FCOCA | Newsletter Vol.20

VOL 20
NOV 2011

Connecting Fukuoka to the globe.

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MILSTONE NEWS

Coupon group-buying website Groupon debuted on NASDAQ on November 4. Its closing total market value the first day was about 16.5 billion dollars, marking the biggest appearance on the market since Google’s in 2004. Groupon was established in 2008 in Chicago. It has expanded its websites, which distribute coupons for local restaurants and retailers, to over 40 countries.

GAME CHANGERS

»ReDigi : ReDigi Cloud allows users who have purchased music files from an online store like iTunes or Amazon to later sell them at a discounted price like used CDs. Currently, the service is engaged in a copyright battle with the music industry.

»Umami : This iPad application provides users with a second-screen experience when watching television. The service makes it easy to access cast and crew bios and other information about television programs via links to Wikipedia and social media sites.

»Uptake : This service allows people who are planning a trip to use information on Facebook to find friends who have travelled to target destinations and ask them for travel tips.

FUKUOKA HIGHLIGHTS

Fukuoka City Among the Most Active Hosts of Conferences

In 2010, Fukuoka City was the location of 216 international conferences. For the second year in a row, Fukuoka City was second only to Tokyo for the highest number of any city in Japan. The most active venue in Japan was Kyushu University. Factors were excellent access to airports and plentiful dining establishments and lodging. » More

Over 90% of Residents Want to Stay in Fukuoka City

According to surveys, 95.2% of Fukuoka City residents say the city is a comfortable place to live, and 91.7% want to continue living there. They praise the city for its abundance of fresh and tasty foods, convenient shopping and plentiful greenery. » More

RoboPlus Hibikino Develops Ship-Cleaning Robot

RoboPlus Hibikino has developed a robot that can clean away shellfish and other deposits on the bottom of ships. The robot can perform the task in half the time it takes to clean by hand, resulting in more frequent cleanings and greater fuel efficiency for sea vessels. The robot is fixed with a camera and operated by remote control. » More

Tsubaki Nano Mixes Oil and Water

Tsubaki Nano has developed a hair care lotion that combines camellia oil and water without the addition of surfactants and emulsifiers. The company’s unique technology accomplishes this by reducing the oil to nano-sized particles. The lotion moisturizes hair with a feeling like that of water. Tsubaki Nano received the Fukuoka Design Award for this innovation. » More

Roadside Station Tachibana is Japan’s Top Farmer’s Market

Roadside Station Tachibana near Yame City has won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, the top award in the All Nippon Farmers Market Competition. The competition chooses Japan’s top farmer’s market from among more than 16,000 around the country. Roadside Station Tachibana stood out for the great taste of its handmade goods and its warm atmosphere. » More

SoftBank Hawks Win the Japan Series

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks beat the Chunichi Dragons with four wins and three losses to win the Japan Series in professional baseball for the first time in eight years and the fifth time in the team’s history. It is the Hawks’ first time to win a championship since SoftBank took ownership of the team. » More

"Our man in Tokyo is worth every cent we pay him." - Staff Officer at CINCPAC