koizumi said...

koizumi at 09:31 AM JST - 8th May

FineDiner, you are nearly a solitary voice in the child-rearing wilderness ... and I agree with you 100%.

As you state, it is in fact NOT especially expensive to have children in Japan ... but this is the main reason given by nearly everyone when it comes to the pathetic…

Posted in Aso says having children an 'obligation,' but later retracts remark at 09:31 AM JST - 8th May
koizumi at 08:53 AM JST - 8th May

Yeah, having kids is so expensive in Japan ... so let's just stop with the kids thing and witness the end of our nation.

Way to GAMAN Japan ! That's your vaunted samurai spirit !

Posted in Aso says having children an 'obligation,' but later retracts remark at 08:53 AM JST - 8th May
koizumi at 11:06 AM JST - 5th May

Herefornow ... spot on. There are very few career women in Japan, relatively speaking.

And it's so easy for everyone here to talk about how expensive it is to raise children - even folks who are quite well-off mimic this tired line.

Truth is, when it comes to having children,…

Posted in Japan's child population falls to record low at 11:06 AM JST - 5th May
koizumi at 03:44 PM JST - 2nd May

Manjiro's Tokyo grave is just steps from my front door ... I think of you often, Johnny Boy.

Posted in Museum in memory of John Manjiro to open in Massachusetts on May 7 at 03:44 PM JST - 2nd May
koizumi at 09:22 AM JST - 29th April

Incompetent ... this place is chock-full of well-meaning incompetents.

And it's getting a little old.

I know, I know " just leave " ... don't worry, I will.

Posted in Passengers stranded in plane at Narita for hours due to inspections at 09:22 AM JST - 29th April
koizumi at 07:41 PM JST - 16th April

Sorry ... withOUT more than a little outside pressure.

Posted in Recession a good opportunity to return to Japan's core virtues at 07:41 PM JST - 16th April
koizumi at 07:39 PM JST - 16th April

tkoind2, you are absolutely on the mark.

Why these folks constantly look to the past so fondly ... is positively pathological/very unhealthy.

And this mindset will certainly never change with more than a little 'gaiatsu'.

Posted in Recession a good opportunity to return to Japan's core virtues at 07:39 PM JST - 16th April
koizumi at 12:07 AM JST - 10th April

Smashster, you are exactly right.

The truth would truly set these folks free ... and this nation would be worthy of respect and emulation.

As things currently stand, it's just feelings/attitudes like shame, arrogance, institutionalized ignorance and world-class navel-gazing which control pretty much all spheres of society/culture in Japan.

Posted in History textbook by nationalistic scholars clears screening at 12:07 AM JST - 10th April
koizumi at 05:37 PM JST - 9th April

Thank you magpie and imacat .... and P. Smash, brilliant with your scheme to lessen the educational cost burden with the arrival of each new child.

There is so much creative financial relief that the government could come up with here for any family that is financially strapped (but otherwise…

Posted in Support for 'freeters' needed to halt Japan's declining birthrate at 05:37 PM JST - 9th April
koizumi at 09:00 AM JST - 9th April

HI rick,

What I'm saying is very simple : lack of money is not the problem with regards to Japan's falling birthrate.

I'm not talking about rich people ... I refer to the solidly middle class couples who are simply too tired to concern themselves with 'having more than one'…

Posted in Support for 'freeters' needed to halt Japan's declining birthrate at 09:00 AM JST - 9th April