In the previous issue of BCCJ ACUMEN, in anticipation of the 2017 Dalemain Marmalade Awards, we looked back at the success of Japanese entrants in the 2016 edition. That has raised the profile of the event in Japan, and Koji Tsuruoka, ambassador of Japan to the UK, paid a guest visit this year.
But the awards are of course all about the delicious marmalades, and the contestants didn’t disappoint. Several from Japan walked away with gold and silver artisan awards. Hopefully this success will further raise awareness in Japan of the joys marmalade brings, opening up opportunities for British producers along the way.
Results are in
The success at Dalemain was no doubt the fruit of hard work and persistence over the years. In this issue we take a look at a very different industry, but one that is also looking forward to a payout following drawn out efforts. With the Diet last year finally passing a law authorising casinos as part of so-called integrated resorts, the gambling sector is now savouring the prospects of a new market opening up, and we examine just what that could mean for Japan.
Elsewhere, we cover the Natural History Museum’s new Treasures of the Natural World exhibition in Ueno. To find out more about this blockbuster event, which was three years in the making and features some items rarely seen in public, turn to page 40.
From the publisher
Simon Farrell
And the winners are …
Congratulations to the lucky winners of our KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin competition, in which we asked:
1. How many botanical groups help make KI NO BI? Answer: Six
2. What do you like most about BCCJ ACUMEN? Below is an edited selection of entries.
Stewart Ueno, Thomson Reuters
While I enjoy the breadth of stories ranging from the activities of UK companies in Japan to UK–Japan news clips, I’m most interested in features that provide insight into the evolving business environment and subsequently new opportunities. Some of these are on the back of events (e.g. the 2017 Business Trends article in the current issue), which are helpful as it can sometimes be difficult to physically attend seminars.
Brian Gregory, SCT Inc.
Well, apart from being run by two of the nicest guys around, and the fact that prizes like this are given away, there is NO FAKE NEWS.
Lucy McBean, Spring Information Technology
I’ve just finished a pleasant lunch hour reading this month’s copy of BCCJ ACUMEN; there were a lot of interesting articles that were appealing and informative.
I particularly enjoyed reading about Premium Friday—which our office was unaware of—Nissan Intelligent Mobility and the nice one on Cool Japan Ambassador Paul Christie.
And, of course, the Kyoto Gin Distillery advert caught my eye!
