HopeSpringsEternal comments

Analysis of anything must be objective, otherwise what's the point? It's a question a being professional.

So, if anyone can find a serious political analyst betting on the LDP's success next Sunday, do please share!

Russia's resources are now easily 5X more valuable vs. the Yen than they were less than 5 years ago and the same applies for all currencies to varying degrees.

It's the West that's reaching the breaking point with sovereign debt, borrowing unsustainably, while Russia's in the 'catbirds' seat, busy proliferating weapons tech. to China, NK and Iran.

For NK in particular, the best thing that ever $happened was the Biden Admin's effort to expand NATO eastward, as now they're truly a global nuclear power and the military threat they pose to Japan's thus infinitely greater.

Bitcoin was about half the price it is today, less than a year ago, so holders are quite happy, big spike of course was Nov 5th, Trump's deadly serious about modernizing US financial systems, eliminating all the intermediaries, increasing digital IQ, etc. Institutions now fully on board

War on digital currencies ended with collapse of Biden/Harris

Let's be honest, if it's really hot, then 25 degrees is most realistic temperature to actually provide some relief, albeit not much, while taking into account cost. Anything above 25 becomes rather useless for most

It's combination, heat index with humidity trending upwards year by year, while median population age for JN's (not sure about Gaijins) doing the same, meaning the health risks increasing both at work and at home

Therefore, companies need to take extra measures

As campaigning for the House of Councillors election began on July 3, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, pledged to provide 20,000 yen per person to support consumers reeling from inflation.

Opposition parties, by contrast, are proposing to abolish or lower the consumption tax as their key promise for the July 20 upper house election.

LDP leader Ishiba argued that cash handouts are more effective as they can be rolled out faster than a consumption tax cut. But Yoshihiko Noda, the head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized the plan for splashing out money to win votes.

LDP's got a loser strategy, as everyone with common sense, most voters, know that lowering the consumption tax, for example on groceries, is a very easy thing to do.

Thus, LDP and Komeito going down big next Sunday, as they have no solutions, affordability crisis worsening etc.

I doubt anyone is going too be concerned about Russia while it is bogged down in the Ukraine stalemate.

Think again, as Russia's been proliferating weapons tech. like crazy to China, NK and Iran for their ongoing support, making Japan's security situation, along with many others, far more dire in only a few short years.

Russia's not bogged down, as this global proxy war's fueled flight from currencies into real assets, underlying driver of global inflation and wide-spread Democratic political re-alignment, while Russia's busy $benefiting!

Nicholson's still kicking, they should have included him as well!

Something tells me that Fatherhood is giving JB some serious new perspective and motivation, kudos!

Maturity and growth, putting others first, can really spur a serious new music 'catalyst' and purpose in his case!

It's good to have clarity from all countries, discussing such matters in advance of a true crisis is a sign of progress. Facts and circumstances matter in all situations, including of course in military conflict and war.

As has been said many times, Peace requires Strength and in the case of Asia, that means unity and PLANNING

Maybe an "anti" Nobel Prize should be created, for all those who do the most damage to society, whether in science, arts, literature, etc.

As more accountability is always welcome, in order to call out the bad actors, corruption, hate, lies, greed, etc.

Grok has been very highly rated when users are blind testing different generative AI models, actually the highest rated in recent testing by quite some distance, but it's an open- ended fight for eyeballs.

The big loser of course, $clickbait search engines

It's North Korean rapidly improving delivery systems, that make their WMD program so dangerous and threatening to especially Japan & South Korea. due to hypersonics, Drones, ICBMS, submarines, cruise missiles etc.

It turns out Ukraine $proxy war's fueled weapons tech. and WMD proliferation from Russia to China, Iran and North Korea, while turning these countries into major weapons providers to Russia, though China denies.

Tragic Ukraine regional civil war, starting in 2014 as Russian speaking Ukrainians fought to become Russian, due to Biden's NATO expansion agenda, has damaged Asian security FAR More than anything else post WWII

Nothing new here, as Pres. Barrack Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize just after entering office in 2009 = pure influence agenda.

Surprised it took so long, guess it means the World has finally accepted DJ Trump, so this is plan "B"!

Right now, Trump's pursing litigation and other options to revoke citizenship from 'naturalized US citizens', which most support. For example, drug dealers and other criminals

Easy to see how Rosie could fall into some civil criminal category, if Trump's been slandered by a major media figure

Be careful Rosie, or go for it, if you're staying in Ireland anyway!

Rosie needs to be careful, as Trump's gone after big media very successfully, many $payouts, for libel and slander, so he views her as a media figure = open game

Nuclear weapons proliferation is real, just ask NK and so this madness of poking the Russian "Bear" only leads to a far more dangerous world, increasing the risk of WWIII and forcing countries like Japan to massively increase their defense budgets etc.

Impossible to have prosperity with rising military tensions and spending, rather it's fueling inflation, destroying Yen's real purchasing power = $Poorhouse

US consumers and financial markets increasingly confident about DJ Trump's economic agenda, especially trade and tariffs, because it's driving historic $CAPEX growth, which is the best leading indicator of productivity, innovation, jobs and wealth creation.

As I wrote above, US inflation dropping, as import prices have hardly moved in over a year, so Trump was right again, US has all the $cards, record tariff revenues etc.

Trump's rapidly transitioning US from Govt. borrow and spend under Biden, to a private sector led investment boom, fueling jobs, innovation and $wealth, while improving US national security and lowering inflation.

What's not to like for US Citizens? PM Ishiba has no cards

Employee theft must also be a serious problem and sometimes these employees 'coordinate' with 'shoppers' and thus normal consumers get stuck with the $bill

Another sure sign of the scourge of inflation destabilizing society, as the affordability crisis is pushing more and more to shoplift at not just at Uniqlo, but rather everywhere

Another sure sign, China's economy is on the rocks, as deflation's very real there, the ultimate economic cancer

ROI has many aspects to include of course financial but also many intangibles, like quality of life, experience, safety, etc. It's really case by case for those living in their new home, but far more likely if they enjoy DIY projects!

As for Air BnB/rental potential, depends on individual's ability to market effectively, unique and compelling etc.

As Japan's rapid depopulation and aging, many empty homes hitting market daily as people move to care facilities and/or pass away, true depopulation will be approx. 1% of JN population this year, soon +2% annually, meaning a terrible housing market's getting far worse

What few recognize is the US economy has very little exposure to trade relative to the rest of the world.

As a result, trade not a big factor in US inflation, especially as so many substitutes are readily available.

US Govt. Bureau of Labor and Statistics announced recently that YTD US Import Prices are down and are only up just 0.2% since May of 2024, even as US dollar has weakened and US inflation remains just above 2%

In effect, imports have been contributing to the fall in US inflation rates, as consumers are paying LESS for imports

As a result of above, importers having hard time passing on cost increases to US consumers, most racing to reshore production to US to avoid ALL US tariffs etc.

If it's a legitimate class-action lawsuit, like this one in the article, then the SCOTUS ruling on POTUS 'harassment' injunctions is not applicable.

SCOTUS very favorable to Trump many believe because they were angered at Biden Admin's weaponization of Justice Dept against their political opponent Trump, lawfare, censorship of social media speech, along with not enforcing immigration laws or border security etc.

Sinner seems to have his number, who based his game on Djokovic, while Djoker has beaten Alcaraz the last two times they played (Olympics and Australian Open)

For Djoker to win a Slam, needs to avoid Sinner in the draw and hope somebody knocks him out, like Dimitrov also did in the quarterfinals, up by 2 sets before an injury

It's the final most expected, may the better player win!

SoS Rubio and Trump Admin do not refer to China as the "enemy" but rather, strategic competitor and sometimes an 'adversary", but again, NEVER as the "enemy"

It's true SoS Rubio is a China hawk, compared with the previous Admin and the Trump Admin in general views China as their only real strategic competitor

Keep in mind, about 90% of Japan's trade surplus relates to automative sector. Trump, simply 'equalizing' the US market with rest of the world's auto producing areas like EU, China, Japan, South Korea etc., that all allow very few imports, Japan being the highest at 7.8% YTD

For 2024, approx. 53% of US vehicles sold were imports, that number going WAY down this year, as exports from Japan, Mexico, Canada etc. will face a US tariff rate of about 50%, which is still less than China, India, etc.

PM Ishiba can do nothing about nature and structure of the Global Automative market, that's VERY competitive, rapidly changing, or Trump's demand to 'equalize' etc.

Few believe in the effectiveness of Foggy Bottom or the US State Dept. Certainly, like in all of Govt., it's largely question of quality not quantity. Having the right people, highly effective, run Govt. Agencies always the key.

Most Americans understand the US Federal Govt. Workforce, especially the State Dept, has grown far too large and thus support the Trump Admin's commitment to restructuring the entire Federal Govt. Workforce

Citizens want results and efficiency, not opposite and its great SCOTUS agrees, as Executives in any organization, including US Govt. need to ensure accountability and performance, making periodic re-structuring critical

Last serious 'right-sizing' of US Govt. was Bill Clinton about 30 years ago, and thus time is now to do so again!

Seems like a good sign, a slight thaw in this tricky relationship and for Japan's producers and China's consumers, more markets and more choice!