We love the whole concept of fermenting so much that Japantravel.com is planning to start fermented food tours to artisanal factories (no automation and time worn facilities) around Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

(1) A foreigner loitering in a car parked in a Japanese neighborhood would be quickly spied by a local or the police. (2) The Japanese are aware of the need to preserve some basic engineering capabilities in-country.

Last week the audio/car electronics manufacturer, Pioneer, announced that it was selling a large private placement to Baring Private Equity in Hong Kong. The placement will be for JPY60bn, and appears to give Baring control of the struggling firm.

Uber Japan pulled off a bit of a coup, by announcing completely unexpectedly that it was teaming up with Fuji Taxi of Nagoya and launching the Uber taxi app with Fuji.