AAAAA Group: November 2013

Thursday 28 November 2013

Japan's Akihito, the divine emperor

Shares of DIC India are locked at 20 percent upper circuit on Monday after the parent company DIC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd decided to delist its Indian subsidiary. "The board of directors of the company received a letter from DIC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, proposing to make a voluntary delisting offer," the company said in its filing to the BSE. DIC Corporation of Japan, world's largest manufacturer of printing Inks and allied material, holds 71.5 percent stake in DIC India through DIC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Signapore. According to a release, DIC Asia is willing to accept the equity shares of the company tendered in the delisting offer at a price of Rs 260 per share (indicative offer price). However, "this indicative offer price should in no way be construed as a ceiling or maximum price for the purposes of the reverse book building process and the public shareholders are free to tender their equity shares at any price higher than the indicative offer price in accordance with the delisting regulations," DIC said. DIC Asia, on November 23, fixed a floor price at Rs 174 a share for its delisting proposal. At 13:43 hours IST, the stock was trading at Rs 282.80 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. There were pending buy orders of 399,550 shares, with no sellers available.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/buzzing-stocks/dic-india-locked-at-20-upper-circuitdelisting-buzz_996408.html?utm_source=ref_article

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are beginning their six-day India visit from November 30. There are many protocols attached to the emperor who is considered divine by many conservatives in the country.
After Japan's defeat in the second World War, Akihito's father, Emperor Hirohito had renounced his divinity. But the belief is still alive among many conservatives in Japan. In reverence to the emperor, people don't talk to him directly or touch him. The emperor does not have a political life. He is just a figurehead.
Photo: IE

But recently, there was much hue and cry in Japan when a lawmaker approached the emperor during a ceremony and handed him over a letter highlighting the impact of Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Photo: IE

The Japanese media showed the picture of the incident with many calling it inappropriate and impolite. Even after 70 years of the renunciation, the role of Japan's emperor remains a sensitive issue.
So, when the emperor visits India, will he be accorded the same protocol?

Japan’s royal couple to re-live their India dream

The Japanese Emperor and Empress will re-live their Indian experience 53 years after they first came to the country as a young couple on their honeymoon. To make this experience as memorable as the first, they will be welcomed by a select gathering — as they had been in 1960 when Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko had visited India as the then Crown Prince and Princess.

Among the Emperor and Empress’s stops in Delhi will be a meeting at the India International Centre (IIC) and also looking at the progress made by the sapling that they had planted in the Embassy’s premises on their last visit.

Giving details of the royal couple’s first official visit to South Asia beginning this Sunday, Japanese Embassy officials said on Wednesday, “The list of invitees at IIC includes those who were present in 1960 and some of their descendants.” Embassy officials, however, declined to reveal the names of those invited for the event. The royal couple will also visit Chennai during their six-day trip to the country.

Given that like any other foreign visit by the royal couple the Emperor and Empress’s India visit is also on the “advice and approval” of the Japanese Cabinet, it gives impetus to the relationship between the two countries that has been growing by leaps and bounds in all fields.

India and Japan are hoping that the royal visit will give a boost to people-to-people contacts and help remove the “psychological” distance that exists about India among Japanese minds. “It is very unlikely that India will be the first place that a Japanese couple will look to spend their honeymoon just as for small and medium enterprises China is likely to be the first investment destination. But it is hoped that the visit will give a positive momentum and impetus to relations between the two countries,” the official said.

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Hitachi acquires payment solutions firm Prizm

Japanese tech giant Hitachi has acquired a foothold in India's payment space with the acquisition of Prizm Payment Services. Hitachi has entered into share transfer agreements with Prizm shareholders, including Winvest Holdings (India), Sequoia Capital and Axis Bank.
Prizm is a leading provider of payment services using ATMs and point of sales systems (credit card swipe machines) to banks and financial institutions in India. Hitachi also manufactures ATMs and has market leadership in Japan. Hitachi and Prizm Payment Services will complete the share transfer by February-end next year under the terms of the agreement and subject to regulatory approvals.
Prizm Payment is promoted by Loney Antony, one of the pioneers of the outsourcing model for ATM deployment in India. The outsourcing model has helped grow India's ATM network rapidly in recent years. Antony was earlier ATM manufacturer NCR's chief executive for India. Neither Prizm nor Hitachi have announced the size of the transaction. According to some reports, the company is said to be valued between $250-260 million. The company had revenues of Rs 500 crore as on FY13 and over 1,100 employees on its rolls. "By becoming a member of the Hitachi Group, we are excited to capture synergies from the combination of Prizm Payment Services' robust customer base and know-how in India, and the Hitachi's expertise in IT services for financial institutions built up in Japan and around the world as well as its advanced technological capabilities, including cash recycling ATMs.
Being part of the larger Hitachi family provides a unique opportunity to expand our service offerings to customers not just in India but across the globe. This deal provides the management team and employees tremendous potential for professional growth," said said Loney Antony, MD, Prizm Payment Service.
"Hitachi sees India as an important region in its global strategy and is stepping up development of the Hitachi Group's social innovation business in the country. Hitachi aims to grow revenues in India by nearly 3 times to 300 billion yen by March 31, 2016," the Japanese company said in a statement. It added that ATMs are estimated to nearly triple in four years from around 1,00,000 in 2012. In May 2012, Hitachi acquired eBworx Berhad, a Malaysia-based financial IT solutions company, which boasts an extensive track record in internet and mobile banking systems, credit management systems and other systems, mainly for major banks in Malaysia and Singapore.

Tuesday 26 November 2013

‘Japanese firms prefer to invest in India’

Eyeing India: (from left) Hidehiro Ishiura, Director-General, Jetro-Chennai; Harish Lakshman, ACMA President; and Vinnie Mehta, ACMA Executive Director, at a press conference in Chennai on Tuesday. — Bijoy Ghosh

Manufacturing companies in Japan continue to see India as the top destination for investments over the next three years, according to Masanori Nakano, Consul General of Japan in Chennai.

Despite the global economic slowdown India continues to grow at about 5 per cent.

Japan’s manufacturing sector chooses India over China, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil and Indonesia as a choice of immediate investments, he said while addressing an automobile components fair jointly organised by Automobile Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro).

Nakano said the event, to explore procurement possibilities by the Japanese automobile industry, is a part of the India-Japan initiative to strengthen trade ties.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are scheduled to visit India on November 30 as a part of a week-long programme.

They will also visit Chennai.

Hidehiro Ishiura, Director-General, Jetro-Chennai, said over a 100 companies, including 46 from Japan, are participating in the fair.

Monday 25 November 2013

Suzuki Gears up for New Challenges; Plans to Launch 14 Models in India by 2017

Japanese carmaker Suzuki Motor Corporation is reportedly planning to release 14 new car models in India in next five years.

Suzuki Motors which presented its roadmap for the coming years at the recently held Tokyo Motor Show revealed that the company will launch new cars in India by 2017 including SUVs, which the company labeled as the "new genre of cars."
In Japan, Suzuki will launch 16 models during this period and in Europe and China the company will unveil seven cars each, reported The Hindu Business Line.

While Maruti might be facing tough competition from other brands such as Ford, Nissan, Honda and Volkswagon, the demand by middle class families for the brand's smaller cars has still managed to keep Maruti's market share afloat.

However, the Japanese brand also acknowledges the fact that a slight drop in its market share is inevitable. "The slowdown has hurt all Indian auto manufacturers. Some fall in market share is natural for Maruti Suzuki in a slowing market," Osamu Suzuki, Suzuki Motors' chairman told the Economic Times.
Suzuki's Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki holds the privilege of being the country's most trusted auto maker and offers a wide range of cars from the entry level Alto, to the hatchback Ritz, A-Star, Swift, Wagon R, Zen, and sedans DZire, Kizashi and SX4. In additions to this, Maruti also sells Multi Purpose vehicle Suzuki Ertiga and Sports Utility vehicle Grand Vitara.
The company is expected to release a new sedan codenamed YL1 in India by 2014.The sedan which would replace the existing model SX4 will share its platform with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV and may carry some features of the SX4.
The upcoming YL1 is likely to pack the same 1.3 liter Multijet diesel or 1.4 liter K Series petrol engine of Ertiga. Other speculated features of the car include 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push button start, puddle lamps and leather seats. The YL1 is also expected to host a number of safety features, like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

Sunday 24 November 2013

Big B, 3 Idiots iconic in Japan too


Japanese Directors at IFFI 2013

Bollywood's Badshah Amitabh Bachchan and Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘3 Idiots’ aren’t just popular icons in India, but in Japan too. Korean-born filmmaker Lee Sang-il, who makes films on Korean settlers in Japan, said that he is a huge fan of Big B and the recent blockbuster ‘3 Idiots’.

Lee is showcasing his film in the 44th edition of the International Film Festival of India. The film will be showcased in the ‘Country Focus’ section, featuring Japanese films.

In the last three years, nearly twelve new Japanese films were made. These films are being screened at the festival, which includes Lee directed the film ‘Unforgiven’ starring Ken Watanabe. “It’s my first time in India and I feel great to be a part of this film festival,” he said.

Lee had spoke about a unique trait in the Japanese film market. He said, “It is not the director who approached producers with projects. In fact, the directors are selected as per the requirements of the project.”

Kiyoshi Kurosawa's film ‘Real’ was also screened at the festival. He said that the movie fit the fiction, horror and suspense genre, but also had an element of drama in it as well.

“My film is uncommon. But it is a reflection of Japan and the variety that is rich and similar to Indian films,” Kurosawa said.

He further sought to dispel a misconception that Japan is all about horror films. “There are many violent movies made in Japan. Thus, the audiences believe that Japan is the hub of horror films. In reality, only a few horror films are made in Japan,” Kurosawa said.

Kurosawa also stated that he loves the work of Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray. He said that the Japanese movie industry produces approximately 400 films annually.

Saturday 23 November 2013

LINE Messenger clocks 300 million users worldwide, 10 million users in India

LINE corporation, a Japanese-based company has announced that LINE has crossed over 300 million users worldwide, since its launch in June 2011. Back in June Whatsapp announced that they have crossed 250 million active users, LINE just says that they have achieved 300 million registered users. LINE was launched in India in July, and at that time the company claimed that they had 180 million users. LINE India says that they have reached 10 million users in the first 3 months after the launch, and plans to grab 20 million user share by the end of 2013. The company has posted an infographic that shows the growth of the users in numbers.

The Line messenger was released in Japan in June 2011, later it was expanded to range of countries. The company reveals that out of 300 million, over 80% of are non-Japanese users from Taiwan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Spain. It took 19 months for the company to achieve the first 100 million users, 6 months for the next 100 million, and only four months between 200 million and 300 million users, says the company. LINE messenger is available for range of platforms including, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Nokia Asha feature phones.
The Android and iPhone apps were recently updated with option to make and receive video calls, Albums feature that lets you create and edit photo albums with a friend or in groups and more.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Ranbaxy Lab plans to sell generic medicines in Japan: reports

Ranbaxy Laboratories is planning to sell India-made generic medicines in Japan, according to media reports.
Report said that the company also plans to boost its consolidated revenues.
Ranbaxy reported: "The product selection procedure for launch in Japan has been finalised. The hybrid business model between Ranbaxy and Daiichi Sankyo continues on several fronts."
Ranbaxy and Daiichi Sankyo are in advanced talks with Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which regulates medicines, report said.

Music, dance on Japanese emperor’s to-do list in Chennai

They've travelled the world, ticking 37 countries on their list, and have been to India thrice but the south has always been unexplored territory for the emperor and empress of Japan. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will be in Chennai on December 4 and 5, after spending four days in Delhi.

After a round of formal visits in Delhi, the royal couple plan to relax in Chennai, indulging in their love for music and culture. After lunch with the Governor and his wife at Raj Bhavan, the emperor and empress, both 79, will visit Guindy National Park, take in a few performances at Kalakshetra, and meet disabled children at the Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu. They will also visit some cultural organisations to meet students learning Japanese here.

"The two countries are linked by culture and tradition. In recent years, economic relations between the two countries have strengthened and business has grown," said Masanori Nakano, Consul-General of Japan at Chennai.

The two, who are great lovers of music, will watch a Bharatanatyam performance and listen to the veena, which is similar to the Japanese biwa, at Kalakshetra. Empress Michiko plays the piano, while the emperor plays the cello.

The issue of equal opportunity is also close to the royal couple's heart, and they plan to spend time at Spastics Society, which receives funding from Japanese agencies. They played a role in starting the national games for the disabled in Japan and made a case for greater opportunities for the disabled in society.

Nakano said the visit will reinforce people-to-people ties, which dates back to the 8th century when Bodhisena, a Buddhist monk from Tamil Nadu, visited Japan. In the past 10 years, though, business ties have increased between the countries. TN has more than 360 Japanese companies, the most in the country, and the city is home to 750 Japanese residents.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

After Amaze's success, Honda aims big

Buoyed by the success of its compact sedan Amaze, Japanese auto giant Honda Motor Co expects its Indian operations to account for 20 per cent of its total volume sales in the Asia-Oceania region in the current financial year.

The company's wholly-owned arm, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) said it is expecting to contribute 25 per cent of 12 lakh units that its parent targets to sell in the region by the end of 2016-2017 financial year.

"Our aim is to sell 6 lakh cars in the Asia-Oceania region in the current financial year (2013-14). Of this, India should account for about 20 per cent," Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) senior vice-president (marketing and sales) Jnaneswar Sen told PTI.

During the last financial year (2012-13), Honda Cars India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-headquartered Honda Motor Co, had sold around 73,000 units in India.

"By the end of 2016-17 fiscal, we wish to take the figure to 1.2 million units in the Asia-Oceania region. India, by then, will contribute for about 25 per cent of the total sales in the region," Sen said.

Riding on the success of the Amaze sedan launched in April this year, HCIL registered an overall sales growth of 63 per cent in the April-October period this fiscal with 70,831 units as against 43,525 units during the corresponding period last year.

Honda Motor Co managing officer, representative of development, purchasing and production, Asia & Oceania, Yoshiyuki Matsumoto termed the 12 lakh unit sales target in Asia-Oceania as 'challenging', adding that the region holds a very important position for Honda's global business.

"With its larger population, steady GDP growth and strong spending power, the demand for passenger vehicles in Asia has grown tremendously in the past decade... that's a challenging target that we will try our very best to pursue," he added.

The company's Asia-Oceania region comprises various countries including India, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia, but excludes major markets like China and Japan.

In India, despite a slowdown in the automobile industry, HCIL is in the middle of investing Rs. 2,500 crore. As part of its investment plans, the company is coming up with a new car assembly line, a diesel engine plant and a forging plant at its manufacturing facility at Tapukara in Rajasthan.

Last fiscal, the Honda Motor Co had sold 30 lakh cars globally. It is looking to double the sales figure by March 2017.

India-bound Honda Urban SUV revealed, named as VEZEL

The VEZEL SUV is a perfect blend of dynamic qualities of SUV, the elegance of a coupe and the functionality of minivan. The exterior design of the crossover express SUV-like stability in its lower body and coupe like styling in its upper body. Based on the 2014 Honda Jazz platform, the VEZEL urban SUV source most of its styling cues from the concept showcased earlier this year. The appealing body design features curves, low roofline and a broader stance.
In Japan, both the hybrid and gasoline models of the VEZEL will go on sale. The hybrid model will be equipped with SPORT HYBRID i-DCD that combines a 1.5-litre direct injection engine with a high-output motor, and the gasoline model will be equipped with a 1.5L direct injection engine. For Indian buyers, the SUV will be made available in both petrol and diesel guise. While the petrol model will carryover the tried and tested 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, the diesel version will get the 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine.

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Government to set up gaming institute with Japan

The government is exploring the possibility of taking Japan’s help in starting India’s first animation and gaming institute, after it failed to find any private companies to partner with it.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari has said his government has received a proposal from the Japanese Government to set up the prestigious project. “We are still studying if we seek help only in developing the infrastructure or even content, as they are technologically advanced in this field.”
The project for establishing `52 crore National Centre for Animation, Gaming and VFX has been a non-starter since its conception few years ago. Though the centre got the approval, it got stuck as the Planning Commission suggested that the centre be set up in public-private partnership mode. However, the government did not find any credible partners who were ready to share the cost for setting up the centre.
Sources said as the issue was still pending with the Planning Commission, the ministry was looking to change the design proposal so that the project could start at the earliest.

Japan is already funding a number of projects in India, such as the Metro and other urban development projects.
The government has already acquired land in Mohali, Punjab, for setting up the institute, and the foundation stone may be laid in the next few months.
The centre is likely to offer graduate and post-graduate level courses in animation, visual effects and game design.

India is turning out to be a huge market for animation, gaming, and visual effects as numerous Hollywood filmmakers are looking to India for developing special effects in their movies. Apart from this national-level institute, the ministry has readied legislations to grant the ‘Centre of Excellence’ status to the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Insitute, Kolkata.
This status would enable these institutes to get more funds and even award them degrees, which would then be recognised. The other legislation relates to giving ‘Institute of National Importance’ status to Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi. This would again turn the institute into an autonomous unit for granting its own post-graduate degrees. Officials said both the bills have been sent to the Law Ministry for vetting. After the clearance these are likely to be presented in Parliament.

Japan in focus at 44th IFFI

Japan will be the country in focus at the 44th India International Film Festival (IIFF) in Panaji, Goa, this year.
A combination of animation and feature films will be showcased on the occasion.
The list of animation films includes ‘The Garden of Words’ by Makoto Shinkai, ‘Wolf Children’ by Mamoru Hosoda and ‘Library War: The Wings of Revolution’ by Takayuki Hamana. The feature films include ‘The Devil’s Path’ by Kazuya Shiraishi, ‘Oshin’ by Shin Togashi and ‘Real’ by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.
Since its beginnings in 1952 the IFFI has been the biggest event of its type in India.
Subsequent IFFIs’ were held in New Delhi. From the 3rd edition in January 1965, IFFI’s became competitive.

In 1975 the Filmotsav, non-competitive and to be held in other filmmaking cities in alternate years, was introduced. Later, Filmotsavs were merged in IFFI’s. In 2004 the IFFI was moved to Goa. Since then the IFFI has been an annual event and competitive.

The IFFI aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world.
The IFFI’s founding principles centre on discovery, promotion and support of filmmaking of all genres – thus bringing together the diversity of the forms, aesthetics and contents.

The festival is an assembly of people and nations where the world’s greatest film artistes hold hands with emerging talents on an equal footing. It is also a forum for film professionals to communicate face to face with film lovers around the world.

IFFI aims to nurture, encourage and inspire Indian cinema and introduce it to the world outside as well as the many audiences that coexist in this vast and diverse country. With rapid technology changes, the importance of this festival will only grow as it will bring viewers and filmmakers together and expose them to emerging technologies and the challenge of the emerging new media. (ANI)

Monday 18 November 2013

India, Japan expand currency swap pact to $50 bn

India and Japan have decided to expand their currency swap agreement, a financial tool to help cushion volatility in foreign exchange markets, to $50 billion from $15 billion, it was announced here Friday.
The decision was conveyed following a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here.

"The two governments expect that this (expanded currency swap) will contribute to the stability of global financial markets, including emerging economies," a joint statement issued by the two sides said.
"The two governments also reiterated the importance of continued reforms in financial and investment sectors for promoting stable and long term capital inflows into India. The two governments believe that these policy measures will strengthen the bilateral financial cooperation between Japan and India."
Under swap arrangements, two entities -- companies or governments -- agree to exchange one currency for another at a predetermined rate and interest.

The advantage of such pacts is that they eliminate the risk that the future exchange rate will change in a way that puts one party or the other at a disadvantage.
Briefing journalists later, India's Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram said this pact will go a long way in addressing volatility in currency markets.

"The problem today is of not reality but of perception. It is clear, neither Japan will need this (money available) nor will we," he said, alluding the pact will notionally shore up India's foreign exchange reserves, currently at around $280 billion, and provide a cushion of perception.

"On our part, we are committed to reducing the current account deficit to 3.7 percent. But markets tend to have a fear of the unknown. Agreements like these will shore up confidence and sentiments," he said.

Friday 15 November 2013

Japan to provide India Rs 19.59 bn loan assistance

The first project is campus development project of Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (phase 2) for amount Rs 11.29 billion and second project is Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme for Rs 8.29 billion.

"In the last few years the economic partnership between India and Japan has steadily progressed. This further consolidates and strengthens the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan," the Indian government said.

- See more at: http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/storyShow.php?fileR=20131112172121102&dir=2013%2F11%2F12&source=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Myiris+%28myiris.com+-+India%27s+Leading+Financial+Portal%29#sthash.sO6p0rO6.dpuf

Japan government will provide official development loan assistance of Yen 30.70 billion or Rs 19.59 billion to India for the first batch of financial year 2013 loan package.

The notes were exchanged here today between Rajesh Khullar, Joint Secretary to Government of India,
Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Takeshi Yagi, Ambassador of Japan to India.
Through this exchange of notes Japan committed an amount of Yen 30.703 billion (for the first batch of FY 2013 JICA ODA loan package to fund the two projects.

The first project is campus development project of Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (phase 2) for amount Rs 11.29 billion and second project is Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme for Rs 8.29 billion.

"In the last few years the economic partnership between India and Japan has steadily progressed. This further consolidates and strengthens the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan," the Indian government said.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Japanese trade pavilion kicks off with musical clash

Traditional Shamisen artist from Japan teamed up with an Indian tabla player to roll out the Japanese pavillion at the 33rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) here today.
Japan, a partner country at the IITF is showcasing different aspects of being a "cool nation" not just as a technology leader but also a pioneer in art, design and fashion, craft and cusine among others.

The official country partner's pavilion witnessed a 15 minute long blending of music by tabla artist Ustad Amjad Khan and Hiromitsu Agatsuma, a Shamisen artist from Japan. Shamisen, is a three stringed Japanese lute.
"I had composed a different raga for the concert. This platform gave me a better opportunity to showcase this art form," said Agatsuma.
Meanwhile, Amjad Khan said he was "totally happy to perform on a day when Japan is celebrating Japan's Day."

"Music has no boundaries, I have been performing for the past 15 years here and abroad. But, this is very special for me to share the platform with a country and its artists who are celebrating Japan's Day today. The Japanese artists are very humble and go beyond the limitations to entertain the audience", said Khan.
Dempagumi.Inc, a six-member girl music band staged a couple of peppy numbers in traditional Japanese 'Akiba' style.

The band is also in India as part of their global tour that has taken them to US, France, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taipei.
Volunteers dressed in costumes of Japan's anime characters Shin-Chan and Doraemon to draw crowds to the anime section of the pavillion.
Visitors can also sample authentic Japanese tea especially Ocha, the country's green tea. A special Japanese tearoom "Tatami House" - a tiny house just large enough for four people has been erected at the Pavillion.

The pavilion was inaugurated by Union Cabinet Minister in charge of Commerce and Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma.
"Japan has always been a dependable and viable country. We are delighted to have Japan as our partner country. This would be a biggest draw especially in sharing art culture and tradition," said India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairperson and Managing Director, Rita Menon.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Get a taste of Japan at this year’s Trade Fair in Delhi

The 33rd India International Trade Fair will be held at Pragati Maidan from November 14 to 27

This year’s India International Trade Fair will give Delhiites a glimpse into Japan’s exotic culture, unmatched cuisine and famous craft.

Japanese dishes for food lovers

According to an India Trade Promotion Organisation official, Japan will be bringing its famous chefs who will prepare a wide array of Japanese dishes for food connoisseurs.

“The stalls will showcase the aesthetic beauty of Japanese architecture with paper craft and music as other attractions. Japan has been accorded the status of partner country because it is coming with a number of exhibitors and bringing a range of goods.”

“Inclusive growth”

President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the 33 edition of the fortnight-long fair. This year, the theme is “Inclusive Growth”. The performance of Central and State ministries, department and private sectors in different fields will be highlighted.

The Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma will preside over the inauguration function, which will be held at the exhibition ground’s Hamswadhani Auditorium.

Over 6,000 participants

Countries like Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, and Thailand will be participating. Over 6,000 participants will be taking part in the fair.

Interestingly, South Africa is the “focus country” for the second successive time in the fair.

In the domestic sector, Bihar is the “partner State” and Odisha has been accorded the status of “focus State”.

The fair will be held at Pragati Maidan here from November 14 to 27.

Open to public from November 19

The first five days of the fair have been earmarked for business visitors. The public can visit the fair from November 19 onwards. This year too, it will be supplemented with several ancillary activities such as State Day celebrations, music and dance programmes, etc.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Indian foreign ministers meet their Japanese counterpart, discuss bilateral talks

The Indian and Japanese foreign ministers met on Tuesday at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) meeting in New Delhi, ahead of the visit of the Japanese Emperor and Empress to India later this month.
This was the third meeting between External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida this year.
The talks between the two focused on the India visit of the Japanese emperor and empress, who are to arrive in Delhi on November 30. They will go to Chennai on December 4.

Indian foreign ministers meet their Japanese counterpart, discuss bilateral talks

Khurshid and Kishida also discussed various bilateral issues including matters related to enhanced economic engagement between the two countries. The two ministers discussed the possibilities of cooperation in international fora, including the UN, on matters of common interest, said a source.
India is the largest recipient of Japanese official development assistance (ODA). In March this year, Japan granted India a $2.32 billion aid for infrastructure building.
Kishida, who is on his first visit to India, is a native of Hiroshima and was appreciative of the Indian parliament observing a minute's silence every year in memory of the victims of Hiroshima, the source said.

Saturday 9 November 2013

Japan's Eisai to launch breast cancer drug in India

Eisai's move comes at a time when multinational companies have threatened not to introduce any new products in India because of what they term as an unfriendly intellectual policy regime.

"It's a new approach to affordable pricing. We used fixed low-pricing with Aricept (a drug that treats symptoms of Alzheimers). Here we have five tiers, from full-pricing to price zero," said Sayoko Sasaki, corporate officer, vice-president, Eisai.

The company has divided patient groups into different categories - the lower income group will get the drug for free, the middle income patients will be eligible for discounts on the full pricing, the rich patients will be asked to pay full price, followed by those who are covered under insurance schemes. "Before, our business model focused on the top two tiers. We can do business with them, but since access to medicine is quite important to us, we want to expand this to middle-income and low-i ..

Cancer is considered as one of the biggest public health threats in India, and the prevalence rate is rising according to various reports. It is this high prevalence that makes India's cancer drug market an attractive proposition for pharma companies.

India's oncology market is estimated to be close to Rs 700 crore and growing at 20%, it is estimated to touch to Rs 3,000 crore by 2017, according to a research done by consultancy firm Frost and Sullivan.

However, the high costs involved in treating the disease has become a controversial public health debate as health activists have constantly called for reducing the price of cancer drugs by multinational companies.

India last year issued a compulsory licence to Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma to sell cheaper generic versions of German drug maker Bayer's kidney cancer drug Nexavar, because the price of Bayer's drug was seen to be unaffordable to Indian patients. The Indian government is also considering to issue compulsory licence to three anti cancer drugs - Trastuzumab used for breast cancer, Ixabepilone used for chemotherapy and Dasatinib used to treat leukaemia.

Such policies have forced multinational pharma companies to consider putting in abeyance any plans to launch new products in India till sufficient protection is extended to their intellectual property rights.

As a company, Eisai believes that IP is important, but they are focused on selling affordable medicines in the emerging markets.

"We believe that IP is important, fair competition is important, but access to medicine is more important in developing or emerging countries. Therefore, at this moment, we are thinking that it is very important to provide a novel product for affordable price," said Yuji Matsue, corporate officer, Asia region.

Matsue says going by the company's past experience of selling drugs like Aricept and Parit, the company can still make profits with differential pricing, a strategy which his company believes will become key in emerging markets.

Friday 8 November 2013

Japanese Emperor coming to India this month

The Emperor and Empress of Japan will arrive in Delhi on November 30 and reach Chennai on December 4, the Embassy of Japan announced here on Thursday.

During their stay in the national capital, the visiting dignitaries will not only meet the President and Prime Minister but also meet the local people and Japanese expatriates.

In Chennai, the Emperor and Empresses will visit the Kalakshetra Foundation and the Spastic Society of Tamil Nadu apart from a meeting with the Tamil Nadu Governor.

Thursday 7 November 2013

Denso India: Updates on delisting offer

ICICI Securities Ltd ("Manager to the Open Offer") on behalf of DENSO Corporation, Japan ("Acquirer") has informed this Exit Offer Public Announcement ("Exit Offer PA") to the Equity shareholders of Denso India Ltd ("Target Company”) an exit opportunity in accordance with regulation 21 of the Securities And Exchange Board of India (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2009, as amended till date (“Delisting Regulations”). This Exit Offer PA is in continuation to and should be read in conjunction with the original Public Announcement dated August 12, 2013 (“Original PA”) and the Letter of Offer dated August 16, 2013 (“Bid Letter”) and the post offer public announcement dated October 03, 2013 (“Post Offer PA”) in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Delisting Regulations.Capitalised terms used but not defined in this Exit Offer PA shall have the same meaning assigned to them as in the Original PA, the Bid Letter, the Post Offer PA and the Exit Offer Letter.Source

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/announcements/denso-india-updatesdelisting-offer_983708.html?utm_source=ref_article

Japan's Eisai Pharma, a 741 billion yen ( Rs 46,439-crore) pharma major, is slated to launch in India its novel anti-cancer drug Eribulin, sold under the brand name of Halaven, as part of its strategy to expand its presence in the emerging markets.

Halaven is used in the treatment of third line metastatic breast cancer. The drug is credited to increase the life expectancy of the patients in the throes of the last stage of cancer.

Priced at about 31,000 per vial, Eisai will experiment with differential pricing within India.

Eisai's move comes at a time when multinational companies have threatened not to introduce any new products in India because of what they term as an unfriendly intellectual policy regime.

"It's a new approach to affordable pricing. We used fixed low-pricing with Aricept (a drug that treats symptoms of Alzheimers). Here we have five tiers, from full-pricing to price zero," said Sayoko Sasaki, corporate officer, vice-president, Eisai.

The company has divided patient groups into different categories - the lower income group will get the drug for free, the middle income patients will be eligible for discounts on the full pricing, the rich patients will be asked to pay full price, followed by those who are covered under insurance schemes. "Before, our business model focused on the top two tiers. We can do business with them, but since access to medicine is quite important to us, we want to expand this to middle-income and low-income class. By doing so, we can satisfy the people in India, and also make the business model sustainable," Sasaki adds.

Cancer is considered as one of the biggest public health threats in India, and the prevalence rate is rising according to various reports. It is this high prevalence that makes India's cancer drug market an attractive proposition for pharma companies.

India's oncology market is estimated to be close to Rs 700 crore and growing at 20%, it is estimated to touch to Rs 3,000 crore by 2017, according to a research done by consultancy firm Frost and Sullivan.

However, the high costs involved in treating the disease has become a controversial public health debate as health activists have constantly called for reducing the price of cancer drugs by multinational companies.

India last year issued a compulsory licence to Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma to sell cheaper generic versions of German drug maker Bayer's kidney cancer drug Nexavar, because the price of Bayer's drug was seen to be unaffordable to Indian patients. The Indian government is also considering to issue compulsory licence to three anti cancer drugs - Trastuzumab used for breast cancer, Ixabepilone used for chemotherapy and Dasatinib used to treat leukaemia.

Such policies have forced multinational pharma companies to consider putting in abeyance any plans to launch new products in India till sufficient protection is extended to their intellectual property rights.

As a company, Eisai believes that IP is important, but they are focused on selling affordable medicines in the emerging markets.

"We believe that IP is important, fair competition is important, but access to medicine is more important in developing or emerging countries. Therefore, at this moment, we are thinking that it is very important to provide a novel product for affordable price," said Yuji Matsue, corporate officer, Asia region.

Matsue says going by the company's past experience of selling drugs like Aricept and Parit, the company can still make profits with differential pricing, a strategy which his company believes will become key in emerging markets.

India and Japan to Strengthen their Cooperation in the Shipping Sector

India and Japan proposes to strengthen their cooperation in the shipping sector. In this connection a delegation under the leadership of Union Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan, is visiting Japan from today till the 12th this month on an invitation from Mr. Akihiro Ohta, the Hon’ble Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Government of Japan.

The visiting delegation will have discussions with the Japanese Government for better coordination between two countries and to further enable various Japanese companies to utilize facilities at Indian Ports, more particular of Ennore and Chennai Ports. Shri Vasan will also lead discussions for obtaining funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Outer Harbour project of VOC Port, Thuthikoodi.

The Government of Japan had earlier shown interest in developing Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor as part of Penninsular Region Industrial Development corridor (PRIDe) of India. Ennore Port has been identified as one of the main logistic hub in this industrial corridor development. JICA has already commenced a study for the purpose.

The visiting Indian delegation consists of Secretary (Shipping) Shri Vishwapati Trivedi, CMD of Ennore Port Ltd., Shri M.A. Bhaskarachar, and other officials of the Shipping Ministry. The delegation besides meeting the political leaders, government officials and business leaders during their visit, would be visiting the Port of Yokohama and Port of Nagoya to see the port operations and the latest technologies being utilized in these two Ports. Expertise of Japanese in port operations, ship recycling and shipbuilding are expected to be utilized by the Indian ports and shipyards in future.

Japanese automobile manufacturing companies like Toyota, Mitsubushi, Isuzu, Nissan and Toshiba have been using Chennai Port for importing automobile components through containers for their factories located in Chennai. The Japanese Company M/s Metal One (Mitshubishi group) is importing steel coils used for automobile through Chennai Port in the break bulk form. Around 240 Japanese companies have developed businesses in and around Chennai in the last decade.

Various Japanese Companies have also been evincing a lot of interest in enhancing their use of the Ennore Port. At present, Nissan Motors India and Toyota are the major Japanese Companies using the Ennore Port facilities for their export. M/s Nissan Motors has exported about 3 lakhs cars from Ennore Port. Toyota has so far exported 42,000 cars from the Port.

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Japanese Emperor coming to India this month

The Emperor and Empress of Japan will arrive in Delhi on November 30 and reach Chennai on December 4, the Embassy of Japan announced here on Thursday.

During their stay in the national capital, the visiting dignitaries will not only meet the President and Prime Minister but also meet the local people and Japanese expatriates.

In Chennai, the Emperor and Empresses will visit the Kalakshetra Foundation and the Spastic Society of Tamil Nadu apart from a meeting with the Tamil Nadu Governor.

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Get a taste of Japan at this year’s Trade Fair in Delhi

The 33rd India International Trade Fair will be held at Pragati Maidan from November 14 to 27

This year’s India International Trade Fair will give Delhiites a glimpse into Japan’s exotic culture, unmatched cuisine and famous craft.

Japanese dishes for food lovers

According to an India Trade Promotion Organisation official, Japan will be bringing its famous chefs who will prepare a wide array of Japanese dishes for food connoisseurs.

“Inclusive growth”

The Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma will preside over the inauguration function, which will be held at the exhibition ground’s Hamswadhani Auditorium.

Over 6,000 participants

Interestingly, South Africa is the “focus country” for the second successive time in the fair.

In the domestic sector, Bihar is the “partner State” and Odisha has been accorded the status of “focus State”.

The fair will be held at Pragati Maidan here from November 14 to 27.

Open to public from November 19

Monday 4 November 2013

India, Japan expand currency swap pact to $50 bn

St. Petersburg, Sep 6 (IANS) India and Japan have decided to expand their currency swap agreement, a financial tool to help cushion volatility in foreign exchange markets, to $50 billion from $15 billion, it was announced here Friday.
The decision was conveyed following a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here.
"The two governments expect that this (expanded currency swap) will contribute to the stability of global financial markets, including emerging economies," a joint statement issued by the two sides said.
"The two governments also reiterated the importance of continued reforms in financial and investment sectors for promoting stable and long term capital inflows into India. The two governments believe that these policy measures will strengthen the bilateral financial cooperation between Japan and India."
Under swap arrangements, two entities -- companies or governments -- agree to exchange one currency for another at a predetermined rate and interest.

The advantage of such pacts is that they eliminate the risk that the future exchange rate will change in a way that puts one party or the other at a disadvantage.
Briefing journalists later, India's Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram said this pact will go a long way in addressing volatility in currency markets.
"The problem today is of not reality but of perception. It is clear, neither Japan will need this (money available) nor will we," he said, alluding the pact will notionally shore up India's foreign exchange reserves, currently at around $280 billion, and provide a cushion of perception.
"On our part, we are committed to reducing the current account deficit to 3.7 percent. But markets tend to have a fear of the unknown. Agreements like these will shore up confidence and sentiments," he said.

Chennai-Bangalore corridor is different from Delhi-Mumbai one: JICA

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is getting ready to fund the second industrial corridor in India between Chennai and Bangalore. Japan’s sole official development assistance (ODA) agency is funding a study for the corridor even though Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, its first such engagement in India, is yet to take off.

Shinya Ejima, chief representative of JICA in India told Business Standard the agency was waiting for a shortlist of projects that would form part of Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC) from the Indian government. Some 26 early bid projects were already identified during the preliminary study. The Japanese government had earlier announced $4.5 billion investment in India.

Ejima said CBIC was different from DMIC in its characteristics. “It has already attracted investment including from Japan. This study is to upgrade infrastructure in order to promote industry and economic activity. We are trying to promote additional investment. Many automobile companies from countries like Japan and America are already there.” JICA is also looking for further investment along the corridor from service industry including hospitals and IT.

The master planning for CBIC is being done for 2030. In addition, JICA is identifying certain urgently required infra projects. These include construction of peripheral ring road between the two cities and upgradation of cargo handling at Chennai and Ennore ports including access to them. States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have many transportation projects on the shelf. The master plan for CBIC is expected to be finalised by the fourth quarter of 2013-14.

Ejima said progress in the Indian infrastructure sector was good. “If we compare to 20 years ago, infrastructure has become much better. This is a huge country. Demand for infrastructure is enormous.” JICA finds itself in important infrastructure projects including DMIC, the western arm of dedicated rail freight corridor and Delhi metro. He said their finance have been utilised effectively.

On the western arm of dedicated rail freight corridor, he said 97% of land acquisition work has been completed.

Though he admitted, public private partnership projects seemed to be a struggle but once economy returns to the growth trend, investors would be interested in various private projects. “Infrastructure will be further accelerated. Overall, I am not frustrated with the slow development of infrastructure. We appreciate the great effort made by the government,” he said.

Currently, JICA has official development assistance commitment of Japanese Yen 2,065 billion of which 49% is in the transport sector. Another major chunk of 20% is in energy which includes power distribution projects and 21% in water projects.