JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Financial Advisor
- Select Asset Management KK, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥100,000 ~ ¥999,999 Paid Training Commission Based
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- Corporate Business English Trainers
- ACT Systems, Inc.（株式会社アクト・システムズ）, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥269,500 ~ ¥280,000 / Month
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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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papasmurfinjapan
The first word that comes to mind is "annoying".
I prefer mixi. It keeps things simple, and you have greater control over your privacy.
Posted in: What do you think of Facebook?
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papasmurfinjapan
I don't allow smoking on the premises.
I won't employ a smoker. Yes, it's discriminatory, but I don't care.
Posted in: How does your workplace deal with the issue of passive smoking?
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papasmurfinjapan
Hey, I kinda like Ayu... Sounds like a fun commercial.
Posted in: Hamasaki achieves dream of appearing alongside canine father in Softbank ads
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papasmurfinjapan
Not that 0.1 second compared to 0.12 seconds on a Canon or Nikon is going to make the slightest difference whatsoever... still, every camera needs something "original" (i.e. a gimmick) to sell it, so world's fastest auto-focus it is.
The biggest problem with Lumix cameras is not the camera itself, but the very small and expensive range of lenses available for it.
Posted in: New Lumix boasts world’s fastest auto focus
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papasmurfinjapan
Ahh, Legolas, I wouldn't mind one of your elf coats to go with my uniqlo undies.
Posted in: Orlando Bloom to appear in new Uniqlo ads
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papasmurfinjapan
You may not damn them to hell, but I think many may feel that you unfairly and harshly criticize their religion based on the actions of a few fanatics. I get your point though. I presume you don't knock on doors telling everyone about your beliefs. :)
Posted in: Former yakuza Tatsuya Shindo turns to God
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papasmurfinjapan
tkoind2,
I get your point, and agree religion in general is corrupt and for many probably a worse influence on their lives than no religion would be. But I still think that for the majority of those who practice religion, it is something that helps them be at peace with themselves and something they keep within their hearts. Those who try and ram it down our throats are a small, but unfortunately vocal, minority.
And by preaching your gospel of anti-religion here are you really any different to the Mormon missionaries preaching their gospel?
Posted in: Former yakuza Tatsuya Shindo turns to God
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papasmurfinjapan
I'm not sure if "Jesus To Japan" is an accredited seminary but regardless of his credentials to become a pastor or our differing religious beliefs, he's certainly doing much better work for society now than he was as a yakuza. Good luck to him.
Posted in: Former yakuza Tatsuya Shindo turns to God
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papasmurfinjapan
I quit the Japanese system because I rarely go to the doctor and the monthly payments were getting too high. My (Japanese) wife then rejoined with our son based on her income.
She is earning less than 10man a month, and still has to pay 23000 yen a month for health insurance.. the premiums are way too high for people on low incomes.
I know a number of families who have no insurance because they cannot afford to make monthly payments for health insurance on top of all the other taxes they have to pay.
Posted in: What do you think of the health insurance system in Japan?
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papasmurfinjapan
Yep the D3100 is a bit of yawn for camera buffs, but this camera isn't really targeted at them.
As masterkun noted, the D7000 is a much more newsworthy item... just released today.
But I have too much of an investment in Canon lenses, so it's the 7D for me.
Posted in: Nikon D3100
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papasmurfinjapan
I use a mobile phone, but I wouldn't call it smart and I presume it's not what tech-savvy folk would consider a feature phone (despite having a camera and tv and lots of other useless features), so what am I supposed to vote? Neither?
I think the problem with this survey is people who don't really care about phones don't understand the question.
Posted in: Do you use a smartphone or feature phone (any cell phone that is not a smartphone or PDA)?
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papasmurfinjapan
That depends how one defines "quality" though. As far as reliability goes, nothing beats a Japanese car, but for quality of materials used, German cars beat Japanese hands down. Even a cheap VW Polo has a more refined interior than a Honda Odyssey that costs twice the price.
Posted in: Japanese automakers report solid production for July
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papasmurfinjapan
No offense to her, but I see girls cuter than that every day. Whether they can walk a catwalk is another matter though.
Posted in: 'Australia's Next Top Model' hopeful drops in on Tokyo
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papasmurfinjapan
I blame the media and general public. What were they expecting after decades of LDP abuse of power? Instant results???
The whole Futenma debacle could have/should have been avoided though. Japan has much more serious problems to deal with before worrying about where to put US bases.
Posted in: When the Democratic Party of Japan, led by Yukio Hatoyama, swept to power a year ago, there were high hopes that they would bring about positive change in Japan. What do you think went wrong?
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papasmurfinjapan
It may be a useful tool if you want to understand what kids are saying and how mothers talk to them.
I wouldn't recommend this as a text for learning how to SPEAK Japanese though - unless, of course, you want to sound like a kid.
Posted in: Real Japanese: Learn to Speak the Same Way Japanese Kids Do!
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papasmurfinjapan
I can pretty much guarantee you it will be on his next resume under "Publications" :)
Posted in: If a longtime expat starts offering you advice, walk the other way
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papasmurfinjapan
I think for the 750yen/hr they earn, the service is pretty good. Sure if you want to order something not on the menu that is going to cause problems. I don't consider it "bad service", just a cultural difference. Don't think outside the box and you'll be served just fine.
If a waiter/waitress is going to be earning 3-5 times as much as that through tips, I expect the service to be 3-5 times better. Usually it falls well short of that.
Posted in: What are some differences you have observed between waiters and waitresses in restaurants and cafes in Japan and other countries and also the way in which customers treat them?
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papasmurfinjapan
How many of them actually sing? 2? 3? The rest are just back-up dancers...
Posted in: EXILE to provide theme song for movie 'The Last Message'
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papasmurfinjapan
No, Hatoyama should not resign.
He may be a terrible leader, but I do not believe there is anyone better who can fill his shoes right now. I'd rather have 1 useless PM at the helm for 4 years, than 4 useless PMs in 4 years.
Ozawa should go to jail. Period.
Posted in: Calls for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to resign are mounting among lawmakers in his own Democratic Party of Japan as well as opposition parties. Should he resign and if so, who do you think would do a good job as prime minister?
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papasmurfinjapan
My first thought was "Lemmings leaping off a cliff"
Posted in: iPad rush