TokyoVP said...

TokyoVP at 07:33 PM JST - 8th October

The new economic paradigm: Pay as you go, no more credit. This will also apply to the balance of trade.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

And those countries that played the mercantile trade surplus game, decade after decade, will have the most to lose in the…

Posted in It's curtains for turbo-capitalism at 07:33 PM JST - 8th October
TokyoVP at 06:54 PM JST - 8th October

Say good-bye to the old paradigms.

So, sorry, we can't afford to buy your exports anymore.

Posted in Nikkei plunges 9% to 5-year low on panic selling at 06:54 PM JST - 8th October
TokyoVP at 08:08 PM JST - 7th October

This is like Japan buying Pebble Beach and Rockefeller Center in the 1980s. The wrong investment at the wrong time. Does anybody believe there is a bright future for investment banking over the mid-term?

Posted in Fed OKs request for Japan stake in Morgan Stanley at 08:08 PM JST - 7th October
TokyoVP at 05:57 PM JST - 3rd October

Talking points for the Bush-Aso Summit:

Bush: Welcome, Taro. We've got a real mess with the financial markets.

Aso: We Japanese want you to fix mess, quickly, for radiant happy Japan.

Aso: Our exports to America dropped 25%, bad for radiant happy Japan.

Bush: Sit down, Taro, I want to…

Posted in Japan welcomes passage of financial bailout bill in U.S. Senate at 05:57 PM JST - 3rd October
TokyoVP at 05:48 PM JST - 3rd October

Another example of the "twisted Diet" in action. Next thing you know, the opposition will demand to examine the budget bills in detail before voting on them! What kind of Democracy is this?

Posted in LDP asks ministries to report to it before giving data to opposition at 05:48 PM JST - 3rd October
TokyoVP at 05:53 PM JST - 30th September

Of course Japan is concerned. 26 years of consecutive trade surplus ended last month as Japanese exports to the US declined by some 25%. The Wall Street meltdown did something American administrations failed to do for decades--negotiate an end to trade deficits to Japan.

Posted in Japan concerned over blocking of bailout plan in U.S. Congress at 05:53 PM JST - 30th September
TokyoVP at 08:40 PM JST - 29th September

Does anyone believe that if Japan changed the policy on collective self-defense that a real treaty of obligation to defend another ally would suddenly be approved by the Diet? This debate is over "what if" not signing a new security treaty with the US that has real commitments. Japan would…

Posted in Officials stay calm over Aso's 'collective self defense' remark at 08:40 PM JST - 29th September
TokyoVP at 06:19 PM JST - 25th September

I guess the Cabinet vetting process is only a matter of who has the fewest bones in the closet to hide?

Perhaps the LDP election strategy is simply to hold the election as quick as possible before the next scandal surfaces?

Posted in New Chief Cabinet Secretary got donations from questionable sources at 06:19 PM JST - 25th September
TokyoVP at 06:01 PM JST - 25th September

Aso is to the LDP as Gorbachev was to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He'll be the last LDP Prime Minister.

Posted in How do you think Taro Aso will do as prime minister? at 06:01 PM JST - 25th September
TokyoVP at 05:55 PM JST - 25th September

First it was Utsukushii Japan for Abe, now Akarui Japan for Aso. Ah-so.

Let the elections begin and the sparks fly!

Posted in Aso says his mission is to make Japan cheerful and strong nation at 05:55 PM JST - 25th September