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
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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
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Mayuki
I will bet anybody my next paycheck that this unfortunate event will become increasingly common in England in the next two decades. The multicultural experiment is beginning to go very, very wrong in the UK.
Posted in: UK anti-Islamic extremism protest turns violent
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Mayuki
Shocking how many people think Malaysia is a free country.
All Malaysians carry ID cards which state their religion. Muslims who wish to change religion are required to seek the permission of the Shariah courts, which, surprise, surprise, are not in favour of apostasy.
Ever heard of Lina Joy?
Posted in: Malaysia bars Muslims from Black Eyed Peas concert
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Mayuki
FINALLY!! I'd given up ever thinking that this would at least be mentioned in an article on Shariah in Malaysia. Moderate it most definitely ain't.
Posted in: Moderate Malaysia's image bruised over beer caning
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Mayuki
The deference Thais show (in public at least) to their monarchy is quite something to see. I think they'll find it harder to stay on the right side of the lese majeste law once the current Crown Prince takes the throne. His reputation isn't nearly as untarnished as his father's. Wondering if this comment will be posted now actually!
Posted in: Thai woman gets prison term for insulting monarchy
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Mayuki
Interesting contrast between Britain and France with regard to the use of public pools by people of differing religious beliefs: non-Muslims are requested to comply with Islamic dress requirements during segregated sessions for men and women.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6034706/Swimmers-are-told-to-wear-burkinis.html
Posted in: French pool bars Muslim woman for 'burquini' suit
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Mayuki
@Sushisake3:
How can you "very importantly, build up trust and respect", with people who believe this: "it is natural for a Muslim country to deem any conversion out of Islam as an act borne out of active conversion by non-Muslims, not an actual rational decision by the person"?
How can you respect a mindset that maintains that an accident of birth precludes rational decision-making?
Posted in: Malaysia arrests 9 Christians for trying to convert Muslims
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Mayuki
Ironic to hear this from someone called medievaltimes!
Posted in: Malaysia arrests 9 Christians for trying to convert Muslims
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Mayuki
And PS: for the criminal law to get involved in matters of conscience and faith is totalitarianism at its worst.
Posted in: Malaysia arrests 9 Christians for trying to convert Muslims
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Mayuki
@yuudair:
I cannot believe this statement has gone unchallenged. It is this ideology that makes Islam so dangerous. How can a circumstance of birth (you said it yourself yuudair ("I could not choose my nationality/citizenship & must abide by the laws of my country")) possibly be used as grounds for stating that a person cannot make a "rational decision"? By virtue of being born a Malaysian Muslim, a person cannot make up his or her own mind about matters essential to how he or she will live? It is nonsensical. Faith cannot be forced. It is a conscious act.
All religions believe they are the truth and the true religion. That doesn't give any of them the right to prevent people from making up their own minds.
Posted in: Malaysia arrests 9 Christians for trying to convert Muslims
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Mayuki
Japanese men complaining about "slovenly behaviour"? Haha! That's a good one! The same Japanese men who urinate and spit in the streets? The same Japanese men who vomit on the train platform after a beer or two? The same Japanese men whose table manners are so revolting I dread having to sit next to them in the cafeteria? Spare me!
Posted in: Older men up in arms over slovenly female behavior
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Mayuki
I agree with GJDailleult. Afghanistan is unconquerable. It is lawless and largely ungovernable. It is a tribal area, not a nation-state. It should be left alone to its fate, not propped up with aid and foreign soldiers' lives. The best possible way to defend against Al-Qaeda or the Taliban is to protect national borders and maintain a stringent immigration policy. And I mean really, really stringent. Britain is an island - protecting its borders should be easier for Britons than for other countries. Unfortunately the immigration policy pursued in Britain over the past 30 years, and the last 10 years in particular, means that there are now potential jihadis aplenty already in the door.
Posted in: British PM defends Afghan mission
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Mayuki
Sounds reckless to me. Pity he had to take four others with him.
Posted in: Attempt to beat train in Michigan ends 5 young lives
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Mayuki
What utter nonsense to compare gay sex to murder.
Murder is not a consensual act. An adult choosing to have sex with another adult is a consensual act.
If you want to argue the morality of gay sex you're going to have to do better than rubbish like that.
Posted in: Court decriminalizes gay sex in Indian capital
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Mayuki
Merci, Monsieur Sarkozy. Vive la France!
Posted in: Sarkozy says burqas are 'not welcome' in France
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Mayuki
@Sarge:
It's too late for prayers Sarge!
Posted in: What did you think of U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world?
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Mayuki
@DXXJP:
Firstly, I never said that Christians were not allowed into Saudi Arabia. That statement is not contained in my earlier post, so I have no idea why you felt the need to make that point.
Secondly, to pick up on your sentence: in "some" "compounds" church services are held. Again, I never disputed that. The fact remains however, that the services are on "compounds", separated from the rest of Saudi society, and even then, are only on "some" of them. Your words, not mine. Western Muslims do not have to attend services on "compounds".
Again, I never said that the UAE did not have churches, but whatever. Christmas lights and Easter egg hunts might be very nice, but are nevertheless superficial elements of Christianity. Individual emirates of the UAE still places restrictions on non-Muslim religious activity.
The "claims" are not "worthless". They are simple facts. I'll say that again: facts, not claims. I chose a variety of ME, Asian and African states to show that problems are evident across the "Islamic world".
Firstly, I find it hilarious that you assume I never been to "some of these places" simply because you disagree with me.
Secondly, I never used the phrase "hell hole". Read my post again. Why all the drama?
Thirdly, I don't watch Fox news. I'm not American, and I don't even have a TV.
Congratulations! I'm happy for you! I like Japan though. I'm treated very well here.
Posted in: What did you think of U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world?
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Mayuki
Obama's speech was an exercise in appeasement.
It is possible that he did this to appeal to the average Muslim on the street in order to undermine popular Muslim support for extremist leaders who disparage America; however, he (and his naive speechwriters) set an extremely dangerous precedent by stating that Muslims in the West should be able to practice their religion as they see fit. He made this remark when speaking of the hijab but he did not say that it was limited to the wearing of the hijab. So does the freedom to practice one's religion as one sees fit include practicing child marriage or multiple marriage? Does it include executing apostates? Does it include striking one's wife in accordance with the Koran? Obama did not address these points. Surprise surprise.
Obama spoke of there being a mosque in every US state, again possibly to underscore for the average Muslim on the street that what their dictators tell them about America is not true. He failed to mention however, that churches and synagogues are forbidden in Saudi Arabia, for example. In fact, he praised the King of Saudi Arabia, its absolute ruler, as "wise" and "gracious". What else can this be except blatant sucking up?
He used extremely mild language when speaking of women's rights, limiting the discussion to education and the freedom to choose a traditional female role or to start a business. He did not mention women being banned from driving (Saudi Arabia); women being banned from running for president (Iran); girls being forcibly converted to Islam and then given away in marriage (Pakistan); 12 year old rape victims being stoned to death for adultery (Somalia); female genital mutilation (Egypt, among others);or the assassination of female police officers and actresses (Afghanistan).
He did not defend freedom of expression either, and he seemed to give himself a new presidential brief: to combat negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. I wait for the day when he will do the same for agnostics and atheists.
Obama admitted when speaking at Notre Dame that the pro-life and pro-choice movements had irreconcilable differences. He should acknowledge that a similar situation exists between Islam and the West. It is disingenuous and potentially dangerous to pretend otherwise.
Posted in: What did you think of U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world?
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Mayuki
@Sushisake:
It isn't. Why are you so sensitive to discussion of Mr. Obama? Are people now not permitted to disagree with the words or actions of an elected representative? Did George W. Bush never encounter criticism?
I believe the metaphor is "dragged through the mud", but let's press on. Mr. Obama's attempt to salvage the reputation of his country may be genuine. That does not however mean that it is beyond criticism or reproof. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Just as an example, there is a legitimate belief held by many in the West that it is becoming increasingly unacceptable to criticize Islam, and that freedom of speech is gradually being chipped away. For people who hold this opinion, reproof of Mr. Obama in this instance might stem from the failure of an American president to adequately address the issue of free speech and freedom of conscience as unassailable tenets of Western civilization. That is a legitimate reason to critique his approach to "engagement" with Islam.
Emotional responses are rarely wise, Sushisake-san. Nobody has a problem with the betterment of their own nation, people simply have different ideas of what constitutes "better", and how to go about getting it. If you have nothing more constructive to add, don't post.
What's with you? Consider all points of view. Question everything. Question liberalism, or what it has become. Question whether it might be possible for Mr. Obama to engage with Muslims without compromising on, or neglecting to emphasize and defend, ideals and principles which are highly valued by Westerners. It is possible to think that Mr. Obama is genuine and well-intentioned without thinking that he is infallible.
Posted in: Obama calls for new beginning between U.S., Muslims
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Mayuki
While leaving a crocodile in a public place is possibly not the most civic-minded thing to do, even with its snout tied shut, it does seem that whoever abandoned Gen put some thought and effort into making sure the creature would be okay. Gen got more consideration than those little floating babies found over the past few days.
Posted in: Crocodile dumped outside pet training center in Chiba
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Mayuki
How very convenient for the police that a dead woman said she didn't want them to take action.
Posted in: Woman brutally murdered by stalker ex-boyfriend despite pleas of help to police