Despite bankruptcies，lay off and tighter comsumers spending，a few femaleled businesses in Japan are developing well. Shizue Hamada，52，set up a business in 1991 with eight other housewives-to care for the elderly and the physically disabled. It wasn’t long before the Tasukeai Yui(mutual -aid group) earned a reputation for its excellent service. It now employs 200 staff and has 300 million yuan(US $2.4million)in annual sales. The woman said their business has been successful because they provide what customrs really want. These entrepreneurs are making use of a revalized and healthy demand for everyday basic items. Bread，for instance，is in high demand．Business woman Meiko Tanaka，26，started selling high-quality bread over the Internet in 2000．“Bread is cheap，”she said.“We migh as well eat the bread baked using the the highest-quality ingredients.” Five women—former office workers in their late 20s—have started the“OL Food Bureau of Investigation”to review restaurants on the Internet.OL means young office lady. It’s a common nickname in Japan． Business is increasing rapidly．Membership for their online magazine has reached 26，000． Their non-professional comments seem to carry a lot of weight with consumers．This month the five women will be appearing on Japanese TV． What all these female entrepreneurs have in common is a strong belief in their likes and dislikes，and confidence is their own sensibilities． They find gaps in the market and fill them with products and services that they like or want. Japanese women headed nearly 6 percent of all businesses in Japan at the end of June—up from 4.5 per cent in 1999． These female—led micro—businesses are playing an increasingly large role in the economy by plugging the gap between supply and demand. 1.When talking about the businesswomen in Japan，the writer A.thinks little of them B.thinks that they will take the place of men in future C.sings the praises of their abilities D.is not sure of their future development 2.The passage mainly discusses . A.Japanese women B.female-led businesses in Japan C.how to earn a reputation D.Japanese economic development 3.The five women will be appearing on Japanese TV because . A.thier comments have great influences on consumers B.they have set up the first online magazine C.they have arranged handreds of jobs for laidoff workers D.they used to work in offices and are fairly beautiful 4.If an old man in Japan can't live by himsilf，he should turn to for hehp. A.Tasukeai Yui B.Meiko Tanaka C.OL Food Bureau of lnvestigation D.entrepreneurs |