smithinjapan's past comments

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Ah, the JOC at it again, and yet another brilliant athlete suffers as a result. I'd like to think the overzealous officials and the media would learn from this, but I have no doubt instead they'll call it somehow an attack on Japanese culture and keep up to their old tricks. I feel sorry for Murofushi -- he seems like a truly great guy, and would have made an excellent addition to the IOC.

    Posted in: Murofushi ban due to 'overzealous' Japanese officials - CAS

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    "Abe and his aides are keen to avoid any PR fiascos."

    Ummm... mission failed, again and again.

    "It is inexcusable if my remarks caused bitter feelings and anger"

    No, your comments are inexcusable, bottom line, regardless of any justified reaction of anger and bitterness.

    The saddest part in all this is that she'll keep her position and the LDP be reelected for the most part.

    Posted in: LDP policy chief apologizes for Fukushima disaster gaffe

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Ah, Karzai, the mewling little runt who can't stand being in on the take. No doubt he just wants a big stuffed envelope and guarantee of protection from both parties by both parties. The guy needs to get out of office. There's a reason they did not want to include him in preliminary talks, and he has proven why.

    Posted in: U.S. tries saving Taliban talks after Karzai objects

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Japan played a good game, and while the result is unfortunate, they can only be proud at how well they did compared to the game with Brazil. I really think that loss helped them up their game, which is the best result it could have. I was surprised to see Japan get so far ahead early in the game, and it's a real shame about all the bar and post shots, and of course Uchida's major flub. And while Honda can't seem to score in regular play, I'll give it to him that he is sure good at scoring when penalties are handed to him.

    As to those complaining about unfair reffing in regards to handballs and what not, don't forget that's how Japan ended up tying with Australia in the WC qualifiers. It happens. Sometimes the calls are justified, sometimes they are not. Until they start considering camera replays we have to go by the refs' calls.

    Posted in: Italy rallies from 2-0 down to beat Japan 4-3 in Confederations Cup

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    Not me. I like VERY cold drinks. Room temperature is without a doubt a lot better for the body -- especially the stomach -- but I just don't like lukewarm water or what have you, and lukewarm beer or other carbonated drinks are far worse. That said, I do like hot coffee and tea even in summer.

    Posted in: 40% of consumers prefer drinks sold at room temperature on hot days

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Weak. No doubt they buckled under pressure to keep the system the way it is. Well, I hope as a result they fail to get more international students. They need to realize that if they truly want more investment and foreign students to come over and specialize, they have to make the changes for it to happen.

    Posted in: University of Tokyo gives up on plan to start academic year in autumn

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Let me guess... they want to go online as of yesterday, with a promise to meet the safety standards over the next five years or so.

    Posted in: Power companies hope for quick screening of nuclear plants

  • -3

    smithinjapan

    therougou: "This Brazil team can still turn out to be good, but we will have to see how they perform in big matches."

    I agree, and this game kind of cemented that fact, but it's still not quite the same. Hopefully the youngins brought in will prove just as powerful as the old legends.

    Posted in: Japan looks to avoid early exit from Confederations Cup

  • 2

    smithinjapan

    kiss: "Can anyone tell me if this effects the drinking water?"

    They'll release that info in about 30 years.

    To be fair, you can't ENTIRELY blame Japanese tech on this and/or Abe for pushing it abroad. After all, it's more lax rules here, a complete lack of enforcement of the rules, gross negligence by both the government and the electric companies (including using tech that should have been out of operation years ago), poor planning, and seismic activity that are to blame than the tech itself. NPPs and such tech should not be pushed AT ALL, but it's not like Japan has cornered the market on bad tech or anything -- they just should never, ever be used as a model of a successful utility company or government/company practice in general.

    Back to TEPCO, no surprised here they are YET AGAIN reversing their statements and saying what everyone else already suspects or knows. The most irritating thing is that the government refuses to simply step in (not that they'd know what to do either), allow international professionals in to help, and throw a bunch of TEPCO execs new and old behind bars. Mark my words, they will dump the water with or without permission, and less than a year down the road strontium and other toxic chemicals will be found along the east coast of the nation, with TEPCO saying, "We had no know of knowing!" I'll never eat fish from that area again (that is, if I can find any labeling).

    Posted in: TEPCO finds highly toxic strontium in Fukushima plant groundwater

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    I'm surprised and pleased to see the overall rate dropped, but if the trend is suicides among younger people increasing then Japan is going to face even bigger problems than we all expect in the future. I can completely understand the stresses they face -- whether working or unable to find work -- and aside from jobs opening up when the amakudari finally retire (and I don't mean retire and keep working, I mean STOP working altogether) -- the system will collapse unless taxes are raised across the board, overtime increases (and enforcement is even more lax than now), etc. And how on earth will these young people raise families when everything is taken from them to cater to the aging?

    The only answer is to import, en masse, foreign workers, but we all know how quickly that wheel is turning. I seriously fear for the future of this nation.

    Posted in: No. of suicides drops below 30,000 for first time in 15 years

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    "...after a run of technical blows, the U.S. firm is back on track."

    Oops! Guess that United Dreamliner having to divert back to the US with an oil filter issue is rather untimely, then.

    Posted in: Boeing launches new Dreamliner with over 100 orders

  • 3

    smithinjapan

    And yet another one. It really IS going to take a major accident to get them to stop trying to put profit ahead of actual safety. Of course then they'll get the pants sued off them and suddenly realize they never should have lifted the grounding of said planes. Sadly, that's what it takes.

    Posted in: United 787 Dreamliner heading to Tokyo diverted to Seattle

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    But let me guess... he can't show us unredacted files to prove it?

    Posted in: At least 50 terror plots foiled by U.S. spy programs: NSA chief

  • -3

    smithinjapan

    Hide Suzuki: "Really ? I guess pretty much every single country in the world sucks then if the results against Brasil shows "true strength"."

    Don't take it so personally. Japan played three weak teams by comparison to qualify for WBC and the media overhyped the actual talent of the team and its players. Lest you forget, Honda was raised to the status of god for scoring on a PENALTY kick in overtime. How has he done since? Playing against Brazil showed that Japan is still not really in the same league and needs to seriously work on shooting.

    "Your eternal negativity toward Honda and Japan's national team is getting old dude,"

    I wasn't negative at all towards the team in my comment, in fact, you seemed to miss the part where I said I hope they have learned from the game and do better against Italy. You also seem to have missed that in the article where the media "Slams Team Japan" I said I was very impressed by the comments and humility of the players, and their desire to further the game, while slamming the media itself for the overhype. Suggesting that every team sucks if they play against Brazil is also downright incorrect. The Brazilian team is not what it used to be and has slid INCREDIBLY in FIFA rankings due to most of their key players retiring over the past couple of years. They are still strong, but the playing field is more level than it has been for a long time.

    Back to your "getting old dude" comment, though, the only thing that's getting old is the reactions by Japanese posters whenever valid criticism is given. If you don't praise the Samurai Blue outright, you are labeled a 'basher' or some equally ludicrous 'rebuttal'. I notice, for example, you did not touch on the article whatsoever, but instead only offered the tired old knee-jerk reaction whenever something Japanese is rightly criticized.

    So, Hide, try to be a little more objective and less biased. I give praise where praise is due, and my criticism the actual level of the Japan team is not bashing but a relatively fair assessment based on how they have performed in the past few weeks. They need a solid striker; if that's Japan bashing you better start hitting yourself on the head because it's fact.

    Posted in: Japan looks to avoid early exit from Confederations Cup

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Guess no one will be eating there for a while. As for masking the smell, I couldn't tell you, although depending on the conditions of the crate and the room the person was stored in it's possible.

    Posted in: Mummified remains found in restaurant in Morioka

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    South Korea got lucky with that differential. Here's hoping they can pick up their game once the WC starts. In any case, I'm glad they, Australia, and Iran made it -- makes the competition far more fun with all the rivalries, and more diverse as well.

    Posted in: Australia, S Korea, Iran qualify for World Cup

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    I'm with Yubaru. I'll buy a coffee now and then at Starbucks, usually take out, and the odd mango frapuccino when it's scorching hot and I don't want any of the sugar-laden cream fraps or lattes, but the prepackaged stuff is meaningless -- it's obviously not fresh, and is definitely overpriced due to the name.

    Posted in: Starbucks Refreshers to hit store shelves June 25

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    "The pressure is off Japan to a large extent in that, aside from World Cup and Confederations hosts Brazil they are the only side competing here who have already booked their tickets for next summer’s jamboree."

    This is going to be the excuse moreso when they lose than it is already being preemptively touted now. Sorry, Samurai, but beating Oman and Iraq, and only TYING with Australia is not really a whole lot to brag over. The game against Brazil showed the true strength of the teams, and I have a feeling they won't fair well against Italy, either. They are the first team to qualify because they were in group A and faced weak competition.

    Anyway, here's hoping they learned from the Brazil game and take advantage of all the chances they get to put the ball in the goal. I doubt they can, but here's hoping.

    Posted in: Japan looks to avoid early exit from Confederations Cup

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    gaijinfo: It may be crap, I don't know, but it will most certainly not bomb. There are enough fans of the genre out there, and zombie has become a genre, to ensure it will top the charts.

    I'm guessing it won't be in Japan for three months or so, so they can get Pitt over for the premiere.

    Posted in: 'World War Z' draws massive crowd in NYC

  • -3

    smithinjapan

    If the people who come complain about the food at a reception, show them the door. The last thing I want to see is Japanese missions receive more money from the government to wine and dine only because the Chinese government seems to be surpassing them at dinner parties. The money is much needed elsewhere, so if that means 'sub-standard' fare in comparison with China, so be it. Just remind the whiners that China is screwing over its people in order to entertain, while Japan is scrimping in order to, hopefully, put money into more important needs.

    Posted in: Japan losing diplomatic banquet battle to China

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