escape_artist comments

Posted in: Japanese companies running out of excuses not to raise wages See in context

Haven't had a raise -- in fact, only one 10% cut -- in 18 years at the same company [albeit as a "long-term part-timer" to use their official label]. I don't expect this to change just because Abe wants it. Sigh...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Low-carb bentos from FamilyMart See in context

There's more to look at than just carbs. All of FamilyMart's foods are quite high in sodium, however, higher than 7/11 and Lawson, just to name a couple others. (Assuming labels are truthful)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Osaka city to ban human pyramids at school sports days See in context

FWIW... "City" should be capitalized in the text and title. If not, a poor (i.e. potentially not clear) writing style that seems to be trendy in recent years, there could be confusion as to which city in Osaka (Prefecture) is meant. Capping it would make it clear from start.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Japanese music and vocaloid content disappears as YouTube rolls out new paid service See in context

Just wait till TPP and all its even stricter copyright "protections" gets implemented.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Posted in: Docomo successfully conducts 5G trials in actual-use environments See in context

what's the hurry, really?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Janet Jackson collaborators say fans in for a treat on Japan tour See in context

For the inflated prices she & her agents in Japan charge, one would sure hope so.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Posted in: Nissan reports 38% rise in profit See in context

Rather expected, actually, since these are exactly the kinds of folks Abenomics is meant to help, while casting the common (non-corporate) people aside.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Posted in: Nuclear regulator says there will be no repeat of Fukushima under new safety rules See in context

"Have faith and believe"... I think this is what he's basically saying, to have all of us follow their "religion" of nuclear power, and throw common sense aside.

It really is a huge, huge gamble anytime this dangerous technology (in all its forms) is used, such that those eagerly employing it now profit now but really don't care about the future because they'll be long gone when all those coming after them are left with the mess and the hassle of managing it or cleaning it up (even with no accidents, there's the ever-present question of what to do with the waste, which no one has ever resolved).

The fact that nuclear power arose as an afterthought of the US's nuclear weapons program in the 1940s and '50s should also make us pause to reflect, especially now with some in the LDP being more vocal about what many have long known... the LDP's desire to have Japan build it's own nukes. The connection between nuclear power & weapons is intimate, at least using today's antiquated technology. Simply because some might disagree doesn't erase this fact.

Nature doesn't always follow human-made rules like the ones nuclear regulators swear by. Any rules trying to tame this kind of technology, this kind of energy, will always be inadequate.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Toshiba, McDonald's Japan booted from 'good governance' index See in context

Isn't this the same list that recently added TEPCO? If so, this list is a joke.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Grilled salmon-flavored candy See in context

Do these people pushing all these oddball flavors actually taste-test it themselves? Was any taste-test done at all?

huh? "pursue real salmon flavor fearlessly" ??? I really had no idea such a thing was that scary. (eyes rolling) If I want real salmon flavor, I'll just eat real salmon, thank you.

And why eat it with plain ol' rice; plenty of candies made from rice out there. Make it ALL candy! Sheesh.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Docomo launches free Wi-Fi on Mount Fuji See in context

More free wi-fi in areas where most people actually live, work and travel would be nice.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Posted in: Sendai reactor refueled for restart, despite opposition See in context

The public are being shafted time after time after time by Abe and his ilk, and all those who put money above health, safety and common sense. Will another Fukushima-scale disaster be enough to change their minds?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Posted in: Kyushu Electric to start loading fuel rods into Sendai plant on Tuesday See in context

Fools

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan's whaling science under the microscope See in context

The word "science" in the headline should be in quotes. It's been a huge scam from the beginning.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Kumamon to promote films at Cannes See in context

Are they expecting a lot of kids at Cannes this year?

To some, the whole world is like a theme park.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Posted in: Japanese man leaves $100,000 watch behind at Newark airport See in context

Looking at this watch makes me wonder if Apple's new gizmo will work as it should on this owner's wrist...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: University students in Gifu can earn credits while working at Aeon shopping mall See in context

Going to college used to mean something. What exactly are the learning here?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Michelin-star sushi restaurant in Tokyo defends foreigner rules See in context

They should have their stars removed, plain & simple.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Posted in: Maglev train sets world record speed of 603 kms per hour See in context

There are many better uses for the money being spent than this. What's the frickin' hurry, anyway?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Posted in: Woman slashes husband for not washing his hands after using toilet See in context

What's a man to do when so many major train station toilets have no soap? (Bad) Habits can easily extend from work to home and back, not to mention in between them both.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: 5 ways to bug your older Japanese coworkers at a new job See in context

Dancing on a train (on a company function or not) would probably get the oldsters riled up, too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: The evolution of 100-yen shops and how they've changed people's lives See in context

Daiso is the biggest and clearly most popular of several "100-yen" stores in Japan, at least in Kansai. I like Daiso, but also go to whatever's most convenient, like the one connected to Daikoku drug stores. They're a lot smaller than Daiso but often have what I need, and charge no tax, thus truly 100-yen stores, not (currently) 108-yen stores like Daiso.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Southern All Stars singer Kuwata apologizes over concert antics See in context

Abe and all his right-wing goons are all wimps, melting in the face of even mild criticism. I, for one, hope more people start voicing their opinions against him and his wayward policies in any creative way they can.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Yomiuri apologizes for using term 'sex slaves' in English edition See in context

The so-called "proof" full of "facts" of "what really happened" authored by self-described Korea expert Nishioka Tsutomu and linked to by Kazuaki Shimazaki in these comments is flooded with innuendo, personal attacks and twisted perspectives meant solely to guide the reader to the author's nationalistic way of seeing the world, with Japan at the top, naturally. By attempting yet again to somehow legitimize the whitewashing of the historical experiences so many non-Japanese went through, this seems hardly the most trustworthy resource or foundation for an objective argument to really get to the heart of the matter.

Leaving aside the somewhat laughable (and desperate-sounding) name of the organization sponsoring this diatribe, the "Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact", here are the report's ending words. Reading them, I wonder how ANYone who desires the truth can seriously view this report as an unbiased review of what really happened so long ago?

The controversy began with lies. The lies ballooned into fallacies, and ended with a resolution condemning Japan on the point of being passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. All along, the propel ling force was Japan-hating Japanese.

They formed a mammoth global network, steadily accumulated documentary material, and launched a perverted interpretation of international law. These misguided souls continue to attack our beautiful fatherland, their fatherland! Their obsessive anti-Japanese emotions are contrary to everything we stand for.

We must expose the lies they have been spreading during the past 15 years. That is the only way we can defeat them. And we shall prevail, because truth is on our side.

"Yomiuri", as far as reporting the news goes, has long been a euphemism for "gomi-uri", a tool and mouthpiece of the ever-present right-wing government. This ridiculous apology only sullies their name and standing in the eyes of the world even more, even if many in Japan believe that the rest of the world's opinions & concerns don't matter.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Newspaper wars inviting permanent reader alienation See in context

The Yomiuri has been long known by many, mainly English-speaking Westerners, as the Gomiuri for a reason.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Posted in: Lancet imbues new novel with vivid sense of Japan See in context

Now, if they would just print English books in a size that's easy to carry in one hand on trains. (yeah, I know, there're always ebooks, but I like paper too) I saw his book in paperback at the store today but in the popular (why?) larger format. British editions are often in the smaller format (up to a certain page count, of course) but I haven't seen anything on sale in the smaller size yet.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Nishikori carrying weight of history at U.S. Open See in context

The match is scheduled for 11 AM Sat, Sep 6 EDT (in Japan: 13 hours later, or midnight). The final is set for Monday 5 PM EDT (in Japan: Tue, Sep 9 at 06:00).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Evacuation advisory lifted for part of town near Fukushima nuclear plant See in context

I think the authorities -- prefecture and in Tokyo, if not some local ones too -- mainly want to do everything they can to paint over the ongoing problem at Fukushima Daiichi and pretend it never happened... on their watch.

Leaving their cushy government or corporate positions with the public having thought they at least tried to do something (thus saving their and their family's name for posterity), even if what they tried to do was empty of substance, I suspect is most important to them.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Gov't trying to confirm report of Japanese man held in Syria See in context

Thanks, Probie.

Yeah, Toshiko, I was only perusing through his Facebook page, and making light of his interests, nothing more. I have no idea whether Tamogami, the LDP, Sakurai and others he liked were involved in his adventures, and in no way tried to imply that. I notice that I share a number of music & movie interests with him, but it doesn't mean I'm involved with or support his antics. Interestingly, too, the few minutes I was just on his FB page just now, his number of followers jumped up another 10 or 15 people.

His Facebook page, Google+ page, and YouTube channel page all still are up, with lots of videos and photos and more. If it turns out something happened to him other than being released, then who knows how long these pages will remain. I think he's an idiot and rather reckless, but that's his choice, and hope he's OK all the same.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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