I traveled to Memphis and Jackson in the USA. Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley’s home town and Graceland is a place that Japanese President Koizumi had been invited by President Bush just recently. I visited in these towns for business travel, but I had trouble with the immigration because of the influence of the terrorist issue in UK. It was impossible taking with me such items: plastic bottles, tooth paste, and pills. I needed prescription by the doctor if I wanted to bring medicines in the airplane.

I had one hour and half transferring from Huston to Memphis, however, the airplane arrived at Huston with an hour delay, (well, this news didn’t make me laugh), it took another hour for getting out of the US custom. On top of that, in spite of I had mentioned my contact person, the immigration officers got me out of line for not providing enough information. By the time I was in line for an interview, I was exhausted of making several calls to my friends. (My friend reserved the hotel but I was not told where to stay) There is information counter for tourists in the airport. If people don’t make reservation in hotels, they cannot write information of accommodation, I wonder whoever don’t write where to stay on the custom declare form, are they suspected as members of terrorists? I think, it is easy to write false documents if a person want to do, so there is no solution for protecting us from those terrorists. It is nice of those security officers in the USA airport, but I would say…I had enough! They are wasting time. I had happened to meet a person in the plane on the way back from the USA. The person had big trouble because he didn’t have information of his accommodation. He was kept in the searching room for 2 hours. After I had been checked by the security on the way back form Memphis airport, I left my luggage in the waiting room and went to the washroom for 2 to 3 minutes. When I came back from the washroom, my luggage was gone! The security took away my luggage!

I admit that I was a bit careless, but I was going to take the first airplane in the morning and the security officer saw me going to the washroom. I got nervous because I didn’t want to miss the plane and if I missed it, I was not going to be able to make for another transfer. Fortunately, I got my luggage back at the last minute. What an experience I had in this travel! Well, it makes me think that it is not a good time going to the USA.Well, this time, I am not going to mention about the job, because my clients told me not to write about them. In this travel, I had an idea that I will get profit on non-registered vehicles in the USA. The people in the south are very friendly. They like simple life style. Although I don’t want to think about what had happened in the airport, I had a great time in there.

Technorati Tags: Memphis, USA, Elvis Presley, Japanese

I am enjoying my stay in Saudi Arabia for Japan Industry 2005 trade fair organized by JETRO. Here in Riyadh, I was happy to see many high techonlogy skiils of Japanese companies. Many of these are unknown in even our country.

During my stay here, I met many nice Saudi Arabian people who believe in Islam very much; however they are very friendly and honest. I was glad to meet Mr.Al Shareef Ali who taught me a lot about Islam culture and also shared valuable information about car and heavy equipment.

I like Saudi Arabia but I am really missing alcohol and faces of pretty girls which we see so often in Japan.  I’ll be going back to Japan tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: Saudi Arabia, Japan, JETRO, Riyadh, Japanese, Islam, car, pretty girls

I went to Okinawa from 10th to 11th July on a friendship tour with some fellow Japanese car exporters. Okinawa is located south of mainland Japan in the East China Sea. We were there for just two days but we did a lot of sightseeing as we were discussing about business.

Especially Mr.Nishida (President of Oriental Trading) and Mr.Nakajima (President of AID company) were awake till 5:30 AM discussing about the business. They are really workaholic !! I tried to stay awake till 4:00 AM, but could not control my sleep anymore.

In Okinawa, some cars are sold cheaper than in any other place in Japan. So I’d like to establish a branch in Okinawa someday. They have a free trade zone in Okinawa. I was strongly impressed by that.

You can see here pictures of my friends who went with me to Okinawa.

Technorati Tags: Japanese car exporters, Okinawa, Japan, trade

1. Me at the auction site

2. JUMVEA President giving speech

3. Liverpool Auction

4. South Hampton Auto Auction

5. Customers at Liverpool Auction

Technorati Tags: Liverpool, South Hampton, Auto Auction

I was out of Tokyo for last one week on a business trip to UK. I was not able to reply many of my mails and I am sorry for the inconvenience it may have caused to you.

Well, on an experiment basis, our company exhibited cars at two Japanese car auction houses in Britain.  Profit was definitely not our objective; rather we wanted to learn by experience.  We could sell 6 of our 11 vehicles. We plan to put the remaining 5 cars on auction next time.

We found that cars which were more than 10 year old were popular in the auctions, as they were exempted from taking the SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) test.  In the retail market, however, one can see expensive cars with high quality were popular. The main cars exhibited in the auction were 4WD and sports cars. Not many standard cars were seen at the auction.

This trip was a package tour sponsored by the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA), and 23 persons from used car exporting companies participated in this trip.  Best Trading is still a new player in this trade.  In this trip, I could meet the presidents of many big corporations, and was able to receive guidance from them on various issues. This was a rare experience for all participants to be on such a long tour with people from similar business field.  That was the best point of this trip.

Prices in Britain are very high. I was really surprised to see that most things were expensive than in Tokyo; almost by 1.5 times. Almost every day, the temerature was above 30 degree C. However, the air conditioners in public transport vehicles such as the train, taxis, and buses were not functioning well.  And I felt it was very hot.

In the countryside the beauty of similar buidings lined up against green backdrop was very picturesque. It will always remain in my memory.

I sincerely wish to express my gratitude to the auction house staff who helped us a lot since our arrival in UK and provided us with all the facilities. That’s a big help for us to build business with Great Britain in the future.  .

Technorati Tags: Tokyo, UK, Japanese car auction, Britain, SVA, sports cars, JUMVEA

We have begun translation of our homepages and other promotional materials into Russian now.  Our Russian staff Zoya is a clever woman and she translates with surprising speed.Russia has now outnumbered New Zealand in the imports of cars from Japan. So we will try to do our best to satisfy Russian customers.Today I went to JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization). JETRO is organizing a trade fair for exibhiting  Japanese products in Saudi Arabia this November. We will participate in the fair because it is an event that is completely organized by JETRO and we can get the visa easily. Saudi Arabia is a difficult country for the Japanese to get a visa.Saudi Arabia can not import right hand drive cars from Japan.T hat’s why weplan to export 4 WD engine or GTR there. However JETRO staff said that Saudi Arabia we can not have any alcohol or other kind of entertainment. That may be difficult for we Japanese and I am worried about it,  but I am also looking forward to meet new customers.

Technorati Tags: Russian, New Zealand, imports, JETRO, Trade, Saudi Arabia, Japanese

I’m back from my business trip to Russia.Well, overall the trip was fruitful, but I had some problems. First one was due to the fact I that I was not able to speak or understand Russian, which leads to a communication barrier. Russians don’t understand English much, and my only mode of communication was through one of my Russian friends.

An unpleasant experience I faced was I was taken by the police in their car while I was waiting for a taxi.  I was questioned with full body and baggage check and released.  But when I returned to my hotel room I discovered that the police had stolen my cash in the bag while they searched my baggage.

I visited the Japanese car market and met some car dealers and also distributed of our promotion material.  I also arranged publishing of our ad in a local newspaper.

I really hope that they soon start flights from Tokyo International airport to Russia other than flights from Kansai International airport in Osaka and Niigata.  Niigata and Osaka are very far from Tokyo and thus it is not so convenient to take these flights.

Technorati Tags: Russia, Russian, car, Japanese car, Tokyo, Osaka

Today I am still working till late night because of many mails received. I also wasted my time because one of our potential buyers sent me a bank transfer statement of 1500 GBP from UK to Japan. I thought it was a fake one. I sent him my passport copy and requested him to send his passport copy, but he did not comply with that. I told him I may have to go to UK embassy to find out more about the bank statements.

We are getting ready for UK Auto auction on 21st June in SOUTHAMPTON and 22nd June in LIVERPOOL.

We bought 11 vehicles -(1)FIGARO FK10 (2)HIACE LH103V (3)PAO PK10 (4) HILUX SURF KZN130W (5) SKYLINE ECR33 (6) LEGACY BG5 (7) FIGARO FK10 ( MR2 SW20 (9) CELICA ST202 (10) LANCER CN9A (11) DELICA PD8W

I am going to go there with more than 20 Japanese used car exporters who are members of JUMVEA. I will stay in UK from 18th to 23 th June, I want to meet each of my customers in UK. Please contact me at that time by email !!

Technorati Tags: UK, Japan, Auto auction, LIVERPOOL, HIACE, SKYLINE, JUMVEA