I have a bunch of errands to run when I get back state-side. Pop is going to be overseas during that time, but my younger bro is about to start College in Milwaukee (or Stout not decided) so I want to visit to see how big he is now --
Also in CA, I will need to take care of my motorcycles ... The 650 still has charging problems and I think I finally figured out why -- Alternator Brushes possibly worn. http://650rider.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=3469.html#3469
When I rode it last year it died right before I put it into storage -- must not be getting charge to the battery, although it does get enough charge to run at highway RPMS.
Little Sis is talking about going to Ghana -- her B-day is today (Japan time) so I will give her a call tommorrow morning.
Found the funniest video online about Ali - G a British Comedians comic alter ego -- speaking some type of Jamaican -Cockney slang -- "int'it?" Its a riot |
There is a notable absence of Japanese stock information in English,
so here are some of my picks and my reasons why:
英語に書いてある日本株の情報はそう何ないですが、以下は私の選んだチョイス株です。
General Trends:
Consumer Confidence
Living in Japan at the moment, I notice the return of consumer confidence, and large potential margins do to an influx of cheap Chinese goods. Therefore, I forecast large retailers (Aeon) will be making hefty profits in the near future.
More cars on the road.
With more young drivers taking the road, insurance for vehicles will be on the rise. I therefore will target this sector(8752) for increased value.
Nationalism on the rise
In the midst of global change, the Japanese are buckling down and banding together. Traditional Japanese activities such as nature trips (by car often these days, but also train), sake, yakiniku, Ramune, and other unique Japanese products will be bought in large numbers. Supermarkets which play on this nationalism (much in the same way Safeway plays on US Halloween and Christmas cultural roots)
with the effect to create greater margin on pricey extra purchases. (8171)
Consumer Electronics
Continuing as always is the Japanese gaget craze, with Cell phones leading the way. Also the ALL DENKA commercial promoting all electric kitchens, has led to increased interest in home appliances. (9502)
Raw materials
Manufacturing of automobiles for export hit an all time sales high recently, and this requires raw materials such as steel. (1170)
Online Investing as an alternative to Pachinko
Although Pachinko is unfortunately still prevalent in Japan, day trading had started to replace it in some cases. Bottom line: More money floating around in the stock market and going into commissions for firms that provide online trading such as Etrade Japan.Current Mood:  okay Current Music: cars roaring by second story window in Suzuka |
The week long period of rest and relaxation is over. Kenji and I went on a couple of bike trips, one to Kobe and one to Ise (Meitouiwa). I got pretty sunburned from the second trip to Ise. The Kobe trip was notable because we got to drive a Toyota "Celsior" = Lexus, back from Osaka. The center panel module is designed by our our company apparently. ( It was a little over the top for me...)
This forshadows the field of automotive engineering that I am interested in pursuing : control systems, electronics and networking.Current Mood:  anxious Current Music: CNN on the Web |
Wow, that was a sloshy ride back to my place -- I had to bike it back from work during snow flurries. The snow is almost melted by the time it hits the ground, and it soaks you within minutes. Japan has been seeing record snow this year and already a train has derailed, 50 some odd elder people have been buried under roof fallen snow, and other random calamaties.
Of course, after the Feb. 3rd holiday of Setsubun (where people visit temples and throw soybean to dispel the demons and welcome in good luck) is supposed to be light at the end of this chilly winter tunnel: Spring .
But not yet. We still have a good bit of cold weather left out here...
I really want to see the Superbowl -- I really know who is playing (Seahawks?), and I definitely don't know who won, but I have to find it.
Currently Listening to: Bob Brier's Ancient Egypt
Topic of discussion:
Narma -- Upper Lower Egypt United -- A nation under one strong ruler --
Abidose -- Burial place of Osiris
First Dynasty
Discoveries of Flindus Petri |
This morning I awoke to the sound of cheering spectators ! The event was a college marathon relay (the final) from Nagoya to Ise-Jingu which they did in around 5 hours. The speed of these runners was amazing. Suzuka is in brilliant fall form with rain followed by sunny days followed by windy ones and very easily changable weather in general. It is a result of a coastal location I suppose. Today was a rainy day.
The economic outlook for Japan may be brighter than previously imagined. Companies are hiring, all are ramping up operations and preparing hopefully for greater consumer confidence leading to greater buying and greater profits in the grand circle of capitalism. |
| » The Japanese Work Ethic -- Amazing ! |
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Now staying up late after coming home really early from work -- 6 pm ! That is about 6 hours too early by Japanese standards. Yes, the land of the rising sun sees workers return only hours before the sun actually rises! Some of my compatriots return at about 2am or even later... It is a continous work schedule that does seem to make sense for young single guys -- What would I be doing at home anyway? Thinking about work ? If you are just doing the work all the time, nothing else is really to critical.
Eating is efficient, with workers gathering in the Shokudo to eat in about 15 minutes and there is still time to nap or do whatever you want for the remaing 45.
In any case, I still have yet to figure out health insurance etc. out here -- that will have to come later. Right now, gotta get back to work ;)
Sep. 23rd, 2005 @ 09:55 am
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| » Fukashima no Translation |
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Did "simulataneous translation" for Ihara-Sensei, although not necessarily to her standards -- She has been acting strangely lately. The teachers from Fukashima were Yaita (the elder) Suzuki, Kumagai, and one other name that I can't quite remember. We went to Familiesfirst in Davis and saw the level 14 childrens home and its interesting "quiet rooms". Later we dined at Ihara-Sensei's place with Warren doing the cooking. He made stew and had a wonderful dinner overall. Linda was very supportive about my job in Suzuka, and the teachers went drinking after dinner. I was tempted to go along, but money is scarce after my Giants game orgy of spending. That experience was another entry entirely, but overall worthwhile. Albeit 125 dollars set back, I am trying to make up ground at the Price's by doing yardwork. Every penny that I save now, I can use to pay off student loans in the future.
So, it seems that the 17th, next Tuesday, is the time to go to Japan. Apparently I will have a ticket provided and will be met at the airport.
If indeed I have a $1000 allowance, I wonder if I can convince them to upgrade to first class.
May. 12th, 2005 @ 10:56 pm
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| » Kanji Flashcards |
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I am currently making flashcards to master as many Kanji as possible. The Price's gave me a "victory dinner" tonight for my achievements - graduations, job, good end of quarter etc. As an added bonus, my Yamaha xs 650 is running again, although leaking some oil out of the left crank case. (There is a new gasket there, and I may not have tightened it enough)
Projections for when I will be in Japan are currently late April of this year. There is a lot to prepare before then, including transportation, language, tax, income, loan, family and other concerns. I am now concerned with the language, because I have not studied Japanese for a while. There is a stark difference between speaking Japanese casually and using it in the workplace. Conversational Japanese can be just like English, and even incorporate a large number of English words, but business Japanese is "strictly business". There is no mistaking a foreigner who has "done their homework" from one who doesn't know how to navigate a bus station, train station, or any other public place for that matter. Previously, I have been the later type, and now I hope to be a little more "at ease". It is always un-nerving to not be able to read *Everything* that is written on walls, placards, bill boards, street signs and other places of interest. I understand how an illeterate person must feel, and it sucks.
Apr. 28th, 2005 @ 09:33 pm
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| » NSR / Sumitomo / Honda |
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I had my final final today and my first job offer from NSR-Japan. It isn't a ton of money, and I am trying to decide what to do about it. I have until Monday at 3pm to accept/reject. The thing is, I have an interview with KLA-Tencor sometime in April. If I take this job, I can start right away, work in Mie-Ken Japan and have housing subsidized. ($185 a month in Utilities though...) The yearly salary is $27,000 -- not mind boggling. KLA Tencor Japan is a little more, but I don't have an offer in hand from them. So the issue is to take a decent deal or hold out for a potentially better one. Its hard to say.
Mar. 20th, 2005 @ 12:11 am
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| » Economic Indicators (Nikkei ) |
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List of Japanese Economic Indicators:
1)GDP
2)Money Supply
3)Account of Bank of Japan
4)Account of domestically licensed banks
5)Treasury account balance
6)Customs clearances
7)Balance of payments
8)Gold and foreign exchange reserves
9)Corporate goods prices
10)Consumer Price Index
11)Bankruptcies
12)Department Store Sales
13)Production index (seasonally adjusted)
14)Producers' shipment index
15)Producers' inventory index of finished goods
16)Operating rate index
17)Orders for machinery
18)Housing starts
19)Building construciton starts
20)Employment index of regular workers Dec-2004 (-0.3% from 2003) up 1.1% from Jan-2004
21)Wage Index
22)Electric Power Output
23)Fuel Oil
24)Crude Steel
25)Machine Tools
26)Color TVs
27)Electronic Switching Systems
28)Digital Cameras
29)ICs
30)Passenger Cars
31)35mm still cameras
32)Ethyene
33)caustic soda
34)Poly-ethene
35)Poly-styrene
36)synthetic fiber
37)Poly-Propylene
38)Paint
39)Ink
40)Paper board
Mar. 9th, 2005 @ 11:40 pm
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hathersageさんの日記を閲覧中です