Non-profit Organization Soin Esthetic Association

To prevent the new influenza from spreading, we call on our member salons to carry out the following measures:

[To prevent the spread of new influenza]
* Make sure there is enough stockpile of mask and antiseptics, and where necessary purchase in advance.
* As the new influenza continues to spread, there may be difficulties in purchasing antiseptic and hygiene supplies (especially masks).
* The peak of new influenza infections is expected to be around October this year.

For more information, please click here.

Guest Professor Junko SUGAMA presented on the topic "Advanced Skincare: One Year On" at the conference, reviewing the first year of sponsored lectureship and outlining the progress made towards the creation of the skincare department.

The conference was a great success and injected new momentum to the development in esthetics research.

Akemi SHIMOMURA, President of Soin Esthetic Association (Akazaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo -http://www.soin-esthetic.or.jp), was appointed as guest lecturer at Ikenobo Colleges (Ikenobo Junior College, Ikenobo Cultural Institut, Ikenobo Ochanomizu College) on April 1, 2009 (Wednesday).

During the creation of the Esthetics Program at Ikenobo College, the first among junior colleges in Kansai area,beauty salon chain Miss Paris, led by Ms Shimomura, forged a partnership with Ikenobo under which Miss Paris would support the institution by providing equipments, cosmetic products and up-to-date know-hows in the esthetics industry.

At Soin, we believe in "rediscovering real beauty by bringing joy and satisfaction to people." In this sense, we find common grounds in Ikenobo, which over its 60 years of history has produced many talented professionals, from its mission to "live beautifully" to its motto "Japan and Beauty".

At Ikenobo Colleges, six professionals with deep knowledge in Japanese traditional cultures have joined to become guest lecturers. With her expertise in esthetics, Ms Shimomura wishes to contribute to the cause of spreading beauty in Japan.

* Profile - Akemi SHIMOMURA Born in 1957 Graduated at Ikenobo Junior College with a major in Home Economics President, Soin Esthetic Association (NPO) CEO, Shape Up House Inc. CEO, Miss Paris Inc. CEO, Miss Paris JPN Inc. CEO, Shape Up House Limited Hong Kong President, Miss Paris Esthetic School President, Miss Paris Esthetic College Board Member, All Nippon Esthetic Association Named "The Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the World" Named "Outstanding Businesswoman" at the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Awards Guest Lecturer, Ikenobo Colleges

Soin Esthetic Association (Akazaka, President: Akemi SHIMOMURA) will hold the 6th Esthetics Conference on May 18, 2009 (Monday).

Since being recognized in 2005 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a nonprofit organization, Soin has devoted itself to raising the status of the esthetics industry and helping beauty salons build trust among customers by hiring qualified professionals, complying with regulations, and undertaking rigorous sanitary management. Last year, in addition to Certification Examination for Preventive Nursing Care Esthetician and Service Etiquette Examinations, we have seen more and more qualified professionals who have passed examinations and become certified as Estheticians, Spa Therapists, and Hair Removal Professionals.

In this year's academic conference, we will present the results from a study co-conducted with Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo on the efficacy of "Triple Burn" treatment, an original intervention using state-of-the-art equipments that has been adopted by major beauty salon chains such asDandy House, Miss Paris and Miss Paris Diet Center.Results have shown that the three-prong approach of cutting-edge equipment, health supplementaries and professional dietary guidance, namely the Triple Burn treatment, improves metabolic health. Come and witness the effects of Triple Burn.

The main theme of the conference is "What is Beauty?". We have invited as guest speakers Prof Nobuyuki SHIOTANI (Professor Emeritus, Kitasato University; Honorary President, Well Aging AAC Clinic; Director, Anti-Aging Network), Junko SUGAMA (Guest Professor, Advanced Skincare Research Unit, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo), and Yukiko HIKIDA (Guest Research Fellow, Research Institute of Human Resource Development, Hosei University; CEO, Freund Inc). They will explore issues about beauty, life and sufferings from different points of view.

Soin Esthetic Association is committed to promoting the stability and reliability of the esthetics industry. The Conference seeks to refine the skills and senses of estheticians who strive to bring out the beauty of clients from within.

Interested parties please write your name, company name, phone number and number of participants toinfo@soin-esthetic.or.jp .

Akemi SHIMOMURA, President of Soin Esthetic Association, was named "Outstanding Businesswoman" at the 26th Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Awards. This is a first in the esthetics industry.

The awards have been presented by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, and this year marks its 26th year in history. Every year, the organizer recognize leaders with excellent business skills who successfully create growth for their businesses and contribute to the national and local economy.

This is a difficult time for the esthetics industry as businesses are closing and the conditions are hard. We hope the award can be some kind of silver lining for all of us.

[The 26th Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Awards Presentation Ceremony]
* Date and Time: 11:00 ̃ 13:00, January 21, 2009
* Venue: Hotel Grand Palace 〒102-0072　Iidabashi 1-1-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Soin Esthetic Association (President: Akemi SHIMOMURA; Website:http://www.soin-esthetic.or.jp) calls upon its members to take actions to support customers who are affected by the closing of Bambina Beauty Salons.

On September 5, 2008, Bambina Limited (President: Kazunari HONDA) has filed for bankruptcy at Tokyo District Court and on September 8 has activated its bankruptcy procedure (Case No: 2008-FU-16646). Later, Soin received a request for assistance from Bambina. In light of its impact on the industry as a whole, we have forwarded the request to our 168 member salons. As a result, two of our corporate members, Miss Paris Esthetic and Miss Paris Diet Center, have agreed to provide outstanding services to Bambina's customers. Based on the fact that the two salon chains are ISO9001 certified industry leaders which have been operating salons in close proximity to Bambina outlets (at Tama Plaza, Ginza, Mitaka, Chiba, Omiya, and Kashiwa), Soin has approved such arrangement. Customers who have outstanding balance at Bambina will be able to receive services at Miss Paris salons (Ginza, Tachikawa, Omiya, and Kashiwa) and Miss Paris Diet Center (Mosaic Mall Kohoku, Chiba) until the end of November.

Soin Esthetic Association is committed to promoting the stability and reliability of the esthetics industry.

>> Details of community service

To prepare itself for the nursing care insurance reform next year, Miss Paris Esthetic School, a Soin-certified teaching institution, has begun a series of activities at elderly facilities as part of its preventive nursing care initiative. The aim is to improve the quality of life of senior citizens through volunteer service.

Residents expressed joy and satisfaction not usually seen on their faces, while onlooking staff members were delighted. Volunteers demonstrated not only their advanced skills but warm manners, earning themselves a very enthusiastic invitation for a return for more services in future.