Nov. 30, 2023

Global Network　Accra, Ghana: A Country of Freedom, Justice, and Chocolate

Have you ever seen the Ghanaian flag before? It is only recently that I learned what the flag signifies, but it is colorful reggae-tone flag made up of the "red" that symbolizes the blood of those who fought for the nation's independence, the "yellow" that symbolizes nation's mineral resources and wealth, the "green" that symbolizes the forests and farmlands, and lastly the black star in the center that symbolizes the emancipation of Africa. Speaking of reggae, the reggae legend, Bob Marley's wife, Rita Marley, has been living in Ghana since the 1990s doing a lot of philanthropic work.

Nov. 15, 2023

Global Network　Kuwait: Kuwait's cultural transition - Balancing tradition and modernity

Kuwait is a country with a rich cultural heritage, dating back centuries. However, it is also a country that is rapidly modernizing, and its culture is evolving in response to the changing times.

Oct. 5, 2023

Global Network　Milan, Italy: The Italian capital for business and culture

The Milan Metropolitan District (also known as Big Milan) consists of 133 municipalities surrounding Milan, with a population of 1.5 million people. It is one of the most inhabited regions in Europe and is said to generate 1/5 of Italy's GDP（from Milan Metropolitan official web site）. Milan has always been the Italian door to Europe and to the entire world. Being placed at the centre of the vast plain area called Padania, Milan is the natural intersection for highways and railways to link Italy to the rest of Europe.

Aug. 30, 2023

Global Network　Phnom Penh, Cambodia - The “Paris of the East” that has recovered from its past.

    Cambodia is still associated with the image of Pol Pot, civil war, and poverty. However, it has been almost 50 years since the Pol Pot era and more than 30 years since the peace agreement. In present-day Cambodia, especially in the capital city of Phnom Penh, high-rise buildings are lined up, and trendy cafes and brand shops along the Tonle Sap River are opening one after another. The city has regained its glamour, and the only thing that reminds us of the tragedy is probably the museum that conveys the negative legacy."

Jul. 27, 2023

Global Network　Chengdu, China: The Home of Pandas and Birthplace of Sichuan Cuisine

It has been nearly half a year since the beloved panda Xiang Xiang (Shan Shan), who was a huge hit at Ueno Zoo, was returned to China on February 21, 2023. Many people in Japan must be fondly reminiscing about Shan Shan. Every day, Shan Shan spends her time in China happily, napping comfortably and relishing delicious bamboo shoots. Shan Shan's parents are originally from Sichuan Province, so it's only fitting that she returned there.

Jul. 6, 2023

Global Network　Antananarivo, Madagascar: Surprisingly close to Madagascar

In Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, located east of the African continent at an altitude of around 1,200 meters at latitude 18 degrees south, the days are getting shorter as we approach the winter solstice (summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere). The temperatures in the morning and evening hover around 10 degrees Celsius(50 degrees Fahrenheit), and during the day, it reaches around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Having spent over two years here, my body has grown accustomed to the local climate, surpassing the point of finding it "comfortable" and entering the season where it feels "chilly."

Jun. 6, 2023

Global Network　Toronto, Canada: a bustling, diverse city that is often considered the cultural and economic capital of Canada

With a population of over 2.93 million people, it is the largest city in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. Toronto is also known as 6ix, a term coined by Drake, world famous Grammy winning rapper and Toronto's most famous ambassador. It also refers to the six boroughs that amalgamated to form Toronto and the cities area codes, 416, 647. Nearly half of its population are immigrants.

Apr. 26, 2023

Global Network　Cairo, Egypt: A City Steeped in Pharaonic Culture

The Egyptian pyramids were built about 4,500 years ago. The Grand Egyptian Museum is now in the final stages of construction and is scheduled to open soon will provide a link between Egypt’s ancient and modern-day cultures. The new museum was built to replace the aging Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which opened in 1902 in El-Tahrir Square. Japan has provided cooperation and support for the project since then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the country in 2003. Financially, it has extended yen loans amounting to 84 billion yen, and technically, it has delivered support in the areas of conservation and restoration, and helped to develop the necessary human resources.

Mar. 29, 2023

Global Network　Chennai, India: International City having 2 faces as the Cultural City and Industrial Hub

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu State, originally known as Madras Patnam - also known as the "Gateway to South India". It is the 4th largest capital city in India and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the southern fringes of the country.

Feb. 2, 2023

Report　Global Situation and Economic Outlook for 2023, Growing Division and Stagnation with No Savior, Signs of Reversal?

Sumitomo Corporation Global Research Co., Ltd., as a think tank of Sumitomo Corporation Group, has decided to prepare and publish a publicly released version of the 2022 Global Situation and Economic Outlook. The title of this year's edition is "Growing Division and Stagnation with No Savior ～Signs of Reversal?～".

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Feb. 2, 2023

Global Network　Dalian, China: Benefitting from the Bounty of the Sea, Economic Development and Fresh Seafood

Dalian is located on the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula and is surrounded on three sides by the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. Dalian is the gateway to China's three northeastern provinces -- Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. It is also known as the "Pearl of the North," and its history and economic development would not be complete without mentioning its abundant marine resources.

Dec. 8, 2022

Global Network　Washington D.C., US: The Center of the U.S. Lobbying Industry

In the first half of 2022, the Ukrainian government spent USD2.86 million to lobby the U.S. government. Two years ago they spent nothing. Recall that after the Yugoslav Wars in the 90s, Serbian President Slobodan Milošević was arrested for masterminding ethnic cleansing and Yugoslavia was expelled from the UN General Assembly. While NATO bombing forced Yugoslavia to surrender, it has been said that the course was predetermined in Washington. The term "ethnic cleansing" was coined by a PR executive by the name of Jim Harff, who successfully provided the media, Congress, and the White House with a narrative that Serbia was to blame. Eventually, the international community adopted the narrative. Sensou Koukoku Dairiten (The War of the Ad Agencies) by Toru Takagi (2005) provides more details. As seen in this instance, a lobbyist’s narrative...

Oct. 28, 2022

Global Network　Nairobi, Kenya: The Green City in the Sun

Kenya is located on the Eastern part of Africa along the Indian Ocean coastline. Mombasa, Kenya’s second city and maritime port, is a pre-historic gateway for trade in the larger Eastern Africa region.

Oct. 5, 2022

Global Network　Quito, Ecuador: A Strange and Unique Place to Consider

In the early nineteenth century, famous German geographer and explorer Alexander von Humboldt said “Ecuadorians are strange and unique beings: they sleep peacefully amid smoking volcanoes, live poorly among incomparable riches, and feel happiness through sad music.” At the time, Humboldt literally referred to the cities that existed in spite of a complex topography, a rather small industrial and trade activity compared to vast natural resources, and the melancholic music that could be heard at festivities. In contemporary times, the famed quote reminds us of the resilience of the Ecuadorian people in the face of adversity, but today we will focus on exploring the geographic distinctiveness of this Andean nation.

Aug. 30, 2022

Global Network　Casablanca, Morocco: As Time Goes By

“As Time Goes By” is the theme song of the timeless classic Casablanca, which received a total of three Academy Awards including the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1944. The melody of this song that depicts a sweet, yet wistful romance has been heard by everyone at least once. What part of the world do you envisage Morocco, which is famed for Casablanca, to be located in?　The region of Morocco is called “Al-Maghreb al-Aqsa” (farthest land of the setting sun), and is in the far northwest of the African continent on the shore facing Spain in Europe near the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. We will deliver an update on the Morocco of today.

Jul. 22, 2022

Global Network　Melbourne, Australia: Diverse Melbourne: Something for everyone

Melbourne is the second biggest city in Australia with over 5 million people and continues to grow. Statisticians predict Melbourne will surpass Sydney as Oceania's biggest city in the region by the end of this decade. Melbourne is often voted in the top ten of the most liveable cities in the world due to our combination of climate, relative availability of reasonably priced community resources and infrastructure. These are the facts and figures … what else does Melbourne have to offer?

Jul. 1, 2022

Global Network　Tianjin, China: Gateway to North China; City of Comedy; and Beer by the Riverside

Tianjin is one of North China's key cities. Located at 39 degrees north, about the same latitude as Japan's Yamagata and Akita prefectures, it is one of four municipalities directly administered by the Chinese government, along with Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing. It is only 30 minutes from the capital Beijing by high-speed railway, and together with the surrounding Hebei Province constitutes a metropolitan area. The people of Tianjin are warm-hearted, tolerant, frank, and very relaxed but straightforward. Its geographical proximity to superior central capital Beijing may also account for the fact that they do not always step forward to take the initiative.

May 31, 2022

Global Network　Muscat, Oman: From Stability to Transformation -- Oman Enters a New Phase

Oman -- the Sultanate of Oman -- is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, facing the Indian Ocean. In the days of the Arabian Nights, the adventurer Sinbad is said to have used Muscat, the current capital of Oman, as a base for his trading activities. In the 16th century during the Age of Discovery, Muscat was occupied by the Portuguese, but Oman regained the city in the 17th century and further expanded its power in East Africa. Oman was a British protectorate from the late 19th through the mid-20th centuries. In 1970 the Sultan of Oman Said bin Taimur was ousted by his son Qaboos bin Said in a palace coup d'etat. After acceding to the throne, Sultan Qaboos reversed the country's previous isolationist policies, leading to its rapid modernization and independence from the British in 1971. Sultan Qaboos passed away in...

May 6, 2022

Global Network　Denver, US: Colorado - a state rich in nature

Based on the belief that visitors are essential for business development, this report introduces the rich natural environment of Colorado in the United States. I hope it will encourage you to visit the state.

Apr. 7, 2022

Global Network　Belo Horizonte, Brazil: Hidden Attractions of Brazil

Most people immediately think of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro whenever Brazil is mentioned, but with over 20 million people, the state of Minas Gerais boasted the country's second largest population and the third largest economy in 2021. Minas Gerais is Portuguese for "general mines" and, as the name implies, the state's rich underground resources produce a variety of minerals and precious stones. The discovery of gold in Ouro Preto in 1693 triggered a gold rush that contributed to Brazil's subsequent economic development. Minas Gerais also has large deposits of iron ore, and Sumitomo Corporation owns part of a mine called MUSA (Mineraçao Usiminas) in a joint venture with Usiminas.