After their worst season in 51 years last term, the only way is up for Manchester United
Month: August 2025
Categories
Cultural Hiking in Japan
When I went to live in Japan in 2009, it was striking to me how few foreign tourists there were for a country with such a rich history and culture. In 2008 Japan received only 8.35 million foreign visitors, whereas Thailand had over 14 million.
But things would quickly change. Abenomics, an economic revitalization program led by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, made visiting Japan easier. East Asia’s emerging middle class increasingly began to have the means to visit Japan. And more recently, the weak yen exchange rate has helped attract tourists.
Fast forward
In 2024 Japan welcomed almost 37 million foreign tourists, providing a major boost to the economy as they spent some $53 billion. International tourism is now ranked as Japan’s second-largest export sector, following automobile exports.
Where do these tourists come from? The main sources last year were South Korea (8.8 million), China (7.0 million), Taiwan (6.0 million), the United States (2.7 million) and Hong Kong (2.7 million). Around 70% of foreign visitors went to the major historical and cultural attractions of Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
From shopping sprees to regional retreats
Chinese tourists have long been notorious for their shopping sprees in Japan where they can buy high quality consumer products like cosmetics, shoes and electronics — something which can be more problematic back in China.
Travellers from the United States, Europe, India, Singapore and Australia (like me) are spending more time in regional areas. Some of my almost one million Australian compatriots enjoy visiting excellent ski resorts like Niseko, Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen.
The joy of “cultural walking”
But what I love most of all in Japan is “culture walking.” A couple of weeks ago, I walked a few days on the “Ohenro-san walking trail,” a beautiful and inspiring traditional walking pilgrimage in Japan’s southern island of Shikoku (Henro is the Japanese word for pilgrim).
Many Europeans compare Ohenro-san with the Camino de Santiago (known in English the Way of St. James), although at this stage it attracts much fewer pilgrims. It is a historic Buddhist route, established over 1,200 years ago. Inspired by a monk named Kūkai (who founded Shingon Buddhism), the pilgrimage and its customs are deeply ingrained in the people of Shikoku.
Before setting off on Ohenro-san it is imperative to buy a pilgrim hat, coat and walking stick. You must also buy a pilgrim book which you have stamped at each of the temples along the way. I did a small portion of the 1,200 km circular route which connects 88 temples, eight of which I visited.
Rituals and reflections on the pilgrimage
When you arrive at a temple you must bow respectfully at the temple gate, then cleanse your hands and mouth at the fountain, and sound the bell. You can leave a name slip with your wish in the main hall, light a candle and three sticks of incense, toss coins in the offering box and chant sutras.
For me the most impressive temple was number eight, Kumadaniji. It has one of the largest Niomon gates among the pilgrimage temples. It was built in 1687 and is designated as a Cultural Property by Tokushima Prefecture.
There are many ways and reasons for doing Ohenro-san. I will probably try to do a few chunks each year until I finish it. It is also possible to cheat a little by taking a bus or taxi here and there. Most importantly, the pilgrimage enables one to enjoy traditional Japanese culture and scenery which is usually very well maintained. And visiting these exquisite temples can only calm one’s spirit and foster inner peace.
Discovering Japan’s ancient walking routes
Another walk that I have tried is the Nakasendo trail, a historic Japanese route that connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo period (1603 to 1868). It is known for its well-preserved post towns, offering a glimpse into Japan’s past and beautiful scenery. The trail is approximately 534 kilometers long and had 69 post towns along the way.
Then there is the Kumano Kodo trail, a Shinto pilgrimage dating back over 1,000 years. On the Kumano the goal is to reach three Holy Shinto Shrines known collectively as Kumano Sanzan — Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha and Hayatama Taisha.
Rebirth through walking: The Michinoku Coastal Trail
Japan’s newest long-distance hiking trail is the Michinoku Coastal Trail, a 1000+ km hiking trail in the northeastern Tohoku region.
A decade after one of Japan’s most deadly disasters — earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown — a region is being reborn thanks in part to this walking trail.
Preparing for your cultural walk in Japan
Any reader feeling tempted by cultural walking in Japan can find oodles of information on the Internet, along with companies offering walking tours.
But one word of advice is that patience is required. Language is still a barrier, although Google Translate is a great asset. And particularly outside the major cities, the Japanese have very much their way of doing things. But wherever I went I received a warm and polite welcome.
The post Cultural Hiking in Japan appeared first on The Globalist.
Mike Blake/Reuters
- Uber is hiring as the company works to become a “super app.”
- Software developers can make base salaries of up to $266,400, according to federal data.
- Here’s what Uber pays some of its tech workers, from data scientists to IT project managers.
Uber wants to be a “super app,” and it’s hiring people to make it happen. So how much is it paying them?
The company is probably best known for the millions of gig workers who pick up and drop off riders or deliver food for Uber Eats. But Uber is looking to expand those services — with self-driving cars, for example — as well as offer customers targeted offers.
Last year, it also reportedly considered making a bid for Expedia, though no deal materialized.
“We’re slowly moving towards a super app of sorts,” CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said.
Like many tech companies, Uber has taken a more financially cautious approach to its corporate head count over the last few years. But it’s still looking for new hires.
In early August, Uber had close to 800 open positions listed on its website. Some of the teams with the most open roles included engineering, operations, and sales.
Uber filed to hire just under 500 workers through the H-1B visa program in the first half of this reporting year, according to filings with the US Department of Labor. That’s more than the roughly 350 filings that Uber made during the same period in 2024.
Some of the most common job positions that Uber filed to hire through the program were data scientists, operations research analysts, and software developers.
Companies are required to submit this work visa data, which includes salary information, to the US Department of Labor for all foreign hires. However, the compensation figures don’t include equity or other benefits that employees can receive in addition to their base pay. The filings also include industry average pay rates for US workers.
Here’s a look at the jobs that Uber disclosed salaries for:
Computer and Information Systems Managers can make up to $360,000
Staff Software Engineer: $225,200 to $258,800
Manager, Engineering: $235,100 to $287,000
Senior Manager: $230,800 to $299,700
Senior Director, Engineering: $360,000
Data Scientists can earn up to $199,400
Scientist, Tech: $111,966 to $174,900
Senior Scientist, Tech: $185,300 to $199,400
Staff Scientist, Tech: $219,400 to $250,000
Applied Scientist: $133,100 to $179,100
Data Scientist: $125,950 to $175,019
Senior Data Scientist: $150,400 to $164,300
Information Technology Project Managers can earn up to $215,900
Product Manager: $158,700 to $197,000
Senior Technical Program Manager: $215,900
Senior Program Manager: $144,500 to $163,600
Operations Research Analysts can make up to $185,300
Scientist, Tech: $149,650 to $174,900
Senior Scientist, Tech: $169,800 to $185,300
Senior Operations and Logistics Manager: $138,650 to $142,850
Regional Operations Manager: $108,600 to $140,950
Manager, Sales Operations: $157,400
Software Developers can make up to $266,400
Software Engineer: $98,516 to $195,300
Software Engineer II: $113,308 to $135,005
Staff Software Engineer: $225,200 to $266,400
Senior Software Engineer: $151,819 to $235,500
Senior Applications Developer: $187,800 to $209,700
Do you have a story to share about Uber? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or 808-854-4501.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Courtesy of Chris Rosenberg
- My 7-year-old wanted to make money, so I encouraged him to start a neighborhood recycling service.
- He went door to door with a wagon, collecting cans and bottles each week.
- He took initiative and built something on his own; it reminded me entrepreneurship isn’t about age.
My husband and I have built businesses across multiple industries, both separately and together. So, with our kids, business concepts are part of everyday conversations. We often discuss the cost of goods, profit margins, and customer value.
But even more than that, we’ve always believed that if our kids wanted something beyond the basics, they could absolutely work for it and then be able to pay for whatever they want for themselves.
We don’t pay for chores because our family is a team, and chores are part of being a team. However, if they want a pair of Jordans, a video game console, or anything else, we support them in building a business and managing their money. That gives them autonomy and ownership, and it teaches lessons no allowance ever could.
When my youngest son, who was 7, told me he wanted to make money, we got right to business and discussed what he wanted to do. He had done lemonade stands before, so we brainstormed ideas like painting curbs or selling kindness rocks, and he chose recycling.
He built the business himself with a little help and a wagon
He had made a ton of lemonade signs before, so he got to work on a poster board for his new business. We created a flyer based on what he wanted to include, and we discussed what he would say at each door to make it an easy pitch. He grabbed one of our wagons, filled it with bins and bags we bought at the dollar store, and started walking down the street.
I stayed a few steps behind as he knocked on doors, introduced himself, and asked our neighbors if they’d set out their recycling each week so he could collect it. Some said no. A few weren’t home, but plenty of people said yes. Watching him pause at each door and then start talking, I saw his confidence grow with every neighbor. Each “yes” was a celebration, and every “no” was a surprise and a lesson.
He made a list of every customer and their contact information so he could keep track of pickup routes. He provided the bins and bags each week and collected the recycling on a set schedule. Then we’d load up the car and drive to the local redemption center behind the grocery store, where he would sort cans, bottles, and glass to be weighed and cashed out.
He even created a give-back plan and stuck to it
My son also wanted to give back to the community. So he decided to split his earnings evenly: one-third to spend, one-third to reinvest in the business, and one-third to donate.
When I asked him where he wanted the money to go, he said he wanted to help the homeless. With my help, he chose a local outreach program that provides job training and housing assistance to help people get back on their feet.
From tracking inventory to handling rejection to learning how to follow through, his business taught him so much more than how to make money.
He stuck with it for years, and when his interests evolved, so did his ventures. He learned how to clean high-end sneakers and offer new laces as an upsell, launched a car wash and offered vacuuming as an additional service, started walking dogs, and recently created a business called Capo Helpers to assist neighbors with yard work, weeding, and more.
Entrepreneurship is important in our household
Now, at 12, he has had years of experience earning income and taking pride in his work. He often texts me to say he’s picked up a dog-walking job and will be back soon.
He sometimes brings friends along, but he’s learned that not all of them are willing to do the work, which has helped him choose partners more wisely.
What I love most is that these businesses haven’t been about us pushing him. They’ve been about supporting his ideas and giving him the freedom to learn, try, and grow. With every idea and new effort, he’s learning that he can create whatever he wants for himself.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Jill Robbins
- I travel once a month for work, and I’ve come to rely on Trader Joe’s for the best in-flight snacks.
- I think the perfect plane snack is mess-free, odorless, and has some nutritional value.
- Some of my favorites include peanut butter crispy-rice bites and freeze-dried strawberries.
As someone who flies at least once a month for business, I’ve learned that packing the right plane snacks is essential.
In my opinion, the perfect plane snack is mess-free, doesn’t have a strong smell, and offers some nutritional value. I’ve found that many of the snacks at Trader Joe’s check all of these boxes.
I like to switch things up for each trip, packing a mix of sweet and salty options to help me power through long delays or missed meals.
Here are 12 of my go-to Trader Joe’s snacks for traveling.
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Jill Robbins
Read the original article on Business Insider
Surrendering a strategically significant part of Donetsk could leave Ukraine vulnerable, said the Institute for the Study of War.
Dawn Staley took to social media to send a powerful message to Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
“Even if they’ve seen your outfit, they won’t have seen the final polished look,” a wedding expert told Newsweek.
There are just under 100 days before this year’s United Nations climate summit kicks off in Brazil. In my survey of business and civil society leaders, conducted in formal interviews and in casual conversations, I hear a version of the same answer about their plans for the conference known as COP30: uncertainty.
[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]
In short, companies and non-profits remain undecided whether to make the trek to the Amazonian city of Belém for the two weeks of talks that begin Nov. 10. Because of both logistics and the changing dynamics of global climate leadership, many are considering limiting their journeys to side events in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo.
In a call with members of the press last week, André Corrêa do Lago, who will serve as COP30 president, celebrated the related climate events happening all over Brazil, but insisted that companies and NGOs should still show up in Belém. “We are delighted that they come to other events, before the COP, in Rio or São Paulo, but Belém is the place,” he said. “We need the business sector to be present in Belém.”
At the center of the planned private sector involvement in Belém is the so-called “action agenda,” an officially sanctioned set of priorities that take place apart from the negotiations between countries. The announced COP schedule includes specific days focused on topics including energy, transport, trade, finance, and carbon markets that companies may want to join.
Themed days have become a mainstay of U.N. climate conferences, but this year’s Brazilian organizers insist that the approach this time will be different. In past COPs, organizers emphasized the announcement of new private sector commitments. This time around, organizers insist that themed meetings will drill down into “implementation” rather than tout new high-level pledges.
Officials will try to build on the programs and commitments announced at previous U.N. climate conferences—assessing their progress and identifying opportunities for improvement. This includes everything from promises to limit methane emissions to commitments to halt deforestation. They hope that businesses will share at COP concrete plans for how to meet those past pledges at a time when many businesses are backtracking on their ambition. COP officials are also planning to create what they are calling a “granary of solutions” that will give attendees—particularly businesses—a comprehensive look at the many solutions that are working, thereby encouraging others to take similar actions.
Many companies and non-profits are still deciding whether they want to take part in Belém. In the public narrative, steep prices and limited room availability have received the brunt of the blame for the reticence of some climate leaders to show up in Belém. There is no doubt that this is a big issue for some civil society groups. Email list serves and WhatsApp groups are buzzing as advocates look around for affordable accommodation. That said, the news reports touting outlandish nightly rates running into the tens of thousands of dollars are largely outdated; new relatively affordable housing stock has become available on the conference’s official booking site (though many of these accommodations don’t have the amenities to which western business travelers are accustomed).
But while the accommodation options are an easy excuse, they aren’t the primary thing holding some climate folks back. Many companies and big environmental non-profits that plan to show up in Rio or São Paulo have also booked rooms in Belém as they decide whether it’s worth the extra stop. In some ways, the thought process is like one you might engage in before any other professional or even social gathering. Private sector leaders are asking, “who else will be there?” And “what will we actually get done?”
Nothing will get done if firms don’t show up. In recent years, climate observers have questioned whether the COP process is really worth all of the effort it takes—and whether it’s the best way for the private sector to spend its time. But the truth is it will only ever be worth its time if advocates seize on it.
That’s a potential loss for the U.S. firms that choose to sit it out. One set of companies expected to show up in force are firms located in India and China. That’s a change from recent years when large western companies have shown in force and Asian firms have remained more muted. It’s yet another indication of the shift of gravity away from the U.S. in global efforts to tackle climate change.
To get this story in your inbox, subscribe to the TIME CO2 Leadership Report newsletter here.
Here’s what to look for in the Giants’ first preseason game against the Bills on Saturday at Orchard Park, N.Y.