The percentage of non-regular to full-time workers is now a record 28.75%, almost 18m people (there are 62m in the workforce), and this is not just a temporary trend.

Among various incidents which prompted Dreamliner aircraft to be grounded have been the incineration of the auxiliary power unit on an empty JAL aircraft and later a forced landing of an ANA jet with another major electrical problem.

As is our custom, we are going to kick off the year by making some predictions about where we think Japan, her people, and companies are headed this year.

With the online shopping boom companies and individuals in Japan are moving on to the Internet in a big way, and where they are headed, crooks are sure to follow.