JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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1
Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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2
Confrontation
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3
U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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4
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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blvtzpk
I'm with Carcharodon on the unnecessary fuss about backpacks and suits. If you're a worker who is expected to turn up at your various places of work looking professional (i.e. wearing a suit), but you have to lug along your library of texts and materials to do your job, the backpack is the ideal ergonomic solution. A briefcase or even a shoulder-strap messenger bag aren't going to cut it.
However, back/daypackers on crowded public transport - please DO remove your back/daypack when getting onboard the bus or train. Those worn backpacks are bastards to maneuver around, and take up so much space.
And 'Aladdin Shoes' would be curled upwards at the toes, wouldn't they? I think winkle-pickers (AKA cockroach killers - perfect footwear for the assassination of beasties in the corners of rooms) are what you're all on about. I don't care about them on others to be frank, but I wouldn't want to wear them.
Posted in: Which fashion trend do you most wish would die?
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blvtzpk
Ah, for the days when we'd get a photo in JT of a nicely laid out collection of the panty-nicker's heist.
Posted in: Over 1,000 items found during search of underwear thief's home
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blvtzpk
Captain Oveur: "Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?"
Posted in: Star Channel to air 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand'
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blvtzpk
I look through all the previous comments left in past years when the same question was asked here, each and every summer.
The similarity in replies refreshing!!! The more things change, the more they stay the same!
Posted in: What do you do to keep cool and fresh during the summer months?
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blvtzpk
Were the children encouraged to shuffle papers and look busy during the regular work day, then stay til 11PM or so to make a good impression on the 'boss'? And was there a post event nomikai?
Posted in: Children learn about the world of work
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blvtzpk
But would he be able to out-run the Predator? I think he might up as Mongolian BBQ for the beast. Rare.
Posted in: Asashoryu to kick off showbiz career, doing PR for 'Predators' film
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blvtzpk
I guess it was me you were referring to (I actually used 'stranglehold'). It wasn't Apple/Microsoft argument, and it needn't be. I bought my wife a Nano and I own an iPod Classic and iTouch (both of which I'm happy with and - on topic - the iTouch fulfills my needs so I won't be buying an iPad). So, we've contributed to Apple's income, and I'm not playing the Apple/Microsoft game.
What I was annoyed about was (1) a company determining where their products can be sold (although this can be seen in other businesses, but why STOP people from selling your product, unless it's just for company gain and (2) the reduction in "Yodo..." points for the purchase of an Apple product (which could possible be a "Yodo..." policy, but it strikes me that it has something to profit margins involving this company.
If there any are any equally relevant Microsoft comparisons in regards to who and how products can be sold by vendors, I would be interested in reading them.
Posted in: What do you think of the iPad?
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blvtzpk
Interesting to see how many people have opinions on something they've never used.
Anyhow...I am not impressed by Apple's stranglehold on distribution. Not only have they (at least in Japan) clamped down on who can see their products online, but it even goes further. I bought the wife a Nano for her the other day at a big chain store starting with "Yo..." When making the purchase, I was trying to decide how many store point-card points I would get if i paid by credit card or cash. The sales assistant said that the purchase of all Apple products received a point reward which was something like a one-third of most other products in the store. I got points on the non-Apple Nano accessory kit we bought at the same time, but minimal points on the Apple Nano.
What gives?
Posted in: What do you think of the iPad?
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blvtzpk
The "We thought we Kould, but now realize that we Kan't" backpedaling manifesto.
Back the (the reality of?) vague, amorphous, semi-promises and the world of 'Maybe' for Japanese politics.
Posted in: I pledge
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blvtzpk
I'm curious as to when and why these 'cell phone manners' 'rules' started. Does anyone else know of a country that has rules specifically for cell phones on public transport? Most other train manner rules' (e.g. giving up the seat for elderly etc) are usually ignored, but this one is one where people take a righteous stand. I admit it can be quite annoying - some say it's because what you're exposed to a ones-sided conversation - you can't hear the other half, so you're left out of being able to follow the communication flow, and THAT in itself frustrates people. Do some people talk more loudly on a phone? Yes, they do, but others are ultra quiet. There's also the canard about the cell phones interfering with pacemakers, and that popular belief is enough to get the oldies voicing their concerns to you even when you're texting. In short, I sometimes think these 'rules' are excuses for allow others to inflate their egos and exercise self-importance (e.g. appropriate-recycling-sorting Little Hitlers). However, I think the 'a phone call must be answered immediately and overrides a face-to-face conversation in process' attitude in Japan plays a big part in this. I was on a fairly empty bus one day when an old salariman, sat in back row, got a call got from someone from a customer (or someone more important than him) and his speaking volume and keigo-ing was so outrageously annoying the bus driver made TWO announcements to get this fool to shut up. In short, I have mixed feelings about this 'special rule in Japan. I frankly don't mind it, but when I see so many other rules in life so fragrantly ignored, especially those involving dangerous behavior (e.g. breaking many driving laws) rather than regulating social niceties, I wonder where priorities lie.
Posted in: Man punched in face by fellow train commuter over phone manners
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blvtzpk
Given the context of the (ahem) 'premature' birth so soon after the wedding, and his relative lack of experience in the Dad-business, 'Best Fatherer' may be a more appropriate title.
He shoots, he scores! Back of the net!
Posted in: New dad Ryuta Sato named among 'Best Fathers'
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blvtzpk
Yes, very much a gimmick. Maybe they'll be refined somewhere down the line, but 2D films and TV are OK by me. Heck I even watch b/w films!
However, there will be bandwagon jumpers, but I feel that this is not going to make people dump their current TVs (unless they need to make the move from analog to digital), but I still think it'd be the wrong choice.
I also feel the same way about Blu-Ray - videotape to DVD was a great leap in quality of sound, video, features etc.
But the leap between DVD and BR is, IMO, not worth the effort. YES it is better in a number of ways, but not so earth-shatteringly different that I feel I need to go in that direction...although some clearly think they do.
I'm a consumer, and I like new gadgets and innovations, but I'm getting to a point that the so-called 'innovations' are coming so rapidly they're not so impressive, but they require substantial financial investments.
Disagree with me if you will, but there are some marketing bandwagons that are so patently obvious and insubstantial, and the current 3D 'boom.' is one of them.
Shop carefully and cautiously.
Posted in: What do you think about the whole 3-D thing, with PC and TV makers rushing out new models, and more films being made in 3-D?
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blvtzpk
Eggheads - Africa's full of 'em!!!
(That's a Yolk!)
Posted in: Ready to roll
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blvtzpk
Correction: "I wish I had your faith..."
Posted in: Uno Kanda announces separation from husband
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blvtzpk
@womanforwomen
I don't like her, but it's "mrs b" who does the abhoring, not I.
I wish II hag your faith in such people maturing but unfortunately, this is just more classic fodder for the masses, and they'll eat it up, and the so-called 'talents' will engage in the same attention/publicity-getting behavior, and thus the cycle will continue. I'm sure when the weekly air time rankings are released, this news will be up there with time devoted to the new cabinet and PM. This type of guff is a perfect antidote to those who are overwhelmed by the serious stuff in the world - bread and circuses, as they say.
Posted in: Uno Kanda announces separation from husband
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blvtzpk
I was eating when I read the headline and, yes, food DID get expelled from my mouth.
I won't say "I saw it coming," but the utter charade of some of these people's lives beggars disbelief.
No, I don't like her and neither does the wife who ABHORS her. ABHORS, I tell you, ABHORS her!!! And now she has even more to abhor her for.
Posted in: Uno Kanda announces separation from husband
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blvtzpk
Bonus season bingo!!! Watch out for the sidewalk pizza, too.
Posted in: Pair sustain minor injuries after tumble down Ginza subway escalator
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blvtzpk
AH, beefcake for the gals (and for some of the guys!)! They deserve it. It's their turn.
Posted in: Bodies
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blvtzpk
I bought mine next year and it p!sses me off!!! ;)
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blvtzpk
@Katsuro1000
So, time to make a pro-whaling and 'dolphin-ing' film to balance things out, right?
Posted in: If "The Cove" is ever shown in cinemas in Japan, will you go to see it, or see it on DVD? If you've already seen it, what did you think of it?