TT-399 -- Trainees or slaves? ebiz news from Japan

Earlier on this month, the Yomiuri newspaper carried an article about an auto parts manufacturer in Akitakata, Hiroshima, which is being investigated for hiring more foreign "trainees" than allowed by the rules.

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GW-259 -- Kokuyo memoribo W, Extreme HARD GLASS CD, Wacom FAVO HELLO KITTY Edition

Office supply company Kokuyo has announced a new version of their memoribo," what they are calling an "Electronic Word Card."

TT-398 -- Outsourcing and JTP, ebiz news from Japan

On June 22nd a rather unique if small outsourcing company, called Japan Third Party (JTP), listed on the JASDAQ. Although at first glance the business looks like a pretty standard operation, the company is special in that a full 95% of its business comes from foreign technology firms (not end users).

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JIN-392 -- Banzai the Emperor and Empress!

Last week I met the Emperor and Empress of Japan. I regret that I'm able to describe the circumstances in only vague terms, for to be specific would violate a trust and prejudice their Majesties against returning.

FW-98 -- Frugal Japanese Cooking Tips for the Kitchen Challenged

It's a fun time of year for cooking, what with the holidays approaching. Personally, I've been too busy the last year to do much beyond holiday meals and the very basics. But, I'm determine to get back into the good ole daitokoro (kitchen) sometime soon. In the meantime, I'm beefing up on my
Japanese cooking basics.

MMW-105 -- Mobile Music Applis - Ready For a Comeback?

Back in 2001, as American music lovers were getting their first glimpse of a sleek new device called the iPod, software developers in Japan were busy writing the first Java applications (dubbed 'applis') for mobile phones.

GW-258 -- Sony Personal Communicator "mylo", PBJ SmartCaddie EX, Fujitsu Ten AVN7406HD

It's a rare occurrence that Sony Electronics USA's original products make their way back to the shores of the Motherland.

JIN-391 -- Female CEOs in Japan

Ever since reading a recent article about the under-representation of female CEOs in Japan, I've been racking my brains to find one. My first thoughts were of Tomoyo Nonaka of Sanyo Electric or Fumiko Hayashi of Daiei...

JIN-390 -- The Death of Sports Day Greatly Exaggerated

Japan's weekly magazines are racy no-holds-barred journals that attract a readership bored with the insipid fare in the mainstream press. They are where Japanese look for the rest of the story.

TT-397 -- 500 yen pay rises, ebiz news from Japan

About five years ago, we wrote about the phenomenon of Japanese bedrock manufacturing companies firing thousands of people. One after another, companies such as Matsushita, Nissan and others broke the bad news to employees aged 50 or over that their days were numbered. Among many others, we were stunned to witness that apparent death of a unique corporate culture that saw protecting the welfare of employees as being more important than making profits.

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