japan group

[clay dube]

Let's discuss what should be taught, how it should be taught ....

[Anonymous]

As some of you know, of the three countries - japan, china, and korea - I have the most vested interest in Japan. Though the article is three years old, it is a good one. I believe I remember reading it when it originally came out in the Economist. I miss having a subscription to that magazine.

The article goes through a lot of the usual rhetoric that Japan's economy is stagnant and the bank system needs restructuring. The "bubble" is over. The population is ageing and nearly declining.

One very interesting point all of this brought to me was entrepreunership. If the population is aging and most of that population will have disposable income, what is a business I could bring to Japan that would be both helpful and profitable?

There is a movement in Japan to reforest areas that need it and to generally beautify the country. Recycling is mandated throughout Japan. Garbage is separated at the residential level into burnable, non-burnable, and recyclable.

The article brings up that as the population ages and retires, they will want to travel. I know firsthand that Japanese people like travelling around Japan. But, as the article points out, travel is costly. As are hotels.

Tying in the other articles and countries - what is the future of the area? Will North Korea fire missiles at Japan? For that matter, will South Korea...or China support that....or even fire themselves? All of the areas hold a deep grudge against Japan for the country's actions in the past 100 years. Yet, with the exception of the North Korea, the countries have large companies that are intertwined throughout asia. Any conflict would jeopardize businesses that have strong influence on their respective governments. Would those businesses let anything happen?

[Anonymous]

I've read through the Japan article in the Economist several times and have pages of notes. The only way I can think of presenting this in just a few minutes (to a small group, right?) is to put just key points on a PPT. The screen on a laptop should be visible to a small group, huh? I'm a visual learner and prefer written material than just an auditory presentation.
Aileen Willoughby

[Anonymous]

I remember in our last mtg the suggestion to implement the title of the article, The Sun is Rising into the presentation was brought up. If I remember correctly, the format was something like:

The Sun is Rising-recovery from the 15 yr. crash

1. Why did the sun set? Why did Japan's economy crash?
2. Why and how is it rising? Capitalism (I think was one reason)
3. The future predictions-Japan's next 15 yrs.-leading member of Pan-Asian Union will keep China at bay.

This may have changed course-any suggestions on how to fine-tune?

Stephanie LaJoie

[Anonymous]

HI Alex and group

After reading hte article again I agree we should deal with the aging Japanese economy.

I feel we should use the cover to the article as the theme for our presentations.

We could begin with the idea of the sun setting on Japan.
In the first of three major points Japan had the SUN SET upon its prosperity as it's "Bubble" of isolation and industrial groath was bursed with the emengence of globalization and the end of isolation.
The sun set on Japan because of 2 common Japanese trends; 1. lifetime employment, 2. Burdens of post debt,deflation corruption, and a decline in labor production

The Second major theme was that after the sun set it has again (Risen) and a new day of proseerity is upno Japan.
The new day on prosperity is because of Mr. Koizumi's buisness approach of "slow and steady progress" This slow and steady progress is shown through the new treand of Japanese capitialism.
Today there are non-regular workers who work part time and are not privliged to working bennifits such as life time employment. As a result of the approach the industry is up from 18.8% to 30% today. And college graduates are having to compete for jobs where before they were hired right after graduation, while immigration is now restricted.

Finally we should look at trends of the future
We can ask the question if the other groups see warm sunny days ahead for Japan.

[Anonymous]

While there are many economic developments to discuss, I must agree with
Aileen's suggestion to employ a visual depiction of the main points contained
in the article on the smart board. The feedback from members who have posted seems
to be fairly consistent and with only five minutes to summarize the material, a
quick point by point breakdown might be the most effective strategy, followed by a list
of pertinent questions to stimulate discussion.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I already put together a PPT and you're all welcome to use it. If you want to take it and edit it, putting in things you want to emphasize and deleting stuff that's not important. go for it. I just don't know the best place to put it. Want me to email it to you individually? I understood the format for our "lessons" to be that each of the three groups would be divided up so that there are members of each of the three groups in each new group. Thus, one of the new groups would have members from the Korea group, the China group and the Japan group. Someone from each of the country groups would "teach" the members about their article. If you like the idea of a PPT, I can arrange for laptops in the library, or we can use one of the PCs there. If you'd rather do something else, I'm game.
aileen willoughby

[Anonymous]

Wow, you constantly amaze me Aileen. 😛
Yes, the PPT sounds like a great idea.
I am all for it. Let's see how the others feel?
Susan

[Anonymous]

This is a test to see if I can post an email because I have been having a problem

[Author]

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