<p>J@pan Inc Newsletter</p>
<p>The 'JIN' Japan Inc Newsletter<br>
A weekly opinion piece on social, economic and political trends<br>
in Japan.<br>
Issue No. 447 Wednesday January 09, 2007, Tokyo</p>
<p>UK-Japan Relations</p>
<p>At the port of Bungo (now Oita on the Beppu Bay) in April 1600<br>
a ship called the 'Liefde' landed. The crew were apparently so<br>
exhausted they could barely walk but one Englishman, Will Adams,<br>
managed to charm the local nobility enough that they deemed him<br>
worthy of being taken to see the Shogun in Osaka. According to<br>
the now classic account of Adams' plight by Ilza Veith, Shogun<br>
Iyeyasu saw him as a valuable source of information and he<br>
eventually became employed as the Shogun's shipbuilder. Awarded<br>
men and money, Adams was elevated to a noble status although his<br>
letters belie a persistent homesickness and yearning to return<br>
to his wife and children. However, when English merchants<br>
finally turned up to meet Adams in 1611 they viewed his praise<br>
of Japan with suspicion and according to Veith, Adams started<br>
to doubt how he would fit in if he ever went back, furthermore,<br>
'Returning to England might mean retuning to the comparative<br>
obscurity of his former status.'</p>
<p>Adams' story may strike a chord with many foreigners living in<br>
Japan today but it is also the first recorded case of<br>
significant Anglo-Japanese interaction. The two countries<br>
maintained basic relations since Adams' excursion until<br>
exchanges between the two countries grew significantly during<br>
the nineteenth century. Notably, in 1863, five adventurous<br>
scholars from Choshu and Statsuma risked the gravest penalties<br>
to take up the opportunity to study at University College<br>
London; later one became prime minister, one foreign minister,<br>
one introduced the railways, another started the Japan Mint and<br>
the other started Japan's first technical college. The story of<br>
'The Choshu Five' story was the subject of a Japanese film<br>
released last January.</p>
<p>In the postwar era, Japan and the UK have had largely harmonious<br>
relations and, culturally, the two countries ostensibly have a<br>
lot in common. They are both island nations with a long history<br>
of empire and naval strength, both have royal families with<br>
constitutionally limited powers and make a fuss about having<br>
cups of tea, and, both nations have a reputation for being<br>
somewhat reserved and have national dishes involving fish.<br>
Beyond that, the two countries have a relationship with the US<br>
that, in their own unique ways, takes on a similar<br>
master-servant dynamic. Although these similarities are only<br>
skin-deep and many depend on flimsy national stereotypes, they<br>
do help to fuel reciprocal tourism initiatives and the roaring<br>
trade in Beatles and Beatrix Potter memorabilia on the one hand<br>
and a growing fondness for Muji and Uniqlo on the other. Indeed,<br>
the reality of UK-Japan relations is highly dynamic and while<br>
cultural understanding plays an important role in their<br>
development, it is arguably business that is the key driver.<br>
After the US and Europe, Japan is the UK's largest export market<br>
and both countries have invested heavily in each other in the<br>
past. Recently, Japanese banks Mizuho, Mistubishi UFJ and Mitsui<br>
Sumitomo were part of an investment consortium who have put<br>
US$1.7 billion into British Airways' project to build new<br>
fleets. Additionally, the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET)<br>
programme, which sends foreigners into Japanese schools and city<br>
halls to promote English learning and international<br>
understanding, is the biggest single employer of British<br>
graduates. </p>
<p>[Article continues below...]</p>
<p>------------------- Financial Times------------------------</p>
<p>Established in 1888 and published in 23 major cities, the<br>
Financial Times is essential reading for the global business<br>
community, providing news in print and online around the<br>
clock to more than 1.3 million readers worldwide.</p>
<p>In both its print and online versions, the FT has a reputation<br>
for authority, balance and depth of coverage.<br>
With 400 specialist journalists in 70 offices around the<br>
world, and unrivalled access to global business and government<br>
leaders, the FT 's global business intelligence and insight<br>
will help you start the day fully briefed on significant<br>
events in business, politics and finance.</p>
<p>FT newspaper and FT.com (one year subscription - 310 issues)</p>
<p>Normal retail price:<br>
JPY219,647<br>
You pay:<br>
JPY90,720 ( Saving you 54%.)</p>
<p>If you would like to subscribe please call our dedicated<br>
customer service team on 0120-341-468 or<br>
visit <a href="http://www.ftasia.net/japaninc" title="www.ftasia.net/japaninc">www.ftasia.net/japaninc</a><br>
-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
[...Article continues]</p>
<p>This year celebrates 'UK-Japan 2008.' British Ambassador to<br>
Japan, Sir Graham Fry, told us that although the synergies<br>
between the UK and Japan are many, 'this year we are focusing<br>
on three areas: the arts, science and creative industries. They<br>
are linked together by creativity and innovation, and our aim is<br>
to stimulate more collaborations between the UK and Japan.'<br>
During the year there will be over 100 events in support of the<br>
campaign involving everything from whisky tasting to exhibitions<br>
about the existence of life on other planets (see<br>
<a href="http://www.ukjapan2008.jp/" title="www.ukjapan2008.jp">www.ukjapan2008.jp</a> for full details and event listings). The<br>
year 2008 was chosen for this celebration as it marks 150 years<br>
of Anglo-Japanese partnership dating back to the Treaty of Amity<br>
and Commerce that led to the establishment of full diplomatic<br>
relations.</p>
<p>The future of Japan-UK relations thus seems likely to grow and<br>
develop and UK-Japan 2008 and the ties that bind the two<br>
countries are institutionalized in a number of ways. The British<br>
embassy in Japan is flanked by the British Chamber of Commerce<br>
and the British Council while the Japanese diplomatic mission to<br>
the UK also has a number of affiliated groups. Informal<br>
associations are also active with numerous friendship societies<br>
encompassing such diverse interest areas as the British Go<br>
Association (<a href="http://www.britgo.org/" title="www.britgo.org">www.britgo.org</a>) and the Tokyo Piping Association<br>
(<a href="http://www32.ocn.ne.jp/~tokyo_pipe_band/tokyoj.htm">www32.ocn.ne.jp/~tokyo_pipe_band/tokyoj.htm</a>).</p>
<p>Peter Harris<br>
Editor-in-Chief</p>
<p>++FEEDBACK</p>
<p>Want to comment? It is now even easier to voice your opinion<br>
than ever before! Simply visit <a href="http://www.japaninc.com/jin443" title="www.japaninc.com/jin443">www.japaninc.com/jin443</a> and<br>
post a comment below the article. Alternatively, you can email<br>
it directly to the author at <a href="mailto:peter.harris@japaninc.com">peter.harris@japaninc.com</a></p>
<p>------ Translation/Marketing Service ----------------<br>
The J@pan Inc Translation/Marketing team now offers translation<br>
and marketing services for companies to help them enhance their<br>
performance internationally. Our services include:</p>
<p>- Professional translation<br>
- Catchy copy writing<br>
- Strategic design<br>
- Effective PR<br>
- Direct marketing</p>
<p>Our achievement includes:<br>
- Corporate report translation and desktop publishing<br>
- In-house magazine translation and desktop publishing<br>
- Annual report translation<br>
- Company legal document translation<br>
- Government PR brochure copy writing and design<br>
- DM service targeting senior executives</p>
<p>Please contact at <a href="mailto:sachie.kuroda@japaninc.com">sachie.kuroda@japaninc.com</a> for more details.<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>++EVENTS<br>
--------------- ICA Event - Jan 16 -----------------------</p>
<p>Event: New Year Mixer Party-Joint event with<br>
the American Chamber (ACCJ)</p>
<p>Overview: An evening of fun, games, salsa dancers, dancing,<br>
prizes, drinks, and delicious food<br>
Details: Complete event details at <a href="http://www.icajapan.jp/" title="http://www.icajapan.jp/">http://www.icajapan.jp/</a><br>
(RSVP Required)</p>
<p>Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2008<br>
Time: 7:30-9:30, includes open bar, finger food.<br>
Open ended nijikai at same location<br>
Cost: 6,000 yen (members), 6,500 yen (non-members)<br>
Open to all-venue is 57 - Roppongi 4-2-35, Tel. 03-5775-7857</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fiftyseven.co.jp/" title="http://www.fiftyseven.co.jp/">http://www.fiftyseven.co.jp/</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Marcus Evans Events - Supported by J@pan Inc<br>
Date :22nd-23rd January, 2008 Venue: Hilton Tokyo Hotel</p>
<p>-Clinical Trial and Drug Development Excellence 2008<br>
Date :23rd-24th January, 2008 Venue: Hilton Tokyo Hotel<br>
<a href="http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=13130" title="http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=13130">http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=13130</a><br>
The event features case studies and expert presentations by<br>
Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Bayer, AstraZeneca<br>
and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.</p>
<p>'J@pan Inc readers are entitled to a 10% discount upon<br>
registration with Ms. Esther Wong.'</p>
<p>For further details and brochures, please contact:<br>
Ms. Esther Wong<br>
Tel No: +603 2723 6736<br>
Fax No: +603 2723 6699<br>
Email add: <a href="mailto:estherw@marcusevanskl.com">estherw@marcusevanskl.com</a></p>
<p>----------- MAXIMIZE YOUR IT INVESTMENT -----------------</p>
<p>LET YOUR EMPLOYEES PERFORM TO THEIR BEST!<br>
If you've built a top-notch team, they can't focus when<br>
they're weighed down supporting the day-to-day<br>
operation of your tech infrastructure.</p>
<p>Baytek can augment the functionality of your exiting<br>
IT Department by assisting with their workload or by<br>
taking over specific tasks or projects on a fixed-term,<br>
permanent, or hourly basis.</p>
<p>For smaller companies, we can become your virtual<br>
IT department through our managed services</p>
<p>For complete details about Baytek's offerings, visit:<br>
<a href="http://www.baytek.co.jp/" title="http://www.baytek.co.jp">http://www.baytek.co.jp</a></p>
<p>Phone or mail:<br>
03-4360-5641<br>
<a href="mailto:info@baytek.co.jp">info@baytek.co.jp</a></p>
<p>Whether desktop, server, network or database...we've<br>
got you covered in the Greater Tokyo area</p>
<p>--------- CONTACT BAYTEK DATA SOLUTIONS -------------------</p>
<p>--------------------- MIDEMNET FORUM ----------------------</p>
<p>MUSIC BUSINESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE</p>
<p>26/27 January 2008, Cannes, France, at MIDEM, the world's<br>
music market. MidemNet Forum brings you an invaluable<br>
update on how digital is driving the music business<br>
forward, changing it rapidly and radically. Over 2 days of<br>
intense conference sessions and serious networking<br>
opportunities. You will debate and engage with more than<br>
1,300 key international executives and play an active role<br>
in shaping the future of the industry.</p>
<p>Speakers: Janus Friis, Co-Founder, Joost, Kazaa and Skype;<br>
Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO, Vivendi; Tero Ojanpera, EVP & CTO,<br>
Nokia; Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi.<br>
The earlier you register, the less you pay. Hurry, seats<br>
are limited! <a href="http://www.midem.com/" title="www.midem.com">www.midem.com</a></p>
<p>------Metropolis Magazine Valentine`s Glitterball-------</p>
<p>Glitterball is back!<br>
Tokyo's favorite party makes its triumphant return on<br>
February 14, 2008-Valentine's Day.<br>
An institution for nearly a decade, the Metropolis-hosted<br>
Glitterball was on hiatus this year due to the closing of<br>
Velfarre nightclub, but 2008's version promises to be better<br>
than ever.</p>
<p>Roppongi hotspot Alife will host over 1,000 V-Day revelers<br>
for a night of eating, drinking, dancing, making friends-and<br>
who knows what else.<br>
Prize drawings, swag bags, and Tokyo's funnest crowd will make<br>
the reborn Glitterball the highlight of the Tokyo social calendar.</p>
<p>CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME<br>
<a href="http://www.metropolis.co.jp/glitterball" title="www.metropolis.co.jp/glitterball">www.metropolis.co.jp/glitterball</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------</p>