JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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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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- Part Time Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥9,000 / Day per 4 class shift
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genjuro
Good job, ladies. Otsukare sama.
Posted in: Ice queens
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genjuro
@NickyWashida if you're female and want to make it in Korean entertainment it's associated with something else.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/09/entertainment/la-ca-cultural-exchange-20110109
http://www.allkpop.com/2010/11/snsd-fans-angered-over-taiwanese-tv-show-accusing-snsd-of-providing-sexual-favors
http://www.allkpop.com/2010/08/selling-sex-to-be-a-korean-idol-taiwanese-singer-reveals-all
Posted in: Asia's K-Pop clones dance to South Korean beat
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genjuro
Something to be said for obachans. Tsuyoi desune.
Finally nice to hear some good news.
Posted in: 84-year-old woman found alive after being buried in snow for 4 hours
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genjuro
@oginome While you've provided a lot of data and asserted several times over Japan's expertise and edge in higher end manufacturing, leaving the lower end to other countries with lesser skill and knowhow, e.g. Korea, China, etc. can you explain how that eventually translates to profit to Japan's bottom line? Or more importantly, how can Japan maintain its lead and continue to turn a profit in this kind of scenario. Manufacturing is still a large component of any companies' revenue, whether they be low or high end. If more and more of these are being outsourced or farmed out to other countries, and they in turn start to develop high end components (which is definitely possible), wouldn't that in the end hurt the Japanese manufacturing industry overall in the long run? I'm wondering how this current state of the industry that you've described would pan out long term and if it's sustainable.
Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea
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genjuro
@chiisaishima Good articles. They reiterate my previous points above about Japan's critical role in the IT supply chain. Let me repost them as clickable links:
http://www.digitimes.com/print/a20110322VL203.html
http://www.globalsources.com/NEWS/Quake-shakes-up-Chinas-components-supply.html
Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea
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genjuro
There's a truth to this, and it's not without any historical precedent. Japan has a history of innovation and creativity in technology, electronics, automobiles, etc. and has built a worldwide reputation in these fields. Even though economically Japan's next-door neighbor have made big strides with cheaper products, it's well known that Korea in the past has copied Japanese products, oftentimes even shamelessly to the packaging. You can judge for yourself:
http://youtu.be/ah2i-H_hHQ0
Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea
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genjuro
@shirokuma You raise some good points which I've brought up before. Akimoto, the brains behind Onyanko Club, created AKB and their sister groups from pretty much the same template he used some 30 some-odd years ago. I guess my question for those who've been here since that time (mid-80's), did you see Onyanko as sexualized lolitas back then? Or for those who've been in Japan since the early 2000's, how different was it with Morning Musume back in those days?
This whole idol thing is cyclical, as we've seen with Onyanko and MoMusu. It will come and go eventually, as most pop trends in Japan do. In a few years time the fans and wotas will move on to the next big thing. Right now it's supposedly 'Idol sengoku jidai' with a number of non-AKB idol groups also vying for publicity, and this is most likely why you can't go anywhere without seeing anything AKB or idol-related. Doesn't help also that Akimoto is on a tear with his cash cow groups and even starting overseas, non-Japanese AKB sister groups.
Sooner or later, though, he'll pull the plug on AKB like he did with Onyanko. The latter was only active for a few years before he disbanded the group, so who knows how long he'll keep AKB alive. Love or hate them, for these girls do put a lot of work in what they do and for the most part seem to enjoy it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Eventually they get older and graduate so they just use this opportunity as a springboard to their own personal goals. So they're just enjoying the ride while they can.
Posted in: Do you think all-girl groups like AKB48 are being marketed as sexualized little Lolitas or is it just harmless fun?
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genjuro
A good example of this I saw in the news after 3/11 last year, when factories and plants within the Tohoku region were affected by the tsunami. This caused some concern with Korean and Chinese companies who were using Japanese components in their vehicles and electronics; they were worried about the disruption in the supply chain and possible shortages of raw materials. This led to the other plants in unaffected regions to work double time to meet the demand. Same thing happened more recently with the flooding in Thailand, which shut down quite a few Japanese factories there, albeit temporarily.
Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea
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genjuro
Consume boshintang please.
A very sensible suggestion, though easier said than done. I'd think that producing a relief efforts album by the artists or collaboration between would be the least of the record labels priority. They would rather have their artists do public performances or promotions (which isn't bad in itself) on SP programs like the 27 FNS show with the 'egao' theme last year. But even then, I've heard of individual artists like Hamasaki Ayu who gave 30M Yen to the Tohoku relief fund. I'm sure there are others who preferred to remain anonymous.
What I'm more concerned with, though, are the millions of dollars in donations that came from all around the world through Red Cross and other established institutions last year. Have these monies even been disbursed and put to use and/or reached their intended recipients yet??
Posted in: SMAP, AKB48 among 20 acts to appear on NHK program to mark 1st anniversary of March 11 disaster
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genjuro
@my2sense At least one that I know of, Natsumi Hirajima, chose to attend regular high school. The majority of them take correspondence or part-time high school courses.
Posted in: Fans connect with AKB48 on Google+
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genjuro
True. Koreans don't really innovate when they copy; if any they're just fast to market. They've been copying Japanese products for decades and often don't even bother to redesign the packaging. Not just electronics but all kinds of products. Pretty sad, actually.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah2i-H_hHQ0
Posted in: Sony's Stringer reportedly to step down as president
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genjuro
Oops, meant stab wounds to the neck.
Posted in: Two Taiwanese women stabbed to death in Tokyo apartment
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genjuro
What a tragedy. I hope there are security cameras in and around the area that could help the cops nab the murderer.
Stab necks to the neck.... doesn't sound like some random burglary. Wouldn't be surprised if the murderer(s) knew the victims.
Posted in: Two Taiwanese women stabbed to death in Tokyo apartment
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genjuro
That's a lot to pay for mercury-tainted foodstuff.
Posted in: Record Y56.49 mil paid for single tuna fish at Tokyo auction
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genjuro
real & Ossan, I agree. That boundary line China is claiming is freakishly close to Okinawa and if they're to be taken at their word, what we have is a living, breathing and moving boundary line lol.
oldsanno, good point. I was wondering what the historical context was regarding claims to these islands. Doesn't seem to go far back as the Takeshima dispute in comparison. Would be interesting to see old maps with the borders clearly marked for reference.
Posted in: China, Taiwan complain after Japanese politicians land on disputed isles
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genjuro
I think there was a mistake. Maybe they meant it to be called the Japan Most Popular Group Award. Then again, by 'top Japan record industry award' they meant the group or act that sold the most number of records (and made the labels happy), without reference to actual creativity or originality from the members themselves in terms of self-produced music. If that's the case, then the award is spot on.
Historically, AKB48 is just a modern incarnation of J-Idol groups that started earlier such as Onyanko club (also by Akimoto P) and Morning Musume (by Tsunku); wouldn't be surprised if those also won awards decades before. Don't know if YUI or Ikimono Gakari were in the running but if they were would rather either one won instead. I prefer AKB for their TV shows than their music where they get to show their individual sides and quirkiness more, especially in the wacky challenges and batsu games. Their reactions such as when forced to eat getemono or receive oshioki are just hilarious.
Posted in: AKB48 wins top Japan record industry award
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genjuro
Happy to see her skating well again, especially after her recent tragic loss. Looking forward to next year's Worlds.
Ganbare, Mao-chan! Ouensuru!
Posted in: Asada to lead Japan at figure skating worlds
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genjuro
Merry Christmas!
Posted in: Merry Christmas
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genjuro
Okay, I've heard of speed dating but this is something else.
Posted in: Speedskater Shimizu gets 'speed' divorce from Reiko Takagaki
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genjuro
tkoind2, well said. Not into either singers, but can't help but see her as just Madonna 2.0. All she's doing Madonna has done before (probably better), just repackaged, revamped with frills for this century to lull the masses she's doing something original, e.g. meat costume. Plus being in the Internet age hasn't hurt her get more exposure than she'd normally would. And yeah, agree... Lennox and Sioux were awesome.
Posted in: Going Gaga