JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
-
- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
-
- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
-
- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
0
taiko666
While I'm proud of British diversity, the absurd political correctness that has seen (for example) the introduction of Sharia Law (which is OPENLY biased against women and rabidly homophobic) into the UK is making many people, from left-wing PC droids, to right-wing nut cases, plus a huge swathe of reasoned thinking people inbetween, question the direction this is all going.
Posted in: UK troubled by anti-Islam rallies, counterprotests
0
taiko666
Someone who gets a kanji tattoo without checking its meaning (or even if it's real kanji) is probably an idiot. However, we're not talking about a few gullible individuals here, we're talking about the entire Japanese advertising industry. They should know better.
The Japanese are supposed to be diligent and thorough. Yet, when creating even the most simple sign in English, don't seem to take the trouble to consult a dictionary. This can only mean that they don't care whether they get it right or not. (After all, a mere gaijin language is not worth making any effort over...)
Posted in: What do you think about the way English is used in the branding and marketing of products in Japan?
0
taiko666
I'm sure Japan will find a way to weasel out of the clauses which stop it doing exactly what it wants to do.
Does anyone seriously expect Japan to do this?
Posted in: 91 countries agree to treaty against illegal fishing
0
taiko666
Internet savvy my arse.
Internet services in Japan are still in the Web's stone age.
Plus in Japan it's not so much the WWW as the JWW (Japan-wide web)
Many of my Japanese friends refuse to view foreign websites for fear of "birusu" (viruses.) And your Yahoo account gets you into every Yahoo site in the world - except Yahoo Japan, which has a 'unique' membership scheme for "Japanese People."
Posted in: Internet campaigning arrives cautiously in Japan
0
taiko666
The Visa / foreign banking card situation in Japan is still ludicrous. The sign at the Narita Express and Skyliner ticket desk sums it up beautifully for visitors: "Cash Only!"
Most ATMs in Japan still don't accept foreign cards. I was in a tiny Thailand village last month, and I was able to draw cash from a 24 hr ATM using my Japanese-issued Citibank card and my UK-Visa card. Yet they don't work in many major Japanese banks' ATMs.
Naturally, Japanese cards are accepted worldwide. Another example of Japan not understanding the concept of reciprocity.
Posted in: Visa launches benefits programs for overseas cardholders visiting Japan
0
taiko666
In recent years the British film censors have become extremely broad-minded. Almost nothing is banned completely, and even mainstream cinemas show real, graphic sex (ever seen "9 Songs" ?) But I'm glad to see that this sort of violence is still beyond the pale. I've always found it weird that in places like the USA, an onscreen nipple is disgusting and immoral, whereas extreme violence is ok. And in Japan, soft porn is masked behind a mosaic, but grotesque gore is just fine. Good to see Blighty gets things the right way round in this respect.
Posted in: British film board bans sale of Japanese horror movie
0
taiko666
Harleys- the campest, most effete bikes on the road (with the exception of those appallingly snaff scooter-like contraptions.) Which probably explains why they're so popular in Japan. Nothing wrong with high camp of course :-) however I wouldn't be seen dead on one unless I was on my way to fancy dress party (=costume party) dressed as the Blue Oyster Bar guy from the Village People.
Posted in: Harley-Davidson gains popularity in Japan
0
taiko666
Yeah, yeah, poor little Japan. Interesting that even though Japan is 50% bigger than the UK, and is much richer, it has accepted only 508 refugees in the last 27 years (av 18 per year), versus the UK's 7701 last year alone.
Posted in: Asylum seekers find little refuge in Japan
0
taiko666
I've been stopped 3 times on my bicycle for minor offences (though none as reckless as crossing a major junction on a red. Hell, it's dangerous enough crossing on a green, given many J-drivers' attitude to red lights.) Being polite and co-operative ensured that my only penalty was having to feel sheepish and endure seemingly pointless questions. I think these are designed to test your attitude. If you get wound up and rude, you get a ticket. Although I sure it's a questionable legal practise. On the whole I can endure pompous attitudes from the police. It's JT-posters who adopt a stance of 'be thankful, lowly law-breaker, that the magnanimous J-police didn't smite you' who rile. I cycle to work most days and see dozens of red-light offences each time, sometimes within sight of a J-police car. Why is the law applied so haphazardly?
Posted in: My first run-in with the police
0
taiko666
ultradodgy: the rules of the road here are clear, but completely ignored, even by the police. Namely, ride on the left, and ride only on the road except for specially designated sidewalks/pavements.
Posted in: Tokyo residents pedaling to work in increasing numbers
0
taiko666
yokohamabacon: :-) I have to agree with your comment about seat height. I read somewhere (so it must be true...) that Japanese are told by their teachers/parents that they must be able to put their feet flat on the ground while seated on their bicycles. So of course, they automatically comply. Result: terrible riding actions and worn out knees. I wish somebody in authority would also explain to them the rules of the road, the most important of which is ride on the left. This simple safety precaution seems to be lost on most riders in Japan.
I mix'n'match my commuting between bicycle (25 mins), train (40 mins) and walking (55 mins).
Posted in: Tokyo residents pedaling to work in increasing numbers
0
taiko666
The very best thing (for me anyway) about Japan is the livehouse scene. Yet I hardly ever see any obviously non Japanese people in "livehouses", unless it's a non-J band. You're missing out!
Posted in: Feline foursome capture 'sound of Shinjuku'
0
taiko666
Yet zoos may be the last refuge for various species as man exploits these "resources" (a word we hear a lot in the context of Japanese whale/dolphin/tuna debates.)
And I think that humane zoos are needed in Japan, since it seems few Japanese city dwellers have ever seen a squirrel, hedgehog, fox etc. These are all common sites even in London. Come to think of it, even in my excursions into the Japanese countryside I don't think I've ever spotted a wild mammal. Not even roadkill!
Posted in: One zoo to avoid
0
taiko666
I avoid any discussion with Japanese about animal welfare, because I've only ever met two Japanese who've had any clue whatsoever (and I married one of them...) Amazing considering the number of times we hear that the Japanese 'love nature'. I put it down to a lack of empathy. I was amazed when a friend of mine saw some hopping bunnies is Izu and squeaked "Kawaiiii!" - she was wearing a rabbit skin jacket and carrying a rabbit skin bag.
The difference is that in Japan, almost everyone seems to think that way. That's why zoos in Japan and zoos in (for example) the UK are completely different.
Posted in: One zoo to avoid
0
taiko666
Overall, banking in Japan sucks. The only developed country that doesn't allow the use of foreign Visa/Mastercards it its ATMs, ATMs which close at 9pm, having to do everything via snail-mail etc. I think most posters who are complaining about Citibank Japan are just comparing it with the much more advanced banking they enjoyed before they came to Japan.
Posted in: Agency slaps Citibank Japan with sales suspension
0
taiko666
noborito: surely that's the US government's fault for taxing Americans whereever in the world they live. Do you think Citibank are going to deliberately break the law to save you from your tax commitments? If you wanted to avoid US tax perhaps you should've thought twice before open an account with a US bank.
Posted in: Agency slaps Citibank Japan with sales suspension
0
taiko666
I opened a Citibank account the day after I arrivied in Japan. I didn't have a gaijin card. 24 hour ATMs, reasonable internet banking services (although not a good as British banks), polite service in person or on the phone (in Japanese or English), swift replacement of my lost cards... I doubt if my banking experiences would have been as good with any other mainstream bank in Japan.
Can't understand Rodney King's comments. Do you banks in the rest of the world should stop all their foreign language sevices? Or do you think being able to speak fluent Japanese should be a prerequisite to receiving banking services in Japan? And what's this cr@p about having to have millions in your Citi account? I opened my account with a 5000yen deposit.
Posted in: Agency slaps Citibank Japan with sales suspension
0
taiko666
I hope they produce some snacks that don't have chicken / meat stock in them. Then again, maybe I don't. Japan's craving for animal fats in absolutely everything means I'm never tempted to pop into a combini to satiate a snack-attack, thus leaving more room for beer calories later :-)
Posted in: Pepsi inks deal to produce, sell snacks in Japan
0
taiko666
Japan is certainly still ahead in the longevity stakes. Bear in mind that Mr Tanabe's diet when he was young was vastly different to that of 'modern' Japanese. MacD's, KFC et al are busy levelling the playing field.
Posted in: World's oldest man dies at 113
0
taiko666
Japan does indeed have some great microbreweries. I'm very happy that my favourite Japanese ale, Yona Yona, is becoming widely available in supermarkets and Natural Lawsons. However, I've only seen 'real' beers like Yona Yona sold in a few foreign-themed pubs. The vast majority of Japanese watering holes limit themselves to the same old yellow, fizzy, frothy, over-sweet p1ss from the 4 main breweries.
Moderator: Back on topic please.
Posted in: Golden ale