6 The Japan Times Monday, March 28, 2016

Yokosuka special ( Publicity) Research park offers high-tech surrounded by nature

Birds chirp under blue skies Saito. other points in YRP’s favor. hin Electric Express Railway as luscious greenery Major tenants at YRP Because companies have collaborates closely with stretches beyond. Research- include NTT Docomo, the visitors coming to them all Yokosuka to attract more ers in white lab coats walk to subsidiary of NTT and the time from around Japan companies to operate at and from the uncluttered Japan’s largest mobile com- and abroad, dining and YRP. “Yokosuka is also very chic and modern buildings. munications company; NEC lodging facilities are very flexible in altering its city This is the natural and clean Corporation, one of the crucial factors that are of plans for YRP, to make the environment the Yokosuka leading electric-appliance concern to any tenants site more appealing for Research Park (YRP) offers makers in Japan; operating at YRP. “Offering other potential tenants,” he its tenants conducting busi- Corporation, an automobile proper food and comfort- noted. ness there. parts manufacturer; KDDI able accommodation to Furthermore, to raise the Measuring a vast 58 hect- Corporation, a top telecom- those guests could turn out overall awareness of nearby ares, YRP was originally munications operator in to be very costly,” noted residents and nurture a home to a laboratory of the Japan; Ltd., a general Saito. In fact, Saito says that more favorable global image Nippon Telegraph and Tele- electronics maker-cum-IT he has received many favor- of YRP, Yokosuka has been phone Public Corporation vendor; Alpha Systems Inc., able comments from the holding classes every sum- (the current Nippon Tele- a Japanese independent sys- companies at YRP, since mer at YRP. “This is done by phone and Telegraph Cor- tem integrator; Yazaki Cor- they do not have to worry acquiring help from YRP poration, or NTT). After poration, an auto parts, gas about finding food or lodg- business operators and NTT left the site, the city of equipment, electric wire, ing. bringing over prominent Yokosuka decided to court optical fiber, air conditioner, Another infrastructural British tutors to teach local high-tech corporations spe- solar equipment and house- advantage of YRP is its easy junior and senior high cializing in information and hold equipment maker; access and proximity to the school students. Accumulat- telecommunications tech- Nifco Inc., a leading indus- train station. “It’s only a ing teaching know-how nology to the area. “Since trial plastic fastener and seven-minute bus ride from through such action, Yoko- our company owned the precision parts maker; as YRP Nobi Station and it’s suka seeks to ultimately land, we cooperated with well as the National Insti- only about an hour from start a new international the city on the YRP project. tute of Information and Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station. school by 2020,” explained Opened in 1997, we have Communications Technol- Furthermore, it’s only an Saito. worked very closely with ogy. hour by train from Haneda YRP itself seeks to nurture the city to develop and pro- A new addition at YRP in Airport,” said Saito. Addi- a globally open innovative mote this site,” explained 2015 was Air Liquide Japan, tionally, since his company environment toward a Masaru Saito, deputy a French company that is a operates all the buses to and future that contributes to department chief of the world leader in gases, tech- from YRP, as well as YRP expand YRP’s business Project Planning Depart- nologies and services for Nobi Station and the trains, scope and solve social ment, Development and various industries, espe- Saito said, “We go as far as issues. The main body for Administration of Facilities cially in the health arena. running additional com- promoting such action is the Headquarters of Keihin “We are proud that Air Liq- muter buses from YRP to the YRP R&D Promotion Com- A bird’s eye view of Yokosuka Research Park, an R&D hub for public research institutions, university laboratories and world- Electric Express Railway Co. uide Japan chose YRP from station on the “No Zangyo mittee that has a member- leading companies from Japan and overseas keik yu corp. Originally functioning as the four candidate sites near (overtime) Days” of the ship total of over 160 the R&D hub for informa- Tokyo they had in mind,” NTT-affiliated companies companies from Japan and tion in optical and wireless tric Express Railway and tion and telecommunica- said Saito. One strong point located there.” overseas. The members are communications and con- Yokosuka are the strengths tions technology-related of appeal YRP offered the In order to make YRP a specialists in telecommuni- tribute to the development of YRP. Such features make corporations, YRP was even- French company was more comfortable place to cations and broadcasting, as of advanced info-communi- YRP an ideal R&D and busi- tually settled by various undoubtedly its excellent work, Saito’s company also well as manufacturers in cation technologies and ser- ness hub for Japanese and other industries. “This is natural setting. Further- sponsors information related fields, research insti- vices. Additionally, the foreign enterprises working because technological more, YRP’s accumulation exchange meetings several tutions and government vision looks to support the on wireless communication development, especially the of telecom industries as well times a year, as well as a organizations. “The com- global expansion movement technologies, optical com- evolution and progress of as the “Internet of Things” name card exchange party mittee endeavors to concen- for info-communication munication technologies, Internet technology, no lon- (IoT), which is a mutually for the staff of different trate R&D institutions at industries, while generating big data and beyond. ger required telecom corpo- controlled framework of companies at the beginning YRP and advance R&D in a synergistic effect by “Together with Yokosuka, rations to operate in things connected over the of the year. Saito points out radio and information com- enforcing collaboration with Keihin Electric Express Rail- geographical proximity. As a Internet or cloud system, that “such occasions allow munication technologies,” enterprises, institutes, the way looks forward to YRP result, several of those com- know-how was also highly the researchers to get said Saito. The current local community and oth- formulating more outstand- panies spread out. YRP now attractive. On top of that, acquainted with each other action plan of the commit- ers. ing projects and developing serves as home to 60 com- YRP’s convenience store and exchange interesting tee drawn up according to A lush natural environ- the relevant environment panies from various indus- and hotel, as well as its ideas.” He finds such meet- its fourth Five-Year Vision ment and state-of-the-art that contribute to society tries, while the number of lineup of restaurants serving ings meaningful, as they (FY2012 - FY2017) calls for working environment, as and future industrial growth people working there now casual, French and Japanese could well turn into new providing an environment well as the infrastructural of the area,” Saito con- An office building in Yokosuka Research Park is surrounded by stands at about 4,000,” said dishes, turned out to be ventures. Concurrently, Kei- for R&D and experimenta- support of the Keihin Elec- cluded. lush greenery. keik yu corp. Nifco’s group companies span industrial and national boundaries Using its fastening technology as a base, Nifco has successfully incorporated different fields, products and technologies into its business. Continually expanding by “connecting, bundling and joining” different technologies, Nifco has grown beyond its beginnings as a fastening company and is now a global player in many areas. Nifco’s principle of “Value Fastening” focuses on combining an array of existing values to create new value. With an increasing number of international customers, Nifco continues to overcome challenges and seek out new fields of business.

NIFCO KOREA POLAND NIFCO (JIANGSU) NIFCO YANCHENG (Detroit Office) NIFCO (HUBEI) (HQ) (Kentucky Division) (Tennessee Factory)

NIFCO KTW NIFCO KTW AMERICA (Buckle Sales Office) NIFCO KOREA USA NIFCO KTS (HQ) NIFCO INDIA NIFCO KOREA USA (Guadalupe Factory) NIFCO SOUTH INDIA

(Chihuahua Factory)

NIFCO CENTRAL MEXICO

NIFCO INDONESIA

Head Office: 5-3 Hikarinooka, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa, 239-8560 Japan Official Sites Tel: (046) 839-0255 For more details ... [Japanese] Tokyo Headquarters: 4-5-4 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8522 Japan Tel: (03) 5476-4850 SEE OUR http://www.nifco.co.jp/ The Nifco Group, domestic subsidiaries and affiliated companies: WEB SITE [English] http://www.nifco.com/ Nifco Yamagata Inc. The Japan Times, Ltd. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ Nifco Kumamoto Inc. Simmons Co., Ltd. http://www.simmons.co.jp/

PAGE: 6 The Japan Times Monday, March 28, 2016 7

( Publicity) Yokosuka special Ships, shops and sightseeing await visitors to historic port

For older generation Japa- the daytime. Boasting clear nese, the mention of Yoko- waters, it also is a perfect spot suka probably conjures for swimming or snorkeling images of the U.S. naval base, on a hot summer day. For the classic J-Pop depicting Yoko- adventurous type, the island suka, and the shiny suka-jan is an exciting place to explore, (abbreviation for Yokosuka as there are abandoned can- jumper) stadium jackets with non batteries and century-old the image of huge dragons red brick tunnels built during and Mt. Fuji embroidered on the Meiji Era hidden among their backs. Though still the thickly growing plants. claiming to be a naval town, this seaside city with its sce- Flower-viewing parks nic beauty and good food Y okosuka also has many offers much more to see and parks with different kinds of do for today’s visitors. flowers in bloom throughout the year. Good spots for Maritime experiences cherry-blossom viewing Of first mention is the Yoko- include the prefectural Tsu- suka Cruise that takes visitors kayama Koen where a cherry to the ports of Yokosuka and blossom festival is held every Nagaura, where the respec- year, the more than a century- tive bases of the U.S. Navy old Kinugasayama Park with and the Japan Maritime Self- its 2,000 breathtakingly beau- Defense Forces are located. tiful cherry trees, which A view of Yokosuka as seen from the Hemi water purification plant. yokosuka city On the cruise, people can see attract many visitors from actual warships from the across the country, as well as rience, Tsukuihama Kanko ablaze in orange and red at including Hayama beef, and as well as the Yokosuka New boat, including the gray body the Hashirimizu Suigenchi Nouen is worth a visit, as visi- sunset. Yokosuka confectioneries can York-style cherry cheesecake, of a U.S. submarine on the water reservoir, where the tors can pick-their-own sea- Immersing tired feet and be bought and eaten on the which also originated at the surface, if they are lucky. pink cherry blossom tunnel sonal offerings such as soaking in Yokosuka’s hot spot. U.S. base. Displayed at Mikasa Park is contrasts beautifully against strawberries, sweet potatoes springs is a good way of end- For shopping, the Dobuita- YY Port Yokosuka, a shop- the Mikasa, a battleship des- the blue of the waters and the and mandarin oranges. ing a day exploring the area. dori shopping street is an ping mall just outside of ignated as one of the world’s sky. Yokosuka Onsen Yuraku-no- interesting area to look into, Keikyu Yokosuka Chuo Sta- three most important war- Those visiting the reservoir Hiking spots, hot springs Sato is a natural hot spring characterized by its very tion, is another good place to ships for its role in global his- are welcome to bring an People with more time to offering a magnificent view of American atmosphere with hunt for something local, tory. The flagship of theA llied empty water bottle to fill with spare may want to consider Tokyo Bay, while SPASSO is a many American sailors wan- including Sarushima beer Fleet in early 20th century is the pristine water there. hiking up any of the five trails luxurious seaside spa dering about. Some stores produced from the fine waters renowned for its part in Other flower-filled parks in of Ogusuyama Mountain. attached to, and operated by, with English signs accept U.S. from the Hashirimizu reser- defeating the Baltic Fleet dur- the area include the Kuri- From the summit, hikers can the adjacent Kannonzaki dollars, and a variety of souve- voir, as well Yokosuka Kaigun ing the 1904 - 1905 Japanese- hama Hana-no-kuni that enjoy a 360-degree pan- Keikyu Hotel. nir shops sell U.S. used mili- Curry, the famous Yokosuka Russo War. From Mikasa Pier, boasts an incredible 1 million oramic view of Yokosuka and tary goods such as the dish that was reproduced also located within the park, cosmos flowers blooming in beyond, including Mt. Fuji, Fresh food market aforementioned suka-jan and according to a Japanese Impe- people can take boats to the autumn. Equally beautiful the Izu Peninsula and the Among the fine markets in trinkets. There are also many rial Navy recipe that dates Sarushima Island, once an is the Yokosuka Shobu-en, Boso Peninsula in Chiba Pre- the neighborhood, the most eateries dotting the area, serv- back more than a century. important foothold of the Jap- where 140,000 irises in differ- fecture. Down by the sea, accessible is the Yokosuka ing tasty Yokosuka fare such Among the dozen or so eater- anese Imperial Navy. ent shades of purple and meanwhile, is the Arasaki Port Market, located near as the Yokosuka Burger, a 100 ies scattered in Yokosuka that Today, this uninhabited white start flowering from seaside hiking course, where Mikasa Park. Here, a wide percent beef burger produced serve this curry, one is located island is a tourist spot open to around May. For those seek- its rocky white stretches and variety of freshly caught sea- by following the recipe pro- on the second floor of YY visitors for picnicking during ing an interesting food expe- the lapping blue waves come food, farm fresh products, vided by the U.S. Navy Base, Port Yokosuka.

From top: People enjoying a Yokosuka cruise; Sarushima Island, one of the most popular tourist spots in Yokosuka; the Mikasa battleship in Mikasa Park. yokosuka city

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