J@pan Inc Newsletter<br><div class="gmail_quote"><p>
The 'JIN' J@pan Inc Newsletter<br>
A weekly opinion piece on social, economic and political trends<br>
in Japan.<br>
Issue No. 466 Wednesday May 21, 2008, Tokyo</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Every PBXL wireless phone comes standard with:<br>
a big color screen,<br>
a 03 Tokyo number,<br>
voicemail,<br>
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<p>Everything you expect from the best office phone system<br>
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<p>Call today! <span><span title="Skype actions"><span><img style="height: 11px; width: 7px;" height="11"></span><span><img style="width: 16px;" title="" name="skype_tb_img_f0"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img title="" name="skype_tb_img_a0"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"></span></span><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><span title="Call this phone number in Japan with Skype: +81345502557"><span><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1">03-4550-2557</span><span><img style="height: 11px; width: 19px;" height="11"></span></span></span><br>
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<p>PBXL is Hosted Business Telephony<br>
Monthly seminars at Cisco HQ: <a href="http://www.pbxl.jp/seminarstt" title="http://www.pbxl.jp/seminarstt" target="_blank">http://www.pbxl.jp/seminarstt</a><br>
More about PBXL: <a href="http://www.pbxl.jp/aboutus2" title="http://www.pbxl.jp/aboutus2" target="_blank">http://www.pbxl.jp/aboutus2</a><br>
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<p>Back in July last year, we tackled the topic of smoking in Japan<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/jin422" title="http://www.japaninc.com/jin422" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/jin422</a>. Our line was that although<br>
governments and tobacco companies do have to take some<br>
responsibility, ultimately, society should be able to decide<br>
for itself whether it has a place for tobacco. This caused some<br>
debate on our website with some readers choosing to interpret<br>
the article as an endorsement of smoking which, as the piece<br>
makes clear, is not the case. While unsure of the need for more<br>
laws that deal with our private habits, we fully take on board<br>
the reasons why smoking is a negative in terms of health and<br>
particularly, the need to protect children. Critically, the good<br>
sense to regulate smoking behavior should come from our own<br>
initiatives and sense of responsibility.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, since last year there have been some interesting<br>
developments, some of them in terms of tackling underage<br>
smoking. ID cards for tobacco vending machines came in early<br>
this year and some prefectures, notably Kanagawa, have begun<br>
to discuss banning smoking in public places (for more see<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/node/3116" title="http://www.japaninc.com/node/3116" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/node/3116</a>). A machine that identifies<br>
the age of the purchaser by measuring the extent of their<br>
wrinkles is also on the horizon. Shiga prefecture has hosted<br>
an 'Open forum against tobacco' and in Kansai, Itami city<br>
government have also launched a 'smoking cessation plan.'</p>
<p>Moreover, according to research compiled by McCann Healthcare<br>
Worldwide Japan (MHWJ), there is a growing awareness of smoking<br>
as a health problem and Japanese society shows all the signs of<br>
moving to change the social and legal structure to tackle the<br>
ill-effects smoking. According to one survey, more than 50% of<br>
male respondents in their 50s want their colleagues to quit,<br>
and, limitations on vending machine opening hours and locations<br>
has started to discourage smokers. Meanwhile, tax on tobacco is<br>
rising steadily although cigarettes in Japan are still<br>
relatively cheap in comparison with other developed countries.<br>
Additionally, more and more young females are taking up smoking<br>
and over 27% of Japanese doctors smoke.</p>
<p>It is in that spirit that J@pan Inc together with McCann MHWJ,<br>
and our sister publication Metropolis magazine, have decided to<br>
sponsor a publicity campaign to raise the profile of World No<br>
Tobacco Day, happening on May 31. This campaign is coordinated<br>
by the World Health Organization<br>
(<a href="http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2008/en/" title="http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2008/en/" target="_blank">http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2008/en/</a>) and is a global<br>
effort, not to preach about the dangers of tobacco, but to<br>
promote the health of young people via prevention and protection<br>
from the dangers of second-hand smoke.</p>
<p>The focus of this campaign is children and the advertisements we<br>
are sponsoring are aimed at parents or guardians, encouraging<br>
them not to smoke in the vicinity of their children. While<br>
awareness may have improved, public smoking regulations in Japan<br>
are much freer than in many countries, particularly when<br>
compared to North America and the UK. Beyond this, many smokers<br>
who are parents appear to practice doublethink in telling their<br>
young children not to smoke, and yet smoking in their presence,<br>
even in enclosed spaces such as small apartments and cars.<br>
We don't need to wait for rules and regulations before making<br>
such small steps towards preserving the health of our children.</p>
<p>Peter Harris<br>
Editor-in-Chief</p>
<p>++FEEDBACK<br>
Want to comment? It is now even easier to voice your opinion<br>
than ever before! Simply post a comment below this article at:<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/jin466" title="www.japaninc.com/jin466" target="_blank">www.japaninc.com/jin466</a></p>
<p>--------NEW GADGET BLOG: TEKRONOMICON.COM------------------</p>
<p>In collaboration with Gadget Watch, Gadget blog Tekronomicon<br>
offers a detailed look at select gadgets - shiny and strange,<br>
from gizmo ground zero in Tokyo.<br>
See the gadgets introduced in Gadget Watch,<br>
with photos and more at: <a href="http://www.tekronomicon.com/" title="www.tekronomicon.com" target="_blank">www.tekronomicon.com</a><br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch" title="www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch" target="_blank">www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch</a><br>
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<p>++EVENTS</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Marcus Evans Events - Supported by J@pan Inc</p>
<p>Customer Relationship Excellence, 15th - 16th April 2008, Tokyo<br>
<a href="http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13548" title="http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13548" target="_blank">http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13548</a><br>
Featuring speakers from American Express International and others</p>
<p>Compensation and Benefits Forum, 27th - 28th May, Tokyo<br>
<a href="http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13778" title="http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13778" target="_blank">http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13778</a><br>
This event provides Japanese firms the 'how-to' of investing in<br>
their employees to sustain their businesses.<br>
Supported by JSHRM</p>
<p>3rd Annual LNG World, 15th - 16th July 2008, Tokyo<br>
<a href="http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13569" title="www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13569" target="_blank">www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13569</a><br>
This event focuses on key operational aspects of LNG business and<br>
current market dynamics to succeed in this competitive market.</p>
<p>'J@pan Inc readers are entitled to a 10% discount upon<br>
registration with Ms. Esther Wong.'<br>
Contact: <span><span title="Skype actions"><span><img style="height: 11px; width: 7px;" height="11"></span><span><img style="width: 16px;" title="" name="skype_tb_img_f1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img title="" name="skype_tb_img_a1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"></span></span><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><span title="Call this phone number in Malaysia with Skype: +60327236736"><span><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1">+603 2723 6736</span><span><img style="height: 11px; width: 19px;" height="11"></span></span></span> Email: <a href="mailto:estherw@marcusevanskl.com" target="_blank">estherw@marcusevanskl.com</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>Start a Company in Japan</p>
<p>Entrepreneur's Handbook Seminar 31st of May, 2008</p>
<p>If you have been considering setting up your own company,<br>
find out what it takes to make it successful.<br>
Terrie Lloyd, founder of over 13 start-up companies in Japan,<br>
will be giving an English-language seminar and Q and A on<br>
starting up a company in Japan.<br>
This is an ideal opportunity to find out what is involved,<br>
and to ask specific questions that are not normally answered<br>
in business books.<br>
All materials are in English and are Japan-focused.</p>
<p>For more details:<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar" title="http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar</a></p>
<p>---------- Metropolis and eigoTown.com Party --------------</p>
<p>Metropolis-Tokyo's favorite lifestyle magazine and<br>
eigoTown.com - Japan's premier English language learning<br>
website - join together on June 14, 2008 to bring you<br>
The Metropolis and eigoTown.com Party.</p>
<p>Roppongi hotspot Alife will host over 500 revelers for an<br>
evening of fun with people from different backgrounds<br>
coming together to eat, drink and make friends!</p>
<p>Tel: Metropolis(Will Thompson) <span><span title="Skype actions"><span><img style="height: 11px; width: 7px;" height="11"></span><span><img style="width: 16px;" title="" name="skype_tb_img_f2"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img title="" name="skype_tb_img_a2"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"></span></span><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><span title="Call this phone number in Japan with Skype: +81345502759"><span><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1"><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 1px; width: 1px;" height="1" width="1">03-45502759</span><span><img style="height: 11px; width: 19px;" height="11"></span></span></span>.<br>
Nearest stn: Roppongi. <a href="http://www.metropolis.co.jp/party" title="www.metropolis.co.jp/party" target="_blank">www.metropolis.co.jp/party</a></p>
<p>CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME</p>
<p>-------------------- ICA Event - June 25 ------------------</p>
<p>Speaker: Henry Ng, Head of Professional Security Services<br>
-Asia, Verizon Business</p>
<p>Topic: Bridging the Security Management Gap:<br>
How to Move from Point Solutions to Process</p>
<p>Details: Complete event details at <a href="http://www.icajapan.jp/" title="http://www.icajapan.jp/" target="_blank">http://www.icajapan.jp/</a><br>
(RSVP Required)<br>
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2008<br>
Time: 6:30 Doors open includes light buffet<br>
Cost: 4,000 yen (members), 6,000 yen (non-members)<br>
Open to all-venue is The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan<br>
<a href="http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map" title="http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map" target="_blank">http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>ASIA'S ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT MARKET</p>
<p>AMAZIA, 17-20 November, 2008, Hong Kong, is the first Asian<br>
business-to-business exhibition and international conference<br>
dedicated to the creation and distribution of entertainment<br>
content across all delivery platforms.<br>
AMAZIA provides key professionals from the TV, games, music,<br>
internet and mobile industries an unparalleled opportunity<br>
to develop essential business, discover new trends, creative<br>
talent and innovation throughout Asia.</p>
<p>The earlier you register, the less you pay.<br>
Register now <a href="http://www.amaziacontent.com/" title="www.amaziacontent.com" target="_blank">www.amaziacontent.com</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>++END</p><br></div>