Message-ID: <1837311.1075858903368.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2001 20:10:55 -0700 (PDT) From: editors@successstories.com To: japanexec2001@mindspring.com Subject: Japan Strategy Update - August Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: K Matsubara X-To: JAPANEXEC2001@mindspring.com X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \SKEAN (Non-Privileged)\Kean, Steven J.\Japan X-Origin: Kean-S X-FileName: SKEAN (Non-Privileged).pst Dear Japan Business Executive: We thought you might be interested in highlights of what appears in the August issue (www.SuccessStories.com/current.htm) of our print publication, SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN Executive Newsletter. Feel free to pass this message along to any colleagues who may find it relevant or useful. To subscribe: www.SuccessStories.com/ssform.htm. SPECIAL REPORT: THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF CORPORATE JAPAN With so much attention now focused on which Koizumi reforms are really required to reform Japan's economy, we went directly to ask someone who evaluates the strategy and performance of specific Japanese corporations every day. The Director of Corporate Ratings at Standard & Poor?s Japan offers his views on whether Japan's managers are ready for and actively engaging in real restructuring. He shares what he knows about Japanese corporates' financial sophistication, systems, accounting standards, credit trends, and the overall current state of corporate Japan?s financial health. A SPECIALIST OFFERS ADVICE: "A JAPAN ACQUISITION THAT (LUCKILY) NEVER CLOSED" (PART TWO) This second part of our specialist's two-part article about an acquisition abandoned because of employee compensation and benefit issues offers a rare, inside look at some of the ?brass tacks? issues that companies often consider during such a process. Readers who have not participated in such a process may find some of our contributor's notes to his client, included in this article, rather harsh in their tone and intent. Nevertheless, the notes demonstrate the complexity of the many issues acquiring executives face in evaluating a potential acquisition in Japan, and should not be construed as anything but a competent professional?s best advice to an important client. JAPAN INSIGHT: GET THE SCOOP Certain of Japan's internet cafes offer a little-known and inexpensive sampling and product research opportunity; Business Indicator: Which executives are flying to Japan these days? -- It might surprise you; St. Jude Medical seeks continued growth; Japan was just a way station to greater responsibilities for these executives. FROM THE EDITORS Information is another key to transforming Japan's economy... IS YOUR COMPANY FOCUSED ON THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES OPENING FOR HEALTHCARE COMPANIES IN JAPAN? Then you may be interested in specialist contributor Charles Duffy's view on how innovative healthcare companies in Japan are using training to upgrade their staffs and facilitate change. He details the management issues you'll need to focus on to succeed. Our popular October 2000 issue is still available for single issue purchase. (www.SuccessStories.com/oct00.htm). Or read specialist contributor Bill Farrell in the December 2000 issue, as he makes the case for health information services on the internet, an opportunity your company can exploit in Japan (www.SuccessStories.com/dec00htm). All of our back issue descriptions are at www.SuccessStories.com/ssdescri.htm. LET US HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND YOU GROW YOUR COMPANY IN JAPAN Now it's easy to order the BACK ISSUES which discussed your company's Japan activities or those of its competitors, partners or customers. Or learn more about some of the innovative Japanese and non-Japanese companies we've been writing about. Our new company index, at www.SuccessStories.com/colist.htm, provides a comprehensive list of all the companies which have been mentioned in our pages since 1998, and an easy click to the specific issue containing the reference. Or to subscribe, use the form at www.SuccessStories.com/ssform.htm. ANNOUNCING: THE SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN 2001-2002 GOLF COURSE GUIDE The third edition of our well-known English-language guide, containing detailed information on over 90 Tokyo-area golf courses which always welcome foreign players. We list cheap public courses as well as some of the most prestigious and beautiful courses in Japan, most of which have lowered their fees and now welcome foreigners to stay in business. Come golf on some of the world's most beautiful and challenging (if still little known) courses, where increasing numbers of non-Japanese lust to play. As seen in Playboy Japan, Golfer, Golf for Women, Tokyo Weekender, Tokyo Classified, Los Angeles Times, and many other publications. Full information is at www.JapanGolfCourses.com/home.htm. SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN Executive Newsletter, available in print form only with accompanying e-mail commentary from our editors, focuses on innovative business strategies for Japan, the world's second-largest economy. For nearly four years, a growing number of the world's savviest global corporations (Japanese, European, Asian, American, etc.), Japan portfolio managers, and financial and professional services firms have continued to subscribe to it for insight that isn't available anywhere else. For complete information, visit www.SuccessStories.com/sshome.htm. Discounts are available for government and non-profit subscribers. SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN editors focus exclusively on strategies and tactics companies in all industries use to grow their Japan businesses, in M&A, e-business and mobile strategies, marketing, distribution, human resources, partnering, training and other management disciplines. Our interest is in helping you grow your Japan profits, period. No other publication offers what we do: We publish exclusive surveys, that allow you to benchmark your Japan performance against others. We identify and interview Japan-oriented executives like you, and others who are bringing new and innovative strategies and tactics to Japan. Our in-depth material is 100% original (we don't rehash press releases, we break news on your markets). Our contributors are Japan business specialists, and our editors speak frequently about Japan business strategy before executive groups and in the mainstream media (including CNN, Associated Press, Business Week, Reuters, Nikkei and Barron's). STAY IN, OPT OUT, PASS ALONG If you change companies or e-mail addresses and wish to continue receiving SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN free e-mail updates, don't forget to inform us of your new e-mail address. And as always, if you're no longer interested in this material, reply with your request for removal (along with the full heading and body of this message). We'll remove you promptly. Or pass this message along to an interested colleague. FOR INFO: www.SuccessStories.com/sshome.htm CURRENT ISSUE DESCRIPTION: www.SuccessStories.com/current.htm BACK ISSUES: www.SuccessStories.com/ssdescri.htm COMPANY INDEX ONLINE: www.SuccessStories.com/colist.htm SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: www.SuccessStories.com/ssorder.htm SUBSCRIPTION/BACK ISSUE ORDER FORM: www.SuccessStories.com/ssform.htm GOLF COURSE GUIDE ORDER FORM: www.JapanGolfCourses.com/form.htm