I heard there aren't any Wal-Marts in Japan. Wal-Mart seems to want to spread it's corporate presences all over asia, autstrailia, even latin america for god's sake.
So why aren't the Japanese buying merchandise at always low prices, <I>Always</I>?
The politicians should stop useless roadworks and other civil projects instead of raising taxes.
I'm not sure how much power the Diet actually has. The Ministries are quite powerful. Of course, the Diet is elected, while things like MITI/METI sure aren't.
Sometimes I really have to wonder if Japan is a democracy or just an illusion of one. I'm not informed enough to know though.
Someone enlighten me?
>>16-17
I think both of you make sense. I mean, I don't disagree with spending money in what is needed. But according to the Japanese news media, some corrupted Japanese authoritative people who set up plans on creating some bridges and spent huge money, have enjoyed vested rights behind the scene, which came to light about a month ago. They were well connected to construction companies which offered kickback, and are taken into costody now. As a citizen, I feel very disgusted. The goverment has something to do before raising taxes.
(Sorry if my English is not understandable..)
>>18
Hmm, it's sort of hard to explain in English.. I think it depends. Sure, we have the right to vote, but once they are elected, they often break promises they make during election. Looking back on what prime minister Koizumi said, he pledged he wouldn't raise taxes if he was elected prime minister, which turned out to be a complete lie. But even if what he promised was a lie and if the bill is passed, the law will become effective. A law is a law. In fact, tax raise was supposed to be made at least last year when they decided to reform the pention system. But no politicians won't let it open to Japanese
citizens. They are very foxy. I don't like the way politicians behave. They have to put their money where their mouths are.
Anyway, what MITI/METI stands for?
>>18
That is one of the dark side of democracy - a kind of mobocracy.
>>20
MITI: Ministry of International Trade and Industry, which is an old name of METI.
METI: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
> but once they are elected, they often break promises they make during election.
It's like that everywhere. Japan is no exception in that regard.
> he pledged he wouldn't raise taxes if he was elected prime minister
Most Western commentators watching the 2001 Japanese elections noted that Koizumi appeared to be a reformer (and to some extend he has done just that). However, most believed he'd have little effect, precisely because the real power lies in places other than the Diet.
The amusing part is the same could be said for a lot of governments. C'est la vie.
>>22
Thanks a lot. I get it.
>the real power lies in places other than the Diet.
So you mean the Ministries overpower the Diet? Well, yeah, it must be so.. But some statesmen have started investigating what the Ministries hided from people, though such an action wasn't done before. Is it Ok to think the same goes for your Ministries?
>C'est la vie
I didn't know what the expression meant. My online dictionary said it's French. So are you from France?
I don't think dmpk2k!hinhT6kz2E is french. But "C'est la vie" is a common saying in European countries as well as America.
It basically just means "That's life" and is used whenever there's anger or frustration about something (assumed to be) natural.
>>24
I was going to say that the structure of governments is different, but after some thought I've concluded that the structure of Japan's government is very similar to the places I've lived recently (Canada, Australia, New Zealand). However, ministries in these places are very weak politically, and serve only in an executive role, as well as sometimes advising the legislative branch. They're entirely subordinate to the legislature.
> C'est la vie
No, I'm not French. Most native English speakers know the phrase, and tend to use it in an offhanded manner. Literally it means "that's life", but it might be more accurate to say we mean "that's just the way things are, what can you do? shrug"
I've never seen C'est la vie used in anger, at least where I live. I usually see it used in a more resigned or apathetic manner.
Wal-Mart To Set Up Shop In Hell Soon-ish, Still No News About Japan.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8B0K1O01.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down
Walmart already has more then 40% stocks of Seiyu Ltd. (one of the largest retailters in Japan).
Yesterday, Saiyu announced that it is going to issue and sell new shares to Wallmart by Dec. 31st 2005. Which means more than 50% will be Wallmart's.
this thread, i just realized, is due for an update
So Koizumi takes a chance, election happens, landslide bladibladibla, and the postal savings system is privatized.
What effect will this have on the bureaucracy, is this the first step towards disassembling the corporate-bureaucratic-political power triangle?
What's going to happen to japan post-Koizumi, assuming he doesn't go back on his words and change the rules?
and the mandatory cromartie joke
Does this mean the end of the DARK PRIME MINISTERs (all evil, all caps) reign is at an end?!
> is this the first step towards disassembling the corporate-bureaucratic-political power triangle
Not a chance.
I'm beginning to believe the endgame of most Western-style power structures is a merger of interests between corporate and state. Power gravitates to the hands of a few, and the private/public dichotomy is just a small barrier to be overcome.
What endgame? Don't think you're getting away that easily!
I like to sit in a box arguing with this one guy about what's going on outside! He says he'll leave but the bugger never does.
Wal-Mart has a presence in Japan, it's just DBA as a Japanese chain (forgot which one though).
> is this the first step towards disassembling the corporate-bureaucratic-political power triangle?
I don't know if it'll ever be completely disassembled during my lifetime, but it's a step in the right direction, in my opinion.
>>32
Yeah, but when that happens, they lose the need to be a profitable enterprise.
They do?
And even if they do, so what?