Soccer: A realty check for China, India

When most of the world is watching the World Cup, do you ever wonder why two countries, which have more than one third of the World population, China and India, are not there?

Both China and India are also two fastest growing counties, China grows at 10%, and India at 7%, if two ever-growing powerful giants are not competing in the World Soccer field, is there something missing?

I don’t think China and India should be automatically qualified for the games, certainly they have to be good enough to get into the door first. However, we are living in the 21^st century, and looking around at this week’s games in Germany, except some new faces from Africa, dominating soccer powers are still traditional powers, Europeans, Latin Americans. Does soccer as the only worldwide sports, without China and India there, feels a bit irreverent to today’s flat world?

Mr. Koizumi goes to Elvis Graceland

When President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi meet on June 30th, (yes, that is only two weeks away), they not only talk and maybe hold a farewell party for Mr. Koizumi, who is leaving the office this fall, but Mr. Bush also plays his role as a host and escorts Mr. Koizumi, a wellknown fan of Elvis Presley, to Graceland, in Memphis.

According to a Washington Post story, Mr. Koizumi is such a fan of the King, that "he's sang Elvis tunes poolside at Bush's Crawford ranch and dazzled Condi Rice with his knowledge of Elvis trivia at a G8 dinner".

Mr.Bush, on the other hand, will become the frist sitting American president to visit the Elvis Presly's Memphis home, the only close one is Jimmy Carter, who stopped by several years after he left office. Bill Clinton, supposedly the biggest presidential Elvis Presley fan ever, didn't even stop by.

Yasukuni Visits: Constitutional not? Japanese Court to rule

Following my earlier post, an Osaka court rules that Prime Minister Koizumi's Yasukuni visits are not unconstitutional. According to ABC news story, Next week, Japan's Supreme Court will rule on this issue.

Obviously, 278 victims and relatives of World War Two have brought the lawsuit all the way to the Japan's highest court, up to now, all the lower court has ruled that the Yasukuni Visits are not unconstitutional.

However the result from the supreme court will be, there is no doubt that many people will pay a very close eye on it.

Japan China News around the World

China expands rapidly in Africa, but instead of producing locally, China export low cost goods to African market, importing raw materials such as copper, tinc, etc. Facing massive layoff in local textile factories, working class Africans are not satisfied with China’s ever-growing presence in the continent. (Washington Post)

Japan, at the same time, is torn between the US and China regarding Iran. Being the biggest trade partner to Iran, Japan consumes 22 percent of Iranian oil exports. Japan also has planned to expand its oil exploration and production there. However, Washington is pushing a harsh stand towards Tehran, and Japan also worries that sanctions will create a foothold for China, and seeing its lunch was eaten by China.(Washington Post)

An lawsuit against Mr. Koizumi’s Yasukuni visit in August 13, 2001 as unconstitutional , filed by 278 relatives and victims of WWII was defeated by Osaka court. (Asahi Online)

Kaiden Tsushi? (conveyor belt Sushi)

In DC, a new Japanese restaurant, Wasabi, is opening up soon. Located only a block from the White House, it is certainly going to attract tons of attention and big foot traffic, however, what's unique about this one is, it is first ever Kaiden Tsushi restaurant in DC.

By taking a sneak glanace at a description of the new Sushi Bar, I am not thrilled. Guess what they are going to put on the convey belt? Everyting, literally, everything. Sushi, certainly, salad, Mmm, Ok, Hot dish? too.......

In Japan, I had never ever seen a Kaiden Tsushi restaurant put hot dishes on the belt. You can get Tamago, Unagi, Maguro, Amaebi, etc, etc, but you won't get Mapotofu, Maponasu, Yakisoba, Udon, it is just not sound right Japanese.

While, I guess I am out of loop of what's trendy in Japanese resturant, or the food world has get too much fusion everything. I have wait and see....

best of Beyondyasukuni

Here are the best stories for the Last week,

1. the movie about a special kind of crain, also a joint project of Chinese directors and Japanese actors, financed by a Chinese businessman based in Tokyo, got no publicity about its Sino-Japan effort side, but mostly on its environmental course.
2. Japan is wellknown for its robots, but in the US, robots are used in the military area. Can China learn to use robots in its military as well? Take a look at this story.
3. In nowdays China, literally nothing surprises people. Even a matachmaking anency for asexuals, who wants marriage but not no sex. Can you image this?

Matchmaker for Chinese Asexuals

In China, More than one matchmaking services have been open for asexcuals. The services have been booming. In a Xinhua news story, one such agncy in the city of Tianjin, 2 hour driving distance from Beijing, in less two months after the service was lanched, Ms. Li, the matchmaker, has received more than 300 inquiries, over 30 registrated members, and 5 couples have started dating.

It is just a tip of the iceburge, the unknown but potentially huge pupulation to want no sex in their marriage lifes. unlike asexuals in the US, where they prefer not to date or marry, asexuals in China want to look and behave just like anyone else, except they don't want any sex involved.

It is certainly new for Chinese, and it may become trendy, some think it is just a reflection of a fact that sexless marriages are prevailingin in Chinese society. If the fact is sexless into a marriage, why not make it open and upfront?