Simon_Foston said...

Simon_Foston at 09:18 AM JST - 17th May

Why do Japanese people have to go with less? Some Americans (and some Britons too, to be fair) eat just about enough in one meal to feed a Japanese family for a day.

But it's true the farming industry needs radical reform in order to get big business involved. Farming…

Posted in Gov't warns low food self-sufficiency, global shortages may lead to drastic diet changes at 09:18 AM JST - 17th May
Simon_Foston at 09:34 AM JST - 14th May

Silence does indeed have a vote, but silence in the countryside is worth double silence in the city.

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 09:34 AM JST - 14th May
Simon_Foston at 08:50 AM JST - 13th May

People can decide whether to vote or not. They can't decide how much their votes are worth.

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 08:50 AM JST - 13th May
Simon_Foston at 11:17 AM JST - 12th May

This is a quote from a Japan Times article prior to the 2003 House of Representatives Election, but I don't think much has changed:

As an example of the disparity in vote values, in the next Lower House elections a vote in one of the least-populated districts will be worth…

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 11:17 AM JST - 12th May
Simon_Foston at 01:15 AM JST - 12th May

Of course, not all ultranationalist right-wingers are so crazy as to do those kinds of things. But they do spend a lot of time marching up and down in front of Yasukuni Shrine in WW2 uniforms or driving around in big black trucks with music and slogans blaring out of…

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 01:15 AM JST - 12th May
Simon_Foston at 08:31 PM JST - 11th May

By the way, I checked the Japanese and you're absolutely right about the mis-translation. People's Freedom Party or something like that would be closer to the mark. But "Liberal Democratic Party" is the term they use themselves - just check http://www.jimin.jp/jimin/english/.

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 08:31 PM JST - 11th May
Simon_Foston at 03:35 PM JST - 11th May

You want to say that anybody is bad, because they hold a different belief to you, ultranationalists, people who are passionate about their country

Yes, when they murder politicians who disagree with them, send them bullets in the post or set fire to their homes, I want to say they're…

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 03:35 PM JST - 11th May
Simon_Foston at 08:29 AM JST - 11th May

I don't have any problems with the LDP-except I wish in English it wouldnt be called LDP. That translation is very misleading.

Jiyu (liberal) Minshuto (democratic party). That's right, isn't it?

The LDP still has the favour of the people, because they are listening to the DPJ and are tackling…

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 08:29 AM JST - 11th May
Simon_Foston at 09:07 AM JST - 10th May

Why does she still get called "Ebi-chan?" It's not as if she's 3 years old any more.

Posted in Ebi-chan to appear in Subaru's new TV ad at 09:07 AM JST - 10th May
Simon_Foston at 12:03 PM JST - 9th May

the problem is if the DJP wins a majority, i don't think they'll know what to do with it. all they do is complain and present no real plans on how to fix anything.

The LDP don't know what to do with their majority either except use it to line…

Posted in Dumping Fukuda won't solve LDP's problems at 12:03 PM JST - 9th May