1.Cooking Stove I went shopping with my parents at a department store. First we try to buy winter clothes for my father and mother. After that they said they want to a new gas cooking stove. They had old one, but it was too old to use. So we went to mass-volume discount retailers to look for new cooking stove. There were lots of type gas stove. We had considered for a while and we selected mid price one
. It went over a begets by 4000 yen, but my mother was really glad, she had wanted it for three years!
I’ve started a foreign currency deposit. I bought Euro. I am thinking that I can get exchange gains from the strong yen. Now I have invested in foreign currency. I mean that I do sales and purchases of foreign currencies. I believe Euro will rise within few years. But now it is still weak.
*[What is the exchange rate of euro to the yen?]
The exchange rate is 119 yen to the euro. Two months ago, it was more than 160 yen.
Business recession have influenced employment situation. There are sign of the worsening employment. Many temporary workers have been fired rapidly. Our company has hired some temporary staff. Similarly, we have hired one temp staff. She said that they will never quit the job now. It is difficult to get a new job.
Japanese economy has been affected by the slowdown of the U.S. economy and it has fallen deeper into recession now. Only two month ago, we worried about oil prices zooming up which caused a worldwide recession. But now stock prices have been falling more rapidly. *appreciation [эpri`:∫ie'i∫n] 正しい評価、高騰
Sharp appreciation of the yen is giving the exporters a lot of trouble. Strong yen decreased profits of these companies. They suffer serious damage from the strong yen. Auto industry is a typical example.
HONDA is a major auto manufacture in Japan. They have developed not only cars but also robots. Few years ago, they had released a new model called “ASIMO”.
Additionally they have participated in the F1 race, but they will withdraw from the race. I like F1 race so it really disappointed me. But I heard it costs 40billion yen per year. I understand why they will get out of the business. They said that they want to focus their corporate resources on their strongest areas like environmental technology. One of their competitors is TOYOTA. It is the biggest auto manufacture in Japan. They have developed hybrid cars that are good for the environment. I believed that they would break through this recession but they were concerned about the rapid decline in its revenue. Earnings forecast are getting worse. Some companies have become bankrupt. Example life issuance companies and build companies.*worse [wэ':(r)s] worth [wэ':(r)θ]
I’ll work by Dec. 26th. But my company will launch the new service so I’m not sure about my schedule now. I hope to finish my work by the 27th, because I want to go to a special tennis lesson at 28th.
2.New Years greeting cards.
One of the pleasures of New Years holiday is to receive greeting cards with beautiful illustrations. Usually It has Chinese zodiac signs drawn on them. And I intend to write New Years greeting cards by Dec. 24th. Because, Japan Post had advised that New Years cards should be posted by Dec. 24th, so it’ll be ensured delivery on January 1st.
*Do you know Japanese New Years greeting cards feature?
It has a lottery number. If you win the lottery, you could get prizes
, like DVD player, Hawaii trip, etc. I’ve only gotten a sheet of stamps as fifth prize.
3.Playing tennis.
This year I’m going to enjoy tennis on Dec. 30th. There will be six peoples. So I reserved an indoor court. After practice, we’ll have year end party at a Japanese-style bar near the court. They love drinking alcohol, so they will drink a lot. After a few rounds of drinks we’ll go to karaoke. I worry about next day house cleaning.
4.Go back parent’s house
The beginning of New Years, I will go back wife’s parent house and my parents’ house to spend with my family. My Mother makes traditional New Year dishes. Thesewill be prepared before New Year’s Day. Most Japanese people enjoy it at this time of year. People also eat zoni, or soup with rice cakes and vegetables.
円高が止まらない。ならば、外貨投資しておこう。
「株価」が下がり過ぎですよね。。。。