In an interesting discovery while digging into Asia’s varied architectural styles, i found amazing similarities between Kerala’s (South Indian State) traditional Nalukettu houses and traditional Japanese temples. Its a strange fact, endorsed by several architects in the region who have compared the layout, usage of space and shape of the houses and temples, but it is believed that the Nalukettu houses are influenced by the Japanese, history of how they were influenced however remains ambiguous.

The Nalukettu houses is quadrangular building constructed within a large compound usually the center of family life. Originally the abode of the wealthy Brahmin and Nair families, this style of architecture has today become a status symbol among the well to do in Kerala. The four wings surrounding the quadrangle courtyard follow the tenants of Vastu Shastra - specifically placed rooms to house a large joint family and their guests. Created using wood and tiles, the interior of the house is decorated with antiques made from teak, sandalwood, mahogany. However it is the traditional exterior of carved and slotted wood and has a close resemblance to East Asian gabled and thatched structures.

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American auto sales plunged 37 percent in November, the worst in 26 years. European new-passenger-car sales slumped 26 percent in November and now its Asia’s turn. While auto sales have crashed in most Asian countries Japan has taken the hardest hit.

Optimistic forecasts say Japan’s car sales next year could fall to the lowest in 31 years. Sales of trucks, buses, cars and mini cars, may fall 4.9 percent to 4.86 million vehicles in 2009 from estimated 5.11 million in 2008, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association told Bloomberg. The tally would be the lowest since 1978 when automakers sold 4.68 million units.

Toyota, Japan’s top automaker that makes the Camry sedan and Prius hybrid, has already slashed its profit forecast for the fiscal year through March to US$5.9 billion, or about a third of its previous year’s earnings. Expectations are rife another downward revision is coming. Honda Japan’s second-largest automaker, cut its annual profit outlook 62 percent.

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A recent research report voted Tokyo, as the best place to buy real estate next year and Ho Chi Minh City as the best market for office, retail and apartment residential property. Singapore and Hong kong followed Tokyo while Mumbai, Shanghai and Bangalore followed Vietnam’s former capital city. The survey Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific was released by the Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

With property values tumbling worldwide, the report found Tokyo to be least risky due to its comparatively stronger economy, high liquidity levels and quality structures. Among the 180 executives surveyed, 40 percent recommended “hold” for properties in Tokyo, 32 percent suggested “buy” and the rest said “sell” for real estate in the city, Bloomberg reported. As Tokyo rose in the ranking’s Shanghai fell from being the best place to invest in real estate to the fifth slot.

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Two days before Taro Aso an outspoken conservative who has advocated a return to old-style government spending to stimulate Japan’s economy, was nominated to power, Nomura Holdings, Japan’s largest brokerage, reached a deal to buy the Asian operations of Lehman Brothers.

The Japanese bank announced it would pay US$225 million for Lehman’s equities and investment banking operations across Asia, which includes Japan and Australia. In bailing Lehman’s out, Nomura told the AFP it would offer employment to all 3,000 Lehman Brothers’ workers in Asia.

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