*YEN* Shock

[racer98]

um, just as a heads up for novices who are buyiing from japan, as of today the rate at most banking institutions will be selling you YEN in cash and not using any plastic in the mix is $1=79¥ , mix in some plastic with that might be needing to subtract anywhere from 10-15 points off that.


so just as a warning the yen will keep dipping and your USD will be buying a lot less, good luck and be aware.

:axe:

[Mister.E]

Holy shit! So glad i left when i did. That shit is getting out of hand. When i first got there 6 years ago it was in the 120's. Crazy to see how much things change.

[iStayBroke]

I knew the rate was dropping and everything, but 79? That is just stupid. I remember the yen rate was at 1 for 1 and people were bothered about it then. I can't imagine how they feel now.

[Mister.E]

I'd be really pissed off if i was still there.

[iStayBroke]

My parents are still in Okinawa, living offbase. I'll be there for summer, and I imagine it would just get worse by that time.

[dino6192]

Well, I'm here, and the yen rate SUCKS!!!
Its funnny though cause you can actually get Japanese car parts cheaper in the states now.

but yen rate aside, Japan is a really cool country to be in.

[racer98]

Holy shit! So glad i left when i did. That shit is getting out of hand. When i first got there 6 years ago it was in the 120's. Crazy to see how much things change.

Thing is, Say your in the USA and getting ROI from investments in japan and your getting what ever profit + 35%+ on the exchange rate from YEN to USD, but if your buying and selling from there it ******** sucks.

I knew the rate was dropping and everything, but 79? That is just stupid. I remember the yen rate was at 1 for 1 and people were bothered about it then. I can't imagine how they feel now.

Inter bank rate is what ever you see it in the paper but a lot of people forget what the rate is when they trade with the bank or those M****FU***ers called credit cards which screw people on the exchange rate.


I'd be really pissed off if i was still there.
working there making yen would be a good thing but if your using USD there your money as you said it would piss any one off so take what ever you were making and take 50% out of your check if it was USD.

My parents are still in Okinawa, living offbase. I'll be there for summer, and I imagine it would just get worse by that time.

Yup, you sir are correct. I just somehow think Bank of China & Bank of South Korea is involved in this strategic monetary cluster *uck, to make the yen expensive. BOJ and the former NUTTY PM of japan called Hotoyama, really failed to take action, talk about *ducking it up on all sides, and he was the dood who wanted to kick all of the Military service off mainland Japan, As one mentioned A lot of people in japan are pissed about this who export out of japan.

Well, I'm here, and the yen rate SUCKS!!!
Its funnny though cause you can actually get Japanese car parts cheaper in the states now. but yen rate aside, Japan is a really cool country to be in.

Yes, You're right on all of those points, enjoy the time there and have a fun time :0).

[iStayBroke]

Despite the currently shitty yen rate, I would move back to Japan in a heartbeat. I've lived there half my life, and I feel way more comfortable in Japan then I do stateside.

[MADE]

It was 77 at the bank I went to the other day, and I have to get over 400,000 yen by next month. This is a waiting game I hate playing.
Funy how people want JDM parts from Japan and I want JDM parts from the states.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Times like this...I'm fucking glad I live off base and dont have to pay rent in Yen. My troop is paying $150 more out of pocket due to the shitty exchange rate and takes the military 2-3 months to adjust the rate to make up for the exchange rate. I love getting the extra COLA but shit, it still sucks. Its a bad sign when I'm starting to appreciate food on base than eating out off base.

Community Bank rate is 79y to $1. Offbase exchange rate is not much better at 79.80.

PS: Didnt realize Macaroni Grill at Camp Foster was actually good. Alot better than the ones in the states...

[Mister.E]

How in the hell did you manage to get a spot off base and not pay rent in yen? All of the off base housing in Misawa was Japanese owned.

[racer98]

It was 77 at the bank I went to the other day, and I have to get over 400,000 yen by next month. This is a waiting game I hate playing.
Funy how people want JDM parts from Japan and I want JDM parts from the states.

talk to the bank's forex department and ask for a perferd rate as if you were sending more then 10k usd its a 2 point better then that but the rate you should have gotten was about 79.

[motegineon]

I get paid in yen and I'm loving it as I send money back to the US lol

[racer98]

I get paid in yen and I'm loving it as I send money back to the US lol

:eek2:



sure hope you get your status taken care of. good luck with it.

[motegineon]

Thanks, it will be shortly since I didn't do anything serious, just a misunderstanding between me and a moderator.

[Om1kron]

So when's your next container coming in Racer98?

[racer98]

So when's your next container coming in Racer98?

what's a container. :hide:

[c72c]

just a quick example

¥24,000 = $305.xx

just bought some tires and that was the conversion...
a month ago i pulled some money out and it was ¥10,000 - $110, so you see how it's getting worse for the $.

[racer98]

just a quick example

¥24,000 = $305.xx

just bought some tires and that was the conversion...
a month ago i pulled some money out and it was ¥10,000 - $110, so you see how it's getting worse for the $.



factor in using any plastic or a bad spot to exchange USD too YEN = subtract 8-15points more from the interbank rates.


Heard those stories when breakfast in japan was about $60usd and can of Pepsi/Coke were $3usd. yup they are back.

but just a quick visit to lawsons in the morning for a couple of items can be had for wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy less.

[racer98]

had plans to go to japan spring 2011, but after seeing the yen dip below 80,
that money can be used for something else.

also, japanese shops that are willing to deal with me are now asking
for payment in yen.


This morning, while meeting with some peeps I called the forex dept at B OF A and the rate this morning for sending non preferred rate was $1=75.86 in cash
and using plastic dipped to $1=63yen.


the rate on the web is inter-bank rate only couple of companies and central banks get those rates.

using plastic = credit

if you have a good credit card and have a high score with them there are some that will give you an interbank rate but i have yet to see one that does, if you got the ghetto credit card company expect to pay 15-20point less then the market trading price.



china & south Korea are the 2 countries that are mainly responsible for japans strong yen + the google eyed hotoyama who did jack crap when he was the pm in japan, that boy was so concerned with kicking the US Air force out of japan, well hes gone and really much is japan's economy. :hyper:

[racer98]

^^^ I'm squarely placing the blame at China and its Central bank, seeehs they think people are stupid and would not catch on that China is playing encnomic warfare with Japan, and buying up as much yen as possibile while keeping the YUAN stalemated with the USD.


if the yuan ever is allowed freely to float on the open market lots of foreign countries will start buying up the yuan and thus the economic warfare with world currency's will begin and thus retaliation will begin. Knowing how China gets into hissy fits, its only a matter of time that China would dump tons of yen on the market thus causing the YEN to plunge in value and leaving Japan exposed to a economic takeover of Japan's real estate, companies and golf courses.


Thruday morning 11am PST rated I was quoted by B of A forex department for USD to JPY
$1=76.43


Friday before market closed 1pm PST $1=73yen.



keep it up china.

[racer98]

hatoyama.


I'm in ur japans making ur yen expensives


http://blogs.reuters.com/japan/files/2009/09/hats1.jpg

[racer98]

hes not even the PM anymore lol.

I was in yours japanz, r0binz ur yenz - lol's.




now China is claiming old islands off the coast of japan - sht whats next japan will be calming, british columbia vancouver as a territory ? :spank:

[ejkisela]

My mortgage is 490,000 yen a month. We calculated buying the house at 110. This was over a year ago. we built the house and we are paying 2000 more than what we originally planned. It hurts, but we have to push through it. i think you will see some adjustment once the republicans take over. I am counting on it. the other thing devalueing the US dollar is that corporations are hording on to their cash. It will revert, just like it did in the 90's. But we need to all be aware that the Chinese owns our debt. We need to pay them off, because in effect, they own us.

I pay 20 bucks for my morning coffee and get 1500 yen back. that sucks too. Luckily, I don't smoke. hahahaha.

[racer98]

Chinese owns our debt. We need to pay them off, because in effect, they own us.

^^^^^ I can not stress as an utmost importance of this post.

and some of you will see that commercial that is against the heath care bill ad the scene opens up with a professor in the year 2030 speaking to a class where he laughs and says "the USA works for US now"


I don't think you will find any companies that export from japan right now is any part happy with the exchange rate, let alone I have no beef with japan but my issue is the last couple of people in charge in japan for the Bank of Japan have sat there very quietly and have not done anything, all manufacturing in japan is loosing out with the expensive currency and thus forcing others to buy Chinese or Indian.


China has already started economic war with the world, nothing much any one can do about this now, and now one of the many territory disputes with the Islands that japan owns now, china says that is their property.

so whats next - Western Canada is their area too as well.

[liv2drift045]

shit is killing me... my buddy is trying to replace a car and i'm trying to fix mine... and the yen rate aint helping one bit lol... this is the only time i can say i'm happy i live on base... my buddies that live off base are paying out of pocket because of the yen rate (even the the govt pays they're rent)....

[racer98]

shit is killing me... my buddy is trying to replace a car and i'm trying to fix mine... and the yen rate aint helping one bit lol... this is the only time i can say i'm happy i live on base... my buddies that live off base are paying out of pocket because of the yen rate (even the the govt pays they're rent)....

Things are very expensive now there with the exchange rate.

1) full tank of fuel for a R33 GTR in japan is about $130usd

2) can of coke a cola = $2-3 per can

3) McDonalds Big mac combo - with out smile $9

4) USDM breakfast in japan at a dennys $60usd for 2 with USDM OJ.

:eek3d:


just all I can say dont make any rash decisions as I think the BOJ is doing something about it but I think China might eventually dump YEN :hyper::cops:

[slider2828]

FML I will be there in December visiting my girlfriend. FUCK that shit is expensive..... luckily I will be paying hotel in USD... She'd better help me pay for this trip cause this is fucking retarded.....

I need her to check with banks to see what exchange rates they are giving. FML>....

Racer98 you in Rappongi? LOL.....

[ejkisela]

I changed 6000 usd for my 480,000 yen mortgage and 700 bucks for 56000 yen jci. well part of the jci. ouch!

[racer98]

FML I will be there in December visiting my girlfriend. FUCK that shit is expensive..... luckily I will be paying hotel in USD... She'd better help me pay for this trip cause this is fucking retarded.....

I need her to check with banks to see what exchange rates they are giving. FML>....



just call around when you bargan hunt for changing currency some offer better, using plastic when traveling in japan call your bank up and haggel with them for a fixed rate while your there.

as for the hotel - stay at a royokan and look on HIS travel and Kyack travel as well for hotels


get your rail pass and get around :)


I changed 6000 usd for my 480,000 yen mortgage and 700 bucks for 56000 yen jci. well part of the jci. ouch!

wow just about $1=75yen on that one.
:eek2:

[Bigalow311]

damn, recently I've been talking trash regarding moving back to Japan. I suppose I'll have to live on base... (@[email protected])

[racer98]

damn, recently I've been talking trash regarding moving back to Japan. I suppose I'll have to live on base... (@[email protected])

Sure beats paying $$$$$$$$$, and its going to get worse. :axe:

[slider2828]

just call around when you bargan hunt for changing currency some offer better, using plastic when traveling in japan call your bank up and haggel with them for a fixed rate while your there.

as for the hotel - stay at a royokan and look on HIS travel and Kyack travel as well for hotels


get your rail pass and get around :)




wow just about $1=75yen on that one.
:eek2:

Thanks for the information, but I go there a lot.... My girlfriend lives there actually so this is like the 6th time i've gone there in 2 years.... PITA I tell you... but yeah I asked her to check the banks there to see whats the exchange rate there.... XMas is a bitch there. My mom works for a hotel chain so I get ridiculous rates on hotels lol, but sometimes those business hotels, specific in Mid Hotel in Meguro is awesome!!!....

[racer98]

Thanks for the information
np.


I asked her to check the banks there to see whats the exchange rate there....

banks are al ripp off japan side. monthly service charges at Citibank or HSBC is like 2,000 yen per month.

[handinpants]

I get paid in yen and I'm loving it as I send money back to the US lol
haha sounds like the illegals who live in the states, they work here and send money back to their home country, smart i say, maybe they will start going to countries with a better ratio

[ranger240]

its only gonna get worse baby, inflationary monetary policy in da hauz

http://bobmccarty.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/helicopter-ben-2.jpg

[slider2828]

np.




banks are al ripp off japan side. monthly service charges at Citibank or HSBC is like 2,000 yen per month.

Where do you get your exchange? Usually I just do it at the airport....

[Bigalow311]

I'm getting scared to move back now... (@[email protected])

[racer98]

its only gonna get worse baby, inflationary monetary policy in da hauz

if higher fuel prices continue, more job losses, higher taxes as what people have imposed, and thus the lower intrest rates = your inflation comment.

once the fed raises rates then the Yen will drop/and slide back to the 90-100 range but for the 100+ yen area it will be a long haul, but untill that happens the yen will continue to get more expensive, and the Bank of japan will continue to do a Japanese import inspection process of - slow as molasses.

Where do you get your exchange? Usually I just do it at the airport....
various locations. thought you're very well versed as to where to allocate currency exchange spots in japan ?

I'm getting scared to move back now... (@[email protected])
No need to be just go for it just going to be a little more expensive. :mepoke:

[irritatedmax]

I talked to a lady at the local bank (here in Japan) a few days ago. She said the economists project the dollar to continue to slide into the 50yen range.

[Bigalow311]

i wonder how Korea is doing maybe I'll move over there instead...

Anyways, how the COLA taste in JP right now? I imagine that it would increase to compensate for the weak dollar.

[iStayBroke]

I talked to a lady at the local bank (here in Japan) a few days ago. She said the economists project the dollar to continue to slide into the 50yen range.


What.
The.
Fuck.
:faint:

[fliprayzin240sx]

COLA for me is closer to $1k right now. It was roughly $400 when it was above 100y.

[Bigalow311]

What.
The.
Fuck.
:faint:

Yeah fucking right. The dollar may be weak and become weaker but come on 50JPY?!

[irritatedmax]

You never know. I don't think she was "trying to impress me". We were having a fairly serious chat about it. Projections don't always become reality, but the take home message is that it is going to continue to drop.

[slider2828]

if higher fuel prices continue, more job losses, higher taxes as what people have imposed, and thus the lower intrest rates = your inflation comment.

once the fed raises rates then the Yen will drop/and slide back to the 90-100 range but for the 100+ yen area it will be a long haul, but untill that happens the yen will continue to get more expensive, and the Bank of japan will continue to do a Japanese import inspection process of - slow as molasses.


various locations. thought you're very well versed as to where to allocate currency exchange spots in japan ?


No need to be just go for it just going to be a little more expensive. :mepoke:

Everytime I go, I just do it at the airport, cause I just don't wanna go anywhere else.... Else I just get money at the Citibank ATM... I know I am getting ripped off, I just don't hunt for currency there....


ANy help would be good there?

[racer98]

good news, the rate shifted a little bit in our favor
bad news, only a little bit

Yah, I see the BOJ is playing miniature golf with preventing it from falling below 80yen. once that dam cracks and heads to 75 all bets are off and might see some reputable importers asides from the big 5 from japan but more along the lines of the smaller after market tuners might have to make some really rash decisions as to cease importing until the yen gets better.

[Toi]

On base rate up here is 79 to the dollar but its still crappy....Ahhh to have the old 130 to the greenback again!

[racer98]

the old 130 to the greenback again!
:cry:..................

[motegineon]

Wow 50¥ to a dollar is insane. Yea I have a lot of friends who are either military or work on base and I hear from them how much they are losing. It is gettin pretty ridiculous. I feel bad for you guys and hope it never shoots that low :/

[racer98]

it continues to rise... a little. i wouldnt be surprised if the current trend is a cocktease


Don't be its just a roose with the G20 kumbaya, china just seems to have a specific hunger for JPY any thing that is directly linked with the government of japan. :squint:


China thinks they are under the radar with this but, its like this

http://www.epicallyfunnypictures.com/FunnyPictures/ISeeWhatYouDidThere/we-see-what-you-did-there.jpg

[racer98]

Wow 50¥ to a dollar is insane. Yea I have a lot of friends who are either military or work on base and I hear from them how much they are losing. It is gettin pretty ridiculous. I feel bad for you guys and hope it never shoots that low :/

Just dont be pitting ur self against anything financialy in japan right now, I know those who are stationed there are loosing 15-35% for anything this past 2 years and it sucks ! :wtc:

[racer98]

this isnt completely related, but i thought i would let you guys know:

Japan Post Places Restrictions on Shipments to the United States | Japan Probe (http://www.japanprobe.com/2010/11/16/japan-post-places-restrictions-on-shipments-to-the-united-states/)



I can see their rational thinking behind this, japan does have a problem of "illegal immigration" from people who are from Pakistan and Afghanistan, aka source of japans car theft problem's :bite:




Sakura ----- thanks man for this - just got the update on this ----------- if anyone is ordering from japan you're fuct !

[irritatedmax]

Thanks for the heads up, Sakura. That really fucks up my Christmas plans. WTF.

Military APO is still functioning as normal, correct?

[racer98]

just finished up my last bits of air mail tonight for orders and all I can say this really is sucking .

[nathanong87]

Holy shit! So glad i left when i did. That shit is getting out of hand. When i first got there 6 years ago it was in the 120's. Crazy to see how much things change.

i too remember this probably 3 summers ago. i bought loads of bike parts and stuff for pretty "cheap".... much sadness

[7evil]

I will go on april for the 2° time, hope the yen go down soon...but i don't think so.

[racer98]

I will go on april for the 2° time, hope the yen go down soon...but i don't think so.

you should be the last person to complain being the Euro to Yen is about 1EUR too 114Yen.

[irritatedmax]

Paypal says "you can't send money from your Japanese bank account to a foreign account". With a Japanese Paypal account, you can only receive money. What the shit is that? Apparently, their is some Japanese law preventing them from allowing this.

Can you shed any light on this?

[racer98]

Can you shed any light on this?


Typical paypal bs.



I just looked into google checkout. do the same might be helpful.


(sakura)
thanks for the info on this still though the jumble of fees on the japan side of pp is :hahano:

[Bigalow311]

you should be the last person to complain being the Euro to Yen is about 1EUR too 114Yen.


i think he would have to convert his USD to EUR... then EUR to YEN (What's the point?). Unless he gets paid in EUR in which case he would bank practically anywhere.

[racer98]

i think he would have to convert his USD to EUR... then EUR to YEN (What's the point?). Unless he gets paid in EUR which would allow him to bank practically anywhere.

idk, but as of today 1 EUR = 113.7200 JPY


as I call 1eur= 10 sarkosy frank's :hug:

[irritatedmax]

I thought you might have a JP Paypal account. I have a US Paypal, but if you have a Japanese bank account, you cannot link it to a US Paypal account. Therefore, I setup a JP Paypal account in order to transfer money to my American account. At that point, I realized there was no "send funds" option and looked into it. That's when I found the Paypal article saying you can't send funds from a JP Paypal account. Lame.

I wanted to use Paypal to send money to my American bank account since I get paid in Yen. Nothing can ever be that easy though and I had to find another option.

[Bigalow311]

I hope this gets better for the summer. My JP friend and I are planning on a visit next May or so..

[Geno750]

Suddenly those 3million yen a year teaching english in Japan jobs don't seem that bad anymore.

[slideways2004]

ok I'm having a brain fart, someone help me understand.

If the Japanese Yen is dropping in relation to the American Dollar, isn't that good for the Japanese economy because it's worth more? Obviously for Americans that isn't good news

[irritatedmax]

ok I'm having a brain fart, someone help me understand.

If the Japanese Yen is dropping in relation to the American Dollar, isn't that good for the Japanese economy because it's worth more? Obviously for Americans that isn't good news

It's a double edge sword. They have more buying power, but at the same time, their products become more expensive. With the inflated currency, it is more expensive for countries to import Japanese goods.

[NINJAS14]

ok I'm having a brain fart, someone help me understand.

If the Japanese Yen is dropping in relation to the American Dollar, isn't that good for the Japanese economy because it's worth more? Obviously for Americans that isn't good news

You have to understand that most of Japan's money is made form Exporting goods. And this weak dollar is an advatage to america as well. because now the US' exports increase.

The reason why Japan's recovery rate is so slow is because they dont get to do what they want to. Japan is pretty much America's bitch. Japan should just start printing a shit ton of Yen to make their currency weaker to balance out at least themselves but there is no way the US would let them do that.

Japan is in a really shitty position. They are always under the impression that America would protect them and take care of what is needed, but they are slowly starting to realize that the US would never put themselves at a disadvantage.

sucks...........

[irritatedmax]

Ninja, you are missing who is playing games with the world economy. It is not America. It starts with "C" and ends with "hina".

[NINJAS14]

HAHA.

Yes you're correct...... They are the ones that putting the strain on everyone.

[racer98]

I hope this gets better for the summer. My JP friend and I are planning on a visit next May or so..

Doubt it, unless the tap dancer flap jack that starts with an "O" does something, doubt it. At this point I have more faith in Mexico's economy.

Suddenly those 3million yen a year teaching english in Japan jobs don't seem that bad anymore.
and add 39% to that and would make a good dent in an IRA.

ok I'm having a brain fart, someone help me understand.

If the Japanese Yen is dropping in relation to the American Dollar, isn't that good for the Japanese economy because it's worth more? Obviously for Americans that isn't good news

Nope, you have *hina that is on a biblical Japanese bond buying binge spree, Japan cant do much about it, if they say anything - *hina throws a hissy fit like a kid when they dont get their toy's.

For importers its ok but that is a small percentage for Japans consumer market, they are an export driven economy and high yen cuts Japanese companies ability to export at a competitive rate.

For some some in ______________ land they think this is great when japan has been buying our debt for the past 20 years, and when the cluster F of the refi and housing market went under - that caused interest rates to drop, causing the US treasury's interest rate to lowered, thus making the US dollar weak and inflating the yen on that scale, but now it gets more complicated

1) pension funds / hedge funds look for something that will yield = stability = yen, so they buy a contact on the market for a certain point of time

2) China = sees Japanese bonds as safe bet but they also have the ability to strong arm them now that they are nearly controlling them on that financial scale.

3) Dont think for a second the past 8 years of bad credit debts and housing foreclosures was swept up and delt with, nope look at the EU and how this has nearly imploded European Central bank and others, this is just like a snowball effect but think of it as a black snowball of all of the negatives of the economy eventually its gong to get dropped on everyones foot. :eek:

just think of this - you have a lexus LF-A 200mph super car = example the US economy, take car of it and it will run like it is supposed to !

Now lets start using 87 fuel, not use the right parts, and skip service-s, now lets cut back even more and use the cheap low buck tires tires from pep-boys
= all a recipe for disaster......................


It's a double edge sword. They have more buying power, but at the same time, their products become more expensive. With the inflated currency, it is more expensive for countries to import Japanese goods.
It's bad economics left over from hotoyam's bullGhit :fawk2:, also take into account almost all other countries have a 30-40% import tarrif for items from japan + take into account that yen inflation on the past 2 years has gone up 39% + the 40% import tax from japan = example why a GTR costs about 175,000usd in norway.

You have to understand that most of Japan's money is made form Exporting goods. And this weak dollar is an advatage to america as well. because now the US' exports increase.
:hs:


The reason why Japan's recovery rate is so slow is because they dont get to do what they want to. Japan is pretty much America's bitch. Japan should just start printing a shit ton of Yen to make their currency weaker to balance out at least themselves but there is no way the US would let them do that.
Not so, and won't happen as much as i'd lilke to see this happen as many as others do too................. once they do that china will throw a hissy fit.
japan should be more worried about the land ownership who's buying what property in japan, Now from those I have spoke with say that nearly 80% of golf courses are owned by Chinese multinational corps, I do believe that should be grounds enough for concern, let alone the malicious business/economic practices that China practices.

Japan is in a really shitty position. They are always under the impression that America would protect them and take care of what is needed, but they are slowly starting to realize that the US would never put themselves at a disadvantage.

Might need to think this one over a bit.



sucks...........
Yen/Nissan/Tokyo auto salon = its turned into freaking nopi

Ninja, you are missing who is playing games with the world economy. It is not America. It starts with "C" and ends with "hina".

Nailed that one right on the head. :rant2:

HAHA.

Yes you're correct...... They are the ones that putting the strain on everyone.

yes it's a 5hit stain on everyone and we can not do squat about it. :cj:

[MisawaJason]

When I found out that I'd be deployed to Afghanistan, we decided that my wife would travel back to Japan and spend the time with her mom and sister. This yen rate has sucked ass. Shit is crazy expensive now. Where are the days, like when I first got to Japan back in 03, where the yen rate was 117/dollar.

[tricky_ab]

This is looking bad for my trip to Japan that I've started to plan. If it doesn't get a bit better by next New Year time, I might have to re think my plans :(

[jzepol1985]

This is looking bad for my trip to Japan that I've started to plan. If it doesn't get a bit better by next New Year time, I might have to re think my plans :(


Same here...LoL

[Bigalow311]

This is looking bad for my trip to Japan that I've started to plan. If it doesn't get a bit better by next New Year time, I might have to re think my plans :(

Just go but save now, lol. I was just looking at flight tickets and they're stupid expensive even for the extreme advance purchase I'm making. I'll go visit but I'm having 2nd thought about actually living in JP again. We'll see what happens around the end of 2012 - I'll be stuck in the states until then.

[tricky_ab]

Yeah, I've started to save for it but while I'm there I would like to shop and travel so we'll see how far my Canadian dollars will take me. One of my best friends works for a large bank in the International /lending/trading funds department so I can get banking rates on the yen for my trip.

[sncs14]

Moving to Japan in January. Not happy watching the exchange rate, but I'll be sure the make the best of it no matter. As long as I can get base housing and the cola is decent I shouldn't be complaining.

[z33blanco]

....plane tickets are more expensive this time around compared to last year... what's up with airline companies?

[jzepol1985]

For my ticket I am going to go through this website, prices are the lowest I have found so far.
Discount Tickets from US to Japan / Amnet New york Inc. (http://www.amnet-usa.com/eng/default.htm)

[eytsics]

airfare is not always the same...may be due to economy

i could probably hook u guys up for a good deal...we'll see.

[slider2828]

I had a quote for $1550 Out the door for Service from SFO to Haneda....

Fly to Haneda if you are going to Tokyo seriously.....

[surge s14]

so whats the average exchange rate form dollars to yen

[jspec240]

^^^^ Todays Yen rate is 83.7 Yen to 1$!!!!!!! Damn I couldnt believe it when I looked it up.


When I found out that I'd be deployed to Afghanistan, we decided that my wife would travel back to Japan and spend the time with her mom and sister. This yen rate has sucked ass. Shit is crazy expensive now. Where are the days, like when I first got to Japan back in 03, where the yen rate was 117/dollar.


True that!! when I got there in 02 it was 128 Y per 1$. I bought a KSP Engineering Efini FD Full 3.5" 1 piece Attain exhaust HKS Hyper max II Coils, OLD school HKS 60mm Warning light Gauges, OS Giken Twin clutch, Inset KSP HID headlights, Cusco 6pt roll cage. for 4500 USD!! and my R32 GTST Type M with coilovers, MAE wheels GTR Body Kit with a new eng for 2800. Robbie Noshidia was about to hook me up with a 75 skyline with 800hp for 3k.... The deals were crazy. I also found a silvia K's good running sr coilovers for 500 USD. lol damn the economy!!!

I know it sounds funky but my buddy had a male model job that paid 100k Y a month. they will take just about any american for the job and it doesnt interfere with work. not too much but enough to support togue/drift/VIP habbits easier.

I also heard you have to go far from base to junk yards to get any parts because they dont like selling to americanjin.. Im glad I was there when I was with Chris Connely, Ziptied Mike, and Robbie. Im still doin what I am because of it.

sorry for the drawn out story, I just had to reflect on the best time of my life......

[ichihachizero]

wait doesnt this mean car parts will be cheaper? the guy i always go to accpets only yen and mostly his cost doesnt fluctuate...

[irritatedmax]

wait doesnt this mean car parts will be cheaper? the guy i always go to accpets only yen and mostly his cost doesnt fluctuate...

In your case, it means the parts' prices will fluctuate in American dollars while the Yen price will stay constant. Why you ask? Because the value of the Yen to the Dollar is constantly changing with the market. So, with a downward trend in Yen per 1 Dollar, the parts you are buying at a fixed price in Yen will be more expensive. If it was an upward trend of Yen per Dollar then your prices would be cheaper.

Bottomline: Since his prices don't change, it will depend on what day you convert your Dollars to Yen, but compared to a few years ago, the parts are more expensive.

[superbike81]

Moving to Japan in January. Not happy watching the exchange rate, but I'll be sure the make the best of it no matter. As long as I can get base housing and the cola is decent I shouldn't be complaining.

Where you headed?

If you are coming to Okinawa, forget about living on base, it sucks. Sure, you can run your A/C all day long, but the housing is shitty for the most part and the internet on base is terrible. Live off base, and learn to control your electric bill and you will be fine. Even during this shitty exchange rate, my wife and I still pocket a couple hundred bucks per month of leftover utility money.

If you are going to mainland, forget what I said, because I don't know what base housing is like at the mainland Japan bases.

But, to illustrate the difference, when I got here in 2007, the exchange rate was sitting between 120-125, rent was 160,000yen or ~$1300 a month, now the exchange has been sitting around 80, so it's $2000. Even with that $700 a month difference (not including the utilities) we are still able to save and invest the same amount of money we were when we got here. The government keeps up with the fluctuating exchange rate pretty well, although some people will try to tell you otherwise, but I don't see what they are complaining about, we do about 1/2 of our grocery/clothes shopping off base (wife is Japanese), and still make enough to save quite a bit.

[Bigalow311]

IACE also has good cheap flights.
http://www.iace-usa.com/

[fliprayzin240sx]

Its sad when I get excited with an 82 exchange rate...

[MADE]

This reminds me when the proce of gas in Cali was almost $5. Its so bad I just stopped looking cause I need to have it. Havent keep up with it since I had to pay for my sons birth. Roughly 680,000 yen. Both of us had a sore manko that day.

[superbike81]

Didn't you get money back from the JP GOV though? We got 430,000 yen I think.

[eytsics]

IACE also has good cheap flights.
IACE TRAVEL USA (http://www.iace-usa.com/)

dude, i don't think everyone on this forum can read the Japanese characters...

[MADE]

Didn't you get money back from the JP GOV though? We got 430,000 yen I think.


Umm not really my wife starts our kids own aCCOUNT and stock pile the money for their.................<IDK. Im expecting to get it back, well at least some. Was 82 yesterday at Community bank. I been looking at getting my PFC tuned and a couple of other things, but it's just discouraging or maybe Im just getting old.

[Bigalow311]

Its sad when I get excited with an 82 exchange rate...

LOL, I suppose I should wait until the exhage rate is high so I can convert yen NOW before I depart to JP. I used my CC last trip and I got hit with intl fees.

dude, i don't think everyone on this forum can read the Japanese characters...

There's a link for English written in English. :rofl:

[dino6192]

There's a link for English written in English. :rofl:

LMAO!!! I love it!!

[fliprayzin240sx]

I am sooooo looking forward to my trip to Sapporo for the Ice Festival in Feb...










NOT!!!

[iStayBroke]

I lived in Misawa too long to get excited about ice...meh
Yen rate still slowly rising?

[dawnattack]

LMAO!!! I love it!!

I guess he didn't see that. Anyway, anybody going to the ice festival? My friend from Tokyo said it will be fun but just bring $$$.:cool:

[Toi]

I lived in Misawa too long to get excited about ice...meh
Yen rate still slowly rising?

There is no ice here so far, I am beginning to think that the US is getting all the snow hahahaha

[iStayBroke]

Ya I heard it's been a pretty dry winter.

This was posted yesterday:
Dollar Advances as China Interest-Rate Increase Sparks Demand for Safety - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-26/yen-near-3-week-high-on-growth-concern-after-china-moves-to-curb-inflation.html)

[Bigalow311]

There is no ice here so far, I am beginning to think that the US is getting all the snow hahahaha

Two stories on that:

Hampton Roads, VA (where I currently live) received 13" of snow appx 1.5 wks ago. Fortunately, I was away for the holidays in Cali/NV. UNfortunately, Vegas received snow two days after my arrival there. LOL, I can't seem to get away from that frigin cold weather. Anyways, I'm in LA ATM and its cool here but not cold, thank God. :keke:

BTW Dawnattack, You in Seal Beach??

[Toi]

Yen is back down to 79 to $1, this is at the banks on base and most places that do exchange like the Japanese Postal Service.......FAIL

[MisawaJason]

I know for a fact, that with my awesome ass luck, the yen rate will go back up to 100/$1 the day after I get home from afghanistan and put my wife on a plane back from her moms house in Aomori to Cali. Bullshit ass yen rate

[Toi]

I know for a fact, that with my awesome ass luck, the yen rate will go back up to 100/$1 the day after I get home from afghanistan and put my wife on a plane back from her moms house in Aomori to Cali. Bullshit ass yen rate

Hahaha Yea bro most likely!

[racer98]

china's been fixated on buying up JPY bonds and dont seem to be any end in sight.

[fliprayzin240sx]

81 on base and 81.85 off base...pulled $3k with a quickness and changed that shit off base. Sad thing is, I only got 240,000y. 2.5 years ago...that should would have been 330,000y, almost $100 in difference.

I leave in April...I bet you in May, itll bounce back up to 100y to $1.

[cgtdream]

Those that are good with money are predicting the yes to drop ALOT this year, mostly due to their economy taking a shjit sometime soon...unless they do something to keep themselves afloat like they have been for the past what 5yrs...delyaing the inevitable....

On another note, i suppose that what obama proposed to the japanese Govt, late last year wouldve been a good thing for them....but they denied doing it...oh wells...good for us "hopefully" come a few months for now...

[racer98]

Those that are good with money are predicting the yes to drop ALOT this year, mostly due to their economy taking a shjit sometime soon...unless they do something to keep themselves afloat like they have been for the past what 5yrs...delyaing the inevitable....

On another note, i suppose that what obama proposed to the japanese Govt, late last year wouldve been a good thing for them....but they denied doing it...oh wells...good for us "hopefully" come a few months for now...



if that is true China is going to continue to keep buying Japanese Bonds and just cripple the export Japanese economy, if so japan will have to start an export currency.


idk, I hope um errrrrrr nevermind :hide:


my 2 cents in japan now are worth -1 yen.

[Oilcover]

if that is true China is going to continue to keep buying Japanese Bonds and just cripple the export Japanese economy

you forgot "on purpose". :tinhat:

economists are predicting 2% growth this year ... :ghey:

[racer98]

you forgot "on purpose". :tinhat:

economists are predicting 2% growth this year ... :ghey:



on usa / china or japan ?



I hope japan gets the yen back in order but the BOJ has some very conservative people working there now and have the big task should the yen price go above 100 yen hedge fund people might just start dumping the yen and put it in a area where Japan would be susceptible for takeovers from China, its a double edge sword in this case, still though be happy to see $1=150yen :).

[racer98]

either way if anyone finds cheap airfare deals from USA too Japan post them.


1) haneda airport - saving you from the Narita bus ride

2) Narita

3) Osaka

[MisawaJason]

Cheap airfare? Please tell me.

I sent my wife back to her moms house in September right before I left for Afghanistan. $850 non-stop from SFO to Narita on Japan Airlines. Looked around on the net for a return flight for her once I get back home. Roughly $2500 for a non-stop flight

FML

[[email protected]]

I just flew to Narita from lax round trip for



$213
I love working for an airline.

Exchange rate sucked ass though

[Datenshi]

My girlfriend just bought tickets from Canada to back home in Nagoya for 858$ CDN round-trip. She loves the fact that JPY is so high right now, she gets a killing from the money her parents send her while she's going to school. She gets an extra like 100-200$ a month because of it. Doesn't affect me much lol, haven't been there since December last year.

[cgtdream]

Japan Credit Rating Cut by S&P on Absence of Strategy to Curb Debt Levels - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-27/japan-s-debt-rating-lowered-to-aa-by-standard-poor-s-outlook-is-stable.html)

Btw more of what i was talking about....
best line in the article....“I hope this serves as a warning for the government, they have absolutely no sense of crisis,”

[racer98]

Japan Credit Rating Cut by S&P on Absence of Strategy to Curb Debt Levels - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-27/japan-s-debt-rating-lowered-to-aa-by-standard-poor-s-outlook-is-stable.html)

Btw more of what i was talking about....
best line in the article....“



It's really complicated on what happened and how to explain it but any one with basic economic understanding should get the point of why it happened, that said japan needs to get the yen into the $1=100/110 range if not the economy will take a hit and really badly but I have a general understanding why the yen is so expensive.