Bumpy road ahead; Japan's car makers hit by slumping demand

Article Abstract:

Domestic sales, which comprise 60% of the total sales of Japan's car industry, have plummeted in 1992. All the major manufacturers, with the exception of Mitsubishi, have reported a fall in profits in the first-half of 1992. Reductions in profit margins due to heavy investment in development of new models, salary hikes, depreciating returns on machinery and plants and debt repayment problems, have resulted in a substantial fall in net profits. The manufacturers are contemplating cost-cutting options such as a reduction in the labor force but everyone is waiting for industry leader Toyota to take the lead.

Analysis, Planning, Economic aspects, Japan, Automobile industry, Product development, Sales, Cost control

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A cut above: Chinese-Canadian film-makers story draws kudos

Article Abstract:

Mina Shum's movie 'Double Happiness' has won the Hong Kong-born Canadian director widespread acclaim but not, apparently, the comprehension of her family. The movie recounts what she calls the truth, though not the facts, of her life at age 18 when she left home to pursue studies and a career in acting. She entered a script for the movie in a competition in 1993, winning first prize: money to produce the film. Even so, she was between apartments and directed inexperienced amateurs during the five-month shoot. Shum is 28.

Appreciation, Filmmakers, Movie directors, Movie producers (Persons), Motion pictures, Canadian, Canadian movies, Shum, Mina

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How the experts see it: stormy seas ahead?

Article Abstract:

A panel of experts is divided over Asia's near-term investment prospects, with general caution reigning due to increased political risks. Stockmarkets' inability to capture the growth of national economies may lead to a sell-off by mid-1997, as interest rates increase. However, national economic cycles are no longer synchronized, so Hong Kong may soon improve while Malaysia and an overpriced Philippines pass their peaks. Taiwan stocks are attractive, as is luxury property in Singapore.

Investments, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Asia, Economic forecasting, Panel Discussion, Tran, Elizabeth, Kaye, William, Lee, Winnie, Muirhead, Graham, Ting, Gary

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