正月 (shōgatsu) the Japanese New Year.

By, Uwe Paschen. 正月 (shōgatsu) the Japanese New Year. Japan will celebrate the 22nd year of the Heisei era. Or in accordance with the 皇紀 (Koki) calendar, the year 2670.Kōki one is the year when...

Climate change; is it for real or are we being mislead?

By, Uwe Paschen.  Climate change is on many peoples mind these days and some do wonder whether it is for real or if we are being mislead? One may first have to define climate change. Climate change is any...

Mr. Obama to meet with Mr. Hatoyama in Tokyo today.

By, Uwe Paschen. In Japan not only the weather seems cooler this days, on its political front it seems even chilling, at least as far as relation with the U.S. are concerned.  This Thursday the 12s of November...

Could Japan become a beacon for the World to follow?

By, Uwe Paschen. Is Japan’s change to be a beacon for a World to follow or merely an Isolated move by one bold Nation defying a super power? Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his Party (DPJ) won a historic...

Swine Flu is hitting Japan.

By, Uwe Paschen. Swine Flu is hitting Japan now.  Recently the cases of Swine Flu patients have risen in Japan in spite of quarantines earlier and health alerts. Those affected the most seem to be young and...

Is this the End of Capitalism in Germany?

By, Uwe Paschen. Could this be the beginning of the end for Capitalism?  On Saturday another demonstration took place with an  estimated 100,000 Workers marching through Berlin in protest and anger. Stating on...

The Japanese Golden Week and Koinobori Festival or Boy Festival.

By, Uwe Paschen. As it goes here in Japan we have yet another holiday. This time it is the Golden Week, (ゴールデンウィーク), Wish is also known as Ōgata renkyū (大型連休) or even as Ōgon shūkan...

The Ever Rising Health Care Cost, has to be Cut off Now.

By, Uwe Paschen.  The ever rising Health care cost of the Social Democracies such as Japan, Germany, Sweden and to a certain extend even Canada is putting public health care in serious jeopardy. Last week I took...

The Missile Crisis of the Japanese Sea is escalating further.

By, Uwe Paschen. The Missile escalation of the Japanese Sea.  Japan is to deploy the first ship-based long-range missile defence system, said Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo Yesterday. The...

The Hinamatsury Festival in Japan.

By, Uwe Paschen. Today is Hinamatsury, here in Japan. This is the Japanese Doll Festival (雛祭り Hina-matsuri), or Girls' Day, Hinamatsuri is held on March 3, the third day of the third month. A Platforms with a...

Sec. of State H. Clinton Engages Asia, with her visit to Japan.

By, Uwe Paschen. Japan welcome Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Tokyo today. As usual and expected Japan gave The Secretary of State the most courteous welcome as it does for all official visitors. With...

Are the Days of free speech on count down?

By, Uwe Paschen.  Are the Days of free speech on the Internet on count down?  The 'Minerva' case has sent shockwaves through South Korea's blogging community as well as elsewhere is South East Asia.  This is...

Saint Oniisan, Japan's new Holy Book.

Japan has a new Holy book off sorts, becoming very popular, it is in the form of a comic book and it is called “Saint Oniisan” (聖☆おにいさん [jp], lit. meaning, Saint Young Men) Written by Hikaru...

U.N. Envoy Robert Fowler is alive.

U.N. Envoy Robert Fowler is alive.  According to outgoing U.N. Council president Jean-Maurice Ripert of France, Fowler would be alive. This adding yet another strange twist in the disappearance of Robert Fowler...

Niger Gov. claims terrorist responsible for missing U.N. envoy.

By, Uwe Paschen.  Niger President Mamadou Tandja said yesterday that Terrorist are responsible for the U.N. envoys disappearance, as Reuters reports. This comes after the U.N. and Canada’s Government did mention...