LATEST UK–JAPAN REPORTS
Designer Produces Collection with Popular Fashion Brand Celia Birtwell has collaborated with Uniqlo to create a capsule clothing collection, according to a press release issued on 30 January. The new fashion range is expected to be launched in midMarch in the UK. The designer’s signature colourful bold prints will appear on dresses, T-shirts, jeggings, shirts, shorts, vests and tote bags. The Japanese clothing chain, which has previously worked with UK-based labels, chose Birtwell for her ability to “combine the traditional sensitivity towards prints with a contemporary, modern and unique twist”.
Celia Birtwell’s clothing range is expected to launch in mid-March.
Plans Could Limit Language Learning Japanese language teachers in England are worried that proposed changes in elementary schools’ curriculum might sideline the language and cause schools to stop offering Japanese classes, the Japan Daily Press reported on 31 January. Under the proposed plan, students aged 7–11 will be required to study at least one of six foreign languages, not including Japanese.
It will still be possible for the language to be taught at schools, but it will be only an option. Teachers are worried that, by excluding Japanese from the mandatory list, the government is suggesting that the language is no longer important. The changes are expected to come into effect next year and will only be implemented in English schools.
KDDI Invests in Taxi Hailing App One of Japan’s largest mobile operators is to team up with a UK-based developer of taxihailing mobile applications, the Japan Daily Press reported on 5 February. KDDI will invest in Hailo’s technology, which uses smartphone apps that directly link potential passengers and drivers to arrange pickups as well as handle billing. The new agreement could drastically change the landscape in Japan, where the numerous popular apps for calling taxis mainly register requests with dispatchers and log a caller’s GPS location. The Tokyo launch of the app is planned for later this year.
Power Firm to Launch Joint Venture Intelligent Energy Limited and Suzuki Motor Corporation have announced an agreement to develop and manufacture air-cooled fuel cell systems for various industry sectors, the Financial Times reported on 8 February. The firms will have an equal stake in the new venture, SMILE FC System Corporation. The partnership includes a non-exclusive licence agreement that gives Suzuki access to Intelligent Energy’s leading fuel cell technology for its next generation of eco-vehicles.
Harry Potter Train Starts Operation to Osaka Theme Park A new train featuring a Harry Potter design has started running on the JR Sakurajima line from Nishikujo Station in Osaka to Universal Studios Japan, Japan Today reported on 12 February. The train went into operation on 1 February, in anticipation of the opening in late 2014 of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park based on the British author’s bestselling fantasy book series. The train features images of Hogwarts Castle, and the characters of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
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