PENANG NO 3.- CHOWRASTA AS THE BOOKS' HEAVEN

This first floor of Chowrasta is heaven for me and i am sure, for many others. But somehow it has become a hidden treasure, which in time, will fade.this is my favourite bookstore in the whole wide world. I didn't know MPH, Kinokuniya,or Borders back then. (they are new anyway) This is a place where I spent my weekends with my dad, when i was a kid. almost all my Enid Blyton books are from here. My Archie's Comics were also from here. my first Mills and Boons (taboo!) was also bought sorok2 from here.This was the place i came searching for my law books,and i still remember my mom came looking for her nursing books here too.i got all my Judith Mcnaught from here and first read Anne Rice, because one of the uncle's there suggested the book to me.

There is nothing u cant fine here. when i started working in Penang, i needed to read on Economics..i was so blurr at that time, and needed to absorb as much as possible,fast.So of course i went to the best!

The owners of these 9 shops, know their books, know the authors and can even suggest books for you. They are kinda quiet in the beginning but if u have something that you are looking for, name it. when i was looking for my law books..they can asked simply -- TORts? Contract? and they know what are textbooks, what are good reads! they can be trusted.They even know where the books are exactly in the stacks that seemed unorganized to the untrained eye. and can even ask questions that can throw you overboard like--WHAT EDITION? hahaah..(aku dah kena)

When i balik kampung back for raya in October 2008, of course i visited the place. Sadly, the place was quiet and had not many visitors. one of the owner said that he is worried who will take over the shop as his children are not interested in this business.i bought some magazines and some V.S. Naipul books.

He old man asked why he has not seen me for a long time and i told him why. I received a English - Japanese Oxford Dictionary from him. terharu sangat.He said its a present, said its a good one as it has sentence example for each word. AND mind you,it is GOOD!

The place also lacks promotion and i think that the Penang Tourism Council should promote 'Book Cave' in Chowrasta more ardently.Most people from outside only visit chowrasta for the jeruk , belacan and lempuk but behold everyone, dont ever miss this place..u can be lost in the musky smell of dry yellow and wrinkly pages and stacks of books..for hours!!

this is definately a place where i want to bring my children to.(when i have them)

all transaction in cash please...bawak beg tarik k..takut tak muat palstik k

Penang No.2- Chowrasta Bazaar

This is my favourite place.This is where i go for my cucuq udang, for my cendol, for my books!sometimes, i also shop for jeruk n buah pala plus belacan here. also lempuk durian!! sedapnyaaaa...people in Penang simply call it-- charosta!

To start of, Chowrasta Market or Pasar Chowrasta is one of the two community markets in inner George Town.Funny the name of the place comes from Urdu, meaning "four cross roads". As is customary, the market place is the usual watering hole for the community, and it is usually positioned where major roads meet. In the case of Chowrasta Market, it is bordered by Penang Road, Jalan Chowrasta, Jalan Kuala Kangsar and Lebuh Tamil.

According to some articles i found, the area around Chowrasta Market has been a settlement for Tamils from Kadayanallur in southern India, since the mid 19th century. For that reason, it was known as "Kelinga Ban San" in Hokkien, meaning "South Indian Market." To this day, there are still shops along Lebuh Tamil that are run by the Tamil community of Chowrasta Market.

The first permanent market building was erected by the Commissioners of the Municipality of George Town - precursor of the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang, MPPP - in the year 1890, at the cost of $16,471. The structure, which is single storey tall, remained unchanged until 1960. In some old photographs, you can see the front facade with the date 1920 on it. This refers to the extension on the Penang Road side which was put up in that year.

In 1961, the old market was demolished to make way for the new structure, built at a cost of $1,310,000, and is still standing to this day. When it was completed, it was one of the first buildings in Penang to be fitted with escalators, which brings wide-eyed users straight to the wet market level. There were also four service lifts. Both of these have since been dismantled though.

Today, most of the market activities spill out onto Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Jalan Chowrasta, and Lebuh Tamil. the ground floor is practically the wet market, n rows of traders selling jeruk,dried sotong,lempuk,baked red bean buns, belacan, minyak angin etc etc..

as you go up the stairs, there are some food stalls, clothes, shoes, handbags (COACH pon ada you!),ada kedai jual alat2 muslim especially yg nak pi haji, kedai baju budak2 especialy dresses for girls and most important of ALLLLL..my beloved pakcik-pakcik..selling BOOKS!(thats another entry)..make sure u guys walk around chowrasta k....style depa gantung daging n susun ikan pon old school.. check it out!

And taste the cucuq udang (ada tauqua n kuah kacang), the cendol (makan berdiri--santan pekat..perrgghh),air kelapa muda,air rebu, buah berangan goreng, laksa biasa n laksa asam..ya allah..nak balikkkkkk sob sob sob!


Getting there:
-From the Weld Quay Bus Terminal, take the Rapid Penang Bus Nos. T10, T11, U101, U103, U104, U201, U202, U203, U204 or U206 that goes right to the bus stop in front of Chowrasta Market.
- can walk from KOmtAR

PENANG No. 1 - WAR MUSEUM

I am in the mood for writing about Penang..Home Sweet Home. Although i am far away in Japan, i think there are many places in Penang..i want to share my love for some of the best places of my state with all my readers, and hope that more will try out these places plus the wonderful food these places have to offer.

Penang is great for a weekend trip so, all of you out there. CHECK OUT THEM OUT!

My feature this time around is the PENANG WAR MUSEUM (PWM).Said to be the largest war museum in South East Asia, the Penang War Museum was once a British military fortress, later used as a prisoner camp by the Japanese. Above are some photos.Honestly, i feel that the PWM is a great place to visit for all, adults, kids, young and old. The surrounding is green (its situated on a hill) and quiet.

This military fortress was built by the designed by the British in the early 1930s and spans over 20 acres. Dug into the hill of Bukit Batu Maung, the British created underground tunnels that housed intelligence and logistic centers, halls, ventilation shafts, sleeping quarters etc. It was taken over by the Japanese during the Second World War and converted into a POW camp. When the war was over, this fortress was abandoned and "lost" till recently. THE fort lay lost in the jungle for some 57 years. Few locals dared to visit the site as it was reputed to be haunted, in fact they called it Bukit Hantu ("Ghost Hill").It now served as perhaps, one of the youngest living museum in the world for visitors to experience the history, relics and a taste of regimental life of that era. Go into the underground communication rooms and stores, and the more adventurous can explore the narrow dark tunnels. As you walk around and see the pillboxes and canon firing areas you really begin to get a feel that you have stepped back in time. There are some 60 relics to see.

From the canon firing bay to the underground tunnels, the history lessons we learnt in school will come alive. At the Malay and Indian barracks, we felt shivers down our spine as the barracks re-enacted the horrors of WWII, from the torture chamber to the "sex-slave" barrack that was set up by the Japanese.

An explosives dump was situated 4 storeys underground. There was a pulley to bring up the heavy loads (pic.), but the men had to use metal stairs to go up and down to the tunnels. They also had an escape hatch for times of emergency. You can see mortar shells on display at one of the canon firing bays. The six-inch breech guns were used to fire on enemies approaching from the sea. From the site the officers could communicate directly with the Cabinet War Room in London. There is even a submarine-landing bay.

As you walk around, you begin to get some idea of how the largest military complex in Malaysia was run. There are lots of notice boards giving the history of World War II followed by the Japanese invasion in this area. You can imagine how the people lived, trained and fought here. Listen carefully and you can almost imagine the screams of soldiers being tortured or executed here. Many people describe the place as creepy.I myself found it creepy especially at the execution room, where the sword said to be used is still hanging there.

A visit to this gem is a must! Satisfaction guaranteed.


To get there:
Direction: It is located approximately 16km south of George Town on Penang island. Take what the locals call the Coastal Highway (Jelutong Expressway - Sungai Nibong Highway - Bayan Lepas Expressway) towards Batu Maung. Go straight for about 100m after the Batu Maung traffic light. You will see the entrance on your left. The road leading to the War Museum is a uphill and winding road.This museum is not easy to find as it is hidden amid dense forest. The turn-in road is small and can be easily missed, so be carefull, but there are posters around.

Operating hours: 9am to 7pm daily
Admission fee:
RM15 for locals (children half the price)
RM30 for foreigners (children half the price)
Camera fee: RM2 per camera or video recorder
Night tours and dormitory stays, is open daily.
For details, call 016-421 3606 or 04-626 5142

Address: Penang War Museum
No. Lot 1350, Mukim 12, Daerah Barat Daya
Penang, Malaysia

KOPEL

KOPEL is Koperasi Pelancongan Pulau Pinang Berhad or The Penang Tourism Cooperation Ltd. It was formed in August 2005.Many do not know the spirit behind the formation of KOPEL. I too do not know it to the deepest but,i was given the opportunity to now the few people who strained their necks and tried they best to make it a success.I assure all of you that they were honorable and to help to uplift and boost the tourism products in Penang.

visit KOPEL---the gateway to more wonderful places and experiences in Penang! they can be contacted at :

Koperasi Pelancongan Pulau Pinang Berhad (KOPEL)
Tel : (604) 250 - 5500 / (604) 250 - 5502
Fax : (604) 250 - 5501
Email : admin@kopel.com.my / kopel_my@streamyx.com

Go Venezuela!

Venezuela usir Duta Israel
07/01/2009 12:46pm

CARACAS 7 Jan. – Kerajaan Venezuela semalam mengusir Duta Israel ke negara ini sebagai protes terhadap serangan rejim itu ke atas Genting Gaza.

Kementerian Luar dalam satu kenyataan menjelaskan bahawa tindakan mengusir Shlomo Cohen dan beberapa kakitangan di Kedutaan Israel sebagai seruan ke arah keamanan dan kehormatan terhadap undang-undang antarabangsa.

Pengusiran tersebut dibuat ketika Majlis Keselamatan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) meneruskan perdebatan mengenai prospek gencatan senjata di Genting Gaza dan usaha diplomatik yang giat dijalankan bagi mendesak Israel menghentikan serangan yang masuk hari ke-12 dan telah meragut 660 nyawa.

Venezuela menuduh Israel “melanggar undang-undang antarabangsa secara terang-terangan” dan “merancang menggunakan kekerasan” ke atas penduduk Palestin.

“Dalam saat tragik dan memeranjatkan ini, rakyat Venezuela menunjukkan rasa hormat kepada penduduk Palestin yang mempunyai semangat wira,” demikian menurut kenyataan itu lagi.

Misi Venezuela ke PBB juga akan mendesak Majlis Keselamatan agar mengambil “tindakan segera untuk menghentikan pencerobohan oleh Israel ke atas kawasan Palestin.”

Venezuela mengutuk serangan Zionis ke atas Genting Gaza dan Presiden Hugo Chavez sendiri pada Isnin lalu menyifatkan apa yang berlaku sebagai “penghapusan bangsa” dan menuduh Amerika Syarikat menyokong serangan tersebut. – AFP

-petikan dari Utusan Malaysia Online.

The one with me n Tokyo Tower

Blood n Stone

This is already the second week of the Gaza raids.In the US, mainstream media prioritize Israel's version of the conflict. I have no bombastic words to write about this bloodshed and mass killing, but just to say that this is Bush's goodbye present to the World before he steps down. leaving Obama who thinks he can CHANGE alot of things to deal with the mess.one just wonder why this must go on and on. My prayers for the Palestinians always.

Hamamatsu Boys

this is a classic boyband picture of them in front of Tokyo Station, which i took. totally my fav!

Birthday 2009

Dear all well wishes, thanks.
yes today is again bday, cepatnya masa berlalu.
i turned 23 today. and will do the same for the years to come, by Allah's will.

p/s- need to record that Doctor gigi hensemku wished me happy birthday gak..hehhehehe..senyum sapai telinga!

Unemployment--hello 2009!

The amount of “haken-giri,” or temporary worker cutbacks, have been taking place in drastic amounts. Just this month, Nissan Motors announced that they will be cutting 2,000 temporary workers by next March. In a climate where a third of the working population are employed as temporary staff, this wave of “haken-giri” indicates that the number of homeless will increase drastically. A majority of Japan’s temporary workers live in company dormitories and without a job, forcing them to leave their home. According to a national survey conducted by The Ministry of Health, there will be at least 30,000 non-fulltime employees losing their jobs between the period of October 2008 to March 2009. “Haken Union,” an organization for temporary-employees, posted a statement on their website saying that “If we end the year like this, we will be creating a massive amount of homeless people.”

The hard-hit automobile industry is a large part of this problem. The economic downturn coincides with the end of a three-year employment contract made back in 2006—a year when automobile manufacturers changed their employment system from “contract” to “temporary.” Already dubbed as “the 2009 problem,” thousands have been left terrified about the prospect of finding another job during such hard times.

However, the bleak news doesn’t end there. Unemployed foreign residents, many of them Brazilian, has also increased. Major manufacturing companies in Shizuoka Prefecture's Hamamatsu city have announced plans to cut hundreds of temporary jobs—affecting the thousands of Brazilian workers that live there. Many of them don’t speak Japanese, further inflicting their prospects for re-employment in this industrial city.

Another group of people with struggling employment prospects are the older, middle-aged generation. A quarter of Japan’s temporary workers are over 45-years-old. Not only do they have children and aged parents to support, but their re-employment prospects are much lower than those of the younger generation.

The temporary worker culture was borne out of companies requiring specialists with a specific skill set. They were often paid more than their full-time counterparts and hopped from one company to the next. But now, they are regarded as cheap laborers that are hired to do simple tasks.

This string of “haken-giri” reinforces the criticism leveled at the current temporary employment culture, and forces the government to rethink Japan’s employment laws. Many have voiced strong opinion against this system, criticizing this form of employment as a disposable, convenient scheme for businesses, and ignores their corporate responsibility for the livelihood and wellbeing of the workers.

What we are currently witnessing is not a malfunction in the system but the result of a system destined for failure.

It is crucial that the government and corporations create effective plans to resolve this societal collapse. But any changes made will only happen after millions have greeted the New Year without a home, whilst those that can afford it take advantage of the strong yen and travel abroad, such as to Korea.

tokyo yang sunyi

sunyi pada 1 January. train pon sunyi..tak ramai.
yang banyak perpeleseran ialah alien-alien di Jepun.

1430 & 2009

Selamat Menyambut Tahun Hijriah 1430 dan tahun 2009 kepada semua.

M.O.P. this is for you..

COVER THE FACE..
FIRE THE BASE..

A Break From Everything

Today a friend who is also studying abroad asked me..' hang dok kawan ngan sapa kat sana?'That got me thinking the whole day. and i came up with an answer of my own. i realized that the thing i treasure most now, being in Japan is that i am capable of having a relationship with myself.

i am glad. i am now in a relationship. a very very important one.

with myself.

aidil adha & depression

selamat menyambut aidil adha..
&
an honest testimonial: depression makes me eat -- watch 12 hours of non stop movie..and put on kiloss(sssss)

i need to see a shrink.

Aku Tak Mahu Sendiri

teringat tgk movie ni dgn farais kat Mines.. hehehe
refer to my previous entry

Aku dan Darlingku

tiba saatnya kita saling bicara
tentang perasaan yang kian menyiksa
tentang rindu yang menggebu
tentang cinta yang tak terungkap

sudah terlalu lama kita berdiam
tenggelam dalam gelisah yang tak teredam
memenuhi mimpi-mimpimu malam kita

reff:
duhai cintaku, sayangku, lepaskanlah
perasaanmu, rindumu, seluruh cintamu
dan kini hanya ada aku dan dirimu
sesaat di keabadian

jika sang waktu bisa kita hentikan
dan segala mimpi-mimpi jadi kenyataan

www.rizkyonline.com
meleburkan semua batas
antara kau dan aku, kita

My Second Tanka

aki sugite
kawaranuwatashi
fuyuwa sugu
urayamashina...
kisestu no henka

autumn is going away
i am not changing much
winter is soon
i am full of envy
seasons can change

p/s: this is going for a tanka writing competition on NHK Radio under the theme- Fuyu (WINTER)

Sterilizing Canning Jars

dalam making jam or some call jelly, some use pectin but i did not.
these are some direction..very important ones when making jam:

Sterilizing canning jars: Wash the containers in hot, soapy water and rinse. Sterilize the jars by boiling them 10 minutes, then keep the jars in hot water until they are used. Keeping them hot will prevent the jars from breaking when filled with the hot product. NOTE: If unsterilized jars are used, the product should be processed for 10 minutes. However, since this additional 5 minutes of processing can result in a weak gel, it’s best to use sterilized jars.

Wash and rinse all canning lids and bands. Treat the lids as directed by the manufacturers. Lids can be used only once.

Processing: All jellied products must be processed in a boiling water bath to prevent mold growth. To process jellied products, pour the boiling product into a hot, sterilized canning jar, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rim, and close with a treated canning lid and screw band. Place on a rack in a canner filled with boiling water. The water should cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Cover the canner. Bring the water back to a boil and boil gently for 5 minutes. NOTE: If you are at an altitude of 1,000 feet or more, add 1 minute to the processing time for each 1,000 feet of altitude. Then remove the jars to a protected surface and cool away from drafts.

Storage: It is essential that jellied products, especially jelly, be allowed to sit undisturbed for 12 hours after they are made. Moving them could break the gel. After the jellied products have cooled for 12 hours, check the seal, remove the screw band, label and store in a cool, dry, dark place. The shorter the storage time, the better the product. Though most jellied products should keep for a least a year, their flavor and quality begin to decrease within a few months.

Persimmon Jam

lupa nak ambik gambar persimmon sebelum potong..

in your eyes

this is again dedicated to me.
tq i think.

MY FIRST TANKA - わたしの最初のたんか

じんせいで
ひとりでたって
こうさてん
みぎかひだりか
いつもまよって

in life
standing alone
junction
right?left?
always confusing

Haramaki はらまき

Its cold here in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.Some parts are even snowing.In the beginning of autumn or rather late summer,the stores started selling autumn's get-ready-go.

The hit this year is HARAMAKI. The Japanese believe that the belly ('hara') is the center of the human spirit and the source of 'ki' energy". Hence,Haramaki is something u wear across ur belly.It warms u, and not only your belly but also the whole body. Can be found in silk and some other wool like stretchables. my first haramaki was a silk one. and believe me, it did help me sleep that night and many nights till today.It does work as a tube too.They are worn in the West by bikers and snowboarders. In the East they are worn by some guys, a comfort to pregnant women (or for cramps) and by Tibetan grannies and grandpas as well. The idea is that if one warms the kidneys, the blood that circulates will be warmed.

When i checked with my friend Mr. Wiki, i got this for HARAMAKI-

' Haramaki was a component of the samurai class attire primarily during the Sengoku period (16th century) of Japan. Haramaki are belly protectors, generally made of silk, and lined with various materials. Haramaki contained chain mail or articulated plates of iron. When the haramaki is worn, it is to be put on from the front and then fastened behind with cords'

'Haramaki are considered to have many health benefits and practical reasons to be worn. Because they support and boost blood circulation in the midsection, they are used for relief from abdominal distress, digestive problems, light support for pregnant women's bellies, and menstrual cramps. Because they provide warmth to a central portion of the body and increase blood circulation, they boost temperature throughout the body and are therefore practical cold weather garments as they do not add too much bulk to an outfit and can be easily removed if the wearer becomes too warm'

Even undergarments brands like Triumph and Wing are selling them! trust me they are great.i am a big fan and never leaving home without them. i feel hugged all the time. (am i over acting here? hmm.. thats the difference between a nite and morning entry haahahha....)

p/s..and before anybody starts asking, NO! that is not my belly..:(

My Favourite Ambulante Cafe

yes, ambulance, hence ambulante cafe- the ambulante is a volkswagon wagon.
meaning, its mobile. so its a mobile coffee shop. the coffee taste great- freshly brewed and the owner (kinda cute) is currently looking for a shop. i had his coffee twice, both at the same location, during visiting a flea market next to the Tokyo International Forum.

the owner said to check his web always, so u will be informed where his shop will be.

p/s: i am making persimmon jam today. hope it turns out ok.

OOTOYA AND COLD STONE CREAMERY

that was what i had for dinner in Ootoya.There is a huge variety to choose from, and i chose the above.its the recommended menu at the moment (Osusume). its fried oyster with rice, grated cabbage n egg mayonaise. truly delicous and costed me 724yen.This is my first time and Ootoya is definately an eatery to return to!



After fried oyster, i had dessert. dah two weeks in a row makan dessert. very sinful lak tu...as the usual, being the kampung girl, i didn't know the existence of COLD STONE CREAMERY. Luckily my kawan2 bandar bagitau..heheh

If u watch the youtube clip closely, u will realize that the ice-cream is scooped, then placed on a flat area before other ingredients and mix-ins are added. that flat thingy is the COLD STONE. Customers choose their "creations" from an assortment of flavors and mix-ins, which the staff campur2 the order on a granite stone chilled to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Serving sizes range from the size of a tennis ball to the size of a softball and are called "Like It," "Love It," and "Gotta Have It." they also have a choice of freshly baked crispy waffles to go together with the ice-cream.

i wonder if COld Stone has a outlet in Malaysia.di Indonesia ada.they sing while they mix the ice cream..URUSAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII..heheh

More of TOkyo TOwer

nampak sama cam the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it has the height of 333m. i heard Tokyo TOwer dibina sebab nak balas dendam kat France, betul ke dak taktau. by the way, tokyo tower is 50 years this year.

It is the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world, the tallest artificial structure in Japan and is the 20th tallest tower in the world.This Eiffel Tower-like structure supports an antenna that broadcasts television and radio signals for important Japanese media outlets such as NHK, TBS and Fuji TV.

the Look Down Window is a must try!

TOKyo tower

My weekend dessert treat

sedap nak mampos. green tea ice-cream n dessert. definitely something to kill for. i had to line up for almost 30 minutes!the shop is called Tsujiri and originated from Kyoto. the shop in Tokyo is in Caretta Shidome, which is a walk away from Shimbashi Eki.

enjoy the BEFORE n AFTER photos!

Sejuk

Starting esok, the weather will be cold.
berita dari:
hibernating bear :)

Autumn 2008 Colours

HUSSAIN and ISRAEL

President elect Obama's middle name: HUSSAIN
White House new Chief of Staff Rahm Emanual's middle name: ISRAEL.

Middle East?

Looks like the Middle East won't been given a name.

Banana Craze

Chinese Proverb

"A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation."

best giler!

Lama...

salam..

lama tak melayari blog orang lain. these few weeks..i have actually been focusing on MYSELF.

happy belated bday pah.

adusss..

Found this:

' DON'T MAKE SOMEONE YOUR PRIORITY WHEN THEY MAKE YOU AN OPTION'

Ada sapa-sapa terasa pedas?

Consumer price index (CPI) rises 2.3% in Japan

Cheaper gas fails to offset growing energy and food costs as CPI jumps 12th straight month


Japan's key consumer price index in September rose 2.3 percent from a year earlier for the 12th straight month of increase on growing energy and food prices, although gasoline prices showed clear signs of slowing their rise, the government said Friday.

The core nationwide CPI, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, stood at 102.6 against the base of 100 for 2005, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a preliminary report.

The pace of growth in the core nationwide CPI shrank by 0.1 percentage point from August, marking the first such drop since March, excluding a temporary decline logged in April following the expiration of a provisionally raised gasoline tax.

Energy prices as a whole grew 14.7 percent. Under the energy category, natural gas prices were up 6.0 percent and electricity prices rose 5.1 percent.

Petroleum product prices increased 23.7 percent with propane gas up 11.3 percent and kerosene up 50.3 percent.

Although gasoline prices rose 20.7 percent, the pace of growth represented a relatively sharp drop, compared with the 26.4 percent rise logged in August, and prices looked likely to decrease further in the coming months, a ministry official said.

Economic and fiscal policy minister Kaoru Yosano said there would be "a considerable time lag" until consumers can actually feel the benefit of a recent decline in crude oil prices, but called the current CPI level "healthy."

"The reason why crude oil prices declined is because the age of feverish oil buying came to an end," Yosano said at a press conference. "The outlook for global demand for crude oil seems to be weakening a bit."

The ministry also said nonperishable food prices rose 4.2 percent. Prices for cheese climbed 38.0 percent, spaghetti rose 33.5 percent, instant noodles 22.0 percent, and wheat flour 20.0 percent.

Yasunari Ueno, chief market economist at Mizuho Securities Co., said it was clear that the core CPI rise has peaked at 2.4 percent, which was logged in July and August. He said he expects the index to fall on a year-on-year basis at some point during the latter half of fiscal 2009, which ends in March 2010, due to deflationary pressures caused by an economic slowdown and a stronger yen.

"Excluding external shocks like rises in energy and food prices, there was no real inflation that results from an increase in wages," Ueno said.

"Falls in crude oil and grain prices as well as a stronger yen and deterioration in economic conditions are starting to have an impact," he said.