Terrie LloydAn interesting trend in IP -- Several weeks ago, two representatives of a major Japanese financial group came to see me with an unusual request: If we could start channeling the Intellectual Property (IP) into their group of investee companies so as to help those firms do better commercially. Their problem is that they have made thousands (literally) of investments and about a third of those investee companies wind up running out of gas and ideas.

Peter HarrisAs the fiscal year draws to a close and the market is plagued by credit worries, and more general commercial anxiety, we are pleased to keep our eyes firmly focused on new business and innovation. -- Additionally, this issue includes our recruitment services special feature. For an overview of the current industry Alan Malcolm’s insider view is a thought-provoking piece about which recruitment companies stand the best chance of success and survival in Japan.

I enjoyed reading the wide-ranging subject matter of the last J@pan Inc, particularly the article on Vietnam: a country which has fascinated me for the past two decades. For me, it is one of the most interesting countries in the Asian region, in terms of its history, culture and significant market potential.

I was interested to read your article on Japanese healthcare services in the January/February issue. While I have heard similar stories of difficulty to those interviewed in the article, my own experiences have been very good. I lived in Japan six years ago when my husband was working there. Our first child was born in a hospital in Tokyo and we were treated extremely well; I was impressed at the cleanliness of the hospital

Derek SchneidermanBy Alan Malcolm -- A former recruiter looks at the industry in Japan asking the question, has the bubble burst? -- With the need for strong, foreign executive recruiters having been created through the demand to move high-caliber professionals, often within tightly knit industries, a lot of the demand has come on the back of strong financial optimism and forecasted growth. -- Interview with Derek Schneiderman, Recruitment Industry Investor, Chairman and CEO, IA Global Inc.

A useful list of recruiting companies to help you find the personnel you need to succeed in Japan. Or if you are looking for a high powered job in Japan these companies are the ones to approach.

By Peter Harris -- Three views of the human resources process: candidate, recruiter, employer -- We explore the job-hunting game from three different perspectives and expose five sneaky tricks that some recruiters employ.

By Greg Lane -- What's new and what's hot -- Business Break: Mobile Moves, Second Life, Breakthrough for Skype, Web 2.0, The sun setting on DRM?, Power from footsteps -- New business & IPO -- Trends in Japan -- Eco fashion: Tokyo teen fashion Mecca, Shibuya, is having an unusual bohemian moment. Take a stroll through the trendy Shibuya 109 fashion building and you’ll see many a boutique offering ’60s-inspired flower-print dresses with flowing skirts and sleeves and fringed suede boots and vests.

by Ken Worsley, Sarah Noorbakhsh, Peter Harris -- Measure For Measure -- Hard information about selected industries, a corporate profile of a major Japanese listed company, and a column on a selected player from the retail industry. -- Retail Focus -- Don Quijote, a chain of one-stop discount shops that offers more than just no-frills low prices, established in Tokyo in 1980. The company listed on the second section of the Tokyo stock exchange in 1998 followed by a listing in the first section in 2000.

Michel LachausséeBy Peter Harris -- J@pan Inc talks to the President of the French Chamber of Commerce in Japan -- The French chamber in Japan is the oldest European chamber of commerce, started in 1918. In Japan we have now reached a membership of 556. We are also the largest contributor to the European Business Council in Japan (EBCJ) and for France, the chamber here in Japan is one its most important in the world; Japan is a major market for many French companies. There are Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel and so on in the luxury brand sector with Renault and Michelin in the automotive industry. AXA have more than 10,000 employees here and Sanofi-Aventis are big in pharmaceuticals.

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