JAPAN
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Bankrupt Firms’ Debt Rises: The total debt of bankrupt Japanese companies in August grew 17.9% from a year earlier to $4.94 billion, according to a private research company. Tokyo Commerce and Industry Research Co. said businesses continued to suffer because of the strong yen, price competition and changes in consumer tastes. The number of bankruptcy cases was down 8.9% from a year earlier, to 1,083.
