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hannari comments

Posted in: Rush hour See in context

Trapped: Interesting, now that you mention it, that's definitely many shots of the same train. The doorway that you can see the green ad in has a few characters recurring... Did the artist jump on, ride, jump off, snap pics, jump on.... etc???

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Posted in: Rush hour See in context

The Japanese are a group culture... when in a crowded train, you're not an individual with an elbow in your back... everyone is in it together, you're all in a rush, and you need to get where you need to go... you have to realize that you're also inadvertently being a pain to someone else, so if you want to be there, just endure it like everyone else.

Monkeyz> the person probably thought that it was better to inconvenience you with an elbow, rather than step on your foot and fall over on you when the train moved. Think of it as a different kind of "caring".

On a different note, I love this pic, but isn't it bordering on illegal to publicize all these faces without their consent? That said, I would be very impressed if the artist did get their consent somehow.

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Posted in: Man punches officer for using mobile phone camera at crime scene See in context

Just watched a documentary of the 110-ban call center the other day. The major new thing was the photos that were being sent in by the first police on the scene, allowing the center to assess the nature of the incident, letting them make really quick decisions as to what kind of backup to send next.

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Posted in: What is your favorite movie with a twist ending? See in context

Shawshank Redemption Not so much of a surprise ending, just had to see the movie again after seeing the second half - and saw it all in a completely different light.

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Posted in: Japan balks at $2 billion bill to host U.S. troops See in context

As far as I know, the high and mighty know-what's-best-for-all US troops seem to jump in and meddle with "other peoples' problems" at the bat of an eye-lid. Bases or no bases.

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Posted in: Bosses uptight over newbies' ignorance of phone protocol See in context

How about some real training?? Sure it may seem ridiculous to have to train newbies to answer the phone, but I think the newbies KNOW their phone skills aren't what the company wants of them, and that if they say something stupid, they KNOW that they'll be ridiculed and cause a lot of harm to the company. Make it clear what should be said and how, and then they'll take the calls. Its way too easy in Japan to act as you think is right, and then be reprimanded for being wrong in someone else's eyes. A general common understanding needs to be spelled out, not just "silently shared".

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Posted in: 8-year-old boy dies after being hit by truck outside home in Yokohama See in context

it's really pointless, but while we're at it, a 3-tonne truck is definitely not "MASSIVE".  They're certainly not 'kei' cars, but they're really not all that different from your average 'family car'. I believe you can drive 4 tonne trucks on a regular license. The "MASSIVE" trucks are 10 tonners I would think.

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Posted in: Man arrested after killing mother with wooden sword in Tokyo See in context

scoobydoo: In Japan, I think that where you stand in relation to the rest of society is one of the biggest defining factors of who you are, and is as relevant to ppl watching the news as say age or gender in other cultures.

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Posted in: JR installs anti-suicide lighting on platforms See in context

I was watching a Japanese documentary a while back on blue lights. Was actually pretty interesting. It all came about because a country or city somewhere installed blue street lights, because the blue actually lets you see more details in the dark (I think the white lights made more contrast/shadows?)... and then they noticed a big drop in the crime rates and other negative stuff happening on those streets, and started a psychological study on them - revealing that it also reduces impulsive suicides. I'm sorry I have no references.

In any case, I think being open minded and doing something rather than nothing is a good thing.

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Posted in: Proxy wedding means Marine's Japanese widow, baby unwelcome in U.S. See in context

biglittleman:

First, of all if he wouldn't have went off to fight and later die they >would still be living in Okinawa married. She wouldn't have been in hurry >to get citizenship so soon because he would be still stationed there.

So?? Things change. His physical absence is the very reason why she wants to go, and take her son with her. It is so that he can grow up in an environment with his father in it and influencing his life (indirectly, but as strongly as possible given the situation).

The rest, as Triumvere said.

(ok, now I'll be on my way)

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Posted in: Proxy wedding means Marine's Japanese widow, baby unwelcome in U.S. See in context

biglittleman: oh, sorry... must be getting senile... I'll be on my way then.

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Posted in: Proxy wedding means Marine's Japanese widow, baby unwelcome in U.S. See in context

biglittleman: I'm sorry, I don't understand... so you are saying that because he is no longer "directly in the picture", we should all stay quiet and forget about supporting people who are trying to keep his memory alive? and if anything, think up fictional details that make the current 'unfortunate situation' more acceptable?

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Posted in: Proxy wedding means Marine's Japanese widow, baby unwelcome in U.S. See in context

biglittleman: yes, well saying someone who is very much dear to me is "out of the picture" when I'm trying desperately to make sure he remains in it, especially for my son, is also something I wouldn't feel comfortable with.

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Posted in: Proxy wedding means Marine's Japanese widow, baby unwelcome in U.S. See in context

er, sorry, husband

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Posted in: Proxy wedding means Marine's Japanese widow, baby unwelcome in U.S. See in context

The father is NOT "no longer in the picture". He may be dead, but he remains in the picture as a 'dead father and wife'.

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Posted in: Proxy wedding means Marine's Japanese widow, baby unwelcome in U.S. See in context

biglittelman: this woman is coming from a supposedly first world country. Who in all appearances running from her home country for reasons no one can understand.

What the hey!

"I want our son to know how much his father was loved by so many people," she said. "I realized that it was best to raise him in the environment where his father grew up, so that he would feel his father’s presence and be proud of him."

"My mother, meanwhile, had mixed feelings. She suggested me to raise the baby [on Okinawa] until he finishes elementary school, but I told her that it was important for him to grow up in the same environment as his father, beginning at an early age."

Either you have never been in love, or you have never been in love.

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Posted in: MSDF seaman arrested for rape, theft after breaking into Hyogo brothel See in context

was quoted by police as saying: “The man who did this has already died.”

Um... well in Japanese "itta" can be written 行った "went", 逝った "died" or イッタ "came" (ahem)

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Posted in: Homeless See in context

He's just enjoying hanami - the best excuse to get dirt drunk. (hint - branches)

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Posted in: Sex on the first date: Good idea or not? See in context

iraira: yes, I agree with you there.

Only, the topic is "good idea or not", and I just find that walking around with the thought that sex on the first date is a good idea... is well... a bad idea.

Reproduction may be the whole purpose of living, but lets just say I think the demographics of my part of the world indicate your DNA might die out sooner rather than later if you think being cautious is secondary to 'fun'.

Ok, now I'm sounding like a nun or something, but really, can't there be a general rule out there, to just wait for the second date...? :p

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Posted in: Sex on the first date: Good idea or not? See in context

For better or for wose, no firsthand experience in either...

... but enough bad news and tears on my shoulder to know both are disasters waiting to happen.

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Posted in: Sex on the first date: Good idea or not? See in context

I wont speak for other women, but really... sex before you get to know the person? uh, no thanks. I imagine that's just about as wince-worthy as a child happily getting into the car of a stranger for some candy.

and someone who can't respect that? uh, no thanks again.

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Posted in: Chinese movies on Japan's wartime atrocities clear censors See in context

It is not about how frightening the Japanese were, but how frightening human nature can be.

Yes, I think this is a sentiment that is/was badly needed. Something to move beyond the apologizing/not apologizing... accepting/not accepting business that is so difficult to sort out for many reasons.

It's also a gracious point of view that can only come out of the victim side for it to carry much weight.

I hope this is the kind of attitude that will really open the doors for the two countries.

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Posted in: Digital paper viewer See in context

woah, you're right, that's pretty darn close. Just need a built in scanner... but then again, I suppose I could just use a digi-cam instead!

Thanks kurisutofu for the link (was able to link to https://www.irexshop.com/ ).

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Posted in: Japanese teach Parisiens about street tidiness See in context

omg monseur Atwan... what a character...

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Posted in: 'Samurai Japan' return to heroes' welcome after WBC triumph See in context

I think it's just down right RUDE, to participate in a tournament... ANY tournament, and not take it seriously. Rude to the organizers, rude to the other participants, rude to the fans, rude to yourself...

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Posted in: Digital paper viewer See in context

I would buy this if it had a scanner component to it... and a touch sensitive panel to scribble in some notes.... oh, and half the thickness and weight.

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Posted in: FedEx plane crash See in context

If this were a pic of the inside of the cabin, just after it happened or something, implying the photographer darted across the field and took pics rather than search for survivors, that would be inappropriate. As would be a pic of a private funeral.

Photojournalism as I know it, is supposed to make you think. Sure, having a pic buried in an article is better than no pic, but showing it sepparately also has meaning.

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Posted in: FedEx plane crash See in context

Very informative and absolutely appropriate.

I don't think JT has a rule saying "the pic of the day will be something light and fun and visually appealing"..... or does it? If it does, I'll reconsider.

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Posted in: Jun Hasegawa capitalizes on 'haafu' look See in context

If her dad is not Japanese why is she Hasegawa? This is won thing I really can't appreciate in these kids. My sons have my name. Taking mums name is low - they're doing it for the money.

unscrejects: You presume a lot. I wont go into the various possible ways her father could have the name Hasegawa while not being ethnically Japanese. But one thing I do know, with the existing laws of Japan (at least when I was born), if my Japanese mother married a Canadian and wanted to give her children both nationalities, she would have had to register her children under her name in Japan, as foreign nationals are not counted in Koseki records (not 100% on the details there). So her children would have lived under their father's name overseas, but if they wished to come to Japan and live under a Japanese nationality, they would officially go by their Japanese mother's maden last name. Much more to it than your 'its for the money' accusation.

When I have kids with my Japanese partner in future, I will certainly be educating them that they are not "haafuu" and no-one can call them that!

I think that's an extreme stance that in itself could cause your children a lot of pain. Particularly if they wouldn't have minded the term otherwise.

Also, I think some ppl forget that this is a Japanized word. Many words borrowed from one language and used in another are used with meanings that are quite different from the original. I would never ask someone in Canada "are you half?" simply because they would have no idea what I was talking about. They might guess at what I was trying to say, and they might guess negatively (half-wit? half-height? half-person?). That is understandable. But this is in Japan, where the word is widely used to refer to a certain person with a certain background, and is widely understood as such. The Japanese find it convenient to use and fits their cultral situation. There is no need to use/not use it because of the connotations that it has in another language. Ofcourse, I am NOT saying there is no racism at all in Japan. That is another thing altogether and has nothing to do with whatever name-calling that bullies choose.

whyamiinjapan: great post with first-hand info!

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Posted in: Half and haafu See in context

Sorry if that's the impression I'm giving... I was just trying to get the point across that a lot of people seem to just not get it.... Corey included. Ethnocentrism (wiki has a good explanation) is a crime that people the world over are guilty of. It is less about race, and ethnicity, and more about culture, although the borders are extremely grey. I find that at the root of Japanese thinking is a hate for ethnocentrism. I wont say they aren't guilty of it themselves either. Its just that if some people can get away from crying "racism!!", or saying "japan is medieval", because that is what it looks like from the western definition, we might get just a bit closer to resolving the actual problem of foreign nationals and mixed race people having a hard time communicating with the Japanese people.

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