Reform of capital bases Masao Nishimura, president of Industrial Bank of Japan, leans forward in his chair and waves a pile of papers with vigour. Inside lie details of a pathbreaking alliance between IBJ, Fuji and Dai-Ichi Kangyo which was first unveiled in August. But at Hisayama, on the island of Kyushu, the relationship has been turned on its head. The government-backed Development Bank of Japan has provided Virgin Cinemas with loan guarantees to build a multiplex cinema in this sleepy town of 7,000 souls. Ms Minami is in the vanguard of Japanese online shopping.
Carmakers struggle The Japanese automotive industry has moved out of a slump and into a lull.
After a year in which Nissan, the number two carmaker, linked up with Renault of France, and several parts makers fell under foreign control, the rumour mill has slowed. The sharp appreciation of the yen has damaged profitability, but carmakers took the losses in their stride.