The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has a new prime minister and party leader Yoshihiko Noda. The 'anti-Ozawa' member of the party will need to appoint a new cabinet which is likely to include some members of the other 'Ozawa faction', in order to satisfy both sides of the party which have been struggling with disunity. With a general election 2 years ago, Noda will need to offer in this period to give the party the best possible chance in the election.
Japan Foreclosed Property 2011 -2012 - Buy this 4rd edition report!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Discount airlines enter Japanese domestic market
Japan has been a notoriously difficult place to fly with discount airlines. In the past there have been a few Chinese airlines, along with Jetstar and Air Asia X and Cebu Pacific, which have been servicing the major cities of Osaka and Tokyo.
Japan's two major airlines - ANA and JAL - have entered into arrangements with two discount airlines - Air Asia (Malaysia) and Jetstar (Australian, Qantas subsidiary) respectively to offer cheaper domestic connections. Really this gives these domestic carriers greater access to tap into the local market, as well as allowing the majors to retain high prices for Japanese customers who are not price-sensitive.
See the story at the Japan Times - my favourite newspaper in Japan.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Japanese brewer decision-making questionable
Asahi Brewing Group is about to buy into Independent Liquor of New Zealand. This is a bizarre acquisition for the Japanese brewer for several reasons:
1. There is an alcohol consumption or cultural shift taking place in NZ, which is likely to see per capita consumption fall
2. The country's population is static - the young go to Australia, UK or Japan for work, and they are replaced by Asian immigrants or retirees who are less likely to drink beer.
3. The currency is at a high - though not as bad against the yen.
4. The economy is in a slump. Commodity prices are high, but then so is the currency
5. Japanese beers have no presences or reputation in NZ
Unless the corresponding price for the asset is good, then I don't think I'd be discarding those yen so easily. Their purchase in Australia makes more sense. I'd be buying San Miguel Brewing in the Philippines. The population is growing at 2%, and there is always the prospect of the poor, whom consume their own domestic brew, opting for a branded 'club' product.
Japanese companies seem seldom to exercise good decisions when investing in foreign markets; this looks like another case. Sorry, NZ, I'm more critical when we lose the footy...but only because I can't stand the game.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Interactive map of earthquake activity
Take a look at a NY Times interactive map prepared by NASA. It shows the distribution of radiation, loss of lives from the earthquake & tsunami, as well as the centres of the aftershocks since the main earthquake. It also offers a probable death toll of 14,554 people, though at this point the confirmed deaths are 13,232.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The death of a sushi franchise
Spare a thought for the endangered blue fin tuna the next time you have your next sushi - in Japan or outside, since this type of Japanese cuisine has become very popular around the world in the last few years, precipitating over-fishing.
NY Times covers this story. Mind you, this could be a liberal in the media having a panic attack. Irrespective this is a valuable resource that needs to be managed...and given Japan's obsession with all things 'sushi', I bet they could care less about the long range implications of tuna stocks...In Japan, sushi is political.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Tsunami imagery from Japan
Imagery of Japan's tsunami. Weeks after the event here is some more imagery of the tsunami. It is among the best imagery I have seen. It will be interesting to see if they ever track down the guy running away from the tsunami.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Might Japan face civil war?
We are accustomed of course to Japanese people being so obedient and civil, you might be inclined to question my thesis that Japan might well be confronting a threat of civil war. But consider the following:
1. There are a great many Japanese people who are struggling to make a living; to get ahead in this economy.
2. There is this nuclear program opposed by the public, launched by the government irrespective of public concerns.
3. There is the lying by the government about the dangers
4. There is the fact that people have no effective voice in government, and never had. It was all a delusional pretense. People did not think it through. They still don't.
5. There is a great deal of unrest around the world; most particularly in the Middle East
6. There are issues endless corruption in government
7. There is the spectre of a huge public sector debt of 220% of GDP, with plans for another spend on this earthquake funding of $US0.5 trillion. There is the problem of 20 years of economic stagnation.
8. There is the prospect of increasing hardship as the population comes to terms with fuel shortages, higher taxation.
We might asks - what could happen? Already many Japanese decide to take their lives. We might expect more suicide. Might we expect a charismatic leader to emerge given the political stalemate in the parliament. The parliament seems to be bogged down by corruption issues.
At some point people tend to break. People who have repressed their anxieties or frustrations are the worst. In Japan, it poses a systematic risk. Already many Japanese children decide to live and marry abroad. Might we expect another exodus? The Japanese have traditionally made a virtue of suffering. Is there any sign that that will finally break? I don't see it. I think they would need to be lead by some charismatic leader, and there is no sign. Having said that there might be a political campaign that I am not aware of. The Japanese are among the most organised people in the world; but most organisation is government-driven. Anyway, it is something to watch for. The tsunami might be another step towards chaos. I don't see any trigger for Japan to reach its tipping point. Perhaps one might emerge out of this crisis. Many a city mayor who is heralded for their courage and quick thinking who becomes a national hero.
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