Dear Japan Business Executive:

        We thought you might be interested in highlights of what appears in
the August issue (www.SuccessStories.com/current.htm) of our print
publication, SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN Executive Newsletter.  Feel free to pass
this message along to any colleagues who may find it relevant or useful.  To
subscribe: www.SuccessStories.com/ssform.htm.


SPECIAL REPORT: THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF CORPORATE JAPAN
        With so much attention now focused on which Koizumi reforms are
really required to reform Japan's economy, we went directly to ask someone
who evaluates the strategy and performance of specific Japanese corporations
every day.  The Director of Corporate Ratings at Standard & Poor?s Japan
offers his views on whether Japan's managers are ready for and actively
engaging in real restructuring.  He shares what he knows about Japanese
corporates' financial sophistication, systems, accounting standards, credit
trends, and the overall current state of corporate Japan?s financial health.


 
A SPECIALIST OFFERS ADVICE: "A JAPAN ACQUISITION THAT (LUCKILY) NEVER 
CLOSED" (PART TWO)
        This second part of our specialist's two-part article about an
acquisition abandoned because of employee compensation and benefit issues
offers a rare, inside look at some of the ?brass tacks? issues that
companies often consider during such a process. Readers who have not
participated in such a process may find some of our contributor's notes to
his client, included in this article, rather harsh in their tone and intent.
Nevertheless, the notes demonstrate the complexity of the many issues
acquiring executives face in evaluating a potential acquisition in Japan,
and should not be construed as anything but a competent professional?s best
advice to an important client.     


JAPAN INSIGHT: GET THE SCOOP
        Certain of Japan's internet cafes offer a little-known and
inexpensive sampling and product research opportunity; Business Indicator:
Which executives are flying to Japan these days? -- It might surprise you;
St. Jude Medical seeks continued growth; Japan was just a way station to
greater responsibilities for these executives.


FROM THE EDITORS
        Information is another key to transforming Japan's economy...


IS YOUR COMPANY FOCUSED ON THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES OPENING FOR HEALTHCARE
COMPANIES IN JAPAN?
        Then you may be interested in specialist contributor Charles Duffy's
view on how innovative healthcare companies in Japan are using training to
upgrade their staffs and facilitate change.  He details the management
issues you'll need to focus on to succeed.  Our popular October 2000 issue
is still available for single issue purchase.
(www.SuccessStories.com/oct00.htm).  Or read specialist contributor Bill
Farrell in the December 2000 issue, as he makes the case for health
information services on the internet, an opportunity your 
company can exploit in Japan (www.SuccessStories.com/dec00htm).  All of our
back issue descriptions are at www.SuccessStories.com/ssdescri.htm.


LET US HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND YOU GROW YOUR COMPANY IN JAPAN
        Now it's easy to order the BACK ISSUES which discussed your
company's Japan activities or those of its competitors, partners or
customers.  Or learn more about some of the innovative Japanese and
non-Japanese companies we've been writing about.  Our new company index, at
www.SuccessStories.com/colist.htm, provides a comprehensive list of all the
companies which have been mentioned in our pages since 1998, and an easy
click to the specific issue containing the reference.  Or to subscribe, use
the form at www.SuccessStories.com/ssform.htm.


ANNOUNCING: THE SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN 2001-2002 GOLF COURSE GUIDE
        The third edition of our well-known English-language guide,
containing detailed information on over 90 Tokyo-area golf courses which
always welcome foreign players.  We list cheap public courses as well as
some of the most prestigious and beautiful courses in Japan, most of which
have lowered their fees and now welcome foreigners to stay in business. Come
golf on some of the world's most beautiful and challenging (if still little
known) courses, where increasing numbers of non-Japanese lust to play.  As
seen in Playboy Japan, Golfer, Golf for Women, Tokyo Weekender, Tokyo
Classified, Los Angeles Times, and many other publications.  Full
information is at www.JapanGolfCourses.com/home.htm.


SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN
       SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN Executive Newsletter, available in print form
only with accompanying e-mail commentary from our editors, focuses on
innovative business strategies for Japan, the world's second-largest
economy.  For nearly four years, a growing number of the world's savviest
global corporations (Japanese, European, Asian, American, etc.), Japan
portfolio managers, and financial and professional services firms have
continued to subscribe to it for insight that isn't available anywhere else.
For complete information, visit 
www.SuccessStories.com/sshome.htm.  Discounts are available for government
and non-profit subscribers.
        SUCCESS STORIES: JAPAN editors focus exclusively on strategies and
tactics companies in all industries use to grow their Japan businesses, in
M&A, e-business and mobile strategies, marketing, distribution, human
resources, partnering, training and other management disciplines.  Our
interest is in helping you grow your Japan profits, period.
        No other publication offers what we do:  We publish exclusive
surveys, that allow you to benchmark your Japan performance against others.
We identify and interview Japan-oriented executives like you, and others who
are bringing new and innovative strategies and tactics to Japan.  Our
in-depth material is 100% original (we don't rehash press releases, we break
news on your markets).  Our contributors are Japan business specialists, and
our editors speak frequently about Japan business strategy before executive
groups and in the mainstream media (including CNN, Associated Press,
Business Week, Reuters, Nikkei and Barron's).      


STAY IN, OPT OUT, PASS ALONG
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us of your new e-mail address.  And as always, if you're no longer
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