Japan-U.S. Business Report articles from May 2000

Japan-U.S. Business Report archives from May 2000

A number of major oil and chemical multinationals -- ROYAL DUTCH/SHELL GROUP, BP AMOCO P.L.C. and DOW CHEMICAL CO.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... A number of major oil and chemical multinationals ROYAL DUTCH/SHELL GROUP, BP AMOCO P.L.C. and DOW CHEMICAL CO. among them -- tentatively have agreed to band together to slash their huge combined procurement costs by launching a...

Also in the formative stage is a B2B platform for makers of rubber and other elastomers and their suppliers.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Also in the formative stage is a B2B platform for makers of rubber and other elastomers and their suppliers. ELASTOMERSOLUTIONS.COM counts among its seven initial equity investors BAYER AG, DUPONT DOW ELASTOMERS L.L.C. and Louisville,...

Major polyester fiber manufacturers TEIJIN LTD. and TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. are among the select group of companies.(contract signed with DuPont to manufacture DuPont Sorona fibers)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Major polyester fiber manufacturers TEIJIN LTD. and TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. are among the select group of companies that will help E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO., INC. implement the technology to manufacture fibers from DuPont Sorona. Described by...

In what both sides say is a win-win arrangement, ASAHI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD. will buy the high-performance resin compounds production subsidiaries of NIPPON STEEL CHEMICAL CO., LTD.(Buyers Guide)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... In what both sides say is a win-win arrangement, ASAHI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD. will buy the high-performance resin compounds production subsidiaries of NIPPON STEEL CHEMICAL CO., LTD. in the United States and Europe for $95.2 million. In...

HD MICROSYSTEMS L.L.C. -- the equally owned Parlin, New Jersey firm.(Hitachi Chemical Co and EI DuPont De NeMours and Co)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... HD MICROSYSTEMS L.L.C. -- the equally owned Parlin, New Jersey firm that HITACHI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. and E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO., INC. founded in 1997 to supply liquid polyimide materials to the global semiconductor industry -- introduced...

At a cost of $5 million-plus, CCI CORP., a major producer of coolants and other fluids for motor vehicles, raised its ownership of INTAC AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS, INC. to 70 percent from 50 percent.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... At a cost of $5 million-plus, CCI CORP., a major producer of coolants and other fluids for motor vehicles, raised its ownership of INTAC AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS, INC. to 70 percent from 50 percent. It acquired the additional shares from a...

A novel compound discovered by ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. that promises to ameliorate the life-threatening effects of pulmonary failure requiring mechanical ventilation will be brought to the world market in partnership with ELI LILLY AND CO.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... A novel compound discovered by ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. that promises to ameliorate the life-threatening effects of pulmonary failure requiring mechanical ventilation will be brought to the world market in partnership with ELI LILLY AND CO....

A Food and Drug Administration advisory group recommended marketing approval for TAP PHARMACEUTICALS INC.'s UPRIMA.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... A Food and Drug Administration advisory group recommended marketing approval for TAP PHARMACEUTICALS INC.'s UPRIMA (apomorphine HCI tablets) sublingual for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 359,...

An increasingly less tradition-bound NEC CORP. has launched a company to provide engineering services to Internet and other high-technology businesses in New England.(Vibren Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... An increasingly less tradition-bound NEC CORP. has launched a company to provide engineering services to Internet and other high-technology businesses in New England. The menu of services offered by VIBREN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. spans computer...

Within weeks of signaling its withdrawal, at least for the time being, from the North American mainframe market.(Hitatchi Data Systems Corp. reorganization yields Hitatchi Data Systems Solutions Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Within weeks of signaling its withdrawal, at least for the time being, from the North American mainframe market (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 367, April 2000), HITACHI DATA SYSTEMS CORP. is reorganizing to make its server and storage...

In June, TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. will launch direct sales of its servers, desktop systems and notebook computers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... In June, TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. will launch direct sales of its servers, desktop systems and notebook computers to corporate customers, which generate about 80 percent of the Irvine, California company's revenues. Initially,...

Industry sources say that HITACHI, LTD. will enter the U.S. market for network computers this fall.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Industry sources say that HITACHI, LTD. will enter the U.S. market for network computers this fall in an attempt to gain a foothold in the emerging market for so-called network appliances. The company will test demand in Japan for the...

"Pay as you grow" is the marketing theme for NEC COMPUTERS, INC.'s just-introduced Express5800/180 Ra-7 server.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... "Pay as you grow" is the marketing theme for NEC COMPUTERS, INC.'s just-introduced Express5800/180 Ra-7 server. It is designed to enable fast-expanding enterprises running mission-critical applications to start off with a one-way system at an...

NEC COMPUTERS, INC. also has added two machines to its PowerMate line of desktop PCs.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... NEC COMPUTERS, INC. also has added two machines to its PowerMate line of desktop PCs. The Powermate ES features a convertible design that enables customers to modify the orientation of the computer by adjusting the direction of the CD-ROM...

If a constantly updated product line is any guarantee of success, then TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. will remain the market leader in notebook computers.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... If a constantly updated product line is any guarantee of success, then TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. will remain the market leader in notebook computers. In one month, the Computer Systems Group of TAIS added models in each of its...

For highly mobile professionals seeking performance in an ultraportable computer, TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. CSG introduced the Portege 3440CT.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... For highly mobile professionals seeking performance in an ultraportable computer, TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. CSG introduced the Portege 3440CT. This sleek, stylish machine measures just 0.8 inch thick and weighs only 3.4 pounds....

Catering to the needs of budget-conscious SOHO (small office/home office) users and small businesses, the CSG unit of TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. made two additions to its Satellite 2210 notebook series.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Catering to the needs of budget-conscious SOHO (small office/home office) users and small businesses, the CSG unit of TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. made two additions to its Satellite 2210 notebook series. The Satellite 2210CDS and...

Traditional desktop-based computer labs will be a thing of the past in schools if TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Traditional desktop-based computer labs will be a thing of the past in schools if TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. CSG has any say in this matter. It has introduced Simply Mobile, a wireless, portable computer lab for the classroom...

MICROSOFT CORP. has received some much-needed support for its Windows CE and new Windows Powered Pocket PC operating systems.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... MICROSOFT CORP. has received some much-needed support for its Windows CE and new Windows Powered Pocket PC operating systems for handheld devices from two Japanese makers. NEC COMPUTERS, INC.'s contribution is the MobilePro 880, a 2.6-pound,...

Help from CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. is being delivered via four additions to its lineup of CASSIOPEIA Pocket PCs.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Help from CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. is being delivered via four additions to its lineup of CASSIOPEIA Pocket PCs. All sport a redesigned graphical user interface for easier navigation, while three are USB-capable for faster data exchanges. A...

In April 2000, NEC CORP. and MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP. formally folded their desktop display monitor operations into equally owned NEC-MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC VISUAL SYSTEMS CORP.(NEC-MITSUBISHI ELECTRONICS DISPLAY OF AMERICA, INC. )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In April 2000, NEC CORP. and MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP. formally folded their desktop display monitor operations into equally owned NEC-MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC VISUAL SYSTEMS CORP. In July, this still-unusual form of Japanese-style corporate...

In one of its first moves, NEC-MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC VISUAL SYSTEMS CORP., along with MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP., agreed to work with MICROSOFT CORP.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In one of its first moves, NEC-MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC VISUAL SYSTEMS CORP., along with MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP., agreed to work with MICROSOFT CORP. to develop specifications and test requirements for color quality in LCD monitors based on the...

EIZO NANAO CORP., the Ishikawa prefecture manufacturer of the FlexScan series of LCD monitors sold in Asia and Europe, has tied up with MICROTOUCH SYSTEMS, INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... EIZO NANAO CORP., the Ishikawa prefecture manufacturer of the FlexScan series of LCD monitors sold in Asia and Europe, has tied up with MICROTOUCH SYSTEMS, INC., the world leader in computer touch-screen display products, to come up with...

The second product to emerge from the development relationship among MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., subsidiary MATSUSHITA-KOTOBUKI ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, LTD. and big hard disk drive manufacturer QUANTUM CORP.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The second product to emerge from the development relationship among MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., subsidiary MATSUSHITA-KOTOBUKI ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, LTD. and big hard disk drive manufacturer QUANTUM CORP. is the first IEEE...

RICOH CO., LTD. and CONSTELLATION 3D, INC., a developer of optical data-storage products, are teaming together.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... RICOH CO., LTD. and CONSTELLATION 3D, INC., a developer of optical data-storage products, are teaming together to develop recordable fluorescent multilayer discs and accompanying WORM (write-once/ read-many) drives. The New York City company...

SMARTDISK CORP. has received a volume order from HITACHI SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... SMARTDISK CORP. has received a volume order from HITACHI SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CO., LTD. for its Smarty smart-card reader/writer. The Yokohama software developer, an investor in the Naples, Florida firm (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 357,...

In the hope of doubling U.S. sales of peripherals for PCs, MELCO INC., Japan's top independent distributor of these products, formed BUFFALO TECHNOLOGY (U.S.A.), INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In the hope of doubling U.S. sales of peripherals for PCs, MELCO INC., Japan's top independent distributor of these products, formed BUFFALO TECHNOLOGY (U.S.A.), INC. in Torrance, California. Since the start of 1998, majority-owned TECHWORKS...

In what is said to be the first job in 13 years for a Japanese company on a major U.S. bridge construction project, ISHIKAWAJIMA-HARIMA HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. will supply one of the two main piers.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In what is said to be the first job in 13 years for a Japanese company on a major U.S. bridge construction project, ISHIKAWAJIMA-HARIMA HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. will supply one of the two main piers supporting a suspension bridge in the San...

Two of the biggest names in industrial automation -- OMRON CORP. and the Rockwell Automation unit of ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORP.- have forged a global technical and product alliance.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Two of the biggest names in industrial automation -- OMRON CORP. and the Rockwell Automation unit of ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORP.- have forged a global technical and product alliance. The initial thrust of the relationship is the development,...

NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD., the world's largest manufacturer of flexible printed circuits.(work transfers to Japan, Taiwan)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD., the world's largest manufacturer of flexible printed circuits, apparently has decided that trying to turn around its money-losing Milpitas, California production affiliate is a lost cause (see Japan-U.S. Business Report...

The Arlington Heights, Illinois-based electromagnetic components company that SUMIDA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. created last summer via an acquisition.(Clareremtech Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The Arlington Heights, Illinois-based electromagnetic components company that SUMIDA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. created last summer via an acquisition (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 359, August 1999, p. 5) opened a technology center in San Diego,...

KINSEKI, LTD., a quartz crystal manufacturer, and CTS CORP, which acquired MOTOROLA INC.'s cellular handset-focused component products division in early 1999, have agreed to cross-license patents.(Abstract)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... KINSEKI, LTD., a quartz crystal manufacturer, and CTS CORP, which acquired MOTOROLA INC.'s cellular handset-focused component products division in early 1999, have agreed to cross-license patents and other intellectual property related to the...

TOSHIBA CORP. took delivery of the 200th stationary commercial fuel cell system built by INTERNATIONAL FUEL CELLS, INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... TOSHIBA CORP. took delivery of the 200th stationary commercial fuel cell system built by INTERNATIONAL FUEL CELLS, INC. It will be installed in Japan. The diversified Japanese company has numerous ties to the South Windsor, Connecticut firm...

A second Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer is working with USA DIGITAL RADIO, INC.(Sanyo Electric Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... A second Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer is working with USA DIGITAL RADIO, INC. to come up with the technology to deliver radio broadcasts with sound and clarity close to that of CDs. SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. joins KENWOOD CORP....

Attempting to build up the base of loyal Sega Dreamcast video game console users ahead of the fall 2000 launch of SONY CORP.'s PlayStation2, SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD.'s Redwood Shores, California subsidiary announced the creation of SEGA.COM, INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Attempting to build up the base of loyal Sega Dreamcast video game console users ahead of the fall 2000 launch of SONY CORP.'s PlayStation2, SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD.'s Redwood Shores, California subsidiary announced the creation of SEGA.COM, INC....

In June, SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD.'s U.S. unit--the number-one distributor of coin-operated amusement game machines.(introduces online sales)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In June, SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD.'s U.S. unit--the number-one distributor of coin-operated amusement game machines, including everything from single-player, upright video games to multiplayer, attendant-operated simulators will begin on-line...

For the second time in recent months, MITSUBISHI CORP. has made a major commitment of financial resources to an independent American power generator.(TENASKA DIAMOND, L.P.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... For the second time in recent months, MITSUBISHI CORP. has made a major commitment of financial resources to an independent American power generator, in part to gain the expertise to exploit the opportunities created by electricity deregulation...

ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC., in which MITSUBISHI CORP. invested approximately $120 million late last year.(acquires Duquesne Light Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC., in which MITSUBISHI CORP. invested approximately $120 million late last year (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 363, December 1999, pp. 6-7), completed the $1.7 billion acquisition of 2,614 MW of generating capacity...

A Santa Ana, California start-up that plans to provide escrow services for large B2B e-commerce transactions has attracted $30 million in financing from SOFTBANK CORP.(Escrow.com Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... A Santa Ana, California start-up that plans to provide escrow services for large B2B e-commerce transactions has attracted $30 million in financing from SOFTBANK CORP., plus three other investors, including CHASE MANHATTAN CORP. Aptly named...

A varied group of American and international investors, including HIKARI TSUSHIN, INC. and COMPASS PARTNERS, is convinced that X.COM CORP. has considerable promise in the world of Web-based payments.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... A varied group of American and international investors, including HIKARI TSUSHIN, INC. and COMPASS PARTNERS, is convinced that X.COM CORP. has considerable promise in the world of Web-based payments, judging by the $100 million in Series C...

As part of its game plan for making financial services a bigger source of revenues and profits.(Toyota Financial Services Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... As part of its game plan for making financial services a bigger source of revenues and profits (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 367, April 2000, p. 25), TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. established TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP. to oversee its finance...

Determined to capitalize on the many growth opportunities created by America's New Economy.(Citigroup Inc. acquires Copelco Capital Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Determined to capitalize on the many growth opportunities created by America's New Economy, ITOCHU CORP.'s primary U.S. subsidiary will sell its profitable COPELCO CAPITAL, INC. leasing subsidiary to CITIGROUP INC. to raise money to invest in...

For reasons that were not stated explicitly but that can be assumed to be profitability-related, BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.'s Manhattan-based trust subsidiary will end consumer banking activities in late July 2000.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... For reasons that were not stated explicitly but that can be assumed to be profitability-related, BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.'s Manhattan-based trust subsidiary will end consumer banking activities in late July 2000. The accounts at the...

Midsize broker KOKUSAI SECURITIES CO., LTD. sees money to be made by helping wealthy individuals in Japan devise and implement an investment strategy.(Ashbridge Investment Management Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Midsize broker KOKUSAI SECURITIES CO., LTD. sees money to be made by helping wealthy individuals in Japan devise and implement an investment strategy. However, the Tokyo company does not feel that it has adequate in-house expertise to move...

The 16 founding members of the WorldWide Retail Exchange.(Jusco Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The 16 founding members of the WorldWide Retail Exchange, an on-line B2B retailer marketplace, include one Japanese company. JUSCO CO., LTD., which owns the TALBOTS INC. chain of women's clothing shops in the United States as well as...

BOOKOFF CORP., the operator of 477 used bookstores in Japan, opened its first U.S. location in Manhattan.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... BOOKOFF CORP., the operator of 477 used bookstores in Japan, opened its first U.S. location in Manhattan. The store stocks roughly 130,000 Japanese-language books as well as such other things as comics, magazines and CDs. Tourists from Japan as...

MITSUBISHI SHINDOH CO., LTD., one of Japan's top makers of rolled copper products.(licenses rights to two copper alloys to Brush Wellman Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... MITSUBISHI SHINDOH CO., LTD., one of Japan's top makers of rolled copper products, licensed manufacturing and marketing rights to two copper alloys to Cleveland's BRUSH WELLMAN INC. in order to gain direct access to American makers of...

DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD. might be Japan's biggest manufacturer of air-conditioning systems for commercial installations.(but is selling its US interests)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD. might be Japan's biggest manufacturer of air-conditioning systems for commercial installations, but even with a technically savvy, well-connected American partner and state-of-the-art products, it failed in its second...

At a cost of $16 million, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. -- the world's largest manufacturer of engines -- will more than triple capacity for general-purpose engines.(at Swepsonville, North Carolina)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... At a cost of $16 million, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. -- the world's largest manufacturer of engines -- will more than triple capacity for general-purpose engines at its lawn mower manufacturing subsidiary in Swepsonville, North Carolina. At full...

The world's first disposable hearing aid is scheduled for general release in the fall of 2000.
May 1, 2000... The world's first disposable hearing aid is scheduled for general release in the fall of 2000. Developed by start-up SONGBIRD HEARING INC., a subsidiary of Princeton, New Jersey-based SARNOFF CORP., the innovative device will incorporate...

Having codeveloped with CHIRON CORP. a blood-screening test that can detect infectious viruses, especially the hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus, in blood samples before donors develop antibodies to them.(Gen-Probe Inc. develops unit to automate viral diagnostic test)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Having codeveloped with CHIRON CORP. a blood-screening test that can detect infectious viruses, especially the hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus, in blood samples before donors develop antibodies to them, GEN-PROBE INC. has...

The first product to result from a 1998 agreement between HITACHI, LTD. and PE BIOSYSTEMS GROUP to codevelop DNA.(gene analyzer)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The first product to result from a 1998 agreement between HITACHI, LTD. and PE BIOSYSTEMS GROUP to codevelop DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis systems is the Foster City, California partner's ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer. According to the...

Deciding in 1995 to assemble clean rooms and related equipment for the production of semiconductors and similar electronics products in the United States was risky for a second-tier company like AIRTECH JAPAN, LTD.(plan did not work out)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Deciding in 1995 to assemble clean rooms and related equipment for the production of semiconductors and similar electronics products in the United States was risky for a second-tier company like AIRTECH JAPAN, LTD. The gamble did not pay off,...

The details still are sketchy, but sometime in FY 2000, NEC CORP. will move ahead.(to expand its Roseville, California, wafer-fabrication plant)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... The details still are sketchy, but sometime in FY 2000, NEC CORP. will move ahead with its currently mothballed June 1998 plan to add capacity at its huge Roseville, California wafer-fabrication complex. The worldwide strengthening of chip...

Few peers have been as successful in attracting financial support from international heavy hitters as TRANSMETA CORP. was in its latest round of fundraising.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Few peers have been as successful in attracting financial support from international heavy hitters as TRANSMETA CORP. was in its latest round of fundraising. The Santa Clara, California developer and marketer of Crusoe processors for laptop...

SHARP CORP., which counts flash memories among its strengths, and NEXFLASH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. are positioning themselves.(will jointly develop flash memory products)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... SHARP CORP., which counts flash memories among its strengths, and NEXFLASH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. are positioning themselves to tap the huge market potential for high-density, extremely low-power specialty flash memories that the coming generation...

A decade ago, TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD. thought that it could become a major player in the American market.(but it has now left that field in the US)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... A decade ago, TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD. thought that it could become a major player in the American market for photomasks used in the chip lithography process. Today, Japan's second-largest printer is completely out of this business. The...

At an estimated cost of $6.7 million, KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., a leading maker of semiconductor thermal processing equipment, acquired MICRO C TECHNOLOGIES, INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... At an estimated cost of $6.7 million, KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., a leading maker of semiconductor thermal processing equipment, acquired MICRO C TECHNOLOGIES, INC. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 20-employee specialist in rapid thermal...

OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD. formed OLYMPUS INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES AMERICA INC. in San Jose, California.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD. formed OLYMPUS INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES AMERICA INC. in San Jose, California in a move to expand its semiconductor equipment business, particularly in the area of inspection equipment, in the United States and elsewhere...

ZUKEN INC., a supplier of computer-aided design software.(with Amkor Technology Inc. hope to develop expert system to to design integrated circuits)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... ZUKEN INC., a supplier of computer-aided design software for printed circuit boards as well as IC packages, and AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. of West Chester, Pennsylvania, which describes itself as the world's top provider of contract...

The technology for a burn-in test system codeveloped by TOKYO ELECTRON LTD., W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC. and MOTOROLA INC. under an August 1998 agreement has been commercialized.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... The technology for a burn-in test system codeveloped by TOKYO ELECTRON LTD., W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC. and MOTOROLA INC. under an August 1998 agreement has been commercialized by the major Japanese semiconductor production equipment supplier...

In what would seem like an easy investment choice for SOFTBANK CORP. given its far-flung interests in the Internet and e-commerce.(Softbank Capital Partners L.P. leads $50 million round of financing for Syntra Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In what would seem like an easy investment choice for SOFTBANK CORP. given its far-flung interests in the Internet and e-commerce, its Newton Square, Massachusetts SOFTBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS LP unit led a $50 million round of financing for...

In a parallel move that also has potential benefit for many of its parent's investments, SOFTBANK VENTURE CAPITAL spearheaded $37 million in Series B financing for PERFECT.COM, INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In a parallel move that also has potential benefit for many of its parent's investments, SOFTBANK VENTURE CAPITAL spearheaded $37 million in Series B financing for PERFECT.COM, INC. The Palo Alto, California ASP's Perfect Market suite of...

Having scrapped a planned stock offering because of recent market volatility, GLOBAL SPORTS, INC., the developer and operator of e-commerce sporting goods sites for some big names in this business.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Having scrapped a planned stock offering because of recent market volatility, GLOBAL SPORTS, INC., the developer and operator of e-commerce sporting goods sites for some big names in this business, turned to affiliates of its single-largest...

HIKARI TSUSHIN, INC., which has generated almost as much press as an investor in American Internet start-ups as SOFTBANK CORP., joined IDEALAB! and two big U.S. venture-capital funds.(Commission Junction Inc. receives second-round financing)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... HIKARI TSUSHIN, INC., which has generated almost as much press as an investor in American Internet start-ups as SOFTBANK CORP., joined IDEALABI and two big U.S. venture-capital funds in raising $40 million in second-round financing for...

Although it attracts little of the notice that accompanies moves by its two fellow Japanese investors in U.S. information technology companies, TRANS COSMOS INC. is one of the steadiest sources of funding for these start-ups.(Blue Pumpkin Software Inc. receives financial backing)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Although it attracts little of the notice that accompanies moves by its two fellow Japanese investors in U.S. information technology companies, TRANS COSMOS INC. is one of the steadiest sources of funding for these start-ups. Two such...

The other firm that received TRANS COSMOS INC.'s financial endorsement was ACADIO CORP.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The other firm that received TRANS COSMOS INC.'s financial endorsement was ACADIO CORP. Through its Bellevue, Washington subsidiary, Trans Cosmos was the lead player in a $30 million second round of funding for the Seattle provider of...

MITSUBISHI CORP. and its MC CAPITAL INC. investment banking unit were repeat participants.(Dejima Inc. gets repeat funding)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... MITSUBISHI CORP. and its MC CAPITAL INC. investment banking unit were repeat participants when DEJIMA, INC. raised nearly $23.3 million in Series B funding (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 366, March 2000, p. 10). The Mountain View,...

Given its strong ties to the publishing, printing, advertising and entertainment companies that are the primary customers for WAM!NET INC.'s digital data management services and work-flow solutions, DAINIPPON INK AND CHEMICALS, INC. decided to take a minority interest.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Given its strong ties to the publishing, printing, advertising and entertainment companies that are the primary customers for WAM!NET INC.'s digital data management services and work-flow solutions, DAINIPPON INK AND CHEMICALS, INC. decided to...

By leveraging its position as an investor in MIXX ENTERTAINMENT, INC., the operator of a Web site focusing on Asian pop culture.(Im Press Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... By leveraging its position as an investor in MIXX ENTERTAINMENT, INC., the operator of a Web site focusing on Asian pop culture, IT book publisher IM PRESS CORP. hopes to move into the American e-commerce market. Japanese CDs and cartoon videos...

The U.S. holding company for Japan-based systems integrator INFORMATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL-DENTSU, LTD. formed a joint venture with THE E/W GROUP, INC.(ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, INC.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The U.S. holding company for Japan-based systems integrator INFORMATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL-DENTSU, LTD. formed a joint venture with THE E/W GROUP, INC. of East Granby, Connecticut to provide advanced software solutions to global financial...

Building on a 1995 arrangement to codevelop enterprise software products based on the CORBA (common object request broker architecture) framework, HITACHI, LTD. and INPRISE/BORLAND CORP. will share with the other.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Building on a 1995 arrangement to codevelop enterprise software products based on the CORBA (common object request broker architecture) framework, HITACHI, LTD. and INPRISE/BORLAND CORP. will share with the other the enhancements each makes to...

In the meantime, the Waltham, Massachusetts-based Software Solutions Division of HITACHI COMPUTER PRODUCTS (AMERICA), INC. expanded its line of TPBroker products.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In the meantime, the Waltham, Massachusetts-based Software Solutions Division of HITACHI COMPUTER PRODUCTS (AMERICA), INC. expanded its line of TPBroker products (see Japan-U.S. Business Report No. 363, December 1999, p. 12). TPBroker Security...

Machine tool builder SHIN NIPPON KOKI CO., LTD. has made a $20 million investment in VARIMETRIX CORP.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Machine tool builder SHIN NIPPON KOKI CO., LTD. has made a $20 million investment in VARIMETRIX CORP., the developer of year-old VX Vision. The Palm Bay, Florida software firm bills its product as the only midpriced computer-aided design and...

Although just six months old, independent start-up ELYSIUM CO., LTD.(establishes subsidiary in California)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Although just six months old, independent start-up ELYSIUM CO., LTD., a developer of CAD packages that incorporate specialized techniques for geometric handling, established a subsidiary in Torrance, California. The Hamamatsu, Shizuoka...

SONY CORP. gave worldwide licensing rights.(Adept Technology Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... SONY CORP. gave worldwide licensing rights to its so-called design for assembly/disassembly cost-effectiveness technology to major factory-automation equipment supplier ADEPT TECHNOLOGY, INC., which has embedded the know-how in its Production...

Japan's top supplier of mapping software for in-vehicle navigation systems is poised to make a major push into the American market.(Zenrin Company Ltd. reorganizes California branch)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... Japan's top supplier of mapping software for in-vehicle navigation systems is poised to make a major push into the American market, where this technology is not as pervasive as in Japan. ZENRIN CO., LTD. has reorganized its Burlingame,...

DAIKIN U.S. COMTEC LABORATORIES, the Novato, California marketer of such DVD authoring and support tools.(ReeIDVD, authoring solution)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... DAIKIN U.S. COMTEC LABORATORIES, the Novato, California marketer of such DVD authoring and support tools as Scenarist and DVD Informer, has added to its lineup ReelDVD. This entry-level, affordably priced authoring solution is designed for...

Since the late 1980s, JSAT CORP. (formerly Japan Satellite Systems, Inc.) has ordered seven commercial communications satellites.(JSAT Corp., Hughes Space and Communications International Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Since the late 1980s, JSAT CORP. (formerly Japan Satellite Systems, Inc.) has ordered seven commercial communications satellites from HUGHES SPACE AND COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. That record makes the joint venture the top customer in...

In a move presaging more anticipated business in the United States, NTT DATA CORP. simultaneously converted its Jersey City, New Jersey branch office into a subsidiary.(NTT Data USA L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In a move presaging more anticipated business in the United States, NTT DATA CORP. simultaneously converted its Jersey City, New Jersey branch office into a subsidiary and established a U.S. holding company in Manhattan. The big data...

Arguably, no Japanese corporation has as many American R&D bases as the eight run by MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.(Kyushu Matsushita Electric Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Arguably, no Japanese corporation has as many American R&D bases as the eight run by MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and California. Now, two more centers, both working on Internet Protocol...

In a natural fit with their parent's primary Internet investment focus, various SOFTBANK CORP. affiliates recently have provided financing to companies in the fields of communications equipment and services.(Softbank Venture Captial, Terabeam Networks Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... In a natural fit with their parent's primary Internet investment focus, various SOFTBANK CORP. affiliates recently have provided financing to companies in the fields of communications equipment and services. For instance, SOFTBANK VENTURE...

Acting on its own, SOFTBANK CORP. made an investment described as significant in a firm offering a different solution to the last-mile problem.(Xpeed Inc, sDSL specialist)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Acting on its own, SOFTBANK CORP. made an investment described as significant in a firm offering a different solution to the last-mile problem. XPEED, INC., a San Jose, California specialist in xDSL (digital subscriber line) know-how for...

SOFTBANK VENTURE CAPITAL also put up $2.7 million of the $2.9 million received to date by TELEVOKE, INC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... SOFTBANK VENTURE CAPITAL also put up $2.7 million of the $2.9 million received to date by TELEVOKE, INC. The San Francisco ASP bundles Web, telephony, wireless and billing services that notify people about such occurrences as vehicle or house...