Costco expands in strapped Japan

Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, center right, and Costco Japan director Mike Sinegal, center left, help open a sake barrel yesterday to celebrate the new Tokyo store. Associated Press

Associated Press

Candy is stacked at the new Costco store that opens today on the outskirts of Tokyo. Associated Press

"Costco sees offering high-quality products at a low price to our member customers as our mission. We eliminate waste and are committed to efficiency," Mike Sinegal, representative director of Costco Japan, said yesterday at the new store in Machida, in western Tokyo.

Sinegal and other Costco officials hammered open a barrel of fresh sake at a celebration for guests and reporters ahead of the store's opening today.

Costco, with more than 390 outlets worldwide selling big-packaged merchandise by membership, is trying to expand here at a difficult time for retail.