JIN-466 -- Smoking in Japan Revisited

J@pan Inc Newsletter
The 'JIN' J@pan Inc Newsletter
A weekly opinion piece on social, economic and political trends
in Japan.
Issue No. 466 Wednesday May 21, 2008, Tokyo

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Back in July last year, we tackled the topic of smoking in Japan
http://www.japaninc.com/jin422. Our line was that although
governments and tobacco companies do have to take some
responsibility, ultimately, society should be able to decide
for itself whether it has a place for tobacco. This caused some
debate on our website with some readers choosing to interpret
the article as an endorsement of smoking which, as the piece
makes clear, is not the case. While unsure of the need for more
laws that deal with our private habits, we fully take on board
the reasons why smoking is a negative in terms of health and
particularly, the need to protect children. Critically, the good
sense to regulate smoking behavior should come from our own
initiatives and sense of responsibility.

Nonetheless, since last year there have been some interesting
developments, some of them in terms of tackling underage
smoking. ID cards for tobacco vending machines came in early
this year and some prefectures, notably Kanagawa, have begun
to discuss banning smoking in public places (for more see
http://www.japaninc.com/node/3116). A machine that identifies
the age of the purchaser by measuring the extent of their
wrinkles is also on the horizon. Shiga prefecture has hosted
an ‘Open forum against tobacco’ and in Kansai, Itami city
government have also launched a ‘smoking cessation plan.’

Moreover, according to research compiled by McCann Healthcare
Worldwide Japan (MHWJ), there is a growing awareness of smoking
as a health problem and Japanese society shows all the signs of
moving to change the social and legal structure to tackle the
ill-effects smoking. According to one survey, more than 50% of
male respondents in their 50s want their colleagues to quit,
and, limitations on vending machine opening hours and locations
has started to discourage smokers. Meanwhile, tax on tobacco is
rising steadily although cigarettes in Japan are still
relatively cheap in comparison with other developed countries.
Additionally, more and more young females are taking up smoking
and over 27% of Japanese doctors smoke.

It is in that spirit that J@pan Inc together with McCann MHWJ,
and our sister publication Metropolis magazine, have decided to
sponsor a publicity campaign to raise the profile of World No
Tobacco Day, happening on May 31. This campaign is coordinated
by the World Health Organization
(http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2008/en/) and is a global
effort, not to preach about the dangers of tobacco, but to
promote the health of young people via prevention and protection
from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

The focus of this campaign is children and the advertisements we
are sponsoring (at top) are aimed at parents or guardians, encouraging
them not to smoke in the vicinity of their children. While
awareness may have improved, public smoking regulations in Japan
are much freer than in many countries, particularly when
compared to North America and the UK. Beyond this, many smokers
who are parents appear to practice doublethink in telling their
young children not to smoke, and yet smoking in their presence,
even in enclosed spaces such as small apartments and cars.
We don't need to wait for rules and regulations before making
such small steps towards preserving the health of our children.

Peter Harris
Editor-in-Chief

++FEEDBACK
Want to comment? It is now even easier to voice your opinion
than ever before! Simply post a comment below this article at:
www.japaninc.com/jin466

--------NEW GADGET BLOG: TEKRONOMICON.COM------------------

In collaboration with Gadget Watch, Gadget blog Tekronomicon
offers a detailed look at select gadgets - shiny and strange,
from gizmo ground zero in Tokyo.
See the gadgets introduced in Gadget Watch,
with photos and more at: www.tekronomicon.com
www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch
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++EVENTS

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Marcus Evans Events - Supported by J@pan Inc

Customer Relationship Excellence, 15th - 16th April 2008, Tokyo
http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13548
Featuring speakers from American Express International and others

Compensation and Benefits Forum, 27th - 28th May, Tokyo
http://www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13778
This event provides Japanese firms the 'how-to' of investing in
their employees to sustain their businesses.
Supported by JSHRM

3rd Annual LNG World, 15th - 16th July 2008, Tokyo
www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=13569
This event focuses on key operational aspects of LNG business and
current market dynamics to succeed in this competitive market.

'J@pan Inc readers are entitled to a 10% discount upon
registration with Ms. Esther Wong.'
Contact: +603 2723 6736 Email: estherw@marcusevanskl.com

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Start a Company in Japan

Entrepreneur's Handbook Seminar 31st of May, 2008

If you have been considering setting up your own company,
find out what it takes to make it successful.
Terrie Lloyd, founder of over 13 start-up companies in Japan,
will be giving an English-language seminar and Q and A on
starting up a company in Japan.
This is an ideal opportunity to find out what is involved,
and to ask specific questions that are not normally answered
in business books.
All materials are in English and are Japan-focused.

For more details:
http://www.japaninc.com/entrepreneur_handbook_seminar

---------- Metropolis and eigoTown.com Party --------------

Metropolis-Tokyo's favorite lifestyle magazine and
eigoTown.com - Japan's premier English language learning
website - join together on June 14, 2008 to bring you
The Metropolis and eigoTown.com Party.

Roppongi hotspot Alife will host over 500 revelers for an
evening of fun with people from different backgrounds
coming together to eat, drink and make friends!

Tel: Metropolis(Will Thompson) 03-45502759.
Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.metropolis.co.jp/party

CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME

-------------------- ICA Event - June 25 ------------------

Speaker: Henry Ng, Head of Professional Security Services
-Asia, Verizon Business

Topic: Bridging the Security Management Gap:
How to Move from Point Solutions to Process

Details: Complete event details at http://www.icajapan.jp/
(RSVP Required)
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2008
Time: 6:30 Doors open includes light buffet
Cost: 4,000 yen (members), 6,000 yen (non-members)
Open to all-venue is The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan
http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map

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ASIA'S ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT MARKET

AMAZIA, 17-20 November, 2008, Hong Kong, is the first Asian
business-to-business exhibition and international conference
dedicated to the creation and distribution of entertainment
content across all delivery platforms.
AMAZIA provides key professionals from the TV, games, music,
internet and mobile industries an unparalleled opportunity
to develop essential business, discover new trends, creative
talent and innovation throughout Asia.

The earlier you register, the less you pay.
Register now www.amaziacontent.com

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++END