FUKUOKA RAMEN

I AM ON A JAPANESE COMPUTER AND DON`T KNOW HOW TO UNLOCK THE CAPS. ANYWAY, THERE IS THAT OBLIGATORY PHOTO OF MT. FUJII FROM OUR SHINKANSEN (BULLET TRAIN) SEAT. FIRST OVERNIGHT STOP WAS AT THE HAKATA MIYAKO, AND THE MEAL OF REGIONAL CHOICE IS THE FUKUOKA RAMEN.

THE RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT IS ICHIRAN, WHERE, CLOSE TO THE HAKATA TRAIN STATION JUST BEFORE THE DUKE HOTEL, WALK DOWN TO THE B2 LEVEL, PLACE YOUR MONEY INTO A VENDING MACHINE AND MAKE YOUR CHOICE. THEN STAND IN LINE. AT 8:30 IN THIS RELATIVELY DINGY ENVIRONMENT, THERE WAS A SHORT LINE. NO FANCY STUFF HERE, AS YOU SIT IN A SMALL CUBICLE WHERE YOU CHOOSE YOUR CHOPSTICK AND USE A FAUCET TO GET YOUR WATER.

YOU NEED TO FILL OUT A FORM TO PROVIDE DETAILS, WHICH CAUSED A FIVE MINUTE DELAY FOR ME, AS AN ENGLISH VERSION NEEDED TO BE FOUND. I NOTICED THAT 80% WERE MALE AND 80% OF THEM HAD ON DARK SUITS AND TIE.

I THEN HAD TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NOODLE TENDERNESS HAD TO BE EXTRA FIRM, FIRM, MEDIUM, TENDER OR EXTRA TENDER. I PICKED FIRM. NEXT WAS TO SELECT PORK FILLET OR NOT (THE BROTH IS MADE FROM PORK), AMOUNT OF GREEN ONION, AMOUNT OF GARLIC, ETC. IN MINUTES CAME THE STEAMING BOWL.

FUKUOKA RAMEN IS A NICE EXPERIENCE, FOR $12 WITH BEER WAS OKAY IN PRICE. THE BROTH IS EXCELLENT. THE NOODLE WAS THIN, BROWNISH AND A BIT TOO AL DENTE, BUT I CHOSE FIRM.

THE ROOM WAS WARM, THE RAMEN BOTH HOT AND SPICY HOT, AND WITH A　SPORTCOAT, THE EXPERIENCE WAS SWEATY. NOW ON TO MIYAZAKI.
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The Dow Jones Industrials shot back up above 8000, increasing 246 to 8083. World markets also went up. The word is that the $150 billion Japanese stimulus package was the spur. Oil also re-entered $50/barrel territory, and is now up to $52.24. Gold dropped $2/toz to $880.
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Tropical Cyclone Jade, at 40MPH, is now moving away from Madagascar and Le Reunion Island.
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JINDAIJI

Fumio Ito took us to Jindaiji Botanical Garden, which, we agreed, had the most spectacular cherry blossom collection we've ever experienced. The temple itself was built in 733 and is next to Asakusa as the oldest in Japan. The variety of Sakura colors was awesome. Then for dinner, we celebrated Yayoi Kondo's birthday at Tofuya Ukai, an incredible restaurant located at the base of Tokyo Tower.

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The Dow Jones Industrials dropped 186 to 7790 and gold rose $13/toz to $886.

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Tropical Cyclone Jade, now at 45 MPH, is continuing to move south along the eastern coastline of Madagascar.

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YASUKUNI SHRINE

At the top, dinner with Yoko and Toshitsugu Sakou at Victor's in the Tokyo Westin. Earlier in the day Pearl and I visited Yasukuni Shrine and Ueno Park with Hiromi Hotta, and were mesmerized by the Sakura and general tranquility. Yes, there were those 14 war criminals among the 2.5 million war dead symbolically honored at YS since 1869, thus remaining a point of contention with China and Korea. The controversy was particulary sensitized when, in 1979, General Hideki Tojo and other Class A war crime souls were enshrined here.

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Otherwise:

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1. Japan will be applying a $150 billion stimulus package, spearheaded by Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano. A couple of days ago I speculated that Yosano had the potential to become Japan’s next prime minister in September.

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2. Japan fell behind Spain as #2 in grid-connected solar photovoltaics. Germany remains #1.

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3. Japan continues to posture about the North Korean rocket test, but the UN Security Council (primarily Russia, China, Libya, Uganda and Vietnam) only agreed to further discuss the matter. While the second and third stages and “satellite” fell into the Pacific, it did fly more than 1000 miles (3200 km, but 8000km is required to reach Seattle), double the distance of a 1998 flight. However, this less than spectacular success means that Pyongyang will no doubt follow-up their puny 2006 underground nuclear test with a second one at a strategic time to affect upcoming nuclear talks. The combination of uncertainties regarding the health of their hilarious leader and widespread starvation throughout the populace makes this spot on the globe uncomfortably metastable.

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4. Aoyama Gakuin University and Kanto Chemical Company developed an organic compound that might well pave the way for 3-D television.

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5. The powerful earthquake that struck Italy was measured to have a magnitude between 5.8 and 6.3. The strongest earthquake ever occurred in Chile in 1960, with a Richter scale rating of 9.5. Thus, the Italian jolt had "only" 1/5000 or so the strength of the Chilean monster, which sent a tsunami around the world. The two measurement techniques are somewhat similar, but, more and more, Richter is being replaced by Moment Magnitude. Chapter 6 of SIMPLE SOLUTIONS for Planet Earth is on earthquakes and tsunamis.
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The Dow Jones Industrials declined 42 to 7975, hitting a low at midday, but recovering 113 at the bell. While unemployment is at a 25 year high, there are signs that the bottom has been reached. Oil dipped below $50/bbl (see box on right) and gold is further declining, minus $23/toz to $873.
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Tropical Cyclone Jade at 75 MPH struck the northeast side of Madagascar yesterday and is weakening.
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CRIME AND WAR (Part 35A)

The following is largely excerpted from Chapter 1 of SIMPLE SOLUTIONS for Humanity:
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Global Terrorism, Redux

World War II was “easy.” Against all initial intentions, we vanquished Japan and Germany, saving the world for freedom. Well, it did cost an equivalent of $12 trillion and 400,000 American lives, with another 100,000 still missing. But the world suffered a lot more, with 24 million dying just in the Battle of Stalingrad, and, perhaps a 100 million in total, so it could have been a lot worse for the U.S. Were it not for the USA, the world today could well be dominated by fascists. There are varied books on this subject matter.

The Cold War against communism was tense, but we also prevailed. We have yet to lose a major war. Western democracy is undefeated. We might lose minor struggles, such as Vietnam and, well, Iraq, and still harbor internal imperfections, but observing the larger picture, we find a way to continue the effort towards the common good.

In 1992, Frances Fukuyama released the End of History, suggesting that liberal democracy had conquered monarchy, fascism and communism, ending the evolution of human society. We have reached perfection, so there will be no further adjustments necessary. Samuel Huntington, in his 1993 Clash of Civilizations, disagreed, and proposed that cultural and religious differences would provoke future conflicts. In my mind, both are right. Yes, terrorism continues on the rise, but, in the end, democracy will triumph. Terrorism, though, is a matter of strategy, the correct reference should be, War on Islamic Fundamentalists, or some variation which will change over time.
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NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES MISSILE

Well, they did it at 0230 GMT (11:30 AM in Tokyo) on Sunday, 5April09. The Taepodong-2 (also known as Unha-2) missile dropped the first stage in the Japan Sea less than 100 miles from Akita, flew over Northern Honshu, discharged the second stage (and probably rest of the payload) less than 1000 miles from Japan in the Pacific Ocean, far short of the mission plan, on a trajectory for Hawaii, yikes...but, alas, after signals of possible early success, the satellite, if there was one, FAILED to reach orbit.

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Reactions:

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--North Korea: Success.

--South Korea: Reckless.

--Japan: Profoundly regrettable.

--USA: Provocative.

--China: Be calm.

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G20 AND NATO SUMMITS

There are the G8 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and U.S.), and note that China and India are not members. Italy will serve as the host from July 8-10 this year, while the USA will so accommodate in 2012.

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The G20 nations include the 19 largest economies plus the European Union. They represent 85% of the world gross product. They met in London on April 2 amidst semi-violent protests. They actually accomplished quite a bit: agreed to provide $1.1 trillion to the International Monetary Fund and assorted programs to promote international trade, created a Financial Stability Board, and took steps to avoid protectionism.

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Now, if you were wondering why there were also protests (AFP photo at top left) in Strasbourg on the Continent, that was another gathering, a NATO Summit held after the G20 Summit. Only NATO members participated.

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Yesterday, there was an announcement on television reporting that North Korea finally launched that feared rocket. Well, this misinformation came from Akita, where one of those Patriot ground-to-air guided missile batteries was sent. Japan is jittery. By the time I get to Akita in two weeks, this should all be over.

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There should be very little concern, for even if this NK rocket crashes in northern Honshu (and there are copious assurances that this won't happen), there might be a satellite on board, but no nuclear warhead, because they don't yet have this capability. If the debris falls on anyone, that would be an unfortunate accident. If you're wondering why this communications attempt does not just go straight up over North Korea, such are the physics of rocket science. By the way, this shot will head straight for Hawaii, and the second stage should drop in the Pacific between Japan and Hawaii.

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From my outpost on the 47th floor of the Park Hyatt, sayonara.

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THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN

The Sakura was at peak today at Ueno Park. This variety is almost pure white, with a slight tinge of pink.

Last year Moscow was the most expensive city. Today, it is Tokyo, with Osaka #2. However, we bought a 10 color ball point pen at a 100 Yen store for 105 yen. Yes, these stores now charge 105 yen for each item, which is equivalent to $1.05. Amazingly enough, the ten fine point colors write incredibly well.

The current Prime Minister, Taro Aso, has a disapproval rating of 80% (even worse than recent president, George Bush), mostly because the country is in its worst recession since the Second World War. Until the past few weeks, Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the opposition, the Democratic Party of Japan, was highly favored to become the next PM, which would have ended the 50-year rule of the Liberal Democratic Party. However, Ozawa’s secretary was charged with receiving unlawful donations, so the upcoming elections are now wide open. The media is making this scandal larger than it should be. My sense, then, is that either Nobuteru Ishihara (51, on the left above) or Kaoru Yosano (71, on the right above), both from the LDP, will prevail in September, or earlier. Ishihara is the son of the Governor of Tokyo City.
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SAKURA AND THE SEARCH

Friday, April 3, was spent at Shinjuku Park. From the bottom left are red and white cherry blossoms, Pearl with the mob at the Park and the Park Hyatt in the background.

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There are signs and announcements warning that alcohol cannot be consumed on these grounds. But there is no enforcement and we contributed to the festivities to complement our bento lunch.

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Our assessment is that the blossoms are not yet at peak here, but this should occur in a few days. Today, we're off to Ueno Park, where reports are that the ultimate has been attained. Today being a Saturday in Japan, the crowd should be at a particular max.
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In reference to the photo above, taken after our dinner at the New York Grill at the top of the Park Hyatt, the Search for Kenjiro's Grandmothers team involves Fumio Ito of Nauru OTEC fame, Taka Ota, also with that project, Pearl, Kenji Hotta (professor at Nihon University), Hiromi Hotta, originally from Otaru, and me.

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For anyone contemplating using the Japan Rail Pass. First, you need to pay for the exchange order before you start your trip. Second, after getting to Japan, you must obtain the actual pass at a JR Travel Service Center located at major stations. Bring your passport. You can then make your seat reservations at this location. Should you have a schedule change, just exchange your ticket for another one. There is no additional charge for adjustments. While not particularly cheap, just one trip to Sapporo and back from Tokyo just about pays for three weeks of Green Car (first class) service where you can take as many trips as possible during that period.

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The Dow Jones Industrials went up 40 to 8018. This has been the best 4 week winning streak in 70 years, all the more surprising, as the unemployment rate is now at 8.5%, the highest level in 25 years. Oil did not change much and gold dropped below $900/toz to $892.

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TOKYO PARK HYATT HOTEL

This blog is inspired by my two SIMPLE SOLUTIONS books: for Planet Earth and Humanity. Chapter 6 of the second book picks the best place to live. In this spirit, today I will report on the Tokyo Park Hyatt Hotel, Pearl and my home for the next few days.

Many of you remember the movie starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, but the real star was the hotel itself: the Tokyo Park Hyatt.

The hotel occupies the 39th to 52nd floors of a tower in Shinjuku designed by Kenzo Tange. Our room came with Narita Aiport pick-up, breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktails/canapes (foie gras, strange white cheese and a hybrid sashimi/ceviche/poke) in the New York Bar on the 52nd floor.

Also, somewhat surprisingly, connection to the world-wide web is free and the linkage is very, very fast. In Japan there is this general practice where expensive hotels charge for the internet, usually $25/day, while cheaper chains offer it for free.

Lunch will be a hanami (picnic under cherry blossom trees) at the Shinjuku Park and tonight we have dinner at the New York Grill with my roots search team of Hiromi Hotta (and her husband, Kenji, who is an ocean engineering professor from Nihon University), Fumio Ito (from Tokyo Electric Power, who was the lead for the Japan Nauru OTEC project) and Takayoshi Ota (from Shimizu, who was also on that OTEC team), who in the Fall of 2007 accompanied us to Utashinai.
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The Dow Jones Industrials jumped 216 to 7978. For a while it rested above 8000. World markets all increased with Europe leaping around around 5%. Much of this had to do with the unprecedented steps taken by the G20 nations in their London summit. Gold dropped to $902.50/toz. Crude shot up $4/barrel to $52.52.
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APRIL FOOLS' DAY

Be careful and aware today, for April 1 is April Fools’ Day in various countries, when hoaxes and practical jokes occur. Even Iranians play pranks, which can be traced back to 536 BC. In 1957, the BBC ran a program showing the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. In 1998 it was reported that the Alabama State Legislature rounded off the value of Pi to 3.0. In 2003 a South Korean website claimed that CNN reported the assassination of Bill Gates, sending the stock market down 1.5%.

However, sometimes real things happen that day, as on April 1, 1946, when a tsunami killed 165 people in Hawaii and Alaska. And this is no joke: there is a computer worm today called Conflicker C. Microsoft (guess which type of software and computers will get hit, again) has a quarter million dollar bounty to catch the villains. Go to this windows update if you fear you're infected. I'm sending this out through my iMac.

My latest two Huffington Post articles were published yesterday:

1. A Solution for the American Auto Industry
2. Extraterrestrial Intelligence?

No, all the above actually happened, and so, too, my roots search, so I'm switching stories to reality. Pearl and I are on our way to Japan to gather information about my grandfather’s grandmothers. Background was provided yesterday.

This is also cherry blossom season (and in case you were wondering why that AFP photo above, no, it is not an April Fool's joke: the Sakura is in full bloom in Tokyo and Washington, D.C.), so we will be Shinkansening (bullet training) across Japan, starting first in Tokyo, then on to Fukuoka, Miyajima, Kyoto, Takayama, back to Tokyo, then to Sapporo, Otaru and Akita, before returning to Tokyo.

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At this writing, the Dow Jones Industrials jumped 153 to 7762 and there are no major ocean storms on Planet Earth. There seems, though, to be a disturbance in London protesting the G20 gathering. The DJI day started at minus 112, then climbed 300 points. However, it is still nearly 12% lower for the year. Auto sales plunged around the globe, with GM being worst at a 45% drop from the previous February. Hummer crashed 76%. Most world markets were up.

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