Introduction Of Psychographic Segmentation And The Market...

Introduction of Psychographic Segmentation Psychographic segmentation is a market segmentation strategy that divides the market into groups based on social class, lifestyle, and personality characteristics. Psychographic segmentation is based on the theory that the types of products and brands an individual purchases will reflect a person’s characteristics and their patterns of living. Social class is one of the three key variable for these type of company research purposes, which divides the population into groups based on their individual or household income. Marketers segment social class for the promotion advertising and promotion of services and products such as clothes, home furnishings, and leisure activities. For instance, someone of the lower social class would be able to eat McDonald’s rather than eating at Ruth Chris every weekend because McDonald’s reasonable prices. Lifestyle can be defined as how someone is currently living. In marketing, lifestyle characteristics are known to influence the buyer decision process for consumers. Marketers are known to segment markets according to consumer lifestyles. Marketers promote their products as reflections of consumer lifestyles. For example, Kellogg’s’ promote gluten-free, nourishing products with wholesome ingredients that are ideal for someone living a healthy and active life. Personality elements can be used to segment markets as well. Marketers give products personalities that match consumer personalities inShow MoreRelatedChery a Case Study of Market Segmentation, Targeting and Market Positioning1103 Words   |  5 PagesCHERY A CASE STUDY OF MARKET SEGMENTATION, TARGETING AND MARKET POSITIONING Introduction Built in 1997 Chery is one of the famous Chinese car manufacturers aiming at building ‘independent Chinese brand’ and is now on its way to be international. It has the capability of producing 650 thousand automobiles, 650 thousand engines and 400 thousand sets of gear-boxes annually. There are four sub-brands (Chery, Riich, Rely and Karry) under Chery and three types of cars (passenger cars, business carsRead Moremarket segmentation1426 Words   |  6 PagesMOUNTAIN DEW Introduction Mountain Dew (also known as Mtn Dew as of late 2008) is a soft drink distributed and manufactured by PepsiCo. The main formula was invented in Knoxville, Tennessee, named and first marketed in Knoxville and Johnson City, TN in the 1940s, then by Barney and Ally Hartman, in Fayetteville, North Carolina and across the United States in 1964.When removed from its characteristic green bottle, Mountain Dew is bright yellow-green and translucent. As of 2007, Mountain DewRead MoreMarketing Mix of Kfc1570 Words   |  7 PagesKentucky Fried Chicken ‡ Four P ¶s of Marketing mix. Introduction ‡ KFC Corporation, or KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky. KFC is a brand and operating segment, called a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo. ‡ KFC primarily sells chicken in form of pieces, wraps, salads and sandwiches. While its primary focus is fried chicken, KFC also offers a line of roasted chickenRead MoreMarketing Segmentation of Adidas Essay1435 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Adidas is a major German sports apparel manufacturer, which was founded in 1948. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second biggest sportswear manufacturer in the world, after Nike. The companys clothing and shoe designs typically feature three parallel bars. The company revenue for 2009 was listed at â‚ ¬10.38 billion. The market segmentation; targeting and position play an important role in this company. This essay will use the three factors to analyze thisRead MoreGucci Marketing Segmentation Collage Essay1401 Words   |  6 PagesMarketing Segmentation Collage 1. Introduction Gucci is a brand from Italy. It was established in the year of 1921 by Guccio Gucci. Gucci brand sells several kinds of products which are apparel of women’s wear and man’s wear, shoes, accessories such as rings, bags, small leathers goods, fine jewelry, and many others products. Besides, watches is also a best selling products for Gucci brand. Watches of Gucci brand is designed either for women, man, and also teenagers. 2.0 MarketRead MoreStatistical Data on the Coca-Cola Company1258 Words   |  5 Pagesthis decision. Identify each outcome from your statistical analysis, providing rationale for each. Identify tradeoffs between accuracy and precision required by various probability concepts and the effect on your data. Include the decision you made based on statistical data The Coca-Cola Company is in the process of introducing a pocketbook drink called Dasani Drops. These are drops carried in ones handbag that people can carry around with them in a compact way and then drop into water when thatRead MoreDescribe Famoso s Positioning Through High Quality Product1053 Words   |  5 Pagesthe success of Famoso. Question 2 Which segment is Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria targeting? Why do you think this?   †¢ Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria is targeting millennial crowd on the Go or the group in the range of 19-34 years old because it is a continuously growing age group. â€Å"While the average age of population in Canada continues to rise, the country saw an increase in the number of millennials, whose numbers increased by close to 10 percent in 2007-2012 period. †¢ According toRead MoreMarket Segmentation and Positioning1250 Words   |  5 PagesWrite a white paper on a company of your choice and discuss the market segmentation within that industry along with the target market for the company and the selection process for that target market.   Required Elements: * No more than 2100 words * Include demographic, psychographic, geographic, and behavioral characteristics for the selected company. * A positioning statement for the company with careful consideration of their brand and strategy * Paper is consistent with APA guidelinesRead MoreMarket Segmentation1933 Words   |  8 PagesINTRODUCTION : As we all know each and everyone in this world has their own needs and wants and from that we can tell that people’s needs and wants are met in different ways. Therefore in this situation, companies have to make desicions on how to attract their target customers. This can be done through market segmentation in order for the company to achieve their target. Market segmentation refers to a marketing concept which divides complete market into smaller segments. One market segmentRead MoreKeystone Light / Miller Coors865 Words   |  4 PagesKeystone Light/Miller Coors: â€Å"Canhole† Keystone lights primary objectives are to stave off decline in convenience stores and increase overall brand engagement. With the introduction of â€Å"canhole† based on the term â€Å"bro-ments† coined via a combination of quantitative and qualitative research, Keystone light hopes to create more shared moments by brand engagement. Since, the game itself requires multiple roles of participation, in a singular or team setting, shared moments convey between potential

Modern Accounting Systems Free Essays

Modern Accounting Systems Marcello F. Pirrelli Introduction to Accounting – ACC 205 Professor: Beher Haski 01 October 2012 Part I: Introduction Over the years, through trial and error, modern accounting systems have changed for both the better and worse. Modern accounting systems fulfill the basic accounting needs while offering increased accuracy in tracking trends, enabling collaboration and giving quick access to data. We will write a custom essay sample on Modern Accounting Systems or any similar topic only for you Order Now Computerized solutions offer the traditional transaction processing, classification of data and reporting while simultaneously increasing the range of inputs to give a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the financial health of a company (Gambling, 1975). The topic I selected for this research paper is how modern account systems have made a difference in modern organizations. Before taking this course I was unsure of how accounting was used in businesses or the way it was formatted. I aquired tremendous amount of knowledging from taking this class, from analysing transactions to utilizing accounting formats correctly (Gordon, 1937). During my high school and early college years I used excel spreadsheets for various projects, but never did I have to utilize them to the extent I did in my Accoungting class. I learned how to successful create balance sheets, income statements, and so much more. Lastly, the cirriculum provided enabled me to correctly use different accounting ledgers to create successful and understandable business financial statement. Modern technology and systems are making accounting processes more cost efficient, which subsequently strengthens a companies ability to increase their profits. Part II: Body Whether a small corner-store or large multimillion dollar organizations, each was created with its own innovations based on their believe of having the best account perspectives. They were successful for a short time by applying new costs such as JIT systems, which showed a significant improvement of their cost and budgeting systems. Their sociological perspective can be understood as a point of view that focuses not only on individuals in a company, but on the whole group or society (Romney, 2011). However, unfortunately many flaws and late technology slowed their progress down with many flaws that could have been improved with their value of modern management accounts systems. The main change has been the amount of money spent by organizations. In the past, companies big or small needed a dozen accounting clerks in order to prepare all documents manually, and of course this was time consuming which generated large wage payout. Today, small and large companies use modern computerized software on computers that can perform a more accurate detail submission. This new technology only requires a small group of people if not one or two people performing the accounting section, which minimizes the money spent on hiring personnel. In addition, another factor to consider when speaking of modern account systems is perpetual inventory systems (PTS). This controls the inventory in all stores and main warehouse by single scans. The scans come from the cashier ringing the merchandise which is automatically added to the order sheets. Larger companies such as Wal-Mart and Target provided the sales floor employees with handheld computers that track in store stock as well as inventory controls. These moderns’ scanners control the operations of the company, as employees work products to sales floor each item is scanned and tracked, then ordered automatically if needed. While working at Wal-Mart, each employee was required to carry at least one per department. The handheld was the kiosk for the entire store. If provided inventory controls, counting and ordering methods. As well as accounts processes that would allow the employee to create worksheets to log in numbers and as well as operating cost. These handhelds are costly and very power as a desktop computer, which makes them useful and most improved modern accounts systems to date (Romney, 2011). In addition to technology updated to improve accounts systems, the funds of companies have also been updated by the modern changes in organizations. The way information is processed and how quickly it can be changed or updated has improved business transactions. Financial information is available to organizations faster and easier by simply typing the needed data. The company is able to understand they information faster and easier without having to search through many book records and years. These modern accounts systems and the faster data have improved cost and payroll, such as how fast employees can be paid (Gordon, 1937). The modern account systems also have many flaws as it did in the past. Even though our amount of time and labor spent has been reduced by using electronics doesn’t mean errors still do not exist. Because the information is delivered much faster, the lack of understanding how to use the information has been ignored (Gambling, 1975). The fast growing technology has not been taught property by large organizations because it is growing too fast for employees and employers to keep up with. The old way of using account systems was slow, but the lacks of errors were slim because they thoroughly understand the inner workings of how their systems worked. Both human and electronic input controls how errors are a factor in new accounting systems compared to older systems where each documents was hand written and checked by humans only. Chapter 1 provided a lot of insight regarding accounts systems and the key functions they played in the â€Å"checks and balances† process of book-keeping. From speaking to individuals in the accounting career field, to taxing authorities and in-between, these all provided good references for me. When dealing with business transactions many different factors are used. The below example is from (Horngren, Harrison, Oliver, 2012) |Cash |Accounts receivable |Office supplies |Land |Liabilities |Owner’s equity |Type of Owner’s Equity transactions | |Balance |21,900 |2000 |500 | |200 |35,200 | | |(11) |-2,000 | | | | |-2,000 |Owner withdrawal | |Balance |19,9000 |2000 |500 | |200 |33,200 | | | | | | | | | | | | Such as transactions 1: starting the business, this is very important as it shows owner investment which can increase or decrease assets. Transaction 2: purchases of land or rental agreements, which also adds assets, equity and liabilities to the statement. Transaction 3: purchases of office supplies, which is important for the well-being of the business, this increases the liabilities, accounts payable transactions. Transaction 4: earning of service revenue, this adds value to owner’s equity, and capital. Transaction 5: earning of service revenue on account which this adds value to the owner’s equity. Transaction 6: payment of expenses, this can be transactions such as employee salaries, utilities and rent, which subtracts from the owner’s equity. Transaction 7: payment of accounts which is payments or rental payments, this also subtracts funds from cash and liabilities. Transaction 8 is based on personal transactions. Transactions 9: collection on accounts which is labeled as accounts receivable which paid from clients for work performed. Transactions 10: is the sale of land, which subtracted from the land category. Finally, transaction 11: withdrawal of cash, this is when the owner withdraws cash from the account for personal use only. Part III: Conclusion Over the last 5 weeks, I have learned so much valuable information that will help me improve my work skills when I enter a job and my personal use. Over the upcoming years, technology will change and improve even more than it has to allow us to access accounting systems quicker and easier. Since this class I have learned how to prepare documents and financial statements. This course has also improved my current situation, since working in retail it is hard to understand the inner workings of companies, but having this valuable information improves the way I can do my job. Through trial and error modern account systems improved our basic and advanced accounting needs and historical data provides evidence that modern technology and systems have and continue to make accounting processes more cost efficient. Part IV: References Gambling, T. (1975). Modern Accounting. Charlotte, NC: MacMillan. Gordon, D. W. (1937). Modern Accounting Systems. Osmania Univ: John Wiley And Sons Inc. Horngren, C. , Harrisons, W. T. Oliver, M. S. (2007). Accounting (9th Ed). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Romney, M. B. (2011). Accounting Information Systems (12th Ed). Boston, MA: Prentice Hall. How to cite Modern Accounting Systems, Essay examples

International Investment and Japan Essay Example For Students

International Investment and Japan Essay Political IndicatorsPolitical StabilityRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:Japans current domestic goal is to strengthen the political party system. In recent years, a series of scandals have damaged the integrity of not only individual politicians, but also entire parties (Fraser). Since the 1970s, there have been several changes in the government due to all the scandals. Since 1996, stability has been restored to the political system due to the election of Ryuturo Hashimoto (Fraser). Japans government strongly distanced itself from communist countries during the Cold War but now currently has ties to several Asian countries. Lately Japan has developed a more westernized approach in regards to its political system, and things will continue to get better due to an increased public trust in the current majority, the liberal democrats. Even though Japan has a multi-party system, it has generally been dominated recently by this party. The government is divided into three branches, a nd the liberal democrats hold a majority of the seats in the legislative branch (Fraser). Japan will continue to incorporate a more global approach to its policies and model their political structures and policies on the west. This has worked as no major scandals have occurred in the past ten years, and politics there will become more stable. Public Policies Impacting Foreign Direct InvestmentRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:All the major policies regarding business in Japan are decided by 12 ministries in Tokyo, and then local governments implement them (1996 Country Commercial Guide). They have power over the Japanese economy with the thousands of required licenses, permits, and approvals that regulate business there. Although Japanese businesses have prospered for many years in a tightly regulated environment, in Japans current recession, they are now calling for deregulation because they can deal with foreign competition and that the governments over-regulation is only protecting inefficient small companies while forcing manufacturing to move offshore (1996 Country Commercial Guide). American companies initially start at a disadvantage in Japan, but become successful after a short period of time when a presence has been established. A little over 200 of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies have a direct investment in Japan, and 45 of the 50 leading exporters in the U.S. do so as well (1996 Country Commercial Guide). The government in Japan has removed most of the legal restrictions on exports to and from the foreign investment there and is currently seeking ways to increase this trade (1996 Country Commercial Guide). The U.S. and Japanese governments continue to work on removing anti-competitive and exclusionary business practices through bilateral dialogue (1996 Country Commercial Guide). The average tariff in Japan is now one of the worlds lowest. The country expanded their list of duty-free manufactured products by 2400 items out of 7000 items listed on the tariff schedule (1996 Country Commercial Guide). In addition to customs, there is a 3% tax on all goods sold i n Japan and payment is required at the time of import. The statistics prove that U.S. firms in Japan are very successful; this trend will most definitely continue as relations between the two countries will only get better. Views of Political LeadersRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:Japan has several major political parties with differing views including the: Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Liberal Party, Communist Party, Heiwa Kaikuku, Komei, and Sakigake (Ito). Liberal Democratic Party:This has been the most dominant party in the last 40 years. Despite the name, the party is conservative and protects business interests. The LDP controls 101 seats in the upper house and 263 in the lower house (Ito). Democratic Party:The Democratic Party is the largest opposition of Japans bicameral system. They are interested in seeking more open markets, greater deregulation and tax cuts. The Democratic Party has 47 seats in the upper house and 92 in the lower house (Ito). Social Democratic Party:This political group is strongly opposed to the Liberal Democratic Party with views on expanding Japans military role and strengthening relations between the U.S. Support for the party was gained through unions, but they have recently waned; seats in the upper house are 13 while having 15 in the lower house (Ito). Liberal Party:The Liberal Party believes in deregulation and more of a participation in government affairs controlling 12 seats in the upper house and 40 in the lower house (Ito). Communist Party, Heiwa, Kaikuku, Komei, Sakigake:These parties have few seats in Japans bicameral legislative system whose views are independent of other major parties. The political system and views of Japan are similar to those of the United States, except for the fact that they have more active parties in power, with one holding a very large majority, the Liberal Democratic Party. Having such a dominant party is not good for change, but Japan has maintained government stability and should continue to do so for years to come. Major Political EventsRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:The realignment of the Japanese political system, which began in the early 90s, is continuing today and is the only major political event that has changed the face of Japanese politics. It will probably take several years before all the consequences of the new electoral system for the Lower House of the National Diet make itself felt (1996 Country Commercial Guide). Most believe that Japan will continue to be governed by coalitions as the political landscape continues to evolve. The Liberal Democratic Party has been in control for about ten years and continues to introduce conservative bills catering to interests of businesses. The political landscape looks to remain stable for several years. DemocracyRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:Japan has a very strong democratic system because it believes in respecting human rights much like the United States. The role of the Emperor is merely symbolic such as the Queen of England. A parliamentary form of government exists in Japan with a head of government, the prime minister which is elected by parliament, and the National Diet (1996 Country Commercial Guide). Elections for the prime minister take place in the Lower House, the more powerful legislative house, and are held once every four years (1996 Country Commercial Guide). Upper house elections are every three years. Citizens of Japan do not have a say in the selection of the prime minister or elections in the National Diet. However, politicians respect the values and beliefs of individuals and this trust is what guides them. Of course, corruption occurs in Japan just as it does in the United States, and politicians in the U.S. are supposed to carry out the wishes of citizens just like Japan. Tensions between U.S. and JapanRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:The relationship with Japan and the United States is characterized by a close cooperation on many important issues and is anchored by the U.S. Japan Security Treaty (1996 Country Commercial). The policies of Japan compliment those of the United States. These two countries are currently working together to tackle problems such as AIDS, growth of the population, and environment protection. Excellent relations exist between Japan and the U.S. and they will only get closer. Support for Current GovernmentRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysi s:The only series of movements that were due to distrust of government policies occurred in the 60s and 70 when Japan was growing at a phenomenal rate which caused severe pollution (McCargo 146). Government acted quickly to impose laws restricting pollution and catered to the needs of the people. By the time the 1980s came, the government was clearly supported. In the mid-1980s, the Liberal Democratic Party had acted to make accommodations for citizens by adjusting policies for everyones best interest (McCargo 148). Since the late 80s there have been little to no protests against the government, due to them hearing citizens issues and acting upon them quickly. A trust has been created between the people and the government, and it still continues today. Influence of Anti-Business GroupsRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:The economy is doing very well in Japan, therefore there are not many anti-business groups. The majority LDP party supports the interests of business and so do most of the other political parties in Japan (Ito). Once again loyalty comes into play as it is part of Japanese culture; citizens are loyal to government as government is loyal to citizens. Businesses provide individuals with lifelong job and acceptable living conditions. This trend has occurred several years ago and will definitely continue in the future as long as the Japanese economy is stable. Public Opinion of Foreign OwnershipRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:Japanese are open to FDI and the government has liberalized the process. In 1991, the government of Japan amended several foreign trade laws so businesses do not need prior notification for non-restricted industries but the same rules apply to restricted industries such as the petroleum industry (1996 Country Commercial Guide). In the sectors that require prior notification, the Japanese government can restrict the entrance of foreign business if it feels that it will affect the performance of the economy. Business parks in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya constantly seek opportunities of foreign businesses. Also, in 1994, several laws were changed to encourage foreign retailers in Japan which included the changing of the closing time, the raising of a reporting obligation from 500 square meters to 1000 square meters, and a reduction of the number of annual closing days (1996 Country Commercial Guide). Since land is s carce, there are still restrictions on foreigners acquiring land and real estate; lease and rental of existing buildings is preferred. Another investment incentive is the lenience of government towards business tax treatment. The people of Japan support foreign investment because it encourages business and provides several employment opportunities. Japan has grown to what it is today also due to the fact that firms have invested in the country, and in order to keep business growing in Japan, FDI needs to be encouraged. The Japanese government and citizens will continue to support FDI for a long time to come. External Threats of WarRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:Japan is reshaping its military forces as it attempts to tackle a perceived nuclear threat from North Korea and strengthen its role in multinational peacekeeping operations (Tiron). Due to this, parliament recently passed a series of bills that gave the government an increase of power in military emergencies. North Korea has the ability to launch nuclear warheads at Japan, and has previously launched tests over Japans airspace. Japan is currently devising a military expansion plan that could be used to help defend the country against North Korea or China (Brooke). These countries are both sensitive to this idea. Toshiyuki Shikata, a defense analyst says that the major threats at the moment are guerillas, refugees, or missiles from North Korea as well as terrorism and also the long term interests of Japan and China will collide (Brooke). China has nothing to gain from an attack on Japan, due to Japan being a major investor in the country, but conflict may arise over the island of Taiwan (Cortazzi). The country may not have an immediate threat of war, but failing talks with North Korea to cease their nuclear program are not a good sign. The U.S. will protect Japan under a nuclear attack, but since the stakes are extremely large, danger remains unpredictable. Economic IndicatorsEconomic Growth RatesRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:As of January 4th, 2004, Japans GDP growth was 2.3% (Global Statistics). Japan had a very strong economic growth period from the 60s all the way up to the 80s, but it slowed severely in the 90s (1.7%) due to overinvestment. The government tried to revive the economy, but that failed due to the global recession from 2000-2003. The economic growth rate of 2004 in Japan was the highest recorded since 1996, but that was due to an exceptional 1st quarter, but a lackluster 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter (Jones). The factor that is currently helping Japan is the double digit rises in exports that began in 2003. The positive effect of rising exports on profits has been magnified by corporate restructuring that has reduced costs, particularly through cuts in employment and wages, and improved balance sheets boosting profits in 2002-2003 with more gains in 2004 (Jones). These improved conditions have driven investment u p to 6% (Jones). MBA Admissionss - My Three Most Substantial EssayThe Koreans are the largest ethnic minority in Japan. Japanese firms refuse jobs to Koreans due to their foreign citizenship and are immediately expelled or dismissed when discovered (Yi). More discrimination occurs with the Koreans and the police, and entrance to schools, therefore bringing about a high unemployment rate among them. Even though Japan has a past of discrimination, they have recently passed some new laws making certain practices illegal, but inequity still exists today and will most likely continue to exist in the future since most of the Japanese favor a homogenous society. Continued pressure from the UN will make them pass new laws against the profiling. Social CohesionRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:There is no main problem in the social cohesion of the Japanese. There are low divorce rates, exceptional longevity, cost-effective health care and welfare systems, a high degree of popular satisfaction, widespread self-identification as middle class, an increasing recognition of womens roles in the workforce, improving conditions for minority groups, and growing internationalization (McCargo 77-78). Most Japanese people reject a class based system and roughly 75% identify themselves as middle class. Individuals in Japan highly praise merit as well. Considering there is no main problem in Japan between groups of people, there remains little disagreement since most are satisfied with their lives. This trend will continue to exist. Quality of LifeRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:The Japanese have exceptional longevity, with life expectancy at birth to be 81.04 years, the fourth highest in the world (Central Intelligence Agency). The country is also ranked as the fourth most developed country in the world (Byrnes). Japan is a very dense country with 333 people per square mile as opposed to the United States with 28 people per square mile (Byrnes). On average, retail prices in New York are only 75% of what they are in Japan, making the country very expensive. People in the United States also have a larger average for housing floor space with 691 square feet compared to 323 square feet. Japan fares worse than the U.S. in these factors: per capita GDP, amount of leisure time, housing conditions, and social conditions; other aspects make it better than the U.S.: affordable public transportation, less crime, lower infant mortality rates, less family income inequality, lower divorce rates, and better health ins urance (Byrnes). About 75% of people are currently satisfied with their life while about 25% are dissatisfied. Given future trends, it looks like the satisfied number will grow smaller. Japanese are also changing their diets which will result in more cardiovascular disease along with higher smoking rates in young women. If Japanese life expectancy and low birthrate continue, the country will have only half of its present population at the end of the 21st century (McCargo 75). The population is also aging very quickly due to an ever growing elderly population. Family StabilityRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:Traditionally Japan has an extended family structure, making it common for three generations to live in the same household. They live in much more crowded conditions than in Europe and North America. The average ages of marriage of the Japanese have risen from 26.6 for men and 23.8 for women in 1955, to 29.4 for men and 27.6 for women in 2003 (McCargo 62). Dropout rate for high school students in Japan is only 2.2% (McCargo 62). The country also has a very low birthrate at only 9.56 births per 1000 people, and it keeps declining yearly (Central Intelligence Agency). Japans number of divorces in 2003 were 283,906, or 2.25 per 100 people as opposed to 5.9 per 1000 people for marriages. (Statistical Handbook of Japan) Trends show that the number of households in Japan have increased from 30,297 in 1970 to 46,782 in 2000, but members per household have decreased due to the low birthrates and aging of the population (Statistical handbook of Japan). Overall, these statistics are right on track with more developed and industrialized societies, and are fairly stable. BriberyRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:According to statistics in 1997, about 170 government officials were under arrest, 150 of which were accused of taking bribes (Hasegawa). Cases in which public officials are involved with bribery are few but most bribery instances are carefully planned. When nominations are made on bids for government contracts, the contractors usually bribe the government officials for a more favorable chance. Even though much bribery exists, Japan has a special investigation department which tries to interrupt bribes that are in progress as well as strict penal codes. It can be seen that strict laws work because Japan now ranks 24th in the global corruption index, its lowest level in five years. In general, the same amount of corruption occurs in the US as it does in Japan, just between different people. This bribery and corruption trend will most likely tend to decrease since it has been decreasing for the past 5 years. Cultural BarriersRating:2005:12345672010:1234567Analysis:Language and cultural differences are a major problem for relations with the Japanese and United States. A joint venture operation is needed to relate to firms in Japan. Individuals take pride in their culture and have done so for generations leaving very little room for change, but in order to do business internationally, many firms are starting to take measures to deal with foreigners. Overall SummaryOverall Summary for JapanPolitical IndicatorsCurrent Rating (2005)5 Year Forecast (2010)1. Political Stability672. Public Policies Impacting F.D.I.673. Views of Political Leaders664. Major Political Events665. Democracy776. Tensions with U.S.777. Support for Current Government778. Influence of Anti-Business Groups779. Public Opinion of Foreign Ownership7710. External Threats of War64Total:6565Average:6.56.5Rating: Low RiskEconomic IndicatorsCurrent Rating (2005)5 Year Forecast (2010)1. Economic Growth Rates562. Inflation653. Unem ployment Rates664. Investment Policies775. Fiscal Policies566. Foreign Debt777. Infrastructure668. Remittance of Earnings779. Per Capita Income7710. Competitive Forces77Total:6364Average:6.36.4Rating: Low RiskSocial IndicatorsCurrent Rating (2005)5 Year Forecast (2010)1. Education772. Crime773. Labor Force664. Ethnic Conflict565. Social Cohesion776. Quality of Life657. Family Stability668. Bribery569. Cultural Barriers45Total:5355Average:5.96.1Rating: Low RiskSummary AnalysisOverall Total: 181Country Average: (181 / 29) 6.24Rating: Low RiskComaprison: Ranked 24th in global corruptionRanked 6th in lowest inflation (-0.3%)Ranked 3rd in lowest infant mortality rate (3.3 per 1000)Ranked 4th in life expectancy (81.0)Ranked 4th in most developed country of the worldOne of the densest countriesPer capita murder rate in Japan is 6 times lower than that of the U.S. 1.1% of GDP for education in Japan versus 4.8% for the U.S. Ranked 4th in direct investmentRanked 5th in GNP per capitaRanked Triple-A from Moodys on foreign debtMember of G7Summary:Japan continues to be a very eye-catching country for direct investment as it is ranked 4th compared to the rest of the world in investment. The country is politically stable with government policies encouraging investment from abroad. It is also very democratic much like the United States, and both countries are aligned with one another. There are not many anti-business groups because society encourages business as well as the majority Liberal Democratic Party. Japan is currently devising a military expansion plan due to a perceived nuclear threat from North Korea. The economy is currently undergoing a decent growth rate of 2.3%. There have been many attempts to revive the economy due to the recession of the 90s, but lately businesses have been successful due to an increase in exports. Deflation is currently occurring due to lack of consumer spending and unemployment rates are still low at 4.7%. Once again the government is very comforting to investment in Japan in order to help the economy, and they have recently lowered corporate tax rates and amended laws to accommodate businesses. The country has absolutely no foreign debt and a great infrastructure. Education in Japan is ranked among the highest in the world, with also a very low crime rate. This creates an excellent workforce that is dedicated in working for a company its entire life. Society in Japan is generally cohesive, with a high quality of life, low divorce rates, and high longevity. The only barrier in Japan is the language and culture since many are keen on tradition. Overall, all ratings on political, economic, and social indicators will increase in the next 5 years. The government is doing a lot to encourage investment and spending. Society is very stable and focused on tradition and loyalty. The economy is currently lackluster but shows hope for the future. Japan will only continue to become more attractive. End NotesEnd NotesFollowing are pictures that represent Japanese culture and infrastructure:A typical Japanese city courtesy of horohata.netA bridge in Kobe, Japan courtesy of kathar.comA Japanese eatery courtesy of thelins.orgA cramped bedroom courtesy of thelins.orgNarrow roads and pathways courtesy of thelins.orgA train station in Harajuku, Japan courtesy of pantsofevilgamers.comA skyline of Igor, Japan courtesy of chanime.narod.ruA canal in Asakusa, Japan courtesy of pantsofevilgamers.comBibliographyBibliography1996 Country Commercial Guide. 5 Jul. 1995. U.S. Embassy Japan. 17 Mar. 2005. . Alexander, Arthur J. U.S. Direst Investment in Japan: Another Dimension of the Economic Relationship. 2 May 1997. Japan Economic Institute. 17 Mar. 2005. . Brinsden, Colin. Moodys Rating Rethink Lifts Four Nations to Triple-A. 21 Oct. 2002. Market New Zealand. 11 Apr. 2005 . Brooke, James. Japan Shifts Threat Focus to N. Korea and China. 11 Dec. 2004. International Herald Tribune. 6 Apr. 2005. . Byrnes, Ronald. Assessing the Quality of Life in Japan. 1999. Keizai Koho Fellowships. 29 Mar. 2005. . Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2004. Washington: 9 Dec. 2004. The Changing Climate for Foreign Direct Investment into Japan. Jul 1999. Australia-Japan Research Centre. 17 Mar. 2005. . Cortazzi, Hugh. Japans Response to Threats. 6 Dec. 2004. The Japan Times. 6 Apr. 2005. . Crime Rate for Different Countries. 23 Apr. 2002. Google Answers. 24 Mar. 2005. . Dabb, Andrew. Ainu. 29 Mar. 2005. . Employment Situation Summary. 1 Apr. 2005. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 9 Apr. 2005. . Fraser, Cleveland. Japan. 1994. Furman. 4 Apr. 2005. . The G7 Members. 2005. HM Treasury. 11 Apr. 2005. . Global Income Per Capita 2004. 2004. finfacts.ie. 11 Apr. 2005. . Global Statistics. 1 Jul. 2004. Google Answers. 7 Apr. 2005. . Hasegawa, Tamotsu. Investigation of Corruption in Japan. 1997. Participants Papers. 30 Mar. 2005. . Hennock, Mary. Japans Budget Tussle Hots Up. 9 Aug 2001. BBC News. 11 Apr. 2005. . Ito, Tim. Major Political Parties in Japan. 1998. Washington Post. 6 Apr. 2005. . Japans Education at a Glance 2004. Nov. 2004. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. 24 Mar. 2005. . Japan Inflation Rates. 2003. Worldwide Tax. 9 Apr. 2005. . Japans Jobless Rate Rises. 29 Mar. 2005. CNN.com. 9 Apr. 2005. . Japan Ranks 24th in Global Corruption Index. 21 Oct. 2004. Japan Today. 30 Mar. 2005. . Jones, Randall. Japans Economy. Mar. 2005. OECD Observer. 7 Apr. 2005. . McCargo, Duncan. Contemporary Japan. New York: St. Martins Press, 2000. Mieko, Nakabayashi. Japans Budget Process. Jan 2003. RIETI. 11 Apr. 2005. . Ostrom, Douglas. Japans Net Creditor Position. 8 Aug, 1997. Japan Economic Institute. 11 Apr. 2005. . Shinn, Rinn-Sup. Japans Uncertain Political Transition. 31 Oct. 1996. Congressional Research Service. 17 Mar. 2005. . Social Indicators. 28 Jan. 2005. United Nations Statistics Division. 24 Mar. 2005. . Statistical Handbook of Japan. 2004. Japan Statistics Bureau. 24 Mar. 2005. . Tiron, Roxana. Japan Shapes Military Forces To Tackle Emerging Threats. Aug. 2003. National Defense. 6 Apr. 2005. . The Wizard of Oz Visits Japan. 2004. EconEdLink. 9 Apr. 2005. . Worldwide Education and Library Spending. 2001. OCLC. 24 Mar. 2005. . Yi, Beckie. Koreans Living In Japan: How They Got There, Current Status. 2 Apr. 1995. soc.culture.korean Newsgroup. 29 Mar. 2005. . MapsMapsPolitical map of Japan courtesy of lib.utexas.eduTopographic map of Japan courtesy of sunsite.tus.ac.jpPopulation density of Japan courtesy of UCLA Asia InstituteRelative location and size of Japan courtesy of UCLA Asia Institute Cultural Map of Japan courtesy of UCLA Asia InstituteEconomic map of Japan courtesy of geocities.com/tmljpn01/pl.htm