Posted in: IMF warns of Japan's worsening fiscal deficit under minority gov't See in context
The writer forgot to add: "But if it were to follow the IMF's prescriptions, it would fall into a needless death spiral, as other countries have done after going ahead with the IMF's austerity recommendations."
Japan is a mess economically, but the IMF does not have Japan's interests at heart. The IMF serves the interests of global bankers and the elite in the US and UK mostly.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: What do you think of U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that Nippon Steel invest in U.S. Steel rather than buy it? See in context
Sounds like they came up with a face-saving and politically expedient solution. Good for US Steel and good for the US.
1 ( +4 / -3 )
Posted in: Man arrested for killing pigeon See in context
I was surprised that anyone would be arrested for killing a pigeon, but when I read the details I was relieved that this lunatic has been picked up before doing much worse.
2 ( +7 / -5 )
Posted in: People in Japan scammed out of record ¥126.8 bil on social media in 2024 See in context
Japan was a very safe place and still is but these safe rules are FADING fast as more and more scammers target Japan because it is WIDE OPEN with zero alerts.
This is a global problem, though Japan might be an easier target because it is a very high-trust society. That said, people in low trust societies are also getting scammed. Lonely or desperate people will always be susceptible. All anybody has to do is let their guard down for even a minute, and scammers are getting very sophisticated with the aid of AI. Recently, I have noticed very targeted messages, such as "about your new car (with specific model name)". These are sent out widely, but perhaps one in 1000 of the recipients has just bought that same car, and will not think twice about opening the message or attachment. If 100,000 of these messages are sent, that's 100 people who might fall for it. And a new car many indicate they have money.
5 ( +5 / -0 )
Posted in: Little-known porn 'white post' boxes fading into Japan's lurid past See in context
In my experience though it hasn't been unusual to see porno mags, videos or dvds dumped in the parks, gardens or waterways around big cities along with stolen womens panties.
Stolen women's panties? I can't recall ever seeing discarded panties. Even you commonly find them, how on earth would you know they were stolen? That's a big assumption.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Sinkhole traps car on road in Nagoya; no one injured See in context
Crumbling Japan....Failing piping and infrastructure...
This is unfortunately true, and the Japanese media has picked up on it. The typical symptom of a country that is going broke is aging and failing infrastructure. We are seeing a lot of it now in the US, in some European countries, and here in Japan (especially outside of Tokyo, which gets better care). Parks, playgrounds, public steps, and many things that would cost relatively little to repair are simply roped off and left to decay for years unless they are in a prominent location. Infrastructure is on ongoing expense and drastic changed are needed in Japan to restart the economy improve living standards.
-3 ( +11 / -14 )
Posted in: People in Japan scammed out of record ¥126.8 bil on social media in 2024 See in context
I can help you to avoid falling victim to these scammers. Send me a million yen to the following paypal account...
If you are using Paypal, then you are the one getting scammed.
1 ( +3 / -2 )
Posted in: Little-known porn 'white post' boxes fading into Japan's lurid past See in context
How do these morally upstanding folks get their hands on "obscene books," DVDs, etc in the first place?
Are you asking for a friend?
1 ( +4 / -3 )
Posted in: Emperor, empress to visit Mongolia in early July See in context
Should be welcomed by Genghis Khan or his descendant.
He probably will be. Genghis Khan fathered 100s of not thousands of children during his campaigns. It is estimated that 16 million people living today are descendants of Genghis Khan.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Trump tells Davos elite to invest in U.S. or face tariffs See in context
Threats, coercion, aggression, posturing, bullying....buuuut, the US is a pillar of Democracy and World Peace
The US is always this way - Trump is just open about it. His "civilized" opponents are more discrete in public but even worse behind the scenes.
-1 ( +3 / -4 )
Posted in: How Costco succeeded in Japan: The story behind its 1999 market entry See in context
I went several times to new Costco in Shiga and every time I got frustrated buying especially fruits that are bad. I had to go back and return.
The imported fruits can be hit and miss, but buying fruit anywhere requires a little diligence. The prices on blueberries and cherries are usually unbeatable. But look at them before buying. Cherries that are shiny and smooth looking are good, those with even slight dullness have likely been forced to be fumigated. Avoid buying when prices are especially high, because that usually means a bad harvest - in such conditions demand goes up even for lower quality produce. Conversely, check when prices are very low - it could just mean an abundant harvest, but it could also mean they are trying to move stuff quickly before it rots. For blueberries, check to see whether they look firm. Look at the bottom of the package (usually clear) to see if a lot of berries are smashed or if there is a hint of mold.
Or you could just pay twice the price and let the store do all that for you.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: How Costco succeeded in Japan: The story behind its 1999 market entry See in context
Tesco (they chose a similar name), which is a supermarket from England failed because people prefer the American style supermarket.
Tesco has been around since decades before Costco, and has had some success in Asia. Meanwhile, in Japan, Carrefour has failed and Walmart is divesting and likely to leave. Costco is American style wholesale shop, not a typical American style supermarket. Those are not all that different from supermarkets in Europe.
Simply, Costco provides higher quality goods at the best prices. The 250 yen hot dog and drink sets don't hurt either.
3 ( +3 / -0 )
Posted in: Three men rob couple in their house in Gunma Prefecture See in context
Or just Japanese try want to create false impression as if foreigner who really do that.
Don't know why all the downvotes. This is a possibility that should be considered - not least because it has actually happened before.
2 ( +3 / -1 )
Posted in: Man arrested for attempting to kill father after argument over taking out trash See in context
Also the age difference means that the son is adopted or a stepson
Uh... no. Not everyone ends their sex life before 45.
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: Man arrested for attempting to kill father after argument over taking out trash See in context
I picked up the sword and hit him thinking, 'I'm going to kill you.’”
Too too bright. Sounds like he talked himself into the attempted murder charge.
3 ( +3 / -0 )
Posted in: South Korean investigators arrest impeached President Yoon See in context
This effectively puts another hostile nation right on the door steps, making Japan face Russia, China, North Korea and South Korea.
So you are saying a democracy will join with three dictatorships to oppose other democracies and allies? Dream on.
4 ( +9 / -5 )
Posted in: 24-year-old woman dies after being buried by snow while snowboarding See in context
The resort and users must take full responsibility for this tragedy.
No ski resort anywhere can take responsibility for off-piste activities - as they are, by definition, not skiing on the resort's slopes. A terrible tragedy - I can't imagine how the father must feel.
0 ( +2 / -2 )
Posted in: Adult video actresses face competition from AI-generated 'perfect beauty' See in context
The commonly held view of not so very long ago, both West and East, is that sex is rightly restricted to marriage and is not simply an appetite, a form of recreation.
That has pretty much never been true for men. Not in practice, anyway.
0 ( +2 / -2 )
Posted in: U.S. extends deadline for Nippon Steel to abandon takeover to June 18 See in context
Biden should be held accountable and explain what that alterative may be.
He doesn't care and can't be held accountable. He's like a disgruntled AirBnB tenant who is trying to trash the place as much as he can before checking out.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: What are the biggest challenges faced by some prefectures to attract more tourists? See in context
If anyone in Shimane wins one million yen windfall on the takarakuji lottery, they're not going to spend it on a trip to Tottori, Yamagata, or Saga.
Saga is a good example of what I meant. It gets slagged off a lot, even in Kyushu. But there are several places in Saga that are memorable and well worth visiting (Okawachiyama, Karatsu, Arita, and numerous small villages that offer traditional foods and crafts, and more.). But the locals haven't gotten organized enough to promote them properly and provide the facilities needed.
5 ( +5 / -0 )
Posted in: U.S. extends deadline for Nippon Steel to abandon takeover to June 18 See in context
Whenever I heard of US Steel, I always imagined some stunning and giant steel plant. This picture, though, looks awful. If that's representative of US Steel today, they should consider themselves lucky to have a buyer who is willing and able to invest.
-1 ( +3 / -4 )
Posted in: Man arrested for assaulting wife after she leaves restaurant in Tottori See in context
The "Tottori " identification ...is this important ?
Yeah, that's a weird headline with the "in Tottori" tacked on.
-2 ( +0 / -2 )
Posted in: What are the biggest challenges faced by some prefectures to attract more tourists? See in context
I don't think there is such a thing as a dull prefecture. Everyplace has something to offer, but quite often it's overlooked, even by locals. The locals take some things for granted and assume no tourists wold be interested, and tourists never discover these things because nobody promotes them.
I have seen so many places I thought I was the only person in the world who appreciated suddenly get discovered.
The challenge I have found usually lies with the prefectural tourist bureau people. They are stuck in their own way of thinking and fail to see things from a tourist perspective. Even when this is pointed out, they often fail to act on it. Instead, they promote things they think are great but hold no interest for tourists.
11 ( +11 / -0 )
Posted in: A bill that would require public bathhouses to distinguish between men and women based on their physical characteristics has been drawn up by a conservative group within the Liberal Democratic Party. What are your thoughts on this? See in context
Typical of laws to put all the onus on small business. Simply defend their right to distinguish gender for themselves, so that they are not forced to allow men into the women's changing room. If a few choose to allow anyone anywhere, their customers will let them know if they don't like it.
5 ( +6 / -1 )
Posted in: Across the world, deepfake porn targets women politicians See in context
This wouldn't work in the US. Pelosi, Clinton, Warren... they are all way too old.
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: Raspy-voiced hit machine Rod Stewart turns 80 See in context
Back in the day, he rocked with the best. The Faces put on the best shows - way ahead of the Stones and others. Rod knows how to engage an audience.
2 ( +4 / -2 )
Posted in: Biden blocks Nippon Steel's proposed deal to acquire U.S. Steel See in context
This prevents the inevitable dismantling of USS by NS which would have cannibalized it in many ways: offshoring production to - you guessed it - Japan
You still think the Japan of today is the Japan of 40 years ago? The world has changed significantly.
-1 ( +3 / -4 )
Posted in: Anticipating Trump, Palestinian Authority eager to crush militants See in context
Well it makes sense an ineffective and authoritarian government
It's either ineffective or authoritarian. Pick one - you can't have both.
0 ( +2 / -2 )
Posted in: Nippon Steel promises no cuts to U.S. Steel's output for 10 years See in context
They promise not to asset strip, plunder the worker's pensions, violate their families and children, rob local economies, offshore production and generally not commit an economic war-crime for a decade.
Nippon Steel is a Japanese company, not an American one.
-1 ( +2 / -3 )
Posted in: Driver rams New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing 15; FBI doesn't believe he acted alone See in context
Had mortgage problems, debt problems, undergoing a divorce as well.
Maybe "non Islamist " type reasons drove motivation.
That's who these terror groups like ISIS recruit. Like any cult, they look for someone who is vulnerable and exploit them.
2 ( +5 / -3 )
And now we all can expect, already "expensive" apples to go up even more. Beat me to it bro.
Posted in: Apple harvest threatened after heavy snow blankets Aomori
Posted in: Trump makes first big foray into Ukraine diplomacy, speaking to Putin, Zelenskyy
Posted in: Everton strike late to hold Liverpool in last derby at Goodison Park
Posted in: U.S. frees jailed cybercrime boss after Russia releases teacher Marc Fogel