Wednesday February 15, 2012

herefornow's past comments

  • -2

    herefornow

    These Economists could not be more incorrect. Japan owns its debt, so it is not really an issue. It is a matter of time before the Government transfers the citizens money that sits in Government bonds into other forms of investment.

    wnagler1 -- nonsense. Please stop with the simplistic "Tea Party-style" solutions. They won't work in the U.S. and they won't work in Japan. "Owning' the debt does not change the amount owed or the cost of carrying that debt. At 211% of GDP, and re-payment and interest costs annually eating up a huge share of the federal budget, they have no choice but to raise taxes. What is it about the fact that the J-government took in less last year in tax revenue than it borrowed that you can't figure out? The only saving grace in owning the debt is that the government can continue to pay a ridiculously low interest rate. But even that will change as the population and savings shrink and it must look outside for funds.

    Posted in: IMF urges Japan to triple consumption tax to reduce debt

  • -2

    herefornow

    A labor ministry official said that defining “pawahara” represents the first step toward dealing with the issue, TV Asahi reported.

    LOL. This kind of behavior is part and parcel of Japan. And "defining" it is only the first step towards doing nothing meaningful about it. That too, unfortunately, is part and parcel of Japan, and why Japan is still living in the early-20th century in way too many ways.

    Posted in: Labor ministry releases definition of 'power harassment'

  • -1

    herefornow

    The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has said that radioactive crushed stone may have been used in the construction of up to 80 buildings in Fukushima Prefecture.

    Took them 80 buildings to find out they might have a problem? Wow. That is idiotic even given the low standards by which the J-government is measured.

    Posted in: Noda says gov't will quickly identify sites using contaminated crushed stone

  • 0

    herefornow

    Yup, I for one would like to buy a suit that looks good on a girl. Says a lot about the men's physiques in Japan. Or maybe lack thereof.

    Posted in: AKB48 get a new look for men's suit commercial

  • -2

    herefornow

    Analysts say having a smaller population is not in itself a problem, as demonstrated by the economic and diplomatic successes of many European nations with far fewer people than Japan.

    But an ageing population causes all manner of difficulties, most notably for Japan’s government finances, already hard pressed by two decades of economic stagnation

    More retirees inevitably means more spending on social security when Japan’s public debt, at twice GDP, is already one of the industrialized world’s worst.

    The hand writing is clearly on the wall. 100 or so years -- tops -- until Japan becomes economically unworkable. As it says, a smaller population by itself is not a problem, but a shrinking/aging one is, as there become too few young people paying taxes to support the huge social services costs -- like pensions and health care. Some serious changes need to happen NOW, but IMO, the Tohoku disaster and the associated costs and problems with the energy supply, etc., will distract Japan for at least a decade. And then the trends may be too late to turn around.

    Posted in: Japan's population to shrink two thirds by 2110

  • -3

    herefornow

    They do not take into account the various malfunctions that can result in a disaster, including human error and equipment failure.

    Did anyone really expect any different? We are talking about Japan Inc. here. Learning from the series of mistakes associated with Tohoku would be much, too much to ask. Easier to just say it could not possibly happen again.

    Posted in: The reality is that the inspectors only look at the reactors' design and then factor in possible problems such as earthquakes and tsunami of a certain size. They do not take into account the various malfunctions that can result in a disaster, including human error and equipment failure.

  • -1

    herefornow

    The barriers that foreign firms need to overcome may not be deliberately erected, and are more likely due to excess caution, inefficiency and Japan not keeping up with technological advances, believes Alison Murray, executive director of the European Business Council in Japan.

    Just about defines Japan in the 21st century in almost any industry.

    Posted in: Foreign firms feel sidelined in post-quake rebuilding

  • -1

    herefornow

    Maher’s main thesis is that Japan—which has had six new prime ministers since 2006—has been crippled by a failure of its politicians to accept responsibility and, hence, to make hard decisions.

    Nothing earth-shattering in this. And this lack of accepting responsibility is not limited to just government. Just look at Olympus, where the whole board, and the institutional investors, punted and have allowed the president to stay in place, even though he is accused of being part of the fraud. NOT making a decision has become an art form in Japan, and why the decline will only accelerate.

    Posted in: Ex-U.S. diplomat Maher pulls no punches on Japan

  • -3

    herefornow

    well have to say hollywood doesn't make the best movies anymore.

    kitsuki14 -- really? Well who does then? The #1 Japanese movie last year grossed less than half of what Harry Potter did? So that would say even Japanese fans think the best Japanese movie is not as good as a U.S. one.

    Posted in: Film box-office revenue down 17.9% in 2011

  • 2

    herefornow

    adding to a growing picture of chaos in Tokyo’s disaster response

    LOL. It's not a "picture" any more -- it is a GIANT mural. Japan, acclaimed by itself and the world for decades, as so precise and meticulously organized was shown to be the "all show and no go" society that it really is. Lots of process and busy-work, but no real results for years caught up with the country. Crisis did not bring out the best in Japan's government/ministries. Just showed them to be the bumbling, stumbling, cluelees, men they appear to be.

    Posted in: At least 10 groups dealing with disaster kept no detailed records of meetings

  • -1

    herefornow

    JapanGal -- same post on different threads? WEAK.

    Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea

  • 1

    herefornow

    JapanGal -- Respectfully, Japan's economic and fiscal record for the past nearly three decades is nothing to brag about. It's real economic growth has been negligible and it has only kept the domestic economy moving with massive public spending that has now saddled it with huge public debt. Meanwhile, it has refused to re-structure many zombie companies, as well Japan Post and its agricultural sector. Korea, meanwhile, has had a sustained recovery since fixing its problems after the Asian currency crisis, and is much more nimble than Japan -- and thus better prepared for the 21st century. Japan is at a key cross-roads in its economic lifecyle, and, IMO, it does not appear it has the "big picture" view needed to face its issues.

    Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea

  • -2

    herefornow

    One big problem with Kei's theory -- by the time he reaches 25 or 26 and starts getting stronger, guys like Murray and Djokovic will be even stronger and tougher from their big-match experience. Plus there will be a whole new crop of 22 year-olds on the rise. Top 20 is a great accomplishment. But going a whole lot higher is not likely.

    Posted in: Nishikori says he is 'still years off peak'

  • -2

    herefornow

    IMO, the hottest real WOMAN in Japan. I'd take the 30% any day.

    Posted in: Aya Sugimoto on managing husband: '30% carrot, 70% stick'

  • -2

    herefornow

    Any of the dozens of posters here on JT who were throwing around terms like "flyjin" and saying anyone who did not buy the goverment line about the status of things last March care to re-consider? Seems like we were the ones who had the real grasp on the situation and not the folks buying what Odano and TEPCO were spewing out.

    Posted in: Gov't kept silent on worst-case scenario at height of nuclear crisis

  • -1

    herefornow

    Ah, my bad, 2012.

    Posted in: Loss-making NEC to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide

  • 0

    herefornow

    Drip, drip, drip... Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi, NEC -- the hollowing out of Japan continues on almost a daily basis. 7,000 jobs here, 5,000 there. Japan is still operating in a 1980's business model in 2011. Better days are not in the cards.

    Posted in: Loss-making NEC to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide

  • -2

    herefornow

    Anyone with half a brain and a calculator could reach this conclusion. Shrinking economy plus aging population and 211% debt to GDP ratio means more taxes. Or default. No grey area here.

    Posted in: IMF says Japan should raise consumption tax to 15%

  • 1

    herefornow

    Losing? How about lost? Korea is what Japan was 40 years old with the fight and hunger to lead the pack. Now? Nothing. Blame the education system, society and the current business ethic and culture

    tmaire -- spot on. Japan became a victim of its own success and became arrogant and legendary for its inward focus. It's cars sold like hot-cakes in the states for years because they were reliable and had superb quality, while the U.S. companies were producing crap, and SK was not a factor yet. But now the U.S. companies are making excellent product, and, along with SK, designing exciting cars. Meanwhile, the Japanese cars, especially Toyota, look old and stoggy by comparison. Line up a Hyandai Elandra and Ford Focus next to a Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic and look for yourself. Unfortunately, the Japenese companies never really grasped the U.S. expression "You are what you drive", and people here will pick flashy over boring every thime, if the quality is comparable.

    Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea

  • -1

    herefornow

    think the Japanese advertise for the Japanese consumer

    Vernie -- duh, of course they do. But you are just confirming my point -- that Japanese advertising, all too often, appears to be written for teenage boys/men acting like them, with raging hormones. And that showing an under-twenty-five year-old female celebrity, with no connection to the product, in a skimpy outfit is enough to sell something.

    Posted in: Mane event

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