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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3
Confrontation
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4
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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Kronos
I do not believe economy should be priority. First thing that needs to be done is to prove that there will be no health risk in living in Fukushima. If the radiation levels are harmful - considering the long-term effects as well - then what is the point of encouraging growth in a region which will harm its population?
First the people, then the economy.
Posted in: What is the best way to help rejuvenate the economy in Fukushima Prefecture, considering that many people are reluctant to buy produce from the area due to radiation fears?
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Kronos
I am not exactly sure what the comment is referring to. Normal subsidies or specific hand-outs?
Governments usually set base prices for agricultural produce so that if the farmers cannot sell their good in the market, government buys them. This is to support agriculture which is an extremely vital sector in every country although many people seem to forget it. Sometimes these "base" prices, which can be affected by political decisions, can be set too high so that it is better for the farmers to sell their goods directly to the government rather than in the market. Governments are usually (or should be) very active in price control in agriculture since this sector cannot be left to predatory pricing or extreme market fluctuations.
But the point is, this is not specific to Japan. There are many other countries in the world who follow the same practice.
Posted in: For two, almost three, generations Japanese agriculture has been essentially 'socialized,' that is, sucked into the maw of the bureaucratic, administrative state. Japanese farmers think and act like government employees, who expect—and receive—a guaranteed income from the state.
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Kronos
Cost-cutting measure for J-government. But I am not sure if it will work after encouraging psychiatric hospitalization for all these years.
The original article is below for those who want to read the details.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-13/releasing-70-000-japanese-psychiatric-patients-shows-noda-s-debt-challenge.html
Posted in: If hospitals force out 70,000 patients immediately, we must be ready for several thousand of them to be homeless on the street.
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Kronos
I am not concerned by the Chinese spending money in their military. I am sure Chinese are well aware that any kind of war would also be bad for China and not just for their "enemies".
Future lies in economic muscle and China's got a bundle. So stop worrying about the money China is spending on their military. Worry more about their their current economic strength and rest of the world's abysmal economic situation.
Article Unavailable
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Kronos
Yahoo should have accepted Microsoft's offer when they had the chance. The problem with Ali Baba did not help them as well. Shame but I do not see them getting on their feet anytime soon. Too many competitors out there.
Posted in: Can Yahoo's luster be restored?
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Kronos
According to this article in Bloomberg, Sony is counting on its contents to have an edge over their competitors. Let's wait and see.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-31/sony-to-sell-tablet-s-in-europe-from-end-september-for-479-euros.html
Posted in: Take two tablets
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Kronos
I am not sure what Sony is counting on to get a decent market share.
If they are thinking people will rush to their products just because they are "Sony", then I am afraid they are delusional. My father's generation maybe would but the curreny generation is aware that it does not have an edge over their competitors.
They may achieve some sales because Japan is their homeground but I highly doubt they can significantly dent their competitors' market shares.
Posted in: Take two tablets
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Kronos
@ cleo
You got the food expense spot on it seems.
Posted in: Japan's jobless rate climbs to 4.7% in July
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Kronos
If anyone wants details on the spending and incomes, they can refer here. It also says that the average monthly income per household is 572,662 JPY
http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kakei/156.htm
Posted in: Japan's jobless rate climbs to 4.7% in July
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Kronos
@lucabrasi
There was abuse then as well. Some racers were using that extra chance to put psychological pressure on their opponents. Ironically, this one-chance rule was put in place to eliminate that and protect people like Bolt.
I would not support a change in the rule. I think it is nice to see even the most professional athletes can make mistakes. I enjoyed the race even if Bolt was not there.
Posted in: Bolt is human; his sport's rules are not
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Kronos
Well, let's wait until the rice gets contaminated. Then we can see if Japanese think of a substitute or not..
Posted in: After the earthquake, there's been a prevalent feeling among people that you can make do with replacements... It doesn't have to be beef curry, it could be pork, or chicken, or the beef could come from another country. It's not quite the same with rice.
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Kronos
I have seen many people who talk about flexible work arrangements which mean leaving the office at 6 or 7 pm and then working from home. I'd like to keep work at workplace and when I am off, I am completely off. It is not a nice feeling that your house is also your workplace. You have one already. I am not exactly clear on what exactly the article mean by flexible work to be honest. Is it just for working mothers as they give in the example?
Posted in: Japanese companies trail global peers in use of flexible work practices
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Kronos
Cheesy
Posted in: American Express launches global Facebook program, ‘Friends of Japan’
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Kronos
If we are talking about the risk of a big earthquake, the back-up capital / facilities have to be outside the Kanto region. The Big E will not only hit Tokyo and stop at Chiba. You have to spread out the risk as much as possible.
Osaka seems the be most likely candidate considering their infrastructure but I think cities in Kyushu and Hokkaido should also be seriously considered.
Posted in: Japan to consider backup capital city for emergencies
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Kronos
Unfortunately there are still many J-women like that, especially those who grew up watching their mothers just being housewives and nothing else. Trend seems to change a bit in bigger cities but not as much as people would like to think.
Posted in: Honey, do you mind going back to work?
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Kronos
Default is the last option. Once you default, borrowing again becomes very very difficult.
Posted in: Strong yen spurs int'l travel, currency trading
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Kronos
The only criticism for S&P is why they waited this long to downgrade US. Economy is in tatters. Debt is sky high. Politicians are incompetent no different than the J-government. Actually US should have been downgraded further than just one notch.
Posted in: S&P officials defend U.S. credit downgrade
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Kronos
@sailwind: What is in the tax book and what is actually paid are two different things.
US corporates are not paying taxes. If I remember it correctly The Congressional Budget Office estimated that federal taxes would be about 15% of G.D.P. in 2011. So yeah, there are taxes "in theory" but corporates are not paying a dime thanks to their subsidiaries in tax havens or lower tax jurisdictions. Consequently giving more tax breaks or on the contrary raising more taxes will not have any effect on the current job situation in the US.
Posted in: U.S. credit rating cut for first time ever
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Kronos
He gets stoned and kills people in a crash. Then gets only a year.
US justice system sucks.
Posted in: Japanese driver in fatal U.S. bus crash gets less than a year in jail
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Kronos
Yes, they should. How else will they survive?
Posted in: The stronger yen poses the question as to whether or not Japanese companies should move production bases abroad.