世界の貿易商人

Forex media influence

Looking at the forex market these days, it feels like the media is running the show. One minute they say the yen is getting stronger, the next minute the dollar is getting weaker. But honestly, this has nothing to do with Japan’s real strength.Japan’s manufacturing industry is still struggling, and the economy isn’t exactly booming. We keep hearing about businesses going bankrupt or shutting down,...

2025/02/28 17:03

The Strange Way Trade is Reported – Why Do They Only Talk About Exports?

Carried by the Trade Winds: Across Time and Borders 貿易風に運ばれて: 時を越え、国境を越えて

2025/02/27 13:11

The Sad State of Japan’s Economy, as Seen Through Its Everyday Cars

I read an interesting article today, and it got me thinking. Back in the day, an “everyday car” meant something anyone could afford. But now? Well, who exactly is this “everyone” we’re talking about? Take the Toyota Corolla, for example. It used to be the go-to car for the average person. Work hard, save up a bit, and you could buy one. But now? You’d have to fork out half your annual salary just ...

2025/02/26 14:18

The Comeback of Pokémon Cards and the World Situation

I’ve never been that into games myself, but recently I heard that Pokémon cards are making a huge comeback. Apparently, they were losing popularity for a while, but now they’re booming again.The appeal of Pokémon cards isn’t just about collecting them—it’s about strategy. Players take turns choosing which card to play, trying to outsmart their opponent. It’s a bit like chess or poker, where timing...

2025/02/25 14:07

Holiday chat - Signs of Economic Recovery at the Airport

Today, I happened to visit the airport, not expecting much. But what I saw there really lifted my spirits.The place was packed with people. There were long queues at the check-in counters, the shops were buzzing, and some restaurants even had people waiting in line. Just a while ago, airports felt almost empty, so seeing all this activity took me by surprise. At the same time, it gave me a sense o...

2025/02/24 03:20

Weekend chat: Is Rice and Cabbage Really Getting More Expensive in Japan?

Last year’s extreme heat made rice quality worse, which means more of it gets wasted when milled. Because of this, rice suppliers bought more than usual, which pushed up demand.On top of that, more tourists are visiting Japan, so restaurants are using more rice, and people at home are eating more too. All this means there’s less rice available, and prices are going up.Why Is Cabbage So Expensive?C...

2025/02/23 12:20

Can't Believe Scams Like This Still Exist

The other day, I saw the news about a massive scam group getting busted in some Southeast Asian country, and honestly, it was terrifying. Apparently, they lured in desperate foreigners with promises of good jobs, locked them up, and forced them to run online scams. And not just that—they made sure to squeeze even more money out of people in the most twisted ways.I saw the footage, and I couldn’t b...

2025/02/22 14:49

Weekend Chat - "Does Growing Older Mean More Money? – A New Way of Working!"

A long time ago, people who worked for a company just had to wait, and their pay would go up as they got older. But now, things are changing!Before, it didn’t matter how hard you worked – if you stayed in a job long enough, your salary would go up anyway. But some people started to ask, “Is that really fair? Shouldn’t the people who work the hardest and do the best job be the ones who get paid mor...

2025/02/21 14:11

Where do Indians and Chinese people prefer to travel.

There are some common reasons why people from China and India choose certain countries for their holidays.First, distance matters. Chinese tourists often pick nearby countries like Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, while Indian travellers favour places like Thailand, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Shorter travel times make trips more convenient.Next, affordability is a big factor. Thailand and Malaysi...

2025/02/20 15:02

Tariffs

Lately, this has been a big topic among my trader mates—there’s been a big increase in questions about tariffs in trade deals.Well, it makes sense, but the way people ask has changed. Instead of saying, “Are the old terms no good anymore?” they now say, “Things have changed, so just tell us the new terms.”In a way, it’s straightforward, but it feels like personal connections are fading away. There...

2025/02/20 05:51

The Turbulent World of Trade and the Toughest Businesspeople

Honestly, the whole world seems to be caught up in this tariff war, and we don’t even know if that’s the reason, but strange things are already happening in Asia, Europe, and Africa. For those of us who’ve been doing trade the old-fashioned way, it’s been nothing but a headache.But even in times like these, some people are still thriving in business. They don’t rely too much on any single country—...

2025/02/19 15:58

The rise of AI avatars

Lately, calling up companies in the UK and other Western countries feels more frustrating than ever.In the past, you could simply ring up and speak to the person in charge. Now, even a basic request like

2025/02/18 14:18

Southeast Asia and Japan’s Economy: Still Struggling to Pick Up

The Lunar New Year is over, and life in Southeast Asia is back to normal. But when it comes to the economy, things aren’t looking so bright. Normally, around this time of year, businesses place big

2025/02/17 13:21

Japanese Frugality

What's going on in Japan these days? Feels like we've somehow time-travelled back to the post-war era! Not that the country's been bombed to rubble or anything, but you can see the spirit of

2025/02/16 16:05

Food price in Japan

Recently, people in Japan have been talking a lot about food prices going up. Everything seems to be getting more expensive—vegetables, fruits, fish, and even meat! But, guess what? Our paychecks are not getting any bigger! This means many families are spending more and more of their money on food, and it's making things a bit tricky. So, how does Japan’s food price situation compare to other plac...

2025/02/15 13:54

Weekend chat - Biryani

Ever heard of biryani? If you've been to India or Pakistan, chances are you've had it at least once.Back in my younger days, I spent a lot of time travelling around small towns in South India for work. I didn’t have much money, but I had plenty of time. Business didn’t always go well, and travel and food expenses kept piling up. In those days, my go-to meal was biryani – cheap, filling, and absolu...

2025/02/14 14:06

A Familiar Voice

Out of the blue, I got a call from an old business friend in Africa. Well, I say

2025/02/13 05:31

The Strange Relationship Between Success and Luck

When successful people say,

2025/02/12 14:33

What Do Traders Actually Do?

The world is a big place with lots of different countries, and each one makes different things. In Japan, people eat rice every day, but in other countries, they eat more bread or pasta. Some fruits or snacks you love might not even grow in Japan—they have to come from other countries! The people who bring all these things from one place to another are called traders.But here’s the thing—when some...

2025/02/11 03:58

Valentine’s Day chocolates are expensive.

And no, it’s not just in my head – they really are pricey!Every year, I stroll through the Valentine’s section in department stores, thinking,

2025/02/10 13:28

Sunday afternoon

So, it’s Sunday afternoon, and I decide to pop down to the market for a bit of shopping. And let me tell you, I nearly had a heart attack! The prices of fruit and veg? Absolutely outrageous! A bunch of bananas costs as much as a posh melon used to! What on earth is going on?I saw this young couple near the tills, whispering to each other. “I’d love some peaches, but… don’t you think they’re a bit ...

2025/02/09 14:41

Isn’t the kitchen in Japan getting a bit bonkers?

It’s the weekend, so let’s have a laugh and chat about food, shall we?Apparently, Japan’s food exports are booming. Great news for trade, but hang on a minute—has anyone noticed how bizarre things are getting at home?Prices are shooting up left, right and centre—especially for fruit, veg, and seafood. And don’t get me started on beer. They’ve already warned us it’s going up again. At this rate, a ...

2025/02/08 16:18

Witnessing a Secret Underground Washoku Tour!

It was early evening when I walked past a small izakaya. A cosy little pub run by a husband and wife—nothing fancy, just the kind of place where ten people would make it feel full. Looked like an ordinary local spot, nothing unusual.But then, something odd happened.A massive tour bus pulled up right in front of the shop. A group of people started pouring out, chatting in what sounded like Chinese....

2025/02/07 16:16

Food exports from Japan are thriving.

Japanese food is all the rage worldwide! Fruits, seafood products, sake – they’re all a big hit with wealthy folks overseas, and exports are booming. Meanwhile, in Japan, supermarkets are seeing price hikes left and right. Prices for veggies and fruit keep going up, and even when they claim to be

2025/02/07 15:15

Differences in Thinking Between Japanese and Westerners: Ambiguity vs Clarity

When it comes to how Japanese and Westerners think, one big difference is how clearly they say “yes” or “no.” In Western countries, people usually give a quick and direct answer—either “yes” or “no.” But in Japan, you often hear responses like “I think it’s fine,” “I’ll consider it,” or “It depends.” This isn’t just a language issue; it’s deeply rooted in cultural values and ways of thinking. For ...

2025/02/06 15:27

Is Japanese Manufacturing Really on the Way Out?

Yet another major Japanese electronics company is thinking about pulling out of the TV business. We’ve already seen a few others do the same, and the reason is always the same – it’s just not profitable anymore. With tough competition from overseas, the more they try, the more money they lose. From a business point of view, you can see why they’d make that decision.But it’s still a bit sad, isn’t ...

2025/02/05 14:27