Mt. Asama, 150 km north-northwest of TokyoOn the Second Day of 2011 Since the Birth of Christ
(Review of the 2000s & Famous Japanese Paintings)
A Japanese proverb: "Nasake-wa Hito-no Tame Narazu"
One good turn deserves another; a kindness is never lost. Specifically, if you give somebody a helping hand, other people will help you on a different occasion. Your mercy to a poor man is not only for his sake but also for your sake. So, be kind to others like being kind to yourself.
CHAPTER I: Gini Coefficient
The gap between the rich and the poor can be measured using the so-called "Gini coefficient" (between 0 and 1, or 0 and 100).
(Click to enlarge.)The Gini coefficient is a measure of the inequality of a distribution, a value of 0 expressing total equality and a value of 1 maximal inequality...
The Gini coefficient is a measure of the inequality of a distribution, a value of 0 expressing total equality and a value of 1 maximal inequality...
Worldwide, Gini coefficients for income range from approximately 0.23 (Sweden) to 0.70 (Namibia) although not every country has been assessed.
US income Gini indices over time:
1929: 45.0 (estimated)
1947: 37.6 (estimated)
1968: 38.6 (lowest index reported)
2006: 47.0 (highest index reported)
2009: 46.8
EU Gini index:
2005: 31.0 (estimated)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gini_coefficient
As for Japan more specifically, Gini index from a survey by the Japanese Government:
Based on income in the market:
Before 2000: 40 to 45
2005: 52.63
2008: 53.18...(worse than the U.S. and China)
Based on after-tax incomes:
2008: 37.58...(looking better as indicated in the above CIA figure)
(http://news.searchina.ne.jp/disp.cgi?y=2010&d=0903&f=national_0903_045.shtml)
Also, note that Islamic nations look relatively better as Japan is; India does not look like having a big disparity, either.
My conclusion is that the domestic gap between the rich and the poor will cause some drastic changes in China and the U.S. (over Mr. Obama's change) in the near future, as well as in South Africa and Brazil, if any.
(Japan is already in this process since the 30-8-2009 general election...)
CHAPTER II: Review of the 2000s
Happy New Year, President Mr. Obama and the American people!!
The U.S. ranks 7th in expat rental costs
4 June 2010
According to EuroCost international, the United States (New York City) is the seventh most expensive place for expatriates to rent a 2- or 3-bedroom apartment. The most expensive country is Japan (Tokyo). Here is the top ten list:
1. Japan (Tokyo)
2. United Kingdom (London)
3. China (Hong Kong)
4. Russia (Moscow)
5. Angola (Luanda)
6. India (Mumbai)
7. United States (New York City)
8. Japan (Osaka)
9. Singapore (Singapore)
10. Lebanon (Beirut)
The U.S. ranks 13th in human development
19 October 2009
1) Norway
2) Australia
3) Iceland
4) Canada
5) Ireland
6) Netherlands
7) Sweden
8 France
9) Switzerland
10) Japan
11) Luxembourg
12) Finland
13) United States
14) Austria
15) Spain
The U.S. ranks 3rd in innovation
21 May 2009
Top Ten Countries in Innovation
2009 "Ranking America" (http://rankingamerica.wordpress.com)
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the United States has an innovation index score of 9.50, which makes the United States tied for third with Finland in that category. Japan ranks first, with a score of 10.00.
1..JAPAN...10.00
2..Swizterland...9.71
3..Finland...9.50
3..USA...9.50
4...Sweden...9.44
5...Germany...9.40
6...Taiwan...9.37
7...Netherlands...9.16
8...Israel...9.13
9...Denmark...9.08
http://rankingamerica.wordpress.com/tag/japan/
A Happy New Year, Taiwan!! Remember that nobody has the right to occupy and govern Taiwan (if the U.S. would dare not), though the Empire of Japan once gave up its sovereignty over Taiwan after WWII.
A Happy New Year, Norway, too!!
CHAPTER III: Famous Japanese Paintings
By Alan Faeorin-Cruich, eHow Contributor
updated: May 24, 2010
Japan has a distinct art culture, completely different from North American artwork which draws upon European influences. Many Japanese paintings are painted on wood, or rice paper; a favored medium with traditional Japanese artists. The earliest surviving paintings are murals painted onto temple walls, dating to roughly 300-400 A.D.
The Great Wave by Hokusai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Wave_off_KanagawaShi Shi by Ando Hiroshige
http://yajifun.tumblr.com/post/882910425/lion-training-cub-hiroshigeScroll of 55 Famous Places Associated with the Avatamsaka Sutra, 12th Century
http://bunka.nii.ac.jp/SearchIndex.do?startPoint=0&indexNum=20&searchType=4&linkType=history&era_cd=8Beauties Beneath Trees, 8th Century
http://shosoin.kunaicho.go.jp/publictreasure/0000010168001.htmlMy Favorite One (painted in 1830's around Edo [Tokyo]):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cmiya-shukuOne of major streets linking local areas to the then samurai-period capital Edo (Tokyo) runs through this area. On the embankment over paddy fields in the spring the street stretches. In a palanquin sits a young woman with her parasol. Following is a kind of townsman with a half-sized sword on his belt. The most impressive are the old farmer and his grand-daughter walking before a kind of humble stone monument. Mt. Fuji and sakura cherry trees need not to be foolishly mentioned. Yet, click on it to enlarge.
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Ranking of Japanese Politicians for their Use of Twitter:
1...Ren-Hou...454
2...Higashikokubara, Hideo...341
3...Hatoyama, Yukio...303
4...Office of Ozawa, Ichiro...287
5...Haraguchi, Kazuhiro...169
6...Aso, Taro...118
7...Yamamoto, Ichita...111
8...Masuzoe, Yoichi...89
9...Sengoku, Yoshito...86
10...Koike, Akira...69
11...Takenaka, Heizo...62
12...Koike, Yuriko...58
13...Hamada, Koichi...53
14...Katayama, Satsuki...51
15...Tanigaki, Sadakazu...49
16...Kono, Taro...45
17...Fujikawa, Yuri...45
http://www.talenttwitter.com/tllink/ct_10
The right-hand side numbers are rating; in boldface are female national/local politicians.
Just note that Mr. Hatoyama (DPJ) and Mr. Aso (LDP) are former prime ministers, so badly criticized by the American media.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oVzHm_S0-A&NR=1
Of course, this can be a new year message to Russia, North Korea, and China, can't it?)
Mar 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mar 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.