Japan Today

luthierinseattle comments

Posted in: American man arrested for defacing Tokyo's Meiji Jingu shrine See in context

I will be there on Monday or Tuesday. As an American, I should probably apologize for this act, but as we say, not my monkey, not my circus! If you haven't figured things like this out by the time you reach 65, there is probably little hope for you going forward. Hopefully his family learns from this.

But:

大変申し訳ありません

See y'all next week.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Posted in: Japan's speedy, spotless bullet trains turn 60 See in context

I remember, in 5th grade, in rural East Tennessee, Ms. White, our social studies teacher, telling us about Japanese bullet trains and showing us pictures of them. What a dream. Fast forward decades and I am taking my picture in front of that very same engine at the Kyoto Railway Museum. Trains are cool. I love them, especially in Japan. Here's to another 60 years of safe rail travels at speed for Japan, and with hope that the USA realize the usefulness and value of it.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Posted in: Kyoto temple suffering from littering tourists claiming not to understand Japanese verbal warning See in context

When I am in Japan, I carry all of my litter in my bag and either dispose of it at the train station or take it home and place it in the appropriate bag for trash day.

Really, no excuses for littering aside from you don't care.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Posted in: Foreigner climbs onto FamilyMart roof in Shibuya; yells 'I did it!' before police step in See in context

As an American who visits Japan as often as I can, the fact that Shakey's Pizza is still chugging along is the best part of this story.

For the record, I am very careful and respectful while in your country. I try to be on my best behavior.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Posted in: Greenland court orders anti-whaling activist Paul Watson must remain in custody until Sept 5 See in context

My birthday is the 5th of September. Please extend his detention as a birthday gift to me!

Tossing explosive devices at ships on the open sea is ludicrous.

I have eaten whale in many forms. A Japanese friend in his mid 70s talks about having whale 2 or 3 times a week for lunch at school. He doesn't relish the memory, but says that it is what they had.

Whales are intelligent beings.

Japan has rights, as does any country. His actions have consequences. Let him experience them.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Posted in: Ex-peace museum head recalls fleeing Hiroshima A-bomb over bodies See in context

Both of my grandfathers worked at Y-12 in oak ridge Tennessee. That is where the uranium 235 for the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was enriched.

I thought that I knew all about the bomb. Then, on a visit to Japan, I went to the museum in Hiroshima. I was overwhelmed. The Atomic Energy Museum in Oak Ridge Tennessee was mostly propaganda.

I can confidentiality say that most Americans don't really know what actually happened in Hiroshima. That museum was an epiphany. The watch. The sandals. The tricycle.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan eyes 20-year background check for those working in jobs involving kids See in context

Why only 20 years? Once a molester, always a molester.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Many Japanese outside major urban areas do not engage with foreigners: survey See in context

I have been visiting Japan for some time. A friend who retains his family home in Kyoto brought me there, and I continue to visit both with and without him. I try my best to get out of the major cities and touristy places. I try very hard to interact with Japanese people away from the big cities. It is difficult, but I really do cherish each and every real connection that I can make.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Posted in: ‘You don’t know why they’re filming or what they’ll do with it:' Flight attendants on being unwilling stars of viral videos See in context

In the US, the Supreme Court, for what it's worth, determined that the expectation of privacy when in public is not reasonable. Meaning that there/here you can take photographs without consent. Question is: is an aircraft a public space or not?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Ex-doctor denies consensual killing of terminally ill woman See in context

Jind,

Yes, Oregon does allow. Washington, where I am at, does as well, but it is difficult and expensive to access the care.

It should be a available to all, with minimal government intervention.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Ex-doctor denies consensual killing of terminally ill woman See in context

We don't do a very good job with this in the US, but end of life care should include the right of self determination. I, as a Nurse, have taken care of pts with ALS. I wouldn't want that end of life for myself.

It can be abused, just like any other right or law, but the choice should be available to the individual.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Posted in: High raw material costs plus weak yen threaten Japan's recovery from COVID See in context

Wanna help Japan? Let the tourists in! I have a bunch of yen that I would love to spend in Japan. I will contribute.

Economic recovery for Japan requires that the borders be opened freely to tourism. I have no grand numbers to put forward, but I am sure that it would help greatly.

I have a place to stay near Kyoto, and I am wondering just how many of the establishments that i usually visit will be gone when I return.

That, and find some way to get Russia to behave. Nothing like being on the precipice of a global war to destabilize economic recovery from a pandemic...

11 ( +17 / -6 )

Posted in: Vietnam bans new Tom Holland film over South China Sea map See in context

Englisc,

It's Hollywood, so probably more Ignorance than anything else...

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Posted in: New law in France bars unvaccinated from restaurants, sports arenas and other venues See in context

Well, since the French Open is held in a Sports Arena, I guess that rules out Djokovic in advance.

Strike 2.

20 ( +30 / -10 )

Posted in: All U.S. forces in Japan exempted from virus tests since Sept: Hayashi See in context

As an American, I apologize for this. Won't change a thing, but this is just one more reason to be embarrassed of my military and government. We should follow the rules. Period.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Posted in: Justin Bieber caught up in Saudi human rights row See in context

Eastman,

He is Canadian. We, the USA, don't claim him.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: Man dies in Japan after receiving dose of recalled Moderna vaccine See in context

I and millions of other humans have gotten multiple doses of the vaccines and still we do not die!

Causation and correlation, not the same.

18 ( +42 / -24 )

Posted in: Moderna says COVID vaccines sent to Japan contained stainless steel particles See in context

When I was a Nurse, a couple of decades ago, we still often had glass ampules/vials that had to be broken open. To avoid glass in the syringe, we used a filter needle to draw up the medication, then switched the needle for injection. In reality, if you can see a metal fragment in a vial, it won't be drawn up in a 22 or 25ga needle.

Personally, I'd like to see my vacca without metal fragments, and we now see one of the many issues with passing off manufacturing information to secondary companies for use. Not all companies strive for the same standards.

30 ( +30 / -0 )

Posted in: Zero risk? Virus cases test Olympic organizers' assurances See in context

I just read, on another Japanese news website, The Bach had asked PM Suga to allow spectators. This confirms that Bach is simply a dolt who does not understand basic Science. Or, perhaps, he simply cares only about money and doesn't care about the Japanese people. Just. That. Simple. Money over safety. Although I hope for the best, I am betting on many more cases and positive tests by the end of the week. SHAMEFUL MR BACH! yes. I meant to raise my screen voice because he doesn't seem to be hearing the polite voice tone...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Bach says canceling Tokyo Olympics not an option despite COVID See in context

While I realize that most Olympians only get to participate in one Olympiad, multiples being the exception, saying that cancelation is not an option is Hubris and Greed. I feel for the athletes, not for the organizers or the IOC. Let them declare Bankruptcy because they accept no liability if there is a problem but desire all of the control and profit.

Shame on Mr. Bach, quite simply, for pushing his and the IOC's agenda at the expense of safety and common sense (which is, by the way, not as common as it used to be).

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Posted in: 'Demon Slayer' anime studio, president indicted for tax evasion See in context

I am willing to bet good money, on which the taxes have been paid, that we never see a similar story about Miyazaki-san...

Gives new meaning to "Demon" and "Slayer".

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan seeks to have vaccine passports accepted by over 10 nations See in context

I have a Japanese friend who is fully vaccinated and still sitting in quarantine right now. He is not at risk, and is no real risk to the people he encounters. How can Japan expect reciprocity when they insist on quarantining fully-vaccinated citizens and visitors? I would love to come back, am fully vaccinated, and not welcome. You'll let a bunch of unvaccinated athletes in, but not safe, vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated athletes spread, or have the potential to spread, the virus in a way that the vaccinated do not. Iove japan, but come on. Science should be trusted.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Posted in: Britney Spears says she doesn't know whether she'll ever perform again See in context

While I feel for her, I am OK if she never takes the stage again. We already have plenty of recorded materials to tide us over.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Suga regrets having to take all the heat for hosting Olympics during pandemic See in context

Playing good cop/bad cop.

He is the PM, as Truman said, " The buck stops here." He ultimately bears responsibility for what happens, good or bad.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: USATF says vaccines not mandatory for Tokyo-bound athletes See in context

US Track and Field says that vaccines are not required to come to the Tokyo Olympics.

Did they bother to ask the Japanese if they were required?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: More than 10 million in Japan have received COVID-19 vaccinations so far See in context

That photograph at the head of the story is NOT how you administer a vaccination! The Deltoid muscle is a good bit higher.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Posted in: Suga dodges questions on whether Olympics can be held under state of emergency See in context

He's a gambler, as are most politicians. If the Olympics are held, and there isn't a disaster of viral proportions, he might just get to keep his job. If the Olympics are cancelled, or they are held and the virus spreads massively and creates more of a mess and causes more loss of life, then he will certainly be looking for other employment.

I wish he would just say NO to the IOC and protect the Japanese people. Plus, I want to come back to Japan, and at this rate 2021 is looking like a lost year for travel to Japan.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Posted in: Follow me See in context

What, no mask?! Must be a member of the IOC!

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Posted in: Athletes should travel to Tokyo with full confidence: Bach See in context

Hubris and greed, plain and simple.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: IOC tries to reassure Olympic athletes over virus liability waiver See in context

“No government, no health authority can or has taken over guarantees against infections,” Haddad told athletes. “This is a risk that we all bear. We are all following the same rules.”

No, they aren't all following the same rules.

34 ( +35 / -1 )

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites


©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.