JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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1
Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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Confrontation
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U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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4
California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
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5
Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi
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- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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tkoind2
Bad economy. Election looming. War in Iraq over. Military R&D companies wondering where their next meals will come from. And Iran's leaders playing right into this psychology.....
Sadly, for all of us world wide and especially for the innocent population of Iran, war seems nearly inevitable based on these factors.
Posted in: Gemba says Japan very concerned over Iran tension
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tkoind2
Right....Yes....
Ozawa is a corrupt thug. Simple, clear and obvious. So why lie? Everyone knows he knew and everyone knows he is lying. So why play games?
Sadly this thug will get off and return to his political position of power and influence. Japan's political system almost encourages this behavior.
Posted in: Ozawa says he knew nothing of how campaign fund was managed
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tkoind2
One more note. I am troubled by my fellow American's recent tendency to try to polarize everything into Good and Evil. Whaler's good, Protesters Evil.
Reality is never so black and white when it comes to political topics. Most often when dealing with human beings both sides have issues that could be lumped into good or bad piles. But doing so is a waste of intellectual energy.
Rather it is beneficial to see that both sides in this conflict have justifiable motivations, in their own minds. It is far more rational to look at this with eyes open to the full spectrum of reality instead of trying to demonize either side.
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
OssanAmerican. Just because the right wing thinking of the US dreams up new words including "terrorist" does not in reality make people terrorists. If we conform to recent US definitions under the strident guise of the Patriot Act we can define nearly anyone as a terrorist. Maybe we will soon have Japan Times Blog terrorists. Or Facebook Terrorists. You can start to see how easily we can dream up new terms.
Now the term from the 80's clearly defined eco-terrorists as people who carried out acts intended to harm people physically. I see no strong intent or evidence to suggest that SSCS intends to actually harm anyone. Stop them yes, delay them yes, obstruct them, yes. But harm? No. Nothing employed so far exceeds the kind of actions we have seen from groups like Greenpeace in the past, and they are hardly a terrorist organization.
Let me ask you this, why do you so stridently support Japan's illegal whaling activities? Or is it that you just don't like activists of any kind?
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
Elvensilvan. I do not have hard core belief in SSCS. But I do have strong belief in the rights, and sometimes responsibility for direct political action. Whether that is for the environment or for civil liberties. I strongly support direct political action when it is required.
Now, let me be equally clear that disobedience, obstruction and other direct political actions can be defined, by written law, as illegal or not, criminal or not. So I grant you that some political activities are not legal and could be called criminal by the governing laws. So let's set that aside as a given.
Yet looking at history, direct political action has often had to cross the line of legality to gain effect. Again I call upon the examples of the American Civil Rights movement, Ghandi and his political movement and even many Japanese political movements aimed at worker's rights or land disputes in the 60's and 70's. Most crossed the line of legality in pursuing their objectives. Often rightly so.
Now to call people terrorists because the break the law is an extreme abuse of language. To call them perverted is, well to be direct, silly.
So we agree that some of their actions are illegal and thus potentially criminal. When and if they are convicted as such you can call them criminals all you like. But "terrorists" Please, this is extreme, hystrionic and frankly lacking in credibility.
If you want to call a cow a cow in this case, you need to call these people what they really are, and that is "Political Activists" whether you agree with their policies or not, this is what they are.
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
Allow me to educate you about the word "eco-terrorist".
It was coined during the 1980's to describe a very tiny group of people who resorted to actual violence to promote aims related to conservation and ecology. But even in this example the primary motivations of actions are to result in violent harm or fear.
Now, if we apply your rather liberal definition of eco-terrorist to these anti-whaling activities, then we must apply the term "terrorist" to any act of obstruction for political or ideological objective. Thus the civil rights marches and protests of our US history must be called Race-Terrorism. The protests against Vietnam must also be called terrorism. Here in Japan the protests blocking access to bases must be terrorism too.
Once you liberally apply the word terrorism to any random concept and dillute the term by diminishing the violence and murder that should define terror, then you can apply the term to anything you like. And that is simply wrong.
Look, anyone can coin a new trendy word and apply it to whatever they like. But in the end it only diminishes the quality of our language and our ability to accurately describe the world around us.
Obstruction and disobedience are not terrorism. Just in case you were sleeping through the past decade, flying jets into office towers is terrorism. Blowing oneself up in a market is terrorism. Kidnapping and beheading people is terrorism.
Blocking a whaling boat rather pales by comparision don't you think? Have some perspective.
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
NetNinja, how does having a great depression help people in Fukushima. You just want to see a wider portion of Japan suffer? It is like seeing a burning person and setting someone else on fire to solve it. Makes zero sense.
Look, it is quite clear that nearly all of the economic problems in Japan are hurting people everywhere, especially those in the disaster area. But to solve this you don't invite more hardship. You find solutions to the problems.
The #1 problem in Japan today is the aquiescence and silence of the people In this terrible situation with this pathetic leadership most people of other nations would be in the streets calling for immediate change and solutions. But there is dead silence in Japan.
If you want to flog someone, flog everyone in Japan for their silence. Don't wish hardship on them. Wish that they wake up and raise their voices.
Posted in: Gemba says Japan very concerned over Iran tension
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tkoind2
OssanAmerican. How does 9/11 and Sea Shepherd have anything to do with each other beyond unfounded hystrionics?
We were all present on the planet the day that 911 happened. As an American living abroad it was particularly horrifying not to be at home with loved ones in our country when it was under attack.
What I do not understand is how you can equate the murder and tragedy of 9/11 to a few ships getting in each other's way in the the Antactic seas. I do not see innocent loss of life here. I do not see a policy designed to make an entire nation and culture afraid. I do not see a radical political agenda driven by hatred and fueled by fear. I do not see children without parents, wives and husbands without their partners or families robbed of their loved ones.
Get a sense of perspective!!! And come down off your high horse. We all experienced 911 and were all touched by it, which makes your comments all the more disgusting. How dare you compare 911 to this situation. Wake up!
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
One more note.
Shockingly enough, there is a world outside the United States where the FBI's opinions and defintions hold far less weight and frequently come under suspicion of having political motivations.
Thus their definition of "terrorist" or who they arbitrarily decide to define as terrorists, may well be motivated by political or even practical considerations. Afterall, it is in their best interests to define anyone who disagrees with their political policies as an "enemy", "terrorist", "potential threat" or otherwise so as to maintain a climate of fear in the population. Thus enabling them to continue policies that violate privacy and civil liberties.
So while the FBI's definition of terrorist may work for some, it hardly applies world wide beyond the agreed to global definition of terrorist which hardly includes a few activists chasing an illegal whaling fleet.
Do gain a sense of perspective here.
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
arrestpaul. Your corrupted definition of "terrorist" is indicative of just how much propaganda you have digested over the past decade. Pick up a dictionary of some global repute and you will find that "activists" and not "terrorists" applies here.
And do pick up a copy of Orwell and learn about doublespeak. As you are already subject to its effects.
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
We do agree on the problem and on much of the solution. The one area I think we are not onboard together with is Noda and his approach. I have much less faith in him. I think his vision is primarily focused upon the tax increase and there is no indication that he is considering the substantial downsides of a tax hike without the exceptions you and I both agree are necessary.
If he achieves this goal, sans changes we suggest, then he will be doing more harm than good and we are back in a sinking boat.
So I think we have to make our support for Noda conditional. And I just do not see the current party leadership taking the necessary steps or even conceptualizing the changes we need to see before a tax hike would become a viable and helpful next step.
Posted in: Noda orders all ministers to attend Friday meeting
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tkoind2
Elvensilvan: "For me, a "terrorist" is on who takes the law into their own hands and do what they want to do, when they want to do it, and do it all for their perverted ideals."
So anyone who has an idea contrary to your's is a terrorist? Or as you stated, their ideas are "perverted?" How are either of these things rational conclusions?
People differ on this issue. It does not make one or the other side "evil", "terrists" or "perverts." It is a conflict of ideas and values. And it is a long accepted standard for political activism on a wide range of issues to practice obstruction. If you are looking for rational and reasonable words for what is happening, and you should be, the words you can use "Activism", "Political Direct Action" or even "Political Obstruction". These are fair and reasonable terms to use.
Terrorists? Perverts? Come on. You should know better. Be fair when contemplating conflicting ideas. This kind of extreme polarity serves no one at all.
"
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
globalwatcher. Then we are close on this issue.
But we have to put the horse in front of the cart. Fix the spending issues first and foremost. At the same time do what is required to attract jobs and investment to Japan. I agree with you here. Especially to bring more companies to Japan and thus more jobs.
Jobs, jobs, jobs is the real answer here for both taxes and avoiding that 3-5year wall. A Japanese "New Deal" is required to put people here to work and to invite more workers from abroad to contribute to the tax paying segment of society.
Do this and add a rational tax as we have agreed, and things may well improve. But tax without the other steps and the economy will just hit that 3-5 year wall even faster.
Posted in: Noda orders all ministers to attend Friday meeting
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tkoind2
gaijininfo. But questions....
My answers.
Posted in: Book smart or street smart
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tkoind2
USninjapan2. " FBI it's defined as follows:"
Thanks for making my point. Orwell indicated that the state would be the primary force undermining language to create doublespeak.
You may also want to post things like the Atlanta police department calling a 14 year old playing with a toy gun in the park a "terrorist" or any of the of Fox News examples of people being labled terrorist when they disagree with right wing thinking.
Bottom line, using the word terrorist for anything other than legitimate terristic acts undermines the value of the word and become frankly meaningless.
To people who have experienced terror, lost people to terror or are truly concerned about real terrorism, this misuse of the word is insulting and wrong. To anyone intellactual, use of the word terrorist in this context is laughable as well as illustrative of Orwell's concern for the corruption of language.
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?
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tkoind2
Ranger, come on. Save it for your English classes. We all understand what Vernie was trying to say. Give the person a break.
Posted in: Post-tsunami weddings bring some cheer
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tkoind2
I am sorry Matsuda-san but you are missing the forest for the tree here. But to your credit you are on the right path.
The reason the young people of Japan are checking out of both consumerism and the path of "successful" work is simple. They do not want to be like their parent's generation.
Let's look at the facts.
The question is simple. What person in his or her right mind would desire this path of labor slavery?
Consumption and materialism clearly did not make the previous generation happy. They had lots of nice stuff, but were still unhappy. Look to manifestations of this in alcoholism, divorce, suicide etc... A lot of young people have come to realize this. They value things like time and friendship more. And why shouldn't they?
Success. Well, it is really a question of how we define this isn't it? A good job, good money, a wife/husband, nice clothes, big tv etc... was the previous definition of "success". But many young people now see success as the ability to do what they want to do. To have time for their passions. To have time for people.
Perhaps what we are really seeing here is the shift in how success is measured. Measured in time, in freedom and in the ability to live a wage slave free existence may well be overshadowing the old notion of success. And that may well be what you are seeing.
Pessimism? In the existing expectations and systems, YES absolutely. But in general. I don't think so. Call it thinking differently and you are closer to the mark.
Posted in: They don't feel the taste of success after they start working. There is mass pessimism.
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tkoind2
globalwatcher. There is a time for taxes and time when it is boneheaded to raise taxes. In a country with high unemployment, a 17% population living under poverty levels and consumer spending already depressed, raising taxes could well kill off what economic activity there is.
There are several issues here that Noda has failed to address, and until he does, the tax plan is doomed to cause more problems that is solves.
The tax plan should exclude food and essentials. This is common sense and practiced in many of the world's most successful areas. Take Washington state in the US. Food and essentials are excluced from sales tax. This reduces the burden upon poor consumers and also encourages no dip in spending for essential items.
The tax plan must be coupled with rational and intelligent spending controls. We all know that there is a profound amount of waste in how money is spent in Japan. Without changes to this, to favoritism and corruption, then these new taxes will be equally wasted harming everyone in the process.
New taxes now will likely curb spending in already worried working classes. This leads to greater economic pressures on retailers to cut jobs or close all together. This in turn raises more unemployment and thus more dependency upon public funding. You see the cycle now?
Any plan to raise taxes must be better thought through and considerate of the issues raised above. Otherwise the public will not support it and, if it goes through anyway, it will immediately start to cause considerable economic harm to Japan.
What Japan really needs is a new deal to spend on infrastructure and domestic investment and a plan to import more workers who can shore up the working/tax paying segment of society. Distribution of wealth would also help via greater investment in domestic production and small business. Working tax paying people, Japanese and new immigrants is what is needed.
Posted in: Noda orders all ministers to attend Friday meeting
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tkoind2
Two thoughts.
I believe that Academic learning and Street smartness are inseparable. One without the other leaves us handicapped. While together the two can provide us with the tools we need to survive, pursue our objectives and to tap into our inate human creativity.
I am personally very tired of idolizing people based upon their monetary success. Some of the most brilliant human beings I have known in my life are neither famous nor rich. They are something far more precious. They are "HAPPY". These are the people who have brought their talents and persistence together to achieve their goals and to make people around them and themselves happy. It is this pool of brilliance and genius that I aspire to. And would wish my child to aspire to.
We place far too much importance upon wealth and economic achievement. I do not admire the list of people offered up here as stellar examples. They are just more rich successful people in a world still filled with economic inequities and starvation.
I look back across history and the names that I most admire for their persistence and intelligence are Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and others who changed the world. I also admire the countless creators of the arts, most imperfect and troubled but none the less admirable. And last but most important to me. My Mom. Not rich, not a captain of industry. Simply a happy person who continuously worked to help and care for others around her during her entire life. Never making headlines but always making devoted friendships. Using her street smarts and academic intelligence to live a good life. Now that is success we can all aspire to.
Posted in: Book smart or street smart
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tkoind2
Really 49% say yes?!?
Come on, didn't you learn anything from reading Orwell? If you read Orwell...? First of all do you even know what the word terrorist means? Here are several definitions from mainstream dictionaries.
"someone who uses violence in order to achieve political aims." "According to the dictionary, terrorist (noun) means a radical who employs terror as a political weapon."
Now, I know since the Bush years this word has been co-opted to refer to anyone who engages in any political behavior outside the conservative mainstream, precisely the kind of corruption of language that Orwell warned us about.
These people are "Activists", now agree with them or not, that is what they are. They do not employ terror, or what would typically qualify as violence. They carry out acts of "direct political action" which hardly qualifies as terror and barely qualifies as illegal in most cases.
Now you 49% need to understand that diminishing the word "terrorist" to apply to anything we don't like renders that word impotent for when we really need it. Such as when people are brutalized, killed and actual terror used to achieve political aims.
Please, for the love of whatever you believe in, buy a dictionary and have a sense of perspective.
Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?