Rio said...

Rio at 01:10 PM JST - 2nd July

300 religious leaders in Hokkaido to talk peace before G-8

Fancy that...religion has caused the death of millions and now religious leaders want to talk peace. 10 bucks says the obvious solution of discouraging belief in the supernatural won't be on the agenda.

Posted in 300 religious leaders in Hokkaido to talk peace before G-8 summit at 01:10 PM JST - 2nd July
Rio at 01:54 PM JST - 1st July

Can't understand the big deal about graffiti, me. If it's not offensive and adds color to what is otherwise yet another bit of bland industrial space, then I say let it go. Encourage it, even. I dare say that deep down, a lot of people feel that way, but they…

Posted in English graffiti 'Hack' grounds bullet train at 01:54 PM JST - 1st July
Rio at 09:03 PM JST - 30th June

Why don't Japanese speak English better than they do?

Because the J. governments see English as a symbol of globalisation and a threat to Japanese-ness (see Hashimoto, 2003, if you're that way inclined).

Though I'm an English teacher I don't really have a problem with that - I respect and…

Posted in Why don't Japanese speak English better than they do? at 09:03 PM JST - 30th June
Rio at 03:18 PM JST - 26th June

I'm not surprised it's eigo only. As odd as it may seem, a covert government objective of EFL ed in Japan has been to nurture Japanese-ness. It's what they call 'internationalisation', but it's basically 'Japanisation'.

Nevertheless, I hope this text makes plain the absurdity of suicide. From it a distance…

Posted in Picture book teaching next generation about wartime mass suicides at 03:18 PM JST - 26th June