The hottest product this year is the one dollar Lance Armstrong Foundation Live STRONG bracelet.
Support Cancer survivors. Be beyond cool. Sport your yellow band.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Merry Christmas to you all!!
I apologize for being AWOL-holidays, job searching, various distractions took more time than they should. But I AM BACK!
Merry Christmas to All!
Merry Christmas to All!
Friday, December 03, 2004
I have to recommend a book that sounds like it trumpets saving the poor, called which it DOES, but this book is a great way to learn to understand how foreign companies think and work. Yet the thrust is about the untapped market at the bottom of the market-it is huge and we need to be there!
Tunes you should listen to
I mean that you should listen to these tunes because I think they are fabulous!
Try "Amina, Nomad Best Of"
She was born in Tunisia and grew up in France. Amina is a true artist-she incorporates and works in the area of blues and techno mixed with the sounds of Africa and the Arab world. Fabulous!
Try "Amina, Nomad Best Of"
She was born in Tunisia and grew up in France. Amina is a true artist-she incorporates and works in the area of blues and techno mixed with the sounds of Africa and the Arab world. Fabulous!
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Group activities gone too far
Another group suicide-this time four people-was reported today in the news. There have been all too many of these recently. It is no secret that the number of suicides in Japan is quite a bit higher than other countries-although I don't have stats, sorry-but these group suicides are taking the traditional group activity thing WAY TOO FAR!
No matter how despondent or troubled you may feel, there are plenty of people out there who care about you and will come to you-there is always a solution to your troubles. Don't take the ultimate escape-the people you leave behind are the real victims.
No matter how despondent or troubled you may feel, there are plenty of people out there who care about you and will come to you-there is always a solution to your troubles. Don't take the ultimate escape-the people you leave behind are the real victims.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
The Definition of a Dysfunctional Country
It may be difficult for non-Japanese to follow the North Korea abduction issue-after all some of the people were allegedly abducted in the 70's! Nonetheless, a disappearance is a disappearance.
For folks close to the incident, there is interminable sadness: what happened?
Seeing photos, the most expressive constituents, Mr. & Mrs. Yokota were not happy with evidence presented. What a terrible shame to: on one hand hope for a positive outcome and on the other hand be forced to accept that maybe your only child is dead....
Ah. the Hermit Kingdom???
Peace and Love!!!!!!!!!!!
For folks close to the incident, there is interminable sadness: what happened?
Seeing photos, the most expressive constituents, Mr. & Mrs. Yokota were not happy with evidence presented. What a terrible shame to: on one hand hope for a positive outcome and on the other hand be forced to accept that maybe your only child is dead....
Ah. the Hermit Kingdom???
Peace and Love!!!!!!!!!!!
Sumo is where it is at, friends!
The coolest sport-Huge naked overweight guys slapping each other inside an elevated dirt mound.
C'mon what is not to like?
It is not Miss Japan or Miss America, after all
It is just great that the Sumo Association promotes a great but young wrestler like Asashoryu to Yokozuna-and then he bashes on throught the lineup!
I am a super fan of Chiyonofuji-and that of course dates me-but he was an amazing power wrestler. As much as I admire and like Akebono (I have met Chad), I was more impressed with what a slim, muscular Chiyonofuji could do. He has gained more weight as a judge than he was as a wrestler!!!
Sorry, gang
Musashimaru, of course the winning machine, has always been something to behold when he was up on the mound destroying opponents....
The monster!
have a great day!!
C'mon what is not to like?
It is not Miss Japan or Miss America, after all
It is just great that the Sumo Association promotes a great but young wrestler like Asashoryu to Yokozuna-and then he bashes on throught the lineup!
I am a super fan of Chiyonofuji-and that of course dates me-but he was an amazing power wrestler. As much as I admire and like Akebono (I have met Chad), I was more impressed with what a slim, muscular Chiyonofuji could do. He has gained more weight as a judge than he was as a wrestler!!!
Sorry, gang
Musashimaru, of course the winning machine, has always been something to behold when he was up on the mound destroying opponents....
The monster!
have a great day!!
Monday, November 15, 2004
Iris Chang found dead
Iris Chang, author of "Rape of Nanking" and two other books on the Chinese experience was found dead.
Chang was both an acclaimed author and a fiery critic of what she called Japan's "denial" of what went on in Nanking during 1938-39. Early on some highly intelligent life forms suggested that it may have been a "hit" by someone angry with what she has written, alternately the Japan ultra right wing, and someone unhappy with the portrayal of US soldiers.
Get Real.
Chang helped increase awareness of the plight of lesser known victims of war, albeit in a style that has been called "inflammatory." I don't condone, nor do I pretend to know any details about what happened in Nanking, or any other war zone for that matter. What happens in war sucks.
But it sucks even more when a 36 year old critic against war violence can go out and easily buy a gun to shoot herself.
Chang was both an acclaimed author and a fiery critic of what she called Japan's "denial" of what went on in Nanking during 1938-39. Early on some highly intelligent life forms suggested that it may have been a "hit" by someone angry with what she has written, alternately the Japan ultra right wing, and someone unhappy with the portrayal of US soldiers.
Get Real.
Chang helped increase awareness of the plight of lesser known victims of war, albeit in a style that has been called "inflammatory." I don't condone, nor do I pretend to know any details about what happened in Nanking, or any other war zone for that matter. What happens in war sucks.
But it sucks even more when a 36 year old critic against war violence can go out and easily buy a gun to shoot herself.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
The Spooky Submarine....
A submarine was spotted south of Okinawa in Japan's territorial waters, and current speculation has it that the sub is from China. Now I don't know if the gang in the sub just took a wrong turn at Taiwan or if they had a hankering for Japanese shellfish, but the fact is, CHINA HAS NUCLEAR POWERED SUBMARINES and LAUNCHED A ROCKET, yet China is a huge recipient of Overseas Development Money. You know ODA, the money rich countries give less off countries to help them develop infrastructure, administer programs for the people, BUILD ROCKETS AND NUCLEAR SUBMARINES...Not.
Japan is particularly perturbed, since China is the second largest recipient of Japanese ODA cash, after Indonesia. Moreover, China in turn doles out ODA cash to other countries-ostensibly out of its own pocket!
Wrong, way wrong.
I have to wonder, when I see who gets the lion's share of ODA, what are the political motivations? Indonesia and Japan have always had an uneasy, mutually beneficial, under-the-table-business-allowed, kind of relationship. And what country is more vociferous that China when it comes to scolding Japan about what happened during the war? Hmmm, I won't say hush money, and you shouldn't either, but it does make one think...
Japan is particularly perturbed, since China is the second largest recipient of Japanese ODA cash, after Indonesia. Moreover, China in turn doles out ODA cash to other countries-ostensibly out of its own pocket!
Wrong, way wrong.
I have to wonder, when I see who gets the lion's share of ODA, what are the political motivations? Indonesia and Japan have always had an uneasy, mutually beneficial, under-the-table-business-allowed, kind of relationship. And what country is more vociferous that China when it comes to scolding Japan about what happened during the war? Hmmm, I won't say hush money, and you shouldn't either, but it does make one think...
Saturday, November 06, 2004
I want a baseball team, too!
Leave it to the Seibu Railway group to follow on a trend and try to squeeze a fortune out of it.
The core business of the Seibu railway group is hotels and resorts, along with the eponymous train line. They are most well know for the Seibu lions, one of the strongest teams in Japanese baseball.
Following the hoopla over two internet companies trying to establish a new baseball franchise, and the proposed sale of the Daiei Hawks to Softbank, Seibu Railways hotel and resort firm, Kokudo, has reportedly put the Lions up for sale. Get a load of the asking price: 20 to 25 billion yen! 200 million dollars, and you HAVE to use the crappy stadium way out of Tokyo. Good buy. Not.
Seibu being the incompetent follower that it has always been, offered the team to the internet company called "livedoor" that did not get approval to start a new franchise. Innovation in business from the Seibu group.
What is going on? If you have an internet company, you buy a sports team-arguably one of the most analog businesses in the universe?
I want one too!!!
Informed sources tell me that the former head and still shareholder of Seibu Railways, Yoshiaki Tsutumi, was the only reason the company kept the team, as he was a rabid fan. Tsutumi was also well known as the head of the Japan Olympic Committee-the committee that DID NOT distribute any special perks of favors to get the winter Olympics to Nagano in 2000.
Yeah right.
And they can prove it, because they shredded all the documents related to expenses once the Olympics were over and paid for.
You decide.
The core business of the Seibu railway group is hotels and resorts, along with the eponymous train line. They are most well know for the Seibu lions, one of the strongest teams in Japanese baseball.
Following the hoopla over two internet companies trying to establish a new baseball franchise, and the proposed sale of the Daiei Hawks to Softbank, Seibu Railways hotel and resort firm, Kokudo, has reportedly put the Lions up for sale. Get a load of the asking price: 20 to 25 billion yen! 200 million dollars, and you HAVE to use the crappy stadium way out of Tokyo. Good buy. Not.
Seibu being the incompetent follower that it has always been, offered the team to the internet company called "livedoor" that did not get approval to start a new franchise. Innovation in business from the Seibu group.
What is going on? If you have an internet company, you buy a sports team-arguably one of the most analog businesses in the universe?
I want one too!!!
Informed sources tell me that the former head and still shareholder of Seibu Railways, Yoshiaki Tsutumi, was the only reason the company kept the team, as he was a rabid fan. Tsutumi was also well known as the head of the Japan Olympic Committee-the committee that DID NOT distribute any special perks of favors to get the winter Olympics to Nagano in 2000.
Yeah right.
And they can prove it, because they shredded all the documents related to expenses once the Olympics were over and paid for.
You decide.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Kendo?
As I was walking by the police headquarters today, I was overwhelmed with the "maai" attack sounds of Kendo players. If you have ever seen a good Kendo match, you will agree it is something to behold. Often referred to as "the way of the sword" Kendo padding and face masks somewhat resemble fencing gear, if a bit more robust looking. The "swords" used in matches are made of wood and bamboo, and make a cool sound when they clash together.
And the Setagaya police were going at it with ferocity! I wonder if the police will ever have the need to go up against a "bad guy" in a sword fight? But on second thought, since their guns are locked into their holsters (for safety?), it might just be handy to be able to grab a hunk of wood to go after some criminal.
Not.
And the Setagaya police were going at it with ferocity! I wonder if the police will ever have the need to go up against a "bad guy" in a sword fight? But on second thought, since their guns are locked into their holsters (for safety?), it might just be handy to be able to grab a hunk of wood to go after some criminal.
Not.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
The Election
You didn't really expect me to comment on the election, now did you?
Let's just say that we are in sync with the coasts and the big cities when it comes to politicians...
It is sobering to know that you can garner nearly half the population of the US by taking the coasts and a couple progressive Midwestern states, yet still not gain the mandate of the country as a whole (i.e. the Heartland). Especially since I come from the heatland....
Does it seem to anyone else that this "moral" business is dividing a country that was formed on the premise of freedom of religion/speech etcetera...everyone in harmony...
I see a country that has completely forgotten it's real mandate; that of a place where one can worship one's religion in peace, and not worry about persuecution. Unfortunately GW Bush is not really aware of that.
Let's just say that we are in sync with the coasts and the big cities when it comes to politicians...
It is sobering to know that you can garner nearly half the population of the US by taking the coasts and a couple progressive Midwestern states, yet still not gain the mandate of the country as a whole (i.e. the Heartland). Especially since I come from the heatland....
Does it seem to anyone else that this "moral" business is dividing a country that was formed on the premise of freedom of religion/speech etcetera...everyone in harmony...
I see a country that has completely forgotten it's real mandate; that of a place where one can worship one's religion in peace, and not worry about persuecution. Unfortunately GW Bush is not really aware of that.
More of the same
Just to continue on with my spiel about the shopping bag index-yes, I know, I paid all those dollars and spent all those sleepless nights earning an MBA from Duke just to come up with this entirely unscientific economic index.
Truth is, I have been seeing more and more young women (some men, yes...) in their twenties carrying shopping bags. This is significant because it is not sale season, it is not New Years, when young people get cash gifts (equivalent to cash gifts at Christmas), it is just November!
It is no secret to marketers that the 20 to 35 year old women segment is a prime target, but WHY they buy is often the Holy Grail. More than other countries, the segment is what I call "event sensitive" because an unforeseen event such as a movie, a sports figure visit to Japan, a hit song could trigger a mad dash to buy into that particular trend. Laugh at it if you like-but at your own peril. Such is the start of larger trends that can reap big rewards for those who see it coming.
It might provide insight to add that Japan, Inc. has long been a sales oriented business environment, and not really a marketing oriented environment. Sure the largest advertising agency in the world, Dentsu, is here, but marketing is more than advertising. Indeed, the heavy sales oriented environment has relied entirely on advertising to move product, and the brands that have succeeded in strengthening their brand equity are the exception, not the rule. Coca Cola and Sony come to mind, as does Starbucks. I have too many friends who lament the lack of creative marketing thought in the firms where they work. I think it is more accurate to chalk that up to the vagaries of a "Sell!!" environment where the target segment is "event driven" than denigrate the abilities of people in marketing departments around the country.
But that is just my own inside take....
Truth is, I have been seeing more and more young women (some men, yes...) in their twenties carrying shopping bags. This is significant because it is not sale season, it is not New Years, when young people get cash gifts (equivalent to cash gifts at Christmas), it is just November!
It is no secret to marketers that the 20 to 35 year old women segment is a prime target, but WHY they buy is often the Holy Grail. More than other countries, the segment is what I call "event sensitive" because an unforeseen event such as a movie, a sports figure visit to Japan, a hit song could trigger a mad dash to buy into that particular trend. Laugh at it if you like-but at your own peril. Such is the start of larger trends that can reap big rewards for those who see it coming.
It might provide insight to add that Japan, Inc. has long been a sales oriented business environment, and not really a marketing oriented environment. Sure the largest advertising agency in the world, Dentsu, is here, but marketing is more than advertising. Indeed, the heavy sales oriented environment has relied entirely on advertising to move product, and the brands that have succeeded in strengthening their brand equity are the exception, not the rule. Coca Cola and Sony come to mind, as does Starbucks. I have too many friends who lament the lack of creative marketing thought in the firms where they work. I think it is more accurate to chalk that up to the vagaries of a "Sell!!" environment where the target segment is "event driven" than denigrate the abilities of people in marketing departments around the country.
But that is just my own inside take....
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Shopping bag index
Well my favorite leading indicator has always been the "shopping bag index."
This is to say that you can tell the state of the Japanese economy by looking at the shopping bags that women between the ages of 20 and 30 are carrying. There is a distinctive expansion in shopping, a leading indicator for Japan.
This is to say that you can tell the state of the Japanese economy by looking at the shopping bags that women between the ages of 20 and 30 are carrying. There is a distinctive expansion in shopping, a leading indicator for Japan.
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