JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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Confrontation
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California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
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Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi
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- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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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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gyouza
Pity - I thought she was going to say Sioux or Cherokee. Which ties in with another topic she touches on, the richness of the wealthy in the US. The rich are definitely richer, and you could actually argue that the poor are also much poorer as Makoto suggests. Although technically you shouldn't be able to go lower than 0, the sad fact is that many people (and this isn't just US, but most Western countries) have huge debt. Whilst those rich people are getting richer, the price is being paid at the other end. Japan isn't quite that bad yet, but will probably catch up.
As a father of children with both cultures to explore, I love to use the term one of my friends coined - she said 'my kids are not half, they are double' - perfect description! :)
Posted in: Exploring two cultures
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gyouza
Having defended her a lot against some criticism here, I did feel very let down by Lady Gaga, although I'm not exactly sure how the opportunity to appear on the program was presented to her. My disappointment was that she didn't sing 'live' but mimed to a pre-recorded track. She has such a strong voice that she could have blown away most of the singers performing this (er.. last) year. Some of the enka singers too filled me with doubt that they were actually performing live, Girls Generation were certainly not.
So is this a singing show or a miming show?
I missed most of it though.
Happy New Year all.
Posted in: 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' sings for Japan
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gyouza
Japan price is 320yen or less (depending on store location). Thats 4 dollars (@80yen/$) Or 2.62 GBP. So UK is cheaper!
Posted in: 10 years on, Britain happy to have stayed out of the euro
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gyouza
@smithinjapan - I agree - and I believe that it is the addition of what is most likely an AKB starlet really scrapes bottom of the barrell.
Posted in: Who is the mystery person on poster for American movie 'In Time?'
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gyouza
oh, and agree with smithinjapan on film posters AND film titles. What was it that they called "The Bucket List"?
Posted in: Who is the mystery person on poster for American movie 'In Time?'
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gyouza
Looks like Aki Hoshino, but she definitely is not 25.
Sadly I believe it will be an AKB name, guaranteeing it wil be a hit at the cinema as all the TRUE AKB fans will have to see the film. Cynical move by movie promoter I think - and agree with tkoind on this subject. Voice dubbing is really bad - but what s worse, it is usually the same voice in EVERY darn film. Always overacted and always destroys the real power of a film. Saw "Sixth Sense" in dub recently - switched off as it was way too annoying!! :(
Posted in: Who is the mystery person on poster for American movie 'In Time?'
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gyouza
I think UK would be better off outside EU altogether. Why subsidise French farming? Although some UK industry is subsidised too, I think the balance is negative to what the UK pays in relating to what it gets out. Being IN the EU does have some benefits, especially for consumers, but from what I've seen, it looks restricted to being able to watch UK soccer on Greek TV at a fraction of the UK price, and being able to purchase cars in the cheapest (lowest tax) EU country and import them - the dealers are bound to provide right hand drive.
It seems overly burocratic - but perhaps many of you have already seen this statistic?
Pythagoras - His theorem used 24 words, The Lords Prayer had 66 words, Archimedes Principle was just 67 words, The Ten Commandments are 179 words, but the new EU Directive for the sale of cabbages, used up an amazing twenty six thousand, two hundred and fifty three words. - 26,253 words.
If people have to operate within such guidelines then things are just going to grind to a halt!
Looking forward to using my old Drachma and Lire again!?
Posted in: 10 years on, Britain happy to have stayed out of the euro
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gyouza
Isn't it a history issue? The US controlled Okinawa until 1972 and never really left - hence they believe they ned to still be there as opposed to anywhere else. The other issue is that Okinawa is the closest point to Taiwan, which is the subject of a lot of sabre rattling from mainland China. The obvious thing to do would be to move the bases there, but that would probably start WWIII, with China declaring an invasion on its land!
I don't think there is an easy answer which is why Ishihara is very cleverly criticising the governemnt for their actions whilst not actually saying what he would do instead.
I do feel sorry for Okinawans, as they had their hopes raised by Hatoyama in his rather foolish and naive statement that the base would be relocated outside the prefecture - WITHOUT actually deciding where.
Posted in: Protesters block delivery of U.S. base environment report to Okinawa government
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gyouza
It's actually a lot smaller. Looks same though!
Posted in: Toyota launches Aqua gasoline-electric compact hybrid
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gyouza
@tmarie
I think the issue is the place not about rights. Even two people walking abreast on the stretch between Takebashi and Ichibancho will cause problems for anyone running. But the idea of taking a walk is to stroll and enjoy the view whilst chatting to somone - that would be easiest if the person is constantly next to you, and not in and out in order to make way for joggers and runners. So who's rights are the most needy? The right to enjoy a stroll with friends in a public place, or the right to run around the Palace? I walk there, and I run there, and believe it is going to be difficult to do both unless they widen some of the paths. Some ugly colouring on the path to delineate walking vs running would help (along with some graphics on the path). Seems easy to make the situation slightly better, but doubt if it will ever be perfect!
Posted in: Rules considered to cope with increase in Imperial Palace joggers
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gyouza
I run it most days now. The section from Takebashi to Hitotsubashi is the worst, where the path gets so thin that runnnig single file is a must. Sure it is annoynig when you get three people walking abreast at this point but I do something radical - I slow down and sometimes stop and walk past then start running again. It isn't a designated jogging track, I don't have a right of way, it is just convenient for people to run as there are no places to stop for traffic lights. 5km is a good length too.
It is becoming a problem though as more and more people are using it, but nothing a feww good "Manner Posters" couldn't fix!! ;)
Posted in: Rules considered to cope with increase in Imperial Palace joggers
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gyouza
And what is the conclusion? What is the right limit? Government has set limits, bur are these really correct? Are they too low to really afect human health or are we all going to die?
I think the problem is not "not enough information" but too much conflicting info. Delete the hype, and the pictures looks stable, but hysteria seems the more popular option! Annoying.
Posted in: Radiation fears affect New Year meals
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gyouza
@oberst
One of the biggest (double) tsunami isn't enough? You prefer to make light of it and reduce it to ridicule? That's cool - for some.
Posted in: Osaka to accept tsunami debris
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gyouza
@TinMadDog How much money is involved here, and how is the beneficiary. Do you have that info or just assuming?
Also..
So if I read you correctly, Japan's tax payers should pay for Tohoku citizens to keep (what you believe is) radiation contaminated gareki? If it was contiminated (so far not observed to be to any significant or dangerous degree) then all the people there would get sick, right? But you say that's OK, just don't make anyone else sick too? Kind of a confusing message.
Posted in: Osaka to accept tsunami debris
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gyouza
@Darren
Can you provide some links, honestly very interested to know more? Also, what is your degree of "quite contaminated"? There was a lot of oil spillage.
Posted in: Osaka to accept tsunami debris
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gyouza
I like the campaign too. Although some people posting here say it is too obvious and teh message is like teaching kids, the positive effect is that riding on trains here is a much more positive experience than in the UK. Lets skip past the fact that the trains actually arrive at the station and they are numerous, the fact they are clean, and you can actually use the seats is a blessing. In the UK people use them as footrests, which means you could be sitting in doggy poo, puke, or some other substance left on the streets. Also, peoples manners are generally better with MOST people refraining from talking on the phone here - in the UK I HAVE to listen to peoples arguments with boyfriends, discussions of what to have for dinner, or who is leaving who - all really critical discussions that couldn't wait 15-20 minutes, right? I capitalised the word "have" as people (for wahtever reason) tend to shout. Society here constantly reminds of what is not acceptable, and hence it is harder to break the rules. In the UK it is a 'I can get away with it' mentatlity which seems unstoppable now.
Posted in: Subway manners
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gyouza
It is just so odd that people don't get it - Tsunami debris is NOT a result of the events at Fukushima.
@ssway - your comments continue to be off mark. In order to dig a hole to put the debris in they will need to move earth somewhere - where do they put that (radiaoactive) earth?
It is a chance for places like Osaka that have land expansion plans to accelerate them - sounds like a win-win situation.
Posted in: Osaka to accept tsunami debris
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gyouza
@tkoind - oh, and good choices by the way! Annie Lennox and Siouxsie Sioux are boith amazing too. Banshee's were one of my favorites in my 'goth' days.
Posted in: Going Gaga
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gyouza
@tkoind - I tend to disagree with the ripoff claim. I think she is quite unique and has an amazing voice. She also seems intelligent enough to handle this all and package and reinvent herself every few months. That (to me) is creativity bursting at the seams, and must be mental torture for her to live with herself!!
I don't particularly like her music, but she really is quite special.
Posted in: Going Gaga
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gyouza
Isn't the plane grounded in the US right now, or is that F-22?
It does look political, but honestly speaking, F4's still in service would seem to be a liability! Only the Wright Flyer is older!
Posted in: Japan formally selects F-35 as new fighter jet