HansNFranz comments

Posted in: Japan warns citizens in China after assaults See in context

It's so ironic of the Japanese posters here to claim that the Chinese supposedly don't understand how their government controls them. Glasshouse and stones come to mind. In my opinion, the Chinese are much more adult and critical of their government than the Japanese ever were.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Posted in: 6 Chinese ships spotted near disputed isles See in context

This whole messy issue, seen from a modern, Western point of view, is simply further proof that the immature Eastern Asian countries (and China and Japan are more culturally linked than the Japanese want you to believe) should never have been allowed to participate in world politics. Japan and China will never be truly democratic countries with mature citizens who are able to think critically and therefore let their ruling classes get away with power plays and filling their own pockets. I'm so glad I never made long-term commitments in Japan.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Posted in: 6 Chinese ships spotted near disputed isles See in context

@Paulinusa, I don't think that's necessarily true in this case. Japan is seen as the "bad guy" in this conflict, mainly due to the reputation of Ishihara who took this issue and ran with it.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Posted in: 6 Chinese ships spotted near disputed isles See in context

What is the official (i.e. not according to either Japanese or Chinese propaganda) status of these islands, anyway? If they are Japanese territory, as Japan claims, then why the need to buy them? You don't need to buy your own territory.

Sorry if this is a childish question, but so far I was unable to find any third party information about this, and as others might have noticed, it is impossible to get non-contradictory information about this from Japanese sources.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Posted in: Fukushima rice goes on sale in Tokyo See in context

Lately, I often see impossibly cheap "Kokusan" products on sale in my local supermarket. Living in Tokyo for a while, you get an idea of the price range of products. Six big tomatoes in my local Supermarket usually never retail under 498 JPY, but just yesterday, they had an offer of a bag of big tomatoes for 298 JPY, presented in paper boxes that said "From Fukushima-Ken", just someone had crossed that out and hand-written "Iwate" instead. It was such an obvious attempt at forgery that I was almost fooled at it. My J-Wife saw the price and grabbed a bag (without reading the label, of course), but I put it back and said I wasn't sure if it came from Fukushima-ken, to which she answered "but don't you want to support them?" Later that day I made the decision that given the options of living in Japan with her or divorce, I'd choose the latter. Luckily, she likes Europe better as well and we're scheduled to go back there in half a year. Fingers crossed.

Oh, and "Pi-Man" (what a stupid moniker) as well - they had a huge pack of 12 for 198 JPY, simply saying "Kokusan". People, if the prices are too good to be true, stay away.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Lifting lid on sexual harassment within police force See in context

I really wonder what that "brutal" work is that the average Japanese Koban supposedly has to do. Unless you're in the homicide / suicide department, the job should be pretty easy and safe. You aren't supposed to touch the Yakuza anyway, so all you need to do is stop people on bikes to check their registration, help out tourists who don't know how to use their smartphone's map application, and stand in front of your station to give passing foreigners the eye a bit. What is it with the Koban never doing anything about traffic violations? In front of my building alone, every day there are dozens of dangerous situations created by car or bike drivers ignoring lights or other rules, under the police's watch. They literally stand there, a few feet from the offence, and just act like nothing happened.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: What Japanese women discreetly check out when on a hunt for a husband See in context

I believe that the women questioned might have said those things, but at the same time I think they weren't voicing the actual criteria they apply, because of social stigma. It is pretty clear that there is still a high percentage of women in Japan who want a man that has a high income, and if possible also a high status job which demands a lot of time. Japanese women expect to raise their kids alone anyway, because that's what they saw their mothers do, so they don't necessarily want a man that chooses his family over his career. There are exceptions to this of course, more than one decade ago, but I do not think a real, fundamental shift has taken place, or will ever take place. Japanese housewives, if they are not "spoiled by Western values" and therefore have no qualms with their husbands being absent and alien to them, have it pretty good. They get to manage their husbands money, keeping him on the short financial leash while splurging on Louis Vuitton and expensive lunch meetings with their lady friends, and apart from raising their kids and doing some housework, they are living a peaceful live of leisure. This might also explain why Japan doesn't see many women motivated to take high profile jobs - they'd give up this life of leisure for a stressful one and at the same time would be seen as "strange" and egotistical.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Posted in: Record radiation levels found in fish caught off Fukushima See in context

Let's face it - the stuff is being sold here as if nothing happened. All this measuring and security theatre is just to make international observers happy, but the Japanese, like so often before in history, have long decided that it can't be helped, that they have to stick together to preserve the "wa", and even if they all get cancer it is better than to question authorities.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Young Japanese women becoming less interested in sex, survey says See in context

Not a surprise given the way they have been treated in this patriarchal society full of insecure men. Only since they are able to compare (through travels, the internet, etc.) they are beginning to understand what lie they have been served for hundreds or thousands of years.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: U.S. beats Japan 2-1 to win gold in women's soccer See in context

It's great to see the true hierarchie in women's soccer reinstated. The World Cup win in Germany two years ago was just a fluke after all, like the Greece men winning EURO 2004.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Posted in: Nationalist dreams of new patriotic party See in context

@kazetsukai Japan was feared for its psychotic take on wars - you can't know what a crazy person is up to, that's what makes them dangerous. But the situation has changed with the introduction of nuclear weapons. If Japan ever decides to "stand united" again and invade any neighbor, it will be erased in less than 2 hours, with zero lives lost on the opposing side. And if Japan decides it wants to go back to dark, nationalist times, because it is too envious on Korea and China competing in the modern world, something that Japan still seems not be able to, then the world wouldn't care much about it. Maybe it would wish Japan good luck and wait until it has destroyed itself. Both scenarios are unlikely and hard to imagine, but they are the only two options the "visions" of the Japanese right-wingers will lead Japan into. It is amusing to see if Japan will give these crazies the attention they crave.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Nationalist dreams of new patriotic party See in context

Does Japan realize China has nukes, and Japan doesn't? Sometimes I have to doubt they do. The USA, heck, nobody will help Japan if it acts like a stubborn child provoking a grown-up, self-confident country. Japan has to grow up.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Posted in: Japanese men turn to parasols to beat the heat See in context

@Lowly

Why do we have to stick with this ridiculous business uniform in the face of muggy summers (never mind climate change)?

Because in Japan, appearance is everything.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Morimoto says Japan may send SDF to disputed islands See in context

I get he feeling that the world (NATO mainly) wouldn't be bothered much even if China takes these islands woth military force. Japan is not very important to the West, as its economy doesn't seem to be ever catch up to China and Korea, and China has long taken the place that Japan had until the 90s. If Japan stays stubborn like a child, then it will be treated like a child. That is, ignored until it changes its behaviour.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Posted in: Boyle criticized for dealing with 'leftist' issues at opening ceremony See in context

That's how we roll in truly free countries like the European ones. I personally loved hearing that Sex Pistols song. Nothing like this would ever happen when China or Japan does the Olympics. That's why I can't wait to go back west.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Morimoto says Japan may send SDF to disputed islands See in context

Maybe it's better for the world if east Asia finally lets some fists fly and resolve their issues. Akin to having to dogs fight it out once.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Posted in: Protests as 12 Osprey aircraft arrive at Iwakuni See in context

@BertieWooster Sorry, but I'm not your brother. I'll let him know you are looking for him when I see him ;-)

Do you honestly think China takes that seriously?

Whether I think so is not important, but China's communication regarding the matter shows that they do.

And, do you honestly think that China would be provoked by a loud mouthed toothless old f*rt like Ishihara?

Again, what I think is not the issue here, but China has repeatedly reacted to him in a provoked manner, so I am simply looking at the facts.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Protests as 12 Osprey aircraft arrive at Iwakuni See in context

I think it is very hypocritical to on the one hand constantly provoke China with childish acts (like Ishihara's lets'-buy-an-island propaganda), and on the other hand protest if the only nation who China still respects in a military sense tries to give you better protection through updated technology.

I would like to see how brave Japan would be without the protection by the US.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: Hashimoto admits cosplay affair with night club hostess in 2006 See in context

Japan's politicians, hard at work of destroying the country

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Posted in: Cool Japan? With new resident system for foreigners, 'Cold Japan' fits better See in context

People complaining about Japan's immigration laws and practices are a bit like people complaining about Apple products being so popular. Nobody is forced to to buy Apple products, and nobody is forced to live in Japan. I am in no way defending the anti-productive and anti-modern mentality towards immigration the Japanese seem to never get over with, quite the contrary - I think Japan is throwing away its only chance to keep up with China and South Korea by making immigration even more unstable and non-transparent. But people should just leave Japan to its own, instead of moaning and bitching about it. It's sad to watch this car wreck itself very slowly, but if that's Japan's choice, there is very little outsiders can - or should - do about it.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Posted in: One dead, 52 injured in 15 prefectures after typhoon cuts across Honshu See in context

@Himajin "Why not use an umbrella?" I don't use umbrellas to the extent the average Japanese person does for many reasons:

Very often, when it's rainy weather in Tokyo, there's also a lot of wind. Struggling with an umbrella which is being battered by wind is extremely stupid in my opinion. I really do not understand why so many people here do it - maybe you can explain this? When there's only a few drops coming down from a largely clear sky with a few clouds, I don't use one. The Japanese seem to fear even getting hit by one single drop of rain, and all use their umbrellas. When there's real rain, I sometimes don't use an umbrella when I just have to go from the mansion to the convenience store next door. Walking 20m in rain doesn't get me all that wet. The Japanese use their umbrella even for just walking 1-2m. In Japan, the rain often comes sideways, getting you wet even with an umbrella. In that case, I think a rain jacket or coat (there even exist fashionable ones) looks like a much better option. When the rain has stopped, and I am carrying an umbrella, I close it immediately. The Japanese like to be on the safe side and often keep their umbrellas up for a good 30 min to 1h after the rain has completely stopped. When it just looks like it might rain, but really doesn't yet, I don't see a need to put up my umbrella. The Japanese on the other hand, do. Most of the time I am carrying a briefcase around, and sometime during the day I will also shop for groceries, so I'll have both hands occupied. No hand free for the umbrella. I don't have time to first go home, get rid of the briefcase, put on my Micky Mouse T-Shirt (hint hint) and go shopping.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Police look for mayo-tossing assailant in Sapporo See in context

That guy's just a mayo nuisance!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: One dead, 52 injured in 15 prefectures after typhoon cuts across Honshu See in context

@billyshears You are definitely on to something there. We should probably eat some iodine tablets tonight, seal off all windows and doors, and pray that there won't be a "direct hit".

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Posted in: One dead, 52 injured in 15 prefectures after typhoon cuts across Honshu See in context

@Cletus In Tokyo Chuo-ku, it's a rainy, windy evening. I'd happily go up on the roof to check things but it's a mansion so I have no keys.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Posted in: One dead, 52 injured in 15 prefectures after typhoon cuts across Honshu See in context

It will be my first Typhoon, yay!

Now, I am not sure what to expect. But I reckon, just like bilderberg-2015 said, it won't live up to the hype. If I just extrapolate from the absolute terrified way Japanese people react to a light, short drizzle, i.e. running for cover struggling to get their umbrellas up while sternly staring down any Gaijin who's rebellious enough to walk without one, and the next morning's TV full of news reports with reporters screaming, running around, pointing at buildings which had gotten a bit wet, I'm not holding my breath.

-1 ( +6 / -8 )

Posted in: U.S. beats Nadeshiko Japan 4-1 See in context

As long as Honda is regarded as a bigger star and better football player in Japan than Shinji Kagawa, I can't take Japan's sports media serious.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: M6.4 strikes 115 kms off Iwate; no tsunami warning issued See in context

How does being a game design lead to expertise in earthquake data analysis. Stop being so gullible, people.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Microsoft unveils Surface tablet to compete with Apple's iPad See in context

The iPad isn't overpriced. Please people, go ahead and buy those Samsung, Nokia, and Microsoft tablets. That I way I can more easily tell if it's worth paying attention to you on the train or airplane.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: Iwate town to put Vietnamese student through medical school in Japan See in context

I wonder if she'll have to treat the same Oyajis who gave her the shita-uchi on the way to work?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Brilliant Asian-Americans face 'bamboo ceiling' in U.S. See in context

Yet, compared to Japan and China, the ceiling for Asians in the "Western world" is much less impenetrable. If anything, Japan and China must open their companies for foreigners first, then we'll see about the West.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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