"Slipped" is the right term indeed – I think it's quite a manageable slip, considering July's numbers – 

JAPAN CONSUMERS HAVEN'T BEEN THIS CONFIDENT IN 7 YEARS

sorry, freckle, doing my best to keep up with your couch commentary, but busy here in the real world, with all the "idiots" who have been netting handsome profits here in Japan while you…[Read more]

Love Milano too, gorgeous city – although the area around Centrale is starting to scare me, and will probably get worse in coming years. As for their economy – yup – can't wait to nab a couple of properties when the **** finally hits the fan – any day now, it would seem.

Been looking at Italy for a while now, so can tell you this much – 

1) no citizenship is required, but they will need to apply for a tax ID, most likely in person
2) they can handle all transactions through a "Notaio" (equivalent of notary public or judicial scrivener) – generally speaking, lawyers aren't necessary – however, we met a great and…[Read more]

Awww, freckle, coming from you, that's bordering on a compliment.

if you do follow parts 2 and 3, you'll realize that I'm using us and our market merely as an example on how to setup your investing infrastructure IN YOUR MARKET OF CHOICE. Obviously, I refer to where I operate and am experienced in, as these are my best points of conjunction. I…[Read more]

Thanks, Engelo, glad you liked it. Completely agree, team is essential – covering it extensively in parts 2 and 3 of the series – stay tuned!

Quote:
Bonus payments are up but regular monthly payments are down…

As demonstrated above, the total average PER PERSON is up – they're simply doing it via irregular payments, to prevent a non-reversible premature raise – cautious, but works.

Quote:
…Total wages paid out are also trending down due to a shrinking work force

Has nothing to…[Read more]

While US service providers may be as you guys claim, I find that our US clients are some of the nicest, friendliest, chattiest folk around , to be honest! Maybe they're delighted at being able to finally build a real relationship with a professional, rather than being treated like a cash barrel with legs? 

Thanks, for sharing – I stand corrected re Kyler. As mentioned, Jay's the only one I've personally dealt with, and I also found him to be reliable and forthcoming.

Quote:
…UBS AG analysts said Japan’s shrinking labor force means salaries need to rise even more to prevent total wages from contracting and damping consumer spending capacity. The aggregate wage level may not rise even with wages growing 1 percent per worker…

Funny you should choose this article, titled "Japanese Wages Gain in Boost for…[Read more]

Dude, you're contradicting yourself again – First you say

Quote:
Interesting to note Asian emerging economies are crashing at the moment. India and Indonesia are in big trouble.

, then you immediately go to

Quote:
World's 10 biggest economies, India at No 3 Japan 4th!!!

Well, here's the real picture about India – New York Times‎ – Rupee…[Read more]

Quote:
…You'll have to point to a reference re Bass's fund down 29%…

http://www.businessinsider.com/whoa-kyle-basss-performance-really-is-that-disastrous-2012-5

Quote:
…copy of his performance update May 3.

From the report…

JMOMF Tranche H

January 2012 -7.89%

February 2012 +6.84%

March 2012 +2.13%

April 2012 -29.32%
 
Year to…[Read more]

Not sure what you mean by that, cynicism aside – this forum's all about property purchases overseas. The economies of the countries involved are a major consideration in such investments, and the number of views on this thread suggest people are finding interest in it. Personally, its also translated into some good business and connections for me,…[Read more]

Quote:
Japans own  government data doesn't support your story

It does, actually – you're presenting a YOY graph, which is a nice little demagoguery trick, considering the fact that you're comparing the current industrial production to that of the post-tsunami era, when the country's biggest re-construction blitz was on. However, if you compare…[Read more]

Lol Rudd please, I can imagine the audience running for the hills on that one 

Or in Japan…or in property anywhere…or in anything other than precious metals etc

Mate, this discussions got close to 5000 views, and is often first page on google for "Japan real estate property investment" – passion pays, in life and business both

And a few more updates from the last 2 months – https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-changes-outlook-on-Japans-real-estate-sector-to-stable–PR_277176?goback=.gde_2060426_member_243882374

Quote:
…Moody's Japan K.K. has revised the outlook on Japan's real estate industry to stable from negative.The change in the sector outlook reflects the…[Read more]

Interesting post, which I mostly agree with – structural reforms are needed to support the monetary easing policy, which is exactly what Abe's government is trying to form these days.

Quote:
…the bundle of monetary and fiscal measures might be suitable for stimulating the Japanese economy in the short term. But if these are not flanked by…[Read more]

Abe keeps heading in all the right directions – http://ajw.asahi.com/article/economy/AJ201307010067 –

Quote:
Central government bureaucrats have criticized Hiroshi Mikitani as a selfish businessman and tried to block his attempts at changing the status quo. But the chairman and CEO of Rakuten Inc. has found that his requests have been quickly…[Read more]