* * * * * * * * * 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, November 21, 2010, Issue No. 591<br>
<br>+++ INDEX<br><br>- What's New<br>- Short Takes<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><br>BACK ISSUES<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take">http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take</a>, or,<br>
<a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/">http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/</a><br><br><br>----------------- PBXL WILL BUY YOUR PBX ------------------<br><br>Is your PBX vendor requiring you to purchase a new PBX <br>
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<br>Offer expires 15 Dec 2010.<br><br>------------ PBXL is BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS --------------<br><br><br>+++ WHAT'S NEW<br><br>This weekend we were privileged to meet the World Champion <br>Sommelier, Swede Andreas Larsson, here in Tokyo. Although <br>
not wine connoisseurs, we were assured by Richard Cohen, <br>the owner of one of Japan's major importers of New World <br>wines, Village Cellars, that Mr. Larsson was someone worth <br>meeting. It turns out that he was right. Being a sommelier <br>
is much more than just tasting wines, it's more about <br>entertainment and social connection, and Mr. Larsson <br>understands this role very well.<br><br>He won his 3-year title in 2007, and although this year he <br>
has been succeeded by a new World Champion, as with U.S. <br>presidents, it turns out that in the world of sommeliers <br>once you become a World Champion you are thereafter <br>recognized by your title for life.<br><br>Larsson comes to Japan twice a year, not only because he <br>
loves the place, but also because it's business. The <br>sommelier movement, enshrined in the Japan Sommelier <br>Association (JSA), is a big deal here, with almost 17,000 <br>sommeliers (JSA numbers). Larsson finds that the Japanese <br>
celebrate the detail and depth of study needed to become <br>accomplished as a sommelier, so his appearances are usually<br>sold out. <br><br>The study of wine by the Japanese really started to take off <br>after Shinya Tasaki won became the ASI's World Champion <br>
back in 1995. This was a huge breakthrough in what had <br>until then been a 30-year old competition completely <br>dominated by French and Italian sommeliers. After Tasaki's <br>win, there was a mini wine boom that ran 3 years, with <br>
sales rapidly ramping up to 2.8 liters per person. The <br>market growth has cooled off since then, but still the love<br>of detail and nuance is alive and well with the JSA.<br><br>It doesn't hurt that the Japanese are still going strong in<br>
international competitions and in fact had two of the three<br>finalists in the recent ASI "Best Sommelier of <br>Asia-Oceania" competition held in Osaka. Winner of that <br>event, which serves as a qualifier for the World <br>
championship, was Satoru Mori, who works at the La Tour <br>D'Argent restaurant here in Tokyo. Third place was Nobuhida<br>Tani, of the same restaurant and who is actually Mori's boss...<br><br>[Continued below...]<br>
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-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>[...Article continues]<br><br>Back to Mr. Larsson, we learned from him that wine tasting <br>is just the start of being a sommelier, and that the <br>knowledge of food and presentation, as well as <br>
understanding of how to present oneself on stage, are just <br>as important to winning the title. Interestingly, to <br>compete internationally Japanese sommeliers have to have <br>some ability in English -- so we wonder how many more there<br>
would be on the international stage if they were allowed to<br>compete in Japanese only?<br><br>We asked Mr. Larsson how a World Champion sommelier makes <br>his money. Cheeky question? Possibly, but being in <br>business, we like to know how the industry ticks. He <br>
pointed out that most sommeliers in international <br>competition either own or work for a restaurant, and <br>winning a prestigious competition or title pretty much <br>ensures that the restaurant will be booked out. Larsson <br>
indeed has his own restaurant back in Sweden. Then of <br>course there are the appearance fees and sponsored <br>travel that come with each tour.<br><br>Being an international celebrity can be interesting. Asking<br>Mr. Larsson about some of the more unusual aspects of his <br>
job, he responded that he gets to taste some rather old <br>vintages. Readers may recall from international news <br>reports last week that two bottles from a clutch of 200 <br>year old champagne bottles brought up from a shipwreck <br>
in the depths of the Baltic sea were opened and tasted. <br>He was actually asked to participate in the function, to <br>provide expert comments on how the 200-year old bubbly<br>had kept, but he was already booked for this Asian tour <br>
when the invitation came through.<br><br>He did say, though, that industry friends had commented <br>that the champagne was drinkable, although it had gone <br>flat. Commenting on his own experiences, he said that the <br>
oldest wine he has tasted was a 1780 Madeira Napoleon <br>Reserve. They don't come much older than that, and <br>apparently Madeira keeps well enough that it was very <br>palatable. Following that was an 1840 dry red (varietal not<br>
mentioned), then an 1865 Burgundy...<br><br>Finally, we asked Mr. Larsson about Japanese wines, which <br>traditionally have been disparaged by wine experts. He said<br>that domestic wines are getting much better, and that wine <br>
connoisseurs should keep an eye open for premium Koshu <br>labels now being produced. Koshu grapes are unique to Japan <br>and are mostly grown in Yamanashi Prefecture. While old <br>style Koshu involves dumping lots of sugar into the grape <br>
juice before fermentation, newer vintners are experimenting<br>with removal of the bitter Koshu skins prior to processing,<br>as well as growing smaller vines for smaller and more <br>intensely flavored fruit. Their efforts are paying off and <br>
literally in the last twelve months, Koshu wines have gone<br>from being regarded as mere plonk to becoming trendy in <br>overseas restaurants, priced at JPY1,500 <br>to JPY5,000 per bottle.<br><br>...The information janitors/<br>
<br>***------------------------****-------------------------***<br><br><br>+++ SHORT TAKES<br><br>We recommend products and services that you might find <br>interesting or useful while living in Japan.<br><br>=> 1. HAYFEVER AND PERILLA SEED<br>
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* <a href="http://iherb.com">iherb.com</a> referral code -- LOY499<br>* Pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you.<br><br>=> 2. HOTEL/AIRLINE TICKET PRIZES FOR MMC<br>Becoming a Metropolis Member is as simple as going to the<br>
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of MI Performance Customized shoes, courtesy of Adidas. <br>Last week's prize of a one night stay at the Okinawa Resort<br>and Spa, courtesy of the Marriott Resort & Spa, was won by <br>Andreas Wielandt. Congratulations Andreas!<br>
<br>* 40 prizes scheduled in the next 40 weeks. <br>* No charge to enter.<br>* Simply receive the MMC newsletter to stay in the draw.<br><br>***------------------------****-------------------------***<br><br>--------- BIOS - Bilingual IT Systems and Support ---------<br>
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Web: <a href="http://www.biosjp.com">www.biosjp.com</a><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br><br>+++ NEWS<br><br>- FTAs start with small nations<br>- Cheap satellites<br>- Gastro infections surge<br>
- Narita to slash landing fees?<br>- Orix buys Omote Sando building<br><br><br><br>-> FTAs start with small nations<br><br>After being told in no uncertain terms that Japan will have<br>to open up its agriculture market in order to get Free <br>
Trade Agreements (FTA) with the USA and Australia, Japan is<br>looking for early wins by signing deals with smaller <br>nations that are not such a threat. The next of these is <br>expected to be with Mongolia, and should be signed in early <br>
FY2011. ***Ed: Mongolia makes for good press, as Japan can <br>say that they have reserves of strategic rare earth minerals<br>and can serve as a counterbalance to China.** (Source: TT <br>commentary from <a href="http://bernama.com">bernama.com</a>, Nov 20, 2010)<br>
<br><a href="http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=544225">http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=544225</a><br><br>-> Cheap satellites<br><br>The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) is <br>
working with NEC and other companies to kickstart an <br>initiative to build and sell small, "low-cost" surveillance<br>satellites for sale to third world countries. The target is<br>to produce satellites and launch service packages <br>
costing JPY10bn (US$120m) about 20% of existing <br>equipment/launch fees, and to get the first units to <br>market in 2012. ***Ed: Although ostensibly for disaster<br>relief and mapping purposes, we're sure that these <br>
satellites could also be a politically correct form of arms<br>sales -- giving Japan access to a lucrative market that <br>it otherwise can't really participate in.** (Source: TT <br>commentary from <a href="http://google.com/afp">google.com/afp</a>, Nov 19, 2010)<br>
<br><a href="http://bit.ly/9zWing">http://bit.ly/9zWing</a><br><br>-> Gastro infections surge<br><br>Lock yer kids up, there is apparently an epidemic of <br>gastroenteritis on the way this year. The National <br>Institute of Infectious Diseases says that surveys show a <br>
surge in Novovirus cases -- more than double last year -- <br>especially among children. Novovirus gastroenteritis is <br>highly infectious and results in vomiting and diarrhea. The<br>wave of infections is expected to peak in December. <br>
(Source: TT commentary from <a href="http://japantimes.co.jp">japantimes.co.jp</a>, Nov 20, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101120x3.html">http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101120x3.html</a><br>
<br>-> Narita to slash landing fees?<br><br>The Nikkei says that the operator of Narita airport is <br>going to slash its aircraft landing fees by as much as 50% <br>in March of next year, in an effort to retain its air <br>
traffic volumes in light of competition from both Haneda <br>and Korea's Incheon. Apparently it costs JPY310,000 for a <br>midsized aircraft to land at Narita, versus JPY50,000 at <br>Incheon. ***Ed: Why Japan can't get ahead of the price <br>
curve on air travel we don't know. Geographically its a <br>perfect location for a major hub similar to Singapore's <br>Changi Airport. Instead, they have let Incheon steal that <br>role from them.** (Source: TT commentary from <a href="http://nikkei.com">nikkei.com</a>, <br>
Nov 21, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20101120D20JFF03.htm">http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20101120D20JFF03.htm</a><br><br>-> Orix buys Omote Sando building<br><br>Leasing and finance company Orix has put together a <br>
consortium to buy the neo-classical Ralph Lauren building <br>on Omote Sando Dori for a reported JPY31bn. The building, <br>originally constructed in 2006 by a US fund, was seized by <br>creditors last year after the fund failed to meet payment <br>
commitments and has been up for sale ever since. The <br>consortium consists of Orix, Trinity Investment of the US, <br>and DekaBank and some other banks. ***Ed: While real estate<br>commentators are speculating that this deal marks the <br>
bottom and subsequent rise of the market, our sense is that <br>this deal is somewhat of a one-off, and that Japanese property <br>owners are still not at the point of capitulation which would<br>indicate a turning of the market. Rather, we think this is a <br>
case of Orix being good at hunting out deals (although at 4% <br>the returns are still just modest, reliable income), and this <br>doesn't signal a positive ground shift in the market at this<br>stage.** (Source: TT commentary from <a href="http://nikkei.com">nikkei.com</a>, Nov 20, <br>
2010)<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20101119D19JFF04.htm">http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20101119D19JFF04.htm</a><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>-------- Essential Business Reference in English ----------<br>
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<br><a href="http://www.cch-japan.jp">www.cch-japan.jp</a><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 now urgently looking for experienced Network <br>
Engineers with experience supporting investment bank <br>infrastructure to work with a client’s network operations <br>out of a location in the Shin Kiba area. This role <br>predominantly involves maintenance and configuration of <br>
Cisco network products, in particular Switches and Routers,<br>but will also involve a deeper level of work depending on <br>your technical capabilities. Additionally, you can earn <br>extra money for project implementations and emergency <br>
requests.<br><br>Due to the technical nature and high pressure environment, <br>someone with solid experience from the finance industry, <br>and relevant qualifications (such as CCNA and CCNP) would <br>be best suited to this role. In addition, due to the work <br>
involving some out of hours support and potential weekend <br>projects, a flexible individual with a positive can-do <br>attitude, even under pressure, is essential. Finally, as <br>this role will also involve vendor interactions on <br>
occasion, your Japanese ability will need to be at a solid <br>business level to function effectively.<br><br>Remuneration is JPY8m – JPY10m depending on your experience<br>and level.<br><br>** POSITIONS VACANT<br><br>- Client Engineer, BiOS, JPY4m – JPY6m<br>
- Various Helpdesk and Deskside Support, JPY3m – JPY5m<br>- Snr and Jnr PM, LCD Manf JPY3.5m – JPY4m<br>- Web Director, online shopping, JPY10m – JPY15m<br>- Okinawa IT Manager, Investment bank, 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>** Surprisingly, no events or announcements this week...<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 comments or feedback this week.<br><br>***********************************************************<br>END<br><br>SUBSCRIBERS: 8,811 members as of November 21, 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>
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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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