Japan Today

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Posted in: 3 people stabbed near Nagano Station; 1 dead See in context

SeigiToday  08:38 am JST

Japan is still a safe country?

Yes... that's why this incident is headline news on national paper and TV. Because of its rarity.

Apart from the US, tell me which developed country would not have a deadly public knife attack in the national news.

-14 ( +12 / -26 )

Posted in: Japan would be better off without death penalty: Italian activist See in context

HercolobusToday  12:35 pm JST

Tell that to your country. Let Japanese decide their own internal affairs. The word meddling has resonance.

Many of Japan's democratic, labor rights, civil rights, economic policies, laws, and social reforms, such as suffrage (women's right to vote), were the result of pressure and influence from outside Japan.

But I'm sure you already knew that being such an expert on Japan. :)

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

Posted in: 52-year-old man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting teenage girl he met on social media See in context

AlongfortherideToday  04:46 pm JST

If the girl is 18 or 19 as suggested above there is fault on her part for going to the hotel with him in the first place

Help me out here. Are you saying that if a woman goes to a hotel with you, she must then have intercourse with you even if she doesn't want to or changes her mind? In other words, if she says 'no, stop!' you will force yourself on her anyway?

Is that what you're saying? I may be wrong, but I can't interpret it any other way.

-15 ( +4 / -19 )

Posted in: 36-year-old man arrested for allegedly having sex with two minors See in context

Some dudeToday  02:16 pm JST

I can only quote the UK's greatest ever satirist, Chris Morris, who absolutely nailed the media hysteria back in 2001.

"But today, the number of children having sex with adults is beyond belief. If you define a child as anyone under 30, the figure is over 86%"

Makes no sense, and the reference is irrelavant. They are 12 and 13 years old.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Posted in: U.N. body to hold in-person review of Japan's gender policy in October See in context

CephusToday  04:05 pm JST

Point well taken bund, but do you know there are still some nation exercising female genital mutilation and here we are talking about surnames?

Yes, it is a horrible practice that the UN is indeed working on and has made a lot of progress in the past decade or so, it's far less common these days than even 10 years ago.

The UN's focus on gender equality in Japan doesn't mean neglecting other critical issues like FGM though.

Legal reforms like surname change in Japan may seem minor in comparison but they are crucial for challenging deeply ingrained and inhumane gender biases.

The UN's work is not a zero-sum game; progress in one area complements efforts in others.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Posted in: U.N. body to hold in-person review of Japan's gender policy in October See in context

CephusToday  03:44 pm JST

UN should be more involved with these current endless wars from Sudan, Ukraine etc. After all Nippon is a peaceful sovereign State, and they can make or amend their own laws without outside interference.

Ah, well, most countries welcome the input from the UN since they're paying for it as members, after all!!

The UN is a multi-tasker, Cephus. Peacekeeping and gender equality aren't mutually exclusive.

As modern history shows, a little outside perspective never hurt Japan, that's for sure.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Posted in: Man arrested over alleged sexual assault of 12-year-old girl he met on social media See in context

BertieWoosterToday  07:50 am JST

They met on social media. She was on social media to meet someone like this. She went to a hotel with him. To see his stamp collection? Unencumbered by the facts as I am, I would say that blame lies with both.

So, in your world, if a girl/woman goes to a place to have sex with him, she is partly to blame for getting sexually assaulted?!

That's a messed-up way of thinking.

Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and if it's not given, it's assault, plain and simple.

If a girl says 'no' and the guy rapes her anyway - that is a serious crime, even whether she came to have sex with him or not. What is the problem you have with that?

2 ( +38 / -36 )

Posted in: Women fight Tokyo election in male-dominated Japan See in context

WesleyToday  04:27 pm JST

kibousha Today 01:39 pm JST

What has 8-years of "woman" governor brought to Tokyo ? 0.9 birth rate, and decreasing. Does gender matter?

People like to blame either Japanese male politicians or Japanese female politicians for the declining birth rate.

But what if there was another player?

Look up Beate Sirota Gordon.

Beate Sirota Gordon has no direct role in Japan's declining birth rate.

She helped draft Japan's post-World War II constitution, particularly the sections concerning women's rights and equality.

Her work in the 1940s focused on ensuring legal equality for women in Japan, which has had long-lasting effects on Japanese society.

What's your spin?

8 ( +26 / -18 )

Posted in: 23-year-old man gets 18 years in prison for murder of ex-girlfriend in Yokohama See in context

HawkToday  05:48 pm JST

What 'other dangers' could be worse for girls and young women, though?

Than what? Murder? Hate to tell you, but that occurs all over the world. In many areas at a much higher rate than here.

You're saying that you didn't raise your girls here to keep them safe. I'm saying they won't ever be completly safe, they'll simply face the same dangers elsewhere. Some higher risk, some lower but the same dangers. For example, this poor young lady was murdered by her stalker (which also happens elsewhere) but in other countries, the risk for a young woman of being attacked, murdered by a complete stranger is higher.

So, still waiting to hear about this magical, crime free utopia.

Leave the guy alone; he did not claim that there was a crime-free utopia; he said there are safer places for females. Get a grip.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Posted in: Japan ranks 118th in 2024 gender gap report See in context

Geeter MckluskieToday  02:19 pm JST

"Not interested in the broader community of women in Japan"

The "broader community of women in Japan" have the exact same healthcare system from which to receive the exact same exceptional medical care as my family has

Okay, Geeter, I guess they just made up a lot of stuff just to annoy you and some of these other folks here.

Change doesn't happen until the denial stops and acceptance and understanding begin.

Take care and all the best.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Posted in: Japan ranks 118th in 2024 gender gap report See in context

> Geeter MckluskieToday  01:33 pm JST

"Various types of care that are female specific that are not covered by the japanese health insurance. Hard to get access to pills for birth control, or at least used to. many things in regards to child birth are not covered."

What isn't covered "in regards to childbirth. As a father of 5 kids born in Japan...I'd like to know

As a father of 2 with one pregnancy in Japan and both born outside Japan, I'd like to help, but you know it only takes 5 seconds of searching, and it's something you can and should be able to do yourself, especially if there are women in your family. Please also research the risks of sexual assault, stalking, etc.. as that is also a major issue in Japan.

Again these are things you personally or your wife may not have experienced (or maybe there are things she did that you re not aware of), but not all women in Japan are in the same situation in Japan (consider single mothers for example).

Japan's low ranking in world reports concerning pregnancy, maternity care, childbirth, and childcare can be attributed to several factors. While Japan has a high standard of medical care and low infant and maternal mortality rates, certain systemic and cultural issues impact its rankings. Here are some key areas where Japan is often found lacking:

Healthcare System Limitations:

Mental Health Support: There is insufficient support for maternal mental health issues, such as postpartum depression. The stigma surrounding mental health can prevent many women from seeking help.

Regional Disparities: Access to high-quality maternity care can vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Rural regions might have fewer specialized healthcare providers and facilities.

Social Support Networks:

Community Support: There is often a lack of community-based support systems for new parents. Extended family support, which used to be a norm, is decreasing with urbanization and smaller family units.

Information and Resources: There can be a lack of easily accessible information and resources for new parents about pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.

Economic Factors:

Cost of Child Rearing: The high cost of raising children in Japan, including education and extracurricular activities, can deter families from having more children.

Housing: High living costs, particularly in cities, can strain family budgets, making it difficult to afford spacious housing suitable for raising children.

Support Systems for Working Mothers:

Limited Childcare Availability: There is a significant shortage of affordable and high-quality childcare facilities. Many parents face long waiting lists for daycare centers, particularly in urban areas.

Workplace Policies: Although maternity and paternity leave policies exist, the cultural stigma against taking these leaves, especially for men, is strong. This discourages fathers from taking paternity leave and places a heavier burden on mothers.

Long Working Hours: The culture of long working hours and overtime makes it challenging for parents, especially mothers, to balance work and childcare responsibilities.

Gender Inequality:

Traditional Gender Roles: Societal expectations often place the primary responsibility for childcare on women, limiting their career opportunities and personal growth.

Economic Disparities: Women frequently face pay gaps and limited career advancement opportunities, which can affect the financial stability of families.

Policy Implementation:

Inefficiencies in Policy Implementation: Even though policies may exist on paper, their implementation and enforcement can be inconsistent. This includes ensuring that workplaces adhere to maternity leave regulations and providing sufficient public childcare options.

Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive policy reforms, cultural shifts towards more gender equality, and improved support systems for families. This could help Japan improve its rankings in global reports on maternity and childcare.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Posted in: Japan ranks 118th in 2024 gender gap report See in context

Geeter MckluskieToday  01:24 pm JST

"Why are you asking someone on a news thread - if you're interested, go find out!"

I have no interest in coddswollp and piffle other than to call out that pap for what it is

Geeter MckluskieToday  01:29 pm JST

"Do you care enough to do that, though? If you're asking me, probably not."

I have 3 daughters, a wife and a grandmother all of whom have received exceptional medical care including diagnostic care (preventative care...isn't that what Japan supposedly lags in?) in which my grandmother's stomach cancer was diagnosed early and from which she fully recovered. THAT's what I care about...the ACTUAL healthcare in Japan. Not the piffle propogated by these dubious pap pieces

Good for you. Not interested in the broader community of women in Japan, fine.

Scroll on to a different news story.

Ignorance is bliss.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Posted in: Japan ranks 118th in 2024 gender gap report See in context

> Geeter MckluskieToday  10:54 am JST

"While Japan has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, various reports, both within Japan and internationally, note issues with women's care."

What are those issues exactly...that put Japan at 58th in the world?

various dubious reports

Why are you asking someone on a news thread - if you're interested, go find out!

Do you care enough to do that, though? If you're asking me, probably not.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Posted in: Japan ranks 118th in 2024 gender gap report See in context

kohakuebisuToday  09:38 am JST

Geeter got in first, but the stuff about health is a joke. Look at female life expectancy! The highest in the world.

For anyone saying high life expectancy is due to the traditional Japanese diet or genes, Japan was dead last in life expectancy in the G7 as late as 1960. This was due to high incidence of strokes and stomach cancer (see Kurosawa's "Ikiru"), partially from super-high sodium food. Traditional Japan is lots of dirt poor peasants happy to work at a coal mine below Gunkanjima or selling their daughters to a geisha house. Traditional Japan is old people with bent spines from calcium deficiency, a common sight even just twenty years ago. Traditional Japan is emigrating to Brazil and invading Manchuria because you can't feed your population.

Noone who has seen it up close would think Japan has poor "maternal support". Japan has more mental health beds per capita than any country in the world. Anti depressant use is tiny compared to the US. I bet lots of the countries above Japan will have obesity problems. You'd have to be crazy to take the average 50 year old Japanese woman and think "I bet she's a mess of health problems".

If you're uncertain about something, take the time to investigate rather than become frustrated and defensive.

While Japan has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, various reports, both within Japan and internationally, note issues with women's care.

These reports consistently highlight the same concerns.

No one is trying to discredit Japan. Every country has its own problems, and it's important to address these issues rather than avoid or ignore them. This advice is for anyone who feels upset by this report, questions its credibility, or believes it unfairly targets Japan.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

Posted in: Japanese convenience store allows use of initials on name tags to prevent harassment by customers See in context

Seesaw7Today  10:17 am JST

I go to Lawson mostly. Staff are polite and respond to communication. No foreigners staff.

Why is having no foreign staff a good thing?!

-7 ( +22 / -29 )

Posted in: 45% of Japanese living abroad feel lonely: gov't study See in context

theFuToday  08:56 am JST

When I was working in Japan, I felt lonely sometimes too.

This isn't just a Japanese overseas thing. It is a human thing. Heck, might be a dog thing too, IDK.

It happens to everyone who spends time away from family and "home" (assuming they LIKE their family). To me, "home" is specific people, not a specific location.

Not everybody. I lived away from family and friends in my home country for 20 years and never felt lonely once. I sometimes felt alone for a week because I wasn't seeing many people, but it was never a negative feeling.

I think it also depends on whether you like your own company or need others all the time.

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

Posted in: Japanese convenience store allows use of initials on name tags to prevent harassment by customers See in context

borschtToday 

Or, and bear with me here, they (either management or employees) could use Fake Names! I saw a non-Japanese Lawson's clerk with the name クルー and thought it was his katakanized Cool nickname.

クルー = crew

クール = cool

5 ( +14 / -9 )

Posted in: 45% of Japanese living abroad feel lonely: gov't study See in context

My Japanese wife feels lonely sometimes living overseas.

I don't know what loneliness feels like. It's one of the benefits of being an AuDHD.

How can you feel alone if you always have yourself to keep yourself company?

-6 ( +13 / -19 )

Posted in: Japanese chef stabbed to death on street in Vancouver See in context

SpitfireJune 7  04:57 pm JST

RIP, young man.

Didn't know Vancouver was like that.

Is there anywhere in the world that murders do not happen?

I'd like to go there.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Man arrested for allegedly molesting teenage girl on street in Niigata Prefecture See in context

How traumatic for the girl.

Several Japanese women I know experienced similar incidents as children. I fear that the cases reported in the news represent only 1 or 2% of what actually happens, as most girls remain silent out of embarrassment and shame.

To all the mums and dads out there: please, don't let your children go home alone, regardless of what other kids are doing or the common belief that Japan is safe for kids to walk around alone. This belief is dangerous. Children are not safe walking alone anywhere in the world where there are strangers. Is it worth risking lifelong, hidden trauma?

-8 ( +10 / -18 )

Posted in: Japan to build anti-tourist fence at another Mount Fuji viewpoint See in context

Before the tourism boom, negative stereotypes about foreigners and foreign tourists were prevalent. I remember people in the 90s saying that foreigners left rubbish, were loud, and didn't follow the rules.

Many news reports and local reactions reflect these longstanding stereotypes.

In other words, people expect 'bad' behaviour from foreigners and unconsciously look for it, focusing on isolated incidents. The truth is, that most tourists are respectful of local rules and culture.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Posted in: Foreign woman walks into bus at Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble intersection See in context

I don't blame her so much as everyone else waws crossing while a vehicle was going through. So did the bus driver go through a red light??!

Also, 'Foreign' woman? How do they know - she looks Asian. If they know she is not Japanese, why not state their nationality or include the location they came from since it's kind of irrelevant ?!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Shibuya Ward to extend night street alcohol drinking ban all year-round See in context

HawkToday  07:31 pm JST

False equivalency between drinking in a bar and drinking in public - there are big differences.

Bars provide a controlled environment with staff to monitor behavior (i.e. they can stop serving or even remove patrons who are very drunk), while public spaces have no such oversight.

I'm talking about being drunk in public. It doesn't matter where you drank. And yeah, stop serving or remove drunk, obnoxious drinkers and where are they going to go? Onto the streets, of course, where they will be just as anti-social, loud, visible to kids and messy as those who got drunk on cans from the convenience store.

> Open-mindedToday  07:13 pm JST

False equivalency between drinking in a bar and drinking in public - there are big differences.

Bars provide a controlled environment with staff to monitor behavior (i.e. they can stop serving or even remove patrons who are very drunk), while public spaces have no such oversight.

Public drinking can lead to greater disorder, visibility to minors, and enforcement challenges.

You are under the false assumption that will happen. Nothing is stopping anyone from going to a bar behaving respectful and drinking there fill in a bar until they are pi#'$ drunk. Then go outside and act of fool like all the Chu-hi by the conbini, Yamashita park, or hachiko folks!

You are, of course, both right that people can get drunk at a bar and leave and be drunk on the street as if they had gotten drunk on the street.

But when you go to a bar, you stay in the bar to be with other people, party, drink, sing karaoke, and listen to music. What's the point of going to a bar just to go outside and be with people who are not in a party mood like the people in the bar?

I mean, it happens, but at an insignificant level. Besides, just because that can happen doesn't make a public ban less relevant and effective.

The context of where drinking occurs matters for several reasons. Bars and other establishments serving alcohol have mechanisms in place to monitor patrons' behavior and potentially intervene before individuals become excessively drunk. Establishments also have legal responsibilities and liability for the actions of intoxicated patrons, incentivizing them to take proactive measures to manage drunk individuals.

Bars operate within a regulatory framework that sets standards for alcohol service, including training staff to recognize signs of intoxication and refusing service to intoxicated individuals.

The impact of public drunkenness may be more widespread and difficult to manage compared to incidents involving individuals who were drinking in controlled environments. Addressing public drunkenness requires a multifaceted approach that considers prevention, intervention, and community support services.

There are also minors present outside and those who are not drinking and going about their business.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Posted in: Shibuya Ward to extend night street alcohol drinking ban all year-round See in context

HawkToday  04:46 pm JST

Does drinking on the street make you more drunk and belligerent than getting blasted in a bar and then going outside does?

False equivalency between drinking in a bar and drinking in public - there are big differences.

Bars provide a controlled environment with staff to monitor behavior (i.e. they can stop serving or even remove patrons who are very drunk), while public spaces have no such oversight.

Public drinking can lead to greater disorder, visibility to minors, and enforcement challenges.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Posted in: France's historic D-Day beaches threatened by rising sea levels See in context

NBToday  01:13 pm JST

The sea will stop rising and start receding, because the evaporation of the water will outbalance the melting of the ice.

Scientific evidence reveals that melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater are the primary drivers of sea-level rise, which are currently outpacing any increases in evaporation. Projections indicate that global sea levels will continue to rise due to these factors, despite increased evaporation.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Posted in: ¥48 bil in bitcoin cryptocurrency disappears from Japan exchange See in context

I had 6 million yen bitcoin stolen. It's too risky for me, so I bought a BTC ETF instead.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Posted in: Shibuya Ward to extend night street alcohol drinking ban all year-round See in context

Like many nations, just ban public drinking. It's not necessary and servees little to no public good.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Posted in: Climate change, fewer farmers jeopardize Japan food security: report See in context

> proxyToday  08:35 am JST

How exactly does climate change jeopardize Japan food security? There is a global greening, more plant life globally, more photosynthesis; more food.

Although global greening enhances plant growth, it cannot fully mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on food production and resilience.

Climate change jeopardizes Japan's food security by causing heat stress on crops, increasing extreme weather events, and proliferating pests and diseases. Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification disrupt fisheries, while sea level rise and soil degradation affect agricultural productivity. These impacts lead to higher food prices and supply chain disruptions, exacerbating economic and social vulnerabilities.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Posted in: Teacher arrested for kissing a junior high school girl without her consent See in context

sakurasukiToday  10:17 am JST

Teacher arrested for kissing a junior high school girl without her consent

So is it ok if that being done with consent? Since still junior high, parent consent will be needed.

It is quite common in Japan for teachers to have relationships with students.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Posted in: 19-year-old student arrested for assaulting girlfriend See in context

V CampbellToday  09:21 am JST

If he is 19 and still in high school (99.999% of students here graduate at 18), that tells you something already.

What does it tell you? He may have a learning disability such as dyslexia or a developmental disorder such as ADHD.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

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