Japan continues to face serious economic challenges. Recently, the country recorded its 20th consecutive monthly trade deficit. Similar to the United States, Japan now finds itself importing more goods than it exports. This trend signifies a gradual decline in the nation’s wealth.
This unfortunate situation was not anticipated, especially not during the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose Abenomics policies were designed to bolster exports.
Since assuming office in December 2012, Abe has advocated for an extremely loose monetary policy. He has focused on aggressive monetary easing—essentially, printing more money—and maintaining a weaker yen. Abe firmly believed that these economic strategies, collectively known as “Abenomics”, would revitalize Japan’s economy and pull it out of its two-decade slump.
However, Abe’s critical miscalculation, much like that of many political leaders, was his failure to recognize that economic conditions are not static. The world is inherently dynamic—when one aspect declines, another must rise. Continue reading
The Health Care Crisis of the Century
By Alex Daley, Chief Technology Investment Strategist, Casey Research
It is widely recognized that the American population is aging. The number of Americans aged 65 and older is rapidly increasing, particularly as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age.
On a positive note, this trend indicates that a greater number of Americans are living longer, often in good health well into their seventies and eighties.
However, aging often brings an increased risk of serious illnesses and a decline in quality of life, particularly when faced with diseases that compromise one’s sense of self and overall enjoyment of life.
Alzheimer’s disease exemplifies this challenge. This most prevalent form of dementia was first identified by Dr. Alois Alzheimer over a century ago, yet the medical community still grapples with understanding its exact nature and causes. Continue reading
Look around. Reach for the sky. Breathe deeply. Listen peacefully. From the tranquil heights of Idyllwild, surrounded by towering pines and fragrant cedars, we have the opportunity to experience these moments with clarity.
This perspective allows us to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. In this serene escape from the bustling Los Angeles Basin, we not only inhale fresh air but also gain fresh insights. The spirit of the San Jacinto Mountains resonates with the message: “Change is in the air,” as articulated by Saint Jack.
As winter transitions into spring, and spring into summer, the changing seasons unfold with familiar patterns. Winters tend to be cooler, while summers are warm. Autumn witnesses the fading of old life, while spring celebrates the emergence of new beginnings.
Yet, genuine change is often subtle. True transformation rarely emerges; instead, what often appears as change may be merely a slight variation of familiar patterns. Continue reading
“May you live in interesting times,” as the ancient Chinese proverb reminds us. At first glance, it appears to be a blessing, but in reality, it’s more of a curse.
Indeed, we live in remarkable times. Events are unfolding at such a rapid pace that few can keep track. For instance, while the world was focused on Russia’s actions in Ukraine last week, President Obama introduced a $3.9 trillion budget proposal for fiscal year 2015.
This budget includes $56 billion in additional spending and proposes tax increases for the wealthy coupled with tax breaks for the lower-income bracket to make up for the extra expenditure. It even allocates $50 million for bee habitat preservation, among other initiatives, depending on your interests.
However, today’s focus will not center on the budget proposal nor the latest news from Ukraine or the inexplicable disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines plane. Instead, we highlight these events to illustrate the plethora of stimulating stories that emerge daily. Continue reading
