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(English) Kyuden Rate Hike Scaled Back
(English) Toshimitsu Motegi, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, announced that Kyushu Electric Power would be allowed to hike residential electricity rates 6.21 ~ 6.25%, a full two points lower than the 8.51% requested by the company. To lessen the impact on the citizens, the Ministry reduced the rate increase after determining that Kyuden should be able to cut an additional ¥30 billion in personnel expenses and fuel costs. The new rate will go in to effect on May 1 to allow time to notify customers, who can expect their standard rate (for 300 kW/h) to increase by ¥220 per month. Kyuden had also planned a 14.22% rate hike for business customers, a move that does not require METI approval, but will pare the increase back to 11.91 ~ 11.95% in light of the Ministry’s decision. The rate hike will go into effect as planned on Apr. 1, but the lower rate will be applied retroactively once the METI-approved residential rate goes into effect. After a Cabinet Ministers Meeting on Mar. 29, the Minister of METI will request an amended application from Kyuden, and the rate hike will be formally approved by the METI early next week. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 28
Read More 3월. 28, 2013, 18:09
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(English) Karatsu Cosmetics to Expand into East Asia
(English) ::: French company, Alban Muller, has announced a joint venture to export Karatsu-made cosmetics to other East Asian countries. Three businesses in Karatsu, Bloom, Matsuura Express and the cosmetic manufacturer, Toremy, will be involved in producing the new brand and exporting the cosmetics. Karatsu was selected because of its close proximity to China and South Korea, and as the Center for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine is in Genkai-machi, Saga. Karatsu City supports the business move and with local business and universities, will open the Japan Cosmetic Center within 2013. The first year’s export aim is 100 million yen worth of products.
Read More 10:11
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(English) Itoshima Umeshu Wins Prize
(English) Itoshima-based sake maker Shiraito’s Shiraume no Niwa brand plum wine took top prize at the 7th Tenman Tenjin Umeshu Competition in Osaka. 277 companies from around Japan entered 308 brands into the contest, which was held between Feb. 16 and 24. The top 10 brands were selected based on votes cast by visitors who came to taste the libations, after which a panel of sommeliers and liquor shop owners conducted a final screening. Shiraito has been making sake since its founding in the Edo Era, and it brews Shiraume no Niwa using the traditional haneki-shibori method (a method in which stone weights are hung on a long tree trunk to add pressure to the mash). Shiraume no Niwa received high marks for “bringing out the unique flavor of the plums”. Company president Nobuhiko Tanaka said he will “continue making umeshu using combinations of local produce and hopes to raise the profile of Itoshima specialty goods”. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 26
Read More 3월. 27, 2013, 10:18
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(English) Power-saving More Effective Than Expected
(English) The Kyushu Electric Power and government-requested power-saving period that began on Dec. 3, 2012 will come to close on Mar. 29. Demand for power peaked at 14.32 million kW on Feb. 8, falling well below the anticipated peak of 15. 37 million kW. Even during the high demand months of January and February, excess capacity topped 10%, raising questions about anticipated demand. Kyuden’s calculations were based on the last winter’s cold temperatures, but according to the Fukuoka Meteorological Observatory, January and February temperatures were typical, despite a colder than usual December. Kyuden also remarked that the power-saving measures by households and companies were “more effective than expected”. Power consumption remained relatively stable throughout the power-saving period. It only reached the “critical” stage (95-97% usage) on two days (Dec. 10 & 11). The government plans to review winter power consumption data before determining whether or not power-saving measures are needed for the summer, but with no clear schedule on the resumption of its nuclear reactors, Kyuden will likely ask its customers to save power again this year. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 26
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(English) Amaou Brand Turns 10
(English) This season marks the 10th year since the nationally popular Amaou brand of strawberries first went on sale. The berries have become a symbol of Fukuoka, and the prefectural government hopes to expand sales throughout Japan and overseas given the recent announcement that Japan would join talks about the TPP. Amaou have a reputation as a premier strawberry. In early March, the local wholesale price of the berries was ¥1,280 / kg, and the price in Tokyo can sometimes exceed ¥1,500. The berries first debuted in 2002 and quickly gained attention for being 25% bigger than the Toyonoka, the main brand at that time. Over the course of three years, nearly all of the roughly 2,200 Toyonoka strawberry farmers switched to producing Amaou amid stepped up publicity by the prefectural government and JA. Of the 12,200 tons of Amaou produced in 2011, only 64 tons were exported, but the prefecture hopes to expand sales channels overseas amid recent trends toward trade liberalization. A prefecture official asserts that there will be “almost no impact” on Amaou sales even if Japan joins the TPP and the 6% import tariff on strawberries is lifted. The popular berry also faces some tough issues. The number of berry farmers has fallen by about 500 over the past 10 years due to the aging, and there have been several cases of copy-cat berries both in Japan and overseas. The prefecture had pledged to “beef up surveillance to protect Fukuoka’s intellectual property”. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 25
Read More 3월. 26, 2013, 16:50
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(English) Distiller Develops Fertilizer from Shochu Lees
(English) Ohishi Shuzo, the distiller of Kuma brand shochu based in Mizukami Village, Kumamoto, has developed a fermented liquid fertilizer from shochu lees. Historically, unprocessed shochu lees have been used as fertilizer, but the new fertilizer, dubbed “Ohishi Enzyme”, is full of the amino acids that make vegetables taste good. Ohishi Shuzo will begin selling its new fertilizer on Apr. 1 to both reduce the cost of lees processing and create a new revenue stream. Lees are the leftover solids after shochu has been distilled from mash. In 2007, a law was passed banning the disposal of lees in the ocean, so many distillers began paying to have it hauled away as industrial waste. Ohishi Shuzo was paying several million yen a year to process 200 – 300 tons of lees and wanted to reduce its business expenses. Working with a private environmental group in Uki City, the company began its own R&D efforts which led to the creation of the liquid fertilizer. Ohishi Enzyme will go on sale for ¥1,000 per 500ml bottle. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 25
Read More 3월. 25, 2013, 17:54
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(English) JR West Targets Retirees, Taps into Kyushu Nostalgia
(English) JR West is joining forces with the five prefectures of Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima on a travel campaign called Remember Kyushu. Set to start on Apr. 1, the campaign’s aim is to attract retirees who visited the island for honeymoons and school trips back for a second visit. A dedicated magazine for the campaign, 5 Prefecture Passport, showcases a wide variety of attractions unique to Kyushu. Tourism federation staff in each prefecture will act as “Memory Advisors” to help guests locate nostalgic sights and services. JR Kyushu and the Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization will cooperate with the campaign. Western and southern Kyushu were popular destinations for honeymooners and school trip groups in the 1970s. JR West says it recognizes the “importance of the senior market in rejuvenating local economies” and hopes to “create demand for ‘nostalgic Kyushu’ tours”. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 25
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(English) Fukuoka Land Prices Starting to Appreciate
(English) According to the official land prices (as of Jan. 1) released on Mar. 21, the average volatility rates of both residential and commercial land in Fukuoka rose, while the rates of decline in most cities and towns contracted. In Fukuoka, the increase in land prices was most noticeable in the residential and commercial districts of Sawara Ward due to brisk sales of condominiums and homes. Commercial land prices rose in Hakata Ward in step with increased customer traffic at Hakata Station and Hakata City. Fukuoka’s average volatility rate (i.e., the variation of land prices over time) for residential land edged up from -0.9% last year to +0.7%, marking the first move into positive territory since 2008. At 10.7%, the highest volatility rate in the prefecture was recorded in Takatori 2 (Sawara Ward), followed by Nishijin 2 (Sawara Ward) at 10.1%. According to the Kyushu Branch of the Japan Real Estate Institute, the increases stem from favorable condo sales spurred by continuing low interest rates and a rush to buy property ahead of next year’s consumption tax hike. The average volatility rate for commercial land also crept into positive territory for the first time in five years, increasing from -1.6% to 0.7%. Six of the 10 highest rates in the prefecture were recorded around Hakata Station. At ¥5.78 million/m2, the highest priced land remained the Tenjin Core Building (Tenjin 1), which suggest the Tenjin area is recovering from the opening of Hakata City. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 22
Read More 9:56
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(English) Guinness Record Attempt for Three-legged Walk
(English) A three-legged walk Guinness Record attempt at the riverbank of the Chikugogawa River in Haki-machi, Asakura City will be held Mar. 24. The event hopes to show revival of area after the Kyushu North Area Torrential Rain experienced in Jul. 2012. The local telephone area code is 0946, so 946 was decided as the number of participants in the attempt. 846 locals and 100 visitors will join legs to make a 450m long line. They will walk 50m together. Participants for the event have been sourced. Practice will be held in the morning with the Guinness Record attempt starting just after midday. The organizer said they want the event to encourage everyone to join and move together.
Read More 3월. 22, 2013, 15:26
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(English) Vietnamese Buffet at Hotel Nikko
(English) The Hotel Nikko in Hakata-ku celebrates the 40 year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Vietnam by offering a ‘Delicious Vietnamese Food Fair’, Apr.1~May 31. The buffet will be at Serena restaurant on the 2F of the hotel from 17:30~21:00. The head chief of Ho Chi Minh City’s Nikko Saigon has come to Japan for the event. The 40 dishes available include pho noodles, spring rolls and Vietnamese spare ribs. Jr. High and over ¥4500. Over 65yrs ¥3500. Children 4yrs~Elementary School aged ¥2000 (¥1000 on Sat./Sun. and P.H) Discounts available for groups. Bookings can be made at Serena on 092-482-1161.
Read More 15:24
