Miwako Date, president and CEO of Mori Trust Holdings, is strategically expanding the company's luxury hotel portfolio to become a core business alongside office leasing and property sales. Despite challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, Date's foresight in predicting a surge in domestic travel has positioned Mori Trust to capitalize on the growing luxury hotel market in Japan. The company aims to achieve ¥330 billion in operating revenue by 2030, with hotels contributing significantly. Mori Trust's partnerships with international hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton are central to this growth strategy. The company is also diversifying its investments geographically, with significant acquisitions in the U.S. and a new project in Bangkok. Date emphasizes the importance of adapting to economic changes and maintaining a stable financial base to support future growth.

The article discusses the potential implications of a Donald Trump victory in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, particularly concerning nuclear proliferation. With Joe Biden stepping down, Kamala Harris leads the Democratic campaign, energizing key voter demographics. The article highlights concerns about Trump's past actions and rhetoric, which have led to discussions in Europe and Northeast Asia about acquiring nuclear weapons. It emphasizes the potential destabilizing effects of a Trump presidency on global security and political norms.

Yasuhide Uno, CEO of U-Next Holdings, debuts among Japan's richest with a $1.13 billion fortune. U-Next, a major competitor to Netflix in Japan, has seen significant growth, with expected net profit increases and a 55% rise in share price over the past year. The company, originally founded by Uno's father in the 1960s, has diversified into various sectors, including streaming, payment, telecoms, and cloud services, securing top domestic market shares in several areas.

Tokyo-based Disco, a company specializing in semiconductor equipment, has seen a significant rise in its stock value, benefiting the Sekiya family, who own a minority stake. Under CEO Kazuma Sekiya, Disco's net profit increased to nearly $550 million, with sales growing over 8% to almost $2 billion. The company's success is partly attributed to a weak yen and strong demand for equipment used in generative AI and electric vehicles. Disco generates nearly 90% of its revenue from overseas markets.

Takaya Awata, founder of Toridoll Holdings, has transformed a small diner into a global quick-service restaurant empire with nearly 2,000 outlets across 28 countries. His flagship brand, Marugame Seimen, is Japan's largest udon noodle chain. Awata aims to expand Toridoll's international presence, targeting ¥420 billion in sales by 2028, with a significant portion from overseas. Despite challenges in Japan's competitive food market, Toridoll's revenue has grown, aided by a weak yen and increased tourism. Awata plans further expansion through acquisitions and new store openings, focusing on both Asian and Western cuisines to compete with global fast-food giants.

Suntory Holdings, marking a century of whisky-making, faces challenges in Japan due to a declining population and reduced alcohol consumption. The company, with ¥2.7 trillion in 2022 revenue, is the No. 3 spirits maker globally. CEO Takeshi Niinami and potential successor Nobuhiro Torii are focusing on innovation and global expansion, including potential acquisitions in tequila and India. Suntory aims for ¥3 trillion in revenue by 2030 and plans to remain privately held. The company has a history of strategic acquisitions and is known for its iconic whisky brands like Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki.