Posted in: N Korea blasts Obama as 'monkey' in threat over movie See in context
Not unlike the tone of the criticisms leveled by Obama's foes in America, including some of our dear friends on JT!
If you can find a direct quote from somebody on this site calling Obama a "monkey" then go ahead and post it up.
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Posted in: China to list legal places of worship See in context
What is next?
Funny you should ask. Christmas was the target this year in several cities.
http://www.ibtimes.com/china-christmas-ban-university-town-ban-festive-celebrations-amid-concerns-about-1767116
Freedom of religion is a basic tenet of human rights. I find it strange that the left wingers on this site who can't shut up for a moment about things like the rights of the vagina kayak lady, will be crickets about millions of people being prohibited by law from quietly observing their religion. I guess we only need to care about the subset of human rights that leftists think are important.
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Posted in: U.S. delivers second radar defense system to Japan See in context
I wonder how many of the haters of the US on here will rail against this crying, "We don't need it here! Get out!". Once again the US military helping with the defense of Japan.
For once smith I am in total agreement. Right on the front page of the site today is an article about the governor of Okinawa and his 360 000 constituents who think their NIMBY induced rage should direct Japanese self-defense policy.
Countries all over the world want American military tech. Only a very select few countries get the good stuff. Japan needs to be exceedingly grateful for, and protective of, their position as trusted military ally of the USA.
Japan pays far larger than that. Japan is US colony.
Of course they pay. Why wouldn't they? You think the US is Santa Claus giving away the best military tech in the world, and a standing defense force of the best equipped and trained fighters on the planet for free? How much do you think the PRC commies are spending this year to just dream of developing the kind of radar defense systems Japan has simply been able to buy (with money they printed up willy nilly anyway) from a trusted friend?
I agree with a lot of what you post, but sometimes I think you are just unable to see/recognize/admit any of the bad points of Japan.
As a longtime expat resident of Japan I am extremely grateful for American military support for Japan. I wish the sensible people of Japan would start speaking up against the selfish NIMBYs of Okinawa prefecture.
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Posted in: New Okinawan governor snubbed by Abe, Suga See in context
360,820 votes to 261,076
So 360 000 people think their wishes are more important than the overall well-being of the country. Not sure if the best way to describe that is incredibly selfish or incredibly naive.
This base will be built. Mr Onaga will either knuckle under and do what he's told or he will be bypassed in the courts and the position of Okinawa governor will be left even more ceremonial than it already is. If he, or any of his supporters, doubts that perhaps he should go and ask Mr Hatoyama how taking a big stand against national policy on behalf of a handful of disgruntled wingnuts worked out for him.
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Posted in: Chinese NGO wants Japan apology for 1937 massacre See in context
Sorry. No more apologies for you.
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Posted in: It's a charade calling them interns – Japanese employers are just exploiting them as cheap labor. See in context
Oh yeah, cry me a river. I bet for every intern that got to come to Japan there were ten applying. Somebody save the poor exploited trainees.
"Cheap labor"? Uh, that would be the case in the country they escaped to work in Japan. Whatever the trainee salary is in Japan I can bet its a lot more, and the job a lot easier, than what the worker could ever hope to earn in their home country.
Trainee periods don't last forever. But in typical labor lawyer style, this goof is going to set the world right.
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Posted in: Exit polls project big win for LDP See in context
Maybe some of the people forever posting about how much they hate Mr Abe and the LDP, and how "embarrassing it is to live in Japan" will take the opportunity of this massive landslide LDP victory to recognize that they have no idea what the people of Japan want, or what might be good for the people of Japan. Leave the politics to the citizens.
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Posted in: Chinese media claim victory after Japan agreement See in context
“Now that Japan has agreed to sit down with China to talk about crisis management, it is equal to admitting that the disputes over the Diaoyu Islands’ sovereignty have become the new reality,” the Global Times propaganda dispenser said in an editorial.
Sigh. Does anyone see anything in that comment that would indicate goodwill or even decent intentions?
It was nice that the commies managed to include one of their three favorite phrases ("face history squarely") in the joint statement. I'm sure they were relieved.
Cops are out in full force protecting the PRC Embassy tonight.
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Posted in: China calls on Japan to end jet scrambles See in context
And that would accomplish what?
Well for one thing it would remove the opportunity for the communists to do what they are doing right here in this instance. And by that I mean tossing out thinly veiled threats and ultimatums on the eve of the APEC summit - during which they have "promised" to be "good hosts". When PRC is given the right to hold international events its raises their already soaring god-complex to heretofore unseen heights.
Speed is correct in stating that PRC deserves to host nothing. But actually that isn't going near far enough. The real problem is that this belligerent loudmouth has a permanent seat on the UNSC. That's like asking a crook to sit on your Supreme Court. They should be stripped of that position asap. It will never happen of course, but it would be the logical course of action given the constant stream of threatening nationalist rhetoric spewing from the various propaganda organs of the CCP.
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Posted in: Ebola expert says China at risk; seeks Japan aid See in context
More than 8,600 people have entered China’s southern Guangdong province from Ebola-affected areas since August, and there are dozens of flights a month.
Scary. Does anyone believe for a minute that PRC has proper protocols in effect? And further, were an outbreak of Ebola to occur in PRC, does anyone believe that PRC would be forthcoming in sharing that information with the rest of the world?
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Posted in: Recovering crown princess attends 1st imperial banquet in 11 years See in context
Please, use that logic you claim to have and add two plus two.
Two plus two says that a vanker who lives in the US doesn't know much about the IHA or Japan.
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Posted in: Recovering crown princess attends 1st imperial banquet in 11 years See in context
On the other hand, maybe she had some mental health issues in the past that weren't disclosed. Or she could have ended up depressed regardless of her lifestyle.
Oh stop bringing logic and common sense to the bashfest.
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Posted in: Abe's agenda challenged as scandals mount See in context
With regards to international FOREX, the stock market has not changed that much. Just the local share holders got reacher in Japan
J-gov has no control over things like FOREX. That gets manipulated by countries far more powerful than Japan. The Japanese stock market has done extremely well since Mr Abe came to power. Its like night and day. And yeah, "the local share holders got richer in Japan". Isn't that kind of the point? If the stock market had been doing badly you can bet all the LDP haters on this site would be trumpeting that as a factor in Abe's "failure". So why not give him some credit for the solid returns Japanese investors are enjoying?
while Joe Tanaka must pay more for imported goods.
Cry me a river. Japan has gone from one of the most expensive countries in the world to one of the most affordable countries over the last twenty some years. Joe Tanaka should be paying more.
The sales tax increase that the leftist coalition government advocated? It's done very little good to anyone
Yeah, the sales tax that the leftist coalition government was going to squander by handing out money to the poor willy nilly in the form of child credit payments and social welfare. You say the tax increase has done "very little good". How do you know that? Please share with the board the breakdown on how the LDP has put those funds to work. I'm just common folk, so I'm not privy to that sort of information. Face it, the sales tax increase was necessary to bring Japan into line with tax levels in other developed nations.
Who cares about that except a few rich people
Spoken like someone who didn't have the stones to invest in Japan. Anyone, rich or middle class, could have made money on this stock market. Your characterization of the gainers as a "few rich people" is false. Oh well, when you miss the chance, don't expect me to feel sorry for you when you come on JT crying about a "few rich people".
It could just mean less registered unemployed people or more temporary contract workers barely making the minimum wage
Right. Better that they have no job at all and just collect welfare payments from the leftist coalition government. Amirite? Look, the ratio of job postings to applicants is at the most favorable levels I've seen in at least ten years. That's a fact. Why is it so hard for you to acknowledge some progress here?
Window dressing. Nothing more.
Again, you seem to have information that the rest of us don't have. I recall the overwhelming majority of socialists on this site declaring that Abe would never sign the treaty. As soon as he made it a priority and signed it quickly, the chorus turns to "window dressing". Pitiful.
If that's the case he can clearly do no wrong, can he?
Never said that. But at least his stance is better than the grovelling capitulation we saw from goofs like Hatoyama.
Three years of utter incompetence on the part of the DPJ, who richly deserved to lose most of their Diet seats.
Well, at least we agree on that. The LDP is the only party in Japan with the accumulated brain power qualified to run the country. Until a viable alternative appears, we are all better off with the LDP.
The ailments of Japan were brought on not by an acknowledged sloppy DLP, but the very same party Abe presides over - the gob-smackingly incestuous LDP with all it's pockets of vested interests festering over the decades.
Or maybe, the world financial collapse had something to do with it? Ya think?
Look the LDP makes mistakes like any government. But they are the best of what we've got to work with. I hope I never see another DPJ government as long as I live.
.
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Posted in: What’s difficult for Japan is that the alliance with the U.S. is the centerpiece of its security policy. How can Japan maintain this alongside relations with Russia? This is an extremely important pro See in context
And the way Biden said to Abe by phone "I told President Park that you won't go to Yasukuni"
Even in America nobody takes Biden seriously. Its fine for the Japanese to just ignore him. Look, I agree that the Americans should have just kept their mouths shut about Yasukuni, but look at who is in the White House. Obama is a closet socialist who would sell his own mother to PRC if he thought he could get a good price. Considering that, I think the comments about Yasukuni weren't too bad.
What does this mean? Russia does not trust Abe because of the sanction?
Abe made some real headway when he attended the Olympic opening ceremonies while most of the other G7 leaders stayed home to protest about gay rights or something. Putin strikes me as the kind of guy who has a long memory for stuff like that, and no doubt in my mind that Abe gained some respect in the eyes of Russia with that move. I don't know if Putin lost trust in Japan because of the sanctions, but I think its safe to assume that Abe has lost some of the goodwill he had built up with Russia by following along withe the (mostly useless) western sanctions.
What do you mean "US is aware"?
I just mean I think the US is aware that by engaging in sanctions (at America's request no doubt), Japan lost some of its momentum in building a better relationship with Russia. I think Abe gains some points with America as a result. Maybe he even gets to call in a favor in return.
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Posted in: Abe's agenda challenged as scandals mount See in context
Success? What success?
Japan was in a right mess after the leftist coalition government. Abe has provided much needed stability. Instituted necessary increase in sales tax. Stock market is at levels unseen in a decade. Unemployment is at near record lows. He signed the Child Abduction treaty. Built up a decent relationship with Russia. Has opened the door with DPRK regarding the abduction issue. He doesn't take shit off the commies. There have been more than a few successes if you care to notice them.
And he's popular?
Prior to these flimsy "scandals" he had 60%+ approval ratings. Unheard of for a mid-term PM in Japan since the days of Koizumi. So yeah, he's popular. Of course he's not popular with left-leaning gaijin on JT. But I doubt he spends much time worrying about that.
the ldp are the masters of "cheap political gamesmanship" and have used it to full advantage to rule the country for the best part of 6 decades.
Its a fair point. The LDP are just as bad at playing the made up scandal game as anyone else. I don't deny that. Doesn't change the fact that trying to bring criminal charges for passing out paper fans is a shameful waste of the governments time. About as useful as complaining because someone wore a scarf on the floor of the Diet. Anyone judging Abe's administration based on the likes of these types of "scandals" is most likely someone who never liked Abe or the LDP in the first place and is just looking for an excuse to complain about them.
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Posted in: What’s difficult for Japan is that the alliance with the U.S. is the centerpiece of its security policy. How can Japan maintain this alongside relations with Russia? This is an extremely important pro See in context
I thought you'd give me a better one
A better one? I think you under-estimate the damage Hatoyama did to Japan's credibility. I've been in Japan a long time, and that move was the most unbelievable thing I've seen and j-pol do.
but Obama administration started critisizing Yasukuni and other things of Japan, which hurted J people's feelings a lot
Meh. The criticism of Yasukuni was extremely muted. Americans believe in freedom of religion. Compared to Hatoyama's blunders the Yasukuni comments (not made by Obama as far as I know, but rather made in an unsigned State Dept press release) are minor. No reason for Japanese feelings to be hurt.
I thought you'd say about Russia.
My view on Russia isn't very popular. I think Putin is probably one of the smartest leaders in the world. And I think Abe should realize that and try to deal with Putin as much as he can within the context of Japan's relationship to the US. Abe lost a lot of points with Russia when he went along with western sanctions. I think the US is aware of that.
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Posted in: 19-year-old arrested for pushing man off train platform See in context
There is a difference between accidentally bumping your bag and pushing someone onto the tracks
I think you failed to read this part of the story .... "after the train arrived at Futako-tamagawa Station, the two continued their argument on the platform."
So the train was stationary. And the altercation continued on well past the point where the one guy bashed the other with his bag (you seem to have misread and believe that the younger man's bag was bumped when actually it was the older man's bag which was used to bump the younger man).
Pushing the guy onto the tracks is dangerous and foolhardy. Unfortunately I've seen enough entitled middle aged businessmen to know that some of them deserve a good shove. Too bad for him he bumped the wrong person and was too proud to just say sorry.
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Posted in: Abe's agenda challenged as scandals mount See in context
What motivates someone to point out those illegal actions is NOT the cause of the problem.
Oh really? So am I correct in assuming that you believe handing out paper fans and visiting a bar (to the tune of $200) are serious "problems" worthy of consideration? Laughable.
The opposition is grasping at straws. They are in full blown panic mode because they see that Mr Abe is being successful, and that he is popular. So they resort to the kind of cheap political gamesmanship that would be more appropriate in an election campaign for junior high class president.
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Posted in: What’s difficult for Japan is that the alliance with the U.S. is the centerpiece of its security policy. How can Japan maintain this alongside relations with Russia? This is an extremely important pro See in context
Words are cheap.
Yeah, I think we know whose words are the cheapest.
When Chinese fighters made fly-overs of the Senkaku islands the US did nothing.
More falsehoods. Its a shame I can't embed the photo of the two B52s flying right through the commies little make believe air space zone of "control".
The US is fine talking tough, but when it comes to putting US citizens into any sort of danger to defend Japan the tough talk disappears, and the US forces stay well away.
Yeah right. That's what the US is known for worldwide. Talking tough and then failing to back up their words. Honestly, have you been paying attention to history at all?
The Fukushima thing is a total red herring. The USA is not obligated to assist in disasters. That's not covered in Article 5. For all you know they were told to stand down by the Japanese government who believed they had it "all under control".
You're clearly reading some very, very odd newspapers
So far you've posted three things that are easily proven false. And I'm the one reading odd newspapers. Alrighty then.
The US propaganda machine is already laying down the groundwork for the excuses when the US reneges on its security agreement... while ignoring the actual agreement, which REQUIRED Japan to not have a military and to not engage in warfare, and just to pay protection money.
Your talk of "propaganda" and "excuses" is just so much hot air, and reminds me of your opening comment. Hot air is cheap. And that brings me around to your third falsehood (bolded part of your comment above). How you failed to notice that the US is the biggest champion of Japan scrapping their pacifist constitution and calling their army an army, is beyond me. Have a look at this article from Stars and Stripes, or any of the many others a quick google search would turn up.
Japan’s reinterpretation of its pacifist constitution through a cabinet resolution adopted Tuesday drew criticism from Beijing, plaudits from the United States and generally muted support from Asian countries trying to balance their interests with those of the region’s biggest power.
http://www.stripes.com/news/china-blasts-japan-s-new-self-defense-posture-as-others-voice-support-1.291572
How so? Could you show me any evidence for it, hindingout?
Oh, I don't know. How about your former crackpot PM Hatoyama trying to arbitrarily shut down base relocation agreements that had finally been concluded after years of negotiations? The idiot based his campaign on the promise that he would shut down Okinawa bases. And he won. And then actually tried to do it. Made the Japanese look like liars. Is that example good enough for you.
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Posted in: What’s difficult for Japan is that the alliance with the U.S. is the centerpiece of its security policy. How can Japan maintain this alongside relations with Russia? This is an extremely important pro See in context
Again and again the US has been decidedly ambiguous about what it will do if China actually does anything (not that I think this will happen), but the smart money is that if China actually does something then the US reaction will be like Fukushima, they'll pull back and decide it is a "Japanese" problem.
Demonstrably false. Again and again the US has said that they will honor their security agreements with Japan (in spite of the fact that Japan has proved to be a most ungrateful partner). When Obama visited Japan he said clearly and unequivocally ... “Let me reiterate that our treaty commitment to Japan’s security is absolute, and Article 5 covers all territories under Japan’s administration, including the Senkaku islands.”
Please read the odd newspaper before making unfounded and foolish claims. The USA honors her security agreements. Unlike some countries I could mention.
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=122120
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Posted in: Canadian journalist in Japan tests negative for Ebola See in context
I cannot believe how the "developed" world is botching this crisis. Sure hope Japan has the right protocols in place ... but somehow I doubt it.
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Posted in: If you found a large sum of money in a secluded spot, would you keep it or hand it in to the police? See in context
I once found a wallet in the park containing 230000 JPY. No ID. I turned it in at the nearest koban. Never heard a peep about what happened to it.
On the flip side, I once left my bag on the shinkansen. About two minutes later I realized what I'd done and rushed back to the train which was still sitting in Tokyo station being cleaned. No bag. Nothing at the lost and found. So I started going to every exit in Tokyo terminal. Sure enough, some honest person had dropped it off at the exit as they were going out. They never left a name, but I sure wish I could have thanked them and offered some reward.
So yeah, I'd turn the money in.
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Posted in: Obama authorizes Guard, reserve call-up for Ebola fight See in context
Its so sad watching Obama mess up one issue after another. What a tool.
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Posted in: Ben Affleck defends Muslims on U.S. TV talk show See in context
Affleck, well known for his progressive views,
Oh really? And here I thought he was known for being an insipid Hollywood liberal. I guess the editorializing of his views as "progressive" is in no way an attempt to sway the tone of the article.
@ wolfpack
No Affleck, they were not being racist. Since it's okay for Progressives to be anti-religion the only thing he can come up with to support his politically correct views is to throw down the old reliable race card.
Exactly. For all of Ben's supposed "expertise" on the subject he has somehow failed to realize that muslim isn't a race.
'm just amazed that a far Lefty like Maher could see through the PC flak and call it like it is.
Maher didn't used to be as far left as he is now. Losing his show and getting attacked the way he did for his post 9-11 comments I think caused him to dramatically shift to the left. He used to be one of the few true Libertarians with a public voice. Still and all, he's worth listening to because unlike most liberals and socialists he remembers what he said yesterday and attempts to hold positions that are consistent with one another. I may not agree with many things he says but at least the man doesn't pander his principles. I respect that.
Of course not all Muslims support Islamic fascism, but there is a lot of latent support for it and a lot of wealthy Muslims that fund it.
Yes, but the very accurate point Maher and Harris were trying to make (over Ben's outraged wailings) was that even if you use conservative estimates a quarter of the religion falls into the category of fundamentalist. Lets not forget that in North America you are a fundamentalist Christian (by the definition of the left) if you are against abortion, believe the husband is the head of the household and hold that homosexuality is a sin. By those three criteria alone I would venture to say that the number of fundamentalist muslims is far greater than the conservative figures thrown out by Maher and Harris. Hell even a lot of "westernized" muslims support little enclaves of sharia law within the democracies that were kind enough to accept their immigration from whatever hell hole they fled.
If you doubt the fact that Bill Maher was calling it like it is, look to this very thread to find liberals trying to justify the sickening outrages perpetrated by islam using the very examples Harris cited on the program ... thirty year old bombings of an abortion facility and the occasional use of the word "god" by Bush or other US presidents.
Affleck made an ass of himself ... not that anyone was surprised I'm sure. Props to Bill Maher for taking on the stinking leftist rhetoric that pollutes so much of the debate in North America.
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Posted in: 31 climbers found in 'cardiac arrest' on erupting volcano See in context
Ridiculous. That money pays for research, there are no results guaranteed in the research. It's not like we already know there is a way to predict earthquakes, and these guys are simply trying to recreate results, rather they are doing research into something that has never been done before, and for all anyone knows, may not be able to be done. Demanding results because you are paying money is like stomping your feet and demanding the sky be green because you want it to.
Yup. Couldn't agree more. Ridiculous barely scratches the surface. The lengths to which some folks will go to complain is mind boggling. Not to mention irritating.
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Posted in: Sun apologizes for 'ugly' anthem jibe See in context
Surely the team can rise above it and the nation shrug and not go 'mental', as you say, like many posters on here are.
Sure. Japan can, and they did. We both know it would be a far different story if someone dared insult the commies.
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Posted in: Japanese swimmer expelled from Asian Games for stealing camera See in context
All countries have people who will step up to the microphone and wilfully mock their opponents.
People. Sure. Professional athletes are taught better. By the time they reach the level of international competition they are supposed to have learned the basic values of sportsmanship. The fact that the best swimmer in PRC hasn't learned this is troubling. Imagine if an Australian or Canadian swimmer had said something comparable. We would definitely have heard from the appropriate sporting authorities governing swimming in those nations. The apologies would have been profuse. In PRC its crickets.
Not all countries have professional athletes who are thieves.
Oh really? Do you have some stats or other evidence to back up this claim? I recall many stories of athletes stealing stuff. Shall I post some links for you, or can you use Google?
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Posted in: 31 climbers found in 'cardiac arrest' on erupting volcano See in context
Four people were buried by the ash, with one having been dug out, Kyodo News reported.
Uh .... if the other three "buried" people were not "dug out", doesn't that account for four fatalities right there? Sloppy reporting.
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Posted in: Japanese swimmer expelled from Asian Games for stealing camera See in context
Pukey has a good point, though, and I notice a few posts that are rather sheepish in tone than some of those made yesterday in regards to what Sun said and towards China as a whole.
Not really. Pukey had one point only, to trash Japan. As usual. I feel sorry for you if you can't see the difference in behavior here. All countries have thieves. Not all countries have professional athletes who will step up to the microphone and willfully mock their opponents.
Mr Tomita's actions were criminal in nature. I suspect he will pay a lot harder than an average thief would who stole a camera from a bag on the train etc.
And for those saying "Japanese are honest", "Japanese don't do this kind of thing", get a grip please. Just yesterday an acquaintance of mine had his camera bag stolen while we attended the sports day of an acquaintance's child. There are thieves everywhere. If you don't watch your stuff because you think "all Japanese are honest", be prepared to lose your stuff someday.
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Posted in: Sun apologizes for 'ugly' anthem jibe See in context
It's good that Japan plays this cool. If it was the opposite situation then we'd likely see anti-Japan riots in China.
Oh absolutely. The communists would go mental if a Japanese athlete had insulted them or caused them to lose face.
And Sun's words (as represented here) fall laughably short of an apology. The guy is obviously a dickhead.
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Posted in: Japan records best-ever monthly visitor numbers in March
Beggars cannot be choosy, especially when you already begging
Posted in: EU leaders mull tougher sanctions against Iran at a summit as Zelenskyy pleads for more support
Posted in: House Republicans finally announce vote for $61 bil in Ukraine aid
Posted in: 30-year-old man arrested for shoplifting snacks from convenience store