taj said...

taj at 12:30 PM JST - 5th August

Question: did he just happen to have a kitchen knife in his hand as he was in the middle of preparing lunch when the kerfuffle started? Or did he go out and buy a "survival knife" or dig one out from his camping gear in the shed for the purpose?…

Posted in All 6 lay jurors question defendant on third day of trial at 12:30 PM JST - 5th August
taj at 05:07 PM JST - 3rd August

I learned from my step-brother that my own mother had had two miscarriages (in addition to four live births), after his wife had one and needed someone to talk to. The young wife has since gone on to have a healthy child. I suddenly understood why mom always harangued my…

Posted in 41% of women going through pregnancy have had miscarriages at 05:07 PM JST - 3rd August
taj at 01:08 PM JST - 3rd August

According to other reports, the defendent is not denying what the prosecution has to say in this case. He admits killing his neighbor. (A Korean, for those who were wondering about the foreign connections.) Apparently, the defense will be around trying to mitigate the sentence. The victim's son will be…

Posted in Lay jury trial gets under way; reluctance to participate high at 01:08 PM JST - 3rd August
taj at 10:15 AM JST - 31st July

For a country in dire need of babies, this seems ridiculously short-sighted, in addition to being horrifyingly callous.

Posted in Mie city refused maternal aid for pregnant foreigner overstaying visa at 10:15 AM JST - 31st July
taj at 10:06 AM JST - 31st July

Calls for tougher punishment would mean = what Japanese prisoners get, right?

Perhaps someone can confirm this, but it is my understanding that the US military provides for some additional comforts for servicemen who end up in Japanese prisons, for example, with additional food rations.

Normally in Japan, death sentences…

Posted in U.S. sailor gets life in prison for killing Japanese taxi driver at 10:06 AM JST - 31st July
taj at 12:20 PM JST - 28th July

Thanks, Cleo. And I agree. A survey of public opinion today would probably already show a significant drop in support over this time last year, just based on the Tochigi case.

Posted in 3 death row inmates executed at 12:20 PM JST - 28th July
taj at 12:17 PM JST - 28th July

I'm glad my payments come direct from a bank account. I wonder if my data is gone, too, or if it was ONLY the files with CC info.

Posted in Alico Japan reports 2,200 cases of possible credit card fraud due to data leakage at 12:17 PM JST - 28th July
taj at 12:11 PM JST - 28th July

He's pullin' a Palin?

Posted in Yokohama mayor steps down at 12:11 PM JST - 28th July
taj at 12:10 PM JST - 28th July

I'm having a problem with the term "life-sized" for "robot".

Perhaps my definition of "life" is stuck in the 21st century...

Posted in Life-size head of Tetsujin 28-go robot unveiled in quake-hit Kobe at 12:10 PM JST - 28th July
taj at 11:46 AM JST - 28th July

Anyone know the DPJ stance on execution?

Posted in 3 death row inmates executed at 11:46 AM JST - 28th July