Wednesday February 15, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

brotokyo's past comments

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brotokyoDec. 20, 2010 - 07:29AM JST

cleo@

65 years ago. Yep, let's see that makes an 18 year old comfort woman at that time, what?--83. I have a feeling those in that age bracket would call it a "recent ... past"

Posted in: Your shout
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brotokyoDec. 15, 2010 - 09:13AM JST

mars@

seems to me December in the northeast is COLD and it sometimes snow's so how is this news

Guess they're factoring in global warming

Posted in: Bone-chilling cold grips U.S. Northeast
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brotokyoDec. 07, 2010 - 07:34PM JST

Dis@

cleo@Binge drinking is becoming a serious problem in some universities

Is becoming? I think it always has been

Depends on how you define the word "is" or some sort of presidntial pardon on that word.

Posted in: 18-year-old female university student dies of alcohol poisoning
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brotokyoNov. 29, 2010 - 07:52PM JST

Most Chinese studying in the US return to China.

Where should I send my thank you card?

Posted in: WikiLeaks reveals more sensitive U.S. data
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brotokyoNov. 16, 2010 - 07:45PM JST

adaydream comes and goes daily--nightmares, thank God less frequently, but these five souls died for something. (and adaydream ends the piece with a smiley :-) HOW SICK!! RIP brothers (and sisters [if not today then historically] or at minimum, mothers, sisters and daughters, sorry for your loss and I salute).

Posted in: 5 NATO service members among 11 killed in Afghanistan
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brotokyoNov. 15, 2010 - 09:14PM JST

northlondon, I can only say thank you. I never even thought about this--again, thanks.

Posted in: Remembrance Day
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brotokyoNov. 15, 2010 - 07:35PM JST

Bura.. you won't regret your visit there. It is a well-kept beautiful place, a place we foreign nationals can truly appreciate and respect in Japan. Thanks for your kind words.

Posted in: Remembrance Day
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brotokyoNov. 15, 2010 - 06:32PM JST

Burakumin: Indeed. And I have personally carried the US flag representing the VFW at that cemetery during ceremonies to honor our war dead. The VFW (An American organization) always remembers and participates in those ceremonies, and so do we Americans who also fought in that and later struggles. What a shame that cemetery doesn't make even a blurb on NHK, et al, ad nauseam local media while too much coverage continues for the "victims" of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I hope our commonwealth friends realize Americans took part in those conflicts and we remember and celebrate ours and yours alike. We sell Buddy Poppies, too. I wish rafts of people would visit that cemetery.

Posted in: Remembrance Day
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brotokyoNov. 15, 2010 - 06:05PM JST

the British and Commonwealth tackled Japan and Germany alone ...

Gee, I wonder how the Poles, French Underground, the Chinese--I don't have time to make a complete list--feel about that word "alone"?

Posted in: Remembrance Day
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brotokyoNov. 10, 2010 - 12:19PM JST

effects on communities containing individuals who have healthcare debts they can't afford or can't pay

So, if you have healthcare debts you can't pay, then because you have the debt, wouldn't that mean you have received healthcare?

Posted in: GOP investigators take aim at health care overhaul
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brotokyoNov. 10, 2010 - 11:11AM JST

Americans on JT have boasted about how much foreign aid sends overseas

Don't you mean to say "some" Americans?

Moderator: Back on topic please.

Posted in: GOP investigators take aim at health care overhaul
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brotokyoNov. 09, 2010 - 06:52PM JST

How long does it take to set up all that underwear for the photos?

I suppose it depends on the number of officers laying them out. My guess is there were more than 3000 male officers who voluneered, so they did paper/rock/scissors and then 3000 winners lined up to snatch his pair and lay them, the ole snatch and lay system. So, determining the winners took up the most time.

Posted in: 3,000 pairs of stolen panties found in home of underwear thief
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brotokyoNov. 09, 2010 - 06:03PM JST

Buger King went private very recently for a pretty penny, so we'll see how the dust settles and if/when they have the capital to expand. There's one a five minute walk from my place and that pic sure is tempting, but as a former smoker (16 months ago) now bulging and dieting, I keep my distance.

Posted in: Burger King's Stacker
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brotokyoNov. 09, 2010 - 02:09PM JST

Siouxchef: lol but ouch. However, that is certainly a state reg.

Posted in: Bush is back, and eager to help history judge him
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brotokyoAug. 26, 2010 - 09:47AM JST

smartacus@

What did she think was going to happen?

We'll never know her side of this story, will we? She could not take the stand to dispute testimony that "she" invited "them" back to her place for drinks: this is according to "court documents". Perhaps you know something this article has left out.

Posted in: Man gets 20 years for killing Japanese woman in Bali
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brotokyoAug. 23, 2010 - 07:04PM JST

porter, fair enough on the housing hit, I suppose, because I don't think about it nor care about it. Those in Japan without the housing allowance (that is no doubt a majority) can deduct rent paid from their "earned income in Japan"/thus a lower US tax bill (comes in handy if one makes a tad over the limit and unnecessary to factor in if one's salary here falls below the limit, so doesn't matter). I, a home owner/purchaser, on the other hand, cannot take this "rent" deduction, but I can and do write off the property tax and property insurance I pay in Japan for property I am buying. However, I feel no sorrow for an expat who stays here and makes a decent salary coupled with the "housing allowance" you speak of. Hey, if what you suggest is correct, then basically their "free" rent is still free minus a US tax bill. Still pretty good in anyone's books, since most expats here must pay rent or mortgage payment.

Posted in: Soaring yen threatens disaster for most, but profits for some
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brotokyoAug. 23, 2010 - 06:04PM JST

Cleo@

People are deliberately going where they know there are bears, and complaining when they get attacked?

Wow! Where are you trying to take this simple report above? Yellowstone is a National park with campsites as well as many places in the surrounding areas outside that national park. As I stated earlier, pull out an atlas--the entire region, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming is a "GREAT" mountain system WHERE PEOPLE CAMP, HIKE and FISH. I said nothing of people complaining: that is your line/question. I simply stated people go there and added that the bears aren't "coming out of the forests to kill people" (in reponse to your comment above--you got it wrong is all I'm saying--bears aren't coming out of the forests to kill people and that is what you said) but instead I simply pointed out that people　go to where the bears are.

Posted in: Watch out for Yellowstone bears -- they're hungry
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brotokyoAug. 23, 2010 - 02:46PM JST

cleo@

Instead of waiting for hungry bears to come out of the forests and kill people

When you get a chance, pull out an atlas and you will note that Yellowstone is in the forest, thus people/campers/park visitors are going into their (if you'll excuse my expression) neck of the woods.

Posted in: Watch out for Yellowstone bears -- they're hungry
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brotokyoAug. 23, 2010 - 02:32PM JST

porter@

The % of tax you pay in Japan doesn't change but you now may be in a higher US tax bracket.

You certainly do not understand form 1112: it has nothing to do with the % of tax you pay in Japan, it is about the amt of tax you pay in Japan and tthat amt is figured by the exchange rate and can therefore be deducted.

Posted in: Soaring yen threatens disaster for most, but profits for some
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brotokyoAug. 23, 2010 - 01:57PM JST

kp123@

Downside of course is that you're in a higher tax bracket with the IRS, provided you are filing

Makes no difference as this higher income will be offset by the higher amt of taxes you paid here, as figured in your form 1116. Of course if you are breaking US law by not filing, then none of this discussion is necessary anyway.

Posted in: Soaring yen threatens disaster for most, but profits for some