LATEST UK – JAPAN REPORTS
BCCJ Firms ’ Relief Efforts Help Tohoku SMEs
British firms in Japan have devised a special programme to reinvigorate businesses in Tohoku that were affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami , The Japan Times reported on 29 June .
Members of the BCCJ — including member firms GlaxoSmithKline K . K ., Unilever , Jaguar Land Rover Limited and
HSBC Holdings plc — assisted with relief operations , sent supplies , and raised ¥ 8.3mn to fund projects designed to help small firms and communities in the region .
Although the amount of financial aid given was relatively small , the BCCJ ’ s Back to Business initiative — according to which BCCJ members travelled to disaster areas to identify businesses and communities requiring specific assistance — has been identified as special among foreign chambers of commerce in Japan and the international community ’ s relief efforts . The BCCJ can also act as a channel for British firms interested in setting up operations in Tohoku .
Poll Reveals Peaceful Nations
Japan is the sixth-most peaceful country in the world , while the UK is in 44th place , according to the 2013 Global Peace Index , issued on 11 June .
In its annual report , the Institute for Economics and Peace ranks 162 countries . It measures security in society , the extent of conflict and the degree of militarisation . From this one can see how world peace has changed over time .
The poll shows that levels of peace in the surveyed nations have fallen 5 % since 2008 , and that in recent years the number and intensity of internal conflicts have
YAMAZAKI MAZAK U . K . LIMITED
Royal Visits Worcester Tool Factory
Prince Charles visited the Yamazaki Mazak Corporation factory in Worcester to learn about its highly regarded training programmes for young workers , The Japan Times reported on 6 June .
He hoped to find out more about both the firm ’ s apprenticeship scheme and its investment in young engineers .
Yamazaki is one of the world ’ s leading risen . Meanwhile , the number of intra-state hostilities have fallen .
Topping the list is Iceland , with its political stability , low homicide rate and small prison population . Japan , with strict laws on the possession of firearms and good relations with neighbouring countries , has come in sixth . Afghanistan was in last place .
Countries are assessed based on 22 indicators that measure internal peace , as well as on external peace indicators .
The report reveals that the major threats to peace exist within — rather than outside — national borders .
The Prince of Wales toured Yamazaki manufacturing facility to learn about its programmes for young employees .
machine tool manufacturers and makes numerically controlled metal-cutting and laser-processing machine tools for British and European markets .
Yamazaki ’ s British operation , which employs 500 people , has twice received the Queen ’ s Award for international trade in recognition of its contribution to the British export economy .
Two Tyrells ’ crisp flavours will be sold in 7-Elevens here .
Crisp Maker to Supply 7-Eleven
Tyrrells Potato Crisps Ltd has secured its biggest-ever overseas listing with a deal to sell its products at 7-Eleven stores in Japan , The Grocer reported on 29 May .
The firm plans to supply two flavours of its crisps to 5,000 of the convenience chain stores in Japan — the firm ’ s latest Asian market after China and India .
Owner Langholm Capital has put the crisp manufacturer up for sale .
Bangor Biscuit Firm Receives Big Order from Tokyo Retailer
A Bangor-based biscuit firm has won orders for its shamrock-shaped shortbread and oatmeal biscuits from Japanese retailer Otomo Shoji , the Belfast Telegraph reported on 17 June .
Grace ’ s Traditional Irish Biscuits has received orders from the Osaka-based business — which has about 100 shops in Japan — following an internet inquiry .
The biscuit maker , focused on building sales in global markets , has given a boost to other Northern Ireland firms involved in developing and shipping the biscuits .
8 | BCCJ ACUMEN | JULY 2013