J@pan Inc Magazine Articles
Message from the Publisher
Terrie LloydThe surprise for most foreign businesspeople is that most laws in Japan are not clearly defined and thus the emphasis on doing lawful business is to meet the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of the law. This means one’s actions speak louder in a conflict resolution than one’s intelligence—a great way to level the playing field.
Not having clear rules to play by can be very disconcerting for foreign managers arriving in Japan. The frequent refrain is, “How do we know what we’re allowed to do when it isn’t clear what the limits are?”
Letter from the Editor
Peter Harris Dear Readers -- I hope you are enjoying receiving the magazine more regularly. This issue is our legal special and we are excited to cover what seems to be a thriving industry, in spite of the credit crunch. In June this year, London’s ‘Magic Circle’ top law firms announced record turnovers with Clifford Chance reporting a leading revenue figure of £1.3 billion, up 13% from last year. In Japan, the industry can also be said to be experiencing something of a boom and our cover story features three firms that have recently opened Tokyo offices; we spoke to them about the growing need for their services and consider how their arrival might change the dynamics of the industry.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor -- It is widely known that Dentsu is a corporate giant with the lion’s share of business; its presence and contacts in the marketplace are unmatched. But surely, its success is not born entirely out of ignorance, bullying and grey practices as the article seems to suggest.
The Sound of Silencing
By Gavin Blair -- Is freedom of expression in Japan under threat? -- In February, the director of the “Yasukuni” documentary and staff at his production company received death threats, and in March a number of cinemas pulled the film after pressure from politicians and nationalist groups. April saw a freelance journalist ordered to pay compensation for libel over an article he didn’t write but was quoted in. In May, 38 demonstrating students were arrested for trespass on their campus at Tokyo’s prestigious Hosei University and detained without charge for three weeks.
Licensed to Bill
By Peter Harris -- With three new foreign law firms entering the market, J@pan Inc looks at the changing dynamics of the legal industry in Japan. -- On April 1 1987, the Japanese government started to allow foreign lawyers to practice in Japan, provided that their business was limited to advising on law from different jurisdictions and international law. Immediately, major firms such as Morrison Forrester and White & Case opened Tokyo offices and by 1994, 48 foreign firms had opened in Japan. As the economy went through more turbulent times, some of the firms left the market, for example, Brown & Platt in 1995 and Macfarlanes in 1997. Recently however, the number of new openings appears to be on the up with three firms, Quinn Emanuel, Norton Rose and Ropes & Gray having been granted licenses by the Ministry of Justice within the last 12 months. Off the record, some other firms have also told us that they have plans to open a Tokyo office in the near future.
An Ounce of Prevention
By Jiri Mestecky, Registered Foreign Attorney, Kitahama Partners -- A legal expert writes on protecting trade secrets and personal information in Japan -- There is no doubt that one of the most important aspects of doing business in any country is protecting company trade secrets as well as individuals’ personal information. Nonetheless, trade secrets and personal information are not necessarily the same, and where different, are protected by different laws. This is true under the laws of Japan as well as those of other countries. The purpose of this article is to briefly explain the legal framework for the protection of these two types of extremely important proprietary and confidential information under Japanese law.
Legal Services Directory
J@pan Inc is pleased to present our comprehensive Legal Services Directory.
Business Break
By Greg Lane -- It’s electric, stupid -- In the same way that hybrids stole the limelight from purely electric vehicles a few years ago, ‘plug-in’ electrics look like they are about to steal the thunder from hydrogen ... -- Waseda opens ‘campus’ in Second Life -- Private university Waseda has shown that it is ‘down with the kids’ by opening a ‘virtual campus’ in Second Life. -- High Speed Wireless at High Speed -- JR Tokai, operator of the Tokaido Shinkansen which runs between Tokyo and Osaka, has announced that high speed wireless internet will be introduced on its N700 series trains from March, 2009. -- Sharp and Kepco build PV farm -- On his blog ‘On the Inside looking In,’ venture capitalist Shin Fukushige reports on the plans by Sharp and Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) to begin constructing a 28MW photo-valtaic (PV) solar cell farm mostly on the roof of Sharp’s Sakai 10G LCD/thin film PV plant -- Artificial DNA created in Toyama -- Researchers at the University of Toyama are reported to have developed a completely new class of DNA composed entirely of artificial nucleosides.
Trends in Japan
By Michael Keferl -- Japanese toy makers have some innovative, gastronomic ideas -- The International Tokyo Toy Show is the best way to get a grip on the coming year of toys, but when the Cscout Japan team made its annual visit to the 2008 show we saw a lot of toys that, well, are beginning to look a lot less like toys.
Exclusive Interview: Dr Greg Story
Dr Greg StoryBy Peter Harris -- J@pan Inc talks to the Chairman of the Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan -- The Australian Chamber was founded in 1972 but then, in around 1990, the New Zealand (NZ) embassy approached the Chamber and suggested a tie-up with the NZ business community. In the spirit of ANZAC, this idea was embraced and seemed to make sense on a number of cooperative levels. The Chamber is fully independent although it enjoys the support of both the embassies; for example, they help bring us leading politicians as speakers and help out with providing venues.
Measure for Measure
By Ken Worsley -- Hard industry facts -- Retail -- Mobile Phones -- Food and Fast Food -- Department Stores
Retail Focus: Natural Lawson
By Sarah Noorbakhsh -- Lawson Inc to strengthen one of their weakest markets -- Opened in July 2001 as an effort by Lawson Inc to strengthen one of their weakest markets, new convenience store chain Natural Lawson chose “beauty,” “health” and “comfortable lifestyle” as their keywords to open the door towards marketing for women in their 20s and 30s. The brand became a consolidated subsidiary in 2004, where it grew and prospered until the company restructuring in 2007, when it was liquidated and re-absorbed back into the parent company.
The Greenhouse Effect
Takeo SugiuraBy Darius Jones -- New technology brings affordable nutrients to the table -- Dotting the landscape in almost any countryside setting, the artificial environments created by greenhouses are the living quarters for an increasing number of the foods we consume. While this affords us the luxury of tomatoes and kiwis during the frosty winter months, severe flaws in technology cause temperature fluctuations and an over-reliance on chemical fertilizers that lower the efficiency of production as well as adversely affecting the conditions in which the produce is grown.
Executive Interview: Peter Massion, Henkel Japan
Peter MassionBy Anna Kitanaka -- J@pan Inc talks to Peter Massion, President & CFO -- For Japan, the majority of our revenue is in industrial adhesives, sealants and surface technologies which are sold through Henkel Japan and Cemedine Henkel. The industrial area is the major focus for Henkel and where we want to be stronger and better positioned in the Japanese market. -- Another key market is the hair care segment, where Henkel is active in both consumer retail and professional hair care. Both sectors are very competitive, and unfortunately in the recent past have experienced more or less overall stagnant industry growth.
Dancing in the Reputation Minefield
Disguising the origin and quality of meat has led to PR headachesBy Jon Hoel & Peter Harris -- Managing PR crises in Japan -- In January 2007 it was reported in the press that Fujiya, the confectionary manufacturer, had been using expired dairy products in its cakes. When the extent of the scandal became clear, President Rintaro Fujii was forced to resign his position. Within three days, the share price fell by 18% and by March, the company had been forced to accept a bail out by Yamazaki Baking who acquired a majority stake of 35%.
Message from the Publisher
Terrie LloydHaving a population that is able to screen out distractions means marketers have to come up with ever more devious, or in-your-face, means of marketing to their audience. My favorite place to see this marketing-versus-humanity evolution at work is in Shibuya. Whatever is new to catch your attention, you’ll see it there first.
Message from the Editor
Peter HarrisDear Readers -- We took great pleasure in compiling and editing the articles in this month’s magazine, our first issue as a monthly publication for quite a few years. With marketing as our focus we offer articles covering a range of hot topics. Industry expert, Andrew Till, explains how to harness the latest eye-tracking technology to understand Japanese consumers and, we offer detailed case studies of Krispy Kreme and P&G.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor -- I am writing in regards to last issue’s ‘Sending the Right Signals’ article. Joseph Greenberg makes mention in paragraph two of what seems to be a uniquely Japanese ‘shotgun approach’ to sending products to market. I have long been dumbfounded at the amount of new products that are constantly popping up at convenience stores, 100 yen shops and supermarkets around Japan. Almost every autumn I develop a taste for some chocolate bar or new drink and just as fast it is taken off the shelves (maybe for the better).
Tokyo Queues For You
By Florian Kohlbacher and Uwe Holtschneider -- Why you have to wait two hours for a doughnut in Japan. -- Queuing is nothing special in Japan. Every day, television programs show long lines of people queuing for up to one hour, even in front of regular noodle shops, only to finish their food within less than ten minutes. Now, the Tokyo branches of the American doughnut chain Krispy Kreme are taking this phenomenon to a new level.
Marketing Luxury Brands in Japan
By Jon Hoel -- Hey, big spender. -- At first glance, Yukina Abo, 22, is one of many million reasons why Japan consumes 41% of the world’s luxury goods, according to JETRO. Her impressive collection of luxury accessories includes Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Prada and Coach. Aspirational consumers in Japan like Abo have been willing to skimp and save to buy a must-have item, even if it means getting into debt to do so.
