Orchid64 said...

Orchid64 at 02:24 PM JST - 17th September

@sabiwabi: How can it be "bullying" and "blackmail"? The U.S. has no power over Japan that Japan does not grant it. It's a sovereign nation. Japan has been allowing a strategic U.S. military presence in Japan for an economic advantage for a very long time. Also, it costs Japan far…

Posted in Clinton prods new government to be realistic on security issues at 02:24 PM JST - 17th September
Orchid64 at 10:10 AM JST - 10th September

I can't help but think that, if you can afford a 8,000,000 violin, you can probably afford to take a taxi.

Posted in 18-year-old Japanese woman loses Y8 mil antique violin on Austrian subway at 10:10 AM JST - 10th September
Orchid64 at 07:13 PM JST - 4th September

Domestic violence isn't even considered much of a crime in Japan. In fact, until some point in the early to mid 80's, it wasn't on the books as a criminal offense and police did not want to get involved. I think that attitude still pervades. What happens in the family…

Posted in Parents held for allegedly ordering 11-yr-old son to shoplift rice, apple juice at 07:13 PM JST - 4th September
Orchid64 at 11:06 AM JST - 27th August

"Hafu" is like the old term "mulatto". It's inherently racist as a term.

The point people constantly miss when discussing racism in Japan is that the issue is not the existence of racism in a particular culture or country. All people and countries are racist. The point is the culture's…

Posted in Marie gives the lowdown on being 'half' at 11:06 AM JST - 27th August
Orchid64 at 09:50 AM JST - 27th August

The interesting thing about this is that the presumption seems to be that these things haven't been happening all along. Things like tax evasion have been an issue for decades in Japan. It's only now that anyone cares enough to talk about it.

Posted in Japanese society going over to the 'Dark Side' at 09:50 AM JST - 27th August
Orchid64 at 09:38 AM JST - 27th August

Re: AK619 and unfair practices. One of the reasons Japan has done so much business with the U.S. is that they've had advantages in all dealings with the U.S. since the end of World War II. My guess is part of what has fueled Japan's continued reliance on the U.S.…

Posted in Japan needs to diverge from status quo of following U.S., says adviser to Hatoyama at 09:38 AM JST - 27th August
Orchid64 at 07:08 PM JST - 12th August

I think the problem isn't entirely rooted in conservative or "outdated" notions of sexuality. In Japanese culture, role fulfillment is emphasized heavily on many levels. From the oldest son caring for elderly parents to the office lady who has to serve tea to the husband who has to be a…

Posted in 'Gayjin' find it tough going in Tohoku at 07:08 PM JST - 12th August
Orchid64 at 02:14 PM JST - 24th June

The labor bureau's ability to enforce the law has to be improved before any of this is meaningful. The government purposefully does not give teeth to any of these laws to allow the companies to avoid implementing them. Only employees who make a huge stink get any action, and it's…

Posted in Bill to introduce shorter working hours for parents of young children clears Diet at 02:14 PM JST - 24th June
Orchid64 at 03:55 PM JST - 11th June

The odd thing about this article is that it assumes that Japan is unique in being told how to run its own business. Everyone and his brother thinks its their place to run America, decide who its president is, what its social and tax policies it should be, how it…

Posted in Japan can do without preaching on how to fix its economy at 03:55 PM JST - 11th June
Orchid64 at 07:10 PM JST - 3rd June

Yelnats: You don't have to report a renewal of a contract if you work for the same company. You only have to report a visa renewal or changes to your place of residence or employment, so you're good with what you've been doing.

Posted in Foreign workers stage sit-in to protest immigration law reform at 07:10 PM JST - 3rd June