I applied for a part-time work permit yesterday and whilst waiting in the queue - 150 plus people! - to submit my application form, there was a TV there broadcasting news of the Typhoon and its effects. Nagoya seemed to be one of the worst hit areas, with people having to evacuate and floods reaching waist-level, subway stations being submerged and all... Really sobering. I hope casualty numbers will be minimal or even zero after this Typhoon but that may be just hopeful at best.
Japan seems really hard-hit with all the natural disasters this year...
And yet, as horrible as this may sound, I think all these disasters, if carefully handled by authorities to minimise casualties, may actually prove to be some kind of timely intervention for the society to rebuild herself and her economy.
And yet, as horrible as this may sound, I think all these disasters, if carefully handled by authorities to minimise casualties, may actually prove to be some kind of timely intervention for the society to rebuild herself and her economy.
Waist-high floods in Nagoya.
Submerged subway stations.
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I understand that Japan's economy has been stuck at a stage called stagflation for some time now - stagnant growth, high inflation. I'm not sure if the government is using exchange rate to mitigate the inflation, but the Yen is at a freakishly high rate as of now. 4 years ago when I first came to Japan for a floorball friendly match, the rate was 100yen = SGD1.30. 2 years ago, it ranged from about 100yen = SGD1.50-1.55. Now, the rate has climbed to an almighty 100yen = SGD1.65, just up from 100yen = SGD1.60 a week ago. And it's not like the Sing dollar has been weakening; in fact, it's been reaching stronger rates especially against the US dollar and the Euro.
I'm so not withdrawing any money from my Singapore account right now - the exchange rate is way too horrendous. I can only hope it'll go down some in time, and hopefully by the time I'll need to draw cash out.
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