HokkaidoKuma comments

I don't know much about economics outside of what I learned in high school and a marco economics class in college, but it sounds as if the BOJ is doing all it can do to manipulate the economy to sustain this illusion of growth when really it seems like the majority of the country's export economy rests on two industries: automobiles and electronics (people can only buy so many TVs and cars). I don't think there will ever be a substantial amount of growth in Japan and I believe we'll continue to see these small rise and falls until the economy diversifies itself a bit more.

There is no problem ever too great where the only course of action is to kill yourself, especially at the age of 14. It saddens me to hear such a thing.

My condolences go out to the family of this young man, but what a gutless coward. Instead of facing the consequences, his best strategy to escape punishment was to murder himself? Suicide is never the answer; it just creates more problems.

As a long time Clipper fan, Sterling being banned from the NBA and being forced to sell the team is the greatest thing that has ever happened for this franchise, for the league, and for our country. There is no room in this world for racism. Plain and simple.

There are so many "WTH"s in this story.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

As someone who has worked in the Japanese education system for a while now, I do find myself agreeing with China and Korea that Japan doesn't adequately teach their youth about its militaristic past. That most of the war time history focuses too much on the atomic bombings and glosses over its Militaristic atrocities. "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it."

However, I really don't understand what China and Korea hope to gain by forcing this issue so hard. For all the bad Japan has done in the past, they've also have done well to smooth over ties since WWII. And like the article says, all the constant hectoring only sparks a stronger backlash.

Aside from that, I think there are bigger issues NOW than squabbling over the scars from the past.

Let me get this straight, China randomly impounded a freighter over unpaid bills from two sunken vessels from the 1930s even though they renounced war reparations from some agreement from 1972.

I feel like there has to be something more to this story that we're not hearing cause from this article China sounds insane. And if that is the case, this could set a precedence for any country to go back in time and file a complaint against any other aggressor nation. There is no way international courts would uphold this ruling.

I'm no economist and no nothing about currency manipulation, so maybe someone out there can answer the question: is it better to have a strong currency or one that is roughly equal to other industrialized nations?

Based on Japan's situation, it really seems like it's all a wash. A strong currency limits exports but lowers the cost of imports and a competitive currency is vice versa.

@Mirai Hayashi That only raises more questions. Who is the woman? Why did he feel it was necessary to flee? Had he been drinking or did he simply just lose control?

Just a terrible terrible tragedy. Sounds like more could have been done to save more lives, but hindsight is always 50/50. My love goes out to the families.

@Serrano I think it's one of those unspoken rules that a captain has to go down with the ship or until everyone is safe. However, I'm not sure how dated that is though.

Just give it up already Japan. Let's evolve our thinking people.

Everyone chill out, have a cup of coffee and relax. Is it really that big of a deal, let alone news-worthy, for an individual to attend her own son's entrance ceremony instead of her new students'? She'll be with them for the rest of the school year. And I highly doubt anyone will be permanently scared for the rest of their lives over this.

Oh my gawds, he has an umbrella!

Well that's a slap in the face.

I'm no dating guru but from experience I've noticed that to make yourself more attractive to the opposite sex is try to maintain a balanced lifestyle as best as possible.

Internet and technology are great ways to meet and connect with a wide range of people, but if you're an internet / cell phone fiend, for the love of God please put it down. Likewise, having a good relation with your mother is important, but having a mother complex does nothing for your sexual appeal. And if you're overweight, incorporate a daily walk / jog in your life. Balance is key.

Also, go as many Gokon as possible until you meet someone you really like. They are set up specifically to meet people of the opposite sex. It's genius. That's my advice to men wanting to break out of their "dry spell".

Let the frenzy begin.

Answering questions like a boss.

I wonder, is there something equivalent to a US restraining order in in Japan? I know something of that nature wouldn't solve the stocking/harassment problem, but it'd at least give police enough reason to lock someone up before they stab someone. It's ludicrous that someone asks the police for help 5 times and they still got stabbed.

I bet he DOESN'T have a binder full of women.

Those "loophole" drugs are nasty business. On Vice Japan, there was a special on those things. If I remember correctly, they were plant food and some sort of toxins. Just stay away from that stuff.

If I'm not mistaking, I was under the impression that a lot of Japanese citizens already oppose TPP.

Can't we all just get along?!

NHK is Japan's version of Fox News.

A sad ending to a fantastic actor. RIP.

I think this is a very progressive step in the right direction. Globally, rape cases have been taken far too lightly in recent years especially against national icons. While many will argue about the duration of the sentence being a too light or too heavy, either way, a punishment was dulled out to a rapist and he will have to serve his time. I just hope the young woman receives the support and counseling she needs to move on from this horrible tragedy.

Criminals get to sentence their own punishments now? Ridiculous. Kick this guy out of office and send him straight to jail. He's been corrupt, fraudulent and untruthful. What more do you need?

First off, what really needs to be addressed is the false sense of security that these two women put themselves in. Young women, poorly lit streets, coming home at 1 am. These circumstances just invite trouble.

While "America's violent history", videogames, movies, etc may or may not give youths ideas of criminal acts, I believe it's way too simple to blame it on just that. These are unknown individuals who are committing heinous acts. What's going on in these peoples' lives, how they are raised, who their parents are, how they are treated by their peers, etc are in my opinion way more influential.

Lastly, we can sit around and debate where this is coming from, but no one bothers to think about what actions need to be taken in order to put a stop to this immediately.

Diplomatic immunity FTW! /sarcasm

How are people suppose to make informed decisions without information?