JeffLee said...

JeffLee at 08:18 AM JST - 6th July

Typical Japanese-style "journalism." How about getting a quote from Amazon? Let's hear its side of the story too. The reporter couldn't bother with a single phone call to their office?

Instead, we're treated to the government's version of events via some mysterious "sources." Kyodo often acts more like a gov't…

Posted in Japan orders Amazon.com unit in Seattle to pay Y14 bil in back taxes at 08:18 AM JST - 6th July
JeffLee at 07:10 AM JST - 5th July

Tokyo is ideal for cycling - density, mild climate, flat topography. The problem, alas, is the human factor. Bike lanes and other iniatives are utterly lacking. Indeed, municipal authorities have been cracking down on cyclists, thru stricter parking enforcement etc.

After the Kyoto Protocol, Japan trumpeted istself as a CO2-reduction…

Posted in Tokyo residents pedaling to work in increasing numbers at 07:10 AM JST - 5th July
JeffLee at 08:40 AM JST - 4th July

...most of these cultural assets were demolished

How does one demolish a "patch of ground"?

Posted in Okinawa island overcomes runway expansion dispute, finds hot spring at 08:40 AM JST - 4th July
JeffLee at 08:36 AM JST - 4th July

A "grainy" hunt? What does that mean?

Posted in Horikita's hunt for ideal man still grainy at 08:36 AM JST - 4th July
JeffLee at 02:57 PM JST - 3rd July

with 160 rooms, shouldn't it have more facilities than just a restaurant, lounge and meeting rooms? How about a spa, swimming pool, fitness center, etc?

Posted in Accor to operate new Mercure Hotel in Yokosuka at 02:57 PM JST - 3rd July
JeffLee at 08:15 AM JST - 3rd July

upnorth - and Japanese trains run on "pixie dust"? no they run on electricty generated by nukes. And given the gruesome deaths at Tokai-mura and the string of technical and administrative problems that have consistently plagued Japan's nuke plants over the years, I wouldn't be so complacent.

Future cars, meanwhile,…

Posted in JR Tokai chief urges U.S. to introduce Japan's N700 bullet rail system at 08:15 AM JST - 3rd July
JeffLee at 10:20 PM JST - 2nd July

Budget domestic airlines are out of the question. They would undercut the Shinkansen, a national prestige project that taxpayers have already poured a trillion yen or so into and has long been a favorite porkbarrel scheme of LDP party.

Posted in What to do with all the regional airports at 10:20 PM JST - 2nd July
JeffLee at 05:49 PM JST - 2nd July

Griff, US rail system is committed to carrying freight, not passengers. That doesn't make it inferior.

The shift away from passengers occured due to rising affluence, which has allowed more Americans to own their own cars. The shinkasen, meanwhile, has helped bankrupt Japan, whose national debt now stands at 190%…

Posted in JR Tokai chief urges U.S. to introduce Japan's N700 bullet rail system at 05:49 PM JST - 2nd July
JeffLee at 08:08 AM JST - 2nd July

(America) can't afford it

Japan can't afford it either. Japan's national debt at 194% of GDP is the world's highest, and the shinkasen system developed under a public-sector corporation.

Posted in JR Tokai chief urges U.S. to introduce Japan's N700 bullet rail system at 08:08 AM JST - 2nd July
JeffLee at 10:15 PM JST - 1st July

Um, for the States at least, trains are not a big part of the transportation infrastructure.

Yes they are. America's vast network is a major carrier of freight.

Posted in Japanese-built train makes debut on British rail lines at 10:15 PM JST - 1st July