journal features

inflation

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Tokyo, 2008.05.16

I've been reading bits and pieces here and there about inflation creeping into various national economies. Everyone in official capacity denies it, of course.

But Mari and I are seeing prices of small things begin to rise. In staid Japan, where prices have been flat for a decade or more, is seeing even basic foodstuffs like soy milk start to creep up; the size I buy a few times a week just jumped from ¥84 to ¥95.

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering