This week we're going to try something new. A reader has posted a commentary about the Bull-Dog Sauce/Steel Partners showdown and discusses whether or not the Japanese courts should be taking sides in their rulings. We then comment about the posting, as we ask whether the Japanese have got it so wrong? Read Terrie's Take Now

Can Japan cope? An increasing demand for smarter consumer electronics products and services infrastructure has caused major personnel headaches in a country where there is already a shortage of IT engineers. In the struggle to keep up many companies are turning to off-shoring, but what are the pitfalls of this approach?　Read Terrie's Take Now

This time Frugal Watch looks at the concept of "Freeganism" and how recycling products can help the frugally-minded foreigner living in Japan. Read Now

Apart from your regular holiday allowance, while they are not legally required to do so, most Japanese companies also give employees 'Compassionate Leave', meaning paid and unpaid leave for life events, celebratory or otherwise. Clearly many of the following events really are once-in-a-lifetime, and you seldom hear of a company trying to block them.