Maria's past comments

  • 0

    Maria

    She has a lovely smile.

    Posted in: Fujiwara receives Nikkei Social Initiative Award

  • 2

    Maria

    Also, they can't buy them as easily as they once could - TASPO cards specifically, and stricter laws and repercussions for shopkeepers generally, means they're just less available. Regardless,it's good news.

    Posted in: Survey suggests that more kids than ever in Japan think cigarettes stink

  • 3

    Maria

    time for the EU driven "human rights" nonsense to be scrapped so they can be deported (sadly it seems these two were born in the UK).

    Deported? Where to?? As you yourself say, they were British-born.

    You think the UK should set up its own Guantanamo?

    The last thing any civilised country should want to cut now is its human rights laws.

    Posted in: British newspapers demand jailing of Islamist preacher

  • 1

    Maria

    His suit is actually dark grey. It's just the radiation that's making it look a glowing yellow.

    Posted in: Safety upgrades at Hamaoka plant

  • 2

    Maria

    it’s more uncommon to see a cyclist NOT holding an umbrella aloft when it’s raining.

    Nice one. This made my brain hurt with stretching, but I got there in the end.

    Posted in: Happiness is an empty pavement

  • 7

    Maria

    “The record is not so important to me,” Miura told Reuters in April, before setting off for Everest. “It is important to get to the top.”

    It's more important to get back to the bottom.

    ...

    I know, I know, that's not very rah-rah of me. But the dangers are very real - to his companions as well as himself I hope they all get back down safely.

    Posted in: Miura becomes oldest person to reach Everest summit

  • -11

    Maria

    I wonder if drugs were involved. This kind of insane savagery would suggest so.

    Posted in: Anti-Islamist protests flare after British soldier butchered near London barracks

  • 9

    Maria

    A handy list for those who are new to Japan and feeling overwhelmed by the number of places to visit. - thank you.

    And if you're going to be in Okinawa, the Himeyuri Peace Museum is really worth a visit.

    Posted in: Places in Japan that made an impact on foreign visitors

  • 0

    Maria

    I wonder how big these cans are? Does one can contain 6 full-sized loaves? And is it that after you open the can, the contents keep for 6 months? or until you open the can?

    Not enough information.

    Posted in: Canned bread with flavors of 6 Tohoku prefectures

  • 0

    Maria

    An interesting article, with some good comments following it.

    I am (contractually speaking) an ALT, but have never been on the JET program, so don't know too much about it. As a result, what I write may be moot.

    Still, some off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts with my morning coffees:

    I agree that the high turnover and the youth of the ALTs is a major drawback. This is where each school / BofE should have a standard syllabus, or selection of syllabi for each school to choose from.

    It staggers the mind that JTEs see the ALT as a hindrance, but I get it. For any teacher having to partner up with an ALT, they mostly see it as extra workload, not an opportunity. Most teachers' regular workload is maxed out without adding to it by making them babysit a foreigner.

    Then, as the author says, the JTEs don't always know how to use the ALTs. Some kind of afternoon introductory course or workshop, organised by the BofE, would be one idea, before the start of the school year. Some JTEs are probably very keen to use the ALTs, and just need some practical ideas. But chances are good, this would happen in the form of a tedious lecture...

    Finally, the humiliation aspect - a lot of JTEs are insecure about their language abilities, and fear the ALT will show them up. I am sure there have been tactless corrections and confrontations in the classroom between a well-meaning ALT and a stressed-out JTE...

    The author suggests training-up the JTEs in their language abilities. However, in reality, this is each teacher's responsibility isn't it, to keep up with language changes and maintain their fluency? There are plenty of workshops nationally for this. Teachers in rural areas should start up their own, even in cooperation with the ALTs.

    But again, that requires time and effort and energy, which most JTEs have in short supply.

    Posted in: Strengthening the JET Program

  • 6

    Maria

    The government and charity groups should be made to account for all the money donated nationally and internationally. All that money should go towards cleaning up, rebuilding, and supporting the areas hit. Anything else is fraud.

    Posted in: Hundreds of Miyagi residents seek equal compensation as Fukushima

  • 3

    Maria

    A good article, thank you.

    I do feel bad when I take a cab a short distance, especially when the driver's at a rank. I always make sure to apologise. And I always say to keep the change too, if it's small coin. They are always taken-aback and a bit pleased.

    Posted in: The secret slang of Japanese cabbies

  • 1

    Maria

    The more Hashimoto yammers on like a fool, the less likely he is to get (re)elected to any meaningful position of power, I hope. Let him tweet.

    Posted in: Ishihara advises Hashimoto to stop tweeting

  • 9

    Maria

    the copyrighter at Dentsu’s Kansai branch office seemed strangely pleased. “I’m glad that the poster is so popular that people wish to take it, but if they want it that badly, I’d really rather they order one from us.”

    Who do I call?

    Posted in: Posters of fundoshi-clad man disappearing from Osaka

  • 2

    Maria

    Well done, certainly a step in the right direction, and I hope all other cities follow his lead. However-

    Hayashi said there is still a shortage of staff for the centers and the city is hoping to lure more personnel to work in the centers.

    Does this mean there isn't enough staff to take care of the kids at the centers as we speak? That would worry me.

    Posted in: Yokohama says it has no children on daycare center waiting list

  • 2

    Maria

    Miike movies can be very good, and very memorable. I thought "The Katakuri Family" (I forget the complete title) was fabulous - hilarious and just hugely imaginative and innovative.

    "Audition" is memorable for different reasons, but once you watch it you'll never forget it.

    That said, I haven't watched one of his films in an age, and some bastud stole my box-set of his DVDs, but I wouldn't let these poor reviews get in the way of watching this one.

    Different horses for different courses, after all.

    Posted in: Miike's action film gets booed at Cannes

  • 0

    Maria

    Update: I finished this book the other day. A very good read, really. I live in Nagoya, and I wonder where the Palace was located?

    So, I would recommend this book.

    Posted in: Gangsters, Geishas, Monks & Me: A conversation with author Gordon Hutchison

  • 1

    Maria

    I dislike the focus and tone of this article.

    It's not important what is on the menu, and it's not in the least bit funny that a young man prefers to be in prison than outside, because he's so hungry. Too many people are 2 or 3 paychecks away from homelessness, and once you're homeless and alone, you're lost.

    The answer is not to "serve them cold mush" - what a heartless comment! - the answer is to help and support people who have often been failed by society, and get them back on their feet.

    Posted in: Hungry for justice (and jail bento), Kobe thief turns himself in

  • 1

    Maria

    @megosaa: そして父になる (Soshite chichi ni naru) is the Japanese title. Outside of Japan there will of course be subtitles, but not, of course, in Japan.

    Posted in: Koreeda's switched-at-birth film moves Cannes audience

  • 5

    Maria

    Scathing much?

    Whoever wrote this needed a few more coffees and a stroll in the fresh air before editing it. And probably a hug, too. I'm pretty sure this will be happily shared by pairs and groups of high-metabolic teens who like to sit in McD's for hours on end.

    Don't be such a middle-aged grouch, RocketNews24Man!

    Posted in: Mega Potato to go back on sale at McDonald's Japan

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