J_rock said...

J_rock at 02:28 AM JST - 16th June

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…

Posted in Emperor, empress to participate in wreath-laying ceremony in Hawaii at 02:28 AM JST - 16th June
J_rock at 10:32 PM JST - 2nd June

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…

Posted in Few Japanese benefit from living their 'Shanghai dream' at 10:32 PM JST - 2nd June
J_rock at 01:24 AM JST - 6th May

JR isn't entirely "private". JR Hokkaido, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu and JR Freight are owned by Japan Railway Construction, transport and technology Agency which is affiliated with the (gasp) government. It's definitely time for high speed rail in the US. There are several corridors absolutely screaming for it. The Acela…

Posted in U.S. transportation secretary eager to test ride Japan's bullet train at 01:24 AM JST - 6th May
J_rock at 11:25 PM JST - 1st May

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…

Posted in Even if it works, U.S. shouldn't use torture at 11:25 PM JST - 1st May
J_rock at 03:25 AM JST - 28th April

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…

Posted in Why do Asian pop stars have a hard time succeeding in the U.S. market? at 03:25 AM JST - 28th April
J_rock at 03:00 AM JST - 28th April

Japan sure does love a good panic. At any rate it'll take everyone's mind off the economy and the train wreck that is domestic politics for the next few weeks.

Posted in Sales of masks jump 30% at Narita on swine flu fears at 03:00 AM JST - 28th April
J_rock at 11:31 PM JST - 6th April

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 at 11:31 PM JST - 6th April
J_rock at 01:31 AM JST - 21st March

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.…

Posted in More women enjoying a night out alone at 01:31 AM JST - 21st March
J_rock at 01:53 AM JST - 12th March

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…

Posted in Handcuffed man escapes police after molesting woman in Aichi at 01:53 AM JST - 12th March
J_rock at 01:27 AM JST - 6th March

The fact that Switzerland (followed by Austria and Germany) finished at the top of a survey carried out by the Swiss definitely calls the integrity of this entire exercise into question.

Having said that however, Japan does have a lot of things working against it with regards to attracting foreign…

Posted in Japan ranks bottom among rich nations in tourism competitiveness at 01:27 AM JST - 6th March