Wednesday February 15, 2012

smithinjapan's past comments

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    oginome: "You just don't get it..."

    You've said this a number of times, and I find it amusing. This is indeed a Features article, but it is reporting facts, and a lot of these facts have been reported in Japanese media recently as well. A woman I was talking to earlier today had a similar attitude on the issue as you did -- she basically said successful Korean companies or entertainment are simply 'mimicking' Kei Matsushita's business methods. Well, here's a newsflash: while the man's genius and approach towards staff and customers was genius, much of his methodology was based on Western principles, and it's not like the guy walked around in kimono all the time or get carried around in a rick-shaw, he drove cars (American invention), used electricity (American invention), and wore Western clothes. So people have to stop with this 'without Japan these things wouldn't exist' notion, because EVERY NATION ON THE PLANET works on the ideas of their own or of other nations -- who wants to reinvent the wheel?

    Aside from that, I agree with a lot of points, but while Japan has AMAZING potential for growth and invention things are get mucked up in obscene amounts of red-tape and extremely strict patent processes, whereas it's a lot easier for people who come up with and develop ideas on their own in other places (and get paid for it without suing). And despite your comments on outsourcing, it IS a big problem at the moment, and will get worse if things don't improve here soon (and it doesn't look like they will).

    ExportExpert: "like most things korean or in korea they are like cheap copies of Higher quality japanese products."

    I think that's a bit extreme, and certainly not the case with a lot of things, and you're also forgetting Japan copies just as much Korean as Korea does Japanese (it just never gets reported here, save some variety shows comparing junk food products -- from Lotte, the Korean company, in particular. These shows are amusing). I agree in a lot of cases, and personally I much prefer Japanese cars, but Korean cars are improving and becoming less bulky (like American cars) and more high-tech. Samsung in particular are putting out a lot of good products which are sometimes better than Japanese counter parts. And you're right about a lot of companies taking a major hit with the earthquake and subsequent effects.

    Where Japan can REALLY get back in the game is by applying some of the R&D they've been working on for better hybrid and even hydrogen fuel cars and getting them on the road before anyone else officially does. Then when other companies get their butts in gear, Japan can roll out the second generation and keep the edge.

    Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    I don't think there were mistakes, per se, in the selling of the 3DS is the console itself is just a mistake. And '3D' is misleading. And once again all Nintendo seems to have to offer, aside from a few good sports games, is 'flavour of the month Mario (cart)'.

    Anyway, I just wouldn't bother investing in any new game consoles -- they become outdated in shorter and shorter time periods, but more importantly I'm not home enough to get into it. Iwata is correct in that smart phones and tablet devices, etc. have put a dent in the market, and that will continue to be the case, methinks. The best part about them is, and this IS of course the case to an extent with newer game consoles as well, there's no need for external software -- you download it, and update it constantly. The phones, of course, are another issue.

    Posted in: Nintendo chief promises to do Wii U launch right

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    Bloody sick! If you can't stand the kid but love your partner, do your best to work things out in a manner that doesn't involve abuse (of either or). If you simply cannot stand it whatsoever, you leave, or find a way to meet only the partner if he/she so insists. I hope this guy faces some stiff punishment.

    Posted in: 5-yr-old boy may lose sight after man adds battery acid to eye drops

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    Maria: "It's only about a decade ago or so that Village Vanguard was selling mushrooms!"

    I was just thinking the same thing. I think they officially closed that loophole only 4 or 5 years ago, even! Yeah, it's bizarre that kids are allowed to stroll into these shops and buy substances to puff away on.

    Posted in: Shibuya herb vendor raided after 3 teenagers fall ill

  • 2

    smithinjapan

    Elvensilvan: The condom thing is unfortunate, but I'm of the mind that I'd rather see or hear about them buying some protection than read/hear about an increase in unwanted pregnancies (and discarded babies) and/or increase in disease because they're NOT buying them.

    As for the clothing, we're in agreement, but it's less a problem of how poorly the clothes are separated from other clothes as how 'Lolita' is not even really considered a negative word here, but in fact embraced in a number of respects. This has been discussed at length, but this Lolita fascination is part of the reason why so many J-pop girl bands don't do well overseas -- people are uncomfortable seeing 13 year olds in skimpy panties pillow fighting and talking about 'heavy rotation', etc.

    I hope that both in Japan and abroad people put the breaks on this 'trend' very quickly -- it's grotesque even as a concept.

    Posted in: 'Tween' lingerie walks Lolita tightrope

  • 5

    smithinjapan

    It'll definitely fly in Japan, that's for sure. I think it's sad that girl's this young are being targeted, and even sadder if a parent buys for and allows the kid to wear them. I can understanding wanting a kid to look cute and giving them cute clothes to wear, but 'sexy' lingerie?? Do these parents want their kids' skivvies to be seen in the first place??

    miyazawa3: "The days are closer... The men act like animals."

    Not all of us, but sadly some. But the fact of the matter is it's SOCIETY that allows this kind of thing; and both men and women are making those decisions to allow it.

    Posted in: 'Tween' lingerie walks Lolita tightrope

  • 5

    smithinjapan

    " If no idled plants get approval to restart, the country will be without an operating reactor by the end of April."

    Good road on the start to not relying on nuclear power then, I'd say.

    Posted in: Fukui 'Nuclear Alley' conflict: reactor danger vs economic reality

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    "Speaking at the Davos Forum, Kan also said the fund’s “transparency” must be maintained..."

    Yeah, 'cause Kan knows all about that, eh?

    Posted in: Kan tells Davos Forum Japan donates $1.3 bil to global fund to fight 3 diseases

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    Ah, the future of this nation looks so bright!

    Posted in: Diet debate begins on consumption tax; Tanigaki says Noda lied to public

  • -2

    smithinjapan

    calm down: "This is not a whinge or an excuse,"

    It was, because he wasn't saying it was his personal inability or lack of physical strength and constitution, he was saying he should be excused because he's Asian, and "Asians are different. Physically you have to get to 25 or 26 years old to build the body. It’s different from other countries". So you see it IS an excuse, at the expense of all Asians for that matter. If he's 'parroting' what the coaches tell him then he's just stupid to boot.

    Howdy Doody: "I totally agree, Smithinjapan: Both Nishikori and Murray should be ashamed of themselves. Saying such rubbish. Let their play speak for themselves."

    Agree that their play should be the ultimate statement, but as with basketball and other sports, height DOES make a difference (not always for the better, either), whereas ethnicity does not. Nishikori's body isn't built the way it is because he's Asian -- it's built the way it is because he's allowed it to be built as such. His bone structure isn't going to suddenly morph over three years, but his musculature and his skill in tennis CAN provided he undergoes the correct diet and training (and that's not limited by ethnicity either).

    Posted in: Nishikori says he is 'still years off peak'

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Hang on... they just went there and 'exchanged views' (ie. paid lip-service to one another) before the IAEA simply watched them plug the thing in and push the start button? Doesn't sound like all that thorough an inspection.

    Posted in: IAEA begins inspection of nuclear power plant in Fukui

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    unreconstructed: "Well then smith, you and sushi will jjust have to vote for Obama - if you think you can. ."

    Never thought I could nor have either of us said we could. Fortunately, though, the majority of Americans WILL vote for Obama while these GOP morons continue to tear the party to shreds and throw around the blame for their own actions. We can still school you plenty on your own nations politics and history, though; no problems there.

    But if you don't think Gingerich's calling Romney's "self-deportation" idea hypocritical when he himself believes in doing something along the same lines, feel free to explain how.

    Posted in: Gingrich: Romney self-deportation plan a fantasy

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    SushiSake3: (re: RushO'Hannity) "hadn't thought of that. but the hypocrites of the left obviosuly have."

    Actually, Sushi, Rush is clearly calling Molenir a left-leaning hypocrite here, since it was him that thought of it and brought it up. Molenir himself seems to think I know who such people are, but I don't know anyone on here who cries foul about the US deporting illegal immigrants who hypocritically complain about immigrants coming into Japan. I'm sure there are some, but again can't think of any off the top of my head. Where he and Rush kind of screw themselves over with such comments is that most people who decry the act of deporting immigrants in the US are just the type of people who would do exactly the same thing about Japan deporting illegals (or pushing hard to keep them out). There's no hypocrisy in that at all.

    More to the thread, though, there obviously IS a lot of hypocrisy going on between the GOP candidates and their hate-filled speeches and tirades.

    Posted in: Gingrich: Romney self-deportation plan a fantasy

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    spfj: "She might've gone through many years of abuse."

    And she might not have. Perhaps she was just, for whatever reason, extremely unhappy with her situation and chose to get out of it like this. Whatever the case, the number of stabbings of late seem to be on the rise, and with many stating no reasons for doing so.

    Posted in: Woman arrested over husband's murder in Hiroshima

  • 1

    smithinjapan

    "In a speech to the Diet on Tuesday, Gemba said he will be firm in telling South Korea that Japan cannot accept Seoul’s claim to the isles which are known as Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japan."

    It doesn't matter if Japan can accept Seoul's claims or not, Seoul is correct on the issue, and as time progresses the more this issue plays into SKorea's hands. They live on and administer the islands year around. Japan can't have it one way in ONE island row and then demand something else for another.

    Posted in: S Korea blasts Gemba for remarks on disputed isles

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Serrano: "You know what is a joke? President Obama".

    He says on a thread that deals with the fact that those running for the GOP ticket are nothing BUT jokes, and bad ones at that.

    Posted in: Gingrich: Romney self-deportation plan a fantasy

  • 7

    smithinjapan

    oginome: You're right and you're wrong. It's true Japan has had a very large lead in a good part of the field of technology and manufacturing, so it is only natural they would lose some, and does not necessarily mean that others are 'surging past' them. But you're wrong in making knee-jerk statements like "South Korea should thank Japan", unless you think Japan should thank the West for getting them on track after WWII. Or maybe Japan should thank Henry Ford?

    Seriously, Japan has lead the automotive manufacturing field for quite a long time, so it's natural they lose some ground. And SK is growing, economically and in the field of Tech (Samsung also overtook some Japanese companies in sales recently, no?), so it's also natural they will threaten what has been dominance in the field by Japan.

    Posted in: Japan losing its manufacturing edge to South Korea

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    I'm only surprised this wasn't in place already -- do they think the elderly and/or bed-ridden only have trouble during business hours?

    Posted in: Gov't to set up 24-hour nursing care service

  • 2

    smithinjapan

    Nessie: "I'm fully in favor of Romney deporting himself."

    Where to? No one else would take him (I suppose he could buy them off, though).

    Posted in: Gingrich: Romney self-deportation plan a fantasy

  • -4

    smithinjapan

    Asians are different. Physically you have to get to 25 or 26 years old to build the body. It’s different from other countries,”

    Rubbish. Or how about 'Asians' from other countries? I was going to say I liked this kid's outlook (ie. "I'm not at my peak yet") until he started making this lame excuse. He's young, he hasn't had as much time or experience in the game as others (Asian or not), and THAT is why he did not do better despite doing very well. It's not because he's Asian. Respect out the window.

    Posted in: Nishikori says he is 'still years off peak'

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