [Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership]. "China is likely to emerge as a major substitute for ASEAN exports affected by the tariffs, although this comes with its own geopolitical complications. India is another potential partner, given its large market and regional ambitions," Khoo said. Moreover, the bloc's trade strategy has long been "about diversification and hedging," and the US tariffs are expected to accelerate that trend, the expert added. "In the long run, [the tariffs] may undermine US influence in the region by pushing ASEAN further toward other economic poles ... They will strain US-ASEAN economic ties and may drive Southeast Asia further into the orbit of China and other alternative partners. In the long term, the US risks losing its credibility as a stable and predictable economic partner in the region," the professor said. At the same time, while the upcoming ASEAN summit in Malaysia may provide a "quiet platform for discussion," any renegotiation is unlikely at this stage, as "Trump's tariffs are often politically driven and intended to appeal to domestic constituencies," Khoo noted, adding that there will be "little incentive" for the US president to reverse trade course unless he is influenced by allied lawmakers or domestic businesses. "Countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, who have strategic dialogues with the US, might use bilateral meetings on the sidelines to voice concern and seek clarifications. But ASEAN as a bloc doesn't have much leverage over US trade policy, particularly under an administration that prefers unilateral action over multilateral negotiation," the expert said. After returning to the White House, Trump began to tighten trade policy: he introduced duties on imports from Mexico and Canada, raised them for China, and then announced tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars. The culmination was the announcement on April 2 of a 10 per cent base import rate and increased "reciprocal" duties for individual countries. However, a week later, tariff increases were put on hold, and the US began trade negotiations with many trading partners. Earlier on Tuesday, the US president extended the suspension of increased tariffs on foreign goods until August 1. - BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI More Like This
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Japan Foreign Minister to attend meet in KL
Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya holds a press conference on evacuation of Japanese nationals from Israel and Iran at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (pic) will arrive in Malaysia on Wednesday for the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM). He will also attend other related meetings and co-host the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (Ceapad IV). Japanese Ambassador Noriyuki Shikata told Bernama that the visit marks Iwaya's first official trip to Malaysia since his appointment as Foreign Minister last October. He said the visit emphasises Japan's strong support for Asean centrality and highlights the close bilateral ties between Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. 'This visit reflects Japan's deep engagement with South-East Asia and our commitment to working closely with Malaysia on key regional and global issues – from humanitarian support and energy transition to education and maritime security,' he said in an exclusive interview here on Saturday. Malaysia is hosting the 58th AMM at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11. Japan became Asean's first dialogue partner in 1973, formalising the partnership in 1977. Over the decades, Japan has steadily expanded its engagement with Asean, joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2004, appointing a dedicated ambassador to Asean in 2010, and establishing its permanent mission in Jakarta the following year. In 2023, Asean and Japan elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting Tokyo's enduring support for Asean centrality and regional cooperation across political, economic and socio-cultural pillars. Among Japan's key regional initiatives is Ceapad, launched in 2013 to coordinate support for Palestine's development. Ceapad IV, co-hosted by Japan and Malaysia, is scheduled on Friday.
Sinar Daily
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Sinar Daily
Japan had hottest June on record
With strong high-pressure systems in June staying in the region, the monthly average temperature ended 2.34 degrees Celsius higher than usual, the agency said. 06 Jul 2025 07:00pm People run on a sidewalk around the Imperial Palace on a hot day in Tokyo on June 28, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) TOKYO - Japan experienced its hottest June on record, the weather agency said, as climate change prompts sweltering heat waves across the globe. "Japan's monthly average temperature in June was the highest for the month since statistics began in 1898," said the Japan Meteorological Agency. Pedestrians use an umbrella to shelter from the sun as they walk past a digital display (behind) showing a late morning temperature at 34 Centigrade (93.2 F) in the Ginza area of central Tokyo on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) With strong high-pressure systems in June staying in the region, the monthly average temperature ended 2.34 degrees Celsius higher than usual, the agency said. The temperature of coastal waters near Japan also measured 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than usual, tying with June 2024 for the highest since data collection began in 1982, the agency said. The body also had a further warning that is becoming routine for Japanese residents: "The next month is expected to continue to bring severe heat throughout the country." The announcement came as scientists say human-induced climate change is making heatwave events more intense, frequent and widespread. Brutal heat waves are currently sweeping Europe from France to Greece, while global footballers' union FIFPro has called for longer half-time breaks at next year's World Cup to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Japanese meteorologists have warned against drawing a direct link between specific weather conditions, like higher temperatures in a specific time, with climate change. But they have observed a changing climate over many years that is causing unpredictable weather phenomena. Japan's summer last year was the joint hottest on record, equalling the level seen in 2023, followed by the warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago. Experts even warn that Japan's beloved cherry trees are blooming earlier due to warmer climate or sometimes even not fully blossoming because autumns and winters are not cold enough to trigger flowering. The famous snowcap of Mount Fuji was also absent for the longest recorded period last year, not appearing until early November, compared with the average of early October. Last week, the rainy season ended in the western region of Japan, the earliest date on record and around three weeks earlier than usual. Raging typhoons in summers routinely have caused violent floods in Japan while brutal heat waves have resulted in deadly heat strokes among the elderly. Increasingly dry winters have raised the risk of wildfires, with a northern area of Ofunato earlier this year seeing the nation's biggest forest fire in three decades. At the same time, other areas have seen record snow falls that resulted in fatal accidents, traffic disruption, and higher avalanche risk. - AFP More Like This
The Star
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Nikkei rises to 5-month high as Middle East calm boosts tech shares
A woman walks past an electronic board showing the Nikkei 225 index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on June 17, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI/ AFP) TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average touched its highest in almost five months on Thursday, as a period of calm in the Middle East encouraged investors to buy back riskier assets, particularly chip and other high-tech shares. The Nikkei climbed 1.7% to 39,584.58 at the close and reached 39,615.59 at its highest point during the session, a level last seen on January 31. Artificial intelligence-linked stocks stood out, with startup investor SoftBank Group climbing 5.5% and chip-testing equipment maker Advantest advancing 5.0%. By contrast, the broader and less tech-heavy Topix rose 0.8%. A sub-index of growth shares gained 0.9%, outpacing a 0.8% increase in value shares. Markets globally have been soothed by the ceasefire between Israel and Iran this week, which reduced the risk of disruptions to global oil supply. Japan imports virtually all of its crude, and energy-intensive manufacturing is a key national industry. "Growth shares, particularly semiconductor-related stocks, are benefitting from the improvement in risk sentiment," said Maki Sawada, a strategist at Nomura Securities. The AI boom narrative is still intact, she said, adding that investors are rotating into tech from defensive sectors. Food and pharmaceuticals were among the few Topix industry groups to decline on the day, although losses were mild. The Nikkei's worst-performing stock, however, was chipmaker Renesas, which tumbled 12% on signs it would push back long-term targets by five years to 2035 at an investor presentation later in the day. The best performer was industrial machinery maker Ebara , which soared close to 10% after Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory reiterated its outperform rating on the stock. - Reuters
