The Japan Ship Centre (JSC), which was established in 1965 as a satellite office of JETRO Centre in London, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1995. In 1993, the JSC expanded to absorb JETRO Rotterdam Office, therefor handling affairs related to both shipbuilding and ship machinery. At present, 10 staff are working under Mr. Shinohara, the Director General.
JSC's aim is to improve mutual understanding between the Japanese and European maritime communities. This is currently done through such activities as providing information for the European maritime community on Japanese shipbuilding and ship machinery industries. It also serves as an important source of information for Japan on the European maritime industry. Public relations activities include regular newsletters and participation in international maritime conventions and exhibitions.
In the past several years, the EU has been carrying out the "Gateway to Japan" campaign to promote exports to Japan. In Britain, the Department of Trade and Industry has been implementing the "Action Japan Campaign" (AJC) designed along the same lines. The ship machinery section is strongly supporting AJC. Also, a "Key Contact to Japan" programme, which is part of AJC, is aimed at providing information to British companies wishing to export their products to Japan. The ship machinery section has been actively involved in the program to reduce trade frictions caused by Japan's trade surplus.
The ship machinery section has two staff members; Mr. K. Tanaka, Director, and Miss K. Smith, Researcher. Mr. Tanaka, who was posted in London in March 1996, has been working in the Machinery Section, where he makes good use of his expertise as a naval architect and his experience in governmental administration regarding ship machinery industry and development of engineering technology.
Although Miss Smith has been with us only one and half years, she has already acquired skills as a PR & research officer as she gains experience in the JSC.
London is one of the world's busiest tourists cities. Westminster, the western part of Central London, has Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, and the theatre district in West End.
In the eastern part of Central London lies the City, which is renowned for its international banking. The JSC is located at its eastern edge. More specifically, our office is on the 11th floor of St. Clare House in Minories. We have a nice view of well-known tourist spots such as the River Thames, Tower Bridge, and Tower of London. During the day, the street is busy with business people from financial and shipping companies.
The JSC now has E-mail capability (jsc@easynet.co.uk) which has led to improved information services. Now our door is extended to your office through the internet. So, you are welcome to access our office at your convenience.
