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
Get rid of the test once and for all. Take the students averages for their final year and those who get in, get in. Those who don't? Victory lap. Besides, in the end, everyone gets in somewhere anyway due to the population decline. This is just a huge money making scheme that needs to be done away with.
If my kid was made to do this freaken test again, I would be suing. This is the ONLY job these people have and they can't ever seem to do it properly. Fire them. And yes, why no back up plan??
Posted in: Errors result in highest ever number of entrance exams retakers
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tmarie
Hima, perhaos read the above posts as I am certainly not the only one not falling for this crap. By all means, feel free to but don't expect the rest of us to think carp, bosses at weddings and matsuris are all bonding and respect. Thinking that must make your life way easier. I prefer to look a little deeper - at what I see daily - and then laugh at all the crap the locals go on about with kizuna and the like.
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity
-5
tmarie
Himajin, you've certainly gone on a tangent. I have not stated that Japan only suffers from these problems - heck do you even bother reading my last post? What my issue is, again, is that this country seems to think they are the superior beings when it comes to family bonds and ties. They aren't. Because they go on and on about how important family is, I roll my eyes at them because clearly, for everyone, it is not. If it was, we wouldn't be living in a society with ohigh rates of suicide, depression, DV... There would be no divorce, loveless marriages... This country isn't any different than any other when it comes to family aspects and thought towards it all. Thing is, other nations don't come up with catchy little words than will be rolled out, have political groups adopt it and be smug towards others regarding it all.
Well said Patrick, well said.
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity
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tmarie
Ranger, don't worry. They will follow suit. Sheeple....
Posted in: University of Tokyo considering autumn start to academic year
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tmarie
Type B blood people have high stress, so it is best to play active sports such as tennis and golf
Since when is golf "active'???
Posted in: The importance of blood type in Japanese culture
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tmarie
Waste of money. Don't they have too many pitchers as it is?
Posted in: Rangers sign Darvish to six-year $60 mil deal
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tmarie
I had a good laugh watching this on the news last night. Basically the only reason why Todai want to do this is because they are getting their butts kicked when it comes to international students. They figure that if they change the times, there will be a surge in international students wanting to study there. As Nicky said, they don't seem to be thinking about the language issue - though the guy who did the ceremony at Todai did use English.
They also don't seem to be thinking about the issues in Japanese society about how foreigners are treated here. Why bother coming to Todai to study and when you'll never been accepted by society or a place of work? These kids aren't dumb and know they have no hope in hell of reaching their potential in Japan like they could in the US or the UK.
I am going to love watching all the other unis scramble with this. We all know that every uni follows what Todai does. Japan will probably all being starting in Sept - ele, Jhs and HS to follow suit.
And yes, the hiring... perhaps Japan should undate its methods? My 3rd and 4th year students have ALL complained about the way job hunting is done in this country.
Posted in: University of Tokyo considering autumn start to academic year
2
tmarie
In April? I guess he wants his paycheck until then. The least he could do is work for free.
And yes, charges need to be filed. Now!
So glad Woodford blew the whistle. I have been enjoying the show - shame more companies aren't stepping up and tossing the old gits to the side and trying to salvage what is left in this country.
Posted in: Olympus president, 5 other execs to resign in April over cover-up
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tmarie
So from this disaster, with all the "reflection" on it, they've learned nothing. Nothing surprising about this at all. Sadly.
Posted in: Japan to let some nuclear plants operate after 40-year limit
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tmarie
Tmarie why do you think this is so? I like your points and I've seen these things myself but I wonder what the root causes are?
I think this is a problem all developed societies have right now. Too much technology that leads to little social interaction, parents are too busy working to help foster their children into being caring and giving people, teachers are being trying to parent rather than teach, companies dropping tons of cash on tech development instead of human resources... people have huge expectations and self entitlement is shocking. Perhaps we've all become a little too rich and have forgotten what is important?
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity
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tmarie
And that only happens in Japan......please......
No one is saying it only happens in Japan. Though I don't know of any other country that tries to push the "family is the most important thing" line like Japan does. That is my issue. People don't need to say that if it is true - it is apparent by the way people behave towards one another. The way I see families interact, not all in well in the land of the rising sun.
You are using the carp as an example? The carp that companies fly - regards of if they have kids or not? It's like comments on Muslims who have Xmas trees and how Christian they are. You're confusing tradition with values. Heck, I know foreigners with no kids and no j-spouse who fly them.
You think people visiting cemeteries during obon? Ha! Indeed some do but a survey this year of my students had about 20% visiting. Oh right, they must be lying about that... And actually, yes, the cemeteries are pretty barren when I have been to them. And when I have gone, I get told over and over again about how important family is to Japanese and questioned if we foreigners look after cemeteries of the dead. There are indeed people who care about family. I am not saying there isn't. However, the picture this country tries to paint in terms of how important it is, is a myth.
Respect to invite coworkers? Nope. You have to. It is protocol. Don't invite them and see how far up the company ladder you get. You seem to be missing the idea of this. Next you'll be telling me the OLs love to give cranky bosses chocolate on V-day. Giri choco. Heck, even the locals are open to it being an obligation - like inviting your boss to the wedding. You can continue to give examples of families caring, and I can give you examples of people following protocol or just ignoring the whole thing.
Japan isn't one big happy family. There families aren't all happy. There are families that have huge issues with abuse, drugs, depression, petty like family spats... That's my point. You can use the snide comments about the US (not American) but the US doesn't go on and on about how important family is. In fact, the US is well aware that there are problems with society and family values. They are trying to do something about the problem. Japan, as usual, ignores the issue and comes up with some snazzy word for the year. The new "slogan" means very little and will be forgotten next year when a new word is given. So will the sentiments.
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity
0
tmarie
No to household increase in electricity bills. Yes to Pachinkos, Clubs and Bars, Amusement and Game Centers, Hotels and Love Hotels, and owners of building using air conditioning and electric heaters 24/7. hehehehe IMO.
You do understand that this will just be passed onto the consumer, right?
Posted in: TEPCO to raise electricity rates for corporate users by 17% from April 1
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tmarie
When I was still dating my Japanese wife, I had a conflict with my father and we were on non-speaking terms. She pleaded with me to try and reconcile. When I asked her why she was so concerned, she said to me through tear-filled eyes "your family is my family." For my wife, her "kizuna" with family is very important and very real.
And I could give you the example of my j-family where the two brothers haven't been on speaking terms for years. I could give you examples of numerous families I know that have kids that aren't on speaking terms.
Hima, those I'll give you hinamatusri, kodomonohi, obon, 7,5,3 but the others? All "get drunk with work or friends" days. Even Hina and kodomo hi aren't celebrated that much in the media. Hina isn't a holiday and the others were in general created by the government because they lacked days off. Not really anything to do with family bonds at all. More so when you look at how they are celebrated. 7,5,3 is about the only one I can really agree with. Obon? Travel time. Plenty flee the country and those who go home, often go home to see friends, not family.
We could easily counter your argument with questions about how weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, births... are celebrated. In many cases, they aren't. If they are, companies and friends are called into the equation along with obligatory money which is all kept track off because heaven forbid, someone doesn't pay the right amount.
Japan likes to tell us how important family is to them but seeing is believing. I've been here for years and see very little in terms of family bonds and bonding. Sitting in a room over the holidays and all staring at the TV is not family bonding. Nor is dad working 12-14 hours a day, not seeing his kid and being stuck in a loveless marriage. Neither are the custody laws on one parent getting the kid. Neither is the once a year greeting card that family sends to each other. Certainly not all of Japan is like this but a good chunk are. Which is why I scoff at the idea of "kizuna" and all the other crap they feed off of to feel better about their deteriorating society.
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity
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tmarie
**Is it so difficult to move one's behind up a little, when one knows full well one is taking up two seats? **
What gets me are the princesses that take up the seat for their bag/bags. No idea how much of them I have sat on one and then looked at the owner and sighed. Get your bags off the seat!! There is space above if you can't manage them all on your lap!
I also have no problems with sitting on people's jackets or "accidentally" hitting some guys wide spread legs so they get the hint to move their butts over. I manage to get my fat foreign butt into the seat, so can they.
Posted in: What do you think are the good and bad points about the subway systems in Japan's cities?
1
tmarie
Wedged up? Perhaps those complaining need to buy a bigger size! I find them comfortable and practical. Pet peeve is seeing panty lines on women in tight pants - Japan is a shocker in this dept. The underwear here is hideous. Granny panties and padded bras. Nothing sexy about either of them. Add in the "kawaiiiiii" designs... no wonder J guys aren't interested.
Posted in: Sexy undies yes, G-strings no, say French women
1
tmarie
My only gripe might be they do not enforce the ladies only cars.
My gripe is that they have one. Get rid of them and teach the locals to behave! Numerous times my husband and I have jumped in a car only to have him leap out at the last minute because we've gotten in the women only car. It is pathetic that Japan "needs" them. They also don't help the situation with many men thinking that women enjoy being felt up if they aren't in the women only car.
I would love 24 hours a day but I have heard they will never do it because having them shut down is a form of crowd and social control - which in a way, makes sense. If you have cars 24 hours a day, that leads to more drinking and probably more violence.
My issue with them: 1. the lack of garbage cans and seats on platforms 2. Silver seating not being enforced by staff 3. The prices
Posted in: What do you think are the good and bad points about the subway systems in Japan's cities?
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tmarie
Expect the Yaks to move elsewhere (drugs, strong arm robbery, smuggling gold up people bumm) to make up for the cash shortfall.
If the economy continues the way it is, I think they'll pack up and head to Thailand, China, India... booming there where as here? Not so much...
Posted in: Construction company president shot in Fukuoka Pref
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tmarie
Could these people not spend more time on things much needed by society like a cure for cancer??
Posted in: Bum's the word in Japan security scans
-1
tmarie
Good for this guy. I hope the others follow his/her lead. Olympus should pay for this - and come clean!!
Posted in: Shareholder sues Olympus board for firing Woodford
-3
tmarie
**I was being sarcastic for god's sake. There isn't anything non-Japanese can't understand. If anything, "we" get the family bond and social bond more than the Japanese. Which is my whole point. There is little to no social bond or family bond in this country. I have already pointed this out so perhaps you could go up the tread and reread what I've said about their lack of family values.
I just find this whole "word" thing laughable. Always needs a label and some vague description that people think they can apply to their lives. And of course, it is always the "wabi/sabi, Japan is so hard to understand" crap...
Posted in: 'Kizuna' takes many forms in post-disaster Japan, including marriage and infidelity