The South African government has put together a plan to assist Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) during the pandemic.  As the country works to support the economy during the epidemic, the Debt Relief and the Business Growth Scheme has been formulated to provide relief and support for eligible SMMEs covering Business, Agriculture, Tourism, Tax, Loans, Social Grants and Employee assistance as outlined in the attached document. 

In May our membership voted in two additional directors, Ms Annemarie Luck as a Director and Dr Harrison Hlabane as a Deputy Director, at the Annual General Assembly (GA).  Since we had our first ever successful online GA, we have had some changes in our structure.

Ms Luck received an unexpected professional opportunity back in South Africa, and decided to pursue this opportunity.  While we were sad to bid her farewell, we wished her well as she journeyed back to South Africa.

Dr Hlabane has been voted in as a Director by the Board and with these changes, we will have seven directors on the SACCJ’s Board Of Directors.

As a member of the SACCJ, you are welcome to voice any comments with the recent promotion of Dr Hlabane from Deputy Director to Director.  We ask that you direct these queries to info@saccj.com within one month of this newsletter’s publication date.

If you are a business owner looking for a business plan tailored to the Japanese market for your market entry or business expansion, the Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC) is providing business owners with an opportunity to take part in the 27th Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC 27).

As a JMEC Project Client, you can receive a professional business plan developed by some of Japan's brightest up-and-coming business leaders for a fraction of the cost of hiring outside consultants. To learn more about this opportunity, including eligibility requirements, visit the JMEC homepage at www.jmec.gr.jp.

You can find the link to the application form here and some additional information in the attached flier, JMEC 27 Project Client Info Sheet, as well as a press release of JMEC26, JMEC26 Program Description.

As a JMEC Participant, you can upgrade your business skills as JMEC is also looking for individual applicants to participate in the program and learn how to research and develop a professional business plan. This ‘mini MBA’ style program includes classroom training with experienced executives and successful entrepreneurs as lecturers—as well as hands-on experience in writing a business plan for a real business project, submitted by a real company. Interested applicants can find a summary of the program in the attached flier, JMEC 27 Participant Info Sheet, and more information here, http://www.jmec.gr.jp/participants, and contact JMEC directly at info@jmec.gr.jp as the online application deadline has past.  

The SACCJ is a proud sponsor of JMEC and encourages our members and the greater business community to get involved.

Residents are in luck! 

A special limited discount pass*, available only to foreign passport holders (regardless of visa status), will be available for purchase from 16 October 2020 to 26 February 2021 and valid for use up to 28 February 2021.  

*Adult: 12,000 yen; Child: 6,000 yen

The pass is valid on JR East trains in the areas of Tokyo, Tohoku, Nagano, and Niigata, inclusive of the Shinkansen, for 3 consecutive days. It is a great way to explore the eastern region of Japan this fall/winter!

For further information, please access the link:  JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020

Participants will have access to information for over 42 universities to use as their tool to identify the university best suited for them.

By the end of the 5th day participants will have obtained knowledge on how to apply for universities for bachelor/master/doctoral courses and the available scholarships.

Read more about this exciting opportunity here.

Marx, Springboks hooker, and Mapimpi, Springboks wing, join Top League's Chiba based Kubota Spears and Osaka based NTT Docomo Red Hurricane! 

Read more about Marx on Kyodo News here and about Mapimpi on The South African here.

A Cape Town lawyer and women’s rights activist is one of ten 2020 JCI Outstanding Young Persons of the World nominees who will fly to Tokyo in November for the awards ceremony. The Weekend Argus provides us with more information on this Outstanding Nominee.

Exclusive Interview

The incredible story of Greg Brutus—Japan’s newest Capetonian expat

INTERVIEW BY SIMON FARRELL, SACCJ VICE CHAIRMAN

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE SACCJ WILL BE ELECTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2020. 

The Chamber shall have a Board of Trustees consisting of one or more South Africans and one or more Japanese. Members of the Board of Trustees shall work for the long-term development and stability of the Chamber.  Members of the Board of Trustees shall be elected at a General Assembly and their term shall be for a period of three (3) years, although they may be re-elected.

Nominations received

Dear SACCJ Members,

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Chamber, especially during these difficult times.

We are pleased to announce the nomination of our Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons  for the 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2022 term.

The Chairperson and the two Vice Chairpersons were elected by the new Board of Directors during the 1^st Board meeting held on the 15 April 2020.

Chairman

Jaco Minnaar (Individual Member, re-elected)

Vice-Chairman

Francois de Villiers(Individual Member, re-elected)

Simon Farrell (Individual Member, re-elected)

 

Again, we thank you for your support. Please stay safe and stay well.

 

Katsura Ogishima

Secretary-General

South African Chamber of Commerce in Japan