* * * * * * * * * T E R R I E 'S T A K E * * * * * * *<br>A weekly roundup of news & information from Terrie Lloyd.<br>(<a href="http://www.terrie.com">http://www.terrie.com</a>)<br><br>General Edition Sunday, September 19 2010 Issue No. 582<br>
<br>+++ INDEX<br><br>- What's New<br>- News<br>- Candidate Roundup/Vacancies<br>- Upcoming Events<br>- Corrections/Feedback<br>- News Credits<br><br>SUBSCRIBE to, UNSUBSCRIBE from Terrie's Take at:<br><a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/terrie">http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/terrie</a><br>
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<br><br>+++ WHAT'S NEW<br><br>The Sanno Institute of Management introduced some great <br>fodder for cocktail party chatter this last week, when they<br>released survey results showing that 67% of Japanese <br>business people want to stay in Japan for work and have no <br>
desire to be posted abroad. In fact, the survey showed that<br>only 16.3% of businesspeople had a strong desire to work <br>overseas. <br><br>For those who think Japan is becoming evermore inward <br>looking, this is proof positive that the country is in <br>
terminal decline and that insecure worker attitudes are <br>just going to hasten that decline. The survey in fact <br>resonates with the many surveys over the last few years <br>pointing out the dramatic drop in the number of young <br>
people wanting to study abroad. There has been a 50% <br>decline in the number of students studying in American <br>universities, since 2001, and last year the trend <br>continued with another 7% decline over 2008.<br><br>
So is Japan so depressed that people are giving up? Is it <br>becoming a nation of submissive, hedonistic "grass <br>eaters"?<br><br>[Continued below...]<br><br>----------- Making Web Sites More Affordable --------------<br>
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<br>[...Article continues]<br><br>Certainly the authorities seem to think so. They remember <br>the good old days when people were grateful for what little<br>they had, and workers saw overseas postings as a door <br>to a consumer paradise (the USA) and a brighter future <br>
career. Of course this was also the age of central <br>government and a recognition by the general population that<br>everyone had to conform so as to build up Team Japan. <br>Although the world has moved on, the bureaucrats are still <br>
thinking, "Uh oh, our robots are malfunctioning, we need to<br>reprogram them." <br><br>Unfortunately for Kasumigaseki, the robots are no longer as<br>cooperative as they once were. People have enough to eat <br>
and these days salarymen are more concerned about mortgages<br>and wives and kids who don't think living in China and <br>India is particularly attractive. There is no particular <br>reason for them to want to go live abroad, and if they do <br>
go, it's likely that they will have to go by themselves. <br>Who wants to do that?<br><br>But if you were a government type and were into social <br>engineering of your robot population, then it stands to <br>reason that you would come up with some nifty programs to <br>
change things back to the way they were. And, you'd start <br>with the most impressionable segment of the population -- <br>students. To that end, the government has come up with a <br>program to increase the number of foreign students in <br>
Japan, presumably so as to increase the number of young <br>Japanese stimulated to reach outwards themselves. The <br>program involves increasing the number of foreign students <br>from 130,000 in 2009 to 300,000 by 2020. <br>
<br>In doing so, they will also increase the number of foreign <br>teachers. Currently only 3.5% of teachers in Japanese <br>universities are foreigners, versus 25% (Harvard) to 40% <br>(Cambridge) in the U.S. and U.K. Todai seems to recognize <br>
this and has said that it will increase its foreign teacher<br>ratio to 10% by 2020. However, knowing what Todai is like <br>today, the epitomy of Japanese inward looking-ness, it's <br>hard to imagine that this will be possible.<br>
<br>In any case, what is going on isn't unique to Japan, other <br>mature societies are also seeing less students reaching out <br>abroad. A recent commentary out of Australia's RMIT <br>(Melbourne) noted that not just Japan but also students <br>
from Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore are <br>declining significantly, while those for China and India <br>are on the uptick. The RMIT spokesperson's analysis is that<br>those countries with big economic gaps and where there is a<br>
large and active export/import sector, it is only natural <br>for young people from those countries to be drawn to being <br>part of that success. <br><br>Therefore, we believe that the answer to reversing the <br>trend of looking inwards and the decline of ambition in <br>
Japan is not really about how we try to program our kids <br>and salarymen, but rather addressing the pragmatic issue <br>of economics and well-being. If there is a financial <br>incentive for students and workers to go abroad, they will <br>
go. But if the environment in China and India, where <br>Japanese companies have the greatest demand for expats, is <br>considered both difficult in terms of living standards AND <br>there is no economic incentive, of course they will want to<br>
stay home. One solution, then, in absence of paying "overseas <br>posting hardship allowances," is to send Japanese-speaking <br>natives of those target countries back to their homelands <br>to do the work that companies are struggling to find <br>
Japanese for.<br><br>This is in fact happening. We know of a number of rapidly <br>expanding service industry companies that are employing <br>hundreds of Japanese-speaking Chinese and other <br>nationalities, so as to be able to deliver services to the <br>
nation's export machine. In one instance, a friend of ours <br>started an IT company just ten years ago and now has sales <br>of over JPY9bn, by supplying foreign nationals from Japan <br>back to their home markets to look after the IT needs of <br>
major Japanese manufacturers who want Japanese service and <br>quality outside Japan.<br><br>At the same time, how does Japan get more students to go to<br>the West? In the end, they will either have to make foreign<br>study cheaper than domestic study, just like the way they <br>
are subsidizing people having more kids, or they will need <br>to make the jobs in internationalized companies so much <br>better than domestic ones that people will follow the <br>money. Actually, this is a trend that we predict will happen <br>
over the next few years. At some point it will become <br>patently obvious that working as a bilingual for a rapidly<br>expanding and wealthy exporter like Rakuten or Canon will <br>be more desirable than pushing downtown apartments for <br>
Sekisui or K-cars to pensioners for Subaru.<br><br><br>*************<br><br>Next, M&A advisor extraordinaire, Nick Benes, has launched <br>a non-profit organization called the Board Director <br>Training Institute of Japan (BDTI) to educate directors <br>
here of their responsibilities and functions in running a<br>company. The website is very interesting, and we think this<br>group will become very influential in the future in how<br>Japanese laws are developed to govern proper operation of <br>
companies.<br><br><a href="http://bdti.or.jp/english/">http://bdti.or.jp/english/</a><br><br>*************<br><br>Lastly, next week's prize in the Metropolis Members Club is<br>a Laptop computer courtesy of JENET, Tokyo's leading <br>
prepaid phone card and ISP company. Last week's prize was <br>won by Jeff Soukotta, and was a pair of Adidas mi <br>Performance customized shoes. All you need to do to to <br>qualify to win the Laptop computer is to is sign up for the<br>
MMC newsletter. It couldn't be easier. There is one prize a<br>week scheduled for the next 10 months.<br><br><a href="http://blogs.metropolis.co.jp/club/">http://blogs.metropolis.co.jp/club/</a><br><br><br><br>...The information janitors/<br>
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to commit to the expense and infrastructure of maintaining<br>an office in Japan. We take care of all aspects of the<br>employment, contracting, and dispatch -- including <br>management of the employee.<br><br>For more information on this and other SI and IT services,<br>
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<br><br>+++ NEWS<br><br>- Conspicuous consumption<br>- Big price rise for cigarettes<br>- Haier Group to aggressively target Japanese market <br>- Green tea drinkers lead tranquil lives<br>- School violence cases hit new record<br>
<br><br><br>-> Conspicuous consumption<br><br>We're not sure why Hankyu Hanshin Hotels thinks that people <br>are ready to spend again, but certainly they are getting <br>more than their fair share of PR by advertising a "One <br>
Night for One Million Yen" lovebird special. The pair will <br>get a sightseeing flight over Osaka, a stretch limo, a <br>French dinner, flowers, champagne, photos, and of course a <br>night in the 168 sq. m. luxury suite. The company is taking<br>
reservations from November. ***Ed: It will be interesting <br>to see how many takers they get. Is conspicuous consumption <br>still legal?** (Source: TT commentary from <a href="http://nikkei.com">nikkei.com</a>, Sep <br>
17, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20100917D17HH589.htm">http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20100917D17HH589.htm</a><br><br>-> Big price rise for cigarettes<br><br>Despite owning one of the world's largest tobacco <br>
companies, Japan Tobacco, you've got to tip your hat to the<br>government's will to slow down the rate of smoking through <br>the strategic use of taxes. Prices are due to increase<br>by at least the 3.5yen tax being levied on every cigarette,<br>
plus whatever extra margin the tobacco companies themselves<br>want to add. Japan Tobacco says that its products will <br>increase in price by JPY110 to JPY140 per pack, making a <br>packet of cigarettes cost around JPY400 or more. ***Ed: In <br>
the meantime, stores selling cigarettes report that sales <br>are up 20%, as customers stock up with orders of up to 10 <br>cartons (of 10 packets) of their favorite smokes. Further, <br>as a side note, we are willing to bet that cigarette <br>
smuggling will start to reappear.** (Source: TT comment <br>from <a href="http://nikkei.com">nikkei.com</a>, Sep 17, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20100917D17HH573.htm">http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20100917D17HH573.htm</a><br>
<br>-> Haier Group to aggressively target Japanese market <br><br>White goods maker, the Haier Group, based in Qingdao, China,<br>has announced that it plans to significantly expand its <br>business in Japan, focusing on high end washer/dryers and <br>
refrigerators. To date, Haier has sold lower end products, <br>and in 2009 recorded sales of JPY7.5bn (US$87.8m), to <br>chip out a market share of just 3%. However, the firm has <br>decided to create products specifically designed and made <br>
for Japan, starting with a washer/dryer that can take a <br>full 10kg load -- enough to wash a futon. Pricing, however,<br>will be the main competitive point, set at about 20% less <br>than comparable Japanese products. (Source: TT commentary <br>
from <a href="http://asahi.com">asahi.com</a>, Sep 17, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201009160304.html">http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201009160304.html</a><br><br>-> Green tea drinkers lead tranquil lives<br>
<br>A new study by the Tohoku University Graduate School has <br>found that people aged 70 or older who drink four or more <br>cups of green tea a day are 44% less likely to suffer from <br>depression than those who do not. The study involved 1,058 <br>
men and women. The researchers posit that the lower <br>depression rate is due to the presence of Theanine, an <br>amino acid that is thought to tranquilize the brain. <br>(Source: TT commentary from <a href="http://mb.com.ph">mb.com.ph</a>, Sep 17, 2010)<br>
<br><a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/277922/feel-good-with-green-tea">http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/277922/feel-good-with-green-tea</a><br><br>-> School violence cases hit new record<br><br>Obviously Japan's school kids need to be drinking more <br>
green tea...! According to the Ministry of Education <br>(MEXT), there were a record number of school violence <br>incidents last year. In the period April 2009 through March<br>2010, there were 60,913 violent incidents and 72,228 <br>
detected cases of bullying. This resulted in 165 suicides <br>by school children, up 29 from 2008. (Source: TT <br>commentary from <a href="http://ibnlive.in.com">ibnlive.in.com</a>, Sep 15, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://tinyurl.com/22kqk8g">http://tinyurl.com/22kqk8g</a><br>
<br><br><br>NOTE: Broken links<br>Many online news sources remove their articles after just a<br>few days of posting them, thus breaking our links -- we<br>apologize for the inconvenience.<br><br>***------------------------****-------------------------***<br>
<br>+++ CANDIDATE ROUND UP/VACANCIES<br><br>=> BiOS, a Division of the LINC Media group, is actively <br>marketing the following positions for customers setting up <br>or expanding in Japan, as well as other employers of <br>
bilinguals.<br><br>** HIGHLIGHTED POSITION(S)<br><br>BiOS is currently looking for an experienced and highly <br>successful Software Services Sales Manager to join a client<br>in the business of selling Business Critical Services. The <br>
candidate will be responsible for both New and Renewal BCS <br>quota, supporting opportunities within the region, and <br>achieving the BCS Bookings targets, as well as other <br>responsibilities such as building relationships with field <br>
account teams, demonstrating value propositions to <br>enterprise customers, handling the entire sales cycle for <br>contracts, and participating in demand generating marketing<br>campaigns.<br><br>The successful candidate will have more than 4 years <br>
experience in IT sales or marketing, be able to <br>demonstrate a proven track record selling software services<br>or solutions (including license) sales, will be competent <br>in program management methods and tools and will have a <br>
solid list of results over the last 2-5 years. Finally, <br>given the emphasis on communication it goes without saying <br>that excellent written, verbal and presentation skills in<br>English and Japanese are a must to succeed in this <br>
demanding role.<br><br>Remuneration is up to JPY10.5m depending on your experience<br>and level.<br><br>** POSITIONS VACANT<br><br>- APAC HR Director, Singapore, JP17m – JPY21m<br>- Data Center Engineer, JPY3.5m – JPY5.5m<br>
- Web Apps Support, LCD Manuf JPY3.5m – JPY4m<br>- IT Support Engineer, Euro Pharma client, JPY4m – JPY5m<br>- Security Analyst, Global Security Vendor, JPY5m – JPY6m<br><br>Interested individuals may e-mail resumes to:<br>
<a href="mailto:stuart.gibson@biosjp.com">stuart.gibson@biosjp.com</a><br><br>** BiOS Job Mail<br><br>Every 2 weeks BiOS sends out a regular communication to its<br>job seeking candidates, called BiOS Job Mail. Every edition<br>
carries a list of BiOS's current and most up-to-date<br>vacancies, with each entry featuring a short job<br>description and a direct link to the main entry on the BiOS<br>home page. Regardless of whether you are unemployed and<br>
searching, thinking about a career change, or just curious<br>to know if there is something out there that might suit you<br>better, the BiOS Job Mail newsletter is an easy and<br>convenient way for you to stay informed. If you would like<br>
to register for the BiOS Job Mail, or to find out more,<br>please email <a href="mailto:stuart.gibson@biosjp.com">stuart.gibson@biosjp.com</a>.<br><br>Interested individuals may e-mail resumes to:<br><a href="mailto:stuart.gibson@biosjp.com">stuart.gibson@biosjp.com</a><br>
<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>***------------------------****-------------------------***<br><br><br>+++ UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS<br><br>------------ Entrepreneur Seminar is Back! ----------------<br>
<br>Start a Company in Japan<br><br>Entrepreneur's Handbook Seminar, October 2nd, 2010<br><br>If you have been considering setting up your own company,<br>find out what it takes to make it successful. Terrie <br>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><br>This is an ideal opportunity to find out what is involved,<br>and to ask specific questions that are not normally <br>answered in business books. All materials are in English <br>
and are Japan-focused.<br><br>For more details:<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar">http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar</a><br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>-------------------- CCH Tax Seminar ----------------------<br><br>Important Changes in Japanese Transfer Pricing<br>and Corporate Tax in 2010<br><br>Transfer Pricing<br>- NTA clarifies expectations around documentation - the <br>
role of documentation and supporting materials in managing <br>TP risk.<br>- Advance Pricing Arrangements: a great value for some<br>taxpayers, what do they accomplish, and what is involved?<br>- Transfer pricing audits: surviving the ordeal.<br>
<br>Corporate Tax and Supply Chain<br>- Corporate Tax Update<br>- Supply Chain Restructurings<br><br>Indirect Tax<br><br>Date: Thursday, 28th September 1:30pm-5:00pm<br>Venue: Arcadia Ichigaya: 5F Daisetsu East<br>Speaker: Professionals from Ernst & Young <br>
Number of Seats: 50 seats<br>Language: English<br>Fees: 20,000JPY+Tax<br>Register: <a href="https://www.cch-japan.jp/contents/register/form">https://www.cch-japan.jp/contents/register/form</a><br><br>For more details, Please Contact us at: <a href="mailto:support@cch.co.jp">support@cch.co.jp</a>,<br>
or 03-3265-1161, <a href="http://www.cch-japan.jp">www.cch-japan.jp</a>.<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>************** Charity Race for Disabled ******************<br><br>The Nippon IT Charity Relay Race 2010 will be held in <br>
Kawasaki from 12:00pm on October 17th. Proceeds raised from <br>the event will be donated to the Future Dream Achievement <br>charity which provides supportive IT training and <br>employment opportunities to disabled people, people with <br>
mental health problems, non-regular workers, people lacking<br>basic education and training, and socially-withdrawn <br>people. Anyone interested in taking part in this fun day <br>out should contact: <a href="mailto:graham@isfnet.com">graham@isfnet.com</a><br>
***********************************************************<br><br>***------------------------****-------------------------***<br><br>+++ CORRECTIONS/FEEDBACK<br><br>In this section we run comments and corrections submitted<br>
by readers. We encourage you to spot our mistakes and<br>amplify our points, by email, to <a href="mailto:editors@terrie.com">editors@terrie.com</a>.<br><br>*** No feedback this week.<br> <br>***********************************************************<br>
END<br><br>SUBSCRIBERS: 8,954 members as of September 19, 2010<br>(We purge our list regularly.)<br><br>+++ ABOUT US<br><br>STAFF<br>Written by: Terrie Lloyd (<a href="mailto:terrie.lloyd@japaninc.com">terrie.lloyd@japaninc.com</a>)<br>
<br>HELP: E-mail <a href="mailto:Terrie-request@mailman.japaninc.com">Terrie-request@mailman.japaninc.com</a><br>with the word 'help' in the subject or body (don't include<br>the quotes), and you will get back a message with<br>
instructions.<br><br>FEEDBACK<br>Send letters (Feedback, Inquiries & Information) to the<br>editor to <a href="mailto:terrie.lloyd@japaninc.com">terrie.lloyd@japaninc.com</a>.<br><br>ADVERTISING INFORMATION<br>For more information on advertising in this newsletter,<br>
Contact <a href="mailto:ads@japaninc.com">ads@japaninc.com</a>.<br><br>SUBSCRIBE<br>Get Terrie's Take by giving your name and email address at<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up">http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up</a>, or go<br>
straight to Mailman at:<br><a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/terrie">http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/terrie</a><br><br>BACK ISSUES<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take">http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take</a><br>
or, <a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/">http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/</a><br><br>Copyright 2010 Japan Inc. Communications Inc.<br><br>----------------- Japan Inc opens up Japan ----------------<br>
<br>J@pan Inc is Japan's only independently published English-<br>language business website. Authoritatively chronicling <br>online the business trends in Japan, each posting brings <br>you in-depth analysis of business, people and technology in<br>
the world's second largest economy. <br><br>Visit <a href="http://www.japaninc.com">www.japaninc.com</a> for the best business insight on<br>Japan available.<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
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