Uncategorized

Three Scenarios for Japan’s Global Future – Where do we go from here? - KEIZAI SOCIETY: US – JAPAN Business Forum

via keizai.org

Thanks folks for coming to last night's talk! Thank you also for those who watched the live cast.

It turns out that the recording is also on the website right now. If you missed the live cast, please watch this anytime. I am not sure how long it will be up there, so enjoy while you can. Other info, such as speakers' bio and presentation materials are also on this site.

Michi

Three Scenarios for Japan’s Global Future – Where do we go from here? - KEIZAI SOCIETY: US – JAPAN Business Forum

ONLINE LIVE CAST Online live cast provided via UstreamFEES:FREE for those who rsvp before 3/16/2010 at 5:00p.m. (PDT) Log-in instructions for the live cast will be sent on 3/17/2010 to those who registered

via keizai.org

I will speak in Keizai Society event on Mar. 18, on a panel talk with Rochelle Kopp and Kimberly Wiefling. It will be in English, and will be on Ustream. Please come!!

Michi

Japan's absence from Haiti - a signal of "mulfunction"?

3 days after the severe earthquake hit Haiti, Japanese rescue team has just arrived in Haiti.  TV has been showing Obama talking about Haiti every day, and showing the international rescue effort, not only from the neighboring countries, but also from far places such as China and Taiwan, as well as European countries.

I am aware that ports and airports are destroyed and logistics is tough now.  I am aware that all these countries have at least *some* amount of diplomatic/political agenda in providing help.  But I have been a bit concerned about the total absense of Japan from the scene.

I have been believing that the actual relief planning was under way from Japan, even though it does not appear in US media.  US people are not interested in Japan in general, so media often ignores it, so I thought it was the case.  Besides, in the recent cases of the tsunami in Indonesia or 9/11 attack, Japan was very quick to respond.  Haiti was hit by the earthquake, and Japan is, unfortunately, VERY experienced with it, so there are lots of know-how, experienced people, usuful equipments available over there.  So I was almost sure that the government was thinking of something.

But I saw now mention about Japan's actual move even on Japanese media until now.  Blogs and Tweets tell me that the government's move was ACTUALLY quite slow.

I don't know too much in detail about why.  I understand that Haiti is not diplomatically important to Japan.  No past complicated histories exist between Haiti and Japan.  But due to its relative importance in the U.S. is appearant to me, and the countries like China and Taiwan are using the case as their PR opportunity.  Maybe Japan did not have to do that there, but at least, helping such a miserable country is a "common sense / protocol" among the advanced countries.  Japan should have at least declare some official statement in par with European countries.

Japanese media is very quiet about Haiti as well.  It signifies how little importance it has to the political/media circle in this country.  They are too busy picking on Ozawa's corruption case.

That, I still can live with that.  I was working with Latin American market long time ago when I was with Honda, and totally understand how Caribbean nations are SO FAR and unimportant to Japan.  Still, there are so many government officials and politicians in this country, and if at least *some* of them take some initiative, the things may have moved a little quicker, as in the case of Indonesia.

In general, the new Hatoyama - Domocratic party government has been less effective in foreign affairs.  Is this case signifies another evidence that they don't pay attention to the things outside of Japan?  That they are too domestic minded?

Here is my Japanese blog entry.

Michi

Mobile giving via SMS on mobile phones

Just got a list of "mobile giving" for Haiti earthquake releaf. According to Mobile Giving Foundation, the non-profit org managing the short-code giving program, mobile giving reached $7mil in the past 2 days.

携帯からSMSを使った、ハイチの地震被害援助の寄付が、昨日から総額$700万ドルになったそうです。ショートコードでの寄付受付を管理しているMobile Giving Foundationからの情報です。

List of short codes for Haiti releaf:

Text the word “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 On behalf of the Yéle Foundation, the leading contributor to rebuilding Haiti founded by Wyclef Jean  
Text the word “Haiti”  to 20222 to donate $10 On behalf of the Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund  
Text the word “Haiti” to 85944 to donate $10 On behalf of the International Medical Corp 
Text the word “Haiti”  to 25383 to donate $5 On behalf of the International Rescue Committee  
Text the word “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 On behalf of the Red Cross in the U.S.  
Text the word “Haiti” to 52000 to donate $10 On behalf of the Salvation Army Upper Wisconsin  
Text the word “Haiti” to 45678 (In Canada Only) On behalf of the Salvation Army in Canada  
Text the word “Haiti” to 30333 (In Canada Only) On behalf of the Plan Canada

For more info, contact:
Ginny Edwards or Daniel Rhodes Global Results Comms, (GRC) +1 (949) 608 0276 mgfpr@globalresultspr.com

Sekai Camera Launches AR in Japan

Business service of enhancing reality (AR) application program Sekaikamera announced on haste and September 17 Softbank Telecom. It’s with Roewe that is the venerable brand of Spain, and it is used by event of limited time. Information on various Roewe floats on the Roewe Omotesando direct-management shop that becomes a hall as “Air tag”, and those who come can touch information by using prepared iPhone.

via wirelesswatch.jp

Last year's TechCrunch 50 buzz, Tonchi Dot officially launched its AR (Augumented Reality) application "Sekai Camera" on iTunes Store. Looks like they are showcasing it on Tokyo Game Show, so expect more info about it!!

I met Mr. Iguchi, founder of Tonchi Dot a few months ago and was QUITE impressed, not just by their technology but also his/their level of energy and concept. Up until now, there have not been a successful software/application venture from Japan on global scale, and I hope they are going to be one of the firsts.

Michi

What is appropriate

The notion of appropriateness, I think, has different kind of weights in Japan and in the US.

In terms of social manner, although codes are different, both cultures share similar sensitivity. It is also same that the older and more conservative segments of people are more keen on taking them seriously.

In political situation, however, US is way more sensitive about appropriateness or correctness (sometimes excessively so, IMO) on race, sex, etc. This is not surprising from historical and cultural background of each country.

But in terms behavioral appropriateness, I don't hear much about it in the US, while in Japan it is a pretty big deal(again sometimes excessively so, IMO). I saw an casual poll on "un-adultlike behaviour" at a Japanese site.(you can see a fantastic translation here.)

This includes things like having no savings, inability to cook or clean, improper use of chopsticks, and calling parents as Mama and Papa. They are cute and harmless for the most part. Heavy things are not in here, probably because most people are trying so hard to do them right under tremendous social pressure.

Japanese expect you to act in certain ways depending on types of job and it is actually one of the reasons why their services are so good, even though there is no tipping involved. But playing the perfect mother, daughter-in-law, subordinate, the nice guy, etc - this never ending list can be daunting challenge for many people.

Now, let me tell you what I thought un-adultlike when I came to the US. Grownups are drinking soda all the time! Men eat lots of sweets in public! These are somewhat wired to me to this day, but that's ok, we love our manga too.

Yuki