Birth, Death, and Shopping in Japan

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Prices for real estate are sky high in Tokyo, not just in life, but in death too. It’s not just expensive to die in Japan, it’s expensive to be born. At least there’s deals to be had for New Year’s shopping in Tokyo.

Also on the podcast, Russians, Indians, and Israelis have arrived in Mississippi. And they may no longer be going for Olympic gold in Australia.

Foreign investment in the US

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More Americans are looking for work than in 26 years. The dollar keeps getting weaker. Times are tough for many Americans. But for foreign companies looking to invest in the United States, America looks pretty attractive. Roughly five-and-a-half million Americans work for foreign companies operating in the U.S. States across the country are vigorously competing for their business. But there are pros and cons to foreign investment. What does a state get out of the bargain? The World’s Jason Margolis profiles one state: Mississippi. Download MP3

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• Jason’s previous stories from Mississippi

Mississippi export boom

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US exports took big hit during the recession. In the first three months of this year, exports were down in 49 states. Only Mississippi did well. At left, a ship filled with Mississippi products readies to leave the port of Pascagoula for an overseas destination. The World’s Jason Margolis explores this southern success story. Download MP3 (Photo: Jason Margolis)

• Jason’s story on how America’s wars are reported locally in Mississippi
• Global economy podcast

Reporting the war at home

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The news about Afghanistan and Iraq can feel like background noise, as listeners and readers become desensitized to the long, ongoing conflicts. How do local newspaper editors balance their duty to report on important issues vs. losing your attention, with stories day after day on the same topic? The World’s Jason Margolis visited Mississippi and asked editors at three local papers. Download MP3 (Photo: Jason Margolis)

• View pictures of the editors
• Starkville Daily News
• The Clarion Ledger
• Student Printz