August 2012 - Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan

fccj news
●
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 14 Issue 4 - August 2012
Aoyama View:
Olympics, economy, business and of course some politics...
Aoyama View is a column regularly
Back from cold and rainy Europe to the Tokyo summer heat and jet lag, it was refreshing to watch
appearing on the FCCJ web site. The
Olympics, even uplifting when Japan was doing so well. Every day there was another medal or two
columnist, Timo Varhama, is a Japan
and, if you forget which color they were, Japan ended up No.6 behind the two global power houses
veteran among Finnish business,
USA and China as well as traditional European sport nations Great Britain, Russia and Germany.
our Chamber ex-president and today
With record number 38 in all, it was Japan’s best ever, a great achievement. Yes, those precious
Member of the Board of Trustees.
golds kept missing, but often the difference between each color was just one hundredth of a He has lived and worked in Japan for over 20 years
second or fraction of a point.
and earns his daily bread doing some serious paper
It was Japanese women, who brought in the most again, including such untraditionally Japanese business on Aoyama dori.
genres as women’s wrestling and football. Nadeshiko girls final loss to big size US ladies was just For back numbers, see our web site.
1-2 and much due to facing an excellent American goalkeeper. The Nadeshiko success really
has come to symbolize Japan’s recovery from last year’s disaster. Let’s hope there will be good support for
women’s soccer also on the local league level from now on. And that, at next international competition, they
can fly in business class just as their male counterparts.
Men’s soccer team did well, too, starting from blanking the ruling European and world champion Spain and
ending with losing semifinal just 1-2 against Mexico, who then went on to win the gold medal. The 0-2 loss
to Korea in the bronze match was bitter but not that meaningful any more - these old foes always stand up
extra strong against Japan. This time Koreans were probably even more elevated than usual because of a new
spat about the lonely island halfway between the two coasts that South Korean president alighted the day
before with his visit there. Think Japan should not get so worked up over it - it was just a desperate try from
Mr. Lee to improve his sagging popularity. As you probably read, one more of his close aides was arrested for
corruption during the time he took to fly there. Still, pity that the Osaka-born president, who started his time all
for improving the bilateral relation, succumbed to play such low level campaign card at the end.
In sports, Japan got its own back already next day when women’s volleyball team beat Korea for bronze. In
foreign politics, seems Japan will now take the island case to International Court of Justice after exhausting its
patience and consideration for Koreans’ feelings. It might well lose its case there, but heck, it’s about time to
get over with this long time feud, one way or other, as it has strained the relations between the two neighbors
much too long. Anyway, from soccer point of view it was remarkable, that the semifinal was between two Asian
teams and the final between two Latin American teams, no team from Europe in Top Four. True, that these
were U23 teams and not the same national teams that fought with such incredible skills for Eurocup just a
few weeks before, but that rule applied to all, not just Europeans. One would have expected much better show
from the traditional European soccer powers.
Finland was disappointed with just 3 medals, but actually that is not bad when you take that our Northern
home country’s population is only 1/25th of Japan’s. Same way, using population as basis, China’s medal
count should have been 380 to match Japan’s 38. That makes USA with about twice the population of Japan,
the real outstanding sport achiever as it always has been.
Financial Times ran another result follow-up table based on medal score against population, previous performance and economic situation in each
country. In that table, Japan ranked No.1. FT experts predicted that the deepening recession, finance problems and spending cuts will start to show more
in European sports, even in USA. In contrast, rising economies like Brazil and India will start show better overall sport results while China will continue to
spend all it can to further expand its medal tally into new sports to boost its nationalistic fervor and international political clout.
...continues on page 4.
FCCJ Yakatabune Cruise
FCCJ 屋形船クルーズ
Finnair AY4159 - Honka HJ4169
Finnair AY4159 - Honka HJ4169
The Chamber started off the Autumn season in style
and with some great fun with the Finnair AY4159
- Honka HJ4169 Code Share Yakatabune Cruise on
Thursday 23, August.
We had chartered our own Yakatabune boat which
departed from at Asakusa touring down Sumida River
to Odaiba and back in 2.5 hours. During the cruise we
enjoyed great Japanese tempura-sashimi dinner and
drinks in the “all-you-can-eat
& drink” .
The event attracted 52
members and their guests
and made affordable by the
support of our sponsors,
Finnair and Honka Japan.
For more pictures from the
event, see page 3.
ＦＣＣＪは８月２３日、屋形船コードシェア（
共同運航）クルーズ―フィンエアＡＹ４１５９・
ホンカＨＪ４１６９という楽しいイベントで秋シ
ーズンをスタートしました。
我々は屋形船を貸切り、浅草から出航し隅田川
を下りお台場を通り２時間半の遊覧を楽しみまし
た。船内では、和食（天ぷら、刺身など）および
ドリンクの食べ放題・飲み放題を楽しみました。
このイベントには５２
名が参加、我々のスポン
サー、フィンエアおよび
ホンカ・ジャパンのサポ
ートによりイベントが実
現いたしました。
詳しくはページ３をご
覧ください。
from the boardroom
The World of Tall Buildings and Fast Elevators
There is no doubt that humans can challenge
very high targets and achieve if we have dreams
and do our best efforts.
May in this year was the one of the most
exciting month in Japan. Tokyo Skytree opened
and Japanese people are very proud of this
completion of the construction and opening.
Why this makes so exciting to so many people
in Japan?
It is highest tower in the world and the location
is in Tokyo, which has high risk of earthquakes.
We can see all of Tokyo from this tower.
Just before the Olympic
Games in London, the opening
ceremony for highest building
in Europe, The Shard, which is
covered with glass, was held
and introduced in the media.
The height of the building is
309.6 m.
I luckily had a chance to
visit this building and see the
elevators. Our company has
installed more than 50 units of elevators and escalators in this building.
Do you know which building and tower the highest is in the world?
Human being has been competing and challenging the world record all
the time, which is regarded as GUINNESS World Record.
The highest tower, building, the fastest elevator in the world has been
all the time in competition among the building owners, construction
companies and elevator companies as well as the countries’ landmark
competition. I would like to introduce them to you as I am luckily working in
these very tough industries.
List of the world tallest buildings in the world:
event reports
Thursday, 5 July - FCCJ Design Evening
@ Ayoyama 1-chome
On Thursday, 5 July the first FCCJ
Design Event was held at the new
Honka Showroom at Aoyama 1chome.
Apart from networking in an elegant
environment the participants could
also get updates from representatives
of the three companies that display
their products in the showroom, in
addition to Marko Saarelainen of
Honka also Anni Ailinpieti of Artek and Tomokazu Kobayashi of Scandex,
representing iittala, Arabia and Hackman goods in Japan. Mikko Koivumaa,
Press & Culture Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland gave a recap of
current and coming Finnish design events in Japan.
The fully booked event was attended by 30 members and guests who
enjoyed a nice light buffet and drinks, including Finnish Lapin Kulta beer.
FCCJ and Honka Japan President Marko
Saarelainen making a demonstration of the
Honka Japan info system.
７月５日（木）、最初のＦＣＣＪデザインイベントが新しいホンカショールームにて
開催されました。
優雅な雰囲気の中、ネットワーキングをしながら参加者はショウルームに展示さ
れた商品の３社の代表者（ホンカ社のマルコ・サーレライネン氏、アルテック社の
アンニ・アイリンピエティ氏、スキャンデックス社の小林朝和氏）から最新の情報を
聞きました。スキャンデックス社は日本においてイーッタラ、アラビアとハックマン
商品の 販売代理店であります。さらにミッコ・コイヴマー氏（フィンランド大使館報
道＆文化担当参事官）が日本でのフィンランドデザインの概要とイベント予定を
紹介しました。
このイベントには３０名のメンバーおよびゲストが参加し、軽食＆ドリンク（フィン
ランドのビール、ラピンクルタを含む）を楽しみました。
The world highest building “Burj Khalifa” in Dubai, UAE, 828 m. was built
in 2010 and the second is in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 601 m.
The world fastest elevator, in Taipei 101, is supplied by Toshiba Elevator
and Building Systems (Japan) with the maximum speed of 1,010 m/min,
equivalent to 60.6 km/h.
From 1994 to 2004, the fastest elevator in the world was in Yokohama
Landmark Tower, supplied by Mitsubishi Elevator with the maximum speed
of 750 m/min, equivalent to 45.0 km/h.
Mitsubishi Elevator will install a 1,080 m/min. elevator, equivalent to
64.8 km/h in Shanghai in 2014 and this will be the fastest elevator in the
word in near future.
A more than 1000 m high building is now under planning in Saudi Arabia
and it has been approved by the government to be constructed.
Future dream of the very tall
(4000 m) and large building like a
mountain is also under the study
as future project.
I’m expecting that this dream
can be realized someday in future
and I’m sure that human can make
this possible in future. I hope that
the high Japanese technology will
contribute for this a lot and take
important roles for this.
Yasuyuki Oda
President, KONE Japan Co., Ltd., FCCJ Board Member
Mikko Koivumaa, Press & Culture Counsellor
at the Embassy of Finland making his
presentation.
Anni Ailinpieti explains why Japanese
and Finns have a common ground in
the design field.
Tomokazu Kobayashi of Scandex making his
presentation.
new member
新メンバー
Enersense International Oy
エネルセンス インターナショナル
Address: c/o IBS Yamaichi Securities Co., Ltd.
NTF Takebashi Bldg., 7th floor
3-15 Kandanishiki-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0054
Representative: Alexandru Luta, Advisor
Phone: 080-5920-6514
Email: [email protected]
Enersense International is a resource management
company headquartered in Pori active in the field of nuclear
and other large-scale energy projects. Within the last 7
years, Enersense has gained detailed knowledge and
experience of operating within the complete life-cycle of a
3rd generation EPR nuclear new-build construction project
in Olkiluoto, Finland. This project has been delivered via
an Areva/Siemens consortium and is currently one of the
biggest construction projects in the world. Enersense is keen
to share the experienced it has gained with future partners
engaged in international new-build energy projects.
住所：　代表者：
電話：
E-メール： 〒101-0054
東京都千代田区神田錦町3-15
NTF竹橋ビル7F ・ IBS証券株式会社
アレックサンドル・ルタ、相談役
080-5920-6514
[email protected]
エネルセンスインターナショナルはフィンランドのポリ市で
設立されたリソースマネジメントの企業です。弊社は原子力
のみならず、他にも様々な大規模エネルギープロジェクトに
取り組んでおります。そのうち、オルキルオト原子力発電所
において第三世代EPR原子炉新設プロジェクトのあらゆる段階
に係る７年近くの経験があります。本プロジェクトは全世界
で作業中の建設の取組と比較しても大規模のものであり、ア
レバ・シーメンスのコンソーシアムの下で実施されています。
エネルセンスとしてはこれからも将来のパートナー企業へこ
れまで蓄積してきた経験を国際レベルのエネルギー新設プロ
ジェクトなどにおいて貢献することを目指しております。
URL: www.enersense.eu
URL: www.enersense.eu
member news
メンバーニュース
Tekes
フィンランド技術庁 (Tekes)
Reijo Munther has left Japan for the Tekes head office in
Helsinki at the end of August and Dr. Mitsuru Niwano will
be in charge of Tekes activities in Japan.
レイヨ・ムンター技術参事官は、ヘルシンキにあるTekesの
本庁に８月末に戻られ、彼の後継者として庭野満氏が
Tekes東京の業務を任されました。
ムンター氏は出国前にFCCJメンバーに次の言葉を残されま
した。
「私と家族は日本滞在中の皆様のすばらしい協力と良
い思い出に心から感謝いたします。私たちの娘はテンプ
ルユニバーシティに通学するため一人日本に残りますの
で、将来また皆様にお会いできるかもしれません。私が
日本に滞在中に歴史的災害が起こり、我々の関係もより
強くなりました。私はヘルシンキ本庁にて仕事を続けま
す。私のメールアドレスは変わりませんので皆様のフィ
ンランドへのリンクの一つとなればと思います。
庭野満氏が日本のTekesの業務を引継ぎます。
Mr. Munther wrote the following message to FCCJ
members before his departure:
I and my family would like to thank you for a good
cooperation and nice memories during our stay in
Japan. My daughter will remain in Japan attending
Temple University, so also because of this I hope
our paths will cross again in the future. My time in
Japan occurred at a historical moment and that also
connects us. I will continue my work from Pasila, my
email address remains unchanged and naturally I
will also in the future be one of your links to Finland.
Mitsuru Niwano will be in charge of the Tekes
operations in Japan.
All the best and success in your future endeavors!
お元気で、そして将来の成功を祈っております。」
Metso Minerals Japan has moved
メッツォ ミネラルズ ジャパン���
が移転
Metsi Minerals Japan Co., Ltd. has moved. Their new
address is:
Shin-Yokohama Kaneko Bldg. 4F
2-3-9, Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, YOKOHAMA 222-0033
メッツォ ミネラルズ ジャパン��������������
株式会社は移転いたしました。
新しい住所は：
����������������������������
〒222-0033 神奈川県横浜市港北区新横浜2-3-9
新横浜金子ビル４Ｆ
尚、電話・ファックス番号につきましては変更ありません。
Phone and fax numbers remain unchanged.
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。
Yakatabune Cruise: continued from page 1.
FCCJ President Marko Saarelainen makes
welcoming remarks
Enjoying food and drinks at one of
the Honka Japan tables
Guest of honor, ‘our’ Member of the House
of Counsillors, Marutei Trusunen, gives short
speech noting that during his 45 years in
Japan, it was his forst Yakatabune cruise.
For a lot of more pictures,
go to our web site:
www.fcc.or.jp
Sakari Romu of Finnair enjoying the evening
breeze before start o thef cruise.
Aoyama View: continued from page 1.
With media and population focusing on Olympics, the dramatic last meters of Prime Minister Noda’s new tax law,
went almost unnoticed. Yet, it was as exciting as any event in London as the outcome - to win acceptance for the law
or to end up facing sudden elections - was unclear until the very last day. Not sure which way it will turn even on the
morning of the final vote, went to the parliament to follow close by. could not get to the upper house session room,
but stood as with my political adviser as ‘honorary guard’ at the door, when senators entered the room. the special
interest was how many DPJ members would stay away. not many, it turnd out, but some did vote against the proposal
by their own government. At the end, LDP accepted to vote for the law in the Upper House against Noda promise that
elections will be held “soon”. Ever since the two parties have exchanged heated opinions what “soon” means. Seem
it’s anything between next month and early next year. Moreover, DPJ says the agreement does not apply any more
if either Tanigaki or Noda will lose his position in September when both parties elect new leaders. LDP holds a gun
in back pocket against this saying, then it would go for non-confidence vote, which should win with the backing of
other small parties, Ozawa exiles etc. With such feuding continuing, it looks likely we are into early elections instead
of regulatory time next August.
One of his crucial targets achieved, Noda has officially changed focus to next two, namely the law to issue new debt to finance this year’s budget and the
law to reduce the number of parliament members, both important issues. However, few believe this government has any power left to achieve anything more
after the tax law marathon. “One government, one issue”, is the old saying here. At least, Noda seems realistic enough not to talk about his other targets like
the free trade deals and restart of nuclear power plants. Especially, the latter issue seem to face heavy headwind from the public. According surveys, 70% of
the people do not want to have it back and regular demonstrations are held in front of Prime Minister’s residence to drive home this message. Yet, it is clear
that, for the time being, nuclear power is needed to safeguard sufficient energy for the industry, at least until other alternatives have been created. Moreover,
few have counted that after facing EUR 20-30 billion bill and about as many years to close the one damaged plant in Fukushima, it would cost Japan 50 times
more to close all the others. Hence, the likely solution must be that a selected number of NPP’s will be restarted in medium term and run their life time until
retired in 20 -30 years. How many plants that would be depends on MITI’s energy calculations and proper safety analysis of each plant. Gov’t was supposed
to publish its plan already last month, but it has been postponed for understandable reasons.
While any energy crisis seem to have been avoided this summer, the soaring gas and oil import bill is crushing Japan’s trade balance as there is little
growth in exports growth due to poor demand in Europe, USA and Asia as well as the high JPY value. GDP growth,
that recorded 5,5% annual speed at the final count for Jan-March quarter slowed down to below expectations at
1,4% only in April-June. Private consumption remained only marginally positive and all expectations are that things
will slow down further from here. Consumers are confused about future taxes and politics, eco-car benefits will end
and Tohoku rebuilding impact will slow down at home while in overseas Europe falls deeper into recession and USA,
China remain slow - all this will count in for Japan. It will become tougher for all of us to make our business here. Only
one benefit for us importers seems to stay: the high JPY value.
1Q. results of Japanese companies show that their expectations of strong recovery have been too optimistic, too.
As a rule, the profit growth was not as good as forecasted. Sure, there were shining exceptions like Toyota, who seem
to be in for great recovery from last year’s unforeseen disasters (Tohoku, Thailand). Not only did it recover its position
as world No.1 already during 1H.2012, but it now expect annual profit back to record level and reaching 10 million
car production as the first company ever in history.
In contrast to this and similar good results from other car makers,
there’s the consumer electronic giants, who have difficulties to
climb back from the billion losses they made last year. The worst
out of the pack now is Sharp, that is partly being overtaken by the
Office:
Taiwan OEM manufacturer Foxcon, a change in global power that
Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
few could have predicted just a few years ago. One result is that,
Forest View Meguro 101
with multivolume orders from Foxcon, the operating rate of Sharp’s
5-11-17, Shimomeguro
LDC plant in Kameyama, Mie prefecture, is expceted to go from 30%
Meguro-ku, TOKYO 153-0064
up to 90%. The plant is probably the most advanced in the world,
Tel. 03-5725-9596, Fax. 03-5725-9597
but has been suffering of poor global sales, a phenomena much
Executive Director: Clas G. Bystedt
too common for some Japanese companies. Together, the two Apple
Assistant: Yoko Marukawa
suppliers will line up against Samsung, the new world No.1 from
E-mail: [email protected]
Korea. No mention of Nokia these days.
President:
It’s in this kind of mood, on one side high from Olympics etc,
Marko Saarelainen, tel. 03-3479-4169
on one side things starting to look gloomy again, that the Finnish
members get together again back from summer holidays in home
Vice President:
country, where all seemed to be still going smooth. In fact, it was
Hirokuni Yoshida, tel. 03-5449-8311
difficult to notice any concern about global economy etc among the
Other Board Members:
common people there. The most serious topic was the cold weather
Masaoki Fujita, tel. 043-259-0151
and what Prime Minister would comment about financing the Greeks
Tuomo Kuuppo, tel. 03-3239-5271
from his summer holiday.
Pekka Laitinen, tel. 080-5172-5984
Timo Varhama, 14 August 2012
the chamber
event calendar
イベント予定
Friday, 28 September
９月２８日（金）
The North America - Europe Golf Challenge in Japan
Venue: Atsugi Kokusai C.C. Kanagawa Prefecture
Cost: 24,000 yen
More info:www.dccgolf-japan.com
第10回 Mercedes-Benz Japan Cup
北米・ヨーロッパゴルフマッチ
場所： 厚木国際C.C.、神奈川県
参加費： 24,000円
詳細： www.dccgolf-japan.com
The 10th Mercedes-Benz Japan Cup
Thursday, 18 October
１０月１８日（木）
3rd European Chambers in Japan Cocktail Party 第３回 欧州合同カクテルパーティー
Time: 18:30 - 21:00
Venue: Hyatt Regency Tokyo - Crystal room
Fee: 8,000 yen (members), 9,000 yen (non-members)
時間： 18:30 - 21:00
場所： ハイアット リージェンシー 東京、クリスタルルーム
参加費：メンバー8,000円、メンバー以外9,000円
For latest information, visit our web site.
最新のイベント情報に関してはウェブサイトをご覧下さい。
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