JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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1
Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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2
U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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Confrontation
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California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
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5
Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi
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- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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Yojitani:
No, but I agree with michaelqtodd, who posted above:
In your response to Michaelqtodd you indicated that you did not know about the emails, so I will assume you have not read the links Michaelqtodd provided, yet these are the basis for my views and the questions I asked.
It is clear from that information that Chris was deliberately making Noriko miserable, and that he used that misery as a means to obtain the custody which was initially given to Noriko, when she threatened to leave America.
No, the children are not her property, but initially she had custody and Chris was permitted visitation. When Noriko complained about him bringing the new wife (Amy) around, the simple, decent and sensitive thing would have been for Chris to come and pick up the kids by himself. What activities he did with the kids was his business, but he should not be allowing his new wife around Noriko's residence. Noriko has no obligation to form a relationship with that woman.
Moreover, the new wife began to post on public Forums criticizing Noriko (before she left for Japan), and it is plain that she (with Chris) was going public with some kind of crusade to obtain custody of the children. In a small town, that is guaranteed to make Noriko even more miserable.
Your point is that the children do become part of a new family, but that new family should not be coming around to the residence of the ex-wife, unless there is a cordial relationship. I thought this was common sense, but maybe I'm old-fashioned.
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help
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Re-read my posts a few dozen times, and maybe you will see that I was specific. Bye now.
Posted in: Iran President Ahmadinejad proud of Holocaust denial
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kinniku:
Because I know how to read. It's obvious from the content and context of the article, including the quote I cited. However, if you disagree with me, feel free to ask President Ahmadinejad himself. lol.
Posted in: Iran President Ahmadinejad proud of Holocaust denial
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kinniku:
Why do you assume I am complaining? The news media presented this as Netanyahu having recently obtained important evidentiary documents:
I would have thought that any important evidence was already on display in some "holocaust" museum, or even perhaps available for viewing on the Internet. How surprising that the Israelis are still in the process of obtaining important documents.
Posted in: Netanyahu hits back at Iran Holocaust claims
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LFRGain,
No, I did not fail to notice that. However, I became intrigued by the distinction between English-teaching "industry" versus "education" sectors. My point was not that you were off-topic, but rather that veering into that area can reveal interesting things by contrast.
To the contrary, I think it is you who failed to notice the important connection that I was hinting at.
The English-teaching "industry" (represented by NOVA and other such organizations) is, generally speaking, backed by right-wing forces. The Yakuza essentially run many of these, and their connections with government (immigration) is obvious.
On the other hand, the "education" sector is well known for the left-wing influences.
This is what I was intending. Nothing to do with "boo-yah" as you call it.
Posted in: What is your impression of the English-teaching industry in Japan? Have things improved since Nova's collapse or are there still bad apples in the barrel?
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mnemosyne23: Thanks for your response to my wondering about the new wife's (Amy's) role in this. Frankly, I was shocked to know that Chris would bring her along on the visitations even though Noriko objected. And then reading Amy's posts in which she blabbered about how much she "loved" the children (whom she had only known for 1 year during such visitations), well, I thought she must be out of her mind. And yet I did hesitate because maybe this is some kind of American custom in divorce? But I cannot see why on earth Noriko should be forced to endure a relationship with the new wife, that includes the new wife considering Noriko's children as her own. So please you or anyone straigten me out on this.
No, I would prefer that she had nothing to do with them. Chris is the one who has visitation priveleges. If he had any sense, he would know that he should not involve his new wife in the interactions with Noriko's children.
I thought it would be common sense that the purpose of visitations is for Chris to be with his children -- NOT for him to attempt to make the children part of his new family. Only in the rare case where a divorced wife actually is friends with the new wife would this be appropriate.
Otherwise it is outrageous behavior, and extremely abusive. Looking at the local news Forum, I see that Chris began stirring up stuff even before Noriko left for Japan, with his new wife Amy contributing her public posts, going on and on about how she "loved" the children , etc. That disgusted me. Normally, such a person would have "respect" for those children -- it is clear that she and Chris were plotting all along to gain custody. Initially the court gave custody to Noriko, and after that they hatched their plots, and made life miserable for Noriko.
Noriko's mistake was to write in an email that she could not take it any longer, and wanted to return to Japan. That was used by Chris and Amy as evidence for them to gain custody of the children.
My main question is whether or not Noriko was then justified in complaining about Amy's role in the visitations, or if this is normal in American divorces.
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help
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It is time for Japan to reconsider the ban on ownership of firearms. Or possibly the guns could be leased at the ticket counter to female passengers. When they are groped, they simply pull out their gun and threaten to blow the man's head off if he touches them again. This has worked on urban tranport in America and there's no reason to think it would not work in Japan.
Posted in: What is the best way to deal with the groping problem on trains?
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michaelqtodd:
Very good links, thanks!
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=11171461
Reading that stuff, including the new wife (old flame) Amy who talks about Noriko's children as if they are hers... ugh!!!
And Chris tells his 8 year old son in Japan "get to an embassy". No wonder they did not want him on the phone after that.
I am beginning to think Noriko is lucky to have gotten rid of this creepy guy. But, hey, she married him. Was it worth $800,000?
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help
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Simon Foston:
Fair enough, I accept your criticism. I had assumed you were unaware of the NOVA/Yakuza connection since you asked me about something I see as obvious. Now I see that you are rather entertaining other possibilities as well.
They have long experience with this, it is their forte.
Saruhashi is the fall guy and the media plays along.
Yes, why take this risk? Clearly they felt an urgent need to intimidate him. It was a blunder because of the actions of Saruhashi's lawyer, but they must have known that risk, and still they felt the necessity to kidnap him.
Actually, one can better ask the same question in your scenario:
Why would they kidnap him and thus implicate themselves in his NOVA affairs if it was merely a matter of him owing them some money?
So it had to be something extraordinarily serious such as (for example) him knowing details of where to find some NOVA collapse scheme "fingerprints".
Anyway, thanks for your admonition and additional insights.
Posted in: What is your impression of the English-teaching industry in Japan? Have things improved since Nova's collapse or are there still bad apples in the barrel?
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LFRAgain:
The topic was "What is your impression of the English-teaching industry in Japan? Have things improved since Nova's collapse or are there still bad apples in the barrel?".
I'm curious if you consider the public school system as part of "the English-teaching industry". I had thought that only language conversation enterprises like NOVA constituted "the English-teaching industry"; that public schools would fall into the "education" category. Am I wrong to think so?
I've known some English teachers too, but only figuratively speaking, so I will take your word as authority.
Oh, come on. Not even a single one? Isn't it possible that someone did not mention it to you?
Or maybe they needed not to be instructed, as it is an unspoken rule?
Many schools, I should think. Consider yourself fortunate, though, to have been only a witness and not a participant. Were you observing schools for the Ministry of Education?
Posted in: What is your impression of the English-teaching industry in Japan? Have things improved since Nova's collapse or are there still bad apples in the barrel?
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Simon Foston:
There is nothing wrong with your analysis, except that you attribute the poor NOVA business behavior leading to bankruptcy as incompetence, whereas it was a planned Yakuza method of phasing out and closing down the school, while embezzling as much money out as possible in the process. They even took the pension fund.
The Yakuza-NOVA connection is well known. (And not just NOVA of course, other conversation chains as well.) The President of NOVA was convicted of embezzling money from the company.
Just recently Yakuza were arrested for kidnapping the President of NOVA (forcibly holding him in a hotel room). Did you think that a coincidence? If you did, then teaching English conversation might be a good career choice.
Posted in: What is your impression of the English-teaching industry in Japan? Have things improved since Nova's collapse or are there still bad apples in the barrel?
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From other news article:
Why is the new wife butting in like this? I read someplace else that Noriko was complaining that the new wife was coming along on Chris's visitations. Isn't that an extremely insensitive thing to do? Surely Noriko has no obligation to have a relationship with the new wife.
It appears that Chris was treating Noriko like some kind of used mistress-servant. But then again it was up to Noriko to assert herself, with the help of friends, counsellors or even the courts.
Neither of them seems to have made any effort at building communication and trust, so no wonder their marriage failed. And does Chris expect his new marriage to be much different? Hardly likely.
These people don't get any of my sympathy. They have made themselves a laughing stock, parading their selfishness out in the open like this. Yet of course tragically they are hurting their children, right before the eyes of the world. Divorce does not get much more pathetic than this.
Still, look on the bright side. Many JT readers have offered good insights and the case does raise interesting issues.
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help
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dammit
Why take sides when both of them are selfish fools? You now have written up some points for us to feel sorry for the woman, but she did get an $800,000 (with additional monthly payments) divorce settlement. If she gladly takes that money awarded to her by courts, then she also needs to abide by other court instructions. She could have made adjustments in other ways, with frequent trips to Japan or whatever.
Yet I'll agree the man seems to be a selfish manipulative creep. He seems to think that he has a right to control the woman's life even after the divorce, because of his financial contribution.
Neither of them deserve too much sympathy in my opinion. How embarrassing to show the whole world how stupid and selfish you are, and then expect people to sympathize. I'm glad I don't know these people and if I were friends with them, I would give them both the butt-kicking they deserve.
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help
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sabiwabi
Yes, I think the headline comes from this passage:
I assume he is primarily referring to the murderous regime of Israel. But it is a distortion to say he is "proud of his remarks" when what he clearly meant is that he is "proud of standing up to powerful enemies".
Most people are content to stay out of controversy and avoid questioning the prevailing propaganda and half-truths. Not only for this issue, but many others, 911, events in Palestine, etc. In this case, President Ahmadinejad's remarks can be taken as resistance of Israeli domination.
Posted in: Iran President Ahmadinejad proud of Holocaust denial
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michaelqtodd
Huh? After he did what? All he did was take his kids to the American consulate because he has been given full custody of them in an American court. He did not need the woman's permission. She is the one that violated court orders.
It is so easy to criticize like this, but if he did nothing, or if he relied on the Japanese system (same as doing nothing), then we could more truly say "He showed no consideration for his children's welfare".
I think the man has done nothing wrong at all. Sure I agree with all those saying that both of them are fools. But that is why the civil courts are there to arbitrate -- when people are too stupid and too selfish to work things out together.
Now, if these two are reading this thread, I hope they realize the general consensus is that they are both extremely self-centered and both have already caused harm to their own children. If they have any brains and half a heart, they would now get together by themselves and sort things out fairly and rationally. Maybe they could get some more good advice from JT readers along the way. lol.
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help
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How convenient, demand to know sources of information, and then unilaterally discredit those people with no regard to the veracity of the information.
How could they be credible, it is argued, when they have been jailed for violating "hate speech laws"? Never mind that these laws prohibit even the slightest questioning of "holocaust" details. It goes without saying that if someone persists with such questioning, then they will run afoul of the anti-free-speech laws.
The only thing discredited here is the pretention of the right to free speech in a democracy.
Posted in: Iran President Ahmadinejad proud of Holocaust denial
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If they don't drop dead first. The kid has likely cast a spell on them.
Posted in: Two teens arrested for throwing 8-year-old boy into sea
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The article does not state specifically what "documents" he was given. And, huh?, these very important documents he did not have until last month? Oh, come on.
Posted in: Netanyahu hits back at Iran Holocaust claims
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joetheplumber:
You are kidding, I hope.
NOVA "failed" because the controlling Yakuza decided to shut it down, putting in place methods of sucking out all the assets, deliberately bankrupting it.
Posted in: What is your impression of the English-teaching industry in Japan? Have things improved since Nova's collapse or are there still bad apples in the barrel?
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LFRAgain:
Not according to the article:
Imagine that.
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help