kazetsukai comments

I am not certain if those who participate say are Americans here in our hopefully dialog really are American and do really care about America and what it stands for and have stood for, making our current stay in our host country a positive one. Trump is but one President that inherited as do all Presidents and leaders of the world, an already divided and divisive nation with very powerful enemies (literally) from all over including those so called citizens within the USA, that are "destructive" of and to the USA. USA was founded to be a "united" and "peaceful" nation which allowed liberty and freedom with equal opportunity to be able to enjoy life for and with mutual benefit as a people of one nation.

The issues here in the news are not just about Trump or the Republicans and the Democrats, but the very fabric of American and World history as well as the "WISDOM" and NOT "idealism" of human experience to date. It is with understanding the dichotomy, the dualism, the existence of the positive and minus that allows us to continue to improve in all areas. There is a plus and minus, good and bad, and do what is right and wrong, useful and destructive in all of us because we do not share the same history, culture, situation, condition, environment and experience. Our discussions here "reflect" exactly that.

In Japan as with many countries in Europe and throughout Asia, the past exists with the present in many forms. From Temples, churches graves, building, and monuments which also includes statues and busts of those that helped to shape our world are reminders of that dichotomy and dualism. Anthropologists discover artifacts of the past which gives us a perspective of how we came to be. We are the result of millions of generations past and we did not create ourselves as we are today. It is by understanding the positive and negatives which have shaped our lives that have and will make us (that is with the right attitude) better humans.

Hopefully those that inherit our history do not have to dig up what we have destroyed to understand the nature of our society and existence today only as a destructive one. Wars are destructive and painful but they have taught us the values and ways we have today. Science and technology made it easier for humans but also have destroyed a major portion of nature's life balance primarily by pollution and physical destruction.

In this case it is not the right to express an opinion as much as how it is done. And willful destruction of anything that was held as being valuable and meaningful while harming the safety, security and health of others. This is happening while the entire society is already suffering from another man cause illness that resulted in this pandemic. That is definitely not meaningful and not useful any cause or purpose.

How one views that is a matter of perspective.

The very effort by an "open" public medium to "decide" what can and cannot be posted based upon one particular philosophy or value judged by the biases and preferences and threats of a group or organization or even an institution makes it a "closed" and non-public but a "private" medium. The very fact that Facebook even asks its advertisers to "consider" such a move by itself makes it a profit oriented non-public business. If it takes "sides" politically then it is a political publication and not a public medium of communication.

Sadly because it is using the internet and have access to all personal and public information that even the government does not have to get and "control" all communication and information that flows through its system without oversight.

It is true that after British "colonial" rule, HK is a "part" of China now. However, because of not only the difference cultures but in the very socia-political system and the people themselves, it was recognized by everyone that it required a system that allowed the differences to exist.

The entire system in China however is NOT "permissive", as it is dictatorial and restrictive. HK is contrary to the objectives and control of a country. It is extremely difficult to maintain "stability" in any country when there are conflicting systems which cannot be controlled by what laws, policies and procedures the central government requires for the rest of the country. China is not set up as with the US with independent and semi-autonomous States.

The international community, especially the British and the US had hoped as they did with WHO that China would "change" for what the Western nations thought as "better". So it was with Russia after the demise of USSR. This just proved that "hopeful" actions really are totally unpredictable and unenforceable. None is obligated or willing to follow a set of standards and values that is not already being practiced or believed in.

The situation and problem here for their action appears to be not in having yes men but to prevent dissension because of "opinions" of so called experts who themselves are not certain and who do not have public policy depth to be "suggesting" directly to the public what is correct and not correct or right and wrong ideas to have and policies to be implemented. Their scope is their expertise to give facts, analysis and advice to those that have a bigger and larger responsibility and perspective in government, and not on what the public needs or should do based upon only one aspect of what the entire society and country needs and must address without the knowledge and wisdom of the entire picture. When they over step their bounds by dictating public policies by their opinions and not for which they were assigned, those that hired would have the right to remove them. They were organized to give needed advice which was limited to their expertise with their responsibility to and for those who requested such information and not to dictate public policies through their opinions.

One forgets that science and scientists both are a "double edged sword" at best.

One also must remember that science is still an attempt to find facts about reality and any result is often what is called a theory and is not the total and absolute fact and truth. That is because much of what we call facts are changing constantly.

But most important ,science is process to get a specific answer to one problem at a time and not all emcompassing. No single result is an answer applicable to all situations, circumstances and conditions in all environments. In this case there may be factual data and results but the interpretation and application of that data is a totally different matter. (So it was with nuclear power for energy and for destruction.)

That depends on the perspective and the atitude of each person who wants to believe or not believe, to use or not to use that inromation and to act or not to act for himself and for others. Ultimately behavior is independent and determined by each individual.

Each group or society "depends" upon the "reliability" of the members within to "behave" in what that society finds "wanting" and therefore "acceptable. In today's muticultural multisocial international environment, it is difficult to have only one standard of "behavior". Therefore, however, each society is required to and forced to find its own answers to promoting a desired behavior of its members and those who have joined that society from without.

t is about time.

Science is a process of getting an answer to specific problems with proper procedures and methods, etc. which gives a specific result for evaluation and determine its reliability and applicability, but still specific to that original problem. Here, all appear to think that the "spreading" of the disease will increase the "possibility" of people becoming infected and hospitalized, which if too many, the system will not be able to handle and more deaths will result from the virus.

That brings one to think that scientifically one needs to keep tabs on the spreading by testing as many of the population as possible and by that method keep track of the "spread" through contact analysis and "possible" routes of the "spread" because infections occur by close "contact" with those infected. Which all makes sense.

But that is still only one aspect of the pandemic. And it is still based upon one scientific "theory" not from actual testing but "assumptions" based upon still limited data which continues change because the data gathered is not within a "controllable" testing environment, it continues to "increase" with more testing'. That makes the results still an "assumption".

That is because 90% of the test results are "dependent" upon the "behavior" of people.

And the spread of the disease itself is 100% dependent upon the behavior of millions of people.

Much of the problem has been in land use for residential, roads and industrial use by clearing out and changing much of what has kept the hills and mountains "intact" in the past even during rains and earthquakes. The other of course has much to do with earthquakes that change the very foundation of much of Japan. But is one looks at the land, those land slides occur in areas that are sandy or covered with much ash from volcanic action and deep soil from past vegetation. It may be a good idea if one were not to use such land without first making sure that landslides do not occur.

Much too many so called "accidents" with children which point a finger at the Japanese building codes, laws and ordinances relating to apartments and condominiums. There may be need to use much stricter requirments as they do for lodging and business facilities, with compliance to fire and safety requirements if that is not already in force.

Otherwise, it behooves all condos and apartments to review and require their owners and tenants to use safety and security measures within, such as not placing furniture close to and next to unsecured or unstable windows and balconies or installing "barriers" to prevent such accidents.

Having worked with and known many migrant workers here in Japan, I can certainly understand the problem. Much of what goes on is not reported and very few are being "monitored" as the system "relies" on "reports" and not on regular and systemic "inspections" and "reviews". However, the problem appears not to be due to Japanese owned and run firms as much as those run by foreigners that run their companies often designated as "branch" operation of a company in their own country, bringing or hiring their own personnel from local foreign worker pools both legal and illegal established just for such businesses.

It will be interesting if Japan will run a thorough investigation into all foreign operations and workers.

Interesting move which will undoubtedly cause other SE Asian nations to also reconsider their future plans with China and Japan. However, at this juncture, it appears that Indonesia is in need of a "fair" financial assistance where their people are actually "involved", "trained" and "benefit" from the projects and not the imported Chinese who will undoubtedly remain to "control" their transportation system.

The entire world and not just Australia has many decades to really recover from this pandemic as all nations are forced to re-evaluate not only their domestic economic strategy but also their international economic strategy in a globally knit economic environment. It is no longer just profiting or increasing GNP and GDP, but also safety and security. That involves everything from monetary policy to education, communication and transportation. The problem being "reliability" and "trust" both domestically and internationally.

Such thoughts, ideas and feelings are very difficult to change when personal values and morals are being threatened by a need to "survive". It requires "rational" and "logical" and "pragmatic" consideration and actions.

That is very difficult when there is emotional involvement which was caused by "panic" and "threats" which opened the extremely dangerous thoughts and feelings of "doubt" while an urge to take some kind of "action" predominates. That automatically creates "conflicts" in all aspects of life that takes a very long time to resolve.

I would like to be able to meet her personally on a one to one basis to really understand her attitude "before" I can "appreciate" what she has done or want to do for Japan and its citizens and other residents, given the social - political and economic environment in Japan and the rest of the world. The key to any politician is to knowing his/her perspectives and motivations, intentions. To date I have yet to see any of that which I can rely on to recognize her character and ability. I hope there will be an opportunity one day before the election.

Politically the opposition makes sense. However, economically there is a need for reconsideration.

All nations are "connected" economically whether one likes that or not. And as such all economies "affect" and "effect" each other. That is why for Iran and N Korea and other "rogue" nations, economic sanctions are used in hopes that such actions will work. In essence a "tariff" does the same.

So to have access to and an ability to discuss and hope fully communicate, coordinate and get cooperation from those wanted and not wanted, liked and disliked in an open, organized and safe manner makes sense. In this case, it was something Japan had to do in order to send a "message" to SK, that has more than a limited social and economic ties and influence upon each other.

The point to all this is that Japan has to take "action" and do the "mapping" of their own territory "before" others do. Just as China and S Korea is already doing near other Japanese islands in the Japan Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the S China Sea. That data should be kept "on record" for the entire world to "recognize", before others take advantage of this complacency. If there are data on record, then that should be made available as "evidence" (without any national security information) to the world to "prove" the "right of ownership". That is exactly what is done in Real Estate business as well as in government records to "register" and "prove" legally and otherwise the "ownership" of any property above and below a "definable" and "confirmable" territory.

The key to all this is that "occupation" of any territory by any country or person and taking from or using that property cannot be prevented by "words" but by "action" to "remove" or "prevent" such action physically. Once occupied, only physical force can remove the offender or prevent such action if the offender "refuse" or "ignore" a valid "request" and "demand".

An extremely good move in light of Chinese and not N Korean aggression. The"threat" by NK is probably not the reason for this sudden change. It is that huge population just beyond in China that is a major threat that the entire world is now waking up to but rather too late. For any country to "prepare" it will take years. China is already "poised" with their team stationed in almost every country in the world.

If with a global perspective, the entire Earth is "connected" and tectonic plate movements as well as the volcanoes that originate from those movements are connected. With such massive data from all those sensors on the ground and in space, over many decades, one would think that there would be a way to determine the movements and trending to somehow "predict" upcoming disasters. Sadly while we think in terms of months and years, our earth's movements and reactions are just as unpredictable as the weather at this time. There is still so much we do not know or have enough data to even determine exactly how and when a major shift in plates may occur and exactly under what stress conditions such movements in which locations separately or in combinations will impact a volcano or cause a tsunami or massive fissures and uplift mountains.

We still do not know exactly how the Moon and other planets in out solar system are affecting our planet's surface and its interior to affect the movements of the tectonic plates. It is Astrology at best.

For all we know, simply moving rock and soil from one mountain to another part by man or even by the rivers, or to fill or not to fill the space once occupied by the fossil fuels as oil and coal, and not forgetting to mention the constant volcanic eruptions all over the world may be affecting the delicate balance which may exist in the movement of the plates.

Hopefully, one day, all the scientists from all areas of study are able to share their findings and data to be able to give us a better picture and perspective of the earth we live on and predict any disasters that may come our way.

This simple report just gave us a much needed and better perspective on the pandemic.

It "appears" that there are "fewer" people being hospitalized after contracting the virus, even with fewer testing in Japan compared to those that have extensive testing. It also indicates that many people in Japan are weary of being tested upon using a vaccine even if there is a pandemic. Which seem to indicate that the fear of the vaccine itself is greater than the virus itself.

It also indicates that while "money" seem to buy a lot of things, including people, that may not be the case here. Whether it is the amount of payment or the "reputation" of the reliability trust placed upon the drug company, when left to individual"choice", the Japanese are rather thoughful and independent. That is unless the authority (what ever that may be) that they choose to trust recommends or prescribes an action to take.

Simply put... for this argument... put yourselves in his shoes...

If you could do better... then run for office and do better...

The point is... regardless of the "levels" we "expect" based on out own values and desires... Japan is "back" working even with some officials that showed rather less than reasonable and competent response to the pandemic for their citizens.

This was a wise move on part of NK and Kim. Kim is not a fool. He would not be in his position if he was.

His action if interpreted in a different perspective could have been a "warning" to the USA and the rest of the world as well as to SK that Asia needs the "attention" of the world, and watch for possible "conflict". If one looks at his actions in the past, he has been shedding light on China's actions in S China Sea and how he is being influenced by China with his ballistic missile tests and atomic tests. In a way, his actions have caused the US as well as Japan to start boosting their military presence and defense capabilities in Asia.

If any conflict starts in Asia, NK and SK will undoubtedly suffer the most along with Hong Kong, Taiwan and possibly Japan. Obviously China is the only country other than Russia and the Islamist with thoughts and actions that indicate desires for world dominance. It was Kim who shot the missiles and tested his nuclear capabilities that the world watched China;s actions and possibly delayed Chinese plans for using "force". China built many fortresses (military bases) in S China Sea within a year, which indicate much prior planning and preparation. Japan still suffers many years with trying to build a simple base in Okinawa.

In the same light SK appears by its rhetoric and actions to be "siding" with China. That is also of "concern" for NK, as both are "targets" of China as well.

Interesting... only one death in one month...

But, why are they in "panic" when they have so many now tested and confirmed having contracted the virus but not ill in a population of hundreds of thousands?

In fact why are they not reporting to let us know exactly how many of those tested actually became ill and were hospitalized?

In fact, what really is the definition of the "second wave"?

Is it the numbers who may become contracted or is it the number of (projected) deaths based upon the current (but still insufficient) data?

The current "trending" among polticians and government officials as with scientists and medical professionals "appear" to be trying to "avoid" making errors and having to take the "blame" for inadequate responses to the pandemic. That is besides all the other so called "conspiracy theories".

No problem in asking Abe represnting Japan which has many Centuries of historical ties to Iran. Any President needs to use every resource strong and weak to mediate a tough situation, successful or not. That encounter gave the entire world a better "perspective" on where Iran and its leaders stood, thought and felt. Failure is not a waste but a valuable resource.

In essence, the biggest problem is that everyone is now forced to NOT think clearly and act as a confident and rational human beings due to the Corona virus pandemic fear. That is, except for those that desire to destroy. There are too many here to fore unprecedented controls which prevent those destruction and protect those that are being harmed. The problem of which is selfish self-righteousness and politically driven motivation.

As this discussion progresses, the pandemic statistic is accelerating in getting test results that show increasing number of people contracted primarily because of the increase in testing and because of increase in exposure to others. What we need is not acceleration information, but the details as to those hospitalized and those who are dying in relation to the increasing number of those tested and showing infection or having contracted the virus. While increase in number of those contracted does increase the possibility of hospitalization and death, it is important to identify the "degree" of each type of risk by showing proper relational percentages (ratios).

It may be better of WHO were to announce each and every kind of tests conducted by the worlds scientists and doctors and what they found out about the Covid-19 virus and illness and allow the people to learn and make up their own decisions as to how to deal with the pandemic. use of words like "accelerate" are not useful in making rational decisions, but forces one to think negatively and emotionally.

The basis for this discussion is mired in the lack of proper analysis. The idea portrayed here by Bolton is that Trump stated some figures which may or may not have been a "demand" for payment. It could have been the estimated value or worth of the US forces for Japan which Trump may have estimated if Japan were to have a similar force for and by itself and could be a basis for negotiations. US too must realize that to maintain a similar force within the US or in places like Guam and Hawaii would have similar costs regardless of consideration of response times and efficacy as a deterant as well as for immediate intervention. Therefore any negotiation would start from some estimated figure.

Then again as in Trump's negotiation tactics, it (the dollar figure) could be used as a bargaining tool. However, it is most unlikely that Trump will remove US troops from Japan or any other Asian country just because they do not pay enough. He knows of many other ways he can get financial and other benefits and values from those countries.

The whole point being that there is monetary value or cost on both sides that must be considered.

Most books of this type are "opinion" pieces and reflects the writer / author's personal values and views. That is fine. The only problem is if indeed it contains US security information or goes against his responsibility as a US citizen in his prior position's required commitments which may be deemed "illegal" (current laws), both the judge and Bolton himself may be under legal scrutiny. Politically, the Republicans may call him a part of or an agent of the "swamp" and the Democrats a "whistle-blower". However, we are dealing with what was "released" (and released by whom? for what reason?) and not the entire book. That brings to question, exactly why now and why only those that appear to be "negative" of Trump. Therefore, it be hooves all of us to hold back any judgement of the validity of the contents of what was released.

Sorry, but I do not like this type of reporting. I am not a registered Democrat or Republican but this so called news was not news but a commentary. This is a sad piece of reporting or editing at best. Each red lettered words, phrase or clause probably was and is not necessary in a news report unless it was a "red" day such as declaration of war. The entire presentation if one reads the red lettered words emphasizes the negative and reeks of "bias" of the reporter and indicates it is an opinion piece of a commentator and not a news reporter. If one noticed... the POTUS was called "president" throughout the piece and not President with a capital "P" as is the standard used to show respect. Obviously the reporters did not respect Trump nor the US Presidency.

The very fact that Bolton wrote and published at this particular time after "serving" and being "released" and "replaced" by Trump as one of the "turnovers" where most (recently by all the investigations data released) have been "proven" "unworthy" of those positions from which they were "released" already points to the character of Bolton and his possible "bias" against Trump. By that it also shows the "intent" to harm Trump.

Whether that is acceptable or unacceptable, good or bad, legal or illegal or even proper or unproper, really does not matter at this point as it definitely affects the "opinions" of the public and affects to upcoming election.

However, if the election results end with whomever trump or any other Democrat, and that elected person does NOT perform well, Bolton's current action shall be remembered and unfortunately probably be judged as "negative". His book could motivate more to vote "against" as well as "for" Trump. But the "performance" of the "elected" President will determine the "value" of his move to influence the election.

The above being said, DACA is by definition a "deferral". That means that "deferral" must be resolved at some point. It is "colored' by "social justice" and "humanitarianism" and even "human rights" issues that are but "ideals" which must be made realistic and practicable. Sadly the poltical environment and inaction by congress to address those issues brought forth rationally and without bias and prejudice have made it impossible to resolve even for the SC at this time. It is Congress that MUST resolve the issues by directly addressing the problem and not for SC to decide.

The problem is NOT Trump per say.

It is apparent that a certain "precedence" has been set by the "Dreamer Program" if overturned in the form that was "presented for consideration", it would be "unconstitutional" in the current SC's perspective. It could be presented in another form or format and could indeed overturn the decision.

I personally do not believe that the SC considers "illegal" acts as acceptable. I also do not believe that the Constitution was written as a convenience for allowing "instability" within the country or to "destroy" the existence of the country. Freedom and Liberty is a right that is "earned" by "responsibility" which also requires it to be "defended".

Regardless of the Corona Virus problem, I certainly wish and hope that more Japanese youths will be motivated to keep Japan's agricultural industry alive and if possible increase and grow. I have visited a few countries and have worked with and met people and chefs from all over the world as a hotel manager. All have expressed their admiration of the quality and reliability of the the farm products from Japan, specifically pointing to the "reliability" of the safety, quality and the "care" by the farmers for the land as well as the methods used. Freshness they said they could get any where, but the overall "quality" and "reliability" they have all said, is difficult to surpass that of Japan.

I personally encourage and Japanese farmers and the young who have the future in mind find ways to keep it going and if possible "increase" and not "decrease" production as well as quality. Include in it aquaculture and any other methods using science and technology available today. Help in creating ways in which families can in their homes and apartments also produce vegetables and fruits using innovative in-house aquaculture systems so that in cases such as another pandemic, one may survive with products produced at home.