bloomberg.com: Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Japan headed for its worst postwar recession as factory output slumped an unprecedented 9.6 percent in December, unemployment surged and households cut spending.So does this mean more US/EU j-rock tours ('cos the dollar/euro is stronger?) or less (because fewer bands/labels have the yen start up a US/EU tour?)...
The drop in production eclipsed the previous record of 8.5 percent set only a month earlier, the Trade Ministry said today in Tokyo. The jobless rate soared to 4.4 percent from 3.9 percent, the biggest jump in 41 years.
“Japan’s economy is falling off a cliff,” said Junko Nishioka, an economist at RBS Securities Japan Ltd. in Tokyo.
I went to pull $500 outta my Japanese bank account yesterday and god damn if the exchange rate wasn't better than the $1=¥100 mark for the first time since my first visit in '96!
I almost spat coffee at my screen at the title of this entry.......
ReplyDeleteSo the yen is going to weaken against dollar and euro? I sure wish it would against the UK pound, I used to get 220 yen per pound, now I only get 130. No chance though...*___*
Not sure about more or less concerts though, I'm personally indifferent but I can see Diru still coming back for more since I can now buy their CD's in a small English town and buy mainstream magazines featuring them too.
I remember looking at CDs on CDJapan when I was really getting into Japanese music and you could get a ¥3000 CD for about $26. Now it's $33. That was some time during the latter half of 2003 probably.
ReplyDeletewell Aioism, don't forget that CDs used to be less yen too -- if you check the back of your old Aion CDs, i bet they were like 2650yen... then they all went to a nice even 3000yen for a loooong time, and now you can see some for 3150yen or even 3300...
ReplyDelete[as a side note, i always ADORED the fact that Japan printed the price right on the back of the CD...]
@mrs. tigers - thanks! i always like to hear when i've made some spit a beverage all over their keyboard and/or monitor... which is why i will now link to... THIS!
well Aioism, don't forget that CDs used to be less yen too -- if you check the back of your old Aion CDs, i bet they were like 2650yen... then they all went to a nice even 3000yen for a loooong time, and now you can see some for 3150yen or even 3300...
ReplyDelete[as a side note, i always ADORED the fact that Japan printed the price right on the back of the CD...]
@mrs. tigers - thanks! i always like to hear when i've induced beverage spitting all over one's keyboard/monitor... which is why i will link to... THIS! [brandishes link like a knife]
Damn
ReplyDeleteDamn you! YOSHIKI! :::::shakes fists::::::
ReplyDeleteAnd up yours, Pata! WHen has your drunken ass ever done for the economy?!
In all serious, it's bad everywhere. No economy will go unscathed in this CRISIS. We will all go into the depths of hell itself (I am being dramatic and all, but it's true).
On a positive note, this may bring more Jrock acts to the west and trips to Japan will become cheaper! YAY!
OH DAMN YOU GO! that link was from the depths of hell.
ReplyDelete*emails link to everyone who has annoyed me anytime over the last five years and basks in the utter bliss of knowing I finally have adequate revenge and closure*
thanks..!
I don't know about their even older stuff, but the first press version of Aionism from 1991 says 3000 on it, just like Gackt - Crescent from December 2003. My copy of Jealousy, also from 1991, says 2800. Shazna - Sophia (1994) is a whopping 3000 for a mini-album. Somehow I don't actually own a newer full price Japanese CD that isn't an American version.
ReplyDeleteLOL! "somehow" :D
ReplyDeleteThe dollar is the weakest it's been against the yen in decades. I know I haven't been planning any tours for bands because of it.
ReplyDeleteGo, you're miss-understanding.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Japanese economy IS slumping again, the Yen is doing better compared to the dollar.
One dollar was 110ish Yen in the summer
Now one dollar is 90ish Yen.
If bands don't come over here it's because they can't make as much money not because it will cost them more.