Japan

PIMCO's Bill Gross appeared on Bloomberg Television with Trish Regan and Adam Johnson to discuss the Fed's big FOMC announcement, economic forecasts, and press conference. Among other things, Gross emphasized the importance of the low inflation readings we've been getting out of the economy (emphasis added). I think the Chairman is almost deathly afraid and we have witnessed in speeches going back five or 10 years on the part of the chairman in terms of the helicopter speech and the reference not only to the depression but to the lost decades in Japan. I think he is deathly afraid of deflation. As we meander back and forth around the 1% level, I would suggest that the chairman to the extent that he perhaps has a limited time left in terms of being the Chairman, that he would guide the committee towards not only an unemployment rate which has been emphasized in terms of the Q&A but also towards a higher inflation target, which is really a target. It's not something in terms of a cap, but the inflation target of 2% and for the next year or two, 2.5% has been specifically delineated in terms of that. It's a target. Those who think it is a cap and we are 1% below the cap and therefore the Fed doesn't care about it, I think the chairman told us the Fed does care about it and the closer we get to 2%, the better as far as he's concerned. In other words, this low inflation we're getting is not a good thing, and we should think of the Fed's 2.5% inflation threshold as a "target," not a "cap." Remember, half of the Fed's dual mandate is to keep price stable, not as low as possible. Here's a transcript of the Gross' interview via Bloomberg Television: Gross on today's statement by Bernanke: "It was a pro-growth type of statement and a suggestion that some additional definitions in terms of when tapering might begin and when it might end. Obviously according to a 7% unemployment number that speaks in his mind and perhaps my mind to early 2014. But I might also say in terms of questions and answers, and that is critical I think, that he did speak to the conditional influence of inflation. That even if unemployment came down to 7% and inflation did not go up to 2%, they would look around and readjust their decision. This is a combined growth unemployment and inflation type of combination that has to be delicately managed and i think the market has misinterpreted the growth and the unemployment targets while leaving out the inflation targets going forward." On what he means by market misinterpretation: "I think they are missing the influence on inflation that obviously the chairman has considered and perhaps the committee as well. There was a question and Q&A that basically said, Mr. Chairman, if we are down at 1% inflation and it doesn't rise, then real interest rates are in a quandary to which you have limited flexibility, and he said, I agree completely with the premise of your question. I would think the markets are looking at the 7% unemployment rate and suggesting the tapering will end at that point. I would suggest that yes, he did say 7% in terms of an unemployment target where tapering would end, presumably in 2014, but he also qualified significantly a number of times that inflation has to go back up towards that 2% target and at the moment we are not there. Those who are selling treasuries in anticipation that the Fed will ease out of the market might be disappointed unless we have inflation close to 2%." On how the Fed will respond if we don't get to 2%: "I think the Chairman is almost deathly afraid and we have witnessed in speeches going back five or 10 years on the part of the chairman in terms of the helicopter speech and the reference not only to the depression but to the lost decades in Japan. I think he is deathly afraid of deflation. As we meander back and forth around the 1% level, i would suggest that the chairman to the extent that he perhaps has a limited time left in terms of being the Chairman, that he would guide t

No fish has inspired as much controversy over the past several years as the bluefin tuna. Sushi lovers, especially in Japan, love the fish's fatty flesh and pay top dollar for prize cuts -- but environmentalists say that the world's hunger for o-toro has pushed the three species of bluefin around the world to the brink of extinction. Global fisheries managers have carefully negotiated the demands of these two wildly divergent (and highly vocal) constituencies by placing strict limits on fishing of bluefin tuna, and enforcing those limits to the best of their abilities.Yet all their hard work is imperiled by two huge factors: illegal fishing and bycatch. Work has been done in recent years to prevent illegal fishing. But a big batch of data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) this week [pdf] shows how big a problem bycatch remains.More...

With Barcelona already boasting the best player in the world in Lionel Messi, many wondered why Tito Vilanova's squad went and signed Neymar, who, for the most part, plays the same position. Now flash forward to moments after Brazil's 2-0 Confederations Cup win over Mexico on Wednesday afternoon.Oh, so that's why. With Neymar, it has never been a question about talent. Seemingly the next in the line of world-class Brazilian players, there is nothing the 21-year-old can't do with the ball at his feet. And I mean nothing: On talent alone, he is already arguably a top-three player in the world. But there have always been concerning questions surrounding the flashy forward. Is he too selfish? Does he dive and spend too much time trying to persuade calls from the refs? Does he settle for substance and style over production and output?His deficiencies, in a word, are mental.As such, you sometimes forget what he is capable of—but on Wednesday he reminded us in spectacular, jaw-dropping fashion. Most will initially point to his involvement in Brazil's two goals. In the ninth minute, a poor Mexico clearance found the foot of Neymar at the top of the box, where he sent in a scorching volley just out of the reach of goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona:The deflection was a little fortunate, and it was poor marking on Mexico's part, but that finish was both gorgeous and clinical. We would have to wait more than 80 minutes until Brazil's second goal, but the wait was undoubtedly worth it. Stuck near the touch line with two Mexican defenders draped on him, it looked like Neymar had nowhere to go. Suddenly, after lulling the defenders to sleep, he knifed through them both, freed himself in the box and delivered a perfect ball to Jo, who finished easily:What can you even say about that? That's beyond world-class. That's out-of-this-universe-class. Moreover, while the time spent in between those two marquee plays wasn't nearly as spectacular or SportsCenter Top-10 worthy, it was productive. According to WhoScored.com, Neymar was third on Brazil with 64 touches. He fired off two shots on target, completed 31 passes at an 87 percent success rate and was constantly beating opponents down the sideline and delivering in tantalizing crosses. Neymar was active, involved and interested, and he put on an absolute clinic in every aspect of the game, completely out-classing everyone around him. This makes him 2-for-2 on spectacular Confederations Cup performances (although he was better on Wednesday than he was against Japan). If he continues to showcase this kind of focus and determination, he has the talent to produce many more enthralling moments like this with Barcelona and back at home in the 2014 World Cup. Follow @t_keen

I received an email from Shuichi Ohno, President of the Japan Space Elevator Association (JSEA) telling me about a new racing event they are holding - SPIDER.  Shuichi had this to say about it: “Today, I would like to introduce to you our new category SE climber activities. It is called SPIDER from it’s characteristic, right weigh, speedy, smart(will be). Until this spring, we have been holding some kind of SE climber activities. But now, we categorize them in 3 series: - LASER : Lego bricks Activities with Space Elevator Race (weight - SPEC(SPEC in Japan, JSPEC for the world)  : Space Elevator Challenge (weight > 1.5kg) Sub category ; SPEC class (1km) - SPIDER : Light weight , inexpensive climber activities (500g Sub category ; Spider (Radio controlled) and Auto Spider (automated) Distinction of SPIDER : - Cheap : It is possible to build up with RC car kit parts and total amount in Japan is under $160 except RC  controller or micro board computer. ( Type 540 motor and Ni-mH battery, no expensive Li-Po battery) - Easy to build ( but not too much easy) : Builder must work with drill and jig saw and file. EST to finish by high school techie student is 30 hours. - Safety awareness : Builder must study and think about dropping provision and safety mechanism with break.  Those are very different point from other robot building activities. - Automation : I t is very easy to change RC receiver to micro computer like Aruduino. On June 8th, we held a mini-race with collage and university students. 8 climber came and 4 climber succeeded to climb in almost 10km/h ascend speed. I would like to ask you to introduce this kind of activities on you blog. It is not so difficult to build a smart climber with RC kit / parts of recent-day. Important thing : Energy of recent battery and power of motors may cut the belt very easily if tire/roller run idle much. Please consider to use the heat-stable material tether/belt. In Japan we strongly suggest to use aramid fiber belt. Before you climb, please do the run idle and tether cutting experiment. Thank you.” He also posted a video on YouTube relating to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBSWRo4Gkt0 . Thank you Ohno-San and congratulations to JSEA.  Let’s hope that this competition gets copied around the world…

Automated underground bike storage helps the bike owners in Japan to solve several problems. The bike will not be stolen, you will easily find it among hundreds of other bikes, you don’t have to look for a parking space.

The Socceroos victory over Iraq secures huge revenue streams as well as helping the game's credibilityIt was only a little over two weeks ago when qualification for the World Cup looked problematic for Australia. For Asia, the top two teams in each group automatically qualify. Australia sat equal third with Oman on six points, one point behind second-placed Jordan and seven points behind its greatest Asian rival, Japan. Although Australia and Iraq had a game in hand, such was the confidence level that Football Federation Australia CEO, David Gallop, went on the offensive by declaring that World Cup qualification was no longer a pre-requisite for the game's success.Gallop's point wasn't without merit – many students of the game in Australia have long argued that sustainability would depend on the success of the domestic league, not World Cup qualification. But one wonders whether Gallop's position was more about readying fans for potential non-qualification than it was about long-term structural changes in the game.And here's why. This is what qualification means for Australia.1) Ker-ching!That's the sound of the cash register as Gallop's finance department works on their 'best option' financial scenario for the next four years. The A-League may be the engine room of growth, but World Cup participation gives a turbo-boost. In 2010, Fifa gave more than $12m to each of the 32 countries who qualified for the South Africa World Cup. Team transport and accommodation costs are met separately by Fifa, and if a team progresses beyond the first round, they get more. FFA can expect a windfall from Fifa of at least $14 million for 2014; the world governing body is extraordinarily wealthy and tends to build-in increases each tournament. Many of FFA's commercial agreements – for example, the naming rights sponsor for the Socceroos, Qantas – have substantial bonuses attached to qualification and each time Australia make it, more sponsors circle around wanting to be part of the game.Of course, the players get their fair share also. A collective bargaining agreement signed in January 2011 will see the 23-man squad in Brazil receive a share in a minimum of $5m. In South Africa, the players received $200,000 each.2) The battle for hearts and mindsOver the years, professional football in Australia has struggled for financial sustainability because it has struggled in the battle for 'hearts and minds'. There are many reasons why but the one that underpins everything, including the frustration of supporters of the game, is that football is not part of the mainstream national sporting culture, a culture that sees sport as an intrinsic part of the Australian character. Sport has long played an important social and cultural role in Australia, but when it comes to football, it has historically related to communities which have just 'arrived'. Nowhere is this more apparent than in how football is portrayed by some sections of the Australian media.However, every time Australia make the World Cup, there is a tectonic shift in culture and attitude. People who wouldn't normally give 'soccer' a second thought realise there's a giant global party going on involving an Australian team and they want to be part of it. By the time the 2018 World Cup in Russia takes place, this cumulative impact, together with the shifting demographics of the Australian population, will mean that football will cement its cultural standing in Australia. That is not to say the 'local' code of Aussie Rules or the other imported English code of rugby league will be supplanted in their respective geographical markets, but football will be a clear second.3) Football credibilityCrucial to the code's credibility in Fifa and international eyes will be how Australia perform at the World Cup. If the Socceroos are not competitive, the impact of making it will be diluted at home and not add to Australia's standing and potential influence within the international football community.Last time ar

The 2013 Confederations Cup is underway as host Brazil tries to defend its crown as the 2009 Confederations Cup champion. The Brazilians once again look strong. A Selecao has already notched two shutout wins against Japan and Mexico to take a commanding lead in Group A. However, they aren't the only team looking to pick up a big win on the international stage. The tournament boasts some of the best nations in the world, including current world No. 1 Spain. With the World Cup set to take place in Brazil in 2014, this is a tournament that everyone involved wants to win. Here are the biggest questions yet to be answered in Brazil. Will Mexico Get Back on Track?It's been a long summer for El Tri. First there was the fourth round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying where El Tri quickly went from group favorite of the final six teams to barely staying alive. Despite being ranked higher than anyone else in the group of six, they rank third with one win and five draws. The Confederations Cup hasn't been much better either. El Tri dropped its first match against Italy and was subsequently blanked by Brazil 2-0. The most concerning thing has been the offensive output. Aside from Javier Hernandez, no one on the Mexican side has emerged as a scoring threat. They've scored just two goals in five games and appear to be headed toward another disappointing performance. Can Spain End Brazil's Winning Streak?Brazil has traditionally dominated the Confederations Cup. They've won more than any other country with three titles and have won the last two. However, winning this one will be difficult. While Brazil certainly looks to be in good shape with two dominant wins secured, Italy presents a real threat in group play as the No. 8 team in the world while Spain looms as a possibility in the finals. The Spanish are the No. 1 team in the world and appear ready to defend that distinction in Brazil. They have yet to lose a match all year and have already scored a win over Paraguay to open up play. Even if Brazil can get past Italy and advance to the finals, winning their third consecutive cup will be a daunting task. Which Star Will Emerge on the Big Stage?Neymar has already stepped up for the Brazilians with a two-goal performance against Mexico. But is the 21-year-old primed to be the man of the entire tournament?That's yet to be seen and there's still plenty of competition for the distinction. Mario Balotelli has already notched a goal for the Italian side. As WhoScored.com tweeted out, he sees plenty of opportunities to score for the Italians. Nigeria's Nnamdi Oduamadi also registered three goals for Nigeria in its 6-1 win over Tahiti. While he may not be a long-term contender to be the tournament's most outstanding player, it shows that there's plenty of individual performances that have yet to take place.

Earth Defense Force 2025 continues the EDF trend of fighting giant insects in Japan with over-the-top action and multiple weapons.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks at the Guildhall in London on Wednesday. Abe explained to the audience about "Abenomics" and said his stimulus drive would not end in a debt crisis for Japan.

Hopes dimmed for talks aimed at ending the Afghan war when an angry President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday suspended security negotiations with the U.S. and scuttled a peace delegation to the Taliban, sending American officials scrambling to preserve the possibility of dialogue with the militants. What provoked the mercurial Karzai…