Yen Story

[kingkong]

Against the dollar, the yen traded at 118.97 on Nov.18, the lowest since August 2003. Bloomberg sources predict it may drop to 120.65 by next month. A 1,000,000 yen koi at the Riykai-Nishikigoi Show will now run 8,423.89 US dollars. Next month it might cost roughly 200 dollars less. Yens performance against Japan's major trading partners is down 13 percent this year. photo credit Charles Pearson at koiphen

[111whalen]

Thats good news for the Americans and bad news for the Japenese. I wish I would see lower prices on high end fish here in the states. By the way, I'll take any of the three fish in the photo, espicially the lower sanke .

Mark

[Brian]

Quote: Originally Posted by 111whalen Thats good news for the Americans and bad news for the Japenese.

Actually Mark,

Given that Japan is an exporting economy, a cheap yen is a very good thing. Doesn't really hurt the local people that buy koi either, and may actually help them in the long run.

[aquitori]

I guess more "Bang" for the buck I guess...But with the scare of KHV around the corner it is not only the breeders who need to take precaution with fish, but agents too...the way of getting a good price is if the fish is alive!!! a fish bought at any amount and got infected with KHV is now worthless...just something to think about....

Quote: Originally Posted by kingkong Against the dollar, the yen traded at 118.97 on Nov.18, the lowest since August 2003. Bloomberg sources predict it may drop to 120.65 by next month. A 1,000,000 yen koi at the Riykai-Nishikigoi Show will now run 8,423.89 US dollars. Next month it might cost roughly 200 dollars less. Yens performance against Japan's major trading partners is down 13 percent this year. photo credit Charles Pearson at koiphen

[kingkong]

On the positive side, moderate economic growth has continued in 2005, maintaining the recovery that began in 2003. Due to surge in export demand, up 2.6% led by exports to China, domestic consumer spending has strengthened and unemployment has fallen 4.3%. I wonder who the big spenders are at the Koi Farms? The worst possible timing for disease problems and earthquakes that is for sure Aquitori.

[aquitori]

Talking to some of the hobbyist who came back from Japan and they sais it was dead...Usually you'll bump into alot of people but this year was pretty dead...so that says alot for consumer spending this fall harvest.

Quote: Originally Posted by kingkong On the positive side, moderate economic growth has continued in 2005, maintaining the recovery that began in 2003. Due to surge in export demand, up 2.6% led by exports to China, domestic consumer spending has strengthened and unemployment has fallen 4.3%. I wonder who the big spenders are at the Koi Farms? The worst possible timing for disease problems and earthquakes that is for sure Aquitori.

[junglegeorge12]

A higher yen to dollar value increases export volumes, international customers order more quantity. Cost of living in Japan relative to the yen, not the dollar, is what determines how it affects Japanese people. The thing that really concerns me, is not the khv, it is going to show up in the states again too, so you cannot give yourself 'safety' by buying in one country and not another. The thing that has me worried for Japanes exports and koi business is the price of shipping. As fuel prices skyrocket, so will shipping prices, putting the final price of their products out of range of their largest markets or putting them unable to compete with manufacturers located closer.

For me, for Japan to survive it economically, it has to build factories closer to it's larger markets. Otherwise shipping prices will put them out of competition. China is good, but North America is the largest consumer goods market on the planet. So I am encouraging all Japanese businessmen to consider expanding here in the carribean, in PR they will pay no import taxes or duties to the US, it is part of PR's deal for having military bases here. Alot of Japanese equipment manufacturers have already started using PR as a duct into N America. Shipping is the same as from state to state pricewise, no import taxes or customs inspections.

I would be interested in knowing Brian's take on the future exports of Japan and how Japan can improve it's economic position and standard of living. How do you think rising oil and shipping prices will play a role? How can japan strategize to overcome that and remain competitive? China has an edge, having it's own oil resources and other energy techonologies. Unless Japan can build a massive line of shipping vehicles that can travel long distances over water electromagnetically like the trains or some other way. What do you think Brian? What are they saying about all of that in Japan?

[junglegeorge12]

Does anyone think the birdflu threat may have had any affect on the turnout?