Tokyo refugees...
But a free market...
(Once it was said that sons and daughters of wealthy families were employed by NHK in a large number...)Not a Joke but a Challenge
(Pas une blague, mais un défi, mon cher!)
Till the Japanese parliament is opened again in January 2011, national lawmakers in Japan are busy going back to their own local electoral districts and joining any type of the so-called Tea Parties to ask for further support from voters.
It is because the approval rating for the Kan Cabinet has already fallen to a 25% level. The ruling DPJ now faces a crisis of a split in the party, since P.M. Mr. Kan's dangerous rival, namely Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, might take a decisive action while being requested to surrender himself to the Political Ethics Hearing Committee of the National Diet so as to explain suspicion of his political money scandal. And, what is worse, very old and powerful tycoons of the Japanese establishment are now engineering a plot of grand-coalition of the ruling socialistic DPJ and the opposition conservative LDP.
My standpoint is that Prime Minister Mr. Naoto Kan must concentrate his Cabinet and Administration on national security and economy, at least, till the next spring.
Even if his approval rating has dropped to 10%, Mr. Ichiro Ozawa tries to replace Mr. Kan with one of his henchmen, or some powerful guys behind the scene try to control the possible grand-coalition Cabinet, Prime Minister Mr. Naoto Kan must concentrate his Cabinet and Administration on national security and economy, at least, till the next spring, like President Mr. Barack Obama going to face a tough time toward his possible second term.
SECTION I: Stock Market, Stupid Market?
In a large picture, it looks that no drastic change has occurred in wealth kept in stock markets in the U.S., Europe, and Tokyo.
(Click to enlarge.)(http://www.nicmr.com/nicmr/data/market/fig_all.pdf )
From 1998 to 2010, NYSE has increased only $2 trillion of its total market value, namely from $10 trillion to $12 trillion eventually, a 20% growth. It is a 1.8% per year increase over 12 years.
On the other hand, GDP of the U.S. in 1998 was $10.28 trillion and that in 2010 is $13.22 trillion, a 29% growth. It is a 2.4% per year increase over 12 years.
When applying to a 12-years span, economics must take into account twice bubbles and twice bursts. But, on average, it must be around 2% yearly even in the U.S. in any reasonable or substantial index.
The question is of course indices being reported from China over 12 years.
In addition, to record this mediocre result of American economy over 12 years, the U.S. has needed a $1 trillion level of additional and emergency money supply by FRB and Treasury bond purchase by Japan and China. Without these unusual factors, the unemployment rate in America must have doubled and the total market value must have been halved.
SECTION II: The Kanji Word for 2010
Japanese normally call China "Chu-goku" following the kanji expression meaning China which the Chinese Communist Government officially adopts.
But, this calling became common only after WWII. Before the end of WWII, Japanese officially and commonly called China "Shina" following a traditional kanji expression meaning China.
As China has come to show its nature this year through the false GDP fiasco, the Senkaku Island interferences, North Korea violation, and the Nobel Peace Prize interference, "Shina" must be given attentions to when reviewing this year.
This year has been also testing time for the new regime in Japan. Since the last autumn when it took over power from the conservative LDP, the pro-Korean/Chinese DPJ in power has faced many challenges, including the planned relocation of the US Marine air base in Futenma, Okinawa Island. Accordingly, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama was forced to spontaneously resign; his successor Mr. Naoto Kan had to take up a challenge from 40-year-long lawmaker Mr. Ichiro Ozawa to secure his position.
The Japanese new ruling party DPJ has really needed strong support from the people, the Media, and so on this year. Without support behind the scene, continuation of their governance is impossible. So, support ("shien" in Japanese) must be given attentions to when reviewing this year.
*** *** *** ***
The most significant incident this year is of course the great earthquake in Haiti that occurred at 16:53 local time (21:53 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake
On January 14, 2010, I wrote:
Online Time Magazine listed the following as the five most possible earthquake areas:
1. Los Angeles
2. Tokyo
3. Tehran
4. Pacific Northwest
5. Indonesia
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1930622,00.html
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, took on 230,000 lives most of whom were Muslims.
Next time, no Muslims should be victimized.
http://eereporter.blogspot.com/2010/01/as-flame-of-fire.html
I think I wrote something reasonable.
All I want to say to my old friends and colleagues is go and help people in Haiti if not in Iraq or Afghanistan.
(http://www7.plala.or.jp/machikun/MAMAGASA.MID
Source: http://www7.plala.or.jp/machikun/christmasmidi.htm
What I also want to say is that a happy family can be found in Israel, the Christian world, the Islamic world, India, Tibet and the like, and even China. This is a proof that the God is almighty. [But, 30,000 people commit suicide every year in Japan in this decade.])
Pro 12:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Pro 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Pro 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.