China finally overtook Japan and became the world’s second-biggest economy, according to data released this week in Tokyo, which showed minimal GDP growth in the land of the rising sun, while its huge neighbor continued its blistering rise.
While some observers say the change in the economic world order is “purely symbolic,” others say it should act as a wake-up call to both countries – Japan to get its economic house in order, China to become more politically responsible.
And although some Japanese may gaze across the East China Sea with a …

Known as Oyatoi Gaikokujin (hired foreigners), these outside adviser were well compensated for consulting on matters of engineering, architecture, medical and legal affairs. Breaking with Japanese business tradition Ghosn began to slash thousands of jobs and sold off assets, which made him not so popular in the public’s eye. Relatively low salaries offered by many companies in Japan. In addition, foreigners in Japan should not expect much in compensation when it comes to your educational background and experience.

Hi!
My wife and I have made eight micro loans via Kiva to various individuals around the world that need assistance in establishing and growing their business. Five of the loans have been repaid. My loans have supported two retail businesses in the Philippines, weaving and pig farming businesses in Cambodia, a used clothing store in Kenya, cosmetics sales and a soft drink business in Tanzania and farming in Sierra Leone.
I want to recruit you to my lending team, Black Tokyo, on Kiva, a non-profit website that allows you to …

Good news for those that need to send money or receive money while abroad, pay a bill Stateside or make purchases, Western Union has returned to Japan. Previously the service was available to those that had SOFA status and access to the US military bases and a few other USGOV locations. Those from the EU are probably more familiar with Travelex and wCheck out the information below via the August 2010 American Citizen Services Newsletter.

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Here is some news you can use:
“Convenience store chain Lawson will soon start an in-store fresh food service across Japan, in an effort to attract a wider range of customers.

I recently attended the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the Los Angeles Convention Center and observed a disturbing yet interesting marketing ploy. THQ Games teamed up with “Pyongyang Express” (a mobile Korean/Mexican fusion kitchen that cruises around LA) in order to promote the new game “Homefront,” which envisions a fictitious not so distant future in which a unified Korea controls most of the world. As I made my way to the Convention Hall I began to notice signs that read “check point ahead” and North Korean flags on vehicles in …

Nike’s plan to develop Miyashita park in Shibuya and turn it into a recreational facility has apparently hit a snag. Nike is no stranger to controversy with allegations of abuse, underage workers, low wages and long working hours in its Asian factories.

Recent incidents such as the Japanese Coast Guard obtaining an arrest warrant for Captain Paul Watson, the cancellation of “The Cove” screening at a U.S. Military base in Japan and the dismissal of charges against a popular sushi restaurant will most likely spark the flame of controversy. Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles, CA have set in place a motion to dismiss charges against a sushi restaurant in Santa Monica, CA that admitted to serving meat of an endangered whale.

The Mainichi Daily News reports: “Products from computer and electronics maker Apple Inc., the company behind the hit iPod, iPhone and new iPad devices, were pulled from the Internet shopping sites of Japan’s major electronics retailers as of Tuesday.
The reasons for the move were not made clear, though one employee of electronics chain Kojima Denki revealed that the products were pulled at Apple’s request, while industry insiders say the U.S. company is attempting to protect its image as a premium brand and did not like the discounts being offered on …

By now you know that Japan will open a military base in Djibouti, a small African state strategically located at the southern end of the Red Sea on the Gulf of Aden, to counter rising piracy in the region. You also probably know that the pirates are hijacking ships and demanding loot. Beyond that, what else do you know about the pirates, their homeland and the region? What else is at stake for Japan?
[Via Open Democracy] “Japanese policy-makers are well aware of the productive base of African economies (as suppliers of primary goods) …