General Edition Sunday, April 17, 2005 Issue No. 323
+++ INDEX
- What's new
- Services lineup
- News
- Candidate roundup
- Upcoming events
- Property
- News credits
============= Proprius Investments Ltd. Seminar ==============
Presenting: How to Invest Profitably in U.S. Real Estate
Date: Tuesday, May 17th 2005
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Mitsubishi Bldg, 10F, Marunouchi, Tokyo
(Site map: http://www.scs.mec.co.jp/access)
For reservations and more info, go to: http://www.propriusltd.com
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Our commentary about the demonstrations in China not only turned out to be timely, but also generated a lot of reader response -- many thanks for this -- even though you didn't all agree with what we had to say. For those people who may be wondering, we'd like to emphasize that we are not apologists for what happened between Japan and China up to and during the Second World War, and clearly Nanjing and other events are the root cause of a lot of ill will. But at the same time, in a politically controlled society such as China, you can never look at events at just face value -- there is almost always a deeper agenda at work.
Our main point was about the vulnerability of Japanese companies. Japan is by far the largest investor in China, and by 2002 had pumped in US$36.34bn in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), or about 8.11% of China's total FDI up to that point. And now Japanese companies are starting to become targets. Just this weekend, thousands of workers staged a strike at a Japanese j/v electronics manufacturing plant in Dongwan City, Guandong. Then, Aeon, the Japanese supermarket giant, temporarily closed two of its Jusco outlets in Shenzen and Zhuhai, as a "precautionary measure". At the same time, the Japanese embassy has issued a travel warning, saying that further demonstrations are likely and Japanese citizens in China, all 300,000 (approximately) of them, should be careful.
As well as demonstrations, there is a growing call to boycott Japanese products, which is starting to become noticeable. Dealers of Japanese cars in Beijing say that in the last week, customer traffic is just 25% that of normal and that sales have dropped by 50%. Other reports say that Chinese companies are holding back on ordering Japanese products because they don't want to be targetted if things take a turn for the worse.
Then of course there are the hackers. Sony China had its web site defaced, and several Japanese government web sites were shut down by DDoS attacks in the last week. Expect a lot more reports of this kind of activity over the next few months...
Our take on the current turn of events is that Chinese government will tolerate the current minor harrassment of Japan and Japanese businesses for some time to come -- indeed, the Japanese may well become fair game for all kinds of disaffected and unhappy people -- so long as no one is killed. Last week, several young Japanese tourists were bashed in China, because they spoke in Japanese. This is probably the limit of what will be allowed.
If this hostile atmosphere is allowed to continue, it will start to impact the earnings of those companies targeted, and have possibly unexpected results. For a start, those companies attracted by the cheap labor will see the value of those savings erode, and thus SE Asia will start looking good again. Further, if the Chinese government senses that the demonstrations have the capacity to get out of hand -- in other words threaten the government itself, then we will see a quick and harsh put-down of the groups behind the demonstrations.
Lastly, our new PII newsletter this week features a series of articles about how to invest money into start-ups in Japan. As existing readers will know, our PII newsletter covers an eclectic variety of personal investment topics in Japan -- including property, low-cost financing, VC investing, and a bit later this year, stock investing (in Japan). You can sign up for a free email subscription at: http://www.japaninc.com/subscribe_news.html.
Written by yours truly (Terrie Lloyd).
...The Information Janitors/
============== AMT Group's Exclusive Semina ===============
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Total investment: JPY97,000. E-mail [email protected] for details and to register. And...for a FREE subscription to Andrew's Ax Leadership Development newsletter, e-mail [email protected]
http://www.amt-group.com
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Contact [email protected] if you want your company here.
- Personal International Investor -- a convenient source of ideas and information on how to invest profitably as an expat in Japan. Every Thursday, 48 weeks of the year. Completely free.
http://japaninc.typepad.com/personal_intl_investor/ - Advertise with Japan Inc newsletters. JIN and Terrie's Take cost just 2 yen per person to reach 50,000 people. Great for last minute offers and event advertising. [email protected]
- Get a low-cost office in Tokyo, at the Venture Gas Station incubator. Just JPY80,000/month, in Minami-Aoyama. Spaces closing fast -- enquire now. [email protected]
- J@pan Inc. magazine has gone quarterly. Subscriptions now just JPY3,600 a year. Sign up at
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==================== Banner Japan K.K. ===================
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- Article 9 to be revised
- New protein biochip
- Consumer confidence down
- Gozukon enhances immune system
- Gas exploration tiff gets worse
-> Article 9 to be revised
For the first time since the WWII, a government panel has been empowered to look at revising Article 9 of the Constitution, the section that has kept Japan essentially pacifist over the past 60 years. The biggest change to be created by the revision will be the formation of a regional security organization in Asia, of which Japan would be a major part. Expectations are that the panel will receive the authority needed to start drafting a bill in May of this year, to be put forward in a general referendum sometime in 2006. ***Ed: This is a major shift to the right for Japan, and was inconceivable even 5 years ago. In part, this is what is riling the Chinese [government].** (Source: TT commentary from yahoo.com, Apr 15, 2005)
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050415/kyodo/d89fipm80.html
-> New protein biochip
The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has announced a new biochip which can analyze up to one million drug samples per day, to help automate lab and patient testing. The new chip is essentially a wafer of glass carrying a dense grid of microscopic enzymes which react to drug samples and show up under fluorescent beams emitted by the chip. (Source: TT commentary from nikkei.co.jp, Apr 15, 2005)
http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/AC/TNKS/Nni20050415D15HH296.htm
-> Consumer confidence down
Japanese consumers have pretty much missed the boat on the global consumer spending boom of 2004-2005, and now in March they became even more depressed about their economic prospects than usual. According to government measurements,in February, confidence by consumers fell to 45.2 (from 47.6) in February. This is substantially down from a 13-year high in August of 49.2%. Given that over 50% of Japan's GDP is related to consumer spending, this factor is important in gauging the likely performance of of the economy and Japanese corporate investment levels over the next 12 months.***Ed: In other words, the outlook for consumer-driven recovery is not too optimistic.** (Source: TT commentary from bloomberg.com, Apr 15, 2005)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000101&sid=aXSjeS9ow2FU
-> Gozukon enhances immune system
Japanese research has confirmed that tradtional Japanese fermented foods, such as fermented sesame, soybeans, and seaweed, assist in boosting the human immune system. The researchers conducted tests on 41 human subjects, divided into test and control groups, and found that a plant lactic bacteria called Lactobacillus pentosus, nicknamed "Gozukon", increased the occurance of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes in the test group subjects by up to 40%. The researchers hope to use Gozukon for sufferers of allergies. (Source: TT commentary from nikkei.co.jp, Apr 15, 2005)
http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/AC/TNKS/Nni20050415D15HH259.htm
-> Gas exploration tiff gets worse
China has warned Japan to take "full responsibility" for any consequences if it continues to move ahead with plans to lease out claims in the disputed East China Sea area. The disputed area is likely to be sitting on a massive deposit of natural gas and oil, and China has been doing experimental drilling to assess its viability. According to the Nikkei, state-owned China National Offshore Oil, plans to start commercial drilling in August. (Source: TT commentary from nikkei.co.jp, Apr 15, 2005)
http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/AC/TNKS/Nni20050414D14JN372.htm
NOTE: Broken links Many online news sources are now removing their articles after just a few days of posting them, thus breaking our links -- we apologize for the inconvenience.
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DaiJob, Inc's executive placement team, AMBITION Consulting
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DaiJob has great candidates. Contact Alex Burr at [email protected], or Ph: 03-3499-3040 for details.
-> Sales/Marketing Manager
Male, early 40s, Japanese, Fluent English
- 20 yrs Sales/Marketing exp in major food/beverage company
- Expertise in business planning, market research, product development, brand management, media & promotion plans
- Manage account settlements, budget, tax, audit correspondence
- Experience of in-house formulation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
* Looking for JPY10M. Available within one month
--------------------------------------------
-> HR Manager
Female, early 40s, Native Japanese, Fluent English
Experience:
- 5 yrs Management role
- Solid exp with SAP implementation support(SAP R/3)
- Conduct SAP R3 training program; trained 400 members
- Windows SQL, Cisco router
- PBX (NEC) for 6 years
* Looking for JPY9M. Available in May
--------------------------------------------
-> Business Development Manager - Telecom/Mobile
Male, early 30s, Japanese, Business level English
Experience:
- 4yrs Biz Dev. Mrg in mobile content
- Strong relationship with major carriers in Japan, US, EU & Latin America
- Negotiated & managed licenses for characters and artists
- Acquired 100K subscribers in 3yrs; awarded 7th most accessed site from i-mode users among 3K sites
* Looking for JPY7.5M. Available at 4 weeks notice
Contact Alex Burr at [email protected], or
Ph: 03-3499-3040 for details.
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DaiJob's executive placement team, AMBITION Consulting!
======================= Book Promotion ==================
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+++ UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
---------- Information Management Network -----------------
Japan Cup of Investment Management - May, 2005 * Tokyo
The Japan Cup of Investment Management is an outstanding educational and networking program for institutional investors throughout Asia. This year's program will begin with an inside look at the investment practices of pension plans in Asia and around the world. The afternoon will focus on such timely topics as the move to free-float, portable alpha strategies and alternative investments, indexing for hedge funds, asset/liability management, global fixed income strategies and transitioning international portfolios. Join over 400 attendees to hear the industry's leading experts in investment management.
For additional information, go to www.imn.org/etm738/jie
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============= Proprius Investments Ltd. Seminar =============
Presenting: How to Invest Profitably in U.S. Real Estate
Date: Tuesday, May 17th 2005
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Mitsubishi Bldg, 10F, Marunouchi, Tokyo
(Site map: http://www.scs.mec.co.jp/access)
For reservations and more info, go to:
http://www.propriusltd.com
======================================================
==================== ICA EVENT ========================
Special Joint Round Table Discussion on Mobile Technology
TOPIC: "Telematics: Consumer Applications Take-off with 3G Mobile"
RSVP required complete event details at www.icajapan.jp/
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2005
Time: 6:30 Doors open, buffet dinner included
Cost: 3,000 yen (members), 5,500 yen (non-members), Open to all - Location is Foreign Correspondents'
Club http://www.fccj.or.jp/static/aboutus/map.php
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______________________________________________________
IT events announcements are priced at JPY50,000 per week.
For more information, contact [email protected]
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-> OXYGEN Apartments
Located in the heights of Spring Hill, these new contempory apartments are conveniently located within easy access of Brisbane city. Yet, they provide escape from the city hustle and bustle, thanks to grassy lawns,waterfalls, and the outdoor living of balconies and swimming pools. There are three blocks that comprise the Oxygen experience: Cityview, Parkview and Skyline. Each block has a different outlook: Cityview looks across the city skyline, Parkview has a northerly aspect over the Village Green, and Skyline offers urban convenience, thanks to shops, cafes, and offices tenanting its lower levels.
We now have a 124 m2 apartment in Oxygen for only $395,000. The high-quality finished dwelling includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, wide open living and dining areas, and an entertainer's kitchen. Downstairs, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in one of two swimming pools or relax in the spa or sauna. There is also a fully equipped gymnasium.
* Photos at http://japaninc.typepad.com/australian_properties_e/
E-mail us at [email protected] for more details on any property listed here.
========== JETRO Business Japanese Proficiency Test ==========
(The JETRO Test)
Seeking a job or hoping to advance your career in a Japanese company? Do you know how well you communicate in Japanese in a business setting? The JETRO Test is designed to objectively measure and evaluate your ability to communicate in a variety of business situations. Applications are now being accepted for the next JETRO Test this June 19th.
For more information, please visit:http://www.jetro.go.jp/jetrotest/
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END
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