* * * * * * * * * T E R R I E 'S T A K E * * * * * * *<br><div class="gmail_quote">A weekly roundup of news & information from Terrie Lloyd.<br>(<a href="http://www.terrie.com" target="_blank">http://www.terrie.com</a>)<br>
<br>General Edition Sunday, January 16, 2010, Issue No. 597<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" target="_blank">http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/terrie</a><br><br>BACK ISSUES<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take</a>, or,<br>
<a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/" target="_blank">http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/</a><br><br><br>---------- PBXL SUPPORTS TELL AND YOU SHOULD TOO ----------<br><br>PBXL's corporate responsibility efforts are tightly aligned<br>
with our strategic business priorities and integral to our<br>relationships - with clients, employees, and communities.<br><br>PBXL provides TELL with call center support and service using<br>the latest in Cisco telephony. The Tokyo English Life Line<br>
offers free anonymous telephone counseling as well as<br>professional face-to-face counseling for children, families,<br>and individuals.<br><br>Start the year off right and consider making a donation to<br>support and sustain the Tokyo English Life Line. From all <br>
of us at PBXL and TELL, we wish you a prosperous and<br>joyful 2011.<br><br>Give us a call at 03-4550-1600, shoot us an email at<br><a href="mailto:info@pbxl.jp" target="_blank">info@pbxl.jp</a> or visit <a href="http://en.pbxl.co.jp/" target="_blank">http://en.pbxl.co.jp/</a><br>
For information about TELL visit <a href="http://www.telljp.com/" target="_blank">http://www.telljp.com/</a><br><br>------------ PBXL is BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS --------------<br><br><br>+++ WHAT'S NEW<br><br>An article in the New York Times and a commentary between a<br>
Facebook software engineer and Mark Zuckerberg, have once <br>again kicked off speculation that Facebook is having a <br>tough time here in Japan and looks like it could become a <br>re-play of eBay, MySpace, and various other US internet <br>
ventures that have tried to set up here and have failed.<br><br>The NYT article was quite detailed, revealing that Facebook<br>currently has 2m users registered in Japan, just a tenth of<br>those registered to each of Mixi, Mobage, and Gree. The NYT<br>
reporter speculates that while Facebook has as much 60% of <br>all Internet users registered to it in the USA, the hurdles<br>for Facebook to gain decent market share in Japan may be <br>insurmountable.<br><br>The biggest reason given for Facebook's poor showing so far<br>
is that it requires (theoretically anyway) the user to use <br>their real name and is set up for the user's real persona <br>to be represented on the web. This is the antipathy of what<br>Japanese users want from the Internet, which is anonymity <br>
and the ability to participate in forums without fearing <br>identification for what might otherwise not be socially <br>acceptable behavior or comments. A recent web survey found <br>that over 80% of Japanese users in fact reluctant to use <br>
their real names on social media sites, so there is <br>something to this argument.<br><br>However, the fact is that you can easily use a pseudonym on<br>Facebook if you want to, and there doesn't seem to be an <br>active policing against doing so by Facebook. So what are <br>
the other reasons for Facebook's poor showing to date?<br><br>We'd say that the biggest impediments are being late to <br>market, it's a lot harder when you have to catch up with 3 <br>local communities already sitting on 65m subscribers <br>
between them, and the lack of need by Japanese users to <br>interconnect across borders. Of course there are some <br>internationalized Japanese, and we imagine that many of them<br>are already on Facebook and connecting with their friends <br>
abroad. But they are probably using the site for the <br>convenience of their overseas friends, not because it has <br>stronger appeal to them for local daily usage.<br><br>The fact is that currently Facebook doesn't offer anything <br>
superior to what is already out there, and so why should <br>people change?<br><br>[Continued below...]<br><br>----------------- Refreshing 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" target="_blank">lincmedia.co.jp</a> for details.<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>[...Article continues]<br><br>But we bet that Facebook won't stay small in Japan for <br>long. If you follow the news, you can see a pattern <br>emerging of alliances and leveraging that will gradually <br>ease Facebook into the fabric of Japanese web users. In the<br>
last few months there has been an alliance for example with<br>Recruit, Japan's leading free paper publisher (Hot Pepper <br>and various other titles). The tie-up allows college <br>students to find jobs by networking with graduates from <br>
their schools. <br><br>This is a clever and well-timed idea because there is a <br>vacuum in the school friends network sector. There used to <br>be a major schools connection network called Yubi-Toma, but<br>it went through a scandal and although relaunched last year, <br>
isn't trusted by your average netizen. Since Recruit is deep <br>into recruiting, this tie-up offers a nice connection to its <br>main business, and we assume will create revenue for both <br>parties.<br><br>Then of course also late last year was the market entry <br>
of games creator, Zynga. That company's Facebook <br>game, Farmville, has a huge following and may do well here, <br>creating the "pull" that Facebook needs to win users. <br>Games are clearly the major attraction for social networks <br>
in Japan, and both Gree and Mobage (by DeNA) have <br>eclipsed Mixi, a more traditional diary-based SNS site, <br>because of their freemium model games. Can Zynga create <br>more hits that will resonate with Japanese users? Given that <br>
Zynga took over a Japanese company which is already <br>producing titles, we think it is only a matter of time.<br><br>Another alliance, which had us scratching our heads, <br>was with Mixi itself, the entity that Facebook in theory <br>
would depose if it became successful in Japan. In late <br>October, the Nikkei ran a short article in which Facebook <br>said it was "partnering" with Mixi to allow users of each <br>site to share information, links, and other digital assets.<br>
Maybe in this way, Facebook hopes to offer Japanese users a<br>way around the "real name" policy?<br><br>Actually, we think not. More likely this is a pragmatic <br>way for Mixi to open up a door way to international users, <br>
while Facebook is probably pursuing a policy in Japan of <br>being friends with anyone who will have it. OR, just maybe,<br>this is a deeper relationship and we'll read about Facebook<br>buying out Mixi in the months to come. It wouldn't surprise<br>
us if this happens, and would certainly pole vault Facebook <br>into the main market.<br><br>In any case, Facebook really only opened its Japan office <br>late last year, and so it's early days to be speculating <br>
what the Facebook strategy will be. If we were them, we <br>
would attack the lesser culturally specific portion of the <br>Social Media market first, which is games and mobile <br>applications. Facebook has plenty of resources to be able <br>to do this, and now with a JPY5trn market valuation, they <br>
have plenty of willing partners as well. We're sure that <br>Softbank at least, being an investor in Zynga, will be <br>working with Facebook to line up those partners into some<br>kind of alliance. This could get interesting...<br>
<br>*************<br><br>Lastly, if any readers fancy themselves as the Mark <br>Zuckerberg of 2020 in Japan, and need some pointers on how <br>to go about it, we're happy to announce that our next <br>Entrepreneur's Business Handbook Seminar program is fast <br>
approaching. The seminar, presented by your's truly, goes <br>through all aspects of setting up, running, and selling a <br>company. We include how to raise funds, how to find a good <br>business niche and make money from it, and what kind of <br>
valuations you can expect once you're ready to sell. The <br>seminar will be on February 19th, more details in the <br>UPCOMING EVENTS section below.<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. Non-Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -- NEEM TOOTHPASTE<br><br>Recently our family started using herbal toothpastes <br>
because they are supposed to have less chemicals and if <br>swallowed cause less ill effects on kids' bodies. However, <br>we have quickly come to realize that Tom's of Maine and <br>similar toothpastes are loaded with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate <br>
(SLS), a foaming agent which at very least is known to <br>cause mouth ulcers, and at worst could be carcinogenic. SLS<br>in shampoos may be acceptable, but not for use inside your <br>mouth.<br><br>The other issue with herbal non-SLS toothpastes is that <br>
they almost uniformly come in one flavor, mouth-puckering <br>mint, which kids can't take. We were happy and now very <br>satisfied to find Organix South's Neem Toothpaste, which <br>comes in a great Neem/Cinnamon flavor. This product uses an<br>
eclectic selection of Indian Ayurvedic and western herbs <br>that do work to make your teeth clean.<br><br><a href="http://bit.ly/gK1XLF" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/gK1XLF</a><br><br>* <a href="http://iherb.com" target="_blank">iherb.com</a> referral code -- LOY499<br>
* Pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you.<br><br>=> 2. MI Performance shoes from Adidas<br><br>This coming week, one lucky MMC member will win a pair of <br>MI Performance customized shoes courtesy of adidas. Last <br>
week's prize of a night's stay for two at the Hotel <br>Avanshell Akasaka courtesy of Hotel Avanshell Akasaka was <br>won by Joe Peters. Congratulations Joe! Becoming a <br>Metropolis Member is as simple as going to the website and <br>
signing up for the weekly newsletter. No other obligations. <br><a href="http://blogs.metropolis.co.jp/club/" target="_blank">http://blogs.metropolis.co.jp/club/</a><br><br>* 30 prizes scheduled in the next 30 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" target="_blank">solutions@biosjp.com</a><br>
Web: <a href="http://www.biosjp.com" target="_blank">www.biosjp.com</a><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br><br>+++ NEWS<br><br>- Daikin may buy US rival<br>- CDMA iPhone on the way?<br>
- Innocent man gets JPY92m compensation<br>
- Suntory has JPY300bn M&A war chest<br>- 1.41m families on welfare<br><br><br><br>-> Daikin may buy US rival<br><br>Osaka-based aircon maker Daikin has announced that it is <br>considering a massive US$4bn takeover of US rival maker <br>
Goodman Global. The company is one of a number of bidders <br>for the Goodman business, after its owners, private equity <br>firm Hellman & Friedman, put the business up for sale. The <br>purchase would make Daikin the largest air conditioning <br>
maker in the world, edging out another US company, United <br>Technologies. (Source: TT commentary from <a href="http://reuters.com" target="_blank">reuters.com</a>, Jan <br>14, 2011)<br><br><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70D14V20110114" target="_blank">http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70D14V20110114</a><br>
<br>-> CDMA iPhone on the way?<br><br>According to Taiwan parts supplier insiders, it appears <br>that Apple may be preparing a CDMA iPhone handset for sale <br>in China, Japan, and South Korea. This would be interesting<br>
news for Japan as the only CDMA carrier is KDDI, a<br>major competitor to Softbank. ***Ed: Certainly we'd be <br>overjoyed to see a carrier compete with Softbank. Their <br>service is so darned slow -- we are now using an eMobile <br>
portable WiFi/3G hub to get an alternative way on to the <br>web.** (Source: TT commentary from <a href="http://electronista.com" target="_blank">electronista.com</a>, Jan <br>12, 2011)<br><br><a href="http://bit.ly/goeFnL" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/goeFnL</a><br>
<br>-> Innocent man gets JPY92m compensation<br><br>Probably no amount of money will make up for the 17 years <br>taken from 64-year old Toshikazu Sugaya, who was imprisoned<br>in 1993 for life for the alleged murder of a 4-year old <br>
girl abducted from a Pachinko parlor. Sugaya was convicted <br>on the basis of DNA found in the toddler's underwear, but <br>he protested his innocence and finally managed to get the <br>Tokyo High Court to re-test the DNA sample in 2006. Sure <br>
enough, it wasn't his... He is to receive JPY92m in <br>compensation, representing the maximum possible <br>compensation allowed by the government. ***Ed: If there was<br>ever a case for Japan to stop imposing the death sentence, <br>
this would be it.** (Source: AFP article at <a href="http://google.com" target="_blank">google.com</a>, Jan<br>13, 2011)<br><br><a href="http://tinyurl.com/6hz8dr7" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/6hz8dr7</a><br><br>-> Suntory has JPY300bn M&A war chest<br>
<br>Suntory Holdings CEO has revealed that his company has a <br>JPY300bn war chest available for acquisitions, following a <br>failed merger attempt with Kirin back in 2009-2010. The <br>company's last major acquisition was France's Orangina <br>
Schweppes. The CEO has said that he wants to raise income <br>levels earned overseas to 25%, up from 23% today, and to <br>move overall sales to JPY2trn by 2013, up from JPY1.75trn <br>today. ***Ed: It will be interesting to see what kind of <br>
companies Suntory will go for. So far they're active in the<br>"junk drinks" sector, but there are some very interesting <br>healthy drinks makers on the rise in the USA and Europe <br>that could be good targets. Also interesting to see just <br>
how much cash some of these major Japanese companies have <br>for global purchases.** (Source: TT commentary from <br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com" target="_blank">e.nikkei.com</a>, Jan 14, 2011)<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20110113D13JFA17.htm" target="_blank">http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20110113D13JFA17.htm</a><br>
<br>-> 1.41m families on welfare<br><br>There are plenty of people still doing it tough in Japan. <br>According to a new Welfare Ministry report, there are a <br>record 1.41m households now living on welfare, up 9,400 <br>
from September, and 136,000 more than 2009. The households <br>represented 1.96m actual people. The Ministry says the <br>major cause of the rise is the ongoing loss of jobs in the <br>labor market. As a result, it will spend JPY3.5bn this year<br>
to help people on welfare re-enter the workforce. (Source: <br>TT commentary from <a href="http://e.nikkei.com" target="_blank">e.nikkei.com</a>, Jan 12, 2011)<br><br><a href="http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20110112D12JF678.htm" target="_blank">http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20110112D12JF678.htm</a><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" target="_blank">support@cch.co.jp</a>, call 03-6234-3980.<br>
Web: <a href="https://www.cch-japan.jp/contents/register/form" target="_blank">https://www.cch-japan.jp/contents/register/form</a><br><br><a href="http://www.cch-japan.jp" target="_blank">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<br><br>BiOS is currently looking for an experienced helpdesk <br>engineer to join an international medical equipment company<br>located in Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo. The successful candidate will <br>
be responsible for supporting end users, predominantly in a<br>Japanese language environment. The work includes 2nd<br>level support and Laptop/SmartPhone setup, network/server <br>administration, etc. <br><br>At least 2 years of helpdesk/desktop experience, with wide <br>
knowledge of system administration experience is required. <br>The qualified candidate would also have business level <br>English and native level Japanese.<br><br>Salary: JPY4m – JPY5m per year, based on your experience.<br>
<br><br>** POSITIONS VACANT<br><br>- Snr Infra Engineer, BiOS, JPY5m – JPY7.5m<br>- Network Engineer, global IT co, JPY7m – JPY10m<br>- Staffing Consultant, BiOS, JPY2.5m – JPY3m + comm.<br>- Sales Team Account Manager, BiOS, JPY3.5m – 4.5m + comm.<br>
- Media Management Mgr (DC), iBank, JPY 4m – JPY5m<br><br>Interested individuals may e-mail resumes to:<br><a href="mailto:kenji.sakota@biosjp.com" target="_blank">kenji.sakota@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" target="_blank">stuart.gibson@biosjp.com</a>.<br>
<br>Interested individuals may e-mail resumes to:<br>
<a href="mailto:stuart.gibson@biosjp.com" target="_blank">stuart.gibson@biosjp.com</a><br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>***------------------------****-------------------------***<br>
<br><br>+++ UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS<br>
<br>---------------- ICA Event - January 20 -------------------<br><br>Speaker: Keith Wilkinson, Google Analytics<br>- Web Marketing & CMS Consultant<br><br>Title: How Much Is Your Web Site Worth?<br>How to Leverage Web Analytics and Web Marketing!<br>
<br>Details: Complete event details at <a href="http://www.icajapan.jp/" target="_blank">http://www.icajapan.jp/</a><br>(RSVP Required)<br><br>Date: Thursday, January 20, 2011<br>Time: 6:30 Doors open, Buffet Dinner included and cash bar<br>
Cost: 4,000 yen (members), 6,000 yen (non-members) Open to <br>all. Venue is The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan.<br><br><a href="http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map" target="_blank">http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map</a><br>
-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>--------------- Start a Company in Japan ------------------<br><br>Entrepreneur's Handbook Seminar 19th of February, 2011<br><br>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.<br><br>For more details:<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar</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" target="_blank">editors@terrie.com</a>.<br><br>*** No comments or feedback this week.<br><br>***********************************************************<br>
END<br><br>SUBSCRIBERS: 8,729 members as of January 16, 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" target="_blank">terrie.lloyd@japaninc.com</a>)<br>
<br>HELP: E-mail <a href="mailto:Terrie-request@mailman.japaninc.com" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/terrie</a><br><br>BACK ISSUES<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/terries_take</a><br>
or, <a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">www.japaninc.com</a> for the best business insight on<br>Japan available.<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br><br>
</div><br>