umbrella said...

umbrella at 08:14 PM JST - 7th September

Well I have to say that this Mac "campaign" is just pathetic and insulting. But I also have to say how amused I have been reading the comments of the many japanophiles and japanapologists on this thread. The short termer can see no wrong.

Posted in Mr James at 08:14 PM JST - 7th September
umbrella at 08:37 PM JST - 15th June

Worst for me is British Airways. Their attendants make you feel that they are doing you a favor by acknowledging your presence. Best for me is Cathay Pacific. Always a pleasure to fly with them. And by the way WMD the 5 mile high club is not exclusive by any…

Posted in In your experience, which airline has the best flight attendants and which one has the worst? at 08:37 PM JST - 15th June
umbrella at 08:18 PM JST - 3rd June

Yes I'm in the same situation as WMD ie I'm going through the naturalization procedures at the moment. And yeah, who's going to pay for the oldies' pensions if all the foreigners leave in disgust?

Posted in Foreign workers stage sit-in to protest immigration law reform at 08:18 PM JST - 3rd June
umbrella at 01:58 PM JST - 22nd May

Yes 5.5 million is a shockingly low income indeed. I know that many foreigners who come to japan are not concerned with money in the slightest and will take low paying jobs willingly. But japanese households, how do they manage on this income?

Posted in 2007 average household income at 19-year low of Y5.5 million: report at 01:58 PM JST - 22nd May
umbrella at 07:45 PM JST - 9th February

Look I've never been a temp here in japan. I'm fortunate to be a forex dealer. But I do symphasise with those temps so easily thrown out of work. And the smug poster above will not feel so smug if and when riots break out on the streets when all…

Posted in Temp workers bear brunt of recession in Japan at 07:45 PM JST - 9th February
umbrella at 03:39 PM JST - 8th February

Cleo Of course you're right. Most foreigners in japan are from Asian countries, not for a year's holiday but to work hard, if they haven't already been booted out of their jobs.

pointof view The foreigner in japan is totally powerless and can do nothing about labor laws being ignored.…

Posted in 5,600 foreigners losing jobs in half year: survey at 03:39 PM JST - 8th February
umbrella at 01:19 PM JST - 8th February

Betting It's shocking but I guess things will never change. The japanese government would never care to enforce the labor law as they are just mere foreigners and they obviously can't vote. And as for the foreigners themselves, I would imagine these kids are all in their early 20s and…

Posted in 5,600 foreigners losing jobs in half year: survey at 01:19 PM JST - 8th February
umbrella at 07:49 PM JST - 20th January

If the unemployment situation gets much worse, I won't be surprised if riots break out. Even in shoganai gaman japan. People will take only so much and then snap. They'll take notice of the unemployment problem then.

Posted in Brazilian workers protest layoffs at 07:49 PM JST - 20th January
umbrella at 07:46 PM JST - 20th January

So what happens when the next "boom" occurs in say 5 years time?? These Japanese "bosses" will be complaining of a shortage of labor and trying again to import thousands of dirt cheap Brazilian slaves. Let's hope the word is out now and they all put two fingers up to…

Posted in Brazilian workers protest layoffs at 07:46 PM JST - 20th January
umbrella at 11:29 AM JST - 18th January

Yes wearing a mask is totally useless as the cold virus particles go straight through them. The japanese wear them when sick just to demonstrate to all and sundry how dedicated they are to their beloved companies. It seems they don't care about infecting anyone else. I wonder how this…

Posted in Flu outbreak affects 101; 3 die in Tokyo hospital at 11:29 AM JST - 18th January