GREATER NAGOGYA INITIATIVE GNI monthly newsletter Issue No.3 August 2006

Greater Nagoya Means Greater Business Opportunities
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GREATER NAGOGYA INITIATIVE
GNI monthly newsletter Issue No.3 August 2006
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▼INDEX▼
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◇◆　1. Greater Nagoya Economic Symposium on July 25, 2006
◇◆　2. Honda’s New Factory in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture
◇◆　3. Symbols of Japanese Summer (Obon, Yukata, Hanabi –see below for what they are)
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◇◆　１. Greater Nagoya Economic Symposium on July 25, 2006　◇◆
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GNI is pleased to announce that more than 350 people participated in
Greater Nagoya Economic Symposium on July 25, 2006. Many thanks to our
key note speaker, Ms. Satsuki Katayama, Parliamentary Secretary for
Economy, Trade and Industry for her presentation on the current situation
of Japanese economy and the importance of investing in Japan.
The symposium was a great success and featured exhibitions from 33
overseas companies. At the close of the event, the reception provided a
forum for participants to exchange opinions and thoughts.

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◇◆　２. Honda’s New Factory in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture ◇◆
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Honda Motor Company has announced an investment of 8 billion yen (about 70
million dollars) for the addition of a new factory in the Suzuka Plant
(Mie Prefecture). The factory will both produce a new, more affordable,
dedicated hybrid car and expand production of key parts for gas-electric
hybrid vehicles. This new hybrid vehicle will have an annual worldwide
sales volume target of 200,000 units, quadrupling the current capacity.
Production of the new vehicles and parts will commence in 2008.

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◇◆　3. Symbols of Summer in Japan ◇◆
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Symbols of summer in Japan are O-bon (a Buddhist festival commemorating
one’s ancestors), Hanabi (elaborate firework displays, sometimes lasting
up to four hours!), and Yukata (a summer kimono that is casual and more
comfortable in the summer heat). Donning Yukata has once again become
popular among young people and they can be seen wearing it at summer festivals, fireworks displays, and the Bon Festival Dance.
O-bon (August 13-16) is the second longest vacation in Japan after New Year’
s, and it is a time for family and relatives to get together.