Richard_III said...

Richard_III at 12:51 PM JST - 30th October

They expect us to be polite (or is that just a figment of my imagination!) - yet they cannot bestow on us the same courtesy now!

Actually, there's much to be said for playing the noble gaijin amidst the sea of impoliteness, inconsideration and rudeness found here. To hold the…

Posted in Self-centered zombies running rampant through Japanese society at 12:51 PM JST - 30th October
Richard_III at 07:51 PM JST - 28th October

People overseas always ask me about Japanese politeness. I always think there is a big myth about this. They have no politeness unless you know them or they are in some way connected via an acquaintance or colleague. Otherwise, their manners are terrible.

It seems that unless there is someone…

Posted in Self-centered zombies running rampant through Japanese society at 07:51 PM JST - 28th October
Richard_III at 02:14 PM JST - 28th October

I need to know more about this terrible crime. Thankfully, I know I can rely on special in-depth coverage lasting at least 45 minutes on tonight's news and tomorrow's breakfast news.

That is, unless there is some new horrible development in the case of an idol from the 90s caught…

Posted in 23-year-old man arrested for skateboarding on busy pathway at 02:14 PM JST - 28th October
Richard_III at 01:41 PM JST - 27th October

She must have done something to some powerful person in the media to warrant all the vitriol and character destruction the media are throwing against her.

Disgusting.

Posted in Sakai admits to drug use; 6,615 line up for 20 gallery seats at 01:41 PM JST - 27th October
Richard_III at 12:16 PM JST - 23rd October

Been here over 5 years and have only one Japanese male friend. He spent a lot of time overseas so is pretty normal and well adjusted. Mostly, find them very difficult to get on with, or mostly just boring. Generally, those that have lived overseas have a bit more life…

Posted in The age of listless, wary, anxiety-ridden and insecure young men at 12:16 PM JST - 23rd October
Richard_III at 04:16 PM JST - 22nd October

I agree.

In Shanghai, meanwhile, they're running mag-lev trains.

To the middle of nowhere though.

No wonder the folks out in Chiba are pxssed. I would be too.

Not as much as those of us who regularly have to use Narita.

Posted in Narita's extended 2nd runway goes into operation at 04:16 PM JST - 22nd October
Richard_III at 03:22 PM JST - 22nd October

Maybe the excessive immigration of foreigners contributes to the cause.

I very much doubt it. Given that most foreigners earn far more than the natives, my guess would be that overall they are net contributors.

Posted in Survey finds 1 in 7 Japanese living in poverty at 03:22 PM JST - 22nd October
Richard_III at 10:59 AM JST - 22nd October

This Maehara seems to have his head screwed on right. He's making all the right noises at the moment.

Posted in Maehara eyeing steep rise in gift tax exemption for home buyers at 10:59 AM JST - 22nd October
Richard_III at 09:36 AM JST - 22nd October

Don't get me wrong, I like J-lasses as much as the next man, but the gaijin wins here.

Posted in Japan–U.S. bikini showdown as Playboy’s Michelle McLaughlin flies in to Tokyo at 09:36 AM JST - 22nd October
Richard_III at 12:17 PM JST - 21st October

A few years ago there was a spurt of original good movies: Battle Royalle, Audition, Ring. Over the past couple of years, I've seen some small-scale films in little cinemas that have been pretty good. Climbers High and After School were fairly ok.

Some of them have been shockingly bad.…

Posted in What do you think of the quality of Japanese movies? at 12:17 PM JST - 21st October