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.
Entries Categorised as 'Japan'
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 truth because 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 · 4 Comments
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 · 5 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.
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