JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
-
- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
-
- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
-
- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
0
timorborder
Good to see everybody butchering that famous quote about the difference between these two concepts.
And to answer the second question, no these values should not be rammed down the throat of individuals under the guise of education. Rather, the individual should be allowed to develop their own set of beliefs (including patriotism) as a net result of the interactions they experience.
Nationalism on the other hand is the bxstard child of propaganda, whose path can only lead to misery, division, destruction, and ultimately death. Indeed, look at those countries who espoused nationalism in the 20th Century. A whole generation of English/German/French, etc. youth was erased during the First World War due to Nationalism. That exercise was so much fun that it was repeated in World War 2.
Posted in: What is the difference between patriotism and nationalism? Can they or should they be taught in the classroom?
0
timorborder
Hard to keep a straight face with this one. Then again I suppose the cops deserve a round of applause for getting this clown off the streets.
Posted in: Man arrested after applying for driver's license renewal while drunk
0
timorborder
Charge them and give them their day in a Haitian Court.
Posted in: 10 U.S. Baptists charged with kidnapping Haiti children
0
timorborder
I'll sniff underwear, but renting it is definitely out of the question (lol).
The real issue is this pet rental business, which I believe should be banned outright. As somebody pointed out, these pets (I would assume dogs) are probably really stressed out as a result of going to a different home everyday. Indeed, I am really quite upset by the idea of some "people" (I use the term loosely) considering these animals to be disposal goods. What a disgrace.
Article Unavailable
0
timorborder
Reading through this article again, it seems that Mr. Campbell is being used as a blunt object to know some sense into Japan. Then again, I am inclined to believe that Campbell is getting some bad advice from his minders if he expects Japan to meet a 4 month deadline. Realistically, if any change is going to happen in Japan (and you can bet that Japan will try and stonewall), it is going to take either an cataclysmic event (for example, the US linking this to the alliance fiasco and calling Japan to book), or it is going to take a lot longer than 4 months.
Furthermore, I see little difference between this issue and the problems that Japan has with North Korea over the "alleged" abductions of Japanese nationals. If Japan does not want to move forward with the Hague Convention, perhaps it is time that Japan's soon-to-be-former allies (basically every other country in the first world) stonewall on their support of Japan vis-a-vis the North Korean abduction issue.
Posted in: U.S. warns Japan child custody laws could harm bilateral ties
0
timorborder
As I wrote on a similar thread a couple of months ago, only when the US gets angry will Japan start to seriously consider resolving this issue. Indeed, perhaps it is time for the United States to hold Japanese nationals who are married to US citizens at arms length to prevent the Japanese spouse for engaging in such parental kidnappings. Hopefully in the US Congress there is somebody with enough stones to suggest a special class of visa to the United States for nationals of countries who fragrantly ignore the Hague Convention (based on the FBI parental kidnappings homepage Japan might be joined by South Korea). Any such bill introduced before the House would require that, Japanese nationals married to US citizens and living in the US, be ankle tagged with locating devices to prevent their absconding with their children from the United States. Moreover, such persons traveling from the United States to Japan would be required to have signed permissions (in triplicate) that were to be submitted at the airport.
Anyway, I don't think such legislation would stand a hope in hell of passing into law, however, just having such a bill read on the floor of the US Congress would act as a well-placed kick to the rump of the Japanese bureaucracy who are stalling on the ratification of the Hague Convention.
Posted in: U.S. warns Japan child custody laws could harm bilateral ties
0
timorborder
After the treatment of Matsui, I am surprised that the Yankees came to Japan. Indeed, if we had know earlier, I would have organized a protest out at Narita. Something like "Yankees Go Home!"
Posted in: Yankees bring World Series trophy to Japan
0
timorborder
Don't know what to believe in this story. The only thing I am thankful about is that girl is not pregnant. Can you imagine either one of these two old codgers passing on their genes? Perhaps it is best for the human race that this never actually happened.
Posted in: Man swindled out of Y4 mil for supposed pregnancy settlement
0
timorborder
The guy should have kept this bit as a souvenir. Who knows, if this sort of incident happens that often, he might end up with his own FA-18.
Posted in: Minister cautions U.S. military after part falls from U.S. Navy jet, hitting house
0
timorborder
In taking a leaf out of the Japanese government playbook when confronted with products of a foreign origin that represent a danger to consumers, I would hope that the United States Government (and others) would call upon consumers to actively avoid the purchase of these obviously unsafe products. Furthermore, I would hope that international media outlets would follow the knee-jerk populist actions encountered among Japan's domestic media in whipping up a frenzy of mass hysteria regarding this topic.
Posted in: Gov't urges Toyota to reassure consumers; U.S. Congress to hold hearing
0
timorborder
People like this SOB always get it wrong. They are supposed to do themselves before they do the relatives.
This is a shocking tragedy.
Posted in: Man arrested after killing wife, 2 children in Osaka
0
timorborder
No matter how spry they appear, they are surprisingly frail, and can die with practically no advance warning signs.
What a quote. It seems to be something that Rudolf Hoss (Auchwitz Commander) would say, circa 1943. Indeed, it is scandal that such things could be said about Japan in the 21st Century.
Posted in: The end of a homeless, nameless life on the street
0
timorborder
While old Ichiro is definitely not Mother Theresa, this whole scandal has more than a slit whiff of being a political witch-hunt, with Ozawa and his reformist-minded allies on one hand, and the LDP/bureaucratic elite on the other. Proof of this lies in the fact at when Osawa's name initially came up (when Aso was still in power), there were also 3 or 4 LDP "persons of interest" for the prosecutors to mull over. Low and behold, however, these names did not make the final cut.
Anyway, the fallout of this little tiff is going to be a destabilization of the government, as policy work grinds to a halt while both sides trade barbs. Unfortunately, it is just this sort of policy indecision that Japan can ill afford.
Once this whole episode runs its course, if Ozawa manages to avoid a trial (prison is a long way off considering the Japanese legal system), payback will be massive. First of all, the current crop of senior prosecutors will be shown the door (retirement to nice cushy jobs), and a new regime will be installed. Secondly, these new prosecutors will suddenly get some information on where some of the LDP skeletons are (courtesy of Ozawa). Then things should get really interesting.
Finally, the big loser in all of this is the Japanese bureaucracy. Setting the prosecutors onto a politician for purposes of political gain sets a very dangerous precedent.
Posted in: Is Ozawa heading for the slammer?
0
timorborder
When people go to buy their pet dogs they tend to be impressed by litters whose parents are 'champions' - but all that means is that the parents' ears/legs/eyelashes are just the 'right' length/shape/colour, or the parent is very good at staring at a treat held in front of his nose while holding a pose.
Just a quick comment on dog shows. "Champion" ratings are based on the accumulation of points. As such, show junkies (and their pooches) do the rounds of different shows in the hope that they will build up enough points to get the qualification. Furthermore, points are based on a comparison with "the breed standard." They are no indication of the health of the dog. Shows might be big (with hundreds of dogs in a particular breed (Labradors) or class (gun dogs)), or they might be small. What matters for the owners of dogs who compete is just getting those points.
And now some points regarding breeding. Through my family, I have a serious background in breeding dogs (retrievers for guiding/social assistance/police work, etc), and I currently have a golden retriever who is part of the guide dog association bloodstock program. Anyway as Cleo points out, if you are going to buy a dog, find a reputable breeder instead of being sucked into the pet shop scene. The best way to get in contact with a reputable breeder is through a kennel club or a breed club. When you find a breeder, they must be willing to supply you with all the health-related information you need. This has to be documents, not just promises. Furthermore, before you go and see the breeder, do some research on the breed you are considering and see if there are any special permissions (such as hip ratings, heart ratings, etc). Also make sure that you can meet the parents of any puppy. If the breeder is unwilling to do this, find another breeder.
Finally, irrespective of the breed, the most important thing is to find a well-socialized and friendly puppy. You do not want a dog who is overly aggressive or overly timid.
Article Unavailable
0
timorborder
Good call Cleo. The traditional cut for poodles was for standard poodles, which are a rather good hunting/gun dog (not in the same league as retrievers, however).
Anyway, although I love dogs (in all shapes and forms), I hate dog shows because they are little more than a beauty contest. Furthermore, for some breeds, dog shows have actually become detrimental to the health of the breed. Just look at how much the pug has changed over the last 100 years - all because of aesthetics. The German Shepard is also under threat because some lunatics (judges) have taken the breed standard (the slopping back) too literally, and you have dogs winning shows that can hardly walk. Moreover, dog shows don't take into consideration the issues of canine health. You can have a winner at a show who is carrying a serious genetic fault. This spells disaster when you breed such animals. The worst example I can think of is syringomyelia with King Charles Spaniels. This problem has been made worse due to the impact of dog shows.
Finally, if you really want to show the innate abilities of a dog (whether it is retrieving, guarding, scent work, etc), there are many other outlets other than having your pooch ponce around a ring.
Article Unavailable
0
timorborder
Great to see all the conspiracies and bitterness on display. I would also like to thank Uncle Osama for taking some time out of his busy schedule (eating cockroaches and other cave-dwelling delicacies) to highlight why we (the West) need to keep hunting down Osama and his band of loonies.
Posted in: Bin Laden endorses Christmas Day airliner bombing attempt
0
timorborder
Food traceability - Instead of holding Japan up as a shining example, you would be better off talking about Australia (Beef) or New Zealand (Kiwifruit), both of which have had traceability programs up and running for decades. Actually, on the issue of beef, Japan only got serious about traceability after the bone-meal/mad cow scare.
On the other hand, despite being such a great country, the US has been unable to get traceability up and running.
Posted in: Tracing meat - Japan has the right idea
0
timorborder
Yep, it is high time Roman came back to Hollywood and faced the music. Who knows, with all the time he will have on his hands in prison (if found guilty), he might turn the whole thing into a Tele Movie.
Posted in: LA judge: Polanski won't be sentenced in abstentia
0
timorborder
How far Sumo has fallen. What ever happened to wrestlers who were polite and knew how to behave in public. Instead of whining incessantly about this chap, if the JSA is so upset, they should just show him the door. End of discussion.
Posted in: Asashoryu to be warned for drunken incident
0
timorborder
What a photo opportunity? I can just imagine a couple of first-world retirees taking photos of the locals.
Old Woman: "Neville, take my photo dear and make sure you get the bloated corpses in the background."
Posted in: Cruise ships under fire for stopping in Haiti