TT-443 -- ASEAN Opportunities, ebiz news from Japan

A look at Japan's financial relations with the economies of Southeast Asia and how this affects the dynamics of regional business. Includes news summaries with the latest on Nova, Japan Post, tuna fishing and the winter weather. Read Now

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GW-279 -- The Hottest Gadgets and Gizmos from Japan

Mac OS X Leopard,wooden IT paraphenalia from Marubeni and 'MUSIC PRJECT' from Sony and AU make up these weeks Gadget Watch. Don't miss out on the chance to find out the future of gizmos and gadgets in Japan. Read Now

JIN-437 -- Olympic Japan

This week JIN considers Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Olympics and looks back on Japan's history of Olympic participation. Read Now

Terrie's Job Tips -- Starting Your Own Company – Part Two: the KK (Kabushiki Kaisha)

Because of these issues with a GK, I usually advise people to consider a proper shares-based corporate entity, and this means moving to a Kabushiki Kaisha. Setting up a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) is much easier than it used to be, and in practice it costs around JPY140,000 more than a GK to do. Therefore, I see little point in encouraging those wanting to build a business that they can sell one day, to pursue a GK. Although having said that, you can easily upgrade a GK to a KK.

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TT-442 -- Condo Prices Topping Out? Ebiz news from Japan

Terrie takes a look at the market for condiminiums and discusses the residential real estate market in general. Has it reached its peak? Read Now

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GW-278 -- The Hottest Gizmos and Gadgets from Japan

This week's Gadget Watch looks at Panasonic's wireless headphones, Sony's next generation car navigation system and Clarion's 'modern living' car audio-system.

JIN-436 -- Virtual communities in Japan

With Mizuho bank's opening of a Ferris Wheel in Second Life's Virtual Tokyo, and fashion store Cecile opening in Virtual Ginza, JIN takes a look at the growing popularity of living life through an avatar in Japan. Read Now

Terrie's Job Tips -- Starting Your Own Company - Part One: Godo Kaisha

Back in 2003 I wrote about how you might want to start your own company as a future career path option - especially if you're in a job where there is very little opportunity for upwards promotion. Of course it's easier and lower risk to just go find a new job with another employer - all you need to do is update your resume, practice your presentation, and do some interviews. But if you're moving up in age (over 40), or are in an industry where pricing has been commoditized, or you've been pigeon-holed in a particular position and you don't want to take a big pay cut to reset your career, then starting your own business can be a viable alternative.

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WW-167 -- The Navigation Bubble - Who puts Japan back on the global map?

Why is Japan's in-car navigation system not popular abroad?
Wireless Watch looks at leading map-maker Zenrin's expansion in the market and it's comparisons with Japanese mobile phone manufacturers.

TT-441 -- How rich is rich? Ebiz news from Japan

With Japan's richest holding billions of yen in savings, what is happening to the gap between rich and poor? Terrie compares the wealth divide in Japan with that in the US and breaks down the totem pole of Japanese affluence. Read Now

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