JAPAN ON THE VERGE OF GOING GREEN
TOKYO, Japan -- Consumption and manufacturing, mindful of environmental issues, has become a
way of life in many countries around the world -- particularly in Northern Europe; but it has been slow to catch
on in many other parts of the world -- where regulations, cultural issues, economic conditions and other factors,
including product availability, play an important role to hinder such progress.
Today, we are starting to see small, but important changes in Japan, as consumers and businesses become more mindful of the
environment and green selections become more available -- from cars to housing units to less
wasteful packaging. And the government begins to pass regulations in favor of the environment.
Consumer surveys have shown a growing inclination to live a greener life, yet throwaway packaging is
commonplace in this society with a cultural affinity for beautiful presentation. And the higher cost of green
products is still a deterrent for many consumers. Moreover, Japan's government remains laissez-faire
when it comes to promoting a more environmentally friendly economy. For example, Japan
still relies heavily on incineration to get rid of its garbage. But even this is changing. Toshiba Corp., Hitachi Ltd.
and Nissan Motor Co. are closing their waste incinerators in favor of recycling and other methods this year in
order to protect the environment. For example, Toshiba will be recycling its paper waste products into
toilet paper which will be used throughout its offices. NEC announced plans to recycle food waste into
ready-to-use fertilizers that it will sell to farmers. And the government has
passed a series of recycling laws, is encouraging environmentally friendly procurement practices by public
agencies, and it is developing plans to require more elaborate environmental labeling.
In addition, green thinking is catching on in corporate planning. For example, packaging designs are becoming more
environmentally friendly as a result of the new recycling laws. And the Japanese market will be seeing soap containers
that use 65% less plastic (for the 100ml. size). In fact, Japan leads the world in the number of
companies and organizations that have met the criteria for ISO 14001 registration, an internationally
agreed-upon set of standards for environmental management. (Japan has 1,542 (the highest number of)
registrations, followed by Germany with 1,250; the USA ranks 10th with only 330, according to a German
government official who tracks these registrations.) Japanese companies leading these trends, anticipate
the long-term potential for gaining awareness and market share in the
green market as they strive to adopt more environmentally sound technology.
Reader's Comments
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WORLD OIL COMPANY MERGERS
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CHINESE COFFEE-DRINKING ON THE RISE
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LONDON, UK -- Recently formed BP Amoco, now the world's third largest oil company,
announced plans to buy another oil company, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO, the seventh largest oil company
in the US ), for US $26.8 bil. This merger will form the world's largest oil company -- with a combined market
capitalization of US$190 bil. This announcement comes soon after the BP/Amoco merger,
which was just finalized on December 31, 1998.
Meanwhile, Exxon and Mobil also have plans to merge. If both mergers go as planned,
the newly formed Exxon/Mobil company will become
the largest oil company; BP Amoco would become second largest.
(Source: YOUR LINK HERE)
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China -- The International Coffee Organization reported that coffee consumption among the trendy
youth in Japan is accounting for a 10% overall increase this year. While the per capita consumption is low -- less than
a cup per person (which equates to about 200,000 60kg bags of green coffee beans in 1998) -- this rise shows a
growing demand, particularly among young people, and an increasing competition
for share of stomach. This trend appears to be at the early stages, and the possibilities are astounding. According
to Nestle (China) Ltd., if per capita consumption were to rise to the
levels seen in Hong Kong, sales figures in China would be 3000% greater.
Reader's Comments
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POPULARITY OF AMERICAN FAST FOOD BOOMS IN PAKISTAN
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COTTON COMMODITY TRENDS
by Cynthia Gilbert, of Saddle River Futures Trading Group/Refco Inc. in Chicago, IL. Cynthia works as a
commodities broker and has experience trading emerging market debt and equities.
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KARACHI, Pakistan -- The fast food craze seems to have caught on in Pakistan (since its introduction)
over the last two years, where families, singles, richer and poorer diners now frequent these eateries on a regular basis.
And McDonald's strategy of appealing to children with (toy) promotions seems to be successful in Pakistan
as well.
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was the first to market in Karachi in 1997 and now operates eight
restaurants there, plus two more in Lahore, and plans to open a third. Their introduction was quickly followed by
four other American fast food companies, including Pizza Hut, Mr. Burger and McDonald's, which
presently operates one restaurant in Karachi and two in Lahore, but has plans to increase the number of outlets to
24 in two years, mostly in up-market areas. McDonald's currently employs 350 people in Pakistan with expectations for this to
increase to 1,500 by next year.
Despite the optimism among consumers and the companies, religious militant and terrorist groups have attacked the
restaurants on the grounds that they are forcing western culture onto Moslem society. As a result, security measures
play an important role in the development and proliferation of these foreign fast food chains.
(Source: YOUR LINK HERE)
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World -- As the planting season in the Northern Hemisphere approaches, attention is
beginning to turn toward the new cotton crop. World production in 1999/00 is estimated
to reach 19.2 million tons, 700,000 tons more than this season but still about 1 million
tons less than in 1997/98. The expected increase is mainly the result of a partial
recovery in the US, but production increases are also expected in Turkey and Greece.
Growers in these three countries enjoy government support programs. Other increases
are also expected to take place in Uzbekistan and Pakistan, as a result of normal
yields in 1999/00.
Cotton prices continue to be depressed by skepticism about the world economy and
its effects on mill consumption. The overall assessment of supply and demand
remains virtually unchanged from the assessment a month ago. World cotton
production is projected to reach 18.5 million tons in 1998/99, 10,000 tons
lower than a month ago, and mill consumption expected to reach
18.9 million tons, 80,000 tons lower. The stocks-to-use ratio outside China
(Mainland) is now estimated at .38, compared to .37 a month ago. While these
changes add downward pressure on prices, a reassessment of trade by China
(Mainland) adds upward pressure. March Cotton rallied late in the session
yesterday (3/4/99) closing at 6582.
(Source: YOUR LINK HERE)
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