Bunny Island

Positioned in the Inland Sea of Japan, the small island of Okunoshima is occupied by heaps of freely roaming wild rabbits. Perhaps better known as “Bunny Island”, it has become a major tourist destination. In recent years, an increasing number of visitors have made the trip to feed and snap photos of the fluffy residents. However, the island intertwined with a dark past has not always been so tourist friendly.

A rather stark contrast to the current bunny enclave, the island previously served as a production site for Japan’s chemical weapons during WWII.  Between 1929-1945, the Japanese army produced over 6000 tons of poisonous gas and a colony of rabbits were brought to the island in order to test the effects of the poison.  It remains unsure whether all the rabbits were killed off during the experiments but there is no proof that today’s inhabitants on the “Bunny Island” are descendants of the unfortunate test subjects. Other rumors include visitors intentionally setting bunnies loose on the island to simply add tourist appeal.

Now, Okunoshima is a popular attraction with its own resort and camping grounds. Since there have not been any official decontamination efforts from the government, groundwater and some of the soil is still toxic from chemical munitions plants and is deemed unsafe for human consumption. Thus, visitors are encouraged to feed the rabbits with carrots and cabbages as natural food sources are scarce. Open bottles of water can also be seen left out around the island for the rabbits to consume. Although the source of these furry creatures remains a mystery, the population continues to thrive with the help of humans and a lack of natural predators on the island.

Rags to Riches

In a world where innovation is the key driver to progress, Forever 21’s fast-fashion business model excels exceptionally. Arriving in Los Angeles penniless in 1981, Do Won “Don” Chang and his wife struggled to balance three part-time jobs to make ends meet. It all began in 1984, when the duo opened up their first store, Fashion 21 in Los Angeles, California. Mimicking the fast and affordable street fashion of Seoul, the South Korean immigrant couple made remarkable accomplishments within just one year. With sales soaring over $700,000 in less than 12 months, they began opening a new store every six months. As of 2016, the privately held fashion empire has generated a revenue of $4.6 billion and boasts more than 700 stores across the world.

Straying from traditional models of fashion retailers, Forever 21 thrives on a fast fashion business model by relying on a constant influx of merchandise. In fact, the idea of moving merchandise quickly from the designer’s table to the sales floor has brought them immense success, even outperforming its non-fast fashion counterparts.  Coupled with relatively low price points, these fresh off the runaway items reign supreme among fashion forward yet budget conscious consumers. With a limited production season, merchandise is usually not replenished once it is sold out. Knowing this, shoppers purchase items as soon as they lay their eyes on it. This revolutionary business model thus creates huge demands while assuring quick turnover, resulting in huge profits for the retailer.

Even with the company’s tremendous growth, it has remained a family owned business with Don serving as CEO, his wife serving as merchandising officer and their two daughters monitoring the marketing elements of the company. “Forever 21 gives hope to people who come here with almost nothing,” said Don, wishing that his humbling rags to riches experience will serve as an example for newcomers in the United States to not give up and pursue their dreams.

Apps to Replace Professional Translators?

Nowadays, applications can turn your words into a foreign language; simply by talking into your mobile device. Despite sophisticated advances in technology, it remains unsure whether machines will revolutionize the industry or if good old fashioned translators are here to stay.  

When humans try to infer meaning, we are accustomed to interpreting based on a multitude of contextual clues simultaneously. Conversely, it is impossible for a machine to fine tune translations when it cannot explicate volume, pitch, or more importantly, situation.  By relying on technology to navigate through the intricacies of human languages, you can expect no more than the gist of a foreign tongue. As a result, machine produced translations feel either awkwardly unnatural or are just outright wrong.

Widely recognized as a valuable tool, intelligent personal navigators like Siri proves that further advancements in user interface could potentially bring an end to translation agencies altogether. Immediately, these claims remain to be premature as many of these inventions are still in experimental stages. With computer software bound to result in blunders by simply translating word for word, there is likely a sustained demand for human translators. Rather than eradicating the industry, machines are instead more likely to increase efficiency.

The Etiquette of Doing Business Abroad

Along with rapidly increasing globalization, international business has become a popular topic in recent years. More than simply implementing proven domestic business models in a foreign market, local cultures and customs should always be taken into consideration when managing international operations. While some countries share highly similar etiquette, some are a world apart from what is acceptable in the American business environment. To avoid making cultural faux pas when doing business in foreign countries, please read these recommended tips:

China:

·        Business cards are viewed as if it were a physical extension of that person. It is important to exchange the card with both hands and examine it for a short duration before putting it away.

·        When offered a gift, decline initially before finally accepting, to not appear greedy.

India:

·        Opposite genders should not make physical contact when meeting or leaving.

·        It is considered rude to plunge into negotiation immediately upon meeting. Always engage in small talk before beginning business discussions.

Japan:

·        Handshakes are often avoided in business environments. Instead, bow during an introduction.

·        Seating arrangements are taken very seriously in all settings. You should always be seated across from someone who is of similar ranks to you.
Korea:

·        Avoid hugging even if it is not your first encounter. The culture around hugging is more conservative in Korea and is usually reserved for couples or families.

·        When engaging in social drinking, the first glass must always be finished if possible. It signifies that you are a part of the group.

Chinese Tourist Mistakenly Ends Up in Refugee Camp

A simple mistake due to language barriers left a man stranded at a refugee center for almost two weeks. An unidentified 31 year old Chinese man, who spoke only Mandarin, had traveled to Europe by himself as a tourist only to have his wallet stolen. When he turned to local officials to report his stolen property, he unwittingly signed an asylum application. After being robbed in the town of Heidelberg, the man mistook the city hall as a police station, where he accidentally signed the application in the midst of confusion. A routine for asylum seekers, the man was sent to a processing center, then a refugee reception center 220 miles away in the town of Duelmen. Upon arrival, his passport was confiscated and he began his daily routine amongst thousands of other refugees in the shelter.  

Trapped in the bureaucratic blunder for almost two weeks, the man reportedly kept attempting to relay his story but no one could understand him. He eventually drew the attention of a Red Cross staff because of his neat attire and his repeated request for his passport back, all very uncommon for most refugees. Using a mobile translation app, local authorities were able to make basic communications with the man but it was not much help. It wasn’t until two weeks later that the truth was revealed when a local Chinese restaurant was enlisted to assist in translation. The man is said to have continued on his journey throughout Europe after resolving the misunderstanding.  

Since the incident, Chinese netizens have taken to online discussion forums to express their respect for the unidentified man. While some are impressed by his courage to travel independently unable to communicate, some questioned if he had intended for a short-cut immigration.

Journey from a box of cereal to a $25.5 billion company

 In 2007, Founders of Airbnb, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia had just moved to San Francisco from New York. Unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, the pair saw an opportunity for great business venture when a local conference attracted a great number of visitors. With a high demand for accommodations, their idea was to provide visitors an affordable stay along with homemade breakfast to set themselves apart from the traditional hospitality industry. After purchasing a couple of airbeds and launching their website, the first Airbnb guests were born. 

Although there were great responses inquiring to see when the site would be available for other destinations around the world, the founders had no way to fund their rental business. In 2008, that turning point came. In the midst of presidential election season, they capitalized on the opportunity to sell collectible political cereals to keep the company afloat and raise brand awareness. With the help of hot glue guns, customized boxes of "Obama O's" and "Captain McCain" were assembled and stuffed with Cheerios and Captain Crunch. Sold at $40 apiece, a total of $30,000 of startup funds were raised in no time and the accumulated debt was paid off. 

With an estimate of 37 million one-night stays annually and more than one million listings worldwide, it is safe to say that Airbnb, valued at $25.5 billion is the most valuable accommodations company in the world. All thanks to a box of cereal, the home-sharing giant has now surpassed all its competitors while making a significant impact on the hospitality industry. 

Technology to Translate "ee-awws" into Human Language

Unless you are Shrek, it is hard to fathom communicating with a Donkey in real life, or any animal for that matter. Yet, a self-proclaimed “donkey whisperer” in London has introduced a translation system that analyzes donkey sounds and associates them with particular emotions. This invention came about when Mark Ineson, owner of 17 donkeys developed an interest in the animal’s emotions and mannerisms. Partnering with technology firm, Design Works, the translation system offers one-of- a- kind donkey rides to children.

During the ride, passengers are required to wear a headset which allows them to hear the animals’ sound, supposedly translated into English. The technology behind the invention analyzes each unique sound, frequency and vibration of “ee-awws”. The translation system then produces a phrase that reflects the mind and mood of the animal.

Despite being a popular summer attraction, the “talking donkey” experience has drawn endless criticisms from animal rights groups. Many denounced that the showcase location in bustling central London, creates a stressful environment for the donkeys. The event, marketed as a form of entertainment, also promotes and encourages animal exploitation among the younger generations. Animal rights aside, it remains difficult to decipher whether the translations are accurate despite Ineson’s claims.