floyd_43 said...

floyd_43 at 10:10 AM JST - 21st November

I think Noborito is completely right...the Japanese psyche is so thin-skinned and group-orientated that even the slightest form of group-alienation is equated with bullying. When I was at school, everybody teased each other, sometimes really extremely nastily, but that was just seen as part of the 'toughening up' process -…

Posted in More than 100,000 bullying cases at schools in FY 2007 at 10:10 AM JST - 21st November
floyd_43 at 09:49 AM JST - 24th October

So what's new? In any case, 9% sales tax is still pretty low compared to a lot of countries!

Posted in Sales tax hike to 9% may be needed to cover rising health care costs at 09:49 AM JST - 24th October
floyd_43 at 09:48 AM JST - 24th October

God, that story brings back so many great memories!! A pity its considered unsafe to hitch hike these days because it really is an amazing and fun way to meet people and see places!!

Posted in Want to see the real Japan? Try hitchhiking at 09:48 AM JST - 24th October
floyd_43 at 09:25 AM JST - 18th October

555book's comments are not too thoughtful either - of course Y160,000 is worth a lot more in China, but I hope you are not suggesting that that is what Chinese OAPs receive!

To be honest, I don't have a great deal of sympathy for people who complain that when they…

Posted in Niche services for rich elderly thrive despite sluggish Japan economy at 09:25 AM JST - 18th October
floyd_43 at 09:14 AM JST - 18th October

Sorry ultraday, but that's a really dumb comment - yes, baa-chan and jii-chan are being ripped off, but willingly! These people are NOT consters, they're just being good capitalists and providing a service that some people are willing to pay a price for. If there are people who are willing…

Posted in Niche services for rich elderly thrive despite sluggish Japan economy at 09:14 AM JST - 18th October
floyd_43 at 09:04 AM JST - 24th September

What is really frightening is that we now face the prospect of a whole spate of copy-cat incidents!

Posted in Man held over palace explosions says he dumped 500 kg of explosives in Tokyo Bay at 09:04 AM JST - 24th September
floyd_43 at 11:13 AM JST - 22nd September

I couldn't agree more with Suebe36d!!

Posted in Girl, 5, found naked, unconscious on Chiba street; confirmed dead at hospital at 11:13 AM JST - 22nd September
floyd_43 at 11:15 AM JST - 22nd August

Cleo-

Obviously your questions would need to be addressed, particularly regarding the position of Japanese ex-pats. On the other hand, the money to fund government needs to come from somewhere and since Japan has one of the highest corprate tax rates in the world, and one of the lowest consumption…

Posted in Survey finds 60% of big firms support sales tax hike at 11:15 AM JST - 22nd August
floyd_43 at 11:02 AM JST - 22nd August

"But what was his wife doing leaving her child when it was only 12 days old?" and "This will be in my head all day wishing this country would step up on this stuff."

Oh, so now its the fault of the Japanese, is it????

Posted in British man held over newborn son's death at 11:02 AM JST - 22nd August
floyd_43 at 09:44 AM JST - 20th August

Its not hard to see why companies favour consumption tax increase, as the only alternative to boost government revenues would be to increase corporate tax rates instead.

I totally support an increase in consumption tax, especially when you compare it to Europe or North America. The system is bankrupt and…

Posted in Survey finds 60% of big firms support sales tax hike at 09:44 AM JST - 20th August