A musician, esp. HipHop/R&B artist, seems one of the most unlikely people to wake up early in the morning.
Well, maybe not. They have morning's songs. Some.
"Good Morning" (Kanye West)
"When the Sunshine Comes" (Kero One)
"Wake Up Everybody" (John Legend & the Roots feat. Common & Melanie Fiona)
"Shine" (Laura Izibor)
"In the Morning" (Mary J. Blige)
"Wake Up" (Alicia Keys)
"Wake Up Alone" (Amy Winehouse)
"Morning in Rio" (Sergio Mendes)
OK, now I'm going to bed. Good night. ;)
10/31/2010
10/17/2010
Rivalry between Japan and Korea - Economy
In early 1990s when I had lived in Seoul, Korea's per capita GDP was approx. US$10,000 and Japan some US$30,000. Korea looked desperate to catch up with Japan in terms of economy. But, as many said, it seemed the peninsula country seemed 10 years behind of Japan at least. It was just unimaginable back then that the things turned out to be like today.
In 2009 Korea's per capita GDP is at US$28,100 while Japan's figure still staying at US$32,700. Strong yen might help this year's figure in US$ though, but the trend is obvious. According to Nikkei last month, Japan will be overtaken by S. Korea in 2018 in terms of per capita GDP. But now the forecast looks too optimistic. Korea might catch up even earlier.
When I have visited US, China and India in the past years, Hyundai, Samsung and LG are more visible on the streets. In a hotel room I stayed in New Delhi, a Samsung LCD TV was on the wall. Hyundai has 2nd (or 3rd?) largest share in India's automobile market (Forget Maruti Suzuki). In Beijing there were huge LG billboards, but couldn't find a single Japanese one.
Korean government has been aggressively signing the Free Trade Agreements or Economic Partnership Agreements with many countries and regions. Even in entertainment like movies and music, Korean pop culture is now so popular in many Asian countries and even in Japan.
I see these phenomena with a mixed feeling. On the one hand, I feel so proud and happy to see Korea's rise. On the other hand, I've been so irritated by Japan's (both government and corporate) inaction. Where has samurai spirit gone? Will the Sun rise ever again?
In 2009 Korea's per capita GDP is at US$28,100 while Japan's figure still staying at US$32,700. Strong yen might help this year's figure in US$ though, but the trend is obvious. According to Nikkei last month, Japan will be overtaken by S. Korea in 2018 in terms of per capita GDP. But now the forecast looks too optimistic. Korea might catch up even earlier.
When I have visited US, China and India in the past years, Hyundai, Samsung and LG are more visible on the streets. In a hotel room I stayed in New Delhi, a Samsung LCD TV was on the wall. Hyundai has 2nd (or 3rd?) largest share in India's automobile market (Forget Maruti Suzuki). In Beijing there were huge LG billboards, but couldn't find a single Japanese one.
Korean government has been aggressively signing the Free Trade Agreements or Economic Partnership Agreements with many countries and regions. Even in entertainment like movies and music, Korean pop culture is now so popular in many Asian countries and even in Japan.
I see these phenomena with a mixed feeling. On the one hand, I feel so proud and happy to see Korea's rise. On the other hand, I've been so irritated by Japan's (both government and corporate) inaction. Where has samurai spirit gone? Will the Sun rise ever again?
9/18/2010
My Playlist
My favorite 10+1 songs these days.
"Best I Ever Had" (Drake) - the album "Thank Me Later" is one of this year's best.
"Good Night Good Morning" (Alexandra Burke) - the album "Overcome" is one of the best as well.
"Now Or Never" (the Roots feat. Phonte & Dice Raw) - Can't wait for the album "Wake Up" (John Legend with the Roots).
"Power" (Kanye West) - Can't wait for his new album.
"World Tour" (Wale feat. Jazmine Sullivan) - wanna go abroad!
"Number One" (R. Kelly feat. Keri Hilson) - Keri so sexy.
"No Plan B" (Manafest) - My adrenaline.
"As We Enter" (Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley) - so Africatique! and Nas rocks.
"Don't Let Me Fall" (B.o.B) - catchy but touching.
"Billionaire" (Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars) - somehow reminds me of California.
"Mr." (Kara) - This is a huge surprise to myself. An unimaginable song to be listed on my favorites. And so a bit embarrassing confession. But, can't help it. I like the song anyways (and those pretty girls :)). Well, I still have some pride, though. Haven't downloaded the song yet!!
"Best I Ever Had" (Drake) - the album "Thank Me Later" is one of this year's best.
"Good Night Good Morning" (Alexandra Burke) - the album "Overcome" is one of the best as well.
"Now Or Never" (the Roots feat. Phonte & Dice Raw) - Can't wait for the album "Wake Up" (John Legend with the Roots).
"Power" (Kanye West) - Can't wait for his new album.
"World Tour" (Wale feat. Jazmine Sullivan) - wanna go abroad!
"Number One" (R. Kelly feat. Keri Hilson) - Keri so sexy.
"No Plan B" (Manafest) - My adrenaline.
"As We Enter" (Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley) - so Africatique! and Nas rocks.
"Don't Let Me Fall" (B.o.B) - catchy but touching.
"Billionaire" (Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars) - somehow reminds me of California.
"Mr." (Kara) - This is a huge surprise to myself. An unimaginable song to be listed on my favorites. And so a bit embarrassing confession. But, can't help it. I like the song anyways (and those pretty girls :)). Well, I still have some pride, though. Haven't downloaded the song yet!!
9/17/2010
"Bitter Sweet Poetry" (by Kanye West)
Starbucks Japan seems to provide some sweet treats for its customers lately.
It has been offering a "One More Coffee" campaign this year. Thanks to the campaign, any customer, who purchases a cup of drip coffee, is able to get one more cup with only JPY100 (a tall cup usually costs JPY340) at any other Starbucks store on the very same day. Initially the campaign was supposed to be only temporary from January 14 through April 13. Yet, the gourmet coffee company has extended the term, and now decided it for an infinite time period.
Last year the specialty coffee company also offerred a JPY50 discount for any customer who brings one's tumbler. It was a big deal since the stores normally discounts JPY20.
They are indeed sweet treats. Thanks, Starbucks. I really appreciate it. (Forget all those stupid, imaginable marketing strategies by the coffee store!) With Starbucks VIA, the company's new product, its financial performances have beated markets' estimate, and perhaps help introduce such discount campaigns.
Still, there're some bitter aspects for frequent Starbucks goers.
First, we won't forget that the coffee shop raised the drink prices by JPY20 or so years ago. Second, keeping the prices are not enough given a decade-long deflation in Japan. Last but not least, imported coffee beans should be cheaper in terms of strong Japanese Yen these days.
Starbucks' multi-year, private contracts with coffee bean suppliers might prevent further actions from lowering the retail prices. Reportedly the company often pays double the commodity price. Definitely, Starbucks Japan also needs money for its CAPEX. It plans to open 80 new drive-thru stores this year in Japan.
With all those facts and assumptions in mind, I can't simply welcome the infinite One More Coffee campaign. And my coffee tastes bitter. Not sweet. It's not that I pour neither syrup nor sugar in my drip coffee, by the way!! :P
It has been offering a "One More Coffee" campaign this year. Thanks to the campaign, any customer, who purchases a cup of drip coffee, is able to get one more cup with only JPY100 (a tall cup usually costs JPY340) at any other Starbucks store on the very same day. Initially the campaign was supposed to be only temporary from January 14 through April 13. Yet, the gourmet coffee company has extended the term, and now decided it for an infinite time period.
Last year the specialty coffee company also offerred a JPY50 discount for any customer who brings one's tumbler. It was a big deal since the stores normally discounts JPY20.
They are indeed sweet treats. Thanks, Starbucks. I really appreciate it. (Forget all those stupid, imaginable marketing strategies by the coffee store!) With Starbucks VIA, the company's new product, its financial performances have beated markets' estimate, and perhaps help introduce such discount campaigns.
Still, there're some bitter aspects for frequent Starbucks goers.
First, we won't forget that the coffee shop raised the drink prices by JPY20 or so years ago. Second, keeping the prices are not enough given a decade-long deflation in Japan. Last but not least, imported coffee beans should be cheaper in terms of strong Japanese Yen these days.
Starbucks' multi-year, private contracts with coffee bean suppliers might prevent further actions from lowering the retail prices. Reportedly the company often pays double the commodity price. Definitely, Starbucks Japan also needs money for its CAPEX. It plans to open 80 new drive-thru stores this year in Japan.
With all those facts and assumptions in mind, I can't simply welcome the infinite One More Coffee campaign. And my coffee tastes bitter. Not sweet. It's not that I pour neither syrup nor sugar in my drip coffee, by the way!! :P
6/06/2010
Japain No Gain?
Japan is on the cover of the Economist again: "Leaderless Japan". Every time the British weekly newspaper (or any other foreign media) covers Japan, its reports, esp. about lack of political leadership, are daunting and hopeless. Someone even argued that Japan is lucky to have such a flexible political system to change its premier while America is not. The point was, nobody couldn't stop George Bush, and he was the President of the U.S. for 2 consecutive terms. That's totally nonsense. America does have an impeachment process, and the Congress could take such an initiative if they really wanted to do so. And they didn't.
How about business (specifically banking sector)? Last month the Economist's special reports covered banks in emerging markets. The report discussed two kinds of successful foreign banks in the markets. The first are global network banks: Citigroup, HSBC and Standard Chartered. The other are "gone native" banks such as Santander, BBVA and UniCredit. Not surprisingly the countries of foreign banks and of emerging markets had a deep-rooted relationship of colonial rule and immigration, and use the same languages. Japan had been a colonialist country but failed to make a good relationship with the Asian nations it governed. Japanese is also a language used only by 125 million people living the islands.
So, a question is whether Japanese banks can survive in the global market, esp. by entering into and expanding its business in the emerging markets? Last week an investment banker said Japan's strengths is technology backed by Research & Development while its weakness is commercializing. I couldn't agree with him more. Still, such an argument seems to apply only to manufacturers not financial sector. Then, what's the expertise of Japanese banks? The only answer I could find is a bit old joke. But, it's brilliant one.
-----
Sorry. Only Japanese is available... To make a long story short, Japanese bankers can contribute by counting votes in Miami of the U.S. presidential election in 2000.
How about business (specifically banking sector)? Last month the Economist's special reports covered banks in emerging markets. The report discussed two kinds of successful foreign banks in the markets. The first are global network banks: Citigroup, HSBC and Standard Chartered. The other are "gone native" banks such as Santander, BBVA and UniCredit. Not surprisingly the countries of foreign banks and of emerging markets had a deep-rooted relationship of colonial rule and immigration, and use the same languages. Japan had been a colonialist country but failed to make a good relationship with the Asian nations it governed. Japanese is also a language used only by 125 million people living the islands.
So, a question is whether Japanese banks can survive in the global market, esp. by entering into and expanding its business in the emerging markets? Last week an investment banker said Japan's strengths is technology backed by Research & Development while its weakness is commercializing. I couldn't agree with him more. Still, such an argument seems to apply only to manufacturers not financial sector. Then, what's the expertise of Japanese banks? The only answer I could find is a bit old joke. But, it's brilliant one.
-----
Sorry. Only Japanese is available... To make a long story short, Japanese bankers can contribute by counting votes in Miami of the U.S. presidential election in 2000.
5/02/2010
Jack @ Starbucks
Starbucks now has three types of in-store product lineup targeting customers with different lifestyle.
For instance, drip coffee is definitely for a busy guy like Jack Bauer (of "24" the TV drama), who wants caffeine "right now!". The only problem is, he must be in such a hurry that time is running out before a barista to prepare for a cup in a couple of minutes. Or worse, Jack is gonna point his gun at a barista and even threat him!! He'd better get one of Starbucks Discoveries at a convenience store like Seven Eleven.
Whole bean coffee is for a noble man who has someone else to grind beans and prepare a fresh cup for him at home. But, unfortunately not for Jack and the Beanstalk. Beans won't grow over a night to touch clouds. Cuz it's roasted!!
The company's brand-new VIA is perhaps for Jack Sparrow from "Pirates of Caribbean". In Japan, this was introduced on April 14. Yes, it's absolutely quick. And convenient. The specialty coffee company says it took 20 years to develop the product. Well, to be honest, I did not notice a diffrence from others like Nestle. In the first place, I do not drink instant coffee, though.
It's always good to have an option in our life. I wonder if the marketing strategy of Starbucks is VIAble, though.
Whatever you choose, just enjoy your coffee break.
Cheers!
***
Correction: A new Starbucks store in Kichijoji is not a 3-floor. The building does have 3 floors, but 2nd & 3rd floors are open for rent.
4/17/2010
Star's Back
But, a brand-new store with 3 floors (very rare in Japan) is opening on Wed, April 28! Given it's the 1st day of the Golden Week, the store will be crowded for sure. Perhaps for the Week. So not sure when my very first visit to the shop is gonna be.
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