Although there is a massive wifi grid throughout Japan (more than 600,000 access points), the ability for international visitors to access it easily is limited.

The Japanese government is now plotting a future course based on software/content and soft (tissue) engineering. If really happening, it will create all kinds of opportunities for start-ups both local and inbound.

A battle is brewing in the USA between crowdsourced accommodation provider Airbnb and the state of New York, which is challenging Airbnb's very business model allowing unlicenced individuals to rent out their homes for short periods.

We were introduced to a great Japan cycling story, American Charles Scott, who not only decided to ride the length of Japan by bike, but, and this is the really adventurous part, he did it with his 8-year old son, Sho.

The presence of at least 63 Japanese companies led by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is ample evidence of the Japanese government targeting customers in Southeast Asia.

This year's summary of key events revolves in around the role of government intervention and the trends that such politically-driven activity will have on our businesses in 2014.

Ehime has a spectacular series of bridges connecting Honshu to Shikoku. A cycling lane allows you to experience the thrill of a major suspension bridge over deep blue waters without having to rush over it in an automobile.

We think that METI and others should be looking to Singapore and its government-owned Spring corporation. Singapore appears to have figured out how to bring entrepreneurs to their country and how to provide access to capital.

Extrapolating what future Japanese will look like in 100 years (let alone 100,000 years), our forecast is that thanks to tourism-begets-immigration, they will have huge foreheads, flat faces, and saucer-like eyes.

In light of the daily onslaught of "feel good" news about Abenomics, those of us in business are starting to wonder when all the positive commentary will translate into actual improved sales and earnings in our own teams.