1% Growth! Please to Obey Abenomics Rule!

[kurogane]

As for foreign cards working in Jpn ATMs .................

IIRC 7/11 has been furriner-friendly since at least 2008...........

That does ring a bell. I remember the Eigo Only crowd wetting their pants over Furry Bank Card friendly ATMs with rather well done English guidance available. Most of them had only been in Japan for 11 years by then, so it was easy to understand their point. At any rate, all good info when travelling amongst the 20dumbthings: that Weebotard existential despair attack is fine for about 3 minutes, but then they start pooping their diapers and things get stinky quickly.

..........and I fondly remember in the mid-90s pilgrimaging to the Japan Post ATM on the 7th floor of My Shitty ......

OMG and LOLzzzzzzzz, like, totally randumb!!!!!!!!! . In Kyoto it was the ???? Department on Shijo, but I think it was the 7th Floor too. Then the Main Kyoto PO got one too, and that was only another 35 minutes away in a part of town I never frequented. Many is convenience because of advanced Japanese technology and hospitality. I can't remember when all or almost all PO ATMs went 1989 (in CDN), but I think it was after the real millenium. I do feel for the weebos. Nobody should have their stupidity ripped from them so needlessly.

[kurogane]

..........Nah. Too dangerous because unless private enterprise is in control the money will all just be wasted.....................

And you might be surprised how many Japanese that could and would otherwise benefit from your proposal would holeheartedly and vociferously agree with your sarcasm there and go shouting into the street in opposition to that level of communist agitation. Plus, similar to Woochan's comment the other day about the futility of properly paying higher taxes when others don't (through pervasive non-compliance), it probably would be. Just wasted, that is. I doubt it's a cause or an original cause, but part of the acceptable rationale against greater public funding in both the US and Japan is the shocking level of waste, leakage and outright corruption in the allocation of public funds, esp. by local legislatures.

Does this remind anybody of current economic wizardry (FF to 2:23-ish):

Bob Eubanks for IMF chief.

[Wage Slave]

OK. My Genki Denki plan then. Bury all the powerlines, create a national grid, upgrade to 220V, revolutionise switching and distribution, rebuild plants so they can adjust output in small increments, develop significant solar, geothermal etc capacity. And it will all be done by the private sector.

Also I'm starting to wonder whether very low interest rates are part of the problem rather than part of the solution. The thing is, interest is income just as much as expense. So, the income of people with savings is being suppressed. What do they do? Pare expenditure even further cos they are the kind of people who accumulate savings. And there are a lot of older people like that. What are the banks doing in response to current monetary policy? Very little because they don't have to. They can rely on regular cash injections from the government so they forget about savers and borrowers to a great extent and focus on reducing costs with a bit of gambling on the financial markets to maximise their profits.

[matsuki]

I doubt it's a cause or an original cause, but part of the acceptable rationale against greater public funding in both the US and Japan is the shocking level of waste, leakage and outright corruption in the allocation of public funds, esp. by local legislatures.

...you forgot lack of transparency and abuse of the system? (particularly insurance fraud)

It seems an easy thing to audit all that shit but saaaa...

[kurogane]

Yes, maybe, or no, but for now:

WTF is it with you Opium Warriors and this 220V system thing? Is it actually a proper efficiency or do you just enjoying watching me and min' fry er wet fingertips the way me dear purple pantied Elloi McKiltikins did back in Edinburgh? I had some serious quasi-existential encounters just doin' the feckin' washin' ep, so ye'll forgiv if ee ain't so keen, ya ken?


No joke. That is a very non-local unfriendly system.

[yanpa]

Yes, maybe, or no, but for now:

WTF is it with you Opium Warriors and this 220V system thing? Is it actually a proper efficiency or do you just enjoying watching me and min' fry er wet fingertips the way me dear purple pantied Elloi McKiltikins did back in Edinburgh? I had some serious quasi-existential encounters just doin' the feckin' washin' ep, so ye'll forgiv if ee ain't so keen, ya ken?

One of these voltage levels is more common than the other.

[Wage Slave]

Us old Opium Warriors cum pioneering engineers and the rest of the world except of course, America and its colonies. It's something called the power law y'see. Volts times amps equals something called watts. Watts is what gets things done. Double the voltage and you double the power that can be carried over the same wires. You might need a bit more plastic here or there and you should probably have a few more earths but with there isn't any real problem with keeping it safe.

And then you can have kettles that boil in seconds, and hairdryers that really work, power tools that are really powerful, heaters ditto, electric ovens/hobs and more. Vacuum cleaners that really work even.

[Wage Slave]

Yes, maybe, or no, but for now:

WTF is it with you Opium Warriors and this 220V system thing? Is it actually a proper efficiency or do you just enjoying watching me and min' fry er wet fingertips the way me dear purple pantied Elloi McKiltikins did back in Edinburgh? I had some serious quasi-existential encounters just doin' the feckin' washin' ep, so ye'll forgiv if ee ain't so keen, ya ken?

One of these voltage levels is more common than the other.

Including 220V in Worst Korea, Best Korea and China! The shame! And then there's the 50Hz/60Hz nonsense that means no national grid in a country beset with earthquakes and typhoons. What a complete mess.

[Grumpy Gramps]

And then you can have kettles that boil in seconds, and hairdryers that really work, power tools that are really powerful, heaters ditto, electric ovens/hobs and more. Vacuum cleaners that really work even.

Not to forget that with two or three phases, you get close to 400 volts and with that you can run the sewing machine from hell.

[matsuki]

One of these voltage levels is more common than the other.

...and one is the lowest voltage in the world! Numbaaaaaaaawan!!

[Wage Slave]

And then you can have kettles that boil in seconds, and hairdryers that really work, power tools that are really powerful, heaters ditto, electric ovens/hobs and more. Vacuum cleaners that really work even.

Not to forget that with two or three phases, you get close to 400 volts and with that you can run the sewing machine from hell.

Very true. 400V at 13 Amps gets real sewing done.

[Russell]

:lol: Us old Opium Warriors cum pioneering engineers and the rest of the world except of course, America and its colonies. It's something called the power law y'see. Volts times amps equals something called watts. Watts is what gets things done. Double the voltage and you double the power that can be carried over the same wires. You might need a bit more plastic here or there and you should probably have a few more earths but with there isn't any real problem with keeping it safe.

And then you can have kettles that boil in seconds, and hairdryers that really work, power tools that are really powerful, heaters ditto, electric ovens/hobs and more. Vacuum cleaners that really work even.

Hmm, as far as I can remember, I've never see a kettle boil in seconds in the Netherlands. But then again, it depends on how much water you put in it...

[Wage Slave]

:lol: Us old Opium Warriors cum pioneering engineers and the rest of the world except of course, America and its colonies. It's something called the power law y'see. Volts times amps equals something called watts. Watts is what gets things done. Double the voltage and you double the power that can be carried over the same wires. You might need a bit more plastic here or there and you should probably have a few more earths but with there isn't any real problem with keeping it safe.

And then you can have kettles that boil in seconds, and hairdryers that really work, power tools that are really powerful, heaters ditto, electric ovens/hobs and more. Vacuum cleaners that really work even.

Hmm, as far as I can remember, I've never see a kettle boil in seconds in the Netherlands. But then again, it depends on how much water you put in it...

Yeah, I was probably gilding the lily a bit. Still, a 3Kw+ keetle will boil enough water for a mug of tea in less than 30 seconds. And somehow that adds to my quality of life. They make a great noise as well.

[Russell]

:lol: Us old Opium Warriors cum pioneering engineers and the rest of the world except of course, America and its colonies. It's something called the power law y'see. Volts times amps equals something called watts. Watts is what gets things done. Double the voltage and you double the power that can be carried over the same wires. You might need a bit more plastic here or there and you should probably have a few more earths but with there isn't any real problem with keeping it safe.

And then you can have kettles that boil in seconds, and hairdryers that really work, power tools that are really powerful, heaters ditto, electric ovens/hobs and more. Vacuum cleaners that really work even.

Hmm, as far as I can remember, I've never see a kettle boil in seconds in the Netherlands. But then again, it depends on how much water you put in it...

Yeah, I was probably gilding the lily a bit. Still, a 3Kw+ keetle will boil enough water for a mug of tea in less than 30 seconds. And somehow that adds to my quality of life. They make a great noise as well.

OK, 3Kw would be 30 A in Japan. LOL, just imagine the cable needed for that. Anyway, typically it maxes out at 15 A.

But if you really want to have 200 V, it is easily achieved by switching some wires in your breaker switch board.

[Coligny]

Some people have normal 200v plugs without tinkering...
in the japans...

[Wage Slave]

:lol: Us old Opium Warriors cum pioneering engineers and the rest of the world except of course, America and its colonies. It's something called the power law y'see. Volts times amps equals something called watts. Watts is what gets things done. Double the voltage and you double the power that can be carried over the same wires. You might need a bit more plastic here or there and you should probably have a few more earths but with there isn't any real problem with keeping it safe.

And then you can have kettles that boil in seconds, and hairdryers that really work, power tools that are really powerful, heaters ditto, electric ovens/hobs and more. Vacuum cleaners that really work even.

Hmm, as far as I can remember, I've never see a kettle boil in seconds in the Netherlands. But then again, it depends on how much water you put in it...

Yeah, I was probably gilding the lily a bit. Still, a 3Kw+ keetle will boil enough water for a mug of tea in less than 30 seconds. And somehow that adds to my quality of life. They make a great noise as well.

OK, 3Kw would be 30 A in Japan. LOL, just imagine the cable needed for that. Anyway, typically it maxes out at 15 A.

But if you really want to have 200 V, it is easily achieved by switching some wires in your breaker switch board.

Yep, which is how they get 200V at 15 Amps for bigger aircons. I've seriously considered it - But not really enough to run a 3kw kettle - need a bit or margin for surge methinks. Could run a 2.2 or 2.4 though. Hmmm. One of these days. Except the board is full and already has two breakers attached to the wall. And trying to explain why I want it to a local sparks who will probably declare it as illegal or something.

[Wage Slave]

Some people have normal 200v plugs without tinkering...
in the japans...

Yes, I have a 200V socket for the LDK aircon. Would need a separate circuit and breaker for a kettle though.

[Coligny]

And trying to explain why I want it to a local sparks who will probably declare it as illegal or something.

More often they go with
"it don't exist"
"it's impossible"

I really wish they'd legalize murder for the next time have to deal with the Gas company, electric company, Mitsubishi dealership...

[kurogane]

This has been an electrifying discussion, with an educational charge to boot. Velly Intalesting. I had always assumed it had something to do with that subcurrent of Anglo-Saxon sadism and kneejerk anti-Americanism (the joy our mishaps gave was........ well, shocking). I do have fond memories of the useful aspects of those atomic powered kettles (sans the lime residue) and clothes dryers that actually work like they should without the help of a Tokyo Gas main. I was also a big fan of the outlet off switch, which just seemed prudent.

BUT, if they can't even figure out that ridiculous Osaka/Tokyo Hrtz difference thing they certainly aren't juicing up the basic volatge anytime soon. Sadly. Plus, you would have a massive surge of frazzled and fried citizens lying prostrate in undersized kitchens all over the nations. Like I used to do in Edninburger.

[matsuki]

Plus, you would have a massive surge of frazzled and fried citizens lying prostrate in undersized kitchens all over the nations. Like I used to do in Edninburger.

Two birds, one ishi?

[kurogane]

Ur so cruel, LOL, OMG

Have you ever dealt with 220V? It's like a kiddies sci-fi movie home atomic reactor kit, but when you fuck up you really get fried. I assume that's why each outlet has an off switch. Like WS said, though, serious juice for all the appliances.

PS Back to the Genki Denki Plan: Absolutely Rabbu Rabbu the powerline burial plan. They did it or are doing it in all the heritage sites I worked in and it is simply fabulous. Kyoto does it in fits and starts, which I assume is partly the usual chonai-kai and or merchants' assoc opposition and skullduggery, and perhaps money. The aesthetic effect is really remarkable, and apparently, and contrary to early major objections maintenance is now cheaper, easier, and safer. It's like the opposite of Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi.

[Mike Oxlong]

Ur so cruel, LOL, OMG

Have you ever dealt with 220V? It's like a kiddies sci-fi movie home atomic reactor kit, but when you fuck up you really get fried. I assume that's why each outlet has an off switch. Like WS said, though, serious juice for all the appliances.

Sure, everyone's washer/dryer setup back in Canader has that. I think the electric ovens do too.

[Russell]

Ur so cruel, LOL, OMG

Have you ever dealt with 220V? It's like a kiddies sci-fi movie home atomic reactor kit, but when you fuck up you really get fried. I assume that's why each outlet has an off switch.

That may be true in Canada, but I have never seen it anywhere else.

Anyway, 220 V is serious shit.

As a 3-yo toddler I already liked to play with electricity, but I found the 1.5 V batteries given to me by my parents a bit boring, so I went for the real action, connecting those LEGO blocks with light in it to the net. I always enjoyed how they instantly turned black. Once it went bad, and I was at the wrong side of a wire. I somehow survived, but it took days before my arm didn't hurt anymore.

Never told mommy, though she probably figured out why my LEGO blocks were scorched...

[kurogane]

MIkey Ox,
Fair point. Still, that's a bit different than Polly plugging the kettle into the kitchen outlet with still wet hands and receiving a free ethnic hairdo for her absentminded efforts. Or, forgetting to flip the outlet switch and having to curse the water for forgetting to boil. And by Polly, I mean ME!!!!!!!!!!!


Russell,
The outlet switch was in the UK, if that's what you meant. In NAmerica it's 120V (except for laundry and ovens) and you have to try pretty hard to get what I got in the UK just by absentminded proximity (with wet dish hands, etc.), or you got from the wonders of LEGO

[Samurai_Jerk]

Uh-oh. The cup noodle index isn't looking so good.

Sucked into deflation again - Japan's $2 cup noodle binge is sign of the times

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese consumers can't get enough of cup noodles, with spending on them surging by more than a quarter over the past year. That sounds like good news, but for a country still struggling to escape deflation it's a worrying signal.

Weak consumer spending is fuelling speculation that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will again delay a planned sales tax hike, and Japan is expected to have dodged a recession at the start of this year by the smallest of margins - helped by an extra 'leap year' day in the January-March quarter.

Consumption, one of the few economic engines that fired when Abe launched his "Abenomics" stimulus plan more than three years ago, is faltering. And rising sales of cheap cup noodles is a worrying sign that consumers have little confidence that deflation is being banished.

"Consumers remain on guard against rising costs of food and living, refraining from spending on other items, and they're rebuilding savings spent during the last-minute buying spree," said Hiromichi Shirakawa, chief economist at Credit Suisse.

Cup noodles, costing as little as 180 yen ($1.65), are a favorite for penny pinchers. Average monthly spending on cup noodles surged 26.1 percent in January-March from a year earlier, government data show - the fourth straight quarter of double-digit growth.

Spending on noodles is growing at the fastest pace since Abe took office in late 2012. At the same time, data shows households are spending less on non-durable goods such as utilities, education, recreation, transport and communications.

[legion]

As I recall consumption didn't really take off. The sales of luxury goods went up and some people bought big ticket items to beat the tax hike, but there was never a real rise in spending.

Plenty of expensive cars zipping around Aoyama, I get the feeling that the people who scooped off money from Abe's largess are trying to get the use out of their toys before the cost of keeping them hurts too much.

Abenomics was a superficial solution, giving money to people in a casino then telling them the house is betting on red is not really a viable economic policy.

Noodles are the way to go, knuckle down and tough it out.

[Russell]

Would be interesting to see how that correlates with health care costs...

[legion]

Reduce them, healthy diets are keeping people alive too long.

[Russell]

Reduce them, healthy diets are keeping people alive too long.

So, it now all comes together, this Abenomics.

Got it!

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Japan should turn its economy over to women (the real ones, not the harpy man-haters).
They work efficiently, get out of the office on time, spend well, get the job done and are generally bold and innovative (except when examining signatures in banks). Everything that the average salaryman is not.
Otherwise, it would be nice to see a new economic model that doesn't rely on the impossibility of permanent growth.