Japan

Taxi drivers in Japan have reported that they are picking up ghost victims of the 2011 tsunami.  Seven drivers have come forward claiming that ghostly passengers have entered their vehicle only to disappear into thin air shortly before reaching their destination.

A US Navy missile tracking ship, USNS Howard O, Lorenzen, has arrived in Japan ahead of North Korea launching a missile test.  Japanese military officials have said that they are prepared to shoot down any missile test that threatens Japan coming from North Korea. Atimes.com reports: US Navy officials have not given a reason for the Lorenzen’s docking at Sasebo.

Dear Bank of Japan, how do you spell unintended consequences:

• PLANNED MARCH SALE OF 10-YEAR JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BONDS THROUGH BANKS TO BE CANCELED AMID EXPECTED BELOW-ZERO YIELDS - NIKKEI
• JAPAN'S MINISTRY OF FINANCE IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE WEDNESDAY THE FIRST-EVER DECISION TO CALL OFF SALES OF 10-YEAR JGBS- NIKKEI

Here is the full Nikkei report on this absolute stunner of a development:

There will be two key themes for investors seeking to shake off the abysmal "as goes January" blues:

Submitted by Pater Tenebrarum via Acting-Man.com,

Let’s Do More of What Doesn’t Work

It is the Keynesian mantra: the fact that the policies recommended by Keynesians and monetarists, i.e., deficit spending and money printing, routinely fail to bring about the desired results is not seen as proof that they simply don’t work. It is regarded as evidence that there hasn’t been enough spending and printing yet.

BoJ governor Haruhiko “Fly” Kuroda: is that a windshield I’m seeing?