Business booms for fallout shelter industry following North Korea's nuclear test - MSN-Mainichi Daily News

Business booms for fallout shelter industry following North Korea's nuclear test - MSN-Mainichi Daily News: "business isn't always as brisk for Oribe as it is now, but the company sees its upturning fortunes as the result of forward thinking when it was formed in 1963, the year after the Cuban Missile Crisis."

Incredible picture of a lightning strike near Itami airport in Osaka, Japan

Japanese prove easy prey for Chinese honey traps - MSN-Mainichi Daily News

Japanese prove easy prey for Chinese honey traps - MSN-Mainichi Daily News

I have often wondered about the Japanese love affair with China. Ask almost any business person in Japan where he would prefer to travel on a business trip and the answer is always China, followed by Thailand, Philippines, maybe. Part of the attraction is the cultural similarities but beyond that in some cases their seems to be an attraction to the incredible entertainment and night-life these countries offer - say in comparison to India.

But this article might raise a red flag for Japanese business executives doing business in foreign countries. Yes, India does not have the equivalent of such night clubs with beautiful women, but then we don't have a culture of such entrapment, blackmail, etc. either.

In India, Japanese businessmen are usually encouraged to visit some of the best sites of historical and cultural importance. Apart from the ever popular Agra with its Taj Mahal, a lot of Japanese also love to travel to Buddhist sites like Gaya in Bihar (eastern India).

As for night life, we have incredible restaurants offering all kind of cuisines in our five star hotels, plus we have a lively disco culture - but you need to bring your own companions. Good thing is that in India it's quite OK for men to hang out in bars, restaurants and even discos on their own without being looked at suspiciously as being gay or something :-)

technorati tags: japan,, china,, business,, outsourcing,, nightlife,, entertainment,, sex,, karaoke

State-of-technology in Japan

While I marvel at technological innovations every time I visit Japan, things at this famous hotel chain - Prince Hotels, never seem to change. I am staying at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel - there's a light rain and some thunder outside and the TV in the hotel room doesn't work - probably lost the satellite feed due to clouds.

Here's the picture of the 15 year old Sony Trinitron in my room with an error message and a picture of surrounding buildings - the view from my grand $125/night room.

technorati tags: technology, gadget, japan, tokyo, skyline, shinagawa+prince+hotel, cnn, satellite+television

Another lead for Japan over USA - Digital TV for Cell Phones

Wired News: Japan: Digital TV for Cell Phones:

Once again in the Mobile world, Japan and other parts of the world are leading over USA. Japan just introduced digital TV over public airwaves that can be received by cellphones with a special receiver. Unlike attempts in USA, this service is FREE and is broadcasting regular TV channels - ones that people are used to watching at home. Verizon's and Sprint's attempts to offer some limited video on demand lags far behind. Besides, why go for internet based streaming video when you can do it over the airwaves.

Mobile to replace cash and plastic in ten years?

Mobile to replace cash and plastic in ten years?

At least in Japan it might happen. Already you can use your cell phone (kei-tai denwa) to buy train tickets, purchase drinks from a vending machine, etc.

Tags: japan, credit card, electronic wallet, mobile, cell phone, payment, cash

http://whatjapanthinks.com/2006/03/28/mobiles-to-replace-cash-and-plastic-in-ten-years/

Powered by Qumana

Japan's 'second virgins' are camels in a dry spell - MSN-Mainichi Daily News

This is very interesting - with 50% of women not marrying till 30 and so many of the above 30 males becoming virgins - Japan is in for major demographic troubles ahead

Japan's 'second virgins' are camels in a dry spell - MSN-Mainichi Daily News: "year "

Quote Details: Pierre Beaumarchais: It is not necessary... - The Quotations Page

"It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them."
- Pierre Beaumarchais, French businessman & comic dramatist (1732 - 1799)

I guess this must be most bloggers' swan song - that includes me by the way, so please no angry comments. Just kidding - taking a break from serious blogging.

technorati tags: blob, blogger, blogging, quotation, cynical

Shunbun no Hi - Vernal Equinox Day

March 20 or 21 is the Vernal Equinox Day - celebrated as the Start of Spring Season in Japan.

Akihabara Station

Japan March 2006 007, originally uploaded by sanjaykalra.

The station itself is quite nondescript - belying Akihabara's reputation as the world capital for glitzy electronics.

Lighted path to Epson Aqua Stadium in Shinagawa, Tokyo

Japan March 2006 016, originally uploaded by sanjaykalra.

In Japan it's christmas lights all year round - yet they are the most efficient users of enegy in the developed world - two reasons really - one, high density housing, and two, mass transit system.

Toyota I-Swing: Geneva Motor Show 2006

I-Swing, you swing, we all swing for I-Swing :-)


This working demo of what Toyota calls the I-Swing sure tilts and balances a lot like a Segway, except instead of standing, you are seated in a cushioned chair. It is also a car, said a Toyota executive from Tokyo speaking through a translator. Unless something was lost in the translation, the vehicle will be street legal like a motorcycle, he said.

Geneva Motor Show 2006

Hina Matsuri (Girls' Festival)

Hina Matsuri - Explore Japan - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan

March 3 is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girls' Festival), when people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. Families with young daughters mark this day by setting up a display of dolls inside the house. They offer rice crackers and other food to the dolls.

Technorati: Favorite Buttons

Technorati has introduced a new Favorites feature - you can add upto 50 blogs to your favorites - and you can share your favorites with the world. Try this feature by clicking on the button below - if you want to add my blog to your favorites.

Get $5 for signing up for this free service

This is a great new service for sending and receiving cash through your cell phone - almost like a Paypal for cell phones :-) And the great news is, they are paying you $5 to sign up for this service. The service itself is absolutely free and there is no contract. This is sure to be a huge thing. It should be great for paying your half of the lunch you had with a friend, or the movie tickets that your friend bought for you or for making and receiving payment on craigslist etc.

If you want to make $5 for reading this blog, just sign up by clicking on the TextPayMe banner below.

Windows Bento

Rico & Coco: 新しいPC購入!?

Setsubun in Japan; A Lunar "New Years' Eve"

Setsubun, Oni Out, Happiness In

Here's an informative account of Setsubun which was celebrated on Feb. 3, 2006 in Japan. Setsubun marks the Lunar New Year in Japan (corresponding to the CHinese New Year) and it also marks the beginning of Spring.