"Tokaname Yaki"- Cera Mall!

CERA MALL is a Tokoname Pottery Wholesale Industry Park. It is a comprehensive pottery-ceramics shopping zone, which is the largest in scale and variety on Chita Peninsula for ceramics. Within the premises are a few small cafes, a nice park for kids and lots of freee parking where people can leisurely shop in a cozy environment.

99 Kamisunahara, Kanayama-Aza

Tokoname City, Aichi

0569-43-7125

The ceramics on sale range from top-of-the-range handcrafted masterpieces, through to 3 for 100 yen type pricing for slightly defected or older items. The items available also range from cups, sauces and plates right through to umbrella stands, large pots for outside gardening and even decorations for Christmas and the New Year (obviously depending on the season).

I am not a great shopper at any time of the year, but this is one of the places I really enjoy wandering around. I especially enjoy the bargains available on alot of rice bowls, plates (small and large) and it is a common place to go to pick up an omiyage to take back to New Zealand for my family. I have also introduced newly wed couples to Cera Mall on many occasions, as it really is a great place to fit out your kitchen if you don't have one yet..... cheaply, but nicely!

If you have a little time on your hands, this is a perfect place to visit before or after the beach in Utsumi, or some of the fish markets in the south of Chita Peninsula.

If you are stuck for directions, please see the below!

This is a overall map showing the location on Chita Peninsula;

http://www.ceramall.or.jp/images/map1b.jpg

This is a more detailed map;

http://www.ceramall.or.jp/images/map2b.jpg

This is the google map;

http://www.google.co.jp/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=ja&geocode=&q=%E3%80%92479-0003+%E6%84%9B%E7%9F%A5%E7%9C%8C%E5%B8%B8%E6%BB%91%E5%B8%82%E9%87%91%E5%B1%B1%E5%AD%97%E4%B8%8A%E7%A0%82%E5%8E%9F99&sll=36.809285,136.40625&sspn=35.479488,60.908203&ie=UTF8&ll=34.911977,136.842613&spn=0.07151,0.118961&z=13&iwloc=A

Happy shopping!

Jesper Koll in Nagoya

It is not so often that you get to have dinner with one of Japan's leading economists. So, join us on July 16th to welcome Jesper Koll to Nagoya! Details below.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Presents:
***********************************************************************
"Japan - from Kamikaze Capitalism to Smartpower Dynamism"
JESPER KOLL, PRESIDENT AND CEO, TANTALLON RESEARCH JAPAN

DATE: Thursday, July 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
VENUE: The Westin Nagoya 1F Chambord
COST: Members: 5,000 yen, guests: 6,000 yen

REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, July 14
HOST: Business Program Committee - Chubu

***********************************************************************

EVENT OVERVIEW:

Japan has what it takes to emerge a winner from the global crisis ­ a
powerful technology base, low financial leverage, huge savings and a
diligent labor force that can easily compete with almost any global
competitor.

Against this, a massive fiscal deficit, very adverse demographics and
fragmented policy making threaten to ensnare Japan in domestic stagnation.
Which force will win? Where are the industries and companies that will take
the lead? What strategies will the new political leadership promote? Will
the Yen ever stop rising? How can your company benefit from the emerging
global economic order and Japan's force in it?

Over the past decade, Jesper Koll has been consistently ranked as one of the
top Japan strategists. He has written two books in Japanese, "Towards a New
Japanese Golden Age" and "The End of Heisei Deflation." He has been a member
of several government advisory panels, including the MoF council on global
capital flows and PM Koizumi's ad-hoc group of private sector experts.

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Jesper is the President and CEO of our new Tokyo office, Tantallon Research
Japan KK.

Jesper has been researching and investing in Japan since becoming a resident
in 1986. For the past eight years he was the Chief Economist of Merrill
Lynch Japan. Prior to that, he had worked for the Tiger Fund. He was also
the head of research for JP Morgan in Tokyo (1994-1998) and the chief
economist of SG Warburg (1989-1994). His analysis and insights have earned
him a spot on several Japanese government advisory committees. He is also
one of the few non-Japanese members of the Keizai Doyukai, the Japan
Association of Corporate Executives.

He has a masters degree from SAIS The Johns Hopkins University and was a
research fellow at both Tokyo University and Kyoto University. He is a
graduate of the Lester B.Pearsn College of the Pacific.

TO REGISTER:
Contact Noriko Kato
052-229-1525, or nkato@accj.or.jp
Or fax to: ACCJ Chubu Office: 0052-222-8272

"Japan - from Kamikaze Capitalism to Smartpower Dynamism" on July 16th.

See you there!

"Habitat Japan"- Free Reading!!

There are plenty of books out their on where to go in Japan, what to do, how to eat and what to choose, how to get a traditional experience and how to get a hold of the Japanese language and culture. Go to Maruzen and there is a huge selection to choose from.

However, there are very few books that cover the mental aspects of preparing yourself for time in Japan, and getting the best out of your experience. We felt that something was missing in this context, and have spent 2 years putting together "Habitat Japan" to guide foreigners in Japan on how to have a great time here.

With each chapter written by a different Japan Guru, you get a fantastic insight into what experiences await you in Japan and how to deal with them best.

Download your free copy on http://www.japaninfoswap.com/

Things Are Picking Up in Japan

There is a definate surge in confidence in the Japanese economy, and word on the street tells us the worst is over.

At a chamber of commerce meeting earlier this week, members of the financial industry, small business owners, government representatives and even companies in the recruiting and HR services industry noticed a definate pick up in business during June. Hotels have also indicated better results in June, so it does really appear that demand is going to return for goods and services to a reasonable level of where things were before.

For us at H&R Group also, we have seen the return of inbound housing and relocation clients at a quite significant pitch in June. June has probably been the most positive month we have experienced since things hit the wall in October / November of last year.

There are a couple of areas of concern, for which only the future can tell;

- What is going to happen to globalization? Have companies reached their peak with globalization and are now going to back to a more locally driven model? ie. Are all managers going to be locally hired now, or will Expats continue to come to Japan?

- What is going to drive the relocation industry into the future? Price or quality of service? It definately looks like price has been the driver in a globalized economy and world, but it will be interesting where this takes us if local HR departments and offices begin to take more power back from the global model.

Have a nice weekend!

Property vacancies in your area?

Take a look around you in whatever city you abode in? Do you notice any differences lately? Being in real estate for so long, I have this habit of looking at buildings all the time. Recently in both Tokyo and Nagoya, I am noticing lots of vacancies....... Lots of buildings with very few lights on.

Our company was talking with Leo Palace earlier this week. It would appear that there are some residential buildings around in Nagoya with occupancy at 0%........ Alot of these were buildings cancelled by the recruiting companies of Toyota and other manufacturers at the downturn of the economy. The recruiting companies would sub-lease whole buildings to house the people they were dispatching to the factories. Not a laughing matter for a number of owners these days, who are now eating up their reserves in order to meet loan payments.

Office rents are ready to come down significantly in Nagoya, with what would appear to be a ridiculously silly number of brand new high end offices popping up all over the inner city in recent months. Something has to give way!

Love Hotel Business!

If you have been in Japan long enough you will have often wondered about love hotels and the mystery that surrounds this hotel business. If you want to know the details, there is a great event coming up! See below for details!

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Presents:
***********************************************************************
LABOR OF LOVE: THE PLAN TO REVOLUTIONIZE AN OVERLOOKED JAPANESE INDUSTRY Stephen Mansfield, CEO, New Perspective (asset manager for Japan Leisure
Hotels)

DATE: Thursday, June 25, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
VENUE: Hilton Nagoya 4F Fuji
COST: Members: 3,500 yen, guests: 5,000 yen REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, June 23
HOST: Business Program Committee - Chubu
NOTE: This meeting is OFF THE RECORD
***********************************************************************

EVENT OVERVIEW:

There are approximately 25,000 love hotels in Japan, and with typically
25 rooms per hotel, the industry accounts for an estimated 0.75% of Japan's GDP or over $40 billion. Yet it remains a backwater: no single operator or owner controls more than 100 hotels, and in fact 90% of all owners have five or fewer properties. This means few, if any, operators have the size and financial resources to achieve the scale, transparency and accountability to develop a more mature business and realize the potential of the strong underlying fundamentals.

Japan Leisure Hotels, which listed on the AIM section of the London Stock Exchange in January 2008, plans to make its brand, Bonita Hotels, the first nationally-recognized name in short-stay accommodation and lead the impetus for consolidation in the industry. Just as investment by major developers in the 1980s and 1990s changed Las Vegas from a town of questionable repute into a mainstream holiday destination, Japan Leisure Hotels believe it can bring what is perceives to be a fringe business into the mainstream. Success would bring huge rewards, but it's a daunting challenge. Can Bonita Hotels revolutionize this overlooked Japanese industry? Decide for yourself at what promises to be a lively presentation and discussion.

Steve Brown and Mike Wright
Business Programs Committee - Chubu

TO REGISTER CONTACT:
Noriko Kato
Operations Manager - Chubu
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) Tel: +81 52 229-1525
Fax: +81 52 222-8272
Email: nkato@accj.or.jp

*************************************************************

And remember! Rental housing in Tokyo or Nagoya? Serviced Apartments in Nagoya? Relocation in Tokyo and Nagoya? Car / Furniture Leasing and Purchase in Tokyo or Nagoya?
See H&R Consultants or ReloJapan! We want to help you in Japan!

Mt. Fuji Climb

If you are in Nagoya and are looking for a challenge this July, how about climbing Mt. Fuji.

H&R Consultants / ReloJapan are once again sponsoring Hope International's charity climb of Mt. Fuji, to be held on July 10th and 11th. We will pay for you to get up there, so that you can concentrate on challenging the mountain and raising some funds so that Hope Interternational can provide clean water to those in Laos, and also support refugees in Sri Lanka.

I was a climber last year. We had terrific weather, and I forgot my suncreen. I came down a very burnt man!! It was a really great, but trying experience. We left Hongo in Nagoya at 11:00pm, arrived at the base of Mt. Fuji at 3:00am, and started climbing at 3:30am. There was about 1-hour in the dark, but the rest was in the light. It took 6-hours for me to get up to the top, arriving at 9:30am. I spent 1-hour at the top resting, and then came down in about 3.5 hours. Your shoes are very important. I had shoes that were a little tight, and ended up losing both of the toenails on each big toe. Going up is tough and requires alot of energy. Coming down is however worse, as you are tired, and it puts alot of strain on your legs and indeed your feet and toes.

Anyway. We have 37 people booked to challenge so far. The bus takes 50 people, so there are just 13 spots left. Contact Hope International on challenge@hope.or.jp to reserve your spot!

Have a great week!

And remember! Rental housing in Tokyo or Nagoya? Serviced Apartments in Nagoya? Relocation in Tokyo and Nagoya? Car / Furniture Leasing and Purchase in Tokyo or Nagoya?

See H&R Consultants or ReloJapan! We want to help you in Japan!

Well it is two years later, and I happy to announce the relaunch of Japan Info Swap, and interactive website for the foreign community. We have made some changes and will be incorporating our "Xpat Files" on this site for all to see. Our monthly newsletter that has been produced and edited by Sue Conolly will now be placed on Japan Info Swap in real time. We will then take the best of the entries on Japan Info Swap and will create the monthly newsletter from these.

Yes, Sue Conolly our old faithful is still going to be involved, and yes, the Xpat Files newsletter will continue. It is just going to be in a slightly different format.

I am also pleased to announce that "Habitat Japan", a book written for Expats in Japan in order to get their best out of their time in Japan is also available on www.JapanInfoSwap.com. Go get your copy!! Once again edited by Sue Conolly, and written by a number of experienced "Japaners", this really does give you a great insight in how to get the most out of your time here in Japan.

Good reading da yo!