JAPAN: Shiseido has introduced supply-chain management and small-volume products to improve profitability. The company is buying outdated products and seasonal items, and has an annual operating profit of $66 million. Executives said Shiseido also plans to slash depreciation expenses to $24.9 million in 2004 by trimming store inventories. About 2000 items are also being examined for their distribution costs in an effort to streamline operations....