21st Joint Scandinavian Christmas Ball

fccj news
●
21st Joint Scandinavian
Christmas Ball
Bulletin from the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
在日フィンランド商工会議所ニュースレター
Volume 15 Issue 6 - December 2013
第２１回スカンジナビア合同クリスマスパーティー
The 21st Scandinavian Joint Christmas Ball was held on
在日北欧商工会議所の今年最大ハイライトイベント
Friday, 13 December 2013 at our regular venue, The Westin
であるスカンジナビアクリスマスパーティーが恵比寿
Tokyo Hotel in Ebisu, where the party has been held also
のウェスティンホテル東京にて１２月１３日（金）に
in 2005-2009 and 2011-2012. The ball was attended by
開催されました。 このホテルで2005-2009年、さらに
256 members and guests from the five Nordic Chambers
20011-2012年にもこのパーティイベントは開催され、
of Commerce in Japan. The FCCJ had 74 particiants.
５つの北欧商工会議所から256名が参加し（ＦＣＣＪか
The ball started with greetings from the organizing
らは74名）素敵なイブニングを楽しみました。
committee, followed by Christmas songs by Emi Martin,
このパーティーは企画委員会の挨拶から始まり、エミ
a much appreciated jazz music performance by the “The
・マーティン氏によるクリスマスソング、そしてボー
Ballroom Swingers”, a group led by our old friend and MC
ルルームスウィンガーによるジャズミュージックのパ
on the evening, Mats Bruzeaus, after which the real Santa
フォーマンス、このグループは我々の古い親友がリー
paid a visit, assisting in the lotteries.
ドしこのイブニングの司会をして下さいました。その
The evening was ended off with a lot of dancing until
後、本物のサンタさんが訪問し、彼はくじ引きのお手
midnight to the tunes of Brad and the Hitmen, our favorite
band for the last 10 years.
伝いをして下さいました。
Thanks to sponsoring from 22 companies the evening
そして最後はこの10年ずっと参加してくださった「ブ
was also filled with lotteries for great prizes, the highlight
ラッドとヒットメン」による演奏でダンスを楽しみま
being tickets to Europe from our long-time supporters, SAS
した。
and Finnair.
長年の良きスポンサーでありますフィンエアーおよび
Other appreciated prize items included a three items from Gold sponsor
ＳＡＳからのヨーロッパ往復ペア航空券、その他すばらしい賞品をく
POS, including two Ole Mathiesen watch, of the from Gold sponsor Tetra
じ引きに提供してくださった２２社のスポンサーの皆様に深く感謝い
Pak Japan a 50,000 yen gift vouchers from the cash donation, three
たします。
prizes on stage from both Volvo Cars Japan and Scandinavia Corporation
加えて、イベント前に５０もの賞品のくじ引きが行なわれ、さらに
and a very valuable hotel voucher from Westin Tokyo.
27のテーブルギフトとしてキャンドルホールダーが持ち帰られまし
In addition, 50 prizes were distributed by a pre-event lottery, 27 table
た。全部で90点の賞品がありましたので、3人に一人は何かの賞品を勝
gift winners brought home a candleholder. A total of 90 prizes meant that
ち得たことになります。
more than every third guests won something. For many more photos from
イベントの写真は４ページおよびウェブサイトに掲載されています。
the party see page 4.
For more about the party and full photo gallery, go to:
http://www.fcc.or.jp/xmas
Friday, 22 November
Sweden-Finland Golf Challenge
The FCCJ retains the Stora Enso Cup!
１１月２２日（金)、ＳＣＣＪ対ＦＣＣＪのゴルフコンペ
ＦＣＣＪ，ストゥーラエンソカップをそのまま保持！
第23回ストゥーラエンソカップ、ＳＣＣＪ対ＦＣＣＪのゴルフコンペが
The 23rd Stora Enso Cup, the golf challenge between the Swedish
11月22日（金）静岡県にある太平洋クラブ御殿場ウエストにて開催されま
and Finnish Chambers was played on Friday, 22 November at Taiheiyo
した。この日は一日中晴天で美しい秋の彩りの中プレーでき、またどのホ
Club Gotemba West in Shizuoka Prefecture. The event was played in
ールからも富士山を近くに見ることができました。
beautiful autumn weather, sunny all day with nice colors and Mt. Fuji
visible close-by on almost every hole.
今回は26名がコンペに参加（ＦＣＣＪか
26 players participated in the competition
ら17名、ＳＣＣＪから9名－ゲスト2名を
(17 from FCCJ , 9 from SCCJ), including two
含む）、このうち19名が日本人でした。
guests. Notable was that 19 of the players
were Japanese.
今回はＦＣＣＪチームがＳＣＣＪチー
The Finnish Chamber came on now
ムに４連勝。今回は前回2回の時よりも少
top for the fourth time in a row. This time
差（打数2.1打の差）で、平均スコアは、
the FCCJ beat the Swedish Chamber by a
ＦＣＣＪが78.5打、SＣＣＪが80.6打で
smaller margin than in the previous two
events, 2.1 strokes on average per player,
した。（チームのベスト80％の平均を計
78.5 versus 80.6 as average for the best
算）これまでの結果、ＦＣＣＪが14勝、
80% in each team. The FCCJ now has five
ＳＣＣＪが9勝。
more wins than the SCCJ, 14 against 9.
For more, see page 3.
from the boardroom
event reports
Thursday, 7 November - FCCJ Luncheon Meeting
To buy or not to buy?
Dear FCCJ Members and friends,
When writing this column
I am soon to head to the
airport to take a flying start
to year-end holidays with
my family.
Since last summer, hot
topic in our family has
been, to go or not to go
and if, when and where to
go for holidays. When to
go? Now, don’t you think!
or “Ima deshoo!” has been
the favorite saying in Japan this year.
Timing is essential especially when talking about big purchases
such as automobiles and homes among other private investments.
Consumers in Japan might feel being little bit lost on Abenomics
and especially the coming tax reform. Should you purchase for
example a car now or after the tax reform depends on type of the
car you want to own. Small or big, environmentally friendly car or a
masculine power machine at least we men sometimes prefer.
The ruling bloc’s tax reform outline for fiscal 2014, approved
Thursday, will significantly alter taxes on automobiles, and next April
will bring tax cuts for housing loans, along with an increase in the
consumption tax rate.
Also in my business sector, housing business, effects can be
already seen. Especially the coming increase in consumption tax
from 5 % to 8% has increased the floor traffic at our model homes
and showrooms. Many home buyers feel the time has come to build
a dream house of their very own.
But what about a tax reform and tax cuts on home loans starting
next spring?
Beginning next April, tax breaks for people with housing loans
are set to expand as part of the tax reform outline for fiscal 2013.
The measures will reduce income and other taxes depending on
the balance of the loan, and are timed to coincide with the hike in
the consumption tax rate to 8 percent to ease the burden on home
buyers.
The upper limit for tax breaks on home purchases made until next
March is ¥200,000 per year, or a total of ¥2 million over 10 years.
This is to be doubled starting in April, to a maximum of ¥400,000
per year, or a total of ¥4 million over 10 years. Homes with superior
energy efficiency or other high-end features are to be granted as
much as ¥5 million in tax reduction over 10 years.
However, there are many limitations who can apply for these tax
reductions.
In that sense every customer and their respective plan is kind of
a unique case for us in housing sector. After all, the final decision is
made by home buyer but we will put our best efforts to support the
decision with calculations and financial advice within our capacity.
At least one thing is clear, coming tax reform in Japan will be more
progressive than in the past and very much reminds me the system
we have in Finland. Increasing the tax burden on high-income earners
could have a negative effect on big private investments and possibly
negatively impact the economy.
But hey, I should start the engine of my eco-friendly, tax cut
supported car and head to the airport.
Mr. Matti Anttonen, Under-Secretary of State,
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
At our luncheon meeting on Thursday,
7 November we had Mr. Matti Anttonen,
Under-Secretary of State of the
Department for External Economic
Relations at the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs of Finland, as our guest speaker.
The theme of Mr. Anttonen’s presentation
was “Finland as a Gateway to Russia”.
In his presentation Mr. Anttonen
pointed out a wide variety of areas and
competences where Finland could act
as a gateway to Russia for Japanese
companies. He also mentioned the
positive steps in the Russia-Japan
relations through the 2+2 mechanism.
The event, held at Hotel Okura, ended with a lively Q&A session and was
attended by 25 members and guests
The new Ambassador of Finland
to Japan, Manu Virtamo,
participating for the first time at
a FCCJ event introduced himself
at the meeting and was looking
forward to a close cooperation
with FCCJ and its members.
１１月の月例昼食会にゲストスピーカー、マッティ・アントネン氏
外務審議官（対外経済関係）をお迎えいたしました。彼のプレゼンの
テーマは「ロシアへの玄関口としてのフィンランド」でした。
アントネン氏は彼のスピーチの中で、広範囲にわたるビジネス及び
能力について説明し、そこにフィンランドが日本の企業の為にロシア
への玄関口として活動できることを述べました。また、日本とロシア
の関係において日露２＋２対話を通しての肯定的歩みよりについても
お話しになりました。
今回の昼食会はホテルオークラで開催され、２５名のメンバーおよ
びゲストが参加し最後に活発な質疑応答がありました。
Let me thank you for your great support of our chamber, FCCJ,
during this calendar year 2013. At the same time I wish you a Merry
Christmas and all the best for the coming year 2014.
And wait a minute… one more thanks goes to the organizing
committee of the 21st Scandinavian Christmas Ball, definitely the
best party in town, held last Friday. Really had a good time (as you
could see from the picture at the top)!
Marko Saarelainen
FCCJ President
President, Honka Japan Inc.
The meeting was chaired and Q&A session
led by Pekka Laitinen, FCCJ Board Member.
Another FCCJ Board Member,
Veli Solehmainen who will
move to Beijing end of the
year, asks a question.
member news
メンバーニュース
Valmet K.K.
バルメット株式会社
Metso’s Pulp, Paper and Power business will be demerged
from the beginning of 2014 and form a new company, Valmet
Corporation Mining and Construction and Automation
business will form the continuing operations of Metso
Corporation.Consequently Metso Paper Japan Co., Ltd. will
be renamed Valmet K.K. from 1 January 2014.
Contact information remains unchanged.
メッツォコーポレーションは紙パルプ＆パワー関連部門を
分社化することとなり、バルメットコーポレーション鉱山お
よび建設機械、オートメーションビジネスはメッツォコーポ
レーションが継続して事業を行い、メッツォペーパージャパ
ン株式会社は２０１４年１月１日より社名を「バルメット
株式会社」に変更いたします。
連絡先などについては変更ございません。
Vaisala K.K.
ヴァイサラ株式会社
Mr. Jan Grönblad (47) has been appointed President of
Vaisala K.K. from 1 January 2014.
Currently he is Regional Segment Manager at Vaisala Oyj
head office in Finland. Mr. Grönblad graduated from Helsinki
University of Technology in 1992 with a Master of Science
(M.Sc.) degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and
joined Vaisala in 2002.
Veli Solehmainen, who lead Vaisala K.K. for four years, will
move to Beijing end of the year to head Vaisala’s unit there.
We wish Veli, an active board member of FCCJ, all the best
and Jan welcome to Tokyo and the FCCJ.
ヤン・グルーンブラード氏は２０１４年１月１日よりヴ
ァイサラ株式会社代表取締役社長に着任いたします。
現在、ヤン・グルーンブラード氏はフィンランドのヴァ
イサラ本社の地域マネージャーをしており、彼は１９９２
年ヘルシンキ技術大学を卒業、電気電子工学部門の学士を
修得。２００２年にヴァイサラに入社。
ヴァイサラ株式会社の代表を４年間務めたヴェリ・ソレ
フマイネン氏は、今年末には北京に移り、そこでヴァイサ
ラ支社のトップに就任します。
我々は活発なＦＣＣＪ役員会メンバーであったヴェリ氏
に多幸を願い、ヤン氏には東京およびＦＣＣＪへのお越し
を歓迎いたします。
For latest information on our members, please check the members list on our web site.
最新のコンタクト情報はＦＣＣＪウェブサイトのメンバーリストをご覧ください。
....more from the Stora Enso Cup
The individual winner (best net) was Hirokuni Yoshida (FCCJ) with a net 71 (gross 97).
Second was Tuomo Kuuppo (FCCJ), net 73 (gross 95) and third Hiroaki Sakurai (FCCJ), net
75 (gross 90). Tsuyoshi Hirao was fourth the best net (75) in the Swedish team and took
the SCCJ Autumn Golf Cup.
Best gross was Tomoichi Onishi (FCCJ) with
80, second Nobuhiko Miyaji (SCCJ) 89 and third
Hiroaki Sakurai (FCCJ) 91.
The winners of the longest drive were Nobuhiko
Miyaji (SCCJ) on No. 9 and Hisako Noto (FCCJ)
on No. 15. Miyaji was the winner of the SCCJ
longest drive trophy. The near pin winners were:
Steven Armstrong, FCCJ (no. 4), Kunihiro Okuda,
FCCJ (no. 7), Hiroaki Sakurai, FCCJ (no. 12) and
Longest drive winners Nobuhiko Miyaji and Hisato Noto.
Tomoichi Onishi, FCCJ (no. 17)
Photo courtesy of Leif Nilsson
The winning FCCJ team, from left Tuomo Kuuppo, Hirokuni Yoshida (individual
winner) and Hiroaki Sakurai. Right SCCJ organizer Eiji Takagi.
...more images from the Scandinavian Christmas Ball
The reception desk.
A snaps song with the Bronze sponsors, from right: Claus Eilersen
(Novo Nordisk Pharma), Carl Eklund (Hoganas Japan), Veli
Solehmainen (Vaisala) and Gosta Tyrefors (Gadelius Holding).
The Honka table, center FCCJ President Marko Saarelainen
with wife Mayumi.
The main preformers, The Ballroom Swingers, lead by
Mats Bruzeaus.
Emi Martin, accompanied by Kuono-san on guitar and
Sagashita-san on bass, sings Christmas tunes.
An ‘ex-tempore’ Seranade to the Ladies by the Finns.
From left: Juha Korpinen, Esa Setälä, Mikko Koivistoinen. Sakari
Romu, Marko Saarelainen (hidden), Juha Jaationen and JP Takala.
the chamber
The winner of the Finnair prize with Santa and Sakari Romu
Photo opportunity with Santa.
Office:
Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Forest View Meguro 101
5-11-17, Shimomeguro
Meguro-ku, TOKYO 153-0064
Tel. 03-5725-9596, Fax. 03-5725-9597
Executive Director: Clas G. Bystedt
Assistant: Yoko Marukawa
E-mail: [email protected]
President:
Marko Saarelainen, tel. 03-3479-4169
Vice President:
Hirokuni Yoshida, tel. 03-5449-8311
Having a good time on the dance floor!
Season’s Greetings
We would like to thank all FCCJ
members and readers of this
newsletter for a good cooperation in
2013 and hope that we could further
develop it in the coming year.
Last tune of the night from Brad & the Hitmen.
季節のご挨拶
我々はＦＣＣＪメンバー及びこのニ
ュースレター読者の皆様に、２０１３
年においての多大なご協力に感謝す
るとともに、来年もより向上するこ
とを望んでおります。
Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Other Board Members:
Masaoki Fujita, tel. 043-259-0151
Tuomo Kuuppo, tel. 03-3239-5271
Pekka Laitinen, tel. 080-5172-5984
Shigeyoshi Noto, tel. 03-5531-5080
Yasuyuki Oda, 03-5456-5191
Sakari Romu, tel. 03-3222-1691
Marko Salonen, tel. 03-6859-6810
Yoshinori Sano, tel. 03-6420-3031
Veli Solehmainen, tel. 03-3266-9610
Hiroaki Sugawara, tel. 03-3456-3933
JP Takala, tel. 03-5474-6400
FCCJ Web Site address:
http://www.fcc.or.jp/
fccj news
Published bimonthly by the
Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Edited and printed in-house.
Editors: Clas G. Bystedt and Yoko Marukawa