Makoto Shimizu comments

Vietnamese people deserve all respect and attention as they had won the war against the USA despite having much less material and financial resources, their main ingredient was their determination to win, to not surrender, and after the war they are demonstrating wisdom and adaptation to progress aligned to the best practices in the civilized world, so, Vietnamese are very welcome to make the planet Earth a better place for all mankind!

BARD TIPS: Prior to an Eruption:

Know your zone: Familiarize yourself with the Mount Fuji Volcanic Hazard Map to determine your evacuation zone and potential dangers. The official website provides detailed information and downloadable maps: https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/risk/guidelines.html

Create an evacuation plan: Discuss with your family and community on evacuation routes, designated shelters, and communication strategies. Practice the plan regularly.

Prepare an emergency kit: Pack a backpack with essential supplies for at least 3 days, including:

Food: Non-perishables like canned goods, energy bars, and dried fruit.

Water: Aim for at least 3 liters per person per day.

First-aid kit: Stock essential medications, bandages, and antiseptic wipes.

Warm clothing and rain gear: Prepare for changing weather conditions.

Sturdy shoes: Suitable for walking long distances on potentially rough terrain.

Cash and important documents: Keep photocopies of passports, IDs, and insurance papers.

Mask: N95 or similar respirator to protect against ash and debris.

Headlamp or flashlight: Rechargeable or with extra batteries.

Radio: Battery-powered AM/FM or shortwave radio for updates and emergency information.

Whistle and signal mirror: For attracting attention in case of separation.

Multi-tool or knife: Handy for various tasks and repairs.

Garbage bags and sanitation supplies: Essential for hygiene and temporary shelters.

Fuel for Cars: While having a full tank is recommended, 80% may be sufficient depending on the evacuation timeframe and traffic conditions. Prioritize safe and timely evacuation over waiting for a full tank.

Stay informed: Monitor official announcements and news reports for eruption warnings and evacuation orders.

The life of every human being is invaluable. It is an insane war. May the people of Palestine and Israel choose peacemakers leaders instead of the promoters of violence

If Japan wants to grow its population the government and companies have to provide more romantic environment, more love songs, more indoor and outdoor events to promote social interaction. The most important thing is that the high administration be educated to learn that stressed and overburdened people, their staff, will never have energy to look for, or make love by committing more than 100% of their energy and time at work. There are so many cute women and men, all very shy and very busy regarding not emotional subjects. Japan has many marvelous touristic places to go, to relax. It is in the hands of the high management to create opportunities for their single staff to meet, talk, date and marry and incentive married couples to have children without guilt or worries.

It seems that Rumiko Koyanagi was a clever woman who made good savings to allow her to live alone in a small apartment in Tokyo. Since 2019 I have seen many elderly working to survive, very few had made a reasonable retirement payment along 40 years, if someone pays along 480 months 16,520 yen, will be entitled for 795,000 yen a year retirement, that makes 66,250 yen a month, far from being enough to survive decently in Japan. The advantage of living alone is to administer the time the way you decide, like dedicating a few minutes a day to study a new language, a new subject, or an online course. But, staying alone is not easy at all, from time to time we see news of corpses found of deceased persons who were living alone.

When I lived in the UK I was an eager client of Oxfam and other charities second hand clothes, loved to buy nice-looking old-style clothing, like travelling to the past, like incarnating an English character actor, LOL. There in Brazil I also loved to check the stuff at second hand clothes shops in Pinheiros district, city of Sao Paulo. Good to know that second hand clothes shops are starting in Japan, it is very sad to see bags and bags of clothes in the rubbish here.

Tomoe Sawa, a name, a singer, a human being to be remembered! Great gesture!

It is an open wound that can be healed despite will leave scars. Unfortunately, it is true that many atrocities have happened in the past and it is important to make a goodwill gesture to humbly recognize this. Compensation must be paid as soon as possible and continue the efforts to build solid relationships among the new postwar generations of all envolved countries.

I was returning home by bicycle when I saw a dog being avoided by cars passing by. I stopped, and the dog gladly came to me, he (male dog) was a bit dirty, with a guide, but no signs of his owner around. I left my bike and let him guide me along the street, he made many stops to pee, as a male dog usually does. I got frustrated as could not see the owner looking for him, nor find his home. Could a runaway dog, or an abandoned one. I took him to a police station, pointed in the map where I found him, they got my name, address, telephone, and told me that they would try to find the owner, if the owner was not localized, then, the dog would be taken to an animal welfare organization, very sad. As I live in a very tiny apartment, I could not take him. No ID was in the dog collar. Hope that he is not sacrificed. Responsible ownership of pets is something necessary, should be mandatory.

How sad. I went to England as a tourist in 1988, got a 6-month visa, got a job, as an Imports Executive, my first son was born in the UK, good old times, worked in London, Canterbury, lovely people and places. I worked for some time delivering meals to elderly people, Meals on Wheels. Margareth Thatcher was the Prime Minister at that time, no difficulty at all for immigrants as I remember, the Home Office officers were nice, polite.

If someone contributes for 40 consecutive years, 480 months contributions of 16,520 yen, like from 20 years old up to 60 years, then it will be entitled to retire receiving 795,000 yen a year, this makes only 66,250 yen a month, that is clearly not enough to survive in Japan, that is the cruel reality that makes elderly people to work as much as they can to barely survive.

It is very confusing. I am a foreigner and have to carry and present the Zairyu card, Shakai Hoken card and My Number card depending on the situation. I bought a card reader to read My Number card chip that allows to have access to Nenkin, the Japan Pension Service, and also the NTA, National Tax Agency. I used My Number card at hospital, but also used the Shakai Hoken card that seem much more popular everywhere than My Number card.

Despite all negative news the FDI Foreign Direct Investments is China in the last 2 years are bigger, around 2 trillion dollars, than in the years previous to the covid pandemic, so, China still is the main destination of international investments. This is good, as an intense commercial trade is a way to create reciprocal dependency and so minimize risks of sudden breaks and violent disputes.

I strongly believe that both countries, China and Japan have grown up people who could sit, talk, discuss, find a peaceful solution where both parts, all parts, reach an agreement, cooperation, understanding that would cost no lives, no casualties, but wealth for both. It is time to start sharing, dividing, cooperating instead of fighting, creating more tension, rage, dispute. Thousands of years of battle must be part of history, the past, not anymore room for silly and deadly war.

There should be an international agreement, policies, that all costs be charged against the agressor country, this applies to this case, all Russian exports and imports should have some extra tax to cover these costs of land mines removal and also the damages caused by their attacks in Ukraine.

It was a real total destruction of the castle, even paintings or drawings are not available by using search engines.

It is a fair and reasonable request.

Turkey is a NATO member and most of its relations are with Europe and US. If Turkey wants to be the next target of Russia has just to deny the support to Ukraine that is a victim of Russia, as simple as that.

It is a question that can be resolved only by clever people with political will and power. If the ideal size is at least 50,000 people, 2,700 are far from this number, and what is easier, to move those 2,700 to complete 50,000 of other cities or to recruit 27,300 from elsewhere to go there? Is there infrastructure for 50,000 people? If not, it is necessary to publicly discuss this within the province, and take action. Are there urban planners? Are there think tanks to work on issues, challenges like this? It is necessary that brained people be involved in sorting this out, nothing more depressing than cities that are dying.

DW, the German News has asked how many war fronts can the USA hold simultaneously? Currently there is the support to Ukraine and now, Israel in the Middle East. This could be the opportunity to China attempt to recover Taiwan? To North Korea's Rocket Kid to improve his madness?

Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside Japan, some estimate in over 2 million descendants, there is more than 100 years of immigration history. Brazilians admire Japan's culture, technology. There are over 200,000 Brazilians in Japan. There should be more cultural exchange between both countries.

Lots of men in dark suits looks more that they are attending a funeral than an event to promote sales. None of them are with a shopping cart or a basket. Very sad picture indeed.

In the end he got his objective, to get free accommodation and meals, shelter, protection.

Most of my online purchases are via Amazon due to the convenience of ordering at any time and receiving in my delivery box or front door. Delivery used to be so silent that I use to know that the delivery was done when I check my email! So far, along more than 4 years in Japan, even being living with foreigners neighbors as I am, never had a problem, 100% deliveries had been successful.

Article 33 of Geneve Convention clearly states that Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. So, it is a war crime to cut supplies of water, electricity, food to the civilians in Gaza Strip, Palestine. One crime does not justify another.

Disgusting prejudice against foreigners. How can a business owner be unable to use a free Google Translate? There are lots of translation devices, like PokeTalk, etc. Provide an English menu is easy and simple. How can this type of discrimination be accepted by law and authorities? It is a big shame, totally against the image of Japanese people being welcoming and polite, civilized.

Japanese yen has been weakening, close to 150 to a USD, so, for Mitsubishi, producing in China may not be so advantageous as it was when yen exchange rate was under 110 to a USD. Brazil has 20 automakers, and Ford decided to close all its factories there, their facilities were sold to Chinese, Korean makers. That is the worldwide market. Some places in the world will never be attended by EV only vehicles. Mad Max movie demonstrates it.

It is nonsense to spend lots of money in a few hours event if the couple does not have a fully paid apartment or house. A simple ceremony to celebrate, a simple style cooperative party where each invited guest brings some food and the marrying couple's families provide the beverages and drinks would be a warmer community event, no show-off is necessary.

It is of utmost importance that these meetings be held, and all issues be openly discussed, questions be frankly asked to each other in a diplomatic manner, it is the civilized way to resolve disputes. It will be better if North Korea and Taiwan participate too. Why not to create educational programs to allow young students of China, Korea and Japan to study for a period in each neighbor country? This will incentive the friendship among the future generations, inspire peace and cooperation, and mutual respect.

That is great good news to transform prisons into hotels! There in Brazil unfortunately they have to build more prisons, and due to the lack of interest in the religious life, there are at least two convents that have been converted into hotels in Rio de Janeiro. The first is the Convent of Santo Antônio, located in the city center. The convent was founded in 1623 and housed an order of Franciscan friars. In 1979, the convent was vacated by the friars and was converted into a luxury hotel. The hotel, called Hotel Santo Antônio, has 120 rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant, a spa, and a swimming pool.

The second convent that was converted into a hotel in Rio de Janeiro is the Convent of Santa Teresa, located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood. The convent was founded in 1757 and housed an order of Carmelite nuns. In 1985, the convent was vacated by the nuns and was converted into a boutique hotel. The hotel, called Hotel Santa Teresa, has 40 rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant, a bar, and a terrace with views of the city.