Published by
Richard Posner
Website
http://www.successinjapan.com
Contact
Us
newsletter@successinjapan.com
Thoughts From Above And Below
What The Schoolmarm Couldn't Teach You
“A
mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions."
- Anonymous”
I recently heard the potential Vice President of the United States say: "It is patriotic for the richest to pay more taxes to uplift the suffering of the struggling middle class and the most needy."
That's pure bunk. The best way to uplift anybody is to rise and lead the way. That is why Jesus said: "Let the dead bury the dead."
Now I'm not a Christian and I'm not trying to flog religion to you, but there is no cavalry coming to save us from the travesty and travails of life. And that's not a bad thing because we grow when we are challenged or when life doles out a small or large dose of unfairness.
Character is built when we must put our minds to work. As my most profound mentor, the late Earl Nightingale said: "We all walk in the dark and each of us must learn to turn on his or her own light."
Many before us have suffered through the deep valley of despair and rose to greatness in all aspects of life. It can be done by us ordinary folks!
Tax breaks, tax increases in the name of patriotism and government intervention has NEVER given a man or woman his or her dignity.
What has done wonders is to nurture a mind which wakes and sleeps with big dreams and an attitude to make those dreams into a reality.
Unfortunately, your schoolmarm and your neighbors for the greater part believe that life is pure luck and unpredictable. They often teach you to follow norms and to stifle the creative urge in order to fit in and move up in society.
So then come along those get-rich-quick schemers who guarantee you that you can escape the money struggles, if you follow their blueprint. The trouble is that their blueprint once again stifles your creativity and problem-solving potential and ability.
In a few words, we give away our power because we don't believe we are capable or worthy of being rich, being a leader, and being true to ourselves.
This problem begins in infancy. Only a very few people get training in essential skills and aptitudes which will serve them for a lifetime.
Such skills as how to fix things, how to problem solve, how to wisely earn and save money, how to finance a home or other big-ticket item, how to become independently wealthy by our age of majority, how the tax code works in your particular country, the purpose of marriage and family, how to start a small business in your home or community, how to control your anger and childish desires, and probably most importantly, how to be happy when the world around you appears to be lined with dark storm clouds.
No government or politician can learn these life skills for you or pass out a magic pill. Our thriving survival in this lightning-fast, changing world depends upon making sure the next generation gets a real education rather than a government whitewash.
Teach your children well by first going back to school and learning the skills essential for a fabulous, balanced life.
Japan Niche Opportunities of the Week
1) Nobody wants to go out of business. Yet so much of Japan is littered with sleepy mom-and-pop shops that stand in the shadows of big, modern department stores and suburban sprawl malls. In a head to head competition against these highly capitalized super stores, the aging merchant doesn't stand a chance. My Japanese friend told me about one such furniture store which is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
An Opportunity: That got me thinking. In past articles I mentioned that such blighted areas are ripe for the picking, but my sentiment is not in favor of that. I'd rather see revival and renewal. Using the furniture shop as an example, the owner could probably go to a vocational school and find a young student or two who could be commissioned to make unique, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces according to a customers desire. This type of out-of-the-box thinking would set such merchants apart from the big business conglomerates which sell only mass consumption, predictable pieces in their floor space. Another possibility is to restore antique furniture for local seniors and then selling these pieces at shop/online auction sites.
2) Discussions are increasing over whether Japan should adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards IFRS) system, which has generally been led by European Union member countries in terms of drawing up rules. The system has been adopted by more than 100 countries, excluding Japan and the United States. If Japan sticks to its own financial accounting standards for domestic companies, it could become isolated internationally. Until recently, the U.S. was also an accounting maverick nation, but now they will also gradually move to the European standards in short order. If Japan caves in, their companies financial standards will be more transparent and appealing to foreign investors and it would make it easier for Japanese firms to procure funds from abroad.
An Opportunity: Although Japan is still considering whether to conform, many insiders feel it is an inevitability. People from European accounting and finance firms could easily find worried companies in Japan who would be willing to buy books, tapes and online seminars that will explain the IFRS in the Japanese language and give many case studies for review.
3)
One
out of every three Japanese seniors aged between 50 and 79 years owns a
TV game machine, according to a survey conducted by the market research
company Net Asia Co. Of the peopled surveyed, 33% replied that they
have the machines. Those who owned the "Play Station 2" of
Sony Computer Entertainment was accounted for the largest part of the
owners (22.8%), followed by the owners of the "PSone" (10.0%)
and those who have the"Wii" of Nintendo (8.6%). Reasons
given for playing such games include that they are more interesting than
thought, family members can play together and have something to talk
about in common, that the help exercise the brain, and unbelievably some
even think they are good for physical exercise.
An Opportunity: There's opportunity here. Pay attention to the reasons they give for using such TV games. With Japan one of the fastest aging countries in the world, these seniors and their desires will be the hugest segment of purchasing power in the years to come. Watch this short, interesting video to get a perspective on a burgeoning market in Japan and elsewhere.
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Eco Australia Seeks Promoter in Japan
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Well-conceived Farm Stays and Agricultural/Eco-tourism Tours. Professional promotional help to market in Japan. Partnership/commission basis. Main Target: Agricultural Universities. Contact Geoff: 61 3 9458 1320 or email us. |
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Want to Introduce Your Product or Service to Japan? Looking for partners? CLICK HERE.
Hokkaido is the biggest and perhaps most beautiful island in the Japanese archipelago. It is cold in the wintertime and cool in the spring summer and early fall. The Sapporo Snow festival with ice carvings is an event one should not miss. Products of Hokkaido include Potato, Crab, Salmon, Dairy Products
Heads Up
I encourage everyone to look at Japan as a place for business, commerce and opportunity in the Twenty-First Century. It is a not only a strong launching ground for enterprise, but the last, great hope for the survival of this planet. Please fill out the form below and join our Japan prosperity circle:
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"Tranquil
Sleep Now" does what no
other sleep |
Coming Up21st International Optical Fair Tokyo from 10/1/08-10/03/08 500 exhibitors from 20 countries display their latest optical ware and accessories. Click HERE for details. Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2008 from 10/01/08-10/05/08 An assembly of various aerospace-related companies and organizations from Japan and abroad in order to promote business and information exchange, as well as to contribute to the development of aerospace-related businesses, educate the public about these businesses, and improve the domestic quality of life. CLICK HERE for details. |
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Cancer Breakthrough
The Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center is in the final stages of human testing of a machine that beams a proton or hydrogen nucleus at a cancerous growth. It can concentrate its radiation dosage to the cancer focus better than X ray which is mainly used in the conventional radiotherapy. Proton cancer therapy, therefore, has fewer side-effects, and it is expected to preserve functions and to maintain the QOL (quality of life) after the therapy. The proposed Fukui Proton Cancer Therapy Center is to be opened as part of Fukui Prefectural Hospital in 2009.
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Four Areas Most Active in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment
METI is implementing a project to support regional activities to attract foreign enterprises. Of the 7 proposals submitted to METI, the four local areas were selected for this purpose.
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Got A Complaint?
The Office of Trade and Investment Ombudsman may well have a case on file in English which clarifies or elaborates common trading and commerce issues CLICK HERE to review this site now.
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If you find this newsletter to be a useful and inspiring resource, please introduce a friend to it and to the website. Help keep this resource FREE.
This Week's Challenge
Little Boy At A Big Piano
by Author Unknown
Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano,
a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they
were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and
walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the
concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored
his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When
the
house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the
mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child
was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on
the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw
her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking
out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance,
quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear,
"Don't quit. Keep playing."
Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left
hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm
reached around to the other side of the child and he added a
running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young
novice transformed a frightening situation into a
wonderfully creative experience. The audience was
mesmerized.
That's the way it is in life. What we can accomplish on our
own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results
aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But when we trust in
the hands of a Greater Power, our life's work truly can be
beautiful.
Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen
carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering
in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
