JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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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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thepossum
"Why buy stuff from folk when they've demonstrated over and over again that they're not going to stick to the agreement and just send over any old stuff they feel like?"
Cleo, we are talking about American beef ! Not Japan's ongoing problems with mislabeled foods, recycled foods, tainted foods, use of outdated ingredients, or any of the other multitude of issues brought on by meat hope, snow brand/mega milk, akafuku, fujiya, nihon rice, gold pac, Ishiya trading, etc.
"what's your explanation for the 9000% rise in Alzheimer's?"
The Internet ?
"No one's trying to stop you eating US beef. You're free to go over to the US and eat as much of it as you want. We just don't want it over here"
This is where you are wrong. All the data, past and present clearly indicates that consumers "do" want American beef. Some of us would simply prefer that Japan stop it's lobbying against a scientifically proven safe product. Now can this nation of scientists say the same about tobacco pproducts, alcohol, or the sugar and caffein laced products it sells ? I think not, so please spare me "the safety Japan" nonsense. This is about market protection, plain and simple.
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
"The US can be protective of their own interests and the rest of the world needs to shut it but, OMG, if the tables are turned."
Oh Zenbuilder, the last time I checked the USA has had ongoing trade imbalances with almost every country it does business with for the past 30 years. Isn't it time for the tables to be turned ? Why should America continue to be a nation of buyers ? Why is it so wrong for the Americans to be sellers ? Again, why does the USA provide one of the worlds most open markets, while countries like Japan are allowed their protectionist wasy ? Maybe it's time for the USA to ban Japanese products. No more Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba, Honda, Toyota. Do you really think American consumers will mind ? No, they won't. They will simply void those markets and fill them with their own US made goods, thus putting millions of more Americans back to work. Hey, sounds great to me !
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
Cleo,
"Because US beef is raised using hormones that are illegal in the EU. EU consumers do not want to receive doses of testosterone, progesterone and other ~sterones in their dinner."
But they are ok with chemical fertilizers and toxic sprays in their veggies ? Bizzare lot if you ask me. I seem to recall that there are more than 100 cattle ranches in the US that can provide nothing more than grass fed beef by the tons. So why is that also banned in the EU ?
"Its a fact US beef can be sold three time cheaper than similar quality Japanese beef."
Absolutely true ! When you take grass fed cattle from the western states and compare them with a like product raised in Japan, the final price for the Japanese beef is more than 3x's higher. Thats a no-brainer considering how expensive Japanese farms are to run.
As for Alzheimers ? Bit of a red herring don't you think ? There are way too many variables to even consider the relationship between beef and Alzheimers. That ranks right up there with getting a.i.d.s off a toilet seat in my book.
I guess, for those of you that don't want to eat US beef, don't ! But please stop trying to prevent it's consumption by those of us that do. This is a matter that should be left to the consumer, freedom of choice ! I say open the markets and let the consumers decide. I for one will take my chances.
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
zenbuilder (how ironic that handle is)
"What I am on about is how the US is pressuring other countries to lift the ban, never saw it happen from the UK, Canada, etc when their beef was banned."
The ban on US beef in Japan does not follow scientific evidence nor negotiated trade agreements between the countries. To make it worse, the government in Japan has resulted to fear mongering and harassment to keep an otherwise popular product from entering the markets unrestricted.
As for pressure, yours is a silly comment. The US has been very patient with Japan as it continues to throw up road blocks and openly criticize a consumer goods product that has been proven to be safe.
And this is just plain ignorant:
"You can quote me statistics, etc but people will buy what they want to buy. The consumers in japan right now don't want US beef same way they don't want Chinese foods right now. That is from the people I have spoken to(not a scientific survey)."
Then lets look at the facts. Lets look at how quickly American beef flys off the shelves when it is provided. Lets look at sales receipts from companies and restaurants that do advertise the use of US beef. Lets look at the numbers before Japan starting its campaign "against" the US beef council. What you will find zenbuilder is that US beef was, and remains, very popular in Japan, by the consumers that buy it. It's the government and media outlets that are fueling this hysteria, and you have obviously bought into it. Or, you are one of the Japanese operating cattle ranches in Australia. Oh yes, Aussie beef. Raised and produced by-the Japanese ! Imagine that. Can you say McDonalds ?
By the way, anyone know what Ichiro, Matsui, and Matsuzaka eat while in the USDA ? Yep, large doses of American Beef !
Posted in: More bull over U.S. beef
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thepossum
For the record, they don't show "The Olympics" in Japan ! It's simply a two week judo tournement, nothing more, nothing less !
Posted in: IOC strikes broadcast deal in Japan for two Olympic Games
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thepossum
Zaichik... spare me the sob story !
"It doesn't sound like this woman was in a normal frame of mind"
yeh right, like anyone that would try to flush a newborn down the toilet is in "their normal state of mind". God you J apologists sometimes sicken me to no end ! What a bunch of horse krap you spew here...
"The fact that the balance of this woman's mind was probably disturbed at the time"
yada-yada-yada ! Its people like Z-chik that enable more and more of these types of crime. Yes Zai... you are an enabler ! Look yerself in the mirror and come to grips with it ! You are exactly the type of person that prevents these kinds of horrible acts from being stopped ! You make lame ass excuses for sickening behaviour because ??? I dunno !
Please stop and take the time to consider "Z" that you are here today because someone made the decision "not" to flush you down a tiolet !
Posted in: Woman arrested after trying to flush infant down toilet in Nagoya
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thepossum
These parents have just learned a horrible lesson. But as smartacus points out:
"When are parents in this country going to learn to keep an eye on their children?"
This sickens me to no end, but I'm afraid that this will continue, as long as Japanese parents selfishly focus their lives on themselves instead of their children. Make no mistake, these "accidents" are 100% preventable. Time for parents in Japan to pull their heads out of their collective arses ! I have nothing but condemnation for the way things run here in Japan !
Posted in: 8-year-old girl drowns while trying to save brother in Kagoshima river
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thepossum
"Not much of what you describe is in evidence where I live."
What Tochigi ? Didn't someone try to kill your highest ranking politician with a gun just a few years ago ?
"Policemen, security guards, cameras, protective doors, mansions with elaborate security systems - only ever seen them in the big city."
I don't think so ! I've lived in both major cities and the countryside in Japan. Crime appears rampant in both !
"Here in semi-rural Japan I leave my doors and windows open most of the time"
Odd, I did the same in the USA for 30 years and, like you said...
"never been burgled."
I sure as hell wouldn't do that here in Japan ! Fact is, the next headline could easily read:
"Young males Lax on security at home" !
Posted in: Young women lax on security at home
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thepossum
"Here in the US,everyone knows that Japanese cars are the most reliable."
Really ? So why did Consumer Reports refuse to give Japan's largest automobile manufacturer an automatic seal of approval this last year ?
The fact is, Japanese manufacturers are no more reliable than any of the other industry leaders. The fact that they may hide their defects or manipulate their quality data is common knowledge. I'd suggest, being there in the US, that you stick to GM or Ford. "Real" research indicates they are just as, or more so, reliable than any foreign made automobile out there. And both have been industry leaders for years, why risk it with the foreign models !
Posted in: Which company or alliance makes the best cars?
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thepossum
Try the Pontiac G8 for 2008 ! A near 400hp 6.0L V8 based on the bulletproof and world known Aussie Holden Commodore with a classy but stylish interior with price of around $32,000? Just what the J salaryman should be cruisin' the streets of Osaka in !
Posted in: Which company or alliance makes the best cars?
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thepossum
Not an "offense" Cleo, but a bit offensive, as we all ain't as dumb as you may think ! Westurn is so right with the observation that Japan is "indeed" a police state ! Fences, officers, cameras, security guards, protective doors that slide down to protect shop windows, mansions and apartments with elaborate security systems... obviously begs the question, If Japan is so safe... why all the security ?
Posted in: Young women lax on security at home
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thepossum
"The U.S. fund also sold all its shares in soy sauce maker Kikkoman as of the end of March, reaping 2 billion yen in profit, the Nikkei business daily reported, quoting sources."
Now that's how you make money ! Once again, the Americans are laughing all the way to the bank ! They hit a gold mine and wisely get out of dodge leaving the Japanese to fend for themselves. Smart move, I wish I were in on the deal !
Posted in: Bull-Dog Sauce says Steel has sold all its shares
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thepossum
"In my town I see few policemen, guardsmen, cameras, security doors or signs warning that 'someone' is watching me."
This coming from someone with a known policeofficer in the family ???
Posted in: Young women lax on security at home
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thepossum
usaexpat... speak for yourself ! I'll take an angus beef burger over anything in Japan any day of the week ! And by a large, the food in American restaurants is awesome, fresh, generous portions, and most of all (unlike Japan) Affordable !!! Don't believe me, check out the $400 steak dinner menus plastered about in the michelin guide for Japan ! Ouch !
Posted in: Big burger
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thepossum
Bloodiest week ? 19 ?
Face the facts world ! In terms of wartime casualties, the US armed forces has become an efficient killing machine. Comparing US casualties to past wars, 19 in a week is a mere drop in the bucket. Try 6,000 in two days at the battle of the bulge in Germany during WWII ! Condolences and deep respect to those and their families of lost ones in war, both past and present !
Posted in: Bloodiest week this year for U.S. troops in Iraq
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thepossum
I agree ! This is more about racist attitudes and a negative media campaign against China ! Gyoza just seemed to be the conduit ! Very embarrasing for Japan as a whole I believe.
Posted in: Gyoza scare offers insight into Japan's culture of eating
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thepossum
Best Buys service and efficiency ?
I found them always to be courteous, helpful, and insightful. I've purchased computers, gaming systems, and stereo equipment at great prices for a good 7 years now. I'd love to see them enter the Japanese market, and I'll bet they will have the same success out of the box that Toys-R-Us had !
Posted in: U.S. retailer Best Buy joins race for D&M
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thepossum
So why only 4 days ? Are these people as stupid as they seem ? 4 days is not going regenerate the slump in domestic spending that has been occuring for years now.
If Japan's markets were truly open, they would not be putting time limits on these sales. In short, these products would be offered up on a daily basis with the opportunity to actually expand on them. Lets hope the US puts pressure on Japan to actually do something about its flagging domestic market which in turn is stifeling the world economy.
Posted in: Daiei to offer 20-30% discounts on food prices due to strong yen
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thepossum
Slump in consumption ?
Again, anyone thats read any of my posts on this topic knows that I have little sympathy for any of Japan's major supermarket chains. They have only themselves to blame as they continue to limit access to their markets through various barriers and shady distribution networks. The same systems that have resulted in outrageously high consumer goods products for decades. Now that the good times are over and the consumers are pretty much penny pinched to the bone... they whine about losing profits ! Boo hoo hoo ! Fact... the yen is at an even 1-1 with the US dollar right now. All Japanese markets should be taking the opportunity to draw customers into their stores by offering low priced American products. We should be seeing cereals, chips, fruit and vegetables, pork, bacons, frozen foods, shampoos, toothpastes, mustards, beers... just flooding into this market. But what do we get ? A promise that they will sell oranges, grapefruits, and Franzia (?) wine for a few days ! What a freakin' joke ! I hope they all go gunny bag so the likes of Costco and walmart can swoop in and give the customers here a freakin' break. Soooo, cry all you want Daiei... you made this sloppy bed, you sleep in it !
Posted in: Daiei's pretax profit plunges 70.1%
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thepossum
Freedom of speech in Japan ??? Surely you jest ! It explains why the Japanese tend to "gaman" so much. They know that if they ever said exactly how or what they felt... they would be ostrecized and shunned from whatever community they were in, be it at home or at work. I personally have seen people lose their jobs for being critical of corporate business practices.
In the community, I have seen perfectly legitimate gripes go unattended to as locals focused more on the messanger than the message.
In the United States I feel that you can openly and honestly practice your legal right to freedom of speech. Granted there are amny times when you disagree with the message, but at least you have the constitutional right to express your feelings. And lets not get carried away with this freedom of speech thing. Freedom of speech is very different from slander, verbal assault, or any other statements that could be considered threatening. But for Japan... I would say the nation is a long way off from any real sort of freedom of speech. There simply are no laws that protect one who attempts to practice it. If there was, all the people that I've seen lose their jobs in my firm would have the opportunity to fight back through the judicial system.
As for honne and tatemea ? Those have nothing to do with freedom of speech. Honesty and the concept of "white lies" are nothing new to the western world. We use them much the same as Japanese do tatemae, to protect the feelings of others. Not out of malisciousness or attempts at dishonesty. Trying to declare these unique to Japanese culture and group harmony is downright silly. Sitting back and watching your company engage in illegal activities because you are afraid to say anything is a criminal act in itself... yet widely accepted in Japan.
Posted in: Is the concept of freedom of speech ever carried out in practice?