Gary Kirkpatrick comments

My wife's company briefly flirted with the idea of producing halal and/or kosher products but made no real effort to understand the rigours of application and production. Also, once they realised the cost, they abandoned it. Short sighted to say the least.

Ah, this takes me back to the days when I worked at both Buddhist and later Catholic girls' high schools. The religions were nothing other than cosmetic mind you. (Excuse the attempt at humour.) I remember one young lady at the former school being hauled into the office for coming to school with coloured hair and watching in amazement as a male staffer forced her to bend over a sink while he sprained on black hair colouring. In latter the school, a compromise was met in that it was agreed that the young lady would leave the school permanently, hair intact. More recently, both my bicultural kids had to file paperwork that proved their hair colour was naturally not jet black. I offered to show up and show them why but my wife just gave me the look.

Just another manic Monday and my phone still doesn't work. Have they forgotten those of us living outside of Tokyo and other more populous locals? Voters here don't matter?

Yes, of course. My family doesn't live in a barn. Houses are typically carpeted. I can't imagine the mess if outdoor shoes were worn inside. Not to mention all the pain and suffering that would be inflicted on anyone foolish enough to try. Mom would kick their butts faster than greased lightning.

When I first arrived back in '94 to work for a now defunct Eikaiwa, the talk was that anywhere was better than there. More through connections than anything at first, I moved on to work at several private high schools before landing at a university. I managed to get tenure this year by getting a MSc and working my ass off. Sure the money is much better but there is the constant demand to publish and connect with the community and that can get tiring. As for months off, not sure where those people work but we have events during most breaks to attract new students. Despite all that, I can't complain. My colleagues are very supportive. My students are for the most part interested and focused provided I do my job. You can be happy or unhappy anywhere. I guess it is all about your attitude. Make the best of it or move on.

She should be offered asylum somewhere. I can't imagine the fundamentalist terrorists who are now in charge in Afghanistan will praise her competing in the Olympics.

I have never had any interest in sports of any kind all my life. I go out of my way to avoid them on television. The Olympics have always been a great time to catch up on reading or movies.

Good news. Sensible, if true.

That's all well and good for companies. Those of us working in the education field won't be taking longer holidays. We've got regularly scheduled classes and a yearly schedule to adhere to. Enjoy your extra holidays if you get them.

I cannot fathom why someone would reject something so clearly beneficial to humanity. The bestowing of Darwin awards to these unfortunate individuals seems sadly appropriate. I only wish their children could be protected.

A very sad tragedy, one I remember to this day when I commute to work. Our local train line has enough of a monopoly to not be in competition. I hope that holds.

They are a fundamentalist cultish organization/church that holds very regressive attitudes towards abortion, drugs, alcohol, gambling, and LGBTQ rights. Don't give them your hard earned cash if you are in anyway a modern, open minded type.

We've given up on Xmas cards altogether. Now we just slap a ¥7 stamp our Japanese New Years cards and send them overseas. Most people I know back home are giving up on sending cards. It is only my elderly family who have kept up that tradition.

The really stupid animals are humans because they should know better.

Given the obvious effects of global warming, the Olympic committee needs to rethink the best season/months for the games. Why even use the terms Summer of Winter games?

Candy bars that aren't Kit Kats or Snickers

Bulk licorice

Stick deodorant

Clothes in my size

and headache medicine that works

As much as I hate to say it, it seems rather foolish to live in a dangerous neighbourhood, like Japan does, without the capabilities to properly defend itself.

No surprise. The message to women being you aren’t important and are considered minor members of the royal family. I have a middle digit for you Imperial Household Agency.

Time to start donating money to Greenpeace or any organization that will interfere with their operations. Strictly non-violently, of course.

Xmas in Japan is what you make of it. I have built a life and family here. We do our best to balance the traditions of both Japan and Canada. We have double the fun. We enjoy a secular Xmas and Japanese style New Years. If you want to be miserable, go ahead.

come to light

How many wrongful convictions have come to late recently? Fewer than they'd care to admit. Their gestapo style guilty until proven innocent schtick needs an update.

These jobs do serve a purpose. They keep Japan's unemployment rate at enviable rates. I agree with the previous complainer's shot at over priced religious ceremonies but I don't have any choice in the matter with both great granny and the regular granny calling all those shots. At least they defer some of the costs.

Girls' Generation's SooYoung Choi. She is an all natural beauty. Doesn't need make up or fancy clothes to shine. That and she has loads of talent and charm. Those eyes, cheekbones and smile are killer!

Given that the Christian part was a later add on it really doesn't matter.

All that nonsense about the stereotypically polite people here sends me into fits of laughter everytime I try to board or exit a train during rush hour. Everyone charges on and off completely indifferent to anyone else. And the special reserved seats for pregnant women, the elderly, those with small children and those with physical disabilities are always filled with people who don't fit into any of those categories pretending to be asleep. Commuters here are rude and selfish. That is the norm here.

Attention, please with Aya Ueto. Just to see how the characters are dealing with their company's reduced status. That and her character has an affair with an older foreign pilot - a carnivorous male.