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Tag: Japan

  • Hansa Heavy Lift delivers six RTG cranes from Japan to Turkey

    Hansa Heavy Lift delivers six RTG cranes from Japan to Turkey

    Hansa Heavy Lift has transported six rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, each weighing 135 metric tonnes and measuring 28.9 by 11.3 by 26.6 m, from Japan to Turkey.

    All units were loaded onto the vessel HHL Kobe at the port of Saiki in southern Japan, with two of the cranes being discharged at the port of Gebze and the remaining four at the harbour of Gemlik, in Turkey.

    “This was an unusually high number of RTGs being transported on a P2-800 vessel, compelling us to extend the deck as well as ensure there was sufficient space between the units, so that all cargo could be accommodated safely,” said Mohammad Abbas, project engineer, Hansa Heavy Lift.

    “Due to the sensitivity of the cargo units, additional precautions needed to be taken, including a motion response analysis to determine the effects of any accelerations on the cargo during the voyage.”

    “Strong cooperation between the crews and stevedores at the ports of loading and discharge ensured the project was executed seamlessly, within the tight timeframe that had been assigned.”

    The deck extension included six metres to the aft side and three metres to the starboard side, as well as a total of 11 tween deck pontoons being stowed on deck to accommodate all units.

    The strength of the extension tween deck panels was verified through a finite element analysis, to demonstrate that the overhung deck was sufficiently safe and durable enough to support the cargo.

    A 3D model assimilation was also created before the start of the voyage to check the clearance between the RTGs and vessels’ cranes due to the large size of the units.

    The project was carried out on behalf of Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, with Yilport Konteyner Terminal Ve Liman Isletmeleri A.S. acting as the charterer.

    “By optimising the number of cranes transported on a single vessel, Hansa Heavy Lift presented us with a very cost-effective and efficient option,” said Selami Mercan, Engineering Service Director, Yilport Holding Inc.

    “The entire project, from planning to delivery, was handled with care and ease, and we would be eager to work with Hansa Heavy Lift again in the future.”

    Hansa Heavy Lift specialises in the super heavy lift 900+ metric tonnes industry, delivering best-in-class engineering solutions to customers, particularly in the subsea, oil and gas, and the offshore wind farm sectors.

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  • Japan economy posts longest expansion in over a decade

    Japan economy posts longest expansion in over a decade

    Economy expansion was driven by robust domestic demand and capital spending. Japan’s economy grew 1.0 percent in the April-June period, notching up its sixth straight quarter of growth and its longest economic expansion in over a decade, government data showed Monday.

    The growth in Japan’s GDP — 4.0 percent at an annualized rate — blew past market expectations for a 0.6 percent rise, and was well up from a 0.4 percent expansion in the first quarter, according to figures from the Cabinet Office.

    The world’s number three economy has been picking up steam, mainly on the back of a surging exports including smartphones parts and memory chips, with investments linked to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics also giving growth a boost.

    But the latest GDP figures were driven by robust domestic demand and capital spending, which offset a quarterly decline in exports.

    Private consumption picked up 0.9 percent in the second quarter — individual spending accounts for more than a half of Japan’s GDP.

    The labor market is tight and business confidence is high but efforts to lift inflation have fallen flat despite years of aggressive monetary easing by Japan’s central bank.

    The latest reading nonetheless means Japan’s economy has had its best string of gains since 2006, during the tenure of popular former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi.

    Monday’s figures are good news for the current prime minister Shinzo Abe — whose brief and underwhelming first term as Japan’s premier came directly after Koizumi.

    A string of short-term leaders followed before Abe swept back to power in late 2012 on a pledge to reignite Japan’s once-booming economy with a plan dubbed Abenomics.

    The scheme — a mix of huge monetary easing, government spending and reforms to the economy — stoked a stock market rally and fattened corporate profits.

    But critics have cast doubt on the plan, as heavily-indebted Japan grapples with low birthrates and a shrinking labor force.

    Abe has seen his public support rating plummet in the past few months over an array of political troubles, including allegations of favoritism to a friend in a business deal.

    Japan has been struggling to defeat years of deflation and slow growth that followed the collapse of an equity and property market bubble in the early nineties.

    The Bank of Japan, aiming to create two-percent inflation as a key part the growth bid, now expects to reach that goal by sometime in the year to March 2020 — four years later than planned.

    Falling prices can discourage spending by consumers, who might postpone purchases until prices drop more or look to save money instead.

    That puts pressure on businesses, creating a cycle in which firms then cut back on expanding production, hiring new workers or boosting wages.

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  • Sombre reflection on noticeboard of Nagasaki Starbucks

    Sombre reflection on noticeboard of Nagasaki Starbucks

    Usually, the handwritten message of the day at Starbucks cafes are light-hearted, but to mark the anniversary of Japan’s surrender that ended World War II, a Nagasaki Starbucks outlet decided to take a more serious tone.

    Nagasaki was one of two Japanese cities destroyed by a nuclear bomb near the end of the conflict.

    “Almost all the beans for the coffee we drink are imported from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and other regions … A year from now, that coffee might no longer be available because of civil war and other conflict,” says the message.

    It says coffee can actually come from perilous parts of the world.

    “You probably don’t think of the concepts of war and peace having such a direct connection to yourself, but now, as you’re drinking your coffee or frappuccino, knowing that you might not be able to do so in the future, is this not an opportunity to reflect on peace?” the message continues.

    “This is the 72nd summer since the end of World War II. What does ‘peace’ mean to you?”

    “Hate has no home here”

    Meanwhile, in the US, Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz convened a forum in Seattle entitled “Hate has no home here”.

    A small rock Schultz had brought back from the Auschwitz concentration camp 17 years ago was passed around as “a tangible reminder of unchecked hate” as the gathering addressed the recent events in the US involving white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

    “I come to you with profound, profound concern about the lack of character, morality, humanity, and what this might mean for young children and young generations,” he told the crowd of more than 500 in the room, plus 1000 in overflow areas. “We are imprinting them with levels of behaviours and conduct that are beneath the United States of America.”

    He said it was a critical juncture in American history. “The moral fibre, the values and what we as a country have stood for is literally hanging in the abyss.”

    For 90 minutes, as the rock circulated around the room, Schultz shared his thoughts, followed by Starbucks partners.

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  • Muji Japan adds groceries, mini-house to flagship

    Muji Japan adds groceries, mini-house to flagship

    In a redesign, housewares company Muji Japan has added groceries and even a miniature house to its global flagship store in Tokyo.

    It draws its inspiration from the core necessities of survival: food, shelter, clothing and food, reports Curbed.com.

    “Among the basic lifestyle needs, food is the most fundamental and indispensable aspect,” says the store’s opening announcement.

    This is why the flagship is the first Muji store in the world with a fruit and vegetable market. All the produce, grown with little or no fertiliser or pesticides, is sourced directly from growers who add notes to customers near their items. There are also 300 grocery items such as spices and snacks.

    A second-floor cafe serves bread and soup made from the produce available downstairs.

    On display is a simple Muji Hut – a tiny black timber house with interior designers on hand to answer questions. Its one room is fitted out as a music room and retreat.

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  • Miniso Philippines opens two more outlets

    Miniso Philippines opens two more outlets

    Japanese lifestyle brand Miniso Philippines has opened two more outlets in Manila, with four to follow soon.

    Its first store in the Philippines, at Robinsons Place Manila, opened in June, with the latest stores in SM City San Lazaro and SM City Manila.

    Miniso has more than 1400 retail stores in more than 40 countries and regions. The grand opening of its SM City Manila outlet featured Filipino teen actor Ruru Madrid and actress Gabbi Garcia, both from GMA Network, along with City of Manila vice-mayor Honey Lacuña, Miniso partners and mall executives

    Miniso was jointly founded by designer Miyake Jyunya and Chinese entrepreneur Ye Guofu with a brand proposition of “simplicity and going back to the essence”.

    More 80 per cent of the brand’s products designs originate from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Products include home necessities, jewellery, seasonal items, digital accessories, office supplies, beauty products, stationery gifts, and food and drinks. Miniso stores can be found in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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  • SoftBank invests $2.5b in Flipkart to stop Amazon

    SoftBank invests $2.5b in Flipkart to stop Amazon

    SoftBank has just announced its biggest investment in India: a whopping US$2.5 billion in Indian ecommerce company Flipkart.

    With this latest funding round, Flipkart boasts of over US$4 billion in cash on its balance sheet and SoftBank has become its largest shareholder.
    It’s the biggest ever private investment in an Indian technology company. “This is a monumental deal for Flipkart and India,” said Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal, co-founders of Flipkart in an announcement made today.

    Neither SoftBank nor Flipkart disclosed the exact amount of funding which came from SoftBank Vision Fund, but sources said it is a little over US$2.5 billion.
    Last week, Tech in Asia reported that SoftBank was in talks with Flipkart for an investment after rival company Snapdeal, whose biggest investor is SoftBank, walked out of a distress sale to Flipkart. The deal was being negotiated for months.
    SoftBank is the largest investor in Snapdeal and Paytm, India’s two other homegrown ecommerce leaders. It made a solo investment of US$1.4 billion into Paytm earlier this year. “India is a land of vast opportunity.

    We want to support innovative companies that are clear winners in India because they are best positioned to leverage technology and help people lead better lives,” said Masayoshi Son, founder, chairman, and CEO of SoftBank.
    Last year, Jeff Bezos announced an additional investment of US$3 billion in Amazon India, on top of an initial US$2 billion back in 2014.

    The investment by SoftBank is part of the April funding round in which Flipkart had raised US$1.4 billion in capital from Tencent, Ebay, and Microsoft.

    The latest capital infusion by SoftBank – a mix of primary and secondary capital – will give Flipkart enough ammunition to fight the giant Amazon further.

    Launched in October 2007, Flipkart is India’s biggest homegrown ecommerce marketplace and has raised nearly US$5 billion in capital.

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  • SoftBank developing Twin Access mobile service

    SoftBank developing Twin Access mobile service

    Japan’s SoftBank is developing a new Twin Access mobile network service for enterprises using equipment from NEC.

    The Twin Access service provides two simultaneous mobile network connections to maintain a state of constant, active connectivity between NEC line terminal equipment and devices employing virtualization technology.

    It uses the packet copy capsuled (PCC) technology jointly developed by SoftBank and NEC to offer improved transmission quality with higher packet arrival rates than conventional single mobile line systems.

    SoftBank VP for networks Takenori Kobayashi said the service is designed to be used as an alternative to fixed broadband networks.

    “Because of its high quality of service, Twin Access can be used at locations where optical fiber lines are not provided, or as an alternative to metal-wired lines such as DSL or digital access,” he said.

    “In addition, by utilizing the unique features of mobile networks, such as their freedom from cable installations, Twin Access makes it possible to build flexible, economical, short-term networks; such as temporary networks for use at construction sites and event venues.”

    SoftBank and NEC plan to conduct field trials of the technology ahead of the full-scale commercial launch of Twin Access by October. SoftBank aims to deploy the new service in Japan as part of the access lineup for its Smart VPN service.

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  • Honda motorcycle sales boost quarterly net profit

    Honda motorcycle sales boost quarterly net profit

    Motorcycle sales volume grew in India and Vietnam. Japanese vehicle maker Honda on Tuesday said net profit for the second quarter rose by double digits boosted by strong motorcycle sales, revising up its full-year forecast.

    The Tokyo-based company said “solid sales of two-wheel vehicles in Asia and cost reduction efforts” contributed to increased profits.

    Motorcycle sales volume grew in India and Vietnam, Honda said, while four-wheel vehicle sales volume increased in Japan and China but declined in North America.

    Japan’s number-three automaker booked net profit of 207.3 billion yen ($1.88 billion) in the April-June period, up 18.7 percent from the previous year.

    Sales grew 7.0 percent to 3.71 trillion yen, while operating profit rose 0.9 percent to 269.2 billion yen.

    Honda boosted its net profit forecast to 545 billion yen from an earlier figure of 530 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2018.

    It also lifted its fiscal year operating profit and revenue outlooks.

    “Honda’s profit pales compared to figures last year when it booked a one-time gain in a pension accounting change,” Satoru Takada, an analyst at TIW, a Tokyo-based research and consulting institute, said ahead of the earnings release.

    “But it displayed a good performance in China and Indonesia while showing steady sales in North America,” he said.

    While North American vehicle sales declined in the quarter year on year to 481,000 from 510,000, revenue rose slightly to 2.13 trillion yen from 2.06 trillion yen.

    Takada added that the foreign exchange situation is “a key factor” for automakers.

    “Current levels are relatively positive for the Japanese auto industry,” he said.

    Although the yen has strengthened slightly in past days, it remains weak against the dollar over recent years.

    A stronger Japanese yen can hurt carmakers by eroding the value of overseas profits when repatriated.

    On Thursday, Nissan reported a drop in quarterly net profit, hit by higher costs and weak sales in key markets, although it left its annual forecasts unchanged.

    Toyota will release earnings on Friday.

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  • Japan’s Subaru posts higher profit as car sales jump

    Japan’s Subaru posts higher profit as car sales jump

    Subaru on Thursday posted a better-than-expected rise in its quarterly operating profit, buoyed by higher sales in the United States, its biggest market, where other Japanese automakers are struggling with slower demand.

    Operating profit at Japan’s No.6 automaker came in at 119.3 billion yen ($1.08 billion) in the first quarter ended June, up 17.5 percent from a year ago and exceeding the average forecast for 114.8 billion yen from seven analysts polled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

    Most Japanese automakers have been hit by both an overall slowdown in the U.S. market and a growing preference for bigger car models, versus the sedan.

    Subaru has, however, managed to buck this trend, reporting a 12.3 percent jump in sales in the world’s No.2 auto market after China, with models such a revamped version of its Impreza sedan, along with the Forester SUV and Outback SUV crossover.

    Subaru raised production capacity last year at its plant in Indiana and was able to deliver more units over the quarter in the United States, which accounts for around 60 percent of its global sales volume.

    The automaker’s U.S. marketing strategy has focused mainly on affluent and liberal-minded consumers, with advertisements featuring slogans such as love and inclusion.

    It has won over consumers living largely on the west and east coasts – a concentration that has allowed it to leverage its production capabilities, which are a fraction of those of Toyota Motor and other bigger rivals like Nissan Motor Co.

    Toyota is expected to announce a 16 percent drop in its quarterly operating profit, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, while Nissan last week posted an almost 13 percent slide in profit, dragged by rising incentives to sell its cars in the United States.

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  • SoftBank taps Cisco to optimize mobile IP core

    SoftBank taps Cisco to optimize mobile IP core

    Japan’s SoftBank has contracted Cisco to optimize network operations in its next-generation mobile IP core network.

    SoftBank will adopt Cisco high-density 100GE routing and segment routing technology to help meet demand for greater mobile traffic capacity and enable faster and more flexible provisioning of new services.

    Traffic demand is forecast to increase at a rate of 50% per year, prompting SoftBank to upgrade its core routers to a Cisco solution capable of housing 576 100GE ports.

    New capabilities in the system will also allow SoftBank to reduce fault recovery time and improve functions for ensuring service continuity in the event of a fault.

    Segment routing is aimed at simplifying network architectures and enabling the provision of advanced network services without increasing the burden on operations. The architecture has been designed to seek the balance between distributed intelligence and centralized optimization.

    “SoftBank keeps focusing on improving service quality and enhancing the reliability and agility of network while reducing costs,” SoftBank SVP Keiichi Makizono said.

    “Cisco’s advanced network technologies and support have allowed us to establish the next-generation mobile IP core network platform that meets the bandwidth demand. We expect Cisco’s continued support and cooperation for providing services that lead the Japanese market.”

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  • AEON and Thai Airways Offer Business Class of travel to Japan

    AEON and Thai Airways Offer Business Class of travel to Japan

    Mr. Kiyoyasu Asanuma (Centre), Managing Director of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Company Limited has coorporated with Thai Airways International Public Company Limited to provide special offers to AEON Royal Orchid Plus Platinum Cardmembers (VISA payWave and JCB) under the campaign “Ultimate Happiness in Japan with AEON Royal Orchid Plus Platinum Card”.

    Card members will be exploring their ultimate travel experience from luxurious Business Class travel to Japan with Thai Airways. AEON customers will get Thai Airways round-trip Business Class ticket from BKK – Japan value 65,000 baht when spend 3,500,000 baht or more or earn up to 5,000 bonus miles when spend 500,000 baht or more at any participating stores worldwide. The campaign runs from now until September 30, 2017.

     

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  • Delayed launch for Pablo Singapore

    Delayed launch for Pablo Singapore

    After a delayed launch, cheese-tart chain Pablo Singapore is set to open in Wisma Atria in the next couple of weeks.

    The Japanese brand had originally been scheduled to open this month.

    On sale will be the chain’s signature 15cm-wide tarts, plus two other flavours – the matcha cheese tart with shiratama mochi and azuki or red beans, and the chocolate cheese tart.

    As in other overseas outlets of Pablo, the “medium” version of the tart will be offered (in Japan, diners can also order a “rare” version that oozes molten cheese filling when sliced).

    There will also be a crustless premium cheese tart with a caramel glaze topping, inspired by creme brulee. Later this year mini-tarts will be added to the menu.

    With 78 seats, the cafe will occupy a 1400 sqft (130 sqm) space on the first level of Wisma Atria, formerly occupied by Omakase Burger.

    Pablo is being brought in by Caerus Holdings, which runs New York confectionery chain Lady M in Orchard Central, Westgate mall and South Beach Avenue.

  • KFC Japan to launch new healthy dining retail concept

    KFC Japan to launch new healthy dining retail concept

    KFC Japan is to open a new healthy food retail concept called The Table by KFC in Sendai City on August 5.

    The Table by KFC aims to offer deli-style foods, including salads, along with versions of its traditional favourites – like a full-size KFC chicken – targeting commuters passing through railway stations and shopping precincts.

    The first store will be located in the S-Pal Sendai shopping center in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, which is located in the northern part of Honshu.

    News of the concept was revealed in English on the Sorai News 24 website, which has published a number of photos of the dishes one can expect, following a local announcement by KFC Japan.

    Sorai News 24 says the store is “designed to have a natural look, using plenty of wood-grain material for a ‘home kitchen’ feel”.

    “The foods will be displayed in bowls and dishes of different designs, so that the setup is enjoyable to look at too.”

    New dishes to join the menu include Spanish-style Garlic Chicken Gizzard and Oriental Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad.

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  • AirAsia to take wing in Japan after long layover

    AirAsia to take wing in Japan after long layover

    Low-cost carrier AirAsia Japan will ply this country’s skies again as early as September, flying a domestic route from its home base of Chubu Airport near Nagoya, in a move likely to shake up the budget air travel market here.

    The unit of Malaysia-based AirAsia, Southeast Asia’s biggest low-cost carrier, will fly between Chubu and the city of Sapporo on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. It plans to later offer flights from Chubu to Taipei as well, it had told affiliates by Friday.

    Chubu Airport aims to open a terminal dedicated to low-cost carriers in the first half of fiscal 2019 in response to a spike in activity. A number of budget carriers operate through the airport, but AirAsia Japan will be the first to make it a base where planes are parked overnight and maintained.

    Five airlines currently offer flights between Chubu and Sapporo, including Japan Airlines and low-cost carrier affiliate Jetstar Japan. Adding AirAsia to the mix may froth up price competition.

    Low-cost carriers offer lower fares than traditional carriers by cutting costs and onboard services.

    A turbulent history

    AirAsia previously offered domestic Japanese flights via an earlier incarnation of its Japan arm, set up in 2011 through a joint investment with All Nippon Airways, which has since become a unit of ANA Holdings. But it withdrew from those routes in 2013 amid a disagreement with its partner. The joint venture became a fully owned unit of ANA Holdings that took to the clouds again under the moniker Vanilla Air.

    Aiming to re-enter Japan’s skyways, AirAsia partnered in 2014 with companies including e-commerce powerhouse Rakuten and sporting goods retailer Alpen to form the new AirAsia Japan, taking a 49% stake including nonvoting shares.

    In 2015, that company moved its headquarters to Chubu Airport. At first, the carrier intended to start offering flights that year, but such issues as shortcomings in its safety management system forced a series of delays. A planned route between Chubu and the northeastern city of Sendai was nixed as well. A fourth, indefinite delay was announced in January.

    AirAsia Japan’s management also shifted during the delays. The company’s first CEO, All Nippon Airways alum Yoshinori Odagiri, stepped down at the end of 2015. Thereafter, the unit courted Takashi Ide — former chairman of low-cost carrier Skymark — for a top management position, while Odagiri’s seat was filled by Osamu Hata.

  • Muji opens its 423rd store in Singapore

    Muji opens its 423rd store in Singapore

    Muji has just opened its 423rd store outside of Japan, officially beating the number of stores it has in its domestic market.
    The milestone was reached as it cut the ribbon on its Southeast Asia regional flagship, in Singapore’s Plaza Singapura mall on key shopping street Orchard Road.

    The new store, its largest in Southeast Asia, carries a wider product offer than any of the other 10 Muji stores in Singapore, including the Labo clothing line, the Found Muji label (which features home items from around the world) and Idée.

    It also has the firm’s third the third Café&Meal dining café and covers 1,640 sq m.

    Parent company Ryohin Keikaku’s President Satoru Matsuzaki told the Nikkei Asian Review that the company aims to accelerate its expansion in South and Southeast Asia after some time spent focusing on the east of the continent (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea).

    That acceleration will see it entering Vietnam next year as well as expanding in the Philippines after its debut there earlier this year in a joint venture deal.

    The company will also focus on driving overseas revenue higher because, while store numbers abroad now exceed those in Japan, at ¥32.4 billion, revenue from those foreign stores is roughly half of that in its domestic market.

    Much of that figure came from China where it has 200 stores.

    Singapore is key to this strategy as it’s a regional hub and Matsuzaki said it will also help the company get experience it can apply in India and the Middle East.

    The company’s customers outside of Japan tend to be much younger than the Japanese shoppers it sees in its stores.

    But while these shoppers often have lower income levels than those older consumers in Japan, they also represent a chance to win customers at a young age and build brand loyalty that could last for years, analysts said.

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