Comments for gen kanai weblog

Comment on deleted my Instagram account by Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 06:38:41 +0000

Treat your users as you would want to be treated.

Amen.

Comment on Richard Clarke doesn’t understand the Internet by Blogie Robillo

Blogie Robillo — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:45:23 +0000

Whether in China or in the US, government officials display this need for control, no matter what. And what government isn’t scared of not knowing everything?

Excellent piece, Gen!

Comment on new blog software for 2012 by Mr Fresh

Mr Fresh — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:14:45 +0000

Welcome back, Gen! Happy New Year….

Comment on James Fallows on China vs. Japan by Lee Love

Lee Love — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:03:16 +0000

Japan dealt with invaders by keeping them out. The seas were a natural barrier, similar to Ireland, but more effective. China has always absorbed invaders into their great mass. Not being colonized is why Japan could jump into the “First World” so quickly. One of the negative aspects of America dropping the bomb on Japan, is that the Japanese seem to think it cleansed them of their war time atrocities. About all you hear about in Japan about WWII, is the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. If they’d be more aware of their responsibilities in Asia from the last centuries, they would have much better relations. Like Germany does.

Comment on why the Japanese are so bad at English by Christine

Christine — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:10:34 +0000

Classic!
What I find amusing is that the Japanese dive in with their unknowingly patronising comments whenever they hear a foreigner speaking Japanese (regardless of how well they are speaking it) and yet they go about displaying such hilarious evidence of their complete lack of English skills. Not meant as a criticism per se, more an observation that elicits a few giggles.

Comment on Japan turning around? by Chris (i-cjw.com)

Chris (i-cjw.com) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:55:13 +0000

Ah, I couldn’t help but comment on this. Wien’s annual “List of Surprises” are, as all strategists, a very mixed bag. But you only hear about the ones that worked. Every year, he says the Renmimbi will be revalued. Every years he’s wrong. He’s bullish on gold and oil every year. His last call on Japan at the beginning of 2007 was:
“Economic conditions in Japan continue to improve. After being one of the worst equity markets in a developed country during 2006, the Nikkei 225 rises 15%.” In fact, the Nikkei fell 11% and GDP growth stalled. Gulp.
And Feldschuh is market-neutral quant, doesn’t care where the market goes…

Comment on $150 Mil. USD fund for free software in China by rcousine

rcousine — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:02:20 +0000

My gut guess is that industrialized China sees software production as both its key weakness and the key strength of India.
So if it can somehow neutralize software as an economic component (as in something China doesn’t have to pay for and India can’t sell profitably), that’s good for China.
It won’t be a perfect strategy (some kinds of software will always be worth money) and it may be mostly defensive (it’s not obvious to me that India, in this formulatiion, is anything more than unlucky), but it’s my theory about the motivation here.

Comment on The Japanese population according to the average person. by rcousine

rcousine — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:52:01 +0000

Gen’s definitely “Giant Monster,” so this pie chart appears accurate from the datum I have.

Comment on The Japanese population according to the average person. by Taro 3Yen.com

Taro 3Yen.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:37:50 +0000

Opps!
Hikikomori recluses are missing. Everybody “knows” that the entire male population under the age of 35 are closeted freakazoids that never leave their room.

Comment on Adelstein’s ‘Tokyo Vice’ on sale this month by Jake Adelstein

Jake Adelstein — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:28:50 +0000

Thanks for the posting. Would you like a review copy? Just drop me an email and I’ll try to get you one before I leave for Japan. Yes, I am obviously not Japanese but the children of a Japanese detective friend of mine once were convinced that I was a Tengu–which is a very Japanese monster. So I’m halfway there.