Global Voices Online

mojix at Zope Junky Nikki picks up news that the Nikkei stock average has slumped below 10,000 yen for the first time in nearly five years [ja], featuring a PDF of a print article from Nikkei Keizai shimbun announcing the drop. mojix writes: “There are good sides to a strong yen, and [the price of] resources and commodities has dropped, so for Japan this could perhaps be a kind of chance.”

A Japanese parent blogs about their daughter's experience getting her first mobile phone [ja], and the problems involved: the dangers of dating and porn sites, misunderstandings in communication, and constant interruptions during study time. The blogger relates the social distance created by these phones to the shift from traditional sushi restaurants to conveyor-belt sushi, where orders can be made without talking to the sushi chef. “NTT Docomo develops amazing products,” the blogger writes, “and I thank them for that. But I wish they would take a bit of responsibility for how these products are used.”

Due to high fuel prices, Lao and Thai farmers are going back to the basics: Water buffaloes are helping plow the lands again.