JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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Teacher nabbed for using miror to peek up girl's skirt
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Japan's nuclear safety standards flawed, says commission chief
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To be healthy, live in the big city
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From carnivores to herbivores: how men are defined in Japan
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Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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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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tkoind2
JapanGal. But when those legs are attached to children and teenagers, it isn't something guys should be wanting. Right?!
Posted in: NMB48 song tops Oricon chart
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tkoind2
edardoe, seriously? Where have you been?
Did socialists in the EU create the banking crisis? Did they create the American housing crash that helped precipitate the current problems? Did they create rating agencies that now carry so much power to damage national economies? Did they drive the current issues with currency?
I suppose your very loose definition of "Socialism" extends the right wing imagination to include nearly anything that does not boil down to American style Libertarianism. Afterall, that is the only economic model your world seems to understand, a weird misinterpretation of Christian values where Jesus says, "Get your own bread and fish peasants, I'm not sharing."
Debit was encouraged by capitalism since the close of WWII. Encouraged, promoted and supported by left and right wings of capitalist states all over the world. And forced upon everyone else.
Capitalism is murder. Murder of culture, murder of people through poverty, starvation and disenfranchisement. Capitalism is also falling over on itself and must be replaced with something that works better for humanity.
Like it or not change is here. How we deal with it is what really matters. It is like the 1930's all over again. We can choose a positive solution or let the world decline into totalitarianism and war.
Posted in: Austerity feeding public discontent in Europe
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tkoind2
Senseiman I sincerly hope that post was in the sarcastic vein it sounds like.
It is an exciting time to be in Japan. Where teenage girls are idolized by 30-40's something guys and promotional agencies objectify young girls to keep those guys coming back for more.
And it is so wonderful to see the same idea replicated endlessly until all bands in the world contain the number 48 and are filled with fluffy child stars singing songs that were written in an hour with the lyrical depth of teaspoons.
Yes, modern Japan is a marvel of culture equaled only by the dark ages. What a time to be alive.
Posted in: NMB48 song tops Oricon chart
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tkoind2
The existing system is on life support. Change is inevitable world wide. We really have two choices. 1. Allow the continued concentration of wealth and power in the few while the masses suffer. or 2. Change the system and start a new renaissance of economic, political and social life for the majority of people on this planet.
Capitalism, as it is, is determined to exploit we working people for everything while enriching the few. It is ignoring the dangers to the environment and it has excluded most of us from having any meaningful involvement in the political process. When are we going to say enough is enough?
Posted in: Austerity feeding public discontent in Europe
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tkoind2
The sad decline of music quality and the epic rise of produced fluff. Japan sets the bar again for vacuous entertainment.
Posted in: NMB48 song tops Oricon chart
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tkoind2
The bottom line here is the worry about cost for these guys. "Cost Effective" is what matters.
I am with YongYang. These people should give information to allow people to make decisions. If they release rational, trustworthy information then people can decide what is right for their families. It is a far better scenario than waiting to the last moment and having a flood of people trying to escape. But I guess they don't consider tha
Posted in: Official defends secrecy over worst-case nuclear disaster scenario
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tkoind2
China proves just how good a first world leader it is ready to be, once again.
Posted in: Chinese city seizes Apple iPads in name dispute
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tkoind2
Dear Xi Jinping, until China does the following;
Stop bullying Asian neighbors including Japan and the Philippines.
Stops pressing territorial disputes with military power.
Stops the occupation of legally independent people in Tibet and the Uyghur region.
Stops supporting the insane N.Korean regime.
Stops repressing freedom of thought, religion and ideology in China.
Stops the repression of ethnic minorities in China.
Stops using the threat of war to dictate terms to Taiwan.
Stops her own rapid development of military power in Asia.
Then you, and the rest of your government can sit down, shut up and expect the US, Japan and other partners in Asia to build resources to offset any power you may develop as real insurance against war and as real assurance that Chinese ambition and aggression will be contained.
Got it?!
stops bullying her Asian neighbors, until China stops pressing unlawful territorial claims, until China
Posted in: China vice president warns against U.S. military focus on Asia
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tkoind2
Lunchbox, let's be fair and add Japanese Commercial Whalers to that list of criminals in the south seas.
Posted in: Confrontation
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tkoind2
And we should trust your statements why?
Posted in: Fukushima's No. 2 reactor may be reheating
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tkoind2
It is incomprehensible that an educated person with knowledge of the English language could rationalize the use of the word "terrorist" when talking about anyone on either side of this conflict. Words like "protester", "activist" or even "criminal" could be easily applied, and yet the word "terrorist" is trotted out with foolish zeal.
Every time we apply the word "terrorist" to something other than actual perpetrators of "terror", we undermine the value of that word to describe a very real and deadly reality in our world. Those who do turn to this word in such cases are illustrating the effectiveness of American propaganda to apply the world "terrorist" to anyone we disagree with. Which is, once again, proof that Orwell was right in expecting the undermining of language to serve the purposes of repression.
So give the word terrorist a rest in this case, it just does not apply beyond the state exaggerating the actions of a few activists.
Posted in: Confrontation
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tkoind2
The author of this article consistently misunderstands her own country's history. It is sadly another demonstration that the eduction system here fails entirely to deal with the very realities of Japanese history. Which is sad, because there is so much for Japan to be truly proud of if people bothered to take an honest look at their past.
Second, the author consistently misunderstands western culture making the same kind of assumptions that I would expect to hear from someone who has never been abroad or who is quite nationalistic. I am not sure how that is possible for someone who have lived abroad to maintain. But clearly it is possible given these articles.
The simple realities are, the values that some people try to claim as unique to Japan are as prominent in other cultures around the world, no matter where you are. Loyalty, courage, devotion and yes even the capacity to Gammon are universal human traits and not remotely unique to Japan.
Equally the capacity for insanity, like those who devised the Kamikaze as a method of fighting a war, is also universally human illustrating a global pan cultural capacity for war, violence, murder and destruction.
If the author really wants to discover the pearls of Japanese culture, she should forget nationalistic nonsense like some of her claims and focus instead upon something truly positive. Such as the capacity of people to overcome the mainstream and to do good in the name of loyalty and devotion as so many Japanese individuals did in resistance to the militarist government during the war period.
Posted in: Honor and loyalty
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tkoind2
Loyalty is only as admirable as the cause it serves. Too much of our world is driven by loyalty to misguided ideas and evil purposes.
The Kamikaze are a perfect example. Young men, forced by society and pressured by a concept of loyalty and duty to kill themselves for a war already lost and the egos of generals too insensitive and too proud to spare the nation further suffering.
Loyalty must serve a positive purpose or it risks becoming vanity and pride, two deadly human weaknesses. Loyalty must be that which protects goodness, and shows compassion and love for others. Otherwise national loyalty, religious loyalty, ideology or other "Loyalties" can become tools of destruction and evil.
This author too often confuses the romantic view of the past with the reality of the past. You forget that many of the Kamikaze went to their deaths because they knew that to refuse would be dangerous, if not deadly, for those they love. At least here we agree that such devotion to family to die rather than put them at risk, is a high and pure thing. But the men who required this loyalty were monsters and those boys who died purely for the vanity and pride of those leaders are simply tragic stories where loyalty became something wrong and tragic.
Posted in: Honor and loyalty
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tkoind2
Speed. I for one have been to Tohoku to help and have run a fund raising effort since March. So careful with your assumptions. Many people on this forum have pitched in and do care deeply about the people of Tohoku.
As for this article.
There are strong elements in the author's thinking that are a big part of the problem with Tohoku. Her thoughts clearly illustrate the need for people to channel their despair into action that may well lead to positive changes. Considering suicide as an option or going back to die in a deserted irradiated place, while dramatic and sad, is not rational thinking. Rational thinking is doing what many people in Tohoku are doing today, and that is surviving and working for the future. So I stand by less pointless Gamman and no more nonsense about death being a preference to change or hardship.
It is time for people to discover true Gamman which is to stand up, fight for what you know you need and what is right and make change happen. Japan has an equally long and recorded history of doing exactly this in time of need. Otherwise Japan would never have risen to the levels it has in such powerful and effective bursts of true endurance, activism and creativity.
If you
Posted in: What is important in your life?
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tkoind2
I find it frustrating how confused Japanese sometimes seem over their own cultural legacies.
Example 1: Taro will go to work with raging Influenza Type B to show he is "Gamman-shite" and thus a good Japanese person facing adversity. Despite the obvious imposition of adversity via contagion on his co-workers and the obvious risks to his own health.
Example 2: This author suggests that living in a shelter is not living and cites the traditions of suicide as a past solution for such feelings. While not suggesting that people in shelters do away with themselves, she ignores the strident Japanese tradition in Example 1 of facing and working to overcome adversity. Which in example 1 is not only a way of living but an honorable and proud one by existing present day standards.
So which is it Japan? Loose face or pride or hope and do away with yourself? Or face any adversity with Gamman and demonstrate Japanese superiority in the face of trouble?
My answers are these. People should be up in arms over the government's pathetic handling of Tohoku and use Gamman to overcome this kind of adversity rather than working while infectious. It would be better for everyone concerned and may actually contribute something meaningful to the nation.
Second, this notion of suicide as an alternative to challenges should be dismissed if we are ever to hope that the 30K plus people a year who do away with themselves may be diminished.
Finally, get your story straight Japan. So I offer a proposal. How about real Gamman and work hard to do something positive, non-selfdestructive and make Japan great again? Much better than silly nonsense about how romantic it is to kill yourself off. And perhaps the only change Japan really needs to sort her problems is adopting this simple motto.
Posted in: What is important in your life?
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tkoind2
SimondB. Exactly. Nice post.
Posted in: IMF says Japan should raise consumption tax to 15%
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tkoind2
I don't approve of this type of personality or the admiration and attention such people get in the media.
Posted in: Aya Sugimoto on managing husband: '30% carrot, 70% stick'
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tkoind2
LoveNot, based on what? The opinion of some overdolled up monster wife? She is just trying to sound like a dragon lady. Rather effectively I must say. But sickening at the same time. See Greek Mythology, Harpie as a reference.
Posted in: Aya Sugimoto on managing husband: '30% carrot, 70% stick'
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tkoind2
Weasel. Sadly that would require a government that actually represents people and not the political elite. Afterall a lot of that waste spirals into the pockets of the politicals and their buddies. This is true everywhere, not just Japan.
Posted in: IMF says Japan should raise consumption tax to 15%
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tkoind2
We have surrendered the world to the IMF, WTO and big business. Our governments do not represent us, they represent big business interests. And we, the working people of the world, are just numbers for these people and not human beings with real life realities to face. At least not beyond their need for us to work and consume.
There are some inescapable contradictions here. Yes debit is high in Japan. But that debt is largely held in Japan. So Japan is not Italy or even the US in this regard. Yes more money is needed to sustain the future of benefits. But first we should be looking at efficiencies in current spending and in better cost management by the government before putting more taxes on already burdened people.
Then there is growing poverty and low consumer spending/confidence. With higher taxes these both grow in severity and we see downstream heavy impact to spending and thus further decline in jobs and the cycle spirals from there.
So clearly the answer today is not a tax raise. The answer is to create jobs and to create a Japanese New Deal to put people to work. Many economists are saying that domestic investment in broad scale infrastructure work could generate jobs and thus help. Added to a more open immigration scheme and radically changed policies to encourage foreign business to come to Japan and we start to have a working plan.
Or you can ignore these facts, raise taxes to 15% as the IMF suggests and watch Japan circle down the drain even faster.
Posted in: IMF says Japan should raise consumption tax to 15%