JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

spahnmatthew's past comments

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  spahnmatthewMay. 15, 2012 - 08:27PM JST

  Newsweek has long ago diminished its own reputation as an objective journal of record. Who even reads Newseek anymore? I believe that Newsweek is grasping at anything to stem its steep slide in circulation.

  Posted in: Newsweek stirs buzz with 'first gay president' cover

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  spahnmatthewMay. 03, 2012 - 08:24PM JST

  What a cute story! I hope JT prints more like these in the future...

  Posted in: Stray parakeet tells Tokyo police where he lives

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  spahnmatthewMay. 02, 2012 - 08:21PM JST

  I have spent much time in Denmark and Sweden over the years. Drawing upon substantial experience, I found Nordic cuisine (if you can call it that) rather plebian.

  Posted in: Denmark's Noma retains world's best restaurant title

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  spahnmatthewApr. 25, 2012 - 08:26PM JST

  A cleavage cover???

  Truly, today is a sad, sad day for normal red-blooded men around the world...

  Posted in: Cleavage cover to keep prying eyes away

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  spahnmatthewApr. 05, 2012 - 09:32PM JST

  I've seen mock-ups of Airbus and Boeing business jets at trade shows. They seem beautiful inside, but they are commercial aircraft with renovated interiors. It's like owning a flying Winnebago. I'd rather own a Gulfstream G650 -- the Maserati of the skies!

  Posted in: Airbus signs first corporate jet sale in Japan

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  spahnmatthewApr. 04, 2012 - 09:40PM JST

  I believe that it would be more beneficial if Mr. Noda focused on the government's wasteful spending.

  Just as Japan's economy is recovering, I believe it is an error for Mr. Noda to double the country's consumption tax. Yes, he argues that the reason of the increase is to avoid a Greek outcome. What he may unknowingly accomplish is push Japan closer to Europe's fate. Europe has pissed away money for so long that the only thing it can do is buy time with ever longer dated bonds.

  Despite the seemingly current calm in Europe, I expect Greece to default within six months.

  If taxes increase while wages stagnate, as is currently the case, Japanese living standards will erode as marginal consumption will decrease. If that happens, then the forecasted revenue may not be realized to the expectation of the government.

  Posted in: Do you think Yoshihiko Noda is doing a good job as prime minister of Japan?

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  spahnmatthewMar. 29, 2012 - 09:31PM JST

  **There are few conservatives in Hollywood that are "out", for to be identified as a conservative is a career killer in the precincts of the American entertainment industry. ** So much for "tolerance". Generally, the entertainers that can succeed in the entertainment industry are those who made it big before they were identified as conservatives .

  Some conservative celebrities include: Kelsey Grammar, Adam Sandler, Chuck Norris, Kathy Ireland, Gary Sinese, and Jessica Simpson.

  I hope that this upcoming film is fair in its representation of not only Mrs. Reagan but also all of the presidents and first ladies.

  Posted in: Jane Fonda to play Nancy Reagan in U.S. film

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  spahnmatthewMar. 13, 2012 - 08:24PM JST

  Revive the Datsun 280ZX!

  Posted in: Nissan may revive Datsun brand

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  spahnmatthewFeb. 28, 2012 - 11:20PM JST

  The root of the issue relates to incentives.

  Generally speaking, Japanese industry produces in Japan. Japanese companies tend to use Japanese suppliers based in Japan. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. To the devil's advocates who point at global production from leaders such as Komatsu, et al. -- there are always examples of global producers. I get it.

  On the negative side, a relatively strong yen reduces profitability of Japanese goods produced in Japan that are sold abroad, which reduces Japanese corporate profits.

  On the positive side, a relatively strong yen provides for a stronger currency with which to acquire foreign companies. The accretion could boost Japanese corporate profits.

  It seems to me that the incentive of the program highlighted in this article motivates Japanese companies to keep its manufacturing base in Japan, for aid for M&A on the back of a strong yen seems more like an employment subsidy aimed at offsetting the profit crunch by selling relatively higher cost Japanese goods abroad.

  Posted in: Toshiba to receive gov't funds to counter yen appreciation

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  spahnmatthewFeb. 16, 2012 - 10:13PM JST

  I hope that this list was just for fun. People should simply be themselves -- no more, no less.

  Posted in: From carnivores to herbivores: how men are defined in Japan

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  spahnmatthewFeb. 02, 2012 - 12:01AM JST

  I found it interesting that Gov. Romney said, "get out of the way!" That declaration would resonate with anyone who has read Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". Paging John Galt!

  I'm not commenting on Gov. Romney's conservative credentials in this post. But, by referring to John Galt, he brings up "Atlas Shrugged".

  The theme of the book is this:

  Politicians invariably respond to crises -- that in most cases they themselves created -- by spawning new government programs, laws and regulations. These, in turn, generate more havoc and poverty, which inspires the politicians to create more programs . . . and the downward spiral repeats itself until the productive sectors of the economy collapse under the collective weight of taxes and other burdens imposed in the name of fairness, equality and do-goodism.

  When profits and wealth and creativity are denigrated in society, they start to disappear -- leaving everyone the poorer.

  If only "Atlas" were required reading for every member of Congress and political appointee in the Obama administration. I'm confident that we'd get out of the current economic mess more quickly.

  Posted in: Romney wins big in Florida; tells Obama to get out of the way

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  spahnmatthewJan. 30, 2012 - 09:38PM JST

  If "stick" is code for "nagging", then she should read last week's Wall Street Journal article entitled, "The Marriage Killer".

  Here is a link to that piece: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577180811554468728.html

  One of the keys to a successful marriage is compassion and respect for your spouse.

  Posted in: Aya Sugimoto on managing husband: '30% carrot, 70% stick'

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  spahnmatthewJan. 03, 2012 - 10:16PM JST

  In-N-Out, hands down.

  Posted in: What's your favorite hamburger chain?

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  spahnmatthewDec. 08, 2011 - 09:34PM JST

  It is a Christmas Tree. In the USA, Christmas is a Federal holiday. It is perfectly appropriate to display a symbol of that Federal holiday and to acknowledge that symbol by name.

  Posted in: Christmas tree or holiday tree?

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  spahnmatthewNov. 11, 2011 - 09:40PM JST

  Score! ;-)

  Posted in: Triumph girls lend their support to Nadeshiko Japan

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  spahnmatthewOct. 21, 2011 - 08:25PM JST

  Breaks my heart...

  I hope this newborn babe finds a loving home with loving parents. In the USA there are more couples that desire to adopt than there are babies put up for adoption. Is that true in Japan too?

  Posted in: Newborn baby found in convenience store toilet trash can

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  spahnmatthewOct. 19, 2011 - 08:18PM JST

  Truly beautiful..........

  Posted in: Triumphant ladies

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  spahnmatthewOct. 18, 2011 - 11:04PM JST

  My religion has been put down in numerous postings along this thread. While all are entitled to their opinion, keep it respectful.

  Posted in: Why Japanese values and morality confound us so

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  spahnmatthewOct. 06, 2011 - 08:38PM JST

  A man who changed the world. RIP, Mr. Jobs.

  Posted in: Apple announces death of Steve Jobs at 56

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  spahnmatthewSep. 12, 2011 - 08:33PM JST

  So sad. I hope that she discovers God's love for her and, through His love, finds purpose in in her life.

  Posted in: Ai Kago in apparent suicide attempt

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