Japan Stay, Jarman International's real estate service

Jarman International is a company that provides a range of services for a host of unique and complementary companies. If you take all of our partner companies and consider them from a macro-perspective, we're really in the business of "business lifestyle" in Japan. Housing with H&R, advertising with Nikkei BP, design with Midas, spa therapy with Enoshima Island Spa, and even cultural knowledge provided through Deep Japan, we provide the skills to support these companies, while connecting clients to them in strategic ways. Just about anything you plan on doing in Japan can benefit from a combination of service from our partner companies.

While the Japan Stay aspect of Jarman was originally integrated with our other services, we have grown our business scope over this past year, and now utilize the Japan Stay site entirely for real estate purposes. This is a great place to start for anyone looking to come and make their way in Japan, because through H&R Group, we cover the smartest areas around Tokyo and Yokohama with great rates on serviced apartments. Short term visitors for business or pleasure will find these housing solutions much better than a hotel, and even someone who is looking to move into a more long-term apartment in the future can benefit from our easy move-in system and much better rates than other short term options. We handle everything for you, so you don't have to jump through the hoops of typical Japanese real estate agents and landlords.

See all we have to offer neatly organized in our renewed Japan Stay site.

Smart City, Smart Choices

The Technology is coming, and a change of mind to come also.

"Plug-in hybrid cars, and electric cars of course are a chief element, but beyond strictly hardware, considering car sharing for example, mentalities are shifting from 'owning' to 'sharing', and there are projects supporting this lifestyle change."

These are wise words from Yosuke Mochizuki, author of "Smart City: the Gateway to Business". Of course, the modern urban landscape around the world is in a dire need of energy reformation, as well as implementation of new energy management systems. But with the amount of energy we have come to be dependent on just to carry out our daily routine, one has to ask the question whether technology alone will actually solve the issues associated with over-consumption.

The answer, in the opinion of many involved in Smart City endeavors, is no, there must be shifts in mentality toward saving and efficiency. At a point in time, "efficient" referred to making an important phone call while getting your ironing done with the washer running a load. This is not the case anymore, as over-consumption at peak hours with concepts such as dynamic pricing, and demand response aim to shift our energy usage to be more considerate of what we have, and of course how much we're spending.

Additionally, the idea of owning a vehicle entirely for personal usage must necessarily be a fading value. For example in Tokyo, one of the major proprietors of parking centers in urban areas has already begun a car sharing program, with the ability to return the car at any one of the parking centers they operate. Of course, the idea of "owning" your car is a major source of happiness for a lot of people, but in an age of restricted energy, perhaps weening yourself from this habit of driving everywhere is the right decision. 

Driving isn't really the only thing we have to give up. The concept of shifting our mentalities essentially refers to giving up something, whether it be driving, excessive air conditioner usage, a big hot bath everyday, etc.

What's a smart thing for you to give up?

Japan Blog Directory

Jarman International is now featured on the Japan Blog Directory.


The Japan Blog Directory is the most comprehensive collection of blogs about just anything and everything Japanese, maintained in English by foreign authors. There is literally something for everyone here, so Jarman International is happy to contribute by letting the foreign community know that we are a resource for anything you might want to do in Japan, be it business or leisure.

Blogs range from one expat's opinion on everyday life in Japan, with some content risky, and some content G-rated, as well as really in-depth travel blogs. For example one blog devoted entirely to the ever alluring world of Japanese castles.

This is definitely a directory worth spending some time with!

Douma Workplace Consulting

Midas crafts their office designs not just on the skill and input of their team of designers, but thorough "workplace" principles based on empirical tried and true data as well as progressive ideals toward a new Japanese business culture. The organic concepts of movement, collaboration and such, at work in the almost modernistic designs Midas is known for are largely conceived by their workplace consulting arm Douma. The head of Douma, Harvard, Rice and Waseda University educated  Kiyohiko Ozawa, here discusses issues in the modern Japanese work atmosphere and how he and the Midas team combine strengths to offer new solutions and innovative ways to effect growth and higher employee retainment and satisfaction for companies in Japan and around the world.

株式会社ミダスがオフィスデザインの最先端に立っているのは社員のデザイナーたちの創造力、熱心のおかげだけではありません。ミダスのコンサルティング機能を果たす、ワークプレースコンサルティングつまりクライアントのニーズ及び目標をよく考慮した上でのオフィスコンセプトの提案／実現をさせるＤＯＵＭＡオフィスコンサルティングの貢献が大きな付加価値となっています。

ドウマ株式会社の代表取締役　小澤清彦　が現代の日本オフィス文化によくある問題点について語ります。そして、ＤＯＵＭＡがどういうアプローチでその問題をなくして、日本のオフィス文化を改善していくことも。

 

Midas Receives "New Office Award" from Nikkei

Midas has officially received the 26th annual "New Office Award" from Nikkei. This is not the first time they have received the award, as they were also the recepients of the award 2 years prior. However, the 21st annual award given to Midas 5 years ago was in response to designs they had done for the MTV Networks Japan office, as well as the Bearing Point Osaka office. This time around, for the 26th annual award, Midas was nominated for its own office renewal, which was completed at the turn of the new year.

The New Office Award is given in collaboration by Nihon Keizai Shinbun　(The Nikkei, in English), and NOPA (the New Office Promotion Association) with the goal of revolutionzing the standard office culture of Japan to a more progressive and dynamic one. The award has been given 25 times since 1988. The intent of the award is to bring attention and awareness to the creative and functional designs of new offices in Japan, and spread the ideas globally. Each year, 13 recipients are chosen from a pool of 131 candidate companies.

 

See more press recognition Midas has received here

Jarman International is Proud to Assist Space Design Inc. for Furnished/Serviced Apartments in Tokyo and Yokohama

Jarman International KK CEO Ruth Jarman Shiraishi helped build the serviced apartment and serviced office business at Space Design Inc. and it is with great pleasure we announce a collaborative association with Space Design beginning July, 2013. With the best serviced apartment solution for short to extended stay business people in Tokyo and Yokohama, Space Design boasts over 800 apartments in the Tokyo and Yokohama area. Each perfectly appointed living space includes all the amenities required for a comfortable stay in Japan. Limited to studio and one bedroom apartments, the BUREA, B-SITE and B-CONTE Hotel Serviced apartments are perfect for single and couple business guests. Service includes 24-hour English hotline for increased peace of mind during a busy stay.

Japan Residence run by our other partner H&R Group specializes in all aspects of relocation and provides additional serviced apartment solutions in Yokohama, Tsurumi and Nagoya.

If you are looking for a great, furnished place to stay for over one month and want to spend less than 15,000 yen per day (tax included), Space Design and Relo Japan are your perfect choice. Contact Jarman International or each partner directly for a quote, consultation or apartment viewing.

Here is Ruth's tour of BUREAU Shinagawa (10 minutes walk from Shinagawa station)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZgwM5Q5A4U

And here is an informational tour of H&R Group's Japan Residence Nagoya Apartments.
http://www.japanresidence.com/vdo.asp

We also offer the full list of serviced apartments  through Jarman International's accommodation and property site Japan Stay

Midas Office Tour

Visualize the Standard in the Future of Office Design

Our Partner, Midas Office Interior Design specializes in design centered on functionality, without any sacrifice in style. They also embrace the environmentally-oriented mindset crucial of the coming business age; when energy efficiency, space management, and sustainable usage of office materials will be a deciding factor in both budget and reputation.

Here, Ruth Jarman Shiraishi gives us a brief and informative tour of the main areas of the Midas office in Tsukiji, Tokyo. Just enough to give you an idea of the designs you can expect from Midas, they always approach a project via a thorough consultation, smart and sensible branding, and a layout to encourage employee interaction to make the "workplace" feel more like a "workspace".

Deep Japan Live and Ready

At long last, the Deep Japan idea has come to fruition, and we are proud to announce the launch of the completed site!

With content generated from our enthusiastic and knowledgeable Senpais, we will work hard to express the Japan we have all come to know and love to both touring visitors and first-timers. The site will continue to be populated with deep and nuanced knowledge, providing an excellent complementary resource for travelers looking to get in deep and absorb the real culture of Japan.

The promotional video is a great success, and gives a clear description of the Deep Japan concept:

Now you know what it's all about, why not get started today, and discover some unique info for yourself. or better yet, become a Senpai!

Midas Brings the Business

Douma Seminar and Midas Tour

 

Jarman International along with H&R Consultants were privileged to have the opportunity to attend an always insightful and interesting seminar from the President of Douma, Mr. Ozawa.

It can't be stressed enough that the future of Japanese business and economics as a whole rests on the shift from the traditional Japanese stale and hierarchical work environment that prioritizes loyalty and presence over creative work, to an open and employee-centered office that actually inspires diligence and dedication, rather than commanding it. Midas is the perfect example of this shift and it does so in both form and function. Ozawa-san's seminar gave insight to how Midas arrived at this juncture via a unique overview of the progress of human beings' workstyles, from hunter-gatherer's of millenia ago, to the labor-intensive factories of the late 19th century, all the way up to the present day of lightspeed communication and technology.

What is required of the modern metropolitan worker, what do they themselves require, and moreover, how can we bring multiple minds together in an efficient and harmonious way? Midas begins to answer these questions beginning with an office layout of freedom and opportunity. Free seating arrangements and multiple work and meeting stations form the basic physical elements to encourage employees to find their groove, and eventually a rhythm, at their own pace. Midas takes the office a step further with relaxation areas, snack and drink options, and even the freedom to have a glass of wine or beer while you take a seat in an easy chair on your break. Employees form the heart of any company, and it's quite clear particularly in the modern age when business opportunities can be sought on one's own, and we are not wholly dependent on "the company" to provide for us and show us the way, that not affording employees the freedom and respect they deserve is a sure fire way to burn out in the faced paced business world of today.

After the seminar the attendees were led on a tour of the Midas office, and Jarman International CEO Ruth was one of the tour guides. The vibrant and cool office vibes of Midas were match by Ruth's charismatic energy and genuine enthusiasm for letting the world know that Midas is where the future of Japanese business begins.

This meeting room is an interesting concept in motion. The bright lights, and relatively high chairs create a bit of a "tense" discussion environment in order to break out of the stereotypical lengthy and ultimately circulatory meeting styles that have come to characterize Japanese business. The tensity of this room draws out ideas, and puts them to the test of real and thorough deliberation. A bit of a mafia-style "coffee-and-cigarette-fueled-debate-in-the midnight-hours" style meeting if you will.

Midas of course has a relaxed meeting room, for longer and more detailed discussions, especially with clients. It's pristine and relaxing, with gentle lights for a less spontaneous meeting, more carefully prepared presentations, and the like.



 

We were happy that H&R's President Steve Burson could join us for the event, and have good discussion with Ozawa-san, as well as the Midas President Okumura-san (shown here). Japanese companies can of course benefit from the work concepts Midas is pioneering, but broadening the knowledge base and including the international members of the Japanese business world is one of the many goals of Jarman International.