JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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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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jerseyboy
Agree with the sentiment of many of these posts. These corporate problems are evidence of far-reaching structural problems facing Japan as it goes onto the 2010's. In fact, I think it is probably not helpful that the recalls for Toyota are all outside of Japan. It allows the wide-spread sense of superiority/complacency to persist, since folks can simple blame a U.S. parts supplier. Unfortunately for those folks, it was not that part supplier that caused Toyota to lose money in both 2008 and 2009, and ignored this problem when it first came up in 2007 on Tundra. Unless some serious and substantial changes are made to the general mind-set here, I'm afraid that Japan's best days are way, way behind it.
Posted in: Problems at Toyota, JAL taint Japan Inc's image
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jerseyboy
MonkeyZ -- agree, excellent post. This country is stuck in neutral when it comes to many critical social-welfare systems. Unwanted pregnancies being high on the list.
Posted in: Newborn baby found dead in Fukuoka supermarket toilet
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jerseyboy
DenDon -- glad we agree. Sony will rake in the cash -- because folks worldwide recognize that he was a supreme talent. As ahocchau says: "ageless". But, again, I know I'm responding to someone who is speaking from ignorence, since you have no first-hand-knowledge of "This Is It".
Posted in: Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' DVD rakes in Y1.6 billion in one day
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jerseyboy
Oh, and I failed to mention that the vaunted Toyota principal of "continuous improvement" apparently missed the gas pedal.
Posted in: Toyota recall spreads to 2.4 mil vehicles worldwide
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jerseyboy
If I understand the article correctly, reports first started way back in March, 2007 -- three years ago. And they quietly fixed the problem on the Tundra without going public. This is beginning to smell more and more like a cover-up and reminds me of the similar problem at Mitsubishi Trucks a few years ago with their wheel assemblies. Toyota's crediblity is on the line here, and I fear the top management in Japan is clueless on how to deal with such a problem. Denial and obfiscating works in Japan, but is deadly in the U.S. or Eurpoe.
Posted in: Toyota recall spreads to 2.4 mil vehicles worldwide
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jerseyboy
ilcub76 -- maybe the Japanese fascination is the same as millions of folks worldwide. He was a once-in-a-generation type talent who became an icon based on his incredible combination of skills -- singing, dancing, song-writing, showmanship, etc. His performance back in '83 at the Motown 25th anniversary was quite possibly the seminal moment of that decade, even Fred Astaire said he was the best dancer he'd ever seen. But my guess is that you haven't seen "This Is It", so your comment is simply based on ignorance. Am I right?
Posted in: Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' DVD rakes in Y1.6 billion in one day
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jerseyboy
Ivan -- not sure. Check out her upper arms. They are the same pale white color as her legs. In fact, it is hard to tell where her gloves end, and her skin begins.
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jerseyboy
Maybe if you're getting married in Harajuku Aya's dress would work. Any where else, and it is just plain tacky.
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jerseyboy
Japanese papers would be declining even faster if it were not for the inter-ownership that exists between them and the major ad agencies like Dentsu and Hakuhodo. Just more dying businesses being propped up by Japan Inc.
Posted in: Japanese newspapers look for new ways to survive
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jerseyboy
OssanAmerica -- what's your point? Or do you actually have one? But let me make one. The U.S., as the article states, has already contibuted $1.25 for every citizen. Currently Japan has spent $5.0 million, or $.04 per citizen. So, respectfully, no matter how exactly the U.S. money is being spent -- even if some were going for a new Presidential Palace -- no one here really has any basis for criticism.
Posted in: Haiti govt gets 1 penny of U.S. quake aid dollar
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jerseyboy
ilcub76 -- agree with the sentiment of your comment, but I would not predict the downfall of Toyota just yet. However, don't let sfjp330 read your opinion. He's still convinced Toyota is the world's "best managed" car company. Ignoring of course their record loss last year, and predicted one again this year. Personally I feel Toyota is sort of like JAL. They benefited from years of goverment intervention/protectionism, but now must face competition head-on, since the government cannot afford to intervene in the exchange markets anymore, and the Japanese car market is shrinking, so that does not provide the cushion it once did for Toyota. Going forward, China and India will determine Toyota's fate, and the jury is still out as to whether they will enjoy success in those two markets.
Posted in: Dealers swamped by worried Toyota drivers in U.S.
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jerseyboy
sfjp330 -- your defense of Toyota is pretty flimsy. First off, for years Toyota was protected from a strong yen by direct government intervention in the FOREX markets. Which hurt U.S. care makers an incredible amount. Now, you are lamenting the strong yen. Second, you speak of the "phasing out of many government incentives", when, in actuality, the eco-refund system here has been extended through September by the DPJ, and, in fact, Toyota benefitted more than any other car company, including the U.S. ones, from the cash-for-clunkers program in the states. Besides which, if Toyota is so well managed, they shouldn't need such government support to prosper, should they? Also, you must have missed the news of the last few days of Toyota's massive recalls in the U.S. and Europe. Something on the order of 4.0 million vehicles. And, it was announced today that they will suspend sales of 7 or 8 models in the U.S. until they can fix the problems. Finally, they were late into the Chinese market where VW and GM dominate. Hardly consistent with your opinion that they are "the best managed auto company in the world". IMO, they have benefitted for many years from favorable J-goverment policies and a strong U.S. car market. Now that those factors have changed, we'll see how truly well managed they are.
Posted in: Toyota plans to sell 8.27 million vehicles worldwide in 2010
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jerseyboy
Agree with the majority of the comments. Just how was the U.S. supposed to better handle a situation of such proportions? 11 out of 13 buildings housing the Haitian government were destroyed, so there was no functioning government for several days. The airport and main port were severly damaged. And virtually all infastructure -- electricity, telephone, water, roads, bridges, etc.-- was wiped out. Respectfully, the French and Italians are entitled to their opinions, but the Haitians would be in much more dire straights right now if they had had to wait for them to put boots on the ground. Much less the pathetic response from the Japanese. And, yes, I am a bit defensive on this subject. Not because I am staunchly pro-U.S., but because a member of my immediate family is there in Haiti as part of the State Department's relief team. And he was sent on 24 hours notice the day after the disaster struck.
Posted in: Clinton says critics of U.S. relief effort in Haiti misguided
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jerseyboy
If Hatoyama has a clear strategy on Futenma/U.S. relations, or virtually anything else for that matter, can someone please enlighten me on it? It is almost unbelievable that the world's second largest economy could be so completely directionless, on almost every major issue -- foreign affairs, tax policy, pension reform, population growth, immigration, etc, etc. OK, Obama may have bit off more than he could chew in his first year in office, but at least he appears to have some over-riding view of the world, and the U.S. role in it. (Neither NYC, that will try the prisoners, or the town in Indiana, that will house them, were too pleased with the way he has decided to proceed on Gito, but he is doing what he feels is right.) Japan and Hatoyama are clueless. He's letting the folks in Nago determine his strategy.
Posted in: Hatoyama says he'll start from scratch on Futenma relocation plan
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jerseyboy
Talk about lame -- she got divorced, so she can relate to "Prison Break"????? Someone please assure me that Japanese consumers are not that dumb, that even they laugh at such utter nonsense.
Posted in: Uehara, Shiratori promote 'Prison Break' DVD release
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jerseyboy
52.3% represents "the will of the people"? Hardly a mandate. In fact, if my math is correct, if about 800 folks had voted for the other candidate, Hataoyama would have to be singing a different tune. 800 folks in one tiny little town dictate defense/foreign policy. No wonder this country is so screwed up.
Posted in: Hatoyama says Nago mayoral result shows will of the people
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jerseyboy
I hope for Japan's sake that Daigo is not truly "representing the men" here. But, then again, there are a lot of guys seemingly copying his look. Is there no end to the fascination with the fleeting here?
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jerseyboy
I admit that I'm pretty slow sometimes, but did the article mention who the father is and any information on their relationship? Or are we just all supposed to know that?
Posted in: Actress Yoko Maki announces she is married, pregnant
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jerseyboy
Cleo...thanks and agree.
Posted in: Australia invests in whale research to challenge Japan
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jerseyboy
Cleo...and your point is what? That Japan cannot see anyone else's view, so the killing should just be allowed to go on? As Spanishwoman says, that is Japan's response to everything -- "We are unique, with special Japanese sensitivities/tradtions which must be respected, so just leave us alone." Even if we are practicing these traditions in international waters.
Posted in: Australia invests in whale research to challenge Japan