Highlighting JAPAN

through articles

By featuring articles written by experts in many different genres, this online magazine provides people all over the world with information on modern Japan.

December 2008

Small Business Is Big Business Japan's SMEs

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Small Business Is Big Business Japan's SMEs

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Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which together comprise 99.7% of all enterprises in Japan, support Japanese industry with their high technologies and skills. Some SMEs also play a vital role in overseas development, in terms of providing employment and transferring said technologies and skills. The Japanese government and related bodies like JFC in turn support the activities of SMEs.

What Is the Japan Finance Corporation?

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Interview with Shosaku Yasui, governor and CEO of the newly established Japan Finance Corporation (JFC).

SMEs Needs

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Ichiro Takahara, director-general for Small and Medium Enterprise Policy, explains the measures introduced this year to support SMEs and draw out their potential.

Collaboration the Key

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The national government has launched a major initiative to help boost strategic collaboration among industry, academic and government bodies. The Japan Journal reports.

The Ventures

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Waseda University Professor Shuichi Matsuda explains the current circumstances surrounding business ventures as a driving force for Japan and its mature economy.

Foreign Capital Welcome

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Itsushi Tachi, the Cabinet Office's deputy-director general for economic and fiscal management, explains the importance of promoting investment in Japan.

CFOs Hold Key for SMEs

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What are the special characteristics of successful, fast-growing small and medium-sized enterprises? Kobe University Professor Kenji Kutsuna comments.

The Revitalization of Regional Communities and the Role of IT

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Japan has achieved a world-class information technology environment in terms of infrastructure, but there are many pressing issues that still need to be addressed. Keio University Professor Jiro Kokuryo comments.

Phosphorous Recovery Made Easy

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The Japan Sewage Works Agency has developed a promising new technology for the efficient recovery of phosphorous from sewage. The Japan Journal reports.

Factories of the Future

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Shigeaki Yanai, general manager of the Japan Robot Association, reviews the background to Japan's market strength in the industrial robot sector, explains the nature of the industrial robots being used in Japan today, and considers the robots' future potential.

Cultural Creation Is All in the Mix

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Japan has the opportunity to develop "a great cultural base in the world," writes Tamotsu Aoki, commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

The Band Plays On

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Distant relatives of John William Fenton were in Japan recently to help commemorate the bandleader's remarkable contribution to Japanese music. Julian Ryall reports.

Miyazaki's World

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Tony McNicol reports on a rare press conference by animation master Hayao Miyazaki, held at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo.

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