Feature Article
Arts Events
Arts events compiled by Shoko Nakamura
New Year Gongs for UK Envoy and Drivers
Ambassador David Warren receives a KCMG (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George) for displaying exceptional qualities of leadership and empathy through the immediate aftermath of the massive earthquake in northern Japan which caused a tsunami and a nuclear disaster at Fukushima, during which the British Embassy Tokyo remained open and fully operational.
The Royal Wedding
I am delighted to send this message to the readers of BCCJ ACUMEN on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The day of the wedding was a national holiday and a day of celebration across Britain. In all parts of the United Kingdom, families, friends and neighbours celebrated the wedding at home as well as in many colourful street parties.
Earthquake: The British Effort
BCCJ Members were quick to respond to the Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake. Here is a selection of organisations that have donated or are donating products, services or manpower.
The British Effort
The UK was among the first of about 100 countries to offer help after the Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake struck on 11 March. Here is the harrowing story of how three innovative British aid agencies made a difference, written and photographed by two of the first witnesses of the aftermath.
Your Own Private Banyan Tree
As anyone who has tried it will tell you, there is nothing quite like kicking back in the shade of a banyan tree. A native of tropical Asia, it is revered for providing shelter to weary travellers.
Harmonious Society, Harmonious Handover?
British firms must redouble their efforts to do business in China, as forthcoming regulatory changes and the intricacies of domestic politics threaten to stifle foreign involvement in the world’s second biggest economy.
Dyson’s New Digital Slim DC35 Multi Floor
Thoroughly cleans any home or office-floor surface; reaches parts others can’t, and twice as powerful as its closest rivals—that’s Dyson’s latest cordless vacuum cleaner, the DC35.
Skeletons in the Cupboard
Asia is helping to haul the global economy out of its malaise as US and European economies continue to underperform. As a result of its sustained strong performance, the region continues to attract substantial investment, although the associated risks remain high.What the Consular Team Does
Helping Britons cope with arrest, abduction, death and hospitalisation; facilitating births and marriages
Simon Fraser
Simon Fraser underlined the strategic importance of the political and economic relationship between the UK and Japan on a recent trip to Japan.
Japan Summit 2010
Japan faces challenges on many fronts as it tries to rebuild a sagging economy, instil a degree of confidence in its political leaders and revitalise a dispirited public.
Autos Advocacy
Selling British cars and motorbikes in the Japanese market might at first appear like shipping the proverbial coals to Newcastle. But there is still sufficient skill and know-how in the UK automotive industry—particularly in the area of niche and specialist vehicles—to drive solid demand in Japan.
Hans Dietmar Schweisgut
The first EU ambassador under the European External Action Service (EEAS) framework and head of the Delegation of the European Union to Japan talks on trade, politics, the death penalty, child abductions and his goals.
So. Farewell Then
After close to a quarter of a century as executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Ian de Stains OBE believes he has had “a good innings”. He is stepping aside to allow some new blood to head the organisation and to pursue a number of new ventures.
But What Does a Coach Actually Do?
A coach is not a consultant, therapist, counsellor or mentor. Let’s use the simple analogy of riding a bike to explain the differences.
Exporting Innovative Design
During the post-war reconstruction period and the 1980s Bubble era, international architects transformed Japan’s traditional building aesthetic with modernist designs...
Dyson
There are some ideas so revolutionary, so simple, and so blindingly clever that they deserve all the acclaim they receive. As millions of house-proud people around the world would tell you, the bag-free vacuum cleaner launched in 1993 by Dyson is right up there with sliced bread.Danger of New Drugs
20 Years of Breakfast Toastmasters
Former BCCJ President Graham Harris stands in front of the crowd to explain how, 20 years ago, the world changed forever. Moments earlier, speechwriter John Harris had taken the podium to reveal the secret of his craft lies not in "data delivery", but in the telling of a good story.Magazines Make it Matter
Custom Media KK extensively promotes CSR and environmental issues through BCCJ ACUMEN and WIFM lifestyle magazine. In addition, it supports the UK charity Help for Heroes, providing free advertising to help raise funds for soldiers’ rehabilitation, medical treatment, and reintegration into society.
New Organic Certification Services
With more than 10 years of experience in providing organic certification services to Japanese and international clients, Ecocert-QAI Japan Ltd. is diversifying.Staffing Challenges in a Complex Market
With the world’s second-largest economy, Japan continues to be one of the most important markets for...Clean up with green investment
By the time you read this, Copenhagen and its relevance to Climate Change will have been forgotten. Memories of the Little Mermaid statue in the harbour and of the Danish capital as the home of Tuborg beer will have been restored.
2009 British Business Awards
It may have been a testing 12 months for firms large and small everywhere, but the BCCJ's 2009 British Business Awards gala dinner on 26 November underlined the excellence in the UK business community here.
Ozawa Fights On
The political funding scandal surrounding the Democratic Party of Japan’s (DPJ) powerful secretary-general Ichiro Ozawa has rocked the party and shone the spotlight on challenging aspects of its transition to power.
ECO CIRCLE
Discarded clothes and textiles take up a tremendous amount of space in landfills and have a major impact on the planet when incinerated. An innovative recycling technology introduced by Teijin can help make the clothes entirely sustainable.
Business Roundtable
Given the myriad challenges of today, now may seem an inopportune time to talk about Japan's future. The list of culprits is long and menacing: deep recession, ballooning public debt, demo-graphic change, political flux and competition from emerging economies. But could Japan's current economic crisis — the kind, as we are often reminded, that appears only once a century — also be an opportunity to set the country on a new course?
Not Scotch Mist
Few companies have emerged from the global downturn unscathed, but Scotland's whisky industry has proven relatively resilient — with increased exports to Japan. "It's an affordable luxury", says David Croll, who established Whisk-e...
