SCCJ organized Sakura party at the new venue, Togo Kinenkan (東郷記念館) in Harajuku last Wednesday, April 3, which around 60 people attended.

 

This year, we invited Fukagawa Geisha (深川芸者) as special guests.

During the party, they were walking around to talk with guests, and many guests took photos with them.

 

Guests also enjoyed their beautiful dance performance and playing game together with them. Some of the guests played one of typical Ozashiki-Asobi (playing games with Geisha), Konpira Fune Fune (金毘羅船船). They got excited about the game as you need to drink up the glass of alcohol if you lose the game.

 

There was also very nice Japanese garden as well as shrine, people enjoyed the great view from the balcony next to the room or walk around the garden.

 

 

We are happy to announce that we welcome two new Corporate members SCCJ!

1. APEX Co., Ltd.

New Corporate Member, import business and whole selling for Scandinavian products. The office is located in Gunma.

2. Smart Eye Japan Co., Ltd.

New Associate Member, sales of software for driver monitoring and vehicle safety. The office is located in Roppongi.

 

Please extend a warm welcome to APEX and Smart Eye Japan.
Contact SCCJ Secretariat if you would like to get introduced to any of our member companies. You can also find contact information by logging in on sccj.org 

We are also pleased to inform that Munters has upgraded to SCCJ Gold Corporate Membership. Contact us to find out how your company can benefit from being a Gold Corporate Member. 

Thank you for your great support!

On March 18th, we organized the annual team building competition at Sasazuka Bowl.

73 guests from 15 companies attended the event with 18 teams.

This year, Atlas Copco, who had three different teams competing won the game!

Participants are from following companies:

ASA Digital

Asia Pacific Consulting

Atlas Copco

Axis Communications

B.Braun

Business Sweden

Edith Grove

Ericsson

Epiroc

Höganäs

Profoto

Scandinavia Service

Seco Tools

 

On March 13th, Embassy of Sweden, Business Sweden and SCCJ co-organized an event focusing on how Swedish companies can utilize the EU-Japan Partnership Agreement (EPA) at Embassy of Sweden. 

Around 60 people attended this half-day seminar bringing up various topics surrounding the EPA, also including a panel discussion answering questions from the audience. 

The day started out with lunch and networking where guest enjoyed classic Swedish and Japanese food. After opening remarks by Ambassador Magnus Robach the first presenter took stage inside the Alfred Nobel Auditorium. 
 

The following presentations were given: 

The EPA in a global context and Swedish Trade Policy – Director General for Trade at Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Teppo Tauriainen

Business Climate Survey Japan – presentation of results by Cecilia Leiram, Business Sweden

How to use the EPA? Guide to Rules of Origin, Preferential Tariffs and more, Anna Folkesson, Trade Facilitation Expert at Business Sweden

EPA beyond Tariffs - Non-Tariff Measures, Standards, Data Flows, EPA-expert from National Board of Trade Sweden.

EU-South Korea FTA – 8 years of Free Trade, what have we learned?

Government Procurement – EU-Japan Center for Industrial Cooperation

How to make the most of the agreement? – panel discussion on Implementation, Monitoring and Input from Business incl. Q&A session, EU-delegation, National Board of Trade, Business Sweden, European Business Council.

Presentations from the event can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On March 8th, SCCJs WIN (Women's Impact Network) organized a panel discussion at Embassy of Sweden to celebrate the 1-year anniversary for WIN as well as the International Women's Day.

 

We invited the following speakers for a panel discussion on the theme "Build Better Business Through Diversity":

Kathy Matsui, Vice Chair, Goldman Sachs

Keiko Asano, General Manager, Munters

Yumiko Murakami, Head of OECD Tokyo Centre

Sven Östberg, Embassy of Sweden

Moderator: Melina Kalandaridis, CFO, Ericsson

 

Ambassador Magnus Robach started the event with a welcoming speech before Kathy showed us findings from her research working close to Japanese Government and "Womenomics" since 1999.

 

The panel discussion got off to a good start with plenty of questions form the audience. Thanks to an engaged audience and knowledgable panelists, many topics were covered discussed in an interactive way. 

 

 

After the panel discussion a networking reception started hosted by Embassy of Sweden. Councilor Östberg gave special recognition to individuals within SCCJ who have put in lots of voluntary work into creating and organizing WIN events throughout 2018. 

 

From left: Ylva Schele, UD Trucks, Keiko Asano, Munters, Melina Kalandaridis, Ericsson, Tsai-Wei Chao, GR Japan,

Elin Åhlund from IKEA also volunteered for WIN since the start in January 2018. Thank you all for a fantastic evening and keep up the good work! 

Would you like to engage in WIN and help us grow our network? Contact SCCJ on office@sccj.org

 

On March 5th, SCCJ organized a breakfast round table discussion with Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs, Jennie Nilsson accompanied by Ambassador Magnus Robach and a delegation from the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation.
Representatives from 9 Swedish subsidiaries in Japan took part in the discussion.

AstraZeneca Japan

Atlas Copco Japan

Höganäs Japan

IFS Japan

IKEA Japan

Mycronic

SAAB

Vitrolife

Volvo Car Japan

The Minister opened up for feedback regarding the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement which went in to effect on February 1, 2019. Several Swedish companies in Japan are struggling with local guidelines and standards which does not apply for other countries. Minister Nilsson promised to bring up several issues with her Japanese counterparts. Overall it was a constructive meeting and with lots of feedback for the Minister and her delegation to bring back to Sweden. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(日本語は下記に続きます）

Wexthuset Japan are happy to announce a new Flower & Green Gift delivery service, ”Kruka Tower (Tower pots)”. This Swedish vertical plant pot tower full of Flowers & Green arrangements will be delivered to your important customers, business partners, family, or friends. It looks more elegant than other flower gifts like orchid. Height is about 100cm in 50x50cm square basement.

We will deliver and assemble the pots at designated venue. At the moment it is available in Kanto Area, but other areas are also possible, please contact us for details.

This planted greens can last long for around 1-2 years depending on the surrounding condition. Therefore, this can be an interior green to display in the venue. In addition, the pots are reusable, so flowers and greens can be replaced by new ones to grow.
We are providing maintenance service as well.

 

 

 

SCCJ Member Seco Tools Japan K.K. kindly ordered several pots, and gave us great feedback and satisfaction. They ordered for the house usage and gifts. CEO of Seco Tools Japan K.K. Mr. Tsuruhisa commented,

“I enjoy myself every time I take care of this plants. Before Kruka Tower came to our office it looked rather boring, full of desks, shelves, and documents. Looking after the plants makes me feel relaxed and helps me forget about my daily tasks. It also gives me new inspiration for my job. It is a precious moment when I found a fresh sprout coming out. Kruka Tower is a great gift and interior item for the office or home and it brings lots of joy.”

 

     

 

 

Service Detail

5 pots in a set with basement and floor guard.

 

Standard model  32,500JPY (excl. Tax)

Premium model  62,500JPY (excl. Tax)

*we can arrange by your budget. 3-4 pots layer also available

**Flowers and greens depend on the season or the market 

 

Free shipping within Kanto Area.

(outside of Kanto: quote additional shipping charge)

 

Celebration Card or plate is free of charge.

 

Orders: https://whjp.thebase.in

             info@wexthuset.jp

            050-5216-6801

 

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北欧ガーデニングストアのWEXTHUST　JAPANはこの度新しいサービスとしてスウェーデン製のタワー型植木鉢を使った生花木の贈答花を始めました。

 

従来はお祝いには胡蝶蘭が主流でしたが、「オフィスが胡蝶蘭ばかりになってしまう、枯れた後の処理が大変」等の問題点がありました。

Kruka Towerは生花木による寄せ植えタイプの植木鉢で、垂直に積み上げるため、場所を取らずにボリュームのあるアレンジが可能です。高さ約１ｍアレンジは他の贈答花から群を抜いて目立ちます。また、鉢植えなので、お世話をしていただくことでお祝いの用途が終わっても室内のインテリアグリーンとして1-2年はお楽しみいただけます。さらに、中身を入替えることでイメージを変えてお楽しみいただくことも可能です。別途メインテナンスサービスや植替えのフォローも行っております。

 

すでにSCCJメンバーのSeco Tools Japan株式会社様にもご利用いただいており、自社オフィス用と贈答用でご好評をいただいております。

靏久社長様からも「デスクと仕事に囲まれた社内に緑の草花が届いてから私に新しい責務が増えました。仕事のことばかり考えていた日々の中で違った価値観の責任感が生まれ、

草花に水をあげているときに新芽を見つけた感動は仕事とは違う喜びを与えてくれました。」とのありがたいコメントも頂戴しております。

 

エレガントで豪華な新しい贈答花Kruka Towerを是非大切なお客さまのお祝いやオフィスのインテリアとしてご利用ください。

 

サービス詳細

5段1セット＋土台・床のガード

STANDARD　モデル　32,500円（税別）

PREMIUM　モデル　62,500円（税別）

（*ご予算に合わせたアレンジも可能です。3-4段済みも可能です）

（*植物内容は時期や市場の状況によって変化いたします）

関東圏送料無料

（*関東圏外は別途送料をお見積りさせていただきます）

対応地域の関東圏は弊社にて配送設置までさせて頂きます。関東圏以外は別途ご相談の上対応させていただいております。

 

お祝いのカード・札は無料にて承っております。

 

ご注文: https://whjp.thebase.in

             info@wexthuset.jp

             050-5216-6801

上記ウェブショップ・メール・お電話のいずれでも承っております。

On February 12^th, SCCJ launched the HR network among Gold corporate members, of which 9 companies  attended.

Alfa Laval
Axis Communications
Epiroc
Getinge
IKEA
Mycronic
Sandvik,
TetraPak
Volvo Car Japan

SCCJ introduced this program in order to help build the HR network between various industries to share information or tips for HR managers. We also provide a platform of career opportunity information on our website.

​After SCCJ gave a presentation of the program, people discussed the following topics:

1. What kind of issues are HR facing when hiring?
2. How each company finds/targets candidates – is it worth hosting Nordic Job Fair?
3. How to keep and motivate employees?

During the discussion of motivation, some companies shared the experience of weekly "Fika” and “family events” to provide the opportunity for employees to know each other personally. After the discussion it was time for informal networking with some wine and food. 

SCCJ are happy to support this network and hope it will provide many meaningful sessions going forward.

 

On 7th, February, around 9 members enrolled in the SCCJ WIN Mentoring Program met at the Embassy of Sweden.

The purpose of this event was to review and share experiences/insights from the program.

 

First, Ylva Schele from UD Trucks went through the program re-cap (what was the original object, expectations etc..)

Then three pairs reflected on their process so far and how it can be improved. 

After that, everybody joined the open discussion to share their learning and feedback for overall program.

During this time, some people raised their concerns and other advised how to deal with that.

In the end, Elin Åhlund from IKEA closed the discussion with some improving points and expectation going forward.

 

It was such a meaningful session and we look forward to seeing you all in the closing ceremony in June!

On the 24th of January Embassy of Sweden, SCCJ and Business Sweden arranged a fika with Swedish companies to discuss the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The discussion focused on how Swedish companies were affected by the agreement and how Team Sweden together could cooperate to draw benefits from it.

 

EPA

The agreement will enter into force on February 1st and will eliminate the vast majority of tariffs between EU and Japan. It will also remove a number of Non-Tariff Measures and increase regulatory cooperation between Japan and the EU. Furthermore, Japan has agreed to accept a number of international standards, for example in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors. Through the agreement Japan also opens up the market for public procurement in 54 cities and a number of national and regional agencies. The agreement also makes it easier for business travelers and more.

 

Information about the agreement can be found here:

 

Kommerskollegium – Sveriges expertmyndighet för handelsfrågor / National Board of Trade Sweden

Information about the agreement.

https://www.kommers.se/verksamhetsomraden/Handelspolitik/Forhandlingar/EUs-frihandelsavtal/FTA-Japan/

 

European Commission 

Information about the agreement.

http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/eu-japan-economic-partnership-agreement/

 

Information about of how to take advantage of lower tariffs.  

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/international-affairs/international-customs-cooperation-mutual-administrative-assistance-agreements/japan_en

 

Business Sweden

Certificate of origin. How to take advantage of lower tariffs.

https://www.business-sweden.se/en/Trade/international-markets/asia-pacific/Japan/eu-japan-economic-partnership-agreement-epa/

 

EU-Japan Center for Industrial Cooperation

Helpdesk about EPA and free webinars

https://www.eu-japan.eu/epa-helpdesk

 

Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo 

https://www.swedenabroad.se/tokyo