JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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smithinjapan
Kabukilover: "Japan ought to tell the U.S. to stick it."
Actually, what Japan wants to do is talk tough against Iran, but still rely on them for oil while being exempt from the consequences of doing such. It's quite pathetic, really. Japan is stating, "Ummm... we agree with you, but uhhh... we won't do what you want... but ummm... can you please understand our position and cooperate, and not get angry and please exempt us from punishment? Sure, we're supporting Iran's nuclear program by continuing to rely on them for oil, but we're Japanese! We're not bad guys!"
Can't have your cake and eat it too. No, if Japan wants to stick it to the US, then they should suffer the consequences, not beg to be an exception. On the contrary, the US should squarely tell Japan they can do as they choose with regard to the sanctions on Iran, but they will get no waiver and be no exception.
Posted in: Noda says Japan seeks waiver from U.S. penalties on Iran
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smithinjapan
These people will not be listened to. Instead, a politician with a fake smile will appear, probably on TV instead of to their faces, and say, "We seek your understanding and cooperation on this issue" as said politician gives them the shiv and ignores their concerns. It's always comical to hear people talk about how they "cannot do something without local consent", but then when the people planted by the local governments (after being given bribes by central) are revealed and the scandal rages, the government still ignores the wishes of the people when it runs counter to their own and the government does what it wants anyway.
NPPs are HUGE money for the electric companies and government alike, there's no way they're going to switch them all off until they can make more money by other means.
Posted in: Thousands in Tokyo march against nuclear power
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smithinjapan
This woman's lucky on a number of levels, although of course we don't know what occurred after the photo. These monkeys can be quite aggressive, and my guess is that if she did not have those sunglasses on the monkey would have attacked her. She's lucky still it didn't try to nab her hat and/or sunglasses. But who knows, maybe the monkey was nice and sedate thanks to the calming and warm waters. Nice pic of the day, but should also serve as a warning of what NOT to do.
Posted in: Getting warm
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smithinjapan
Very sad. RIP. My guess is there was an old-school infrared 'stove' or kerosene stove that was too close to something else.
Posted in: Elderly man, two grandchildren perish in Yamagata fire
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smithinjapan
Sweet lord... I mean, once your dead your dead, and I personally don't care if I'm buried, or cremated and have my ashes tossed away somewhere, but putting your own relative in a vacuum bag and hiding it in the house? This is just plain sick.
Posted in: Man attempts suicide after police find mother's corpse hidden in vacuum bag
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smithinjapan
Well, let's hope he lives up to it, given that he hasn't even started yet.
Posted in: USA TODAY puts Darvish No. 1 on list of top 100 names 'you need to know in baseball'
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smithinjapan
There are some good points about this plan, namely trying to get people with a minor cold to stop taking up hospital beds or not come to the hospital at all, but there are also a lot of problems based on just what's described here.
Someone who needs triage at night is obviously not going to have a referral handy, and may well be a first time visitor. So on top of having to FIND a place open at night, on holidays, and otherwise outside business hours, they're going to get screwed with a bunch of other fees.
They need to be more specific, in my opinion -- instead of this 'first time fee' thing, or in addition to it maybe, decide that certain everyday ailments like the cold or flu do not warrant a hospital stay (save for where the flu is extremely serious) or visit, and charge more for such.
Anyway, it's a start... just needs a lot of fine tuning.
Posted in: Gov't to hike some medical fees to relieve overcrowding at large hospitals
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smithinjapan
I agree with a lot of Cleo's comments on abuse, but don't agree with a lot of what PETA is saying. If they honestly believe 'Animals' are Human, shouldn't they change the 'A' in their name to another 'P'?
Watch the SouthPark episode: Douche Vs. Turd. While South Park can of course be vulgar and offensive, they do come up with some funny satire once in a while. In this episode they make fun of PETA and a lot of the wind they're puffing with this issue.
Posted in: California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
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smithinjapan
Funny how Japan pretends to be above the likes of nations like North Korea and China in terms of human rights but then deems FORCED singing to not be against freedom of thought, and not being the choice of the people. The nation claims to be democratic and advanced, but this proves it has never learned from its past mistakes and is probably doomed to repeat them (and be on the losing end, again).
Sad day for Japan, but then who with any knowledge of the nation expected differently?
Posted in: Supreme Court rules making teachers sing 'Kimigayo' is constitutional
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smithinjapan
“We want to encourage the disaster area.”
And a very admirable gesture that is, but is it safe? If it still has a bunch of broken windows and cracked pillars, well, I'm sorry, but safety SHOULD trump pity. We all feel sorry for the victims of the March 11th disasters, but adding to the count of victims, even potentially, is not going to encourage other nations to get involved in helping people there. It says that there will be repairs in July, but how extensive, given that such cracks are pretty major.
That said, if all is fixed up top notch and guaranteed safe (by independent, international inspectors), then I say have at it. And it WOULD be nice to see Japan get the women's WC in the future as well.
Posted in: Quake stadium may host women's U-20 soccer games
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smithinjapan
“However, we are concerned that it may lead to the permanent existence of Futenma. We should not allow this to happen because we have been working on this issue for the past 16 years,”
Yep, and it was agreed they would be relocated within Okinawa. So, which is it Inamine? Stay where they are, or move to the place your government TWICE agreed to?
Is there an election coming up or something? :)
Posted in: Nago mayor, in U.S., steps up criticism of new Okinawa agreement
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smithinjapan
Exactly, LoveNot -- and yet many Americans will insist they (the troops representing their nation) are in the right, and virtuous, unlike 'the enemy'. They won't admit said people are EXACTLY the same or worse.
Posted in: U.S. Marines posed with Nazi symbol in Afghanistan
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smithinjapan
nigelboy: "It's clearly apparent that Fukushima-Diary that you rely on heavily is a scaremongering anti-nuke blog whose intention is to place fear to those who doesn't have the command for the Japanese language"
As opposed to what?.... the constant lies, downplaying, and manipulation by TEPCO and the government that has been proven time and again? Instead of having Edano make any press appearances why not just a cardboard cut-out of him -- like the card-board cut out of the police officer they often have at post-offices -- with a little slit where the mouth is and a pre-recorded message saying, "There will be no further release of radtion. There is no harm to human health" on a continuous loop? It seems that's all he says nowadays, and is constantly proven wrong when the next day TEPCO announces further leaks and problems.
Posted in: Water temperature rising in No. 2 reactor at Fukushima nuclear plant
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smithinjapan
The government proudly trumpets its laws about 'not being able to implement/do something without consent of the locals', but only when they agree with what the government wants to do. The government of this nation is hell-bent on restarting reactors, as they are losing money, and bribes from power companies, every day they do not, and despite not needing them in use (clearly we are getting by). So, sadly, while it's great these people are voicing their objects, said objections will go unacknowledged, save perhaps for a, "We hope for your understanding on this issue" pre-recorded response.
Posted in: Tokyo activists demand nuclear power referendum
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smithinjapan
Sounds like more, "Okay, we've been unsuccessful in doing anything for a year, and the public knows it, so let's create a 'new group' so it looks like we're starting something anew!"
Posted in: New reconstruction agency launched with Hirano in charge
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smithinjapan
So a new agency is created that is supposed to do exactly the same thing as the government was supposed to do anyway. Does this in any way change anything besides diverting more funds to support yet another agency? Requests were sent to Hirano as cabinet minister, now they'll be sent to him again. What's the difference? It's not like he was dealing with much else as cabinet minister (not that he was dealing with anything well at all there).
Posted in: New reconstruction agency launched with Hirano in charge
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smithinjapan
A naive mistake? Well... I guess it's on par with the US enlisting the dregs of society who wouldn't be educated enough to know better.
Posted in: U.S. Marines posed with Nazi symbol in Afghanistan
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smithinjapan
Tough!
"Meanwhile, in Washington, Nago Mayor Inamine said the plan was totally unacceptable because it ignores the wishes of the Okinawan people."
No, it ignores the will of a Mayor who is clearly only concerned about scoring points from the people, not concerned about the people themselves, a mere few of them siding with this mayor to move the bases out of Okinawa. Okinawa is part of Japan -- a nation that has agreed twice to relocation. So, I'm afraid, it's the mayor who has no choice and his denial is what's 'impossible'.
So once again, too bad, Mr. Mayor. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Posted in: Okinawa governor, Nago mayor not happy with U.S. forces plan
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smithinjapan
hoserfella: "cubic - It could also mean that Ruiz doesn't want to waste his time against Kameda, who everyone knows inflates his win loss record by fighing tomato cans."
EXACTLY! And I bet you this fight will take place in Japan, right?
Posted in: WBA champ Kameda to fight low-ranked challenger
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smithinjapan
“Information obtained by torture is always discounted. However, the problem is whether one can safely ignore the information if Canadian lives and property are at stake.”
Ummm... sorry, but the latter negates the 'always discounted' part, any way you slice it. Obviously this guy (and those behind the statement) haven't learned from the louts under GWB or in Britain in regards to torture.
Posted in: Canada's use of torture data sparks outcry