********************************************************************** Issue 6 [September 2006] OCCI e-Magazine http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/index.html ********************************************************************** With the dispatch of Business Missions this month, one to Asia and the other to Europe, OCCI will further promote its business exchange activities. Since September 18th, Mr. S. Koike, OCCI Vice Chairman (also Chairman, SME Committee of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry) has been leading the gAPEC SME Business Forum Missionh to visit Vietnam. Also, from September 24th, with Mr. M. Kato, another OCCI Vice Chairman as the leader, a Business Mission will visit Belgium and the U.K. where particularly in Cambridge, they will focus on bio-industry business exchanges, as well as on invitation of enterprises to join the Osaka/Kansai markets. Moreover, a large number of businesspeople from the Osaka/Kansai region will participate in the 1st gExpo Central China 2006h to be held in Changsha, Hunan Province, China from September 26th. Yasutsugu KOHZUKI Director, International Division Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) ====================================================================== [CONTENTS, September 2006] 1. Report on gBio Japan 2006h September 13-15 2. Again on gOsaka Nightlife Cultureh 3. OCCI International Dept. reports on VIP visitors/Seminars ====================================================================== 1. gBio Japan 2006h held with Great Success Attracting 20,278 visitors during September 13-15, gBio Japan 2006h was most actively and successfully held at the Osaka International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka), with 383 keen exhibitors including 118 of them from overseas. In cooperation with other related organizations, OCCI set up the gOSAKA Boothh, actually more than just a norm booth, where not only various exhibits were displayed but some events in the form of gmini-seminarh were conducted as well. Among the many visitors to the OSAKA Booth for the OCCI-sponsored seminars such as gInternational Bio-cluster Cooperationh and gJapan Biotechnology Competitionh, the Rt. Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP (The Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, the UK Dept of Trade and Industry) honored the occasion with her presence. Highlighting OCCIfs activities for bilateral alliance or the latest information and personnel exchanges, we conducted a special breakfast meeting with gBio Team Parish with whom OCCI officially keeps a close relationship for alliance. All concerned were greatly encouraged with OCCI Chairman Nomurafs remark in his welcoming address that gchaving attained Japanfs topmost position as a biocluster, the next task for the Osaka region is to further promote closer international alliance.h Great expectations are held for similar bio-events to be held in the future that are sure to contribute to realizing such development. ==================================================================== 2.@Again on gOsaka Nightlife Culture (O.N.C)h O.N.C. Midnight Check-in with a discount has started its Stage 3 (Sept. 1, 2006-March 31, 2007) increasing the hotels up to 96 (from 75) providing discounts. * For more details on each hotelfs reservationistfs working hours and accommodation charges: http://www.osaka-nightculture.com/pdf/echeckin.pdf ---------------------------------------- [TENMA-TENJIN HANJOTEI Opens in Osaka Sep. 15 (Fri) ] After a blank of 60 years, a regular performance hall of gRAKUGOh (Kansai's Traditional public entertainment of comic storytelling boasting a history of 300 years) revives in Kansai. With such revival of the hall dedicated to healthy laughter, it is expected to contribute to revitalizing the town, as well as to inheriting and developing this traditional entertainment in our culture. For those who can understand the language spoken, it is a great opportunity to directly feel the Japanese humor and an aspect of our culture. * For more details: http://www.hanjotei.jp/ * Access Map: http://www.hanjotei.jp/access/index.html ====================================================================== 3. OCCI International Div. reports [Recent VIP Visitors to OCCI] Aug. 16 (Wed) Mr. Allan Edwards, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner Consulate of Canada Aug. 25 (Fri) Mr. Michael Bobrove, Vice President/Head of the Kansai Chapter American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) Sep. 6 (Wed) Dr. Khalil Hassan, Ambassador Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Tokyo ---------------------------------------- [Seminar Information] Dec. 1 (Fri) g2006 International Meishi (Business Card) Exchange Partyh OCCI, in cooperation with the American, French, Canadian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Osaka would like to welcome all global-minded business professionals to g2006 International Meishi (Business Card) Exchange Partyh in Osaka on Dec. 1st. As an International Meishi Exchange Party, this event is one of the largest held in Kansai, attended last year by more than 300 participants. * Further details will be informed in a later issue. ---------------------------------------- Oct. 1 (Sun) gWalk-A-Thon in Kobeh Purpose: Improving the environment for working women in Japan Place: HAT Kobe (Nagisa Park) Host: American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) Kansai Chapter SupportersF@U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe, OCCI, etc. * For more details: http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/MAP/KansaiWalk.pdf ======================================================================