SOLAR FIRM EYES NEW MARKET
A Japanese firm producing solar devices plans to enter the UK market, pv-tech.org reported on 9 June.
Solar Frontier K.K., which develops and manufactures copper, indium and selenium (CIS) thin-film solar modules, at present earns around 90% of its sales from the domestic market, but hopes for a breakthrough in the UK commercial rooftop and utility-scale markets.
Senior Vice President Atsuhiko Hirano said the market for its products was booming in the UK.
YOUNG PR PROS LEAD IN CREATIVITY
Japan and the UK took gold and silver, respectively, in the Young PR Lions competition at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, reported prweek.com on 16 June.
The contest, launched this year, challenged teams of PR professionals, from 13 countries to create a campaign against human trafficking.
Francis Ingham, chief executive of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation, a competition supporter, said contestants were the best young PR creatives in their respective countries.
While Japan claimed the top prize in the youth group, it secured only four nominations in the main contest, behind the UK with a total of 11 nominations.
ART WORKSHOPS FOR CHILD THERAPY
Internationally acclaimed artist Mackenzie Thorpe will team up with Eiko Todo, founder of The Edge—the Japan Dyslexia Society—to offer art workshops for children as therapy, Japan Today reported on 20 June.
Thorpe, who is well known for his highly emotive creations, and long-term collaborator Todo will host a series of workshops in Okinawa and Fujisawa to illustrate the power of art.
Proceeds will be donated to the Association of Parents with Handicapped Children in Okinawa and The House of Sun, for handicapped children in Fujisawa.
Thorpe’s global work with charities and children includes support of those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
JT JOINS E-CIGARETTE MARKET
Japan Tobacco Inc. is to buy UK rival E-Lites in a bid to enter the electronic cigarette market, the Financial Times reported on 11 June.
The global tobacco manufacturer will buy all outstanding shares of E-Lites’ parent firm, British e-cigarette maker Zandera Ltd.
The e-cigarette market grew from minimal sales in 2008 to global sales of ¥0.3bn by the end of 2013. The products typically use a rechargeable battery, and vaporise liquid containing nicotine and other elements that are contained in a cartridge.
AUDIO DEAL TO HELP COAST GUARD EFFORTS
Drumgrange Ltd. has delivered a £1mn contract to supply acoustic hailing devices (AHDs) to the Japanese Coast Guard, Maritime Journal reported on 9 June.
The UK systems engineering house offers two types of AHDs, designed for high-speed intelligibility at distances of up to 1.5km, both on land and at sea.
The devices will aid the coast guard in their continuing efforts to patrol the country’s coastal waters and provide long range audio communications.
RUGBY STAR RECRUIT FOR 2019 WORLD CUP
Head of the Saracens Football Club and former England captain Steve Borthwick is to become the rugby forwards coach of Japan’s national side, The Daily Telegraph reported on 26 May.
Aviva Premiership Rugby’s most capped player is set to retire from the London professional rugby union club and end his 16-year playing career after the premiership final. He is scheduled to begin coaching the Cherry Blossoms next season.
A Japan Rugby Football Union spokesperson said Borthwick would play a vital role because the forwards are key to a successful campaign in the World Cup (page 30). Borthwick had previously been working part time for the Japan side as a line-out consultant.
