Kiwikid comments

Like a physic praying on families of the recently deceased for monetary gain, the way Japanese politicians continue this issues for political clout is abhorrent and vile. What a pathetic excuse of a leader. This issue was resolved in 2002.

The big name "Megumi" had her remains retuned too. They were analysed using a defunct technique, by a person who had no experience with this technique let alone on cremated remails. His results were "inconclusive". In 2004 when an official retraction was made by the university, the remains were unavailable for retesting. Something this important should have been treated as such. But you can see from the way they handled the remains the Japanese government really doesn't care about the victims or their families.

This is nothing but drumming up hate and anguish for political points. Truly disgusting.

When I was 4 I was "helping" my grandfather turn over the garden to plant some spuds. He lent the shovel on the 6ft fence and turned around to grab the sead potatoes. When he turned back, I was gone. I'd climbed up the shovel handle, got over the fence and was playing with the neighbors dog.

To blame the parents or the building is just cruel. Accidents happen, I'm sorry for their loss. The "what ifs", must be keeping them awake.

It's saddening how ignorant many of you are and how quick you are to state your opinions as facts. In 1984, New Zealand passed legislation that made the entire country a nuclear-free zone. No American warships have come to NZ since then because they won't confirm or deny if they have nuclear capabilities. This is a long standing rule.

Please read a little about the history of NZ. Start with the key words Rainbow Warrior. Search for this quote, "I can smell the uranium on your breath". A single search o nuclear NZ would have given you all of this.

A lot of you seem to want to fight. "Ah stupid leftists, liberals, whatever". You genuinely know nothing about what you're speaking and it's embarrassing.

Open your eyes and your ears before your mouths.

I got as far as before I gave up reading.

In reality, however, Beijing wants U.S. troops

This article is nothing more than a poorly researched, poorly written opinion piece.

This old crud is loathsome.

The entire article boils down to, "I want Japan to optimise their systems to get the greatest recognition for as limited effort as possible".

Yeah they have donated a lot of money, they have been doing that for ages. Soft diplomacy of building hospitals, and other infrastructure in Asia has been a race between Japan and China for the last decade.

The old guy wants a cookie for the third biggest economy "helping" foreign nations completely self-serving way and trying to disguise it as altruism.

On a final note, if this "commitment to donate" is like any other pledge given by a Japanese politician I wonder how much aid will reach the people and how much will be recycled into the pork barrel. I guarantee a behind every hospital built will be a J-company thrashing the contract for every yennie.

17 new cases. 14 were Japanese residents. 2 staff and 1 athlete.

Tell me again how the foreigners are the problem. It's patently obvious why the Japanese media doesn't report nationalities of these cases.

Ah yes, a reality check. The realisation the "respect" you had experienced was nothing but delusions of grandeur must be crushing.

So anyway this is a long article to say, "it's because of a baseless and overinflated sense of worth. A addled mind incapable of, or unwilling to, reconciling the culturally enforced respect perviously experienced, and the realities of the world. Inutile, lacking the fundamental trait of an admirable person, integrity. An undeveloped person with anger the only skill acquired over a life poorly spent and as such the only tool available to recapture something which was only a delusions to begin with."

How do people keep electing government officials like this? If this was my country I would feel ashamed.

I understand there was a plan to launch with the Olympics but seriously, show some common sense and flexibility.

I'm getting mad second hand embarrassment from this.

(Apparently I worded this in an offensive and vulgar manner last time. Sorry for the pain and trouble I cause you, my fellow readers)

Incase 18 thousand tons of food a day doesn't mean much that's enough food for over 4 million westerners... Closer to 10 million people in developing countries. EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Considering Japan wastes over 20million tons of food a year, around 7 of which was still edible at the time it was disposed of, I really don't think this will change those numbers. Food waste is a separate issue here... 18 thousand tons of edible food a day. Every single day...

@Droll Quarry

It's not uncommon for teams to bring their own chefs to the games. For the Beijing games America went as far as to bring their own food. I'd say most of the affluent countries will have people on staff for food.

I'm not sure they will have enough time to try the Japanese food? I was a registered dietitian in NZ and worked with top athletes. There's an almost 0 percent chance athletes will eat anything outside their plan before an during competition. Then they get kicked out of the village after they complete right? I don't see them having a chance to try much of the Japanese dishes.

to enhance the workers' credibility when applying for credit cards, rental housing and other services, the company said.

I appreciate the company trying to help their people. But this is just putting a plaster on a gunshot wound.

Instead of helping them get through a broken system. Use your company to advocate change.

@Yohan

You seem to have a dog in this fight and I really can't see why. Remove all surrounding information and see if you still wildly protect Japan.

If you have sex and have a child that child is now your responsible. Male or female rich or poor. You either made the choice or the mistake now you have the moral obligation to ensure the best life possible for that child.

Some people are completely morally bankrupt and will avoid their responsibilities. Some countries will force you to meet your responsibilities.

Here we have a person trying to provide the best possible life for their child. They are willing to give everything, perhaps even their life, to meet their one true and unavoidable obligation; their children.

Get ready for a rant.

If I was learning how to drive in Japan through observation this would be my understanding of the the road code.

All speed signs are to be exceeded by 20kph.

Pedestrian crossings are to be observed only when there is an old man with an fluor vest. If the old man isn't present you don't need to stop.

A maximum of 2 cars are allowed to traverse an intersection after the light has turned red.

On curvy roads one must ignore the centerline. Whenever possible utilize the entire width of the road and take the racing line. On inside blinds, hike out as much as possible. Outside blinds ride the centerline.

In the case of an emergency (for example wanting to stop you car to scream "atsui ne" to your friends) apply your hazard lights and stop at your leisure.

If you are driving behind someone, make sure you're close enough that they can see your eyes their rear view mirror.

Young children in cars are required to stand. On the center console or in the passengers seat is preferred.

It says the guy was on the wrong side of the road because he was trying to overtake someone. It's not an age thing it's just disrespect of the law and ignorance of the gravity of driving.

It seems, just like the anonymity of online forums, being hidden in their cars brings out the absolute worst in people here. Passive aggression is a national pastime and cars offer a great outlet.

I don't know how to address these issues. I would like to see the police out there policing more. We're lead to believe they should have the free time to do so.

@igfklin

The rate at which prosecutors prosecute suspects arrested and referred by the police in Japan is 63%.

Would you mind giving the page of that quote? I've just downloaded the PDF of the book and searched for the number 63. It comes up 87 times. Not once in the manner you mentioned it?

"International average" is never mentioned in the book.

I'm not calling you a blatant liar, maybe you need your prescription checked.

Here's a real quote from the book.

Cases not prosecuted despite solid evidence of guilt are placed in the “suspension of prosecution” (kiso yu¯yo) category. In recent years about 40 percent of all adult Penal Code cases have been so designated...

Just over half of cases with overwhelming evidence are prosecuted.

Feel free to check the book, I didn't make this one up.

@ooly

Water pistol or not- she’d already be 6 feet under in many other countries

What first world countries? Yeah, nah that's a crock. You mean America right? Give me one other first world country.

Everyone here already knows America is a ****hole of country. What's your point?

I was involved with the 2011 Christchurch earthquake up as a member of the NZDF. I was caught in the 2018 West Japan disaster with the house behind mine being completely washed away, roads impassable for 3 days and no water for almost 2 weeks.

I have full respect for the rescuers, it's a heart breaking job. For the people displaced I hope they can keep keeping on.

The warning systems Japan has in place are world leading. Their meteorological data is second to none. But, I feel they too often pull the trigger too early leading to complacency. It happened in 2018; everyone ignored the warnings and evacuation orders. They happen at least once a month this time of year it's only natural to ignore them.

I hope more money is spent on infrastructure (real drainage not just a blocked gutter on the high side of the road that goes nowhere) and more importance put on geotech surveys and reports.

I'm sure the cook islands with 0 cases 0 deaths, Marshalls 4 cases 0 deaths, Niue 0/0, Tonga 0/0, Federated States of Micronesia 0/0 are really looking forward to support from Japan; the worst hit country in the Asia Pacific region.

Does Suga think people there live in caves?

This isn't about food exports, it's about cultural exports and promotion of Japan. The bureau is there for, "brand appeal".

I'm fairly certain this bureau is set up solely to promote Japan by shoehorning wagyu into a TPP agreement. Effectively forcing it's consumption overseas.

Japan is desperate to be seen on the world stage. Forcing exports of ludicrously overpriced luxury good like wagyu fits the bill perfectly.

@CaptData

and yet the income gap in Japan is much narrow than in the West?

First It's not. See my post above. Now when you say west I assume you mean America. So, The U.S. Census Bureau lists the annual real 2019 median personal income at $35,977 average politician $174,000. Japan ¥3,308,083 vs ¥21,878,000

America 4.83 times

Japan 6.61 times.

Secondly it's universally accepted in the "West" that America is a dumpster fire of a country and should never be used as a standard. Most Western countries' politicians are paid twice the average annual salary.

Poor reporting as is the standard with Kyodo. Here is data from last year.

The basic monthly salary is ¥1,294,000 (¥15,528,000 annually). In addition, the annual bonus is ¥6,350,000. So the total annual income amounts to ¥21,878,000. Converted to U.S. dollars for the sake of comparison, the annual income of a Japanese lawmaker (about $201,800) is higher than that of a comparable legislator in the United States ($174,000), South Korea ($105,000), Germany ($102,600) and the United Kingdom ($91,200).

Their bonus is twice what normal people make in a year... what a crock.

The 24 million average we are told is including other income sources not just their salary. Regardless, their salary with bonus of 21.8 million is 7 times the national average. That's before their "seikatsuhi"

Compared to other countries (POL/AVG)

UK 2 times ($91,200/$43,508.68)

Korea 2.5 times ($105,000/$42,285)

Germany 2 times. ($102,600/$49,792.81)

Comparing the politician to other civil servant (POL/TEACHER)

Japan 5 times (¥21,878,000/¥4,280,000)

UK 2 times ($91,200/$41,127)

Korea 3 times ($105,000/$31,571.47)

Germany 2 times ($102,600/$53,424.32)

A municipal level politician from Chiba makes ¥8,760,000 before bonuses and ¥1.99 million a year as seikatsuhi on average. They are in session for 83 days a year.

What are Japanese politicians doing to justify such high salaries? A municipal politician here is payed more than a national politician in other countries. The average national politician here is paid more than the PM of the UK.

Not being snarky, does anyone know of another country's Prime Minister, Mayors, or major politicians being hospitalised for stress/exhaustion? Or just anyone outside Japan hospitalised for stress/exhaustion?

I notice runners (especially for the Hakone ekiden) here too do these massive Hollywood performances after their leg, too.

I feel "effort" is more verbalised or dramatised than what I'm use to in NZ. What I see I'd just call Hollywooding. Also, if a leader gets sick, and stressed just from doing their job I would expect them to resign. They obviously aren't fit for the job. I feel being too stressed is hidden in NZ for that reason.

I see that weakness/Hollywooding is a badge of honor here. A way to pat yourself on the back and fish for compliments. It feels so disingenuous and self-serving.

So from a non "Kiwi Bloke" perspective, is this behavior/situation normal in other countries? Or does it feel off to you too?

OMG just get over it Japan. Everyone already knows you forced 50,000-200,000 woman to be sex slaves and raped thousands more. Then murdered between 3,000,000 and 10,000,000 innocent civilians.

Cats out of the bag. Focus on hiding today's problems.

Ask an average New Zealander to talk about some atrocities carried out by our country. I know you will get a lot of answer. Ask a Japanese person the same question and you will likely get nothing.

In NZ we learn about our history. It's not rammed down our throats but we're brought up to understand we have done terrible things in the past and we need to remember to move forward. To move forward you need to understand the specifics. This history is a part of our collective psyche. In my life I'm yet to meet a kiwi who downplays or denies our history.

Thats difference and the real crux of this South Korea/Japan conflict. The government here will issue an apology. The apologies are EMPTY and never enter the collective psyche of this country, other than that fact that there was an apology made.

Until the negative aspects of Japan enter the national psyche, nothing will change.

Self professed "care worker" means prostitute right?

I'm absolutely for facilitating anyone who wants to play sport. But, this is the Olympics. It's not social sports.

I think this is a step too far. In the future we may have a fairer way of dividing people other than by gender lines. Unfortunately we don't really have those systems set up now.

Perhaps this will be the first step toward creating inclusive and fair groupings. But regardless, I know when we read the history books Hubbard will have an asterisk by her name. I feel for her fellow competitors.

My background is in public health policy.

The BASIC rule is, "make the healthy choice the easy choice".

People are going to have sex. And now they've made healthy, the hard choice.

Giving the condoms after the games is nothing but the Japanese hoping to hear, "wow Japan condoms good. Gaikoku bad. Nippon banzai".

As always pathetic.

I'm sure this guy is stoked only having to pay 5 grand to rape a junior high school student. What kind of a punishment is a fine in this situation.

I love the, "But. But, China is bad'erer than us." Comments.

Comparing yourself to the one person you know you're better than, and ignoring the 100s of other who are better than you, should be registered as a UNISCO Cultural Heritage.

Yeah China is huge and creates pollution. Doesn't mean Japan shouldn't do anything. Japan burns or buries 3.3million tons of food a year. They waste more than 6.5 million tons annually. They import more than 10 million tons of corn as animal food a year.

40 billion Plastic bags a year.

Worlds leading plastic rubbish exporter.

There are 100s of things Japan could do within the year which would make an actual difference. Things as mind numbingly simple as banning plastic bags.

But it's much easier to just say, "ah, it doesn't matter I soiled myself. It hasn't started leaking through my pants yet and that guy over there looks dirtier than me anyway"