|  Readdressing
the Work-Play Balance
Not so long ago, for every twinge you felt in your
back, for every sniffle of a cold, or when you felt
a little fed up with life, you would make an appointment
with your local doctor. The number of different medical
approaches to keeping a healthy body and mind can
at times seem overwhelming, and for every complaint
a number of alternative medicines claim to provide
the solution. ...
|
 International
Company Having a Positive Impact on Society
The 21st century has brought with it a multitude of
challenges for mankind. Not only are the planet’s
natural eco-systems being stretched to breaking point,
society is being ravaged by a raft of issues too. Fortunately,
some companies are getting proactive and facing up to
their social and environmental responsibilities. ... |
 Boston
Red Sox-themed Bar in Kyoto
It’s a hot summer night and I’m happily
drinking an ice-cold Samuel Adams. I’m surrounded
by t-shirts bearing names like Ortiz, Ramirez, and Pedroia.
My friendly bartender and I are talking about the Red
Sox game this week and discussing their chances of going
all the way this year. Previously, this was a scene
which could only have happened in my native New England.
... |
 Pie
Maker Brings British Tastes to Japan
Gerry O’DONNELL’s resume makes interesting
reading. Born in Newcastle in the north of England,
he left home for London at 19 and has since traveled
the world, taking in some 40 countries. In that time
he’s been a miner, a freelance writer, a lecturer,
a taxi driver, and even a slaughterhouse worker among
other things. ... |
 Company
Director Enjoys her Dream Job
“I’m
enjoying my life doing a job I want to do,” announcer
and director of SUCCEED Inc, ONO Keiko, says with a
smile. You may not know ONO, but you have possibly heard
her voice at places like vending machines and your bank’s
automated telephone message system. ... |
 Indian
Software Developer Breaking into Japan
SmartData Enterprises was founded in Silicon Valley,
California, USA in 1996 by current president Dr. Sanjai
TIWARI. Today, the company has a staff of 300 in offices
in the US and India providing offshore software development
services that include Internet, database and e-commerce
development. So how did Sanjai grow smartData into the
success it is today? ... |
 The
First and Biggest Q&A Site in Japan
When you want to know something, what do you do? Have
you ever had the experience of becoming confused by
an overload of information after searching for something
on the Internet? In such case OKWave’s Q&A
site is very useful. Anyone can easily take advantage
of the site for any problem, ranging from small matters
to life counseling. ... |
 Welcome
Furoshiki – 25 Years Serving Newcomers to Japan
What with the different language, different culture
and often no family or friends to turn to for support,
moving to Japan can be a daunting prospect. Thanks to
the people at Welcome Furoshiki, however, it needn’t
be. Welcome Furoshiki is a non-profit ommunity service
that provides new foreign residents to Japan in the
Tokyo-Yokohama and Osaka-Kobe metropolitan areas with
essential information for making the most of their new
surroundings. ... |
 Young
Entrepreneur Succeeding in the Travel Industry
At present one company is receiving much attention in
the online travel business – Tabi Capital Corp
led by 25-year-old president, YOSHIMURA Hideki. Mr.
Yoshimura set up Valcom Co. Ltd. in 2003 while he was
a student of the University of Tokyo, and launched domestic
travel site “Airs Gate.” He later expanded
his company and in 2007 set up holding company Tabi
Capital (company capital: 12.5 million yen), and branched
out into overseas travel. ... |
 Financial
Consulting for Retirement
As the number of retiring baby boomers in Japan increases,
we are faced with a number of financial considerations.
These days there are fewer young people around to support
their parents in retirement. Furthermore, the Japanese
bank rate is near zero and the Social Insurance Agency
has not inspired a lot of confidence recently. Under
such circumstances, a financial consulting company can
be your reliable partner. ... |
 Rapidly
Growing with the Needs of Mobile Phone Users
Recently a mobile phone Web site called “Mobage”
is gaining in popularity. Since it appeared in 2006,
its subscribers have grown to number more than 10 million
and numbers still continue to increase. The provider
of the service is DeNA Co., Ltd. (CEO, NAMBA Tomoko).
... |
 Mobile
Music Application Development on the Move
Wherever you travel by train in Japan’s major
cities, you will see hundreds of people listening to
their favorite music on their iPods and other musical
devices. While it is widely known that most of the major
mobile phone companies sell downloadable music, were
you aware that a foreign-run company was one of the
first to launch an official music download service on
all three major Japanese carriers? ... |
 Promoting
Overseas Musicians in Japan
If you’ve been to Fuji Rock over the last few
years, chances are you’ve seen some of the artists
Douglas ALLSOPP and Buffalo Records have helped make
popular in Japan. Launched in 2000 and based in the
laid-back setting of Kamakura, Buffalo Records is a
record label that primarily licenses albums and releases
them in Japan, as well as working with promoters to
bring their artists over to Japan for festivals such
as Fuji Rock and for concert tours. ... |
 The
First Canyoning Adventure Company in Japan
If you ever have an urge to throw yourself off a cliff
into a canyon or waterfall, there is a dangerous way
and a safe way to do so. Canyons, an outdoor adventure
company run by New Zealander Mike HARRIS, offer a wide
range of outdoor adventure tours throughout the four
seasons – and can demonstrate how to jump off
a cliff safely and come back alive to tell the tale.
... |
 SNS
– You can Enjoy International Exchange at Home
Many people want to be friends with other people around
the world! Now that dream can come true easily through
the Internet. If you are interested in skiing, just
click “ski enthusiasts,” and you will see
a list of ski enthusiasts by region, with photos. In
order to take advantage of this site, you are required
to create an Internet profile, however your privacy
will be protected and no registration fee is charged.
... |
 Moved
to Tokyo & Started Business in 3 Months!
If someone asked you to pack your bags and move to the
other side of the planet, locate and completely refit
new business premises while dealing with frustrating
communication hurdles, and open your doors to customers
in only 90 days, would you think the person was absolutely
crazy? ... |
 Popular
10 Language Internet Shopping Mall
A new website has recently been launched that allows
you to find food and daily use products – very
possibly from your country – that are not readily
available in Japan, as well as hot Japanese products
and items that are suitable for souvenirs. Better still,
information about the items is displayed in 10 languages:
Japanese, English, German, Russian, Chinese, Italian,
Korean, Spanish, Turkish and Portuguese. ... |
 Today
Decides Tomorrow
When Patrick NEWELL and his wife Ikuko learned how much
it was going to cost to send their children to an international
school in Tokyo, they did what no one would have expected
– they built their own school. ... |
 Achieving
Top Rank listings in Search Engines using SEO
Recently, TV programs and commercials have begun displaying
search engine boxes containing keywords to help people
find the advertising company’s website on the
Internet. It has now become common practice for people
to search for information using the Internet. To take
advantage of this trend, it has become very important
for companies to be highly ranked on the major search
engines such as Google and Yahoo as a prominent ranking
will greatly affect their sales. ... |
 Succeeding
at "Selling Snow to Eskimos"
With approximately 5.6 million vending machines already
spread throughout the land, you might think that setting
up a company operating vending machines in Japan would
be as logical as trying to sell snow to an Eskimo. Brian
TANNURA’s story will make you think again. ... |
 Company
Stating ‘We Need Foreign Staff’ Made Me
Decide to Work There
Aplix Corporation is a leading Java technology company
that produces software for use in cellular phones and
digital electrical appliances. To the company’s
credit, communications giant NTT DoCoMo is using a Java
function developed by Aplix, which is an international
enterprise that supplies software to foreign cellular
phone manufacturers as well. ... |
 Large
Leap of Faith to Set up Specialized Ski Site
It takes a lot of courage to give up a good job and
follow a dream, but that is exactly what Neil RILEY
did when he swapped his finance job in Tokyo for an
entrepreneurial life in Echigo-Yuzawa. ... |
 American
Man Opens Ramen Shop in Japan!
Ramen, originally brought to Japan from China, has long
been familiar to Japanese people due to its popular
taste and cheap price. The dish, comprising noodles
in a unique broth combined with other ingredients, has
experienced such a big boom in Japan that in Tokyo,
competition has been fierce between ramen from different
areas with different tastes and broths. ... |
 Job
Support Service for Non-Japanese Launched in Japan
The size of Japan’s labor pool is decreasing.
The combined trends of a shrinking birthrate and an
increasing number of elderly people have now become
a serious issue. According to a survey carried out by
Nikkei Shimbun (newspaper) in 2006, 40% of Japanese
companies answered that they are short of workers. ... |
 Proud
to Show Kimono and Obi Designs to the World
There are many “machiya” in Kyoto. A machiya
is a wooden house with a narrow but deep frontage that
also doubles as a shop at the same time. Since machiya
are usually built very close to neighbors’ houses,
one of their distinct characteristics is that they have
an earth floor and a courtyard in order to maximize
the amount of light and breeze entering each room. ... |
 Foreign
Women Home Helpers Supporting Japan’s Welfare
Community
“How was it?” says MOTOYAMA
Roselle, a Philippino woman working as a home helper
at a special Tokyo nursing home for the elderly called
“Silver Wing” as she talks cheerfully to
an elderly woman she is bathing. Philippino women are
known for their caring nursing skills and have subsequently
become vital laborers in Japan’s welfare nursing
industry. ... |
 Tokyo
Kids Gaining IT and English Skills
Kids' inquisitive minds and quick learning abilities
very often surprise - and sometimes shock - mums and
dads. But if your children are spending too much time
playing computer games and not enough time learning,
there is a way to pull them back in line and onto something
that will benefit them - and maybe even you! ... |
 Japan
has one of the Highest Design Traditions
Galvani Creative Co., Ltd, produces a diverse range
of media including multimedia products, TV, print, websites,
videos, photography, advertising, packaging and much
more. ... |
 Tokyo
Government's Free Business Support Services for Non-Japanese
Starting a business is always a risk and it may be especially
daunting in Japan if you are unfamiliar with the legalities,
logistics and language. This doesn't mean it is impossible
or you shouldn't dive in, but where do you start? ... |
 Is
Your Company "English OK"?
In 2004, Dave MORI and Marc BEARDSLEY, an innovative
pair Canadian entrepreneurs, launched English OK!, an
English training and promotion company targeting Japan's
hospitality industry. ... |
 Lessons
from the Shop Japan Success Story
How did a company launched by a "couple of gaijin
in Nagoya" find their rhythm and end up with 230
full-time employees, several very profitable subsidiaries,
a 200-booth call center with over 400 contract employees,
and after-tax earnings in 2005 of US$23 million? ...
|
 Learning
the Importance of Trust - Cleaning up in Persian Organic
Soap Sales
OKAKURA Tenshin (1862~1913), an artist and philosopher
who lived in the Meiji Era, preached to people that
"Asia is one." In fact, Asia is large. It
covers area from Japan in the east to the Middle East
in the west, and many different races and cultures coexist
side by side. ... |
 Keeping
Traditional Japanese Crafts Alive
Shokuninn.com, a bilingual English/Japanese Web business
founded by president SAKURAI Shinya in September 2004,
acts as a bridge between traditional Japanese craftsmen
and artisans, and anyone around the world who has an
appreciation of quality Japanese arts and products.
... |
 Cosmetics
Supported by Geisha Gain Popularity
When Japan’s top geisha prepare for a party, they
rely on one company — Chidoriya. An international
success story, this family business sells traditional,
organic products and beautiful accessories to both working
geisha and elegant ladies worldwide. ... |
 'One
of Japan’s Largest Internet Job Media —DIP—
has Started Providing Job Information to Non-Japanese
Housing and job information are among the most important
things foreigners need for living in Japan. Hiragana
Times is providing this information on its website and
in terms of job information for non-Japanese, the company
is tying up with DIP Corporation, which operates one
of Japan’s largest internet job media. ... |
 Japanese
are pragmatic and sensitive to change!
When a company is in serious trouble, the management
may have to choose between undergoing a restructuring,
or even worse, bankruptcy. But when many people think
of restructuring or “corporate turnarounds”
as they are sometimes called, they automatically picture
mass job cuts, bitterness and misery. ... |
 Speed
Dating Gaining Popularity Among Westerners in Japan
Stylishly single but not loving it? Loud bars and personal
adverts not your style? There’s no need to stress
out — there’s a slick new strategy in town
to combat your dating drought and it’s only one
step away. ... |
 Vacuum
Cleaner Revolution Launched in Japan
Vacuum cleaners have never really captured peoples'
attention like they do now. Dyson, a British company,
is leading the vacuum cleaner revolution and while its
products are known for their efficiency, there is a
fascinating story behind the company's success. ... |
 Too
Hot! - Japanese Paper-wear about to Burn up the Market
One of great Japanese products is fine Japanese paper,
which is used in many kinds of products. Among these,
perhaps the most well-known use of paper is "shoji"
which is used in Japanese houses. Shoji is a sliding
door made of latticed wood into which Japanese paper
is pasted. ... |
 “There’s
Nothing Like a Taste of Home”
When Chuck GRAFFT, CEO and Founder of the Kobebased
Foreign Buyers’ Club (FBC), wants a taste of home,
he doesn’t have to buy an air ticket and fly there.
In fact the San Francisco-native doesn’t even
have to go shopping. ... |
 A
Moving Restaurant with no Set Menu
YOSHIDA Tomonori, a Yokosuka, Kanagawa-born Japanese
chef and owner of "Kimagureya," does not focus
on any particular cuisine, since he places more importance
on seasonal food. ... |
 Xbox
vs. PlayStation, Coming to a galaxy near you ...
This summer, millions of young Japanese will enter theaters
to see the latest Star Wars movie release, eager to
watch the forces of good and evil battle each other
in space. Meanwhile, here on planet earth, a real battle
is taking place between Sony and Microsoft over the
future of the video game market, which not surprisingly
is filled with lovers of Star Wars. ... |
 For
Fitness Guru American Dream is "Made in Japan"
Though he charges a steep fee for his services, fitness
trainer Jeff LIBENGOOD doesn't need to advertise. He
lets his clients do that for him. Bob SAPP, K-1 kick-boxing's
biggest superstar, has called him "the best in
the business." ... |
 Cooking
up a Storm in Japan's Catering Industry!
Let's be honest - the big question on most peoples'
minds at seminars and official events - whether they
like to admit it or not - is, "When is dinner being
served?" ... |
 What
Do Women Really Want?
While many frustrated men have been asking this very
intriguing question seemingly since time began, perhaps
it is best to discover what women read. And who best
to ask than new Harlequin KK Managing Director Belinda
HOBBS? ... |
 Foreign
Exchange Trading Becoming Popular Among Foreign Residents
Saving money in foreign currencies is becoming more
common among foreign residents in Japan. Mr. WHITE,
a businessman who came to Japan two years ago from New
Zealand, has saved some of his yen income in his country's
currency, New Zealand dollars. ... |
 TOKYOPOP
- Leading the Way in U.S. Manga Revolution
One of the many surprises that greet foreigners when
they come to Japan is the sight of Japanese businessmen
reading comics. Aren't comics for kids?Not in Japan.
Manga, the Japanese word for comics, represents a genre
that is not only big in Japan, but quickly becoming
a worldwide phenomenon. ... |
 Internet
Giant began over BBQ
"If I haven't succeeded
by 35, I think I will sit down and reassess my life."
So said New Zealander Mr. Tim WILLIAMS, Founder and
Chairman of ValueCommerce, a global provider of innovative,
high quality internet business solutions. ... |
 Internet
has created “Mosquito net boom”
The mosquito net used to be a common sight in the Japanese
summer but disappeared for a long time due to the introduction
of air-conditioners. Now they are making a comeback.
... |
 Action
Sports Feeding Language Learning Frenzy!
While Australian sports people have soared to incredible
heights since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, few can say
they have played tennis with a President. That is unless
your name is Sam ARNOLD. ... |
 I
CAN!
Can you remember what you wanted to become when you
were a child? An astronaut? A jet pilot? Most people
have had their childhood dreams destroyed by the time
they are 25, says Lance LEE, instructor and President
of IGC Japan Ltd., a business combining gymnastics and
confidence building to help children lead better lives.
... |
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