Japan

Michael Ramirez , son of Ronald Ramirez and Lola Quan-Ramirez of La Crescenta, and Rina Onoyama from Osaka, Japan, were married in Kobe, Japan, in July. The ceremony, conducted in English and Japanese, took place at Ravimana Resort, in a glass chapel with the ocean and palm trees as a backdrop. The reception and after party was held at the resort. Truly an international affair, the wedding was attended by the groom's family from California and the bride's family from Japan, as well as friends from Canada, Australia and other parts of the United States.

GLENDALE ? The following are updates on area players in minor league baseball. ? Jason Botts (Glendale Community College, 2000) Oklahoma Redhawks first baseman/outfielder: After lighting up minor league pitching in 2004, Botts appeared to be on the path to eventual Major League stardom. Now, Botts will have to look for that stardom in a brand new country. After expressing displeasure with the Texas Rangers organization when he was optioned from Texas to the Triple-A Oklahoma Redhawks on April 29, Botts?

Thirty students flew to Wilson Middle School from the other side of the globe this week to play a little basketball. The youth were members of a student all-star basketball team from the city of Higashiosaka in Japan. They visited Wilson for the seventh year as part of a cultural exchange program that included four games of basketball, visits to American classes and an art lesson in Japanese calligraphy. The school’s relationship with the Japanese team began when the group was headed to Glendale years ago and they were looking to play other students in basketball, said Richard Lucas, the school’s principal.

DOWNTOWN ? For more than a year, the Japanese-inspired convenience store Famima has dished out sushi, panini and steamed pork sticky buns to those on the go, but its stint on Brand Boulevard is set to end later this month. The store, whose namesake is derived from the words ?family? and ?mart,? signed a five-year lease for its Glendale location in November 2006, but foot traffic hasn?t been heavy enough to sustain the one-stop shop, said Hidenari Sato, executive vice president of Famima.

To have successful business and social relationships, it is essential to understand the differences in the Japanese and American cultures. There is a difference in Japanese and American cultures as they share common values of respect for democracy, free trade and free market economy. Below are some tips on doing business with the Japanese: ?Trust, mutual understanding, and a sense of intimacy is essential before long-term business relationships can be formed. ?Japanese do not respond positively to weakness; therefore, negotiate from a position of strength and confidence.

Because of increasing personal and business connections with foreign countries or various cultures in the United States, it is important to gain knowledge about their customs and culture. This knowledge will create a congenial and proper environment in which positive relations and commerce can flourish. Etiquette tips for gift giving in China and Japan follow. ? CHINA: The Chinese often give elaborate welcoming banquets for their guests. There is no business discussion during the event, and one must accept the invitation that later needs to be reciprocal.