Posted in: Massive sinkhole in Saitama highlights risk of old pipes See in context
After reading this shocking and sad report, I can;t help but think that not enough has been done in the rescue effort. The JSDF probably could have extracted the man in minutes. Couldn't some local contractor have used an electromagnet crane? And, regarding the sinkhole, all they need to do is create air vortexes to send thru the pipes to make sure they don't collapse further. There are videos on YouTube that show how to make DIY air vortex cannons. With all these resources unused it seems such a shame. Still hoping for a miracle. The poor driver must be terrified down there.
-11 ( +2 / -13 )
Posted in: OpenAI announces new 'deep research' tool for ChatGPT ahead of Tokyo meeting See in context
Japanese media is sensationalizing China's foray into AI. Why fan the coals when just straight reporting would suffice? It is also interesting how announcements always seem to happen ahead of "meetings." Do any other readers get the vibration that these meetings are when bribe amounts are discussed? SoftBank knows how to manipulate media very well and get almost free advertising. Just by hiring a washed up name baseball player they get a huge return on their investment. Hoping there is more substance to their AI than their expired athletes.
-5 ( +4 / -9 )
Posted in: Japan launches navigation satellite on new flagship rocket See in context
Nice to see other informed readers are realizing this is just smoked and mirrored semantics for spy satellites. More transparency is needed in the spending of your tax Yen. Do the analysis yourselves and determine if the Yen spent on this is actually worth it to you, the taxed resident.
-3 ( +0 / -3 )
Posted in: Japan, S Korea seek to strengthen ties before Trump takes office See in context
Too late. Trump took office in 2016. When South Korea has to get a new president, they should anoint Kamala Harris. Sometimes an outsider is the best thing for an organization struggling within. But, seriously., that peninsula needs to get it's affairs in order. They've had since the mid-80s to do so, but aside from the Olympics in 1988, seem to keep messing things up. Japan and North Korea are t much help. Just aligning 100% with the US and ignoring EU and ASEAN is the best thing for ROK at the moment. Godspeed their recovery and reclaiming top dog status in Asia.
-4 ( +0 / -4 )
Posted in: 87-year-old woman jumps from 2nd floor of home after being tied up by intruder See in context
Good for granny. Glad she was OK. The article fails to tell us what region the intruder hails from and how much money he got away with. Nice of her neighbor to assist her despite it being late at night. More reason for security cameras in every room.
-4 ( +1 / -5 )
Posted in: European and Japanese robotic explorer buzzes Mercury's north pole See in context
Outstanding. A stellar performance by Japan. Japanese cameras and optics no doubt contributed greatly to these other worldly shots. Giuseppe Colombo has long been a favorite of mine and one who deserves be immortalized. The naming of the spacecraft was a nice touch, but he deserves greater came. Perhaps record producer could have their artist(s) do a tribute song. Now that would make everybody's Mercury rise right out of the box. man. Great photos. Thanks Bepi and JT and Japan.
-1 ( +2 / -3 )
Posted in: Father, son arrested for assaulting police officer at Sapporo game center See in context
What duties did they obstruct? Sleeping on the job? Slurping noodles and saying "ahhh" laxly at the koban? They were the police duty! The police were called to sort them out. There was no obstruction whatsoever. This is so absurd. Had police been giving some random bloke a parking ticket and they had acted violently towards the copper, now that would be obstruction. The question begging to be asked here is, however, have otaku become so out of touch that they can't even game properly in a game center? We now have the most harmless least violent and dangerous strand of human acting like caged animals. Oh how Japan has sunken socially...
-20 ( +2 / -22 )
Posted in: China to weather Trump tariffs, seek better ties with Japan in 2025 See in context
How do we the people care whether China weathers it or not? In what way should we concern about ties between China and Japan? History has proven, over and over mind you, that Japan and China don't play well together.nNews outlets on both sides, and worldwide for that matter, do not help. Improving ties with Japan just because they are dependent on the USA will not help China with its global bullying. Now that the substitute teacher (Joe Biden) is out of the classroom and a tough as black nails teacher who is also the principal AND superintendent is coming back to the classroom with a new curriculum (DJT), the class clown (China) is in desperation mode. They will probably be expelled, despite news reports telling us otherwise.
-4 ( +3 / -7 )
Posted in: Nippon Steel to sue U.S. gov't over decision to block acquisition of U.S. Steel See in context
It would be so much cheaper if they settle out of court and just pay 10% to "the big guy." Using American mercenaries (lawyers) to acquire a horrible bleeding dinosaur with black nails like US Steel is akin to buying a dog with fleas in the Gordon Gecko world. If having a "U.S." or "Nippom" attached to a name causes so much xenophobia and racism, the names should be banned by the governments who think they have the right to control business deals. Guess what box men---They don't. The judge will throw this out because he is on the same payroll as future Mt. Rushmore face man and honest patriot Joe Biden is.
-4 ( +1 / -5 )
Posted in: Driver rams New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing 15; FBI doesn't believe he acted alone See in context
Just terrible. Why wasn't he vetted before being sold an automobile? Some will argue New Orleans is Leone to disaster, but this could have easily been avoided. So sad. Hoping someone makes a song so the departed are never forgotten.
-12 ( +1 / -13 )
Posted in: In his New Year's address, Ishiba vows effort with opposition to pass key bills in 2025 See in context
Just like musicians who churn out same sounding album after same sounding album of BS, such is the spiel of PMs. Can any readers here, or anyone, name something a PM has done for the people's safety and security in the last 30 years? The last 50 years even? Ishiba's heart is in the right place but his top speechwriter must be on NY holiday. His, and Japan's survival is tantamount to cooperating with Trump.
-2 ( +6 / -8 )
Posted in: Japan marks 1 year since powerful Noto quake; rebuilding remains slow See in context
Determining cause of death is delayed. Reconstruction is delayed. They have excuses for everything. But they raise taxes and prices right on time---without fail. Not fair to these people and businesses who paid for their business licenses and taxes on time.
5 ( +5 / -0 )
Posted in: Kawasaki Heavy began false deals 40 years ago over SDF scandal See in context
This system works. Complaining and fingerprinting just makes Japan look bad and corrupt to its enemies. Shame on the tattletales and far more corrupt media. Japan's best companies ensure they get the jobs instead of some low-ball bidder who probably subcontracts to foreigner workers and uses inferior Chinese steel or foreign parts which put Japanese security and safety at risk. JSDF ships, subs, planes, tanks, weaponry, equipment, etc. are the world's best. They are the world's best because Kawasaki and Mitsubishi make them and go the extra mile to make sure the SDF is taken care of. This is a good system.
-2 ( +2 / -4 )
Posted in: Japan protests as Chinese ships try to approach fishing boat near Senkakus See in context
China Coast Guard was merely guarding Japanese coasts much as Japan ;protected China for many years. Why does China get yelled at for being benevolent and returning the favor to Japan. Senkaku has Chinese name, by the way, and is more Taiwan's than either Japan;s or China's.
-4 ( +0 / -4 )
Posted in: Star-studded Saudi Arabian, Japanese and Chinese clubs setting the pace in Asian Champions League See in context
Heartwarming article. So nice to see Ronaldo popularizing soccer in that troubled region of the world, much like Kazu popularized soccer in Europe in the 1990s.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Volkswagen workers hold 2-hour strikes to push back against proposed pay cuts and plant closures See in context
It's called Boro-Kuso-Wagon in Japan for a reason. Germany has gone soft. No stamina. No energy. Japanese automakers went on strike for many months. Two hours is child's play. It's only a matter of time before Subaru and Suzuki assume the #1 and #2 positions. Marc my words. Lowe point in automobile manufacturing and all around numbers for Europe.
-1 ( +0 / -1 )
Posted in: Woman in her 80s dies after hit-and-run incident See in context
Poor lady was run over twice. At least one of the motor vehicle operators did the right thing and called the authorities. While it is pretty much certain that running over a corpse is not a punishable offense, it will be hard to prove the 89 hear old was already dead. Hopefully JT will follow up on this with another story as pertinent details unfold.
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: Ishiba's vehicle rear-ends police car in Tottori See in context
An interesting read, but the article does not delve into who was at fault and the legal issues. While we can all safely assume the police are at fault due to incompetence and brazen disregard for traffic rules and safety, we can also assume the blame and insurance payments will be assumed by the car carrying our leader. Thank goodness he wasn't killed or seriously injured. Japan needs him in office, not in a cemetery.
-9 ( +0 / -9 )
Posted in: Extra Diet session begins with minority gov't; budget, reforms on agenda See in context
Minority government? Is there an Ainu or ethnic Korean government in Japan? How can Ishiba's government be a minority government? He had to win to become PM. Please work on clearer and more understandable headlines and reporting. Initial confusion aside, it is clear both parties need to solve the problems surrounding donations and contributions. Probably best not to take lessons from America's stalwart presidential candidate Kamala Harris. I have faith in the Japanese Diet. Ishiba's got this. It would be nice if both sides cooperate for the good of the nation, though.
-8 ( +1 / -9 )
Posted in: Two 17-year-old boys arrested over business hotel robbery in Gunma See in context
Japan has declined terribly. This juvenile crime exemplifies the fact. Not only does this prove motorcycle gangs still exist, but it also shows how women are targeted. Their failed attempt (it sounds like they didn't get the money or kill they lady...) ended in an embarrassing arrest for two of them. In the good old days of Showa, a man was able to get away with hundreds of millions of Yen on motorcycle. At least she is safe and the idiots apprehended.
0 ( +6 / -6 )
Posted in: Ishiba aims to keep wage hike momentum; small businesses worried See in context
Having done the necessary research, it is clear that Ishiba is going to save Japan. The salary increases he is creating will set off a chain reaction and make Japan wealthy again through the people's personal wealth. Expect a baby boom and sharp reduction in unskilled and undereducated foreign laborers disguised as students.
-5 ( +2 / -7 )
Posted in: Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street suffers worst loss since Election Day See in context
This is 100% Biden's doing by now letting Ukraine use certain missiles on certain Russian targets.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Man arrested for trying to kill woman with golf club See in context
This is par for the course in that that sand trap and water hazard infested area of Japan. It is bozos like this that give peaceful law abiding golfers like us a bad rep. Let's wish her a speedy recovery and him a severe punishment.
0 ( +3 / -3 )
Posted in: Japan confirms U.S. Space Force to launch unit in Tokyo in December See in context
Japanese and US cooperation militarily and strategically is tantamount to the safety of democracy and the free world. There is always space for peaceful endeavors such as this, be it in Tokyo, Misawa, or even Okinawa. I'm no rocket scientist but will wager all are the same distance to outer space (contingent on land altitude of course).
1 ( +7 / -6 )
Posted in: N Korea conducts longest-ever ICBM test See in context
Are 'they' sure? If it was launched toward the Sea of Japan, it doesn't mean Japan was the target. If you follow the line of the trajectory, the target could just have easily been Chile or some rogue North Korean vessel in Antarctic waters.
-10 ( +2 / -12 )
Posted in: 71-year-old man arrested after kicking wife in face, yanking her hair See in context
The headline could just as easily, and accurately, read "Tattletale Wife Battered...Again"
-5 ( +0 / -5 )
Posted in: Leftover grapes in Yamanashi used for feed, vinegar to reduce food waste See in context
Circulatory agriculture is the way to go. I've applied it on a micro-scale with my veranda farm in Tokyo. What they are doing up there in Yamanashi is commendable, especially when you consider how much sheer waste is generated in Japan, not just in agriculture, but across the board. Will support Yamanashi and push Koahu wine at events.
5 ( +5 / -0 )
Posted in: China to resume imports of Nishikigoi carp from Japan See in context
Excellent news. China should not make fish mongers and fish farmers suffer in Japan due to differing ideologies between CCP and LDP. These imports should bolster the Japanese economy and help bring Japan back to #2 in world GDPs.
-1 ( +3 / -4 )
Posted in: What to expect from Japan's Oct 27 election See in context
The article neglects to mention we are to expect incessant noise from campaign trucks and megaphones throughout our adopted home of Tokyo. It's worse than open mic night at local live houses. The LDP should make elimination of campaign noise part of their platform. Currently, every party is guilty of noise pollution.
4 ( +5 / -1 )
Posted in: New rules drive Japanese trucking sector to the brink See in context
Something fishy when politicians who have never worked in logistics, trucking, or delivery are making rules like this. It's supposed to be the people who request the rules and laws; the politicians who pass them through; and the police or government agencies who enforce them. This banana republic has police and politicians creating their own laws and making the people suffer. No wonder they are now only the 4rh largest economy, as mentioned in this poignant article.
-2 ( +5 / -7 )
Posted in: Japan to release 210,000 tons from rice reserves due to surging prices
Posted in: 20-year-old man arrested over attempted murder of mother in Nagoya
Posted in: China accuses Australia of deliberate provocation in South China Sea