Chrismas Wishes

A very happy holiday to you all!


I am on holiday time off and will be back after the Chrismas. Here are some links you can check out while enjoying the time off:

CSIS at iTune University (comments, interviews, etc)


Asahi Shimbun Yearend Special (great way to understand Japanese culture at the end of a year)


Yomiuri Shimbun's 10 Biggest News of The Year (Chinese Dumping Scandle is voted by the readers as the Top 1)


Xinua News Yearend review. (The title is What a Year!)

Career Lunch Party

Today I hosted a career lunch party at home.

Amid the first snow of the season in DC, eight people came from near and far, a total of 36 ideas were brainstormed and many of them are great and actionable.

Since my career councilor brought the idea to me in September, to today when the party took place, it has been a while. I am very glad I did it, as it was definitely worth the efforts.

Since it might be the first ever career launch party (I googled career launch party and found nothing, my 43 things list of "hosting a career launch party" came on the the top), many things need improving, such as more background information will be helpful for guests to propose ideas, etc.

However, for everyone who made it and presented at the party, I say, Thanks and You made the history!

Let me know what you think about the party and you can still write in your ideas, simply leave a comment or email me dongyangxiyang at gmail.

G-20 Finance Summit Opens In Washington DC

Leaders of the largest twenty economies are coming to the town, and on the way home, I was glad to sit on the Metro subway train and looking out only to see traffic jams everywhere inside the beltway. With a tightened security, including several blocks were closed to traffic around the National Building Museum, where the G-20 finance summit is being held, your best bet in DC, if you are not one of the White House invited guests, is to take the Metro.


With Washington DC takes over as the host city for the summit, Japan is already hoping to host the next summit


No wonder Japan wants to take the leadership from the U.S., you will understand after reading Prime Minister Aso Taro's Restoring Financial Stability published at today's WSJ Asia.


Hillary Clinton, the next Madam Secretary?


China will ban lip sync. Even the practice has been around for at least twenty years, it is coming to an end only after the Olympic scandal that has drawn worldwide attention.


India will replace China to be the most populated nation in the world by 2022.


Americans all over the country are in search for a place to stay in Washington DC around January 20 for the Obama Inauguration, will the mania catch up internationally too? Like.... Japan...


One Chinese market is booming from the financial crisis, students studying abroad. Shanghai sees more students going overseas to study. Reasons: lower tuition due to strong RMB currency rate, and more foreign schools lure Chinese students and easier to get a visa now than before.


Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit is being held Nov. 14-16 in Tokyo


Why Shanghai has to change policy on recycling PET bottles?

Obama Defeats Macain, Youth and Minority Win

Historic Moment in America!

The moment the news of Obama winning announced, I couldn't help but feeling good about the country. The country which has elected Nixon and Lincoln, tonight handed the reign to a black president, the first in its 221 years history. Next thing you know, some years from now, we may see a Asian American president.

Clearly, the win also signals that previously invisible groups such as youth and minorities finally take over their front row seats, and they came out to the politics in a strong force. Many first time voters, immigrates and youth, voted for change.

Around the world, people are cheerful about the result. One American friend told me, "Finally, America will be liked again". I certainly hope so. From what I heard back in China, it seemed many are very attached to the election and Obama, considering him as someone who comes to rescue of the poor.

I stayed up late to watch the election coverage and then analysis, I had to say that I liked both Obama and MaCain's speeches, both men delivered a very gracious and upbeat tone, however, one statement stuck in my mind is, "Yes, We Can!"

Some coverage from Chinese and Japanese media are:

Biden has been an asset to Obama will be one in Obama's Asian Policy


First Lady Elect Michelle Obama profiled by Japanese media


Blacks and Youth are the strongest Obama voters


Hu Jintao Congratulated Obama


Xinhua News: Warren Buffet among candidates for treasury secretary


Xinhua Analysis: Washington Needs Beijing more than ever

Halloween in China and Japan

Today's Halloween in the U.S., and in Tokyo, Halloween is fairly new thing and it seems Halloween is being celebrated only by foreigners, to be exact, drunk foreigners. Yamanote subway line has beefed up security to prepare for any misconducts by the "crazy" Gaijins, such as taking off clothes and sleeping on the racks, taking off lights inside the cars, etc.


In Shanghai, Halloween is becoming trendy, even it is not as big as Christmas, but young people who like parties still embrace it as another excuse to have some fun.


On the food safety fronts, China is recalling Japanese soysource due to a chemical is found.


Japan's Air Self Defense Chief was forced to resign for saying publicly that Japan has not invaded Korea and China.


And China reports the news promptly.

Food and Finance Crisis

A this Wold's Food Day, more tainted foods were found in Japan that were imported from China, this time, frozen vegetables. However, Chinese denied anything went wrong in its side. (TBS News)


Finance market went further down, after Dow closed down by over 700 points, Tokyo Nikkei is now dipping below 9000 level. No end is seen yet to the current wide spread crisis. (Nikkei Net)


Smaller, Better for auto?
Would you like to drive a car shorter than 3 meters made by Toyoda? (TBS News)

Worldwide Stock Market Crash

The Dow Jones Index dropped 687 points, in three days, the stock market has down over 15 percent, if you think that is scare, consider this:


Tokyo Stock Market dropped over 1000 points this morning, to a new low of 8,100. The Market has to shut down temporarily due to overwhelming sale orders. The scare feeling of no site of a bottom can be seen cause a wide spread selling. Where are the bargain hunters?


China, fears even worse than Japan, the Shanghai market dropped to below 2000, and one analyst predicated that if the Shanghai Index touches 2,000 point, the next target is 1,000. Around the same time last year, Shanghai Index reached over 6,000, that means two thirds of value has evaporated in a single year.

Milk Powder Shadows China

Recently, every thing you heard from China is the Milk Powder, however, today a shocking news from Xi'an, my home town, eight babies died recently at a single hospital, seemed to have nothing to do with the milk powder. What's going on?

EU among such countries as India, bans milk products from China


Served five year as Japan's Prime Minister(one of the longest serving after the war), Koizumi retires from politics


Japan media pays very close focus on China's successful launch of a spaceship


New Japan's PM Aso Taro addressed the UN general assembly. He emphases value based diplomacy and partnership with China and South Korea.

After the games, China looks to Hi-Tech

Citing potential threat from China's People's Liberation Army, Japan's annual defense beige book also calls for close attention to Russia's increasing military move in the Far East.


Paralympics Opens in Beijing.


Social unrests continue in China, two big scale(several thousands) protests, one in Central China,Hunan, one in eastern Zhejiang province's Ningbao.


Tokyo stock market suffers along with NYSE, both drops over 200 points on September 4 .


2 out 3 people worldwide watched Beijing Olympics


After the games, China looks to High-Tech


BOC-Bank of China, China's central bank, in need of love(Money)

Breaking: Fukuda Resigns

This morning at 8:30am, a hour and 45 minutes ago, and Tokyo time at 9:30pm, Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda held a unscheduled press briefing and announced his immediate resignation. He disclosed that the decision was made over the weekend.

Fukuda's sudden resignation mimics his precedent Shinzo Abe's resignation last year, just before the Diet is opening for business. Too much pressure is speculated last time and this time.

Taro Abe, the next on the rank, will be a possible successor to Fukuda.

How it is going to impact Japan's economy and political future will be closely watched, especially at Tokyo stock exchange, which had another down day, Nikkei index dropped over 200 points.

Fukuda's resignation is also a blow to Washington, who is looking to Japan to renew the oil supply law to the U.S. navy ships in the ocean off the Afghan coast.

Beijing A-Z

With 51 gold medals, China fulfills its determination to take the No.1 place in gold medal count.


I find this Interesting: Beijing: A-Z


After the Olympics, What's the next?



Will Hu Jintao invite Dalia Lama to China to commemorate the Sichuan Earthquake victims in November, 6 months after the powerful quake hit?



Have the Olympics Changed China?

Old War and New War

Former WWII biggest war criminal Tojo Hideki's diary was recently found(youtube video clip). Inside he described a wish to carry on the war, and surrendering will be a disaster for Japan.


Due to Georgia situation and series of shuttle diplomacy between Europe and the U.S., secretary of state Condi Rice will not go to Beijing for the closing ceremony. How about British Prime Minister Brown?


Former vice President Mondale is helping Obama shape foreign policy towards Japan


Chinese net writers increase dramatically, few actually make a decent income

World War II Ended This Day 63 Years Ago

Many Fukuda Cabinet members and two former Japanese Prime Ministers worshiped in the Yasukuni Shrine. The officers included Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, who just came back from attending Beijing opening ceremony, and Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe. It is a policy turn for Abe, who visited Beijing right after took office and broke the ice between the two countries, and refused to go to Yasukuni when at office.


Today's worship at the Yasukuni didn't stir too much wave from China who is occupied with the Olympics and South Korea, which also a independence day celebration. South Korean President tried hard to avoid using harsh words toward Japan in his national speech.


The movie Yasukuni is still unofficially and effectively banned in Japan, no screenings planned.


Maybe too much attention has been paid to the Yasukuni Shrine, and a new nonreligious memorial venue is needed, suggested by former cabinet secretary and current Prime Minister Fukuda and reiterated today by Diet President Yohei Kano.


Besides the Yasukuni and historic issues, the toxic dumpings also has prevented Beijing and Tokyo coming to the tables, now Japan's Foreign Minister Komura is on his way to Beijing aiming to solve the issue. He is to meet Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi and No.2 Daibingguo.


Tokyo governor Ishihara criticized Fukuda for not standing up at the Beijing Olympics opening when Japanese athletes entered the stadium and insincere when giving encouraging words to them

what's wrong with the Olympics?

Taiwan President Ma Yingjiu travels to Lantin American vie the U.S., he said he wouldn't do anything that may anger China.


As peace returns to Georgia and Russia, everyone wonders how far a full blown war will break out, considering Russia assert s its oil money supercharged muscle and China as the undoubtedly superpower already considering its gold medal sweeping this week in Beijng.

9-year girl lip-sync at the opening ceremony, the spectacular fire works of giant food ended up being a piece of computer graphic work.
What's wrong with the Beijing Olympics? Is it just started?


Japan's economy, the second largest in the world, shrinks 0.6 percent in the first quarter from April to June.


Just when foreign tourists flood Beijing this week, they are asking, where are the Yaoming shirts, Liu Xiang mugs?

Twp Days To Beijing Olympics

Finally, The torch climbs the the Great Wall of China
(Left: Jiji Press Photo)


Over 80 leaders of different countries gather in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony tomorrow, including U.S. President Bush, who will be in Beijing soon.


Just when you think everyone is forgetting about it, then all in a sudden, Toxic Dumplings came to attention again. This time, Chinese eat the dumplings and got sick. (Who said only Japanese are picky...)


Not only he attends the opening ceremony, he will not meet Dalai Lama, either. A 180 degree turn for French President Sarkozy


A bridge to connect Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai will start construction in 2010.

4 days to the Olympics

Two Japanese journalists, one reporter of Tokyo Shumbun and one cameramen of Nippon Television were beaten by Chinese policemen where reporting The Olympics in China.


Following the terror attack in Kasgar in XinJiang, where 16 were killed and 16 were injured, the security, which is already highly tightened, were further strengthened in China


If you are in Beijing, you may be able to taste a Chinese restaurant that offers Olympic Menu?


A Hong Kong men paid out of his own pocket to educate homeless kids to be the volunteers that speak FIVE languages, they are active in Beijing busiest shopping street, Check the video here


600 strictly selected art school students and dancers will showcase Chinese traditional music at the Olympic Opening ceremony

Fukuda Shuffles Cabinet, 7 Days to Olympics

Japan's Fukuda shuffles cabinet, with the title of "Safe and Realist" cabinet. (Yomiuri Shimbun)


How China and America view differently on the Fukuda new cabinet? (Kyodo News)


China's Hu Jintao held a very rare press briefing
(Yomiuri Shumbun)


Good Gesture from Beijing, today China lift bans on many foreign media websites inside China, such as BBC, etc. However, no one knows how long it is going to last? (Asahi Shimbun)


Have seen the Diamond Ring of the Sun? Check the video clip out
(TBS News)


What's the relations between the Olympics and the Terra Cotta arriors in Xi'an?
(Kyodo News)

8 Days to Beijing Olympics

A Beijing Olympics dress rehearsal video shot by Seoul Broadcasting System leaked in the internet. In case you want to take a sneak view. here is the link.


Business suffers from strict visa rules imposed by Chinese authority right before the Olympics.


Surprising! Japanese population increases for the first time in three years, reach 126 million. Returnees and naturalization attributes to the increase.


Japanese embassy in Beijing warns sports fans to curb their enthusiasms.


Have you checked out the Olympics all competitions Schedule Yet?


China's newest fitness phenomenon


Is it an Anxiety Olympics?

9 Days to Olympics

More troubles in China just before the opening of the Olympics


China closes down 30 factories that make illegal drugs to boost athletes performance


It seems the five Fortune Babies (Fuwa) didn't bring doughs to Beijing, three star hotels see only less than 40 percent of rooms are booked.


BBC Chinese website will be allowed to be viewed inside China


Video of Dress Rehearsal for the Opening ceremony


Italian Prime Minister Will not go to Beijing, reason: Temperature over 50C

From Japan With Love

Dear Foreign Students,

Yokoso, Japan welcomes you!

If you have any remote chance of coming to Japan, to presue a degree, hopefully, instead of idling around Harajuku, then you are at a right place. Today, Monbusho, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, has proposed to increase the number of foreign students to Japan, from current 120,000 to 300,000 by year 2020, Yes, that's a 150 percent increase. It means that you might be one of them flying over Tokyo Tower some day, too.

Prime Minister Fukuda seems to be also a big supporter of the plan.

Before you begin packing, consider the following:

1. You have to be excellent. In Japanese, that means you have to be a jinzai, a talent. Are you one of them?
2. Japanese language study. Yes, you do have to speak the language in the country, no matter how westernized you heard about Japan and every corner of Tokyo has a Starbucks. Kanji, Anyone?
3. The plan has to be supported by money. That means the budget request has to get a yes from Japan's congress next year. But, it is never too early to prepare.

As a graduate from a Japanese professional school myself, I can testify that it worths the wait, and the Hiragana education, Japan has certainly more than Sushi to offer you.

11 Days to Olympics

Beijing flexes its muscle, this time in international trade. At WTO's recent meeting in Geneva, China gets the first seat in selecting negotiating group.


Washington, at the same time, slams China and India at the trade talks.


Rice also warns Beijing on security


北京五輪期間中　テロに注意を＝邦人に呼び掛け－日本大使館


北京五輪「テロ突撃隊」、装備費用は1人450万円


北京五輪ホームステイ家庭に、防毒マスク配布

奥运赛场将实现中英法三种语言播报

北京奥运安保严防自杀式袭击及刺杀

Olympics turn woods into enemies

A mass protest and clash break out in Guangdong province, China, a new wave of social unrest just days before the Olympics to be opened raise questions about effectiveness of Beijing's control over local unrests.


Parents of the students who died buried in collapsed buildings in Sichuan Earthquake agreed to be payed 60,000 yuans ($8000 dollars) to settle the dispute with the government.

为奥运草木皆兵？(Olympics turn woods into enemies?)
Beijing Capital Airport will be closed during the Opening ceremony on August 8


Beijing and Tokyo definitely get hotter by day -- China and Japan will have another leader summit, just days after they met in Hokkaido, this time at the Olympics Opening in Beijing, when Fukuda will attend and possible meet Hu Jintao to discuss recent development in Six-party talks.

At the same time, Washington is also gearing up to Asia. Not only Bush will attend Beijing's coming out party celebration, and Condi Rice will follow up to attend the closing ceremony, but Rice will also attend the Six-party foreign minister meet in Singapore at the end of July.

Sarkozy goes--"Correct" Decision

Sarkozy to attend Beijing Olympics opening


How does Sarkozy's decision sound to you? Chinese President Hu Jintao--"Correct"


U.S. spy cases raise concern on China's intentions


Olympics let Beijing recyclers to go away


China says kills five Uighurs seeking "holy war"


Have you seen "The People's Republic of Capitalism" on the Discovery Channel?


Thank goodness, China still lags behind of US in influence


China's silencing season


A British Tibetan is deported in Beijing

Beijing or not?

Who goes, who not? Anyone, Beijing?

As a host of this year's G-8 summit, Japan's Fukuda is eager to show his good will toward Beijing and among the major leaders first to indicate his intention to attend the Olympics opening ceremony on August 8, and he said he would tell the news to Chinese President Hu Jintao next week, when they meet in Toyako, Hohaido for the G-8.

Bush seems to be in the game, too. Even the White House spokeswoman Perino has said the President didn't think a boycott is a good idea, Bush has not said he will go. However, considering the recent development in North Korea, Bush seems to be ready to make a legacy in U.S. foreign policy in Asia. As a major player in North Korea and other issues, China is needed by the U.S. more by day than Beijing needs Washington, so however the short trip it will be, Bush seems to be in the Go camp.

Then there is fence standing camp, French's Sarkozy belongs there. He has said whether go to Beijing or not depends on the recent talks between Beijing and Dalai Lama's representatives. Now, the talks has ended, he is still undecided. Actually, there is not so much time left for Mr. Sarkozy to make up his mind, Chinese official media has indicated that he is not welcomed by Chinese people, since he linked the trip with Tibetan issue, an issue that Beijing considers to be an internal affair.

No Go camp includes German Chancellor Merkel, UN secretary Ban Ki Moon, and Japanese royal family among leaders from former communist party countries such as Poland.

The next week's G-8 Summit may well turn to be a referendum and final stage to define who goes, and who don't.

French Pays A China Price

G8 foreign ministers will meet in Kyoto this Thursday, French foreign minister suggests to expand G8 to G14, that's G8 plus China, India, Brazil, South Africa and one Arab country.


Speaking of French, recently Chinese tourists to Paris and other French cities have been decreasing, it is viewed as a price of Paris being outspoken over Tibet and Sarkozy leaning towards not going to attend Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. French foreign ministry has protested Beijing and ask Chinese government not discourage tourists to visit France.


Lhasa of Tibet opens to foreign tourists again, three months after March 14th riots and uprising.


First ever Japanese self defense vessel visits Zhanjiang, China.

US-China Economic Stragety Meeting Opens in Maryland

Fourth round US-China Economic Strategy meeting open in Maryland


Japan sunk a Taiwanese fishing boat near disputed Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands, and stirred up a diplomatic crisis among Japan, Taiwan and China, now the Taibei side seems to be willing to be flexible in talking to Tokyo.


Beijing Olympic torch arrives in Urumqi, Xinjing, the region is known for tense relations between Han majority and Urygul minority. Locals are barred from going out to welcome the torch.


IOC Chairman Said Beijing Olympics has steered away from a crisis.


Olympic Torch To Lahsa has been set at June 21, scheduled 3-day has been shortened to one day only.

58 days to Beijing Olympics

China mainland and Taiwan delegates meet for the first time since the relationship warms up.


One month after the Sichuan Earthquake, parents of school students who buried died inside collapsed buildings demand for justice.


China's military budget ranks World's No. 3 and Japan is No. 5


What's the best Japanese companies for Dad to work for?


Oil passes $138 a barrel, in the U.S., even polices are affected, instead of patrol cars, they drive golf carts.


58 Days to Beijing Olympics

After the Earthquake, diseases spread

One week after the May 14th M-7.9 earthquake shaken Sichuan and reached as far as Shanghai, another disaster is approaching, this time, infectious disease.


Affected by the earthquake, The Sichuan tourism industry suffers over 700 billion yen loss


Japanese ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato is leaving after six and half years in Washington, he became the longest serving top Japanese diplomat in this position. In an interview he show certain optimism towards the possible a democratic President. He said he was impressed by Barak Obama who is "pragmatic".


National Museum for Crime and Punishment opens in Washington DC


African Summit opens in Yokohama, Japan.

China National Mourning Days

Fist ever Japanese rescue team sent to China to help out Sichuan earthquake has to leave. A symbol from China to receive the foreign personnels, Now within just days, the teams will have to leave.


The pressure for the Japanese team to leave may from Internet


National Mourning day for China, (May 19-21), all over CHina, people are standing still for 3 minutes to remember the dead in the Earthquake. China's CCTV team was shooting the scene, obviously, the International team was a part of showing unity.


Scientist warns about possible second wave of disaster--from flooding of water in dams?

Hu In Tokyo

A busy day in Sino-Japan relations. Chinese President Hu Jintao kicks off a day filled with events in Tokyo, among all, he held talks with Japan PM Fukuda, attended lunch hosted by powerful Keidanren, welcomed at Imperial house by Emperor Heisei, and gave two pandas to Ueno park (in paper).

Everything seemed went smooth, and compared to Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin's visit that stirred up historic issue wherever he went, Hu's visit and speech signaled a forward thinking and cooperative mood. However, no less clouds over the two countries relations. First, Beijing would love to have both Fukuda and the Emperor to attend the Olympics opening ceremony, however, nothing short of promise came from Fukuda's mouth. He simply brushed the topic aside, "it is still to early to decide".

Other issues on the table, bilateral dispute over gas reserve in the East China Sea, toxic dumplings made in China and Tibet issue are left for future negotiations. The biggest achievement so far is a position showing that China and Japan can work together amid mountains of problems.

With that, I consider the trip as a success.

Hu and Fukuda To meet Soon

First foreign visit for Chinese president Hu Jintao since March 14, when riot broke out in Lhasa, Hu will start his trip from visiting Tokyo later today. A cherry blossom (Sakura) trip became a May flower one, it certainly has not been easy for the arrangement. Even more difficult is the bilateral statement to be released for the trip, diplomats from both Beijing and Tokyo have been intensively negotiating on such words as Human Rights, Tibet, etc.


Oil passed 120 level.


Bullfighting in Spain is disappearing


Bush sets fire on India over food price spike


Japan's Kabuki and China's Kunqu(Shanghai Oprea) on the same stage

Another week, another chaos

Two Chinese express passenger trains collided and both derailed in Zibo, Shangdong, at least 70 died and over 400 injured, including four French tourists. (French, hmn?)

A Chinese stock analyst working for Nomura Stock Brokerage in Tokyo was arrested along with two other Chinese friends, for charges of involved in insider trading.

Chinese Arms ship to Zimbabwe was floating with no success of unloading arms to Mugebe government, at the same time, Japan-African summit is opened up.


Koreans were upset by Chinese protesters turned violent this weekend when the Olympic torch passed in Seoul. While on Saturday, the torch passed in Nagano, Japan managed a smooth operation amid protesters.


Increasing air pollution in China Concerns Japanese a bit, the smog days in Tokyo will not far away?

Monday Briefing

Oil rises further to $117 per gallon.


Paris honors Dalai Lama with honorable citizen. After a big mess during the torch rally and boycott of Carrfour in CHina, Does Paris purpose agitate Beijing or what?



CNN got protested in NYC by Chinese students, after a big on in LA this weekend.


Reporters without Borders President plans to protest in Nagano during the Olympic torch rally.


Beijing Motor Show opens.


Are you concerned about rising food prices everywhere?

Scary Shanghai Street "Dentist"

Chinese text message calls for boycotting of Carrfour, the French retailers who has 112 stores in China. The test message cites the reason as Carrfour donates a large amount of money to Dalai Lama. Not only Carrfour, French president Sarkozy also got criticized for calling for dailogue between Beijing and Dalai as a precondition for going to the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony


At the same time, delegates from Dalia touched base with Beijing.


Chinese student stage protests again Dalai in Seattle, who is attending a student event. Students from the both sides had a brief exchange but no violence reported.


No Certificate? No Problem!
No Training? No Problem!
Shanghai Street Self made dentist can do things for you? Do you dare to try? Take a look at this TBS video.

More Yasukuni Movie Movements

One of the key person portrait in the movie Yasukuni has asked to cut his screens. A Japanese sword craftsman in his 90s, he had received phone calls from a congress member, and has since requested to not using his images. When being asked by media, he showed regrets and blamed Chinese director Li Ying for lack of trust. (TBS News)


A Chinese collector pays a 9.3million dollars for French President Sarkozy wife's nude photos.(Asahi)


Chinese authority ask Malaysia and Indonesia section of Beijing Olympic Torch rallys to make running course secret.(Asahi)


UN General Secretary Ban Ki Mon said he notified Beijing months ago for deciding not to go for the opening ceremony. (Asahi)

Japanese Have To Get Names Back In China

Japanese enterprise in Dalian, China got shut down for eight years because its president refused a bribe request from a local Chinese judge.


Chinese Boshan Steel is buying world's largest mining company, Australian-UK owned BHP Billton?


Hillary Clinton urges Bush not to go to Beijing Olympics opening ceremony


Japanese find most of their brand names have been registered by Chinese companies and even individuals in China, even 36 out of 47 prefectures have their names "taken" in China, one such Prefecture, Kajoshima has to filed a legal case trying to get it's name back.

More Yasukuni Showing in Japan

If you have been following me on the Movie YASUKUNI, you will know, What I guessed turns out to be true.

Just when three Tokyo theaters, under threat and fear of right wing force, canceled mid April showings of the documentary YASUKUNI, and the news caught national and international news media coverage like spring wild fire, suddenly there are 21 theaters in Japan have decided to showing the movie, that is three more than previously 18 theaters before the news breakout. AND, I will be not surprised to see more to step forward, since by now the curiosity of Japanese audience have been spiced up, why not?

But, take a step back and think such a scenario, if the big audience indeed go and check out the movie, AND they find out the movie to be "Pro-China" as some Japanese LDP members claimed after they saw it, then the question is, does the movie really serve well the purpose of "Letting the Japanese aware the History Truth"?

For now, it looks like a good start, if the box office sells well, it may well end up returning the fund it received from Japan's Ministry of Culture, just as the LDP members asked.

Mondy Briefing

Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs releases a blue book, in which stress importance of Japan-U.S. alliance. The alliance is the base for the bilateral relations. The book also cites the improved relation with China. (TBS News)


Post Kyoto Treaty on environment and green gas emission conference opens in Thailand. (TBS News )


Tibetan Protesters gather in front of the White House today.


Taiwan media reports that around 500 Uyghur protesters were arrested in Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous area


Beijing Olympics Torch rally starts today at Tiananmen Square amid tightened security.



EU Foreign Ministers meeting leaves Beijing Olympics alone, it also saves a divided EU.

Movie Yasukuni Rejected Showing in Tokyo

First Japanese Diet (Congress) members, now the movie theaters. Four scheduled showing of documentary Yasukuni in Tokyo has been called off. First there is a theater in Shinjuku canceled the showing scheduled in April, now three others also follow the suits. It should be no surprising to anyone, as there is a high possibility followed a negative response from some diet members.

Now the issue is Then What? After the movie's premier at this year's Sundance, it generated little publicity. Now because of the last minute cancellations, all in a sudden, the news fly around, even Yahoo Japan picked it among the top news. From the controversy and interests it stirs up, I won't be surprised the movie may land in the U.S. first and then exported to Japan.

Is the movie really biased? We have to wait for its showing and then make a judgment.

Japan Bashing

Recently, Japan Bashing is on international media's radar screens.

First, British magazine Economist runs a special report on Japan, and call it :JAPAiN. Nothing further than the name, the nation causes pain. decelerating growth, which just gets up from underground two years ago, now it looks Japanese economy is going nowhere, rapid spreading inflation, higher prices from pans to pastas, stalled foreign policy comparing to a more assertive and far reaching China, and on top of all complicated problems, Fukuda administration can even reach agreement with opposition parties on a BOJ governor.

Another issue is whale hunting and killing, which has draw international protests, especially recently in Australia, where protests turned violent and several people were arrested.

More broad issues include lack of leadership and optimism.

The Japan bashing is also slowly drawing attention from Japanese media, even not many main media, but some has pay close attention to it. Include this article from Moneyzine, which has devoted to the ongoing current.

With the Toyako Summit is just a few months away, and leaders of major industrial countries and around 20 african countries presidents to gather in Japan, the time for a PR campaign is running out.

Go to Beiing or Not? A divided EU

German Chancellor Merkel will not going to Beijing for the Olympics, she is the fourth nation leaders to announce absentee from the otherwise flawless opening ceremony.


Go to Beijing or Not to go? The question has divided EU members. While German and three other former communist countries said No, Sweden and Spain said Yes. And Sarkozy said Both.


Clinton relates American economy to Japan, in a not so positive way.


Bush again shows his hope that Beijing starts talks with Dalai Lama, even not his holiness himself, but representatives. Can China save its face to a so-called "separatist"?


Are you interested in history? Maybe you'd like some dose of Sino-Japan history, checked out Asahi's serial on ups and downs in the two countries relations.


New HIV Carriers could reach 8 millions in Asia by 2020, according to a UNAIDs report.

Road to Beijing Olympics

Today marks the start of torch rally for Beijing Olympics, the torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, and will travel through five continents. Amid protests on issues of press freedom, human rights and recent Tibetan riots, the ceremony has been interrupted and shadowed by protesters and activists. (TBS News)


Regarding Tibetan riots, Police in Beijing announced have arrested five Tibetans for setting fire in Llahsa.(TBS)


Even Secretary of State Condi Rice calls for negotiations between Beijing and Dalai Lama to solve the situation in Tibet.


A Chinese American in California was charged with espionage for Chinese military and sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Thursday Briefing

Yen pass the 100 mark, first time in 12 years.

Japan's defense official set up a scenario on how Japan will respond to a war between China and Taiwan, a taboo topic, especially when China's Hu Jintao is due to Tokyo in late May and Fukuda cabinet avoids any confrontation with Beijing. The official later took back the speech.

China again assures Japanese that MiC is safe just as before the dumplings.


Asahi's China special reports have some interesting stories, have you checked them lately?

Movie Yasukuni Stirs Up Interests

The documentary Yakuniku, directed by a Chinese who have been living in Japan for 18 years, stirs up a wave of dispute just before its planned premier in Tokyo next month. The documentary focuses on the controversial Shinto shrine, Yasukuni Jinja, a symbol of worship, war dead, Japan and its relations with China and other East Asian countries, which is how this website is about.

Funded by money from Chinese individuals and a Japanese government grant, Yasukuni debuted in this year's Sundance festival, considering the crew, director Li Ying and other Chinese and Japanese, the movie is truly a team work between jointly conducted by the both sides.

The center of the dispute, is some of Japan's ruling LDP members, complains that the movie is "biased" and "more of a work in favoring Chinese side", they question the use of government fund for such a "politically motivated" work, and demand to withdraw the fund.

Now the question is not only about the fund, also the fate of the opening of the movie in Japan and China, how people will accept it? From the title on the movie's post, it says "Telling the stories to Japanese". I hope at least the news regarding the movie may increase people's curiosity and thus want to know more about it.

Chinese to Japanese: No More Cheap MICs

This is something new to me, export of food and foodstuff from China to Japan was down, even before the now notorious dumplings.

For example, peanuts from Shandong Province, a place called by much as "Japanese's food basket", (I contributed partly to that, too, as I was importing meat products from Shandong at a pace of one container per month), has stopped going to Japan even from last summer, at least half year before the pesticide containing dumplings were found.

The reason is that Chinese side has strengthened inspection system, and one victim is the Japanese snakes makers, espcially mid to small ones, who used to rely heavily on cheap Made in Chinas, now they are facing mounting pressure to survive. Turning to domestic peanuts is out of question, because the sky high cost is unbearable for many, and prices kept going higher as more and more demand for domestic ones.

I am not totally surprised, as Chinese economy is now a part of the global economy, with everything goes up and labor costs jump, the Chinese are becoming more aware of the markets outside of Japan.

Getting to the bottom of both the dumplings and the peanuts, is a clash of a fast rising and changing China with a changing as well but not quite catching up Japan, without a comprehensive overhaul of the current dealing, I will not surprised to see that one day more Chinese products look elsewhere for markets.

Chinese Write: Dangerous Chinese Food Industry

TBS has an excellent piece on first Chinese who disclose the dangerous food industry, Zhou Jing, who won a reporting award for his works titled What Can We Eat On? --A Thorough View Into Chinese Food Safety. Like me, Zhou is from Xi'an and has a local flavor, speaking up after witnessing something wrong.

According to Zhou, the problem is not only in food industry, but a censored media, for example, in China, no reports of the dumplings dispute between China and Japan tells much on Japanese side of investigation, while almost every media reports how China is the victim, no fault can be found. Living with such a one sided media coverage, no wonder people are easy to distrust and more towards to emotion.

Take a look of the story here.

China Banned Tangwei

A Chinese men was abused by a Japanese Policemen where he was detained in a police station in Shizuoka prefecture. The policemen has since been charged. I wonder what could happen if the Chinese and Japanese change positions and the whole thing takes place in China...

The sage of Chinese food contains pesticides goes on, more dumplings are found to exceed standards in pesticide.


It happens in the city I had lived for 10 years-Xi'an, China, also a popular tourist destination know for its well-kept city walls, China's first emperor and only women emperor's tombs. A local men with explosives took a bus of Australian tourists as hostage. The men was later killed by local police and no other injuries.


Movie "Lust Caution" star, Chinese actress Tangwei has been banned in China. Tang Wei's TV commercial was banned from showing in China. As usual, no reasons are given except "from the top"-usually means the biggest censor-China TV and Broadcasting Bureau.

Blamegame goes on...where the pesticide got into the dumplings?

A big war of word is ongoing between China, who claims that there is no possibility whatsoever that the pesticide found in the doomed dumplings was in there where they are in China's turf, and Japan, who has said that as far as the investigation goes, a very low possibility of the poison was put in where the dumplings arrived in Japan, one of the evidence Tokyo police presented to the Chinese is that the use of the type of pesticide has been long discontinued in Japan. Not only the police of the two sides, now even Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara steps in, who has expressed displeasure towards the Chinese attitude.

Who should to blame?

Let's take a step back here, since the both sides have expressed a desire for a quick solution, and everyone realizes that as the issue drags on, more people will stop using more products from China, Made in China reputation goes down the drainage, and Japanese government, who has been facing a mounting inflation headache, suffers along with the consumers.

It takes two to dance, the solution should be a two step dance--one is to get into the bottom and identify the source of problems by presenting evidence clearly, exchange information on any clues, and take between door, intensive and collaborative works between all related parties from both sides. No questions are harder to ask, no suspects are left at large. Only through detailed hard work. Words are cheap and usually serve no good for no one.

Second step is to take a quick measure to ensure a complete root out of the problematic areas. Wherever it is, responsibility has to be taken. In today's globalized world, a local protectionism is simply not working, more protection invites more rotten wounds, to have a health back to the system, the affected area has to be taken away promptly.

A blame game is easy to play, however, a solution takes patience, hard working and more importantly, cooperation, are China and Japan ready to play along?

In Japan, Where News is News Again

When the news is not news anymore in China, it is a BIG news in Japan.

Something like food poison, anyone in China can tell you the tap water is not drinkable, as it is not treated, and without boiling the water, it can cause you a forced diet therapy. It is nothing new as most developing countries have the same thing. But how about vegetable vendors wash their merchandise in nearby polluted river, and orchid farmers spray pesticide on the apples. (My college classmates whose family runs a orchid, told me never eat an apple without peeling it).

Then there was the dumpling incident, meat buns incident, Pork cutlets incident, and related news appears on every Japanese media outlet every day and night, still no sighs of unwinding, far more coverage than Beijing Olympics.

Today, there is a news about a Chinese student in Japan who profits from making and selling fake diplomas from well-known Japanese universities, such as Tsukuba, Keio, etc.

Again, this won't make a news in China, especially in Shenzhen, where people from all over China come to get a job, diplomas are priced to sell, semi-underground, or a public secrete, and there is even a discount for a less known school's diploma compared to one from Beida or Qinghua.

More toxic foods found

Again, pesticides were found from a package of dumplings in Japan, MIC (made in China) this time, even more toxic.


Different kind of imported food from China also found out to contain pesticide. The Japanese importer has started a recall of frozen cutlet.


China national soccer team lost to Japan, on its own turf. However, this time, the whole atmosphere was peaceful and rational.


Still remember toxic tooth brush scary from MIC products? Japan now makes a more strict regulation regarding tooth brush.

Cows and Fish fillets, Make me Want to be a Vegetarian

A distributing video show circulates between Japan and the U.S., strange enough, in which a slaughter house in Southern California uses handheld electric bar to force old and weak cows to stand up, and uses forklift to lift them to slaughter stations. I first found it from Japan's TBS news website a few weeks ago, now the video has made rounds and rounds, and it makes such a wave that USDA makes a largest recall of beef in American history. I wonder how many people will be further turn off by the inhuman treatment to the so-called "hamburger cows" and turn into a vegetarian, and how Japanese will even take pride in their Kobe beef and turn back on Kansans beef? Take a look at the video and Japanese news here.

Japan finds more products contains pesticides from China, this time in fish fillets.

Kaabe-A movie worth wataching

Berlin Movie festival is undergoing, one movie from Japan draws my attention. Kaabe is a nickname for a mother of two daughters and whose husband was put into prison for his critic about the War in 1940. The mother, played by award winning Sayuri Yoshinaga, was alone to deal with all the family tragedies , and at the same time, like everyone else then had to show support for the government to wage the War in China. Yoshinaga said, she played the role with the wishes of never repeating the history again. The director, famed Yoji Yoshida, summarized the story in a best way. he said, Japan must learn from its past, especially at this critical moment, the more Japanese learn from history, it has become the priority for the motivation of the production. (TBS News story)

Should it be allowed?

Traditionally, There is no such day called V-day in Japan, however, there is all kinds of Festivals all over the island. And around this time of a year, it is usually a big time for Naked Man festivals. Dont't make me wrong, the "Naked" usually has the name only, because every men will be dressed like Sumo wrestlers, with a white cloth strip to cover up. However, this year, there are some brave souls who want to test waters and it has stirred up a quite wave in media and public, in Tokyo, three were arrested. Should the Naked Man Festival be allowed to go naked at all?

It's Valentine's Day...

If you are local in Washington DC area and feel like to taste a little bit of Japanese arts and culture, you are lucky and the love is in the air, Head to Kennedy Center where a Japanese culture and Hyperculture festival is going on. Click out the festival info here.

Dumplings, Dumplings, more dumplings

A mouthful of dumplings, besides millions and millions of Chinese are enjoying their dumplings with families, China and Japan's inspectors are exchanging their difference on where the poisonous dumplings are from. Chinese said, it is man made and someone outside China did it, aiming to damage Sino-Japan Relations. Japanese side kept it quite and only saying it is still under investigation.

Poisonous Dumplings not only hurt Chinese, two Japanese companies had to cancel their Merge agreement because of it.

Chinese also more than dumplings to worry about their reputation in Japan, One Japanese importer of Chinese made Bed has to repair all beds because of a death caused by remote control malfunction.

While Chinese made dumplings made the Japanese national news round and round, most Chinese seemed not knowing about it at all, and they are not worried about their dumplings, either.

Happy Chinese New Year!

I wish you a Happy Chinese New Year!

The year of Rat is also the start of a new counting circle of 12 years. No matter of where you are, consider the year of Rat to be your start too, starting to make more money or starting to make more goods, or both, whatever your dream is, Start it!

Who put the poison in the dumplings?

Just when Chinese frozen foods were thrown out everywhere in Japan and outside, in London as well in NYC, Japanese police found out holes in one of the packages from the poisonous dumplings. All in a sudden, the whole thing took a turn, the attention now turns to who? Whodidit?

Have you even heard that Chinese leaders apologize to people for something horrible? First time ever, they lowered their heads, even a little, but a big step forward.

Maybe the next in line to apologize is the Japanese?


NYC opens a fashion show featuring all red, it is supposed to support the heart disease patients in America, however, I found that is very appropriate color for the coming celebration of Chinese New Year.(Photo source: Yomiuri Shimbun)

Have a great weekend!

The Dumplings sunk Chinese frozen foods repution in Japan

A four person Japanese family in Chiba, just outside Tokyo, enjoyed their fried dumplings at home, Kyoza, as they are call in Japan, are mostly made in China. Within the next 30 minutes, they were rushed into a nearby hospital. Food poison, they were told. Three people recovered quickly, however, five year old daughter was more serous and had to stay in hospital.

It is certainly something the Chinese didn't want to hear, especially most of the country are fighting a once in 50 year snowstorm, and next Thursday, everyone is supposed to celebrate the coming of Year of Mouse, and the Olympics.

However, Japanese are not easy to let it go, and the government has asked Chinese government to help to investigate. More cases and more victims are being reported, Is it going to develop a Kyoza war?

Jiaozi (dumplings in English, Kyoza in Japanese) is also a traditional food for most Chinese families to enjoy during the New Year, it indicates the celebration of the New, the better and lucky. I certainly hope most Chinese will find their dumplings won't cause so much trouble.

Even they do, does Anyone care?

Japan's Next Export to China

Who has ever thought about the next export to China from Japan is Ski instructions and Ski culture. However, with the ever growing China's new rich are hungry for anything that is fun and new, no one should be surprised to see that around Beijing, within the past year or two, 15 ski facilities were opened.

Japanese instructors are warmly welcomed in Beijing, however, to their biggest surprise, the facility is so well maintained and yet the skiers don't know how to stop in a safe manner.

Interested to know more and see a video, check out a TBS news clip (in Japanese) Here.

Road to Olympics: Water Cubic Opens

From today, I will post more on Beijing Olympics, after all, it is only a seven months and 200 some days away. Today is the opening and the tragedy:

Water Cubic, the nickname for water sports including swimming, diving and synchronized swimming debuts. It is also the largest in the World, which holds over 17,500 audience.


Bird Nest, the nickname for the main stage for Olympics, hosting the opening ceremony, has seen at least two workers' death from start of the construction, British press reported that more than 10 deaths and the more tragic than the deaths is that the government has hidden them until been exposed by the press.

Foutune Cookie-who invented, Japanese or Chinese?

Have you ever wondered that a stable in Chinese restaurants everywhere except in China, Fortune Cookies are invented by Japanese?

I find this article very interesting, Check out for more from the New York Times.

Japan's Scandal is China to blame

Snowstorm swept China, even Shanghai saw first snow accumulation in a decade



At least, Shanghai has something other than snow to look at, Kobe based industry sponsored a fashion show



Twice more Divorce in China than previous year, the reason is both sides



Big scandal in Japan regarding labeling of recycle paper can be traced back to China

Monday Briefing-What's on This Week?

Look ahead this week:

On Sunday, at age of 38, Hashishita became the youngest governor in Japan, he was elected to be Osaka governor.

Monday night at 9Pm(eastern time), President Bush makes his last State of Union address, economy is thought be a dominating topic.

this week, a big snowstorm swept the many parts in China, even Shanghai, where considered to be South and has seen a snow pileup in a decade, saw a 3 cm snow accumulation. As use of air conditioner jumped, a shortage of electricity in the mid of winter caught many unprepared.

Wednesday, U.S. Fed reserve is to decide on rate, another half point cut is expected, however, the expectation is such that any cut below half point will only disappoint.

Chinese New Year is only 10 days away, millions will hit the road from now on until Feb 6th, the New Year's Eve, when every family will gather to eat together around a round table. To get back home, many travels thousand miles and crammed like sardine. (I was one, been there done that)

Tokyo Stock Market Sandwiched, Toyota No.1

Still sandwiched for Japan between the U.S. and China? Today, Tokyo Stock Exchange index-Nikkei 225 is lifted by U.S. Fed emergency rate cut and stopped by Shanghai's stock market big drop. 13,000 level was broke earlier encouraged by the bigger than expected rate cut of .75 from Washington, however, Shanghai's market dropped even with the good news, Nikkei finished with 12829, failed to take back 13,000 level.

Another note on Stocks, Chinese search engine sailed into Japanese market. Nasdaq listed Baidu (Bidu) starts providing service in Japan and in Japanese language.

Is Bank of China, China's major overseas finance player being affected/suffered a big loss by US subprime loan crisis? Chinese said No.

Toyota takes the world NO.1 auto sales from GM, that's for sure.

Blogging is definitely a BIG THING for Japanese celebrities, popular singer Ayumi Hamazaki disclosed in her blog that she lost her voice, then today actress Mariya Yamada announced her marriage in her blog.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

History drags on, Piracy of Shinkansen

Do you like history? Have you wondered how Japan became the No. 1 in Asia and China came into a semi-colony to Japan and the U.S. and other European powers? If you do, you may like the living history series, the cool thing is you can view in Korean, Japanese, Chinese or English. Check it out.

Another note on History, Is China distorting the display of history about Nanjing Massacre? Japanese government thinks so. Japanese embassy in China has asked the Nanjing Massacre Museum to change certain displays.

One Chinese Ad company got in trouble with a photo of Shinkansen, the famed Japanese bullet train. The photo was found inside Beijing international Airport and the Chinese copied from Internet and made into a bulletin board without obtaining an appropriate permission from Japan Railways. Such a small world and certainly a case study in Intellectual Property class.

Lookahead: Olympics

Japan disclosed a sportsware specially designed for this August's Beijing Olympics.

Chinese can now travel with families to Japan as Japanese embassy just relieved its visa rules.

According to a recent campaign in China, you can exercise your brain by pinching your hands.

China and India get closer

Japan shoudn't have to choose between America and China

Japan is sandwiched, willingly or unwillingly.

On the one side, you have America, the alley and a nuclear umbrella holder, the biggest economy in the world and consumer of Japanese autos and electronics, on the side is China, the growing power with purchasing power and competitors for resources.

Does Japan have to choose one side over the another, the Answer is NO. Even Japan is more closely allied with Washington over Beijing, it doesn't mean that Tokyo has to listen every world Mr. Bush has to say. On the same note, Japan doesn't have to feel less secure walking too close to Beijing, worrying about the triangle balance will be broken.

A confident Japan is the Key to breakthrough the sandwiched situation. No one knows more than self, Japan certainly can have the influence and flexibility needed to move forward, however, Tokyo does need to have a determination and vision to do so.

Have a Great Weekend!

A record number of people visited Shrines this New Year

Shanghai Commodity exchange starts trading gold futures, and it once went up 1o% in the first day.

To meet demand of watching Beijing Olympics games, NEC and Toshiba are developing Laptop computers that can receive digital TV singnals and record up to 109 hours program.

A Chinese woman who is a suspect of killing her Japanese husband is arrested again in Japan.

A Japanese diplomat in Beijing was tipped off to be a customer of a massage parlor by Chinese police.

Tokyo governor and a China critic, Shintaro Ishihara received an invitation to Bejing Olympics.

This New Year, more people than ever visited Shrines. to be exact, 98 million people prayed in one of the shrine. A better year ahead? The most popular shrines are Meiji in Tokyo and Kawasaki Taishi in awasaki.

Monday Briefing

Happy the New Day of the week!

Pressure on North Korea mounts on NK's failure to reports its progress on denuclearization project
Electronics Show opens at Los Vegas, several ultra-thin TVs from Japanese makers debut with cool features.

Tokyo stocks went down again, with a nearly 200 points below, hopes for a recovery at the second half of the year is uncertain. IPOs also reduces by 40% in year 2007 compared to a year ago.

In contrast, Chinese economy is estimated to grow 11% in 2008.

Look ahead year 2008

with today's big selloff and Japan's Tokyo Stock Exchange Index lost over 600 points, people are wondering if Japan's economy is going to be dragged down by the U.S. and subprime crisis, or it will be liftoff from still going strong Chinese economic engine?

U.S.'s economy is dragging down further with a worse job report and even President Bush calls for a meeting to discuss the economy.

What's amazing country America! Being a son of Arkansas mother and a Kenyan father, Obama won the first step to a presidency.

While in America there is a Mandarin Chinese boom, in Taiwan, goes a Japanese culture boom, Anime and TV drama among the hot hits.

Chinese and Japanese historians meet to have a third round of joint study of history.

America's Next President

Who's next American President? Japanese pay no less attention to the question than people in Iowa.

India and China increasingly need to think and work together

G-8 leaders summit will be held at Toyako, Japan. Mr. Fukuda will play host to Mr. Bush and others, however, the most shining star will be Russian President Putin, who was recently selected by Times as the man of the year.

Can Japanese economy resume upward trend, even seems crawling compared to Chinese economy, but still growing in year 2008? The question will also be partially answered by China, how Chinese business can create opportunities for Japanese large and mid-sized enterprises will be in the next 12 months.

Lookback Year of 2007

Happy New Year to you all!

I am starting today to write on significant developments and news on China-Japan-US triangle relations in the past year. As you may recall, it was a year filled with the good, the beautiful as well as the bad, even not quite as ugly.

On the top of the list is Exchange of visits from Japanese and Chinese leaders. Mr. Fukuda visited Beijing on Dec 27th, in a return to Chinese Prime Minister Wen's visit to Tokyo in April.

Economy side, for the fist time in history, exchange rate of Chinese currency RMB climbs to 7.2 to 1 dollar, highest level ever.

However, dispute over East China Sea gas reserve is a huge cloud hanging over the two energy consuming giants. In September, Chinese war planes were reported to have fly over oil fields in the disputed area over 40 times, and trigged Japanese Self Defense planes to get ready. Both Japan and China have discussed the issue at highest levels, however, they are yet to reach an agreement.

Japanese media are turning more attention to China over next year's Beijing Olympics, the weakness of China's environment, ever growing gap between the have and havenot will be highlighted along with the glorify of the medals and torches.