Currently, the Japanese economy is quickly falling. A combination of deflation and the rising yen are both major factors crippling the country’s funds. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has recently endorsed ¥5.05 trillion stimulus package which equals about 0.6% of the nation’s economic output. This money will roughly create or retain 450,000-500,000 jobs. However, where are these funds coming from? The huge amount of funding is getting generated from last years left over funds and the money saved because of the decrease in repayment interests for national bonds. On top of this, the funds are expected to come from tax increases. This stimulus package is aimed to re-established the power of small and middle class companies struggling in current economic conditions. You many ask if raising taxes will be a bad idea, but Japan’s taxes are currently 5%. Quite low compared to many of the developed countries, especially European ones which have up to 25%.
So I think its time for Japan to make a decision; raise taxes and contribute a little bit more, or just watch the country enter a complete state of economic depression.
This summer, Sony introduced a new genre of digital slrs (single reflex cameras.) Their newest innovation, the Alpha Nex-3 and Nex-5 are the world’s smallest cameras with interchangeable lenses. So why is this such big news you may ask. It’s because these “micro” slrs can be a possible product that can fill an unexplored gap in the digital camera industry. Currently the market of digital cameras are divided between casual point and shoot cameras and the advanced digital slr cameras. Although there are entry model slrs, they still seem to be a little too intimidating for the average beginner to step his/her photography up to the next level. Through the introduction of micro “slrs” which stand inbetween the point and shoot and dslrs, it is targeted towards beginners looking for a multi-functioning camera while exploring dslr qualities or dslr users looking for a smaller second camera which has superior quality over a regular point and shoot. After purchasing one for myself as a second camera, I quickly fell in love with the convenience and high quality photos it provides. I found that I was using it quite often but the Nex-5’s role did not clash with my high level dlsrs role of taking serious photography. I think the introduction of “micro” dslrs to the camera market was a great method of catching indecisive consumers looking for a multifunctional, yet high quality camera.
http://www.sony.ca/view/press_900.htm
My first class blog will be about a certain feature the Apple iphone lacks. The Adobe Flash Player is a popular software which allows for more creative website making and dynamic design online. However, the Apple CEO, Steve Jobs has clearly stated that the iphone will never be flash compatible. Many consumers including myself were highly discouraged by this movement. Apple, having “closed source” operating systems argues that Adobe Flash is a monopolistic threat on the web. Apple announced that they will have an “open source” policy for web browsing despite their closed interface. Apple seems to be highly hypocritical when it comes with the issue of open source and closed source which leaves consumers suspicious about the idea of not introducing flash to the iphone lineup. This decision made by Apple affects many web designers who specialize in website making with flash (which accounts for most of the web designer population). I consider this an oppressive decision that cost Apple a loss of many potential new customers who were looking at the iphone as their step into the smart phone market. Bottom line is, give the consumers what they want.
Here is a site I looked at as a reference.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/11/adobe-flash-on/
Today at the first class of COMM 101, we discussed several topics based on our pre-class readings. I did not have a chance to mention my idea about regulating the alcohol abuse in Russia so I decided that my first post will be a rant explaining my idea. First of all, the discussion that was brought up in class was if the government should raise the price of the Vodka as an attempt to decrease the amount of alcohol abuse. Most of the class either agreed that raising the price would help decrease the amount of abuse or the fact that it would just encourage the Russians to simply house brew their vodka. However, I had a different idea about what the government should intervene in. After hearing from the Russian student that most of the people did not know the effects of alcoholism, I thought it would be a better solution if the citizens were educated about alcohol abuse. How you may ask. But I figured that the best and easiest method the government could take is to have a policy where the companies would have to use a defined % of their label to describe the dangers of alcoholism. This is what the tobacco industry is mandated to do in most countries. Its just that the gory pictures of lungs will be replaced with damaged liver and all sorts of lovely graphics. Putting warnings on the labels will not change the price of the vodka which will keep most people happy. On top of that, the Russians might notice the significant change of layout on their vodka labels and take time to read the warnings. This can be a possible solution or atleast a start to the decrease of alcohol related problems haunting Russia. But thats just my opinion.
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