zaichik said...

zaichik at 07:27 AM JST - 2nd July

I wonder if it's a scam by health insurance companies to get a database of smokers.

Wouldn't have thought so, since the J-govt (J-fu?) is the primary insurer for the majority of Japanese residents and there's no actual insurance approval involved for treatment.

Do they accept dual tapaskonality, or do…

Posted in 'Taspo' tobacco card introduced nationwide at 07:27 AM JST - 2nd July
zaichik at 07:24 AM JST - 2nd July

I wonder if it's a scam by health insurance companies to get a database of smokers.

Posted in 'Taspo' tobacco card introduced nationwide at 07:24 AM JST - 2nd July
zaichik at 07:22 AM JST - 2nd July

There's little evidence to suggest that high tobacco prices due to high taxes actually deters most smokers - in a lot of cases, people just cut back on other areas of expenditure to finance their habit. A pack of 20 is getting on for $11 NZD (around the 1000 JPY…

Posted in JT, farmers, stores' groups oppose tobacco tax hike at 07:22 AM JST - 2nd July
zaichik at 07:19 AM JST - 2nd July

We used to shop at Yamada Denki quite a bit, as there was a branch close to us and it was cheaper than Yodobashi for household electrical goods (tended to go with Yodobashi for things like digital cameras and MP3 players, though). We never had a problem with their customer…

Posted in FTC orders Yamada Denki to stop exploiting suppliers at 07:19 AM JST - 2nd July
zaichik at 07:11 AM JST - 2nd July

I'm not a great fan of Japanese anime, but Russian animation rocks! Cheburashka's great, as is Hedgehog in the Fog and the Lion and the Turtle. And the Russian Winnie the Pooh (Vinnie Pukh) kicks the Disney version's posterior.

Posted in Figure skater Miki Ando has soft spot for Russian cartoon character at 07:11 AM JST - 2nd July
zaichik at 08:51 AM JST - 1st July

I shall have to have a look at this - I need to kickstart my Russian studies again. I know they say that if you want to learn a language, date a native speaker, but my spoken Russian hasn't improved a vast amount in 4 years of living with Mr…

Posted in You're never too old to learn a new language at 08:51 AM JST - 1st July
zaichik at 06:21 PM JST - 28th June

the four horsemen of total futility and incompetence.

Nicely put, zurcronium.

Posted in Globe at 06:21 PM JST - 28th June
zaichik at 11:53 AM JST - 27th June

I think I saw one of their videos once - was rather cool....

Posted in For Japanese female hip-hop duo HALCALI, the world is their stage at 11:53 AM JST - 27th June
zaichik at 08:50 AM JST - 24th June

Don't forget that the price doesn't include the cost of a reception. It's a good deal if you're only looking for the ceremony, though. But there's only one couple who would get this deal - everyone else would have to pay the full whack (which is twice this special price).

Posted in Foreign couples invited to wed at Kishiwada Castle at 08:50 AM JST - 24th June
zaichik at 07:50 AM JST - 20th June

Is she embarrassed of her former Welsh accent

I think she suffers from the same problem as a lot of Welsh people who leave Wales - their accent tends to disappear and only reappear at times of stress, happiness, drunkenness or talking to other Welsh people. I sound quite…

Posted in Catherine Zeta-Jones touts Lux shampoo at 07:50 AM JST - 20th June