JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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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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J_rock
Japan has proven that they're not quite ready yet for these types of large international events. I remember during the World Cup in '02, some politician warned that Japan should brace for a surge in the number of unwanted babies caused by "foreigners who come here and rape our women". There were the usual stories of ryokans that wouldn't admit foreigners during the Nagano games, and the entire city of Osaka nearly shut down during the England v. Nigeria match during the same World Cup for fear of the "fooligans". Although, I don't like it, Japan is allowed to be as xenophobic as it wants. However, that should preclude the Empire from hosting events such as the Olympics. Why don't they understand that if they invite the rest of the world, that they might actually show up? And that's the last thing most Japanese people actually want.
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J_rock
Wow. Vive la France!
Posted in: Chanel No. 2
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J_rock
I'm not sure if it's possible for Japanese politics to become any more depressing. Good luck Japan, you're going to need it.
Posted in: Ozawa's comeback as DPJ secretary-general worries some
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J_rock
I've been to Fuji Rock 5 times and it's easily one of the best music festivals on the planet. I'd love to be there right now.
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J_rock
Good one Sarge. A Republican party in full-meltdown mode is certainly a better choice than the Social - oops, I mean Democrats. Get a clue.
The LDP certainly deserve to be thrown out on their butts, but there is also the fact that the DPJ is wholly unfit to govern. They have essentially become a party of permanent opposition. They're the Washington Generals to the LDP's Globetrotters. I'm not sure that things would improve at all if they were in charge. What bold policy initiatives have they announced? What is their vision for Japan? How do they plan to steer the country through the recession? They simply don't have any answers either. As cynical as it sounds, this election is pretty much a lose-lose scenario.
Posted in: Only a miracle can save LDP now
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J_rock
That's ridiculous. Has anyone isolated the "straight gene" yet? Homosexual behaviour can be observed in several species in the animal kingdom and studies of twins reared apart reveal correlations which suggest very strongly that there is a significant genetic component. Why would anyone choose something that would make them a target for hate, violence and discrimination? Did you "choose" to be straight? Because I didn't. And if I lived in a society which said that heterosexuality was wrong, there wouldn't be anything I could do about my "condition".
Posted in: US church creates stir with gay exorcism video
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J_rock
I've had my best experiences on Singapore, Malaysia and Cathay. Northwest is hands down the worst. Back when I used to fly regularly between Japan and Canada, I would avoid Northworst like the plague despite the fact that the fares were often significantly cheaper than other airlines.
Posted in: In your experience, which airline has the best flight attendants and which one has the worst?
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J_rock
Aren't "preemptive" attacks okay now? I thought the previous US administration retroactively legitimized the attack on Pearl Harbor through their own offensive against another country with whom no war had yet been declared? Or does it only count when it happens to America? Who will represent the US during its wreath-laying ceremony in Baghdad?
Posted in: Emperor, empress to participate in wreath-laying ceremony in Hawaii
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J_rock
Japan makes no allowance for those who dare to leave the hive. Japanese children who go to school overseas while their parents are stationed abroad have a notoriously hard time reintegrating. A Japanese friend once told me that her school had a special section for these kids because there were so many of them due to the fact that she lived in an area with a large number of Toyota employeees. In her words, they had to "be taught how to be Japanese". Same with anyone who works for a foreign company abroad. They're inevitably viewed with suspicion. I recently returned home after 7 years in Japan, and was able to land a good job in my field. While I was interviewing for positions, my overseas experience was generally viewed as a positive by various hiring managers. One of them even kept me 30 minutes after the interview just to chat about it. In my new position, they've already made use of my experience with Japanese business culture since the company is considering partnerships over there in the future. It needn't be viewed as a bad thing.
Posted in: Few Japanese benefit from living their 'Shanghai dream'
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J_rock
This is a ridiculous debate. It was considered torture when done to Americans in WWII and all of a sudden it's okay? If the democratic nations of the developed west cede the moral high ground to those that seek to do it harm, then it renders all of the lofty talk of "democracy" and "civility" null and void, and plays into the hands of the propagandists on the other side. I also find it amusing that Sean Hannity and all of the other conservative blowhards are trying to characterize waterboarding as nothing more than just a "little water in the face". And yet, Senator McCain, a man who has actually been tortured is dead set against it. I thought that the era of the chicken hawk conservatives had passed with the election last November. Apparently not yet.
Posted in: Even if it works, U.S. shouldn't use torture
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J_rock
The Western pop market is already saturated with pre-fabricated no talents, so what would be the point in importing more? There are also cultural factors at work. While Western popular culture is certainly very (overly?) sexualized, it's generally based around a more "mature" sexuality, and by that I mean it's not typically sexed up 15 year-olds or 25 year-old "women" trying to look 15. While "ero-kawaii" works in Japan, it's just creepy in some other places.
There are a lot of great Japanese bands who acquire small, but dedicated followings all over the world. The Zoobombs, Mono, Supercar (rip), the 5-6-7-8s, Cibo Matto, Shonen Knife, The Boredoms, Buffalo Daughter, Cornelius, not to mention DJs like Towa Tei, and Satoshi Tomiie who is easily one of the biggest DJs on the planet.
It's no big loss that the vapid, high-pitched J-pop stars don't cross over, but a lot of good Japanese music is getting through. A lot of the western bands I like don't ever achieve a great deal of commercial success either - but that shouldn't ever be the (sole) measure of an artist or group. If making good music that people really care about is used as the measuring stick, then a lot of J-bands and artists are already quite successful.
Posted in: Why do Asian pop stars have a hard time succeeding in the U.S. market?
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J_rock
What does 0.3g of pot even look like? That sounds like the crumbs people used to sweep off the coffee table after a party in college. It would appear as though the perspective fairy skipped Japan on her last trip.
Posted in: Masatoshi Nakamura sheds tears over son's drug arrest
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J_rock
I don't think that enjoying time alone with yourself necessarily makes people "weird" or "socially immature" or whatever else some posters are saying. If someone ALWAYS wants to be alone, or can't be with other people, then there might be a problem, but every once-in-a-while could even be considered healthy. I love spending time with my girlfriend, friends and even my crazy family, but I've been traveling on my own before, for decent periods of time, and I absolutely loved it. Back when I used to live by myself, I loved nothing better than going home after work to read in peace or to turn up the stereo and play along on my guitar. I've even been out to clubs by myself before, and while you may run into someone you know, or meet a stranger, it's not necessary to still have a good time.
Posted in: More women enjoying a night out alone
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J_rock
While Japan is in many ways significantly safer than other industrialized countries, the idea of "Safety Japan" is a complete and total myth. Unfortunately, it is one that is embraced by both the locals and foreigners alike, and is rarely challenged. A LOT of crimes, especially those of a sexual nature against women, go unreported. Ask any of your Japanese female friends whether they have ever been touched, or flashed or harassed by either a stranger or someone they know. The chances are that they have, and that they did nothing about it. That's called assault in a lot of other places. In Japan, that's simply known as taking the train to school. There is also an allowance for a lot of other things which would be prosecuted in other countries. The Yakuza are allowed to operate freely in cities and towns all over Japan, and not only do the police know where their headquarters are, but they also have membership lists. Child pornography, human trafficking, prostitution and gambling all occur pretty much in the open, with the tacit approval of the authorities.
I spent a long time in Japan, and while I always felt safe there, I know people who were swarmed on the street for no reason, robbed, beat up and groped. A man even got shot at a train station near my old apartment in Nagoya (I don't think he died though). Bad things DO happen in Japan, and the police need to be better equipped to handle them when they do.
Stories like this one, or the one from a few years ago when police in Tokyo were caught on tape running away from a suspect, or the very famous naked Spanish man are good for a laugh while I peruse the Japanese papers each morning. But when you think about the fact that these are the people responsible for ensuring the safety of the population, it becomes a lot less funny. And in cases like the Ichihashi debacle, when he escaped the police, BAREFOOT - it becomes downright tragic.
I also know from just speaking to Japanese friends that the police are not held in particularly high esteem. Much like the political classes in Japan, they are simply another institution whose ineptitude is merely accepted as most people feel that it's simply the way it is and feel powerless to do anything about it. When the tape of the J-Cops in Tokyo running from that speed freak a few years back was being played all over the world, more than a few people I know expressed both embarrassment and resignation.
Posted in: Handcuffed man escapes police after molesting woman in Aichi
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J_rock
Not to sound cynical, but bullying in Japan will NEVER cease. It's an important and "necessary" part of the socialization process. In a country that still places such a high value on conformity, both the victims and those who observe it are "taught" about what happens to anyone who dares (or just happens) to be different in any way. That's why nothing is ever done about it by teachers or administrators, and why in some cases it even receives tacit (and occasionally overt) support from those who should be protecting students from this type of abuse.
I used to date a very beautiful young woman who took a lot of heat for being "too tall" when she was in school. I told that where I was from, we called tall, pretty girls, models. In Japan, it was just something to set her apart from her peers. It's absolutely ridiculous.
Posted in: Mie high school student commits suicide, leaving names of seven classmates in note
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J_rock
Ichiro is just like Vince Carter in the NBA. An incredibly gifted athlete who will never lead a team anywhere, because he's just too selfish. True stars make those around them better, will carry a team on their backs when necessary, and on some nights win games that they shouldn't through sheer force of will. These two clowns are obsessed with their own stats and fat contracts.
Posted in: Mariners seek to end infighting over Ichiro
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J_rock
We got you, J_rock.
Yeah, because cosmetics companies, especially Japanese ones, hire spokesmodels only for their personalities. And since most "tarento" don't actually have any discernable talents, they are mostly famous for the fact that they are supposedly "kawaii". At least your screen name is accurate.
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J_rock
I've always wondered, why in a country with so many beautiful women just walking down the street, are Japanese celebrities so consistently underwhelming? You could throw a rock in Omotesando and hit 5 much more attractive women. Maybe not Shinohara, but that's a terrible picture of her.
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J_rock
What a load of bitter, misogynistic garbage. It does a great disservice to millions of women, and doesn't reflect all that well on yourself either.
Posted in: Ai Iijima's last days shrouded in mystery
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J_rock
It's certainly not "harmless", no psychoactive substance is. Especially one that is primarily smoked. Having said that, I don't think that it deserves the stigma that it has, and from experience I can confidently state that it is safer than a lot of other legal drugs which are socially acceptable. Hopefully one day, all the hysteria will die down, and the laws will change to reflect its relatively benign nature.
Posted in: Is smoking pot harmless?