WIMAX services in Japan

Japan is one of the most communications-friendly countries in the world, and that reputation is only going to get better with the roll-out of WIMAX services. KDDI, the largest cell phone company is developing a WIMAX network through UQ Communications. You will need a USB modem - see this gizmo. There is a 2 month free period, though this might be tied to a contract. You will need to assess the coverage in your areas of interest. It is good however the network is supported by KDDI. The cost is Y4650 per month I believe.

This is great news. Even better if they offer a volume plan for those intermittent visitors to Japan.

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Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

The Japanese constitution is 'unconstitutional'

The Japanese High Court has ruled that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Board of Education did not breach the Constitution "by requiring school teachers and other staff to stand when the Hinomaru flag is raised and the national anthem sung during school events". This is the right decision by the Japanese judiciary for the following reasons:

1. The teachers had the option of teaching in the school

2. The imposition is frivolous upon the teachers - required only to stand up and sing

3. The teachers action was in act the wrong one. They should have argued that 'nationalism' is contrary to the national constitution, and that the actions of the government ought to be compatible with the preservation of human rights. Nationalism is an abstract policy which is destined to elevate the threat of collectivism. This places the onus upon the government to stipulate the reasons for adopting a nationalist policy. This requires it to adopt a scientific perspective to defend the policy. It has not done that.

Most particularly the action is a sham because there are so many other more significant breaches of human rights to protest, and these 'liberal' teachers chose such an incidental issue. Why not protest the fact that the Japanese extorts wealth from Japanese people and wastes it with dubious measures of accountability. Why don't they challenge the veracity of the Japanese constitution, in as much as it facilitates this, and is thus a crime against human nature.

We are very much interested in the issues of justice. In fact, we are establishing a consulting service to help people pursue legal remedies in so far as they correspond to constitutional matters.

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Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

Prospects for change

The Japanese political scene is looking pretty dismal. The nation's finances are in a tragic state, with the public sector deficit exceeding 200% of GDP. The good news is that this money is owed by the Japanese people, which means that the government need only extort the money from its citizenry, or more likely print money to pay it off.

Since Sept 2007, Japan has had 6 changes in its prime ministers. This does not auger well for political direction. What does the future hold for Japan? In all probability, the future of Japan might be sooner than you think. The Japanese people were once a proud people, but after 2 decades of stagnancy, we might ponder just how soon their tolerance will break, or how soon a young, charismatic capable leader emerges. More probable perhaps is the spectre of a 'false hope'; a leader who promises much, but delivers very little.

This is a theme we have discussed before. Historically, the Japanese people, a repressed culture, when they have augmented change, have done so with great gusto. I suspect we will see a revival, perhaps of the nature we have come to expect from Apple Inc....and still maybe from Microsoft. We live in hope. I have yet to see a leader conveying the required skills.

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Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

Cheap thrills in Japan

Riding a bike is the cheapest activity to do it Japan. You might think that its hard because there is so much traffic, but in many respects its easier and more fun to get around than by car. I would find driving in Japan frustrating because of the slow pace of the traffic. The secret is:

1. Using pathways along rivers, drainage channels and parks. These paths can go for kilometres, e.g. Along the Arakawa River is the best way to get around Tokyo, plus the creek and main road at Nerima. Most main roads have paths.

2. Riding up mountain river valleys

3. Taking back roads

I even was given a very good mountain bike by going to the local recycling centre. The Japanese govt reclaims a lot of bikes abandoned at stations. Japanese abandon them, so that is where you can find them. I got mine from a suburban fringe recycling centre in Saitama.

It is amazing where you can find mountain biking trails. I found a really good one near Ranzen-machi in Saitama. It runs along a mountain range before dropping down to a road, then along the side of a golf club, another saddle, then down a creek bed. You can of course ride around rice padis or a long rivers in rural areas, simply by packing your bike into a bag for the train. This makes sense if you want to rail to a location and drive back. Make it a real challenge by taking a GPS and going 100-200km away. See if you can find your way home.

I could almost turn this into a sport. Cross-country riding around Japan. All it needs is a website where people can go for GPS coordinates, places to stay for cheap, good bars. Nice website idea. I'll do the website if someone helps me on the content side. I already have GPS coordinates for about 30% of JR railway stations after using several Japan Rail Passes.

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Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

The low cost and benefits of property in Japan

One of the appeals of having a house in Japan is the low cost of maintaining it. I paid just Y2.8mil for a house 1 hour from Tokyo, and 7kms (i.e. a bicycle ride) from a major station. The house is by no means a great house. Its traditional in style, 5br, it has a standard amount of land, its 18yo, but its close to Tokyo and it was very cheap. The other appealing aspect it had for a holiday house is that it costs me only $300 a year in local govt taxes. I pay no other charges. Japan is so safe I do not even both insuring it.

Compare that with say NZ...which is by no means an expensive place to buy property, and the cost of a basic house 1 hour from the city would be $150,000 minimum, and I would be lugged with land taxes of around $NZ1,000 ($US750). I would need to ensure it, I'd need to mow the lawns, I'd need to have someone watch it. None of this is necessary in Japan.

I bought my house below land value because of its location and 'apparent' condition. It was a place I could store stuff, work from when I visit Japan in Spring/Summer. I get the benefits of being a tourist - namely the Japan Rail Pass - but I also have a place I can work from for 3 months, before I skip over to Korea/HK/the Philippines with a discount airline, or a base from which to travel around by rail pass. Importantly, there is a great deal to see in Japan, and I never get sick of the place. The railway is so efficient, I can shoot up to northern Honshu on a shinkansen, then explore the regional areas on the local trains, and be back in my house to sleep. I don't even have to rent a room. Hokkaido is a bit far to do this.....and of course I sleep out if going into more remote areas.

Contrary to popular belief...Japan is not simply an industrial wasteland. I think you could argue that it is architecturally homogeneous, but it is culturally interesting...that's an understatement...and it has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes anywhere. It has appealing village and city cultural elements....which will fascinate all. I have seen the most ardent 'redneck', truckie, KKK-lifetime member-types transformed by a visit to Japan. They really did not expect it to be as it is. They are accustomed to those silly, giggling girls that travel to their home country. There is more to Japan. I think its an opportunity more than anything else to observe a different perspective or display of differing human values...regardless of how sick or distorted those values might be.

Nope...I am not a fan of Japanese values. But then, neither are a great many Japanese...though they don't have the intellectual skills to understand why....well, except for 0.00011% of the population....who never developed a personal identity, i.e. egoism. There are the exceptions. I have met Japanese people who are more American than Americans.

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Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

Japan extending the working years of their slave labour force

Japanese robotics herald the way of the future. Are you worried that your bones are not as nimble as you would like; that you can't walk after a spinal injury, or that you might lose your job as a nurse because the patients are too heavy for you? Are you wondering when Schwarzenegger will be back?

Wait just a little bit longer. The movie will one day be a reality. The concept of Robocop is taking on new life in Japan, where bodily movements are used to instruct robotic limbs to move, and in the process to deliver strength to those who currently don't have it. A person might ask - where will they draw their power supply from? Maybe there will be circuitry in hospitals, etc. Check out this video. Personally, I await the day when Arnie will be beat up by an old Japanese geriatric patient. I'd pay to see that movie spoof.

In any case, this guy might be one of the few Japanese people who like their job.

This is far better than the technology I saw modelled by NZ academics working on the same theme. Their robot was so slow and cumbersome.

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Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

Japan's Democratic Party - new era?

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has retained Prime Minister Naoto Kan as the party leader, leaving faction heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa in the cold. This is old news. The party last week had a party meeting to test the popularity of each leader in the party, and Kan retained his winning lead, largely due to the lost credibility of Ozawa, in response to corruption links.

Just yesterday, Kan announced that he had appointed a new cabinet, which included 10 new faces among the 17 members. It is noteworthy that the new team will result in a weakening of Ozawa's power in the cabinet. It will of course mean a fresh start for Kan, and possibly the start of a new era if he can restore confidence in the party.

Refer to the Japan Times for the full story.

Recently we reported on a different path to reform in the Liberal Democratic Party. The LDP has experienced an increase of MPs migrating to new parties. This break up of old political ties is destined to create all manner of new relationships, both with the main LDP party, and perhaps even with the DPJ. This could see some of these smaller parties controlling the balance of power. It should assist the Japanese parliament find some new leadership talent.