cleo said...

cleo at 01:27 PM JST - 2nd November

Christmas decorations are supposed to stay up until Twelfth Night (January 6th), to give the Magi time to get here and have their cake. It scandalizes the mother-in-law every year when the Christmas stuff stays up chez cleo unapologetically right through O-Shogatsu. (It's often Christmas Eve before the tree gets…

Posted in Why are Christmas decorations and illumination displays put up so early in Japan? at 01:27 PM JST - 2nd November
cleo at 09:44 AM JST - 2nd November

My local home centre has had its Christmas display up for several weeks now. Why? Well, the longer the selling time, the more sales....duh.

I find Christmas one of the saddest times to be in Japan. All glitz and no mince pies or sage'n'onion. Santa comes almost empty-handed, and on…

Posted in Why are Christmas decorations and illumination displays put up so early in Japan? at 09:44 AM JST - 2nd November
cleo at 09:39 AM JST - 2nd November

Osakadaz -

Congratulations on the new sprog. You've got a few sleepless nights ahead of you, but nothing compared to the sleep you'll be losing in 16-18 years' time. :-)

Posted in 2-year-old Japanese girl dies from new flu at 09:39 AM JST - 2nd November
cleo at 10:42 PM JST - 1st November

Smoking helps people die sooner so they are less of a financial burden on the health care system.

It isn't as though smokers lead normal healthy lives until they are suddenly cut down by their habit just before they reach pension age. Smoking makes smokers sicker longer so that they're…

Posted in Tobacco tax could be raised to 'levels in Europe': health minister at 10:42 PM JST - 1st November
cleo at 10:06 PM JST - 1st November

enough is enough, isn't it?

But 9 yen tax per ciggie isn't enough, Sarge. Make the tax really bite, and let those who insist on sucking tar and other filth into their lungs (and spewing the muck-laden smoke into our air) pay their fair share into the health insurance.

Posted in Tobacco tax could be raised to 'levels in Europe': health minister at 10:06 PM JST - 1st November
cleo at 03:20 PM JST - 30th October

Hate to be a wet blanket, kirakira, but didn't your doctor warn you off the booze during pregnancy and breastfeeding? By all means go and collect your bottle, but keep the cork in until you can celebrate the sprong going onto solids.

Good luck with the birth, by the way!

Posted in Harvest Festival in Tochigi a perfect weekend getaway at 03:20 PM JST - 30th October
cleo at 09:21 AM JST - 30th October

The Coco Farm wine is seriously tasty.

Posted in Harvest Festival in Tochigi a perfect weekend getaway at 09:21 AM JST - 30th October
cleo at 09:18 AM JST - 30th October

Perhaps the Baby doesn't have any Japanese look at all

My son has never had any 'Japanese look', but his Dad is definitely Japanese.

Posted in 2 held over trying to obtain Japan nationality for baby at 09:18 AM JST - 30th October
cleo at 11:48 PM JST - 29th October

"As far as you know" has been shown to be quite unreliable

You're the one claiming that 'the anti-whaling / dolphin killing propaganda' are trying to persuade you that eating whale/dolphin meat is lethal. So why not come up with a few specific examples to prove that I'm incorrect?

I…

Posted in 'The Cove' gets mixed reaction from Japanese audience at 11:48 PM JST - 29th October
cleo at 11:38 PM JST - 29th October

What Sarge said.

They expect us to be polite (or is that just a figment of my imagination!) - yet they cannot bestow on us the same courtesy now!

I think it's just a figment of your imagination. I don't find 'they' expect 'us' to be any different to 'them'.…

Posted in Self-centered zombies running rampant through Japanese society at 11:38 PM JST - 29th October