Related Works

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  The Japan Times – Philippine Report 2019

  As a reflection of investor confidence, the US News and World Report named the Philippines as the “Best Country to Invest In” in its 2018 Best Countries report, outranking Indonesia, Poland, Malaysia and Singapore. Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s upgraded our credit rating outlook from “stable” to “positive” in April 2018 due to improvements in policy- making while Fitch upgraded our Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating from BBB-, the minimum investment grade, to BBB in December 2017, which it affirmed in July 2018.

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  The Japan Times – Malaysia Report 2019

  One year ago today saw Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad reinstated as Prime Minister of Malaysia. The Malaysian government is implementing policies to drive economic growth and encouraging investors to look at the country with a renewed sense of confidence. Over the past twelve months, Malaysia has undergone a period of increased stability and economic growth through the government’s efforts to work more closely with regional partners, including Japan.

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  The Japan Times – Vietnam Report 2019

  Vietnam’s unprecedented economic growth has captured the world’s attention Foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $19.1 billion in 2018 — a 9.1 percent increase compared with the previous year. With a stable political landscape, gross domestic product growth of 6.8 percent and strong export figures, investor confidence in the Southeast Asian country is stronger than ever. With $8.6 billion worth of FDI approvals in Vietnam last year, Japan is the largest investor in the country. Bilateral relationships between the two countries are also at an all-time high.

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  The Japan Times – Egypt Report 2019

  One-hundred and fifty-five years ago, the second Japanese mission to Europe, the Ikeda Mission, visited Egypt on the way to France. This first contact between Egypt and Japan has developed into a partnership focused on commerce, academia and culture. “Egypt’s population of almost 100 million is at the crossroads of three continents,” explained Japanese Ambassador to Egypt H.E. Masaki Noke. “Strategically positioned between the Middle East, Europe and Africa, the country is an important partner for Japan...

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  The Japan Times – Switzerland Report 2019

  H.E. Jean-François Paroz, Ambassador, Embassy of Switzerland in Japan shares some insight with Synergy Media Specialists on Swiss-Japanese economic relations: In spite of a population of just 8.5 million and a territory about the size of Kyushu, Switzerland may well be called an economic powerhouse. It ranks among the world’s top 20 economies in terms of GDP as well as of merchandise and services trade, and is among the top 10 when it comes to foreign direct investment.

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  The Japan Times – Qatar Report 2018

  This year saw the International Monetary Fund rank Qatar as the world’s richest country based on gross domestic product per capita. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2017–2018, Qatar ranks as the 25th most competitive economy in the world and the country is continuing to develop its ties to Japan. In 2008, during the reign of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 was launched to lead Qatar into the future.

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  The Japan Times – UAE Report 2018

  This year marks the 100th anniversary since the birth of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the revered former ruler of the United Arab Emirates. Year of Zayed celebrations are being held in recognition of Sheikh Zayed’s visionary nation-building achievements and strong values based on wisdom, respect, sustainability and human development, which have shaped the UAE and its citizens. Under Sheikh Zayed’s leadership, the UAE, with its diverse, cosmopolitan society, has become an international business and travel hub within the Middle East.

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  The Japan Times – Singapore Report 2018

  As Chair of this year’s 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Singapore is forging partnerships and creating a resilient and innovation-driven economic region. “We will continue to focus on an agenda aimed at fostering ASEAN unity and centrality through the theme ‘resilience’ and enhancing regional economic integration through ‘innovation,’” said Chee Wee Kiong, Permanent Secretary, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Japan and Singapore have over the years established cooperative ties...

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  The Japan Times – Spain Report 2018

  To mark the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Spain, Synergy Media Specialists (SMS) interviewed Masashi Mizukami, the Japanese Ambassador to Spain. How have you enjoyed your time in Spain so far? What has been your most enjoyable Spanish cultural experience? I am enjoying my time in Spain greatly since arriving and I am very happy to be here. The country’s rich history and the diversity found in Spanish culture are outstanding: the historical influences of...

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  The Japan Times – Poland Report 2018

  Synergy Media Specialists shares key thought leadership insights into Poland’s remarkable development and strong relationship with Japan. “Poland and Japan’s strong historical ties continue to develop and have led to a deeper understanding of one another. Today, approximately 4,500 Polish students are studying Japanese and a growing number of them are taking Japanese-language proficiency tests.” — Counsellor-Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in Poland Satoru Takahashi.

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  The Japan Times – Hungary Report 2018

  In 2019, Hungary and Japan will be celebrating 150 years of diplomatic relations. We not only cherish our ties going back to 1869, but we are also proud of how deep our cooperation has been over the past centuries. Japan is our strategic partner in the region, with whom we cooperate closely — not only in the fields of culture and the economy, but also in terms of foreign and security policy. We share similar ideas on various issues and we share common values.

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  The Japan Times – New Zealand 2018

  As investment opportunities continue to create strong business ventures and close partnerships, the New Zealand economy is attracting increased global attention. The country’s 4.6 million ‘Kiwis’ have a well-known passion for sports. New Zealand is home to defending World Rugby Cup Champions the ‘All Blacks’ and the country is current holder of the prestigious America’s Cup. This spirit of competition plays an important role in New Zealand society. Comparable to the nations’ sporting achievements, the country’s economy ranks high in gender equality, economic freedom and ‘ease of doing business.’

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  The Japan Times – Taiwan Report 2018

  President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration has placed high priority on transforming Taiwan’s economy. The government aims to drive growth through five major advanced industries — green energy, smart machinery, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, defense and the development of an Asian Silicon Valley. The latter involves the development of solutions driven by the “internet of things” and artificial intelligence, and will support technology start-ups.

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  The Japan Times – Australia Report 2018

  Australia and Japan celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Japan-Australia Commerce Agreement in 2017. The relationship has continued to prosper under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) which entered into force in January 2015. The two countries remain firm partners today and enjoy a relationship based on mutual trust, shared values and common interests. Ambassador Sumio Kusaka shared his insights in to the Australia-Japan relationship with Synergy Media Specialists (SMS).

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  The Japan Times – France Report 2018

  ‘Japonismes 2018: les âmes en resonance’ (souls in resonance) festival was successfully launched yesterday in Paris (July 12 2018). Cities across France will host events showcasing Japanese culture including ancient ‘Jomon’ pottery, contemporary drama and technology-driven art installations. “‘Les âmes en résonance’ means ‘souls in resonance.’ This comes from the words of Paul Claudel, who was a great writer and served as French Ambassador in Japan in the 1920’s,” explains H.E. Masato Kitera, Ambassador of Japan to France.

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  The Japan Times – Sweden Report 2018

  This year, Japan and Sweden celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations. During Japan’s Meiji Era, Sweden became one of the first countries to establish ties with Japan and the relationship has continued to flourish, particularly in the areas of business, trade, science, culture and the arts. “I am delighted that both Japan and Sweden continue to benefit from the relationship we have nurtured over the years,” said Jun Yamazaki, Japan’s ambassador to Sweden.