dmc27 comments

No tasers in such a supposedly advanced country?

The generals justified the coup by claiming fraud in last November's elections

Emboldened, no doubt, by similar false claims made in America by Trump. Trump must be so jealous that the scam actually worked in Myanmar.

Many of the hotels--charging outrageous prices, making record profits all these years--should have banked more than enough to weather this storm.

So sad how Japan has to now cling to the straws of the Olympics and tourism to help save its economy.

At about ¥350 for 200 grams here in Japan, 450 grams of butter (as pictured) would cost 2.25 x ¥350 = ¥788 or about $7.33.

Even faster trains that even fewer people can afford--just to attempt to one-up China. No thanks.

This will have no effect at the supermarket (just like the TPP--anyone notice any remarkable price reductions?). The only ones to benefit from this are the middlemen, or perhaps third-world countries to which Japan will donate the food (rice, corn) so as not to disrupt the local Japan market.

It must be hard for this guy to keep a straight face given the hypocrisy of Japan's trade policies. Don't worry Japanese farmers: We will keep our import tariffs high. Don't worry Japanese automakers: We will ensure the Americans keep their import tariffs low.

In the meantime, Japanese taxpayers will buy American corn and wheat that will be donated to developing countries.

Prices are just too far out of reach for the overwhelming majority of families.

Another day, another headline about another Japanese company making record profits, with said company investing some of those profits overseas. Meanwhile, salaries in Japan remain stagnant for 30 years.

The TPP took effect a while ago, but in Japan I see no new products from Canada (or other nations), and certainly no price reductions. Imported fruits and beef remain outrageously expensive. In fact, the cheapest place is still Costco. It seems the TPP was nothing more than an agreement to make the importers rich.

Colombo traffic slows to an average speed of less than seven kilometers an hour during peak times, making it one of the slowest in South Asia.

The traffic in my (Japanese) city slows to 10 kmph during peak times. From what I've been told, it has been that way for the last 30 years. I wonder what speed Tokyo slows to during peak times.

Including the word "train" and/or an icon of a train would have been nice. "Platform" is a bit too vague, especially if you're in a hurried/tired daze.

Meanwhile, the rest of the developed world uses credit cards and e-payments.

Sad to hear that Japan has devolved from a country of innovation, to a stagnant economy now grasping at the straws of tourism.

Looks delicious.

The number of commentators here trying to defend this teacher's poor judgement is surprising. According to the article, a fellow Japanese teacher, the Japanese principal, and a good number of Japanese netizens all considered the image to be inappropriate. It's no different from the confederate flag in the US.

Of course everyone knows (including Trump) that the last thing Japan needs is cars. However, Japan can very well lower tariffs in other areas to reduce its current trade deficit with the US. This is Trump's way of reminding Japan of that imbalance.

Why advertise the timing, when most of Japan's protectionist tariffs will be phased down over many years or even decades. In 15 years, the beef tariffs will eventually drop to 9%. Japan does not know the meaning of free trade.

Why are smokers not charged more for national health insurance than non-smokers?

I can't stand second-hand smoke, and believe Japan is way behind the times in terms of banning smoking in public places. But, the problem is with asking smokers to pay more for health insurance opens a dangerous can of worms: Where would one draw the line? How about also charging more to those who drink too much? And, should overweight people pay more? Or perhaps those who are not overweight but are at higher risk due to an unhealthy diet or lack of regular exercise? Maybe those like me who eat mainly a western diet should pay more too?

I suspect the company will go bankrupt. Then, taxpayers will have to foot the bill. Maybe the 10% consumption tax can help pay for the replacements, which can then line the pockets of more construction companies.

But, since they bowed, it's water under the bridge.

Softbank Air is not 5G, it is a 4G technology called AXGP. Verizon is advertising typical speeds of 300 Mbps, with peak speeds near 1 Gbps. With Softbank Air, the most I ever saw was 80 Mbps at 3 AM, and typically 1-3 Mbps during peak times. It all depends on how crowded are the airwaves in your area. A true 5G-for-home offering from Softbank probably won't come for some time.

Looks more like a chicken quesadilla given how thin it is. But, considering just the tortilla costs 80-100 Yen here in Japan, I guess they have to cut corners somewhere.

Why is it so hard for people on Japan Today to understand that this is not summer vacation! ... I would compare it more to a pilgrimage than a vacation. Thus the reason everyone travels at the same time. You can't stagger it or have some people go at different times, the whole idea is it is a chance for family members to get together at least once a year.

So it's similar to Thanksgiving in the U.S. People leave on the weekend before, on the Tuesday before, on the Wednesday before, or on Thanksgiving Day itself. I think that's the kind of staggering to which other posters are referring. It is still more crowded than usual, but not as insane as here in Japan where it seems that everyone in the country leaves on the same day (maybe due to work inflexibility).

Last year I was in Miami; paid in cash almost everywhere, so I guess even the mighty US of A uses it!!!

Of course, if desired, you can still use cash (and even checks) in the U.S. at many places. However, it is frowned upon because it's slow and dated.

40% of the U.S. was not ready for a black president. The Tea Party was driven by the hate for Obama, particularly the thought of him giving money to the poor (assumed racial minorities). The Tea Party--the self-proclaimed "silent majority"--endured for 8 years under Obama. Trump was part of that movement, and to this day, still insists that Obama was born in Kenya.

Fueling the flames of that hatred, and with help from entities like Cambridge Analytica, Trump was elected. His racist base now has a voice. They want to Make America White Again.

Obama ran on a campaign of Hope. Trump ran on a campaign of Hate.

Nope. Maybe I am out of the loop. I mean actual racism, not just drama, hyperbole and the usual Trump twitter nonsense.

Here is a start: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/01/15/opinion/leonhardt-trump-racist.html

Australia has the right to voice it's opposition.

At the same time, the Japanese have the right to eat what they please.

However, if Japan chooses to ignore or subvert the rules of the International Whaling Commission, then they should leave the IWC and stop wasting everyone's time.

Japan has a choice to make on this issue. Either it chooses to be viewed as a rightful member of the international community, or it chooses to be viewed as an isolated island nation. You can't have it both ways.

I often joke with friends that working in Japan is like living on a Borg cube. When you've finished doing your work, you return to your cubicle/capsule to recharge for the next day's work. But, after reading this article, perhaps Japan is worse than a Borg cube. Even the Borg know that a full regeneration cycle is necessary for productivity. Life is work. Work is life. Resistance is futile.

So much for Japan having a real democracy. As smithinjapan said, no better than China, and I will add Russia and NK to that list. LDP members live large while the general population scrapes by.