October / November 2010
Organised Crime in Finance Sector
Recent months have seen more sophisticated activities by Japanese organised crime syndicates, with large numbers of domestic and some international firms targeted by Japan’s yakuza organised crime groups.
UK-Japan Relationship
The British Council has released a research report entitled “The Cultural Relationship between the UK and Japan”, which is one of a series from around the world. The research is based on a mixture of statistical indicators, an on-line survey, and in-depth interviews with key individuals involved in the bilateral relationship.
Remembering the "Forgotten War"
British veterans are returning to South Korea throughout 2010 to mark the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War that killed 1,000 UK troops.
British Teen Becomes Tokyo "tarento"
About a year ago, Beckii Cruel was a teenager bopping around her bedroom to Japanese pop music and posting her videos on YouTube. Today, she is a global internet phenomenon, seen by an estimated 10 million viewers, and no nation more than Japan loves her every move and sound.
Shattering the Stereotypes
Many female executives who have built firms and their own careers overseas are frustrated that outdated and stereotypical images of what it takes to make one’s way in Japan’s corporate world are preventing a lot of very talented women from following in their footsteps here and being similarly successful.
Recovery for Recruitment
There is a sense of cautious optimism over the state of the economy, both domestically and globally, but Robert Walters felt the change earlier than most.
Investing in The Arts
In times of financial strain, the arts are often among the first victims of government funding cuts. But the austerity measures being implemented in Britain and elsewhere should not deter those responsible for promoting culture from reaching out to new audiences, said Lord Tony Hall, chief executive of the Royal Opera House in London.
Fresh Challenge
Officially, the unprepossessing split-level restaurant beneath the railway tracks close to Yurakucho Station is known as Shin Hinomoto. More commonly, among regulars and people who have heard legends of the place, it is Andy’s izakaya.
Bring on Bailey!
At the Tyler Foundation’s Rhinestone Cowboy fundraising gala dinner on 1 October, the star of the glittering show was not among the many generous bidders for the donated auction items, nor one of the petite cowgirls in revealing denim shorts.
Put Your Performance into Perspective
We all know that investing typically requires a long-term approach when markets are in turmoil, as they are now, but it’s easy to lose that perspective and focus on what’s happening over the short term. It can be reassuring, though, to understand how the stock market has behaved historically.
David Warren
David Warren became British Ambassador to Japan in July 2008. Born in 1952, he graduated from Oxford University before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1975 and later studied Japanese at the School of African and Oriental Studies and at the British Embassy language school in Kamakura.
Exploiting E-Business
The term “new media” could be considered a misnomer as it has been around for more than a decade and the shift from print to digital has been a work in progress since well before the turn of the century. Yet, it is also appropriate as the forms that media take today are constantly evolving and changing direction.
Ingenious Britain
British Business Awards Is Back
Behind the BCCJ Website
Which Good Cause?
Having a strong CSR programme has become de riguer for any firm serious about business today. But there are so many good causes out there that it’s hard to decide which one to support.『BCCJ ACUMEN』第6号のまとめ
日本語ハイライト 『BCCJ ACUMEN』第6号のまとめClubs Sign Stars
Ryo Miyaichi, 17, is set to join top English Premier League side Arsenal, the Mainichi Shimbun reported on 1 September.Fashion Deal Signed
Sanei International Co., Ltd. will market products in Japan for clothing and fabric brand Cath Kidston, the Nihon Seni Shimbun reported on 27 August.Fewer Top 200 Universities
The number of Japanese universities in the world’s top 200 fell from 11 to five, the Times Higher Education reported on 16 September.
"Rare" Whiskies Exported
Topshop Opens in Osaka
British clothing store Topshop will open its first Osaka stores in Umeda in May 2011 and Shinsaibashi next autumn, Fashionsnap.com reported on 17 September.Nagasaki Remembers Traders
The Glover Award ceremony that celebrates British traders Thomas Blake Glover (1838-1911) and Frederick Ringer (1838-1907) was attended by Ambassador David Warren and held at Glover Garden in Nagasaki, the Nagasaki Shimbun reported on 19 September.Frampton Songs
Rock singer and guitarist Peter Frampton wrote two songs on his latest album for Megumi Yokota, who was kidnapped by North Korea 32 years ago, Kyodo Tsushin reported on 17 August.
2012 Olympics Landmark Competition
A Japanese firm was one of five shortlisted entries in an international competition to design a new Aldgate, but was beaten by a proposal called London Gate, by Donis of the Netherlands, the London Press Service reported on 10 August.Rice Centre Stage at Brum Show
British theatrical company Stan’s Café opened its “Of All the People in All the World — Japan” exhibition at Setagaya Arts Center, the Tokyo Shimbun reported on 16 September.Lennon Landmark Closes
The John Lennon Museum in Saitama closed on 30 September, various media reported. Taisei Corp. said the 10-year licence deal with his widow Yoko Ono had expired.Auto Firms Partner
Lotus Cars announced a partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation, the Auto Sport website reported on 17 September.
London gets Statue of Meiji Novelist
A statue of Soseki Natsume, the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji Era (1868–1912), has been erected at the Soseki Museum near where he lived in London from 1901 to 1903, Kyodo Tsushin reported on 19 August.
Uniqlo Signs Bloom
Kent-born actor Orlando Bloom signed for Uniqlo’s new global advertising campaign, Sankei Sports reported on 5 October.Money Woes over Queen’s Diamond Gig
The Queen is troubled by the royal household’s financial problems, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on 27 August. The funding shortage could affect the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 to mark the Queen’s 60th anniversary of ascending to the throne.BA to Fly Haneda-Heathrow Route
British Airways will operate non-stop return flights five times a week between Haneda Airport and London’s Heathrow from 20 February 2011, Tokyo Shimbun reported in September.
Cotswolds Theme for Osaka Fair
Cotswolds bakery Huffkins has been selected to represent the nation at the 40th British Fair in Osaka, the This is Gloucestershire website reported in September.
Winning the Race for Talent
Ask most country managers or HR directors of foreign multinational firms operating in Japan and top of their priority lists is finding the best bilingual talent. It’s a tough task and when a firm does finally find and offer a job to the dream candidate, can they close the deal?
Hidden Costs of a Bad Hire
Firms budget for the financial costs of employing good staff, but many fail to consider the potentially severe implications of a bad hire. Before an employee is terminated, substantial costs are often incurred in terms of the time that management spends on corrective action, mediation and negotiation.
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