I wish you a Merry Christmas

I have a bit of a cold. But I will go out this afternoon and buy something as a Christmas present for me. What should I get?

The time when I feel that business is tough

I have worked for a package delivery company since 2007. It is the season of year-end gift in Japan now. But obviously the number of packages are down this year. Of course, the company has held down employment. After all business seems tough.


I don't feel that business is tough in my daily life. It is same as usual. However, Japan's economy is in recession. I think saving is important. And earning is more important. The most crucial issue of Japanese economy is reduction of potential growth rate, I believe.


I have to work hard. Before that, I have to find the best way.

Favorite word

My favorite word is "think big."

I knew the word "think big" for the first time in childhood. It is commonly-used in the US. Meanwhile people don't say "think big" very often in Japan. When someone intends to do something new, he is often told that don't do such a stupid thing. I think Japan is a country of insularity indeed.

I happened to find an interesting phrase browsing the Internet the other day.

Think big, start small, act now.

It's cool. I love it.

Matsui is MVP

Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs and the New York Yankees won the 27th World Series championship on Wednesday. Matsui was named the Series MVP. He had done a great job, going 8-for-13 (.615) with three homers and eight RBIs.

Matsui made New Yorkers and Japanese very happy. His performance was really impressive. I think Matsui became one of the legends.

But it is uncertain whether Matsui will play for the Yankees next year. I think he had better belong to a team which he can play as a regular. The Boston Red Sox might be better. It is a bit exciting.

Sharapova wins first title since returning to the court

Maria Sharapova won the Toray Pan Pacific Open on October 3 at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo. It was her first title since undergoing surgery on her right shoulder a year ago.

I had watched the final on TV. When Jelena Jankovic retired in the first set, Sharapova seemed to regret Jankovic's retire. I thought Sharapova's performance was less than perfect. She was on the way to recovery yet.

Anyway, she won the first title after comeback. I expect her completely recovery next year.

Historic election in Japan

I cast a vote for the Lower House election last Sunday. The results had turned out what I had expected for the first time. A change of power in Japan's politics took place at last.

But it is only a beginning of change, I think. Japan seems to move toward a two-party system. However, they are not the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party. I think Japanese politics will head for reorganization in several years.

I hope Japan's politics will be a two-party system based on policy, for example, a small government and a big government. If so, Japan is a real democratic country.

Now, I expect the DPJ to destroy bureaucratism. The DPJ promises to strip the bureaucracy of its powers and control over the nation's purse strings. In my opinion, that is the point to revitalize Japanese politics and society.

Anyway, Japan made a big step.

Looking for the right time to sell the dollar

I think the dollar will be weaken against the yen this week. And the Britain pound will be down against the yen, too. I tried to sell the dollar and the pound, but didn't it as of now. I missed the timing.

I have not been invested in currencies for a while. I will try to do it again this week.