Japan 2025: Collected stuff for Imagination

Just to not get lost of my dreams, I put in a huge reminder here on the blog that I want to visit Japan once in my life.

I did start learning Japanese language several years ago, but was frustrated that all the Manga reading girls in the class were outperforming me from day one and I hand no chance keeping up with their speed, so I dropped out of class after 7 visits. But I loved the logic in the language. It felt most of the time like LEGO just for building a nice language. I might give it another try in the VHS or just go all-in on DuoLingo.

Inspirations

I collect some links here which help me to keep excited about this country that is so far away from me on the other side of the planet.


Source: https://www.tokyocowboy.co/articles/a-digital-alternate-reality-the-art-of-maruko-hirofumi

Osaka

Osaka is the third largest city in Japan and is located just 20 minutes train ride from Kyoto. It’s possible to find cheap flight deals to/from Osaka International Airport, so it’s not uncommon for first time visitors to start or end their trip in Osaka, instead of Tokyo.

Osaka is a vibrant and lively city with a lot of personality. But the one thing that Osaka is most well-known for is its delicious food, especially the street food. The locals in Osaka are also very friendly, and the vibe is slightly more laid-back than other large cities in Japan. The nightlife is also fun and energetic, with lots of bars and clubs to explore.

Kyoto

Located just 2.5 hours Shinkansen ride from Tokyo, Kyoto is usually the number one destination on most travelers Japan itinerary. Kyoto is a beautiful city with a mix of traditional and modern vibes. It used to be the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, so there’s a lot of history and culture to explore. You’ll find stunning temples and shrines all over the city, along with beautiful gardens and parks. The food scene is also incredible, with an eclectic mix of delicious Japanese dishes to try.

Tokyo

Spending some time in Tokyo is a no-brainer. This is because Japan’s two main international airports (Narita International Airport and Haneda International Airport) are both located in Tokyo and the vast majority of international visitors arrive at one of these two airports.

Tokyo is a great place to get a taste of modern Japanese culture. One of the first things you’ll notice about the city is its towering skyscrapers, colourful neon lights, and lively nightlife.

But beyond the city’s modern facade, you’ll find a rich cultural heritage that is worth exploring.

Tokyo is also known for its incredible food scene. From sushi to ramen to tempura, there’s no shortage of delicious dishes to try. We highly recommend taking a Food Tour in Shibuya to sample some of the amazing delicacies on offer in Tokyo.

Hakone

Hakone is a beautiful mountainous region just 1 hour train ride south of Tokyo, and it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day or two. It’s famous for its natural hot springs (onsen), which are perfect for relaxing and soaking in after a long day of exploring. Nature-lovers will be right at home in Hakone as there are beautiful gardens, waterfalls, hiking areas, and even an active volcanic valley to explore. Culture buffs will love the museums, shrines, and quaint villages.

Hokkaido

Die Ureinwohner Japans, die auf der nördlichsten der vier Hauptinseln leben, heißen Ainu. Nach genetischen und anthropologischen Untersuchungen sind sie die direkten Nachfolger der prähistorischen J?mon-Kultur, deren Angehörige in der Zeit von 14.000 v. Chr. Bis 300 v. Chr. in Japan lebten. Das Wort Ainu bedeutet übersetzt „Mensch“, heute nennen sich die Indigenen gerne auch Utari was in der Ainu-Sprache „Kamerad“ bedeutet.

Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass for Whole Japan, also known as the JR Pass, is a transportation pass specifically made for foreign visitors to have seamless access to multiple trains and local buses throughout the country via the extensive transportation network operated by the Japan Railways Group.

The JR Pass for Whole Japan is available for durations of 7, 14, or 21 days, giving you more flexibility and convenience throughout your Japan trip.

Why do I blog this? I do not want to lose track on this. I admire the japanese culture. It resonates with me that their valuation of nature is such an integral part of their culture and the uncompromised love for details in things also makes my heart jump.

Thirtynine US-Trillion $39T Debt = Balance

I asked perplexity.ai on Nov 9th, 2024:

How much is the current debt of the US of A and how much of the GDP is that in percent?

As of the most recent data available, the United States‘ debt situation is as follows:

Total Debt

The total federal government debt of the United States reached $35.7 trillion by October 2024 [4]. This represents a significant increase from earlier in the year, as the debt had grown by approximately $1 trillion in two separate 100-day periods since June 2024 [4].

Debt-to-GDP Ratio

The debt-to-GDP ratio, which measures the country’s debt relative to its economic output, stands at:

  • 122.3% of GDP as of June 2024, according to the most recent quarterly data [2].

This figure represents a slight decrease from the previous quarter, which was 123.2% [2]. However, it’s important to note that different sources may provide slightly varying figures due to differences in calculation methods and timing:

  • The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that federal debt held by the public is projected to rise from 99% of GDP in 2024 to 116% in 2034 [4].
  • Trading Economics expects the government debt-to-GDP ratio to reach 124.3% by the end of 2024 [3].

Historical Context

The current debt-to-GDP ratio is significantly higher than historical averages. From 1940 until 2023, the average government debt-to-GDP ratio in the United States was 65.7% [3]. The ratio reached an all-time high of 126.3% in 2020, largely due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic [3].

Composition of Debt

As of December 2023, the $33.1 trillion total federal debt was composed of:

  • $26.5 trillion held by the public
  • $12.1 trillion in intragovernmental debt [4]

Debt Servicing Costs

The annualized cost of servicing this debt was $726 billion in July 2023, which accounted for 14% of the total federal spending [4].

It’s worth noting that the debt and debt-to-GDP ratio are subject to frequent changes based on government spending, economic growth, and other factors. The trend indicates a continuing increase in both total debt and the debt-to-GDP ratio, which has implications for the country’s fiscal health and future economic policies.

Citations:
[1] https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/united-states/total-debt–of-gdp
[2] https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/united-states/government-debt–of-nominal-gdp
[3] https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/government-debt-to-gdp
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_of_the_United_States
[5] https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/USA/united-states/debt-to-gdp-ratio
[6] https://www.statista.com/statistics/273294/public-debt-of-the-united-states-by-month/
[7] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GFDEGDQ188S
[8] https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/GG_DEBT_GDP@GDD/CAN/FRA/DEU/ITA/JPN/GBR/USA

Visualisierungen

U.S. Debt: Visualizing the $31.4 Trillion Owed in 2023


Source: Visual Capitalist, April 20, 2023

How Did the U.S. National Debt Get So Big?

Source: thebalancemoney, October 4, 2022

Why do i blog this? siehe Eine US-Trillion $1T Schulden = Guthaben

Podcast mit Physiker und Astronaut Ulf Merbold

Der Raumzeit Podcast hat mal wieder eine echt interessante Person vor das Mikro bekommen, Ulf Merbold.

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RZ083 SpaceX: Über die Geschichte, Methodik und Philosophie des amerikanischen Raumfahrtunternehmens

Wir sprechen mit Hans Koenigsmann, einem deutschen Raumfahrtingenieur, der recht früh (als vierter technischer Mitarbeiter) zu SpaceX gekommen ist und heute die Missionssicherheit der SpaceX-Starts übersieht. Hans Koenigsmann berichtet vom Beginn des Projekts und mit welchen Methoden und welcher Philosophie die Entwicklung der neuen Hard- und Software angegangen wurde, welche Rückschläge zu verarbeiten waren und wie damit umgegangen wurde. Wir gehen auf eine virtuelle Reise eines Falcon 9 Starts und der Landung der Booster der Rakete und blicken auf die künftigen Projekte des Unternehmens wie der geplanten Mars-Rakete Starship und die neuen Ambitionen SpaceX als Anbieter von Orbit-gestützter Internetinfrastruktur im Rahmen des Starlink-Projekts.

Why do I blog this? Ich bin an Raumfahrt und Exploration interessiert. Es ist selten, dass man mal die „beruehmten“ Leute vor ein Mikro bekommt. Ich find es interessant wie diese Personen im Lauf ihres Lebens in diverse Positionen gelangt sind. Wer sowas live und in farbe mal in Bremen sehen will geht hier entlang.