Chrysler Akino Concept Car to debut at Tokyo Motor Show

This is awesome - an American car designed by a Japanese woman!
AutoWeek - The Auto Enthusiast's Online Resource

Howard Stinger, CEO, Sony

Here's a discussion of Sony's recent woes. Sounds pretty interesting.

Personally, I think Sony should lay off all its people and shut down the company - that will cure all their problems. And it will be good for their people too - they will all be picked up by Samsung, LG and other Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers.

I stil can't fathom as to how a company that literally owned the personal music player space could lose out to an industry outsider like Apple.

As for the legendary Sony quality, these days Samsung quality is a whole lot better than Sony.
Japan Today - Quote Of The Day - We have made promises before but we failed to execute them. We must fight like the Sony warriors that we are. - Japan's Leading International News Network: "We have made promises before but we failed to execute them. We must fight like the Sony warriors that we are.
Sony CEO Howard Stringer, announcing a major restructuring program."

Honda rolls out new hybrid Civic

I like Honda's strategy for Hybrids better than Toyota. Civic looks good - like the regular civic - but gives you great mileage and is eco-friendly like a Hybrid.

If you wanna go arond making an environment-friendly statement, but a Toyota Prius. But if you are the slient, non-exhibitionist type, just do your "Civic" duty :-)
Sanjay Kalra
Japan Today - News - Honda rolls out new hybrid Civic - Japan's Leading International News Network: "hybrid system"

It's Samba time in Tokyo

It's that time of the year again - yes people, its peak summer and the heat makes Tokyo-jins forget for a day that they are still in Tokyo and not in Rio.

Japanese love these Samba ladies - the dresses - what little is there - sure are very exotic. What I noticed though was that the ladies tend to be much more plump than the ones you'd see in Rio or USA. But they pack a lot of Oomph!

WHIT - What's Happening in Tokyo podcast

This sounds interesting - the latest happenings in Tokyo - from a Gaijin's perspective and in English. There's some good music too. Best of all, you can subscribe to the feed with any RSS aggregator or with a podcast player like iTunes or iPodder.

http://www.whitokyo.info/WHIT.htm

Another cultural export from Japan

After making its mark with Anime, Manga, Hello Kitty, Pokemon, etc., Japan is now exporting its unique fashion sense to the West. Already, Gwen Stefani has paid a tribute to Harajuku fashion in her song "Harajuku Girls".

See the article in SF Chronicle "TOKYO A-GO-GO - COOL TEENS IN HARAJUKU MAKE A FASHION ASSAULT FROM THEIR IMAGINATIONS"

The Evolution of TV in Japan

A great article on the parallel advances that were going on in pre WWII Japan - almost at the same pace as those in Western Europe and USA.


The Evolution of TV -English-

Zip Zap ZOOM... - India & China takingover from Japan in the motorcycles market

Japan has no one to blame but itself - by not being able to take full advantage of a low cost producing base like India for exporting all over Asia and the developing world, they have ceded the market without a fight. What a shame for sch a great manufacturing country.

What we need is a new breed of industrialists in Japan that are more global and less hesitant in playing in markets and cultures that may not be similar to theirs.
Zip Zap ZOOM...

News.3Yen.com - Alien crop-circles in Japan? - News on Japan - Japanese News

News.3Yen.com - Alien crop-circles in Japan? - News on Japan - Japanese News

An Unspoiled Japan Survives on Noto - New York Times

An Unspoiled Japan Survives on Noto - New York Times: