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.