Posted in: 金 chosen as kanji character best representing 2016 See in context
They should have chosen the kanji for "crazy"「狂」because this has been an insane year!
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Posted in: Short and sweet See in context
To paraphrase Andy Warhol, "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 45 seconds."
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Posted in: Nobel judges still can't reach Dylan See in context
Maybe Sacheen Littlefeather can attend the ceremony in proxy for him ala Marlon Brando when he won (and declined) his Academy Award for best actor in 1973.
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: 10 reasons why you need to visit Kochi See in context
You're welcome, Moonraker.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: 10 reasons why you need to visit Kochi See in context
@Joeintokyo; It was referenced at the bottom of the linked article, but here is the direct link to info about the pass:
http://www.world.jal.com/world/en/japan_explorer_pass/lp/
※Note that if you live in Japan this won't work for you because of this restriction:
● "Only individuals residing outside Japan with a return ticket leaving Japan are eligible to purchase Japan Explorer Pass fares."
@Moonraker: JAL has flights to Kochi from Haneda (5 daily flts), Nagoya (2 flts daily only to Komaki, the domestic airport, NOT Chubu Int'l) and Fukuoka (2 daily flts).
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: What do you think of the various foreigners who appear on Japanese TV? Do any of them make you cringe? Are there any whom you think do a good job? See in context
Harvard-educated Patrick Harlan is really the only gaijin talento on TV who doesn't make me cringe. I truly respect him.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2015/09/04/our-lives/patrick-harlan-american-can-make-japanese-giggle/#.V-iRwfl951s
-5 ( +4 / -9 )
Posted in: Japan pro basketball reborn See in context
@sensei258: I had never heard of one either. I did find this online:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20160617/BLOG06/160619889/is-toyotas-alvark-the-worst.-basketball-team-name.-ever%3F
Gave me a good chuckle.
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Posted in: Palace Hotel Tokyo to host ‘Fine Tastes of Singapore’ event See in context
What about Kaya toast? It is also popular in Malaysia, but seems to be more closely associated with Singapore.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Don't eat these foods together and avoid possible intestinal distress See in context
@cleo: Western carrots are certainly orange, but there is a variety of Japanese carrots used in New Year's (osechi) dishes called "Kintoki Ninjin" that are quite red. I only see them around at that time of year and make sure to buy them. It may be all in my head, but they taste different (better) to me.
http://xn--u9jt37isvkg91a8to08j.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/DSC_1097-1.jpg
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: FamilyMart, UNY merge, creating Japan's second-largest convenience store chain See in context
@Reckless: It was most likely "Seicomart", which is Hokkaido-based. http://www.seicomart.co.jp/english/our_history.html
3 ( +3 / -0 )
Posted in: Abe, Koike reconcile over troubled 2020 Games See in context
Doesn't the article in this link:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/ties-between-new-olympic-minister-tokyo-governor-source-of-concern
contradict this very article?
And other sources also point out that Abe's appointment of Ms. Marukawa to the post of Olympics minister as a jab against Ms. Koike. I'm really quite confused about this.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Woman gives birth on flight from Canada to Japan See in context
I saw this first thing on the news this morning and the reporter yelled "Congratulation" to the father. And of course, I immediately yelled back at the TV with "No, it's CONGRATULATIONS!!". Won't they ever learn you hardly EVER use that word without the "S" !?!?
-14 ( +6 / -17 )
Posted in: ANA to buy stake in bankrupt Skymark Airlines See in context
@Yubaru: If ANA were to buy them outright, they'd lost the some or all of the landing slots at Haneda. This way they don't.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Run for the border See in context
@Sensato: Taco Bell has been in Japan before, back in the late '80s. Even El Pollo Loco was here. <>http://articles.latimes.com/1988-07-22/business/fi-7552_1_taco-bell
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Posted in: Kansai International: The airport that’s never lost a passenger’s bag See in context
I don't know about Japan, but in many other countries, baggage handling is done by the airline or one of their contractors, not the airport directly. So I don't think this statistic is all that correct. Then again, statistic are indeed often skewed.
-4 ( +1 / -5 )
Posted in: Phallus Festival See in context
Oh, the crass jokes I could make about this being held on Easter. But I'm not in junior high anymore and will let you all think of them yourselves.
-2 ( +2 / -4 )
Posted in: Actress Ryoko Yonekura reportedly splits from husband of 3 months See in context
@Davie Ikesue: If she gets a divorce, "Dr. X" can be read as "Dr. Batsu". :-)
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Posted in: ANA orders three Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners See in context
@YuriOtani: Fuel is by far the biggest cost for airlines—greater than even airline salaries. The fuel efficiency of an aircraft is of the utmost importance. In addition, not all airports have slots.
2 ( +3 / -1 )
Posted in: ANA orders three Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners See in context
@YuriOtani: A 747 (any model) has 4 engines, a 787 (again, any model) has 2 engines. In addition, the engines of the 787 are MUCH more advanced and even with the fact that the 747 is a much larger plane, the 787 is much lighter because of the composite materials it is constructed from.
1 ( +3 / -2 )
Posted in: Dole develops world's first edible wearable device for Tokyo Marathon See in context
"Are you wearing a banana or are you just happy to see me?"
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Y3.34 bil in lost cash handed in to police in 2014 See in context
I was watching TV with a friend's father here in Tokushima. The program showed an American man whose hobby was to comb the beach with his metal detector to find coins. My friend's father said "Of course he will turn those into the police, right?" I told him that he most likely wouldn't because there would be no way to identify the coins and the police wouldn't want to be bothered with something so trivial. My friend's father then proclaimed that such issues were precisely what was wrong with Americans. I really couldn't quite believe my ears at what he was saying.
1 ( +8 / -7 )
Posted in: Gov't to tighten penalties for dangerous bicycle riding See in context
How about those women with a fear of the sun! I walk 4 km or so a day and I see women on bicycles, scooters and driving cars with a hat, a LONG dark sunvisor and a bandana covering what seems to be everything except their eyes. I guess getting in a bad accident isn't as scary as getting some rays! Sheesh!
2 ( +3 / -1 )
Posted in: No. of flu patients exceeds 2 mil in week to Jan 12 See in context
This year's flu vaccine appears to be only 23% effective (as far as I know, the same vaccine is used around the world.)
<>http://news.yahoo.com/flu-shot-just-23-percent-effective-us-180817997.html
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Haruki Murakami to be online agony uncle See in context
"Agony uncle".....I had to look that one up" (in American English the phrase is "advice columnist.")
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: Disgusting food combinations are big business in Japan See in context
@lucabresi: That's true. It does have the 2nd smallest/lowest population in Japan (the neighboring prefecture to the east, Tottori is the lowest), but AFAIK, it isn't the smallest in any way.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Disgusting food combinations are big business in Japan See in context
”We found this gem in a supermarket in Shimane, Japan’s smallest and most sarcastic prefecture.”
What makes Shimane Japan's most sarcastic prefecture?
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: Ryoko Yonekura's 'Doctor X' garners highest rating this year See in context
This program is utter dreck. A great example of how bad Japanese TV truly is!
-8 ( +7 / -14 )
Posted in: Must be good ramen See in context
I've never been to Tsujita, but they also have 2 locations in LA. Apparently it is quite popular there as well.
<>http://tsujita-la.com/
<>http://tsujita-la.com/annex.html
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Posted in: Japan has six months to merge basketball domestic leagues: FIBA See in context
I think the "bj league" games should be shown on the "BS" channels. You really have to wonder why people don't research the meanings of such things.
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: Catatsu: A ridiculous new item for your pet to wear this winter See in context
@lucrabresi:
キャットコタツ➡キャッタツ / 脚立
-1 ( +1 / -2 )
Posted in: Judge expected to rule in 24 hours in case that aims to sharply curtail Musk's DOGE
Posted in: Judge expected to rule in 24 hours in case that aims to sharply curtail Musk's DOGE
Posted in: Major Japanese firms to log record profits for 4th straight year on rate hikes
Posted in: Israel says it is committed to Trump plan for Gaza displacement