Eco Point is going to end by the end of March

If you are living in Japan, probably you've heard of this 'Eco Point', which is a kind of cash back program of Japanese Gov.

This cash back program is what Japanese Gov. is taking initiative to encourage people to buy eco-friendly goods.

Applicable goods are pre-determined by Japaneses Gov. after the investigation to see how much those goods are eco-friendly. So, manufacture company sends applications for thier products, and depending on the result of how much such product can be eco-friendly, such as energy saving, the points that product can get will be determined.

Let's take TV as a sample.

Now, when you go to home appliance stores, you'll see TVs that gets 11,000 eco points.

At the moment, the most standard LED TV of 40 inch screen cost around 70,000 yen.
So, 11,000 eco points means 15% discount.

These points were double when you buy this TV by the end of last year. Or, not only for TV sets, but most of the home appliances, such as refrigerator, vacuum clear,,, you name it.

The ratio of the eco-point that will be given to each product is decreasing, and will end by the end of this March.

So if you have plan to buy home appliance, you certainly better to go and buy it by the end of March, so that you'll get a cash back. (to be precise, this is not cash back. But you can get coupon in return.)

Sharp's TV is famous and one of the most popular brand, because it is now strongly marketing its 'Kameyama Brand', which will be put on a product made at Kameyama factory. They say that the product with this label means all materials, even one small screw, are made in Japan.

Consumers affairs Agency Japan gave Groupon orders to improve

Groupon Japan today received orders for improvement of its operation from Consumers Affairs Agency.
It's because of the trouble of the delivery of the Oseti deli for Jan.1st. Of course, this oseti deli. were made by one of Groupon's client food delivery firms. But Groupon was blamed not to give any deep considerations on the capability of the food delivery firm to deliver committed Oseti deli.
Groupon Japan was once one head ahead among the coupon companies in Japan, where it is said that there are more than one hundred competitors.
Now, Pon-pa-re, a subsidiary of famous information magazine company, took on Groupon with massive advertisements.
It's banner ad is giving a huge sensation, enough to draw attentions from the ordinal consumers who might not have any interest in using group coupon.

Groupon needs to seek strong marketing to keep it's No.1 position.

Here is Groupon's rival, PonPaRe's banner ads.

This beautiful young woman says 'This Ryokan (Japanese Traditional Hotel) must be expensive, isn't it?"

Then, a man thinks in his head, ' I can't say this is less than half the price.'

Ticket Maximum 83% discount at Pon Pa Re

Shin kan sen 2011

I took a ride on Shin Kansen from Tokyo station to Shin Ossaka station with about two hours.

It was very comfortable, because the cargo does not quake even it runs with the speed of 200km/h. So, you are not going to get tired even you watch the screen of your PC.

And now I found that each seat has power plug as picture shown below.

I think Shin kansen is still No.1 in the world, when it comes to how comfort you feel when you take a relatively long hour ride.

Power plug is just in front of your seat, or side of the wall.