I had mixed feelings about the article "Retailers preparing low-priced clothing to boost sales" (Nov. 7 issue). Kinyo City was once famous for its textile industry. Since then, the number of factories in the area has decreased significantly because of outsourcing of manufactured products and the influx of low-priced products from China.

While I enjoy buying reasonably priced Chinese products, I prefer to buy items that are made here. Generally, Japanese products last longer and are of better quality. I have had some bitter experiences with off-brand foreign products. Since then, I have tried to choose domestic products as often as possible. I hope more Japanese will buy domestic and local products more frequently. I'll continue to support the local economy and Japanese craftsmanship by purchasing domestically made products.

I really enjoyed reading the article "East Timor lures tourists with historic sites" (Nov. 14 issue) because I became familiar with that country after sipping coffee made from beans grown there. Thankfully, after long, drawn out struggles against Indonesia, East Timor has recently become a relatively stable and peaceful country.

I envision East Timor as a leading model of environmentally friendly tourism. To continue to improve the tourist industry, establishing improved infrastructure such as the airport, roads and accommodation is necessary in East Timor. Historic sites and natural beauty also should be protected. Preserving pristine nature and promoting beneficial economic activities likely will be harder than previously believed, but I hope it is possible.

Sometimes developing countries like East Timor need monetary aid and I am interested in hearing more about what happens in East Timor by reading the Weekly. I'm looking forward to reading more good news over coffee.

I enjoyed reading the article "Budget inns start going upmarket to lure guests" in the Nov. 14 issue. I was able to relate to the article. As a company employee who was recently ordered to reduce my business trip expenses, I am glad to be able to go to business hotels that provide good added services at lowered prices. In my experience, there are many such hotels that provide a variety of these kinds of services. Often, one can find a hotel that has a free breakfast or free Internet connection. Some hotels even allow you to choose your own comfortable pillow! Others give you a choice of different sizes of bathtubs.

However, if hotel patrons continue to demand more and more discounts, it will be impossible to escape the deflation spiral that is sure to follow. Perhaps instead of demanding so many discounts at hotels, we should be more considerate about the people who work in the hotel industry. If we continue to get more and more discounts, deflation may affect the salaries and working conditions of people in the hotel and leisure industry. Because of this, I have great concern for individuals working in the hotel business when I see Japan's unemployment rate rising.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 5, 2009
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