* * * * * * * * * 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 28, 2010, Issue No. 592<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>
because THE VENDOR decided would not support YOU, THE <br>CUSTOMER, any more?<br><br>PBXL has the solution for you! For any new CUSTOMER, PBXL <br>will purchase and dispose of your old, unsupported PBX and <br>provide you with state of the art Cisco telephony in both <br>
cloud and managed services offerings.<br><br>Give us a call at 03-4550-2557, shoot us an email at<br><a href="mailto:terriestake@pbxl.jp">terriestake@pbxl.jp</a> or visit <br><a href="http://en.pbxl.jp/sell-your-pbx.php">http://en.pbxl.jp/sell-your-pbx.php</a><br>
<br>Offer expires 15 Dec 2010.<br><br>------------ PBXL is BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS --------------<br><br><br>+++ WHAT'S NEW<br><br>The announcement two weeks ago that the Narita <br>International Airport Corporation will reduce their <br>
landing charges is certainly a sign of the times. The NIAC <br>(used to be called the NAA) is going to drop fees at least <br>temporarily from JPY310,000 per aircraft to just JPY50,000 <br>-- a whopping reduction of 86% and enough to push <br>
decision makers of a certain type of carrier to decide Narita<br>over Haneda.<br><br>Which type of carrier? Well, probably the only type that <br>will see substantial growth out of Japan in the future --<br>budget carriers. The impact of the JAL bankruptcy, <br>
the recent Open Skies agreement with the USA, and also <br>Haneda airport's opening of its fourth runway in October, <br>have all had a dramatic effect on how air travel is run in <br>Japan. The authorities are now, belatedly perhaps, realizing <br>
that they have to get competitive, or they will get left <br>behind by Incheon (S. Korea), Singapore, and Shanghai as <br>air hubs in Asia. <br><br>Last month, the NIAC announced that it will construct a new <br>terminal for low-cost carriers in an effort to attract the <br>
budget airlines to use Narita over Haneda. In line with its <br>construction plans, Narita will also increase <br>landing/take-off slots by 10% (to 330,000) in FY2011, and <br>up to 30% more by FY2014. Of course, that will only occur <br>
if they can attract the air traffic volumes, and therefore <br>Narita's efforts can't go unaided by the government's <br>continuing push for tourists. As a comparison, Haneda <br>currently offers about 60,000 landing/take-off slots annually.<br>
<br>There is nothing like competition to cause old <br>organizations to change, and it's good to see this <br>happening at Narita. They are certainly going to have some <br>catching up to do, as budget air travel seems to be the<br>
wave of the future, and Haneda and other airports in Japan <br>are already attracting some high volume players.<br><br><br>[Continued below...]<br><br>--------------- Standardizing Your Website ----------------<br><br>Do you have a sophisticated website or Intranet site that <br>
is hard to maintain and needs an engineer every time you <br>want to make a change? Maybe you should standardize on an <br>open source Content Management System -- one which is <br>widely known and supported, and which lets your staff do <br>
most of the updates themselves -- thus reducing your <br>website maintenance budget. <br><br>LINC Media's Electronic Commerce team builds WordPress and <br>Drupal CMS-driven websites that are quick to set up, <br>reliable, and most importantly give your marketing team the<br>
capability of doing their own updates. Our systems include <br>year-round technical support and content support if you <br>want it, all for a competitive flat monthly fee.<br><br>To find out more, ask about our WEB PARTNERS program -- <br>
backed by a solid fully-bilingual team<br>with strong credentials and a desire to please. <br><br>Contact: nana.yamaguchi at <a href="http://lincmedia.co.jp">lincmedia.co.jp</a> for details.<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>[...Article continues]<br><br>First of the budget airlines to use Haneda will be<br>AirAsia X from Malaysia. The airline will launch a route <br>from Haneda to Kuala Lumpur in early December, and reckons <br>that its flights are already 90% full for December, and <br>
over 80% for January. AirAsia X is going to start with 3 <br>flights a week and expects this to increase to daily <br>flights. Already the company has applied for a second route<br>between Osaka and KL.<br><br>JTB knows a good thing when it sees it, and is marketing <br>
low-cost package tours with AirAsia X. You'll be able to <br>go for two-nights, four-days, including accommodation, for <br>just JPY30,000. These prices are about 40% lower than other<br>travel agencies are offering using aircraft out of Narita. <br>
OK, yes, the flights will leave Haneda at 11:45pm and get <br>you into KL at some ungodly hour in the morning, but at <br>JPY30,000, these are going to be snapped up. Budget travel <br>agency HIS would have to be concerned about this tie-up <br>
and also the fact that JTB is now going after the low-cost <br>traveler who was once HIS' domain.<br><br>Another budget airline, which is only just being <br>established and doesn't yet have a name, is a joint venture<br>
between ANA and First Eastern Investment Group announced <br>back in September. This airline will start operations in <br>the second half of FY2011, meaning this time next year, <br>from its Osaka hub. It will compete for low-cost <br>
passenger traffic both within Japan and also between China <br>and Japan and Korea and Japan. On the international side of<br>things, this j/v doesn't come a minute too soon as ANA <br>experienced a 7% decrease in passenger volumes in November <br>
(compared to last year).<br><br>Another concern for existing players in the air travel <br>industry is that likely change of destination for Japan's <br>holiday makers. Whereas JetStar and Australia were offering<br>some of the best access to warm climates and great holiday <br>
destinations, AirAsia X and some other budget operators <br>still in the pipeline are going to be diverting Japanese <br>out-bound traffic to new locations. Actually, we see Hawaii <br>suffering from the incursions of Asian budget airline operators<br>
as well. These more traditional locations are going to <br>have to work on their marketing to keep their numbers up.<br><br>So the advent of budget airlines being able to operate into<br>Japan should bring some interesting changes in inbound <br>
tourism. Until now the Japanese government seems fixated <br>with China, but with the availability of great deals like <br>AirAsia X's, this means that tourist traffic from other <br>countries is likely to soar as well. This can only mean <br>
greater demand for budget accommodation, and those hotel and<br>hostel management companies who've been hurting since the <br>exodus of western foreigners, and who are not on the Chinese<br>tour agencies' approved lists, will see some welcome respite. <br>
<br>It will be interesting to see also, to see if the surge in <br>travelers pushes up the price of real estate for ski<br>resorts, hot spring areas, and downtown Tokyo<br>apartments, whether the interest of Chinese buyers<br>
in the last couple of years, is just a blip in the big<br>scheme of things.<br><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. BEE PROPOLIS<br><br>Colds and flu season is upon us and you can boost your <br>immunity a bit more with bee propolis. Actually, propolis <br>is one of the richest sources of bioflavonoids known and <br>
is responsible for the sterile, healthy state of the <br>beehives. This particular brand smells really great, as <br>well, just like natural honey comb.<br><br><a href="http://www.iherb.com/Country-Life-Bee-Propolis-Caps-500-mg-100-Veggie-Caps/1647?at=0">http://www.iherb.com/Country-Life-Bee-Propolis-Caps-500-mg-100-Veggie-Caps/1647?at=0</a><br>
* <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>
website and signing up for the weekly newsletter. No other<br>obligations required. <a href="http://blogs.metropolis.co.jp/club/">http://blogs.metropolis.co.jp/club/</a><br><br>Next week's prize in the Metropolis Members Club is worth <br>
signing up for! A return air ticket to Taipei, courtesy of <br>your friendliest ISP and phone card provider in town, <br>JENET Corporation. Last week's prize was a pair of MI <br>Performance Customized shoes, courtesy of Adidas. <br>
Congratulations to Mirna Raineri for winning the shoes!<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><br>BiOS full-service IT solutions has a new service.<br><br>Working with our fully licenced temporary dispatch group,<br>we are now able to provide Japan in-country workers<br>
for companies not yet registered in Japan.<br><br>This innovative service is available for companies needing<br>to hire staff for Japanese customers, but who are unable<br>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>in English or Japanese:<br>
<br>Phone: 03-5773-3090, Email: <a href="mailto:solutions@biosjp.com">solutions@biosjp.com</a><br>Web: <a href="http://www.biosjp.com">www.biosjp.com</a><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>
<br>+++ NEWS<br><br>- Tokyo-to to buy private forests around Tamagawa<br>- 4-month waiting list for Gopan breadmakers <br>- Hotels enjoying more business<br>- TPP talks prompts farm reform panel<br>- Timber prices expected to rise<br>
<br><br>-> Tokyo-to to buy private forests around Tamagawa<br><br>The Yomiuri Daily gaily called a news item about Tokyo <br>government planning to buy private forests in the water <br>catchment area for the Tamagawa river as "Keeping Tokyo <br>
water tasty", but we'd characterize it as "keeping Tokyo <br>forests out of control of foreign interests". (Besides, do<br>you really want your water to be "tasty"?!) The government<br>is apparently planning to buy 10,000 hectares of forest in <br>
Okutamamachi and Koshu/Tabayamamura/Kosugemura in <br>Yamanashi-ken. ***Ed: Where they will get the money from is<br>not revealed at this stage -- will Ishihara start up <br>another bank, called Patriots Bank, maybe?** (Source: TT <br>
commentary from <a href="http://yomiuri.co.jp">yomiuri.co.jp</a>, Nov 23, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T101122004351.htm">http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T101122004351.htm</a><br><br>-> 4-month waiting list for Gopan breadmakers <br>
<br>Sanyo Electric is on a huge roll (pun intended) with its rice-based <br>bread-maker unit, called Gopan. We wanted to buy one of <br>these for Christmas, but Sanyo says that it has been <br>overwhelmed with orders for the machine. They apparently <br>
expected sales of around 58,000 units over the next four <br>months, but have received sales orders for the entire <br>production run in just the first month. ***Ed: This is such<br>a cool device.**<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20101125D25SS776.htm">http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20101125D25SS776.htm</a><br>
<br>-> Hotels enjoying more business<br><br>A recent nikkei survey indicates that tourism and business <br>travel is up and hotels are enjoying much better occupancy <br>rates than they have over the last year. According to the <br>
nikkei, the average occupancy rate for mainstream hotels in<br>Tokyo rose 2.4% to 85.1% in October. Although the Senkaku <br>Islands dispute has dented Chinese tourist traffic by about<br>30% (down), apparently the slack is being covered by <br>
tourists from Russia and elsewhere. Particularly notable <br>was a 670% jump in Russian tourists at the Royal Park <br>Shiodome, in response to marketing in that country. ***Ed: <br>Yappari, marketing works, even in a recession.** (Source: <br>
TT commentary from <a href="http://nikkei.com">nikkei.com</a>, Nov 27, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20101126D26JFA08.htm">http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20101126D26JFA08.htm</a><br><br>-> TPP talks prompts farm reform panel<br>
<br>It looks like the Kan government is quite serious about <br>going ahead with the US-backed TPP (Trans-Pacific <br>Partnership) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks. It has <br>said that it wants to accelerate discussions with Australia, <br>
for a bilateral agreement. This means the farming lobby <br>has to sacrifice its protectionist ways, and the government <br>is going to set up a panel under direct control of the PM's <br>office, to find ways to "improve the productivity and <br>
competitiveness" in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. <br>***Ed: This is all good stuff. Once the farmers are <br>placated and taken out as a hurdle, Japan's trade <br>opportunities will open up dramatically.** (Source: TT <br>
commentary from <a href="http://japantimes.co.jp">japantimes.co.jp</a>, Nov 27, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20101127a4.html">http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20101127a4.html</a><br>
<br>-> Timber prices expected to rise<br><br>Research company Japan Lumber Reports reckons that low <br>inventories in Japan, coupled with competition from buyers <br>in China and India, is set to cause price increases for <br>
hardwood logs shipped out of Indonesia. In Sarawak, log <br>prices gained US$6-8 over a month ago, a 5% increase, thus <br>potentially setting the scene for much bigger increases <br>once the rainy season starts and timber exports are <br>
suspended for a while. ***Ed: Actually, Japan's housing <br>industry is still in trouble and housing starts in <br>September were just under 72,000 units, the 3rd lowest <br>number since records were started. The demand for condos <br>
has doubled since last year, but timber-framed homes are <br>just 13% up on the same period.** (Source: TT commentary <br>from <a href="http://ihb.de">ihb.de</a>, Nov 27, 2010)<br><br><a href="http://www.ihb.de/wood/news/logs_softwood_plywood_24881.html">http://www.ihb.de/wood/news/logs_softwood_plywood_24881.html</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><br>If you're a manager or director of a company in Japan, you<br>need these references with detailed explanations in <br>English!!!<br><br>- Japan Staff Employment Law Guide - 1st Edition<br>
Published June, 2010 (JPY 21,000)<br><br>- Japan Master Tax Guide 2010/11<br>Published July, 2010 (JPY 18,375)<br><br>- Japan Corporation Law Guide - 2nd Edition<br>Published November, 2010 (JPY 22,050)<br><br>*Above prices include tax<br>
* As a limited time offer for readers of this newsletter,<br>orders received by November 30 will earn discounts:<br>1 title: 5% off, more than 2 titles: 10% off.<br><br>For more details: <a href="mailto:support@cch.co.jp">support@cch.co.jp</a>, call 03-6234-3980.<br>
Web: <a href="https://www.cch-japan.jp/contents/register/form">https://www.cch-japan.jp/contents/register/form</a><br><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>- Network Engineer, Finance, JPY7m – JPY10m<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 Helpdesk, Investment bank, JPY3m – JPY4m<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: 8,801 members as of November 28, 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>
<br>