LATEST UK–JAPAN REPORTS
BCCJ Firms’ Relief Efforts Help Tohoku SMEs British firms in Japan have devised a special programme to reinvigorate businesses in Tohoku that were affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, The Japan Times reported on 29 June. Members of the BCCJ—including member firms GlaxoSmithKline K.K., Unilever, Jaguar Land Rover Limited and
HSBC Holdings plc—assisted with relief operations, sent supplies, and raised ¥8.3mn to fund projects designed to help small firms and communities in the region. Although the amount of financial aid given was relatively small, the BCCJ’s Back to Business initiative—according to which BCCJ members travelled to disaster areas
to identify businesses and communities requiring specific assistance—has been identified as special among foreign chambers of commerce in Japan and the international community’s relief efforts. The BCCJ can also act as a channel for British firms interested in setting up operations in Tohoku.
Poll Reveals Peaceful Nations Japan is the sixth-most peaceful country in the world, while the UK is in 44th place, according to the 2013 Global Peace Index, issued on 11 June. In its annual report, the Institute for Economics and Peace ranks 162 countries. It measures security in society, the extent of conflict and the degree of militarisation. From this one can see how world peace has changed over time. The poll shows that levels of peace in the surveyed nations have fallen 5% since 2008, and that in recent years the number and intensity of internal conflicts have
risen. Meanwhile, the number of intra-state hostilities have fallen. Topping the list is Iceland, with its political stability, low homicide rate and small prison population. Japan, with strict laws on the possession of firearms and good relations with neighbouring countries, has come in sixth. Afghanistan was in last place. Countries are assessed based on 22 indicators that measure internal peace, as well as on external peace indicators. The report reveals that the major threats to peace exist within—rather than outside— national borders.
Royal Visits Worcester Tool Factory
Two Tyrells’ crisp flavours will be sold in 7-Elevens here.
Crisp Maker to Supply 7-Eleven Tyrrells Potato Crisps Ltd has secured its biggest-ever overseas listing with a deal to sell its products at 7-Eleven stores in Japan, The Grocer reported on 29 May. The firm plans to supply two flavours of its crisps to 5,000 of the convenience chain stores in Japan—the firm’s latest Asian market after China and India. Owner Langholm Capital has put the crisp manufacturer up for sale.
YAMAZAKI MAZAK U.K. LIMITED
Bangor Biscuit Firm Receives Big Order from Tokyo Retailer The Prince of Wales toured Yamazaki manufacturing facility to learn about its programmes for young employees.
Prince Charles visited the Yamazaki Mazak Corporation factory in Worcester to learn about its highly regarded training programmes for young workers, The Japan Times reported on 6 June. He hoped to find out more about both the firm’s apprenticeship scheme and its investment in young engineers. Yamazaki is one of the world’s leading
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machine tool manufacturers and makes numerically controlled metal-cutting and laser-processing machine tools for British and European markets. Yamazaki’s British operation, which employs 500 people, has twice received the Queen’s Award for international trade in recognition of its contribution to the British export economy.
A Bangor-based biscuit firm has won orders for its shamrock-shaped shortbread and oatmeal biscuits from Japanese retailer Otomo Shoji, the Belfast Telegraph reported on 17 June. Grace’s Traditional Irish Biscuits has received orders from the Osaka-based business—which has about 100 shops in Japan—following an internet inquiry. The biscuit maker, focused on building sales in global markets, has given a boost to other Northern Ireland firms involved in developing and shipping the biscuits.