************************************************************************* Issue 30 [February 2009] OCCI e-Magazine http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/index.html ************************************************************************* [CONTENTS, February 2009] 1. "KOMEKAMI Switch" selected as the DCP-approved product No.1 ---with high evaluation of this Osaka-born idea and technology 2. "Osaka Lifestyle Collection 2009" for Creators Award, held Feb. 12 ---with up-and-coming designers of Osaka-Kansai brought together 3. Satellite "SOHLA-1" (Maido Ichigo) successfully launched Jan. 23 through joint cooperation of Osaka SMEs taking part 4. OCCI International Division report on VIP visitors ========================================================================= 1. "KOMEKAMI Switch" selected as the DCP-approved product No.1 ---with high evaluation of this Osaka-born idea and technology Digital Concept Partners (DCP: Secretariat based in OCCI, Economy and Industry Div.) undertakes worldwide promotion of Japan's internationally-minded small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with excellent technologies or products approved by DCP itself. DCP has recently selected as its first such product "KOMEKAMI Switch" --a human-machine interface using the movements of 'outside skin' for machine operation-- developed by Prof. Kazuhiro TANIGUCHI (doctor of engineering), Specially Appointed Fellow, at the Osaka University-- for various daily activities. Komekami Switch is a wearable input device for machines that sense the movements of the temples for the operation of the electronic device, without the work of the user's hands. Based on this technology, research/ development and manufacture are being planned for communication systems and portable electronic devices that can be easily operated even by the aged and the handicapped. Any company overseas is asked to come out and let us know if interested in the collaboration for such plans. Joined by 16 leading companies including Panasonic, Sharp and Sanyo, DCP is formed to support joint development of technologies between information appliance-related corporations concentrated in Kansai and venture enterprises anywhere. From time to time, DCP has been inviting business plans from overseas venture enterprises, but from now on, DCP will also actively promote the business plans of excellent companies in Japan to appeal to the interest of overseas companies. Contact : Mr. Matsumoto, Mr. Obayashi, OCCI, Economy and Industry Div. dcp@osaka.cci.or.jp http://www.neocluster.jp/dcp/eng/e_index.html ======================================================================== 2. "Osaka Lifestyle Collection 2009" for Creators Award: Fashion Category, held Feb. 12 ---with up-and-coming designers of Osaka-Kansai brought together On February 12th 2009, the Osaka Collection Organizing Committee has conducted the Osaka Lifestyle Collection. With this as the 4th one, the event has been annually held with the aim to find and nurture 'creators' mainly in the field of fashion and also to further promote related industries for more activities and liveliness in the cities. This event consists of a design contest and a fashion show. At the design contest "Creators Award", the pre-selected 10 teams (from educational institutions of west Japan and those of Korea) went through the final screening in the form of a fashion show. The Award from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology was won by Esmond Japon Osaka for the artistic creativity and the Economy and Industry Minister's Award was won by Kyoto University of Art and Design for the high marketability with high quality. After the Creators Award, the "Creators Collection" a fashion show with pro models was held, participated by "AGURI SAGIMORI" and "PRESENCE!" much to the delight, and attracting the keen eyes, of 598 attendees at the event where AGURI SAGIMORI emphasized the simple beauty of single colors in one-piecers and monotone suits with many deep pleats and folds while PRESENCE!, on the keynote of black and red, showed off 'rock'-style designs in the tights and pantsuits with apparently processed tears. URL:http://o-lc.jp/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=183&Itemid=121 ======================================================================== 3. Satellite "SOHLA-1" (Maido Ichigo) successfully launched Jan. 23 through joint cooperation of Osaka SMEs taking part Developed by the joint cooperation mainly of Higashi-Osaka City SMEs (small and medium enterprises), Satellite SOHLA-1 (Maido Ichigo) was successfully launched on January 23rd 2009 from Tanegashima Space Center (in the south of Kagoshima Prefecture) to be the first satellite in the world to observe waves from lightning for the weather forecast system. OCCI Chairman A. Nomura highly praised the successful launching as the recently most appealing achievement of SMEs. This serves most effectively to prove the high standard of Osaka SMEs' technologies enabling the satellite launching, with great impetus to lead to further development of new technologies as well as application of them for revitalization of the region. This project was undertaken by "Astro Technology SOHLA" established in December 2002 by the Osaka SME manufacturers mainly of Higashi-Osaka to "join forces of SME technologies to launch a satellite". This cooperative society is based in "Creation Core Higashi Osaka" a comprehensive support organization for 'products-making' in the east of Osaka Prefecture where SME manufacturers' factories are concentrated. Contact:Secretariat, Astro Technology SOHLA Tel: 06-6747-8081 Fax : 06-6747-8095 ======================================================================== 4. OCCI International Division report on VIP visitors * January 16 (Fri) Mr. Frank Ryan, Chief Executive Officer The Trade & Technology Board of the Government of Ireland * February 3 (Tue) Mr. Byung Moon, Seo, Vice Chairman Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business * February 7 (Sat) Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kingdom of Thailand ========================================================================