Month: December 2008

  • Japan trends 2008/2009

    One of our clients in the financial industry asked me several trend questions: Q1: Biggest surprises in Japan in 2008? Collapse of Japan’s mobile phone handset market (read our blog). In this context the Japanese telecom equipment makers association invited me to give a presentation, which was booked out 2-3 weeks ahead – about 100…

  • ICT trends for Japan for 2009

    ICT trends for Japan for 2009

    Smartphones, European exits from Japan, and M&A ICT trends for Japan: Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) remain engaged in Japan’s ICT sector by Gerhard Fasol One of the Embassies here in Tokyo asked me to write a report about ICT trends for Japan… ICT trends for Japan: Mobile phone sector Pushed by the Government…

  • M&A in Japan – interview with Arthur Mitchell by Dr Gerhard Fasol

    M&A in Japan – interview with Arthur Mitchell by Dr Gerhard Fasol

    M&A in Japan: Interview with Arthur Mitchell by Dr Gerhard Fasol M&A in Japan: Many see the current financial crisis as a period of unique opportunities. Several foreign companies are currently entering or seeking to expand business in Japan. At the same time, there is a wave of Japanese acquisitions abroad. Arthur Mitchell is a…

  • Gallium Nitride LEDs for Christmas

    Since Shuji Nakamura’s first commercialization of GaN LEDs (read the Blue Laser Diode Book) LEDs are progressing rapidly to make the US$ 400 Billion global lighting industry more environmentally friendly, reducing CO2 output and reducing electricity bills for lighting dramatically. Recently rail stations in Japan have begun to test plug-compatible replacement of fluorescent tubes by…

  • Speech by Japan’s Chief-Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura (河村建夫)

    Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura (河村建夫) gave a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club on December 17th, 2008. Kawamura is born in Hagi (Kawaguchi-ken – a beautiful Castle Town in the west of Japan’s main island, which is also host to many famous potters). Kawaguchi was Education Minister in Prime Minister Aso’s cabinet. In…

  • NOKIA quits Japan – for now…

    NOKIA’s Japan subsidiary was founded on April 3, 1989 – almost 20 years ago. On November 27, 2008 NOKIA announced to terminate selling mobile phones to Japan’s mobile operators, effectively withdrawing from Japan (except for purchasing, R&D and VERTU). NOKIA’s sales figures in Japan were a well kept secret until last week when several Japanese…

  • Japan’s mobile phone disaster

    Japan’s mobile phone sector is admired the world over, and Japanese mobile phones are years ahead the rest of the world regarding functionality. However, Japan’s mobile phone industry may be heading for a disaster, similar to the European 3G spectrum license fee disaster which almost bankrupted Europe’s mobile phone operators – unless changes are made…