The magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan
February 2014
You Only Vote Twice
Possible changes to the BCCJ constitution will be presented at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 5 March.
January 2014
Galloping Ahead
I hope everyone is ready for the challenges ahead during the Year of the Horse—which is apparently going to be a powerful yet relaxed year.
December 2013
Strategic Alliances
The launch of the Export to Japan website is a concrete example of the BCCJ's core mission.
November 2013
Remember, Remember the Month of November
I would like to say what a privilege and pleasure it is to be president of such a growing, vibrant and successful chamber.
October 2013
Opportunity Knocks
The invitation to the BCCJ from UK Trade & Investment to join the government’s Strengthening Overseas Business Networks programme has created a great deal of excitement.
September 2013
Food, Glorious Food
Anyone who has spent any time in the UK over the last 20 years will acknowledge a revolution in British food.
August 2013
The Sounds of Success
In both Japan and the UK, summer now means music. The UK this year celebrated a magnificent Glastonbury Festival blessed with sunshine (a rarity) and the Rolling Stones’ first performance in the festival’s 43-year history. The festival headline band was, for the first time, English folk rock group Mumford & Sons.
July 2013
Unleashing Creativity
The UK and Japan share a rich creative heritage that includes architects, musicians, filmmakers, video game developers, fashion designers and technologists across a broad range of industries.
June 2013
65 Years Young
Thank you to everyone who attended Professor Ian Neary’s fascinating talk on Shinzo Abe’s return, titled “A New Dynamism or a New Dead End”, at the Shangri-La hotel last month.
May 2013
More of the Same … But Different
Welcome to another BCCJ year and thank you to everyone who has supported my re-election to the Executive Committee.
December 2012
My Favourite Numbers
The BCCJ 2012 British Business Awards (BBA) were the culmination of months of hard work and careful planning.
November 2012
The British Chamber of Commerce (in Japan)
“In Japan”. The two words are part of the BCCJ name.
However, they are two words that we often do not spend much time considering when we discuss the chamber.
October 2012
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).
August 2012
Diversity in Our DNA
"Two Wheels + Testosterone”, announced our July cover and, while I thoroughly enjoyed the fascinating article, I would like to point out that our members with oestrogen are equally welcome to enjoy Triumph’s superb motorbikes.
June 2012
Events and Task Forces Behind BCCJ Strength
The BCCJ looks to another promising year.
May 2012
New Year, New Face for BCCJ
Welcome to a new BCCJ year—and from a new face on the president’s page. It is both an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve you, the members, as president of the BCCJ for the 2012–13 chamber year.
April 2012
Spring Is in The Air
The weather is improving, sakura are beginning to blossom and there is, dare I say it, a sense of change in the Japanese economy. The unexpected intervention by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) on St Valentine’s Day surprised the markets, not with a box of chocolates but another slug of quantitative easing that has set the yen on a weakening trend.
March 2012
What a Difference a Year Makes
As the BCCJ year reaches a close on 31 March, it is interesting to reflect on what went before and to see what lessons can be learned as the next 12 months begin to unfold for the chamber.
February 2012
Blue Sky Thinking
I am sitting at my desk trying to think of a suitable title for this column. Behind me is one of those magical, blue Tokyo winter skies that makes you want to get out and walk in the cold, crisp air.
January 2012
New Year, New Challenges
This year started in fine form with the news that Ambassador David Warren was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 2012 New Year Honours (see page 16). Sir David said he was “delighted that so many members and former members of the embassy team were also recognised in the list (and in honorary awards) for what they did in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami”.
December 2011
That Was the Year That Was …
The year 2011 will go down in the annals of history for many things, including natural and financial disasters. It also saw, however, new beginnings such as the re-invigoration of the BCCJ under the stewardship of new Executive Director Lori Henderson, who came on board in February.
November 2011
Congratulations and Thanks!
The event marking the fourth British Business Awards was held in fine style at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo on 4 November. The much-anticipated annual occasion was a celebration of all that is great in the Japan–UK relationship for organisations operating here.
October 2011
BBA: Great Way to End a Tough Year
I am delighted to see so many nominations coming in for each of the five categories of the 4th annual British Business Awards. The winners will be announced on 4 November at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo. And, in the meantime, the judges are working hard to select the best entrant for each award. The deadline for nominations is 14 October, but reservations to book your seats or table are still open until 24 October (see page 8).
September 2011
An Autumn to Look Forward to
With summer coming to a close, what can you look forward to as we enter the final third of the year? Our events programme has some exciting speakers signed up until the end of the Chamber year in March, so please see our schedule on the BCCJ website.
August 2011
True Value of Winning and Helping
So what is the value of winning recognition from the British Business Awards (BBA)? It is not just attending a glittering event and being presented with a unique piece of sculpture, but much more. It is acknowledgement that, among your peers, you are judged to be the best in class for the work your firm or organisation does in the Japan marketplace. Marketing is what we do to promote ourselves, our firms, products and services.
July 2011
You Have to Be in It to Win It!
I am delighted to report that nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 BCCJ British Business Awards (BBA). The annually awarded prizes recognise excellence, promote success and innovation across all industry sectors, and acknowledge the important social contributions made by organisations through their commitment to the community, ethical behaviour and environmental sustainability.
June 2011
Cool Place for Business
Super Cool Biz—that is the latest government catch phrase to encourage office workers to dress down in the upcoming summer season. The wearing of sandals and aloha shirts will become the order of the day so that air-conditioning units can be set at 29C to lower power consumption.
May 2011
Getting Back to Business
The cherry blossom season has come and gone, leading to further seasonal change. Just as in nature, the renewal that has started in the chamber allows us to look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
April 2011
BCCJ Role in Japan Recovery
When the BCCJ launched its 3R CSR project in mid February, no one had an inkling of the dramatic events that would unfold almost one month later. The 3R initiative now takes on a whole new meaning—the rebirth, renewal and regeneration of Japan.
March 2011
New Beginnings
March is traditionally the month of renewal and awakening from the depths of winter, and nowhere is this more evident than at the BCCJ. It seems like no time at all since I took over as president last April.
