JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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Confrontation
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U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
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Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi
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- 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
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- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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taiko666
powderfinger: you seem to be the sort of person who needs to be spoon-fed. Man-made climate change is a theory based on observations; namely the rise in temperatures during the last 150 years and the correspondingly large amounts of 'greenhouse gasses' produced by man duing that time. The theory state how former can be caused by the latter, and goes on to list other consequences (eg rising sea levels.) To date the theory has been borne out (melting polar ice caps etc.) It remains a theory; an extremely convincing theory, but a theory nontheless. The proof you obviously need before you consider taking any action can only come when it's too late. Reminds me off when people were saying 'SHOW ME THE PROOF!" during the early years of BSE awareness (I expect you'd have been one of those people.) Of course the proof turned out to be a massive epidemic and perhaps over half the UK population exposed to a deadly prion infection.
You shouldn't discount an extremely convincing theory for lack of 'proof'. The entire basis of modern chemisty is based on a theory that's not yet proved.
Posted in: What climate change? Meltdown trumps fears at APEC
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taiko666
Speak for yourself.
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taiko666
Cleo: Watch your step! With fighting talk like that, unhinged souls like OssanAmerica might accuse you of being a terrorist.
Posted in: Miki Mizuno and Masato win 'Fur of the Year' Contest
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taiko666
Heda Madness: if you think throwing butter is terrorism I suggest you chat to a relative of a victim of 9/11, London 7/7, Bali etc.
Posted in: Australia invests in whale research to challenge Japan
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taiko666
We'll see a boom in Amami rabbit-skin handbags soon
Posted in: Scientists clone embryo of endangered Amami rabbit
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taiko666
I can't believe they can endure a whole game of baseball sober!
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taiko666
cleo: I disagree. Your Japanese visa works in foreign ATMs. On the whole, foreign Visas don't work in Japanese ATMs (although the situation is improving.) I'd hazard a guess that it's easier to withdraw money from a British Visa card in Baghdad than it is it Tokyo.
I've only used my Visa a few times in Japanese shops. On each occasion I've had to wait about 20 minutes while the shop assistants rang through to their head office for advice, then to Visa to check my card.
Posted in: Visa publishes expats guide to living in Japan
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taiko666
cleo, I think you're missing two points:
I think it's foreign Visa cards that are being discussed. Most bank ATMs in Japan will say 'only Japanese-issued cards accepted.' So much for Visa being a world-wide brand. A Japanese Visa card will work in just about any Visa-aware ATM in the world, but try using a foreign Visa in Japan and in you're in trouble. This situation has got a lot better recently however with 7-Bank opening up foreign Visa (and Citibank) compatible ATMs.
Establishments which accept any credit/debit cards (Japanese or not) are still extremely thin on the ground, although this also is getting better. In London it's almost got to the stage where you don't need cash at all. This has already happened in Finland; I've made a dozen or so business trips there and literally have never handled Finnish cash, even in bars.
Posted in: Visa publishes expats guide to living in Japan
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taiko666
I think a rich country like Japan should be able to afford crash barriers on such an obviosuly dangerous stretch of road.
Posted in: Man rescued three days after car drops 200 meters into valley in Gifu
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taiko666
This headline seems to be a permanent fixture on JT.
Posted in: Man arrested for filming up high school girl's skirt on escalator in Saitama
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taiko666
JeffLee: again, "highway" simply means a public road.
I think JT needs to supply a 'real English' to 'US English' glossary :-)
Posted in: 61-year-old woman suffers fractured skull after being hit by cyclist
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taiko666
Japanese attitudes to bicycles baffle me. The law states that bikes must be ridden on the left, and that only on certain roads is it permissible to ride on the pavement. These laws are totally disregarded, even by the police. Add to that reckless, careless riding styles, riding while on the phone, mama-charis with kiddie seats both front and rear (illegal) and it's indeed surprising that more people aren't killed or injured (eg in 2005 there were 'only' 2435 reported accidents and 6 fatalities.)
Posted in: 61-year-old woman suffers fractured skull after being hit by cyclist
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taiko666
I totally agree with yasukuni that the Japanese seen to lack empathy, and I think that's the root cause many standard gaijin gripes. Being gawped at on the train is a simple example. The gawper is completely oblivious to the discomfiture of the gawpee.
Posted in: The day Japan’s netizens turned news on its head
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taiko666
MrRoadrage: afraid not. But in Natural House you can get Quorn-like Modoki TVP/TSP which is amazing once you get the hang of cooking it properly; or San-Iku prepared TVP/TSP in cans, which is easier; some wonderful frozen veggie ham, fritters, 'meat' sauce... it really is an oasis.
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taiko666
I defer to your pendantry! BTW I love soya milk (sub) but even I think soya cheese (sub) is revolting.
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taiko666
MrRoadrage: lasagne can be made with soya cheese
As a veggie I'm indebted to George Ohsawa. I don't follow a macrobiotic diet, but it would've taken me a long time to become veggie if it hadn't been for Quorn (a British macrobiotic meat-sub introduced about 25 years ago.) And some of the stuff available in Japan, in places like the Natural House supermarket chain, are wonderful. It's just a shame more Japanese don't know about it (shame for me that is... I'd be able to eat in many more resaurants!)
After I've told my Japanese friends that I'm a veggie, and received the inevitable 'heeeeeeeee???' reply, I like to observe their reaction (pride/bewilderment) when I tell them that most modern meat-subs all stem from the work of Japanese guy 100 years ago.
BTW Try the 'tofu chicken' fried nuggets in the Meguro Tavern!
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taiko666
In Japan, the most difficult interview question a woman has to answer is "What are your maternal plans?"
Posted in: What is the trickiest question to answer in a job interview?
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taiko666
One of the first things I noticed afer moving to Japan from the UK was the absence of the brain-dead, attitude-laden feral underclass chavs that roam the streets in certain areas. The police should've nabbed these tw^ts... on a trumped up charge if necessary. Nobody would've objected, even if they'd walked into a few doors in the police station. Oh, hang on... I forgot what a sickeningly PC place the UK has become.
Posted in: Jeering crowd goads suicidal jumper to his death in England
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taiko666
neverknow2: Yep, I have to admit you're right! I was sensitised to this issue during my first visit to Scotland, when drinking with some Scottish mates I was subjected to a 'ye havenae culture' whisky'n'fag-wreaking lecture. I'll finally get over it when England gets its long overdue independence :-) BTW, speaking of Scottish culture, which I actually admire inspite of its loathing of England- I wonder how many Japanese realise that the tune that's played in shops at closing time, 'Auld Lang Syne', is Scottish? All my friends thought it was traditional Japanese. I've even done an amdassadorial thing for Scottish culture by amazing some Japanese mates by playing several Scottish tunes using only the black keys on the piano. Maybe next time I'll fry a Mars Bar, yell 'see yoo' and punch their lights out for the totally authentic touch :-)
Posted in: Don your kilt and follow the bagpipes to Chiba
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taiko666
Good to see somebody getting their historical facts correct for a change, but...
Why does any celebration of Scotland's obviously colourful culture have to contain a totally baseless jibe about England's supposed lack of culture? The fact the English don't continuously flag-wave and bang on about their folk festivals, traditions wacky games and ceremonies (the burning barrel race in Devon is my favourite), traditional dance (mummers plays etc), traditional music (from mediaeval to folk), rich literary heritage (non 'just' Shakespeare, Wilfred Owen etc) modern musical contribution the world (not 'just' Holst, Beatles, Stones, Queen, Floyd, Zeppelin etc), sporting contribution to the world (not 'just' inventing football, rugby, cricket, tennis etc) doesn't mean they're figments of the imagination.
I'm looking forward to the time when Scots feel able to celebrate their culture without having to insult their neighbours... or is that an integral part of Scots' culture?
Posted in: Don your kilt and follow the bagpipes to Chiba