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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tmarie
My husband My friends Onsens
Posted in: What are some of the things you like most about living in Japan?
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tmarie
Divorce is another unfortunate side effect of our importation of American culture. Children need two parents to be raised properly. Divorce should not be allowed when children are part of the picture.
Once again someone failing to take responsibility for their actions. Some Japanese have a very bad habit of blaming other countries for their own woes. This is a fine example.
While it would be nice for kids to grow up with two loving parents in a good relationship, not reality though for many. I think it is worse for the kids to see two parents in a bad relationship than for a kid to be raised by a single parent.
In the case of Miki, 3/11 is a convenient excuse. I doubt all was happy before and she saw this as her opportunity to jump - and perhaps not be judged to harshly for it. She could have easily moved and stayed married. Tanshinfunin is a huge thing here for families. Blaming 311 for the divorce is sick. I hope dad gets to see his kids, I hope Miki has a job and I hope the kid recovers for being bounced around the freaken country!
Posted in: 'Radiation divorce' enters Japanese vernacular
3
tmarie
Not sure why people are shocked at this. Every few months there is an incident that appears to be a racial attack - I still roll my eyes at the DJ murder in Tokyo a few years ago where the guy got off with slap on the wrist. The media here doesn't report it as lot of it because usually it doesn't end up with a death. I know more than a few guys who have been suckered punch while out because of the colour of their skin. They don't bother to report it because the cops don't do anything about it when others have.
The poor guy and his family.
Sadly, I think we're going to see a lot more of this stuff coming up with the way the economy is going. Pretty well documented that when countries are in economic turnover, racial attacks increase.
Article Unavailable
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tmarie
As for claims that Japan is safe, http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/two-more-arrests-made-over-death-of-nepalese-man-in-osaka
This is only going to get worse with the economy and the locals blaming "us".
Oh and I didn't comment on the entitlement thing. Don't you find it odd that their 2011 spending of brand goods is up yet their economy and spending power is down?
Posted in: Entitlements are not rights
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tmarie
The families should be given their money back and their costs to move to a new place should be covered by the company. The company should then be fined for doing such a despicable thing. The government should clearly make laws about distributing anything from the no-go zone and enforce penalties for those who don't abide.
However, we all know that in Japan, this won't happen. A bow, perhaps a few tears and all in forgotten and the problem ignored.
Those poor people who are victims once again.
Posted in: Radioactive crushed stone may have been used in over 80 buildings, METI says
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tmarie
Oh shocking!!! The government hasn't left a paper trail of their inability to deal with the crisis... Much easier this way to argue who is at fault and who was supposed to do what.
As usual, pathetic.
Posted in: Nuclear disaster task force kept no records of meetings
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tmarie
There's little to no heroin, meth or crack cocaine abuse in Japan (all these drugs are much more dangerous and devastating than alcohol and tobacco)
I strongly disagree. You might want to look at all the illness related to the two above, the destruction drinking causes when it comes to family, friends, work... The fact that they are legal doesn't make them safe. More people abuse these two and the number are hard core drug users put together.
**You said before that you didn't like Japan and if it wasn't for your husband, you would have left a long time ago. ** I don't like the country that Japan has turned into since 3/11. Before then, I was pretty happy here. This is my third run here so it isn't like I don't have the experience of never having left and looking at Japan with rose tinted glasses like some others.I've been out and come back. I think I might have a bit more of a balanced view compared to those who have been here and only here for a straight run. I've seen what is outside the country and what other countries offer as I lived there. Indeed, if it wasn't for my husband being here, I would leave. That doesn't mean I "hate" Japan. It means for the age that I am and the "needs" I have, Japan isn't what is best for me. The lack of daycares, the lack of support for working women here is a huge concern for me right now. I would much rather live in the US, Canada, UK, OZ.... when it comes to my needs for this. I'm not saying these countries are perfect but for what I want and need right now, they offer much more than Japan. I also don't like what the government is doing. I don't trust them, and certainly don't trust TEPCO. I know have to worry about every little thing I put in my mouth because of the lies and incompetence of the government and their buddies. Day to day life? While not perfect here, isn't all that bad but I have many concerns about what the future holds. I wouldn't have those concerns in some other countries.
With regards to the education system, having worked in three now, Japan has the worst. Indeed, they can produce little robots who follow orders but if we have kids, that isn't what I want for them. Nor so I want the stress of entrance exams, petty little rules and very incompetent teachers who are protected by a crazy union.
With regards to health care, I would like to have doctors that wear gloves and don't argue with me when I tell them to put them on - which is exactly what happened when I went to see one this weekend. I would like doctors who respect me enough to talk to me about issues and concerns rather than assume they know what is best for me without asking me anything. I would like a health care system that offers women pain killers for childbirth rather than tell them to "man up" and do without - let's be honest, if those old gits were the ones having kids, painkillers would be free for everyone. Indeed, the US system is broken when it comes to health care - or lack there of. I won't argue with that. I will however state that the system here is broken too.
With regards to old people, I look at the lack of respect these people have, the way their kids sponge off them and the way they get treated when they need support. MY grandmother in law is treated like a sack of potatoes by the family and they can't get the support she needs. The women belongs in a home but yet, no room at the inn but... my FIL cares for her the best he can but he's not trained in looking after someone in her condition. Instead of building homes for these people, the public are told it is their duty to look after their family. People are snapping and the elderly are being abused. In terms of stats, I can't give you any. Why? Because I highly doubt this country keeps records of such things - yet another issue with the government....
Japan isn't all bad but at this point, the US is looking pretty good. We aren't poor, we can afford the health care we would need if there. We could afford to live in a decent area with a good school board. I could get daycare if we had kids and continue with my job. All things that concern me with living in Japan.
Posted in: Entitlements are not rights
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tmarie
As you say these cities are as dangerous if not more so than anywhere else in the world!
As I say? Have said no such thing!
Posted in: Osaka assistant police inspector accused of falsifying evidence
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tmarie
Great post Blair!
Posted in: Plan calls for TEPCO to be nationalized for at least 10 years
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tmarie
** lack of universal health care, appalling crime rates, massive levels of poverty, the disconcertingly huge divide between rich and poor, huge levels of social dislocation, disastrous education system, widespread drug abuse, the selfish 'me first' mentality** You could write exactly the same about Japan though - not everyone has health care here, there is poverty all over the place, there is a HUGE divide between rich and poor and is only getting worse here, huge issues with social dislocation, the education system here is a joke, there is plenty of drug abuse (alcohol and tobacco being the preferred), huge entitlement mentality...
I look at the way the old people here are treated and I don't know if you can really say it is better than the US. Old people here are ignored, poor and often in need of much care and help than people don't offer. There is a huge issue with people abusing their elderly parents. Why? Because there are very few nursing care homes and support for these families. This problem is only going to get worse here with the age issue.
Cheers for the link - let's talk in five years! ;)
You don't even like Japan anyway. That isn't true. There are many things I love about this country and I live here because I want to. However, that doesn't mean I can't be vocal about the issues I see here. Sorry, not drinking the kool-aid like some other posters. As someone who has spent a more than a decade here, I am allowed to voice my concerns about the society I live in, what happens with my tax money... It is too bad that one gets quickly accused of "Japan bashing" for not always being a cheerleader for team Japan.
**I think it's absurd that attending a brand name university entitles the graduate to a good job in a good company, regardless of what they studied or how hard they studied, and regardless of their final score. Hard to enter, easy to graduate is an absurd system that encourages many students NOT to fulfil their potential. Many companies won't even grant you an interview if you didn't play the brand name game. ** Sadly the whole system here in Japan is based on this starting from yochien. It is a never ending cycle of getting into the good places so you can be rewarded after graduation with a good job - regardless of what was learned, or not.
Posted in: Entitlements are not rights
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tmarie
The treatment of the old and the poor is worse in the US than it is in Japan.
Seriously? I don't agree. I look at the way old people are treated here and it makes me cry.
but their lives are comfortable and monetarily wealthy for the most part, you even admitted that yourself before. Comfortable? I don't think all would agree with you. Money isn't everything and plenty of women here would like a little respect and perhaps a career which they can't have under the current conditions. I don't see how you can think that a society who treats more than 50% of the population as less than the men is better than a society who is trying as hard as it can to make things equal.
Care to give me a link for your claims about Japan and luxury goods? The new wealth in China has a huge population compared to Japan and they are all over the world snatching up brand name goods - much like the Japanese used to be.
Japan is not a utopia, I'm just saying that it compared much more favourably to America overall. I will agree with you that it is no utopia but disagree with the examples you've given as you why it is better than the US.
Posted in: Entitlements are not rights
1
tmarie
The operator of Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant will be effectively nationalized for at least 10 ...
Effectively??!
Just take it over and be done with it. I am sick of my tax money going to pay the salary of the fat cats that caused this in the first place.
Posted in: Plan calls for TEPCO to be nationalized for at least 10 years
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tmarie
As you say it's not somewhere you would walk alone at night! I didn't say that abotu all of Osaka, one area that has a very high homeless rate.
Lots of crime coming out of Tokyo as well. Thing is, a lot of it doesn't get reported.
Posted in: Osaka assistant police inspector accused of falsifying evidence
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tmarie
The supply (declining birth rate) and demand ( increasing baby boomers entering retirement) are not equilibrium.
Such a shame that they've never really dedicated any time to thinking about how to solve this problem. Equality for women in the workforce would go a long way... Not going to happen anytime soon though I fear.
Posted in: Gov't says revenue from 5% consumption tax hike to be used only for social security
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tmarie
Blair, I certainly am not disagreeing with that. What I disagree with is how this article paints Japan as a country with stronger family bonds than other nations - and making it appear as if it is something we foreigners just can't understand.
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity
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tmarie
Well said JW and Blair. Shame others don't get it.
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity
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tmarie
I thought the marriage rate was already way down? (I know, a typo - you really meant get rid of the (free) rides, yes? :-)
Was supposed to be bridges but brides, bribes, free rides... all doing Japan in!
Posted in: Gov't says revenue from 5% consumption tax hike to be used only for social security
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tmarie
Regardless of how well he does or doesn't do, I can promise you all I am going to be sick to death of hearing about him from the new media.
Posted in: How do you think Yu Darvish will do in the U.S. Major Leagues?
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tmarie
I call Japan on the crap I see - as you seemed to have noticed. Trust me, Osaka is a good place to live and not dangerous. Darren, like you, feel a lot safer in the streets of Nishinari than home - though I wouldn't want to venture to close to Spaworld at night alone.
Posted in: Osaka assistant police inspector accused of falsifying evidence
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tmarie
He asks a fair point? Why on earth did the women need to comment on foreigners??
And why the article? I don't think the majority of readers on JT care about a new station in Tokyo.
Posted in: Prolonged labor pangs preceding new station on Tokyo's Yamanote line