Posted in: Entrepreneur launches support service for international school kids in Japan See in context
It will make parents “lazier” and distance themselves from the reality of their children.
-1 ( +2 / -3 )
Posted in: Do you think restaurant menus should list the calorie content for each item? See in context
They should as well as detailed ingredient information for those with allergies, and not using vague words such as “it may” …
-4 ( +1 / -5 )
Posted in: Do you think democracy is the best form of government? See in context
Definitely democracy is the ideal form of government. However, in many cases a gradual transition period is required. To properly educate the benefits of democracy. To dismantle corruption in bureaucracy, armed forces … as bad habits do not disappear over night.
10 ( +13 / -3 )
Posted in: LDP's No. 2 calls for consensus on selective surname system See in context
In Spain, as in several other countries a full name is composed by three parts. The given names(s), father's surname and mother’s surname. It is a nice way to honour no other families. And given that there are so many “same” full names, I think that it is a solution.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Tokyo governor wants to start study abroad grant system, including monthly activity allowance See in context
Definitely not something that a “local” authority should do with the “local” taxpayer money. They should instead perhaps lower “that” person’s local taxpayers burden upon proof of graduation.
4 ( +6 / -2 )
Posted in: Japan to give $2 mil in aid to California for wildfire relief See in context
I agree with most that it is little money. But I guess that it is a payback for the donations Japan has received in the past from the state of California.
-13 ( +7 / -20 )
Posted in: Are you financially better off than you were this time last year? See in context
Raising costs everywhere.
2 ( +5 / -3 )
Posted in: Gov't approves ¥39 tril economic package See in context
just reduce/exempt the tax on certain products, services and utilities.
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: NHK exec who resigned over Chinese staffer's remarks rehired See in context
WTF
-1 ( +3 / -4 )
Posted in: 10-year-old Japanese boy dies after being stabbed by man in China's Shenzhen See in context
Just too sad. Imagine if a 10 year old Chinese boy was stabbed in Japan. The Japanese embassy in Beijing, consulates in China, perhaps banks and companies would have demonstrations in their door steps. And Chinese would advocate to boycott Japanese products.
1 ( +4 / -3 )
Posted in: Japan agency recommends largest civil servant pay rise in 3 decades See in context
Is it true that their retirement benefits are very good compared to the average?
3 ( +3 / -0 )
Posted in: The labor ministry is expected to soon require unlisted companies, in addition to those that are already listed, to disclose the ratio of women employed in managerial positions. Is this a good idea? See in context
As an idea is good. For example some people who seek employment in the just delisted Lawson will surely want to know. But will the overall environment change soon?
0 ( +5 / -5 )
Posted in: Surge in inbound tourists pushes Japan to explore dual pricing See in context
Insane!
11 ( +12 / -1 )
Posted in: Eva Longoria on mastering Castilian Spanish, working with Carmen Maura on 'Land of Women' See in context
Castilian Spanish, often referred to simply as Castilian, is not a dialect but rather a standard form of the Spanish language. It is the variety of Spanish spoken in the region of Castile in Spain, and it serves as the basis for the standardized Spanish language used in Spain and much of Latin America.
While there are many regional dialects within Spain (such as Andalusian, and others) and different varieties of Spanish spoken throughout the world, Castilian Spanish is considered the standard or normative form of the language, especially in formal contexts, media, and education.
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: Eva Longoria on mastering Castilian Spanish, working with Carmen Maura on 'Land of Women' See in context
Since when is Castilian Spanish a dialect.
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: Do you think that constant use of abbreviations while texting messages or sending email is having an adverse effect on your spelling, grammar and punctuation? See in context
Call me old fashioned. I try not to. But language is a living “matter” that needs to evolve. So I don’t think so. In fact it is good.
0 ( +4 / -4 )
Posted in: IOC gives 14 Russians, 11 Belarusians neutral status for Paris Olympics in first round of decisions See in context
But why?
-5 ( +1 / -6 )
Posted in: In Kyoto and other heavily visited cities, some residents grumble about being priced out of hotel rooms or crowded out of buses and restaurants. Do you think this is a valid complaint? See in context
This trend is international. It is happening in all heavily visited cities around the world.
8 ( +10 / -2 )
Posted in: Do you believe China will try to retake Taiwan by force one day? See in context
I hope not, but surely China will keep on with its claim, and keep on trying.
11 ( +13 / -2 )
Posted in: Premier League in the U.S.? FIFA weighs allowing overseas games See in context
Absolutely NO. There is no way league games such as El Clásico should be played outside Barcelona or Madrid. FIFA should just supervise football, and stop getting involved with individual leagues. Specially club football.
-3 ( +0 / -3 )
Posted in: Do you think there should be permanent host cities for both the summer and winter Olympics? See in context
The whole Olympics should go back to the basics. With events that can be measured by time, length, weight, height and score. Events in which judges give the points/scores should be excluded.
9 ( +9 / -0 )
Posted in: Japanese restaurants in China look for ways around seafood import ban See in context
It doesn’t seem to stop all the Chinese visiting Japan from flocking into sushi restaurants.
18 ( +19 / -1 )
Posted in: Japan eyes cashless tax refunds to stem illicit resale by tourists See in context
A similar system is used in Europe. Shop, get the refund documents at the shop, apply before departing airport personally or online (before check in), and get the refund. It’s simple.
*suspicious travelers may be asked to show the purchases when applying. If you fail to show them, bye bye refund.
1 ( +2 / -1 )
Posted in: Shake hands or bow? How do you usually greet Japanese business acquaintances? See in context
If a hand is extended, I extend mine. If bowed, I bow. It’s not complicated.
4 ( +4 / -0 )
Posted in: Japan to extend $1 mil aid to quake-hit Taiwan See in context
Just 1 million to a country that stands by Japan in every disaster sounds very little.
-2 ( +12 / -14 )
Posted in: Are you for or against the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel? See in context
Nothing will be decided until after the US presidential election.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Japan women's captain criticizes Asian soccer chiefs over venue switch See in context
AFC, UEFA, Comebol, etc, and the biggest of all FIFA, all a disgrace
-1 ( +2 / -3 )
Posted in: Over 15 mil cars recalled worldwide due to Denso fuel pump glitch See in context
Hino, Daihatsu, Denso. Not a good year for Toyota.
0 ( +2 / -2 )
Posted in: Do you see any value in marking the anniversary each year of tragic events such as 9/11, the March 11, 2011 disaster, plane crashes, wartime atrocities and so on? See in context
I see a value to those who care, but do not impose it.
16 ( +17 / -1 )
Posted in: Do you think mega-sports events such as the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup are good for the host country's economy and infrastructure in the long run? See in context
Probably the last major event that the investment made a positive impact was the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
-1 ( +2 / -3 )
Could be worse: the US Constitution was built for 1789.
Posted in: The EU was built for another age – here’s how it must adapt to survive
Posted in: Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products
Do these people look like they are "ending lawfare"?
Posted in: Justice Department's independence threatened as Trump's team asserts power over cases and staff
Posted in: Europe tries to muscle up as U.S. plots mediation to help end Russia's war in Ukraine