JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- 秘書及び業務サポート
- 加治金属工業株式会社, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥4.0M / Year
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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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- ALT - Mie Prefecture - Yokkaichi City - June start
- NPO法人グローバル教育推進機構（GLAD), Mie
- Salary: ¥230,000 / Month For a full working month. Some months differ.
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supercross1985
AKB48 is not ignoring the new market,they have been performing around Asia,been to the USA and France.They have shops and Cafe's for the fans and are spreading the brand.The Janken tournament for the 24th single is going international not only will it broadcast live in theaters in Japan , but it will also be broadcast live in 98 theaters across Singapore ,Thailand ,South Korea, Taiwan ,and Hong Kong .
Markets evolve and change,they might be behind the curve in Japan compared to the KPop groups,and it is hard to market to the World when the language of Pop is English.Groups like AKB have a loyal Wota following,and they are die hard fans who have no interest in seeing their girls sing in some gaijin country.I have no real care for some of these Wota who can be the best and worst fans,with the two offensive incidents that Sayaka Akimoto and Tomomi Kasai had to endure at a recent handshake event makes me hope for a more rational international fan base.
Posted in: Can J-Pop replicate success of K-Pop?
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supercross1985
There is already a guy in leather with long black boots to the left of the photo.Oh sorry! That's Darth Vader /( 0 @ 0 )\
Posted in: Are you game?
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supercross1985
The games industry is massive,and this show promotes the games and tech.Showing the girls mainly tells us about the main interests of the Japan Today staff.Or maybe showing an image of just one companies game would be favouritism.
The real reason I think is that JT knows exactly what images get us all worked up and posting,and that just keeps the forum alive and healthy,speaking of which I think the two Capcaom girls look great ^v^
Posted in: Are you game?
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supercross1985
@CrazyJoe,yeah I liked the original song too.There was a purer sound back then in 69.I like to research all music,current and past.I remember the Simmons,a Japanese duo sounding similar with great old songs like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frlUVNHjh4o&feature=related
The rules are way to strict for these girls,but the fans pay the money and buy the merchandise,and reality has no place,and can not break the imaginary relationship between the fan/wota and his favourite Idol/oshimen.I think the simpler purer sound of the 60s and 70s was also part of a simpler life back then,not like the industry of today.
Posted in: Ai Kago in apparent suicide attempt
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supercross1985
steve I know how you feel about some current JPop,but their was something special about these two girls.I don't know if I can link videos here but I will try.Not many of today's Idols would sound like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrULQkC_Mz8&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Kago Ai is on the left and Tsuji Nizomi on the right.
Posted in: Ai Kago in apparent suicide attempt
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supercross1985
This is so sad,as a fan I remember two young girls joining Morning Musume.Tsuji Nozomi and Kago Ai.They gave the whole group a boost with their happy and funny nature.Nono and Aibon went on to form W (Double U) and had a great future set .Then the scandal happened and the super strict contract rules kicked in.
It doesn't matter how big or popular you are as an individual,you can not be more important than the company or the group,so all links are cut very fast.Most go with a simple announcement,as has happened this month to one AKB girl and two NMB girls,one girl from S/mileage stood down,and this week one of her junior replacements stood down too. Many go for "health reasons" or "to return to a normal life and pursue their studies"
Kago Ai made mistakes,was treated harshly,tried to make a comeback with an Album,did some films in Hong Kong.She seems to be let down by bad guys,or some may say her bad judgement in choosing these losers. I hope she gets through this.You can watch her and Tsuji performing in happier times on You Tube,just look for [Live 2004.8] Nagisa no Kagikakko (The beach's "......")
Posted in: Ai Kago in apparent suicide attempt
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supercross1985
Capsule vocalist Toshiko Koshijima,and she's been singing long before anyone had even heard of or called Gaga a Lady.The video is a comment on the whole JPop and kawaii market.Every image in the video is the antithesis of cute,even to the point of her farting!
So sit back and listen to it a few times and you will be humming the tune the next day.
Posted in: Kyarypamyupamyu a big hit on YouTube
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supercross1985
Today was his 5th Birthday,so Happy Birthday seems an appropriate comment.
Posted in: Happy birthday
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supercross1985
This is heartbreaking to read.Poor little guy.When your kids go into the school gate,they are in a safe place,the school has a duty of care as well as education.This system has failed,and it fails not just on Japan but all over.I know it's a complex issue,but when will Schools and other authorities get the decency and courage to stand up and address this.
We don't know the facts here,but no Mother should have to experience this,this for me just deepens the tragedy.
Posted in: Boy jumps to death after telling teacher, police he was bullied
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supercross1985
Tora-san,don't get me wrong.I also liked Morning Musume back then.From hearing Morning Coffee,before they where even known as the First Generation,I was a fan of Aibon and Nono in W.And right to the top of the page,someone mention Yui.I think she has a great voice,hearing her singing,it's real emotion in her voice.
And tide above,you have me remembering Ice,Ice,Baby..!! Bubblegum Pop..I refuse to hum anything by the Spice Girls.
Supporting AKB48 like any Idol Group is more to do with the girls than the music,they are Idols,they are not purely a Pop Group.There is a difference.They perform at their Theatre,meet the fans,you walk out and high five them all.The real fans are Wota,and are fiercely loyal to there favourites.They act,have a TV show(several) and have big Hand Shake events(30,000 turn up for these) It is the fact that an "Idol Group" has taken the top spot away from many real musicians that gets many upset.
Even the real Wota know it's a money making machine,and moan about empty wallets! But they are happy to spend all they have on their Oshimen(favourite)
At the end of the day if you love Golf,and spend all your money playing it,that's good,it makes you happy.Some people Fish at weekends.We choose to support our Idols,and if it gets us off our phones and computer games,and jumping up and down with our glow sticks,it's not doing any harm.
Posted in: AKB48's newest album sets music industry sales record
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supercross1985
Moderator is correct,if you were at the concert in Toyama you would know this.I am a fan,and well done to them all.They are a success,and reaching markets in Singapore and Taiwan,with a growing fan base,shops,and inspiring 48 groups to start up there.
I think the 30 to 40 year old's are on here,and growing more grumpy by the day.I don't think anyone understands Pop culture or youth trends as they happen.Everyone seems to remember their own golden youth with fond memories,but dismisses current popular culture as irrelevant.
AKB48 have a release of their DVD in the USA now,have performed there,and in France and Russia.It may be thanks to You Tube,Twitter and Facebook,but kids these days have a real understanding of music.Unlike the older generations who only ever heard British and American music,with the odd Jamaican or Latino song thrown in.
AKB are Japanese and topical,and this is a Japanese News forum,so well done for them for giving praise where it's due.And it always stimulates a nice response!
Posted in: AKB48's newest album sets music industry sales record
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supercross1985
Yuko looked really pretty with this hairstyle,you can see they full 10 minute presentation on You Tube.AKB48 are on a roll now too,latest single sold over 1 million copies in one day,their 8th single in at number one,breaking a record held for 30 plus years in Japan by Pink Lady.
Posted in: Cool beauty
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supercross1985
I might seem like the resident AKB48 defender here,but I love all music.Reading this reminds me of fans going wild at songs like Rocket Dive and Pink Spider.Honouring their friends and going back to Chiba during Obon would always be emotional.
Posted in: X Japan pay tribute to deceased former members at Summer Sonic
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supercross1985
I support AKB48 and Tomomi Itano.She is appearing in more commercials,working at her solo career.All the girls will graduate eventually,and good for her and her agency for taking a pro active role in securing her future.
Posted in: AKB48's Tomomi Itano sings for 1,700 fans
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supercross1985
China is investing heavily in Africa,and has just like any other country the right to protect its assets.
And don't forget us silly British who spent billions building a brand new high tech carrier,and can no longer afford to put any planes on it.This lack of money is hitting both Britain and America,who will in future see their international duties cut back as domestic problems take precedence.
China is the emerging super power,and with that comes responsibilities.I do wonder how they would deal with Somalian Pirates!
Posted in: Defense chief questions why China needs aircraft carrier
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supercross1985
Many of us can name every girl in AKB48.It's no big deal for an otaku.I could name all SKE and NMB now.All HiP units.I can throw in Afilia Saga East,TokyoGirlsStyle,Momoclo Z (yes we all miss Akari!) Even give you the names of Houkago Princess,and they haven't released a song yet (this month,so don't worry)
Tomo-mi is a sweet girl,and is great any time she's on AKBingo.I like all the Tomomi's in AKB,saying that I like all the Minami's too.
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supercross1985
I currently live in England,but want the hell out as soon as I financially can.Pay seems frozen,and everything seems so expensive.Just had my gas go up 16% and electric just a bit less from August.We are famously known as Rip off Britain!
We make cars here that we export to Europe,that you can order and import back yourself cheaper than we can buy them here.Had a Top Gear episode on that ( Maybe not everyone's favourite show here!)
I hope this all ends before the Olympics,don't want to see the guy carrying the Olympic flame getting shot by the Met Police thinking he is off to torch a Starbucks!
Posted in: British PM promises action to restore order in strife-torn cities
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supercross1985
I agree Steve that the Met gets judged harshly by their heavy handed tactics.It was a botched operation that may have triggered this.It was a botched operation that led to a young Brazilian man's murder.They are in some ways corrupt,having their top two officers stepping down just before this all kicked off due to scandal.Only a day or two before this 6 of there men working in a special team all sacked due to "inappropriate behaviour"
But all that aside,they are the only people who can sort this out,and I myself would approve the use of rubber bullets,but we all know they can kill.Lucky for me I do not have to make this decision,or face the ramifications.I hope this all cools down in the next few days.Do not want to see this go on into the weekend,when even more people are roaming the streets. 16000 Police on the streets tonight.I hope they are not needed.
Posted in: British PM promises action to restore order in strife-torn cities
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supercross1985
Just this minute on Sky News about the use of plastic bullets/baton rounds for crowd control.When ambulance and fire fighters are being stopped from getting into areas.Also said over 500 arrested so far,the youngest was 11 years old!
Posted in: British PM promises action to restore order in strife-torn cities
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supercross1985
Yaguchi Mari was my favourite member,during the great days of Morning Musume. Marippe is tiny,but was always happy and full of energy.Now she's married,owns a Restaurant, appears on TV shows,tours with the new senior group,she looks so young still,a true Idol.
Posted in: Married life going well for Yaguchi and 'alien visitor' husband