Japan Today

BakabonPapa comments

Posted in: Man arrested for voyeurism, says it was a way to relieve stress and frustration at work See in context

Why didn't he just avail himself of the nearest urban red light district?

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Posted in: Stray cats find warm welcome at 'ryokan' in Beppu See in context

This is great, but they have to be fixed or they'll multiply like rabbits.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan to halt funding for U.N. women's rights panel over call to end male-only imperial succession See in context

What's most "regrettable" is the power of Nippon Kaigi - the nefarious ethno-fascist organization that lies at the heart of this.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Posted in: 24-year-old woman arrested for burying baby girl in snow after giving birth at home See in context

Don't simply blame her; it's a family matter, and a societal failure.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

Posted in: Japan high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional See in context

Right on.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Posted in: Japan criminalizes cannabis use as revised laws take effect See in context

Cannabis "abuse" is less dangerous than "normal" alcohol consumption. And if cannabis "abuse" among young people is such a worry, then address the main cause (widening economic and social class disparities in society and resulting anxiety about the future) rather then criminalizing the symptoms. Cannabis is less addictive than alcohol, anyway.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

Posted in: Japan weighs extra taxes for defense spending as early as April 2026 See in context

Progressive taxing only, please - tax the wealthy and big corporations more, and raise taxes on tobacco and luxury goods. And give a tax break to those in the lowest income brackets. That would be much better for Japanese society...but the LDP doesn't really care about society so much.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Posted in: Ishiba criticized in Japan for 'bad manners' at APEC summit See in context

He might get along very well with the next POTUS.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Man arrested for hugging woman after she gets into her car See in context

So, once again - fellows, if you can't control the urge, and going home and taking matters in hand won't suffice, just head for the nearest red light district. It's that simple.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Posted in: U.S. Steel warns plants could close without Nippon Steel sale See in context

If Nippon Steel doesn't take it on and prop it up, the people of Pennsylvania or of the entire country may end up having to do so.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: 27-year-old man arrested for groping woman says he felt horny See in context

Why didn't he just avail himself of the nearest red light district or late night massage parlor?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Will Japanese women be able to keep their maiden names after marriage? See in context

Nippon Kaigi (Japan Conference) will strongly disagree, and the debate will either be protracted or quashed. But it will return, because of Keidanren's stance and because there is a loophole that creates a double-standard which the government can't do anything about - in a marriage between a Japanese national and a foreigner the two parties can maintain their own surnames. (Why, then, can two citizens not do the same?)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: 59-year-old woman arrested over theft of ¥120 from shrine donation box See in context

Punish her to the full extent of the law! But what about the elected officials who have pilfered public funds for personal use? Well, that's different, isn't it?

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

Posted in: Whale of a time See in context

These creatures should not be confined like this.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Posted in: Toyota set to end massive Olympic sponsorship deal; unhappy over how IOC spent funds: report See in context

The IOC is basically just a criminal syndicate.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Posted in: Older Japanese men making up for lost time by dipping into cosmetics See in context

Japan is becoming like S. Korea in this sense.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Posted in: U.S. ambassador to Japan says boosting arms industry ties is key to stronger security alliance See in context

Yep - it's key to lining politicians' pockets and maintaining LDP control of Japan.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Posted in: Testimony begins in lawsuit accusing Japanese police of racial profiling See in context

The experiences of non-Japanese residents of Japan regarding this matter differ vastly by region and individual physical appearance. Theirs is a very important case. Hopefully they will win.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Posted in: Nihon University student falls to his death; autopsy finds cannabis in system See in context

I feel sorry for the kid's family, relatives and friends, but this case is likely to be misused by the authorities: held up as evidence of the evils and dangers of marijuana, with no mention of any contributing factors. And the naive public will internalize the message unquestioningly.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Saitama police officer arrested on suspicion of filming up high school girl’s skirt See in context

Had to "cop" a look? Why not just visit a red light district while off duty?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Posted in: LDP punishes 39 members over funds scandal, urging 2 to leave party See in context

A little slap on the wrist!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan society on transgender issues to drop 'disorder' from name See in context

The general hostility toward this issue - and refusal to accept it, or to even try to understand it - is saddening. But it just doesn't resonate much with those who have not experienced it in a close relative or family member. That is why it takes so long to make progress.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Posted in: Netanyahu snaps back against growing U.S. criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza See in context

US lawmakers have every right to way what Schumer said, considering the fact that Israel would not exist were it not for the all the US support, and that Netanyahu has for years been nurturing Hamas and scheming to pit the US against Iran. And he's right - Netanyahu must go. It's the only way to take steps toward a two-state solution, which is the only way out of this mess. And the US must change the way it supports Israel - no more blank checks. Under Netanyahu, Israel has lost its way.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Posted in: Kishida questioned over scantily clad dancers at LDP party See in context

The best way to increase "diversity" in the government is for the electorate to stop voting for LDP candidates. Voters: give others a chance, and keep your eyes on them and hold them accountable. It's that simple.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Aso's comments about Kamikawa expose Japan's ongoing sexism impasse See in context

Put him out to pasture already!

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Posted in: Foreign-born Miss Japan sparks debate on what it means to be Japanese See in context

The problem is that "Japanese" has both genetic and legal meanings (among others). This is compounded by the fact that some people believe in the existence of a "pure" Japanese ethnicity, or "race." (There are no "pure" ethnicities, or "races.") Keeping in mind the fact that we only have to go back about 30-35 centuries to find a common ancestor for every human being alive today might help put things in perspective.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Posted in: Man sentenced to death for Kyoto Animation arson attack See in context

Nothing justifies capital punishment, and capital punishment solves nothing.

-9 ( +13 / -22 )

Posted in: Kyoto arson defendant's doctor calls for ways to resolve isolation See in context

Killing for vengeance does nothing to prevent it from happening again.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Caregiver arrested over theft of cash from patient during home visit See in context

This is one reason why elderly care facilities have strict rules that forbid residents from keeping cash on them and in their rooms, and that require cash to be counted and checked in at the counter, where it is kept safe until some is needed. Employees in the business are not highly paid, and are often overworked and stressed. They also often come and go. The temptation to take a bit may be strong, especially if the caretaker is in debt.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: 21-year-old sentenced to death for crime he committed as a minor for 1st time in Japan See in context

Very sad. Capital punishment should be abolished because it does nothing to deter violent crime, because there will always be a risk of executing innocent people, and because it is barbaric.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

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