About PSPINC and Japan

Which Is Cheaper: MacBook Neo in the U.S. or Japan?

May

27

Which Is Cheaper: MacBook Neo in the U.S. or Japan?

Recently, I compared the prices of the “MacBook Neo” listed on Amazon Japan and Amazon US.

At first glance, the U.S. prices appear lower when simply converted into dollars. The Japanese prices are ¥99,800 and ¥114,800 (tax included), which convert to approximately US$628 and US$722 at current exchange rates. Meanwhile, Amazon US lists the same models at $589.99 and $689.99.

However, there is an important detail many people forget: in the United States, sales tax is not included in the displayed price.

Here in Bellevue, Washington, the sales tax is 10.3%, which raises the actual purchase prices to approximately $651 and $761.

In the end, the Japanese prices actually turn out to be slightly cheaper.

For many years, people assumed Apple products were always less expensive in the United States. But with the weak yen, changing pricing strategies, and local taxes taken into account, that is no longer necessarily true.

It is a good reminder that exchange rates alone do not tell the whole story when comparing international prices.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558932/which-is-cheaper-macbook-neo-in-the-us

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Kenichi Uchikura
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Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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A reminder that no online account is completely safe.

May

27

A reminder that no online account is completely safe.

Recently, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Commander, Fleet Activities Japan / U.S. Naval Forces Japan announced that their account had been compromised by an unauthorized party. According to the announcement, they were able to recover the account itself and restore the profile and images, but at the time of the warning, they were still unable to restore the original account name. They also advised users not to newly follow the account until the recovery process was fully complete.

Official account: CNFJ Official X Account https://x.com/CNFJ

What makes this incident important is not simply that an account was hacked, but whose account it was. This was not a small private business or a personal influencer account. It was an official account connected to the U.S. Navy in Japan.

For many years, people assumed that verified or official accounts were automatically trustworthy. But today, even government organizations, major corporations, and media outlets can become targets of phishing attacks, password leaks, social engineering, or account management vulnerabilities.

Once an account is compromised, even briefly, the damage can spread quickly. False information, scam links, or fake announcements can easily be distributed before anyone realizes what happened.

This is also a reminder that cybersecurity is no longer only an “IT department problem.” Every organization, business owner, and individual user now depends on digital identity. Losing control of an account can mean losing trust.

The lesson is simple: do not trust something only because it appears official online. In today’s world, verification itself has become part of digital literacy.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558922/a-reminder-that-no-online-account-is

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Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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Software ???

May

27

When I started in the computer industry, there were a few giants that dominated the space — most notably IBM, DEC, Xerox, and AT&T.

What is interesting is that all of them were primarily hardware companies. Software was not viewed as a separate business on its own. It was considered part of the hardware package.

IBM sold mainframes. DEC sold minicomputers. Xerox built advanced workstations and networking systems. AT&T controlled telecommunications infrastructure. In those days, the value was believed to be in the machine itself. Software existed mainly to make the hardware useful.

That is very different from today.

Now many of the world’s most valuable technology companies own very little hardware infrastructure compared to the past. The center of gravity moved from hardware to software, then to the Internet, cloud services, mobile platforms, and now AI services.

What is fascinating is that some of the most important technologies of today were originally developed inside those older companies. Xerox PARC helped inspire the graphical user interface and mouse. Bell Labs created UNIX and the C programming language. IBM established standards that shaped enterprise computing for decades.

In many ways, the modern technology world was built on foundations created by companies that no longer dominate the industry the way they once did.

It is a reminder that technology leadership is never permanent. The industry changes in layers. Hardware becomes software. Software becomes services. Services become platforms. And eventually, something new replaces them again.

BTW ... How many people can tell what the image is?

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558921/software

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Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

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Ken Uchikura Newsletter Vol. 391 Information Management at the National Level

May

27

Ken Uchikura Newsletter Vol. 391 Thumbnail

Information Management at the National Level

Recently, I heard an interesting story while watching the news about President Trump leaving China.

According to reports, President Trump and his staff weren’t allowed to take their gifts directly onto Air Force One. Instead, they had to ship these items separately, or, in some cases, dispose of them.

What surprised me even more was the protocol for communication devices.

Supposedly, the team used temporary, burner devices specifically issued for this trip. Personal smartphones and the devices they normally use in the United States never crossed the border. Upon departure, these temporary devices were reportedly destroyed.

While it’s hard to verify why they implemented these measures, it does clearly show that the U.S. government treats China as a highly significant country in the realm of information warfare and cybersecurity.

This isn't just about singling out one country; it’s about the evolution of state-level cybersecurity.

Today, a single smartphone contains vast amounts of sensitive data: GPS history, professional networks, schedules, private correspondence, and authentication credentials. At the national level, they treat this data like a critical asset.

This raises an important question: How far do Japanese politicians and government officials go when traveling abroad?

Japan doesn’t lack security awareness, but compared to the strict measures the U.S. reportedly takes, we rarely hear about any strict measures in Japan.

The world today constantly forces us to balance convenience against security. As we move deeper into this digital age, remember that the responsibility to protect our data isn’t just for world leaders–it’s a mindset both corporations and individuals must take more seriously.

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

#Bellevue #Bloguru #BusinessPlanning #BusinessStrategy #CrossBorderBusiness #FounderLife #JapanBusiness #KenUchikura #KenichiUchikura #MarketingLeadership #PSPinc #PacificSoftwarePublishing #TechEntrepreneur #Tokyo #USBusiness #UchikuraCo #ViewOfJapan

The Invisible Power of Japan — The Shitauke Ecosystem

May

27

The Invisible Power of Japan — The Shitauke Ecosystem

When people think about Japan’s industrial success, they usually think of giant companies like Toyota, Sony, Honda, Panasonic, Canon, or Nintendo. But behind those famous names exists an entire hidden world that made their success possible: the shitauke (下請け) ecosystem.

Shitauke refers to subcontractors — often small, highly specialized companies that manufacture parts, tools, materials, and components used by larger corporations. Some of these businesses have fewer than 20 employees, yet they produce parts with world-class precision.

Japan’s manufacturing system became famous for “Just-in-Time Manufacturing,” especially through Toyota. This system reduced inventory by delivering parts exactly when needed. But that could only work because subcontractors were capable of delivering high-quality products on schedule every single day.

If one small supplier failed, an entire production line could stop.

The Japanese government also understands how important these subcontractors are to the national economy. Japan has laws designed to protect shitauke companies from unfair treatment by larger corporations. If a major company abuses subcontractors through delayed payments, unfair pricing, or excessive pressure, they can face severe financial penalties and public criticism.

What made Japan unique was not only technology, but trust, discipline, long-term relationships, and craftsmanship shared between large corporations and small factories.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558905/the-invisible-power-of-japan-the

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Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Bellevue #Bloguru #BusinessPlanning #BusinessStrategy #CrossBorderBusiness #FounderLife #JapanBusiness #KenUchikura #KenichiUchikura #MarketingLeadership #PSPinc #PacificSoftwarePublishing #TechEntrepreneur #Tokyo #USBusiness #UchikuraCo #ViewOfJapan

A Traffic Slogan or a Life Slogan?

May

26

A Traffic Slogan or a Life Slogan?

"Japan is a small country. Where are you rushing to?"

Have you ever heard this phrase?

It was adopted in 1973 as a national traffic safety slogan in Japan and became one of the country's most memorable public safety messages.

At the time, automobile ownership was growing rapidly, and traffic accidents had become a major social concern. The slogan was intended to remind drivers that arriving a few minutes earlier was rarely worth the risks of speeding, reckless driving, or unnecessary impatience. Its message was simple: drive safely because rushing usually doesn't make much difference.

Yet I believe this phrase carries a meaning far beyond traffic safety.

In modern society, we are always in a hurry. We want faster results, quicker success, more income, and faster career advancement. Ambition is important, but being in a hurry is not the same thing as making progress.

The same principle applies to business. Taking on too much work, expanding too quickly, or moving forward without proper preparation can lead to costly mistakes. Sometimes pausing to think, evaluate, and plan can save far more time than rushing ahead.

People often say that life is short. That may be true, but it does not mean we must spend every moment running at full speed.

"Japan is a small country. Where are you rushing to?"

Originally created as a traffic safety slogan, it now sounds like a question about life itself.

Where are you rushing to today? Perhaps before accelerating, it is worth making sure you know your destination.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558830/a-traffic-slogan-or-a-life-slogan

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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#Bellevue #Bloguru #BusinessPlanning #BusinessStrategy #CrossBorderBusiness #FounderLife #JapanBusiness #KenUchikura #KenichiUchikura #MarketingLeadership #PSPinc #PacificSoftwarePublishing #TechEntrepreneur #Tokyo #USBusiness #UchikuraCo #ViewOfJapan

Toaster Oven

May

26

One thing Japan does exceptionally well is take an idea from elsewhere and adapt it to a different environment. Japan rarely copies something exactly as it is; instead, it modifies and improves it to fit local needs and culture.

Take the toaster oven, for example. Bread is not a traditional Japanese staple, and the toaster itself was invented elsewhere. Yet Japan transformed the humble toaster into a highly refined appliance.

Japanese manufacturers such as Panasonic, Sharp, Tiger, Toshiba, Balmuda, Aladdin, and Zojirushi have spent years competing to make toast taste better. To many people, making toast is simple—apply heat until the bread turns brown. In Japan, however, engineers have approached the problem with remarkable dedication.

Some companies developed steam technology to keep the inside of the bread moist while crisping the outside. Others focused on precise temperature control, infrared heating, or special heating elements designed to recreate the texture of freshly baked bread. Premium toaster ovens can cost several hundred dollars, all in pursuit of the perfect slice of toast.

To someone unfamiliar with Japanese consumer electronics, it may seem excessive. But it reflects a deeper philosophy. Japanese companies often take an everyday product and ask, "How can we make this better?" Then they spend years refining details that many people never even notice.

The same pattern can be seen throughout Japan's history. Rather than simply copying an idea from elsewhere, Japan adapts it, improves it, and tailors it to local tastes and expectations. Sometimes the result becomes so refined that people forget the original idea came from somewhere else.

That ability to adopt, improve, and perfect may be one of Japan's greatest strengths.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558813/toaster-oven

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Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

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Omotenashi From the Receiving Side

May

25

Omotenashi From the Receiving Side

Recently, I was disappointed to learn that Costco has stopped providing self-service onion and radish dispensers at some food courts. While I do not know all the reasons behind the decision, it reminds me of an important lesson about omotenashi—hospitality.

Most discussions about omotenashi focus on the people providing the service. We talk about kindness, attention to detail, and going the extra mile for customers. But there is another side to omotenashi that is often forgotten: the responsibility of the person receiving it.

When a business offers something extra, it is usually based on trust. The assumption is that people will take only what they need and leave enough for others. Unfortunately, when some people take far more than their fair share or misuse what is provided, the result is often predictable. The service disappears for everyone.

This is not unique to Costco. It applies to free samples, public facilities, shared resources, and many other situations.

True omotenashi is a relationship, not a one-way gift. The provider offers generosity, and the recipient responds with consideration and gratitude. Without that balance, hospitality becomes difficult to sustain.

Perhaps the real lesson is that receiving omotenashi well requires as much character as providing it. A simple "thank you," moderation, and respect for others help preserve these small acts of kindness for everyone.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558772/omotenashi-from-the-receiving-side

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Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

#Bellevue #Bloguru #BusinessPlanning #BusinessStrategy #CrossBorderBusiness #FounderLife #JapanBusiness #KenUchikura #KenichiUchikura #MarketingLeadership #PSPinc #PacificSoftwarePublishing #TechEntrepreneur #Tokyo #USBusiness #UchikuraCo #ViewOfJapan

The Man Behind the 85,000-Store Giant

May

25

The Man Behind the 85,000-Store Giant

Most people know 7-Eleven. Whether you are in Tokyo, Seattle, Bangkok, or countless other cities around the world, chances are there is a store nearby. Today, the 7-Eleven network includes more than 85,000 locations worldwide. But few people know the name of the man behind its success: Toshifumi Suzuki.

Suzuki did not invent the convenience store. Instead, he took an existing American concept and transformed it into one of the most efficient retail systems in the world. When the first 7-Eleven opened in Japan in 1974, many believed it would fail. Rather than copying the American model, Suzuki adapted it to Japanese customers and neighborhoods.

He focused on fresh food, frequent deliveries, and careful analysis of customer buying patterns. Stores were stocked based on local demand rather than corporate assumptions. These ideas helped make 7-Eleven Japan one of the most successful retailers in history.

There is an important business lesson here. Success does not always come from inventing something new. Often it comes from understanding customers better than anyone else and executing consistently.

Toshifumi Suzuki passed away on May 18, 2026, at the age of 93. His legacy lives on through the millions of customers served every day by the 85,000-store giant he helped build.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558757/the-man-behind-the-85000store-giant

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

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ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

#Bellevue #Bloguru #BusinessPlanning #BusinessStrategy #CrossBorderBusiness #FounderLife #JapanBusiness #KenUchikura #KenichiUchikura #MarketingLeadership #PSPinc #PacificSoftwarePublishing #TechEntrepreneur #Tokyo #USBusiness #UchikuraCo #ViewOfJapan

A Business Lesson from the Airbus A380

May

25

A Business Lesson from the Airbus A380

The Airbus A380 is one of the greatest engineering achievements in aviation history. It is the largest passenger airliner ever built and was designed to carry more people than any commercial aircraft before it.

Yet despite its impressive size and popularity with passengers, the A380 was not the commercial success Airbus had hoped for.

One reason was something many people never noticed. Although the A380 was larger than the Boeing 777, it often had less lower-deck space available for revenue-generating cargo. The aircraft was optimized to carry a huge number of passengers and their luggage, leaving less room for freight. Meanwhile, the smaller Boeing 777 could often generate additional income from cargo while carrying fewer passengers.

There is an important business lesson here.

Many companies focus on becoming bigger, adding more products, hiring more people, or serving more customers. But growth alone does not guarantee success. What matters is how efficiently resources are used and whether every part of the business contributes to profitability.

The A380 was bigger. The 777 was often more efficient.

In business, success is not always determined by size. Sometimes the company that uses its resources most effectively wins. Bigger can be impressive, but efficiency is often what keeps a business profitable for the long term.

https://en.bloguru.com/ken/558754/a-business-lesson-from-the-airbus-a380

For Service and Iqnury : Call 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808

Kenichi Uchikura
President / CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
ken.uchikura＠pspinc.com
Twitter | Facebook | Linked In

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__

ABOUT PSPINC

PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), based in Bellevue, Washington founded in 1987, has provided web hosting, email hosting, and internet solutions since 1997. The company operates data centers in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and multilingual service.

For more information or to discuss your needs, please call (800) 232-3939 or (425) 957-0808, or email Info@PSPINC.com

__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__..-･**･-..__