In Japan, they also have good reasons to try to forget this year. Not so much with regards to banking. In fact, some Japanese banks were smart enough to stay out of the US house (of cards) market. Therefore, being rather cash rich when the market crumbled, they picked and chose the good (remaining) pieces of some banks for their own portfolios. Good move guys!
However, the overall economy here is also not doing so good by now. November saw the sharpest drop in the production of industrial goods since the 1950's and even the über-car-company Toyota had to come out with a serious blow on their profits (first one since...ever, I think).
Well, you see, there is much to forget about. Therefore, the Japanese invented Bonenkai (忘年会) - lit. 'forget the year gathering'.
Here, one has to congratulate the Japanese for their honest and straight forward branding skills. While we in the west disguise this as 'Holiday dinner' (formerly known as 'Christmas Dinner' before we in Europe also became overly PC), the Japanese just call it what it is (and what it is for!). ölasdjflöksadjflksajdföljsadölfkjjsaöldkfjlöaksdjflöksadfölkjjsadlfkjsalökdfjsöalkdfjlöaskjfölsakj
As such, it is indeed nothing more than: A group of people (friends, colleagues, club members etc) gathering at an Izakaya (居酒屋) in order to eat (a little) and drink (a lot).In between some presents/prices/awards are handed out to members of the group for their great achievements, for staying in the office until forever or for their political importance. Whatever the reason, everyone receiving something has to deliver a little speech, containing words of appreciation and gratitude.
Finally, the gathering is closed by one member delivering a sing-sang-speech, asking everyone to join him by clapping one's hands (just once!), to end the party.After all that, people leave the Izakaya to split into two groups: One consisting of people who go home and the other of people who go on (until the early morning, or until they drop ;-). ölskdflöasdjkaölksdfasdjflasdöflalösdkasldjkfölasjkdfölajksdöflasödlfö
This year, I had the pleasure (for the second time) to attend the Bonenkai of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Osaka - in Osaka. They kindly invited me again, as I attended some event about two years ago there (and probably because I currently live in Tokyo and not half-way around the planet).
So, off I went, hopping onto the super-fast Shinkasen (新幹線) down to Kansai (関西). I'm picked up by my good friend Akiwa-san, who runs two companies in the area. Together, we head for the Izakaya.
The whole group is big enough to occupy three table sections in the Izakaya, so about 20-25 people. I also see my good friend Vanessa again, who I hadn't seen in over a year. She's Swedish and working for asics in Kobe in their international marketing department (i.e. her Japanese is light years ahead of mine ;-).
While eating (sashimi, fried chicken, cesar salad) and drinking beer like water (not that it would taste like it - we are not in the US after all ;-)) there is a lot of "how are you doing, what are you doing now business wise, how's the family" talk.
Later the mentioned presents are handed out. A bottle of Sochu (焼酎) with a special label is given out and along come the speeches.
I get a bottle, too, even though I hadn't done anything apart from attending the event two years ago and last year, but hey, I'm not going to say 'no' to a nice bottle of Shochu. My speech (in - broken - Japanese) is greeted with applause - probably because they were happy that it didn't take very long.
And with this I want to wish you all a happy new year 2009 (we are just a few hours away from it here in Japan).Try to forget (about your portfolios) and do enjoy the new year as much as you can!
Cheers, Kampai, Prost, Salute, Santé!
Oliver
