Japan's greatest Boondoggle - white elephants of Nippon

[Buraku]

75
The new 2,004 meters high Mega-City-Pyramid TRY 2004, represents the ideal form of living for man in harmony with the concrete earth.

76
Plans to build a super-long bridge to connect Sado-ga-shima Island to the west of Niigata

77
X-Seed 4000 future Japanese project to build an artifical Mt Fuiji should hold about one million drone salarymen or sheepish Japanese inhabitants, all for the resonable knock down price of US $ 600 billion dollars.



78 南備讃瀬戸大橋 another expensive bridge, it's well built but way over-priced causing Japan to sink deeper into debt

[Buraku]

79
So the bubble didn't do much for some of the smaller villages hundreds of miles away from Tokyo and countryside town's of Japan keep closing down, and yet each week thousands of people keep moving to Tokyo yet there is no where to put them, so what to do ? BURY THEM !! Alice City will be Japan's future underground city

80
Japanese leaders were worried about tourists going outside the country taking their money and spending cash in foreign places like Australia, Hawaii, Paris, or NYcity or even Canada, it all added up to a loss of money going out of the country and into the hands of gaijin tourism groups !! So what was the J-solution ? Bring tourism back home with the most wacky of theme parks,
Canadian World !!
It can be found on the sparsely populated island of Hokkaido in the declining community of Ashibetsu.

81
Astro-E-II plan to replace an earlier space telescope which went down into the instead of up >> SEE NUMBER 73. Japan's latest space telescope Astro-E2
encountered a 'glitch' where its entire liquid helium coolant boiled off into space

82
神戸ポートタワ big ugly structure down in Kobe, you can go up to the observation deck on Kobe Port Tower and look down on a polluted city and concrete

83
Sapporo Dome build for Japan's soocer games during the 2002 Cup, very expensive stadium for football and baseball, not sure if they can recover the cash needed to build this thing

84
Sumida Tower aka New Tokyo Tower, another of Japan's Mo Concrete solutions

85
Tosu Stadium big venue down in Kyushu, I hear it was losing money

[Buraku]

86
Nibutani Dam some objections say it was a huge waste of cash and tantamount to drowning out the ancestors of Ainu. Kayano the first Ainu member of Japan's Upper House also had his land seized illegally by the J-gov so they could bring mo' concrete solutions to Hokkaido, also said to be an environmental disaster - killing all the deer or wild boars feeding grounds and destroying all the smelt, salmon and other fish, the Dam doesn't even work correctly and only produces a few watts of hydroelectric power

87
Fukuoka tawa the Godzilla/SpaceGodzilla seaside tower highly expensive project built on re-claimed land

88
Kurobe damu built during the 60s, film-star guy Yujiro Ishihara
dead bro of Tokyo governor Blinky done a big film star movie on the project, the Dam was suspected to cost a few billion yen and claimed the lives a few hundred people.

[FG Lurker]

Buraku, do you have any ideas on how to fix things, or are you just another worthless whiner?

(Note to Cluelessraku: It's rhetorical, you needn't answer.)

[Catoneinutica]

Buraku, do you have any ideas on how to fix things, or are you just another worthless whiner?

(Note to Cluelessraku: It's rhetorical, you needn't answer.)

If you live in Japan, you'll be whining, too, when they raise the consumption tax to infinity and beyond to help pay for these asinine projects.

[FG Lurker]

If you live in Japan, you'll be whining, too, when they raise the consumption tax to infinity and beyond to help pay for these asinine projects.

The key is to make enough money that higher consumption tax is not such an issue. While I'm not at that level yet, I am certainly working on it.

[Jack]

The key is to make enough money that higher consumption tax is not such an issue. While I'm not at that level yet, I am certainly working on it.

A moron hath spoketh.

[Catoneinutica]

A moron hath spoketh.

Well, FG Lurker is correct in alluding to the regressive nature of the consumption tax, particularly in Japan, where there are no exemptions, not even for food and medicine. Better off still are the FGs who can buy all their stuff - clothes, electronics, etc. - abroad when they go back home for vacation. Still, with Japan's humongous debt looming, income tax enforcement will probably tightened up considerably as well, even if rates aren't increased.

[FG Lurker]

Still, with Japan's humongous debt looming, income tax enforcement will probably tightened up considerably as well, even if rates aren't increased.

Income tax is not such a problem. Anyone who owns a business or two, especially with some real estate, doesn't pay much income tax. Income tax is the curse of the salaryman.

[FG Lurker]

A moron hath spoketh.

Hey Jackie baby! You're back! I'd been missing your idiocy.

So, what lies and bullshit do you have to share this time around?

[FG Lurker]

Still, with Japan's humongous debt looming, income tax enforcement will probably tightened up considerably as well, even if rates aren't increased.

The interesting thing about Japan's debt is that almost all of it is internal through government issued bonds. Due to extremely high death taxes the debt will be cut by half or more as the boomer generation dies off.

[Catoneinutica]

Income tax is not such a problem. Anyone who owns a business or two, especially with some real estate, doesn't pay much income tax. Income tax is the curse of the salaryman.

Business taxes are actually what I had in mind when I wrote the above. Sure, salary taxes are the low-hanging fruit (cliche alert!), but the tax authorities are slowing turning the screws on businesses as well. The three-martini lunch lives on in Japan, but for how much longer?

[Catoneinutica]

The interesting thing about Japan's debt is that almost all of it is internal through government issued bonds. Due to extremely high death taxes the debt will be cut by half or more as the boomer generation dies off.

Sounds plausible - hope this turns out to be the case! Would any FGs care to share their thoughts about this prediction?

[FG Lurker]

Business taxes are actually what I had in mind when I wrote the above. Sure, salary taxes are the low-hanging fruit (cliche alert!), but the tax authorities are slowing turning the screws on businesses as well. The three-martini lunch lives on in Japan, but for how much longer?

Japan will raise salary taxes, health care rates, pension rates, and the consumption tax. They'll also cut services and increase usage fees (tolls, user % for health care, etc).

However, if Japan wishes to have an economy that in any way resembles one that functions, they won't do too much to screw over businesses. Without a functioning economy (and therefore thriving businesses) it is hard to see how there will be jobs so that the gov't can tax all the workers.

The recent creation of LLC and LLP business types here, the removal of minimum capital requirements, and changes in the rules to make establishing a company both cheaper and easier are all good examples showing that the j-gov't wants to encourage business, not throttle it.

[Mulboyne]

...However, if Japan wishes to have an economy that in any way resembles one that functions, they won't do too much to screw over businesses. Without a functioning economy (and therefore thriving businesses) it is hard to see how there will be jobs so that the gov't can tax all the workers.

The recent creation of LLC and LLP business types here, the removal of minimum capital requirements, and changes in the rules to make establishing a company both cheaper and easier are all good examples showing that the j-gov't wants to encourage business, not throttle it.

I think you are right in the medium term and the long term. In the short term, I'm not so confident. There is a lot of talk about income disparity and the social groups who worry about that are getting a bigger voice. In general, they are anti-business. Their concerns are very often genuine - faulty products; badly designed buildings; indecipherable insurance policies, coercive debt collection techniques - but there is a risk that their influence will go so far that too much legal risk will be passed to companies rather than consumers. Caveat Emptor aka "buyer beware" is an important concept and I'd prefer that buyers still feel the need to take responsibility for their own decisions.

[james]

A moron hath spoketh.

indeed, he has, but i don't think it was lurker.

incidentally, it's "hath spoken". get it right for fuck's sake; you don't change the ending of a past participle.

[Buraku]

72
Tokyo-Aeropolis-2001 plan to build a super high-rise space elevator building over Tokyo Bay, Japanese desire to make previous structures like KVLY-TV mast, WTC, Sears Tower, Petronas Towers, the DPRK's dead Ryugyong Hotel and Warsaw mast look tiny in front of Japan's Mo' Concrete solutions. Only trouble is Aeropolis2001 will be built on one of the world's worst Earthquake zones.

73
Original Astro-E space telescope, failure to launch in Y2K with the Japanese satellite now exploring the bottom of the Pacific ocean

74
Sky City 1000 , another future mo' concrete project with possible LDP backing and rumors of nine-fingered Yak connections, a Japan plan to grey all the Japanese skylines and stick 140,000 workers and residents into Tokyo's clouds, project is now aptly named sky-shitty.

Buraku, do you have any ideas on how to fix things, or are you just another worthless whiner?

As I said the Japanese are a good and hardworking people that re-built themselves and created a prosperous nation after WW2 so solving the bad loan probelm and lpork barrel politics is not beyond the Japanese.
I've a few ideas how to try and solve this problem (some of the ideas have been tried in other nations) but I'm not even sure they'll work in Japan
Anyhow once I post my solution I'm sure I'll be ripped, and mocked by Japan apologists like yourself

[Jack]

[quote="james"]indeed, he has, but i don't think it was lurker.

incidentally, it's "hath spoken". get it right for fuck's sake]

The way it was said was all a joke you fucking punk.

[FG Lurker]

Anyhow once I post my solution I'm sure I'll be ripped, and mocked by Japan apologists like yourself

I'm not walking around with blinders on, I see many problems in Japan. However I see many problems with every country, and no matter where I might be I find focusing on the problems to be a pointless exercise -- unless it leads to talking about solutions.

All you seem to do is focus on the problems of Japan though -- must be a very depressing existence.

[FG Lurker]

The way it was said was all a joke you fucking punk.

A joke...just like you.

[Jack]

A joke...just like you.

Ok, here it is again, moron, just for you: thy moron hath spoketh.

[Tsuru]

The man is right. Shut up, Jack.

[Buraku]

89
Kamagasaki's jobless labor sites built by the J-gov, full of unemployed people

90
Oita dome, very nice looking stadium down in Oita-shi but waaay too expensive. The Big Eye Stadium requires US$8 million to maintain; estimated revenues are less than one-fifth of that.

91
Ishihara's new network, Governor Blinky's new subway network which will be run through artifical islands in the bay area.

92
Ita-ri-an town in Shiodome a replica of Ro-mu where you will be able to get Prada, Italian cheese and Gucci

93
Uehonmachi tower very costly project

94
Japan's daylight saving pantomine - every year the J-gov wastes cash on studies into the plus and minus points of daylight saving in Japan - either do it or don't bother.

95
City tower Nisdhi Umeda cost overruns may cause this one to be renamed shitty tow-wa

96
An Ishihara port for the world's elite ships, future plan by governor Blinky to lure all the luxury liners of the world into Harumi

97
Another possible bondoogle is the tower of Osaka built an Nakanoshima isle

98
Ideas for a Giant Rodent of Kisarazu

[Buraku]

99
X-tower of Bentencho another very costly project

100
Miyagi stadium up in the town of Rifu, ain't got enough people to support this big stadium this Stadium is also struggling badly

101
Little Japan of India a plan to build a home away from home in Chennai, thanks to billions of yen this will be India's new little Tokyo

[Buraku]

102
New Umeda Hankyu building another very expensive project

103
Costly Media domes or Entertainment complexes with inside theatre, cinema, exhibitions - all backed by J-gov but make little money in return...tickets are often far too expensive so J-people stay at home and watch their free NHK or a movie.

104
Farmlands of Akita now known for their high suicide rates

105
Japan's take on Reagan's Starwars the J-version of missile defense

106
The Mu-5 or M-V launch vehicle has a high price, has limited payload, and isn't that successful. However the Hawks of Japan may be able to salvage this rocket and turn it into something like a short range IRBM so that Nippon can quickly return the favor anytime the DPRK wishes to send across the sea of Japan.

107
Renaisa Namba tower rumors of huge wastes of money

108
Industrial areas of Nagaoka, a J-government backed project but it is filled with poverty and homeless people

109
Ishihara's 2016 mega concrete Olympic project, Gov Blinky's plans to borrow more money from J-public to build supersized media centers, mo' concrete districts in Ariake and destroy whatever green is left within hundreds of miles of Tokyo.

110
Japanese plans for de-centralization, thousands of people still move to Tokyo each month it puts enormoous prerssure on Japan's transport and infrastructure - one plan was to move the Capital away from Tokyo, Japan would have a new political Capital or Economic Capital and at least be more spread out - it was a plan to take a lot of the pressure away from Tokyo...build a model like the USA or Australia have where NewYork, Detroit for industry and California are the money makers while the US Capital stays vibrant
or Australia where Canberra is the politcal center and the rest of the Aussie cities are also growing.
the J-gov spent millions on this but never got round to it, outside of the Neon of Tokyo you can find many Japanese ghost-towns.

[Catoneinutica]

102
New Umeda Hankyu building another very expensive project

103
Costly Media domes or Entertainment complexes with inside theatre, cinema, exhibitions - all backed by J-gov but make little money in return...tickets are often far too expensive so J-people stay at home and watch their free NHK or a movie.

104
Farmlands of Akita now known for their high suicide rates

105
Japan's take on Reagan's Starwars the J-version of missile defense

106
The Mu-5 or M-V launch vehicle has a high price, has limited payload, and isn't that successful. However the Hawks of Japan may be able to salvage this rocket and turn it into something like a short range IRBM so that Nippon can quickly return the favor anytime the DPRK wishes to send across the sea of Japan.

107
Renaisa Namba tower rumors of huge wastes of money

108
Industrial areas of Nagaoka, a J-government backed project but it is filled with poverty and homeless people

109
Ishihara's 2016 mega concrete Olympic project, Gov Blinky's plans to borrow more money from J-public to build supersized media centers, mo' concrete districts in Ariake and destroy whatever green is left within hundreds of miles of Tokyo.

110
Japanese plans for de-centralization, thousands of people still move to Tokyo each month it puts enormoous prerssure on Japan's transport and infrastructure - one plan was to move the Capital away from Tokyo, Japan would have a new political Capital or Economic Capital and at least be more spread out - it was a plan to take a lot of the pressure away from Tokyo...build a model like the USA or Australia have where NewYork, Detroit for industry and California are the money makers while the US Capital stays vibrant
or Australia where Canberra is the politcal center and the rest of the Aussie cities are also growing.
the J-gov spent millions on this but never got round to it, outside of the Neon of Tokyo you can find many Japanese ghost-towns.

That building on stilts on the right is nightmarishly fascinating. Where/what is it?

Your photos are great; wish you'd caption them.

[ichigo partygirl]

[quote="Catoneinutica"]That building on stilts on the right is nightmarishly fascinating. Where/what is it?

Your photos are great]

It kind of looks like the "castle" thing at Disney sea (its not im sure but it looks like it)

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

The building on the right looks like some of the buildings I've seen not so far from central Detroit. The car belts around the world are hit by the same rot at the moment.

[Catoneinutica]

The building on the right looks like some of the buildings I've seen not so far from central Detroit. The car belts around the world are hit by the same rot at the moment.

It also looks like the House of Soviets in Kaliningrad. The city, home of Kant, used to be full of gorgeous Teutonic architecture, which was destroyed and replaced with Stalinist nightmares - not unlike the building on the right or "projects" around the world.

Still, I'd like to know when in Japan that building is located. Great venue for a horror flick.

Plus, ONLY in Japan are you going to find an abandoned Gullivers Travels theme park.

[Buraku]

delapated hotels, derelict theme parks and that big frankenstein coal building
http://www.archi-map.net/~tks_design/jp_fukuoka/shime.html
http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral/newkomagari/newkomagari01.html
http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral/kouga/kouga1.html