Enjoyed the program on BBC earlier this week about the economic changes in China.  Enjoyed the program  but it was sad that the dreams are dying for many.

So many people unemployed, 70,000 factories shut, fewer orders at the trade fairs.  Buyers worldwide cautious about placing orders.

Many factory workers are returning to the provinces with no money and no money to support their families.  The government helps when there is sufficient public outcry, but the government has a major social crisis in the making here.

Unemployment for recent college grads is higher than 12%.  One of our artists is among them.  Wang Yi Fei graduated from university last year, and has been selected as one of China’s top young photographers under 30 and is  very talented, but still he can not find regular employment.

In Japan, the situation is much better.  We don’t have such high unemployment and the government has passed a stimulus plan, although it is most likely to benefit the friends of the government rather than people in need.

Foreign executives bemoan the lack of business but salaries are still high and most foreign executives in Japan are among the highest paid people in the world. I am impressed when people do not let the current economic crisis affect the way people feel about their life.  Life is still good, it is just an economic problem.  It is not as if people here will starve or even be unemployed.

One person who continuosly impresses me, tells me that life is good, business has been better

I like to hear this, it is accurate–not the same as saying first that life is bad because business is bad.  In the gallery of course, we are not immune to the economic crisis, but life is still good and we and our clients can be surrounded by beautiful art.  With beautiful art, life is always good.