Fortune (March 21)
Fortune released its list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies 2011.” Among the Top 50 are 8 overseas firms, including Toyota (#33), Honda (#42), and Sony (#46). Of the overseas firms, Singapore Airlines (#18) scored highest. Other automakers included BMW (#19) and Volkswagen (#35). Fast moving consumer goods were represented by Nestle, while Samsung was the sole electronics manufacturer.
Fortune released its list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies 2011.” Among the Top 50 are 8 overseas firms, including Toyota (#33), Honda (#42), and Sony (#46). Of the overseas firms, Singapore Airlines (#18) scored highest. Other automakers included BMW (#19) and Volkswagen (#35). Fast moving consumer goods were represented by Nestle, while Samsung was the sole electronics manufacturer.
New York Times (March 18)
Markets ranging from copper to treasuries and currencies to the S&P 500 are being driven by the events unfolding in Japan. The impact is now extending to overseas supply chains. “In a sign of the spreading global economic impact, General Motors on Thursday became the first U.S. auto maker to close a U.S. factory because of the crisis in Japan.” GM will halt production at a Louisiana pick-up truck plant due to shortages of components from Japan.
Markets ranging from copper to treasuries and currencies to the S&P 500 are being driven by the events unfolding in Japan. The impact is now extending to overseas supply chains. “In a sign of the spreading global economic impact, General Motors on Thursday became the first U.S. auto maker to close a U.S. factory because of the crisis in Japan.” GM will halt production at a Louisiana pick-up truck plant due to shortages of components from Japan.
Tags: Copper, GM, Japan, Markets, S&P 500, Supply chain, Treasuries
Economist (March 17)
“Some natural disasters change history. Japan’s tsunami could be one.” After two lost decades, Japan desperately needs change. “This dreadful moment” may eventually prove more than “a time of death, grief and mourning.” It may also be “a time of rebirth.”
Tags: Japan, Lost decades, Natural disaster, Tsunami
Bloomberg (March 17)
Foreign nationals are increasingly being advised to leave Japan or at least the region until the situation at the Fukushima reactors is resolved. Britain, the U.S., France, Belgium, Germany and Norway are among the nations advising their nationals to consider leaving either Japan or the affected region.
Tags: Evacuation, Foreign nationals, Fukushima, Japan
Washington Post (March 16)
“At long last, humankind had triumphed over risk.” Overconfidence has led to recent disaster in the financial system and deep water drilling. “Today, the quake, tsunami and, most particularly, the potential of a nuclear catastrophe in Japan should weaken at least one of our own deeply rooted faiths – in our own infallibility.” In the U.S., many have pushed for less government, fewer rules, fewer inspections and less regulation. “Japan, one hopes, should bring an end to such nonsense…. We haven’t defeated risk…. We need some rules, some regs, and a government willing to devise and enforce them.”
“At long last, humankind had triumphed over risk.” Overconfidence has led to recent disaster in the financial system and deep water drilling. “Today, the quake, tsunami and, most particularly, the potential of a nuclear catastrophe in Japan should weaken at least one of our own deeply rooted faiths – in our own infallibility.” In the U.S., many have pushed for less government, fewer rules, fewer inspections and less regulation. “Japan, one hopes, should bring an end to such nonsense…. We haven’t defeated risk…. We need some rules, some regs, and a government willing to devise and enforce them.”
Tags: Governement, Japan, Overconfidence, Regulation, U.S.
Financial Times (March 15)
Can anything good come of Japan’s disaster? Martin Wolf dismisses fears that rebuilding will financially strap the government of Japan. In fact, the rebuilding effort may provide the focus to jumpstart a country that’s been floundering for decades. “It is in adversity that a country shows its mettle. The Japanese will surely do just that, on this occasion. It is for the leaders to match the mettle of the people. If they are able to do so, out of a great disaster may yet come a rebirth.”
Tags: Disaster, Economy, Government, Japan, Rebuilding
New York Times (March 15)
“It is sobering that such calamities could so badly hurt Japan, a technologically advanced nation that puts great emphasis on disaster mitigation.” This must be a wake-up call for other nations. “The unfolding Japanese tragedy also should prompt Americans to closely study our own plans for coping with natural disasters and with potential nuclear plant accidents to make sure they are, indeed, strong enough.”
Tags: Disasters, Japan, Nuclear accidents, Preparation, U.S.
Independent (March 13)
Around the world, eyes are glued on Japan as it begins to recover from a cataclysm “so powerful it shifted the Earth off its axis.” The front page of the Independent offers support in Japanese and English. “がんばれ、日本。がんばれ、東北。Don’t give up, Japan. Don’t give up, Tohoku.”
Tags: Disaster, Earthquake, Japan, Recovery, Tohoku
Wall Street Journal (March 12)
“No country was better prepared for an 8.9 quake.” Devastation cannot be escaped when confronting an 8.9 earthquake and ensuing tsunami. Still Japan minimized the damage through preparation and planning. “Japan stands, literally, as a testament to how human planning and industrialized society can cope with natural disasters.”
Tags: Damage, Earthquake, Japan, Preparation, Tohoku
Financial Times (March 11)
The Great Tohoku Earthquake dwarfed the Hanshin (1995) and Tokyo (1923) earthquakes, Nevertheless, “Japan has faced this challenge with admirable calm and fortitude.” Despite the altogether massive magnitude, Japan is demonstrating “resilience.”
Tags: Earthquake, Hanshin, Japan, Tohoku, Tokyo
