The World Cup is starting and excitement fills the air. Every TV station has something featuring soccer -- almost all the time.
Security is a big issue in Japan, but perhaps nothing compared to Korea, where the Korean army has issued weapons to men standing by for trouble. Here in Japan, some "official" hooligans have already deported at Narita airport.
I'm personally not that interested (sorry to those of you who are soccer lovers!) in the World Cup. But as I've found out recently, it's become very important when arranging business meetings, phone calls, etc., to check the game schedules first! Suddenly lots of overseas managers are coming to see their Japan operations, and are asking us for early morning meetings so that they can make their way to the various stadiums. Infact, in the case of some of our British customers, I'd had to completely avoid booking meetings for days when England is playing.
The World Cup is indeed a global festival. Estimates are that 1 out of every 4 people in the world is soccer fan. And as with many festivals, a level of hysteria, World Cup Fever, is highly likely to happen. I hope no major accidents occur, but at least the "fever" will have a beneficial effect on the economy.
Security is a big issue in Japan, but perhaps nothing compared to Korea, where the Korean army has issued weapons to men standing by for trouble. Here in Japan, some "official" hooligans have already deported at Narita airport.
I'm personally not that interested (sorry to those of you who are soccer lovers!) in the World Cup. But as I've found out recently, it's become very important when arranging business meetings, phone calls, etc., to check the game schedules first! Suddenly lots of overseas managers are coming to see their Japan operations, and are asking us for early morning meetings so that they can make their way to the various stadiums. Infact, in the case of some of our British customers, I'd had to completely avoid booking meetings for days when England is playing.
The World Cup is indeed a global festival. Estimates are that 1 out of every 4 people in the world is soccer fan. And as with many festivals, a level of hysteria, World Cup Fever, is highly likely to happen. I hope no major accidents occur, but at least the "fever" will have a beneficial effect on the economy.
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