Interesting promotional campaign: JAL launches Arashi Jet

Japan Airlines, which is currently undergoing reconstruction due to its financial troubles, is looking to boost its business with Arashi's help. The airline has commissioned a single "Arashi Jet," which is basically a Boeing 777 whose fuselage is decorated with a 5-meter-tall, 20-meter-wide seal bearing the images of Arashi's members, along with the title of their latest album, "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei."

The plane will take its first flight on Sunday at 1:30pm, flying from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Osaka. The plane is expected to be primarily used for domestic flights, serving the routes between Haneda and three other airports: New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Itami Airport in Osaka, and Fukuoka Airport in Fukuoka. JAL plans to use the plane until January 2011.

In addition to the Arashi Jet, JAL will be selling the "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei" album (with a specially designed cover) in-flight on several of its domestic routes.


source; TOKYOGRAPH; Japan_Now

so near yet so different..

This is so funny..

In Malaysia, banci means census.
In Indonesia, banci means queer!

The Philippines Under President Aquino

The Philippines Under President Aquino

In a country governed for decades by elites and oligarchs, he spoke of simplicity and modesty. And while he himself comes from one of these elite families, he is divesting himself of the vestiges of entitlement.
Symbolically, he has banned politicians and other members of the elite from driving around with police escorts and blaring sirens. Ordinary Filipinos have long resented the massive traffic jams from such blatant daily abuse of power.
He won the election on an anti-corruption platform and in his speech identified his foremost duty as being able "to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance". This brought positive response from all sectors, particularly local business, which has long complained of the cost of corruption to its bottom line.
Foreign businessmen are likewise beginning to have confidence in the Philippine economy. In the past, foreign direct investment in the Philippines has been very minimal compared with other countries. The perception has been that investing in the Philippines is high-risk, financially and politically. Many cite past corruption-tainted projects such as Manila Airport's Ninoy Aquino Terminal 3 project where Fraport, a German company was involved, and the NBN-ZTE broadband deal, where a Chinese telecommunications company was implicated. With renewed confidence from the international and local business community, the Philippine economy should be able to benefit from the surging overall vibrancy of the Asia's regional economy.
Then there is the question of the Philippine military which has indulged in adventurism in past years, including multiple rebellions and coups during his mother's term. The new President almost lost his life in a 1989 coup attempt and he still has a bullet lodged in his neck. Former Brigadier General Danilo Lim, a West Point educated and decorated elite officer, is being prosecuted for leading a number of alleged destabilization attempts against the previous Arroyo administration. Quite interestingly, he allied himself with Aquino -- his former nemesis -- and the now president's party, but the general failed to win a seat in the Senate at the election.
Many will be watching how President Aquino will move with peace talks with the communist and Muslim rebels. But the military now seems intent on following the people's sentiment, and this can only strengthen the new administration's hand.
President Aquino tempered the expectations of his people by admitting that the massive problems facing the Philippines can not be solved overnight and that real remedies could take years. He appealed to a sense of civic duty all Filipinos to do their share. By casting himself as a personal example provides the air of hope, optimism and renewed surge of patriotism among Filipinos, at home and abroad.
The Aquino government is only days old and it is yet to be seen how the backbone of his presidency- his Cabinet line-up - will perform. Nonetheless, Filipinos feel reinvigorated. They have a feeling of euphoria and pride - one that comes from the national redemption that democracy is resurrected and their dignity has been restored.

Arnel Paciano Casanova is the Executive Director, Asia Society Philippines.

It's definitely a home coming for Y&R Jakarta's Gold Lion!

The World's most expensive cities.

10. Zurich, Switzerland
Rank in 2009: 10
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $25
Can of beer from grocer: $2.01
One kg of rice: $3.36
One dozen eggs: $5.81
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $16
Appliances: Washing machine: $974

9. Geneve, Switzerland
Rank in 2009: 9
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $30
Can of beer from grocer: $2.02
One kg of rice: $3.81
One dozen eggs: $7.64
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $16
Appliances: Washing machine: $1,304

8. Copenhagen, Denmark
Rank in 2009: 7
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $36
Can of beer from grocer: $2.10
One kg of rice: $4.85
One dozen eggs: $6.99
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $15
Appliances: Washing machine: $1,196

7. Kobe, Japan
Rank in 2009: 6
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $16
Can of beer from grocer: $3.09
One kg of rice: $8.57
One dozen eggs: $2.81
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $20
Appliances: Washing machine: $470

The city has one of Japan's largest ports and has become home to many heavy machinery, iron and steel, and food product companies. According to the Japan External Trade Organization, 117 foreign and foreign-affiliated companies have offices in Kobe. As the price of Kobe beef, the style of high-grade meat named after the city, suggests, food is costly here, as are other living expenses.

6. Stavanger, Norway
Rank in 2009: 14
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $33
Can of beer from grocer: $4.76
One kg of rice: $5.71
One dozen eggs: $6.34
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $15.50
Appliances: Washing machine: $749

5. Yokohama, Japan
Rank in 2009: 4
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $17.39
Can of beer from grocer: $3.26
One kg of rice: $6.54
One dozen eggs: $3.72
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $19.50
Appliances: Washing machine: $630

About half an hour by commuter train from Tokyo, this port city has active shipping, biotechnology, and semiconductor industries. Yokohama is one of the world's most expensive cities, but companies here enjoy lower operating costs compared with the nearby capital. Nissan opened a new headquarters in Yokohama this year and reportedly will sell its office in Tokyo to cut costs.

4. Nagoya, Japan
Rank in 2009: 3
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $19
Can of beer from grocer: $3.08
One kg of rice: $9.14
One dozen eggs: $3.33
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $20
Appliances: Washing machine: $621

Japan's fourth most populous city, Nagoya is also among the country's most expensive. The city ranks No. 1 for the cost of rice: $9.14 per kilogram, according to ECA International data. As Japan's auto hub, the Nagoya area is an important center of business: about 44 percent of automobiles produced in Japan are made here, according to the Greater Nagoya Initiative Center. Such companies as Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and General Motors have headquarters, manufacturing operations, or distribution points in the Nagoya region.

3. Luanda, Angola
Rank in 2009: 1
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $47
Can of beer from grocer: $1.62
One kg of rice: $4.73
One dozen eggs: $4.75
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $13
Appliances: Washing machine: $912

2. Oslo, Norway
Rank in 2009: 8
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $43
Can of beer from grocer: $4.71
One kg of rice: $5.66
One dozen eggs: $6.72
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $16
Appliances: Washing machine: $880

1. Tokyo, Japan
Rank in 2009: 2
Food: Lunch at a restaurant: $18
Can of beer from grocer: $3.37
One kg of rice: $8.47
One dozen eggs: $3.78
Entertainment: Movie ticket: $22
Appliances: Washing machine: $879

The strength of the yen has brought Tokyo back to the No. 1 spot on ECA International's ranking for the first time since 2005. In addition to the costs above, rent for a two-bedroom apartment for expats is typically more than $5,000 per month in Tokyo, according to data from EuroCost International. While visitors need more pocket money here than in any other city, the monthly consumer price index in Tokyo's wards has actually dropped year-on-year for 14 straight months as of May 2010, based on figures from Japan's statistics bureau.

Results acquired from "ECA International" (a global human resources company).
ECA’s ranking is based on a basket of 128 goods that includes food, daily goods, clothing, electronics, and entertainment, but not rent, utilities, and school fees, which are not typically included in a cost-of-living adjustment. ECA researchers and local partners gathered prices in September 2009 and March 2010 for domestic and imported brands that are internationally recognized—such as Kellogg’s cereal or Sapporo beer. While lower-priced goods and services are available in these markets, the study estimated the cost of supporting the standard of living expected by expatriate employees, says Lee Quane, ECA’s regional director for Asia. Some of the cities, such as Seoul and Stockholm, jumped up in the ranking as the local currency strengthened against the U.S. dollar. Quane says that while a slowdown in business may tempt employers to scale back compensation, "recessions only last so long" and retaining top talent in these places is critical to companies’ success when the global economy recovers.

Source: Japan_Now

Gold Cannes Lion Award Winner - the first for Y&R Jakarta and Indonesia!

beautiful little blind girl..with DBSK - playing "you raise me up"

the question i ask myself everyday..

DBSK - Why did I fall in love with you.

The 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit will be in Jakarta 5-7 November 2010

The 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit

The Asia Society is planning to hold the 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, from November 5th -7th. The focus of this year's Summit is "Unity in Diversity: Responsible Leadership in the Asia-Pacific." The next generation of leaders from across the region will gather to discuss issues pertaining to leadership and the positive values of regional collaboration and values-based leadership, and build relationships with each other.

The Asia Society is currently accepting nominations. The criteria for selection are:

• 40 years and under;
• Established leader in their field; and
• Fluent in English.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please sendasia21@asiasociety.org the following information: Full Name, Honorofic (Mr./Ms./Dr./etc), Job Title, Job Affiliation and Email Address. Applications will be sent to the nominees, and will be reviewed by the Asia 21 Selection Committe

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Ukraine's Got Talent Winner 2009)