carpboy comments

Posted in: Voting begins for 'moe' global warming prevention campaign characters See in context

An 'expert' on TV's Cool Japan once said that the Japanese use mascots to take the edge of issues that are difficult, uncomfortable, strict by nature, or, in this case, an inconvenient truth.

Let's take Moonraker's point by striving to reduce, reuse or recycle current mascots.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Gov't reconsiders plan to change Japan's iconic hot spring symbol after backlash See in context

70 percent of surveyed foreigners said they found it easy to grasp the meaning of the new symbol...

As a starting point... What is the percentage of foreigners that found it easy to grasp the meaning of the OLD symbol ? Revealing this would probably highlight what a waste of time and money this has all been.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Posted in: IOC will not sign off on Tokyo's Y2 tril budget for 2020 Games See in context

No one should be surprised, this is what you get when an 'outsider' looks in on how Japan Inc. usually does business. Tantamount to fraud given Tokyo's initial bid cost estimates.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Panel head says Tokyo 2020 organizers not cooperating to reduce costs See in context

... the projected cost for the original Sea Forest venue on Tokyo Bay soared to nearly 50 billion yen ($480 million), seven times the initial estimate...

Say whatever you want during the bidding to get the games, then reveal the actual costs without any recourse. No accountability whatsoever and all this 'construction' - in the case of rowing and canoeing - just to see who can go from point A to B across water the fastest...

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Posted in: Politician pushing to double price of cigarettes in Japan by start of 2020 Olympics See in context

"... some worried about how certain social norms of the geographically, and at times socially, insular nation will be perceived by the international community... "

I'm all for indoor ban and price increase, but health should be the prime mover in these changes rather than concerns about how Japan may be perceived. With so many goals and targets, 2020 is shaping as a massive year.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Posted in: Man whose wife was killed by stalker sues Zushi City See in context

This case is so sad and wrong in so many ways that it's hard to know where to start... Can't begin to imagine the pain of the husband, family and friends.

"The private detective involved, Hirotoshi Kohama, 61, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison, suspended for five years, in January 2015." ...

But this detective knowingly perpetrates fraud, for a price, which in turn results in murder. He is complicit in her murder, aided and abetted, yet is currently free to walk the streets.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Posted in: Funny finance See in context

How appropriate, Aso's policies are also stuck in the 70's

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Tokyo governor submits resignation effective June 21 See in context

More money wasted on an election... can't his deputy just assume the role of international jet-setting art researcher until the current term expires ?

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Posted in: Law says Masuzoe can't decline Y3.8 mil summer bonus See in context

Despite his earnings, he still took these liberties with excessive expenses...

How about the bonus being kept as a down payment on what he will pay back ? He wants a lawyer to point out where he 'may' have done wrong - his moral compass is non-existent.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Posted in: A-bomb survivors want Obama to meet them, apologize in Hiroshima See in context

Where would this end ? An apology in Nagasaki also ? For those in Tokyo, too, for the fire-bombings ?

He's going as a symbolic gesture in line with his hope for a nuclear weapons-free world, this is enough.

20 ( +22 / -2 )

Posted in: Japan hopes to steer frank G-7 debate on economy, tax evasion: Aso See in context

Let's all hope that the recent quakes in Kumamoto will be deemed 'massive' enough for a delay.

Using Aso's 'logic', if the tax is raised and then a massive quake hits, will it be reversed ? If such an event is good enough reason for a delay, then it should also qualify as a reason for a reversal.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid leader questioned in Diet See in context

international lobbying advice...

Such as... who to bribe and with how much - an 'understanding' gained

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan faces struggle to overcome G-7 rift on yen, fiscal policy See in context

“It’s just a way to say you did something when you did very little,”

Unique hospitality and a perfect mantra for the hosts themselves on so many fronts

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Ghosn certain deal for Mitsubishi is a bargain See in context

"he grabbed at an opportunity as Mitsubishi shares nose-dived"...

Yes, after Nissan themselves brought Mitsubishi's wrongdoing out from under the hoods

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: 2020 Tokyo Olympic chief says payments legitimate consulting fees See in context

Ah, they were 'consulting fees'... Reminds me of those Olympus Games

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Posted in: How France sank Japan's $40 bil Australian submarine dream See in context

This is a great opportunity for Japan to learn about where they sit in many walks of life. While reading it, I was reminded of other examples of Japan's complacency - most prominent of which being the electronics industry and the failure of companies here to counter the rise of Korean competitors.

Or Sony in the last decade - being first-to-market with music players only to be trumped by Apple. The Sony Walkman was a fantastic comercial success, but the late 70's are a long time ago and the rules and players are different.

While on the international sporting stage, I often get the feeling Japan are going to lose a football match when... they score first. Their psyche to get to number 1 or in front is admirable but thereafter, adapting to or reading changes in 'the game' - sporting, industrial or otherwise - leaves them soul-searching.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Posted in: Tourism board wants foreign visitors to avoid 'public flatulence' See in context

Tourism board wants foreign visitors to avoid 'public flatulence' ...

If so, then foreigners should avoid mixing with the locals.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

Posted in: Japan gives up on failed black hole research satellite See in context

"But I hope they’ll learn a lesson and do their best next time"...

I hope the 31 billion yen will be spent on more immediate needs, say, those in Kumamoto and Tohoku, rather than this funding black hole.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Posted in: North Korean submarine missing: reports See in context

" ... watching as the North Korean navy searched for the missing sub... "

As Farmboy notes, the US/South Korea don't know where the sub is = 'missing' from their point of view. As stated, 50 of North Korea's 70 subs 'disappeared' from South Korean radar last August.

Or, the US are, in fact, observing an actual North Korean search for one of their 'rusting diesel submarines'. If this the case, it's a sad state of affairs that those on board may not have the assistance of the international community for rescue.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Police report 9,133 cycling violations since new law went into effect See in context

Does Fukui have a police force ?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Posted in: Olympus' U.S. unit to pay $646 mil for bribing hospitals, doctors See in context

"... our own rigorous Code of Conduct."

Time and time again their conduct has been found wanting. The lack of regulation in Japan has Japan Inc left wanting when operating abroad - too many kibishii laws that actually have some teeth, at least in terms of something that all companies understand, dollars.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: Sharp shares plunge after takeover thrown into question See in context

Glad they are being cautious... Take your time to look under the carpet because we all know how well Olympus and Toshiba cooked the books.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: 5 cultural tips for taking photos in Japan See in context

"Said before clicking the shudder"

Or shudder when reading...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: Getting away with murder: Is Japan's low autopsy rate hiding killers? See in context

Yes

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Posted in: Composer Morricone glad he reconsidered Tarantino's film offer See in context

The Untouchables, too ... what a humble legend

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan tells U.N. it has found no evidence of forced WWII sex slavery See in context

Japan has apologized for something they have destroyed all records of

22 ( +26 / -4 )

Posted in: 10 reasons why Kuroneko Yamato is probably the best delivery service in the world See in context

Great service and friendly staff, just wish management would fit all vehicles with hands-free phone technology.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: 48-year-old man arrested for assaulting high school students See in context

Gray knit cap... I think I've seen that guy. I can't wait to read him say that he wanted to know what it would feel like to hit a high school boy with a shopping basket... Or, that he was drunk.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: Park leads South Korea to 8-0 win over U.S. in Premier12 final See in context

Congratulations Korea. Regarding the behaviour of 3rd placed Japan and broadcasters, I've noticed the kind of petulant attitudes mentioned above at my local J-League soccer stadium. If the home team scores a goal, replays galore on the big screen, and if the visitors score... a blank screen accompanied by deafening silence - save for that visiting penned-in pocket of party poopers. Just saving power for Tohoku, I guess.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Posted in: Tokyo launches design competition for new Olympic logo See in context

What's wrong with using the logo that was used in the bidding process ? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bids_for_the_2020_Summer_Olympics#/media/File%3ATokyo_2020_Olympic_bid_logo.svg

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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