JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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saruzenki
Tahoochi; you have some interesting points that need responding to.
"Considering that the US has, and still is the world's No.1 economy,"
Red herring in this discussion. Having the worlds #1 or #2 economy doesn't mean those markets can't become saturated with certain products. This is what has happened as the Koreans, of late, and the Japanese have done over the past 15 years. Japans export driven strategy and emphasis on market share has doomed the US market, plain and simple.
"GM has been the "schoolyard bully" that you accuse Toyota of being. Just a couple of years back when GM was on top, GM was bxxching to the US Government to WEAKEN the US dollar so Toyota doesn't have an unfair exchange advantage."
Bxxching or speaking the truth, especially when GM products were being unfairly criticized by various Japanese media outlets... like ??? Hmmm, Japantoday maybe ? In addition, that unfair exchange rate lasted a good 30 years ! Sure as heck didn't take Toyota long to throw in the towel and cry foul over exchange rates no did it ! More respect seems due to GM, Ford, and Chyrsler for keeping mum for so many years and just nutting up.
"I actually think Watanabe really wanted to say the losses were caused by "the significant deterioration in vehicle sales particularly in the US", but didn't want to single the US out, so he included Europe. I agree with you that he should have included Japan."
Maybe it's my sports background in me but I learned to never criticize the competition for losing. Focus on your own team and what you can do to improve. This is an all too common response from Japanese business executives and sports figures alike... blame the other guy. I for one would love to see a survey as to how Americans feel about being targeted for the huge losses at Toyota. After all Americans have been Toyotas best customers for years... my how the worm has turned. Totally classless act to blame your customers because they don't want to buy your products... stupid Americans !
Posted in: Toyota sees losses deepening this year
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saruzenki
"It's starting to embarrass the establishment. How much more can they keep fudging the losses?"
Worse yet, how much longer will the US, consumers etal, allow Toyota executives to blame them for their demise ? WTF is this all about ?:
"President Katsuaki Watanabe said the devastating results were caused by “the significant deterioration in vehicle sales particularly in the U.S. and Europe,” the strong yen and the rising cost of raw materials."
A) The "significant deterioration in vehicle sales particularly in the US and Europe" ?
So what about Japan ? And hey, why aren't the Chinese snapping up your products ? And by the way, wasn't it the Americans that warned you back in 2002 to stop flooding the US market with your cars ! Toyotas focus on market share has all but saturated the US market. In short they have over-fished the waters and now want to complain about no more fish. Get real Toyota... you made this mess, stop blaming the US and Europeans !
B) The strong yen ? I've said this before, Toyota and other Japanese makers have enjoyed huge advantages in exchange rates. From the 1970's rate of 258 yen to the dollar all the way through the 90's when the yen consistently held at 130-140. Now the advantage has slightly turned towards the Americans... by 2-5 yen mind you, and Japan is whining like a school yard bully that just got popped ! Cmon Toyota, you been bragging for years about "The Toyota Way"... what's the freakin problem now ? And where has your billions in profits from the past 30 years gone ?
C) The rising cost of raw materials ? What, your competitors don't suffer the same ? Again, this is a non-issue. And if you really want to focus your complaint on rising material costs you can thank the OPEC nations for driving up crude oil prices... thats where your cost increases came from. Oh yes, and lets not forget Japans recent victory at the WTO against the US over steel prices. Seems Japan won the battle but lost the war on that one. The Americans, and the Europeans, turned around and filed against the Chinese for the same thing. The end result... everybody losses !
Posted in: Toyota sees losses deepening this year
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saruzenki
BTW,
"Toyota projects losses on weak sales, strong yen"
"Strong yen" is a non-issue. GM dominated the world market when Japanese auto manufacturers enjoyed huge monetary exchange advantages. Anywhere between 250 yen to the dollar to !30 yen. The real question is why can't Toyota succeed when the playing field has been leveled ? This is what the Americans have been discussing for years. Now the evidence is clear... Toyota can't compete !
Posted in: Toyota projects losses on weak sales, strong yen
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saruzenki
This is really bad news for Toyota, who has been bragging about it's Hybrids for years. Seems that the American public is somewhat fickle about the Toyota brand and is waiting for next year when the new Chrysler Volt hits the market. Early feedback from industry critics is extremely postive. Toyota just hasn't been able to make the transition from gas to hybrid. I expect the US manufacturers to really puch the envelope here and drive the market in a new direction. But lets be honest, Toyota should be doing this. I can't help but wonder if all the bad press Toyota has been getting isn't finally starting to sink in. I mean the unpaid overtime, sexual harrassment suit stateside, the recalls (especially the recalls), Consumer reports deciding to dump their "automatic" high quality rating, Toyotas over emphasis on the US mrket (t the expense of the other auto makers, nd of course the success of the Korean car makers Hyundai and Kia... these two have really eaten into Toyotas market share. I'll not lose any sleep over any of this. I've felt Toyota has worn out their welcome years ago. American made autos are just as reliable (at least according to JD Powers and associates) and I prefer to support an American manufacturer who understands American business practices... Unpaid overtime ? Working for free ? Emphasis on market share ? Working Poor ? Sweat shop conditions ? NO THANK YOU !
Posted in: Toyota projects losses on weak sales, strong yen
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saruzenki
What a great singing contest ! The winner gets... "singing lessons" !!! LOL !
Posted in: 12-year-old Sakura Kawagoe wins singing contest held by Avex and USEN
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saruzenki
am1301, Interesting post...
"yes i can picture Japanese people traveling all the way to the u.s. to buy an abercrombie & fitch t-shirt."
Industry research concurs ! The two most common reasons for Japanese to travel abroad are Food and "shopping". Looks like yer on to something, a little late ! Ha-ha
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saruzenki
"The Japanese manufacturer of the Prius hybrid and Camry sedan may be faring better than its debt-ridden U.S. rivals, General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC."
If they are doing so much better wy do they always wait for GM to announce it's sales figures first ? I mean as the worlds nmber one, shouldn't they be batting lead off. But no, we always have to wait a few days... why ? Hmmm, cookin' the books maybe ? According to Toyota they have been raking in the profits like there was no tomorrow... but hey that didn't stop them from closing factorys and firing workers at the same pace as the big three. Sorry, just sounds like more fuzzy math from the Japanese.
Posted in: Toyota projects losses on weak sales, strong yen
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saruzenki
"Japanese tour groups in the US are not exactly travelling there to buy Japanese fashion goods are they ?"
No they're travelling overseas to buy things "they want" !
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saruzenki
"Saruzenki - Costco's profits are driven by labour, shipping and duty costs, not by store-opening costs or land costs."
Ultradodgy, your original post was extremely vague,
"big foreign firms such as Ikea and Costco have yet to turn a profit in Japan."
What ? An operating profit ? Pre Tax Profits ? Net Profits ???
And last I checked Costco sold grocery items much the same as Seiyu. And Daiei ? When I first came to Japan they had these whole clothes sections... much like Costco. Ummm, Ultradodgy... with that odd spelling of "labour" (labor is correct American English) I can't help but think you might have an ax to grind... with Costco ? I say great job Costco ! While Japanese stores are closing they keep expanding... and drawing incredible crowds that spend spend spend ! Another example of the succesful American business model in such dire need of here in Japan.
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saruzenki
In response;
Northlondon, read again...
"Where is Old Navy ? Abercrombie ? Carters childrens wear ? Victorias Secret ? All hugely popular on my tours stateside !"
Again, these are hugely popular on "my tours stateside". My tour groups load up on these brands time and time again with the same comments... "can't get them in Japan" ! Which is odd, especially for Old Navy. The same group as Banana Republic and The Gap... the distribution network is already in place and they provide much higher quality and variety than what you can get at Uniqlo.
And this comment is best left for the editors at Japantoday;
"saruzenki, if you truly believe in Japanese economic statistics provided by Japan Today, rather from the Japanese government themselves, then it's quite pointless in trying to have some kind of serious debate with you."
Anyone from Japantoday care to comment ?
Pawatan;
"Almost nobody works commission anymore in the US, so service has gone way, way downhill"
Not from my experience ! The US still provides millions of jobs based on any combination of Salary plus commission, incentives, tips, employee of the month awards, etc. The only incentive I've seen firsthand here in Japan is the opportunity to... "keep your job" ! My suggestion Pawatan, stay out of the stores and shops you've mentioned. In the US the customer is always right and you can vote with your feet and take your business elsewhere. I've never received anything but top rate service in an extremely enjoyable shopping environment in virtually every shop I've entered in the US. And again, my tour groups have never experienced anything you speak of and more than once I've seen rude Japanese customers in need of a tongue lashing.
aintgotmetobl; I have to laugh at you a bit.
"A huge mall opened in Kobe at the beginning of the year and 3 large ones have opened in the last 6 months out here in Shiga,right now dont want to have anything to do with US models of anything."
Ummm, you do realize that the "Mall" concept is 100% American ? The first being in Duluth Minnesota in 1915.
Finally Ultradodgy...
My understanding on Costco is that they are doing very well in Japan. The fact that they are opening so many new stores though is keeping their overall profits to a minimum. I expect them to keep expanding, especially with the mass closings of Daieis and Seiyus nationwide.
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saruzenki
"I learned violence never solved anything either from the oppressed or the oppssor."
Nonsense ! Violence got the Germans out of France and England ! The Japanese out of the Philippines, and the Iraqis out of Kuwait... just to name a few ! Make no mistake, violence works ! To the victors go the spoils. The whole problem with the Israeli-Palastinian conflict is a lack of serious violence. I say arm the troops with equal power and let them have at it !
Posted in: U.N. blames Israeli army for Gaza attacks
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saruzenki
Ummm, don't panic... you worry me !
"My feeling is that if the US makers are ready to go to market why have we seen so little product"
Huh ? Where have you been for the past two years, in a cave ? Cripes just wiki up "electric cars" and prepare yerself for dozens of makes and models by the big three !
"and why is the US government looking so closely before providing its citizens hard earned cash?"
Because it's part of "the show" ! Like I've said before, this has been in the works for years, ever since 9-11. Before the US government pays for these auto companies to shift over to electric hybrids, they better sell the whole program to the American people. This is showtime folks, plain and simple ! Quote me now... "nothing in America changes without a crisis... even if you have to create it" !
Posted in: Is Chrysler's bankruptcy good news for Japan?
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saruzenki
Customer service in the USA is head and shoulders above the interfering completely unhelpful stiffs parading around Japanese retail outlets. Typical experience for me, I enter a store, get shouted at... I guess its a greeting, anyway... I push through the crowds of gaukers and window shoppers. Mozy on over to the clothes rack and find absolutely nothing in my size... a 42 regular. I ask about options and am met with puzzled looks... "how dare this foreigner ask me a question about our products and lack of variety" is usually the tone. So off I go, empty handed, and in need of something for that date with the lovely miss Hanako. Stateside... no probs ! And if they don't have what I'm looking for, well they know where to send me. Japan is hopeless ! As for this...
"You gotta think businesses have done their research before expanding retails stores don't you think? I mean if it's as barren as you say and there's no market for it here, why would they take the risk?"
THATS the problem "AM" ! They are not taking risks here in Japan... and with the exchange rate so heavily loaded in their favor there is no excuse not to. Where is Old Navy ? Abercrombie ? Carters childrens wear ? Victorias Secret ? All hugely popular on my tours stateside ! Whats it gonna take for the Japanese to truly embrace a free market system, one that allows for foreign firms to set up shop quickly and efficiently without government over-regulation. Again, the Japanese model is killing the domestic economy... plain and simple !
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saruzenki
am1301... are you northy in disguise ? I mean how could you post this,
"I think stores still being open at a time like this is a good indicator there's still a healthy market in Japan while other countries are seeing stores being closed down left and right."
When Japantoday just ran this article;
"Corporate failures in Japan leap 11% in 2008 04:17 AM JST - 14th January
TOKYO — The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan in 2008 jumped 11% from the year before to 15,646, the third consecutive yearly increase and passing the 15,000 mark for the first time in five years, a private credit research agency said Tuesday. Debts left by the failed firms surged 114.6%"
And this followed on the heels of the 2007 report...
"FY 2007 corporate failures rise 7.71% 02:10 PM JST - 14th April
TOKYO — The number of corporate bankruptcies in fiscal 2007 through March 31 rose 7.71% from the previous year to 14,366, up for the second straight year, a private credit research institute said Tuesday. The debts they left behind grew 6.41% to 5.80 trillion yen"
Cmon people face the ugly truth... Japan's retail industry is, and has been, in the toilet for years. Time to dump the Japanese model and bring in a real customer centered one like we see in the US.
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saruzenki
Gee don'tpanic the way you fired out of the gate I thought maybe you had some professional insight... but when all is said and done all you can muster is...
"Its debatable that the US has any lead in electric vehicle technology and no-one has all the answers yet."
I for one completely disagree, and the time lines provided by US auto makers add more proof that they are more than prepared to "hit the roads" ! Make no mistake, the US will control this new market for years to come, thats why the US government is so interested in gettings its paws into it... they've seen the projections and have listened to the strategies for success. Lets hope you don't let your "national pride", whatever it may be, keep you from missing out on the newest and biggest market since the P.C. !
Posted in: Is Chrysler's bankruptcy good news for Japan?
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saruzenki
"Let's stop the BS and cut to the chase fellas. y-o-y sales rose by 0.3% in 2004, rose by 1.2% in 2005, fell by 0.2% in 2006 and rose again by 0.8% in 2007. By the way, these figures come from METI themselves."
Well then, who's to argue with METI, except maybe Japantoday... who posted this article here earlier this year;
"Department store sales decline in 2008 for 12th year 01:21 AM JST - 20th January
TOKYO — Department store sales in Japan fell 4.3% in 2008 from the previous year to 7.38 trillion yen on a same-store basis, down for the 12th straight year and marking the third largest fall under the current data system introduced in 1965, an industry body said Monday."
Ouch, I think that might have left a stain.
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saruzenki
"The international Red Cross said Wednesday that its officials saw women and children among dozens of dead bodies in two villages in western Afghanistan targeted in U.S. bombing runs."
Hmmm, killed in US air strikes or by taliban asassins looking to gain sympathy and support from unsuspecting media outlets like Japantoday ? Hmm, food for thought... the general lesson being "Stop jumping to conclusions" !
"Karzai called civilian casualties “unacceptable.”
He should have thought about that when Taliban training camps were flourishing in his country. If he were smart he'd hand over complete control of the country to the US forces for a month... "yer either with us or against us" !
Posted in: Afghan death toll from U.S. bombings rises
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saruzenki
"Truce with the Taliban" ? Ha-ha-ha ! Sorry, but Pakistan was offered the opportunity to be "either with us or against us". They backed the wrong pony, obviously.
Posted in: Pakistan expects 500,000 refugees to flee Taliban fighting
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saruzenki
"They will probably market the Indian minicars as well, which I personally think will be cheap and competitive."
But aren't "electric" ! Again, let me repeat... the gasoline powered automobile industry is D-E-A-D ! The big three are gearing up for a future of electrics and hybrids, subsequently moving the US away from foreign oil dependancy... EXCELLENT !
Posted in: Is Chrysler's bankruptcy good news for Japan?
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saruzenki
Where exactly is "Northlondon" coming from ??? Northlondon ? Ha-ha... if only the retail data backed up this obviously over-exuberant opinion;
"The sales figures in Japan during this time of recession answer that statement. The rest of the world should learn from the Japanese business model."
Umm, listen up sport, 12 years... err, documented years of retail sales in decline. Domestic spending at all time lows to boot, because ??? Yep, because of the "Japanese business model" you so support. I'm thinkin', no thank you.
And for this...
"back home in the west ? Rude untrained staff with an attitude ? Complete lack of customer care ?"
Hardly ! Most sales staff "in the west" where I come from work off salary plus commision. The incentive is there to provide excellent customer care. Here, try this... go into any large department store in Japan, saddle up to the perfume section and ask for a small sample bottle of the latest scents... you'll get nothin! Same thing in the Sta... err, back home, I walk out with bags of small bottles, pouches, creams etc ! Japan hasn't a clue about customer service. Empty boxes fill the aisles and get in the way of the products. Clerks do nothing but shout, and I mean "shout" Irrashaaiiimasseee ! ANNOYING ! Throw in the sticker shock of a lifetime... I was in Maronouchi last week and saw Chuck Taylor knock offs for 40,000 yen ! Richard you are right... too many middlemen, not enough product that customers are interested in... the falling numbers across the board are evidence that consumers in Japan... cept for northlondon of course, are not impressed... for the 13th straight year ! It's amazing what us foreigners get to complain about while living here in Japan.
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