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March 31, 2006
What are my 43 things?
I like this site a lot. It helps to look at it from time to time.
43 things
Posted by Kakyou at 03:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tokyo Tower II
This is pretty cool. I've known about it for a while, but looks like the final decisions have been made.
The site of the Sumida Tower complex (aka Tokyo Tower 2) located above Uchiage station has been finalized as a project.
This 610 meter tower will be the tallest structure in Japan (nearly twice the height of Tokyo Tower) and be used to broadcast television signals. Of course it will come with the usual observation decks, restaurants, etc.
Even better. It will be right in the view of my apartment. The site is about 2km south of my apartment and I should have a great view of it.
once it is completed in 2010...
Posted by Kakyou at 02:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Celestron SkyScout Personal Planitarium
Ok. This is waay too cool
I *WANT* this. I *NEED* this.
I know it takes all the fun out of searching the sky for stars and such, but as someone who has done that, I can honestly say it's overrated. Especially since it is usually really cold.
Now you can run outside. Look up and immediately find what you are looking for. Ooo and Ahhh for a few minutes, the hightail it back inside where it is warm.
hmmm. $400 is a bit steep, but think of the nice cocoa on the stove...
Amazon.com: Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
Posted by Kakyou at 02:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 28, 2006
Prohibition repealed! Drinks are on me!
So the controversial PSE ban is dead.
A completely botched move to ban old electrical appliances raised quite a stir, with some major names across Japan getting involved.
Basically what was probably a good idea was pooched by brain dead legislation and an even worse implementation. So just one week before the plan goes into effect, the government itself points to a loophole in the law.
In a nutshell, the items can not be sold, but they can be "rented" out. Of course the terms of the rental agreement can be anything (1000 years for example) and of course once the rental fee is paid, no forms are really needed.
What is even better is how Trade Ministry Kakuhisa Kakui explained that this loophole doesn't hurt the purpose of the ban at all.
Easing the ban won't compromise consumer safety, Kakui said, adding that the ministry wasn't giving into opponents' demands. "We're just pointing out there are ways to do business even after the law comes into effect," .
So in order to get possibly dangerous old electronics off the market, the government throws out a blanket ban on pretty much anything old. Then when protesters complain that the ban is too general the government puts out a loophole that pretty much negates the entire effect of the law by providing a loophole anyone can use with any object. All because they don't want to admit that the law was pooly planned and horribly executed.
Blockheads!
AP: Japan to End Ban on Resale of Used Goods
Posted by Kakyou at 05:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Screwed! Part XIV
So the budget was submitted to parliment, along with a lot of reports and statistics on the Japanese economy.
While things may be looking up for the market in the short run, the news continues to be very bleak for the common sap on the streets.
In short, the government is still spending too much money (a large portion of it just to pay maintanance on the ridiculous amount of debt that it has been building up over the last few decades), and the only way to pay it off is to raise taxes.
Not the nice, gentle 2-5% bumps that they have been doing over the last few years. No, these are big, hairy monster taxes with TEETH!
In one report an advisory committee ells the Finance Ministry that one way to balance the books would be to raise the consumption tax by 17% over the next 10 years. This course make the assumption that in spite of such a tax hike, the economy would continue growing and income levels continue to increase at the current rate.
Yeah, that's a pretty reasonable plan.
Well, it's either that or they could just reduce government spending by 68%.
yup... totally screwed!
Kyodo: 22% consumption tax needed if Japan goes without outlay cut: panel
Posted by Kakyou at 05:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 21, 2006
Google Finance
Pretty neat!
Google ponies up again to Yahoo and MSN bringing the usual attention to interface. Still a bit shy on non-US equities (Data, links, but no chart historical data), but I would expect that to be addressed soon.
Will be watching this very closely.
Posted by Kakyou at 05:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack