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
tkoind2
Globally we are seeing things become harder and harder for workers. Prices rise, salaries do not or decline. People are expected to work longer and harder for no additional pay. When people quit they are not replaced, their jobs are divided to add load to existing workers. Balance with family and life does not exist for a lot of workers. Especially in Japan. And many of these issues are growing worst.
Somewhere along the way we lost faith in the power of labor and in our power to be an catalyst of change. Perhaps the failed State Capitalist systems in Russia and China tarnished the idea of Marxism and power in labor.
I think 20th Century communism was a corruption of leftwing ideas by totalitarian leaders. The real concepts in left wing worker politics are as valid today as they were when written. Workers have power when they are united for change. Greater worker control over resources and production are good for the vast majority of people living on this planet.
But change needs to include broader democratic leadership and a shift to environmentally friendly production and economics. Maybe this starts by having people read books like this and turn to Left wing parties. But it must not become a return to Communism as we knew it. It must be a modern interpretation that empowers workers and consumers to have stronger control over labor, government and their lives. It is time we started to take back the voice we should have had all along. And this book, if it is truly helping, it a good start.
Posted in: Popular novel on Marxism draws young people to communist party
0
tkoind2
The bear has filed assault charges on the little girl claiming wreckless endangerment, trespassing in bear teritory and mental anguish. He was unavailable for comment at the recommendation of council. Sources close to the bear indicate that the bear is suffering from mental and emotional trauma over being beaten by a little girl and the potential negative impact upon his career as a forest preditor.
Posted in: 12-year-old girl fights off bear in Hokkaido
0
tkoind2
True this kind of thing happens in many places around the world. But I do think there is something to the spoiled nature of guys here who seem to expect everything.
Posted in: Jilted man arrested for stabbing ex-girlfriend, torching apartment
0
tkoind2
It is clear that the current government wants this black spot off their record. At any time they could have brought this guy in, he has been spotted often and it was widely believed that the government did not want to catch him. Political winds must be changing as the region looks to be more integrated with the EU. So stains need to be cleaned up now.
At least justice will come for these fascist leaders at last.
Posted in: Top Bosnian war crimes suspect Karadzic arrested after 13 years on run
0
tkoind2
Without major revisions to the entire judicial system, this will not help matters. There needs to be broad change.
Then maybe some justice will be possible.
Posted in: How effective do you think the lay jury system will be when it starts in Japan next year?
0
tkoind2
Does anyone else find this tech trend disturbing? Already you are targeted by adds on TV, radio, signs everywhere, images and video on trains etc... etc... etc...
In a world with declining resources, increasing polution and diminishing oil availability we should be thinking of less ways to consume. But the corporations are looking for more and more ways to make us spend. How can we continue this unsustainable approach to the contemporary world?
I wish they would invent more things to help people. If we humans put 50% of the same effort we use to find new ways to sell and market things into making the world better, we could truly be proud.
Another invention we don't need!
Posted in: Electronic display instantly identifies customer's sex, age range
0
tkoind2
Bottom line, Japan is filled with people who are enraged at their marginalized, repetitive and hopeless worker drone routines. They are angry thanks to the ill mannered treatment we have all seen conducted against employees at companies here. They are working massive hours, having issues at home, finances are difficult, social lives non-existent and very few pay offs other than technical distractions and places to drink. And even those are often unfriendly and cold.
Is it any wonder people are breaking down under this? I think the worst is yet to come.
Posted in: Man arrested for stabbing father, daughter during stroll in Ibaraki
0
tkoind2
Chihuahuas are, well... aweful little creatures that should be banned. But nothing excuses hurting an innocent animal or assaulting someone's pet. This guy is clearly a nutcase who may have harmed someone eventually. I hope he spends a little time reflecting about his actions and gets some real mental care.
Posted in: Man arrested for kicking Chihuahua puppy to death in Aichi
0
tkoind2
Only the ones in power.
Posted in: Obama, McCain lay out Iraq, Afghanistan strategies
0
tkoind2
McCain is just GWB the return. Another 4 years of head in the sand domestic policy and bumbling foreign policy. Heck why not get another war going to keep the fear factor up and keep the minds of all those unemployed people on something else. In fact why not offer them jobs in Iran fighting terror? That will keep their minds of their lost homes, crashing banking system, frighteningly high fuel costs and the fact that they will be lucky to afford to send their kids to the lowest level college in the nation. And they will be grateful for that luxury.
Obama is looking at the domestic issue and I think is smart enough not to go to war with Iran. Equally I think he will shift policy to focus on the Afghan issues while kicking the Iraqi government's behind to get them to take on a lot more responsiblity for their situation at home.
So your choice Darth McCain and more years under the yoke of the Bush Empire, or a take a risk on someone offering to at least give change a chance. I'll cast my lot with someone looking for a different path.
Posted in: Obama, McCain lay out Iraq, Afghanistan strategies
0
tkoind2
Pretty soon you won't need to think or move or anything. We'll be so wired that we can't move at all. At least now people have to think to find things on the web. With this, you can just be spoon fed all the preselected information your little hearts desire.
I think the 60's generation were on to something with the whole "Kill Your Television" thought. How much creativity, family and social interaction are lost to the TV and PC now?
Balance.
Posted in: Combining PCs and TVs
0
tkoind2
Next companies will be offering us X,000 yen to wear advertising on our bodies... wait, half of Japan is doing that for free! LV and other brands must love this place, free advertising everywhere.
Toyota king you've missed the free advertising boat.
Posted in: Toyota offers cash incentive to buyers for carrying ads on cars
0
tkoind2
Everyone deserves a little sympathy. Especially a poor 21 year old who made a foolish decision that ended his life. Every one of us has done something foolish in our lives that might have gotten us killed. We were just a lot luckier.
Posted in: Motorcyclist dies in police chase in Osaka
0
tkoind2
Some people are quick to judge and condemn others for what happens without mercy and without empathy.
Dad was working, mom ran out to pick something up. I think this happens a billion times a day world wide and once in a rare time something horrible happens. This is sad. And sure there are things that this family could have done better. But hindsight is 20/20 isn't it.
I feel sorry for the child. And for the wrecked lives of the rest of the family who will live with the loss and guilt.
Posted in: 2-year-old boy falls to death from 7th floor apartment in Osaka
0
tkoind2
Can't believe the comments here. This is a 21 year old kid. Imagine if your life had ended at 21. Imagine the people it would have affected. Imagine their pain today.
Try a little humanity and empathy here. Ok. the kid did something foolish and paid with his life for it. It is sad. And it was unnecessary. But it is none the less very tragic for someone out there today.
Posted in: Motorcyclist dies in police chase in Osaka
0
tkoind2
Doing something not-for-profit in Japan doesn't seem to set well with some people here. We run a group that does events for new artists. We spend a lot of our personal money putting it together and usually end up well into the red. When we do make money we pay it out to the performers. Yet people always say we should also pay staff and performers. Despite the fact that we are very clear about it being not-for-profit and volunteer based.
The bottom line is that if people want to pitch in on the Eco-Cafe they will. I would see it as a learning opportunity and as a chance to meet and spend time with like minded environmentally friendly people. But those who don't want to join, well... don't. And if you need payment to join, simple... don't join.
Some things are not profit driven. Some things are done for the benefit of others and should be a volunteer driven exercise. Why some people can't wrap their money blinded minds around this is beyond me. Again it is simple. If you believe in the cause, volunteer. If you don't or want to be paid, just don't join. No reason to give her a hard time.
Posted in: 'Eco-actress' Saya Takagi under attack
0
tkoind2
Go get him Arnold.
I have to admit when Arny got elected I was worried we were seeing the creation of "Reagan 2 The Return." But he has been pretty surprising for a Republican on a lot of fronts. I am pleased that he has been at odds with our useless cowboy president over the environment. Like most other issues, including the "disaster on terrorims" Bush has show a staggering lack of intelligence and insight. Not to mention denial and deceit.
Arnold on the other hand has been pushing for environmental changes that far exceed those proposed internationally. I hope he keeps up the good work on this front. And keeps up the criticism of what is clearly the worst administration and least capable president in American history.
Posted in: Schwarzenegger slams Bush administration on global warming
0
tkoind2
A nice Muscato. Low alcohol, fizzy but not too much, and a fantastic taste. Have a glass with friends along with some light fruit and forget about driving. Too much traffic and heat anway.
Posted in: What drink do you recommend to help cope with hot, humid days?
0
tkoind2
Those who write history decide who is evil or not. Sadly this black and white perspective does not get at the truth of most conflicts. We as humans reduce our world to good and evil to make it easier to manage.
I do belive that Bush and his crowd are wrong about a lot. And I can card stack until the end of time evidence to back up this assertion. Is he evil? Well.. history will decide. But I expect it will not look kindly upon him. Especially if he invades Iran.
I will ask you this. Is it justifiable to kill over 130,000 people who had nothing to do with attacks on the US in response to our losing 3000 on 911? Is it justifiable to blow up a dozen weddings and all the people at them over the last several years because someone blew up our work places?
We need a little moral balance here. Are lives in Iraq any less valuable than in NYC? Are Afghanis any less loved by their families and friends that their deaths are not felt? Why do we think we can solve our problems with war when it clearly creates more for us? When 911 was a product of our own long standing poor policies in the MidEast combined with the narrow thinking of people just as blind to the moral good as we have been.
Bush and Rise are simply representative of a wave that swept our nation post 911. And yes I will call it an evil wave because it blinded us to what had happened and why. It made us become reactive and afraid. It encouraged us to give up our privacy, our civil liberties and rights. And it rationalized torture, murder and suffering for so many people.
And what did we accomplish with all this? Are we safe? Has terror been defeated and the perpatrators brought to justice? No. But it has killed a lot of innocent people who may now become the next generation of enemies willing to fly planes or carry bombs to our cities to destroy and kill us. And it has closed so many doors to peace that 911 flung open.
History will remember this time as the great lost American opporunity to become the leader nation it should have been. A champion of freedom and a creator of peace. What a lost opportunity. Let us just hope that history records it in a way that helps future generations avoid our mistakes.
Posted in: Rice warns U.S. will do what's necessary to defend Israel; Iran answers with more missiles
0
tkoind2
Super Lib. My stance is not in conflict with itself if you look at it logically.
The US may be preparing to invade: It is very possible that a combination of airstrikes and groud strikes could take place. These would initiate a conflict under the belief that an effective attack would eliminate military key targets while avoiding an expanded conflict. This is a common US practice.
The US does not have the troops to invade. What I mean here is that we lack adequate troops to sustain an invasion or to escalate to a full war. This means that should a limited attack escalate, the US has inadequate forces to follow through or sustain a long term occupation without a draft. Again a sensible conclusion based on the status of the military today.
I don't anyone believes that GWB just wants to go kill people. But I do elieve that he and those who share his views have an agenda for the region that an invasion would help facilitate, if successful. There are also strong political motivations for the domestic front to maintain an enemy to be in conflict with.
Do I think Bush is evil. Sure. Do I think that is enough reason to fear an attack on Iran? No! There are plenty of rational issues that my other posts have raised that support the view that this administration and their supporters are a threat to peace. You need only look at Iraq to validate this. Look at all the misdirection and lies that led us down that path.
You may fear my leading Japan by lunch time, but I fear your inability to see the clear and present danger another war would bring. And I fear your inability to separate the difference between people who understand the regional polictical situation enough to know that the American position on this issue is wrong. And that the consequences of getting this wrong, as we clearly did with Iraq, are dire for both the US and the world.
Posted in: Rice warns U.S. will do what's necessary to defend Israel; Iran answers with more missiles