March 2014
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Japan’s Biggest Pop Star Is Not Human
Hatsune Miku, with her turquoise pigtails and schoolgirl demeanour, is the world’s first union of fabricated digital voice sporting a virtual character body.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/banner1.jpg)
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Selling Services in Japan
You can’t touch, hear, smell, see or taste it, but please buy it! This is often the dilemma with selling services.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/banner2.jpg)
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Governance By the Books?
The Japanese government recently participated in a corporate governance conference, and has updated its stewardship code to reflect global standards.![](https://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Lori2019-600x600-1-100x100.jpg)
Time to take stock
Over the past year, our current excom has seen rising membership numbers, a boost in event attendance and a steady organic increase in online engagement.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/BCCJEvent_wide.jpg)
Martin Donnelly: Innovation and Diversity
Innovative firms in the UK have grown nearly twice as fast as those that are not introducing new products, ideas or processes.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Book_square.jpg)
History in the making
This 350-page publication masterfully examines the process by which Japan developed from a feudal society into a national state.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Charity.jpg)
Fur Pets’ Sake
Animals being left without food or water represent a man-made catastrophe.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Culture_wide.jpg)
Making the Cut
The classic 1974 gangster film The Yakuza first piqued Paul Martin's interest in Japanese martial arts and history.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Embassy_wide.jpg)
Risk Communication Three Years after
Science communication has been identified as a key area where Britain can share its expertise with Japan.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Digital_wide.jpg)
Insights Incite Action
A Tokyo-based advertising agency has produced two online commercials that yielded great success for its clients.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Health_wide.jpg)
no fluoride, no problem
In this world of probiotics, saliva tests and fancy electric/ultrasonic toothbrushes, I still believe in good old manual brushing.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Innovation2.jpg)
Global View of Progress
Original thinking is just what Japan requires as it strives to emerge from a long, painful recession.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/iandestains1.jpg)
Stormy Weather
What more will it take to persuade people that if we continue to treat our planet as we do currently, it will soon be too late?![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/President_square.jpg)
Powerhouse of the UK economy
Official statistics reveal that the UK’s creative industries are now worth £71.4bn per year to the domestic economy.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/BST_wide.jpg)
Passing the Test of Time
When Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opened the British School in Tokyo, even the Iron Lady could never have envisaged the world 25 years later.![](https://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Simon-Farrell-100x100.jpg)
Inside the mind of a magazine designer
I’m delighted to welcome our gifted Creative Director Cliff Cardona to share with us his wisdom on the much-anticipated redesign of BCCJ ACUMEN.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Sport_wide.jpg)
Going swimmingly
Business is buoyant in Japan for the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), with the UK's governing body for underwater activities playing on its Britishness.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TopStory_wide.jpg)
New Tohoku
As we mark the third anniversary of the disaster, it is clear that Britons have had a huge impact on recovery and reconstruction in the Tohoku region.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Anniversary_wide.jpg)
The future is clear
With a new product line, renovated packaging and other developments, Unilever Japan is on track to achieve its 2020 goals.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Media.jpg)
news in brief
Your monthly digest of UK-Japan media reports![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Media-beer1.jpg)
New brewpub in Asakusa
A British-style pub has opened in one of Tokyo’s most historical districts.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Media-footy1.jpg)
Football group marks decade
The British Football Academy celebrates 10 years in Tokyo this year.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Media-Gatsby1.jpg)
Cosmetics brand debuts abroad
Japan’s top-selling men’s hair wax is now available in London stores.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Media-Ireland1.jpg)
N. Ireland plant expands
Japanese-owned Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Limited has announced a £32mn investment in its Northern Ireland plant.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Leaders_wide.jpg)
Engage your staff
A 2013 survey has revealed that only 9% of employees in Japan are highly engaged.![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Art_square.jpg)
arts
UK arts events in Japan![](http://bccjacumen.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Media_wide.jpg)