BernieK comments

Posted in: Japan's war on deflation runs into psychology of hard times See in context

households plan to spend less when they expect incomes to stagnate

You reading that PM Abe. The Japanese people are retrenching. So if you introduce target inflation you will contribute to the global slump by your policy mistake. The risks of slipping back to deflation are high.

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Posted in: Abe to become Japan's 7th PM in 6 years after landslide LDP win See in context

Voter turnout was around 59%

Back in 2005 when Koizumi won with 296 seats, nationwide voter turnout came to an average 50 percent.

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Posted in: Abe to become Japan's 7th PM in 6 years after landslide LDP win See in context

won 293 seats

Abe is right up with Koizumi's numbers back in September 2005 when Koizumi won with 296 seats.

You know Abe's going to be bold like Koizumi.

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Posted in: TEPCO admits lack of safety, bad habits led to nuclear disaster See in context

This a link from the Tokaimura Accident Sentencing. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/20020/story.htm

Back in 2003, passing sentence, Judge Hideyuki Suzuki said: "The accident gravely shocked society and vastly undermined public confidence in nuclear power."

When somebody hangs the Fukushima NPP, what will the judge say? How can you top the 2003 passing?

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Posted in: Candidates make final pitch ahead of Sunday's election See in context

Japanese media polls have proved wrong in the past, partly because some voters switch sides when they see forecasts that the leading party is headed for a big victory.

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Posted in: Japan to host nuclear safety conference in Fukushima Pref See in context

This is truely too little, too late. They had there chances since the Tokaimura accident in 1999.

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Posted in: China calls on Japan to halt entries into disputed waters See in context

nandakandamanda wrote:

it would also help China surround Taiwan

Taiwan would never succomb to Communist China. Doesn't China know Taiwan has chosen a demcratic, free country? But if China becomes democratic, well you could see unification with China and Taiwan.

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Posted in: Election puts spotlight on reviving economy See in context

it's hard for him to get married or have a family

Up here in Tohoku, I know lots of people got married and now are having babies since 3/11. This country just needs a 'Hey, that was a big earthquake. Lets get married and have kids' moment.

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Posted in: China calls on Japan to halt entries into disputed waters See in context

Wow! Has China been getting exit polls about the Japanese election? There has been early voting in Japan and the exit polls are pointing LDP winning so far.

And whenever China says "completely normal" or "since ancient times", thats code for world domination.

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Posted in: Casio to release second set of 30th anniversary G-SHOCK models See in context

I have my 100yen watch. It just as well tells time.

I used to have that Casio watch in that move Speed movie with, what's that famous actors name...Keanu Reeves? I bought that watch in 1983 in a Sears store for 50 bucks. It was expensive at that time, but when my watch got popular, I sold that bad boy for a lot of money here in Japan. Casio is good buy I guess.

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Posted in: Taiwan urges Japan to apologize over sex slaves See in context

The issue of a Japanese apology for using sex slaves is a long-running and contentious one.

Got that right. The last time this happened was when Shinzo Abe was PM. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/world/asia/25japan.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

This time where's the atonement and money from the Japanese Government, final episode Sexual Apology XXX.

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Posted in: All tsunami warnings lifted after M7.3 quake hits northeast Japan See in context

Talking about bouncing back, Takeshi Honda just skated to Silent Night at Sendai Winter Park. It was shown live on TV ten minutes ago. The show must go on while there are long lines at the gas stations and some students coming home one hour later due to their safety from aftershocks. We're just resilient up here in Sendai. I don't know.

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Posted in: All tsunami warnings lifted after M7.3 quake hits northeast Japan See in context

All OK in Sendai, but can't use SMS.

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Posted in: 'Wild daro,' 'ishin,' 'Dai sankyoku' voted top buzzwords for 2012 See in context

This wild daro, is it like Wild and Crazy Guys with Steve Martin back in the 70's, but without the denim shorts, short-sleeved denim shirt and barefoot?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPy1D-bsFDE

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Posted in: 9 lawmakers quit DPJ as dissent over election grows See in context

Ah, Ichiro Ozawa, the Gorbachav of Japan. Ozawa has won and lost power, anointed and then written off lots of times. Now we're in Act III scene one and Ozawa wants to really have three major political groups in Japan. Pretty exciting stuff in Japan in the last few years IMHO.

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Posted in: Critics ask if Abe learnt from mistakes when he was PM See in context

Abe has given little cause for optimism since taking over again as head of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Abe has no hope because the ideas are dictacted from Party bosses and they are often more powerful than the prime ministers job. And, if Abe has given little hope than the whole LDP group has no goodness.

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Posted in: Osaka to reintroduce Saturday classes for elementary schools See in context

Going through adolesence, but being labeled a deliquent and a failure sucks. I'm not even a doctor. Every one just chill.

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Posted in: Decision on Oi nuclear plant faultline postponed See in context

In 2003, the Fugen NPP was shut down due to its high costs. That's all they understand. If it impacts their profit than close it down.

You have to always remember. The Japanese power companies don't have a heart.

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Posted in: DOCOMO launches real-time phone translation See in context

It's gonna suck. (google translator: English to Japanese and back to Japanese to English) I'm going to suck it.

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Posted in: Two strong quakes jolt northern Japan See in context

Actually, zichi called this one from another post. He saw pink clouds on Sunday evening. There was total cloud cover in Sendai. We(I) couldn't see the sunset up here.

BTW, small earthquakes are prelude for the "big" one. We're do for one, the Miyagi Oki. The last time was in 1978. It happens every +/- 30 years. Did you know that there are at least six fault lines in Miyagi?

I got my frozen steak ready and Country Ma'am cookies on standby.

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Posted in: Noda brings Tanaka, Jojima into cabinet See in context

This is just like any other newly formed Japanese cabinet that lacks any freshness, any surprises, and it will just raise cabinet approval ratings to about 40% probably. Predictable.

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Posted in: Japanese firms look at other countries as alternatives to China See in context

the timing of the spat with China might just play in Japan's favor

I feel sorry for China. In 2005, it was the sixth largest economy in the world. It's the second now and it has growing pains like corruption, steep price increases, water pollution, tens of thousand mass incidences, or demonstraitons and riots a year. There is no relief in sight anywhere.

So, when China, the land of 1.3 billion people, suffers a sharp economic decrease, it will be severe. There will be high unemployment, social and political unrest, and an exodus of Chinese workers to other countries. Get the heck out while you can. No European Bank, US Federal Reserve, and Japan Central Bank can save it.

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Posted in: Japan executes two death-row inmates See in context

There are checks and balances to ensure justice is administered fairly.

Have a read about Iwao Hakamada. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwao_Hakamada

In Japan, only four death row inmates have won acquittal on retrial since World War II, the last in 1989. One waited 33 years and four months before being exonerated in 1983. I read that from the New York Times dated May 4th, 2008.

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Posted in: Honda develops household gas engine cogeneration unit for use during power outage See in context

Got to pass on this. If they're saying 'power outage' after a big disaster, than it's not practical because your city gas could be off line for five weeks. The electricity was up and running in twenty-four hours up here in Sendai, especially the downtown area. A lot of people have those portable gas stoves. And, lets say, your house is a total mess after a natural disaster. How are you going to lug it around to a safe refuge site? We were all eating alfa rice and bananas for five days in a school gym until we knew it was safe to go back home for the night. And 980 W? You only need to power your cell phone basically. I mean you can live without this power generator. Save your money and wait for a nice dinner when life gets back to normal if there is an extended power situation.

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Posted in: Why the Japanese have no problem asking about your marital status See in context

Why the Japanese have no problem asking about your marital status

Because their marital status was arranged. I kid you not. This older woman asked about my marital status and I answered. But, I asked how was hers. She said married. I asked how did you meet your husband. She said, her boss introduced her to him. Her marriage wasn't about his eyes at first sight, but the introduction from her boss. Personally, I don't think she married for love.

The big picture I see is Japanese people use fusion when they talk in English, but think in Japanese.

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Posted in: Head of Fukushima investigation commission defends report See in context

"This is unique to Japan, a culture that stresses conformity, where people don't complain"

Spoken like a true ignorant. He calls himself a doctor too. People were complaining between 2002 and 2006 to the ex-governor of Fukushima, Eisaku Sato(governor). "This was a disaster waiting to happen".

http://www.japanfocus.org/events/view/79

This was clear willful blindness. Fukushima NPP operators should have known.

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Posted in: TEPCO hopes to restart nuclear plant in Niigata See in context

Naomi Hirose said TEPCO was planning to hire outside experts

Yeah, and these outside experts will become inside stooges because they will be told to conform to TEPCO's way.

Outside experts is only a ploy to restart the NPP. After that, they will be let go for whistle blowing. And, then the bowing from a TEPCO president. Same ole, same ole.

It's the end of the road for NPP's in Japan.

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Posted in: Unwanted toys See in context

Hey, I found Nemo. Also, there appears to be a pizza, planet, truck...

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Posted in: TEPCO hopes to restart nuclear plant in Niigata See in context

TEPCO hopes to restart nuclear plant in Niigata

You hope to restart with your safety record? No way, Hirose. Look at your safety records.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Daiichi_nuclear_disaster#Safety_history

Just makes you sick reading their safety records.

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Posted in: Politics pushes Japan toward fiscal cliff See in context

The Panic of 2012.

But seriously, do people panic? After the 3/11 JEGE up here in Tohoku, everyone stayed calm.

Also, if Japan tanks it has history on its side. Tokugawa era.

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