On March 30, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) for an overseas investment loan of up to US$200 million to finance a loan for the response to a new type of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Africa. The loan will be cofinanced with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking…
Technical Cooperation Project for South Africa: Helping Companies Improve Quality and Productivity through “Kaizen”
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Record of Discussions (R/D) with the Government of the Republic of South Africa on March 28 in Pretoria for the technical cooperation project “Quality and Productivity Improvement (Kaizen) Project. JICA has been working to develop human resources and strengthen organizational structures to promote kaizen in more than…
Technical Cooperation Project for Iraq: Strengthening the Operational Capacity of Agricultural Testing Centers in the Kurdistan Region
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Record of Discussions (R/D) with the Kurdistan Regional Government of the Republic of Iraq on March 29 in Erbil on the technical cooperation project “Kurdistan Agricultural Experiment Center Operational Enhancement Project. In Iraq, agriculture accounts for the majority of employment in rural areas and is positioned as…
Technical Cooperation Project for Bangladesh: Cooperation in Expanding and Strengthening Efficient Licensing and Licensing Services in Special Economic Zones
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Record of Discussions (R/D) with the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on March 27 in Dhaka for the technical cooperation project “Capacity Enhancement Project for Special Economic Zone Management and Investment Promotion. This project aims to improve the investment environment in the SEZs by establishing…
Building a Foundation for Agricultural Development in South Sudan: After 10 Years of Work, a Master Development Plan is Now in Action
South Sudan is the youngest country in the world, having gained independence from Sudan in July 2011. Since the year after the country was founded, JICA has continued to provide comprehensive cooperation in the agricultural sector. Ten years later, after overcoming a number of turmoil and hardships, including armed conflict and natural disasters, a new…
Emergency Humanitarian Assistance and Cooperation Needs in the Health Care Sector for Displaced Persons in Ukraine (phase2)
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has decided to dispatch an Emergency Humanitarian Assistance and Cooperation Needs Assessment Mission in the Health Care Sector (Second Assessment Mission) to Ukraine’s neighbor, Moldova, to assist displaced persons in Ukraine and neighboring countries. The six-member mission, consisting of medical personnel and JICA staff, will leave Japan on April…
Goldwyn to open “THE NORTH FACE Sphere,” a store offering everything from outdoor activities to lifestyle, on July 1.
Goldwyn will open “THE NORTH FACE Sphere” on July 1. A new flagship store for the athletic category in a comprehensive lineup of stores in the Harajuku area that offers everything from outdoor activities to lifestyle. The building is said to embody the minimalist attitude of “getting the maximum effect with the minimum” that THE…
USJ to Open Lounge Dedicated to Universal VIP Experience
USJ (Universal Studios Japan) will open a VIP lounge dedicated to the “Universal VIP Experience” on July 1. The “Universal VIP Experience” is a tour product in which a dedicated guide leads visitors around the parks. The “Private Tour” allows families and friends to customize their own plans, while the “Group Tour” allows multiple groups…
Airbnb invites guests to Moulin Rouge, a long-established Parisian cabaret
Airbnb has announced a special 3-night plan for June 13, 20, and 27, inviting three groups of guests (maximum 6 people) to the “Secret Red Windmill Room” at the Moulin Rouge, a long-established cabaret in Paris, for a one-night stay and two days. Moulin Rouge” means “red windmill” in French and is known as the…
The new “Disney Premier Access” service : 2,000 yen instant access
Oriental Land, the operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, will introduce a new service, Disney Premier Access, on May 19. Prior to the launch, a press conference was held on May 13. In this issue, we will report on the actual experience of the new service at Tokyo Disney Resort. Smooth experience with time specified. Purchase…