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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tkoind2
I am sorry but Mixi's Japanese cell phone policy is clearly an effort at exclusivity. There are a lot of people out there who have strong ties to Japan. I have many friends who have visited Japan many times, keep close ties with people here and yet cannot join Mixi.
Not to mention the legions of people wishing to make ties to Japan for their impending work or time spent here.
I have all but abandoned Mixi over the last year along with almost all my Japanese friends. We have all moved to Facebook where we can more easily share information and keep in touch. We had all been using Mixi heavily to network inside Japan for our arts and music events. Something that was very useful for a few years. But in recent time Facebook's functionality and the increasing presence of most of our Japanese friends there, have rendered Mixi redundant.
I don't use Twitter, Myspace or any gaming sites. Nor do many of the people I know in Japan. But nearly everyone I know has moved on to Facebook and rarely post anything on Mixi any more.
Perhaps Mixi had better start considering how it will survive as the wave of migrations of Japanese to the global sites is very likely to increase.
Posted in: Mixi spokesman gives views on Facebook, Twitter & social media in Japan
2
tkoind2
Another day to feel shame over being American. How can any advanced society still practice the barbaric act of capital punishment? How can the state say that murder is wrong and then use the exact same act rationalized as justice?
Capital punishment makes a joke out of our values. If the state can kill, then why can it expect the individual to respect laws against killing? Taking human life, whether sanctioned by the state or at the hands of an individual is still murder.
We must evolve beyond thinking of revenge as justice. Justice must include the very core values of humanity and uphold the sanctity and value of human life. The state should take the moral high ground and assure that murder is demonstrated to be absolutely wrong.
So long as our justice system is imperfect, the risk of murdering an innocent person should also make capital punishment unthinkable.
I am ashamed that my country carried out this act. As I am ashamed of any human state or nation who uses state murder and tries to pass it off as justice. Grow up humanity, violence is not an answer to anything.
Posted in: Troy Davis executed in Georgia amid international outcry
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tkoind2
This is the kind of idocy I expect from Texas of Mississippi, not Japan. But just goes to show that there are religious nut cases everywhere.
Poor girl, probably suffering from some mental illness and these jerks killed her with their flat earther nonsense. When will people stop holding on to primative nonsense waiting for nonexistent "spirits" and "gods" to sort out problems they should face on their own. Primative minded people.
Posted in: 2 arrested after teenage girl dies in 'exorcism'
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tkoind2
The real truth is that Afghanistan was already a victim long before the "War on Terror" started. It was a victim of cold war policies that led America to fund and back fundamentalist groups in addition to legitimate rebels in the war against the Soviets. The very same groups that would later give rise to the Taliban, support Al Qaida and assasinate the only real leader the country had.
All this was locked into place when the west conveniently forgot about Afghanistan once the Soviets pulled out. Afterall a pawn in the cold war game was only as valuable as its ability to help win the game. When the game was over, so was interest in the the pawn Afghanistan.
The US has no one to blame for the mire in the country than itself. We set the stage for this problem to begin, we helped it by our self centered policies and we are now suffering the consequences of even more bad decisions.
Afghanistan cannot be won as it is being managed today. It can only be won with exponentially more investment, greater collaboration with the locals and even then, violence is likely to continue.
Posted in: Afghanistan and war against terror: 10 years on
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tkoind2
Sorry Jean Val Jean but you are entirely wrong here. Intelligent, focused spending is exactly what is needed in the US and in Japan. You cannot stimulate growth without spending. You cannot restart the economy without spending. Thinking otherwise is sheer fantacy.
What the US needs are jobs. Job creation will not come from the private sector who are worried about long term economic decline, or from large companies trying to push up profits. This is propaganda and wishful thinking.
What WILL create jobs is spending on programs that will put people back to work. US infrastructure is in serious decline. Repairing and rebuilding it would drive up spending in the near term, but would generate jobs and tax income. The projects would fuel confidence by small to mid size companies who service these projects and would drive up employment and create downstream stimulus for communities.
Roads, bridges, schools, community rebuilding projects, new energy development, technology development etc... will help grow jobs.
Then, tax the hell out of companies that send their production abroad. And give substantial breaks to those who re-import manufacturing and production jobs to the US.
As for "Let Freedom Ring." Our forefathers were not all about "every man for himself" which the Tea Party and Libertarians in the US would like us to believe. They had better common sense to know that if your neighbor is suffering, you soon will be too as we are a community and society interdependent upon each other. If your definition of liberty is being left alone, untaxed and unburdened by others, you had better seek refuge on a desert island somewhere because that is now what a society is all about friend.
Posted in: Obama says Republicans would 'cripple' U.S.
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tkoind2
History tells us quite clearly that bubbles break. When China's breaks the fallout will be heard around the world. There are far too many optimists about China's growth. They fail to see that the majority of people in China are still suffering under horrid conditions and tyranny.
Sure a few rich Chinese now look more or less like wealthy Koreans and Japanese, but look past these people and you will see legions of poor and increasingly disillusioned working class people. People who have been taught their entire lives about the evils of Capitalism. How long do you really think it will be before the minor protests and uprisings turn into something far more widespread? Especially if the bubble bursts and their conditions decline further.
Posted in: China enjoys 'bubble' while Japan languishes on sidelines
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tkoind2
YuriOtani, the "scare" is very real. Global economics have been balanced on the edge of a depression since 2008. Where have you been? If the reality of global economics is not enough to frighten you, then perhaps the problem is with you and not reality. It is time to wake up and recognize the very real state of global economics and that of the US.
I am not a full fan of Obama, I think he has been weak on issues he should have fought harder for. But I am very worried by the pack of inept potentials on the GOP side this election as well. I see no bright lights of hope on either side.
The key fact is this. If we do not find ways to reverse the current trends we invite a recession and possibly a depression. The working people of America and the world are at risk here, and they are all I care about regardless of their political stripe.
We need a new FDR who is not afraid to spend and create jobs, demand and stimulation of the economy. A leader who can tell industry to stand aside for the interests of the masses. And a leader who can shatter this polarization that is turning America into the world's political nightmare.
Working people need to take to the streets now and demand the place of priority in politics that they deserve. Perhaps tossing out both existing parties who have long represented wealth and not working people.
Posted in: Obama says Republicans would 'cripple' U.S.
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tkoind2
"“Well, I suppose they could say God is burning us up.” He nailed it here! I am sure the flat earth crowd will go from "There is no warming" to "Jesus is coming back with fire." And they will say it is the will of god and do nothing.
America has become a political joke it is so frozen in polarized thinking. Not very hopeful for the future.
Posted in: The American 'allergy' to global warming: Why?
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tkoind2
One word is responsible for all of this. "Greed"
The world has been led by people who only have monetary gain in mind. Undue influence by corporations, inept leaders, corruption and profiteering. All these add up to a world led by people who are incapable of doing what is right for the well being of the general population.
For many years I have hoped that leaders would emerge who would work for the people. This has not, and likely will not happen. Meanwhile the world's working classes remain largely silent.
Sadly the writing on the wall is that a major economic disaster will be required to bring change. And sadly that change will likely be for the worst. My one remaining hope is that working people world wide will start to rise up and demand change before it is too late.
I wonder how many on JT are aware of the six days of protests in NY's Wallstreet district. It has not made mainstream news despite the long and popular demonstrations. I guess when normal people do raise their voices, they will be ignored. So we must raise them louder and stronger than ever to assure that we are heard.
Posted in: Economic worries escalating around the world
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tkoind2
Agreed, these demonstrations will amount to very little. The government has clearly stated their intentions. The only way to effect change in Japan is to go after comprehensive political change. Something the people of Japan show very little interest in doing, no matter how bad things get.
Posted in: Demonstrators challenge gov't to build nuclear plant in Tokyo
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tkoind2
hatsoff. "Lack of compassion is probably a contributing factor in acts of suicide"
I have compassion for people which is why I believe it is profoundly selfish to select a means of suicide that impacts so many other people in such a dangerous and traumatic way.
I do feel for people who contemplate suicide. But I have far more concern for the children who have to live their lives with that memory. Or the adults who may be pushed to the edge in their lives after seeing such a tragic event. And this is before the risks to life and limb inflicted upon the innocent when people choose trains. How many times have people been killed or injured due to the suicidal actions of people at stations? It is unacceptable and unforgivable behavior.
Since we cannot deter suicide, we must do all we can to make it inconvenient and difficult. Put up walls and help protect people at stations!
As for suicide itself. Society in Japan requires radical rethinking to encourage mental health care, greater social connectivity and community fabric and less acceptance of suicide as a rational option for change. But until you start to fix these issues, the priority must be the protection of innocents subjected to this risk. Build walls!
Posted in: Woman jumps to her death at Shin-Koiwa Station; 5th suicide there since July
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tkoind2
China has been repeatedly linked to these massive cyber attacks. It is a form of cold warfare that the world should deal much more harshly with.
Cut off investment and support for China until she learns to behave like a good partner to the world. We are creating a monster by financing her military growth with western and Japanese investment.
Posted in: Japan says no key data lost in cyberattack; China denies responsibility
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tkoind2
Eleven years, countless typhoons and every single time I read the same news. "A 65-year-old man in Nagoya fell to his death while fixing a stuck drain," or something pretty much the same.
Should we hold classes that help people get the idea to stay off ladders and roof tops during typhoons? The house can be fixed later, life is precious. Ride it out and fix it later!!!
Posted in: 1 dead, 2 missing, over 1 million urged to evacuate as typhoon nears
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tkoind2
Japan is "Mad Men." I see Japan where the OLs dream of catching Mr. Right and going on to be a trophy wife. Where the older OLs are holding out for their 1mil yen per month target hubby who doesn't exist, or if he does is chasing the new 23 year old. And the real working women labor hard and have good income, but little time for anything else.
They guys are not as arrogant, most of them, as the Mad Men guys. But their expectations of women are not much different. The booze, smoking and womanizing (hostesses etc...) are all there too.
And then there are the new minded women who do want to work. But if they are not young and cute or over a certain age, their options are extremely limited and companys will come right out and say "Sorry, you are too old to hire, afterall you may get pregnant, married or are just too out of touch with young Japanese thinking."
I have been here a long time and there are many things about Japan that I love. But a young 1/2 Japanese American girl I know who came here a few years nailed it. She said I love visiting Japan. It is fun, bizzare, the shopping is great and the history is interesting. But you could't pay me to live here as a woman." And who can blame her. In the US at 35 she can change her career, her cool style shows off how well she is in touch with modern thinking, she is married but doesn't worry about balancing her career and her family she is proud of being able to do so and do both brilliantly.
That is a modern woman for the US, Europe and other places. Japan, very sadly, doesn't seem to want this kind of thinking, creative, empowered woman. It seems they prefer their women fluffy, young and subservient. Just like Mad Men.
Posted in: 'Mad Men' 2011: Japan’s gender equality debate
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tkoind2
I would challenge the notion that we aer "connected." We are certainly tied to devices and able to access data, send messages etc... but I think we are far less "connected" to other people than at any time in our history. We are more isolated today than ever before and the fabric of society and social structures have been replaced by texting etc... People no longer connect in person or make as much time for each other in the real world. More and more young people are cyber hermits contacting the world without actually contacting anyone in person. This is tragic.
The second issue is balance. With so much connectivity it is hard to escape work, have private time or even focus on what is going on where you are. We are a distracted culture half paying attention to here and now and tapped into what our devices are doing more than what we ourselves are doing.
It is sad and it is unhealthy. Above all it is killing the ability for people to have real human contact.
Posted in: We're living in the age of being connected or reachable 24 hours a day by one device or another. Is this a good thing?
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tkoind2
@beentheredonethat
" suicides are not spontaneous events. people don't suddenly get the urge to jump in front of a train.."
Based up on what? Many suicides are opportunistic. Making platforms less opportune will reduce the number of people who suddenly walk off platforms.
As for protection. On more than one occasion I have had the ill luck of seeing blood spatters on the platform or witnessing them being removed. Barriers will help protect people from both blood and objects as well as from visually having to see those suicides.
For me it is enough if it encourages the planned suicides to jump from somewhere other than platforms. I am not looking to cure suicides by train here. I am looking to avoid accidents, reduce the number of suicides near and on platorms and to protect the innocent.
As for hopping over barriers. Sure there will always be people with a strong will to do away with themselves and the theatrical depth to go leaping over barriers. But I guarantee you that that sect make up a minority and that making platforms less opportune will send the majority looking for other options.
Posted in: Woman jumps to her death at Shin-Koiwa Station; 5th suicide there since July
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tkoind2
Barriers make it harder to do. If you have to climb over it on the platform, these people may consider other options or do it at a crossing instead. At least it would reduce danger to people on the platform as well as helping with accidents.
So why all the resistance to an obvious good idea to help protect people and perhaps reduce random spontaneous suicides.
At least the walls may shield people on the platform from flying corpses and bloody goo and body parts.
I care more about the welfare of the countless innocents on the platform than the one jumping. So pay for the walls already.
Posted in: Woman jumps to her death at Shin-Koiwa Station; 5th suicide there since July
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tkoind2
Selfish, evil people who toss themselves in front of trains. I am sorry, but every time I hear "Human Accident" I think that some selfish person has inflicted another horror on innocent people.
Imangine what it must be like to see that! To see some woman splattered all over a kiosk. Or some person ripped to shreds by the train.
On any platform at any time of the day are people who are just trying to go about their lives. There are women, children, students and working class people. None of whom need to see or be so horribly traumatized by these selfish people killing themselves in this most public and brutal way.
The people I know who have seen this up close live in horror and nightmares thereafter. Some suffer from post traumatic stress.
I have just missed this horror two times in the last two years. Once because I glanced down to check my mail and missed someone go over the edge. And another time when I was seconds late to my usual spot on the platform and only saw the blood.
Suicide is a tragedy for the person and for the family. But I have far greater respect for those who do away with themselves in a manner respectful of others than the showy selfishness of these pathetic and insensitive people who risk the lives and well being of ofthers when they choose this form of suicide.
The nation should put up walls to prevent this. At least then, these people will be forced to jump where not so many people will be put at risk.
Posted in: Woman jumps to her death at Shin-Koiwa Station; 5th suicide there since July
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tkoind2
There has to be a comprehensive view here. I would love for there to be less nuclear plants. But I don't want to swap that power production for dirty solutions like more use of fossil fuels. That would be tossing the baby out with the bad bath water.
The only way this really works out for the better is if we demand that the nuclear power be replaced with clean energy solutions. Otherwise we only replace one danger to human life with another.
This is the key point where I part company with the people I know who are protesting. They want nukes gone, but don't have a solution. They just want them gone now. Which essentially means that production gets replaced by coal, oil etc... which will kill us just as effectively.
We have to be patient for this change. We demand policy changes now. And then get the government to commit to investing in clean energy solutions and development. Then, and only then, do we really win for the future safety of Japan and our children.
Posted in: Thousands march against nuclear power in Tokyo
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tkoind2
Put big enough sunglasses on someone and anyone can be "beautiful." If you like bug eyed sunglasses that is. But be sure the wear them at night so you can endanger yourself and others while being "cool". I recently saw a girl crash over a staircase because she was walking along a dark street in huge dark sunglasses.
True beauty comes from having a personality. Something that fashion here trades away for uniformity. While Japan has lovely clothing, it usually has no tie to personality, making it an empty and uninteresting shell.
Perhaps they should be given a key to things like originality, personality, independent thought and then maybe cool will follow.
Posted in: Cool beauty