JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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To be healthy, live in the big city
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Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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From carnivores to herbivores: how men are defined in Japan
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Japan's nuclear safety standards flawed, says commission chief
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Teacher nabbed for using miror to peek up girl's skirt
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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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sf2k
meh, I learned a mediocre level of German in a month. I haven't had a need to learn Korean but after Japanese I know I could.
The English taught in Japan has zero purpose, only to replace Japanese while as the same time being completely useless as English. Congradulations to all, mission accomplished.
I declare that Japan no longer learn English, but Spanish. Let Spanish speakers deal with this. Spain-go would be an ideal replacement, because of a unified grammer, same vowels as Japanese, and cool music to fill up all their TV channels. I've noted this trend in anime over the years and Japan might as well go for it.
I am boringly bored of explaining boring and bored.
Now, if Japanese truly wish to learn English, or any other language, they would have to WANT to LEARN it ---not be taught it. With a Spanish background it would be a lot easier.
Function does not exist without purpose.
Posted in: What's wrong with the way English is taught in Japan?
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sf2k
well that's the point. You don't deal with history as a shame otherwise you have to forget and bury it which never works. No, best to recognize it as a shift and change like the Germans have. Sins of the father in this case grandfather are hardly his to apologize for. Aso is a knob today politically, but this isn't relevant. Aso was 8 at the time, hardly his issue. It would be grand though if he could point this out and state personally how Japan has moved-on in life.
Reaffirming postive change is a strength, and in Japan's case, would remove a stain of blood a little bit at a time. Ignoring this opportunity makes things worse.
The phrase 'Less we forget' is often used in rememberance ceremonies, to remind us of the consequences, why we must never darken our lives by taking examples of our darkest sides.
Striving to be good means allowing knowledge of history, but not to be burdened by it, ..no, to be free of it!
Posted in: Lawmaker demands Aso apologize over his family's use of POW labor
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sf2k
Google "blood type japan" and the first link is a Wikipedia link. Debunked as scientific racisim from the 30s, it got revived by a publisher in the 70s. Sober reading.
Posted in: In Japan, you are what your blood type is
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sf2k
wow, a while back I witnessed an accident at this very intersection between a car and motorbike (motorbike lost, no injuries). Also a turning accident. I agree with saborichan, people are not planning ahead. Sort of apropos these days
Posted in: Five-car pileup in Tokyo caused by 80-year-old driver
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sf2k
yes that's true, but this is painfully weird, weirder than weird. Sad and sorry for a whole generation of kids written off.
This is so weird that...(complete this...)
Posted in: Japan’s unpopular men and women boycott love
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sf2k
the media seem to be making fun of him while trying best to sound serious. I know that media don't exactly complain outright, but is there not an outlet for direct disapproval that you may have seen recently? Or don't people realize it's their grandma's money he's toying with?
Posted in: Media criticize Aso for mistakes during Davos speech
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sf2k
whoa, that's a little off topic eh NeoJamal? The only thing holding Japan back is recognizing itself to itself anymore than Germans have done and must continue to do to fight racisim and facisim. The end result is a caring prosperous culture but not a forgetful one, nor a 'sheeple'.
Japan is a beautiful place and once or even during this recession it might find strength to overcome many challenges, starting with Aso. (I know I'm overly hopeful, but I'll put it out there). When CJK can finally all figure it out that would be really cool.
Posted in: Media criticize Aso for mistakes during Davos speech
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sf2k
no, they're anti-social to begin with. Finding another way to communicate just highlights their lack of training in becoming a normal human. Might as well make Densha-otoko their patron saint.
Having an anti-commercial holiday however can be quite social. No shopping or restaurants or karaoke, just home cooking parties and polite conversation. Having people together with similar interests would be a positive development.
But that's not what's conveyed by this article. It sounds almost suicidal in tone. Nothing to live for? Maybe I mis-read it...
Posted in: Japan’s unpopular men and women boycott love
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sf2k
Actually fish around the world are going to die off by 2048 since were vacuuming up the oceans at ever increasing rates. Japan has to get off international fishing period, if its to actually feed people in less than 50 years. I bet no one is having that discussion yet.
Posted in: Japan rejects IWC proposal to halt research whaling
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sf2k
maybe Japan has already eaten its coastal whales?
Posted in: Japan rejects IWC proposal to halt research whaling
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sf2k
the only reason they designate silver seats is because everyone is too proud to stand up. This is done everywhere. But unlike Japan, all seats are just seats, and if you want to be courteous then we are taught to be so. Charitable. Mindful. There is no sign to teach this.
This is a cultural difference only, but one that would make a nice impact if accepted.
Posted in: Tokyo Metro
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sf2k
i was on a train once and an elderly couple were looking for a seat. I gave mine up without a second thought, but noone else. Eventually some other guy bothered to get up. I was actually quite shocked that for a country supposedly full of manners, such simple manners are ignored.
Posted in: Tokyo Metro
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sf2k
under NAFTA, a Buy American only policy is actually illegal and goes against signed agreements with Canada and Mexico. These two will be looking for an exemption, otherwise America's actions will cripple their economies.
China may be USA's largest creditor, but Canada is USA's largest trading partner. Crippling trade is not the answer. Wasn't in the 30s either. We have to learn from history (for once).
Posted in: Obama administration's relations with China off to rocky start
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sf2k
why the obsession with intruders? does japan get a lot of 'em?
Posted in: Security robot
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sf2k
tough gig. he can barely keep it over his legs (fails) and was probably already on the mock floor
Posted in: Security robot
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sf2k
the only financial destruction will be the further collapse of the American economy. When it goes, so does the world. China holds a lot of American paper, so when that becomes worthless they're also toast. Removing American and China from the world economy doesn't matter what the rest of us do.
Go local. We will end up with shadow local currencies as a currency security measure. I don't think I'm wrong, but I don't even have to be right. The depths of the depression haven't really hit yet. Grow local, build local and get a garden. Most of us import our food. Food security will go hand in hand with currency security as the most meaningful relationship. Bankers are too far in orbit to see this.
If Obama can get Americans to start paying off their multi-trillions in debt anytime soon that would help but nobody knows the timing.
Posted in: Would pegged exchange rates stabilize the global economy?
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sf2k
This is a good example of a cultural difference. (in my case Canada vs Japan)
In all honesty I didn't think much of it, and to be expected in a shrinking economy. Best introduction to business life ever. Reality is a good teacher.
Kids would have to wake up and look for a job rather than having it handed to them. My guess though that this is culturally not the norm here hence the press, so would be not be acceptable.
After all the complaining though, this will work out better. People will find jobs that suit them or their needs, ask meaningful questions, and always remember that a company can change at anytime. Thus they will be more prepared to save money and change jobs when their own needs change. They can also use the former spite against them in any future barganing.
This may shift towards a more Western style of being responsible to yourself first, and business second, but hard to say. If we see more self-employed this will be the result. If not, then no. Is it the end of the company as identity? Also hard to say, so I'd say not yet.
Posted in: What do you think about companies that retract job offers to graduates because of the economic downturn?
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sf2k
@cwhite,
agreed, more like the companies don't know how to answer, or are getting questions where before they never did. That's not arrogance, that openness. Asking if a workplace is fun isn't a bad question. Likely the answer is no though and the interviewer had no idea how to respond.
if this keeps up only the winning companies will get graduates and the losing ones will not. That's good in a bad economy, weed out those who are not liked anymore.
Posted in: Companies angry over thoughtless students amid economic downturn
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sf2k
Yes too few youth and too many adults/elderly. if there are fewer youth than adults every Coming-of-age-day, how are Japan's social programs going to be paid? contract work if available isn't exactly well paying. It's certainly not more money than current jobs.
These kids will live at home as long as possible because they will need to, not like they can afford it otherwise. They will not save any money. Once the parents have passed on though, they won't be able to afford a house and will be forced out.
what on earth is left for them? Does anyone, anyone at all, discuss this? Or is some dreary apartment eating leftover food from your job at the convenience store the new ideal?
Posted in: Japan welcomes 1.33 million new adults on Coming-of-Age Day
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sf2k
oh I forgot to mention:
american battery manufacturers have nano technology batteries, they take only 10 minutes to recharge. Watch for them in 2010. Google nanoaltair batteries. lose the 90's stats. It's not the 90's. The EV-1 didn't fail, it was corporately bulldozed for the Hummer. If they allowed them to thrive the USA wouldn't be half the basketcase it is today.
Posted in: Is Chrysler a lost cause?