JIN-448 -- J@pan Inc Magazine, Jan/Feb 2008

J@pan Inc Newsletter

The 'JIN' Japan Inc Newsletter
A weekly opinion piece on social, economic and political trends
in Japan.
Issue No. 448 Wednesday January 16, 2008, Tokyo

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J@pan Inc Magazine, Jan/Feb 2008

The first edition of J@pan magazine this year is bursting with
high quality articles on an extensive range of Japan-based
topics and more. You can read the whole magazine online
( www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_issue) or, follow the links
below to go to the articles that interest you.

HTC & THE RISE OF THE SMARTPHONE
On the cover of the latest issue, our 75th, we have Jennifer
Chang, Representative Director of HTC Japan, the innovative
Taiwan-based Smartphone maker. In collaboration with DoCoMo and
SoftBank HTC is leading the way in Japan for handsets with
Windows operating systems—Windows Mobile. To learn more about
Chang's vision for HTC Japan and the Smartphone market here, read
the article at:
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_smartphone

PREDICTIONS & TRENDS
Greg Lane peers into his crystal ball to predict what is in store
for Japan in 2008. He covers, the legal, political and financial
worlds as well as the G8 Summit and the Olympics. Meanwhile,
Michael Kerferl of CScout Japan explores some recent trends
discovered in Japanese convenience stores.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_predictions-2008

THE ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN JAPAN
J@pan Inc likes to cover the diverse sections of the foreign
business community here in Japan and thus we took the
opportunity to speak to President of the Italian Chamber, Romano
Mazzucco, about Italy-Japan relations, past present and future.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_romano_mazzucco

IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED FOR A CALAMITY?
Japan is a volatile country. While it may be extremely safe in
terms of violent crime, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and
typhoons can have a devastating effect on businesses and
communities. Hugh Ashton explores the nature of the threats and
offers some insight into the disaster recovery process for
damaged IT and technology.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_disaster-recovery

POLITICAL RISK
And, with the aim of informing our readers more than worrying
them, we also take a look at the political threats to Japanese
stability. Anna Kitanaka considers relations, with China, Taiwan
and North Korea as well as assessing risks posed by domestic
extremism and potential threats to Japan's energy supplies.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_risky-business

INVESTMENT & FINANCE
Since reforms that took place in the 1980s, Vietnam has been
attracting more and more international business interest. How
far has the country come and where is it going? Find out at
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_business-in-vietnam
Elsewhere, Antonia McLaughlin considers the phenomenon
of Japanese housewives who supplement their allowance by trading
online www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_housewife-online-trading
Additionally, Chris Cleary's regular column this edition focuses
on portable pension plans and the danger of rogue advisers
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_investment

[Continued below...]

------Metropolis Magazine Valentine`s Glitterball-------

Glitterball is back!
Tokyo's favorite party makes its triumphant return on
February 14, 2008-Valentine's Day.
An institution for nearly a decade, the Metropolis-hosted
Glitterball was on hiatus this year due to the closing of
Velfarre nightclub, but 2008's version promises to be better
than ever.

Roppongi hotspot Alife will host over 1,000 V-Day revelers
for a night of eating, drinking, dancing, making friends-and
who knows what else.
Prize drawings, swag bags, and Tokyo's funnest crowd will make
the reborn Glitterball the highlight of the Tokyo social calendar.

CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME
www.metropolis.co.jp/glitterball
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[...Article continues]

HEALTHCARE SPECIAL FEATURE
Have you experienced healthcare in Japan? We interviewed various
foreigners who have, and their stories make interesting, if
slightly perturbing, reading.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_doctor
For those who live and Japan and wish to know where they can get
treatment or help, we are pleased to offer our healthcare
services directory featuring hospitals, clinics and surgeries
providing a range of healthcare with capability for dealing with
foreigners.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_healthcare-services-directory
On the financial side, expert stock analyst David Hodgson gives
the lowdown on pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks in his stock
report www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_stock-report

EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATIONS
Changes affected by the London Agreement about patent application
procedures in the EU could lead to major savings for Japanese
companies seeking to protect their intellectual property abroad.
Specialist intellectual property lawyer Nick Reeve from the UK
explains all.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_european-patent-applications

REAL ESTATE
Thought about buying property in Japan? Thought about looking in
Chiba? Hirokazu Mukai takes a look at some unusual investment
options in and around Tokyo as well as giving practical advice
on buying real estate in Japan.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_real-estate-2008

POLITICS
Tokyo University scholar Adam P Liff takes stock of US-Japan
relations and discusses the changing dynamics of this pivotal and
complicated relationship.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_on-the-rocks

TOKYO COMMUNITY NEWS
Our new column, in association with Santa Fe Relocation Services,
details selected new arrivals and departures in the expatriate
business community of Tokyo. Find out who's flying in and out:
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_arrivals-and-departures
And as the Tokyo American Club settles into its new temporary
home in Takanawa, club president Dan Thomas tells readers about
the reasons behind the move and the club's plans for
refurbishment.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_away-from-home

[Continued below...]

------------------- Financial Times------------------------

Established in 1888 and published in 23 major cities, the
Financial Times is essential reading for the global business
community, providing news in print and online around the
clock to more than 1.3 million readers worldwide.

In both its print and online versions, the FT has a reputation
for authority, balance and depth of coverage.
With 400 specialist journalists in 70 offices around the
world, and unrivalled access to global business and government
leaders, the FT 's global business intelligence and insight
will help you start the day fully briefed on significant
events in business, politics and finance.

FT newspaper and FT.com (one year subscription - 310 issues)

Normal retail price:
JPY219,647
You pay:
JPY90,720 ( Saving you 54%.)

If you would like to subscribe please call our dedicated
customer service team on 0120-341-468 or
visit www.ftasia.net/japaninc
-----------------------------------------------------------

[...Article continues]

CULTURE & CONTEXT
Our lifestyle section visits a classic car event and the Tokyo
motor show.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_reflections-on-wheels
And, read about a Japanese artist who has reinvented the skull
as a fashion emblem in her latest range of clothes and
accessories.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_perfect_crime
For the more contemplative, we also take a look at Japanese
overseas development aid and development in the form of the 'One
Village, One Product'; a homegrown scheme that seeks to empower
rural entrepreneurs in the developing world.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_one-village-one-product

BACK & FORWARD
Ken Worsely provides his regular dose of brief, witty commentary
on Japanese economic news.
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_back-and-forward

CROSSWORD
Test your wits with our fiendishly difficult prize crossword:
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_crossword

PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE & LETTERS
Finally, view our publisher, Terrie Lloyd's, take on the economy
and business forecast for the year at
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_message-from-publisher
And our letters to the editor here
www.japaninc.com/mgz_jan-feb_2008_letters-to-editor

We value our reader input and so if there is something you would
like to comment on, there is a space for you to do so at the end
of each article on the website. Enjoy reading J@pan Inc!

Peter Harris
Editor-in-Chief

++FEEDBACK

Want to comment? It is now even easier to voice your opinion
than ever before! Simply visit www.japaninc.com/jin448 and
post a comment below the article. Alternatively, you can email
it directly to the author at peter.harris@japaninc.com

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++EVENTS
---------------- ICA Event - Jan 16 -----------------------

Event: New Year Mixer Party-Joint event with
the American Chamber (ACCJ)

Overview: An evening of fun, games, salsa dancers, dancing,
prizes, drinks, and delicious food
Details: Complete event details at http://www.icajapan.jp/
(RSVP Required)

Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Time: 7:30-9:30, includes open bar, finger food.
Open ended nijikai at same location
Cost: 6,000 yen (members), 6,500 yen (non-members)
Open to all-venue is 57 - Roppongi 4-2-35, Tel. 03-5775-7857

http://www.fiftyseven.co.jp/

-----------------------------------------------------------
Marcus Evans Events - Supported by J@pan Inc
Date :22nd-23rd January, 2008 Venue: Hilton Tokyo Hotel

-Clinical Trial and Drug Development Excellence 2008
Date :23rd-24th January, 2008 Venue: Hilton Tokyo Hotel
http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=13130
The event features case studies and expert presentations by
Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Bayer, AstraZeneca
and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.

'J@pan Inc readers are entitled to a 10% discount upon
registration with Ms. Esther Wong.'

For further details and brochures, please contact:
Ms. Esther Wong
Tel No: +603 2723 6736
Fax No: +603 2723 6699
Email add: estherw@marcusevanskl.com

--------------------- MIDEMNET FORUM ----------------------

MUSIC BUSINESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

26/27 January 2008, Cannes, France, at MIDEM, the world's
music market. MidemNet Forum brings you an invaluable
update on how digital is driving the music business
forward, changing it rapidly and radically. Over 2 days of
intense conference sessions and serious networking
opportunities. You will debate and engage with more than
1,300 key international executives and play an active role
in shaping the future of the industry.

Speakers: Janus Friis, Co-Founder, Joost, Kazaa and Skype;
Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO, Vivendi; Tero Ojanpera, EVP & CTO,
Nokia; Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi.
The earlier you register, the less you pay. Hurry, seats
are limited! www.midem.com

------------ Translation/Marketing Service ----------------
The J@pan Inc Translation/Marketing team now offers translation
and marketing services for companies to help them enhance their
performance internationally. Our services include:

- Professional translation
- Catchy copy writing
- Strategic design
- Effective PR
- Direct marketing

Our achievement includes:
- Corporate report translation and desktop publishing
- In-house magazine translation and desktop publishing
- Annual report translation
- Company legal document translation
- Government PR brochure copy writing and design
- DM service targeting senior executives

Please contact at sachie.kuroda@japaninc.com for more details.
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++END