June 2011 Disaster Relief with a Finnish Touch

fccj news
●
Foreign Chambers
Business Confidence Survey
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 13 Issue 3 - June 2011
在日外国商工会議所（FCIJ）ビジネス景況調査
Spring 2011
在日外国商工会議所は、2002年からビジネ
The Foreign Chambers in Japan (FCIJ) has been
conducting Business Confidence surveys online
ス景況アンケート調査を年2回実施している。
twice a year since 2002 among foreign-affiliated
今回は第19回目の調査であり2011年4月12～
companies in Japan. This, the 19th, survey was
2２日に実施され、437の有効的返答を受け取
conducted between April 12 and 22, and received
437 valid responses , an increase of 52% from the
った。これは前回の10月の調査の返答数に比
previous survey conducted in October 2010.
べ52％増である。
Inevitably, the 3/11 disaster had a significant
必然的に3月11日の大震災は今回の調査に
influence on the results of this survey, especially
非常な影響を及ぼした。特に経済の見通しや
regarding the outlook for the economy and the
companies’ business performance in a shorter
短期間（6ヶ月）の企業の業績においてそれは
tern (6 months). Compared to the previous survey
明白である。前回の調査（2010年10月）と比較
(Fall 2010), this survey shows an uncertainty
すると、日本の経済情況において、特に短期
about the economic situation in Japan, especially Economy next 12 months
今後１２ヶ月の日本経済の予測
in the short term.
間の経済の不安定さが現れている。
The Japanese economy for the next 6 months
日本経済のこの先６ヶ月見通しは低下すると
is expected to decline, the index (on a scale from
見られ、指数（+2～‐2）で示すと-0.93（前回の
+2 to -2) was now -0.93 (compared to -0.04 in
fall 2010), but looking 12 months ahead, the
調査では-0.04）、しかしながらこの先12ヶ月の
companies see a turn for the better and the
経済見通しについて、企業は好転すると確信
index turned into positive territory - now +0.08,
しており現在+0.08で前回の+0.17を僅かに下
only slightly lower that the +0.17 in the previous
回った。
survey.
The reported sales performance in the past six
過去6ヶ月の販売実績においては前回の調
months was almost unchanged from the previous,
今後６ヶ月の売上げ 査結果と変わらず、+0.61（前回は+0.64）。また
Sales next 6 months
+0.61 compared to +0.64 the fall survey. Similarly,
同様に利益に関しても+0.59（前回は+0.63）と
the profitability had also improved, +0.59 now
compared to +0.63. But the sales forecast
前回とほぼ同数値であった。　だが、大震災に
inevitably plummeted because of the disaster,
より売上げ見通しは必然的に下落し、この先
the index for the coming six months was -0.14
6ヶ月売上げ指数は-0.14（前回は+0.88）、利
(previous survey +0.88) and that for profitability
also -0.14 (+0.60).
益は-0.14（前回は+0.60）と予測。
Despite the current uncertainties, the strategies
この現在の不安定な状況にもかかわらず、
of the foreign-affiliated companies in Japan
外資系企業戦略においては、引き続きかなり
continue to be rather bullish. 65% (69% in the Fall
強気である。65％（2010年秋、69％）が成長す
2010 survey) are looking for further growth and
日本での企業戦略 る、29％が現状保持（2010年度秋、28％）、5％
29% (28% in Fall 2010) expecting to sustain their Strategies in Japan
current level. 5% (2% in Fall 2010) are planning to
が縮小（2010年度秋、2％）、さらに1％（437社
downsize, but only 1% (four companies out of the
中の4社）が日本市場からの撤退を考えている
surveyed 437) are considering withdrawing from
the market.
と回答した。
The next survey will be done in October 2011.
次回の調査は2011年10月に実施予定。
For the full report, go to:
全レポートに関してはこちら
http://www.fcc.or.jp/fcij/bcs.html
http://www.fcc.or.jp/fcij/bcs.html
Disaster Relief
with a Finnish Touch
Bringing Joy to the Children of Tohoku
The project will provide the Finnish Business Community
and related organizations and individuals to participate in a
relief effort with “A Finnish Touch” for the Tohoku area.
The target for the relief effort is mainly children as Finland
has two characters, the Moomins and Santa Claus, which are
also well-known and liked by Japanese children.
The objective is not primarily to collect money but to bring
happiness to children by the visit of the characters and gifts
that they bring with them. A Charity Event was organized 1
June to collect funds to make sure that enough gifts and
other items can be procured and distributed.
Read more about the project on page 4.
フィンランドの気持ち表す
大災害救援
東北の子供たちに喜びを届けよう！
このプロジェクトはフィンランドのビジネス界や関係団体お
よび個人の方々に震災で被災した方々のための「フィンランド
の気持ち」として救援活動を計画しその参加を呼びかけており
ます。
この救援活動の対象は主に子供たちであり、フィンランドに
はムーミンとサンタクロースという2つのキャラクターがあり、
これらは日本の子供たちにも人気があります。
目的は主としてお金を集めるだけではなく、キャラクターた
ちが子供たちを訪問し、またプレゼントを配って喜びを届ける
ことです。チャリティーイベントは６月１日に開催し、そこで
プレゼントなどを購入するための資金を集めました。
プロジェクトの詳細は４ページ。
from the boardroom
Differences in business practices
– Western countries VS Japan
Through my professional experience in
international accounting firm as a senior
audit and tax manager, and business
experience as general manager at wholly
owned Japanese subsidiary of American
manufacturing company who distributes flow
control equipments throughout the world, I
learned that there were many differences
of business practice exist between Western
countries and Japan, regardless which is right
or wrong. Some of them are explained below.
These are my own personal observation, so
you may have different view.
-
Decision making (sometime too slow)
Decision making procedures in Japanese companies are usually slow
especially when they want to buy a product from new overseas supplier.
Decision making steps start from Tanto-sha (man in charge), then pass
to Kacho (section chief) and Bucho (manager) with a letter circulated to
obtain the approval (Ringi-sho) for procurement. In this stage, the most of
Western business men would lean the word “Patience”. I strongly believe
that the most important business attitude in doing business with the
Japanese company is wait with patience. However, once they approved
the product, decision making procedure for future business will become
very smooth.
-
Quality control (sometime too much)
Generally speaking Western business man knows how good the
Japanese quality control practice is and all of the products are made in
accordance with quality control manuals, etc. However, if Japanese Q.C.
people find a small scratch on the surface of the equipments, which is to
be installed into pipes, they claim this scratch. This is sometime too much
for Western people since they know this scratch would not effect quality
of flow control in inside of the pipes.
-
Delivery control (sometime too severe)
Once Western suppliers make delivery promise with the Japanese
company, they must report their progress toward production completion
and submit such progress report on a timely basis which required
estimated completion date at the factory and date dispatch from the
factory, date leave air port or harbor, date arrive in Japan, etc. Once
they failed either one of the above quality and delivery requirement,
Japanese company usually ask the reason why they could not meet
the requirements and also ask them to make report (1)why they failed
to keep quality standard and delivery promise, and (2)how to improve
quality standard and delivery promise in the future.
-
Importance of speaking Japanese language
Japanese are usually very friendly for foreigners but, sometimes,
because of language barrier, they are unable to demonstrate such
feeling. However, once foreigners speak some Japanese even very simple
Japanese (such as Konnichiwa, Arigato, Yoroshiku, Domo-Domo, etc.)
their reaction and attitude for foreigners would be different and business
relationship with the Japanese companies would become more smooth
and friendly.
In summary, I strongly believe that there are three(3) key factors in
doing business with the Japanese companies which are –
-
Patience
-
Keep promise
-
Try to speak out some Japanese
Yoshinori Sano, CPA and LTA, Managing Partner
MOS Tax Corporation
FCCJ Board Member
リカード・グスタフソン氏（ＳＡＳグループ社長兼ＣＥＯ）の来日の機に、在日ス
ウェーデン商工会議所は北欧合同昼食会を企画し、本日２７日に開催いたしま
した。グフタフソン氏のスピーチのテーマは「ＳＡＳの今日と将来」でした。
彼はプレゼンテーションを彼がＳＡＳに入社した理由の説明からスタートし、航
空産業の面白さおよび競争の激しさについて、また航空産業は国や大陸を結
び、ＳＡＳは北欧ビジネス業界の有名ブランドであるとお話になりました。
ＳＡＳは日本進出６０周年を祝い、グスタフソン氏は将来も６０年続くことを願うと
ともに、将来の戦略案はこの夏に公式発表される予定で詳細を語るには尚早で
あると述べました。しかしながら、その目標はさらなる利益的成長とより良い顧客
サービスであると説明されました。
このイベントには北欧商工会議所メンバーおよびゲスト５５名が参加（ＦＣＣＪか
ら８名）。
event reports
Tuesday, 24 May - FCCJ Luncheon Meeting
Mr. Mika Vehviläinen, President & CEO, Finnair
The FCCJ May Luncheon was held on
Tuesday 24th as a Joint Nordic event with Mr.
Mika Vehviläinen, President & CEO of Finnair
as our guest speaker.
Mr. Vehviläinen started his presentation
by showing a short video of Finnairs brand
renewal, where one of the main theme’s
is “year of the customer” were they try to
improve the travel experience, especially for
business travelers, from end-to-end.
He pointed out that Japan is a very significant
market for Japan, with 21 weekly flights they
are among the biggest foreign carriers to
Japan and Japan accounted for a larger share
of their business than their domestic, which is quite rare among airlines.
The presentation was concluded by a lively Q&A session.
After the presentation the joint Finnish relief project “Bringing Joy to the
Children of Tohoku” was briefly presented.
The event, held at Hotel Okura, was attended by 53 members and guests
FCCJの月例昼食会は北欧合同昼食会として５月２４日（火）に開催され、ゲスト
スピーカーにフィンランド航空CEO兼代表取締役社長であるミカ・ヴェフヴィライ
ネン氏を迎えました。
ヴェフヴィライネン氏のプレゼンテーションはフィンランド航空の最新短編ビデ
オの鑑賞からスタートし、その中の主なテーマは「カスタマーイヤー」であり、特に
ビジネス旅行客のための包括的な（チケット購入から目的地到着までの）トラベル
サービスの向上を目指しているとのことです。
さらに彼は、フィンランド航空にとって日本は特に重要な市場で日本へは週
21便運航しており、外資系航空会社の中でも大きい企業の一つであると述べまし
た。またフィンランド航空はビジネス上、フィンランド国内線よりも日本への国際線
の割合の方が大きく、これは航空会社の中でも大変珍しいことであると説明され
ました。
彼のプレゼンテーションの後は活発な質疑応答があり、さらに「東北の被災した子
供たちへ楽しさを届けよう」というフィンランド救援活動についても紹介されました。
Wed. 27 April - Joint Nordic Business Luncheon
Mr. Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SAS Group
On the occasion of a visit to Japan by the new
President and CEO of the SAS Group, Mr. Rickard
Gustafson, the Swedish Chamber ( SCCJ) invited
other Nordic Chambers to a business luncheon
on Wednesday, 27 April (today). The theme of Mr.
Gustafsson’s presentation was: “SAS today and
tomorrow”.
Mr. Gustafsson started his speech by explaning
why he joined SAS; the airline industry is
fascinating and the competition is tough. It also
bonds countries and continents and SAS is an
icon in the Scandinavian business environment
SAS celebrates this year 60 years of operation
to Japan, and Mr. Gustafsson said that look forward to continue 60 years more.
He also said that the future strategies will be formulated this summer, so it is
too early to give any details now. But the objective is to get more profitability to
growth and provide a great customer experience.
The event, held at Happo-En, was attended by 55 members and guests from
three Nordic Chambers, including 8 from the FCCJ.
midsummer party at finland village
On Saturday, 4 June Koumimachi, Koumi-Suomi Association
and Finland Village organized the
tenth Finnish style Midsummer
party at the Village. The event
attracted about 300 persons,
including 25 from the Finnish
business community in Japan.
This year, Reijo Muther, Counselkor for Science,
Technology and Innovation. was the offical
representative for Finland at the event.
The evening was filled with entertainment, most
notably Matti Esko, one of the most famous Finnish
popolar music artists, brought from Finland for
this event and the Charity Event organized at the
Embassy of Finland on 1 June.
The participants could also enjoy a lot of good
food and drinks, and an original Koumi style
“Juhannuskokko”, the best in the world! Also this
year there were actually two kokko’s, as we had a
smaller one floating on a pontoon on the lake.
フィンランド・ヴィレッジの夏至祭
６月４日（土）、長野県小海町にあ
るフィンランド・ヴィリッジにて第１０回
フィンランドスタイルの夏至祭が開催
されました。
このイベントには約300名（在日の
フィンランド企業から25 名を含む）が
参加しました。今回のイベントに、フ
ィンランド国の代表としてフィンランド技術庁のレイヨ・ムンター氏
が参加して下さりました。
このイベントには色々なプログラムが企画されており、その中
での一番注目はフィンランドの有名な歌手マッティ・エスコ氏の
歌のエンターテイメントでした。彼はこのイベントおよび６月１日フ
ィンランド大使館で開催されたチャリティーイベントのためにフィ
ンランドから来日しました。
この夏至祭には食べ物や飲み物も色々あり参加者を楽しま
せ、今回も小海町オリジナルの世界一とも言える「ユハンヌス・コ
ッコ」が焚かれ、また湖上に浮く小さなコッコも用意されました。
The Finnish booth
with some items and
sausage sold for the
charity project.
The crew erecting
the Finnish army
tent; from left
Reijo Munther,
Ilkka Salmenius,
Mikko Koivistionen,
Moris and Marko
Saarelainen.
The main kokko almost completed.
Testing the tent sauna before
start of the party.
Koumi-Suomi Association
Chairman Tamio Koike
Matti Esko and Reijo Muther
after job well done ligting kokko.
Flames rising to the evening sky.
member news
メンバー　ニュース
Artek Oy Ab Office in Japan
Artek Oy Ab 日本支店
Artek office in Japan has moved. The new address is:
Artek Oy Ab Branch Office in Japan
B Flat 4F
3-20-1, Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011
Artekの事務所が移転しました。新住所は：
〒150-0011
東京都渋谷区東3-20-1
Bフラット4F
Septem Partners
Septem Partners
Septem Partners has moved.
New contact information:
Septem Partners
c/o IBS Securities
NTF Takebashi Building 7F
3-15 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0054
Tel 03-6895 5521
Fax. 03-6895 5520
Septem Partnersは移転しました。
新しい連絡先は：
〒101-0054
東京都千代田区神田錦町3-15
NTF竹橋ビル7F・IBS証券株式会社内
電話番号： 03-6895 5521
ファックス： 03-6895 5520
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。
Jukka Suomela In Memoriam
With sadness we inform that Mr. Jukka Suomela passed away in Helsinki on 26 May 2011 after a long illness.
Jukka Suomela was instrumental in founding the FCCJ and its board member 1999-2000, and long serving board member and
chairman of FCCJ’s predecessor, the Finnish Business Council. For his contributions in developing relations between Japan and Finland
he received the “Order of the Rising Sun, Golden Ray with Ribbon” in 2005 in Helsinki from H.E. Ambassador Shigeo Kondo.
Mr. Suomela served in Tokyo on two occasions, 1986-1990 at Kansallis-Osake-Pankki’s Tokyo Representative office and from 19962000 at Merita Representative Office (from 1997 Merita Nordbanken, which in 2001 became Nordea).
After returning to Finland he also served as board member and chairman of the Finnish-Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
... more about the Charity Project
Wednesday 1 June - Charity Event at Embassy of Finland
The first event in the project initiated by FCCJ
and organized in cooperation with the Embassy
and all the other Finnish organizations in
Japan, “Disaster Relief with a Finnish Touch
- Bringing Joy to the Children of Tohoku” was
the Charity Event organized at the Embassy of
Finland on Wednesday, 1 June.
Attended by 120 persons the evening was
filled with activities, a lively action, a lottery
and sales of Finnish leather products, as
well as entertainment by the famous Finnish
popular singer, Matti Esko.
The evening brought more than 2 million yen to be used for bringing joy to the
children of Tohoku by visits of the Moomin Characters and tentatively also Santa
Claus later in the year.
The auctioneer Erik Ullner, assisted by Maki Shoji and
Pekka Laitinen showing four paintings from an old ‘Japan
hand’ Ilkka Laukkonen.
チャリティーイベント―大使館にて、６月１日（水）
ＦＣＣＪおよびフィンランド大使館
やその他の在日フィンランド組織によ
るプロジェクト「フィンランドの気持
ちを表す大震災救援―東北の子供たち
に喜びを届けよう」、この最初のイベ
ントであるチャリティーイベントがフ
ィンランド大使館にて６月１日（水）
開催されました。
このイベントにおよそ１２０名が参
加、色々な催しがあり（オークショ
ン、くじ引き、フィンランド製レザー
コートの販売など）、またフィンラン
ドの人気歌手マッティ・エスコ氏の歌のショーもありました。
このイベントでは２００万円以上のお金が集まり、これは今年東北
の子供たちをムーミンやサンタクロースが訪問する際の資金に使われ
ます。
Ambassador
Jari Gustafsson
makes opening
remarks.
Matti Esko
making his first
performance.
Time to enjoy
the buffet,
front Pirjo
Eskonniemi.
FCCJ President Marko Saarelainen prepares for the lottery,
assisted by Johanna Kotkajärvi, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy.
event calendar
Shunkichi
Miyashita gives
thumbs up for the
Lapin Kulta beer.
イベント予定
Wednesday, 24 August
８月２４日（水）
FCCJ Yakatabune Event
Finnair - FinnTour Code Share Cruise
Time: 18.30 - 21.00
Embarkation:Amisei, 2-1-26, Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Route: Asakusa - Odaiba - Asakusa
Cost: Members and members’ guests: 8,000 yen
ＦＣＣＪ屋形船イベント
フィンランド航空、フィンツアー コードシェアクルーズ
時間： 18:30～21:00
乗船 ＆下船：台東区駒形2-1-26、船宿あみ清
航路：浅草―お台場―浅草
参加費：メンバーおよびメンバーのゲスト8,000円
Friday, 30 September
９月３０日（金）
Mercedes -Benz Japan Cup
The North-America - Europe Golf Challenge in Japan
Venue: Atsugi Kokusai C.C., Kanagawa Pref.
Cost: 24,000 yen
More: www.dccgolf-japan.com
メルセデス・ベンツ ジャパン カップ
北米対ヨーロッパゴルフマッチ
コース： 厚木国際カントリー倶楽部、神奈川県
参加費： 24,000円
詳細 ： www.dccgolf-japan.com
Wed. 5 - Sat. 8 October
１０月５日(水）～８日(土）
Vladivostok Tour
Details to be provided later
ウラジオストーク ツアー
後日詳細通知
the chamber
Office:
Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Setagaya Tsurumaki Heim 203
2-33-20, Tsurumaki
Setagaya-ku, TOKYO 154-0016
Tel. 03-5450-7207, Fax. 03-5450-7208
Executive Director: Clas G. Bystedt
Assistant: Yoko Marukawa
E-mail: [email protected]
President:
Marko Saarelainen, tel. 0555-62-6062
Vice President:
Hirokuni Yoshida, tel. 03-5449-8311
Other Board Members:
Kaj Forsell, tel. tel. 03-6859-6810
Masaoki Fujita, tel. 043-259-0151
Petri Hautakangas, tel. 03-5474-6403
Tuomo Kuuppo, tel. 03-3239-5271
Pekka Laitinen, tel. 080-5172-5984
Mika Mäkinen, tel. 090-2480-0362
Shigeyoshi Noto, tel. 03-5531-5080
Sakari Romu, tel. 03-3222-1691
Yoshinori Sano, tel. 03-6420-3031
Veli Solehmainen, tel. 03-3266-9610
Hiroaki Sugawara, tel. 03-3456-3933
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 For latest event 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。