Dochira comments

Murakami Haruki's book non-fiction book "Underground," a compilation of interviews with survivors, gives a good account of how the attack impacted the lives of the victims. Available in Japanese and translation.

If the economy in Niseko is booming, tax revenues should also be up. Perhaps the local government should subsidize the non-tourist businesses which provide essential services for local residents like the home care service run by Mr Mori.

The 'male only' succession law can be interpreted as saying: "women leaders are not fit to represent Japan (because they are women)." And the reverse: "only men are capable, because they are men." Does the law impact on women's human rights? Not directly (unless you count the right to be empress as a fundamental human right); but as a law which perpetuates symbolic inequality, its no surprise that the U.N. women's rights committee CEDAW are leaning on Japan in my view.

@guru mick

well said.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Michiko retired; so why are they still showing up for duty!? Let Naruhito and Masako take over ffs.

While the possession, transfer and cultivation of cannabis and THC were already banned in Japan, the new laws will designate them as narcotics and prohibit their use as well, setting a prison sentence of up to seven years for violation.

Good for you Japan, take a hard stance against weed and all its evils!!

The revised laws also legalize medical products using substances derived from cannabis that have been proven effective and safe.

Um, does this mean that weed has proven medical benefits???

Go figure.

I've been watching this story and have been moved by the role of Hideko (Hakamata), Hakamata's older sister. She is always at his side, and has taken a role as his spokesperson as his mental facilities have diminished, as a result of a stroke, and has vigorously championed his cause. It's great to see this outcome for both of them. Hideko is an amazing woman. I hope she gets some peace now.

A reflection of this trend is evident down here in Numazu, where I've noticed a good deal of the young men are all in love with Anime idols, especially Aquors:

https://love-live.fandom.com/wiki/Aqours

It's a common site to see the boys hanging out together at famous anime locations clutching their favorite character dolls. No women in sight. On one hand, it's good that these Otaku are out of their rooms and engaging with people and getting some sunshine. On the other hand, it's pretty weird that they focus on Anime dolls.

@zaphod Meanwhile, the Great Barrier Reef has been growing for years and keeps doing so, see here:

Thanks for sharing the report prepared by Australia's Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). My reading of it wasn't that the GBR had been growing for years and years.

Certainly, the AIMS reported increases in coral cover but qualified (in the same sentence) that the report data was prepared before the a mass bleaching event and the impact of two tropical cyclones. Also that the coral cover over the past 36 years had "increased or decreased in response to cycles of disturbance and recovery."

The AIMS report was very clear about the recent environmental impacts:

"Above-average water temperatures (i.e. sea-surface temperature anomalies of 1–2.5°C) occurred on the GBR over the austral summer, peaking in March 2024 and resulting in the fifth mass coral bleaching event since 2016."

To me the AIMS report seems more to support the IUCN's assertions, not that 'all is fine."

The impact of foreign tourism would play a role, for sure, but the main reason rice prices were higher this year was because of the rice hoarding by Japanese households after the earthquake scare in August. In many parts of Japan (not all) there was no rice on supermarket shelves for 3 weeks or more. I suspect demand for rice remains high as households continue to buy above normal levels as part of their earthquake preparations.

One wonders why the situation is not addressed by Monbusho or higher up.

@Zaphod. This endless screaming about "genocide" is so tiring. If everything is a "genocide", then nothing is.

For many Australians, the idea that the 'Whitefella' committed "genocide" against the Aboriginals is confronting; and for some, maybe hysterical -- a 'woke' over-reaction; which is where I understand you are coming from.

But evidence is emerging that supports a rethinking. Academics have created an ongoing 'genocide map' that documents known massacre sites around Australia. I recommend you at least take a look at the new evidence that is emerging.

*https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-16/aboriginal-people-genocidal-killings-massacre-map-nt-wa/100913106

**https://australian.museum/learn/first-nations/unsettled/remembering-massacres/map-of-colonial-frontier-massacres/

***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_of_Indigenous_Australians

Its a hard sell to blame the "European settlement" several hundreds of years ago for the low illiteracy, high criminality, spousal and child abuse and alcoholism rates in 2024.

To whom would you assign the blame?

The modern day problems of the Aboriginals that you refer are a direct result of the displacement of aboriginal communities and the disintegration of the communities and way of life which resulted from the "European settlement".

The displacement can be neatly dated from Jan 26th 1788 when the British arrived in Sydney Cove. Displacement by the way is a generous term, Genocide committed by white settlers seeking in expansion mode, is now becoming accepted as a historical reality, as mass grave sites of Aboriginals massacred emerge around Australia. (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ng-interactive/2019/mar/04/massacre-map-australia-the-killing-times-frontier-wars).*

Do you disagree that such a violent disruption to Aboriginal communities and lifestyle could contribute in the long term to disintegration of community and identity that would cause the social ills such that you mention?

Australia has attempted to address the displacement through initiatives to assimilate Aboriginals -- taking black children from their families and placing them in institutional care (The Stolen Generation*) is one example-- but many of these initiatives ultimately compounded the problem because they were rooted in paternalistic, but ultimately racist thinking.

(https://australianstogether.org.au/discover-and-learn/our-history/stolen-generations)

It may have been "several hundred years ago" but the start of European settlement is at the core of modern day problems of the Aboriginals.

I thought he did a wonderful job. Great rep for Germany. Great rep for the Olympics.

Interested in whether there was fraudulent intent, or just laziness -- not clear from this article.

The main photo is Niseko? (looks like Jozankei)

It's a sick, selfish and dangerous crime for which he deserves to go to jail.

On the topic of the length of the sentence, I knew a criminal lawyer who said:

“You would have no difficulty accepting that a prison sentence of five years is terrible punishment. A prison sentence of 10 years is not the death penalty, but it is getting close. Let me assure you that there is nothing left of a man after 10 years in prison.”

I realized there is a gap between MY perception of the severity of a 10 year sentence and the actual effects on the prisoner.

(How well do you remember 2005's “A Bigger Bang”?)

Remember it well. Just off the top of my head some of the songs I love from that album: "Rough Justice"; "She Saw me Coming"; "Let Me Down Real Slow"; "Oh No Not You Again"; "Streets of Love..."

Also loved the solo track they released in the interim: "Doom and Gloom."

"Blue and Lonesome" was the only recent album that didn't grab my attention.

The first track released off the new album "Don't get Angry" was a lot of fun.

Look forward to the rest of the album "Hackney Diamonds." RIP CHARLIE.

Most Japanese don't want marijuana in their country. They don't want it as part of their culture. So, respect it. Isn't that what the "progressives" always tell us? To respect all cultures?

Quo Primum: I think you are right that Japanese people generally don't want it in their society -- indeed, they are obviously getting along fine without it. But a lot of that has to do with the over-the-top scapegoating and demonization by the police. Given that it is less harmful physically than alcohol, and that it has a swag of benefits as well if used mindfully, I think Japan is wrong to crack down so hard on it. I think its the police who are ruining these young people's lives, not the weed.

What if it turns out that it isn't safe and cases of contamination show up. What then? Is there are Plan B?

Wow. I'm amazed at the level of cynicism this small piece of good news has generated.

Leave Japan Thursday; depart Britain Sunday. Pretty tough schedule!?

To me, "wokeness" refers to an elevated level of sensitivity to social issues especially related to race and gender issues. "Wokes" believe they are morally right on these issues which entitles them to "call out" behavior which departs from their stance.

Might be too late!? Mask wearing seems to be ingrained as "appropriate behavior" now for ALL Japanese, indoors and out. I get the sense they will never take them off. Hope I'm wrong...

Hopefully their accounts will be more than just more polo necks and blazers, hand holding and pinafore frocks under cherry blossoms.

Evidence of the tortured debates going on behind the scenes as Japan tries to move forward and open up borders. I would imagine they will put these sorts of rules in place to appease the cautious, mask-dependent public. Its all really nonsense, and i suspect they are fully aware of that, but they need to be able to point to concrete measures that they are taking to show they are taking the virus seriously.

Sorry that Obama coudn't make it - whassup with that Barry!?

But Hagerty an excellent representative for the States. Welcome back Ambassador!

Apart from the shock of this unavoidable tragedy, my thoughts were of the responsibility that people in everyday jobs have to protect lives in their roles. A simple letup in protocol can have devastating consequences.

Obviously eyeing the top job.

I'm good with the funeral for Abe. There were aspects of his leadership that I didn't agree with, but he stuck to his beliefs and worked hard to see them realized. He represented a stable and confident Japan and rarely put a foot wrong (no one's perfect). He almost worked himself to death following the outbreak of Corona. His respect on the world stage is impressive for a Japanese prime minister. And finally gave his life for his country because of some deranged idiot whose beef was actually with the Unification church. Rest in peace I say. Obama's presence is a reflection of the importance of his leadership.