INTRODUCTIONBargain Basement Books has done well with the many bookstores it owns and operates throughout the Midwest. The incredible discounted prices have been a big attraction for many consumers. Bargain Basement Books has struggled to keep up with demand for low-priced best-selling novels and children's books. Panama, Japan and Finland have shown interest in the bookstore chain. Profitability projections are taken into consideration when evaluating the possibility of a new location. Background Increasing sales and demand pushed Bargain Basement Books to look for options on how to meet customer needs. Bargain Basement Books is considering expanding its business by opening one or more additional locations in one of the following international cities: Panama City, Panama; Tokyo, Japan; or Helsinki, Finland. Mission Statement The purpose of this report is to analyze and evaluate the pros and cons of expansion in each of the locations selected by the Expansion Committee. The report will determine which location will provide the best expansion opportunities for Bargain Basement Books by researching the internal structure of each of the three cities. Scope This report will focus on the financial and political aspects, as well as social considerations, of Panama City, Panama; Tokyo, Japan; and Helsinki, Finland. Topics will include economic conditions, taxes, political stability and culture. A comparison was conducted between Panama City, Tokyo and Helsinki to determine which city would be the best location to open a new Bargain Basement Books. ANALYSIS An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the three cities' economy, stability, taxation and culture the cities are... middle of paper... – 0.3%; City of Tokyo - Commercial premises tax (on floor space), 0.3%; Paid by the employer - Family allowance contribution, 0.2%; National - Stamp duty (on land purchase and sale contracts and building expansion contracts), 0.1%; Registration and license tax, 0.4%; Tokyo Metro - Car tax, 67,100 yen; Domestic: Automobile tonnage tax, 43,200 yen; Interest tax, 20%; Value Added Tax (VAT), 5%; Fuel tax, 34,140 yen per kiloliter (Doing Business).Culture: Tokyo has a unique culture that is reflected in its traditional arts. The city is at the center of a large number of celebrations, rituals, festivals and observances. Japanese people may seem hostile and reserved by American standards, but that's because anything non-Japanese is not embraced with enthusiasm. The Japanese version of the handshake involves bowing, and it is considered rude not to bow back.