JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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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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nigelboy
Marcelito,
I agree with you that such imbalance is occuring in EU/Korea because of those issues you mentioned. And it goes to my point that with Korea being nearly 40%/GDP on exports and made no secret of the fact that they are dependent on "exports" for their growth, they are more suceptible to these occurance. But what's also putting doubts by some of the Korean lawmakers are that despite the low levels of their own currency, they simply cannot get the numbers to go up.
And if you believe, Patrick Smash is "in" the higher ups, I got a bridge to sell you. Noda had made no secret that he wants to join the TPP for this was his speech during the Diet session when DPJ was still the minority party. He also made sure that most of his cabinet members are also in agreement with his direction when he was elected as a PM. As for the bureucrats, there are obviously contrasting views among several different ministries and they rarely cooperate with each other so you're never going to get a "unanimious" decision from them.
Posted in: U.S. lawmakers wary of Japan joining TPP pact
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nigelboy
Excuses once again. Volkswagon seem to be very well despite these so-called "non tariff barriers" . Is it any wonder that many countries have trade surpluses with U.S? Always threatening with additional protectionist measures just because things don't go your way. Waaaaa!!!
Threat to enact protectionist measures to developing nations which resulted in Plaza Accord. Omnibus Foreign Trade and Competetiveness Act. Structural Impediments initiative which is basically ordering Japan to not spend government money to promote exports. Always changing the rules when the score isn't in your favor.
Posted in: U.S. senator criticizes Japan on auto trade barriers
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nigelboy
Read and understand.
http://www.iti.or.jp/stat/2-008.pdf
Posted in: Toyota's net profit plunges 71.8% in first half
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nigelboy
Whoa that came out of nowhere. Does Enron, Worldcom ring a bell?? Aurther Anderson anyone??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_scandals#cite_note-24
Posted in: Olympus shares dive 20% as investors fear delisting
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nigelboy
marcelito,
I believe I gave you the statistics on Korea/EU FTA after 4 months where Korea's exports declined and the imports grew despite the fact that their own currency was at very low levels. Secondly, the USA-Korea FTA is still not ratified for there are now strong opposition within the lawmakers. Second thoughts perhaps?
Ministry of Agriculture estimated that if Japan agrees to TPP whereby food producing giants such as Australia and U.S. join, their self sufficiency will decline to 14%.
"It's a national security interest to be self‐sufficient in food. It's a luxury that you've always taken for granted here in this country ....Can you imagine a country that was unable to grow enough food to feed the people? It would be a nation that would be subject to international pressure. It would be a nation at risk " George Bush.
I think when we're dealing with FTA/EPA, you simply can't look at what Japan gains/loses for you also have to look at the other party which in this case is U.S. Whatever the net gain Japan may or may not achieve to as a result of this dwarfs what U.S. will gain.
Hence, this is why I prefer the bi-lateral approach. It's a nation to nation, give and take approach which is clearly more fair than this BS kumbaya.
Posted in: U.S. lawmakers wary of Japan joining TPP pact
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nigelboy
Yes tmarie,
I guess we live in a different world for I've made an effort to assimilate, learn the language, and associate with common folks which I believe made my stay here much more enjoyable than those who did none of the above. It's a never ending cycle for them for their lack of effort will undoubtedly result in isolation which turns into negative views about almost anything in Japan. Every negative things that gets witnessed are amplified 100x.
I've witnessed people giving up seats to elders and pregnant women and I've seen people not giving up seat as well. This happens in all countries. Whether which country does this more frequently is your own personal interpretation but I must say, it's completely the opposite of what you claim. The examples I gave (bus driver, elevator, etc.) are unique to Japan based on my experience. In addition, in times of crisis, people's true nature comes out so that's why I mentioned some of the things the Tokyo people did which amazed the foreign people but it wasn't surprising for me. It's an extension of the politeness I generally experienced here so perhaps we are living in two different worlds.
Posted in: A culture shock – generosity isn’t free
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nigelboy
Smitty
It's everywhere. Blogs, forums and 2 chan. Please.
Posted in: Olympus admits hiding losses dating back to 1990s
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nigelboy
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/上場廃止となった企業一覧
Here you gogogogo
Posted in: Olympus shares dive 20% as investors fear delisting
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nigelboy
For those who stated that stability, like the long term of presidency, is necessary, then why is the current president keep harping on the fact that he couldn't get the results because of the large damage that the previous administration had caused even until at this moment?
Is that simply a weak excuse or does he have a legitimate point?
Posted in: What do you think of the drawn-out U.S. presidential election system whereby electoral votes determine who wins one year from now?
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nigelboy
Comparing Olympus to Enron is like comparing dog poop on the sidewalk to sewage treatment center. I agree with herefornow. Such comparison is absurd.
As for the electoral votes, it's probably frustrating for red voters voting in historically blue states and vice versa for one wonders why he/ she voted any way.
Posted in: What do you think of the drawn-out U.S. presidential election system whereby electoral votes determine who wins one year from now?
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nigelboy
Lol Herefornow,
Did you forget to read the unofficial epilogue? A's fans aren't getting it for now they believe his so called success were luck coupled with playing in a weak division.
Posted in: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie arrive in Tokyo
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nigelboy
Gee herefornow. Isn't that a definition of a conservative?
The guy wants to eliminate the death penalty, increase defense spending, agrees to subsidize NK schools, open a casino, etc.
Those are changes. But then again, I can see you arguing that those are "special interests"
Posted in: Anti-TPP groups, lawmakers step up pressure on Noda
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nigelboy
VicM
I wouldn't classify TPP to be that much of a predatory nature but one point that needs to be readdressed is the fact that Japan already has FTA with 6 of the 9 participating nations with the seventh under negotiations. (Australia)
Posted in: Anti-TPP groups, lawmakers step up pressure on Noda
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nigelboy
People seem to forget that throughout history, there is a reason for tariffs by each countries. As nation, there is nothing wrong with protecting certain parts of your industry.
This is why I prefer the bilateral FTA as opposed this BS kumbaya because those two nations can clearly iron out what sections they can give and what sectors they cannot concede. Step by step give and take.
Posted in: Anti-TPP groups, lawmakers step up pressure on Noda
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nigelboy
Tmarie,
But you're trying. Why don't you accept the fact that Japan, as a whole, is polite. If you want to measure politeness as some of sort of index to measure superiority over another, then it's quite obvious that it's you who are having this inferiority complex. I'm not afraid to admit that Western men, especially the English, are more gentlemen-like than Japan. This is one of many forms of politeness where you can plug in your cultural customs of opening doors as an example. But one could very much make an argument that such actions are not whims of kindness but is guided by "culture". Not doing so there is the "soto", "uchi" examples you gave about kohai and senpai. Once you travel to a another country for a period of time and then come back, you notice subtle things that you often don't see in your home countries. For example, bus driver announcing that he is about to make a turn so that standing passengers won't stumble. Taxi drivers turning off their headlights temporarily at the stop light so that the car in front of him doesn't get the glare. The last person who went on the elevator pushes the 'close' button first before he/she pushes the floor button. Tokkyuu train conductor announcing to the passengers for arriving at the station 30 seconds late. Phrases like "otsukaresamadesu" to your co-workers or your mail man. Phrases like "osewani natte orimasu" to your clients. Phrases likes "ojyama shima su" or "gomen kudasai" when you go to somebody's dwelling. The whole concept of "keigo" and "ojigi". Whether it's culturally practiced tradition passed on for generations or whether it's out of pure sincerity is irrelevant for the result is the same.
And once again, the author isn't stating that because of different level of politeness, one culture is superior to another. If you believe so, then may someone cure your insecurities.
Posted in: A culture shock – generosity isn’t free
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nigelboy
And once again, the author isn't stating that because of different level of politeness, one culture is superior to another. If you believe so, then may someone cure your insecurities.
Posted in: A culture shock – generosity isn’t free
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nigelboy
Sure. If you want to be technical about it. Let's include the two wheelers and rental cars while we're at it.
Posted in: Auto company execs, unions, dealers demand lower taxes
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nigelboy
Correct that to two years.
At least this avoids uuninsured vehicles.
Posted in: Auto company execs, unions, dealers demand lower taxes
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nigelboy
Honest debate??? LOL. I can predict at least 35 states which party they are going to vote in favor of. And this is before there is even a debate!!
Posted in: What do you think of the drawn-out U.S. presidential election system whereby electoral votes determine who wins one year from now?
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nigelboy
God smith. Why do you insist on commenting on things you don't know?
As some had alluded to, the bulk of the shaken is not the cost of inspection per say but it consists of compulsory insurance and taxes based on the weight class of your car paid in every two months.
Posted in: Auto company execs, unions, dealers demand lower taxes