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Puts our situation in Tokyo in a different perspective

Hong Kong Radiation Exceeds Tokyo Even After Japan Crisis - Bloomberg

Amid Shortages, a Surplus of Hope - NYTimes.com

Amid Shortages, a Surplus of Hope - NYTimes.com

TIme to get real-we are not in danger!

Situation at Fukushima nuclear plant

Informative Q&A about the nuclear crisis

Nuke crisis raises many questions, no easy answers - Yahoo! News

I am so glad I have my galoshes-ugly and old fashioned be damned!

The Time May Be Right for Galoshes to Make a Splash Again - WSJ.com

Go tame, Go!!

Man to run marathon in wacky iPhone harness | Crave - CNET

Everything You Know About Nutrition Is Wrong | Men’s Journal

The basics of a nutritious diet that helps you stay lean are not all that complex or austere. And hail to the most nutritious vegetables-superfoods-brussel sprouts, kale, pumpkin, spinach and red beans.
Everything You Know About Nutrition Is Wrong | Men’s Journal

GREEN TOKYO-all 30 million of us!

Tokyo named the greenest city in Asia - Environment - The Independent

One of my true favorites-Shao Rong-

YouTube - unicorn

Wasn't Google the upstart way back when?

New CEO Larry Page Seeks More Agile Google - WSJ.com

Shock, Horror: Japan Bullet Trains in...Delays - Japan Real Time - WSJ

It is especially true for Tokyo residents and bullet train users - a five minute delay seems like an eternity!
Shock, Horror: Japan Bullet Trains in...Delays - Japan Real Time - WSJ

An inspiring and impressive person-and kudos to Toshiba for its initiatives for women at work

At Toshiba, a Pioneer for Women in Japan’s Work Force - NYTimes.com

A relatively new CEO just gets it right with this snafu apology

Groupon CEO Andrew Mason Sorry For Osechi Snafu: “We Really Messed Up”

Reminding me that seriously archaic views hide behind the modern facades

Japanese Lawmaker's Childbirth Sparks Debate - WSJ.com

Sharing Magic: José Carreras-Natalie Cole-Plácido Domingo-Amazing Grace (live)

Perfect-fast Retailing into Fast Growing economies

Japan's Uniqlo to Enter India and Brazil, Expand in China - WSJ.com

A welcome addition to Team Mauer-

Nishioka is talented and in his prime-I guess he misses playing for an American manager like Bobby Valentine.
Twins say konnichiwa to newest addition | StarTribune.com

The shifting real estate landscape in Japan -pun intended

Chinese Property Investors Go Shopping in Japan - WSJ.com

All you need to know about our beloved -not-dome

Metrodome roof collapse had to be a sign from above - Los Angeles Times

Supreme Court rejects life sentence appeal in Blackman case - The Mainichi Daily News

I hope this brings some kind of closure to the Blackman family-finally-even if it seems like too little too late.
Supreme Court rejects life sentence appeal in Blackman case - The Mainichi Daily News

Trying to repatriate an American born cultural icon to China

Bruce Lee, My Father - WSJ.com

The Icon of Martial Arts-how can you not enjoy these?

The Legend of Bruce Lee - Scene Asia - WSJ

I just think it is a shame to waste this great opportunity to shine on the world-Asia-stage by being "safe"

After Glitzy G-20, Japan Offers Low-Key APEC - Japan Real Time - WSJ

12 Ways to Turn Around a Terrible Day | BNET

Like NOT giving that rude person the hard elbow on the train, but smiling at them instead.
12 Ways to Turn Around a Terrible Day | BNET

New jobs HAVE to come from Entrepreneurship and Innovation-great to see a top class school getting into it

Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Duke | Home

Now this is a building I could love-

Bird Textiles Founder Rachel Bending’s Gorgeous Green Home | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

Heard the author today-Superb! When A Billion Chinese Jump: How China Will Save Mankind -- Or Destroy It (9781416580768): Jonathan Watts: Books

Amazon.com: When A Billion Chinese Jump: How China Will Save Mankind -- Or Destroy It (9781416580768): Jonathan Watts: Books

Focus on the unusual as usual

Quirky Tokyo | Travel | The Guardian

Some things may be easier said than done-can Bernanke do?

Bernanke's History Lesson: Japan - WSJ.com

Indeed, female talent may be Japan's most underutilized but valuable resource

2010/10/06 13:49 - When Will Japan Get Its 1st Female Leader?

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish...

Healthy & Green Living = Wellness

Healthy & Green Living - Wellness Tips & Beginners Info | MindBodyGreen

The future of on the spot payments-We need this in Japan

State of the Art - A Simple Swipe on the iPhone, and You’re Paid - NYTimes.com

Twins shake of the Big Purple Haze from Sunday and get in the pennant race

Twins rally past Indians to win AL Central | MLB.com: News

My Newest Toy

This white version of the Bad Boy is only available in Japan!

Japan goes futher into isolation-more Galapagos effect-Panel Favors DoCoMo's Mobile TV Platform - WSJ.com

Japan Panel Favors DoCoMo's Mobile TV Platform - WSJ.com

That's why the beer tastes so good this year! Japan experiences hottest summer on record

Japan experiences hottest summer on record - The Mainichi Daily News

10 Mistakes That Start-Up Entrepreneurs Make - WSJ.com

10 Mistakes That Start-Up Entrepreneurs Make - WSJ.com

Our very own polarizer-Ichiro Ozawa- The wrong man for Japan

FT.com / Comment / Editorial - The wrong man for Japan

It isn't summer in Japan without an exciting and emotional High School baseball tournament

Okinawa Gets Lift as Konan Kids Win Japan's Koshien National High School Baseball Tournament - Japan Real Time - WSJ

True, life is good in Japan-kind of like warm bath water. You never want to get out

Michael Auslin: Shock Therapy for Japan - WSJ.com

Our newest product launches- Immu+ boosts your natural immune system!

家族の健康維持に最適な出芽酵母含有のImmu+(イミュプラス)公式通販サイト

You NEED to know this band - Silversun Pickups - The Royal We

YouTube - Silversun Pickups - The Royal We

So True- EmBAREassing Moment at the Onsen Is there a manual for Japan?

Taken by the Wind · EmBAREassing Moment at the Onsen

Joe McClernon on the Addictive Power of Junk Food (ABC News) - Duke on Demand

Joe McClernon on the Addictive Power of Junk Food (ABC News) - Duke on Demand

Happy Birthday, Grandmother-105!

Grandma Swanson was born in Norway and has lived in Minneapolis since she was three. She turned 105 on July 23rd-help me say Happy Birthday!

Aging Gracefully is a French Art

Frenchwomen’s Secrets to Aging Well - NYTimes.com

Chinese Factories Now Compete to Woo Laborers - NYTimes.com

It had to happen someday-a bit sooner than I had imagined, however. That monster growth engine needs fuel!
Chinese Factories Now Compete to Woo Laborers - NYTimes.com

No Puns here at all-it's a crisis: Obesity Rate Swells in 28 States

Obesity Rate Swells in 28 States

You can live without all the extra salt!

Most Americans Get Too Much Salt

What is happening to the China Price?

Rising Costs Force Apparel Makers to Look Beyond China - WSJ.com

Tom Friedman gets to the point about the oil spill and other disasters-let's do something to avoid them, stupid

Op-Ed Columnist - This Time Is Different - NYTimes.com

Would you pay, if you could afford it?

Staying In One of the Country's Most Expensive Hotel Rooms - WSJ.com

Advice for the rest of us: Dilbert's Scott Adams on Betting on the Bad Guys in Investing - WSJ.com

Dilbert's Scott Adams on Betting on the Bad Guys in Investing - WSJ.com

Hermes and Zegna top the luxury pyramid

Japanese High Net-Worth Consumers Rate the "Best of the Best" Luxury Brands in Five Fashion Categories

What does Brand Japan mean these days?

2010/05/31 - Brand Japan takes beating amid 'crisis of disrepute'

Frank Lloyd Wright's Japan - WSJ.com

Ah, the design sensibility precedes any engineering or construction issues
Frank Lloyd Wright's Japan - WSJ.com

Follow On: Steve Jobs Muses on All Things Apple - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

Steve Jobs Muses on All Things Apple - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

Is Steve Jobs Big Brother? - Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

Is Steve Jobs Big Brother? - Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

(RED) The Lazarus Effect Film Trailer

Sudden Surge on the Topic: What Are China’s Luxury Consumers Buying?

What Are China’s Luxury Consumers Buying? « The China Tracker - Forbes.com

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Would you buy anything from Floyd Landis?

The Associated Press: Buy a used confession from Landis? Not all of it.

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Meiji delivery people Masayoshi and Haruko Yoshikawa | The Japan Times Online

Meiji delivery people Masayoshi and Haruko Yoshikawa | The Japan Times Online

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Google: Just Kidding About That Whole China Thing

Google: Just Kidding About That Whole China Thing

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Street Art: Joshua Allen Harris

New York artist makes you smile and smile
Street Art: Joshua Allen Harris

The 10 Most Addictive Sounds in the World | Fast Company

10 Most addictive sounds in the USA is more appropriate, but still quite interesting-
The 10 Most Addictive Sounds in the World | Fast Company

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How Much Are the Vikings Worth to Minnesota? And to YOU?

What would you pay to keep your team? But c'mon, we all know that the Vikings LOVE the sub-zero weather of Minnesota-hey why not go back to an open roof stadium and all the frostbite you can handle?
How Much Are the Vikings Worth to Minnesota? Enough to Build a New Stadium? - WSJ.com

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Japan’s Wages Declined 1.6% in September, 16th Straight Drop - Don't you just hate when that happens??

Japan’s Wages Declined 1.6% in September, 16th Straight Drop - Bloomberg.com

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Clear and succinct take on the financial crisis

I love when we get these unemotional analyses in clear and fairly easy to understand terms:
Jeremy J. Siegel: Efficient Market Theory and the Crisis - WSJ.com

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Wisdom from Lake Wobegon

Garrison Keillor's take of some sour grapes being tossed around the airwaves and internet:
Petulance and Peace Prize -- chicagotribune.com

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Paper Bags as Fashion Statements-As if you didn't already know

Make sure you get the branded paper bag-those flimsy department store paper bags will NOT do-
Paper Bags as Fashion Statements - NYTimes.com
I have an economic activity measure I use: the shopping bag index. The range is usually 0 to 3 for the average number of shopping bags people have in the main shopping districts-not very scientific, I know. Just to clarify-re-used shopping bags do NOT count...
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Japan finally drops tax on subsidiary dividends

Joining the US and many European countries, Japan will drop the tax on dividends from consolidated subsidiaries, which should stimulate more corporate investment. Keep watching-there is a strong chance that newly available investment funds will start flowing to environmentally positive domains-alternative energy, fuel cells, solar technology, wind technology-all areas where Japan is a technological leader but lags in technology exploitation to business.
2009/08/16 01:30 - Corp Tax Change Seeks To Free Up Funds For Investment

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Micro-Bubble? A Global Surge in Tiny Loans Spurs Credit Bubble in a Slum - WSJ.com

Microfinance-the tiniest loans-turns into a Micro-Bubble
A Global Surge in Tiny Loans Spurs Credit Bubble in a Slum - WSJ.com
Sounds like borrowing from Peter to pay Paul...now who would even consider borrowing from one bank to pay another? Plenty of us-so it's not just a developed country disease, I guess.
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Really? - The Claim - Some Dogs Look Like Their Owners - Question - NYTimes.com

This is quirky and goofy, but I couldn't resist. I see some pretty outrageous dog clothes in Tokyo, and I kind of doubt the dogs picked it out themselves!
Really? - The Claim - Some Dogs Look Like Their Owners - Question - NYTimes.com

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This is a MUST read: Tokyo Underworld –before it gets to the Theater Near You! | Japan | Japan Travel | Nihon Sun

Tokyo Underworld – Coming to a Theater Near You! | Japan | Japan Travel | Nihon Sun
It is not only a different view of Japan, it is largely true-sure, some of the activities are a bit larger than life, but then again anything could have happened in those confusing days.
Non-Japanese who worked in non-mainstream areas lived a fairly insulated life-architects, gangsters, sports figures, entertainment figures. The connections between these exists to this day.
I had the unique opportunity to verify some of the contents of the book through a descendant of one of the leaders of a gang affiliated with Machii in the book-he said "anything is possible with those guys."
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With Jobs Scarce in Japan, Women Become Professional Flirts - NYTimes.com

The Grey Lady goes PINK!
With Jobs Scarce in Japan, Women Become Professional Flirts - NYTimes.com

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Fashion Mags Unfashionably Slimmer - Forbes.com

Fashion Mags Unfashionably Slimmer - Forbes.com
Japan no longer has Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire is done this month and Figaro is going to a monthly format-ad pages are way down year on year. tough times for printed mass-luxury.
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2009/07/15 04:53 - Twitter To Begin Japan-Only Service For Cell Phone Users

So will the proliferation of iPhone help Twitter grow in Japan? There are plenty of SNS sites on mobile phones, but can they compare?
2009/07/15 04:53 - Twitter To Begin Japan-Only Service For Cell Phone Users

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I love my iPhone, but what's the big deal about 3.0??

Apple sells more than a million iPhone 3GS models for opening weekend

A longer battery life may be worth the hardware upgrade, however-
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Calvin Klein didn't just get racy this week

Why all of a sudden have people gotten so bent out of shape at a racy jeans billboard by Calvin Klein? It's not like we have never seen this stuff before...I think it's hot, hot, hot.

Russian Oil Magnate Launches $490 Million Luxury Yacht - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

Looks like someone is emulating Ernst Blofeld:
Russian Oil Magnate Launches $490 Million Luxury Yacht - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

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Goldfish --Catch these guys!

Catch Goldfish-New CD available, but the first one is super cool!!

Christian Lacroix Files for Protection From Creditors - NYTimes.com

Christian Lacroix Files for Protection From Creditors - NYTimes.com

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Japan incentives on energy-efficient gadgets lifting sales at electronics retailers - Los Angeles Times

Japan incentives on energy-efficient gadgets lifting sales at electronics retailers - Los Angeles Times

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Thanks Jeff!

Jeff Immelt gave a great talk today at the American Chamber of Commerce-
The key takeaways were:

• The financial services industry is going to be more regulated so we have to learn to deal with that.
• The government has moved in next door. There is going to be more interaction and interface with the government, so we had better get good at it.
• Now is the time to go where the business is-not to sit back and gird waiting for the recession to end. Make sure you cover all your price points in all your areas.
• The recession will end. If you take some risks now to go out and build some solid foundations for growth, your business will take off when the recession ends.
• Green and Eco are good businesses-GE has profited from ecoimagination initiatives-and Walmart has taken a lead in reducing carbon. If Walmart does it, that means it can be done inexpensively and efficiently.
• Don't get constipated-enjoy the ride-keep upbeat
  

Steel takes Wigs

Well the shareholders have spoken-they have approved the board candidates fielded by Steel Partners, which in effect cancels the TOB from Unison Capital. Since we know that Steel and another US mutual fund have 38% + of the shares, plenty of other shareholders were clearly underwhelmed by the weak tender offer from Unison.
Shareholder activism at its best?

We'll see how the new Steel appointed board helps reinvigorate the company and share price-only time can tell.

Fight over the wig maker?

OK, there has to be more to Aderans the wig maker than their healthy balance sheet for Steel Partners and Unison Capital to fight over it. Sure isn't the cooperative management team. Do the funds see market potential for wigs and male pattern baldness that eludes the rest of us? I am guessing that there is something else of value in that balance sheet.

Interestingly, Steel Partners has a real concern that echoes the true spirit of shareholder value preservation-the tender offer from Unison is arrogantly low-
how will shareholders vote? Stay tuned till tomorrow!!

Donut Burger?

In the neverending race for profits and new market niches, the master of incongruous mix 'n match, Mos Burger, has come out with a ... Donut Burger! Here is a good picture in another blog (although blog entry incorrectly says Mr. Donut) Why not? As some will fondly remember, White Castle burgers were square with a few holes... I think we used to call them "sliders" in college.

Fun and danger at the giro d'italie

If you cycle regularly in a metropolis like I do, the dangers that the riders in the giro d'italie are talking about are way too real-so why do car, truck and bus drivers think that a human being on a carbon or aluminum 5kg frame with precarious balance and thin wheels is a threat on roads that are made for several vehicles? Are we talking too much testosterone driven bravado?
Read Here all about the Giro

The image of a co-worker's husband with metal pins in his leg because some truck driver was in a hurry haunt me...

We are all working together out there on the road-take a breath, give an inch, you won't be late!

Smart Phones and the Tipping Point

Although I have been a "loyal" user of DoCoMo phones for years, i just had to get the iPhone for work, along with a couple other execs. While it doesn't really do much for me in terms of voice calls, I have to say that the schedule/mail sync with exchange at work is seriously handy. Add the Bloomberg/WSJ/NY Times apps with SNS apps and it really is a tiny laptop.

Japan has the steepest (read: fast) upward slope on the innovation adoption curve between early adopters and early majority. This group is populated by a large percentage of young women, and as such I am seeing more and more young women with iPhones, playing music or getting onto SNS services. Sure, the percentage is still small compared to young women on pink phones looking at the mobile version of Mixi, but as with all trends in Japan, the tipping point can come along VERY fast.

How long did it take to go from 1% penetration to 10% for Crocs?
The speed is unbelievable-both creation and destruction-when it comes to trends.

So can DoCoMo, Softbank and KDDI come up with viable alternatives? DoCoMo sells the Blackberry, but only the clunky one-that thing is too ugly to be anything but company issue-

Watch this space...

Been Way Too Long-Sorry for my absence. First the economy and my work took off northward, then the economy in Japan started south-You could say that the bad loan crisis in Japan helped pave the way for more stable (read risk averse) financial institutions. You could say that, and lots of folks do.

But two years ago everybody and their dog was secretly laughing at Japanese banks for "not getting it" during those heady days of multi-tranche, multi-split collateralized debt obligations.

I am pretty sure that there needed to be less greedy, but still profit driven, approach to the capital markets. Who are the survivors (winners?)

I have been twitting recently-follow me!
http://twitter.com/timothyconnor

Just Great Music!

Get it Here

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!!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!