Toyota’s current recall woes have generated a range of articles about the Japanese economy as journalists rush to get some Japan flavoured content served up to their masters. But often these articles simply rehash the same tired cliches about Japan and it’s economy and don’t provide people outside Japan with a balanced view of what is really happening.
Entries Categorised as 'Japan'
The Japanese economy: an economy chasing its tail.
January 18th, 2010 · No Comments
The Japanese have a saying sandome no shojiki. Roughly translated it means that ‘after getting it wrong twice you finally get it right the third time.’ Two previous Japanese administrations – Hashimoto (1996-98) and Koizumi (2001-6) – have set out to revive the economy through promises to cut government borrowing and spending.
First ban the hawks, then the bomb.
October 26th, 2009 · 5 Comments
This year’s Hiroshima atomic bombing anniversary saw more demands for the abolition of nuclear weapons. It is a worthy goal. But does it make sense? People genuinely keen to rid the world of nuclear weapons need first do something about the hawks and hardliners whose actions often make nuclear weapons inevitable. Japan would be a good place to start.
Farewell Taro Aso: but will anything change in Japan?
August 29th, 2009 · 2 Comments
Tomorrow Japan goes to the polls and there seems almost no chance that Taro Aso will be returned as Prime Minister. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is because the DPJ (Democratic Part of Japan) ran a great election campaign, put forward excellent policies or their leader Yukio Hatayama is hugely popular.
When in a recession be careful what you believe.
August 13th, 2009 · No Comments
Recessions are not only bad for an economy but they are also appear to create an environment where some of the worst financial reporting and commentary thrives. Suddenly journalists actually start to believe they know how the recession will unfold and many self titled market experts toss up the most bizarre predictions that cover everything from the end of the global financial system, to cunning plans being secretly developed by bankers to control the world.
The Japanese economy: fragile but improving.
July 7th, 2009 · 4 Comments
It has been hard to write much about the Japanese economy of late simply because the economic data appeared to change every day. But over the last few weeks things do seem to have stabilised and both the government and the private sector in Japan generally agree that the economy probably hit the bottom earlier this year.
Fuel cells, nuclear power, solar energy and the way forward for Japan
May 1st, 2009 · 3 Comments
The global economic downturn is hurting most developed nations and at present, most governments around the world are focused on supporting their economies via a range of economic stimulus packages. But in my mind a good stimulus package should not only be cost effective and support future productivity, but it should also position a nation for the eventual recovery in the global economy. In that respect Australia could learn a lot from Japan where contrary to what is conveyed in the western media, a great deal of thought and common sense goes into government spending packages and long term planning.
North Korea, Japan and the illogical nature of U.S. foreign policy.
April 7th, 2009 · 2 Comments
The interesting thing about North Korea’s latest long range rocket launch was not that it happened, but rather the fact that it highlights once again the illogical nature of United States foreign policy especially in North Asia. Perhaps the best outcome from this latest action by North Korea would be for the U.S. to step back a little and let China, Japan, Russia and South Korea work out a solution with North Korea, after all it is their part of the world.
Economic Lessons from Japan.
March 3rd, 2009 · No Comments
Searching the reasons for Japan’s ‘lost decade’ – the deflation and stunted growth said to have plagued Japan ever since the collapse of the Bubble economy in the early nineties – has long been popular among US and UK commentators seeking an answer to the West’s current economic problems. The interest is welcome. But some of the results are bizarre. Almost all the main US media, the conservative Wall Street Journal in particular, have run articles saying the blame lies with Japan’s post-Bubble, Keynesian-style infrastructure spending.
Dealing with a recession: The Japanese way.
February 25th, 2009 · 2 Comments
If you have read mainstream media reports about the Japanese economy lately then it is likely you have been bombarded with articles about the plight of temporary workers and the plunge in profits at companies like Toyota. This has probably conveyed an image to you that Japan Inc. is on the verge of collapse, however nothing could be further from the truthbecause even in the midst of this global crisis, Japanese companies are looking towards the future and making sure they are ready to bounce back with the global economy improves.
Bridges to somewhere: Infrastructure spending in Japan.
February 10th, 2009 · 6 Comments
It seems that the old bubble economy stories about Japan are doing the rounds again in business journals and finance websites these days as lazy journalists try to make comparisons between infrastructure spending in Japan during the 1990’s, and the economic stimulus packages being proposed in the U.S and other countries.
Outlook for the Japanese economy in 2009.
January 28th, 2009 · No Comments
There is no doubt that the Japanese economy is suffering as a result of the global economic crisis. However much of the reporting in the western media is at best poor journalism and at worst, simply wrong. So rather than focus on sensational attention grabbing headlines, let’s look at some forecasts and facts.
Japan, China and the Australian Economy.
December 28th, 2008 · 17 Comments
One of the many misjudgements made by the Rudd Government in managing the Australian economy this year has been their almost fanatical belief that Australia would be shielded from the worst of the global financial crisis because of our trade with China. For the first part of this year in addition to the “War on Inflation”, Rudd and Swan were also pushing the line that our significant exports to China would keep the Australian economy ticking over nicely despite the problems brewing in the economies of the United States and the Eurozone.
The real estate market in Japan – outlook for 2009.
October 21st, 2008 · 4 Comments
As most people will probably know, real estate prices in Japan collapsed in the early 1990’s as part of the damage caused by the bursting of the infamous Japanese bubble economy. Sadly for the Japanese economy, there was no magical recovery and the dizzying prices seen in the late 1980’s were never seen again. Prices dropped for years and Japan entered a period often labelled as “the lost decade”. (although the term seems a little harsh to me)
Does Japan have a population problem?
July 28th, 2008 · 1 Comment
Often one of the major problems facing Japan is said to be that is has a declining population. All sorts of scary statistics are used to paint an almost doomsday scenario where at some point there will be few young people left, the country will be composed mainly by the elderly and the economy will collapse.
Much Ado About Whaling.
February 15th, 2008 · 3 Comments
Oh my, how self righteous we Australians are these days. It seems the good economic times have given us the confidence to take the high moral ground on a range of issues while covering one eye so that we do not look in our own backyards. Nothing could illustrate this point better than Australia’s antics in regards to whaling.
