JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Corporate Business English Trainers
- ACT Systems, Inc.（株式会社アクト・システムズ）, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥269,500 ~ ¥280,000 / Month
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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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tkoind2
correction. After 8 years of Bush. Wishing it had only been 4. ;)
Posted in: McCain says Obama's views invite trouble abroad
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tkoind2
Alphaape.
Look the fear card just does not play any more. We know that the last four years your team have played upon our fears. You draw black and white world visions of good vs. evil where we have to entrust our safety to your party or die horribly.
Well... forget it. The fear card is played out. We now fear incompetent short sighted leadership as much as we fear terror. We know that 3,000 people died on 911 but that over 4,000 of our kids have died in your idiotic wars. And to what benefit?
Are we safer after 4 years of Bush? No. On 912 the US has the sympathy of the world. A smart leader would have taken advantage of that to gain global collaboration in fighting terror. But no, we had to play the big stick card and go into two wars that failed to achieve any of their objectives. And now more of the world mistrusts and hates us. So are we more safe today? Not at all.
Had we followed the other path, we could see progress against terror, towards reconciliation of Islam and the west and greater trust. And that is just the kind of thinking we need to be following today.
Your war machine has failed to resolve anything. If Pakistan falls into fundamentalist hands where do you think Afghanistan will go? We barely have a hold on Kabul today after 6 years of pointless war. And Iraq is just waiting for us to leave for it to fall into internal civil conflict.
The world does not want a "policeman" they want a visionary leader with the resources and power to make good things happen. That is the America of WWII. The America today is seen as an imperialistic loner who will impose her will on everyone by economic or military force. It makes people fear and mistrust us. And it creates more enemies not less.
No one takes our military might seriously any more after two long dragged out neo-Vietnams in Iraq and Afghanistan. With China and Russia both competing for the global stage, we have nothing to keep either in check. Our alliances are not strong, our military is overtaxed and our economics are a mess. Where is the amazing American power you are talking about.
Look at Georgia. What can we do about that? And they have NATO protection. Protection that cannot be enforced and as such undermines NATO's validity. Were we not buried in two losing wars we could have more credibility in this case. But Russia knows a wounded and weakened animal when it sees one.
As for the 1990s balanced budgets came from Clinton not the Republicans. It was on Bush's watch that things got this bad.
Nations that deserve to lead and protect are nations with the intelligence and courage to change course when they make mistakes. There is still time to work with other nations to address the threats that face us. We need to put aside fear in favor of courage to try new options. We cannot let our fears or those you would impose upon us make us blind to the right actions.
Diplomacy is essential, new visions to solve long standing conflicts are required. Engagement with our enemies will help resolve problems. America needs to return to beging the peace broker and abandon this unwanted role of policeman. The world does not want it and it does not work for us politically or economically.
It is time for change. So put away the fear card. We don't buy into it any more. We fear McCain's out of touch policies and poor understanding of every day working Americans much more than we fear AlQaida or the Taliban. His type of policies are killing our way of life at home every single day and every family is feeling it. And we don't see that you have delivered a single thing other than a lot of dead bodies on both sides in your war on terror. Terror is still out there, still determined and still thinking about hitting us, maybe even more so. It is just covered in a lot more blood than even on 912. Time to take a new approach.
Posted in: McCain says Obama's views invite trouble abroad
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tkoind2
Wolfpack: What is it with you guys and the word "liberal"? As if has the same weight as calling someone a felon or crack head. Put down the propagandistic BS for a moment and look at reality through clear eyes.
Iraq is a little better today than a year ago. But we still see suicide bombers, now many more female bombers, groups in conflict that cannot be easily resolved and a situation that will, without doubt, collapse if our troops leave.
So what does that mean for us? A choice between a permanent presence there or having to worry about going back in. And what did we gain? So far a big bill of debt for this war. And this is all before we ask the question of if there had been other less deadly solutions.
See we like to only count our dead. But what about the 100,000s of Iraqi dead? Do you think they are happy about the whole situation? Many, and I mean many think we have made things worst for them. And they are most likely right.
And who said anything about surrender? Show me a quote! Obama wants to take another approach. When something doesn't work to achieve your goals, you try other options. That is simply rational thinking and practical execution of policy. Ever heard the phrase "beating a dead horse?" Time to try something new.
And about guilt by association. Just what group of political leaders have empowered GWB to do all that he has done? The greens? So called Liberals? No, it is the Republican party. You know it, everyone knows where that party stands on global politics. And it has been an epic nightmare of misteps and dropped opportunities.
McCain's views will have us at war with Iran soon. And I promise you that Iran will be like tossing matches in a box of explosives. It will galvanize anti-American sentiment in the Islamic world, bankrupt our nation and maybe even lead to civil unrest at home as a draft will be almost certainly required to staff the military.
We need change. If you are right or left, you have to realize that by now. The economy is a mess, international policy is a mess, we are more isolated than we have been since before WWI politically and we need change. McCain does not represent change. He represents a continuation of the same blinded policies that got us where we are today.
Posted in: McCain says Obama's views invite trouble abroad
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tkoind2
McCain will be more of the same as we've seen with the disasterous Bush administration.
How can any Republican claim to have a strong handle on international policy and global good thinking? The Taliban are resurgent, Pakistan is on the brink of falling on the wrong side in the terror equasion, Iraq is still a mess and they want to pick a fight with Iran. Where is this brilliant management and thinking McCain is talking about?
We need a president with the intelligence and courage to try something new. The big stick policy just does not carry weight any more. The enemy groups know that our heavy military power is rendered useless once they engage us in a occupation. History has seen every would be global power suffer the same problem. So it is time for something new. An approach of partnership, diplomacy and engagement just at Obama is offering.
A vote for McCain is also a vote against sorting out the economy. It is a vote against working class people who have been left behind by leadership that care more about their corporate friends than the working families of America.
McCain is out of touch with the needs of Americans. He is out of touch with the reality of the international situation. And he is out of touch with how our nation needs to be led to put us back on track and reverse our decline and make America a force for good again.
McCain must lose. And he will.
Posted in: McCain says Obama's views invite trouble abroad
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tkoind2
Street performance adds a nice flavor to a city. Even when it is terrible.
I'd like to see Japan set up a lottery for every station with a courtyard or open area to host performers in the afternoon and evenings. It would be a great chance for performers to be heard and for the public to have free nice entertainment.
All the city has to do is tape off a space and supply a single electric outlet. Performers would be left to take care of themselves for the time slots they are allowed.
It would bring people out and maybe help local business with people lingering around to see some artists and shopping or sticking around to eat.
Do it on a lottery system so that you don't have the same old thing every day. Mix it up a bit.
Posted in: Harajuku
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tkoind2
I think it is unfair to blame 2ch. It is an open forum and their model is not to prohibit speech. As such I think that people using the site must be aware of those conditions and decide to visit or not.
Blaming sites like 2CH is just a way for Japan to ignore the real reasons people go nuts and kill in Japan. And the blame for those issues rests firmly upon failures within Japanese society as a whole. The alienation, overwork and stressed life style and lonely lives that people live here are driving them to these crimes. Japan needs to address the causes, not look for scapegoats.
Posted in: 2 Channel founder says don't blame him for criminals' posts
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tkoind2
The food here is amazing. But diversity is missing. I have yet to find a truly amazing Thai place. Japanese Italian food is not in the same league as the best places in cities like Boston or NY. And there are just too few good African (Senegalese, Etheopian, Moraccan) places.
A little more diversity and a little more authentic Italian would be nice.
Posted in: Critics dispute Michelin regard for Tokyo food
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tkoind2
The real truth is that they Yakuza might as well be a government Ministry. They have as much impact and influence in Japan. And they are as influential.
I don't see them as the same as the US or Italian Mafia. And certainly not like MS13 or other global crime gangs. They are instead an unfortunate part of the fabric of Japanese society that serves some positive purposes as well as many negative ones. Much like the sitting goverment.
I'd like to see the Yakuza go away forever. But that would be the same as expecting phrases like "Shoganai" to go away forever. Just isn't likely.
Posted in: Yakuza 'misunderstood' by foreign media
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tkoind2
I think it is possible. Check voice tracks, body build and DNA if they have access to old samples. Prove it one way or the other.
In the end it doesn't matter anyway. The people pulling the strings if he is dead or alive are going to be pretty much the same.
Posted in: N Korea's Kim died in 2003; replaced by lookalike, says Waseda professor
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tkoind2
The thing that stinks about this is that Japan is lying about their intentions. I wish they would just be honest about it all. You are commercially whaling and you should say so.
As for the war between whalers and environmentalists. I look at it this way. If you want to whale then this is one of the risk factors. Don't expect people who strongly disagree with whaling to stop their efforts to prevent whaling if you won't stop your efforts to conduct whaling.
And in the end the dangers exist for both sides. I say the side with the most tenacity should win in the end. And if Japan continues to lie about whaling, then they should not be able to argue the moral high ground against people trying to prevent them from whaling.
Posted in: Japan seeks to arrest anti-whaling activists
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tkoind2
Good luck. I seriously doubt that they will be turned over to Japan. Just about all other countries, save Russia maybe, think that Japan is lying about the whole whaling thing anyway.
Japan should knock off the smoke and mirrors as they are not working. If you are going to commercially whale, do it openly. Then we can attack you openly. In the press, on the high seas and wherever possible to bring attention to your insipid behavior.
Posted in: Japan seeks to arrest anti-whaling activists
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tkoind2
Always looking for more ways to rip off customers. Way to go American Airlines. Money first, customers last!!! Good to see someone is raising the bar on customer centered service.
Everyone should shift to other airlines... but they are just as evil. Maybe time to spend that holiday at home or supporting local spots that don't require flying.
Posted in: American Airlines ups miles needed for free trip
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tkoind2
It is more than time for the LDP to fall. The problem is, who fills the gap left behind? Japan's political system is filled with geriatric old men who should be retired and far too many sons of politicians and industry. What Japan really needs is a new set of representatives and leaders who actualy care about the country more than the welfare of their family or corporate legacies and partnerships.
Fukuda is a disaster of incompetence and brings such a gray shade to the party that it is surprising it hasn't fallen over yet. Aso would be like electing the Japanese version of George W. Bush, a reactiary dim leader with foot in mouth disease threatening his every move. He is another wanna-be fascist like Shintaro Ishihara and will do Japan and the LDP far more damage than good.
Wake up Japan and start electing people like the Mayor of Osaka to lead the nation. This is one man who has taken big strides to sort out his city. Would be nice to see someone take big strides to sort out Japan.
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tkoind2
Seems the fireworks in Xinjiang are not fake. Should give that more attention.
Posted in: Some fireworks at Olympic opening ceremony reportedly faked
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tkoind2
I wonder do these guys actually think that if Hitler's Germany would have won WWII that they would have given Japan an equal partnership. After all how do the Japanese fit into the whole master race scenario? Wouldn't they have ended up in camps sooner or later too?
Japanese dimwits wearing swastikas is just another sign of how out of touch with reality these guys are. I've always thought we should fence off Nevada and give it to the Neo-Nazis in the US to starve to death in. Maybe we can toss in the Japanese right wingers and they can wipe each other out instead.
Posted in: Each Aug 15, Yasukuni area turns into riot zone
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tkoind2
Some notes for the right wingers. 1. WWII was lost before the first shot was fired. Even your greatest naval officer warned of this. Resources vs resources. Japan losese. Period. Nothing has changed in this regard, so wishing a return to militarism is like wishing to be defeated all over again.
No one, outside your group, wants you back in power. The vast majority of Japanese just want to be left to live the Japanese dream in peace. A nice place to live, good food and family. Very few people are foolish enough to think that nationalism will solve anything.
Have you looked the competition? WWII era China was a push over due to their divided state. I think the current China would bury Japan. Same goes for most of the other counties the Right wingers hate so much.
One request. Can you guys invest in some kind of wireless PA system and play one song at a time? And try reducing your shouting to one at a time. I don't think anyone knows what you are talking about.
The guys in Harajuku a while back were playing Godzilla theme music while driving around. I don't think Godzilla is a nationalist. But I did truly enjoy the humor of right wing guys looking so serious while Godzilla theme music played. Maybe the most vivid example of just how pointless and hopeless this collection of ill informed wanna-be fascicsts are. Sad.
Posted in: Each Aug 15, Yasukuni area turns into riot zone
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tkoind2
Buggerlugs. Agreed. The ruling classes in nearly every country are too invested in the objectives of the corporate world and too interested in their own careers to truly see or care about the needs of the ordinary worker. Sadly political movements to shift power to worker's have always been usurped by the next would be ruling class.
What we need is a political process that levels the playing field so that Joe worker has as much opportunity to gain a seat as Joe son of politician does.
Sadly in Japan not even this will work. As an American I can be embarrased that we elected Bush twice. But look at Tokyo and how many times Ishihara has remained in power. And this is a person who is quite openly an enemy of ordinary people.
Posted in: It's getting colder out there
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tkoind2
Like the article says, I think this fashion has nothing to do with men or sexuality. The Lolita name seems to apply more to a concept than a disorder.
This is fashion. Like any subculture group anywhere in the world. They love it, they have fun with it and it makes them feel good. So I support and encourage them to go with it.
Afterall we live life one time. Why should we bend to the narrow concepts of fashion that society imposes. If there is something that makes you happy go for it. And more power to them. Afterall you have to admire someone who manages to escape the dull ominipresent office fashion that most of us are stuck with day in and day out.
As for escaping reality. Is the corporate world any more real? Companies come and go, stability is not always there. It is populated with personalities that have inflated egos and temperments of children. Everyone dresses the same in boring dull suits and bad 3/7 haircuts. Ols all have the same expensive bags and are almost interchangeable.
And is drinking alcohol with clients and co-workers any less an escape? Or the salarymen in their kabakura any less an effort at escape? Or shopping for the OLs any less an escape?
Let's be fair. Every human being on the planet has some little escape to get away from things that stess them out. Escapes vary with each society and subgroup, but everyone has one. Reality is hard and coping with it means having ways to put it aside for a while. If these girls want this to be their way of achieving that, the not one of us has the right to restrict them.
More power to them and to all people who are lucky enough to have found a way to cope with reality. Afterall the news is filled lately with those how failed to find healthy outlets and escapes. Which would you rather have, more Lolita girls around the station or more knife weilding stressed out suit wearing salarymen? You decide.
Posted in: Tokyo's Lolita subculture thumbs nose at men
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tkoind2
What was the IOC expecting? I expect the dialogue went something like this. IOC: China, we'll give you the games but we want some changes. China: Sure Subtext: Ok we'll agree to whatever you like so you'll give us the games. We know once we're close to start time we can revert back to whatever we want anyway. So sure, for now.
These games are the modern day equal of the 1936 Berlin games. A repressive government putting on a good face for the world while hiding their real and much darker face.
Posted in: A big black eye for the IOC
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tkoind2
Japan is right in making drivers accountable to give right of way. But agree this just doesn't happen. At crosswalks in my area seems cars speed up to see if they can hit you.
Posted in: Two hit-and-run cases reported in Saitama, Tochigi