JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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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
@Zichi - I love the scale used!
Posted in: Radioactive strontium found in 3 locations in Tokyo
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gyouza
Justin - you are absolutely right, smoking is far more dangerous!
Posted in: Radioactive strontium found in 3 locations in Tokyo
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gyouza
@kurisupisu The figure you quoted for Shinjuku is actually much higher - 36,000 becquerels per sqm of fallout was registered in Hyakunincho on 3/22. The background radiation readings rose accordingly from 0.034 microsieverts per hour (3/14) to 0.14 on 3/23. The background readings are now down to 0.052 and have been in that region (0.06 and under) since early May. These are recorded daily and published. The people doing it are not making exit plans, and the government hasn't found the need t exit Tokyo yet - surely if they were in any way concerned they would have found a reason to relocate to Osaka or somewhere else. If they are lying to us, then they are also leaving themselves in danger, right?
But even with the elevated reading on March (it stayed above 0.1 microSv/h for ten days) it is still similar LESS than the background reading in HK (0.13~0.15). Current levels are lower than Singapore (0.09~0.1) and London (0.08 - although I'm trying to track a good source for these numbers - they may also be airborn).
@ssway The ongoing hotspots are interesting - two have been due to ancient radon discoveries, and the others are almost exclusively where large surface areas drain off into rain channels or ducts, etc - I'm not actually a scientist but this makes huge sense to me. The one thing that I completely and utterly agree with you on is that the situation is still unpredictable - but wasn't it the same before 3/11? I don't think anyone had a M9 quake on the tarot cards.
Posted in: Radioactive strontium found in 3 locations in Tokyo
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gyouza
@hatsoff - great link!
@ssway - the risk page on the link hatsoff provided has a vey good graphic way to see this - http://www.ukradon.org/article.php?key=risksradon.
1,000 deaths due to Radon related cancer vs 30,000 for smoking related (note the index has had to be broken to allow the difference between the minor values to be noticeable. This is for natural radiation is predominant in the environment, not small concentartions here and there. Also the risk of being an aircrew worker greater than working at a nuclear plant.
Hope it helps you get a clearer picture.
Posted in: Radioactive strontium found in 3 locations in Tokyo
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gyouza
Getting back to the article for just a second, the amounts of strontium were relatively small and somewhat localised. I understand form what you are writing that you believe these amounts to be more dangerous than the amount of smokers in Tokyo in terms of final number of deaths? You might want to revist that point. As someone raised in a family of smokers but never having smoked a single cigarette myself, I'm acutely aware of the danger I have been exposed to. Thankfully the world is changing because of peoples awareness of the dangers, and the science tells me that the levels we are seeing in Tokyo are just now worth worrying about. This isn't the Japanese governement, this isn't industry sponsored scientists, these are independant scientists (e.g. Oxford Professor) who have worked in the field and know it well. Let's not forget the amount of pollutants in the air from coal fired power stations, known to cause asthma, etc as well as diesel exhaust. I don't know where you moved to but I don't know of anywhere that is 100% safe from either natural or human originated threat.
So, try not to worry about it too much, you will probably end up with heart disease! Time to move on from the Cold War views of nuclear war fallout.
BTW - the locales immediately around Fukushima are a different matter - the levels are completely different.
Posted in: Radioactive strontium found in 3 locations in Tokyo
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gyouza
I believe that Kamei's main support stream is from agriculture, hence his stance that Noda is not listening to HIS people or that minority will get weaker. What is really odd is the fact that he heads up a party already (PNP), so why bother start a new one? Why not just ensure taht the party charter is one that more people are aligned to, then he might get some more votes and seats.
Posted in: Kamei looking to form new political party to counter DPJ
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gyouza
Hi Ranger - put my comments into the right context - or actually read them. It is a response to someone else.
Posted in: Emperor leaves hospital after bronchial pneumonia bout
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gyouza
Just an old man in his seventies who has been sick. Not so deserving of apathy.
Posted in: Emperor leaves hospital after bronchial pneumonia bout
3
gyouza
I do feel sad for those who really are terrified by the current situation - it is bad in Fukushima, but in Tokyo it will be pretty much life as normal if current sitaution prevails.
Large (?) amounts of fallout hit Tokyo on March 20-23, coinciding with the first rains after the earthquake - since then there hasn't really been large amounts, and most of the time, it is undetectable.
A 90 year old woman died of natural causes having slept on top of radium bottles for 40 years. People were worried about the level on the street, but she was literally on top of it.
There will be problems, there may even be deaths, but to treat it with such fear is probably not wise, and to give up your life because of that fear?
I honestly wish you well, but try not to think we are ignorant - that isn't fair.
Posted in: Radioactive strontium found in 3 locations in Tokyo
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gyouza
Hi Smithinjapan - oops bad format, sorry
It is 9 years ahead - so I'm not exactly sure what the connection is. Heaven forbid that the people of Tohoku are forotten, that would be a disaster, but the rest of Japan stopping whilst they catch up again is not in the country's best interests. It will cost money to stage the Olympics, but it will also generate jobs - jobs in construction, travel, and other industries. It is an opportunity - and would be foolish to ignore it. On top of that, you would have seen the effect that the World Cup had in 2002, national pride went through the roof, and then the Nadeshiko sisters. It was heart warming to see supporters in shelters really enjoying the games on TV. Providing that kind of opportuntiy for national unity has a very positive effect. The money is there, it isn't being diverted. Can't be all bad can it?
Posted in: Noda to support Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid
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gyouza
Hi Smithinjapan
Posted in: Noda to support Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid
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gyouza
Yep, much better to wallow inself pity and not think of the future at all!
Posted in: Noda to support Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid
3
gyouza
This is interesting as Noda (and his governement) is almost certainly going to be out of power in the next term of parliamant. Not because he is bad, but because the public will want to hang someone for the collective inaction of the politicians who constantly bicker and prevent progress on reconstruction (this is all parties). Then, Tanigaki will opppose this support just because he thinks he has to criticize everything the governemnt supports (repeating the theme of lack of cooperation) and then his his party will be in power (hopefully not him though) and will be left smiling whilst lending their full support to the campaign, painting it as an alternative campaign to the Noda one, saying their is more money available for better initiatives.
Japanese politics - never a dull moment!
Posted in: Noda to support Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid
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gyouza
@zichi - wouldn't it be nice for a change?
You'd think the politicians in the same party might be leading the "unite" charge!!
Posted in: Ozawa criticizes Noda for consumption tax hike plan
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gyouza
Wishing him well - pneumonia is very tiring. Wind will be well knocked out of his sails. As he is not so young, recovery is going to take time.
Posted in: Emperor leaves hospital after bronchial pneumonia bout
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gyouza
England above Brazil? Just doesn't look right. Japan above England might be more appropriate!
Full table here http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html
Posted in: Spain tops FIFA rankings; Japan 19th
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gyouza
@tmarie
I confess to be really confused by this story now and all the various threads that have been moderated out - but the article clearly states that "The mother fled to her native Japan with the girl in 2008, shortly after her husband, Moises Garcia, filed for divorce."
Point being, there was no court order at the time of filing for divorce (or would be odd to say the least), so the mother returning home to her home country with her child actually seems like a very natural act, doesn't it?
Posted in: American father wins custody of daughter taken to Japan
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gyouza
@cleo - I was wondering how many Japanese man -> foreign women marriages are a result of "legalising" workers in the oldest profession in the business. I know it is rife, just not how big, or if it would skew the numbers. There is likely a lot of turnover as the wives lose their sine so to speak. Not a pleasant subject though. Reason for bringing it up is that I feel there are more "real" Japanese woman -> foreign man marriages around.
Posted in: American father wins custody of daughter taken to Japan
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gyouza
I think in this case the parents' nationality is irrelevant - the child is a US citizen by virtue of being born there, so the courts (I assume) are protecting that right first and foremost. Without the detail of the divorce and custody settlement though, it really is difficult to judge the emotional right and wrong here (and to be honest I really hope it could stay private). She broke the law, I know, but that is not the right and wrong I'm referring to.
Jeez, can you imagine when this girl learns how to google and starts digging up these stories about her custody battle?
Posted in: American father wins custody of daughter taken to Japan
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gyouza
@Nicky
Agree with the concept, but what is her side of the story? I haven't seen her story documented, and since she is in jail, I doubt if a "free speaking" version will be available just yet. Bear in mind I'm NOT on her side, I just don't see both sides of the argument here. as for poisining the against him, he seems ready to fight back.. ""I have a team of psychologists that would help, I have interpreters, too. I speak Japanese, and I'm ready for her. I also cook Japanese food. I'm prepared for her,"" from WISN.COM. Lets hope he paints a fair picture of his side too, he has spent 350,000USD on this already.
The real loser here is the child - how can you really grow up in that kind of environment where your parents are at each others throats despite being 10,000km apart? The biggest question for me is do these parents love the child or just see her as a way to get a victory over the other party? I really hope that isn't the case.
Posted in: American father wins custody of daughter taken to Japan