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Apr30
Hitachi, Denso Take Aim at Auto Repair Services
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
Know More: Doing Business in Japan 2.0, Doing Business in Japan
In light of their wealth of electronic technology, Hitachi Ltd and Denso Corp are making plans to enter the auto repair industry.

Cars are more and more run by microcomputers and sensors are used to control functions. Denso and Hitachi have knowledge and ability in computer hardware and software making them a likely choice to set up a single-location shop to treat anything that ails a car...IF/When something goes wrong.

Hitachi plans to open 100 repair shops in Japan under the name Hitachi Mobile Co. Mechanics. The subsidiary will use electronic diagnostics to inspect and analyze equipment.
denso.repair.jpg
Denso will open 14 centers this year to inspect and repair electrical systems on-site at existing repair shops and new car dealers and hopes to have about 100 centers by 2015.

Can they make money?

Hitachi hopes to generate sales in auto-related operations to 1 trillion yen in fiscal 2010 up from the 580 billion yen the company made in 2005.

Yup...there's a lot of money to be made in car repairs in Japan.

And, we thought Japanese cars didn't break down.

Where do you take you car for repairs?
Posted at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Apr30
Best Denki Stores Warned for Dumping Old Appliances
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
Two Best Denki (electric) Stores were among 100 electric appliance stores that faced a warning from the government for dumping (not selling too cheap) but dumping old electric appliances, about 2,000 of them, instead of recycling them.Japan has an Electric... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Yakuza Baby Explains Why Japan is a Gunless Society
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
There is a reason why there are next to no guns in Japan...except for policemen and yakuza babies.A shooting contest organized by a local gun shop was being held in Ichihara, Chiba when one man with 40 years of shooting... Continue Reading
Posted at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japanese Actor Takes 'Break a Leg' Literally
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
One of Japan's most popular male actors, Hidekazu Ichinose, was wished to 'break a leg' before filming an NHK drama at a studio in Yokohama...so, he did...break his leg.The samurai playing actor jumped from a 1.8 meter (6') fence during... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Stress Patch Created for your Pets
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
The Japanese are on a roll. Having just made life easier for the elderly by creating a diaper with a censor that will automatically pump itself dry, keep a log of 'activity' and in the future send a wireless message... Continue Reading
Posted at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Strippers Go Too Far
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
When people used to ask me how I met my wife I told them she was a go-go dancer in a bar. I explained that she was so bad and so small chested that I felt sorry for her and... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japanese Create Adult Diaper with Built-in Sensor and Automatic Pump, Needs Fewer Changes
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
Leave it to the Japanese to come up with a high-tech diaper.Hitachi Ltd and Unicharm Corp. have unfolded an adult diaper that has a built-in censor to let the diaper know when it's time to take action.Action is...activate the pump... Continue Reading
Posted at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 15. How much does it cost to fly to Japan to teach ESL?
Bill Belew April 30, 2007
Question # 15. How much does it cost to fly there?The answer to this question, of course, depends on where you are flying from.However, any more, it seems that a person get to Japan from anywhere for less than a... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr29
High School Students Don Samurai Garb, Act Out Life-siize Game of Japanese Chess
Bill Belew April 29, 2007
The city of Tendo, Yamagata, is the largest producer of shogi (Japanese chess) pieces in Japan.On April 21st, the city reproduced a scene of the ancient warlord, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, by having a group of high school students dress up in... Continue Reading
Posted at 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japan's Hottest Girls - Numbers 1 - 24
Bill Belew April 29, 2007
For those who missed these the first time around, here is a series on Japan's Hottest Girls - Numbers 1-24, in reverse order.Somehow, the numbers are off...but I'll try to figure that out later. Series - Japan's Hottest Girls # 24... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments
TokyoTimes - Visiting Japan without getting on a plane - a laugh and an education
Bill Belew April 29, 2007
Having been away from Japan now for more than 3 some years I have to live vicariously through others, find someone who is there, who can tell me what is going on, who can make me remember why I enjoyed... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr28
Golden Week Exodus Begins
Bill Belew April 28, 2007
It should have been this easy for Moses.If the first and last plagues were declared holidays and a third was sandwiched in between, the Israelites could have left under pretenses of taking a vacation...and then not come back.Narita International Airport... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments
4 Ways Citigroup is Shaking Up Japan's Securities Market
Bill Belew April 28, 2007
Citigroup just spent 920 bllion yen to raise its stake to 61% in the Japanese brokerage, Nikko Cordial Corp. Japan's third largest.It was the largest ever acquisition of a Japanese firm by a foreign company.The purchase is expected to intensify... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
7 Reasons Why the Japanese May be Able to Purchase the F-22 Raptors
Bill Belew April 28, 2007
Lockheed Martin Corp.'s radar-evading F-22 Raptor, is America's best...the highest end of technology and its NOT FOR SALE....yet.Japan may be able to get its hands on it IF:1. Japan can come up with enough money...everything is for sale...it's a matter... Continue Reading
Posted at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments
5 Reasons why the F-22 Raptors are NOT for Sale - to Japan, Israel or Anyone Else
Bill Belew April 28, 2007
A U.S. government arms-sale official said the prospects for another country buying America's premier jet fighter, Lockheed Martin Corp.'s radar-evading F-22 Raptor, including Japan or Israel won't happen.Here's why:1. It would cost more than $1 billion making it "prohibitively expensive."2.... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments
Chinese Sex Worker Kidnapped - Freed - Arrested
Bill Belew April 28, 2007
A Chinese sex shop worker was kidnapped and held captive for six days in Tokyo.Yikes...poor lady, 37-years old.Bruised on her face and wrists because of mandhandling, the woman also endured being bound and blindfolded by 4-5 men for six days.Enter... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
5 Signs that a Japanese Office Lady is Interested in You - 2 Techniques to Show You She Might NOT be
Bill Belew April 28, 2007
OLs (office ladies)...keep Japanese companies running...keep their bosses watered, or teaed down...and apparently want to be sure some of their colleagues are satisfied AFTER work as well. What are some of the signs that the sexy little girl at the... Continue Reading
Posted at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments
80% Support the Death Penalty
Bill Belew April 28, 2007
Japan usually avoids executions while parliament is in session to avoid criticism from lawmakers.The country also comes under fire from human rights groups for executing inmates in relative secrecy and with no notice - to avoid last minute appeals."Yo! Let's... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr27
Japan's Hottest Girl - Akie Abe - Visiting with Laura Bush
Bill Belew April 27, 2007
A girl, in this case, woman, does NOT have to take her clothes off, wear a bikini, a micro mini skirt, or talk goofy on tv shows to be popular in Japan.Prime Minister Abe's wife, Akie Abe, much like Laura... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japan Plans to Launch Maglev Trains
Bill Belew April 27, 2007
Japan wants to have its own maglev (magnetic levitation) train in service by 2025.The train will run from Tokyo to Nagoya with a top speed of 500kph (310mph). The trains can go faster because they float and there is much... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
Nearly $300 million Gone Missing
Bill Belew April 27, 2007
Japan gave debt relief grant aid to 20 countries in 2002. Nineteen of the official development assistance (ODA) recipients have yet to report the use of about 31.2 billion yen...almost $300 million.The only country to come clean is Mali which... Continue Reading
Posted at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Japanese University Finds Way Cut Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Costs
Bill Belew April 27, 2007
Tokai University in Japan was able to synthesize a new type of compound from inexpensive materials that will absorb hydrogen, work at temps of 300C, and release the hydrogen within one hour.It also meets a 3% by-weight absorption criteria set... Continue Reading
Posted at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Who makes the best kind of English as a second language teacher in Japan?
Bill Belew April 27, 2007
She was remembered as a woman who was "outgoing" and the "life-and-soul" of any party, compassionate towards others, hard-working and intelligent student who helped with community projects and taught disabled children to swim." Her boyfriend said, "She loved being in... Continue Reading
Posted at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 14. What are the ESL teaching conditions like in Japan?
Bill Belew April 27, 2007
Question # 14. What are the working conditions like?Depending on the number of students the teacher has the working conditions usually amount to a room about the size of your bedroom - roku-jo or hachi-jo.There might be a table that... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr26
Study of Japanese on the Rise
Bill Belew April 26, 2007
It's a sure sign that the Japanese economy is back. More and more students are opting to study the language again.In England, "research, conducted by the University Central Admissions Service, tabled a 37 percent year-on-year rise in applications to study... Continue Reading
Posted at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
Nissan Sees First Loss in 7 Years
Bill Belew April 26, 2007
While Mitsubishi is making money after a long stretch of unprofitable years, Nissan Motor Co. saw its first year ending in the red in 7 years.Nissan's Infiniti, Altima and Z sportscars are not able to keep up with its rivals... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
Mitsubishi Sees first profit in 4 Years
Bill Belew April 26, 2007
It is the first time for Mitsubishi to see a profit (8.7 billion) after four consecutive years of losses (92 billion in '05).It has taken that long for the company to recover from a recall scandal several years ago.The company... Continue Reading
Posted at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
Sony Launches "eyeVio" a YouTube Rival in Japan
Bill Belew April 26, 2007
Sony Corp, the Japanese entertainment giant, will launch a free video sharing service on Friday as it seeks synergy in its portable electronics and game business.The name of the service is "eyeVio" and works just like Youtube...users upload and share... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japanese Anime Headed for Hollywood
Bill Belew April 26, 2007
Hollywood has successfully remade "The Grudge," "The Ring" or "Shall We Dance" and lately has done well with flicks about Japan - "Letters From Iwo Jima" and "Memoirs of a Geisha," "Last Samurai" and so on.Now, Hollywood wants to try... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments
Sumitomo Ties Up with Evergreen Energy Inc.
Bill Belew April 26, 2007
Sumitomo Corp and Evergreen Energy are both coal-refining companies.Both want to expand into processing low-grade coal to use at powerstations.Evergreen has the technology to give low-grade coal a quality comparable to the coal used in power stations.Sumitomo has money to... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 13. Will I receive ESL training when I go to Japan to teach?
Bill Belew April 26, 2007
Question #13. Will I receive training when I get there?Most schools will teach you how to find your classroom. That's about it. If you find a school that does more think happy thoughts.At our schools, we allowed new teachers to... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr25
Sino-Japanese Trade Surpasses Japan-US Trade for the first time
Bill Belew April 25, 2007
For the first time Japan and China (sans Hong Kong) swapped more goods in one year than Japan and the US did.Total trade with China amounted to $214.62 billion.If Hong Kong is thrown into the picture, Japan and China/Hong Kong... Continue Reading
Posted at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Sharp Reports Sharp Increase in Profits
Bill Belew April 25, 2007
Sharp Corp's profits jumped 15% this fiscal year.Sharp increase in sales of the following items are credited:1. flat-panel televisions2. cell phones3. refrigerators.Let's see, how about a flat screen embedded fridge with a detachable handle that can make phone calls?Sales reached... Continue Reading
Posted at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Beat Your Dentures into Ipods and Car Parts
Bill Belew April 25, 2007
I have heard of beating your plowshares into swords and vice versa but a dental technician with a bucket of about 3,000 sets of false teeth that he has collected since just last December has another idea.By his calculations, each... Continue Reading
Posted at 6:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
No One's Perfect - Legless/armless Teacher addresses school children - Hirotada Ototake
Bill Belew April 25, 2007
Great story...been around in Japan for a while ...is now making its way around the globe.Hirotada Ototake is the best selling author of the book No One's Perfect. He would know. He has no arms and no legs.Yet, on April... Continue Reading
Posted at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments
Internet Speed Record Broken
Bill Belew April 25, 2007
A group in Japan has broken the Internet Speed record - twice in two days.Over the high-speed Internet2 network the group from Tokyo University sent data over a 20,000 mile route at 9.08 Gbps.Data started in Tokyo, went to Chicago,... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments
Motion Sensitive Mobile Phones Introduced in Japan
Bill Belew April 25, 2007
Mobile phones that can be used to play action games like the Nintendo Wii console or detect motion using their built-in cameras are coming to Japan.NTT DoCoMo's D904i can be used like a tennis racket, fishing pole or steering wheel.Sharp... Continue Reading
Posted at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 12. What kind of living arrangements will I have when teaching ESL in Japan?
Bill Belew April 25, 2007
Question #12. What kind of living arrangements will I have?Apartments can be studio sized to 1LDK, 2LDk or bigger. L-living, D-dining, Kitchen and a bath (furo) and toilet in a separate room.In the big city, think small arrangements. In the... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr24
Toyota Tops GM in First Quarter
Bill Belew April 24, 2007
Toyota beat GM in first quarter sales....2.35 million units, up 9.2% to GM's 2.26 million units, up 3%.Three quarters to go....Last year GM outsold Toyota 9.1 million to 8.8 million.A GM spokesperson said, ``One analyst said, "It's not about market... Continue Reading
Posted at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments
The Two Fastest Growing Fast Food Restaurants in Japan
Bill Belew April 24, 2007
Japanese are bucking the healthy eating trend. Apparently they can afford to gain a few pounds.Fast food establishments in Japan are seeing a 7.1% growth in sales...soon to be followed by waistlines and health food bills.The two most popular restaurants...Yoshinoya... Continue Reading
Posted at 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments
Unified Achievement Tests Revived after 43 Year Absence
Bill Belew April 24, 2007
For the first time in 43 years, students in Japan, more than 2.3 million of them, sat for unified achievement tests. "The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology organized the comprehensive tests of mathematics and the Japanese language... Continue Reading
Posted at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments
Preschools Receive Extortion Threats
Bill Belew April 24, 2007
Several preschool centers in Saga, Japan have received threats...give us some money or we beat your kids.There are definintely knotheads on both sides of the big pond, but for some reason, Japan seems to have more than its fair share...or... Continue Reading
Posted at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japan's Asia International Open Championships Cheerleading Team
Bill Belew April 24, 2007
I love Japan but...Somebody or somebodies need to go back into the room and NOT come out till they come up with a better name for their cheerleaders.One of Japan's teams at the Cheerleading Asia International Open Championships is called... Continue Reading
Posted at 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 11. What kind of visa do I need to teach ESL in Japan?
Bill Belew April 24, 2007
Question #11. What kind of visa do I need?If the country does not have a 'working holiday' relationship, the Japanese government requires all teachers to have a working visa that must be obtained by the sponsoring school or organization.The language... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr23
NEC, Nihon Unisys, Hitachi, Oki Electric Develop Open Source Software Ops
Bill Belew April 23, 2007
"In answer to rising demand for the free software, which has the potential to reduce operation and development costs of its users" four Japanese electronics firms are building up operations to help companies install Open Source Software (OSS). Hitachi Ltd.... Continue Reading
Posted at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japan and India Pledge to Work Together in Energy Field
Bill Belew April 23, 2007
With electricity demand on the rise in India, India is seeking to facilitate joint development and private-sector alliances for its power plants and transmission networks.At a ministerial level meeting Japan and India agreed on plans to establish groups to work... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments
Small Japanese Town Chosen as Site for G-8 Summit
Bill Belew April 23, 2007
Japan will host the G-8 Summit for the fifth time in 2008.The small town of Toyako on one of Japan's four MAIN islands, the northernmost island of Hokkaido, was chosen as the site.The site is said to be suitable because:1.... Continue Reading
Posted at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments
McRefugees in Japan
Bill Belew April 23, 2007
24-hour Internet cafes are too high class AND too expensive for the homeless in Japan.For a couple of thousand yen the homeless can sleep over at the all night cafes...but...who has several thousand yen when you are homeless and out... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments
Rock-Paper-Scissors Goes Vegas
Bill Belew April 23, 2007
This reminds me of one of those 'signs the world is ending' blurbs I used to see in SportsIllustrated.Japan's Rock-Paper-Scissors (gu-choki-pa in Japanese) game has gone Vegas.There is a USA Rock, Paper, Scissors League National competition with a $50,000 grand... Continue Reading
Posted at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 10. Where can I make the most money teaching ESL in Japan?
Bill Belew April 23, 2007
Question # 10. Where can I make the most money?The major metropolitan areas will pay the most in living arrangements but I don't know that the base salary is any better.Tokyo has made 250,000/month the guaranteed minimum and most language... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr22
April Matsuri - Japan Blog Carnival Announcement
Bill Belew April 22, 2007
Reprinted from RockinginHakataGet ready to party…another matsuri is coming! Another Japan Blog Matsuri, to be exact. Let it be known that I am the designated host for the April edition of the Japan Blog Matsuri. Last month’s matsuri, hosted by... Continue Reading
Posted at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments
Apr21
Japan's Hottest Girl - Singer-Songwriter - Ayaka
Bill Belew April 21, 2007
Japan has a new singer-songwriter star...known as Ayaka. Her full name is Ayaka Iida, born in Osaka.Next Monday, it will be announced that 19-year old Ayaka's first album will surpass 1 million in copies, the first time a Japanese female... Continue Reading
Posted at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr20
Gangster Shootings - Two in One Week
Bill Belew April 20, 2007
Despite two shootings in one week, and two deaths, there are fewer shootings in Japan, with its strict gun control laws, than there are in Oakland on a Friday night.Still, a gang member shot dead a rival gang member in... Continue Reading
Posted at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments
War-time Prostitutes - Lucrative Business
Bill Belew April 20, 2007
Waffle...waffle...waffle...Potlickers in Japan can't seem to make up their minds."Historians say hundreds of thousands of women, mainly from Korea, the Philippines and China, were forced into Japanese front-line brothels in the 1930s and '40s."Japan has apologized again and again and... Continue Reading
Posted at 9:40 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japanese/German Defense Chiefs Point Finger at Chinese Military Spending
Bill Belew April 20, 2007
Ever since Chinese troops crushed pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 the EU has imposed a weapons embargo on China.China wants it lifted.Japan's Defense Ministry is calling China's military expansion a top regional security concern.Some Japanese officials are... Continue Reading
Posted at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments
Japan's Hottest Girl - Brains + Boobs = Rei Kikukawa
Bill Belew April 20, 2007
Rei Kikukawa is called the "intelligent idol."The 29-year old is a graduate of the Engineering Faculty at Tokyo University, Japan's most revered academic institution.But, sadly, or maybe not, what has everyone's attention was her appearance in a bra commercial for... Continue Reading
Posted at 7:14 PM | Permalink | Comments
8 Japanese Bombs Found in Northeast China
Bill Belew April 20, 2007
Police out hanging out in northeastern China, doing what police do when they hang out, came upon eight bombs that apparently had been abandoned by Japanese troops during WWI.The bombs were "seriously eroded, without fuses, but still dangerous." The discovery... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:21 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 9. How much money can I make teaching ESL in Japan?
Bill Belew April 20, 2007
Question #9. How much money can I make?There is not as much money to be made in Japan teaching ESL now as there used to be.The going rate seems to be about 250,000 a month for spending 20 hours in... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr19
Mobile Phone Matchmaking Ends Up with Teacher having Sex with 14-year old
Bill Belew April 19, 2007
In october of last year, a 29-year old teacher at a Municipal Junior High School in Sapporo met a young girl, half his age and the age of many of his students, on a mobile phone matchmaking site according to... Continue Reading
Posted at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Solar Cell Production Target - 180% by 2010
Bill Belew April 19, 2007
Japan's solar energy system maker Kyocera Corp says it will increase its annual production of solar cells by 180% within the next three years.30 billion yen will be invested to expand overseas assembly plants and turn out more parts at... Continue Reading
Posted at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Toyota Offers Advice to Detroit
Bill Belew April 19, 2007
Ford Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group and General Motors Corp see their buisness in the pits.Toyota last year marked its fifth year in a row of global growth in sales.Toyota North America President Jim Press, 60, became the first... Continue Reading
Posted at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Japanese Professor Tackles Science of Failurology
Bill Belew April 19, 2007
I don't think this field is related to the urinary tract in any way though I may be wrong.A professor at Kogakuin University studies "failurology" the science of analyzing failures and errors in society.His aim is to scientifically reexamine accidents... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
The last thing Japanese do before jumping to their death
Bill Belew April 19, 2007
He was a good boy, a good student, and wasn't bullied.After club practice he parted with his school friends at about 6:40 and climbed the stairs instead of going home.He remembered to write a suicide note, then did the last... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 8. What kind of things should I leave behind when going to Japan to teach ESL?
Bill Belew April 19, 2007
Question # 8. What kind of things should I leave behind?This question is easy to answer. If you cannot fit it into your luggage, do NOT bring it. You do NOT need a bicycle, a bowling ball, a cabinet or... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Apr18
Toyota Open to New Manufacturing Plant in Michigan
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
Toyota's newest board member and first non-Japanese one said at a luncheon that Toyota was still open to building a manufacturing plant in Michigan.That's like taking on the big three, Ford Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group and General Motors... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments
Honda-Dongfeng Target 60% Growth
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co. in Shanghai are hoping to sell 100,000 cars in 2007.Local production of the Honda Civic began last year with a 120,000 unit annual capacity.Honda and Dongfeng also hope to expand its dealership from its current 120... Continue Reading
Posted at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments
Why a man would throw a 3-year old boy from a pedestrian overpass
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
An unemployed man in Osaka has been charged for throwing a 3-year old boy from a pedestrian overpass.The little fellow was seriously injured but survived.Prosecutors said the man hurled the little tike from the overpass to vent his dissatisfaction with... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments
$15 Billion for a Cigarette
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
The world's third largest tobacco company, Japan Tobacco, bought Britain's Gallerher Group for $15 billion.Japan tobacco is the overseas distributor for Winston, Camel and Salem cigarettes.With Japan's smoking rates decling, this acquisition will allow Japan tobacco to take their coffin... Continue Reading
Posted at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments
Sharp Develops Tiny Display with Better Contrast
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
With more and more people watching TV on their cellphones, Sharp Corp. saw a market.The company has produced a tiny liquid display with four times better contrast than previous products. 2000:1 instead of 500:1..that works well in sunlight.Japanese phones receive... Continue Reading
Posted at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Fuel Cell Cars Take 7 Steps Closer to Reality
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
Honda Motor Co test drove its latest prototype fuel cell car at a professional race track in Japan.We might be a dozen or so years away from having this new gas guzzling alternative to a fictitious global warming.1. The vehicle... Continue Reading
Posted at 4:00 AM | Permalink | Comments
Spider-man 3 Opens in Tokyo
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
Why would Spider-man 3 open in Tokyo first? Not the U.S.?Tobey Maguire and co-star Kirsten Dunst along with director Sam Raimi each got their first look at the final cut of the third installment of the Spider-man series.Maguire, "kind of... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments
Question # 7. What kind of things should I take to Japan to teach ESL?
Bill Belew April 18, 2007
Question #7. What kind of things should I take?We hired a very close friend of mine that I had known from high school. She and her husband were newlyweds and teaching English in Japan was how they planned to get... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments