"Ryan Ginstrom" <ryan@ginstrom.com> wrote in message 
news:cs50m6$u6s$1@nnrp.gol.com...
> One form of investment she thinks is worth it is land, and despite the 
> crash
> in land values in the 90s, enough fellow Japanese seem to share her 
> opinion
> that she is probably right.
>

You mean undeveloped land? I never understood the appeal, it is simple 
speculation with little or no other return than basic appreciation or lack 
of appreciation in its value. And there is little that you can control or 
influence to change its value. Developing land is a full-time job, so 
usually not an option for a part-time investor. How about investment in 
small apartment houses, renting to residential or commercial tenants? This 
is more fun, esp. if you are good at fixing things,  and can produce a good 
return even if the underlying value of the land and property do not increase 
(and you still get some investment in land, although it will be smaller).

-Marc