Just this week, the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC) and Sumitomo announced that they will invest JPY150bn (US$1.2bn) in retail properties here, effectively joining a slew of other foreign real estate firms such as Australia's James Packer, Rubicon (Aus), NewStar (UK), Macquarie Bank (Aus), Morgan Stanley (US), and many others wanting a piece of the action. To see Terrie's perception of such activity Read Terrie's Take Now

Being able to speak Japanese opens so many more opportunities for the foreign worker in Japan, that whenever I get an email asking about jobs here, I invariably advise the person that if they can afford it, they should take an intensive Japanese course first.

This week's newsletter makes uses of some recent research findings to consider Japan's place in the arms race in Asia. As Japan acquires more and more arms, relaxes its laws on arms exports and debates changing its constitution, should Japan take greater care of the diplomatic language it uses? Read Now

Happy Golden Week, Frugalites! Where are you now? Enjoying the holidays on some exotic (yet cheap) tropical locale? Or are you like me - a self employed translator whose busiest season just happens to be the first few weeks in May? I certainly wish I was part of the former group, but I will say - there's no better way to save money than... Read Now