TSUNAMI Network Partners Newsletter July, 2008

KOTONOHA
  Established in January 2006    Capital stock: 7 million yen
  http://www.kotonoha.co.jp/ (Japanese)

Kotonoha is the only Japanese publishing firm dedicated to audio book contents.
It has constructed a total network extending from the publishing industry to production (recording) and development of sales channels. In sales in the audio book category at iTunes Store, the biggest seller of audio books, it ranks second, trailing only NHK Service Center. It is working its way toward development as a full-fledged business for stimulation of the market.
Audio books are anticipated to have good prospects for growth as "mass niche" contents for use of leisure time. Japan's population is aging, and the products will fit people who have a lot of trouble reading.
Kotonoha sells about 3,000 titles.

PUREX CORPORATION
Established in May 1987 Capital stock: 70 million yen
http://www.pure-rex.com/ (Japanese)

Purex is engaged in manufactures and sells PURMS, a photoresist stripping agent made with recycled ozone, as well as automatic washers for coater cups for semiconductor fabrication, an anti-charge agent for use in LCD production, and a deodorizer for photocatalysts. It is currently developing an edge etcher.
Purex's strength comes from its historical achievement of research in the field of semiconductors and LCD.
It is also involved with deodorization mechanisms for photocatalysts.
At present, it is also putting resources into development of deodorization products for animals and into environmental business in areas such as treatment of waste liquids.

Eiwa Shiki
    Established in June 1976    Capital stock: 10 million yen
   http://www16.ocn.ne.jp/~danboru/ (Japanese)

Eiwa Shiki instated a traceability system for chicken eggs that uses IC tags and covers all players from the farms to shipment centers and distribution outlets such as supermarkets. It develops and produces carts for transporting eggs, which consist one of the key components of the system.
In pursuit of higher levels of food hygiene, it developed plastic egg pack carts to replace steel ones. In the process, it discovered new plastic materials, and invented a structural method of joining constituent components and a custom hinge for folding in two. The new carts also resolve the problems associated with the outbreak of salmonella bacteria due to rust and mold forming on steel ones. Moreover, it also realized lighter cart in weight.
The conventional steel carts do not allow attachment of IC tags and present problems in respect of hygiene. The vital point is the ability for integrated control of the entire supply chain from production sites to sales space, thanks to the plastic carts produced by the company's original process.

Myway Labs Co., Ltd.
Established in July 1993 Capital stock: 48 million yen
http://www.myway-labs.co.jp/ (Japanese) 　

Myway Labs's core competence is technology for conversion of electrical energy. It is involved in research and development in this field and offers tools and equipment needed for such R&D programs. Its specialty R&D areas are new energy technologies such as photovoltaic and wind power generation, motor control systems for air conditioners and washing machines, battery storage technology, and (more recently) energy conservation technology such as motor control for electric vehicles.
Three years ago, it established Myway Techno Services Co., Ltd. (MTS) and Myway Electric Co., Ltd. (MWE). MTS is developing business in publication of magazines introducing personnel, technology, and products, and information services including human resource development seminars and lectures.
Environmental problems were taken up as a major theme of the Lake Towa Summit Conference. Myway is indeed right in step with the times in its efforts to develop products applying energy-saving technology.
Hailing from China, the president is brimming with enthusiasm.

Tsukuba Seiko Co., Ltd.
Established in June 1985 Capital stock: 155 million yen
http://www.tsukubaseiko.co.jp/ (Japanese) 　

Tsukuba Seiko develops, manufactures, and sells electrostatic chucks that solve problems such as transfer of adsorption holes and marks remaining after adsorption in use of vacuum pads and tables for large LCD glass substrates, high-performance film, wafers, and paper.
The chucks deliver a stable performance even in special environments such as vacuums. Unlike the conventional vacuum technology, there are no problems with things such as adsorption marks.
The technological drive is provided by Dr. Poh, one of the corporate directors. The technology is designed for handling articles with static electricity, and has possibilities for application in various fields.
It is expected to find utilization in a wide range of areas over the coming years.