dreamdrifter said...

dreamdrifter at 08:38 AM JST - 12th March

Interesting to read due to its sheer size, but something should be done to curb the level of abuse of freedom of speech there (excuse the oxymoron). Forcing users to log-in might be effective to some degree, although that doesn't seem to stop hate speech in places like youtube and…

Posted in What do you think of 2channel, Japan's biggest Internet forum, where anonymous netizens post anything, including death threats? at 08:38 AM JST - 12th March
dreamdrifter at 11:12 AM JST - 8th March

@stevecpfc

I think to those who catch whales they are fishermen (in the loose sense of the word) who catch whales even though the word fishermen is not usually used in English to describe whalers. Squids and shrimps aren't fish either but they are caught by fishermen.

Posted in Australian police search Sea Shepherd anti-whaling vessel at 11:12 AM JST - 8th March
dreamdrifter at 04:22 AM JST - 6th March

@smithinjapan - i like your last comment!

Posted in Japan will not comply with tuna trade ban: senior fisheries official at 04:22 AM JST - 6th March
dreamdrifter at 11:53 AM JST - 5th March

Surprising level of support for the ban on 2channel of all places.

It's the exporters who will be hit economically, not Japan. (I would have thought that the ban will actually benefit domestic tuna farmers).

So I don't understand the rationale behind the government's position. Who's interests are they trying…

Posted in Japan will not comply with tuna trade ban: senior fisheries official at 11:53 AM JST - 5th March
dreamdrifter at 03:02 PM JST - 4th March

Interesting Australian documentary about Chongryon - search for "North Korea's lifeline" on youtube.

Posted in Korean schools urge gov't not to exclude them from tuition-free plan at 03:02 PM JST - 4th March
dreamdrifter at 02:28 PM JST - 4th March

@hokkaidoguy @cnc @taj @goddog

Private school students will get subsidies that are capped (at double that of the public school tuition fee equivalent) and means tested (i.e. only if the parents earn under a certain amount). It includes all international schools (incl. South Korean, Taiwanese, Chinese, Brazilian and Peruvian schools).…

Posted in Korean schools urge gov't not to exclude them from tuition-free plan at 02:28 PM JST - 4th March
dreamdrifter at 10:52 AM JST - 23rd February

Sorry, I meant "we cannot".

Posted in Detained antiwhaling activist in good health: Okada at 10:52 AM JST - 23rd February
dreamdrifter at 10:30 PM JST - 22nd February

@motogaijin

I'm with you (apart from what you say about what they teach in Japanese schools, which isn't generally the case). But totally agree with you about the naturalization bit. I'd extend it to all "special PR" zainichis, not just the pre-1945 ones as quite a lot of them arrived…

Posted in Minister proposes Korean schools be exempt from free-tuition system at 10:30 PM JST - 22nd February
dreamdrifter at 10:25 PM JST - 22nd February

@AzabuSamurai

It seems that they have relaxed the rules for kids with foreign nationality who haven't been to Japanese primary schools. Apparently authorities in areas with lots of Brazilians have been bending the rules to allow Brazilian kids without primary education to enrol in Japanese secondary schools to stop them…

Posted in Minister proposes Korean schools be exempt from free-tuition system at 10:25 PM JST - 22nd February
dreamdrifter at 09:18 AM JST - 22nd February

It would solve a lot of issues if Japan allows dual nationality. I can understand why some zainichis wouldn't want to naturalize if it means they'll have to give up their Korean nationality.

Posted in Minister proposes Korean schools be exempt from free-tuition system at 09:18 AM JST - 22nd February