KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) — Universal Studios Japan, operated by USJ LLC, is set to expand its popular Super Nintendo World, which has attracted visitors daily since its debut in March 2021.
The major expansion of the themed area, opening on Dec 11, will feature the world’s first-ever “Donkey Kong Country” area, immersing guests in the iconic world of Donkey Kong.
According to a statement, this new addition will increase Super Nintendo World’s size by 70 per cent, offering innovative and creative experiences that promise to elevate the park’s appeal.
A centrepiece of the new area is the stunning Golden Temple, a massive structure inspired by the Donkey Kong video games. Located in the deepest part of the jungle, the temple’s interior is filled with intricate details, creating an immersive atmosphere of mysterious ruins.
Guests will discover a mural inside that hints at the exciting adventures to come. This dynamic space is designed to excite visitors even before they experience the main attraction.
The highlight of the “Donkey Kong Country” area is the new “Mine Cart Madness” coaster, an innovative ride that combines next-generation technology and unconventional design to deliver an unpredictable, thrilling experience.
The ride was developed in collaboration with Nintendo’s creative team, including its Representative Director and Fellow, Shigeru Miyamoto, which promises to engage riders both visually and physically.
With an unprecedented ride system and a unique design, this first-of-its-kind family coaster includes jaw-dropping moments, such as launching out of a barrel and speeding over precarious gaps.
In addition to the ride, the “Donkey Kong Country” area will feature dining and shopping, providing a comprehensive experience for visitors. Universal Studios Japan is eager to share more details in the lead-up to the grand opening, as it continues to create unforgettable experiences for fans of all ages.
SBC to leverage operational synergies and implement growth strategies to launch into new verticals and geographies (Graphic: Business Wire)
Aesthetic Healthcare establishes bridgehead for expansion into Asia and accelerate SBC’s presence in global markets
SBC to leverage operational synergies and implement growth strategies to launch into new verticals and geographies
TOKYO, Nov 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (Nasdaq: SBC) (“SBC Medical”, or the “Company”, or “SBC”), a global provider of comprehensive consulting and management services to the medical corporations and their clinics, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aesthetic Healthcare Holdings Pte. Ltd. (“AHH”), a privately-held Singapore-based company that owns and operates several brands that provide aesthetic medical treatments in an all cash transaction scheduled to close on November 13, 2024.
The acquisition by SBC of AHH marks the first step in Company’s strategy to grow its business through acquisitions, which includes plans to expand its business internationally with a primary focus on the U.S. and Asia markets. The Company believes Singapore represents the ideal hub for the further development of its brand in the region.
Strategic Rationale: A foothold to expand into Asia
Founded by Dr. Ewen Chee, a pioneer in Singapore’s aesthetic medical industry, AHH is well established in the country with a multi-brand strategy that caters to diverse customer needs. With the acquisition of AHH, SBC believes it has taken an important step toward expanding its presence in the Asian market. AHH’s portfolio consists of four brands and 21 outlets, and will be added to the SBC clinic network, strengthening its customer base in the Asian region. SBC has positioned Singapore as the core of its Asian operations and plans to leverage the high brand recognition AHH has established to promote strategic partnerships throughout Asia. The expansion of SBC’s global presence is consistent with its mission to establish leadership in the aesthetic medical industry by providing the value of beauty and health beyond national borders through innovative aesthetic medical treatments.
Strategies to Expand the Aesthetic Medicine Market by Leveraging Singapore’s Advantages As disposable income increases in line with recent economic growth, demand for aesthetic medical treatments to maintain youth and beauty is growing rapidly. The Asian market in particular has shown remarkable growth, and currently accounts for the second largest share of the global aesthetic medical market, with an average annual growth rate of 11%*, exceeding that of any other region. Among these, Singapore is ideally positioned as a gateway to the Asian market due to its geographical and cultural advantages, and with its well-developed medical infrastructure and regulatory environment. SBC believes it is an ideal base for expanding services throughout Asia. *Data Source: https://straitsresearch.com/report/aesthetic-medicine-market
Dr. Ewen Chee, Chief Executive Officer of Aesthetic Healthcare Holdings Pte. Ltd., said: “We are pleased to announce that our clinic group has become a member of SBC, one of the leading aesthetic medical clinic groups in Japan. Since our establishment, we have been committed to providing the best medical treatments to each and every patient in Singapore, and have earned the trust of many customers. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our employees and patients for their support. We see this acquisition as an opportunity for new growth, and we are confident that SBC’s advanced technology, management know-how, and extensive experience in the Japanese market will contribute greatly to our further development. We expect to accelerate our expansion throughout Asia and provide the best aesthetic medical treatments to as many patients as possible. We also hope to contribute to the expansion of the franchise business in the U.S. by utilizing the franchise business know-how we have cultivated through the operation of SkinGo! Together, with SBC, we aim to be a leader in the Asian aesthetic medicine industry and will make further efforts to meet the expectations of each and every patient.”
Yoshiyuki Aikawa Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc., said: “We are very pleased to welcome AHH to our group. AHH has been providing high-quality aesthetic medical services in Singapore for many years and has earned the trust of many customers. With this acquisition, we expect to accelerate our expansion into the Asian market and strengthen our global aesthetic medical treatment delivery system. We are confident that we can create significant synergies by combining expertise in aesthetic medical treatments and management know-how we have cultivated in Japan with AHH’s brand power and customer base. We intend to grow together while respecting the corporate culture that AHH has cultivated thus far. We will also respect the culture and customs of Singapore and try to manage the company in a way that is rooted in the local community, while actively contributing to the local community. By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we aim to become a leading aesthetic medical clinic in Asia.”
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About SBC Medical SBC Medical, headquartered in Irvine, California and Tokyo, Japan, owns and provides management services and products to cosmetic treatment centers. The Company is primarily focused on providing comprehensive management services to franchisee clinics, including but not limited to advertising and marketing needs across various platforms (such as social media networks), staff management (such as recruitment and training), booking reservations for franchisee clinic customers, assistance with franchisee employee housing rentals and facility rentals, construction and design of franchisee clinics, medical equipment and medical consumables procurement (resale), the provision of cosmetic products to franchisee clinics for resale to clinic customers, licensure of the use of patent-pending and non-patented medical technologies, trademark and brand use, IT software solutions (including but not limited to remote medical consultations), management of the franchisee clinic’s customer rewards program (customer loyalty point program), and payment tools for the franchisee clinics. For more information, visit https://sbc-holdings.com/
About Aesthetic Healthcare Holdings Pte. Ltd. AHH is based in Singapore and operates aesthetic medical clinics, family clinics, and quick facial aesthetics outlets. The founder, Dr. Ewen Chee, is known as one of the pioneers in the field of aesthetic medicine in Singapore and is a co-chair of the first Asia Pacific Thread Lift Conference (APEM) and a board-certified physician by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and workshops, and his expertise and knowledge have been featured in numerous scientific publications.
SkinGo! (16 locations)https://skingo.sg/ Aesthetic salons focusing on facial menus
Family clinics (2 locations)
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts or statements of current conditions, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events and performance, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, the Company’s product launch plans and strategies; growth in revenue and earnings; and business prospects. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” “targets” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, assumptions, or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them; such factors include, among other things, changes in global, regional, or local economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, and those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) — At the JETOUR Global Travel+ Conference 2024 in Fuzhou, JETOUR emphasised the importance of wildlife conservation and reaffirmed its commitment to the pursuit of “Travel as ESG Practices”.
During the event, JETOUR unveiled a teaser of Discovery’s documentary “Return of the Cheetah” and partnered with renowned biologist and artist Hazen Audel to launch a charity auction for cheetah protection.
All proceeds from the auction will be donated to cheetah conservation, reinforcing JETOUR’s ongoing support for ecological initiatives.
JETOUR Auto President, Li Xueyong highlighted the company’s growing awareness of the connection between economic development and ecological environment.
“If we treat the earth well, the earth will treat us well. Cooperation with CCF is just the beginning. In the future, we will continue to support ecological conservation and contribute to global sustainable development,” he said in a statement.
The conference, attended by over 1,000 guests, watched the teaser of the documentary “Return of the Cheetah”, jointly produced by JETOUR, the Discovery Channel, and the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).
Set against the backdrop of Namibian grasslands in Africa, the documentary illustrates the plight of the cheetah worldwide, and encourages greater public involvement in wildlife protection.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) — Yantai City, Shandong Province, has launched the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative together with 32 island cities, international organisations, research institutions, enterprises, and other founding entities at home and abroad.
This initiative, released at the Launch Conference of International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative held during the UNFCCC COP29 on Nov 13, aims to promote global climate governance through joint efforts.
The launch event, hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Shandong Provincial People’s Government, was supported by the Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, the Shandong Provincial Department of Ecological Environment, and the Yantai Municipal People’s Government.
Representatives from China, island nations, and international organisations attended and voiced their support for the initiative, according to a statement.
With over 50,000 islands worldwide facing shared challenges due to climate change, the need for an international organisation dedicated to supporting islands sustainability has become urgent.
Yantai City mayor, Zheng Deyan called on global island stakeholders to unite under the initiative to contribute to both sustainable development and global climate campaigns.
The International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization, the world’s first international organisation dedicated to zero-carbon islands, will focus on enhancing the climate resilience of islands, strengthening infrastructure and disaster response capabilities, and promoting mutual assistance in the sharing of emergency relief supplies.
The organisation aims to explore zero-carbon pathways, build clean energy systems, promote green buildings, transportation, and communities, and foster the development of low-carbon industries such as modern marine fisheries, modern agriculture, and low-carbon tourism.
It will also protect ecological resources, strengthen the protection, development, utilisation, research, and management of island resources, and enhance academic and cultural exchange among islands.
Jimei School Village: The “Tan Kah Kee Story” Behind the Century-old Buildings
The year 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Tan Kah Kee, a renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader, entrepreneur, educator, philanthropist, and social activist.
130 years ago, at the age of just 20, Tan Kah Kee invested 2,000 silver dollars to establish the “Ti Zhai Academy” in his hometown of Jimei. This marked the beginning of his 67-year career in education. He also constructed numerous large-scale school buildings, leaving behind a legacy of distinctive Kah Kee structures. Over the ensuing years, he dedicated all his resources to founding a variety of educational institutions, including elementary schools, middle schools, normal schools, kindergartens, fishery and navigation schools, and business schools in Jimei. These century-old buildings now form the most beautiful scenery in Jimei School Village.
Inheriting the cultural and spiritual legacy of Tan Kah Kee, Jimei District in Xiamen City, where Jimei School Village is located, has developed a 23-square-kilometer cultural and educational zone. This area encompasses 16 universities and research institutes and hosts over 167,000 college students. It has cultivated a valuable humanistic quality, centered around the “Kah Kee Spirit” and characterized by the cultures of overseas Chinese, Southern Fujian, and the school village itself.
According to the person in charge of Jimei District, Jimei will always regard the “Kah Kee Spirit” as a spiritual treasure that permeates the city’s character and a source of power to drive the vigorous development of the special economic zone. The aim is to transform cultural soft power into urban development competitiveness, thereby contributing to Xiamen’s high-quality growth.
Source: XINHUANET
Caption: Jimei School Village: The “Tan Kah Kee Story” Behind the Century-old Buildings
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