May 2012
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Charcoal: Much More than Barbeque Fuel
When you think of charcoal, long summer evenings immediately spring to mind, with the smell of sizzling meat or seafood permeating the air. Few people remember, however, that charcoal is so much more than just fuel.
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Stop Wasting Money on Training
Training firms themselves are probably the most savage critics of training when it is done poorly. There are cases in which the curriculum is flimsy, faddish or brief. Trainers, too, can be disasters—unskilled, inflexible or simply incompetent.
UK is "Open for Business"
On 21 March, the House of Commons was presented with the government’s budget proposals. They continued the clear message that Britain is open for business.
New Year, New Face for BCCJ
Welcome to a new BCCJ year—and from a new face on the president’s page. It is both an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve you, the members, as president of the BCCJ for the 2012–13 chamber year.
A World of Workspaces
As the largest global provider of flexible workspaces, Regus plc each year helps more than 1mn customers focus on their business, rather than the location from which they manage it.
Buying Real Estate in Japan
Japan was the world’s second-largest economy for more than 40 years, until it was overtaken by China in 2010. After the early 1990s, Japan experienced what some have called a lost decade, during which time the economy stagnated and growth was substantially lower than before.
Book Reviews
This month: Mori Building: The Making of Vertical Garden Cities and March Was Made of Yarn: Reflections on the Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Meltdown.
Theodore Jennings
Award-winning outdoor living designer produces elegant energy saving solutions for home and office balconies.
Feng Shui for Cynics
According to consultant and representative of World of Feng Shui Japan HQ, whether people believe feng shui actually influences events or is superstitious nonsense, even cynics cannot deny its real benefits in the office.
Robert Walters
The specialist recruitment firm that Robert Walters set up in 1985 today has 48 offices in 23 countries and plans to start operations in Munich and Rio de Janeiro in the near future.
The Diamond Jubilee
Her Majesty came to the throne on 6 February 1952, and her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. Hers is the second-longest reign in British history, after that of Queen Victoria, from 1837 until 1901. There will be an extended bank holiday weekend of celebrations from Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June, with activities throughout the UK, across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Return Trip to Tower Bridge
As she carefully lays out all the food, clothing and paraphernalia required to take on the next leg of this two-and-a-half-year odyssey—the 4,500 nautical-mile crossing of the North Pacific in a 7-metre boat called Gulliver—she makes her confession.
Meet Your Executive Committee
At the BCCJ annual general meeting on 26 April, attendees elected a new executive committee, comprising 15 members, to serve the membership during the 2012–13 chamber year.
Strictly Singing—for Charity
Singing, to some of us, is a pursuit closely associated with showers and karaoke bars. To others, it is a distant memory from their youth, days of Sunday school and campfires. Then there are those who sing along to their favourite music in their head, lest they embarrass themselves or others should they let rip.
Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of the UK and Japan
As the Prime Ministers of Japan and the UK, we are committed to promoting global prosperity and security, based on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the market economy. We also have a shared responsibility to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.
Selecting the Right University
Surrounded by fellow students of many different nationalities, heading off to universities in every country imaginable, the options for students at international schools can seem endless.
Efficiency, Costs, Risk
With ongoing uncertainty about the economic outlook and the strength of recovery, businesses across all sectors continue to seek ways of improving efficiency and cutting costs.
Who is a Professional Investor in Japan?
In many jurisdictions, the financial regulations that apply to transactions involving professional investors tend to be more moderate than those applying to transactions not involving professional investors. This is also true in Japan.
Mergers & Acquisitions
In this article, I cannot help you very much. That said, in my 2004 book, Japan True or False—People Problems, Costs, Restructuring, chapters one, four and five have much useful information on mergers and acquisitions.
North England Can Be Global Nuclear Supplies Hub
The UK is on its way to becoming one of the world's leading nuclear manufacturing hubs.News in Brief
A lingerie firm's reach expands, the British buying groceries in bulk, and a soccer star plans a big move.
Sweet Deal or Arms Race?
The Joint Statement on the UK/Japan Defence relationship that was agreed during Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to Tokyo in April has the potential to forge even closer links between Japan and the UK, and generate millions of pounds’ worth of new contracts for British firms, although officials are keen to emphasise that the future growth of exchanges in the defence sphere will be “evolutionary rather than revolutionary”.
Global Demand for “Made in Britain” Shoes
The British Footwear Association (BFA) has teamed up with Pure London, the UK’s largest trade fashion show, to provide an opportunity for new footwear labels to launch their collections.
What You Missed in the Japanese Press
Over the past half decade, e-commerce transactions in Japan doubled, reaching a total value of ¥7.8trn in 2010. Following the 11 March, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, disaster-related products enjoyed particularly high demand, with sales via internet service firm Rakuten alone posting a six-fold rise between March and August.
Narita Chiefs Visit Stansted
Senior executives from Narita International Airport visited London Stansted Airport for lessons about how the world’s best airport for low-cost airlines operates.
Life in the Slow Lane
It’s a long way from the bright lights of Tokyo, but the Britons who are making their mark on the business community in Japan’s most southerly prefecture are adamant that they would not swap their beaches, balmy air and bougainvillea for all the neon in Shibuya.
Arts Events
Arts events compiled by Shoko Nakamura
Londoners Lap Up Nitrogen Ice Cream
Aki Matsushima caused a stir in MasterChef, the BBC TV competition for amateur cooks, with her unique ice cream.
