<div dir="ltr">J@pan Inc Newsletter<br><div class="gmail_quote">The 'JIN' J@pan Inc Newsletter<br>A weekly opinion piece on social, economic and political trends<br>in Japan.<br>Issue No. 474 Wednesday July 16, 2008, Tokyo<br>
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More about PBXL: <a href="http://www.pbxl.jp/aboutus2" target="_blank">http://www.pbxl.jp/aboutus2</a><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>Iran-Japan Relations<br><br>When President Khatami visited Tokyo in 2000, he was the first <br>
Iranian leader to visit Japan since King Reza Shah Pahlavi in <br>1958. At the time, he and the Japanese premier, Mr Mori, made <br>plans for friendly relations and greater economic cooperation. <br>Things seemed to tick along fairly smoothly and by 2004 a <br>
consortium of Japanese companies, in the form of Inpex Holdings,<br>had invested in a billion dollar project to develop the Azadegan<br>oil field. However, by 2006, under increasing geopolitical <br>pressure, notably from the US, the deal broke down resulting in <br>
Inpex reducing its stake in the project from 75% to 10%. <br><br>On the diplomatic front, relations deteriorated further in 2007<br>when Japanese citizen Satoshi Nakamura was kidnapped. With <br>extensive media coverage putting on extra pressure, the Japanese<br>
government made repeated pleas to the Iranian government to <br>rescue Nakamura from his captors. One interesting facet to this <br>incident is that the drug-smuggling group who kidnapped Nakamura<br>demanded the release of its members from prison in return for <br>
freeing the hostage - they were obviously aware of the <br>importance of Japan to Iran's diplomatic strategy. Ultimately, <br>Tehran did deliver and Nakamura returned to Japan in June this <br>year. <br><br>Most likely, Tehran and Tokyo are both keen to pursue better <br>
bilateral relations but there are geopolitical obstacles to <br>overcome. For example, in the Azadegan project mentioned above, <br>the perception of the US hand in the death of the deal was sore <br>felt, particularly on the Iranian side. When the new Iranian <br>
Ambassador was appointed earlier this year, one Iran-based news <br>source reported: 'Although Iran has signed several major energy <br>agreements with Tokyo and is one of its main energy suppliers, <br>Washington has been stepping up efforts to punish Japanese <br>
companies which sign lucrative deals with Tehran.' Furthermore, <br>in an exclusive interview with us, Iranian Ambassador to Japan, <br>Dr Abbas Araqchi, stated: 'The US administration has created <br>several hindrances in the expansion of economic cooperation <br>
between Iran and Japan. The potential for further cooperation <br>between Iran and Japan exists and we hope our Japanese partners <br>further develop their presence in the Iranian market.'<br><br>[Continued below...]<br>
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<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>[...Article continues]<br><br>According to official Iranian statistics, the volume of <br>bilateral trade between Japan and Iran reached US$14.3 billion <br>
in 2007 and Dr Araqchi expects this to increase to US$20 billion<br>in 2008 as a result of rising oil prices. However, the political<br>dynamic could make it difficult for closer interaction between <br>Japanese investors and their Iranian partners – the US would be <br>
unlikely to tolerate any divergence from its own policy <br>concerning Iran's nuclear activities, not to mention the <br>domestic inclinations against proliferation prompted by <br>historical experience and Tokyo's tough stance on North Korea. <br>
The nuclear program is also apparently not all bad news for <br>Japan - Iran's recent missile tests were widely hailed as the <br>reason behind the rise in Japanese Government Bonds on the <br>Nikkei last week as investors flew to safety. <br>
<br>At the people-to-people level, things look more positive. There <br>are 5,227 Iranians officially registered as living in Japan and <br>around 300 Iranian students. According to Ambassador Araqchi, <br>academic exchanges between the two countries 'play a vital role <br>
for further deepening of our relations.' Culturally, there has <br>also been some interesting collaboration in areas such as cinema<br> - for instance, the 2003 movie 'Kaze no Jutan' (The Wind Carpet<br> - <a href="http://www.cafegroove.com/movies/kazeju/" target="_blank">www.cafegroove.com/movies/kazeju/</a>). Japan is also active in <br>
Iran holding events such as Noh theater performances and <br>recently hosting a ceremony at its embassy in Tehran at which <br>it presented equipment for a charitable project, for the benefit<br>of children with intellectual disabilities. <br>
(<a href="http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-22/0806264510110751.htm" target="_blank">www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-22/0806264510110751.htm</a>).<br><br>Despite the geopolitical pressure (or gaiatsu – 'outside <br>
pressure'), it seems there is a genuine element of both the <br>
Japanese and Iranian governments that wants to improve <br>relations. Strategically, Iran has interests in attracting <br>Japanese investment and in its potential to act as a break on <br>US aggression. Conversely, Japan is still dependent on Iran for <br>
energy security and could potentially benefit from pursuing <br>commercial opportunities there. Ambassador Araqchi is optimistic<br>for the future, declaring: 'We would like to expand our regional<br>and international cooperation with Japan. At the same time, we <br>
are looking forward to seeing further expansion of economic, <br>technological and cultural cooperation with our Japanese <br>partners.'<br><br>Peter Harris<br>Editor-in-Chief<br><br>---------- International Business Awards Japan ------------<br>
<br>**J@pan Inc is pleased to announce the opening of nominations<br>for the International Business Awards Japan 2008**<br><br>Is your CEO or company worthy of recognition? The J@pan Inc<br>International Business Awards 2008 gives you the opportunity<br>
to nominate business people and corporations you feel deserve<br>to win an award<br><br>HAVE YOUR SAY, GO TO <a href="http://www.japaninc.com/" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/</a><br><br>CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME<br>
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<br>++FEEDBACK<br><br>Want to comment? It is now even easier to voice your opinion<br>than ever before! Simply post a comment below the article<br>online at <a href="http://www.japaninc.com/jin474" target="_blank">www.japaninc.com/jin474</a>.<br>
<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>J@pan Inc - Managing Editor/Entrepreneur<br><br>J@pan Inc magazine, the publication for foreign entrepreneurs<br>and businesspeople in Japan is seeking a Managing Editor with<br>
strong entrepreneurial instincts. Not your run-of-the-mill<br>editing position, we require someone with strong editorial and<br>management experience to both manage an editorial and production<br>team to turn out Japan's largest English-language business<br>
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most enterprising businesses -- an unlikely combination but an<br>exciting opportunity to make your mark in Japan.<br><br>Remuneration will be industry competitive and prospects<br>excellent.<br><br>To apply, please send your resume, covering letter and<br>
any relevant clippings to: <a href="mailto:kiwijim@japaninc.com" target="_blank">kiwijim@japaninc.com</a><br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>++EVENTS<br><br>-------------------- ICA Event - July 16 -----------------<br>
<br>Speaker: Charles Nikiel<br>Vice President of Marketing, Salesforce.com<br><br>Topic: Innovation not Infrastructure:<br>A New Model for Business Success<br><br>Details: Complete event details at <a href="http://www.icajapan.jp/" target="_blank">http://www.icajapan.jp/</a><br>
(RSVP Required)<br>Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2008<br>Time: 6:30 Doors open includes open bar and light buffet<br>Cost: 4,000 yen (members), 6,000 yen (non-members)<br><br>Open to all-venue is The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan<br>
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<br>Nearest stn: Roppongi. <a href="http://www.metropolis.co.jp/party" target="_blank">www.metropolis.co.jp/party</a><br><br>CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
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