Dropped Tourist number

Tourist number have dropped in Japan, The daily average of tourist
arrivals at the two main airports in Japan has dropped to 5,000 from
15,500 last year in March. Foreign tourist arrivals at the Narita
Airport in Tokyo have dropped by 75% in March. In 2011, Japan had hoped
to attract 11 million foreign tourist.

If you are talking about the situation around Tokyo area, let's look at
this issue from overall point of view which includes not only Tokyo area
but entire Japan. If we get enough tourist number as whole number, it's
good solution.
No need to stick to Tokyo. Let's rely on other part of Japan apart from
Tokyo. In this sense, Kyushu is the one of the best candidate for
example, which is located in southwest.

Significant prefecture in Kyushu is Kagoshima.
The prefecture boasts a chain of active and dormant volcanoes, including
the great Sakurajima. There are a lot of hot spring bath, natural sand bath.
The climate there is a subtropical climate. They can enjoy Japanese
taste life -- Ryokan or Japanese style inn, Shochu or Liquor distilled
from various agricultural product such as sweet potato. It's not
necessary to visit Tokyo. Increasing number of visitor for southwest
Japan is straightforward solution.

Secondary, we can rely on cooperation with Korea as neighbour.
Geometrically, Seoul which is capital city of Korea is close to Kyushu
island. Just 1 and half hour flight. We can consider this as local
destination.
How about combination tour? two nights in Seoul, two nights in Kagoshima.
Seoul city resembles Tokyo since it has good contrast between
traditional and modern, industrialized environment, safe/clean and high
standards of living and education. Not necessary to visit Tokyo. Visit
Kagoshima via Seoul for example. Western people can experience Korea and
Japan at one time. As proverb goes, killing two birds with one stone.
Tourist industry in both nations are willing to share the benefit.

I don't need extream nationalism

I'm going to take up nationalism today. In the past, I didn't have any
strong opinion about nationalism. But recently, I've have had some chances
to think it over. After several thoughs, I reached my conclusion that
today's Japanese nationalism is outmoded anymore, in other words, it can
be obstacle for mutual understanding in period of globalization.

Firstly, it would have a negative impact on the feeling of foreign
countries. The other day, I went to Yasukuni shrine for Hanami viewing.
It's brilliant and my feeling was full of herald of spring. I encountered
parade of military costume performer. Needless to say, a lot of foreign
visitors were included in audiences. I heard some conversation saying
that "it's weird" from foreigners. Apparently, this demonstration could
reflect Japanese notorious imperialism. I was so embarrassed.

Secondly, it would be hamper for business expansion and cross culture.
Let's take Takeshima which is disputed island for example. I was asked
my opinion about this diplomatic problem by my close Korean friend. I know
Takeshima has been controversial issue between Korea and Japan for the
purpose of hegemony such as exclusive economic zone. But I can imagine this
can be more serious as sentimental problem than I expected. If so, it's a
pity. I believe two countries are now establishing very good partnership
in business and pop culture. I want to consider that only tiny
percentage of people bring this issue up. I want them to refrain from
standing in the way.

In conclusion, I hope nationalism will not influence on mutual understanding.

After long interval....

It's high time to resume my blog. Thanks to one of my higher-up' influence, I made up my mind resuming posting. He has own his blog and regularly updates it. No doubt his diligence and persistence are great! I can learn a lot from his effort.

Day 1st in Thai land

Atmosphere at Anantara Koh Samui perfectly matches our image of south Asian
culture. It would rather go beyond my expectation. I'm very happy to experience
stay at Anantara. Facilities including garden, pool, room, lighting, BGM
are perfect! Besides, neat and clean! I thought I would be annoyed by
a lot of mosquitoes and bugs. But it's totally different from my worry
before I visit.
On the top of that, I don't forget how staff members are well trained.
Greeting(which is trivial but very important as Asian culture), English,
sophisticated attitude and so on. There is no room to complain.
http://samui.anantara.com/default.aspx

Which has the bigger impact TV or the internet?

Both sources are beneficial to all of us as information sources. I believe that the internet has the bigger impact on our lives.

First, the internet is literally World Wide Web to exchange information. Information on the net is distributed from the four corners of the earth. For example, I can have a net meeting with multiple locations. One engineer in the U.K, other engineer in the U.S and myself in Japan. We can get this benefit through the internet. On the contrary, TV is relatively local operation restricted physical limitation such as signal transmission on air. Specific devices for satellite TV and cable TV are more or less needed. I’m afraid the flow of information is intermittent over continuance.

Secondly, we can access enormous knowledge in the world through such as Wikipedia, Yahoo search engine. You can choose them on your own decision. You can do it at the moment you want to know. However, TV unilaterally sends information to the audience. You are just given the information TV program feeds. Some of information is not necessary for you. You might not be allowed to access the information you want.

Thirdly, we can experience active mode to send information and passive mode to receive information on the net. We can easily send information to all over the world. However, TV doesn’t have any active aspects distributing information from individual. Bilateral information route is the biggest benefit of the internet.
In conclusion, I believe that the internet has at least great advantages against TV.

Changing in women's attitude towards their career

These days, women have an important role in our society. I’ll discuss two aspect of this topic.

First of all, they pursuit their own career more than before. Performance based system, so called merit system has been installed in our society for the last two decades. In essence, this system is not a matter of gender as long as they can perform well. In this environment, the roll of women has been changing. I can relate to my work place. The number of female engineers is significantly increasing. In the past, 10% of all employees are female engineers. But it increases up to around 40%. They continue their career after getting married or having baby. It’s a good evidence that they pursuit their own accomplishment/fulfillment on the job.

Secondly, they expand their choices of employment. They don’t hesitate to take jobs under harsh condition such as long working hours and risky vocation. For example, at my work place, we have female security guard at the entrance gate. She is strapping lady though. In the past, only male guards served. But the number of female guards has increased for the last decade. I believe that the variety of women’s career has been expanded.

In conclusion, they enhance the possibility to play an active role in our society.

Why are Japanese people getting married later and living with their parents longer?

Increasingly, getting married later and living with their parents longer have become recent trend for the last two decades. I’ll discuss two points here.

First of all, changing lifestyle of young people retards the time of getting married. Performance based system has been installed in our society for the last two decades. This system is not a matter of age and gender. As a result, it especially changed the role of young people. One of my female subordinates told me that she wants to pursuit her own fulfillment and challenge. She doesn’t want to be annoyed by house chore, allegiance to family for a while.

Secondly, people tend to live with their parents longer because of financial efficiency.
It is estimated that they need to at least \60000 for rent for 1 bed room in Tokyo. As for those who don't have any stable income, it’s beneficial to live with their parents to avoid paying additional money. I used to go to the university taking two and half hours for one way. I didn’t want to impose further financial burden on my parents.
Thirdly, privacy is well secured in modern age’s family. Before proliferation of nuclear family, sharing room was common. They couldn’t expect to have privacy. Now with changing lifestyle, they are given private room and they fell comfortable in their rooms. In this environment, it’s not necessary for them to live alone.
In conclusion, individualism and financial aspect change our lifestyles.