JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- 秘書及び業務サポート
- 加治金属工業株式会社, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥4.0M / Year
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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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- ALT - Mie Prefecture - Yokkaichi City - June start
- NPO法人グローバル教育推進機構（GLAD), Mie
- Salary: ¥230,000 / Month For a full working month. Some months differ.
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papasmurfinjapan
My first thought was "Lemmings leaping off a cliff"
Posted in: iPad rush
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papasmurfinjapan
I admit I am one of the rare few who actually prefers McDonalds to Mos Burger. Maybe it's because it is a taste I grew up with, and eating a cheeseburger brings back memories of childhood birthday parties. I have no such emotional attachment to other brands.
Like anything, McDonalds is fine in moderation. If Ronald and the McDonalds marketing department are deliberately going around targeting kids to whine to their parents that they want McDonalds every 3 days, then yes, the fault is with McDonalds. But I don't see that and have to agree with Skinner.
Posted in: Ronald McDonald under fire from child obesity opponents
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papasmurfinjapan
Shame on that barbarian. Us men should all endeavor to do it the Japanese way - put on a poker face in public because we are too spineless to let people know that all is not hunky dory in our lives, then shout and beat our wives/kids in the privacy of our own home where no-one will ever know.
Posted in: Dear Angry Western Guy
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papasmurfinjapan
May the Force be with her.
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papasmurfinjapan
Well it's an improvement on the cactus version.
Posted in: Grow-Your-Own-Rice bra
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papasmurfinjapan
It's got nothing to do with taste. It's about knowing what the average Hanako or Taro on the street knows, and I'm willing to bet the majority of the younger generation knows their names, just like older generation Westerners can name John, Paul, George and Ringo, regardless of whether or not we are Beatles fans (sorry, can't think of a recent equivalent to the Beatles). I hate to compare SMAP to the Beatles, but as far as their impact on the Japanese entertainment industry goes, one has to admit it larger than that of any other Japanese celebrity in recent times.
Of course we are free to ignore them, but when a Japanese person starts talking about a new drama with Kimutaku, or a special guest they saw on Smap Bistro, and you are forced to reply "who is kimutaku?", then, well, they'll put on a "I can't believe you don't know who Kimutaku is!" face of utter bewilderment.
I can't believe I'm defending SMAP here. I think there's something wrong with my coffee.
Posted in: SMAP to begin nationwide tour July 31
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papasmurfinjapan
She was, unsurprisingly, educated in the US and international schools. http://www.myeyestokyo.com/aboutme/Interview/pg13.html
I know I sound prejudice, but there's no way a Japanese education would give her those critical thinking skills.
Posted in: Toyota's easy ride in Japan
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papasmurfinjapan
I've been here 12 years mate. If you've been here any longer than 5 years and still don't know their names, you need integrate into Japanese society a bit more. Every Japanese person knows their names :)
Posted in: SMAP to begin nationwide tour July 31
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papasmurfinjapan
As "variety entertainers" you have to admit they all have talent to some degree.
I get a laugh out of Tsuyoshi on Pussuma.
Nakai is an experienced MC on a variety of TV shows and more enjoyable to watch than most other owarai-geinin who have similar gigs.
Kimutaku is the most talented without a doubt. He can act better than most (doesn't mean he is great though), can actually play an instrument, sings in tune, and according to most reports, is actually a really humble, down-to-earth guy.
And let's not forget Shingo. Oh Shingo, you cheeky boy...
I don't like Goro.
As a group of singers though... well let's just say I'd rather go to a Milli Vanilli concert.
Posted in: SMAP to begin nationwide tour July 31
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papasmurfinjapan
And what, sir, or madam, may I ask is your "profession"? Obviously you hold it in higher esteem than that of mere designers, English teachers and insurance salesmen. We are honored to be among the likes of such an elite gaijin as yourself here on JT. We have much to learn, master.
Posted in: Why is teaching at English conversation schools in Japan such a maligned profession by some people?
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papasmurfinjapan
Exactly. I guess the more experienced perverts lay low during "chikan week", knowing they'll be able to molest relatively hassle free once the police have focused their attention onto something else.
Posted in: Police nab 77 in 3 prefectures during one-week crackdown on train groping, molesting
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papasmurfinjapan
I don't think the majority of Japanese people consider it a "maligned profession". The only people that think that are bitter expats who don't work in nor understand the English teaching industry, but whose judgment of those who work in it has been shaped by seeing one too many losers at bars who just happen to also be English teachers. One rotten apple spoils the tree indeed.
I've met just as many loser/playboy/otaku/drifter designers, engineers, traders, embassy workers as I have English teachers. The only difference is they all have chips on their shoulders thinking they are somehow better than those who have chosen English education as a career.
I quit my career as a translator/web designer to become an English teacher because believe it or not, I actually enjoy teaching people English more than staring at a computer for 12 hours a day. Other expats thought I was crazy. For me, it has been the most fulfilling job, and best career choice I ever made.
Posted in: Why is teaching at English conversation schools in Japan such a maligned profession by some people?
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papasmurfinjapan
I presume it is the flash on the camera doing that.
Posted in: Dance on!
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papasmurfinjapan
Now if GEOS offered a class like this, they would have never gone bankrupt.
Posted in: Dance on!
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papasmurfinjapan
Hey Tottori's not that bad.
They've got the sand dunes.
And the Japan sea is nicer than the Seto Inland Sea.
And they're close to Korea...
http://tottori-sakyu.net/
Posted in: Tottori struggles to keep population from shrinking further
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papasmurfinjapan
I think there are many people out there who are not against gay marriage, but will draw the line at gays adopting kids. This hurdle will have to be overcome before any talk of "equal" welfare benefits.
Posted in: Should same-sex couples be entitled to equal social security benefits?
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papasmurfinjapan
ohh but jail time would be soooooo sweet, wouldn't it?
I think the majority of the population would love to see this crook behind bars.
Posted in: Under siege
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papasmurfinjapan
Like others have posted, a fairly vague question.
Crime wise, I feel very safe. I can leave my wallet in the trolley at the supermarket and not think twice about it being stolen. I'm not afraid of getting mugged in the city when I walk around at night.
But if I was a girl and had a psychotic boyfriend, I'd probably feel in danger.
For parental attitudes towards their kids' safety, I think Japan is probably one of the lowest among developed countries. (Better than Vietnam, India, China etc. but not as good as Canada, US, Europe, Aus etc.)
Posted in: How safe do you think Japanese society is, compared to other countries?
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papasmurfinjapan
amakuri
If you've got the cash I'm pretty sure you can buy a property on a work visa. Just don't expect to get a home loan. You need PR for that.
As a home owner in Japan, I agree that Japan has some of the ugliest buildings/cities in the world. The majority of houses are cookie-cutter designs, which though practical on the inside, give no though to external aesthetics.
Posted in: Building in Japan
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papasmurfinjapan
If that's not worth dishing out 6000 yen on, I dunno what is.
Posted in: Musical 'Prince of Tennis' a smash hit