Welcome to the latest edition of JETRO Spotlight USA, JETRO USA's national e-newsletter featuring the latest articles and events on our website. Each month JETRO brings you relevant and timely articles highlighting business opportunities between the United States and Japan along with updates on JETRO seminars and events.

Contents in this newsletter:

I. JETRO Case Study

• Molycorp (rare earth oxide)
• Scuderi Group (engine technology)

II. Updates on the Status of the Nuclear Power Stations

III. Japan Market Update

• Cleantech: Green Branding in Japan Is Underpinned by a Strong Environmental Ethos
• Healthcare (Medical Device): The high yen "endaka" drives higher profitability for medical device companies in Japan

IV. Upcoming Events

(1) JETRO-Organized Events

• Japan Pavilion @ The Winter Fancy Food Show 2012 (January 2012)
• Japan Pavilion @ New York International Gift Fair 2012 (January 2012)

(2) Third-Party Events

• Personalized Medicine World Conference (PMWC) 2012 (January 2012)

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I. JETRO Case Study

Over 700 companies have used JETRO's free services to establish their presence in Japan. Read the experiences of our latest past clients.

Molycorp, a Producer of Rare Earth Materials, Opens Japan Office, Anticipates Quadrupling of Japan Sales

Based in Greenwood Village, Colo., Molycorp, Inc. is the largest producer of rare earth materials outside of China. Rare earths are used in a wide array of industrial applications, including metal alloys, magnets, aircraft, smartphones, laptop computers, LED televisions, computer screens, superconductors, cancer treatments, nickel-metal hydride batteries in hybrid cars, wind turbines, lasers, nuclear reactors, X-ray systems, fuel cells, and many others.

Currently, China produces 97% of the world's rare earths, and it has steadily reduced its exports to the rest of the world in recent years. Numerous Japanese companies, particularly advanced technology manufacturers, rely on these materials, and China's shrinking exports have demonstrated the importance of having a diverse supply of rare earths.

In August, Molycorp opened an office in Japan to better support its customers there. We spoke with company President, CEO and Director, Mark A. Smith, about the opportunities that led Molycorp to set up the office and their experience working with JETRO in the process.

>> Read more

Scuderi Group, a Developer of Engine Technology, Establishes Japan Office, Still 'Bullish' on Market Post-Quake

Scuderi Group is a West Springfield, Mass.-based developer of engine technology. The company has designed and patented the Scuderi split-cycle air hybrid engine and seeks to license the technology to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide. Scuderi Group established an office in Japan to expand operations to the country's substantial engine manufacturing market and to the larger Asia-Pacific region. We spoke with Bill Wrinn, Director of Marketing & Communications, and Deryk Langlais, Director of Asian Operations, about setting up the office and working with JETRO in the process.

>> Read more



See how JETRO can support your company establish an office in Japan.
 
 

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II. Updates on the Status of the Nuclear Power Stations

December 16, 2011--METI, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan, posted reports on the status of the nuclear power stations in Fukushima. Please visit the METI web site  to view the "Roadmap for Immediate Actions for the Verification of and Restoration from the Accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO."

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III. Japan Market Update

Cleantech Market

Read the latest installment of our Cleantech Sector updates, written by Cando Advisors, a consulting firm supporting clients on international business development, strategic alliance and investment, focusing on the Japanese market.

Green Branding in Japan Is Underpinned by a Strong Environmental Ethos

Includes:

• The Conservation Mindset of the Japanese People
• Japanese Companies Work to Burnish Their Green Credentials
• Perceptions of Companies' Green Policies Drive Consumer Choices
• Creating Business Opportunity from Japan's Green Consciousness

 
>> Read past articles

Healthcare Market (Medical Device)

Read the latest bi-monthly installment from JETRO's North America Medical Device Advisor, Harold Smith, on opportunities in the world's third largest medical device market - Japan.

The high yen "endaka" drives higher profitability for medical device companies in Japan

Includes:

• What are the implications of the "endaka" to foreign manufacturers?
• How can manufacturers overcome the higher cost of entry?

 
>> Read past articles

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IV. Upcoming Events

Please check updates on JETRO seminars and events.

(1) JETRO-Organized Events

Japan Pavilion @ The Winter Fancy Food Show 2012

Date:	Sunday, January 15, 2012 - Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Location:	Moscone Center
	747 Howard Street
	San Francisco, CA 94103
	JETRO is pleased to present the first ever Japan Pavilion at The Winter Fancy Food Show 2012, from January 15th to the 17th. The Japan Pavilion will be located at booth 4925 in the South Hall of the Moscone Center in San Francisco. We highly recommend that all members of the food industry take advantage of this opportunity to experience the quality of Japanese food. We have 26 companies representing a wide variety of Japanese tastes -- discover refinements on familiar products like soy sauce, tea and sake, exotic creations like black garlic and wagashi, and Japanese takes on western treats such as marshmallows and ice cream.

Japan Pavilion @ New York International Gift Fair 2012

Date:	Sunday, January 29, 2012 - Thursday, February 2, 2012
Location:	Japan Pavilion, Booth 1889, Level 3, Jacob K. Javits Center
	655 W 34th St.
	New York, NY
	www.nyigf.com
	JETRO, the organizer of the Japanese exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF)'s Japan Pavilion, is pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the best of Japanese craft and design at the world's premier gift show. Over 20 Japanese craft and design companies will showcase their products. Please come to the event and discover great Japanese designs.

(2) Third-Party Events

Personalized Medicine World Conference (PMWC) 2012

Date:	Monday, January 23, 2012 - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Location:	Computer History Museum
	1401 N Shoreline Blvd.
	Mountain View, CA 94043
	PMWC is the only fully integrated conference to examine Personalized Medicine through a practical lens. Launched by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs in 2009, PMWC brings together the thought-leaders of business, government, healthcare-delivery, research and technology into one information-rich, two-day conference. The fourth PMWC 2012, set for January 23-24 in Silicon Valley, is themed "The Journey to Commercialization," and will provide entrepreneurs and companies with pragmatic insight into Personalized Medicine in cooperation with the FDA, Big Biopharma and Payers. JETRO Subscribers: Register by December 25, 2011 and receive 20%-off with an exclusive discounted-rate. Click here to register and enter discount code: JETRO.

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We welcome your comments or suggestions for future article topics. Feel free to contact us at www.jetro.org/contact.