JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
-
1
Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
-
2
Confrontation
-
3
U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
-
4
California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
-
5
Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi
-
- 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
-
- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
-
- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
0
USAkuma
Yet another Eikaiwa. The country is full of them, and they all sing roughly the same tune of "We're better than they are..." they sing it together so well, you would think the whole Eikaiwa industry is just one big conglomerate.
Its nice to see the details, but I bet you would get the same set of answers from the founders of Gaba, Berlitz, etc.
It's interesting that just because this guy has a western face, the usual crowd of Eikaiwa haters have kept quiet. I guess they all forgot that Nova was co-founded/run with a certain Westerner that fled the country before the company officially imploded.
Still, I wish the guy as much luck in business as I wish for any company's president, including my own. After all, if not for some guy starting a company, employees like myself wouldn't get paychecks.
Posted in: Teaching Japan a lesson
0
USAkuma
What won't Coca-cola and Pepsi try to put in their drinks. Pepsi had cucumber flavored drink (I don't want to say cola) and now we have green tea-flavored....
Aside from fatfrenchfool's ipecac extract, what other fun flavors will they try?
How about Ramen-flavored? or Sushi-Flavored?
Posted in: Coca-Cola plus Catechin
0
USAkuma
This can be taken so many different ways.
Likely, she misspoke herself and meant to say 5 days a week... or since this is Japan, not France, 5 times a year...
Her idea of what constitutes sex could be really watered down... like considering shaking hands with a handsome guy as sex...
If she is indeed having sex 5 times a day, its likely that she isn't doing much during the act itself. there's a word for that in Japan, but I'm sure JT will delete my post if I type it. The hint is with fish and woman...
She could be doing porno on the side. Then its a part of her job and the only thing she's getting out of it is a paycheck and some soreness.
Take your pick, either she's lying or she's looser than the pants of those women on the diet commercials after they lost 15 kilos.
Posted in: Marie, at AIDS awareness concert, says she has sex five times a day
0
USAkuma
Military threat? As in a threat of invasion? -0.0000% chance. But Is there a chance that the "Elvis" might have a rocket malfunction that lands a rocket in Aomori rather than its intended target of the seas off Hawaii? Then the answer is something like 30%
As has been said. the problem isn't Elvis, its China supporting Elvis under Elvis's threat of allowing his people to run free into China if he isn't helped. China doesn't like Japan, so there's a blind-eye mentality to any threat to Japan, but if the U.S. were to flatten NK, then they would have to retaliate to uphold their treaties and help NK out lest all those starving NK'ers come running across the border into China and siphon off any remaining resources in the area. Its that threat of backup from the Chinese that keeps America from cleaning house.
And IMO, NK is like the old proverbial "fat friend" that will always make the average person look better. Meaning that China looks so much better, despite its long history of human rights violations, than NK. As long as Elvis is around, China can say "At least we aren't as bad as NK."
Posted in: How much of a military threat is North Korea to Japan?
0
USAkuma
I think the main point of all this is that now that it has shown its ugly head here in the Tokyo area, it will complete its spread throughout Japan so long as people on crowded trains continue sneezing and coughing openly without any consideration to others around them.
Not so many years ago, people here were more considerate of each other, but those days have passed and consideration went the way of the dodo bird. So they will reap what they have sewn. Maybe they'll start learning politeness and manners again. like covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough.
maybe.
Posted in: 1st new-flu case in Tokyo confirmed; infections number 263 in Japan
0
USAkuma
Hey, I'm all for comfort and all, but here's the grind. All its going to take is one "costume malfunction" like what happened in the super bowl for it all to go wrong.
Here's how I see it hypothetically happening. Some J-chick with barely a pair of fried eggs to hold up her shirt and a lack of proper strap adjustment on a train gives the standing male passengers too much of a show. Especially if her strap comes off due to her napping on the commute home. She wakes up; realizes she's at least partially exposed and starts screaming about being victimized. then the news will be full of stories of other women being victimized because of this fashion, and the company's stocks will go into the toilet due to negative reaction to the product.
End of product, and everyone goes back to layers. So guys, enjoy the show while you can, I doubt it will last long.
Posted in: No-bra gear may gain ground this summer
0
USAkuma
I'm with Sarge here. See this? It's the world's smallest violin playing the world's saddest song.... or maybe its just a booger between my fingers. Either way, this story and 100 yen will get you a cup of coffee at McD's.
When the Yak's are reduced to driving economy class mama-wagons and make their livings being crossing guards for kids, then I'll reach for my camera, otherwise don't bother me with this rubbish.
Posted in: Yakuza hard hit by economic downturn
0
USAkuma
This is meaningless to those of us in Japan, because the "service is unavailable in your country."
Have to agree, if there are commercial breaks, then its just another TV channel without the TV. might as well just watch it on cable or rent it.
Posted in: YouTube to stream full-length movies, TV shows
0
USAkuma
the way this goes back and forth every year reminds me of all the conspiracy theories that get tossed around about places like "Area 51" in the States. the DPRK government is so shoddy and is on the verge of collapse at any given moment. Whether the japanese people are alive or not is probably beyond their capability to keep track.
A few years ago when this bruhaha was stirred up, the DPRK sent remains that were eventually identified as belonging to an animal but they had been cremated twice. Many yelled foul and said it was proof of a conspiracy to hide the truth, but from what the TV hidden cameras have revealed in the DPRK itself, I don't think they have the technology or guile to be so devious. I think they looked up in their files and the only match they had was the site where they got the bones. They dug up something put it in a box and sent it on its merry way. To the ditch-diggers, they likely didn't care what it was. Case closed. Its a communism, right? no one gets paid more for doing a good job. so why bother.
The Yokotas might as well look for bigfoot as hope to get some clear answers out of that mess of a country.
Posted in: Do you believe some Japanese abductees are still alive in North Korea, and if you do, why do you think North Korea hasn't come clean on the issue?
0
USAkuma
Strangely enough, I am wondering why Debito hasn't joined this thread. He was the one who late last year posted on another J-News site his attempt to eradicate the word Gaijin from the Japanese language for much the same reason that people seem to have a problem with Haafu on this thread.
It doesn't matter what is being called. If Corey has a problem being half-Japanese, half-Portuguese, it's likely it started long before he touched down in Japan. He doesn't go into his parenting, but I am guessing that his parents didn't help figure out how to deal with racists. He seems to have put Japan on a high pedestal expecting to be welcomed as solely Japanese. When he didn't get the anonymity he sought, he turned sour.
That's a common theme I've seen over my 10 years. People come expecting some perfection, and when they don't get it, or when they listen too long to those who complain bitterly about Japan, they start seeing misery everywhere. If they teach that to their children, then their children will expect it as well.
My advice (as has been already said by others as well) is stop with the persecution complexes. If you try to grow a thicker skin and start socializing, and more importantly stop looking for the racist boogieman, you'll likely have a better experience.
p.s. to cleo. I originally signed on has US Akuma (devil), but I remember when my daughter was born, you mentioned that I was now a papa bear ala USA kuma. I definitely fit that image, so I guess I am now a haafu akuma and haafu kuma.
Posted in: Half and haafu
0
USAkuma
I have to side more with Tigertty rather than the J-Haters at this juncture. Japan like any country will always have some problems, but if you are going to put on persecution-colored glasses, you will see persecution and racism everywhere.
My daughter is 2 years old, and yes, my wife gets the "Haafu" question all the time. But its always accompanied by if not preceded by "Oh how cute!" Its a conversation starter, not a spitting epitaph. The term refers at least 90% of the time to being half-Japanese, half-other country person (usually white or black because half Japanese/half korean or Chinese don't get noticed as much).
As Tigertty said, take the term and the freedom from obligation and run with it. My co-worker is Chinese-American. He is constantly plagued by women who want to date him. They said he is handsome, and has better manners than the Japanese men they have to deal with. And he is NOT in the entertainment industry.
Its true to an extent that there will always be an outsider-ness to having mixed-racial background, but it isn't limited to Japan, or even Asia. I spent some time in Germany during my college days, they were contemptuous of those coming from Austria, and need we mention the hatred between France and Germany? EU aside, don't bring a German home to a French Family, or vice versus. And they all have the same skin color. When I was in H.S. in the states, I had to deal with bullies, too. We had the same skin color, etc. But I wasn't on the football team or a jock, he was. He used that to push his way around with everyone. My "pure-Japanese" wife had to deal with bullies too. Girl-bullies who criticized her for not being stylish or not being as tall, as long-legged, as fashion-oriented, etc. as they were.
So, if you worry about being different, you always will be, regardless of skin color, height, nose shape, face shape, body shape, ability in class or sports, or any number of reasons. Bullies will bully for any reason at all, skin color is only one point.
So grow some thick skin, put on a smile and start a conversation, you might make a friend. "Haafu," kids have more experiences, and more abilities than those around them. Be proud of it, not ashamed of it.
Posted in: Half and haafu
0
USAkuma
Yeah Really! I have to agree that this sounds like the pot calling the kettle dirty. There have been a whole lot more accidents and disasters at Japanese Nuclear Power stations than on U.S. Navy vessels.
Does anyone remember the Niigata power plant fire after the earthquake? It wasn't until much later that the plant admitted that during the quake hundreds of gallons of radioactive water was spilled from their containment facility during the quake. I mean, what kind of concern do you have for your fellow man if you build a nuclear reactor on a fault line?
Does anyone remember the two techs dumping fissionable material in steel buckets only to have them starting a nuclear reaction, giving off lots of killer radiation? Guess this Goto guy doesn't remember that incident.
Posted in: Nuclear warships in Japan touch a nerve
0
USAkuma
These days everyone is selfish. Wasn't always like that, and most J-people stick to the memory of what was rather than face the reality that they are now some of the rudest people on the planet. Everything I hear them complain about in other countries, they do here. Including spitting, and other obnoxiousness. But they deny that it happens or just shrug it off.
These posters are amusing at best, but its like preaching to the choir as no one else is paying attention. I won't hold my breath for the day when people start showing manners again.
Posted in: Tokyo Metro
0
USAkuma
Caught the highlights on the PC. Everytime I came back, there was a different score. I'll have to look it up on You-Tube to watch the action.
From the photo of the day, am surprised by two things: there are other Pittsburgh Steelers fans in J-Land, and that they could take the time off to booze it up on a Monday for the game.
Guess I'll have to throw my own party tonight.
Here we go, Steelers! Here we go!
Posted in: Steelers rally to beat Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl
0
USAkuma
Here we go, Steelers! Here we go!
Actually, I'm surprised that there there are such things as Japanese Steelers fans, knowing that Pittsburgh is not your regular tourist kind of destination, and that the large populous of rednecks there still hate the Japanese for the loss of the Steel industry (oh so long ago).
But who knows. The guy on the left certainly looks Japanese... And now I am aware of at least 2 other Pittsburghers in Japan besides myself.
Posted in: Super Bowl
0
USAkuma
My only question is: where were the secret service? Isn't it their job to take one for the President? I saw no one diving to protect GWB from Shoes of Mass destruction. Wonder if Bush will require that everyone who meets with him during the last month in office comes in barefoot.
Posted in: Bush dodges shoe protest during visit to Iraq
0
USAkuma
Thousands of American soldiers dead. tens of thousands of Iraqi people dead (only a small portion of whom were actual combatants), economy-crippling debt, record numbers of jobless, etc. etc. Still no sight of Bin Laden, and now even more potential terrorists want to bomb the U.S.
Yeah, I can see how Bush would feel that is a record to be proud of. I just don't see it though. Hopefully there will be a War Crimes Tribunal for Bush, but I won't hold my breath.
Posted in: Bush defends his record of using military might
0
USAkuma
Thanks for the info about the Saison card. If I get to Ikebekuro station, whereabouts underground should I hunt for this wonderous Credit Card giving machine?
But having been burned by bad credit-rate-elevating card companies in the States, I have to wonder what the rate is for the Saison card? I don't know I want to deal with 24% like in the states.
I was also under the impression (from my own rejection calls) that foreigners are considered high risk unless you have permanent residency visa because they fear that we'll flee in the middle of the night.
Also, I heard that all J-Credit cards are like AMEX in that you are expected to pay off the full amount at the end of the month, not carry a revolving debt like in the states. So those who have had revolving debts would be considered a bad risk... Anybody able to confirm that?
Posted in: Try to get a credit card in Japan
0
USAkuma
Triumvere - Good Post. It seems that no matter who Obama selects, nor what he does, he won't please the far right. But that's the nature of the game. As P.T. Barnum put it, you can please all of the people some of the time, or some of the people all of the time, but you can never please everyone all the time.
Thus, there's no reason to be surprised that those who voted for McCain are not going to be happy with anything he does. It's a proud part of the constitution's Bill of Rights that allows for freedom of speech. It's only during Bush's time that anyone who disagreed with Mein Fuher Bush's actions was labeled a "liberal" supporter of terrorists and marxism.
I am all for the council of Rivals. They should be able to keep each other honest. And it's the **first **big step towards mending fences and reaching across aisles.
Posted in: Obama picking Washington insiders for cabinet despite promising change
0
USAkuma
Just to add my two cents worth to this. IMO, this whole argument can be summed up in two words: Sour grapes.
Those who according to Molenir
saw their party lose, not by a fraction but by a large amount. Some would say by a landslide. Now, it's sour grapes and name calling. Certainly that is what this Congressman is doing.
People worried that JFK was going to hand over the U.S. to the Pope because he was a catholic. Like now, they said the end of the U.S. was at hand, but they were wrong.
If Bush had been such a great president with such great policies and great leadership, then McCain would have been proud to be associated with him and McCain would have had the victory. The fact that Obama won by such a huge majority indicates that the people who loved Bush were in the vast minority.
So, lets all sit back and relax. the U.S. survived Bill Clinton and George Bush. It'll survive Barack Hussein Obama too. Who knows, it might even get better.
Posted in: U.S. congressman warns of Obama dictatorship