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9 Sept 2010
Japanesde kidnap victim pulls off tweet trick
A Japanese journalist who was held hostage in Afghanistan for five months managed to send out reassuring messages via Twitter. Kosuke Tsuneoka fooled his captors when they asked him how to use a new cell phone. While demonstrating how it worked he sent two tweets that revealed he was alive.
He told a news conference in Tokyo yesterday: "I'm sure they never thought they were tricked."
Tsuneoka, who was held by members of a group called Hizb-e-Islami, believes he was freed because he is a Muslim. He converted to Islam in 2000.
He was kidnapped in April after travelling to a Taliban-controlled area in northern Afghanistan and was released on Saturday.
Tsuneoka was previously abducted while on assignment in Georgia in 2001. He was held for several months by an unidentified gang and freed during a military operation.
He told a news conference in Tokyo yesterday: "I'm sure they never thought they were tricked."
Tsuneoka, who was held by members of a group called Hizb-e-Islami, believes he was freed because he is a Muslim. He converted to Islam in 2000.
He was kidnapped in April after travelling to a Taliban-controlled area in northern Afghanistan and was released on Saturday.
Tsuneoka was previously abducted while on assignment in Georgia in 2001. He was held for several months by an unidentified gang and freed during a military operation.
6 Sept 2010
Japan / China sets a new trade record in H1 2010
Japan's total trade with China (imports and exports combined) rose 34.5% (year-on-year) to US$138.4 billion in the first half of 2010, setting a new record.
This was the first increase (on half-year basis) since the second half of 2008.
Japan's exports to China rose by 47.1% to US$68.4 billion during this period, while imports rose 24.2% to US$69.9 billion.
This was the first increase (on half-year basis) since the second half of 2008.
Japan's exports to China rose by 47.1% to US$68.4 billion during this period, while imports rose 24.2% to US$69.9 billion.
Australia-based Dyesol, a Leading Supplier of 3rd Generation Solar Technology, Establishes Japan Arm
Dyesol Limited, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, established Dyesol Japan Co., Ltd, and launched full-scale operations from its office in Tokyo.
Dyesol develops and manufactures modules, materials and manufacturing equipment for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), which have been hailed as a next-generation energy source. Despite reports of the difficulties involved in this kind of commercial production, Dyesol has been quick to commence manufacturing. Additionally, Dyesol offers a total solution to those companies wishing to commercialize in the DSCs field.
The Japanese operation joins Dyesol's other overseas affiliates in the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and South Korea.
Dyesol also exports to China, Taiwan, the U.A.E. and New Zealand via agents, to further develop their business.
The firm has had a presence in Japan via its agents to offer technical support for customers' projects and supply materials, they made the decision to establish a Japanese arm based on its assessment of Japan as an important future market. Dyesol Japan will attempt to expand the market while enhancing support for its partner agencies. Furthermore, Dyesol will perform R&D activity in Japan and will emphasize assistance in commercializing DSCs.
Dyesol develops and manufactures modules, materials and manufacturing equipment for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), which have been hailed as a next-generation energy source. Despite reports of the difficulties involved in this kind of commercial production, Dyesol has been quick to commence manufacturing. Additionally, Dyesol offers a total solution to those companies wishing to commercialize in the DSCs field.
The Japanese operation joins Dyesol's other overseas affiliates in the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and South Korea.
Dyesol also exports to China, Taiwan, the U.A.E. and New Zealand via agents, to further develop their business.
The firm has had a presence in Japan via its agents to offer technical support for customers' projects and supply materials, they made the decision to establish a Japanese arm based on its assessment of Japan as an important future market. Dyesol Japan will attempt to expand the market while enhancing support for its partner agencies. Furthermore, Dyesol will perform R&D activity in Japan and will emphasize assistance in commercializing DSCs.
Belgian Building Material Manufacturer StoneTech Establishes Japan Office in Tokyo
Belgium-based StoneTech bvba established a Japanese subsidiary, StoneTech Japan KK, in Tokyo in June 2010. StoneTech developed a paving system for fast and cost-effective paving with natural stones.
StoneTech's core products include bluestones, which have a very small global output, and European antique paving stones (recycled from old stone pavements.) StoneTech Japan imports and sells these products to Japanese construction companies, construction materials suppliers and similar outfits. They will also seek commercial development projects and other opportunities in the landscaping industry and others.
To set up its Japan arm, StoneTech made use of JETRO's Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) in Tokyo, utilizing free temporary office space, consultations with experts including corporate registration and tax matters, as well as introductions to an administrative scrivener, a certified public accountant and recruiting companies.
StoneTech's core products include bluestones, which have a very small global output, and European antique paving stones (recycled from old stone pavements.) StoneTech Japan imports and sells these products to Japanese construction companies, construction materials suppliers and similar outfits. They will also seek commercial development projects and other opportunities in the landscaping industry and others.
To set up its Japan arm, StoneTech made use of JETRO's Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) in Tokyo, utilizing free temporary office space, consultations with experts including corporate registration and tax matters, as well as introductions to an administrative scrivener, a certified public accountant and recruiting companies.
Japan's largest pharma company,Takeda buys license for obesity drug
Japan's largest pharma company, Takeda, has struck a potentially major deal with US-based Orexigen Therapeutics, involving the Americas marketing rights for Orexigen's obesity drug Contrave. Takeda will pay Orexigen an upfront fee of US$50m for exclusive marketing rights in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, and will pay out up to US$1bn if Orexigen is able to get the drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. (Source: thepharmaletter.com, Sep 3, 2010)
3 Sept 2010
Olympus Buys U.S. X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer Maker for 77M USD
Olympus Buys U.S. X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer MakerTOKYO (Nikkei)--Olympus Corp. (7733) said Friday that it has purchased a 100% stake in Innov-X Systems Inc., a U.S. boutique firm specializing in X-ray fluorescence analyzers, for roughly 77.5 million dollars. The acquisition will enable the Olympus group to expand its lineup of industrial testing equipment, such as videoscopes. X-ray fluorescence analyzers enable users to identify the types and volumes of elements contained in an object by irradiating small amounts of X-rays. Innov-X has been enjoying strong sales of its portable X-ray fluorescence analyzers.The Japanese precision equipment maker sees demand for X-ray fluorescence analyzers growing worldwide for use in detecting harmful substances in electronic devices and building materials, as well as for evaluating mineral resources. Headquartered in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, Innov-X was established in 2001. Employing roughly 120, it reported 40 million dollars in sales for 2009.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), Barclays team up for private banking in Japan
The Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) and the UK's Barclays have announced that they will team up to start a private banking business in Japan. The companies will create a joint venture to be named the SMBC Barclays Wealth Division, and will target individuals with at least JPY500m of assets. Also involved will be Nikko Cordial Securities, which is now owned by SMFG. ($1=88.54 Yen) (Source: TT commentary from reuters.com)
Google ousts Microsoft as Japan's top brand
A Nikkei survey of 33,033 shoppers and 14,184 executives has found that Google now has the most respected and recognized brand in Japan. In being so ranked, Google has surpassed last year's leader, Microsoft. Sony came in third, followed by Yahoo, then other famous indigenous brands in the top 20, such as Canon, Panasonic, Casio, and Sharp. (Source: TT commentary from warc.com, Aug 27, 2010)
2 Sept 2010
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