How I became interested in Southeast Asia(1)

Brief story of how I became interested in Southeast Asia including Indonesia

I spent most of my early days in the society at a newspaper company after finishing my bachelor's degree of business administration at Seoul National University. Starting from the industrial section followed by the social section, the corporate section and the real estate section at Maeil Business Daily, I worked hard for about 6.5 years as a journalist. 

Though I was still young, I could broaden my horizon by interviewing various leaders in the Korean society such as CEOs and university presidents. In addition, I went business trips to more than 30 countries to navigate new articles outside South Korea. 

Flights to Americas, Northern Europe and Oceania surely enlarged my global insight. Memories of visiting member countries of Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia and writing stories on Korean companies in the region are vivid as ever.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(12)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

This frontier quest will prove itself to be useful contents to all related parties in the region if relationship among Korea, Japan and China sees rooms for improvement, as a result. 

If so, it goes without saying that my reputation as an expert on issues of intellectual property rights will be shining. As such, I will have more chances to study on this field and even probably draw attention internationally.

On this token, an exclusive and high-quality research will be of great help not only to myself but also to the growth of my organization, Korean Academy of Commodity Science & Technology.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(11)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Whenever chances are given either at home or abroad, I will be willingly presenting my book and article to the academic field and governmental sector. As a former journalist, I wouldn't sit idle to promote my publications to the media as well. 

As emphasized above, geographical brands haven't been the talk of the town in the Korean academic field. Scholars have failed to spare enough time in delving into the importance of the protection of geographical brands overseas. 

Against this background, my wish is that my subject will play a role of a stepping stone for full-fledged exploration on this issue in the mid-long term. If government officials get practical ideas from my project and put them into actions, it will be my excellent pride. This research involves three countries in Northeast Asia. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(10)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Needless to say, voices of requesting protection of Korean geographical brands in China will be drawing greater attention as well. In this regard, Japanese government's recent initiatives have meaningful implication to Korea. 

Japan's efforts to apply for trademarks abroad and to present guidelines at home are what Korean government should learn for its sake. In other words, this project will address a message that Korean government need to benchmark the researched cases and to come up with necessary measures to prevent potential troubles with China with no delay.

After completion, my research will be published in the form of a Korean book and an English article in the journal of Korean Academy of Commodity Science & Technology in about 3 months.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(9)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

On the similar context, books and magazines will be valuably utilized for the purpose of a preparatory research. It is manufacturing and entertainment industry which has generated most disputes over the intellectual property rights between Korea and China. 

Except a few cases surrounding the use of geographical brands for Korean rice and hot pepper sauce in America, geographical brands haven't developed themselves into big issues so far in Korea.

 

So studies and researches also have been focused on cases of private sectors, corporate activities in particular. However, keeping the ever-growing influence of China and recent 'Korean Wave' frenzy in China, it is little doubt that geographical brands will become hot-potato like issues soon.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(8)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Secondly, I’ve been arranging meetings with officials at Japanese government and governmental agencies to apprehend the background of guideline issuance. 

Interviews with professionals at the international affairs division of the JPO and JETRO(Japan External Trade Organization) will allow me to draw an overall picture of the past, present and future of Japanese government’s stance on this controversial issue. 

In this regard, interviews with experts at reputable private organizations and universities including Japan Intellectual Property Association, Intellectual Property Management Center of Kyushu University and Office of Intellectual Property of Waseda University will broaden my horizon by supplying thoughtful views. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(7)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

I've been planning schedules to sites where geographical brands are born and to see what has happened in relation to China. Kagoshima Prefecture and its geographical brands including 県シンボルマーク, かごしまの農林水産物認証マーク, かごしまブランドマーク, かごしま黒豚証明書, さつま地鶏 and 薩摩 are one example. 

For this, I've been hosting interviews with involved sections at chambers of commerce and industry of 4 prefectures. Leaders of local communities and officials at the industrial policy section of local governments would be contacted, too.

 

In doing so, I can clearly recognize the beginning and developments of the various disputes. This on-site coverage will also give me better understanding of Japanese government's subsequent actions to protect its geographical brands in China.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(6)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Such a move means a lot to Korean government as similar conflicts are expected to be wired between Korea and China in the near future. The concept of my project is born in this sense with special emphasis on timely and untouched research. In terms of methodology, on-site visits and expert interviews are two pillars of my research.

First of all, throughout mid September to mid October of 2013, I will pay a visit to 4 Japanese prefectures among 9 prefectures mentioned above. Specifically, I will visit Aomori Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture and Kagoshima Prefecture where geographical brands of each prefecture have been broadly known even outside Japan. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(5)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

It is mainly because Japan’s exports of brand farm products could be adversely affected if Japanese geographical product and brand names are registered as Chinese trademarks. 

So far a total of 9 Japanese prefectures, Aomori Prefecture(靑森県), Hokkaido Prefecture(北海県), Yamanashi Prefecture(山梨県), Shiga Prefecture(滋賀県), Wakayama Prefecture(和歌山県), Fukuoka Prefecture(福岡県), Saga Prefecture(佐賀県), Nagasaki Prefecture(長崎県) and Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県) have successfully taken actions to register their trademarks in China.

Though failing to react in advance, Japanese central and local governments have responded in a proper way. They did take relevant steps after disputes over misuse of Japanese geographical brands in China were reported. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(4)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Long-lasted disputes and subsequent legal suits over Kagawa Prefecture(香川県)'s Sanuki Udon(讃岐うどん) between Japan's Kabashima Shouji(樺島商事) and Taiwan's Namchow Group are none other than a representative example. 

According to the Japan Patent Office(JPO), actual public notices were given or registrations were made on the basis of applications of third parties in China for 6 Japanese prefectures, Toyama Prefecture(富山県), Fukui Prefecture(福井県), Aichi Prefecture(愛知県), Yamaguchi Prefecture(山口県), Kagawa Prefecture(香川県) and Saga Prefecture(佐賀県). 

Against this background, Japanese government has accelerated its move in two folds since late 2000's; applying for trademarks in China and coming up with guidelines for related parties in Japan.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(3)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Such aggressive drives time to time led to undesirable results accompanied by huge controversy and conflict. More cases have been noticed in the corporate sector. 

However, conflicts in the public sector are no less serious. That could explain why Japanese central and local governments have been eager to protect Japanese geographical brands in China. 

In fact, it has been alleged that many Chinese have illicitly trademarked or tried to trademark the names of famous Japanese places, names and local specialties in recent years. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(2)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

For example, a company files a suit against its rivals in neighboring countries in charge of severe copyright infringement. A governmental agency is also embarrassed to catch its publications have been openly used in another country without legitimate process of offer and acceptance. 

It is between Japan and China where disputes over the intellectual property rights arise most in Northeast Asia. The fact that Japan is still leading this area and China has been rapidly raising its clout lies in this phenomenon. 

As an emerging economy, China has tended to learn lessons from Japan, the most advanced economy in this region in a quick and simple way sometimes without due payment.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(1)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

As the wave of globalization is getting bigger and bigger, national economies also impact to each other more frequently. Thus, snowballing international disputes are reported here and there in the international stage. 

This is no exception in Northeast Asia. In fact, growing number of cross-border conflicts have been observed in this region. It is mainly because Japan, Korea and China have not only cooperative partnership but also competitive relationship. Troubles are widely found in both private and public sectors.

Especially, cases regarding the intellectual property rights are often being heard recently. This is no wonder in a time when the significance of the intangible assets is getting unprecedentedly highlighted as a key source of national competitiveness. 

Thoughts on Vocational Education(10)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

If my project turns out meaningful and inevitable to enhance the quality of vocational education in Korea, there will be huge media coverage on my project, myself and the AKF. As a former journalist, I'll make the best use of my network on the media sector. 

The number of Korean vocational high schools, parents and students, related institutions and even government officials visiting Australia to learn how to efficiently improve vocational education system will be significantly increasing. If my project is accepted and valued in an extensive way, movement to adopt parts of the outputs into real governmental policies for better vocational education in Korea is expected.

Both paper book and e-book in Korean will be published within 6 months after completion of the project. Following 'Should Go to a College?' last year, this book would mark the sequence of my intensive research on the issue of the vocational education system in Korea.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(9)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

My e-book on the Korean vocational education system, mainly featuring 6 exemplary high schools including Induk Technical Highschool and Seoul Girls' Commercial highschool was published last June. Titled 'Should Go to a College?', the book has been provoking nationwide sensation so far. 

Please find the attached cover page and English summary as additional documentary evidence. Now I'm communicating with a Japanese publishing agency, 'CUON(www.cuon.jp)' to have my e-book published in Japanese language soon. 

Education, particularly vocational education and a subsequent industry-school collaboration model has been my main area of interest ever since I started to work at Maeil Business Newspaper, Korea's No.1 business daily. Succeeding TAFEs in Australia, vocational education system of Germany and Scandinavian countries would be my next target for exploration on this issue.