Sep. 26, 2024

Global Network　Shanghai, China: a city where technology and analog coexist

Regardless of the severe lockdown under the pandemic and the economic decline reported in the news, Shanghai remains a leading international city in China. While it is true that the real estate market is shrinking and unemployment rates are rising, the living standards remain so high, and the city continues to grow even after the pandemic. Many of our business travelers, who have not been to Shanghai in a long time, often comment that they were surprised by the city's further development. Although Shanghai's futuristic skyscrapers give an impact, if you live in Shanghai, you may find that Shanghai is a city with many cultural and historical attractions, such as lush green parks and renovated stylish café areas with architecture from the French Concession era. The word "city walk" is often used in China, and Shanghai is a city with hidden ...

Aug. 26, 2024

Global Network　Paris, France: French Values viewed from the Olympics

On July 26, the curtain rose on the third Olympic Games for Paris. It was the first time in 100 years that Paris hosted the Olympics. Although there were mixed reviews of some of the performances at the opening ceremony, the bold and spectacular opening, which fully demonstrated France's unique characteristics, was generally well rated. While the success of the Olympic Games has been reported in the press, this time I would like to change the prespective a little and introduce the issues and values of French society from a point of view of ordinary person living in Paris, using the opening ceremony as a straight point.

Aug. 1, 2024

Global Network　Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: The evolving birthplace of Islam

Saudi Arabia, with King Salman at its apex and being a country of absolute monarchy that houses Mecca and Medina, known as the two major sanctuaries of Islam, and hence called the "birthplace of Islam," is regarded as one of the strictest countries in terms of Islamic law among Islamic countries. However, in 2016, the "Saudi Vision 2030" was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto leader, and large-scale national projects called the Giga Project to get away from the one-trick pony oil economy were announced one after another. Among these, the flat-line future city THE LINE, which is planned to be built in the northwestern region with a total length of over 170 kilometers (a flagship project of NEOM composed of four projects), attracted particular attention. Recently, there have been reports of speculation tha...

Jun. 28, 2024

Global Network　Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Exploring a Day in Rio de Janeiro - A City of Beauty and Energy

On the other side of the globe from Japan, the tropical city of Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its stunning landscapes, earning it a place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Additionally, the cheerful and sociable Cariocas (a term used in Portuguese to refer to the residents of Rio de Janeiro), along with the city's unique music and local cuisine, capture the hearts of all who visit. Let's take a peek into a day in Rio de Janeiro.

Jun. 12, 2024

Global Network　Vancouver, Canada: The jewel of the Pacific Northwest

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Coast Mountains, Vancouver stands as a vibrant metropolis renowned for its stunning natural beauty, diverse culture, and thriving business environment. With a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and lush greenery, Vancouver offers an unparalleled quality of life that attracts residents and businesses alike. The city's strategic location as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region positions it as a hub for international trade and investment, fostering a dynamic economy driven by sectors such as technology, tourism, and green innovation.

May 8, 2024

Global Network　London, UK: Spring in London - an exciting mix of traditional and modern

A variety of spring flowers start to bloom in London from around February; and so, I would like to take you on a tour of London's spring landscape. Thanks to warm currents and prevailing westerly winds, winters are relatively warm, and the days become longer and more exciting after the spring equinox.

Apr. 2, 2024

Global Network　Jakarta, Indonesia: A country where tomorrow is better than today

What kind of image do you have when you hear the country name "Indonesia"? It has only been a little over nine months since I was located here, but I am strongly impressed that "Indonesia is a country where tomorrow is better than today". Like other countries, Indonesia faces a variety of challenges, but it continues to develop at a dizzying pace taking into account importance of unity in its religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Surrounded by cheerful people who don't dwell on trivial matters, I often feel naturally energized. I believe that the reason why I feel this way is because many people naturally think and feel that tomorrow will be better than today.

Mar. 13, 2024

Information　　”Message from the President and CEO” has been updated.

　”Message from the President and CEO” has been updated.

Feb. 22, 2024

Global Network　Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Kaohsiung-style "O-mo-te-na-shi" in Taiwan

　Starting 2024, a global election year, the DPP, the current government, won the Taiwan presidential election held earlier in the year. For the first time, the same party will be in power for three consecutive terms. Although the reversal of the ruling and opposition parties in the Legislative Yuan (the National Assembly in Japan) has created a torsion, making future administration management difficult, it is said that the major direction of Taiwan's government will not change significantly so　far. For Taiwan, whose economy is supported by exports of goods, especially electronic components, the results of the following elections in the related countries may have a greater impact.

Feb. 2, 2024

Global Network　Santiago, Chile: The unknown? South America's largest metropolis

Seen from Japan's standpoint, Chile is on the other side of the earth, lying on the Pacific coast of South America. It is a long and narrow country, spanning 4,300 kilometers from north to south, and enclosed by the Atacama Desert in the north, the Patagonian ice fields in the south, the Andes Mountains in the east, and the Pacific Ocean in the west. It is sometimes called a landlocked island. The seasons are also the opposite of Japan, and it is currently midsummer, with the sun setting around 21:00, and the daylight hours are very long. Santiago, the capital of Chile, is the largest metropolis in South America, located right in the middle of the country. In the center of the city stands the Costanera Center which was built in 2012, a landmark of Santiago that boasts the highest height (300 meters) in South America. It is a complex co...

Jan. 25, 2024

Report　Global Situation and Economic Outlook in 2024　～The World at a Turning Point～

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 2024 Global Situation and Economic Outlook. The title of this year's edition is "The World at a Turning Point".

Jan. 4, 2024

Global Network　Silicon Valley, USA: A mecca for startups where technology and tranquil nature coexist

Sumitomo Corporation of America Silicon Valley Branch is located in the "Bay Area" of northern California, co-located in the same office as Presidio Ventures Inc. and SCSK USA. The region is called "Silicon Valley" in Japan, but locally it is known as the "Bay Area," with a population of over 9 million, the fifth largest in the U.S.(*1), and one of the largest IT industry clusters in the country, consisting of major cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

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.