Orchid64 said...

Orchid64 at 06:52 PM JST - 15th April

The problem is that wealthy countries that start to see a back-slide in economic conditions tend not to revert to the values of a "simpler time" (assuming such values actually were embraced in the past). They tend to have increased crime and people's lives fill with stress and fear about…

Posted in Recession a good opportunity to return to Japan's core virtues at 06:52 PM JST - 15th April
Orchid64 at 06:05 PM JST - 15th April

The "10 yen" increase is wrong. Milk prices are up far more than that in Tokyo - 188-208 yen is average and it used to be easy to find it for 168 yen. Butter has been around 378-398 yen per 200 grams for awhile. You're lucky if you can find…

Posted in Dairy households face crisis over rising feed prices at 06:05 PM JST - 15th April
Orchid64 at 07:21 AM JST - 9th April

Cars are constantly running lights after they have changed and pedestrians have to wait even when the "walk" sign is on to cross. Cars are incredibly aggressive in Tokyo and I rarely see pedestrians cross when a car is coming along. Let's not pretend that pedestrians are the only ones…

Posted in Driver slashed by angry pedestrian in Tokyo at 07:21 AM JST - 9th April
Orchid64 at 06:30 PM JST - 1st April

If the companies can withdraw the offers, then their names should be revealed so that future job hunters know the score.

I think talking about this as if it is about "shielding" young people from hardship or obstacles shows a lack of understanding of Japan's culture in regards to job…

Posted in Names of 2 firms disclosed for canceling job offers at 06:30 PM JST - 1st April
Orchid64 at 04:29 PM JST - 25th March

If the U.S. had won and a player had spoken so ungraciously about the competition, there would be all sorts of anti-American crying and demands for an apology, but it's okay for the Japanese to be such poor sports. There is such a thing as a bad winner.

Posted in Ichiro says he wanted to play against better U.S. squad at 04:29 PM JST - 25th March
Orchid64 at 10:27 PM JST - 8th March

It boggles the mine that some commenters are so ignorant of the real situation in Japan regarding kanji. It takes Japanese children 4 more years to reach the same level of reading as a child in countries where romance languages are spoken because they have to remember so many characters.…

Posted in Aso's reading blunders spark study spree at 10:27 PM JST - 8th March
Orchid64 at 01:19 PM JST - 15th February

I've also had leftovers wrapped up for me at restaurants in Tokyo and have never gotten any guff for asking. I think it's just less common in Japan because portions are smaller.

I've always considered the "doggy bag" concept as a feature of American restaurants. You aren't supposed to eat…

Posted in Doggie bag at 01:19 PM JST - 15th February
Orchid64 at 01:54 PM JST - 13th February

This is a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black. The U.S. has had few protectionist barriers in place compared to countries like Japan and France, for instance. Now, the U.S. is starting to consider protecting its economic interests in the same fashion as Japan and Japan is…

Posted in Japan concerned about 'Buy American' clause in U.S. stimulus bill at 01:54 PM JST - 13th February
Orchid64 at 07:55 AM JST - 12th February

@sydeham: The main problem is that your argument, while a good one, presupposes that we all have the same flexibility in choice-making and therefore are equally responsible for our lot in life. We do not. People are not born with the same potential by no fault of their own nor…

Posted in The worst thing is that they are treated like they are things, not human beings. at 07:55 AM JST - 12th February
Orchid64 at 10:36 AM JST - 6th February

People get the spouses they deserve based on their values, behavior, and expectations. If you have a "list" and things like wealth and beauty are high on that list, then you deserve whatever unfulfilling, shallow relationships you get. Ultimately, money doesn't make people happy and beauty fades. Most men realize…

Posted in Dating in Tokyo is pretty easy—if you’re not looking for a single guy at 10:36 AM JST - 6th February