Heading back to UK ... at Narita Airport

It was an exhausting but very successful trip to Japan. We managed to pack so much into a relatively short time and I'm heading back to the UK feeling very optimistic, despite the current global economic downturn.

After check-in I had time to explore some more of the unusual and often futuristic services at Japanese airports; more evidence of the vending machine culture was presented by a bank of machines offering travellers last minute travel insurance (no humans required!), a chance to top up on Oxygen at the "OxyBar" (customers can sit inside and inhale flavoured oxygen through the nose or mouth) - incidentally the OxyBar is located right next door to the 'smokers room' .... a nice touch if you wish to dash from one to the other! There was also one last chance to top up your Edy wireless IC card (but I could not understand why you would want to do this just before you leave Japan!?!)

ELJ "Bonenkai" (Year end party!)

We continued to an 'after 5' meeting which turned into our annual "Bonenekai" ...... great food, plenty of beer and wine, and great company. Hiroko reserved a small intimate French/Japanese restaurant close to our office and we celebrated all the hard work of our team and clients during 2008.

Team meeting at ELJ

I spent the rest of the weekend preparing for a team meeting at ELJ on Monday. It was great to get the team together in one place at the same time (something we don't do enough) and we had a very positive and constructive session. We are now at 13 members, with the addition of Dr Hirai who joined us from Canon and Ogawa-san who joined from Ricoh.

We managed in increase our revenues and client base during tough trading times in 2008, so it was a pleasure to review the year with the team and focus on some outstanding highlights.

2009 will be another challenge, but our motivation is high to bring great value to our clients and we have set out an ambitious plan to achieve this.

Meeting place for dogs

After a tough week chasing balls and eating biscuits Tokyo's dog population can smarten themselves up and head down to the 'Dog Meeting Park' at the weekend.

It is quite literally a dedicated park for dogs to meet each other and exchange barks, sniffs and licks.

The sign at the entrance made me smile ...... (I'm glad it said 'rabies' and not 'babies' !)

Yoyogi Park

I took some time out on Saturday to visit Yoyogi park. The park is stunningly beautiful in all seasons, but something special happens in winter - blue sky, crisp air, sunshine, autumn colours, happy people, exercise, hearty food all combine to create the atmosphere.

Within seconds of leaving the 'big city' you feel so close to nature, and some of the bizarre activities going on there make it feel like you have entered a different world. On Saturday morning there were a group of actors rehearsing (for something resembling the Rocky Horror Show) a team of High School cheer leaders practicing their routines, 3 guys playing Maurie 'didgeridoos', umpteen joggers, cyclists and skaters, a group of Punks (eating their healthy looking pack lunches) and a mob of slightly overage 'Rockers' who did a mime routine to 'Peggy Sue' by Buddie Holly.

Probably the only place in the world where you will see punks and rockers join forces to pick up litter and sweep up around them before they go home.

Back to Tokyo in time for dinner

Another 2.5 hour journey back to Tokyo on the shinkansen, and plenty of time to discuss what we wanted to eat for dinner that evening. David chose Sushi, I went for tofu and sashimi, and Yoshiyuki was happy with anything as long as it included a beer (as usual!)

EX - IC Wireless ticketing system

JR (Japan Rail) have just launched their new EX-IC wireless ticketing system. Customers can now purchase express tickets and seat reservations 'on line' by mobile phone or pc, then just come to the station an touch the screen with your wireless IC card (at a reader like the one in this picture) and the machine will instantly print your ticket and debit your card......... off you go on your journey in seconds - no waiting, no cash, no hastle!

The combination of mobile phones and wireless IC cards (leading to a cash-less society) is growing at a rapid pace in Japan.

Murata

We took the chance to visit Murata while in the area. Another innovative and hugely successful Kyoto company.

Murata always have an open mind to consider outside technology, and we have enjoyed several successful engagements with them on behalf of our clients.

Getting down to business.... at Panasonic Semiconductor

We visited Panasonic Semiconductor and had a productive meeting. Like most companies in this current climate they are facing many challenges. Panasonic just posted their latest figures, and revenue is down 5% and profit down 25%, however they are still making 350 billion JPY pre tax profit (an enviable number most companies would be happy to report).

The biggest pressure is coming from the competitive price reductions in their digital TV business, great news for any consumers wishing to purchase a new TV for the upcoming Christmas season, but major financial pain for Panasonic.

In a recent survey of 'cash rich companies' published in Japan - Panasonic were listed in 7th place, (number 1 was Toyota), and they are taking advantage of the tough global conditions to invest some of that cash to build for the future (with acquisitions such as Sanyo). Oversea's technology companies wishing to sell technologies to Panasonic should not forget this opportunity.

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is one of Japan's largest and most impressive buildings, incorporating a shopping centre, hotel, movie theatre department store and offices, all housed under one 15 storey roof.

It was completed in 1997 and designed by Japanese architect Hiroshi Hara. From the outside it resembles a cruise liner docked in a port, and the inside is a futuristic design using steel and glass.

The station's completion paved the way for a series of new high rise modern buildings in Kyoto, culminating in the 20 floor Kyocera building (see earlier post this week). Some people criticise the building for triggering the breakdown in the traditional city-scape of Kyoto.

Another bright morning over Shinagawa

Up early again for the second visit to Kyoto this week. A new client arrived in Japan last night and we are going to visit customers in Osaka and Kyoto.

It feels so much better waking up early when there is blue sky and sunshine outside!

We will take the shinkansen again from Shinagawa station.

Is Japan expensive?

Many people ask that question, and my usual answer is 'it can be'. This pyramid shaped melon really caught my eye as I walked past the vegetable shop, not so much because of it's unique shape, but more because of the price ....... YES, that is 60,000 JPY (or 600 USD, or 300 GBP) ...... fancy a slice?

Mr Whippy from a vending machine

The vending machine culture continues to expand in Japan at an amazing rate. This is the first vending machine iIve seen selling varieties of Mr Whippy soft ice cream! (.........and in early December!).

Visit to Canon Corporate HQ

We had a variety of meetings today in the Tokyo area, the high-light being a visit to Canon's Corporate HQ. We were invited to see the Canon museum tour, and felt so impressed with how rapidly that comapny has grown since it's foundation in 1937. We met with a group of Senior Managers from the R&D section, and before getting down to business they explained to us Canon's corporate philosophy of 'Kyosei', (meaning living and working together for the common good). We were delighted to hear Canon has a mission to 'unlock the potential of technology to provide innovative new products and services while, at the same time, speeding up the development of new business domains' ......... music to our ears as we proceeded to introduce some innovative UK technology companies to them.

Rush hour ar Shinagawa station

'Swimming against the tide' is an expression that comes to mind as we make our way against the flow of busy people coming out of Shinagawa station in the morning rush hour!

The best tempura in Tokyo?

It was pretty late by the time we got back to Tokyo, and we all had one thing on our minds .......... 'FOOD' ..... so we headed to a small restaurant I know that prepares the most delicious tempura known to mankind! We had a beer (for medicinal purposes only) and a small sake (everyone else in the restaurant was drinking it, so we thought it would be rude not to) ........ followed by an amazing supper.

The sun sets on another great day

We caught the early evening shinkansen back to Tokyo feeling tired and content with our day's work. As the nightlife of Kyoto started to get underway the sun was setting on the horizon.

Breathtaking view of Kyoto from top floor of Kyocera HQ

A great lunch and a great view; total contrast to the 'high rise' of Tokyo.

Meeting at Kyocera Corporate HQ in Kyoto

We visited Kyocera corporate HQ in Kyoto, and were greeted warmly by a small group of senior executives. This was a follow up meeting for one of our clients, and the opportunity to work with Kyocera looks good. After a productive morning meeting we were kindly invited to a private funtion room on the top floor of their impressive office for lunch. Seven of us sat down in a big room with glass windows giving a spectacular view of Kyoto. The lunch was delicious and company was excellent - we discussed many topics including the global economic condition, the difference between innovation in comapnies between Japan and UK, and the different University / education system. I was extremely impressed with the knowledge and insight the Kyocera gentlemen had about the 'Western Style' of business and culture.

One interesting point that stuck in my mind was that Kyocera Senior Management consider the current global economic condition is giving them the biggest challenge since the company was formed in 1959 (a sobering thought) in particular they said the devaluation of the dollar and pound was hurting them badly.

After lunch we headed to Kyocrea's Solar Energy division for deeper technical talks with the team there. Another productive and very worthwhile meeting.

Great view of Mt. Fuji from Bullet train

Clear blue sky formed a great backdrop for a spectacular view of Mount Fuji as we flew past at 250kmh. I can completely understand why locals believe the mountain has magical powers, it is hard not to feel awestruck when you see it's sheer size and beauty first hand.

Lat year I did a night hike to the top with a group of friends, it's a bit like running a marathon (but uphill and on rough terrain, with thin air and carrying a back-pack full of things you wish you'd left at home) but once you are at the top it suddenly all becomes worthwhile - you quite literally feel 'on top of the world' and the aches, pains and blisters just melt away.

Early rise to catch Shinkansen to Kyoto

It felt like i'd had just 5 minutes sleep when my alarm clock burst into song at 6.00am. I had to catch the 6.57 Shinkansen to Kyoto so no time for a relaxed wake up! Sunshine was already peeping through the crack in the curtains and a hot shower got my blood circulating.

I always enjoy travelling by the world famous 'bullet trains' - the stats never cease to amaze me .... 270 kmh top speed, Tokyo - Kyoto in just over 2 hours, 14 carriages per train with 70 seats in each = 980 seats per train, 136 services per day between Tokyo and Osaka (each way) = a total of 133,000 seats per day. If they average just 50% capacity (and my train was more like 80%) then thats 65,000 people per day travelling between Tokyo and Kansai by Shinkansen. Transport providers around the world should take note - if you invest properly in building the infrastructure people will use it!

Dinner in Shinagawa .... ending the day with a scorching

We made our way back to Shinagawa for dinner. The menu at the Chinese restaurant provided some welcome entertainment to round off a long day ...... Item 41 is 'Scorching by five articles' ...... as you can imagine we'd had enough pain for one day, so we declined this one!

Night was drawing in and twilight delivered some magical colours bouncing off the mirrored glass office blocks.

Landed at Narita ..... meeting schedule gets underway

I have a quick dash to catch the Narita Express for Shinagawa, then an even quicker shower and change in order to get to first meeting with clients at Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd at 1.30pm.

I just make it in time, and enter Sumitomo's impressive reception area 21 hours after starting my journey in the UK .

We had a great meeting, which made everything so worthwhile.

Spot the customers

Rows and rows of empty seats ...... the airline industry is taking the pain too

Room with a view

This is my 17th flight between Japan and UK this year, (just one more before Christmas!), and this one is by far the quietest I've seen since the days just after 9/11. You really could take your time playing a game of 'spot the customer'. The level of service given when you have a ratio of about 1 crew member for every 7 customers is excellent, but I do worry about the wider implications and effect of the global economic situation.

Cobalt blue sky and snow capped mountains on the horizon proved a photographers dream as we started the decent into Tokyo Narita.

Virgin Lounge at Heathrow

Readers of my blog will know I am a loyal Virgin man when it comes to flying. The check in was effortless and quick, and the service at the lounge was first class, (as always!). I spent so much time 'on the road' in the UK over the past week visiting clients, causing my Inbox to start swelling with the bulk of unanswered emails - so I took some quiet time at the lounge to catch up and get on top of this. I was also frantically making some last minute meeting requests for my trip to Japan.

Heading back to Japan

After 10 exciting days in the UK visiting many clients I am heading back to Japan this morning. A typically British bright sunny morning with blue sky and sunshine bid me farewell as I started the early morning journey to Heathrow.