JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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Confrontation
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U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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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
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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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
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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Shaolin7
Beelzebub, too funny haha. "HULK SMASH"
Posted in: Is Kabukicho dangerous? Mizoguchi's new book tells all
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Shaolin7
Reactionary plans are not usually a good idea, though I have to say I understand timorborder's (and others') disgust and anger with the environment that allows this to happen. Another sad aspect is that individuals feel this is an acceptable option, that they have no other "honourable" recourse beyond this. Honestly, it sometimes seems that they do not. How much more heartache and sadness will come to pass before that fundamental shift in society's mindset occurs? I feel so sorry for those two students and their families. RIP, girls.
Posted in: Bullying blamed after two 13-yr-old girls jump to their deaths
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Shaolin7
I also found Kabuki-cho rather tame, even after warnings from Japanese friends (including a couple that took me to eat some of the best okonomiyaki I've had, down there!). It seems from some of your stories that if you're clearly non-Japanese in appearance, you are left alone. Initially I'd thought it was because I'm Asian, that helped me to "blend in"...but maybe it's a detriment instead!
Interesting to hear your brother-in-law's stories, timorborder; thanks for sharing them.
Posted in: Is Kabukicho dangerous? Mizoguchi's new book tells all
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Shaolin7
I realize it's part of our natural, biological makeup to judge based on appearances, but it surely is a sad indictment that after how many years of alleged 'evolution', we're still so hung up on these sorts of divisive, unproductive arguments.
In the end, it should always be about the character and heart of a person, shouldn't it?
P.S. For those who either have encountered discriminatory or prejudicial bias based on their ethnicity, or have children currently experiencing it, I feel for you. Hopefully at some point, we can all learn to look beyond this. It doesn't appear that things will change for a very long time yet, however.
Posted in: Marie gives the lowdown on being 'half'
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Shaolin7
Reading things like this make for a heavy heart. How very sad and tragic. So many people are shouldering all these unspoken burdens and responsibilities, and I can only empathize; but surely there have to be other avenues to explore, and exhaust, before you choose such a desperate solution. I don't know if it's inadequate social policy, or the very powerful social pressures in place and ingrained in the mindset of the culture overall, but not enough is being done to help people.
Posted in: Man, woman and child found dead hanging from tree in Nagano
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Shaolin7
It remains unclear how this guy managed to find her home, but perhaps he rifled through her belongings afterwards. Needless to say, condolences to this innocent lady for such a terrible violation. We can only hope the perpetrator gets a maximum sentence without reprieve.
For the women here relating their own nightmare experiences: this is a brave thing, and your resilience of spirit is admirable. Good on you girls.
Posted in: Man arrested for spiking drink and raping woman in Osaka
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Shaolin7
That poor little girl, and her father; this guilt is going to wrack him the rest of his days. This is so sadly tragic. As for this...comment:
What an utterly stupid and assinine thing to say.
Posted in: 1-year-old girl killed after father backs car over her
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Shaolin7
Sad that someone lost their life like this, but I have to question what some of your reactions would be if she wasn't a young, pretty model. If she was a plain looking, overworked middle aged woman it wouldn't be news, right? And you certainly wouldn't be expressing such depth of emotion over it, would you...?
RIP, Sumire.
Posted in: Koakuma Ageha model Sumire dead at 21
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Shaolin7
I think it's admirable to pursue what is really in your heart, regardless of age or education. There is reward in doing what you genuinely love to do, even if it is a struggle financially and your earnings are not much to write home about. I'm also glad to see some of the Japanese waking up and realizing that there is indeed life outside of work. You don't have to be a wage slave.
A big part of the problem, from my limited understanding of the Japanese work ethic, is the inefficiency, on both a large scale level right down to each individual. Lots of meaningless bureaucracy, endless meetings / minute taking, and paper shuffling to fill up the much longer "unofficial" hours in Japan. It's more important to be seen as busy, than actually doing work...is that correct? Those of you with actual Japanese work experience, please feel free to correct me.
I had one Japanese friend remark to me that he thought white collar workers, in particular, were incredibly inefficient. He asked about working in the west, and I mentioned that most offices and firms had an 8 - 5 pm working schedule, with little overtime required -- the difference being, of course, that you work hard and responsibly in that 8 or 9 hours, as opposed to working at a leisurely pace spread out over 12-14 hours.
To be fair, these are problems in western nations as well but I think it's far less prevalent because of the (seemingly) higher standards of personal accountability people are held to; although you wouldn't guess that with the huge, unjustified corporate payouts and general mess we find ourselves in today.
This was an interesting article to read, and yes some of the responses were rather unprofessional (but still funny).
Posted in: New graduates show lack of zeal for jobs and job-hunting
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Shaolin7
Acknowledgement and reconciliation need to take place, but at some point, you have to move on. I get the impression that some of the most vocal and vitriolic protesters are so far removed from this incident, historically and even through blood (none of their relatives were killed in Nanking) that the protestations seem pretty hollow.
How long can you wallow in history? Why not work towards reshaping a better future and improving relations? Unbelievably, alot of this seems as much about "saving face" as it is about the needless loss of life -- a despicable concept in and of itself, aspects of which I can't stand, but that's for another discussion.
Posted in: Nanking Massacre movie has strong opening in China
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Shaolin7
What a refreshing discussion. Thank you everyone!
Posted in: More Japanese shunning the outside world