AgentX comments

The reason Japan does not have public garbage bins.... because too many Japanese took advantage of them and municipalities could not handle it.

Exactly! If the government didn't make it so difficult and expensive to get rid of waste, the bins might have had a chance.

We pay so much in taxes and still have to clean our own parks and even take our own trash home.

Smell the coffee, Japan!

I deal with poor manners everyday here, but I rarely see a tourist...

Where large numbers of people congregate, litter follows. Take any large gathering of Japanese people (Cherry blossom viewing - お花見). If/when BINS are supplied, the likelihood of littering decreases dramatically! How about Japan supplies bins like the rest of the developed world?

As for 'bad manners' in regards to using toilets? I'm not even sure what they are talking about there. Need more information.

Fact: most people who are against the legalization of weed have zero experience with it! Hence they just buy into the propaganda. Sad, because it is such a waste of one of nature's great gifts.

A great move by the government here! More commonsense like this, please.

It is far more potent than alcohol and cigarettes --- as a mood-altering drug.

Riiight... because being in a good mood is social faux pa in Japan, isn't it...

In fact the only annoying thing is the gym/sport coaches yelling at the kids to run faster and blowing their whistles at them in the courtyard.

This!

If I generated that much noise echoing through the neighborhood at that time, the police would come. 

Then this.

So, if this guy is complaining over regular kid noise, then he's a nut. But can I imagine a case where "Nothing is too good for my children" parents or teachers are allowing constant, excessive noise? Absolutely.

But then the above.

Ay reasonable person enjoys the sound of children laughing and playing. But let's take all factors into account here, people.

China or Russia

I thought Japan, being a democratic nation and all, had higher aspirations than communist dictatorships. No?

Should we view Japan on the same level as them when it comes to human rights? Or is it a race to the bottom.

He did not know how many suicide attempts had occurred at his facility, but noted proudly that a guard was recently given a special award for preventing an attempt.

Wow! They don't keep figures on that? What a surprise. Glad someone got an award, though.

Foreigners make up 14% of those at the detention house...

Interesting. Foreigners make up, what, 2 percent of the population? No wonder the peaceful locals, who would never commit a crime (look at the daily news for example), are against influxes of us pesky foreigners...

Bravo, Tokyo Detention Center! Some great photos you shared with us there. But next time, I would prefer an unskewed, unbiased version of reality.

Expect more actions like this from an emboldened Coalition.

Exactly this. This is what people voted for. Short memories. What did those voters expect.

Australia is being swamped by fascists...

Time to teach 2 feet driving for automatic cars. 

This is a REALLY bad idea for obvious reasons. If you cannot operate an automatic car, you really shouldn't be driving.

I never once saw a story like this where I am from. But here in Japan, stories of babies being dumped after the mother has refused to seek medical help (aka a normal childbirth) are quite common. It sounds like something that would happen in a 3rd world country.

I have to wonder if the Japanese government is disgusted by these occurrences and is making arrangements to help these people in need. Perhaps starting with education...

I hope I'm wrong about this, but part of me wonders if this school was targeted out of a hatred of outside religious and/or foreign influence. There are some pieces of information that could lend toward that theory. Either way, he clearly had serious mental issues that were not diagnosed and therefore left untreated, such a common occurrence here in Japan.

Japan needs to stop being fanatical about damaging things that don't matter, and start putting efforts where they are needed!

Many experienced caretakers say it won't be easy.

難しいですね！But hey, grow a spine and do it anyway. That said, most of the blame here (as usual) lies with lawmakers and other higher-ups that don't want to rock the boat ahead of their golden parachutes into retirement. The caretakers themselves, though, also have to create a better immediate environment and culture. Stick it to 'the man' and give these children the love and guidance that they need. Push back on the system that leaves these children cut-off!

A government investigation last month found sexual violence among children was widespread at institutions.

Oh, and how this point was so,so quickly glossed over... Meh, it's probably nothing, right?

This article is just outright disturbing, but we all knew how little Japan values its youth - how kids are just a number, or state property here (yes, even the ones that live at home).

Japan needs to make some big changes quick, including: scrapping the club requirements at schools altogether, limiting work days to 8-10 hours maximum - among many other glaringly obvious problems!

The tough terms of his bail mean he needs court permission to visit his wife Carole, whom prosecutors believe has made contact with people involved in the case against the tycoon.

And 'suspicion' alone is enough to 'justify' one outrageous kangaroo court ruling after another. This is beyond pathetic! Seeing this kempeitai style of 'justice' makes me fear my own safety here in Japan. This is a sign of a very sick society.

Guilty or not, his treatment to date has been anything but constitutional and it blows my mind to think that any court would support these moves. If the courts are worried about him 'tampering with evidence' why do the prosecutors and Nissan have full access to the evidence while he is not even afforded proper opportunity to build his own case?

As for visits from his wife, they are recorded and monitered so what's the problem? Clearly a shallow, childlike ploy to destroy his morale. But my expectations are so low of the Japanese justice system that it's hardly any surprise.

ksteerToday

If anyone here is unaware of how law works in a supposedly democratic nation, it's you.

Polls open in Australian election; opposition tipped to win

I hope so!

Live the lie!

LOL! How? By just denying their existence. Bravo, Japan!

Welcome to the real Japan...

Samurai spirit (as if it is supposed to be a good thing), ninja and unicorns don't actually exist.

Jonathon Prin is right, but the Japanese are brainwashed from birth to live a life completely in servitude to those who give little to nothing in return. Japan needs a major awakening in the hearts and minds of people. Sad.

After all, the average age for a Japanese farmer is over 70.*

And their bodies are absolutely destroyed. With zero social mobility in Japan, how else can they put food on the table?

Don't even open the door for the collector.

Reap what you sow!

Nothing wrong with social democracies.

I tend to agree, but in Japan's case you can take out the word democracy. With a huge national debt, Japan should tread carefully (it is not right now). I would have thought Japan would use this money to offset that debt.

I'm just saying let's call a spade a spade.

When is Japan going to be properly labelled as a socialist nation?

Also, this data could be influenced by purchases made in March, prior to the end of the fiscal year.

I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if they even sneak some of the Olympic expenditure into the 'household goods' column just to make things look better. At any rate, I take these 'reports' with a handful of salt - they always differ from the reality on the street.

Some policymakers worry that the tax hike could hurt consumer spending...

I would think ALL policymakers should be worried about it. If not, they are quite inept at their job!

It's interesting to note that the uyoku have not hit this thread... yet.

Conan - and a third tier for foreigners that don't stereotypically beg for mercy...

The problem has been the Koreans inability to forget.

More like people's (like yours for example) haste to forget. Willful ignorance in any area of life will always have negative effects...

wtfjapanToday  10:21 am JST

Exactly this. People need to fight for what's right here. Only problem is that anyone who does so is usually marginalized by his/her colleagues for being a 'maverick'.

Its a cowardly act to take such matters as opportunity to solidify their position within the group. For Japan to truly change for the better, people will need to grow a spine first like the man that wtfjapan describes.