Itochu : Announces Launch of Business Chinese Cloud E-Learning Program

ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Masahiro Okafuji, President & CEO; hereinafter "ITOCHU") announced today that it is launching a business Chinese e-learning program developed jointly with CAPLAN Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "CAPLAN") and Real English Broadband Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "Real English") on November 16, 2011.

ITOCHU, which is actively developing business in China, started to develop the e-learning program, leveraging its expertise in related fields, as part of its cloud computing training services for developing human resources capable of working in the international arena. ITOCHU developed the curriculum jointly with CAPLAN, a Group company providing comprehensive human resource services. Practical business expertise, including cross-cultural communication techniques developed by JAL ACADEMY, which has a leading track record in business Chinese training in Japan, has been added to the curriculum. Based on the curriculum, ITOCHU has developed a radically new training program transcending conventional methods jointly with Real English and its parent company in the UK reallyenglish.com, which has created revolutionary English learning programs that go beyond the boundaries of e-learning. Using interactive learning functions, the program should enjoy a high completion rate and enhance the effect of learning.

Aiming to provide comprehensive, interactive learning involving not only the language but also the cultural background and business skills, ITOCHU has named the program i-Knowledge City. ITOCHU has invited its employees to participate in the program and is conducting a trial.

The program has been developed to help learners smoothly acquire practical knowledge and communication skills for cross-cultural business and communicate in everyday life and in business.