Scott McCaskie
General Manager
Allied Pickfords

By Chris Betros/Japan Today Editor in Chief
TOKYO—

Since the recession started hammering Japan last year, many companies have cut back on staff, creating an exodus of expat workers and their families … which means that moving companies are being kept pretty busy. One of those is Allied Pickfords, which is part of SIRVA Inc, the largest moving and relocation services company in the world with more than 800 offices in 40 countries.

(more…)

Makoto Nakazawa
President – Barrier Free Co, Ltd

By Taro Fujimoto/Japan Today

Out of Japan’s population of 127 million, including foreigners, about 3.6 million have physical disabilities, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Over the past few years, the government has enacted several laws to facilitate the daily lives of disabled people and realize a so-called “barrier-free society.” (more…)

Safia Minney
Founder/Chief Executive
People Tree/Global Village

By Taro Fujimoto/Japan Today

One fair trade organization which has been focusing on the poor in developing countries is People Tree which was established in Japan. (more…)

Jinichi Koyama
CEO
Koyama Driving School

By Taro Fujimoto

In Japan, you usually obtain a driver’s license by taking lessons at a private driving school which exempts you from a practical driving test at a police facility. After finishing the course, you take an official government written test at a police station. However, what if foreigners need to get a driver’s license? While some police stations offer an English version of the test, candidates still have to study Japanese laws and traffic regulations. (more…)

Ken Millhouse
Representative Director/Vice President
LEGO Japan Ltd.

By Taro Fujimoto/JapanToday

What toys did you play with when you were a kid? While video and high-tech toys are popular in Japan today, some parents want their kids to play with more creative and educational products, such as LEGO. The Danish toymaker is one of the most popular brands in Japan. (more…)

By Taro Fujimoto/Japan Today

Kazuhiro Ohshima, Director of Center for International Exchange, Nihon Kogakuin College (Katayanagi Institute)

In Japan, 3,218 private vocational schools offer professional education in individual areas of industry. Currently, 23.1% of high school graduates study at vocational schools and 99.6% of them find employment after graduation. (more…)

Steve Kaufmann started learning Russian – his 9th language – when he was 60, and Portuguese at 62. He figures if he can do it, so can anyone. But they need a more effective method than the usual classroom milieu of endless repeating and exams. (more…)

Japan’s higher education system is undergoing major changes due to oversupply and a falling birthrate, forcing many universities to merge, while others face bankruptcy or are taken over. Universities across the country are making desperate efforts to attract new students as admissions quotas fall. (more…)

The restaurant industry is now recognized as the largest leisure-related industry in Japan. Diners can enjoy a diversity of restaurants, offering not only traditional Japanese food but also Asian, Italian and other types of food. One of the boom-makers of diversified restaurants in Japan is Kozo Hasegawa, president and CEO of Global-Dining Inc.
(more…)

This month, Bill Gear, Foreign Personnel Manager at 7ACT, tells us about what they expect from prospective candidates and what makes an attractive resume.
(more…)