Chinese Tourists Flock to Japan

Last year, China became Japan's top export market, replacing the United States. Rising wages and an emerging middle class means more and more Chinese can afford to buy Japanese goods, and in the next logical step, visit Japan as tourists. In response, Japan has relaxed visa restrictions for Chinese citizens, which will allow a tenfold increase in the number of Chinese tourists to Japan. No surprise -- on average, Chinese tourists outspend Taiwanese and American tourists combined on trips to Japan.

Chinese Tourists Flock to Japan - WSJ.com

Thailand Targets Financial Backers of Red Shirt Demonstrations

In the wake of Red Shirt riots that tore Bangkok apart earlier this summer and led to multiple deaths, the Thai government has been cracking down on the funding sources for the red shirt protests, including many business owners tied to or sympathetic with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, seen as a key catalyst behind the protests.

Thailand Targets Financial Backers of Red Shirt Demonstrations - WSJ.com

Danone Expands Its Pantry to Woo the World's Poor - WSJ.com

Is it possible to make a profit selling a tube of yogurt for 10 cents in Senegal? Or a 15 cent sealed cup of water in Mexico? French dairy giant Danone is experimenting with these products at these price points, both to grow their base of consumers in emerging markets and as part of social responsibility efforts. Only the future will tell whether these efforts will provide a return to the company.


Danone Expands Its Pantry to Woo the World's Poor - WSJ.com

Careful Not to Backstroke Over the Edge of Singapore

The Sands resort in Singapore is open, and it includes a deck that spans across the top of the three towers that make up the resort and hotel complex. The deck includes the world's highest infinity pool and costs $20 for visitors to visit it. That has to be a thrilling swim.

Careful Not to Backstroke Over the Edge of Singapore

Taiwan, China to Sign Trade Pact

Taiwan and China, still formally in a state of war, have agreed to sign a far reaching trade agreement that will lower tariffs on important industrial goods and open sectors such as banking to greater liberalization and competition. In the process, greater stability and perhaps even a peace accord may be in the cards.

Taiwan, China to Sign Trade Pact - WSJ.com

In Muslim Malaysia, 'Young Imam' Is the Show to Watch

Malaysia has always been home to a more tolerant form of Islam than most Americans are familiar with. As evidence, one of the hottest TV shows there now looks like "American Idol" where contestants vie with each other for a grand prize. The prize here is to become an imam at a mosque, and to prove their worth the contestants have to demonstrate their knowledge of Islam and Islamic rites.

In Muslim Malaysia, 'Young Imam' Is the Show to Watch - WSJ.com

Growing Organic in China

As affluence increases in China, more consumers are becoming more aware about the attraction of organic food. This is leading to a dramatic increase in organic farming in China, both for export and domestic consumption.

India’s Clogged Rail Lines Stall Economic Progress

India faces a severe infrastructure problem. For example, a standard container can sail from Singapore to Mumbai in 4-5 days, but that same container will take 2 weeks to travel to New Delhi at a cost three times of its sea voyage from Singapore. The main problem is railways, the backbone of India's transportation infrastructure. The system moved 7 billion passengers and 830 million tons of cargo last year, but slow expansion and modernization are severely crimping India's economy, as
this online video demonstrates.

India’s Clogged Rail Lines Stall Economic Progress - NYTimes.com

P&G Makes Push in India

Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble is facing slumping sales in the U.S. and Europe, and is therefore targeting developing markets like India. The packaged goods industry is growing at over 12% a year there. Among the brands being pushed are Olay and Pampers. Challenges include razor-thin margins, price competition with bigger competitor Unilever, and convincing small grocery store owners to carry bulky diapers.

P&G Makes Push in India - WSJ.com

Myanmar's Golden Pond

As globalization reaches to far corners of the world, it brings visitors and tourists to remote regions. They bring money and a worldview that locals crave, but they also leave behind accelerating changes that eventually may lead to the destruction of centuries-old lifestyles. Cambodia and Tibet are familiar with this destruction, and now Myanmar's Inle Lake may be next in line. The lake has is shrinking, and tourists are very much to blame, as this report points out.


Myanmar's Golden Pond - WSJ.com

Rising Costs Force Apparel Makers to Look Beyond China

China has the reputation of being the world's factory, where insanely low labor rates make it attractive to make things for consumers. As the economy matured, however, it was only a matter of time before other countries started to look cheaper than China.

This is already happening in the labor-intensive apparel industry. A lot of Coach bags are made in China since labor is cheap there. So are products made for Ann Taylor and Guess. Recent wage increases in China, however, are forcing these manufacturers to look at India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia as alternatives.

Rising Costs Force Apparel Makers to Look Beyond China - WSJ.com

High-End Tailor Zegna's Marco Polo Moment

The market for luxury goods in China seems insatiable. Most Americans have probably never heard of Ermenegildo Zegna, a high-end Italian menswear maker and retailer. Suits start at $1000, and bespoke garments run from $3800 to $8500. Its biggest market is now China, and Zegna has 60 boutiques on the mainland, where luxury spending is expected to grow another 15 percent this year.

High-End Tailor Zegna's Marco Polo Moment - BusinessWeek

Revealed: Japan’s bribes on whaling

Japan is trying to convince the international community to lift the ban on commercial whaling. In order to gain some smaller countries' votes, officials have been promising aid to the countries. When that fails, they've taken to offering cash and prostitutes for the votes, as this newspaper report reveals.


Revealed: Japan’s bribes on whaling - Times Online

Rent a White Guy

There are times that I think the Chinese are on their way to developing a sophisticated domestic-driven economy based on quality, cost control, and marketing. Then, at other times, I realize that the Chinese have some way to go still. Image, and "face," are still more important sometimes than cost or profit. This article is a great example. It's about a phenomenon in China where white guys are asked to do nothing other than put on a suit and go to a meeting, so that the Chinese company looks like they have Western connections. Crazy stuff.

Rent a White Guy - Magazine - The Atlantic

New BP Logo, Anyone?

BP cannot be happy about this contest.

A Well-Wired Hong Kong Offers a Link to the Dead

Hong Kong is one of the most wired societies in the world, with lightning-fast Internet access available for low prices. It's also a society that takes death very seriously, with a national holiday dedicated to sweeping out tombs of ancestors. Put the two together, and you get a government-run website to memorialize and remember the dead.

A Well-Wired Hong Kong Offers a Link to the Dead - NYTimes.com

Long Road to Adulthood Is Growing Even Longer

If you're in your late 20's and still live with your parents and haven't launched a career or marriage yet, don't feel so bad about yourself. Apparently a generational shift is taking place in the United States, a fundamental change that is making young adults more young and less adult. Hit the link for an explanation.

Long Road to Adulthood Is Growing Even Longer - NYTimes.com

Chinese Strikers Win Raises

China has long been known as the place for cheap labor. The Chinese government is trying to change that with passage of tough new labor laws, in an attempt to wean the economy off exports and create a consumer-driven domestic economy. Those efforts are paying off, as workers begin demanding wage increases all across the country. In some cases, the increases are dramatic -- double digit strong, and on top of increases within the last six months.

Chinese Strikers Win Raises - WSJ.com

Apple Strives for Global Markets

When iPhone 4 is released in the U.S. this month, the world will watch with envy as it usually does as U.S. consumers get first dibs on the latest Apple candy. This time, though, they won't have to wait too long for their own turn -- 88 countries will have iPhone 4 by September, the fastest international rollout for Apple ever. France, U.K., Germany and Japan will all get iPhone 4 at the same time as the U.S. It's an indication of how important the international market is for Apple now. 55% of iPhone sales are now outside the U.S., with triple digit growth in Europe and Asia Pacific.

Apple Strives for Global Markets - WSJ.com

Emirates Orders 32 Airbus A380

The United Arab Emirates is tiny -- Dubai's population is only 3.5 million. So why would the state-owned airline Emirates order 32 more giant double-decker A380's, making it the sole operator of roughly 40% of A380's worldwide? The answer is that Emirates is taking aim at traffic from other countries' traffic rights. Its latest target is Lufthansa and the huge German market -- by placing the order with Airbus (Germany is a huge shareholder in the Airbus parent company), Emirates is daring Germany to open the market and stop protecting Lufthansa. In doing so, Emirates may be re-writing the rules of open competition in the airline industry.


Emirates Orders 32 Airbus A380 - WSJ.com

What do iPhone 4 and Jane Lynch have in common?

I especially like the reference to Singapore and caning!

Changes in China Could Raise Prices Worldwide

FoxConn is nearly doubling wages in its China factory in response to withering criticisms about worker conditions and suicides. Honda is increasing wages at a key Chinese plant by 24% to settle a crippling two-week strike. The RMB is about to appreciate. A strict labor law is coming into force. The government wants to stimulate domestic consumption and reduce dependence on exports as a source of growth. All this points to one thing -- China is eventually stop going be the "world's factory" as prices for Chinese-made goods begin a slow and irreversible climb, as this important NYT story illustrates.



Changes in China Could Raise Prices Worldwide - NYTimes.com

BMW JOY 3D: Asia's 1st Interactive 3D Building Projection

Xinhua Official Shares Details of China’s News Cleanups

Xinhua is the official news agency in China. A senior official recently gave a speech admitting that Xinhua's primary mission isn't to report the news, but to maintain peace and harmony and social stability. As an example, when China's first astronaut returned from space he had blood all over his face from a busted lip (above). Workers cleaned him up, sealed the capsule again, and then when the cameras were rolling opened up the capsule as if they were doing it for the first time.


Xinhua Official Shares Details of China’s News Cleanups - NYTimes.com

iPad Hits Japan, and Magician Goes Crazy