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The yen climbed to 83.32 in afternoon trading in Tokyo and rose to 83.79 overnight in New York trade. Last month, the yen tested the 83 range for the first time since June 1995.
It’s not all bad news though, “The yen’s recent spike against the dollar has dealt a heavy blow to exporters, but the trend has provided perfect shopping incentives for women going after imported fashion-brand items.”
Read the rest of the story here.

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.

The “Strange Phenomenon and Yokai Legend Image Database is big news for yokai lovers. Loaded with close to 2,000 images taken from scrolls, woodblock prints, and other vintage yokai material, this represents the first time so many yokai illustrations have been collected online in one place. Go ahead and give it a try! Kappa! Tengu! Tsukumo-gami! Tesso! A spectacular Nue by Yoshitoshi, who influenced Frank Miller! Even offbeat characters like good ol’ Tofu Kozo!

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.

One may ask is this a new trend? Or is it something that has been going on for years? Are these isolated incidents? Or is there a greater deep seeded problem in Japanese law enforcement and correctional institutions?

(Global Immigration Counsel)
With allegation of abuse and poor living conditions at immigration detention centers in Japan, several detainees have begun a hunger strike in protest. Roughly 60 detainees housed at the East Japan Immigration Control Center located in Ushiku have been on a hunger strike in protest of poor conditions at the facility. The Japan Times online has stated that a spokesman for the detention center says that about 30 detainees, not 60 have refused meals since Monday. Many of the detainees claim to be political refugees and can not …

The Japan Times reports:
A draft obtained Tuesday of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s plan for the Futenma air base specifies the Henoko district in Nago,Okinawa Prefecture, as the relocation site — in line with the existing deal signed by Tokyo and Washington fours years ago.
The draft states that the government will construct a 1,600- to 1,800-meter runway around “Henoko in the city of Nago where the coast of (the U.S. Marines’) Camp Schwab is located” and that experts from both Japan and the U.S. should study the technical feasibility of construction methods …

(Kyodo Photo).
As discussions continue regarding the fate of U.S. bases in Okinawa dominate the headlines in Japan, some may wonder whether or not the presence of the US in Japan hinders or helps the people of this Island nation. Some may debate if Japan’s Prime Minister Hatoyama is handling the situation properly, while other may wonder if the U.S. is simply bulling Japan to continue to allow the U.S. presence in Okinawa. A new documentary may give a bit more incite into the training and day to day life …

As I sit here sipping on my mocha, I see that the Japanese media continues to run the Okinawa-mondai stories. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Wednesday revealed his plan to move as many as 1,000 of the 2,500 U.S. Marines based at the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma located in Ginowan on the island of Okinawa to Tokunoshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture was met with protest. As a former-US Marine that served 4-years in Okinawa, this mondai or so-called problem is of interest to me.
However (comma) I am waiting for the Japanese …