How the Japanese Build Success into Their Products

The Japanese have a culture of achieving a profound degree of refinement in the products they build – and they have come to expect the same quality in what they buy. This tradition must be considered when selling foreign consumer products in Japan.

Living “as” Nature not “with” it

Ilya Prigogine, a late Nobel Prize winner for chemistry, once wrote in a book of his: “Humans were created from nature but are still a part of it.”

Photo Album from Cuba: “A Midsummer Night’s Memory”

There were nights when each of their dreams gathered. The dreams became reality, and the reality became history. People with dreams can survive no matter what happens.
All the people were absorbed in music and dance. What we want, what we need, is not money. Somebody is looking for Cuba.
Costumes on passionate bodies. Sensuality and sensitivity overlap. They wore a dream.
This country might change its visitors’ standard of happiness. Who decided that we don’t have freedom? The goal of the journey of dreams that I’ve been looking for all along – that is Cuba.
Dance today. Dance tomorrow. Dance, dance and dance all night. Have a dream? Looking for a dream? Found a dream? Are you sure that you’re happy right now?
Seeing the bodies dance in Junko Koshino clothing, I remembered the sound from that night. We love it, this city. That is why we dance. That is why we sing. Singing comes from the heart.
Cuba is my energy. Love Salsa! tj

Institute for Economics and Peace Founder: Steve Killelea

Measuring Peace with the Global Peace Index

Steve Killelea is the creative force behind the Global Peace Index, the world’s leading measure of peacefulness, endorsed by the Dalai Lama and Jimmy Carter. Killelea is the Australian founder of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an international think-tank with offices in Sydney, Mexico City, The Hague and Brussels. IEP is dedicated to building a greater understanding of the interconnection between peace, business and economics, with emphasis on the economic benefits of peace. An accomplished high-tech entrepreneur, Killelea is at the forefront of philanthropic activities focused on sustainable development and peace. In 2000, he established The Charitable Foundation (TCF), which specializes in working with the world’s poorest communities in East and Central Africa and parts of Asia. TCF has substantially impacted the lives of over 2.3 million people. Killelea’s founding of IEP was recognized as one of the 50 most impactful philanthropic gifts in Australia’s history. In 2010, he was honored as Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the global peace movement and his provision of humanitarian aid to the developing world. In 2013, Killelea was nominated one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Armed Violence Reduction” by the UK group Action on Armed Violence. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie talked with Steve Killelea about how he defines peace and the Global Peace Index.

Illuminate Education: Tech with a Heart

Spreading Altruism Within the Company and Around the World

Illuminate Education, located in Irvine, California, is an education and technology company that develops software applications to track student performance at all grade levels across the United States. The dynamic team of former teachers, educators and administrators also bring their zest for success in business to new grounds. The company’s founder and CEO, Lane Rankin, encourages his employees to do good outside their tech jobs through domestic and international campaigns to fight poverty and equip disadvantaged communities with the tools to succeed. The Illuminators, as they are known, have provided after-school tutoring to children in crowded Santa Ana, California, built houses in Tijuana, Mexico, and bolstered educational development in Burma. Their latest projects include building a self-sustaining Internet café in Tijuana and supporting the construction of a new school in the Congo. Bringing this warmth of heart to the inner workings of Illuminate, Rankin also prides himself on treating his employees like family. The non-hierarchical company was one of the companies awarded “Best Places to Work” for 2018 by Glassdoor, a website for employees and former employees to review companies and their management. Tokyo Journal’s Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with Lane Rankin about his company’s efforts to make the world a better place.

Supermodel Jessica Minh Anh Visits Japan

Supermodel Jessica Minh Anh visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukushima to explore potential catwalk venues. The Vietnamese model has made history by producing fashion shows atop famous architectural wonders, including the Eiffel Tower, One World Trade Center, London’s Tower Bridge, PETRONAS Twin Towers’ Skybridge and the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Yosakoi Festival

Tokyo Yosakoi (dance festival) is the second half of the Fukuro Festival, which has been an annual tradition in west Ikebukuro since 1968. The festival begins with a mikoshi (portable shrine) procession in September, and then Tokyo Yosakoi in October. Yosakoi is a dynamic Japanese dance competition uniting more than 100 teams from throughout Japan, who come together to show off their best moves using wooden clappers called naruko. Performers often combine the standard yosakoi melody with folk songs or modern rock music. The colorfully costumed dancers put on one high-powered performance after another, complete with fervent shouting.

Tokyo Hotels

Hotel New Otani

Excellent Service in a Serene Location
Established in 1964, this superbly designed luxury hotel is known for its exemplary hospitality, elegant style and array of hotel services. Hotel New Otani has an on-site travel agency, business center, cultural museum and pool, as well as 33 banquet rooms and an elaborate rooftop rose garden — a perfect location for wedding ceremonies. Better yet, the hotel has a pristine, 400-year-old Japanese garden spreading over 10 acres. Enjoy the waterfall and koi pond, or head inside to try the “Yukata (summer traditional garment) dressing-service”.

Serviced Apartments in Tokyo

If you plan to stay in Tokyo for more than a week or two, you may want to consider a fully furnished and serviced apartment. This type of accommodation offers hotel services, such as front-desk and cleaning services by a bilingual staff, but usually has more spacious rooms and you can avoid long walks through large lobbies. There’s no hassle of trying to rent and furnish an apartment on your own; you can move right in with nothing but your suitcase. Applications are processed within 24 hours and there are no security deposit, agent fee, key money or move-out cleaning and utility charges. Serviced apartments are also more affordable than hotels for families and groups requiring more than one bedroom, and provide the option of cooking in your room. The locations of serviced apartments usually provide easier access to convenience stores, supermarkets, inexpensive dry cleaners, etc. than large hotels do. Their closest train or subway stations are often local stations as opposed to major transportation hubs, which can be easy to get lost in and take more time to navigate. Tokyo Journal has come up with a list of the go-to serviced apartments in Tokyo based on locations with easy access to public transportation. These companies, with their helpful and bilingual staff, offer multiple locations throughout the city, each made complete with kitchenettes and in-room washers and dryers, unless otherwise noted.

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