Osaka – Sunday, May 23, 2010
A recent popular morning TV news programme in Japan reported on a new social issue of “Shopping Refugee”. This is as a result of aging society, nuclear family and strategy/M&A of retailers (supermarkets). Possible new products and services could help shopping refugees if they can afford such new products and services.
1. What are “shopping refugees”?
Shopping refugees are those people who are forced to do shopping at large supermarkets that are far to go on foot instead of local shopping areas which are only a few minutes walk. Most shopping refugees are elders living alone (i.e. not with their children) in not scarcely-populated regions but in comparatively large cities of local region.
2. What is the traditional shopping style vs. new shopping styles of younger generation in Japan?
1) Traditional shopping style of today’s elders
Japanese people used to shop almost daily at nearby shops of groceries, greengrocers, fish and meat shop etc. and/or local small supermarket in local shopping areas on foot. Typical housewives used to do all her housework in the day and decide what to cook for dinner (evening meal) and go shopping on foot then cook. Elders today are used to this shopping style.
2) New shopping styles of younger generation
There are varieties of styles, with diverse lifestyle of younger generation. Some people shop in traditional style, similarly to how their mother and grand mothers used to. Some others position shopping as their leisure and shop during day time. Some others, especially people who work, shop at late evening. And some others mostly shop at weekends, buying foods for an entire upcoming week.
Depending on where they shop, some people walk to the supermarket, some go by bus and some drive to shop.
3. What are the factors for then change in shopping styles and emergence of shopping refugees?
1) Large retailers/supermarkets and their M&A
In line with economic growth of Japan, large supermarkets such as Daiei, Aeon, Jusco and Saty emerged and expanded their business aggressively nationwide. This completely changed the retailing industry map in Japan and also the places where majority of the population do shopping.
Such large supermarkets first opened their shops in city centre such as shopping mall in the front of the stations then to shopping area of residential area which housewives still could go on foot. A few such supermarkets now are open until late at night (e.g. 22:00 and even 24:00 for some) to meet their customer needs of today. Then, many large ones opened in suburbs which the transportation would be car.
Together with low birthrate meaning decrease in total population, retailing industry became saturated, leading to restructuring and M&A of the industry and each retailers. This has resulted in closing of supermarkets in shopping area in cities higher proportion of large ones in suburbs.
2) Nuclear family
In line with economic growth, more people stopped living with their parents (elders) after marriage and nuclear family became pervasive. There are many reasons and backgrounds to this, such as less jobs are available local regions, more people working companies that operates nationwide and/or worldwide meaning more people are re-located, change in values and attitudes in majority of Japanese people to name just a few.
3) Aging society
Attributing to low birth rate, Japan has become one of the countries suffering from severe aging society. And together with pervasive nuclear family mentioned above, this resulted in many elders living alone, forced to look after themselves, including daily shopping.
4) Car society
In line with economic growth, car became popular, and going shopping by car became popular for some families, both in large cities where there are good public transportation and local regions where car is the only transportation for families.
5) Working women and mothers
With economic growth then recession of the last 2 decades, and introduction of “Equal Opportunities for Both Men and Women” started in 1985, females started to continue working after marriage and even after having children, although proportion still remains low compared to western countries. Many such working mothers were forced to do shopping at weekends for successful time management, and even full time housewives became more flexible in their shopping style.
4. What is the case of Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture introduced in the TV programme?
1) Shopping refugees
Examples of shopping refugees introduced in the TV programme were all elders living alone or with her husband but not living with their children. They used to enjoy shopping everyday to nearby shopping area within five minutes walk from their house.
However, with recent closing of the shops they used to go for shopping everyday, they now need to go shopping by bus to supermarkets which are 1.5km to 2.0km from their house. This is a burden for them, in terms of both physically (catching bus and getting on and off the bus) and financially (bus fee).
This was not mentioned in the TV programme but the author assume that the shopping refugees would also miss the communication they had everyday with the local shop owners and staff members during shopping. The local shopping area had been one of the important local community and shopping refugees would no longer benefit of such community and daily warm interaction.
2) Change in Takaoka shopping environment
First, large retailer of Daiei opened in the front of the station, then Saty, another larger retailer opened its supermarket in more residential area, attracting big pie of the shopping population.
Then, Aeon opened a huge supermarket with large car parks in suburb, which attracted shoppers that used to go to Daiei and Saty, so Daiei closed its supermarket. Saty was acquired by Aeon. Opening of Aeon’s huge supermarket led to closing the traditional shops in the shopping area of that shopping refugees used to go as well.
5. What are possible solutions to save shopping refugees?
1) New delivery service
Delivering supermarket products for shopping refugees can be a possible solution. According to the TV programme, a NPO started to help shopping refugees by delivering what they bought from Aeon.
From this, the author sees a great business opportunity for Aeon. They could start a new delivery service for their customers including shopping refugees and other customer segments who need such services.
Also, the author thinks that similar service can be provided by others such as gasoline stations that are having difficulties for survival, convenience stores, and delivery service companies including JP Service as their new business.
Another possibility of provider of this kind of service is a versatile service provider. A self-employed business owner near the author’s house provide varieties of services requested by his customers as long as he can provide (such as repairing things, doing housework, taking dog for a walk, MC of wedding and other ceremonies to name just a few) and he also will do shopping on behalf of his customer per request.
2) New product
New product meeting shopping refugees is another possible solution. For example, ingredients for breakfast, lunch and evening meal can be a new product as a substitute and delivered everyday to the shopping refugees and other households per request. This new business has actually been proposed and started, first targeting busy working mothers, which can be targeted to shopping refugees.
6. What are the author’s thoughts to conclude?
Changes in shopping environment are unavoidable, and together with many other factors, shopping refugees are unavoidable but can be a great business opportunity for many companies and business owners, by creating new businesses (products and services). However, whether such new businesses truly solve problems of the shopping refugees depends on their financial affordability and whether they can continue to enjoy interaction with the local community.
2010年5月23日日曜日
2010年5月15日土曜日
Financial Performance of Japanese Companies Continues to Recover
Osaka – Saturday, May 15, 2010
Nikkei, Japanese newspaper specialized in business/economy, reported on May 13, 2010, that financial performance of Japanese listed companies has been continuously recovering in total. This information also went on air in most major TV news on Friday 14. Consolidated profit for fiscal year ending March 2010 was +25% vs. previous year, which was increase in profit after 2 fiscal year, largely attributing to cost reduction. The largest contributors were consumer electronics and automobile, which improved by 3.7 billion yen in total vs. previous year.
Outlook for fiscal year ending March 2011 is of further improvement; +38% for profit vs. fiscal year ending March 2010. This is largely because revenue is expected to increase after 3 fiscal years with demand increase of emerging countries, marking phase change from recovery driven by restructure to recovery driven by demand increase. However, there are risks such as high yen and price increase in resources.
1. How did Nikkei come to the conclusion?
Nikkei collected and analyzed financial data of 767 listed companies (excluding financial and new companies) that had been announced by May 12, covering 50% in number and 80% of profit, of total companies.
2. How much the financial performance of Japanese companies recover?
In total, sales for fiscal year ending March 2010 decreased by 12% vs. previous year but turned to black with drastic cost reduction by each company after the worldwide economy crisis broke out in the autumn of 2008. Quick economy recovery of emerging countries such as China and India also contributed to their financial performance recovery. As a result, profit was better by 13% than estimation as of February 2010, meaning that financial performance of Japanese companies are ongoing with speed above expectation.
Looking by industry, 19 out of 32 recovered. The total amount of profit recovered was 2 trillion yen for consumer electronics and 1.7 trillion yen for automobile. These two industries covered up deterioration of steel, maritime trade and trading companies, and in total recovery of almost 2.4 billion yen. As for some specific companies, refer the table below.
Improvement in Financial Performance of Some Major Companies
(Source: Nikkei, translated by the author)
Company Name / Amount (billion yen)
Hitachi / 353.4
Panasonic / 353.3
Toshiba / 304.2
Toyota / 851.8
Nissan / 380.4
Honda / 174.4
3. What contributed to the recovery?
The biggest contributor was restructuring including fixed and variable cost reduction. Honda reduced sales cost by over 420 billion yen, resulting in double in profit even though the revenue decreased by 14%. A vice president of Honda commented that the biggest reason for revenue recovery is the fact that they made much effort in cost reduction. Cost reduction of Toyota totaled 1 trillion yen (negative effects of the worldwide recalls were within their expectation) and 880 billion yen for Panasonic.
4. What is the outlook for fiscal year ending March 2011?
Sales for fiscal year ending March 2011 is estimated to go back to growth by 7% from the previous year, which is expected to contribute to further profit increase. Also, financial performance recovery is estimated to expand to 25 industries from 19. With recovery in purchase order from Asia, machinery and precision instrument also are estimated to return to black.
5. What are the 3 possible risks?
The first possible risk is high yen. This is a negative factor for export-oriented companies (most Japanese manufacturers are export-oriented); increase in cost of resources leads to cot up in wide a range of industries. For example in the case of Nippon Steel, if purchase cost of iron and steel stays at high level of April-June, it would result in 450 billion loss unless it can be reflected in pricing.
The second possible risk is negative effect from the fact that demand stimulation measures of each country aimed at driving sales of digital consumer electronics and automobiles is to come to end. For example, in Japan, incentives are given to consumers who purchase green products and services specified by the governments (e.g. automobile, consumer electronics, reforming house) which has been contributing to stimulating consumer spending but this incentive is to end soon.
The third possible risk is negative effect of weak economy of Greece on worldwide economy recovery.
6. What is the requirement for further recovery despite the possible risks?
Further improvement is possible if performance recovery effect is expanded to household and equipment investment sectors. This is because the profit outlook for 2010 is 60% of the peak, which was in 2008, meaning that there are some room for further recovery.
Nikkei, Japanese newspaper specialized in business/economy, reported on May 13, 2010, that financial performance of Japanese listed companies has been continuously recovering in total. This information also went on air in most major TV news on Friday 14. Consolidated profit for fiscal year ending March 2010 was +25% vs. previous year, which was increase in profit after 2 fiscal year, largely attributing to cost reduction. The largest contributors were consumer electronics and automobile, which improved by 3.7 billion yen in total vs. previous year.
Outlook for fiscal year ending March 2011 is of further improvement; +38% for profit vs. fiscal year ending March 2010. This is largely because revenue is expected to increase after 3 fiscal years with demand increase of emerging countries, marking phase change from recovery driven by restructure to recovery driven by demand increase. However, there are risks such as high yen and price increase in resources.
1. How did Nikkei come to the conclusion?
Nikkei collected and analyzed financial data of 767 listed companies (excluding financial and new companies) that had been announced by May 12, covering 50% in number and 80% of profit, of total companies.
2. How much the financial performance of Japanese companies recover?
In total, sales for fiscal year ending March 2010 decreased by 12% vs. previous year but turned to black with drastic cost reduction by each company after the worldwide economy crisis broke out in the autumn of 2008. Quick economy recovery of emerging countries such as China and India also contributed to their financial performance recovery. As a result, profit was better by 13% than estimation as of February 2010, meaning that financial performance of Japanese companies are ongoing with speed above expectation.
Looking by industry, 19 out of 32 recovered. The total amount of profit recovered was 2 trillion yen for consumer electronics and 1.7 trillion yen for automobile. These two industries covered up deterioration of steel, maritime trade and trading companies, and in total recovery of almost 2.4 billion yen. As for some specific companies, refer the table below.
Improvement in Financial Performance of Some Major Companies
(Source: Nikkei, translated by the author)
Company Name / Amount (billion yen)
Hitachi / 353.4
Panasonic / 353.3
Toshiba / 304.2
Toyota / 851.8
Nissan / 380.4
Honda / 174.4
3. What contributed to the recovery?
The biggest contributor was restructuring including fixed and variable cost reduction. Honda reduced sales cost by over 420 billion yen, resulting in double in profit even though the revenue decreased by 14%. A vice president of Honda commented that the biggest reason for revenue recovery is the fact that they made much effort in cost reduction. Cost reduction of Toyota totaled 1 trillion yen (negative effects of the worldwide recalls were within their expectation) and 880 billion yen for Panasonic.
4. What is the outlook for fiscal year ending March 2011?
Sales for fiscal year ending March 2011 is estimated to go back to growth by 7% from the previous year, which is expected to contribute to further profit increase. Also, financial performance recovery is estimated to expand to 25 industries from 19. With recovery in purchase order from Asia, machinery and precision instrument also are estimated to return to black.
5. What are the 3 possible risks?
The first possible risk is high yen. This is a negative factor for export-oriented companies (most Japanese manufacturers are export-oriented); increase in cost of resources leads to cot up in wide a range of industries. For example in the case of Nippon Steel, if purchase cost of iron and steel stays at high level of April-June, it would result in 450 billion loss unless it can be reflected in pricing.
The second possible risk is negative effect from the fact that demand stimulation measures of each country aimed at driving sales of digital consumer electronics and automobiles is to come to end. For example, in Japan, incentives are given to consumers who purchase green products and services specified by the governments (e.g. automobile, consumer electronics, reforming house) which has been contributing to stimulating consumer spending but this incentive is to end soon.
The third possible risk is negative effect of weak economy of Greece on worldwide economy recovery.
6. What is the requirement for further recovery despite the possible risks?
Further improvement is possible if performance recovery effect is expanded to household and equipment investment sectors. This is because the profit outlook for 2010 is 60% of the peak, which was in 2008, meaning that there are some room for further recovery.
2010年5月5日水曜日
Will Children’s Day in Japan be Passed On?
Osaka – Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 5, the last day of Golden Week long holiday, is Children's Day in Japan. The national holiday is an occasion for Japanese families to celebrate the well-being of their children. May 5 was traditionally a festival for boys known as Tango no Sekku. However, this changed in 1948 when it became a day of celebration for all children.
1. What are the traditional customs associated with the day?
1) Flying carp streamers
On this day, families often fly carp streamers outside their homes to represent strength and success, and flying carp streamers are seen in many sight seeing spots. For example, tens of carp streamers are set to fly above/across the river of Oboke-Koboke in Tokushima Prefecture, which is well known for enjoyment of riding a boat down the river.
2) Dolls of famous heroes
Some families also display samurai warrior dolls of famous heroes inside their homes. The dolls symbolize strength.
Originally Japanese dolls were not children's toys to play with. In ancient times, dolls were used as effigies to rid people of misfortune and disease. It was only after the Edo period that they were made for the appreciation of annual events such as Hina Matsuri, the Girls' Festival, explained in the previous article Will Doll’s Festival Celebration Be Passed On?, and Tango No Sekku, the Boys' Festival.
After the Meiji period, dolls made of celluloid and rubber were introduced from Western countries. Barbie dolls became very popular in Japan at the end of the 60's.
Foreigners (non-Japanese people) may consider geisha dolls or those of women in kimonos to be typical Japanese dolls. They are generally quite expensive because each part of the dolls is made by hand and silk is used for their kimonos. Their faces must be painted by master craftsmen.
3) Kabuto hats
Kabuto hats, symbolize strength, similarly to dolls of famous heroes. Kabuto is a kind of helmet put on by samurai warriors. Kabuto hats are made with almost zero cost and with ease using with large paper (sometimes newspapers) by Origami methodology.
4) Bathing with iris leaves in water
Other customs associated with the day include bathing with iris leaves in the water for good health and well-being. Very often, long iris leaves are tied around the heads of boys while bathing. The origin of this custom is not clear. However, the iris leaves is called “Sobu” which is homonym of game/match/competition, and it is possible that this is the origin of the custom.
5) Rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves
The other customs associated with the day is eating rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves called kashiwamochi. This custom is originally eating chimaki, rice cakes without azuki bean inside, wrapped completely in bamboo leaf, similarly in a way samurai warriors used to take their food out. Eating kashiwamochi, which is more popular kind of rice cakes with azuki red bean inside, became the popular custom, replacing eating chimaki.
6) Measuring height
To see how children are growing with well-being, parents used to measure how tall their children are on this day by marking on a pillar inside their house. They could see the growth by comparing with the mark of the previous years. With annual health checkup at school today and there is no need to measure, this custom is no longer popular.
2. How are custom performed today?
It is quite prominent that like other traditional customs, the above customs are actually performed by less family today, which is a pity. For example, the author wanted to take photo of flying carp streamers and post it as well with this blog article because she did see a few around her house until a few years ago but she found none this year. (The photos posted are of free online photos.)
To the author, the customs has more importance and meaning with low birth rate, a serious social issue in Japan. I fact, it was announced May 4 that number of children has been on the decrease 29 consecutive years. It is quite possible that one reason that above customs are performed less today is the fact that there are few households now that have children.
It is under such circumstance that a special documentary TV programme went on the air on May 3, about a well-being of a family with 3 boys and 5 girls living in an island of Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan. Since 1 boy and 1 girl had already left home to go on studying in senior high school and university in mainland, so the programme was mainly about the remaining 6 children. Nevertheless, the message of the programme was quite clear; wishing and encouraging people to raise as many healthy, well-being children as possible.
May 5, the last day of Golden Week long holiday, is Children's Day in Japan. The national holiday is an occasion for Japanese families to celebrate the well-being of their children. May 5 was traditionally a festival for boys known as Tango no Sekku. However, this changed in 1948 when it became a day of celebration for all children.
1. What are the traditional customs associated with the day?
1) Flying carp streamers
On this day, families often fly carp streamers outside their homes to represent strength and success, and flying carp streamers are seen in many sight seeing spots. For example, tens of carp streamers are set to fly above/across the river of Oboke-Koboke in Tokushima Prefecture, which is well known for enjoyment of riding a boat down the river.
2) Dolls of famous heroes
Some families also display samurai warrior dolls of famous heroes inside their homes. The dolls symbolize strength.
Originally Japanese dolls were not children's toys to play with. In ancient times, dolls were used as effigies to rid people of misfortune and disease. It was only after the Edo period that they were made for the appreciation of annual events such as Hina Matsuri, the Girls' Festival, explained in the previous article Will Doll’s Festival Celebration Be Passed On?, and Tango No Sekku, the Boys' Festival.
After the Meiji period, dolls made of celluloid and rubber were introduced from Western countries. Barbie dolls became very popular in Japan at the end of the 60's.
Foreigners (non-Japanese people) may consider geisha dolls or those of women in kimonos to be typical Japanese dolls. They are generally quite expensive because each part of the dolls is made by hand and silk is used for their kimonos. Their faces must be painted by master craftsmen.
3) Kabuto hats
Kabuto hats, symbolize strength, similarly to dolls of famous heroes. Kabuto is a kind of helmet put on by samurai warriors. Kabuto hats are made with almost zero cost and with ease using with large paper (sometimes newspapers) by Origami methodology.
4) Bathing with iris leaves in water
Other customs associated with the day include bathing with iris leaves in the water for good health and well-being. Very often, long iris leaves are tied around the heads of boys while bathing. The origin of this custom is not clear. However, the iris leaves is called “Sobu” which is homonym of game/match/competition, and it is possible that this is the origin of the custom.
5) Rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves
The other customs associated with the day is eating rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves called kashiwamochi. This custom is originally eating chimaki, rice cakes without azuki bean inside, wrapped completely in bamboo leaf, similarly in a way samurai warriors used to take their food out. Eating kashiwamochi, which is more popular kind of rice cakes with azuki red bean inside, became the popular custom, replacing eating chimaki.
6) Measuring height
To see how children are growing with well-being, parents used to measure how tall their children are on this day by marking on a pillar inside their house. They could see the growth by comparing with the mark of the previous years. With annual health checkup at school today and there is no need to measure, this custom is no longer popular.
2. How are custom performed today?
It is quite prominent that like other traditional customs, the above customs are actually performed by less family today, which is a pity. For example, the author wanted to take photo of flying carp streamers and post it as well with this blog article because she did see a few around her house until a few years ago but she found none this year. (The photos posted are of free online photos.)
To the author, the customs has more importance and meaning with low birth rate, a serious social issue in Japan. I fact, it was announced May 4 that number of children has been on the decrease 29 consecutive years. It is quite possible that one reason that above customs are performed less today is the fact that there are few households now that have children.
It is under such circumstance that a special documentary TV programme went on the air on May 3, about a well-being of a family with 3 boys and 5 girls living in an island of Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan. Since 1 boy and 1 girl had already left home to go on studying in senior high school and university in mainland, so the programme was mainly about the remaining 6 children. Nevertheless, the message of the programme was quite clear; wishing and encouraging people to raise as many healthy, well-being children as possible.
2010年4月18日日曜日
How the Recent Weather Instability Affecting Us (Part 2)?
Osaka – Sunday, April 18, 2010
Weather Instability, especially going back to winter, has been reported in all TV channels in many TV programmes this week, with its effect on our life and business. As the succeeding article of How Recent Weather Instability Affecting Us? (Part 1) that focused mainly on negative effects on vegetables and fruits, this article will focus on effects on gasoline stations and tourism. Such effects are likely to give negative effects to Japan’s key issue of aging society and also Japan’s growth strategy pillar of “becoming tourism-oriented country” mentioned in the previous article How Japan's Growth Strategy Should Be?
1. How serious has the recent weather instability been?
In addition to how the weather has been extremely instable, on April 17 which is the last day that was officially announced as “low temperature” days by the Meteorological Agency after 14 years, it snowed even in large cities (not mountains) in eastern Japan including Tokyo and Yokohama, causing delays etc. of public transport. Snow in such cities in this time of the year is extremely rare; first time in 41 years.
Temperature in western Japan recovered today on April 17, and temperature in eastern Japan was forecasted to recover from April 18 as well. However, it is assumed that it continues to snow for a while in mountains and northern Japan where it have been snowing lately.
2. What are the negative effects of the recent weather instability on gasoline stands?
Season going back to winter has directly affecting gasoline price and gasoline stands. This may lead to a social issue in aging society.
1) Instable weather directly affecting gasoline price.
Recent cold weather drastically increased heating oil demand, leading to rise in gasoline price. Gasoline was 108 yen / gallon this time last year but with recent low temperature it is 133 yen / gallon now. It is quite possible that this trend continues for a while.
This is because heating oil is the primary energy for heating in houses in Japan. This is because adoption rate of central heating system is extremely low and heating oil stoves are popular. For this reason, people need to go to gasoline stations and buy heating oils for their stoves to keep them warm.
2) Increase in gasoline price may well accelerate closure of gasoline stands, meaning inconvenience for people especially elders.
In addition to imbalance of heating oil demand and supply this time of the year, which is a big factor of in price increase, there have been other changes in external business environment of gasoline stands, making business owners difficult to continue business successfully, besides the high crude oil price of the recent few years.
As a result, more than 40% of them nationwide are in red and gasoline stands have been continuously closing. Recent increase in gasoline price attributing to weather instability would negatively impact profitability of gasoline stands further and therefore may well accelerate closure of gasoline stands.
This would be a negative factor for Japan, suffering from aging society and taking counter measures to overcome has been vital. Heating issue, together with snow removal issue, are requirements for people to live safely in cold weather. Many gasoline stations being closed lately are in under-populated area where there are many elder residents. Weather instability is a factor that makes these issues more serious.
3. What are the negative effects of the recent weather instability on tourism?
Season going back to winter has directly affecting tourism, when the Japanese government has positioned tourism as one of the growth strategy and is planning to decentralize GW long holiday to activate tourism as mentioned in the previous article Is Decentralized GW Long Holiday Good?
1) Sight seeing spot famous for spring flowers cannot present beauty of nature like previous years.
Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, famous for its impressive special kind of cherry blossom patchwork, has only about 70% in their best due to recent weather instability. The park is of 16,500 square meters, with more than 400,000 cherry blossom flowers, of 9 kinds in many colours such as pink, white and purple. They should be in their best this time of the year with many tourists enjoying the beautiful flower patchwork as in photo. However, with insufficient artistic patchwork and cold weather, it has been attracting extremely few tourists, all in winter jackets.
Some normal cherry blossoms are still available in such places as Nagano, but it has snow on the flowers. Viewing such cherry blossoms outdoor in a winter-like cold weather is not really suitable for “ohanami” mentioned in the previous article What is the Message of Recent Cherry Blossom Phenomenon?
2) Historic sightseeing spots have been attracting few tourists.
Recent weather instability has made few people visit historic sightseeing spots that in theory should not be much affected by temperature and weather. Nikko, famous for Nikko Toshogun (established by Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Shogun of Edo Period), has been attracting only about half the tourists of previous years. According to the reporter of a TV programme, it is probably due to the cold weather; there are cable cars, which is uncomfortable to get on in such a cold weather.
3) Many souvenir shops are forced to close early.
As a result of 1) and 2), businesses of many souvenir shops that rely on tourists visiting such sight seeing spots are hardly hit. With few tourists, souvenirs are forced to or decide to close early because although it means less business opportunity it is no good to keep their shops open under circumstances.
4) Airport observation decks have been quiet.
Observation decks of airports such as Narita International Airport have been extremely quiet because of the cold weather. When a TV programme reporter visited Narita International Airport, there were no one at observation deck, only a few people looking at arrival and departure of airplanes from inside the buildings where they can stay warm.
4. Are there any places that have been attracting people?
Yes, there are a few exceptional places that have been attracting people. A good example is restaurants where they serve Japanese “nabe” dish, Japanese cuisine usually enjoyed in winter that make us warm. People interviewed commented in Japanese, literally “Our purse are cold (little money inside) but at least we would like to get warm physically by enjoying “nabe” dish”, reflecting the recent trend in Japan.
Another example is coat selling floors at retailers, but instead, summer cloth selling floors have not been attracting consumers. So it is a trade-off.
Today on April 18, as forecasted, temperature returned to almost the normal level and spring seem to have come back. The temperature is forecasted to remain this level for a while; however, it does not mean that the negative effects mentioned can be eliminated.
5. What is the thought of the Author?
It seems to the author that recent abnormal climate and instable weather is a sign that earth is not happy with how we, human being have been insufficiently preserving environment until today, although environmental preservation for sustainability of the globe has been an issue for more than 20 years. In fact, the author contributed to making an international conference on this issue of AIESEC (the world's largest youth-run organisation) so many years ago when she was a university student.
Our business and life are based on nature and ecosystems optimally balanced under normal, stable climate and weather. All the effects mentioned are how imbalance of ecosystems of nature negatively affects our human ecosystems, being the negative factors for prosperity. It is quite clear that the message from ecosystems of nature to us is that we need to take measures immediately to minimize ecosystem imbalance for our sustainability.
Weather Instability, especially going back to winter, has been reported in all TV channels in many TV programmes this week, with its effect on our life and business. As the succeeding article of How Recent Weather Instability Affecting Us? (Part 1) that focused mainly on negative effects on vegetables and fruits, this article will focus on effects on gasoline stations and tourism. Such effects are likely to give negative effects to Japan’s key issue of aging society and also Japan’s growth strategy pillar of “becoming tourism-oriented country” mentioned in the previous article How Japan's Growth Strategy Should Be?
1. How serious has the recent weather instability been?
In addition to how the weather has been extremely instable, on April 17 which is the last day that was officially announced as “low temperature” days by the Meteorological Agency after 14 years, it snowed even in large cities (not mountains) in eastern Japan including Tokyo and Yokohama, causing delays etc. of public transport. Snow in such cities in this time of the year is extremely rare; first time in 41 years.
Temperature in western Japan recovered today on April 17, and temperature in eastern Japan was forecasted to recover from April 18 as well. However, it is assumed that it continues to snow for a while in mountains and northern Japan where it have been snowing lately.
2. What are the negative effects of the recent weather instability on gasoline stands?
Season going back to winter has directly affecting gasoline price and gasoline stands. This may lead to a social issue in aging society.
1) Instable weather directly affecting gasoline price.
Recent cold weather drastically increased heating oil demand, leading to rise in gasoline price. Gasoline was 108 yen / gallon this time last year but with recent low temperature it is 133 yen / gallon now. It is quite possible that this trend continues for a while.
This is because heating oil is the primary energy for heating in houses in Japan. This is because adoption rate of central heating system is extremely low and heating oil stoves are popular. For this reason, people need to go to gasoline stations and buy heating oils for their stoves to keep them warm.
2) Increase in gasoline price may well accelerate closure of gasoline stands, meaning inconvenience for people especially elders.
In addition to imbalance of heating oil demand and supply this time of the year, which is a big factor of in price increase, there have been other changes in external business environment of gasoline stands, making business owners difficult to continue business successfully, besides the high crude oil price of the recent few years.
As a result, more than 40% of them nationwide are in red and gasoline stands have been continuously closing. Recent increase in gasoline price attributing to weather instability would negatively impact profitability of gasoline stands further and therefore may well accelerate closure of gasoline stands.
This would be a negative factor for Japan, suffering from aging society and taking counter measures to overcome has been vital. Heating issue, together with snow removal issue, are requirements for people to live safely in cold weather. Many gasoline stations being closed lately are in under-populated area where there are many elder residents. Weather instability is a factor that makes these issues more serious.
3. What are the negative effects of the recent weather instability on tourism?
Season going back to winter has directly affecting tourism, when the Japanese government has positioned tourism as one of the growth strategy and is planning to decentralize GW long holiday to activate tourism as mentioned in the previous article Is Decentralized GW Long Holiday Good?
1) Sight seeing spot famous for spring flowers cannot present beauty of nature like previous years.
Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, famous for its impressive special kind of cherry blossom patchwork, has only about 70% in their best due to recent weather instability. The park is of 16,500 square meters, with more than 400,000 cherry blossom flowers, of 9 kinds in many colours such as pink, white and purple. They should be in their best this time of the year with many tourists enjoying the beautiful flower patchwork as in photo. However, with insufficient artistic patchwork and cold weather, it has been attracting extremely few tourists, all in winter jackets.
Some normal cherry blossoms are still available in such places as Nagano, but it has snow on the flowers. Viewing such cherry blossoms outdoor in a winter-like cold weather is not really suitable for “ohanami” mentioned in the previous article What is the Message of Recent Cherry Blossom Phenomenon?
2) Historic sightseeing spots have been attracting few tourists.
Recent weather instability has made few people visit historic sightseeing spots that in theory should not be much affected by temperature and weather. Nikko, famous for Nikko Toshogun (established by Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Shogun of Edo Period), has been attracting only about half the tourists of previous years. According to the reporter of a TV programme, it is probably due to the cold weather; there are cable cars, which is uncomfortable to get on in such a cold weather.
3) Many souvenir shops are forced to close early.
As a result of 1) and 2), businesses of many souvenir shops that rely on tourists visiting such sight seeing spots are hardly hit. With few tourists, souvenirs are forced to or decide to close early because although it means less business opportunity it is no good to keep their shops open under circumstances.
4) Airport observation decks have been quiet.
Observation decks of airports such as Narita International Airport have been extremely quiet because of the cold weather. When a TV programme reporter visited Narita International Airport, there were no one at observation deck, only a few people looking at arrival and departure of airplanes from inside the buildings where they can stay warm.
4. Are there any places that have been attracting people?
Yes, there are a few exceptional places that have been attracting people. A good example is restaurants where they serve Japanese “nabe” dish, Japanese cuisine usually enjoyed in winter that make us warm. People interviewed commented in Japanese, literally “Our purse are cold (little money inside) but at least we would like to get warm physically by enjoying “nabe” dish”, reflecting the recent trend in Japan.
Another example is coat selling floors at retailers, but instead, summer cloth selling floors have not been attracting consumers. So it is a trade-off.
Today on April 18, as forecasted, temperature returned to almost the normal level and spring seem to have come back. The temperature is forecasted to remain this level for a while; however, it does not mean that the negative effects mentioned can be eliminated.
5. What is the thought of the Author?
It seems to the author that recent abnormal climate and instable weather is a sign that earth is not happy with how we, human being have been insufficiently preserving environment until today, although environmental preservation for sustainability of the globe has been an issue for more than 20 years. In fact, the author contributed to making an international conference on this issue of AIESEC (the world's largest youth-run organisation) so many years ago when she was a university student.
Our business and life are based on nature and ecosystems optimally balanced under normal, stable climate and weather. All the effects mentioned are how imbalance of ecosystems of nature negatively affects our human ecosystems, being the negative factors for prosperity. It is quite clear that the message from ecosystems of nature to us is that we need to take measures immediately to minimize ecosystem imbalance for our sustainability.
2010年4月17日土曜日
How the Recent Weather Instability Affecting Us (Part 1) ?
Osaka – Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Popular Japan TV morning and evening news programmes have been reporting lately on how the recent weather instability weather in Japan has been giving negative effects on businesses (especially vegetable, fruit and flower) and on our health. Negative effects of global abnormal climate and instable weather have been a worldwide issue, and Japan is not an exception.
1. How the weather in Japan has been instable recently?
The weather has been extremely instable, with rapid and drastic temperature and weather change in such a short period that we are experiencing winter and spring or early summer in one or few days, and/or in a week.
For example in Tokyo, the temperature was 22.4℃ on April 11, which dropped by 15.7℃ to 6.7℃ on April 12 but rose by 11.5℃ to 18.2℃ on April 13. In Maehashi, Gunma prefecture, it was as cold as winter on April 12 but became hot on April 13 with temperature rise by 17℃ to the average temperature of end of May. And in Nagano also, it was as cold as winter on April 12 but heated up on April 13 reaching the temperature of 25℃ and children enjoyed playing with water. There have even been some places in which temperature has been extremely instable within a day.
The temperature in these places is expected to drop again April 14 – 17, to the level which is below 5 – 7 ℃ below the average temperature at this time of the year. Therefore, the Meteorological Agency decided to officially announce “low temperature” first time in 14 years.
2. What was the reason for the recent weather instability?
According to Professor Yamagawa of Tokyo University, the recent weather instability attributes to what he calls “mock El Nino”, making cold air coming in, leading to low pressure. With this, cold weather comes from south, where warm weather usually comes from. This resulted in wind as strong as typhoon in northern part of Japan. For example, Sapporo, Hokkaido, was hit with winds of 33kph on April 13, and with the strong wind (plus snow), walls of an apartment broke down, directly hitting a car. Thus such weather in northern Japan is named “spring storm”.
3. What are the negative effects of the recent weather instability?
Vegetables and fruits have been negatively affective by the recent weather instability as below.
1) Vegetables and fruits
(1) Cabbage
Unstable weather led to insufficient sunshine (only 70% of previous years in Kanto area for example), meaning lean harvesting, and short of supply. This apparently results in increase in price, but some retailers have prices at 298 yen instead of 398 yen which they really want to price or 313 yen which the cost because they fully are aware that consumers would not pay more than 300 yen for a cabbage. Some retailers are tackling this problem by selling cabbages in halves and quarters and making sure to sell out but they have not been as successful as they had hoped.
According to a few consumers interviewed, they cannot afford to pay more than 300 yen for a cabbage, and now they make the most of what they purchase by using outer hard leaves and centre core as well when they would have not done if the price had not gone up as now.
(2) “New” cabbage
For the reason same as the cabbage explained above, the harvesting has reached only 50% of previous years, when this kind of “new” cabbage are harvested only in March and April (hence the name “new” cabbage) meaning it should have reached around 70% by now by simple calculation. This has directly been reflected in up pricing.
(3) Other “spring” vegetables
Other vegetables usually brought to cultivation and harvested in spring if green house is not used (we call them “spring vegetables” in Japan) such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and green peppers have not been growing well for the same reason as cabbages. As a result, only 70% - 80% of the previous year level has been harvested. As for green peppers, it is below 70%.
Some cucumber growers have been handling this by combination of green house use and heating. They have been achieving their yield quantity target but not in their cost due to high heating cost, thus their business has not been as successful as they expected.
(4) Strawberries
Cultivation and business of strawberries, symbol of “spring fruits” (fruits harvested in spring), also have been negatively affected by the recent instable weather. Growth of strawberries is extremely bad for the same reason as vegetables, and growers are suffering from high heating cost.
(5) Japanese plums
Japanese plums are also a symbol of “spring” in Japan and its cultivation and business have also been negatively effected by the recent instable weather, similarly to other vegetables and fruits. It is expected to result in 1.8 billion yen loss for Japanese plum business in Wakayama Prefecture, whose market share is the highest.
2) Other plants and animals
Other plants and animals have also been negatively affected by the recent weather instability.
(1) Carnations
Carnation, a spring flower, has not been growing well, and growers are extremely worried that they will make little business from carnation unlike previous years. Carnation is the most common gift given on Mother’s Day, which is the second Sunday in May, so carnation growers cultivate, harvest and ship to meet such market demand and needs every year. However, with the recent instable weather, carnations have not been growing well and growers are worried that they would not be able to ship their products in time for Mother’s Day and their profit would decrease by 70% from previous years.
(2) Honey bees
Breeding and growing of honey bees have been affected by the recent instable weather as well. When it becomes warm in spring, honey bees produce eggs, which incubate and finally become adult honey bees. However, recent instable weather including winter-like days resulted in insufficient incubation and/or child neglect by adult honey bees. Consequently, only about 70% of eggs have been successfully becoming adult bees.
3) Our health
Recent weather instability has negatively affecting our health, resulting in the patients suffering from cold, asthma and other cardiovascular diseases (e.g. cardiac infarction and angina pectoris) attributing to changeable weather. In fact, such patients are double the previous years. Doctors call such diseases “meteorotropic disease”.
4. Are there any positive effects of the recent instable weather? If yes, how are they compared to negative effects?
Yes, there are a few positive effects of the recent instable weather. Such includes the fact that cherry blossoms can be enjoyed for longer time compared to previous years because of some days of low temperature, and strong sales of spring and rain coats in retailers. However, negative effects and losses are greater.
After all, our business and life are based on nature and ecosystems optimally balanced under normal, stable climate and weather. The above can be said as how imbalance of ecosystems of nature negatively affects our human ecosystems.
Popular Japan TV morning and evening news programmes have been reporting lately on how the recent weather instability weather in Japan has been giving negative effects on businesses (especially vegetable, fruit and flower) and on our health. Negative effects of global abnormal climate and instable weather have been a worldwide issue, and Japan is not an exception.
1. How the weather in Japan has been instable recently?
The weather has been extremely instable, with rapid and drastic temperature and weather change in such a short period that we are experiencing winter and spring or early summer in one or few days, and/or in a week.
For example in Tokyo, the temperature was 22.4℃ on April 11, which dropped by 15.7℃ to 6.7℃ on April 12 but rose by 11.5℃ to 18.2℃ on April 13. In Maehashi, Gunma prefecture, it was as cold as winter on April 12 but became hot on April 13 with temperature rise by 17℃ to the average temperature of end of May. And in Nagano also, it was as cold as winter on April 12 but heated up on April 13 reaching the temperature of 25℃ and children enjoyed playing with water. There have even been some places in which temperature has been extremely instable within a day.
The temperature in these places is expected to drop again April 14 – 17, to the level which is below 5 – 7 ℃ below the average temperature at this time of the year. Therefore, the Meteorological Agency decided to officially announce “low temperature” first time in 14 years.
2. What was the reason for the recent weather instability?
According to Professor Yamagawa of Tokyo University, the recent weather instability attributes to what he calls “mock El Nino”, making cold air coming in, leading to low pressure. With this, cold weather comes from south, where warm weather usually comes from. This resulted in wind as strong as typhoon in northern part of Japan. For example, Sapporo, Hokkaido, was hit with winds of 33kph on April 13, and with the strong wind (plus snow), walls of an apartment broke down, directly hitting a car. Thus such weather in northern Japan is named “spring storm”.
3. What are the negative effects of the recent weather instability?
Vegetables and fruits have been negatively affective by the recent weather instability as below.
1) Vegetables and fruits
(1) Cabbage
Unstable weather led to insufficient sunshine (only 70% of previous years in Kanto area for example), meaning lean harvesting, and short of supply. This apparently results in increase in price, but some retailers have prices at 298 yen instead of 398 yen which they really want to price or 313 yen which the cost because they fully are aware that consumers would not pay more than 300 yen for a cabbage. Some retailers are tackling this problem by selling cabbages in halves and quarters and making sure to sell out but they have not been as successful as they had hoped.
According to a few consumers interviewed, they cannot afford to pay more than 300 yen for a cabbage, and now they make the most of what they purchase by using outer hard leaves and centre core as well when they would have not done if the price had not gone up as now.
(2) “New” cabbage
For the reason same as the cabbage explained above, the harvesting has reached only 50% of previous years, when this kind of “new” cabbage are harvested only in March and April (hence the name “new” cabbage) meaning it should have reached around 70% by now by simple calculation. This has directly been reflected in up pricing.
(3) Other “spring” vegetables
Other vegetables usually brought to cultivation and harvested in spring if green house is not used (we call them “spring vegetables” in Japan) such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and green peppers have not been growing well for the same reason as cabbages. As a result, only 70% - 80% of the previous year level has been harvested. As for green peppers, it is below 70%.
Some cucumber growers have been handling this by combination of green house use and heating. They have been achieving their yield quantity target but not in their cost due to high heating cost, thus their business has not been as successful as they expected.
(4) Strawberries
Cultivation and business of strawberries, symbol of “spring fruits” (fruits harvested in spring), also have been negatively affected by the recent instable weather. Growth of strawberries is extremely bad for the same reason as vegetables, and growers are suffering from high heating cost.
(5) Japanese plums
Japanese plums are also a symbol of “spring” in Japan and its cultivation and business have also been negatively effected by the recent instable weather, similarly to other vegetables and fruits. It is expected to result in 1.8 billion yen loss for Japanese plum business in Wakayama Prefecture, whose market share is the highest.
2) Other plants and animals
Other plants and animals have also been negatively affected by the recent weather instability.
(1) Carnations
Carnation, a spring flower, has not been growing well, and growers are extremely worried that they will make little business from carnation unlike previous years. Carnation is the most common gift given on Mother’s Day, which is the second Sunday in May, so carnation growers cultivate, harvest and ship to meet such market demand and needs every year. However, with the recent instable weather, carnations have not been growing well and growers are worried that they would not be able to ship their products in time for Mother’s Day and their profit would decrease by 70% from previous years.
(2) Honey bees
Breeding and growing of honey bees have been affected by the recent instable weather as well. When it becomes warm in spring, honey bees produce eggs, which incubate and finally become adult honey bees. However, recent instable weather including winter-like days resulted in insufficient incubation and/or child neglect by adult honey bees. Consequently, only about 70% of eggs have been successfully becoming adult bees.
3) Our health
Recent weather instability has negatively affecting our health, resulting in the patients suffering from cold, asthma and other cardiovascular diseases (e.g. cardiac infarction and angina pectoris) attributing to changeable weather. In fact, such patients are double the previous years. Doctors call such diseases “meteorotropic disease”.
4. Are there any positive effects of the recent instable weather? If yes, how are they compared to negative effects?
Yes, there are a few positive effects of the recent instable weather. Such includes the fact that cherry blossoms can be enjoyed for longer time compared to previous years because of some days of low temperature, and strong sales of spring and rain coats in retailers. However, negative effects and losses are greater.
After all, our business and life are based on nature and ecosystems optimally balanced under normal, stable climate and weather. The above can be said as how imbalance of ecosystems of nature negatively affects our human ecosystems.
2010年4月10日土曜日
What is the Message of Recent Cherry Blossom Phenomenon?
Osaka – Saturday, April 10, 2010
Cherry blossoms, beauties of natures at this time of the year symbolizing spring, have been in their best in most parts of Japan last weekend and this weekend, and with nice weather at weekends people have been enjoying them. Cherry blossom enjoyment is a topic in TV news and in daily conversation at this time of the year. From such recent information, there have been signs that global warming is changing the ecosystem of cherry blossoms and it may well change how we can enjoy them in the future.
1. What is the custom of enjoying cherry blossoms in Japan?
It is a custom to enjoy cherry blossoms called “ohanami”, literally “watch and enjoy flowers (cherry blossoms)” in Japan at this time of the year. People would go out to see them, very often with lunch and drink, just like a picnic, in families and group of friends. In some cases, group of adults would take alcohols as well and it is indeed an outdoor banquet with cherry blossom show. Even at weekdays, it is quite common for business people to enjoy “ohanami” after work with food and drink. With so many people going out for “ohanami”, reserving excellent places is an issue and it is not unusual that people compete for reserving best places in famous “ohanami” places such as Maruyama Park in Kyoto from early morning.
2. What is the effect of the custom of “ohanami”?
1) Tourism
The popularity of the custom is a big business for tourism, thus tourist companies have developed varieties of their products i.e. group tours of “ohanami” at famous places and some minor places, to keep them busy and making business this time of the year. Some of the famous sightseeing places in western part of Japan include Takato in Nagano, Yoshino Mountain in Nara, and many famous sight seeing spots of Kyoto such as Maruyama Koen (Park); Kiyomizu Temple, Tetsugaku-no-michi “(literally “philosophy road” in which people waked to think philosophy) and Nijo Castle to name just a few.
Takato is often said as “tenka-daiichi”, literally “the best in the world” because the total territory of the castle, which is a hill” is all covered with cherry blossom trees and its view is magnificent. Yoshino Mountain in Nara is also extremely famous, known as “Yoshino Sembon Zakura”, literally “thousands of cherry blossom trees of Yoshino Mountain”, because mountains are planted with so many thousands of cherry blossom trees covering all Yoshino Mountain. People can enjoy cherry blossoms at Hoshino Mountain for long period because they bloom and become in their best in different timing attributing to difference in how much they are above sea level. Places such as Tetsugakuno-Michi, Maruyama Koen (Park); Kiyomizu Temple and Nijo Castle to name a few in Kyoto are all famous sight seeing spots throughout the year, visited by tourists from all over the world as well as from every parts of Japan, especially in spring, attracting so many people to enjoy beauties of nature of cherry blossoms.
Many of such cherry blossoms are enjoyed night time as well as daytime. They are illuminated at night for people to enjoyed longer hours in a day, and enjoy the beauty quite different from that of daytime.
2) TV news
At this time of the year, “ohanami” and status of cherry blossoms are hot topic. In the TV news status of cherry blossoms from major places, sometimes live, are reported. And in the following part which is weather forecast session, cherry blossom information is focused, such as when the cherry blossoms start to bloom in each parts of Japan, where is the cherry blossom front so that people would know in which part of Japan they can enjoy “ohanami”, and for how long they can enjoy “ohanami”.
With custom of “ohanami” and with such reports and weather forecast on TV, it is more than natural that cherry blossom and “ohanami” is centre of conversation at work, at home and among friends during this time of the year.
3. How movement of cherry blossom front and how cherry blossoms coming to bloom have been different this year compared to previous years?
There has been many unusual phenomenon regarding cherry blossom front and how cherry blossoms have come to bloom this year. After hibernation in winter, cherry blossoms come to bloom when the temperature reaches to a certain point for more than a certain number of days. Therefore, cherry blossoms in warm places i.e. southern part of Japan come to bloom first and those in northern part of Japan and/or in higher up in mountains later. This is why cherry blossom front moves usually upward, from south to north.
However, that was not the case this year. There was no clear cherry blossom front. Tokyo was the first place to come to bloom, before Kyushu, southern part of Japan, when Kyushu should be the first place to come to bloom. Also, some cherry blossom trees in Kyushu did not bloom at all.
4. What is the reason for unusual phenomenon of cherry blossom front and of how cherry blossoms came to bloom this year?
The reason of unusual phenomenon of cherry blossom front and of how cherry blossoms came to bloom this year is global warming. The logic is basically the same as the recent unusual phenomenon of how maple leaves going red, which attributes to change (rise) in average temperature.
With global warming, the average temperature in some parts of Kyushu did not drop to the level for cherry blossom trees to “hibernate” in winter. Therefore, when temperature rose to a certain level in March, the level which usually cherry blossoms awake from hibernation and come to bloom, they could not awake simply because they did not hibernate in the first place. This is why some cherry blossom trees in Kyushu did not come to bloom.
Global warming is also the reason that Tokyo was the first place for cherry blossoms to come bloom; the temperature level in the winter and spring was optimum in Tokyo for cherry blossom trees to hibernate and awake in the earliest timing. Cherry blossoms in other parts of Japan between Kyushu and Tokyo did bloom but the temperature in winter in such places was above the optimum for cherry blossom hibernation so it took time for them to wake up from hibernation and come to bloom. This implies that with further global warming it is quite possible that some cherry blossoms in such places will not come to bloom similarly to Kyushu.
5. What does the cherry blossom phenomenon imply?
To the author, the cherry blossom phenomenon is not simply the fact that we may not be able to enjoy the beauties of nature of spring in the near future if global warming should continue, but is a strong message that we should take seriously about necessity of environmental preservation for sustainability.
The message is quite clear, and is the same message from many other phenomena of how other ecosystems of land and sea have been changing, giving negative effects on our food supply and lives. Measures such as GHG emission have already been discussed and initiated as mentioned in the previous article Japan Takes Lead in GHG Emission Reduction in the US's Climate Change Summit, and this is urgent; we need to take actions immediately on the global level.
Cherry blossoms, beauties of natures at this time of the year symbolizing spring, have been in their best in most parts of Japan last weekend and this weekend, and with nice weather at weekends people have been enjoying them. Cherry blossom enjoyment is a topic in TV news and in daily conversation at this time of the year. From such recent information, there have been signs that global warming is changing the ecosystem of cherry blossoms and it may well change how we can enjoy them in the future.
1. What is the custom of enjoying cherry blossoms in Japan?
It is a custom to enjoy cherry blossoms called “ohanami”, literally “watch and enjoy flowers (cherry blossoms)” in Japan at this time of the year. People would go out to see them, very often with lunch and drink, just like a picnic, in families and group of friends. In some cases, group of adults would take alcohols as well and it is indeed an outdoor banquet with cherry blossom show. Even at weekdays, it is quite common for business people to enjoy “ohanami” after work with food and drink. With so many people going out for “ohanami”, reserving excellent places is an issue and it is not unusual that people compete for reserving best places in famous “ohanami” places such as Maruyama Park in Kyoto from early morning.
2. What is the effect of the custom of “ohanami”?
1) Tourism
The popularity of the custom is a big business for tourism, thus tourist companies have developed varieties of their products i.e. group tours of “ohanami” at famous places and some minor places, to keep them busy and making business this time of the year. Some of the famous sightseeing places in western part of Japan include Takato in Nagano, Yoshino Mountain in Nara, and many famous sight seeing spots of Kyoto such as Maruyama Koen (Park); Kiyomizu Temple, Tetsugaku-no-michi “(literally “philosophy road” in which people waked to think philosophy) and Nijo Castle to name just a few.
Takato is often said as “tenka-daiichi”, literally “the best in the world” because the total territory of the castle, which is a hill” is all covered with cherry blossom trees and its view is magnificent. Yoshino Mountain in Nara is also extremely famous, known as “Yoshino Sembon Zakura”, literally “thousands of cherry blossom trees of Yoshino Mountain”, because mountains are planted with so many thousands of cherry blossom trees covering all Yoshino Mountain. People can enjoy cherry blossoms at Hoshino Mountain for long period because they bloom and become in their best in different timing attributing to difference in how much they are above sea level. Places such as Tetsugakuno-Michi, Maruyama Koen (Park); Kiyomizu Temple and Nijo Castle to name a few in Kyoto are all famous sight seeing spots throughout the year, visited by tourists from all over the world as well as from every parts of Japan, especially in spring, attracting so many people to enjoy beauties of nature of cherry blossoms.
Many of such cherry blossoms are enjoyed night time as well as daytime. They are illuminated at night for people to enjoyed longer hours in a day, and enjoy the beauty quite different from that of daytime.
2) TV news
At this time of the year, “ohanami” and status of cherry blossoms are hot topic. In the TV news status of cherry blossoms from major places, sometimes live, are reported. And in the following part which is weather forecast session, cherry blossom information is focused, such as when the cherry blossoms start to bloom in each parts of Japan, where is the cherry blossom front so that people would know in which part of Japan they can enjoy “ohanami”, and for how long they can enjoy “ohanami”.
With custom of “ohanami” and with such reports and weather forecast on TV, it is more than natural that cherry blossom and “ohanami” is centre of conversation at work, at home and among friends during this time of the year.
3. How movement of cherry blossom front and how cherry blossoms coming to bloom have been different this year compared to previous years?
There has been many unusual phenomenon regarding cherry blossom front and how cherry blossoms have come to bloom this year. After hibernation in winter, cherry blossoms come to bloom when the temperature reaches to a certain point for more than a certain number of days. Therefore, cherry blossoms in warm places i.e. southern part of Japan come to bloom first and those in northern part of Japan and/or in higher up in mountains later. This is why cherry blossom front moves usually upward, from south to north.
However, that was not the case this year. There was no clear cherry blossom front. Tokyo was the first place to come to bloom, before Kyushu, southern part of Japan, when Kyushu should be the first place to come to bloom. Also, some cherry blossom trees in Kyushu did not bloom at all.
4. What is the reason for unusual phenomenon of cherry blossom front and of how cherry blossoms came to bloom this year?
The reason of unusual phenomenon of cherry blossom front and of how cherry blossoms came to bloom this year is global warming. The logic is basically the same as the recent unusual phenomenon of how maple leaves going red, which attributes to change (rise) in average temperature.
With global warming, the average temperature in some parts of Kyushu did not drop to the level for cherry blossom trees to “hibernate” in winter. Therefore, when temperature rose to a certain level in March, the level which usually cherry blossoms awake from hibernation and come to bloom, they could not awake simply because they did not hibernate in the first place. This is why some cherry blossom trees in Kyushu did not come to bloom.
Global warming is also the reason that Tokyo was the first place for cherry blossoms to come bloom; the temperature level in the winter and spring was optimum in Tokyo for cherry blossom trees to hibernate and awake in the earliest timing. Cherry blossoms in other parts of Japan between Kyushu and Tokyo did bloom but the temperature in winter in such places was above the optimum for cherry blossom hibernation so it took time for them to wake up from hibernation and come to bloom. This implies that with further global warming it is quite possible that some cherry blossoms in such places will not come to bloom similarly to Kyushu.
5. What does the cherry blossom phenomenon imply?
To the author, the cherry blossom phenomenon is not simply the fact that we may not be able to enjoy the beauties of nature of spring in the near future if global warming should continue, but is a strong message that we should take seriously about necessity of environmental preservation for sustainability.
The message is quite clear, and is the same message from many other phenomena of how other ecosystems of land and sea have been changing, giving negative effects on our food supply and lives. Measures such as GHG emission have already been discussed and initiated as mentioned in the previous article Japan Takes Lead in GHG Emission Reduction in the US's Climate Change Summit, and this is urgent; we need to take actions immediately on the global level.
2010年4月4日日曜日
What Does Recent Japanese Career Starters Indicate?
Osaka – Sunday, April 4, 2010
Companies/organizations and schools started a new year in Japan from April 1. On this day, new graduates start their career by attending the ceremony, which is often broadcasted on TV news and reported in newspapers. Such news and reports are “mirror” of current Japanese society and business environment.
1. What is the typical company orientation ceremony that the new graduates attend on the first day?
All companies and organization hold company orientation ceremony to welcome freshman (new graduates). This is held on April 1 excluding a few exceptional companies that hold late March. This is usually a full-day formal ceremony with speeches from the top management (CEO/President etc.) and other executives, address by a representative of the freshmen in reply at the ceremony, and official notice that the freshmen have now joined the company. Some companies also have other sessions such as short education and deployment on this day, although many companies do such things later.
Unlike other years, only 75% of students who graduated in March were successful in job hunting and could attend the ceremony on April 1, with recent job market. The remaining 25% either went to job assistance centre instead, or go to university because they had intentionally failed to earn necessary credits to avoid graduation.
2. What was the trend of the ceremony this year? What was the core message from the top management to their freshmen?
Core message from the top executives delivered at the ceremony was mostly “you are to proactively take part in the company turnaround”.
Companies often reported of their ceremony in many media were Toyota, JAL and JR, all of which are going through turnaround and/or recovery of their reputation.
1) Toyota
Toyota is now making upmost efforts in order to recover its reputation and brand by reviewing and re-establishing quality management, after the worldwide recalls that started in February this year, mentioned in the previous article Toyota's Additional Recall of Prius. Message from President Akio Toyoda of Toyota to his freshmen was “quality is our first priority and you will join us to recover our global reputation and brand by Quality Culture”.
2) JAL (Japan Air Lines)
JAL has just started its turnaround under the Japanese government as mentioned in the previous article Can JAL Succeed In Turnaround? Message from CEO Mr. Kazuo Inamori to his freshmen was “it is your generation that is to be the key players of the turnaround”.
3) JR-West (West Japan Railway Company)
JR, that was privatized more than 25 years ago, has been improving their reputation after the derailment accident in Osaka 5 years ago in which 106 people died and more than 500 people injured. The train could not make a sufficient curve because the driver did not speed down sufficiently in order to be punctual to the time schedule. Many views from experts on root cause of the accident (background, personnel systems, company culture etc.) were exchanged proactively at that time and the company had been advocating how they have reviewed risk management and now prioritizing safety. Message of President Mr. Takayuki Sasaki to his freshmen was “Let’s continue improving the reputation together”.
4) Others (e.g. Panasonic, McDonald)
Ceremony of Panasonic used to be often introduced by media but this year only in a newspaper. Panasonic is one of a typical Japanese company that had negative impact of the worldwide economy crisis but the is recovering its financial performance as mentioned in the previous article Financial Improvement in Japanese Listed Companies, CEO/President Mr. Ohtsubo’s message to his freshmen was “become a professional person who is competitive in the global business environment”.
McDonald has been enjoying high performance, being one of the few “winners” with Fast Retailing (famous for UniQlo brand). Their ceremony was unique. It was extravagant, party style held in a hotel with luxurious lunch. Another example of a unique ceremony was also of entertainment, in which freshmen did their own performance.
3. What comes ahead of the freshmen after the ceremony?
Usually education and training awaits the freshmen. Although mid and small companies might have little education hosted by their HQ, many typical Japanese companies has one or two education hosted by their HQ, consisting of lectures and workshops. Then freshmen are usually deployed and either start working and educated OJT or has further training.
1) Typical training of Japanese manufacturers
Probably the typical Japanese style training is of manufacturing companies of electronics and automobiles. After education hosted by HQ, freshmen will have training at manufacturing and sales shop floor for months. The objective is to learn the basics and meaning of manufacturers (production and sales) from live experience. For most freshmen who have degrees or masters in sciences or arts, this is the only time in their career to have such an experience.
2) In the case of the author
In the case of the author, who started her career at Panasonic, she had two weeks education hosted by HQ in a class of 34 members, consisted of lectures and workshops to learn company overview and culture, and basics of working as a member of a company/organization. At the end of the two weeks education, she was told which affiliate/division she will start her career in and be educated and trained for it, which was AV Division (which happened to be AV Division later headed by Mr. Ohtsubo, the current CEO/President).
She then had education and training for another two weeks hosted by HR of the Division, which was a kind of intern at Overseas Business Department of AV Division (which happened to be her second workplace). She then had six weeks training at a manufacturing shop floor (inspection and shipping tasks) of video systems making video equipments used for professionals at broadcasting workplace. Then she worked as an intern at a “National Shop” near her house, a retailer under Panasonic’s umbrella, for another six weeks, before she started working as a marketer for Japan domestic market in August after the summer holiday.
3) Same concept applied to companies of other industries
Although the duration of each education and training depends on the company, the objective and overall process of education and training process are the same for most Japanese manufacturing companies, at least for electronics and automobiles, according to information sharing with her friends from university.
Concept of training of shop floor experience is applied to companies of other industries as well. For example, in the case of NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), a leading and public TV broadcasting company, freshmen including the author’s friend from university who started her career as a bilingual reporter and changed her career as an announcer, accompanied salesmen to collect viewing fees from the public, visiting one house at the time. In the case of NTT (Nippon Telephone and Telegraph), a telecommunication giant that was privatized about 15 years ago, freshmen including the author’s brother, who always been working in HQ such as international law, BPA (Business Planning and Analysis) and business development, visited users of telecommunication including household industry factories.
4. What is required to be considered in educating and developing freshmen who joined the company on April 1, 2010?
The companies need to plan and implement mid/long term education and development meeting needs and uniqueness of each individual. This is a universal issue but is especially an important point to be considered for fresh starters for this year. This is because according to an expert, this year’s freshmen can be described as “order-made” (experts always are asked to describe freshmen of that particular year, which is introduced by media).
The background of this seems to attribute to the fact that they are brought up by “yutori-kyouiku”, literally “education without cramming”, that have encouraged them to think and act differently from others. For this reason, it is unlikely that one-fits-for-all education and training will not work for this year’s freshmen and HR managers are required to tailor education and training to meet needs and uniqueness of each individual, which is a challenge but necessary to retain talents and unleash their potential, which are vital for competitiveness and sustainability of the company.
Companies/organizations and schools started a new year in Japan from April 1. On this day, new graduates start their career by attending the ceremony, which is often broadcasted on TV news and reported in newspapers. Such news and reports are “mirror” of current Japanese society and business environment.
1. What is the typical company orientation ceremony that the new graduates attend on the first day?
All companies and organization hold company orientation ceremony to welcome freshman (new graduates). This is held on April 1 excluding a few exceptional companies that hold late March. This is usually a full-day formal ceremony with speeches from the top management (CEO/President etc.) and other executives, address by a representative of the freshmen in reply at the ceremony, and official notice that the freshmen have now joined the company. Some companies also have other sessions such as short education and deployment on this day, although many companies do such things later.
Unlike other years, only 75% of students who graduated in March were successful in job hunting and could attend the ceremony on April 1, with recent job market. The remaining 25% either went to job assistance centre instead, or go to university because they had intentionally failed to earn necessary credits to avoid graduation.
2. What was the trend of the ceremony this year? What was the core message from the top management to their freshmen?
Core message from the top executives delivered at the ceremony was mostly “you are to proactively take part in the company turnaround”.
Companies often reported of their ceremony in many media were Toyota, JAL and JR, all of which are going through turnaround and/or recovery of their reputation.
1) Toyota
Toyota is now making upmost efforts in order to recover its reputation and brand by reviewing and re-establishing quality management, after the worldwide recalls that started in February this year, mentioned in the previous article Toyota's Additional Recall of Prius. Message from President Akio Toyoda of Toyota to his freshmen was “quality is our first priority and you will join us to recover our global reputation and brand by Quality Culture”.
2) JAL (Japan Air Lines)
JAL has just started its turnaround under the Japanese government as mentioned in the previous article Can JAL Succeed In Turnaround? Message from CEO Mr. Kazuo Inamori to his freshmen was “it is your generation that is to be the key players of the turnaround”.
3) JR-West (West Japan Railway Company)
JR, that was privatized more than 25 years ago, has been improving their reputation after the derailment accident in Osaka 5 years ago in which 106 people died and more than 500 people injured. The train could not make a sufficient curve because the driver did not speed down sufficiently in order to be punctual to the time schedule. Many views from experts on root cause of the accident (background, personnel systems, company culture etc.) were exchanged proactively at that time and the company had been advocating how they have reviewed risk management and now prioritizing safety. Message of President Mr. Takayuki Sasaki to his freshmen was “Let’s continue improving the reputation together”.
4) Others (e.g. Panasonic, McDonald)
Ceremony of Panasonic used to be often introduced by media but this year only in a newspaper. Panasonic is one of a typical Japanese company that had negative impact of the worldwide economy crisis but the is recovering its financial performance as mentioned in the previous article Financial Improvement in Japanese Listed Companies, CEO/President Mr. Ohtsubo’s message to his freshmen was “become a professional person who is competitive in the global business environment”.
McDonald has been enjoying high performance, being one of the few “winners” with Fast Retailing (famous for UniQlo brand). Their ceremony was unique. It was extravagant, party style held in a hotel with luxurious lunch. Another example of a unique ceremony was also of entertainment, in which freshmen did their own performance.
3. What comes ahead of the freshmen after the ceremony?
Usually education and training awaits the freshmen. Although mid and small companies might have little education hosted by their HQ, many typical Japanese companies has one or two education hosted by their HQ, consisting of lectures and workshops. Then freshmen are usually deployed and either start working and educated OJT or has further training.
1) Typical training of Japanese manufacturers
Probably the typical Japanese style training is of manufacturing companies of electronics and automobiles. After education hosted by HQ, freshmen will have training at manufacturing and sales shop floor for months. The objective is to learn the basics and meaning of manufacturers (production and sales) from live experience. For most freshmen who have degrees or masters in sciences or arts, this is the only time in their career to have such an experience.
2) In the case of the author
In the case of the author, who started her career at Panasonic, she had two weeks education hosted by HQ in a class of 34 members, consisted of lectures and workshops to learn company overview and culture, and basics of working as a member of a company/organization. At the end of the two weeks education, she was told which affiliate/division she will start her career in and be educated and trained for it, which was AV Division (which happened to be AV Division later headed by Mr. Ohtsubo, the current CEO/President).
She then had education and training for another two weeks hosted by HR of the Division, which was a kind of intern at Overseas Business Department of AV Division (which happened to be her second workplace). She then had six weeks training at a manufacturing shop floor (inspection and shipping tasks) of video systems making video equipments used for professionals at broadcasting workplace. Then she worked as an intern at a “National Shop” near her house, a retailer under Panasonic’s umbrella, for another six weeks, before she started working as a marketer for Japan domestic market in August after the summer holiday.
3) Same concept applied to companies of other industries
Although the duration of each education and training depends on the company, the objective and overall process of education and training process are the same for most Japanese manufacturing companies, at least for electronics and automobiles, according to information sharing with her friends from university.
Concept of training of shop floor experience is applied to companies of other industries as well. For example, in the case of NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), a leading and public TV broadcasting company, freshmen including the author’s friend from university who started her career as a bilingual reporter and changed her career as an announcer, accompanied salesmen to collect viewing fees from the public, visiting one house at the time. In the case of NTT (Nippon Telephone and Telegraph), a telecommunication giant that was privatized about 15 years ago, freshmen including the author’s brother, who always been working in HQ such as international law, BPA (Business Planning and Analysis) and business development, visited users of telecommunication including household industry factories.
4. What is required to be considered in educating and developing freshmen who joined the company on April 1, 2010?
The companies need to plan and implement mid/long term education and development meeting needs and uniqueness of each individual. This is a universal issue but is especially an important point to be considered for fresh starters for this year. This is because according to an expert, this year’s freshmen can be described as “order-made” (experts always are asked to describe freshmen of that particular year, which is introduced by media).
The background of this seems to attribute to the fact that they are brought up by “yutori-kyouiku”, literally “education without cramming”, that have encouraged them to think and act differently from others. For this reason, it is unlikely that one-fits-for-all education and training will not work for this year’s freshmen and HR managers are required to tailor education and training to meet needs and uniqueness of each individual, which is a challenge but necessary to retain talents and unleash their potential, which are vital for competitiveness and sustainability of the company.
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