Japan

=Organizing International Business Activities - Japan=
 * NOTE: All //italicized text// must be deleted AFTER that section is complete.**

‍Introduction - Angela A.
The years surpassing World War Two helped to shape Japan into the technologically advanced country that it is. This was accomplished by having things such as, government-industry corporations and strong work ethics. Up to the years 1990, Japan had experienced an economic growth. In the 1960s, Japan experienced an average growth of about 10%. In the 1970s, there was an average of 5%. In the 1980s the average was 4%. Japan has the world’s third largest economy having an approximate [|GDP] of $4,308,630,000,000. This was brought on by a very busy international business activity, where they provided goods and services to countries around the world. One of the main goods Japan provides is fish. In addition, the government, of the Prime Minister of Japan, has brought upon some free trade agreements that will increase exports. Although Japan seems to experience a good standing point in their economy, it is apparent that they are far in debt as most countries are nowadays. As of June 30 of 2011, Japan has the sixth largest [|debt]. Most of this comes from trying to recover from the natural disasters, which often occur. All the rebuilding and reconstructing adds up to more than 20 million dollars. Japan’s international business activity includes [|exporting] goods such as capital equipment, industrial supplies, and consumer durable goods. On the other hand, Japan’s main [|imports] include industrial supplies, capital equipment, food, and consumer durable goods. In all, Japan has a stable and well off economy. They have a 99% literacy rate, only a 4% unemployment rate, and is ranked the 3rd largest economy in the world.





‍Economic Conditions - Carlos O.
The economic conditions of Japan are very different in certain areas. Japan is a Constitutional Monarchy with parliamentary Government.[| Japan]is very stable when it comes to politics and has very strong strategies for an unexpected event just like the United States. Families have a big part when it comes to influencing business because they are based a lot on. They think as working not just for the money but the country as well, which is kind of different point of view than some of the people that work here in the United States. The Climate is different in certain areas, the south is tropical and the north is cold and breezy. [|Japan] is made up of small islands surrounded by bodies of water. It has also has a lot of mountains which is good and bad. Japan really doesn’t have many resources other than trees; they trade a lot to get the resources that they need. Their main agriculture is fishing and forestry, they also make a lot of rice per year. The main language in [|Japan] is Japanese although there are a lot of dialects. Most schools are public but 5% of them are private. The main religions are Buddhism and Shintoism even though today religion doesn't really play a part. [|Japan] is a capitalist nation and is very modernized and they manufacture a lot of cars, electronics, and clothing. Japan has the third largest budget for researching and has the most science Nobel products, it leads in the world of robotics. Japan is very interesting and it is a lot like the United States when it comes to politics and business. They are both very ready is something unexpected is to happen.

‍Imports, Exports, and Trade Relations - Stephen P.
Throughout Asia and the islands surrounding Asia the main things being imported are food stuffs, natural resources, electronic equipment, and fuels. In Japanbecause of its technology based economy, resources to make cars, computers, TV’s, and other technological items are very commonly bought. Exports in [|Japan] to other countries are items such as TV’s, DVD players, Xboxes, computers, cars, and other technically advanced items. Because of the large need for electronics and other manufactured items in 1980 Japan stepped in to fill these needs by becoming one of the world’s major manufacturers of Computers, TV’s, cars, and other electric goods.

Over the last 20 years, [|China] has grown into the most manufacturing based economies in the world. Because of the large amount of iron and other natural resources needed for manufacturing these items are the items that are imported the most. Because of Chinas extremely cheap labor things such as electrical goods machinery medical equipment and clothes are some of the most commonly exported, and produced items in China. After World War 2 in Korea [|South Korea] the country survived mainly from aid from the United States. After 2 centuries of turmoil South Korearose into one of Asia’s biggest economic power houses. During the 1980’s South Korea took a major step into the world economy by stepping in to manufacture many sought after electronic goods such as cell phones, cars, and LCD TV’s. Natural resources to make these items are the most commonly bought things in South Korea. Because of [|Russia]’s huge land mass, they have an abundant amount of natural resources. From oil to timber, natural resources are Russia’s main exports. They import things that are not easily manufactured or created in their country such as medicines, food, and many consumer goods.

Japanese currency

(The Yen) Is currently a very low valued currency. With the exchange rate when compared to a 1 US dollar being about 76.7 Japanese yen you can understand how japans currency isnt worth very much, which is strange when you see how it is one of the most used currency on a global scale. When you think about how japan is such a huge economic tiger it seems strange for them to have a low value currency. The yen first lost its value during japans period of instability after world war 2, there was serious drop in its value and ever since then japan has been nursing their currencies value back up. The value of the yen is determined in foreign exchange markets by the varying economic forces and the supply and demand of yen. The supply of yen in the market is controlled the largest yen holders and their willingness to exchange it for goods/services/assets. In the 1990s the bank of japan  kept the interest rate low to try and stimulate economic growth. Yet low interest rates when paired with a ready liquidity for the yen investors prompted them to borrow money in japan and invest it in other countries (known as carry trade) this has attributed greatly to keeping the value of yen low. Some other currencies in the area is the chinese Yuan, the south korean Won, the hong kong Dollar, and the taiwan Dollar. These countries all have a currency based at a much higher value than the yen. 

‍Laws and Regulations - Fabian C.
//For this section locate and list examples of laws that affect business activities and international business trade in your country. How do these laws and regulations compare with those of the United States?// //Be detailed and specific in your explanations - a minimum of 250-300 words with links, graphics, and annotations.//

‍Consumer Products/Services - Kenneth L.
//This section should identify products and services that are unique to your country. What factors influence the demand for these goods and services? Also list examples of customs, traditions, and cultural behavior that affect consumer buying in this region. Be detailed and specific in your explanations - a minimum of 250-300 words with links, graphics, and annotations.//

‍Promotional Activities - Marcos T.
//If you used promotion product before,you know their power.//

‍Small Business Success - Liliana C.
Her name is Etsuko Hirose, and sh e is in her early 30s. and this is my interview to her...

what does the business do?The business is an architecture firm that deals with designing of houses, shops, community housing, etc. When did you start the business?Three years ago What did it take to get the business started?Printer, computer, personality, experience... a degree in Architecture with a license (1st degree license --- top) (**This license can only be acquired after education and experience. Ms. Hirose was educated at Waseda University in the Architecture program...a top class program in the country!) How long did it take to make profits and why? Two years ... experience and building up a network of people/ contacts, was important, and that does not happen overnight. Why did you choose to start your own business? I wanted to make my own designs. I also got married, and I wanted to be in more control of my time. In a big firm, you must work late hours and on weekends, but if I have my own firm, I can control my work times. What are your responsibilities? To make high quality, good spaces for work and life. What are some of the problem/risks with running your business? Time management is difficult. Sometimes when I take on too much work, I can't do it all. For one job, it takes about 3 months to 1 year, and so I must be careful not to take on too many jobs at one time. What are some benefits of owning your own business and running it?I can make my own designs! If someone wanted to own a business like yours what are some recommendations for the person? You need to have someone to take care of the network. Do you enjoy your job and why?I love my job. It is satisfying to listen to clients and create something for them. The buildings I create have a quality and a combination of my ideas of "beauty" along with the clients' ideas. I am always moved when I can be in the spaces I create. When you create something, it often becomes something better than you expected, and that is always satisfying. Are there certain qualities you are looking in an employee?Someone who is willing to work and is willing to put their heart into creatingand working for clients.

Here is her office's homepage. She lives in Tokyo and her office is in Tokyo. []

‍Conclusion - Stacy C.
Japan is well known for it's international business which has contributed to place this country as the world's third largest economy.Japan's main imports include industrial supplies, capital equipment, food, and consumer durable goods.Japan's economy also relies in their technologically advanced knowledge that allows this country to produce computers, TV's, cars, and other electronic goods.Natural resources from South Korea and Russia are very helpful to countries where electronic goods, medicines, food, and many consumer goods are hard to be manufatured.Japan is a Constitutional Monarchy, yet it is very stable when it comes to politics. Japan is acapitalist nation that manufacture many cars, electronics, and clothing. Their climate varies in certain areas, in the South is tropical and the north is cold and breezy.Japan's currency (Yen) is currently a very low valued currency, it started to lose its value during Japans period of instability after world war two. The chinese Yuan, the South Korean Won, the Hong Kong Dollar and the Taiwan dollar have a much higher value then the yen.Keeping the value of the Yen low is a good thing for Japan because it has helped stimulate economic growth.As on the present day Japan is in debt, yet this has not been an impediment to allow this country to have a stable and well off economy.Japan's economy that depends on demand and supply