insight issue 2, vol.1 2012
DESCRIPTION
In this second issue we feature fine wines, fine music and some insight into expat living and disaster prevention as well as regular travel hot picks for all the family.TRANSCRIPT
JAPANTODAY’S PREMIER ENGLISH DIGITAL WEEKLY MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 / VOLUME 01 / AUGUST 2012
Marcus Miller Live at Billboard Tokyo
No time for a long break? Make a day trip out to Fuji Safari Park
Lessons from Tohoku and how to be prepared when disaster strikes
True Taste Tokyo Vol.2 with Lauren Shannon
ENTERTAINMENT
TRAVEL
FAMILY & EDUCATION
RESTAURANTS & DINING
ON THE COVERCharles Smith, Winemaker
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INSIGHT
Editor in ChiefChris Betros
Art Direction/DesignThong Van
ContributorsVicki L. BeyerKaren CarmeliSelect Asset ManagementKen TakagiDan O’BrienLauren Shannon
Account ManagersKieron CashellPeter Lackner
Sales [email protected]
General [email protected]
PublisherGPlusMedia Co., Ltd.www.gplusmedia.com
insight.japantoday.com
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INSIGHT: TRAVEL DAY-TRIP TO FUJI SAFARI PARKI decided to take our 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son early one Saturday morning.
Entry into the park is 2,700 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for kids, which is not too bad. However, if you would like to take the bus tour (which we did), add an extra couple of thousand yen. On the bus, passengers are provided with vegetables/
feed pellets and meat to feed to the animals, which expectantly greet each bus for the tasty tidbits. Our kids loved the feeding part.
The large brown bear as well as the lions are fantastic to see so close up, and in each of the gated seven zones of the park, there are large herds of zebras, camels, elk, buffaloes, as well as tigers, cheetahs elephants and giraffes which have large enclosures where they can freely walk around. None of the animals look stressed and most are fairly active -- meaning you can actually see them.
The park is divided into two zones: The “safari zone” mentioned above and the “free contact” zone. The “free contact” zone is made up of smaller mammal zoo-
styled enclosures with a small petting station for rabbits - a big hit with the kids.
Nearer to the reception and restaurants there are many ‘houses’ dedicated to a particular animal. The dog house has many varieties of smaller breeds which wander around a large hall. Visitors can spend up to 30 minutes for 500 yen, playing with the pooches. The same goes for the cat and rabbit houses – for a fee, patrons can enter and play with the animals. When we got there close to the afternoon, most of the animals were already getting a bit tired of the constant attention and particularly the cats were retreating to the safety of the house rafters for some quiet time.
Fuji Safari Park, which opened in 1980, was the first safari-style attraction of its kind in Japan, and is by far the largest. It is located only 7 kilometers from the base of Mt. Fuji.
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INSIGHT: TRAVEL
We then went to check out the food amenities. It was fairly disappointing -- a large canteen type family restaurant with limited Japanese options such as katsu curry rice and some “fried items.” There are also some stalls set up outside with hotdog vendors and shaved ice, etc. If the weather is nice (or even if it’s not), definitely bring a picnic basket as there are plenty of benches and outdoor seating available.
After we finished lunch, the kids wanted to go back into the safari section, so we decided to go in again, this time in our car. This was actually quite fun too, as the lower seating of the car brings a different perspective and view compared with the iron-grated and elevated bus windows. Car windows and doors must be strictly locked at all times, and I can see why - when a large male lion began to scratch the front fender of the car, it felt like a large earthquake was happening. This sent the kids into an excited frenzy, which was soon short-lived as the rangers - ever present in their 4 X 4s came over to move the lion on.
It takes about 30 minutes to drive through each of the seven sections, and I would recommend visitors to go both on the bus and in their own car.
From April through October, the park also has a “night safari,” where visitors are given night-vision equipment to observe
the animals and their nocturnal behavior. Particularly the cats are active at this time and often can be heard fighting among themselves, making for a thrilling car seat adventure.
Getting thereBy car, you need to take the Tomei expressway out of Tokyo, but be warned. Even early on a Saturday morning, traffic can be a disaster in central Tokyo, so try and avoid national holidays and long weekends. Once you get out of central Tokyo, the traffic usually eases up and it’s a straight run all the way to Susono exit, and about 10km on local roads from there.
By train, you take the Tokaido shinkansen to Mishima station, and then a local bus which goes right to the park (36 minutes).
Fuji Safari ParkTel: 055-998-1311http://www.fujisafari.co.jp
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INSIGHT: BUSINESS
We are coming into the moving season now, when a lot of readers will be coming to Japan for the first time. Whether it be a medium or long-term assignment, be forewarned and take heed of others’ mistakes.
Below is a list of some of the worst financial mistakes one can make as an expat:
MISTAKE 1: Underestimating the cost of LivingOne of the biggest mistakes made in that first move abroad is to underestimate just how much it may cost to live in a new and unfamiliar country. The danger is that in their preparations, people tend to budget for food, utilities and other essentials on a like-for-like basis with their home domicile. Countries such as Japan, for example, can be horrendously more expensive than the UK and it is not until the bills start coming in that the differences become apparent. The solution is to assume you will need far more than planned for in your original budget.
MISTAKE 2: Underestimating Moving CostsPutting together a budget for the move overseas is essential - but allow for the fact that between budgeting and moving, there may be external changes, such as foreign exchange rates and local cost of living increases. One area where people often can be caught out is in the numerous one-off and fixed costs, such as for legal services, expenses around property purchase or rental, local administration costs and peculiar taxes (more on this below), that can rapidly eat into the most carefully calculated budget.
MISTAKE 3: Living Beyond Your MeansOne of the things that I have noticed is that when people first arrive in a new country, particularly if it is their first contract or posting abroad, the new and exciting surroundings often put them into “holiday mode.” For the first three to six months, they want to absorb the culture and the bright lights of their new country of residence and they spend like they are on holiday. Hand in hand with this is ensuring sufficient emergency funds are put by, that will not be touched, unless there is an emergency.
THE WORST MISTAKES MADE BY EXPATS
RICKY MATTHEWSFPC, FAIQ(CII), MCSI.Director of Operations IFA-Asia
With over 20 years Sales, Marketing, Training and Management experi-ence in financial services, he has a full and wide knowledge of the financial markets.
www.ifa-asia.com
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INSIGHT: BUSINESS
MISTAKE 4: Not Factoring in Exchange RatesExchange rate fluctuations are an obvious factor but where people often come unstuck is when they have regular withdrawals for fixed payments in their home domicile, such as mortgage payments and other bills on any property retained in their home country. A strategy here is to look to see if a fixed rate of exchange can be obtained over a 6 to 12-month period, so budgets are not wildly affected.
MISTAKE 5: Being Caught Out By Local TaxesTax systems vary quite considerably from country to country (as do the legal systems). This can especially affect people moving to work abroad in Europe, where some countries have harsher tax systems: Income in the Netherlands is subject to payroll tax and personal income tax, while in countries like Spain, they have lower rates of income tax but far higher capital gains tax, for instance. And France has a fortune tax which levies 1% on all of an individual’s worldwide assets.
MISTAKE 6: Inadequate Will WritingWhile many expats will have written a will in their home country, once they move abroad this may not be recognized in their new country of domicile. For example, if a married man dies in a country ruled by Shariah Law, all his assets will normally be transferred to his nearest living male relative. Even if there is a UK will in place, there is no guarantee that the wife will receive anything. Setting up a Shariah compliant will is essential.
MISTAKE 7: Having an Overseas Bank AccountMake sure that you set up bank accounts in the country in which you want to make domestic payments (such as for utilities). Not to do so could see you paying excessive and unnecessary bank charges.
MISTAKE 8: Forgetting to Inform HMRCThis is common for UK expats, but could also apply for other nationalities. For example, expats forgetting to inform HMRC (UK Tax Office) of their non-UK status can easily lead to an individual being sought after for tax in both UK and their new country of residence. Form P85 is the one that needs to be completed. On another note, anyone taking gains within the first full tax year that an individual moves abroad will be taxed by HMRC. To benefit from any tax advantage from moving abroad, gains will have to be taken after the end of that tax year in April.
MISTAKE 9: Life Insurance Cover
Most written life insurance policies may provide limited or no cover at all outside of the home country. It is important that anyone working or living in a new country reviews any insurance policies they may have in place to ensure they properly cover them both for their new domicile as well as for their individual needs. Insurances to consider are: term assurance (life cover), serious accident, critical illness, private medical insurance and financial protection such as family income benefit.
MISTAKE 10: Pensions & National Insurance ContributionsIf you have a pension in the UK, either ensure that you maintain contributions to it or set up an alternative scheme. This will depend on your individual circumstances. Likewise, if you are intending to return to the UK later in life and wish to draw a state pension, then maintaining national insurance contributions is essential. If you have no plans to return to the UK, then also a QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes) scheme could be beneficial.
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INSIGHT: FAMILIES AND EDUCATION
L E S S O N S F R O M
T O H O K UA 3D video presentation of that recovery, charting the progress made at different stages of the last year such as the immediate aftermath, the situation at the 6-month mark as well as one year on, is the highlight of a new exhibit at The Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institute in Kobe.
For those who also want to gain a better understanding of exactly what happened or who want to experience the legacy of the earthquake and tsunami with the added benefit of the education programs of the Institute, it is an essential place to visit because they inform you not only on what happened in Tohoku but also about the greater threat of earthquakes, while serving as a memorial to the last great disaster in Japan, the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.
What has been the impact on the lives of the people living in Tohoku? How many school children are to this day still missing? What state do the local communities find themselves in today? And what will be the wider legacy of everything that happened there? These are just some of the essential questions that visitors will have answered while no doubt having a few more questions raised besides as they explore.
Visitors learn how authorities continue to improve their disaster response methods, how cities and building plans underwent considerable change and how food / water distribution methods
are managed (one of the lessons from Tohoku being the distribution networks of the convenience stores continue to be one of the best ways to get emergency supplies out to stricken areas).
Anybody connected with Japan – be it the foreign residents of the country, those from overseas who planned to travel to the country or even admirers of Japanese culture from around the world were all left with some impact on their own lives when they saw what had happened to the people of Tohoku. The work of The Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institute is one way people can grapple with the magnitude of the events and gain a better personal understanding.
For others, the greater work that the institute carries out serves as a remainder that people in different countries around the world can suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves under threat from an earthquake or major natural disaster. In the past few years alone, we have seen major catastrophes in China, Haiti and New Zealand, for example, and so the there is also a wider reason to understand how Japan has and continues to, live with such challenges.
Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution1-5-2 Kaigan-dori, Wakinohama, Chuo-ku, Kobe
Information/reservationTel: 078-262-5050
For more information visit:www.dri.ne.jp/english/index.html
Earlier this year, we reached the first anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster. Although many challenges still remain and large parts of the disaster-struck region are still in need of work and support, the area is coming back to life with recovery progressing in the aftermath of disaster.
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INSIGHT: TRUE TASTE TOKYO
TRUETASTETOKYOVOL.2
AUTHOR: LAUREN SHANNON
If you like your wines to arrive at table accompanied by a snooty attitude, a lot of white linen and 5 different kinds of forks and knives then this article is not for you.This piece is about kick ass wines- made by a hell-on-wheels wine maker. Charles Smith. And good news for all of us- Charles loves Tokyo and his wines are available here to drink and enjoy! No fuss or muss. No 10 years in the cellar. His wines should be swilled now, with food, friends and good times.
First time in the wine making world, Charles, who came from a past that included eleven years in Scandinavia managing rock bands- started with a brand called MAGNIFICENT HOUSE WINE. This label had a cheeky name, cute and striking artwork and was a house wine that was worth taking notice of.
His bold packaging has been a hallmark in the many labels he has created since, and his sense of humor is always present. One of his early famous wines
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sujis.net
Aug 17thKinlay Album Launch Party this Friday!Live Music Schedule:
Aug 10: Kinlay Band
Aug 11: The Spazmatics
Aug 12: Johnsons Motor car
Aug 14: Dixieland Jazz
Aug 15: Open Mic
Aug 16: Delta Blues Project
INSIGHT: TRUE TASTE TOKYO
“It’s just booze – drink it!” - Charles Smith
LAUREN SHANNONFood critique and restaurant owner.
was a big juicy Syrah made under his K-VINTNERS brand- which made it “K Syrah,” to the enjoyment of Doris Day fans the world over.
These days you can find his bold Syrahs, and luscious red meritage wines in casual bistros like ROTI Roppongi, or on Michelin star rated menus like the Joel Rubechon atelier. Look for big black and white graphics and bigger wines- and make sure you bring along some friends to party with. This wine maker’s goods are great for summer playtime. I highly recommend the “Kung Fu Girl Riesling” for a cool drink on a hot night. Kung Fu Girl goes great with everything but is especially awesome with seafood, Asian fusion or spicy Thai.
Having a party at home or just want to relax in front of the TV watching the Olympics?
Contact Tokyo’s North West wine experts, Orca International. They will deliver wines (even a single bottle) right to your door and they have spent years introducing Charles to the Tokyo market.
Cheers!
www.orca-international.com
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INSIGHT: ENTERTAINMENT MARCUS
MILLERLIVE
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INSIGHT: ENTERTAINMENT
Marcus Miller is considered by many to be one of the premier contemporary bass players of the modern age. Equally impressive is the interaction between Miller and his huge fan base. Just one look on various fan sites and social media and you can see a genuine connection and appreciation between him and his fans -- seeing him take the time to reply to comments, mentoring those needing advice, updating his experiences and sharing his musical journey, touching so many people along the way.
In the early part of his career, while he was growing up in New York, Miller established himself as one of the most sought after studio and live session musicians, playing with the likes of Aretha Franklin Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross (he has played on over 500 albums). During this period, he also met someone who would shape his music and career forever- Miles Davis.
With Miles DavisThe avant-garde trumpeter recruited Miller into his band in 1980, utilizing his modern and fresh “fusion” sound. In 1986, Miller composed most of the music for the album “Tutu,” the Grammy award-winning breakthrough album which reaffirmed Davis as the musical genius that he was and bringing him into the new era and indeed opening the door for Davis’ other collaborations and music explorations.
Creating a SoundIn the early ’90s Miller put together a band to explore his own headliner touring opportunities largely because of his distinct sound. Miller is considered one of the main developers of the modern “slap” technique, something that was introduced by funk trailblazer Larry Graham in the 1960s. He was also hugely influenced by Jaco Pastorius and his fretless electric bass technique. Miller was able to combine both techniques with his own unique songwriting and has never looked back -- with over 15 solo albums to date and an almost endless touring schedule which regularly includes Japan.
In JapanOn May 15, 2011, Miller was one of the first artists to host a benefit concert for tsunami relief efforts and is still raising awareness in the U.S. of the continued difficulties faced in Tohoku.
“My heart goes out to the people of Japan who are suffering through the effects of the earthquake and tsunami. So many musicians like me have enjoyed the love and support of Japanese music lovers over the years. We’re putting this show together to try to return some of that love and support in their time of need.”
Marcus Miller and band will perform at Billboard Live Tokyo August 8-14 and Osaka 16-17.
