Cars in Japan

Tokyo - I always wonder why many Japanese do not drive and car sales are declining in affluent Japan. It is also surprising that Japanese car markers sales are rapidly expanding in the US and overseas markets, but sales back home continue to slide every year. Since the peak in 1990, Japanese car makers' domestic sales have dropped 31% to nearly 3 million automobiles in 2007, even as their exports rose 30% to 5.8 million vehicles.

One of the reasons is the higher petrol prices.

Secondly, Japan's graying population. Unlike their parent's generation which viewed cars as the passport to freedom and higher social status, the Internet connected Japanese youth today look to cars with indifference (accordingly to Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association). Having grown up with the Internet, they no longer depend on the car for shopping, entertainment and socializing and prefer to spend their money in other ways. The feelings among youths in Japan felt that cars were unnecessary and even uncool because they pollute and cause congestion, also mass transit is inexpensive and reliable.

It has been found that young men don't require a car for commuting but may want one for hanging out with friends.


Reference: WSJ, Feb 29, 2008

A busy day..

Seoul - A packed schedule of meetings was arranged for me, starting at 9.30am and it all ended at around 1am in the next morning.

The lunch was at a traditional home, the first floor is used as a restaurant and the upper floor as their living area. There were 3 basic furnished rooms with a low dining table in the center and we had to sit on the floor. The meals were traditional Korean dishes - lots of side dishes of different types of kim chi. The main dishes were spicy pork and fish serve with hot rice.

low dining table

China surpass US in web dominance

Beijing - No.1 again. I did an article once about China being No.1 and now the news that China has become the world's largest Internet market. The first nation to unseat the United States in worldwide Web domination.

China has 220 million internet users at the end of 2007 verus US, 217 million. All this means that e-commerce will soon take off in China with its huge Web population serving a potential customer base. China is already the world's largest factory. Besides exporting to the world, China will also be buying goods and services from the world.

An additional note is that 23 per cent of China Internet users access the Web from mobile devices. The nation is leapfrogging in technological advancement, consolidating its position as a superpower in more ways than one.

Ref: ST Mar 18, 2008

Back to Seoul

Seoul - Flew on SQ on the latest 777-300ER with Video on demand. The VOD system had lots and lots of movies. I watched 2 movies - "August Rush" because my son just went and watch this movie, and also read good reviews about this. August Rush was an endearing movie about an 'orphan' musical genius boy that found his real parents. Freddie Highmore is the young lead actor - he is exceptionally good actor.

The other was a Robert Redford movie "Lions for Lambs" - a politically inclined movie about ambitions, sanity and the war in Afghanistan. You need to put on your thinking cap when watching this movie.

I am staying at Ramada Seoul Hotel @ Gangnam. During this stay, I was upgraded to a suite at no cost - which was really good. The bathroom was big and had a Jacuzzi as their bath tub. I immediately prepare the Jacuzzi for a nice hot bath - my first for a hotel stay. The suite had a living room, a personal computer, two 42 inch LCD TV (one in living room and bed room).

The weather was nice around 15 degrees celcius and windy. Whilst waiting for Young Jin - I had my dinner because I was ravish. Looking through the menu, the Ox tail soup sound delicious to me so I called for room service. I had Korean style ox tail soup before so the delivered meal was nothing out of ordinary and as expected delicious. When we finished our meeting, we had a Sashimi dinner - so me it was supper but to Young Jin it was his late Dinner. I amazed myself that I can still stuff food down.

Glorious seafood @ Damansara

Kuala Lumpur - Today I will be staying at Le Meridien KL Hotel located at Sentral. Just 28 minutes from KL International airport via the KLIA express. The rates of Le Meridien are RM570++ per night whilst at Hilton KL Hotel (next door) was RM$200 per night more. Well having stayed at both - the rooms at Hilton KL Hotel are much bigger and also their service is much better. Hilton KL Hotel has a concierge at the Sentral station that will help you with your baggage and checking in.

The last time I stayed at Le Meridien KL Hotel, there was a similiar concierge service but was told today by the front desk that they discontinue this service.

One of the reason I like about Sentral location, as the name implies - it's very central - all the trains run through this location - KLIA Express, Kotra, KL Express (formerly Putra) and LRT.

Dinner was at a remote location in Damansara @ a seafood restaurant called "Pantai Seafood Restaurant". The food is very fresh, very delicious and for 5 people it cost RM$380. The most expensive dish was the Mexican Geoduck prepared in Sashimi and cooked in soup costing RM$200 - not really worth that much though - maybe with the Mexican tag, the seafood restaurant can charge more. The most interesting dish was Marmite Crab. If my recollection is correct, Marmite is used as a spread on bread. I did asked many times, marmite? marmite crab? Ok, why not...let's try. It's not that bad actually but I still like other variants of crab dishes like salted egg crab, etc.

High Flyer

Singapore - Singapore Flyer will be the World's largest observation wheel when it opens sometime in March. You can expect an exciting ride.

This flyer is taller than the London Eye and it gives you a stunning bird's eye view of Marina Bay and downtown Singapore as the air-conditioned passenger capsules reach the wheel's apogee - at a height equivalent to a 42-storey building. Each capsule can carry 28 people.