Friday, September 27, 2013

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.

Friday, September 6, 2013

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?

Monday, September 2, 2013

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!