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• Foreign Companies Interviews

PEGATRON JAPAN INC.

We interviewed the representatives of the foreign companies that have chosen Chiba.

I’m sure Chiba would be a great help for you！

General Manager, Customer Service Center
Mr. Eli Liu

PEGATRON JAPAN INC. is the Japanese subsidiary of Pegatron Corp., which is the ODM/OEM business division of the ASUSTek Computer Inc., Group (Headquarters: Taiwan), the world major motherboard manufacturer. It has their Japan head office and total solution after-service center here in Urayasu, and specializes in repairs and other customer services. “EeePC”,”ASUS” brand low-priced Mini-Note PC, was launched on the Japanese market in 2008.

Repair Center of motherboard

Q. Besides your company’s worldwide big success in the motherboard market, your product line’s new model, ”EeePC” has won high popularity also in Japan. What, do you think, are the keys to your success here in Japan?
Could you tell us a little bit about “EeePC”, too?

I think I can raise the following three points for our success.
First thing I should mention is “the qualities or characteristics of the product”; “EeePC” is a low-priced mini note PC with the very essential features, attracting children and housewives who don’t need complicated functions. According to our research, we found out that the 50 percent of the main functions they usually use are for those of e-mail, and the 45percent for internet functions including net shopping. So “trimming away” some of the sophisticated functions from a usual PC, we were able to achieve cost reduction of Mini Note PC (priced at 40~50 thousand yen per unit). In addition to office tools such as word and excel, chat and image editing functions are also available. In its size and functions, “EeePC” is really in between mobile phone and PC.

Second point is “the influence of economic conditions”. Due to the worldwide depression since last year, low-priced products are gaining more popularity in various fields. “EeePC” has been in the Japanese market since January, 2008 and especially after last September (when Lehman Brothers went bankrupt) its sales went up. Recently, we are getting more and more inquiries (for “EeePC”) from corporate customers as well. I think this is of course a big chance for us.

Third point is “The close co-operation with customer Service Center/Repair Center”. Here at our Customer Service Center in Urayasu, Call Center and Repair Center work in close co-operation with each other, making it possible to solve customer’s problems immediately. In this respect, we have gained deep customers’ satisfaction. It is very common nowadays, as I understand it, that call centers are outsourced, which is liable to make it difficult to solve their customers’ problems quickly.

Q. In November, 2000, Asus Japan, Inc., was established in Chiba. What are the reasons why you decided to come to Chiba?
What are your impressions of Chiba?

First of all, the point was the proximity to Narita Airport. Almost all the spare parts are shipped by air from Taiwan Head Quarters to Japan, so the closer to Narita Airport, the better for us in order to make the domestic transportation cost lower, which is a big advantage for us. Furthermore, Chiba provides easy and rapid access to Tokyo, our major market in Japan and we have some important customers in Chiba as well. So, it is possible for us to meet customers’ requests quickly.
Also wages are lower in Chiba compared to the Tokyo City.

My impression of Chiba after living here for some time is that it is very rich in nature. I like nature. During my elementary school and junior high school days, I enjoyed watching the TV series “Satomi Hakkenden” (originally written by Kyokutei Bakin), I was happy to find out that the story was originated in Chiba.
For companies, of course, Chiba is an attractive place because of its lower land prices and office rent, I think.

Q. You’ve been expanding business smoothly since your start-up in Chiba. Do you feel any advantages locating in Chiba?

Well, I’d like to thank Chiba Prefectural Government and the advisors of Chiba Investment Support Center (CISC) for their full support. When we had a plan to move from Chiba City three years ago, they were willing to help us hunt for a property and also helped us conclude the lease contract and move. Due to the proximity to Tokyo and easy recruitment of people with expertise, we are quite satisfied with the location of Urayasu. In addition, the CISC advisers are still supporting us in many ways and we really rely on them.

Q. How do you spend your weekends and holidays?

I often go to the countryside of Chiba and take pictures. I and our staff like taking pictures as a hobby.
I’ve been to Tateyama and Yorokeikoku so far, and also Choshi for eating sashimi. Chiba has many agricultural fields so I often take pictures of them. Unlike in Taiwan, the changes of the seasons are quite noticeable here, which really attracts the interest of me. I also like to see the beautiful sun set from Tokyo Bay Aqualine “Umi-hotaru”.

Q. So finally, do you have any massages for foreign companies who are planning to establish or relocate their operations in Chiba ?

First of all, it’s important to have a solid vision of what kind of business operations you want to do in Japan, and when you consider Chiba as one of suitable places to locate or relocate your business, then, to start with, please contact Chiba Prefectural Government and the advisors of Chiba Investment Support Center (CISC). Speaking from our experience, Chiba actually provided us with various supports much more kindly and quickly than other Prefectural Governments. I’m sure they’d be a great help for you too.

2009-07-07