October 2012
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Growing Solutions in Tohoku
Aragon St-Charles could hardly believe his eyes on seeing the TV images of the 11 March 2011 tsunami. It swept across the landscape of north-east Japan and explosions rocked the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Later, there were images of farmers gazing at land rendered useless either by the tsunami’s salt-laden toxic cocktail, or radioactive fallout.
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Reward Staff to Motivate Them
Visionary leaders are always looking for ways to unlock the potential of their workers. Yet many seem to miss the one approach that spurs people on in most cases—purpose-based recognition.
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Stressed Out in Japan
Have you ever stood on a railway platform and wondered why trains are sometimes delayed in Tokyo?
It's a War Out There
For news, features and chat there’s nothing quite like Japan Today, although there’s often more of the latter than I need. This lively and popular website also carries what Chris Betros, the editor, considers to be the best of BCCJ ACUMEN.
Anti-terror Bins Display Quake Info
Tokyo will get British blast-resistant recycling bins fitted with real-time information screens, the London Press Service reported on 24 September.
Tokyo Artist at V&A Museum
The London Design Festival 2012 featured an installation by a Japanese designer as its main exhibit, The Guardian reported on 14 September.News in Brief
Your monthly digest of UK-Japan news.
And the Winner is … Great Britain!
What a year 2012 has been for the UK: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the record-breaking and, in my opinion, best ever Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the event everything has been leading up to ... the British Business Awards (BBA).
Jeans Brand Opens Setagaya Store
Denim brand Lee Cooper has opened its first shop in Japan, according to a press release issued on 22 September.
Moving Forward
I’m delighted to report that in August, after 18 happy years in Iidabashi’s Eigo Centre Building, the BCCJ office moved to a more convenient central Tokyo location: Mori Building Co., Ltd’s ARK Hills complex in Tameike-sanno.
The Madness of a Ban
Coming from herds of Aberdeen Angus, Belted Galloways, South Devons and Welsh Blacks, British beef is recognised as among the finest in the world.
"Carnival" Raises Millions for Children with Cancer
Shine On! Kids (Tyler Foundation) held it’s seventh annual fundraiser on 28 September at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo.
Paid to Party
It took Alessandro Palazzi three weeks to perfect the Fleming 89, but the author after whom it is named would surely have approved.
Changing Tastes
There is nothing quite like a perfectly chilled white wine to soothe one during the heat of summer in Japan. Kept cool and ready to be served—be it a picnic or a barbecue, at the beach or on an urban balcony—an elegant white will always hit the spot.
Branching Out
Takashi Kobayashi had always felt smothered by Japanese society but had no idea how to escape from its embrace. Walking through the Tokyo suburb of Harajuku one day, he saw a shop sign depicting a tree growing out of a rock face and, perched in the branches, a tree house.
Volunteers for the Vulnerable
When the Great East Japan Earthquake struck the north-east of the country with such devastating power last year, Yoshihiro Hara had no idea how he might be able to help—but he knew he had to do something.
What You Missed in the Japanese Press
Bosses Forced to Coddle Costly Quitters, What's So Bad about North Kanto?, Snazzy Stations Push up Property Values, Latest Top 10 Hotel Ratings Reveal Surprises
With Dignity and Function
A British architectural firm played a key role in the interior renovation of one of Tokyo’s most important and historical landmarks.
Joining Forces
In exciting news for travellers, British Airways (BA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have established a joint business agreement on certain flights between Europe and Japan.
Home from Home
Despite the economic fallout from the Great East Japan Earthquake last year, the serviced apartment market in Tokyo is stable and the industry is doing very well.
Let's Meet in Yokohama!
For a broad selection of meeting and banquet rooms, look no further than the Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Part of the larger Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., the hotel is proud of its newly refurbished venues that can accommodate from small meetings to formal dining events and large international conferences.
Interview
Founded in 1919, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the oldest airline still flying under its original name. Operating safe and comfortable flights in Japan for 61 years, KLM is the only airline that has direct daily links between Narita and Kansai airports and Amsterdam.
Arts Events
Arts events compiled by Shoko Sekiya.
A love of All Things British … Except the Food
It is to be hoped that Japan might, finally, start to overcome the general disdain for British cooking. The success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the vast positive exposure the UK has received this year surely cannot have been for naught.
Marmite and Natto
When Kimiko Osada first arrived in Britain in 1972, Japanese food was not only unobtainable, it was almost completely unknown. In the intervening four decades, she has become Kimiko Barber, published six books on Japanese cuisine and made it her mission to encourage Britons to cook Japanese food at home. She firmly believes that good, healthy eating starts at home.
Searching for My Sons
The last time the Scottish author saw his two sons was in 2003—when Satomi was six and Makoto was just four. His latest book tells of the minutes leading up to the realisation that his Japanese wife, Tomoko, had abducted them and fled their home in rural Fife for a suburb of Osaka.
British Performing Arts Festival 2012
The UK and Japan share a love of the theatre that, in both countries, has a long history and plays an important role in the lives of their people.
Book Reviews
The British and Irish Short Story Handbook and The Light Between Oceans
