FDI Into Japan Reaches Record High for Second Straight Year in 2008

GDP comparison of Japan with other major economic regions (US$ billion, 2007)
Source: Prepared based on "World Economic Outlook Database" (April, 2008), IMF

GDP comparison of Japan's regions with some countries (US$ billion)
Note: 2005 data is used for Japan; 2007 data is used for all other countries. Exchange rates based on IMF period-average rates.Source: "World Economic Outlook Database" (April, 2008), IMF; "Prefectural Economic Almanac" (February, 2008), Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office

"..Net FDI into Japan (balance of payment basis) reached a record high for the second consecutive year in 2008, reaching US$24.5 billion, up 10.7% from US$22.1 billion recorded the previous year. This is on a gross capital inflow of US$73.2 billion, a record, and a gross capital outflow of US$48.6 billion, which is not far behind the
US$52.5 billion recorded in 2006. The high inflow was led by additional investments made by financial institutions and companies seeking to boost the capital of their Japanese subsidiaries, while deteriorating economic conditions in industrialized nations may have played a factor in the high outflow figure..."

The seeds of Koizumi-san efforts are flourishing, namely, the launching on the Asian Gateway initiative and Invest in Japan - the Foreign Investment Agency.

For me, it is very odd and shortsighted that European leadership is not paying the suitable attention on the social and economic developments in Japan.

I heard the most outstanding remark made by a former European Minister of Finance:

“…Japan is not a transparent society because………because they speak and write in Japanese…”

Deep thought, so desu ne?

See: 10 Advantages to Investing in Japan

JPop

Last year, I was suddenly attacked by serious 80´s nostalgia. I felt like reviewing the Ska Scene.
I came across these 5 Girls from Osaka, OreskaBand. I was surprised by their sound and their energy. Reminds me the emotion and power I felt on the gig of Dexy´s Midnight runner´s in 1982.

I particularly enjoyed “Hana no suka dance”, “Pinocchio” (from the Maga series Naruto) and a version of “Monkey Man” of The Specials.
Rico Rodrigues, who used to play with The Specials, made a record with these Jgirls: “Japa Rico”

On the 14th of march Shonen Knife performed at SuperDeluxe in Nishi Azabu.
Comments: “…the set consisted mainly of super-safe punk-pop tunes, and the lyrics seemed to be all about sweets (or other eating related experiences, one song was about food poisoning) the girls played super-tight, and their harmonies were glorious…”
It´s an all jgirls band formed in Osaka during 1981, Influenced by alt-rock's elite (Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Redd Kross, among others).
The group has occasionally performed as The Osaka Ramones, a tribute to The Ramones

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Nikkei: Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru on Wednesday responds to a reporter's question about his intention to run in the next general election at the prefecture office.


It´s amazing!
Comedians will rule Japan
Takeshi Kitano will be the new Minister of Self Defense and Naban Chicken will become Minister of Foreign Affairs

Em Portugal também seria fantástico.
Quem é que disse?
Os cómicos ao poder, há séculos que os palhaços lá estão.
Herman José Primeiro-Ministro já!

TSF - entrada de capitais espanhóis em Portugal 22/06/2009

"No Fórum TSF desta quarta-feira vamos debater a entrada de capitais espanhóis em Portugal e a importância dos centros de decisão. A PT prepara-se para comprar aos espanhóis da Prisa 30% da Media Capital. Com este negócio a Prisa consegue um parceiro estratégico português e a PT volta a posicionar-se no mercado dos media. Existem actualmente mais de 800 empresas em Portugal detidas maioritariamente por capital espanhol. A situação levanta a questão dos centros de decisão, onde está o poder de definir o futuro de uma empresa e para onde vão os lucros."

O tema e as intervenções de hoje no Fórum da TSF agradaram-me bastante.
A intervenção de Peres Metello focou os temas fundamentais. Discutir obstruções à integração Ibérica e Europeia, bem como à Globalização, é, com o devido respeito, uma diletância. Fundamental é discutir como vencer em concorrência global e como nos afirmar o país na cena mundial.

No entanto, a entrada de capitais estrangeiros é um tema que requer esclarecimento.

1 – Os novos investimentos, em manufactura, são efectuados fora da Europa. A Europa já não é competitiva para a captação destes investimentos.
Devemos efectuar um grande esforço para manter e desenvolver as unidades produtivas existentes em Portugal, Portuguesas e Estrangeiras.

Perder a Auto Europa será dramático para Portugal. Poderá ser a ruína do “Cluster “Automóvel.
Temos uma localização geográfica central (Europa, Américas e África) mas considerada periférica para os europeus. Várias empresas vão integrar na “Pegada Ambiental” o CO2 produzido no transporte da sua actividade, incluindo a movimentação dos produtos em laboração.

2 – Nos novos investimentos (em bens e serviços transaccionados internacionalmente) destinam-se a processos de racionalização ou questões ambientais. Ou seja reduzem postos de trabalho.

3 – É essencial atrair projectos que promovam mais desenvolvimento para o país e reforcem as competitividades internacional.

Exemplos: Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação, Turismo, Saúde e Mar.

Actividades de investigação na área do mar são particularmente relevantes pois ainda não temos uma visão claramente definida de como iremos explorar os nossos recursos marítimos, recentemente alargados.

Afirmação internacional, caminhos

1 – Integração mais activa na economia de rede, na globalização

2 – Os grandes grupos em PT desenvolveram-se protegidos da concorrência internacional.
Há um problema de mentalidades e de condutas.

Recordo-me das observações e empresários Japoneses que tiveram projectos em Portugal.

“... Portugal está na Europa, mas os Portugueses ainda não são verdadeiramente Europeus..”

Este tema é fundamental, é necessário democratizar e inovar mais a economia. Mais exposição internacional tornará os Portugueses mais internacionais.


Nota final sobre as exigências da presença em mercados internacionais e nossa percepção sobre os nossos produtos.

A Via Verde foi apresentada no Japão pela Mitsubishi Corporation mas sem sucesso:
A aplicação não assegurava um nível de eficácia e fiabilidade (erros & falhas) aceitável pelos clientes Japoneses



Paulo Vieira, Ex-membro da Comissão Executiva e da Estrutura para a Constituição da API - Agência Portuguesa para o Investimento

New trends Soshokukei - Japan's 'herbivore men'

More sensitive, self caring and fashion victim, nail care, sex "self-helping" toys, hair do.

Less interested in sex, money and power and competition


Take a look at these remarks

"In Japan, sex is translated as 'relationship in flesh,'" she said, "so I named those boys 'herbivorous boys' since they are not interested in flesh."

“…A 2007 survey by a major toilet-seat maker found that half of Japanese men sit on the toilet to urinate, while bras designed for men have been selling briskly since they hit the market last November…”
Blurring the boundaries The Japan Times Online

Are we seeing a new trend soon to arrive to Europe and US?

Curiously, hanging around trough Europe, one may state that most women are starting to look and act like truck drivers.
Will these Lionesses start to hunt and mate these elaborated, sensitive and sophisticated Gazelles?
Japan Times ran a pole about the final days of the carnivores, the question was:

"...Japan is seeing a rise in what has been called a generation of male herbivores (soshokukei), men moving away from the traditional masculinity of their forefathers. What's your take on this change? "

The results were:

(32%) - Soshokukei is an invented buzzword. Most young men will turn out just like their fathers.
(21%) - It's great. Who needs more macho men?
(14%) - If this trend is widespread, then I fear for Japan's future.
(13%) - Diversification is a good thing, but in moderation.
(13%) The implications are disturbing. Does Japan need war to develop "real men"?
(6%) - I'm worried it could have a negative effect on the birth rate.

So, like the majority of people I believe that” Boys will always be boys!”

End of BOJ funding measures tied to economy | The Japan Times Online

1.6% GDP growth forecast for second quarter and now BOJ cools down “…The Bank of Japan said this week that the country's worst postwar recession is easing as fiscal stimulus measures worldwide spur demand and companies increase production….”

End of BOJ funding measures tied to economy The Japan Times Online

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Bank of Japan sees recession starting to level out

BOJ sees recession starting to level out The Japan Times Online

Lost in childhood

My dear solid friend of the secrets gardens of Porto. Thank you very much for your message and for your support. Although I am learning Japanese, married to Japanese lady and living between Asia and Europe, I am not so much fluent in Japanese.

Strangely, communication and mastering the Japanese language are two separate issues.

In the last missions we organized for Western Companies to Japan we adopt a new methodology: A translator who provides the translation from Japanese to English (or other language) and an observer, a retired Japanese Executive from major Japanese Corporation.

We often notice that the perception of sounds and true meanings are two different realities.

One of my friends in Japan is a British Citizen living in Japan for over ten years married to Japanese Lady. He is locally in charge one of the world main media companies. Being quite fluent in Japanese, he never uses the Japanese language in business meetings, but always a translator. With a record of so many misunderstandings in the past, he does not want to endlessly repeat the same errors.

The Japanese language is highly ambiguous and plenty of multiple meanings. Awareness of these complex matters requires a Japanese education, from the cradle.

Speaking some Japanese is essential to evidence respect to Japanese people and society but one must understand that one will never go inside the mindset of Japanese souls. It is a process lost in childhood.

Going a little deeper on this matter:

River in the Japanese language is represented by the kanji 川

When a Japanese thinks about a river, he sees an image, he has an emotion that activates the right hemisphere of the brain – emotions.

On the other hand, when a western thinks about a river he is getting a concept, activating the left part of the brain - rationality.

Hashi, a Japanese sound with several meanings, is the title of this blog.

In the dictionary we find 3 Kanjis for the sound hashi - (橋　箸　端 )


橋– Bridge
箸– Chopsticks
端 – End, tip, edge, margin corner

Japanese is also a language with a limited amount of sounds,

Aware of the limitations of language in the communication process, my efforts have been focused on the understanding of Japanese, Chinese and other Asians.

Anyhow, I am taking my best efforts to speak their language.

Thank you very much for your attention

My Best Regards

Paulo Vieira

Aren´t Banks also corporations?

Yes, but from a very different kind. This was the answer I provided to my friend.

They take one´s money and they use it to lend it to another person. They pay a low retribution for the funds they got and ask for a higher interest on what they lend.

Therefore, when a bank deepens into bankruptcy; its repercussions are wider than any other corporation. But that´s only the beginning; it is a fatal stabbing on the trust spirit on which the banking system roots its foundation, its survival.

Hence the critical point: Banking is not just another economical activity; it is a business activity which carries a heavy load of responsibilities, managing our most precious collective asset: Wealth.

In the last days, I have been reading some interesting articles on the New York Times and on Mainichi Daily News about what the world can learn about the experience of Japan dealing with its financial crisis.

In the current crisis, it supplied me with so much food for tough, so much data for brain digestion.

A better reflection on the measure Japanese officials had to take confirms that you got to do what you got to do and do it quickly. Is it about more money and faster?

The panacea of quasi-nano interest rates, fiscal stimulus and vain cash infusions will become a huge useless shot in the dark and a burden for our future.

Japan took too long to recognize there as a serious crisis, only in late November 1997, when of Sanyo Securities and Yamaichi Securities collapsed, they were able to overcome the denial phase.

One may very easily state how similar these situations were regarding the failures of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers.

In 1998, the Japanese Diet, passed the Financial Reconstruction Law, providing around 515 billion USD to acquire Japanese financial institutions in danger, as well as the Financial System Revitalization Law which created the Financial System Agency, an independent regulator

But only in 2003 did the government finally started the proper way for a recovery, forcing major banks to submit to full audits and declare bad debts. Two trillion yen were spent, nationalizing key banks, such as LTCB - Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, one of the major banks, whipping out its shareholders and allowing weaker banks to fail.


As a matter of fact, Japan's financial system only started to recover in late 2002 when Prime-Minister Junichiro Koizumi ordered an uncompromised and full extended audit on Japan´s main Banks, 6 years after the beginning of the crisis
This was the Takenaka Plan and it finally disclosed the full extent of bad loans in Japanese Banks.

Mr. Heizō Takenaka,minister of Finance, stood firm to his principles:
1 - "Don't cover up. Don't distort principles. Follow the rules."
2 - "I told the banks clearly, 'I am in a position to supervise you and I am not open to negotiation."
It took three more years to finally get the majority of bad loans off the banks' books and more banks were nationalized. From 1992 to 2005, Japanese banks wrote off about 96 trillion yen, 19% of the country's annual G.D.P.

This became the turning point in the banking crisis, helped with a swift increase on the exports to the United States and China, a significant support on the recovery on Japan's economy.

Leaning on these insights, I start questioning my beliefs about the role of government in society and economy .

Difficult beginning

It has been stated that the beginning has been a long and difficult moment. One may easily state that issue.

Every time I focus my attention on this project, some urgent request comes along and diverts my mind into the assorted issues of my professional demands.

For many years I have wanted to dedicate some of my time to write about my activities between Europe and Asia. I would enjoy, not only to describe these moments, but also to express my views and feelings about the many issues that have stated over these last years.

Professional bonds and the requests of confidentiality have set an unsurpassable barrier on this deep desire. Now, after nearly 7 years, I believe that the time has come to express myself freely, or, should we say, with a certain dash of freedom.

So many day with bad weather but today the sun shines and warms me up. It has been a cold weather with snow. But Tokyo also shines in the snow.

I remember my first night in Kyoto. The snowflakes were falling so slowly, so elegantly. It was the perfect atmosphere for a fantasy dream.

For nearly I week I saw the snow falling on the inner garden of the Hotel like a poems on a postcard. I never had the time to visit the garden, but I'll never forget that view.

Reality is more striking than any fantasy.

And now, I am going to fly!

道 - The way - Tao – Do- 道

"...A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct..."
Manual of Muad'Dib" by the Princess Irulan – "Dune", Frank Herbert

It is also in the Tao ( 道 - とう - みち):

Practice no-action;
Attend to do-nothing;
Taste the flavorless,
Magnify the small,
Multiply the few,
Return love for hate.

Deal with the difficult while it is yet easy;
Deal with the great while it is yet small;

The difficult develops naturally from the easy,
And the great from the small;
So the sage, by dealing with the small,
Achieves the great.

Who finds it easy to promise finds it hard to be trusted;
Who takes things lightly finds things difficult;
The sage recognizes difficulty, and so has none.

Chapter LXIII , Tao Te Chinge – Lao-tzu