JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- 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
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- 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*
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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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Klein, a rather interesting post on your part. I think, however, that you have somewhat missed the point old chap. You don't seem to realize that Japan will always defer to (bend over) when Uncle Sam gets angry and (figuratively) flops it out. To do otherwise would risk Japan having to assume the responsibilities of a true nation state (no more neo-mercantilism, having to develop foreign policy, defending itself, etc). At the same time, however, before the US straps on the plastic, it should at least use a lubricant.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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The chap obtaining Japanese citizenship might just sink his boat. Nevertheless, the US should lodge a full and formal complaint regarding the actions of the police with regard to the children, who are both American citizens. Denying citizens of a country their right to consular access and protection is about as serious as it gets. As I have written before, the US needs to get into this boots and all, demanding that the police in question be charged with human rights abuses if they did in fact deny the children their rights as US citizens. Namely, the rights to move free and unhindered in order to obtain access to their consulate.
Posted in: American father arrested in Japan had asked Tennessee court for help
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inkjet: On the balance of probability you are probably right. However, when the President comes to Japan next month, it would be great if he showed his displeasure in even the smallest of ways. Just imagine if he were to offer a few off-the-cuff remarks to NHK , that fine propaganda mouthpiece of the Japanese establishment, when NHK were trying their best to pleasure him (figuratively not literally). Just the hint of this thing blowing up would bring so much pressure to bear on the Japanese government that they would have to act.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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she is not a criminal
That is incorrect. There is an arrest warrant out for the ex-wife in the United States. Considering that parental kidnapping is a federal offense (the big league), the ex-wife is a candidate for the FBI homepage that focuses on parental kidnappings. As such, the President of the United States would be well within his rights to demand that Noriko Savoie be handed over to US authorities immediately under the terms of bilateral agreements concerning extradition that exist between the countries. He might also demand that a number of other individuals be handed over likewise. Now, if Japan declines to comply, the President would be well within his rights to order some form of sanction against Japan. What about refraining from supporting Japan's attempts to gain a UN Security Council seat. Surely the UNSC is no place for a country that engages in activities contrary to international agreements (the Hague Convention). On the other hand, the President might impose some form of bilateral penalty. What about no-longer treating Japanese nationals as citizens of a friendly country? Put a few barriers in place to stop Japanese visiting the US so easily. Finally, it is important to remember that historically Japan best complies with international wishes only after being firmly kicked.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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When Obama comes here next month, he should go for the throat on this topic. No prisoners at all. Given his high level popularity in Japan as an English teacher who is even bigger than Mr. James (just go down to your local bookshop and find out - there are dozens of little red books on the "Thoughts of Chairman Obama"), the President should proceed to act like everybody's favorite dinosaur (Godzilla) regarding this issue.
For example, if NHK wants to sit down and verbally pleasure the President with a nice soft interview, the White House Press Officer should vet all questions in advance and cross out all that are unrelated to these kidnappings by Japanese nationals. Teddy Roosevelt used to talk about walking silently but carrying a big stick. Well Mr. President, swing for the fences buddy.
Finally, if Japan wants to stonewall this whole issue, President Obama should be magnanimous in offering to pay for the forced relocation of all Japanese diplomats in the United States back to Japan. Why? Because the United States does not have relations with states that engage in forms of state-sponsored terrorism. The gloves should come off on this one.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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Incorrect! They have to make a choice at age 12 because of the pension system here in Japan.
Sorry son, you are about 8 years to quick. The citizenship issue comes up at the age of majority in Japan. This would be 20 years old at the current time. That being said, however, seeing as the average Japanese 20 year old has the mental age of a 12 year old, your analysis might be correct.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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Issues of the father's current nationality status aside, the United States Government should launch a formal and diplomatic protest regarding the contact of the Japanese police.
Why? Under the terms of the Nationality Law here in Japan, both of the children are allowed to claim dual nationality up until such time as they reach the age of majority. As such, it could be argued that the father (even if he is now a Japanese citizen) was simply conveying the children to a location where they could make claim to their US nationality (in the form of passport). To whit, having Japanese police prevent nationals of a foreign country from accessing their own diplomatic mission is a breach of so many international conventions that it is unbelievable. Seriously, on this point alone, the US should demand a full and unconditional apology from the Japanese Government. Failing to receive such, it should institute a policy of declaring Japanese diplomats resident in the United States to be persona non grata.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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Just from a legal perspective I have a quick point to raise. Do the Japanese police actually have the right to arrest this chap in the first place. Based on the evidence presented, it could be argued that no crime has been committed. Indeed, the gentlemen in question was only exercising his rights as a parent, and insuring his child's rights to American citizenship (their primary citizenship at birth as a opposed to their Japanese citizenship which the mother would have had to acquire through the provision of documents to authorities in Japan). Anyway, here is the reasoning for my argument.
The parents are divorced, but I don't see any mention of the Japanese mother having filed for or received a restraining order against her foreign husband here in Japan. As such, he could just argue that he was exercising his rights as father. Indeed, what rights do the police have to arrest a father/mother who is accompanying their child in an instance where no such legal restraint exists. At worse, in the absence of Japanese documentation (which seems to be the only documentation that the Japanese legal system is willing to recognize) this whole incident is little more than a domestic squabble.
Secondly, I also do not see any reference to the Japanese mother having filed for custody of the children under Japanese law. Again, in the absence of such a legal instrument, could not it be argued that the father was just exercising his rights of access to his children. As such, if the police have the right to arrest somebody based on the allegations of somebody else (in the absence of Japanese custody documents what basis is there for a claim of kidnapping), would it be safe to assume that every parent (Japanese, American, Martian, whatever) is at risk of having the police at their door as a result of vindictive allegations that have no legal basis?
Indeed, if the Japanese police and authorities are going to be pig-headed about this whole incident, it should be pointed out that they cannot have it both ways. Sure the mother was granted primary custody by a foreign court, but at the same time it is safe to assume that such rights to custody were declared null and void at the point in time that she was declared a felon. Furthermore, correct me if I am wrong, but kidnapping is a federal not state felony in the US. As such, if the Japanese authorities are to argue that the woman's rights to custody have been granted by a court of good standing (in this case a court in the United States), surely they will have to also recognize that such a judgment has been set aside by another court and the woman is in fact a fugitive from foreign justice.
This is going to get very interesting before it is finished.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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I hate to say this, but this little episode might end up having a silver lining.
Firstly, I hope this story gets a serious set of legs in the overseas media. I would love to see the Japanese try and explain why they insist on sheltering international fugitives - parents who have kidnapped their children overseas and forcibly repatriated them to Japan. At the same time, Japan whines about those Japanese nationals forcibly kidnapped by North Korea. Sorry folks, you won't get much sympathy here until Japan starts arresting people such as Mrs. Savoie and extraditing them to the United States and other countries to face the music. Moreover, this case is not a one-off. I suggest anyone interested look at the FBI's list of parental kidnappings and see how many involve Japanese nationals.
Secondly, I hope the US Government (the State Department) takes a no prisoners attitude with regard to this international incident. What would happen if Japanese nationals going about their business in the US were accosted by the local police on the doorsteps of Japanese diplomatic missions? The Japanese Foreign Ministry would be screaming blue murder. Come on Mr. Obama! Take off the kid gloves and go for the throat.
Posted in: American arrested in Fukuoka for kidnapping own kids from ex-wife
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'Grotesque’ features minimal narrative or character development and presents the audience with little more than an unrelenting and escalating scenario of humiliation, brutality and sadism
Sounds like my kind of movie. Seriously, while all in favor of artistic license, I don't think I could watch such movies because they are just so pointless. On the other hand, having seen a lot worse things in real life, I might just nod off due to pure boredom.
Posted in: Bathed in blood
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Thanks for the comment Dave. Let's just agree to differ. Obviously the criteria we are using are totally different. My own upbringing was zero tolerance regarding drugs and I still abide by such ideas. In fact, if real crucifixion were an option as punishment, yours truly would be handing out the nails.
Again, I don't understand why any sort of concessions should be given to this drug-addled bint who has destroyed her own career and potentially thrown the life of her child in the shxtter.
Posted in: Noriko Sakai hiding out in high-security ward of university hospital
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Good. As I wrote on another link, people like Sakai (now in hospital) should be kept in glass-walled hospital rooms, with visiting hours that are open to the general public. Think of it as being similar to the pandas at Ueno Zoo. You could get the whole family and go along and see the druggies.
Posted in: Celebrity drug offenders face public humiliation
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Some of these older women can be pretty scary. One would imagine that she has a voice that could curdle milk. The robber was probably lucky to get away with his life.
Posted in: Would-be store robber gets yelled at by employee; calls police himself
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So perhaps somebody was not just ripping off his students and employees? Then again, these 3 individuals might just have wanted to get their unused lesson fees back.
Just out of interest, Saruhashi had better hope that his appeal works. With the largest Yakuza syndicate in Japan after his blood, 3 1/2 years in the can would not be much fun.
Posted in: Gangster trio held for confining ex-Nova president in hotel room
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High-security ward = padded cell? Please excuse me if I don't shed a tear for this hardcore druggie.
Indeed, I would prefer he to be receiving treatment in a glass-walled cell, imagine the money the hospital could make if that happened. It would be just like those poor pandas at Ueno Zoo. Then again, the whole experience might become so popular that I would have to drag my kids there. "Dad, can we feed the chimp?"
Posted in: Noriko Sakai hiding out in high-security ward of university hospital
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Seems that the GOP is grasping at straws on this one. Also seems that there are people like Romney who are willing to take the high road and see the President's actions as a positive thing. On the other hand, there is pond life that just doesn't seem to get it.
Just out of interest, am I the only one who thinks that the US has been overly favored with Olympic Games over the last 25 years or so? I seem to remember at least two Winter Olympics (Lake Placid and Salt Lake), and also a couple of Summer Olympics (LA and Atlanta). Then again, I suppose this is because sport has little to do with the Olympics any more, it is all just big business and countries such as the US are the only ones who can cough up the money to put on these spectacles.
Posted in: Obama's Olympic pitch draws Republican complaints
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Good post LFR.
Posted in: Lawyer: Polanski will fight extradition to the U.S.
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Couple of Quick Comments:
What a shame so many parents here just don`t seem to consider it part of their role.
This is another good point. Despite my son being in junior high school, I still make every attempt to take an active role in his life as his father. On the other hand, there seem to be a large number of parents who renounce their parental responsibilities and rights, and leave everything up to the teacher. As such, if a child gets caught shoplifting, it is often the case that the child's homeroom teacher is contacted by the police before the parents. This is crazy. Why should teachers be involved in acts of criminal behavior that occur outside the school? Schools are for the purpose of education, not for the purpose of childminding. Moreover, incidents like this story highlight the fact that schools cannot be trusted to safeguard the welfare of children in place of good parenting, despite the fact that teachers have a legal duty of care to prevent any acts of criminal behavior that occur inside a school.
oh really by what did he try to call the authority?
Not quite sakura. I am good mates with a number of local police. I sometimes do judo training with them when they want to beat up a white guy (lol). The gentleman in question approached me waving a wrench (used to change the tires on his dump truck). Apparently he has tried the same trick with other people as well (a bit of intimidation). He realized the error of his ways when I offered to give him a free reading of his horoscope.
Posted in: Student hangs himself in Hokkaido; note hints at being bullied
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So mom and child survive. This is going to make for very interesting dinner time conversations after all this has blown over. Then again, just to be safe I reckon soup is going to become a very popular menu item in this family.
Posted in: Girl held for setting apartment on fire after stabbing mother
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All those years ago, Polanski committed to a plea bargain in which he pleaded guilty to at least one of the charges against him. He then skipped the country. What is the argument here? Under the terms of the law, he is a convicted person who has fled the jurisdiction in question. As such, he should be dragged back to the US for his day in court.
Indeed, I really cannot understand what the fuss is all about. We are talking about Roman Polanski, fugitive, not Roman Polanski, movie director. God, people get picked up all the time for doing a runner. Why should this chap get any special treatment?
Posted in: Lawyer: Polanski will fight extradition to the U.S.