Made in Bangladesh

This is my pass case which I bought in Tokyo today. This was made in Bangladesh. The price is around 20 dollars.

This product was sold by Motherhouse, a Japanese company. The president is a young lady who wants to build up a certain level of brand from developing country like Bangladesh. When you buy the products, it means your money can support Bangladesh's economy.

I met her a couple of years ago, and sometimes receive email information on this company's activity. Some media have introduced Motherhouse and it is getting to be famous.

I went to its shop with my friends finally today. I keep thinking to buy something and want to contribute in some way so far, and the shop was very nice design and good atmosphere.

This case was made of leather in Bangladesh. The company has its own factory there, and hires many local people. Providing the place to work will lead self-dependence style in economy.

I am not sure in detail, but I have sometimes heard a story that giving money to governments tends to lead to corruption. This business style shows another way to assist developing countries' economy.

Today I bought one, and I will start thinking of Bangladesh much more when I use this case.

Do you want to experience earthquake?

Recently, I read one article which introduced a story on foreign travellers' expectation in Japan. As you may know, the Japanese government set one campaign, "Visit Japan" to the world. Many people have come to Japan, and according to this article, many travellers say they want to experience earthquake. It tells their impression toward Japan.

People want to see some different points when they come to Japan. It is natural, I think. But of course, earthquake causes sad things, and it is not fun at all. I talked this topic with friends today, and one of my friends who works for a media company told me that some foreign media still request to deliver unique stories... they do not care the Japanese politics or policies, but some "different" things compared with the US or UK culture.

Samurai, geisha, sushi... I say, these are actually some aspects of Japanese culture. I wish it would be so nice if people want to experience Japanese unique hospitality and kindness.

Public Diplomacy

The market went turbulence on last Friday. The reason was the US congress situation which could not pass the automakers bailout plan. The people in the market said they were afraid of the future of the US economy.

The White House announced the statement to consider the options to bailout the automakers with using the TARP program. I can reach this information through media, and of course, the website. The White House provides much information including this statement and dialog with Press and Press Secretary. It is the transparent process for us to understand what kind of discussion was held there, and I think it is good. But at the same time, I am thinking we should not satisfied with much information it provides... not enough to understand why it is so slow to avoid the confusion.

Year End and New Year Plan

According to JTB survey, the number of people who plan to go abroad at the end of this year, 4.6% decreased compared with the last year data. The yen has become stronger than the US dollar or the Euro, so it is good to go abroad... but I need to work until the end of December this year. And the data shows how people suffer from this economic recession.

Thinking of the world will lead me something new discovery, and that is the most attractive point. I can learn I am not the one who can be satisfied with the current self through travelling.

Need to set my own goal

Working for an organisation sometimes provides me tough challenge. It is sometimes hard to overcome. To be honest, I am feeling that way now. I need to set myself calm down, and take in deep consideration about my future and dream. What kind of a man I want to be? What do I want to do in a short and long run?

I know I am not alone, but sometimes I need to make my own decision by myself... no one can do it for me. I need to face with tough situation.

With feeling my anxiety, I watched sports on TV yesterday and today. Those give me some energy to keep on going. I am now feeling I will be able to stay calm as usual, and not to care of what others will say.

Has anything begun to change?

The incident in Thailand, and the tense in India... these things show the aspect of the world. Has anything begun to change? For which direction? This weblog title is "feel the globe" and I want to feel it through good events and news.

For Precise Understanding

I begin to think of the relationship between precise understanding and taking some rest. It is actually difficult to understand what is going on in world economy. Today, dollar was sold per yen and euro. The stock declined about 1%. The FRB announced its new policy yesterday, and some people said it showed how serious the economy is, and others said it would be good to do something substantial. What kind of things do the investors care?

In order to understand everything in a short time, I need to concentrate. And it is necessary to take enough sleep to concentrate. Enough rests provides peace mind... I tend to be short-tempered recently and it may be a sign to warn unbalance of my mind.

3 days holidays

In Japan, it was a short vacation from Saturday to today. I have been able to take rests for all days. I have tried to sleep as much as I can to save my energy for this week.

It is getting to be cold these days. I imagine how cold Leeds is now... it may be colder than here.

Murders and wrong doings go around in the news media. The investors seem to worry about the Citi Group's situation, and the government announced its support plans. What about the Big 3? Concerns will be barrier for the stock market, I suppose.

The Summit

The Summit on Financial Market was closed in Washington. People say it is G-20 conference. I was a little surprised to see the way of organisation to the press. I can see the symbol mark and the meeting place's walls were covered with the sophisticated design. I am wondering who coordinated this. Which company, and who managed everything?

I remember that I have learned a concept "public diplomacy". It might be a good chance to show the US's power in terms of leadership among countries. I would say, the summit was a kind of "stage" to perform or promote the US as a leader.

If you go to the website of the White House, you can see much information on this summit such as Bush's speech and other statements. They provide so many things including videos, and I am not sure it is actually useful or meaningful. We have to take in consideration that this flow is just from one side. This is not the two-way communication.

Health

Recently, I always think of importance of being healthy. I sometimes feel strong headache, and start thinking possibility to have a bad disease. I need some holidays to be away from works, but it is actually hard. There is some pressure not to take them.

A Japanese magazine editor opened a hotel in Kenya almost 15 years ago. The hotel provides so-called western culture including cuisine, but it is not a bad thing. People can visit Kenya and spend much money there which gives wealthy to people. I heard this story almost one month ago, and in the time like I spent these days, I just dream that I could go there to feel the nature there.
http://www.mpata.com/index.html

I was invited friend's house to have dinner. It was good to talk about leadership, management, and future technology to protect the earth. I want to put myself in good conversation, simply.

1 Year Anniversary

One year has passed since I opened this weblog. Time flies so fast and I have tried to keep writing my thoughts in many areas of communication. I will continue to pick up interesting news topics and personal point of view on them.

The latest market trends show how the world connects each other. One country cannot solve this fear of markets. That is the way of economy and world.

The Market Turbulence Still Goes On...

Today was another tough day for the market. The stocks declined as same as the level of 26 years ago, 1982. I was a elementary school boy at that time. The investors suffer from this sharp decline so that they seem to hesitate to restart investing other stocks.

I got an email from my friend who lives in Iceland. It is simply good to have friends all over the world because I can understand many things through their insight. Feel close.

I learned that Iceland had been in trouble with British for a few days. The world seems to change in many stages. The relationship with Russia stimulate the situation between Iceland and British, I think. Somebody tries to end the system which we deserve at this moment, and make another one which allows to change the players in world politics.

Stand for the Weak

This week was very tough for me. There were a tons of work to be done within short time, and I needed to research many things related to the stock market. I have once checked the Wall Street Journal, but the terms were difficult enough to translate into easy Japanese.

The Japanese stocks declined sharply today. In a sense, the turbulence generally stimulates the journalists' minds. We can see something new when we face with the unusual things. But today, I have been feeling unhappy because I am thinking of an old lady who purchased stocks with her money savings to use for the rest of her life.

I saw a news program which she was introduced. She seemed unfamiliar with the market. I can guess that the security company just sold some products to her without enough explanation on risks. She said she got so disappointed with recent market movement. It has been secret among family members about this loss.

I am now thinking of the journalism concept, stand for the weak. I just tend to follow what happens in front of me. It takes time to find and understand the weak's voice, but it does not mean it is okay not to do it. I think this is the time to use my imagination in my work.

Thinking of Africa

I joined a symposium on global issues and Africa held in Tokyo on Saturday. I could listen to the speech by Dr. John Hamre, the CEO of CSIS and other intelligent people. The United States seems to have its own strategy in terms of the use of military, morality, and financial business. In addition to the things which Dr. John mentioned, I would say, its attitude toward the environmental issues including foods has not been good. The US seems to get off a position to commit many things as a leader in the world and try to focus on its own direct and short-term interest. The question is, who will design the world? Who will try to perform as a leader?

And I had a chance to listen to Mr. Emile Rwamasirabo, an Ambassador of Rwanda. He said we must know Africa's history to take in consideration today's Africa. I say I am not familiar with what Japanese government has done to support these countries, and the current situation among these. I could learn that they have thought to have a common currency among some African countries. It seems the visions and thoughts of the Western ways have spread there.

Coincidentally, in the midnight, I could watch a movie, Hotel Rwanda. In the genocide, radio had played a role to cause the situation worse. The movie describes how easy people tend to flow the trends, and the importance for people to stand up to difficulties with using their own experience and intelligence. It also describes the strength of love for families, and indifference of developed countries. The people were waiting for the help from the West.

In 1994, I had already started my career. I was concentrated on my problems only. But now, I have learned and can use my imagination with thinking of my African friends lives.

Leeds Alumni Meeting in Tokyo

I had worked for more than 12hours and I thought I should skip today's Leeds Alumni Meeting in Tokyo to save my energy for tomorrow. I need to wake up about 5 hours later now but I want to say it was good to meet people who are related to Leeds in some way. I know some people I have met in Leeds and I could talk to some business people sharing each experiences in Leeds. I felt time flied. I was planning to be there for 30 minutes but I was there for 1 hour and half.

A Couple of Days Off

From last Saturday to today, I took holidays. It was nice to take much sleep and could feel relaxed. Good to be away from job circumstance physically. No pressure, no complaints. I was planning to go to a movie house but I preferred to stay at home. Reading some articles to settle my brain and mind, trying to clean my room, and chat with my parents.

I started to study some foreign languages again, and it is interesting. I have some foreign friends and it is very lucky. I learned some sentences in German, Malay, and French as follows:

Guten Tag! Boleh saya ambil gambar? Pardon?

Knowing the new things restricts me not to be proud of myself too much.

Mission

The Tokyo Market felled sharply again yesterday. The Nikkei 225 Index declined 11% during the hours for buying and selling. I was in charge of reporting it yesterday and so hard to catch up every second. Tried to make no mistake, and tried to show the points of things we need to take in consideration and to understand. As a professional writer, of course, readers does not want to hear any excuses and heartache and I know it, I need to be sensitive to news and accurateness.

TV Asahi, one of the Japanese TV broadcasting company has some news programs in a day. One reported a Japanese life insurance company's failure yesterday, but they misunderstood the name. Why did it happen?

I am thinking of professionalism recently. If you think of your work as just a job for living, it may be difficult to devote your energies. In other words, it is a matter of having a mission in your life.

Reflection

At the end of the day, I cannot remember well what I did in the morning. It seems important for me to look back.

For example, today I woke up at 5:50 am. And left for my company at 6:10 and I missed the train arrived at my station at 6:14. I was listening to a radio to check the New York market. On my way to go to my company, I read a newspaper. I arrived my company at 7:09.

In the morning, I tried to figure out what happened in the US market with eating a cheese cake which was really sweet. It is actually heavy as my breakfast so I did not feel comfortable today's morning. Well, my editor asked me to write one article of analyst's comment on today's Tokyo stock market.

In noon, I went to one Japanese security company to take a short lecture on recent turbulence.
To be honest, I needed to fight the devil which try to make me sleep.

After that, I came back to my desk to understand what to do next. I decided to join one press conference and wrote one feature story within 90 minutes. I finished all works for today at 19:30. I came back to my house at 21:20.

Now it is 23:20. I need to wake up 4:30am tomorrow. I need to learn some tactic to make myself healthy.

Sharp decline again in Tokyo Stock Market

Today's Nikkei 225 index sharply declined about 9% in a day and it is the 3rd worst in history. They say investors are afraid of having volatile assets such as stocks, commodities, high rate country's currencies, and so on. They can just rely on cash which is considered as safe asset. Anyway, I kept watching the movement today and wrote 14 article from 9am to 6pm. I could feel the countries have strong relationship in terms of economy.

Tokyo Stock Decline again

Today is Monday, and the Tokyo stock market was just reflection of the US market last Friday. The main index, Nikkei 225 went down more than 4%. So tired to search the reason why it happened. Pessimism toward the US and Europe financial situation.