JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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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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thepossum
"Japanese is not an easy language, but for someone living in Japan it should not take too much time to master it."
Interesting comment. Doesn't actually mesh with the article in todays "Features" section titled "Todays kids can't handle movie subtitles". Just a tidbit...
"More recently, however, film distributors have become increasingly aware that younger audiences are unable to comprehend subtitles on current films. To simplify things, subtitle producers have been ordered to reduce the number of words flashed on the screen to the bare minimum, and use of Chinese characters has been cut."
Go figure !
Posted in: Should Japanese language ability be a factor in determining the maximum length of stay on visas for foreigners?
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thepossum
"Try Kuai Aina"
I have, in Ikkspiari next to Disneyland ! Absolute krap ! The buns were hard, which is fine if we're talkin about the waitress... but we're not ! Anyway, the meat was flavorless, the seating impolite (I had to show a receipt to be seated), and the staff no-where to be found. Overall a horrible disappointment !
Posted in: What differentiates a really good hamburger from an average one?
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thepossum
Butter is not a staple "food" in any country ! Butter is a condiment or ingredient used to prepare a large variety of foods.
Posted in: Japan running short of butter
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thepossum
Sarge... I complete that "simple task" anytime anywhere they let me near the grill ! I find it simply astonishing that of all the experts on America out there, not one of them has the ability to put together a really authentic American style burger ! We're not talkin' fast food here either. Calling McDonalds a representative of American style hamburgers is dead wrong and humurous at best. However with Japans ongoing bans to keep out "all" things American, its safe to say the only place the Japanese will have a real American burger is in... the USA !
Posted in: What differentiates a really good hamburger from an average one?
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thepossum
Really ? You mean managers are not paid overtime ? Homeless are allowed to set up camp ? The menu is filled with ebi burgers and macha mcflurries ?
Digdug, I think not !
Posted in: McDonald's Japan eyes price hikes
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thepossum
I don't get it. The US could supply Japan with all the butter it could possibly use. Yet the store shelves have run dry ! Why should the common folk have to suffer for the governments inability to work in cooperation with the USA ??? This is another perfect example of Japan cutting off it's nose to spite it's face ! Where are the protests ? What are the houswives in Japan doing ? Why oh why have the locals given up so easily ? What the hell has happened to that "fighting spirit" we always hear of ??? This is just the tip of the iceberg. Japan is about to hit freefall !
Posted in: Japan running short of butter
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thepossum
Noborito... here in lies the problem.
"While you can cook at home for around the same"
Huh ??? Can you really put together a bowl of gyudon, a large salad, and a bowl of miso soup for less than 500 yen ?
I say you cant do it ! Not in todays world of bloated food prices in Japan. Hell, the beef alone for one serving of gyudon will set you back 500 yen... even if its the cheap Ausssie beef stuff.
This is the reality that grip todays Japan. Food is simply getting too expensive, and they, the J gov, refuse to make friends with the Americans. If I'm the Americns... I walk ! Let the Japanese come to grips with more food shortages like their butter fiasco.
Posted in: McDonald's Japan eyes price hikes
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thepossum
"Isn't the real reason is that Japan wants cheaper U.S. beef?"
Price is determined in the marketplace, where American beef has been traditionally, and substantually lower. Subsequently, there is no reason for government officials to interfere, the customer will eventually determine the price.
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
BTW Romeo... the closest McDonalds to Shinjuku station is many blocks away and there are dozens of restaurants within a closer proximity. Care to wager on which restaurant brings in the highest amount of sales per month ?
Posted in: McDonald's Japan eyes price hikes
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thepossum
Umm, Romeo... you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink ! Just because you put something near a train station doesn't mean folks will pile in and fork over their hard earned cash. Japan is just full of bankrupt stories from people who didn't understand that. Ah yes, if it were only that simple.
Posted in: McDonald's Japan eyes price hikes
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thepossum
Northlondon, I must say, I agree with both of your points on this issue. I too disagree with Bobby's views on MLB players for the Oly's. Individual talent does not always make for a great team effort. The US has been taught this lesson time and time again at the Basketball world championships. And everyone knows that NHL all star teams do rather poorly at the Olympics. it's usually those squads that have been together for years that triumph in these kinds of competitions. I for one would love to see the NCAA champions represent ream USA, in both basketball and baseball. I'm sure America's collegians can hold their own against the worlds best pros, anyone else remember "the miracle on ice" ?
As for pathat's comments deriding Bobby V... Bush league material, simple as that ! Bobby V is da bomb in Chiba ! The fans love him and he has brought a breath of fresh air, not to mention a championship, to Chiba. Bobby V has shown the Japanese that baseball can be fun. He has brought a community like atmosphere to the city. He encourages fan, player activities to get the team out into the community to meet the locals. Autograph signings, base runnings, charity events... its all Bobby Valentine. And, he's successful ! Unfortunately for the locals here in Japan, Bobby is raising the bar ! He's making baseball interesting and fun ! Sorry, the Giants still haven't figured it out... nor have most of the other teams that keep gettin' their arses wooped by Bobby-Ball !
North is right, for a change. Valentine is a breath of fresh air. And lord don't we need that with all the smoke blowin' fools in NPB !
Posted in: Valentine: Maybe MLB should let players compete in Olympics
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thepossum
A great burger starts with a good side of beef. And barring none that is a black angus ! Hands down ! The key is in the marinade. At least 4 hours, in the fridge, and don't forget the garlic... cloves, paste, or powder, it all works. Slap it on an open grill and just let it sizzle ! Throw it on a bun with plenty of fressh veggies and a relish and viola ... heaven ! Unfortunately there is not one single restaurant in Japan able to complete such a simple task. So for anyone interested in a really great burger, try Pilot Butte Drive In or Deschutes Brewery in Oregon... simply the best !
Posted in: What differentiates a really good hamburger from an average one?
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thepossum
Ohiodonna... well said ! The problem here in Japan though is there is a lot of misinformation about purchasing beef in America. I have tried to enlighten the locals but usually their individual bias against all things American clouds their thinking. I for one absolutely love being able to go right out to the ranch and get a couple of pounds of grass fed cattle for about a third of the price the Japanese pay here ! And I guarantee you this, no kobe beef can stand up to the possums bbq grill... damn stuff is too fatty ! Can you say "grease fire" ! Moo !
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
Again ??? What the hell is wrong with these people ! I'm with skipthesong on this:
"I can not believe the amount of sick news like this coming out of Japan"
Japan continues to swirl the toilet bowl of immoral behaviour and emotional bankruptcy ever since it's economy went south. I cannot believe the nation is so shallow. I guess I was wrong.
Posted in: Man arrested for fatally beating 3-month-old son in Miyagi
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thepossum
Just look at the sour grapes filling this thread:
-who in their right mind would buy any of that foul muck masquerading as food AT ALL?
-McDonalds in Japan is a complete joke and a waste of money!
-a pile of steaming crapola!
-Haven't step foot into a J-land McD's in years. It's a perfect place for engrish teachers.
Umm guys, McDonalds is by far the largest and most succesful restaurant chain in Japan. just who are you all to thumb your noses at the Japanese public ? They vote with their wallets ! And they have spoken loud and clear, The Japanese public loves McDonalds ! So much so that you could take McDonald's second, third, and fourth competitiors, combine them together, and they still won't catch the Golden arches ! My advice, instead of playin' amatuer food critic, or worse yet, no nothing economic tweeb, bust out yer wallets and drop a few dimes on "Mickey D." stock. I'm sure you'll have a change of opinion real quick !
Posted in: McDonald's Japan eyes price hikes
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thepossum
Chouwda brings up a great issue. We all know that it is illegal for downer cows to enter the human food chain in the USA... but what about Japan ? Is there any legislation on the books ? Or is this just another one of them "grin grin wink wink" Japanese ways of doing business. Again, more than 2 dozen bse infected cattle in Japan, there's gotta be hundreds of downers getting into the food chain if there is no law against it.
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
Meanringo,
The Japanese blatantly violated the one between the US and Japan on beef. The original agreement stated that only processing plants found in violation of the terms would be banned from Japans markets. Yet Japan closed the whole market for a good 2 years. They have yet to compensate American farmers or apologize to the US beef industry for their knee jerk over-reaction that was in clear violation of the agreement between the two nations !
And it's funny you point out your "one lone cow" story. Japan has had more than two dozen bse infected cows show up here ! Odd, the local papers sure dumped those stories quickly didn't they !
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
"I think this is a very interesting question. America has great influence over the rest of the world."
Well maybe the rest of the planet needs to get off it's collective duff and get with the program. It can do so by stop expecting America and Americans to deal with all "their" problems ! The US has had to bail out one nation after another over the past 100 years and we're gettin' damned tired of it ! WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Bosnia, Africa, the Middle East ! Non of those places in "our" backyard or under "our" direct control since 1900 ! You Europeans been real good about causing a stink then bailing out... Vietnam the best example. Or worse yet, just letting things smolder until the powder kegs explodes... WWI,WWII, Bosnia, Africa, The Middle East ! Once again Japantoday has asked a totally stupid question to get you all "non-Americans" to point fingers at everyone else but yerselves ! Shame on you !
Posted in: If it were possible, do you wish non-Americans could vote in the U.S. presidential election?
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thepossum
Maruku... exactly !
As for American beef, you keep terming it "unsafe". One question for you, since the US has started exporting American beef to Japan, exactly how many Japanese have been infected with BSE ? How any have contracted any disease at all ? How many have fallen ill from consuming American beef ? The ball rests in your court Maruku to show me the data !
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
"Chemical fertilizer can be washed off. How will you remove the hormones from within the beef?"
Chemical fertilizers and toxic sprays are not all soluble in water. They are absorbed into the skin of most fruits and vegetables.
Which is beside the point because there are hundreds of American cattle ranches that are completely organic ! Japan's position is suspect and extremely hypocritical considering the vastly more dangerous products found on the nations shelves.
Maruku, you are right, protectionism is world-wide. But only the Japanese engage in nationwide campaigns of open discrimination complete with bold faced lies and half truths. Isn't it time for the US to do the same in return. And considering how poor some of Japans major auto companies have done at the recall table, that would be a good place to start !
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef