Reportedly, Starbucks was kicked out from Beijing's Imperial Palace. (It was the Palace who invited Starbucks, though.) Seems like China has another "Great Wall." The problem is, this one is invisible.
But, to prevent it, Starbucks just needed a couple more stars, I guess. (Hint: check the Starbucks logo and China's national flag) Or just make a wish upon a star :)
7/14/2007
날아라, 병아리 (Fly, Chick!)
Can you believe Haneda Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world?
Ever since Haneda gave up Tokyo’s main international hub in 1978 to "notorious" Narita Airport (the new hub is approx. 4 times farther from Central Tokyo than the old one!), Haneda has been an airport for domestic flights.
For last several years, however, Haneda is taking back some of international departures and arrivals (In the meantime, there has been flights to Taiwan, though). Unlike Narita, hard-working Haneda operates 24 hours per day. Since Nov 30, 2003, flights between Seoul and Tokyo have been shortcut by those between Gimpo and Haneda. Plus, starting from this October, air travel to Shanghai will become more convenient as well. Seems like this workaholic airport is trying even harder.
It is reported that even more international flights will be available in 2010 by constructing a new runway. Haneda Airport, a.k.a. "Big Bird", will become a real "Big Bird" at last, hopefully. I took flights to Seoul from Haneda (only) a couple of times, but they were irresistible. Less-time-consuming ground transportation compensates a little bit expensivethe flight costs. Time is money.
No Narita Go Haneda. (Haneda needs not only pave a new runway but also renovate its lousy international terminal, though.)
By the way, "Hiyoko" (which means chick) is one of most well-known souvenir sweets in Tokyo. "Hiyoko" maker should start thinking a new sweet whose name is Chicken (or Big Bird).
7/12/2007
6/17/2007
raison d'être
Busy with making your living? Then, stop and check the followings.
What if you're given only 24 hours to death? This controversial comic book describes the society where the government picks one out of 1,000 people to death at random. Such death sentence is legalized to educate people to respect the value of life. Sounds horrible, isn't it? But, as reading "イキガミ" ("ikigami", the sub-title is "the Ultimate Limit"), you'll see a different aspect. I think we're just too stupid to realize the truth: "life is short."
What is the most precious memory in your life? What if you can take only one memory for the afterlife? If you're not sure, watch "Wonderful Life" (or "After Life" in English) (1998). Sorry, I wanna explain the movie more, but I barely remember the story since I watched it a long time ago. Still, it's a good movie!
If the above two seems too serious, then laugh and cry by reading "椿山課長の7日間" ("Mr. Tsubakiyama's 7 days") by Jiro Asada. This is one of the best books I read last year. The novel became a movie last year as well. I haven't watched yet, though.
7 days mean a grace period after the death. If you have a good excuse, you can go back to this world. But, given the body of somebody else, you're identification is kept confidential. Given 7 days, you might be able to wrap up your life.
Unless 24 hours or 7 days is enough, live hard happily not to regret.
What if you're given only 24 hours to death? This controversial comic book describes the society where the government picks one out of 1,000 people to death at random. Such death sentence is legalized to educate people to respect the value of life. Sounds horrible, isn't it? But, as reading "イキガミ" ("ikigami", the sub-title is "the Ultimate Limit"), you'll see a different aspect. I think we're just too stupid to realize the truth: "life is short."
What is the most precious memory in your life? What if you can take only one memory for the afterlife? If you're not sure, watch "Wonderful Life" (or "After Life" in English) (1998). Sorry, I wanna explain the movie more, but I barely remember the story since I watched it a long time ago. Still, it's a good movie!
If the above two seems too serious, then laugh and cry by reading "椿山課長の7日間" ("Mr. Tsubakiyama's 7 days") by Jiro Asada. This is one of the best books I read last year. The novel became a movie last year as well. I haven't watched yet, though.
7 days mean a grace period after the death. If you have a good excuse, you can go back to this world. But, given the body of somebody else, you're identification is kept confidential. Given 7 days, you might be able to wrap up your life.
Unless 24 hours or 7 days is enough, live hard happily not to regret.
76 (nana-roku) sedai
A couple of years ago, "76 (nana-roku) sedai" was a frequently quoted word among Japanese media. Literally, it means 1976 generation. They were born around 1976, and are successful entrepreneurs of IT business.
The two books I've been reading lately reminded me of the word. I was impressed (and a little shocked) how young the authors are and what they have achieved.
One is "ハーバードMBA留学記" (Studying at Harvard Business School) by Daisuke Iwase. Having earning a distinctive honor at the school, he's launched a new insurance business in Japan.
The other is "産業再生機構 事業再生の実務 第I巻" (Turnaround Business by the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan Vol.I). The book is compiled by scores of authors whose ages weren't specified in the book, but according to the introductions of authors, at least 8 out of 45 in total are my generation, I suppose. Reportedly, the IRCJ, founded in April 2003, successfully finished its mission last June, handling 41 turnaround deals (incl. Daiei and Kanebo) and accumulating the profit of over 30 billion yen.
Myself is another "76 sedai", by the way.
虎者死留皮 人者死留名
Can I live like the old Chinese saying?
The two books I've been reading lately reminded me of the word. I was impressed (and a little shocked) how young the authors are and what they have achieved.
One is "ハーバードMBA留学記" (Studying at Harvard Business School) by Daisuke Iwase. Having earning a distinctive honor at the school, he's launched a new insurance business in Japan.
The other is "産業再生機構 事業再生の実務 第I巻" (Turnaround Business by the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan Vol.I). The book is compiled by scores of authors whose ages weren't specified in the book, but according to the introductions of authors, at least 8 out of 45 in total are my generation, I suppose. Reportedly, the IRCJ, founded in April 2003, successfully finished its mission last June, handling 41 turnaround deals (incl. Daiei and Kanebo) and accumulating the profit of over 30 billion yen.
Myself is another "76 sedai", by the way.
虎者死留皮 人者死留名
Can I live like the old Chinese saying?
5/31/2007
5/28/2007
African Festa
If you live in Tokyo, experience Africa once a year!
African Festa is held at the Hibiya Park, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the African embassies. There are many embassy and NGO booths. You can not only buy some African accessories and foods, but also meet African people (and some strange Japanese) living around Tokyo.
If you missed last weekend's, then see you next year!
http://www.africanfesta.com/
(Sorry, it's only in Japanese. I wonder why this website has no English pages.)
African Festa is held at the Hibiya Park, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the African embassies. There are many embassy and NGO booths. You can not only buy some African accessories and foods, but also meet African people (and some strange Japanese) living around Tokyo.
If you missed last weekend's, then see you next year!
http://www.africanfesta.com/
(Sorry, it's only in Japanese. I wonder why this website has no English pages.)
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