TT-719 -- Something Fishy Going on in Fukushima, e-biz news from Japan

* * * * * * * * * T E R R I E 'S T A K E * * * * * * *
A weekly roundup of news & information from Terrie Lloyd.
(http://www.terrie.com)

General Edition Sunday, July 21, 2013, Issue No. 719

+++ INDEX

- What's New -- Something Fishy Going on in Fukushima
- News -- Companies sitting on JPY225trn cash pile
- Upcoming Events
- Corrections/Feedback
- Travel Picks -- Ushimado resort in Okayama, Treasure in Kyoto-fu
- News Credits

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+++ WHAT'S NEW

The Fukushima disaster is far from over, and TEPCO continues to struggle with everything from racing to build gantry cranes that will remove hundreds of spent fuel rods from cooling pools in the buildings of reactors 1, 3, and 4, to plugging numerous underground water leaks which are apparently seeping tons of contaminated water every day. Nuclear proponents say that Fukushima has not resulted in a single death caused by radiation, but considering the emergency which is ongoing and that radiation-related diseases can take years to appear, such observations are disingenuous and only diminish the severity of the situation.

As the media reported this week, TEPCO's priorities don't seem to be particularly focused on localized radiation problems around the plant. They have an army of expendable workers and their lack of concern is highlighted by the news that several thousand of those workers have probably been exposed to radiation above 100 millisieverts and that less than 5% of the 20,000 or so employees and contractors have had their radiation exposures measured properly. Instead, TEPCO appears to be more focused on removing spent fuel rods from their damaged cooling pools before another earthquake hits. It's an understandable conflict of interest, especially since disruption of the cooling systems for more than a few hours in the event of another 'quake might send a surge of radiation into the atmosphere and potentially threaten Tokyo. Then that would be bad both politically and for business.

Unfortunately for all of us, the spent fuel rod transfer operations will take at least until the end of 2014, and so another earthquake in the meantime is a very real risk.

[Continued below...]

----------------------- MORI LIVING -----------------------

ROPPONGI HILLS RESIDENCES: A PLACE TO SETTLE DOWN

The Roppongi Hills Residence is the perfect place for foreign families to start life in Tokyo, one of the world`s most vibrant cities. Current residents agree that it provides comfort, luxury and most of all safety for the whole family.

"It feels like home," says a wife and mother of three. On-site workout and medical facilities along with easy access to transportation, schools, and a variety of community events make daily life simple and fun. Completed in 2003 using state-of-the-art construction, the complex includes a high-rise office tower, movie theaters, restaurants, designer boutiques, and a world-renowned art museum. The Roppongi Hills Residence is a spectacular starting point for life in the city.

Please find out more about the Roppongi Hills Residence and other serviced apartments from MORI LIVING under: http://www.moriliving.com/en/
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[...Article continues]

While it's good to know that TEPCO is worried about atmospheric dispersion of radiation, the company seems clueless about water-borne dispersion, something we find quite astounding. Indeed, TEPCO data released over the last two weeks clearly show a flow of new radioactive material being carried by ground water from the reactors towards the ocean. While on one hand the company has rung the alarm bell in revealing the rapidly increased levels of Strontium and Tritium, we wonder why they were so nonchalant about seepage in the first place? Originally they said any water from the waste water ponds (or the plant itself) would take 10 years or longer to reach the ocean and would be safe by the time it got there. Turns out that they were wrong yet again and we wish the government would appoint an independent body to measure radiation and assess risks at the plant, instead of leaving it all up to TEPCO. Why they don't is one of life's mysteries.

This lack of information and transparency is a real problem, and of course makes everyone fearful of what is really going on. We doubt that there is anyone in the public who actually believes TEPCO anymore. As a result, consumers, who were just getting used to the idea of eating land-based produce from Fukushima again, will on hearing the latest news of radioactive ground water seepage stay well away from eating anything that comes from the seas around the stricken plant. In fact, they are staying away from almost anything caught the entire length of the Tohoku coastline -- with devastating effect on the local economy. Apparently the Tohoku fishing industry lost about JPY200bn last year, and we imagine that it hasn't recovered much since then.

Back in January, AFP reported a story of the impact on small companies in Tohoku. They covered a multi-generational seaweed (nori) producer based in Iwate-ken, 300km from Fukushima -- about twice as far from the plant as Tokyo is. Like many raw produce companies in the area, they have their products radiation tested and certified as safe, but still, sales are just 30% of what they used to be before the 3/11 disaster. The owner of the seaweed factory bemoaned that customers preferred product from South Korea or even China, the latter of which has had its own problems with heavy metals and other contaminants.

Fish are also becoming suspect again, although there appear to be mixed messages on how unsafe. In 2012, as the power plant situation appeared to stabilize, fisheries studies by both Japanese and foreign scientific organizations (such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) found that while Cesium levels in fish were higher than normal, they were still far too low to have any health impact on the public. Unfortunately, last week, that aura of confidence was severely jolted when researchers caught some Japanese sea bass 100km out at sea and found that they had concentrations of 1,037 Bq/Kg of Cesium-134/137, about 10 times higher than the government safety limit. The researchers expressed surprise and puzzlement as to how such levels have persisted.

Those two fish stories made the foreign press, but there are other stories closer to home which sum up the problem. Since the start of this year the Japanese media have been following a series of announcements by TEPCO of fish caught immediately in the vicinity of the Fukushima Port area. Back in February, some samples of spotbelly rock fish measured concentrations of up to 500,000 Bq/Kg of CS-134/137. Then just last month more fish were caught with concentrations of 212,000 Bq/Kg of CS-134/CS-137. These latest ones are about 2,120 times higher than the maximum permissible limit for seafood.

TEPCO reckons the radioactive fish were somehow caught in the surrounds of the plant then released back into the ocean, and the company plans to exterminate them all. The Woods Hole folks on the other hand reckon that it could be that the fish are feeding on Cesium trapped in the sediment of the ocean floor and are just unlucky. However, there is a third explanation. We're not scientists, but in light of the water bore data from TEPCO, the answer we come up with is that radioactive ground water is already seeping into the Pacific and it's now showing up in the marine animals and plants nearby.

If this is happening, it may mean one or more melted reactor cores is contaminating ground water at deep levels and in high volume and will be difficult if not impossible to control/remedy -- a situation that would certainly be damaging for PM Abe's push to reopen all the other nuclear power plants around the country. So instead we're all supposed to imagine that the seepage problem is just another close call, and that TEPCO will save the day, again.

To us the moral of this story is: donate freely to the poor fishermen of Tohoku, but stay well away from their products for a few more years. The rehabilitation of Fukushima isn't by any means assured yet.

...The information janitors/

***------------------------****-------------------------***

------ English Community Manager for Travel Portal --------

www.japantourist.jp is expanding and is looking for an English native editor/writer who has previous experience managing online communities and curating content. JapanTourist.jp was set up to help Japan promote its many attractions to foreign tourists and in particular to demystify and remove anxiety by travelers about how to get around and deal with Japan. The site has been running for 18 months and is now Japan's largest online inbound travel portal.

The job involves:
- Servicing the needs and concerns of our partners around the country
- Working with Technology to prioritize software development of the site
- Working with Sales to harmonize and integrate the efforts of that team with the Partners
- Curating the best stories (and occasional editing) for display on the top page of the site
- Working with contributors to help them improve their writing and photographic efforts
- Creating content ideas and campaigns to get community engagement by contributors
- Creating incentives and campaigns to re-engage dormant contributors

This position is open to full-time (preferred) and part-time (possible) applicants, including, potentially, applicants not residing in Japan. You must be able to deal with the many personalities involved in the community and have a clear sense of mission and have a self-starter attitude. Japanese capability is helpful but not essential.

Contact: info@japantourist.jp for details.
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+++ NEWS

- Brinksmanship over East China Sea gas fields
- Companies sitting on JPY225trn cash pile
- 80% believe another nuclear disaster likely
- Online campaigning a failure
- Bonuses up just 1.64%

=> Brinksmanship over East China Sea gas fields

In response to Chinese escalation of natural gas exploration in the East China Sea near the disputed Senkaku islands, METI has ordered both of Japan Oil, Gas, and Metals National Corporation's (JOGMEC) geological survey ships to prepare to deploy to the area. The two ships will provide Japan with the presence needed to blunt any efforts by China to dilute Japan's claims over the area. ***Ed: Who knows, while they are there maybe they'll even find a major gas field or two? Actually, we often wonder why Japan is so slow in surveying and tapping the resources in this area. Are they keeping it for the future?** (Source: TT commentary from reuters.com, Jul 18, 2013)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/18/us-china-japan-gas-idUSBRE96H0...

=> Companies sitting on JPY225trn cash pile

Good article in the Wall Street Journal about the huge pile of cash that Japanese companies are hoarding away, while the government figures out how to get more money into the pockets of employees and thus the economy. The article surmises that most companies do not believe in Japan's potential for future growth, and are also skittish about the global economy in general, and thus want to be liquid in case things go bad. In March, METI surveyed 1,000 major exporters, and over half of them said they had no plans to return production back to Japan (i.e., little or no additional capital investment here). Currently Japanese companies have about JPY225trn in cash -- a staggering 26% more than the US$1.8trn of cash and liquid assets maintained by US non-financial firms -- yet the US economy is 250% larger than Japan's. (Source: TT commentary from wsj.com, Jul 19, 2013)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142412788732426020457858284159868913...

=> 80% believe another nuclear disaster likely

A private survey conducted by a professor at Tokyo Women's Christian University and presented to the Japan Atomic Energy Commission has found that about 80% of Japanese believe that if Abe goes ahead and reinstates the country's nuclear reactors, as he has said he would, then there is likely to be a repeat crisis similar to what happened at Fukushima. Of the 1,200 people surveyed across the country, 23% were certain that another crisis would occur, while 57% it will probably occur. Natural disasters and threat of terrorist attack were given as the most likely causes for such pessimism. (Source: TT commentary from japantimes.co.jp, Jul 18, 2013)

http://bit.ly/116WN3b

=> Online campaigning a failure

Despite today being the first election where political candidates can stump online, apparently efforts to stimulate interest by online visitors have fallen flat. A Nico Nico campaign video site apparently only had 42,000 streams, and a Dwango-sponsored debate of party leaders was viewed by just 90,000. A similar debate last December drew 1.4m viewers. ***Ed: This all lends credence to the commentary that young people are totally disinterested in politics and that Abe's victory is a foregone conclusion.** (Source: TT commentary from e.nikkei.com, Jul 19, 2013)

http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20130719D19HH488.htm

=> Bonuses up just 1.64%

In another sign that companies are not going to loosen their purse strings any time soon, a Nikkei survey of 2,186 firms (of which 695 responded), about the state of summer bonuses, found that on average employee bonus would rise just 1.64%. Auto maker bonuses were up 10.66%, other manufacturers up 3.35%, and non-manufacturers down 4.14%. (Source: TT commentary from e.nikkei.com, Jul 16, 2013)

http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20130715D1507F02.htm

NOTE: Broken links
Some online news sources remove their articles after just a few days of posting them, thus breaking our links -- we apologize for the inconvenience.

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------ The Robert Grondine Memorial Scholarship Fund ------

In 2011, we lost a great friend and colleague, Bob Grondine. Bob made considerable contributions in Japan to the legal and business community as well as important civic and charitable efforts. Not only was Bob a wonderful friend, family man and mentor, he was also a role model as a leader in US-Japan relations.

Among a number of US-Japan causes, Bob was an important supporter and chair of the Japan Advisory Committee of the United States-Japan Bridging Foundation, an organization established to grow global leaders through a program providing scholarships to American college students to study in Japan. Students designated as Grondine Scholars will be selected for their ability to emulate Bob's intellect and spirit as well as his dedication to the
US-Japan relationship. The fund will keep his mentoring spirit alive and memorialize his great legacy.

Donations of all amounts are welcome. To learn more, visit www.bridgingfoundation.org or click on the link below. Thank you.

https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/us-japanbridgingfoundation
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+++ CANDIDATE ROUND UP/VACANCIES

=> BiOS, a leading bilingual IT services and resourcing company, is actively marketing the following positions for customers setting up or expanding in Japan, as well as other employers of bilinguals.

** HIGHLIGHTED POSITION

BiOS is urgently looking for an Account Manager with experience in recruiting and account management for IT infrastructure service delivery, at our BiOS office in the Minato-ku area. The candidate will be responsible for supporting the continued development and management of our existing clients, and serving as the BiOS frontline and primary point of contact for new clients and onsite staffs, as well as networking and developing opportunities with potential clients. You will also be responsible for providing a permanent recruitment support.

Due to the technical nature and demanding work environment, this position is suitable for someone with solid experience in recruiting, sales, account management, or similar client-facing tasks, preferably in IT. In addition, since this role requires direct communication with both internal staffs and clients who are bilingual in English and Japanese, fluent English and Japanese will be required.

Remuneration is JPY3.6m - JPY4.5m plus commission, depending on your experience and skill level.

** POSITIONS VACANT

- Chief Web Creator, bilingual outsourcing services provider, JPY4M - JPY6M
- Helpdesk/Desktop Support Engineer, global food product services provider , JPY3M - JPY4.5M
- Project Leader (E-Commerce), Japanese e-commerce services provider, JPY5M - JPY11M
- Staffing Consultant (Recruiting), BiOS, JPY3M - JPY4M
- Server (Windows/LINUX) Engineer, Japanese IT services provider, JPY4M - JPY6M

Interested individuals may e-mail resumes to: tomohiro.kimura@biosjp.com. Check out the BiOS web page for other jobs: www.biosjp.com/careers.php.

** BiOS Job Mail

Every 2 weeks BiOS sends out a regular communication to its job seeking candidates, called BiOS Job Mail. Every edition carries a list of BiOS's current and most up-to-date vacancies, with featured entries containing a short job description and every job being linked to the main entry on the BiOS home page. Regardless of whether you are unemployed and searching, thinking about a career change, or just curious to know if there is something out there that might suit you better, the BiOS Job Mail newsletter is an easy and convenient way for you to stay informed. If you would like to register for the BiOS Job Mail, or to find out more, please email tomohiro.kimura@biosjp.com.
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***------------------------****-------------------------***

+++ UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

------------------ ICA Event - July 24th-------------------
Speaker: Dr Greg Story, President, Dale Carnegie Training Japan

Title: "Igniting Workplace Enthusiasm - How to Create Engaged Employees"

Details: Complete event details at http://www.icajapan.jp/

Date: Wednesday, July 24th, 2013
Time: 6:30 Doors open, Buffet Dinner included and cash bar
Cost: 4,000 yen (members), 6,000 yen (non-members). Open to all No sign ups at the door!!!!!!!
RSVP: RSVP by 5pm on Sunday, July 21st. Venue is The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan

http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map
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***------------------------****-------------------------***

+++ CORRECTIONS/FEEDBACK

In this section we run comments and corrections submitted by readers. We encourage you to spot our mistakes and amplify our points, by email, to editors@terrie.com.

=> No corrections or comments this week.

***------------------------****-------------------------***

+++ TRAVEL DESTINATIONS PICKS

=> Ushimado Coastal Resort Town, Okayama

Ushimado town is a seaside resort town that hugs a coastline ripe with sparkling bays and verdant hills. The locals are very friendly and love to help out travelers, even if the amount of English language is close to zero. There are hidden shrines, yacht ports, Mediterranean olive gardens and island hideaways to keep you busy. Like many of Japan's resort towns, Ushimado is best experienced in the summer when the weather is fine and all the shops are open. The town is best explored by car, though walking serves well if you're fit and keen.

Getting into the town via public transport is a surprisingly patchy process given how near it is to Okayama city (the biggest transit hub in the area). From Okayama Station you need to take the JR Ako line to Saidaiji station, where you transfer on to a Ryobi bus. The bus leaves from directly outside the Saidaiji station at irregular intervals. It's typically hourly, but it's occasionally half-hourly and sometimes only once per hour and a half, so it's a bit pot-luck as to how long you have to wait (check the bus timetable to line up your train).

http://en.japantourist.jp/view/access-guide-for-ushimado

=> The must-see Miho Museum, Kyoto-fu
Ancient treasures, amazing I.M. Pei

Nestled in the dense, green hills of Shigaraki about an hour's drive from Kyoto is one of Japan's least-known architectural gems. In the 1970s, Mihoko Koyama, wealthy benefactor and the leader of a religious organization (dare I say, cult) Shinji Shumeikai, commissioned world-renowned architect I.M. Pei to design a bell tower for the religion's headquarters - in fact, the bell tower can be seen from the Miho Museum.

Mihoko, or Miho for short, was so impressed with Pei's bell tower (HER bridge between earth and heaven) that, she called upon him again to design and build "paradise on earth", an outrageous concept to display and warehouse her vast, personal collection of rare and ancient artworks. When Pei initially surveyed the site in the 1990s, he apparently remarked, "This is Shangri-La."

http://en.japantourist.jp/view/miho-museum

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+++ ABOUT US

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Written by: Terrie Lloyd (terrie.lloyd@japaninc.com)

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