Events
Forty amateur cyclists left Tokyo on May 25, 2017 for Knights in White Lycra’s annual fundraising ride. The goal was to pedal 550km and raise ¥7 million for Mirai no Mori, an NPO, to send 25 children in care to winter camps and help them overcome fear, gain self-confidence, and give them life skills to better prepare for adulthood. See how they did.
July 8 marked the kickoff of ECO EDO Nihonbashi 2016, an opportunity to experience omotenashi and travel back to a time when Tokyo and nature were intertwined. BIJ.TV joined seven families as they took part in the Nihonbashi Summer Experience, admiring goldfish at ART AQUARIUM, touring gourmet offerings like the HAKUZA NIHONBASHI gold flake shop and Ninden bonito shop, and touring the COREDO Muromachi Nihonbashi area while wearing traditional yukata.
On May 26, 2016, Knights in White Lycra (KIWL), a Tokyo-based charity cycling team of male and female expatriates and Japanese, embarked on a gruelling 520km cycle ride from Tokyo to Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture, to raise funds for Mirai no Mori, a non-profit organization providing life-changing outdoor programs to needy children. KIWL founder Rob Williams, other cyclists, and Mirai no Mori’s Kozue Oka and Jeff Jenson talk to BIJ.TV about the journey, why they did it, and how the ¥9.2 million they raised will make a difference in the lives of abused, neglected, and orphaned children.
While Tokyo continues to be the highest-ranked Asian city in the annual Global Power City Index, published by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies, the metropolis has yet to realize its full potential as a hub for international business. Mori Building Co., Ltd., the urban landscape developer whose name has become synonymous with the Minato Ward skyline, has a plan to change this. The company is undertaking four redevelopment projects in the Toranomon Hills area that will address Tokyo’s shortcomings through a concept they call the “Vertical Garden City.”
Tagged “Your heart will race,” the Tokyo Motor Show 2015 drew more than 800,000 fans with world and Japan premieres. Some 400 vehicles took part in the 11-day event, including four brands and eight models by Italian-American manufacturer FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). In an exclusive for BIJ.TV, representatives from FCA Japan spoke about the company’s enduring passion for originality, authenticity, and freshness.
Tagged “Your heart will race,” the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 on Oct. 28-Nov. 8. showcased exciting concept cars and world premieres by top brands. Other key themes were mobility, renewable energy, IT, transport infrastructure, and the Internet of Things. For our full report: BIJ.TV
In June, consumer electronics developer Netatmo launched a revolutionary home security device in Japan. The Netatmo Welcome uses cutting-edge face-recognition technology to identify family members and regular visitors to your home, while alerting you to strangers. BIJ.TV joined the product launch, where Netatmo COO Matthew Broadway spoke about “smart home security.” He tells BIJ.TV about how the Netatmo Welcome is breaking ground and why it appeals.
In July, business executives and thought leaders gathered at The Economist’s Japan Summit 2015, where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s growth strategy was placed under the microscope. Speakers exchanged views on a number of themes, including Womenomics, internationalization, and Japan’s global competitiveness. BIJ.TV was there to capture all the highlights.
Innovative cities and urban development were talking points for Shingo Tsuji, president and CEO of Mori Building Co., Ltd., at MIPIM Japan 2015 in May. Describing how innovations and social movements drive nations forward, he said lots of change is occurring in Japan thanks to Tokyo’s focus on 2020. For example, while the Japanese market had been stagnant for the last 20 years, investment is now coming from abroad. In this interview, he tells BIJ.TV about the knock-on effect of a city’s magnetic power, and advises on what should be done to encourage global companies to establish their Asian headquarters in Japan.