mixiのみなさんへ

こんにちは！お久しぶりです。
今日久しぶりにmixiにアクセスしました。そしたら、このブログ(blogger)が日記に設定されているんですね。なんかこっぱずかしいなあ。ところで、ようやく就職することになり、今月東京に引っ越しします。東京方面の人また会いましょう。
ではでは

Happy Halｌoween!

There are no costume parties nor Jack-0'-lanterns here, but still I survive. Wish me luck!

BTW, I got a desk calendar from FT. Its customer service is always kind to me. Haha. Tomorrow is the first day of November , and the price of many goods increase such as gasoline. If you come to Tokyo and buy a litter (a quater gallon) of gasoline, you have to pay 169yen ($1.47). That is, a gallon = $5.56. It is very much expensive, isn't it? PLZ, raise interest rates, Mr. BOJ Gov.!

"Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll buy a funny hat. Talk to a hungry man about fish, and you're a consultant."
-Scott Adams

ハロウィーン、コスチューム、ジャック・オー・ランタン、ファイナンシャル・タイムス、値上げ、ガソリン、日銀総裁、コンサルタント、スコット・アダムス

Hikonyan attracted 550 thousands visitors to Hikone Castle!!!

The 400th Anniversary of National Treasure Hikone Castle Festival marked 550 thousand visitors since its beginning. The festival archived this goal about two months before its closing. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun analyzed that Hikonyan, the mascot cat for the festival, contributed very much to attract many visitors.

Sorry, I couldn't find out any English site...

国宝・彦根城築城400年祭 累計入場者数が会期中目標入場者数の55万人を突破した。会期はは11月25日まで。マスコットのひこにゃんが集客に貢献したと日経は分析している。

オフィシャルサイト： http://www.hikone-400th.jp/
ひこにゃん倶楽部： http://www.hikone-400th.jp/hikonyan/
ウィキペディア(wikipedia)： http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%B2%E3%81%93%E3%81%AB%E3%82%83%E3%82%93

Hanshin Highways faces criticism.

Kansai Economic Federation (KEF) criticized the Hanshin Highway for the raise of toll. The company is aiming to introduce a toll schedule increasing with distance in FY2008. In some cases, drivers have to pay more money than today. The toll schedule now is a flat toll, by the way. The President of KEF, Mr. Shimozuma, said a privatization should be implemented to alleviate a burden of citizen by streamlining of public services. From his point of view, the toll raise is a wag-the-dog thing. The President of Kansai International Airport, Mr. Murayama, also expressed his concern on this issue.
Under perfect competition, a withdrawal pressure from a market reduced the cost of goods and services. However, in public service domain like today's case, this circut does not work due to the lack of competitors. Rather, it is reasonable for privatized servicers to raise toll or fees to maintain its organization. We need to introduce a scheme which gives incentives for public servicers to cut down the cost. The point is how.

関経連は阪神高速の値上げを批判した。阪神高速は来年度中の距離別料金制の導入を目指している。現状は一律料金。区間によっては値上げになる。関経連会長の下妻氏は民営化は公共サービスの合理化により市民の負担を減らすもの、料金値上げなんて本末転倒だと批判した。関空社長村山氏も懸念を表明した。
自由競争下であれば退出圧力がコストの削減をもたらすが、今回のような公共サービスの場合競合相手がいないので、下妻氏が期待するような民営化即合理化という回路はないのではないでしょうか。このようなライバルがいない状態では自己保存のために料金値上げするのは自然な回答ではないでしょうか。合理化インセンティブを与える仕組みが必要でしょう。

Nihon Life Insurrance invests 40-50 billion yen in Saito.

Nihon Life Insurrance announced to establish a new data backup center in Saito Life Science Park. The company invests about 40-50 billion yen as an initial investment. The site was chosen due to the proximity to the existing data center in Sakai City. The investment is aiming to improve a natural disaster continuity of the company. The old backup center in Tokyo does not have capability to continue the business.

日本生命は新しいデータバックアップセンターを彩都ライフサイエンスパークを建設すると発表した。初期投資だけで400～500億円に上る。建設地は堺市にある現行データセンターへの近接性で選ばれた。この投資は災害時における業務継続性の向上を目指している。現行のバックアップセンターは東京にあるが、業務の復旧が遅れる可能性があった。

No bubble so far in downtown Osaka

According to the report issued by Nihon Souken on Sep. 26, disjuncture of land prices from performance does not happen explicitly. It means that asset inflation like bubble in early 1990s does not happen so far. Although the land prices increased rapidly, performance improved rapidly. The report also warned the too-fast rise of land prices.

日本総合研究所は26日発表のレポートで、大阪市中心部の地価上昇について、バブル期に見られたような収益性からの大幅な乖離は明確に起こっていないとしている。

the number of childbirths in Kyoto increased for the first time in five years.

According to Kyoto Prefecture, the number of childbirths in Kyoto in 2004 was 22,100, increasing (by 2.5% over a year earlier) for the first time in five years. The total fertility rate also increased by 0.01 points to 1.19, which indicates the average number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime. However, population decreased due to the larger increase of people dying.

Robust airport business in Kobe

Kobe Airport Terminal will clean out its cumulative loss in this current business period. This is six year earlier than an original prediction. Increasing number of passengers and visitors contributed its turnaround. Primary revenue streams of the airport company are rent from restaurants and shop, and parking fees. The airport was opened in 2005 .

Department Store Sales are robust in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe

Department Store Sales in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe was 113.9 billion yen, increasing 1.4% over a previous year. The region containing Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe is called Keihanshin, and is the heart of Kansai, by the way.

Osaka Prefecture University suceeded to launch a non-combustion rocket in partnership with a local business.

大阪府立大学(堺市)の大学院生らのグループは13日東大阪市の企業と協力し、燃料を燃やさない非燃焼型ロケットの打ち上げ実験に成功した。燃料を燃やすロケットより安全で安い。他大学の研究用需要を見込んでいる。

The president of Osaka Gas Co. had a meeting on dishonest receipt of subsidy.

コジェンに関連し大阪ガスは10年間に26億円の補助金を不正受給した。責任を取って担当執行役員が解任された。

JR Kyoto-Isetan celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sep.11th.

JR京都伊勢丹が11日開業10周年を迎えた。駅ビルの各テナントとして高成長を続けている。駅ビルの立地を生かして観光客を囲い込み。ファッション部門では２０代の女性の支持を集めている。その一方でしない商業の中心地四条通沿いの老舗では売り上げが軒並み減少している。

Shenzhen Airways entered service between Shenzhen and Kansai International Airport on September 10th.

中国の深圳航空は10日関西国際空港と福州、深圳を結ぶ旅客便就航させた。週三便を運行する。関空発着の中国路線の乗り入れ都市は16に拡大。

The financial condition of local authorities is getting worse in FY2007.

地方自治体の財政の健全度を示す２００７年度の実質公債比率について、６４市町村が１８％以上に達した。これは近畿の市町村の約３割に相当。これらは地方債発行に府県の許可が必要となる。最も高いのは兵庫県香美町の29.4％。また、兵庫県も2年連続。95年の阪神大震災に伴う財政負担が依然重くのしかかっている。

Kobe Airport marked the record hight of passengers in August.

神戸空港の8月の利用客数が前年同月比19.9％増の29万2600人となり2006年2月の開港以来単月として最多を記録した。羽田線など主要路線の客数が増便効果で伸び、日航の新設した石垣線も好調だった。全体の搭乗率は8.9ポイント高い74.7％と開港月に次ぐ高水準７6.7％に次ぐ高水準だった。

The business investment in Kansai in April-June period increased by 15% over a year earlier to 136.6 billion yen.

近畿財務局は3日、4-6月期の法人企業統計調査を公表した。全産業の設備投資は1兆366億円で、前年同期比15％増加。

Kyoto Prefecture will ban any colorful building and non-tile roof near Amano-Hashidate, one of the three most science spots in Japan, in Northern Kyot

京都府は日本三景の一つ天橋立の景観保全に乗り出す。新規の建築物を対象に勾配のある瓦屋根を求めたり、赤色や黄色などの原色を施すことを禁止する。

One month has passed since the beginning of servicing the second runway on Sep. 2nd.

第２滑走路の運用が始まり２日で1ヵ月を迎える。出発便が集中する午前10時や午後1時台の離陸待ち時間が最大で10分間短縮。目的地への到着遅れが減った。これはそれぞれ離陸着陸専用としたため。ノースウェストが10時半発サイパン行きを復活。日航が秋から全日空が来年1月から大幅な貨物便の便数増を計画している。

Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, suceeded to attract a company for the first time to Nagahama Science Park.

滋賀県長浜市がバイオ関連産業の集積を目指して造成した工業団地長浜サイエンスパークへの進出第1号として農産物加工の星野科学が新工場を建設する。近くには長浜バイオ大学がある。2002年に分譲が始まったが進出企業がなく今年5月から賃貸できるようにした。

Taxi company, MK, will start a helicopter tour around Kyoto City next month.

タクシー会社のエムケイと通信サービスのネットイン京都は29日ヘリコプターを利用した京都ツアーを9月8日からはじめる。琵琶湖に新設したヘリポートから清水寺や金閣寺をめぐる。料金は京都市内ホテルから19万4千円から。

Keihan Railways announced to affiliate Kyoto Tower on Aug. 29th.

京阪電鉄は29日京都タワーを子会社化した。第2位の株主である近鉄が保有するすべての株式を取得する(全発行済み株式の16％）。

MLIT will request budget on cargo facility construction in Kansai International Airport.

国土交通省は2008年度予算の概算要求で関西空港の二期貨物施設整備費45億円を入れることにした。要求額は合計245億円で今年度当初予算比75％を上回る。

MLIT is reconsidering new construction of dam in Shiga Prefecture.

建設中止の方針だった大戸川ダム(大津市)を復活する。普段は水をためない洪水対策ダムとしている。建設費は3割削減できるがそれでも1千億円かかる。中止決定からわずか2年の再変更。

Kansai International Airport introduced automated x-ray inspections to belt conveyors.

関西国際空港会社は28日預け荷物のエックス線検査を自動化する。グランドスタッフがベルトコンベアーに荷物を載せると流れる間に自動的にチェックが行われる。投資額は60億円。手続き時間が短縮できる。

Exports and imports of Kansai marked record high in July.

大阪税関が27日に発表した7月の近畿圏の輸入額は前年同月比18％増の11393億。輸出額11％増の14084億円。品目別ではニッケルなど非鉄金属、天然ガスの輸入が急増した。

JR West will develop western area of Osaka Station in partnership with a Postal Public Corporation.

JR西は既に駅ビルの新築に着手しているが、郵政公社と共同で郵便局などを含む13000平米の土地を再開発する。高さ30階超の高層複合ビルを建設する。2011年の開業を目指す。この開発で西梅田と現在開発中の北ヤードがつながる。

Live Comedy Show at Nanba Grand Kagetsu

I went to see the Yoshimoto's live comedy show at Nanba Grand Kagetsu theater in Nanba, Osaka with my parents. The show was so popular that it's impossible to get a ticket on the day of the show. Luckily, we were seated in the middle of the front row so that my mother sometimes speak to comedians. Anyhoo, we laughed a lot.
Shizu-chan (南海キャンディーズのしずちゃん) was taller than I imagine, maybe 182cm or 6ft... She wore an elevator shoes though. All Hanshin Kyojin (オール阪神巨人)was also good.

Kyoto City announced its new scheme financing earthquake retrofit of Kyoto-style traditional house.

京都市は伝統的な木造建築物である京町屋の耐震改修費について最大130万円を助成する。京都の景観形成に貢献している京町屋の保存を促す。

Hyogo Prefecture fixed the route of extending coastal line of Hanshin highway to the west.

兵庫県は阪神高速道路湾岸線を神戸市の六甲アイランド北ランプ以西に延伸する14.5キロのルートを固めた。この新線は六甲アイランドポートアイランドから長田区をつなぐ。建設費は4千億円以上と予測されている。

Kobe City will decrease its debts totaling more than 500 billion yen by FY2008.

1995年の阪神大震災からの復興事業などで大幅に悪化した神戸市の財政が改善に向かっている。博物館などの投資的経費の削減により2004年度に始まった市債残高を削減する計画は（5000億削減）2010年より2年早い2008年度中に達成可能な見通し。2007年度末で9610億で2003年度末比4860億ドル減。毎年300億ドルづつ減らすので計画達成は確実視。

Kobe City reduced about 500 billions debt since FY2004.

The recovery costs from the Kobe earthquake in 1995 has aggravated the public finances of Kobe City, but the city finally gets through a tough time with devoting restructuring efforts such as giving up a new construction of roads and a museum. The public debt as of FY2007 is estimated to be 961 billions debt with the reduction of 486 billions since 2004. The real debt servicing ratio improved by 1.7% to 22.3% in FY2006.

Summer vacation has gone.

My summer vacation ended yesterday.
Start my engine now!

The number of firms in Kyoto Prefecture decreased by 9.5% since October, 2001 as of October 2006.

京都府によると昨年１０月１日の事業所の数は２００１年に比べ9.5％減り、128662箇所となった。ピークは86年の166592。もっとも減少率が高いのは電気ガス熱供給水道業の17.9％。繊維を含む製造業は17.4％減。

Showa Glove will takeover an American manufacturer.

On August 17th, Hyogo-based glove maker, Showa Glove, announced that it would buy Best, the US's second largest glove maker. This is a friendly takeover so that Showa Glove is not going to change the Best's management. Showa Glove will become the World's second largest glove maker after the buyout.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 44% of Kansai businesses think Kansai Economy had returned to economic recovery, comparing with economic condit

日経の調査によると近畿では主要企業の44％が半年前と比べ景気が良くなったと回答。これは全国平均の35％を上回る、九州の47％に次ぐ高水準。

Kyoto City decided to lease security cameras in order to prevent further illeagal dumping in countryside.

京都市は15日ごみの不法投棄を監視するカメラを自治会などに貸し出す制度を始めると発表した。京都市では山間部や空き地などを中心に年間約千トンものごみが不法投棄されている。財源はゴミ袋の有料化による収入を当てる。

According ｔo the report on the Department Store Sales in Kansai in FY2006, stores were polarized in terms of sales volume.

日経の2006年度百貨店調査によると関西の百貨店は明暗が分かれた。京都高島屋はレストラン･食品売り場の改装により前年同月比1.8％増加。京都伊勢丹も地元客や観光客の指示により好調。売上高も関西地区10位から9位に。大丸梅田店と逆転。大丸京都店は2.1％減。

Condo Sales in Kansai decreased by 22.6% over a year earlier in July.

不動産経済研究所によると近畿の7月のマンション販売戸数は前年同月比22.6％減の2,533戸だった。土地仕入れ価格、建築資材の高騰で販売価格が上昇。客足が伸び悩んだ。

The Osaka Stoch Exchange listed a gold-linked mutual fund on Aug. 10th.

大阪証券取引所は１０日、日本初の金価格連動型上場投資信託を上場した。初日の取引は個人を中心に盛り上がった。しかしながら取引規模が小さく流動性が今後の課題。

The number of firms in Osaka Prefecture decreased by 11.5% since October, 2001 as of October 2006.

昨年10月現在428,248で5年前に比べて11.5％減少。製造業の落ち込みが激しく落ち幅は全国一。

The vacancy rate of office in Osaka City decreased by 0.1points to 5.7% as of the end of July.

オフィス市場調査の生駒データサービスシステムが7日まとめた7月末の大阪市内の主要なビジネス街22地区の賃貸オフィスビル空室率は前月比0.1ポイント低下し、5.7％となった。梅田や淀屋橋など中心部で空室が減った。

Joshin, a electric appliance retailer, will open its store next summer near Kyoto Station.

上新電機は来年夏にも京都駅周辺に大規模家電量販店を新設する。駅北側ではビッグカメラやヨドバシカメラが開店予定である。京都市内では従来中心部の寺町通りが電気街として有名だったが、京都駅周辺に大型店が集積しつつある。

The total population of Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Nara decreased three years in a row.

総務省が二日に発表した住民基本台帳に基づく基本調査(３月末時点)によると、大阪、京都、兵庫、奈良の関西圏の人口は３年連続減少した。府県別では兵庫、大阪で増加している。京都、奈良で減少している。その一方で滋賀県は京阪エリアからの転入者で増加している。

According to the Land assesment for taxation in FY2007, the land prices of highly favored residential areas in Kobe and Kyoto City increased more than

国税庁が一日発表した２００７年分の路線価格で神戸や京都の人気の高い住宅地の上昇率が二桁に達した。人気住宅地は不動産業者の投機的な取引があるとの指摘がある。

Ordinary Local Allocation Tax granted to the prefectures in the Kansai region decreased by 11.7% to 989.7 billion yen this fiscal year.

2007年度の交付額がまとまった。2府4県の合計は前年度比11.7％減の9,897億円。同じ地域の市町村合計は10.6％減の8,077億円。原因は景気回復による法人事業税の増加。新たに不交付団体になったのは兵庫県高砂市と滋賀県高月町。

The price of Tajima Beef slows to rise.

ブランド牛人気で値上がりが続いた但馬牛の価格上昇が一服した。子牛一頭５０万円弱で年初に比べ５％安い。過去２年間で約３０％値上がりしたため、消費者が買い控えしたと考えられる。但馬牛は霜降りの神戸ビーフと出荷されたり、子牛は他県に出荷され、松坂牛(三重)や近江牛（滋賀）として育てられる。

Kyoto City decided to prohibit new construction of gamble businesses in East Uzumasa area, where a new station will open next year.

京都市の都市計画審議会は30日、市内3地区を京都国際文化観光都市建設計画地区として承認した。そのうちの1地区太秦東部には来年一月に地下鉄東西線が延伸する。新しい太秦天神川駅周辺ではパチンコ店マージャン店を制限。

Interview with the president of Nankai Railways

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun interviewed with the president of Nankai Railways, Shinji Wataru, who has done well with the new shopping mall, Nanba Parks. He said the company was planning to develop its headquarter building located next to the Nanba Station. Newly opened Nanba Parks together with the Takashimaya Department store succeeded to attract more shoppers than before. Mr. Wataru said the development plan accelerate economic development of Nanba area.
The area is located in Southern Osaka, and has a lot of shopping destinations.

New Vice President of Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) appointed the president of Shimadzu Corporation, Mr.Yashima (72yrs ol) as a KCCI's vice president on July 26th. On the other hand, Mr. Horiba (82 yrs ol) from Horiba, Ltd. resigned from a vice president. Both Shimadzu and Horiba are leading companies in Kyoto.

Shimadzu Corporation： http://www.shimadzu.com/about/index.html
Horiba, Ltd: http://www.jp.horiba.com/ir_e/

The Coca-cola West Holdings will take care of forest in Ujitawara town, Kyoto for ten years.

コカ･コーラウエストホールディングスは京都モデルフォレスト協会と協力し京都府内の森林整備に乗り出す。社員が枝打ちや間伐を実施するほか整備に必要な資金を１０年間拠出する。森林は宇治田原町の１２ヘクタールで、かつて皇室の御料林として設定された歴史を持つ。

Long Road to Imphal 遥かなるインパール

This blog is written in Japanese.
JYに借りて読んだ。
1944年春から9月まで展開されたインパール作戦のドキュメンタリー。作者は伊藤圭一氏。盧溝橋事件を引き起こした牟田口が「大東亜戦争を終結させるため」に強行した作戦。3個師団を動員し国境の山脈を越えイギリス領インドのインパールの占領を企図した。たしかに希少な国力を消耗したという意味で戦争の終結に一役買ったのかもしれないが、失われた人命の多さに驚かされる。あとは箇条書きで書くと、
・グルカ兵は残酷だった。
・ローカルの人たちは日本兵の味方をした。
・日本軍の食糧現地調達は攻勢中はなんとか機能していた。
・日本軍は夜襲切り込みにかけるけど、火力に圧倒され死傷者を出す一方。
・日本軍の指導者は失敗に学ばず、内輪の論理優先（無理なスケジュールで不完全な攻勢とか）
・インドビルマ国境にも村があり道があり戦いがあったこと。

(追加)
ウキペディア日本版には、グルカ兵が傷病兵をガソリンで燃やしたのは伝染病を恐れたからではないか、と書かれていました。
（20070728）

Hikonyan, the Japan's celebrity

Hikonyan, literally meaning Hikone Cat, saved a publishing company, Sunrise Publishing, in Shiga Prefecture. He was originally a mascot of the Hikone Castel 400 yrs Festival. Now he has become a national celebrity with a big sale of his books, postcards, and plushies. The company paid back its all $200 thousands debts, thanks to Hikonyan.
http://www.hikone-400th.jp/hikonyan/

ひこにゃん（彦根のにゃんこ）は滋賀県のサンライズ出版社を救った。ひこにゃんはもともと「国宝・彦根城築城400年祭」のマスコットでした。今では本やポストカード、ぬいぐるみの爆発的売れゆきで国民的な人気者です。出版社はひこにゃんのおかげで2000万円すべての債務を返済できました。

CSIS Kyoto Forum on North Korean issue

Inamori Foundation and CSIS, Washington, DC, organized a symposium on North Korea issue at on July 23rd. ”The Inamori Foundation was founded on April 12, 1984, by Kazuo Inamori (now Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera Corporation) and began its operations in 1985." (http://www.inamori-f.or.jp/e_fd_out_out.html) Most of participants looked like baby boomers.

The Track and Field World Championships in Osaka

The economic effect of the Track and Field World Championships in Osaka is estimated to $250 millions, the mayer of Osaka City said on July 20th. The city expects 20,000 visiters from foreign countries. The championships start on Aug. 25, and end Sep. 2nd.
Source: the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (2007, July 20)

The Northern Kyoto Prefecture region seems to go back to a business slump in the period of April-June, 2007.

景気回復の遅れている京都府北部で景況感が再び悪化し始めた。京都北都信用金庫によると、DIは前回調査に比べ６．５ポイントの悪化のマイナス４０．８だった。落ち込みが大きいのは旅館などサービス業、公共事業削減の影響で厳しい建設業。

Kyoto City succeeded to cut down the cost of public construction by 7.2% in FY2006.

京都市は１２日２００６年度の公共工事費の削減率が前年度比０．９％増の７．２％となり目標を達成した。削減額は４７億７千万円。

Olympus Optical manufactured a wireless head-mounted-display by way of trial.

オリンパスはパソコンの電源とつなぐ配線をなくしためがね型のヘッドマウントディスプレーをを試作した。電源を内蔵し、データを無線で受信して表示する。２０１２年ごろの商品化を目指す。

Osaka City Underground marked the record high profit last fiscal year.

大阪市が１１日発表した２００６年度の公営企業会計決算見込みによると、大阪市営地下鉄事業の経常利益が前年度比１８％増の１９８億円と過去最高を更新した。大阪市は毎年７千人人口が増えている。沿線でマンションの建設が活発。

39.5 billion yen construction plan near Shin-Osaka Station

阪急電鉄とJR東海は９日新大阪駅と阪急が北側に建設するビルを接続する計画を発表した。９月に着工し、１３年度に前面完成する。投資額は３９５億円。

The number of tourists to Kyoto City reached record high in FY2006.

京都市が６日公表した２００６年度の観光客数は４８００万人を超え、過去最高を更新した。その背景には京都商工会議所などとの官民を上げての取り組みがあった。前年比２．４％の増加。

The total debt of bankrapcy in Kyoto increased by 30% in June over a year earlier.

帝国データバンクが５日発表した６月の京都府の倒産は（負債額１千万以上）は負債総額が前年同月比３０％増となる６６億６６００万円だった。件数は２７．５％減の２９件だった。業種別では公共事業削減で厳しい建設が９件で最も多かった。

Kyoto Uni's Museum refurbishes a sound system for its tropical forest exhibition.

京都大学総合博物館は、熱帯雨林ジオラマ展示場の音響装置を５００万円かけて改装し、８日から公開すると公表した。

Foreign capitals exceeded 100 in Kobe.

Kobe City announced that the number of foreign affiliated companies in the city crossed the 100 mark. Kobe achieved this goal three years earlier that it had planned in 2005. On a country-by-country basis, China topped the list with 24 companies, while the United States ranked the second with 18 companies.

Nobody couldn't stop a founding family: the Ten Arrows' case.

婦人下着販売テン･アローズ(旧シャルレ)では、2年前経営から退いた創業家が、強引に経営陣を解任した。解任理由は業績低迷。創業家は2005年の退任時に７億円ものゴールデンパラシュートを受け取り、経常損益が５億円なのに、最終損益を１９億円の赤字にした前歴がある。創業家が株の大半を握っていると、その暴走を誰も止められない好例。解任された社長で元女子バレーボール日本代表の三屋裕子氏の涙の会見が忘れられない。司会の社員も憤りを隠さなかった。この新経営陣で社員のやる気を引き出せるのか疑問である。

No more board member dispatched from Osaka City in USJ

USJが27日開く株主総会で大阪市出身役員を選出しないことがわかった。同社は3月に東証マザーに上場しており経営陣も完全民営化を果たす狙い。

The lavatory basin with minimum use of water is put in sale in August.

TOTO releases a water-saving toilet system on August 1st. The lavatory basin, or the big white telephone, decreases the use of water by 65% to 5.5L, 1.453G,compared with conventional ones. According to the company, if the brand-new one introduced, a family of four could save 13,000 yen a year by reducing the cost of water. The company is targeting a family who remodels its house.

TOTO is a ceramic sanitary equipment and plumbing hardware manufacturer.
TOTO: http://www.toto.co.jp/en/index.htm
News release(Japanese): http://www.toto.co.jp/company/press/2007/06/29.htm

Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun. (2007, June 30).

Hyogo exports onions to Taiwan for the first time in 6 years.

JA Awaji-shima, an agricultural cooperative in Awaji island, Hyogo prefecture, exports onions to Taiwan for the first time in 6 years. Good harvest of onions as well as a weaker yen encourages the cooperative to export. Hyogo prefecture has been promoting its agricultural produts in Taiwan.

Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun. (2007, June 30).

Kansai electricity sales increased by 2.8% in May.

Electricity sales of the Kansai Electric Power increased by 2.8% over the previous year in May. The sales increased for the first time in 6 months. Big clients such as petroleum, coal, and chemical products industries contributed the increase of sales.

5月の関西電力の電力販売は前年同月比2.8％増加し、6か月ぶりに増加に転じた。大口需要家の石油石炭化学製品産業向けの堅調な増加がこれに寄与した。

Kansai's imports marked the historical height in May.

The imports of the Kansai region marked the historical height, 1,138 billion yen, up 22% over the previous year in May. The increase of natural gas (67.9 billion yen, up 43% y-o-y) contributed the record. The exports also increased by 12% to 1,297 billion yen.

An founding family expeled the exective team.

The founding family of Ten Arrows, a sales company of women's underwear, kicked out its exective team icluding the president Ms. Yuko Mitsuya. Small stock holders were upset with the arrogant founding family because the founding family didn't achieve accountability. She was a member of Japanese volleyball bound for the Moscow Olympic games.

Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

Cultural industry index of Kansai is 1/3 of Tokyo's.

According to the cultural industry index released by the Development Bank of Japan, Kansai's score is no more than a third of Tokyo's score. This index is calculated by the sales volume of cultural industries such as theater, media, and sightseeing. Osaka has many TV station; Kyoto, theaters and sightseeing spots; and Shiga, research centers. The bank also pointed out that employees are moving out from Kansai's cultural industries.

Kansai Int'l Airport shifts its focus on cargo.

The airport company is planning to expand its carogo area three times larger after the second runway are put in service.

Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun. (2007, June 27).

New height regulation curb condo construction in Kyoto.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported a new building regulation, which will come into effect this September, has already impeded new condo construction in downtown Kyoto. That is because developers predict stricter regulation on building height as well as rising land prices make new development less profitable. Some developers are planning to shift their focus on suburban Kyoto such as Fushimi-ward, where the regulations are relatively loose.

Japanese Books on Self-improvement

金曜日の夜に社会人1年目のもと同級生と久しぶりに会いました。場所は西新宿の「洞爺っ子」。話は自然と「仕事」についてになったのですが、それをきっかけに参考になった本をまとめてみました。

7つの習慣 ティーンズ (単行本)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/7%E3%81%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%BF%92%E6%85%A3-%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA-%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3-%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC/dp/4906638201/ref=sr_1_3/250-6132730-7912209?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182645922&sr=1-3
自分の自分に対する信頼度度を上げようというのと、自分の価値観を自分の判断基準にしようというのがいい。
でも、なんでもタスクに順番つけてというのは出来ないなあと思う。
やらないこととやることを分ける必要はあるけどね。
緊急度の高いものから優先度の高いものへ、どうでもいいことからやるべきことに自分の費やす時間をシフトしようというのは賛成。

いまやろうと思ってたのに… かならず直る―そのグズな習慣 (単行本)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%81%84%E3%81%BE%E3%82%84%E3%82%8D%E3%81%86%E3%81%A8%E6%80%9D%E3%81%A3%E3%81%A6%E3%81%9F%E3%81%AE%E3%81%AB%E2%80%A6-%E3%81%8B%E3%81%AA%E3%82%89%E3%81%9A%E7%9B%B4%E3%82%8B%E2%80%95%E3%81%9D%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B0%E3%82%BA%E3%81%AA%E7%BF%92%E6%85%A3-%E3%83%AA%E3%82%BF-%E3%82%A8%E3%83%A1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88/dp/433496107X/ref=sr_1_6/250-6132730-7912209?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182645713&sr=1-6
やることがいっぱいあって大変と思ったときにどうぞ。
Cheerfulで勇気づけてくれる良い本。

ストレスフリーの仕事術―仕事と人生をコントロールする52の法則 (単行本)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%81%AE%E4%BB%95%E4%BA%8B%E8%A1%93%E2%80%95%E4%BB%95%E4%BA%8B%E3%81%A8%E4%BA%BA%E7%94%9F%E3%82%92%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B52%E3%81%AE%E6%B3%95%E5%89%87-%E3%83%87%E3%83%93%E3%83%83%E3%83%89-%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3/dp/4576060732/ref=pd_sim_b_1/250-6132730-7912209
いままでのセルフマネジメントはストレス面への配慮が足りなかった

よねと書いてる。
たしかにいままでの提案（フランクリンコーヴィーとか）は素晴らしいんだけどできないよと思うことがよくあったので、これはとてもいいと思う。

Life Hacks PRESS ~デジタル世代の「カイゼン」術~ (大型本)
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Life-Hacks-PRESS-~%E3%83%87%E3%82%B8%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AB%E4%B8%96%E4%BB%A3%E3%81%AE%E3%80%8C%E3%82%AB%E3%82%A4%E3%82%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%80%8D%E8%A1%93~-%E7%94%B0%E5%8F%A3/dp/4774127280/ref=pd_rhf_f_t_2/250-6132730-7912209
上の本を簡単に日本人が解説した本。

TIME　HACKS!
http://www.amazon.co.jp/TIME-HACKS-%E5%B0%8F%E5%B1%B1-%E9%BE%8D%E4%BB%8B/dp/4492042652/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/250-6132730-7912209?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182644582&sr=8-1
googleのカレンダーを使ってプリントアウトして使おうという提案、ほか。僕もやってます。

MLIT will reduce port charges in Osaka Bay area in order to improve its competivity.

国土交通省は、大阪府と兵庫県にまたがる大阪湾内の４つの港湾（大阪港、堺泉北港、尼崎西宮芦屋港、神戸港）を一つとみなす。これにより複数港を利用する船舶は最大１５％のコスト削減が可能となる。

Department Store Sales of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe decreased over a year earlier for three months in a row.

近畿百貨店協会によると、5月の京阪神の百貨店売上高は前年同月比1.1％減の1241億円。前年割れは3ヶ月連続。京都が昨年実績を上回ったものの、大阪と神戸の減少が響いた。

Department store sales decreased three months in a raw.

Department store sales in the Kansai region decreased by 1.1% over the previous year in May. This is the third consecutive month to decrease. Although sales in Kyoto was robust, slumps in Osaka and Kobe harmed the figure. Shorter golden week holidays and the rainfall on the last day of golden week holidays also contributed to the disappointing result.

5月の関西圏百貨店売り上げが対前年比1.1％低下した。3か月連続の低下。京都の売り上げは好調だったが、大阪と兵庫の落ち込みが響いた。短めのゴールデンウィークと最終日の雨も売上に影響した。

全日空が中部国際空港の国際貨物専用便を関西国際空港に集約する。DHLは1万平米の国際貨物基地を開業。阪神交通社も施設を拡張中。

全日空が中部国際空港の国際貨物専用便を関西国際空港に集約する。DHLは1万平米の国際貨物基地を開業。阪神交通社も施設を拡張中。

New supercomputer in Kobe is in good demand.

The RIKEN laboratory's new super computer, starting to operate in FY2010, is in good demand. Many companies and universities such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, and Konan University have already applied for using it.
Investment amount: JPY115 billions, $958millions (JPY80 billions are for hardware)
Location: 2nd-phase site in Kobe Port-island
speed of calculations: 10,000,000,000,000 times a second
Date of operation: FY2010

2010年度に稼働する理研の新スーパーコンピューターが人気を集めている。三菱重工や甲南大学など多くの企業大学がすでに名乗りを上げた。
理研の次世代スーパーコン施設の概要
総投資額：1,150億円　(うちハードウェアーが800億円)
場所：神戸市ポートアイランド2期
計算速度：1秒間に1京
稼働時期：2010年度

Condo sales are in good demand.

The contract ratio of condo sales in the Kansai region crossed the 70% mark for the first time in three months in May, increasing by 12.3 points from this April. Condos in good locations like downtown Osaka or Kyoto have been selling well.

マンション販売が前月比12.3ポイント上昇し、３ヶ月ぶりに70％を超えた。大阪や京都などの都心の物件が売れ行き好調だった。

Hanshin Expressway earned $17.5 millions in FY2006.

Hanshin Expressway Public Corporation, Osaka and Kobe based company, earned JPY2.1 billions, $17.5 millions, in FY2006. Traffic volume increased by 0.2% to 910 thousands a day, but toll receipts below the expectation because of the promotional discount for ETC. Debt payment and servicing to Japan Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency also contributed the drop-off earning.
ETC is the abbreviation for the electronic toll collection system.
Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun

阪神高速道路は２００６年度２１億円の営業益をあげた。通行量は１日当たり９１万台で前年度より0.2％増加したが、ＥＴＣ普及を狙った割引キャンペーンのため料金収入が予測を下回った。道路保有債務返済機構への元本及び利息返済も営業益の減少に寄与した。ＥＴＣとは自動料金収受システムの略称。
出所：日本経済新聞

Osaka's hotels marked the highest occupancy ratio in Japan.

According to the tourism white book released by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on June 12, Osaka's hotels marked the highest occupancy ratio,62.1%, in June-August 2006 period. As for hotel guest numbers, Osaka had 3,760 thousands, which is the 4th largest guest number in Japan. Hyogo had the 10th biggest number of hotel guests, and Kyoto 11th.

Prefecture / number of hotel guest in thousand (ranking) / road ratio (ranking)
Osaka / 3,760 (4th) / 62.1% (1st)
Hyogo / 2,270 (10th) / 48.0% (12th)
Kyoto / 2,220 (11th) / 52.3% (7th)
Wakayama / 850 (32th) / 44.1% (15th)
Shiga / 680 (35th) / 45.8% (14th)
Nara / 340 (46th) / 33.7% (44th)

Tokyo / 8,680 (1st)
Hokkaido / 8,080 (2nd)
Chiba / 3,800 (3rd)

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) http://www.mlit.go.jp/
Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun

Osaka University and Kansai University concluded a comprehensive accademic exchange agreement.

Osaka University and Kansai University announced that they concluded a comprehensive academic exchange agreement on June 11. The first synergy coming up with from the agreement is that Osaka's institute focusing on environmental issues will accept Kansai's students as early as next semester. Osaka University concluded a comprehensive academic exchange agreement with another domestic university for the first time. It is worthy of remark that a public university concluded this type of agreement with a private university. Osaka University has a medical school, and Kansai University has an advantage on engineering. Their cooperation might achieve new technological development relating medicals or other fields. Osaka University is also aiming to learn management know-how from a private school.

Osaka University is one of the most prestigious public university in Japan.

The load factor of Kobe Airport crossed 65% in May.

The load factor (LF) of Kobe Airport crossed the 65% mark for the first time in two months in May. Okinawa lines contributed to the increase of load factor. 65% is said to be a profitable line of air carriers' businesses. The number of passengers in Kobe Airport was 249,000 last month.

Kansai's 7,600 factories gave up their operations in two years

The number of factories in the Kansai region decreased by 7,589 to 90,741 in 2003-2005 period. Many small and medium size businesses gave up to operate their factories in Kansai. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun pointed out the loss of technologies which small and medium size businesses have accumulated.
The number of factories by each prefecture is; Osaka, 43,556; Hyogo, 18,337; Kyoto, 14,055; Shiga, 5,538; Nara, 5,036; and Wakayama, 4,219 in 2005.

DHL invested 50 billion yen in the Kansai International Airport

The DHL, an international logistic giant, opened its new logistics center in the Kansai International Airport (KIX) on June 7th. The new facility is five times as big as old one, and introduced automatic sorting equipments for the first time. The machine can handle cargoes three times faster than conventional equipments. The company is aiming to deal with the start of KIX's 24 hours-a -day operation, and to increase transaction volume of cargoes from/to Asian countries.
The amount of DHL's investment is about JPY 5 billions ($41 millions) including buildings.

The 2nd runway of KIX will be in service on Aug.2nd.

The first airplane will land on the second runway of the Kansai International Airport (KIX) at 6:25am on August 2nd, the airport company announced on June 6th. The first arrival at KIX is JAL728, flying from Bangkok, Thailand. As for the first departure, it is the ANA951, heading to Hangzhou, China at 10:35.
The runway has been built on reclaimed land off Osaka Bay.

Total debts of business bankruptcies increased by 40.4% last month.

Another bad news! Total debts of business bankruptcies in Kyoto increased by 40.4% to JPY 4.8 billions last month. This survey excludes bankruptcy cases of which total debts were less than JPY ten millions.

Kyoto's DI goes down for six months straight.

According to the business survey released by the bank of Kyoto and its affiliated think-tank on June 4th, the diffusion index (DI) for Kyoto economy in May decreased by two points to plus two. Although the DI have kept above zero for a year and half, this is the sixth consecutive month to decrease. The non-manufacturing sector contributed to worsen the business confidence by decreasing its DI below zero. Kyoto economy might turn into a slowdown this spring.
Kyoto economy marked its highest DI, plus 14, in May 2006.

Condo Sales in Kansai hit 70% for the first time in three months.

不動産研究所は５月の近畿２府4県のマンション契約率を発表した。マンション契約率は前年同月比3.3％低い70.4％であるが、前月比では12.3％回復し、好調の目安である70％を3ヶ月ぶりに回復した。

Authentic Japanese cuisine at Mukade-ya along the Shinmachi st., Kyoto

I had an obanzai* at Mukade-ya, literally centipide-house, at Friday nite. The decor of the restaurant was so beautiful and authentic as the building was a reconstraucted Kyoto-style house.
I wished the restaurant hired professional waitpersons.

Obanzai means Kyoto-style everyday food.
Address: 380 Mukadeya-cho, Shinmachi-Nishiki-agaru, Nakagyou-ku, Kyoto 604-8214 Japan
URL: http://www.a-dos.ne.jp/map/naka/mukadeya

Redevelopment of Greenpia Nanki site, built with huge public pension money, delays.

China-affiliated company, Nanki-Boao, announced its revision of Greenpia Nanki redevelopment plan. The company planed to open an existing hotel after remodeling in 2006, but it failed to accomplish the goal. According to the new redevelopment plan, it will open both a new hotel and a remodeled hotel in 2011, which are focusing on baby boomers and Asian tourists.
Greenpia Nanki, Wakayama Prefecture, was a huge resort facility originally developed by Pension Welfare Service Public Corporation with spending the massive amount of public pension money. But the business collapsed in 2003, so that local authorities, Taichi Town and Nachikatsuura Town, bought the site. Later, they made a contract with the China-affiliated company in 2005 that they sell the site in 2015 after 10 years lease. Town councils criticizes an insufficient information disclosure on selling and buying the site.

Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun
Mainichi Shimbun (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20070522-00000300-mailo-l30)

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) said, "Kyoto's economy expanded in April."

BOJ announced that Kyoto's and Shiga's economy gradually expanded in April. BOJ also predicted that the economy would continue to grow if personal consumption were robust.

The exports from the Kansai region increased by 6.1% last month.

The exports from the Kansai region increased by 6.1% yr/yr to JPY1,316.4 billions last month (April 2007). This is the 61st consecutive month of increase. The imports also increased by 8.4% to JPY1,089.4 billions last month.
As for destinations, the exports to the U.S. decreased by 1.1 %. Both the export and import of communication devices to/from Asian countries increased more than 50% with the emergence of the Asian division of labor for cell phone manufacturers.
The Kansai region, located in the western part of Japan, consists of Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Shiga, Nara, and Wakayama Prefectures.

Kansai based companies increased the current profits of FY 2006 by 17%.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the companies locating their head quaters in the Kansai region, or western part of Japan, increased the current profits of FY 2006 by 17%. The growth rate of the Kansai region exceeded the national average. Kansai based companies increased their current profits for the fifth straight years.

Kansai News clips Mar.21-27

Finance
1. According to the mid-term management plan announced by the Osaka Security Exchange (OSE), it will shift its focus to derivatives such as the Nikkei Stock Index Future, and strengthen its transaction systems in order to assure security and reliability for OSE. The sales amount of stock derivatives in OSE is five times as much as that of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Real Estate and the Hanshin Hankyu Holdings
2. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the posted land prices of January 1, 2007. The posted land prices show the sharp rise of commercial land in the central Osaka. The prices of residential area rose for the first time in 16 years.
3. The Hanshin Hankyu Holdings decided to have Hankyu Railways and Hanshin Railways work together on housing development in the bayside Osaka.
4. The Hanshin Hankyu Holdings announced its midterm business plan. The company estimated the merger would bring 5.4 billion yen a year to the company.
Survey
5. The new opening of Large-scale retail stores decreases by 30% in fiscal 2006. Large-scale retail stores previously rushed to Kobe City because of relatively cheap open space in the city, but these stores now experience excessive competition.
6. The DI of January-March period in the Kansai region goes down for the first time in three quarters. However, the downturn is expected temporary.

***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is originally written for USCS.

Kansai News clips Mar.14-20

Railroad
1. The Sakura Syukukawa Station, a long waited new station between the Nishinomiya Station and the Ashiya Station on the JR Kobe line, opened on March 18. The new station has already raised the prices of condos around the new station.
2. The Saito line of the Osaka Monorail extended to the Saito, a newly developed city in North Osaka. The Saito-Nishi station opened on March 19. The monorail company expects 4 thousands passengers a day.
Sellout
3. A shopping center near the Kobe ferry terminal will be sold for about 10 billion yen to an investment fund.
4. Osaka Prefecture’s semi-public Company, Senri Life Science Center, decided to go out of business next month. Goldman Sacks will purchase the facilities and site for about 14 billion yen.
5. The Kobe Port Authority announced that it would sell a 2.8 hectare-site in the Port Island.
New Listing
6. USJ went public on the Mothers in the Tokyo Stock Exchange on March 16.
Survey
7. The department Sales in Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka City increased by 3 % from a year earlier to 156 billion yen last month.
8. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Kansai-based firms have stronger demand for labor force than those of other regions.
Local Authority
9. Kyoto City enacted the law preserving traditional scenery on March 13. The Chairman of Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated his high appreciation of the new law. Meanwhile, rooftop ad businesses and realty businesses criticized it.
10. Osaka City’s robot laboratory and a private company have started an open experiment on cleaning robot in a shopping mall. Osaka City has been supporting robot industry to develop within the city.

***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is originally written for USCS.

Kansai News clips Mar.7-13

Economic Development
1. Japan Atomic Agency and the Keihanna Center for New Industry launched a new project to build a research center for laser medical care in Keihanna area, together with private companies and universities. This is the third project to develop medical industry in the Kansai region.
2. Osaka Prefecture strengthens its effort to attract businesses to the Saito life science Parks, another project to develop medical industry in northern Osaka.
3. The first shopping mall in Saito, Garden Mall Saito, will open on Mar. 18. The shopping mall is located next to the Saito-Nishi station, which will open on March 19.
4. The downtown Osaka, Yodoyabashi, will have 140meter-tall, twin skyscrapers by 2011. Landowners around Yodoyabashi are planning to merge small buildings and build skyscrapers in order to make Yodoyabashi as attractive as northern Osaka station area, where huge project is underway.
Airport
5. The city council of Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture, finally gave up the call for the abolition of the Osaka International Airport for the first time in 34 years.
6. The loading factor of the Kobe Airport has improved by 6.2% to 58.9% for the first time in six months. The number of passenger per day also increased to 7,814, the highest record since last September.
Others
7. Financial conditions of local authorities differ the cost of raising money from the financial market since the abolition of regulated interest rate in September 2006. Kyoto enjoys decreasing interest rate. On the other hand, the interest rates of local bonds issued by Osaka and Hyogo are increasing.
8. Manufacturers in the Kansai region have diversified their fuel in order to tackle with the soaring price of crude oil, and to stay competitive in the market place.
9. According to a research issued by JETRO, only 14.9% of Kansai-based companies have taken advantage of the Economic Partnership Agreements with Mexico, or the EPA with Malaysia.

***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is originally written for USCS.

Kansai News clips Feb.28-Mar.6

Survey
1. Businesses in the Kansai region are more confident about the future of economy than these of any other regions. 63% of business leaders in Kansai are confident about further economic growth. The reasons the Kansai economy is robust are the increase of export to the BRICs countries, and the increase of domestic consumption through increasing employment.
2. Many Kansai businesses raise starting salaries to secure human resources, because the businesses in Kanto and Chubu aggressively hire employees this year.
3. Both export and import value from/to the Kansai region exceeded one trillion yen in January 2007. This is the historical height for January.
4. Unusually warm winter contributed to the expansion of Kyoto economy in January 2007. According to the Bank of Japan, the increase of tourists and department store sales helped the Kyoto economy to expand.
Local Governments
5. Osaka Prefecture will support small and medium sized environmental businesses to open up a new market in Asia. The Prefecture will do market research for these businesses in three Asian cities, as well as subsidizes R&D up to five million yen.
6. According to the estimation on new tax allocation grant calculated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), 30% of local authorities, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama Prefectures, will face the decrease of subsidies from central government. The new tax allocation grant will be introduced in fiscal 2007.
Others
7. Kyoto Kintetsu Department Store closed at the end of February. A volume retailer of electric appliance utilizes empty lots. Meanwhile, the Kintetsu Railways invest 10 billion yen to expand its platform capacity in the Kyoto station, and build a hotel on the top of the station.
8. The personal security loan is widespread in the Kansai region. The Resona Bank loans money with accepting used books and DVDs as security against the loan. The Mitsui Sumitomo Bank has implemented five personal security loans in Kansai out of the 13 national total results.
***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is originally written for USCS.

Kansai News clips Feb.21-28

1. Five prefectures in the Kansai region compete each other to attract businesses. According to the budget plans recently announced, Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto will increase subsidies for economic development. On the other hand, Shiga and Wakayama will set up a new plan to attract new businesses.
2. Kyoto City aids up to \50 millions to the businesses that construct factories or laboratories on historical remains. The businesses have a legal obligation to conduct research on the remains at their own expense.
3. A large number of retirements grows budget deficit of local authorities. According to the budget plans recently announced, local authorities in the Kansai region will finance increasing retirement payment by issuing special-purpose bonds.
4. Nakayama Ironworks gave up setting up a new industrial waste disposal facility at the coastal industrial zone. As the facility is the core of the Osaka Prefecture’s Eco Town project, it is unclear if the Osaka Prefecture was able to accomplish the project.
5. According to a report released by the Kansai Institute for Social and Economic Research, the Kansai region had stagnated due to low productivity until 2003. The Kansai economy is, however, entering economic recovery due to the decreasing interest-bearing debt and the increasing export towards Asian countries.
6. The total value of export and import in Wakayama Prefecture exceeded \1,000 millions for the first time in 24years last year.
7. The Osaka Stock exchanges projected that the new listing in Hercules, the Osaka’s market for new companies, would approach 45 companies in fiscal 2006. This is the record high since its opening.
8. A vanity gallery was opened near the Old Imperial Palace, Kyoto. A traditional house was turned over to the gallery to attract students and art- lovers.
9. The Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry is planning an industrial tour with its counter parties in Kyoto and Kobe.
10. The Kansai International Airport projected that the numbers of departure and arrival would exceed 125 thousands in fiscal 2007. Meanwhile, the Moody’s announced that Kansai International Airport got the highest bond rating, “Aaa”.
***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is originally written for USCS.

Kansai News clips Feb.13-20

1. Osaka Prefecture announced its budget plan for fiscal 2007. Tax revenue is expected to increase because of the economic recovery. The balance, however, is still expected to leave a shortfall of \139.2 billion, as the prefecture expands preferential measures for small and medium size businesses/ economic development.
2. JR Tokai allowed Shiga Prefecture to postpone the decision about whether the local authority will accept a Shinkansen station construction in Shiga Prefecture until the end October 2007.
3. Kansai based local banks recorded an increase in the number of bank loans in the April through December period over last year’s levels.
4. According to a report released by the Kansai Institute for Social and Economic Research last week, people living in the Kansai are pessimistic about the local economy compared with people living in Kanto and Chubu.
5. Department store sales in the Kansai region increased for the first time in two months. The Osaka area recorded year on year losses for the 11th consecutive month. However, sales in Kyoto and Kobe area have been good, and outweighed the losses in Osaka.
6. Nanba Parks, a shopping mall in Nanba, Osaka, will increase its present 111 stores to 238 on April 19. It expects \26.9 billion in sales in its first year.
7. Sakai City sent a trade mission to Indonesia from February 7 to 12. About 100 local participants talked business with the trade mission.
8. Hankyu Realty and Hanshin Electric Railway announced a joint real-estate development in front of Rokko station. This is the first joint development since Hankyu Corporation and Hanshin Electric Railway mergered into Hankyu Hanshin Holdings.

***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

Kansai News clips Feb.8-12

Interregional Competition
1. According to a report recently released by the Japan Research Institute, the number of young people moving out from the Kansai region to the Chubu region has increased in 2004. Due to weakness in the manufacturing and small businesses in Kansai, Aichi Prefecture recorded a net increase of 4,169 people in 2004, of which 3,074 were young people.
Osaka
2. Osaka City announced the stringent fiscal budget plans for 2007, which is the second year of the five-year plan to cut JPY 225 billion from the budget.
3. According to the budget, Osaka City will shift its focus from public investment to economic development based on knowledge and innovation. The city has allocated JPY 4.6 billion to encourage innovative businesses and those that cultivate better HR skills.
Kobe
4. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on Kobe Airport’s one-year anniversary. The number of passengers has been below the projections. However, the newspaper stated the airport contributed to the increased numbers of tourists, and attracting businesses to the Kobe region.
5. In fact, Kobe City and Hyogo Prefecture announced on Feb. 8 that they succeeded in attracting a call center from JCOM, a leading Japanese cable company, to Kobe City.
Housing
6. Kyoto City is planning to purchase historical housings in the city to preserve the city’s traditional scenery.
7. The Japan Development Bank decided to implement an environmentally rated loan to the Japanese firm, Sekisui Chemical, due to its efforts to develop environment-friendly housing. The company won a 0.6 % reduction in its outstanding loan interest rates.

***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is originally written for USCS.

Kansai News clips Feb.2-7

Economic Development
1. Osaka Prefecture announced to introduce a 90% corporate tax cut for small and medium size businesses that invest more than JPY 1.6 million between the fiscal year of 2007 and 2009.
2. Osaka Prefecture also introduces new investment loan scheme focusing on small and medium size businesses. The prefecture plans to lease about JPY 10 billion.
3. The Yanmar Diesel Engine announced to build a new international distribution center on the Port Island, Kobe. The amount of new investment is JPY 3.3 billion.
4. Matsushita’s new plasma factory changes the urban planning of Amagasaki City, which won the new factory last month. The city is now working on relaxing the urban planning around the planned construction site alleviatory enough to build factories and research centers there.
5. A structural changing is underway in the eastern part of Osaka Prefecture. The area has developed as the center of manufacturing, but the increase of residential constructions makes factory owners nervous about their future because they anticipate eviction requests from new residents and land price rises. Some factories move forward on harmonious coexistence with new residents.

Survey
6. The opening of mega stores in the Kansai region decreased by 15% last year due to the tightening of regulations. Wakayama Prefecture recorded the worst drop among the six prefectures.
7. The Kobe Airport marked a new record low of the load factor, 52.7%, last month.

***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is originally written for USCS.

Kansai News clips Jan.23-Feb.1

1. Unusually warm winter has changed consumers’ behavior in the Kansai region. Sales of spring/summer goods such as spring apparel, salad greens, beer, and garden supplies are robust. Golf links and amusement parks have seen the increase of visitors this winter.
2. Although the number of new employees is increasing, it is very difficult to get a regular job in Kansai. This is because some big businesses moved out from this region and remaining firms prefer to hire temporary workers.
3. Izumiya, a grocery store chain, starts to charge for plastic shopping bags in both Kyoto and Osaka on trial.
4. The Osaka Security Exchange announced to list gold-linked and foreign stock-linked investment funds as early as this April.
5. Osaka Prefecture and City will organize a technology assembly for small and medium size businesses to publicize their new innovations.
6. Business performance from April to December
-All Listed Kansai security companies: drop of incomes and profits (Year on Year)
-JR West: 6% drop of current profits (YoY)
-Kansai Electric Power: 3% drop of current profits (YoY)
-Osaka Gas: 7 % increase of current profits (YoY)
7. The Kyoto Central Market announced to invest 3.7 billion Yen to establish a new process and distribution center.
8. The Mitsui Real Estate purchased a 10 billion Yen shopping center in the center of Kobe.

***All news articles are cut out from the Kansai pages of Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
***This is written for USCS.