Saturday, September 17, 2005
Lookin' Good at 100!
My Grandma Clara came to the US when she was 3 yers old-she married a butcher, had two kids, a few more grand-kids, and has just celebrated her 100th birthday! What a thing that is! Think about it-100 years of life...hard to fathom, yet, there she was, my grandma, and she was REALLY 100!!!
Too cool.
Japanese Blogmocracy
Joi Ito has published Karel von Wolferen's article in the Asahi. When genius writes, it can get dense, but go through it slowly, Karel is a really insighful guy.
Thanks to Joi and Karel for that!!
Thanks to Joi and Karel for that!!
Free up that pile of cash in the postal system
I know this can be a sensitive topic, or let's say "politically sensitive." But while privatizing the Japan Post system sends shivers up some backs, the final outcome will benefit all of us.
All that cash invested in the system, and the Japan Post pays next to nothing in interest. What do they do with all that cheap money? Make no mistake, the primary source of funds for the massive budget deficit-i.e. buyers of Japan Government Bonds, is the Post Office.
When all the other banks can enter the Post Office's space, you can bet on some real competition, especially in terms of services offered. The Post Office will get leaner, Government will get leaner, private firms like Yamato and UPS can start offering more mail-like services at much lower prices, and the JPO will have to do a whole lot better at managing the funds of its depositors/investors!
What's to lose? Nothing, friends.
All that cash invested in the system, and the Japan Post pays next to nothing in interest. What do they do with all that cheap money? Make no mistake, the primary source of funds for the massive budget deficit-i.e. buyers of Japan Government Bonds, is the Post Office.
When all the other banks can enter the Post Office's space, you can bet on some real competition, especially in terms of services offered. The Post Office will get leaner, Government will get leaner, private firms like Yamato and UPS can start offering more mail-like services at much lower prices, and the JPO will have to do a whole lot better at managing the funds of its depositors/investors!
What's to lose? Nothing, friends.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Advertising is changing
But is it changing for the better?
I have been working with the revolutionary SurecliX.com to develop a workable model.
As an internet user, if you could acquire premium content-music clips, articles, etc.-by paying 100 yen OR by viewing an advertisement, which would you choose?
It seems wonderful to be able to send streaming brand oriented ads over the internet, but these take time and money. Will you even look at them? Would you look at them (the ads) if you could get some underlying "credit" or "premium content" or "value item"?
Now, would you change your mind if you knew that the ads would be about things you are interested in-such as low rider cars, thrash dancing, kitchen utensils, etc.?
Send in any comment at all!!
Thanks Gang!
I have been working with the revolutionary SurecliX.com to develop a workable model.
As an internet user, if you could acquire premium content-music clips, articles, etc.-by paying 100 yen OR by viewing an advertisement, which would you choose?
It seems wonderful to be able to send streaming brand oriented ads over the internet, but these take time and money. Will you even look at them? Would you look at them (the ads) if you could get some underlying "credit" or "premium content" or "value item"?
Now, would you change your mind if you knew that the ads would be about things you are interested in-such as low rider cars, thrash dancing, kitchen utensils, etc.?
Send in any comment at all!!
Thanks Gang!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Community sites are it!
If you are over 30, you may never have heard of this, but MySpace has 27 million users who focus on self expression with a heavy trend toward music and undiscovered bands. (like I am under 30;-)
Billy Corgan released new tracks here first-that is good enough for me.
Go to My Space
Yeah, it is not really Japan Insider stuff. at first glance, but I want to push the community/social networking thang here to get as big as this!
Open a site, and let us know right here!
yoroshiku!
Billy Corgan released new tracks here first-that is good enough for me.
Go to My Space
Yeah, it is not really Japan Insider stuff. at first glance, but I want to push the community/social networking thang here to get as big as this!
Open a site, and let us know right here!
yoroshiku!
Podcasting-
The newest thing on the net is podcasting, and I can see it as a natural extension of the general trend toward stronger individualism. You don't have to have a gazillion bucks and live in Hollywood to get a national audience; check out Dawn and Drew:
They are lovin' it and setting the corporate world on fire.
They are lovin' it and setting the corporate world on fire.
Am I a derelict in posting or what?
I need to get with it here and post more often; there is so much going on out there online that I feel like I am taking a bath in warm sunshine.
Send in comments, rants, Qs, whatever-show me you are alive!
Send in comments, rants, Qs, whatever-show me you are alive!
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Pull yourself together
You've got to pull yourself together, man.
You've got get back on your feet again.
How can I ever make you understand,
You've got the world right in your hands
"Close Range"
New Order, from "Get Ready" album: Buy it!
Gets me going every time
You've got get back on your feet again.
How can I ever make you understand,
You've got the world right in your hands
"Close Range"
New Order, from "Get Ready" album: Buy it!
Gets me going every time
Monday, May 23, 2005
Evisu Genes
Yep, that is what I said: Evisu Genes.
These individually decorated works of art go for a cool 30,000 a pair in Shibuya (model 1) and are apparently all the thang in Paris among fashionistas. Check them out here
Originally a play on (L)evis, they have morphed into Evisu Genes and incorporate a whole line of quirky clothes that I think are really inventive. But, should I spend 300 dollars on a pair of jeans?
Should you? Let me know--
These individually decorated works of art go for a cool 30,000 a pair in Shibuya (model 1) and are apparently all the thang in Paris among fashionistas. Check them out here
Originally a play on (L)evis, they have morphed into Evisu Genes and incorporate a whole line of quirky clothes that I think are really inventive. But, should I spend 300 dollars on a pair of jeans?
Should you? Let me know--
Make-Inu
The expression "Mahke-Inu" or "Loser Dog" has been part of the Japan media and pop vernacular for some time now, an expression that was originally popularized by actress Kaoru Sugita as referring to unmarried Japanese women in their 30s and 40s.
I guess it is ironic that Sugita was talking up this less than flattering concept while she herself was turning 40 and unmarried. (One could say she "championed" women in this demographic) You could look at it as someone making fun of themselves, as well, I suppose. But then earlier this year she got married and now it seems the former "loser dog" is not a "winner dog" but a "horny dog" since she likes to tell folks that the best part of her marriage is the sex.
Key point here is that that whole "Loser Dog" thang is pretty much a tv and gossip magazine entity-you just don't find people on the street talking about women in that context-and so garners it's unfair share of publicity.
I guess it is ironic that Sugita was talking up this less than flattering concept while she herself was turning 40 and unmarried. (One could say she "championed" women in this demographic) You could look at it as someone making fun of themselves, as well, I suppose. But then earlier this year she got married and now it seems the former "loser dog" is not a "winner dog" but a "horny dog" since she likes to tell folks that the best part of her marriage is the sex.
Key point here is that that whole "Loser Dog" thang is pretty much a tv and gossip magazine entity-you just don't find people on the street talking about women in that context-and so garners it's unfair share of publicity.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Pop up retail spots
Temporary retail outlets have long been a highlight of the Tokyo shopping scene. The trend can be traced back to the bubble economy days, when "cool" meant "extravagant." The six month disco in Kyoto, one year club in Shinbashi, all could be re-framed as "Pop up retail" spots. There is a resurgence of Pop up retail all over the US and Europe from one day shops to a one year boutique by Comme des Garcons. Read more about it here. Interesting brand alliances are making these pop up retail spots more and more creative.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Long Time No Blog
I wish I could say that I have been on a well deserved holiday in Bali, or pulling 16 hour days on a build up to an IPO...But I have just been kind of lazy.
Granted, drumming up new business has been time consuming, and I do spend a fair amount of time following livedoor's Horie Shacho romp through corporate Japan-who hasn't?
I enjoy the way this young guy has polarized parts of the media and business circles; there is a vague resemblance to a certain Shigeta san, president of a once high flying company called Hikari Tsushin in the way he was a darling while his company was "growing" and then went down in flames in a precursor to the Tech bubble.
People trying to get a meeting with Horie san tell me that his "handlers" are keeping him on a pretty tight leash, so hopefully things will go forward without a crash and burn. Everyday brings some new semi true comment from the tabloids; I wonder how many people inside livedoor are employed to keep up with it all?
It was not surprising to see William Pesek opining on Bloomberg that the former "punk M. Son" was now playing in the same sandbox as old corporate Japan-the corporate Japan that he "once took on." (In those days, Shigeta san was a "bad boy" as well) But corporate Japan 2005 is a far cry from corporate Japan 1996, and the financial architect of the growth from 1996 is a product of corporate Japan, Kitao CEO. We just don't see that Horie Shacho is being advised by investment bankers, too.
Ah, April brings us warm days and loads of fun at Roppongi Hills from livedoor!
Granted, drumming up new business has been time consuming, and I do spend a fair amount of time following livedoor's Horie Shacho romp through corporate Japan-who hasn't?
I enjoy the way this young guy has polarized parts of the media and business circles; there is a vague resemblance to a certain Shigeta san, president of a once high flying company called Hikari Tsushin in the way he was a darling while his company was "growing" and then went down in flames in a precursor to the Tech bubble.
People trying to get a meeting with Horie san tell me that his "handlers" are keeping him on a pretty tight leash, so hopefully things will go forward without a crash and burn. Everyday brings some new semi true comment from the tabloids; I wonder how many people inside livedoor are employed to keep up with it all?
It was not surprising to see William Pesek opining on Bloomberg that the former "punk M. Son" was now playing in the same sandbox as old corporate Japan-the corporate Japan that he "once took on." (In those days, Shigeta san was a "bad boy" as well) But corporate Japan 2005 is a far cry from corporate Japan 1996, and the financial architect of the growth from 1996 is a product of corporate Japan, Kitao CEO. We just don't see that Horie Shacho is being advised by investment bankers, too.
Ah, April brings us warm days and loads of fun at Roppongi Hills from livedoor!
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Get to the Gym!
It is time for all of us to get to the GYM!
Here is the best solution:
Segmented Gyms
http://www.springwise.com/newbusinessideas/gymSegmentation.htm
If anyone has any opinions or ideas, please email me!
Here is the best solution:
Segmented Gyms
http://www.springwise.com/newbusinessideas/gymSegmentation.htm
If anyone has any opinions or ideas, please email me!
What's new now!
Check out this new trend: massclusivity luxury for the masses, so to speak.
www.trendwatching.com/trends/2002/11/MASSCLUSIVITY.html
There is a lot action in this space, and it suits Asian countries well, where avoidance of overt demonstration of wealth is common. Sure, there are a few exemptions in new China (Shanghai) but for the most part Asian families do not care to show off their wealth. If semi-luxury goods become available for the segment of the market that has limited income, you will see a great increase in demand!
Remember Japan started its infatuation with brands at the affordable level (before we called it the "massclusivity" level). Now Japan is the biggest consumer of luxury goods per capita in the world.
www.trendwatching.com/trends/2002/11/MASSCLUSIVITY.html
There is a lot action in this space, and it suits Asian countries well, where avoidance of overt demonstration of wealth is common. Sure, there are a few exemptions in new China (Shanghai) but for the most part Asian families do not care to show off their wealth. If semi-luxury goods become available for the segment of the market that has limited income, you will see a great increase in demand!
Remember Japan started its infatuation with brands at the affordable level (before we called it the "massclusivity" level). Now Japan is the biggest consumer of luxury goods per capita in the world.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Happy New Year
Well I certainly have been derelict in my postings! Sorry!
2005 is going to be a kicka** year for all of us.
For the New Year, I hope that everyone has "get more healthy" as a New Year's Resolution. You can never be too healthy, right?
Here is a link to how I see the industry shaping up (my poor play on words) in Japan as well
http://www.springwise.com/newbusinessideas/gymSegmentation.htm
2005 is going to be a kicka** year for all of us.
For the New Year, I hope that everyone has "get more healthy" as a New Year's Resolution. You can never be too healthy, right?
Here is a link to how I see the industry shaping up (my poor play on words) in Japan as well
http://www.springwise.com/newbusinessideas/gymSegmentation.htm
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