Most Asian share markets dipped on the latest glum news from Japan, where stocks hit a 26-year low on the announcement of the country’s first current account deficit in more than a decade.
The country logged a deficit of 172.8 billion yen ($1.8 billion) in January in its current account as exports almost halved from a year earlier. Sydney and Seoul bucked the trend but elsewhere sentiment was down. Singapore saw its lowest close since July 2003. Hong Kong shed 4.8 percent as shares in banking giant HSBC plunged 24.1 percent.
TOKYO: Down 1.2 percent. The Nikkei-225 slipped 87.07 points to 7,086.03. Real estate firms were among the main victims.
HONG KONG: Down 4.8 percent. The Hang Seng lost 576.94 points to 11,344.58. It was the lowest close in more than four months, with much of the downward pressure coming from HSBC, which accounts for the index’s largest weighting.
SYDNEY: Up 0.3 percent. The S&P/ASX 200 rose nine points to 3,154.5. Strength in commodities helped the mining sector outweigh losses in bank shares, but gains were capped as the market saw the day’s performance by other bourses in the region.
SHANGHAI: Down 3.4 percent. The Composite lost 74.26 points to 2,118.75. With worries over figures coming this week on the consumer price index, trade and industrial output, dealers said, the market was skittish.
TAIPEI: Down 0.55 percent. The weighted index lost 25.39 points to 4,628.24. After opening down on profit-taking, losses were extended on continuing concerns about the extent of the global economic crisis and a weak performance by most of the region’s markets.
SEOUL: Up 1.58 percent. The KOSPI gained 16.7 points to 1,071.73. The market got a boost from a stronger won but dealers reported jitters over a possible North Korea missile launch.
SINGAPORE: Down 3.7 percent. The STI dropped 56.17 points to 1,456.95. It was the index’s lowest clos since July 2003, with market sentiment negative about the outlook ahead.
KUALA LUMPUR: Closed for holiday.
BANGKOK: Down two percent. The SET Composite lost 8.24 points to 411.27. Banking shares led the way down, with the market nervous about the US bailout plan for troubled insurer AIG.
JAKARTA: Closed for holiday.
MANILA: Down 1.5 percent. The composite index lost 29.54 points to 1,890.62. The main push down came from power retailer Meralco, which plummeted 25.4 percent to 94 pesos amid rumours of a proxy fight over the company.
MUMBAI: Down 2.0 percent. The Sensex fell 165.42 points to 8,160.4. Ahead of a two-day holiday, the market dropped on worries about a sell-off by overseas funds and the weak performance on bourses across the region.
http://www.dragonflytours-japan.com
2009年3月9日星期一
2009年3月8日星期日
Three French Teens Arrested for Stealing Games in Japan
moving to Japan from France to continue their educational studies, a trio of sixteen year-olds traveled to the Akihabara district of Tokyo to do some post-holiday shoplifting. On 18 different days since November, the three teenagers stole 92 games and seven consoles from retailer Sofmap. They then turned around and resold the products for over one million yen ($100,000).
They could've perhaps gotten away with the thefts if they hadn't tried to resell the stolen goods using fake college IDs on their last trip to a different store - also owned by Sofmap.
After being caught by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the kids revealed they were stealing to have as much spending money as their wealthy classmates.
"Stealing is simple in Japan," commented one student. "Japanese people shouldn't be so easily trusting of people."
2009年3月5日星期四
Travel Channel to air 15 episodes about Oregon
Nearly 48 million Europeans in 15 countries will discover Oregon via their televisions when
the European Travel Channel airs the 15-part series, “Oregon Uncovered.”
The show premieres March 9.
“This new show captures the compelling essence of Oregon — the diversity of our land, people
and culture. More importantly, it introduces our state as a preferred destination to potential
international visitors,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon.
The program will air twice daily for three years in Oregon’s major tourism markets of
Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and Italy. The program is scheduled to appear at 7:30 p.m. on the Travel Channel Europe and at 8:30 p.m. on Travel Channel
1.Episodes showcase the state’s seven distinct tourism regions. Mount Bachelor, Powell’s Book
Store, Multnomah Falls, landmarks on the coast, historic Jacksonville, Kam Wah Chung museum and wineries are just a few of the Oregon destinations and attractions featured.
Primefilmsites produced the series, “Oregon Uncovered,” in cooperation with Black Diamond
Productions of the United Kingdom。
the European Travel Channel airs the 15-part series, “Oregon Uncovered.”
The show premieres March 9.
“This new show captures the compelling essence of Oregon — the diversity of our land, people
and culture. More importantly, it introduces our state as a preferred destination to potential
international visitors,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon.
The program will air twice daily for three years in Oregon’s major tourism markets of
Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and Italy. The program is scheduled to appear at 7:30 p.m. on the Travel Channel Europe and at 8:30 p.m. on Travel Channel
1.Episodes showcase the state’s seven distinct tourism regions. Mount Bachelor, Powell’s Book
Store, Multnomah Falls, landmarks on the coast, historic Jacksonville, Kam Wah Chung museum and wineries are just a few of the Oregon destinations and attractions featured.
Primefilmsites produced the series, “Oregon Uncovered,” in cooperation with Black Diamond
Productions of the United Kingdom。
2009年3月4日星期三
Japan holiday with Kakunodate
Kakunodate is a former castle town and samurai stronghold in today's Akita Prefecture. While Kakunodate Castle no longer remains, the town is famous for its samurai tradition and its hundreds of weeping cherry trees (shidarezakura).
part from the loss of its castle, Kakunodate remains remarkably unchanged since its founding in 1620. The town was built with two distinct areas, the samurai district and the merchant district. Once home to 80 families, the samurai district still has some of the best examples of samurai architecture in all of Japan.
Kakunodate is also well known as the location of one of the Tohoku Region's most popular cherry blossom spots. Around late April and early May, large crowds of people come to see Kakunodate's special combination of pink blossoms and historic homes.
part from the loss of its castle, Kakunodate remains remarkably unchanged since its founding in 1620. The town was built with two distinct areas, the samurai district and the merchant district. Once home to 80 families, the samurai district still has some of the best examples of samurai architecture in all of Japan.
Kakunodate is also well known as the location of one of the Tohoku Region's most popular cherry blossom spots. Around late April and early May, large crowds of people come to see Kakunodate's special combination of pink blossoms and historic homes.
2009年3月3日星期二
Hakodate tour
Hakodate is Hokkaido's third largest city, located at the island's southern tip. Hakodate is best known for the spectacular views to be enjoyed from Mount Hakodate (see picture above) and its delicious, fresh seafood.
As one of the first Japanese harbor cities to be opened to international trade after the country's era of isolation, Hakodate has experienced notable influence from overseas, and the foreign population's former residential district and a Western style fort are among its main tourist attractions.
Onuma Park, a quasi national park with beautiful, island dotted lakes, is located only half an hour north of Hakodate and is a worthwhile side trip from the city or a nice stop on the journey between Hakodate and Sapporo.
2009年3月2日星期一
Yushima Tenmangu Shrine with Japan holiday
Ever since it was featured in Kyoka Izumi's novel "Onna Keizu" (The Genealogy of Women), this shrine has been widely known for its white ume blossoms. The enshrined deity is Sugawara no Michizane, a deity of success in learning. The shrine is very popular during the entrance-examination period and when the plum trees are in bloom.
The goddess Kishimojin has become widely believed to help with having and raising children since the Edo Period. Many people visit this shrine today, particularly in the autumn when the popular "Oeshiki" festival is held. The huge ginkgo and zelkova trees on the grounds are over 600 years old and form a lovely backdrop for a quiet stroll. The grounds are so lovely that the shrine has been designated as one of the "New Tokyo Landmarks" by the Metropolis of Tokyo. You can buy the sole traditional toy of the ward, "Susuki-mimizuku". (horned awl of pampas grass) at the small store near the grounds.
The goddess Kishimojin has become widely believed to help with having and raising children since the Edo Period. Many people visit this shrine today, particularly in the autumn when the popular "Oeshiki" festival is held. The huge ginkgo and zelkova trees on the grounds are over 600 years old and form a lovely backdrop for a quiet stroll. The grounds are so lovely that the shrine has been designated as one of the "New Tokyo Landmarks" by the Metropolis of Tokyo. You can buy the sole traditional toy of the ward, "Susuki-mimizuku". (horned awl of pampas grass) at the small store near the grounds.
2009年3月1日星期日
Sanya sets sights on well-heeled tourists
With long stretches of pristine sandy beaches and year-round sunshine, Sanya, the tropical beach resort in China's Hainan Island, is now striving to become a luxury travel destination of international appeal to rival Bali and Phuket.
Although dubbed the "Oriental Hawaii", Sanya was until recently known in China as a place for cheap-and-cheerful package holidays, and little known abroad except in Russia, South Korea and Japan.
But now the city is determined to move its travel market upscale to attract more elite overseas holidaymakers.
This year, China's southernmost city is set to step up building its luxury tourism sector, which includes the construction of an international cruise terminal, yachting marinas and five-star hotels.
And the global economic downturn does not seem to have slowed the development of the city's high-end travel market.
Last year, three top international resort brands, Ritz-Carlton, Singapore-listed Banyan Tree and Mandarin Oriental, all opened for business in the city.
More international hotel giants are still looking to Sanya to grow their business in the years to come, Li Boqing, deputy mayor of Sanya, told China Business Weekly in an exclusive interview.
He said that the 3.7 billion yuan investment in 26 tourism infrastructure projects on the isand this year would overshadows its international counterparts.
Li added that the city's luxury travel industry would experience rapid growth this year.
"We will re-identify the city's travel market and make a change in the city's tourism industry development pattern from the low-end toward the upper-end," said Li.
This year, Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Terminal will start construction of a cruise terminal of a 250,000-ton level berth, enabling it to become a permanent port for international cruise lines, Zuo Zhenghe, director of the office of Sanya Port Administration Bureau, told China Business Weekly.
He said the city was stepping up its efforts to attract more international cruise lines to the prt, in a bid to turn Sanya into an "Asian Miami".
Construction of China's first seven-star hotel, a 200 m skyscraper, is scheduled to start at the end of this year on Phoenix Port Island.
Frank Lin, general manager of Sanya Visun International Yacht Club, said the company is building a marina with 72 berths, scheduled for completion this April. At the marina, a super-five star yacht hotel will open this August, with yachts able to berth at the hotel's lobby.
"We want to turn our marina into a 'paradise for the rich'," Lin says.
Last year, the global financial crisis led to a reduction in the number of foreign tourists that visited Sanya, especially those from South Korea and Japan, said Du Liyin, director-general of Sanya Tourism Bureau.
But investors are looking to the long-term and remain optimistic, said Du.
Still, the investors behind the luxury projects believe there's great potential in China when it comes to the yacht and cruise markets. They hope to profit from the millions of Chinese people who have benefited from the country's economic boom.
Although dubbed the "Oriental Hawaii", Sanya was until recently known in China as a place for cheap-and-cheerful package holidays, and little known abroad except in Russia, South Korea and Japan.
But now the city is determined to move its travel market upscale to attract more elite overseas holidaymakers.
This year, China's southernmost city is set to step up building its luxury tourism sector, which includes the construction of an international cruise terminal, yachting marinas and five-star hotels.
And the global economic downturn does not seem to have slowed the development of the city's high-end travel market.
Last year, three top international resort brands, Ritz-Carlton, Singapore-listed Banyan Tree and Mandarin Oriental, all opened for business in the city.
More international hotel giants are still looking to Sanya to grow their business in the years to come, Li Boqing, deputy mayor of Sanya, told China Business Weekly in an exclusive interview.
He said that the 3.7 billion yuan investment in 26 tourism infrastructure projects on the isand this year would overshadows its international counterparts.
Li added that the city's luxury travel industry would experience rapid growth this year.
"We will re-identify the city's travel market and make a change in the city's tourism industry development pattern from the low-end toward the upper-end," said Li.
This year, Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Terminal will start construction of a cruise terminal of a 250,000-ton level berth, enabling it to become a permanent port for international cruise lines, Zuo Zhenghe, director of the office of Sanya Port Administration Bureau, told China Business Weekly.
He said the city was stepping up its efforts to attract more international cruise lines to the prt, in a bid to turn Sanya into an "Asian Miami".
Construction of China's first seven-star hotel, a 200 m skyscraper, is scheduled to start at the end of this year on Phoenix Port Island.
Frank Lin, general manager of Sanya Visun International Yacht Club, said the company is building a marina with 72 berths, scheduled for completion this April. At the marina, a super-five star yacht hotel will open this August, with yachts able to berth at the hotel's lobby.
"We want to turn our marina into a 'paradise for the rich'," Lin says.
Last year, the global financial crisis led to a reduction in the number of foreign tourists that visited Sanya, especially those from South Korea and Japan, said Du Liyin, director-general of Sanya Tourism Bureau.
But investors are looking to the long-term and remain optimistic, said Du.
Still, the investors behind the luxury projects believe there's great potential in China when it comes to the yacht and cruise markets. They hope to profit from the millions of Chinese people who have benefited from the country's economic boom.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)