Geneva Newsletter

Issue 22

January 2011 Geneva Newsletter

Japan’s current economic situation According to the Monthly Consumer Confidence Index plementation of the eco- Special points of interest: Economic Report issued in (excluding one-person households, points program, boosted seasonally adjusted series) • The Bank of Japan raised in January its January by the Cabinet the domestic private con- assessment for FY 2010 GDP growth Source: Cabinet Office from an initial forecast of 2.1% to 3.3%. Office, “although the eco- sumption. The BoJ nomic movements appear changed its forecast for FY • More than 400 people participated in Japan Night 2011. They enjoyed Japa- to be pausing, some 2010 growth of consumer nese delicious foods and drinks, as well movements towards a price index from 0.1% to as music and dance performances. pickup are seen”. 0.3%. It also expressed its • The Swiss-Japan Association for Scien- The Bank of Japan (BoJ) view that deflation will end tists and Engineers provides two schol- raised in January its as- in FY 2011. The consumer arships each year, mainly to students. sessment for GDP growth price index was in Novem- • The first world’s community-level in FY 2010 (ending in ber 2010 up 0.1% year-on hydrogen demonstration in urban area was launched on January 15, 2011 in March 2011) from an ini- -year. Furthermore, the Japan. tial forecast of 2.1% to consumer confidence in-

• Four exhibitions and several cultural 3.3%. Moreover, indices of dex rose in December events are being held in Lugano from industrial production rose same period to ¥ 5,385 8.7% from previous month October 23, 2010, to February 27, in November 2010 1.0% and 7% over the year. 2011. billion. from previous month and Economic indices also Despite these signs of 5.8% from previous year reflect the improvement improvement, the employ- to 91.8 (2005=100). of the domestic economic ment situation remains Exports continue to stimu- situation. The coincident severe. The unemploy- late Japan’s economy. As index of business condi- ment rate is relatively sta- stated by the BoJ, “exports tions was up 1.7% in No- ble at 5.1% in November are expected to increase vember 2010 from a 2010. A “Final Intensive moderately again, reflect- month earlier and up Pre-Graduation Support ing the improvement in 8.2% year-on-year. How- Program” will be imple- overseas economic condi- ever, the total value of mented to foster the em- tions”. In December 2010, machinery orders de- ployment of new gradu- Inside this issue: they rose 13.0% year-on- clined 8.3% in November ates and reduce the un- year to ¥ 6,112 billion. In from previous month. employment rate. Japan’s current economic 1 addition, imports in- situation Governmental stimulus creased 10.6% during the actions, including the im- Japanese Fine Food Fair in 1 & 2 Davos

Made in Japan, sold in Swit- 2 zerland Association for facilitating 3 Japanese Fine Food Fair in Davos Swiss-Japan exchange More than 400 people 27, during the Davos World Economic Forum “to World’s first Hydrogen Town 3 participated this year in World Economic Forum experience traditional Project “Japan Night 2011, annual meeting, held this Japanese food and culi- Davos: Japanese Fine year from January 26 to nary culture, in an entirely Exhibitions of Japan’s art in 4 Food Fair”. 30, 2011. Japanese atmosphere”. Lugano This second edition of the Japan Night is an opportu- fair took place on January nity for participants of the (Continued on page 2) Page 2 JETRO Geneva Newsletter

Japanese Fine Food Fair in Davos (Continued from page 1) Chairman and CEO. Participants enjoyed Japa- Japan Night 2011 fo- nese foods and drinks, cused on the theme including sushis, rice “Hiraku”, which means balls, fruits, fruit juices, “carving a path for the sake and wines. As future”. As stated on the claimed by many partici- invitation letter, “Hiraku pants, foods and drinks H.E. Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita, Kagami Biraki, a traditional Senior Vice Minister of symbolizes this aspiration were “delicious”. ceremony for event opening Economy, Trade and Industry - through making continu- The party took place in a ous efforts in many fields ceremony room with tradi- to carve out a new future, tional Japanese decora- and putting our strengths tions. According to an in- to use the good of the vitee, they created a “cozy next generation”. atmosphere”. Following the welcome A Japanese musician speech of H.E. Mr. Tada- played “sho”, a Japanese hiro Matsushita, Senior instrument made of 17 Vice Minister of Economy, slender bamboo pipes. H.E. Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita, Trade and Industry, the Later on, artists also per- Senior Vice Minister of Econo- Japan Night was opened formed a show with Oki- my, Trade and Industry; Mr. by the traditional cere- nawa’s dance and Klaus Schwab, Founder and mony “Kagami Biraki”, “shamisen” music. The Executive Chairman, World which consists in break- shamisen is a three Economic Forum; Mr. Yasuo ing a cask of sake. It was stringed instrument simi- Okinawa dance and music Hayashi, Chairman and CEO, with shamisen instrument JETRO end by a speech of Mr. lar to a guitar or a banjo. Yasuo Hayashi, JETRO

Made in Japan, sold in Switzerland Some Swiss shops and is also written in Kata- “““Île Four”, a sparkling sake firms sell Japanese prod- kana, the Japanese writ- ucts. They do not only ing system generally used Spyglass Trading GmbH is import them, but they for transcription of words a Swiss firm selling spar- also adapt their design from foreign languages. kling sake through Internet and marketing so as to Why is the product manu- and retailers (bars and meet Swiss customer’s factured in Japan? nightclubs). expectations and tastes. “Manufacturing process The sake is imported from and textile quality are a Japanese brewery lo- Japanese style casuals in excellent in Japan”, an- cated in Nara. Île Four is DeeCee style shop “DeeCee style” swered Marco Manciana, sold in 250 ml bottles, with shop’s owner. different colors, represent- Located near Parade- The shop is the only one ing various tastes (for ex- platz, in Zurich, “DeeCee to sell Japanese brands amples, citrus, peach and style” is a shop selling such as, among others, plum). casuals imported from Edwin , Sugar Cane , Bil- Bottle’s size and designs, Japan. The shop’s name lionaire Boys Club and and sake’s tastes are tai- is drawn from DC Brand , Nanamika . But their de- lored for Swiss customers. a popular brand name in signs and styles are Japan in the 1980s li- adapted for European DeeCee Style: Talacker 21, censing imported prod- bodies and styles. Zurich ucts from the United Ile Four: [email protected] Île Four Citrus States. The shop’s name Issue 22 Page 3

Association for facilitating Swiss-Japan exchanges The Swiss-Japan Associa- nology-driven country, tages in hiring people who tion for Scientists and En- Japan is a particularly understand both cultures. gineers (SJA) works to fa- attractive to scientists The same is true for Swiss cilitate professional ex- and engineers”. companies based in Ja- changes between Switzer- Mr. Morel speaks from pan”, explained Mr. Morel. land and Japan. experience: he spent The SJA Job Platform helps Founded in 1995, the As- three years in Japan from such companies, and in- sociation is a network of 1998 to 2001, first as a deed any company with more than 100 engineers trainee at Toshiba R&D activities in both countries, and scientists that have semiconductors lab and to find the right people by worked in each country – then as Project Manager forwarding relevant job Cédric Morel, President, Swiss- many of whom now occupy for Leybold Japan, a Ger- opportunities to its mem- Japan Association for Engi- key management posi- man-based technology bers and their networks. neers and Scientists tions across a range of company. “During this year, we will industries. The SJA provides two continue to expand our scholarships each year, network through the inten- Student scholarships mainly to students. Rang- sification of our relations ing from CHF 500 to CHF with similar associations, As one way of promoting 1,500, the scholarships such as SJCC Alumni, Ki- deeper understanding of are sponsored by Japa- zuna network and the the two countries, the SJA nese companies such as Alumni Organisation of the assists young engineers ANA, Nosaki and Canon. Institute of Japanese Study and scientists based in at the University of Zurich”, Switzerland to work in Ja- Business networking said Mr. Morel. pan, and vice versa. The SJA also gives its gold- “Professional experience The Association also level sponsors direct ac- in a foreign country is an helps companies to con- cess to the CVs of its grow- important asset in today’s nect with highly qualified ing number of members. international business en- people having both Swiss vironment”, explained and Japanese experience. For more information, Cédric Morel, SJA Presi- “For a Japanese company please visit http:// dent since 2009. “As a based in Switzerland, www.swiss-japan.org highly innovative and tech- there are clear advan-

World’s first Hydrogen Town Project The “Hydrogen Town Pro- In addition, thirteen Japa- tan areas: Tokyo, Nagoya, Hydrogen Town Project ject” has been launched nese companies, includ- Osaka and Fukuoka. Source: METI on January 15, 2011. In ing three automakers and this first world’s commu- ten hydrogen suppliers, nity-level demonstration will collaborate for the in urban area, hydrogen development of hydrogen will be supplied through supply infrastructure and pipelines to individual to introduce mass- houses and commercial produced fuel-cell vehi- facilities. cles into Japanese mar- With this project, the Min- ket by 2015. istry of Economy, Trade Their aim is to build ap- and Industry “aims at veri- proximately 100 hydrogen fying the viability of cer- fueling stations by 2015, tain business models for a installed primarily in four future hydrogen society”. Japanese large metropoli- Issue 22 Page 4

Exhibitions of Japan’s art in Lugano Araki “Love and Death” Shunga. Art and Eros in (Museo d’Arte, Villa Malpen- Japan During the Edo Pe- sata) riod (Museo delle Culture, Hele- Nobuyoshi Araki is one of neum) the most famous photogra- phers in the world. The This exhibition displays exhibition shows portraits, prints during the Tokugawa urban landscapes, flowers, shogunate (1603-1867). “Ineffable Perfection” food and nudes. exhibition View of Tokyo from Atago’s Hill In addition, visitors can Approx. 1870 Gutai “Painting with Time see kimono and geisha and Space” dressings, tea ceremony, Four exhibitions and sev- (Museo Cantonale d’Arte) as well as demonstrations eral cultural events are of martial art, ikebana, being held in Lugano from Founded in Japan in 1954, origami, bonsai trimming October 23, 2010, to Feb- this art focuses on “works and calligraphy in Villa ruary 27, 2011. Named of art and architecture of Ciani. Numerous other mu- Nippon , they show the cul- the past which have sic and theatrical perform- tures of Japan “from the changed their appearance ances are held in Palazzo ancient traditions to con- due to the damage of time dei Congressi and Teatro temporary artistic expres- or destruction by disas- Cittadella. sions”. ters” (Gutai manifesto). “Thanks to collaboration Many of art pieces are ex- According to Mr. Franciolli, with Japanese colleagues, hibited in the park. people but also critics ex- we successfully organized pressed good opinions Ineffable Perfection. Ja- exhibitions, which are - about the exhibitions, pan’s Photography. 18601860---- especially Gutai exhibition shows and various activi- - a real surprise for the 1910 (Museo delle Culture, Villa ties. “Interest in Japanese Swiss public and a great art does not end with Nip- opportunity for anyone Ciani) pon project. There will interested in contempo- This exhibition shows pho- probably be others exhibi- rary art”, said Marco Fran- tographs representing tions related to Japan”, he ciolli, Director of Lugano “educated nature”. said. Museo Cantonale d'Arte.

Agenda 2nd February: Suwa DTF delegation holds workshop in EPFL IMT, Lausanne

JETRO is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO’s core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential. 80, Rue de Lausanne 1202 Geneva The JETRO Geneva Newsletter can also be viewed and/or Phone: 022/732 13 04 downloaded online: Fax: 022/732 07 72 http://www.jetro.go.jp/switzerland/newsletter E-mail: [email protected]