One trend that I'm noticing in my recruiting practice is the increase of highly qualified bilingual job seekers in the market. This is not surprising, given that foreign firms are being hard hit in their home markets and naturally Japan is expected to contribute to the cost-cutting moves going on around the world. Then of course you have the general meltdown in the banking sector and the corresponding fall out with their traditional suppliers.

The weed business in Japan is growing, despite the draconian law and the public shame that comes with getting caught.

Tokyo's expat watering holes are drying up as their customers leave town.

Making sales to Japanese companies is never easy, and now it's harder than ever. But there is an old Japanese business saying about how a good salesperson will go visit with a client at least 10 times and get to know them before trying to get down to business (出来る営業は、まず客になりそうな客に10回通う。 その間、決して営業の話はしない。仲良くなったところで初めてビジネスの話をする。) These days you might get served a stalking warrant if you hound a client ten times, however, there is no doubt that persistence works.