Category Archives: Japan

June 13, 2016

Panasonic ends production of LCD (TV) panels in Japan!

By GBMC
PANASONIC's VIERA-x1-LCD-series

PANASONIC’s VIERA-x1-LCD-series

 

“Panasonic Corp. has decided to withdraw from TV panel production amid fierce competition from foreign rivals, in particular in China and South Korea, company sources said Tuesday.

The Osaka-based company will end production at its sole liquid crystal display plant in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, by the end of September, as it expects no improvement in its profitability.

Panasonic’s withdrawal will leave Sharp Corp. as the sole Japanese electronics maker making LCD panels for TVs in Japan.

Although Panasonic will halt TV panel production, it will continue making LCD TVs using panels procured from manufacturers in South Korea and elsewhere, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Panasonic will continue producing LCD panels for other purposes and bolster the LCD businesses for vehicles and medical devices, where growth is expected.”  (Japan Times)

 

Another blow for Audio-Video & Electronics Manufacturing in Japan! Is this a business of the past? What do you think?

 

Read more from:  Panasonic ends production of LCD (TV) panels in Japan!

 

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June 6, 2016

French Tech Tokyo : a bridge to the new “Start up Republic”?

By GBMC
La French Tech (source maddyness)

La French Tech (source – Maddyness)

“In recent years, the French startup ecosystem has enjoyed incredible momentum, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs, investors, engineers, designers and many other talented individuals. France has been called a new “Startup Republic”, dotted with thriving hubs and talent that are vehicles for a robust entrepreneurial mindset. 

This domestic momentum has a name – “French Tech” – and French startups are rallying around this emblematic moniker. The ecosystem is developing very quickly and there is no doubt that France has now reached a tipping point. 

This can be easily seen in Paris with its numerous innovation stakeholders, and where a strong political will acts as a driving force. The city is quite simply bubbling with activity, with over 40 business incubators, 80 coworking spaces, 20 fab labs, close from 1,500 startups being set up annually, and a growing number of success stories. Today, there is an exceptionally strong impetus in Paris and this has been acknowledged and heralded by international rankings. 

For example, it is the world’s leading city for intellectual capital and innovation (PwC Cities of Opportunity, May 2014) and it is now the leader in Europe for the vibrancy of its innovation market as regards the amount of fundraising and number of transactions. Lastly, it appears in the top six world tech cities (CB Insights, “The Next Silicon Valley”, November 2014).”    (La French Tech Tokyo Hub)

Interested in investing or joining?

More details from: http://tokyo.lafrenchtech.com

 

 

 

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May 30, 2016

Japon: Payer pour pouvoir prêter: le monde à l’envers?

By GBMC
10000-yen-note

10000-yen-note

Pourquoi les investisseurs adorent prêter au Japon sur 30 ans

“Désespérés par la politique de taux d’intérêt négatifs de la Banque centrale du Japon, les investisseurs misent sur les seuls titres affichant encore un rendement positif dans l’Archipel. Prêter de l’argent à l’État pour 30 ans… à 0,319 % d’intérêts par an? Au Japon, les investisseurs se battent pour avoir le privilège de percevoir ce rendement pourtant minime. Seuls les titres de plus 15 ans affichent encore un rendement positif dans l’Archipel. ”  (Le Figaro – MSN France)

Japon: Payer pour pouvoir prêter: le monde à l’envers? Bien entendu, tout est à long terme dans le Pays du Soleil Levant mais quand même! Qu’en pensez-vous?

Plus de détails sur:  Japon: Payer pour pouvoir prêter: le monde à l’envers?

 

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Business, Invest, Japan

May 30, 2016

Toyota invests in computer science and human-machine interaction aiming at reducing highway injuries and fatalities

By GBMC
AI (Picture - micronobal.com)

AI (Picture – micronobal.com)

 

“Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced on September 4, 2015 that it would invest approximately $50 million over the next 5 years to establish joint research centers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University  to broaden its focus on computer science and human-machine interaction with an immediate goal of reducing highway injuries and fatalities.

As we age, mobility becomes more challenging; and larger segments of society are unable to drive or move freely. Also, the demands on healthcare systems and those who support the physically infirm continue to increase. Toyota believes the opportunities to improve every-day living through artificial intelligence supported technologies are boundless, with significant breakthrough potential for the development of life-saving intelligent vehicles and life-improving robots.”  (Toyota Newsroom)

 

 

Is Artificial Intelligence Research the key to our future challenges? What is your take on this?

More details from:

http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/9233109/

https://livestream.com/Toyota/PressConference

 

 

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May 23, 2016

Retail News: GAP to close all 53 Old Navy stores in Japan!!

By GBMC
GAP (Picture - MSN and BFM News)

GAP (Picture – MSN and BFM News)

 

“Gap Inc., under pressure to turn around operations amid a prolonged sales slump, said it plans to close all its Old Navy stores in Japan and some Banana Republics mostly outside of North America by the end of its business year.” (Wall Street Journal)

“Gap Inc said Thursday that it is shuttering 75 Old Navy and Banana Republic stores outside North America as the struggling company looks to focus on regions where it sees it has the greatest potential for success. The closures include all 53 Old Navy stores in Japan. The closures represent just a fraction of the over 3,700 stores it operates globally. Gap has long been struggling, unable to get shoppers to buy its clothes without offering big discounts” (Japan Today)

“Ces dernières semaines, les entreprises du secteur du prêt-à-porter ont annoncé des résultats tous plus mauvais les uns que les autres, qui ont fait lourdement chuter leurs titres en Bourse. Elles pâtissent de la concurrence des vendeurs en ligne dont les politiques commerciales sont plébiscitées par les consommateurs. Gap, fondé il y a 47 ans, doit aussi affronter les fers de lance de la “fast retail” que sont H&M, Zara et Uniqlo qui renouvellent fréquemment leurs collections afin de coller aux goûts d’un public adolescent porté sur les achats sur l’internet.”  (BFM Business/MSN)

 

GAP has been operating in Japan for a while. It is probably good news for rivals like UNIQLO, Zara, H&M and others. So, will it make a difference in the very dynamic Japanese Apparel/Retail landscape or is it going to be “business as usual” for the Japanese consumers? What do you think?

 

Read more from:

http://www.msn.com/fr-fr/finance/actualite/d%c3%a9cision-drastique-de-gap-au-japon/ar-BBtgAi1?ocid=spartanntp

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/gap-to-close-75-stores-outside-north-america-including-53-old-navy-stores-in-japan

http://www.wsj.com/articles/gap-to-close-old-navy-in-japan-withdraws-earnings-forecast-1463689009

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Business, Japan

May 16, 2016

World’s first ocean cleaning system to be deployed in 2016!

By GBMC
Ocean Cleaning System (Picture - The Ocean Cleanup)

Ocean Cleaning System (Picture – The Ocean Cleanup)

 

“The world’s first system to passively clean up plastic pollution from the world’s oceans is to be deployed in Japan in 2016! The coastal array will be the first time an operational Ocean Cleanup system is to be deployed in the ocean. Spanning 2000 meters (and with a barrier length of over 2300m), it will become the longest floating structure ever deployed on the oceans, even though this will be just 2% of the full scale structure. Deployment is expected in Q2 2016. On May 20 2015, The Ocean Cleanup and the city government of Tsushima (a Japanese island which lies between Japan and Korea) jointly agreed to conduct research to bring the world’s first Ocean Cleanup array to Tsushima Island.”   (The Ocean Cleanup website)

 

Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup:

“Taking care of the world’s ocean garbage problem is one of the largest environmental challenges mankind faces today”

 

Great Project!

More details from:  http://www.theoceancleanup.com/blog/show/item/worlds-first-ocean-cleaning-system-to-be-deployed-in-2016.html

 

 

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Environment, Japan, Technology

May 2, 2016

Work Perks in Japan: be creative in compensating your staff!

By GBMC
10000-yen-note

10000-yen-note

 

“Although salary may still be the first thing job seekers look at when scanning potential positions, perks and benefits are being increasingly recognised as crucial ways for companies to attract and retain staff, as well as keep employees happy and productive. While generous expat packages for even mid-level employees at foreign firms in Tokyo may be a distant bubble-era memory, both local and overseas companies are finding creative ways to compensate workers ….  As bonuses have become less variable and salaries have evened out, benefits have become more important than ever.”    (Source: EUROBIZ Newsletter)

 

Basic salary vs Bonus vs Perks/Benefits? What are your expectations? What is the trend in your Japan office? Is your company innovating in that field? What are your preferences and why?

 

Read more from:  http://eurobiz.jp/feature/work-perks/

 

 

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April 25, 2016

EU-Japanese Teams (2) shortlisted for UK Railways Projects !!!

By GBMC
JTREC trains (Source - JTREC website)

JTREC trains (Source – JTREC website)

 

 

  1. Dutch-Japanese team shortlisted to compete for West Midlands (UK) Franchise:

“The U.K. Department for Transport (DfT) announced on 7 April 2016 that three bidders have been shortlisted for the West Midlands passenger franchise, including West Midlands Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Abellio Transport Holding (Dutch national passenger rail operator (NS) Group), with JR East and Mitsui & Co. as minority partners. The new operator will take over the franchise in October 2017, with the contract award expected to be made in June 2017.

The DfT also announced that the consortium of JR East and Mitsui & Co. has been awarded a new Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Passport, which enables the consortium to express interest in franchises for the next four years, in an easier and less cumbersome way.”  (Source: JR East Newsletter #20)

For further information, please check:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-train-companies-shortlisted-to-compete-for-west-midlands-franchise

 

2. Franco-Japanese team shortlisted for new trains in Liverpool (UK):

 

“Merseytravel, an executive body that provides professional, strategic and operational transport advice to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, announced on 11 January 2016 that five bidders including a team composed of  French and Japanese companies have been shortlisted for a contract to supply around 50 EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) for the Merseyrail network.

The Franco-Japanese team is composed of Mitsui, a major Japanese trading company, J-TREC, JR East’s subsidiary rolling stock manufacturing company, and France’s Alstom.

Bids are due to be submitted by the end of April and a preferred bidder will be identified towards the end of the year. The project is likely to cost around £400m.

This joint action between French and Japanese companies is the first of its kind in the European Union, and concrete business results are expected.”     (Source: JR East Newsletter #19)

For more information about J-TREC, please click:  http://www.j-trec.co.jp/eng/index.html

The official announcement by Merseytravel can be accessed from:  http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/about-us/media-centre/news/Pages/Another-step-towards-new-Merseyrail-trains-as-bidder-shortlist-announced.aspx

 

Congratulations! Great to see EU-Japan Industrial Cooperation and breakthroughs in the highly sensitive Railways Sector !!!  What do you think?

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Business, EU, Invest, Japan, Technology

April 18, 2016

GBMC speaking at the MEDEF Executive Club Conference! Join us!

By GBMC
Doing Business with Japan

Doing Business with Japan

“Comment réussir votre développement international au Japon”

 

organised in Paris by the MEDEF Ile-de-France (French Federation of Companies) on wednesday May 11, 2016.

 

More details about the Conference itself (in French):

” Eric BERGER, Président du MEDEF Ile-de-France, et Michel JONQUERES, Président de la Commission Internationale,

ont le plaisir de vous convier au Petit Déjeuner de l’Executive Club du MEDEF Ile-de-France sur le thème :

« Comment réussir votre développement international au Japon »

le mercredi 11 mai 2016 de 8h30 à 10h30

au Club (niveau -1)

10, rue du Débarcadère – Paris 17ème

avec la participation de :

• Yoichi SUZUKI, Ambassadeur du Japon en France

« Le commerce franco-japonais »

• Philippe HUYSVELD, spécialiste du Japon, membre de Global Business and Management Consulting (GBMC)

« A faire et à ne pas faire pour votre réussite commerciale au Japon »

• Jean-Charles CROUIN, Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur de la France (section Japon), Président de la Commission Asie du

CNCCEF

« Un entrepreneur français au Japon »

 

If you are interested in joining us for the conference, please fill in and send back the form hereunder:

 

COUPON-REPONSE

Merci de confirmer votre présence en nous renvoyant le coupon-réponse par courrier, accompagné de

votre chèque de règlement à l’ordre du MEDEF Ile-de-France avant le vendredi 6 mai 2016 à l’adresse :

MEDEF Ile-de-France – Service Communication – 251, boulevard Pereire – 75852 PARIS Cedex 17

Mme/M. : ……………………………………………………… Société : ………………………………………………..……….……

Fonction :……………………………………………………… Tél. : ……………………E-mail : ……………………………….…..

Ο   Assistera au petit déjeuner 

Ο   N’assistera pas au petit déjeuner

PARTICIPATION : 30 € TTC

(votre inscription sera prise en compte uniquement après règlement)

Pour toute information : service Presse et Communication au : 01 40 55 12 43 / 51 ou secretariat@medef-idf.fr

 

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Business, Cross-cultural, Invest, Japan

April 18, 2016

Japan’s Electricity Market deregulated: the end of an era?

By GBMC
Electricity Market in Japan

Electricity Market in Japan

 

“Japan’s power utilities have lost their monopoly over electricity on Friday April 1st in an unprecedented shakeup that could give a much needed jolt to Japan’s long stagnant economy.

Already, a price war has broken out among many of the more than 260 companies that will be allowed to sell electricity in Japan’s $70 billion retail market. From April 1, Japanese consumers will be able to buy electricity from suppliers ranging from telecoms conglomerate Softbankand trading firm Marubeni to travel agency H.I.S. and a Hokkaido-based supermarket co-operative that has branched out into solar parks.

They and others like Japan’s biggest city gas operator, Tokyo Gas are packaging other services, offering loyalty programs and advertising them.

The new entrants are betting they can make money in a low-margin business by undercutting the monopolies brought low financially by the Fukushima disaster and saddled with a high-cost business model after decades of guaranteed profits.

The government is hoping increased competition in the final remaining restricted part of the electricity market will boost efficiency and innovation and cut prices that are among the highest in the world.

But the new entrants are competing for space in a market in long-term decline as the population falls and consumers from factories to households look to trim power use.

What is more likely to happen is regional monopolies would merge and relatively few of the newcomers would survive the coming battle for market share.”  (Reuters)

 

The page has been turned: this is definitely good news for Japanese consumers and this should also work in favour of further deployment of Renewable Energies in Japan! What do you think?

Read more from:  Japan Electricity deregulated: the end of an era?

 

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , | posted in Business, Japan, Social, Technology

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