maxjapank comments

Posted in: Japan to provide 100 military vehicles to Ukraine See in context

Always late to the show.

-14 ( +8 / -22 )

Posted in: Kishida, Biden agree to step up advanced technology cooperation See in context

Does doing a handshake like above make Biden seem more powerful than Kishida? Or is it just a better photo-worthy picture. I've always paid more attention to this kind of thing ever since Trump would consistently try to pull other presidents and prime ministers into him, and then got rebuffed by Justin Trudeau.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Posted in: Cool Biz campaign begins across Japan See in context

To be honest, if the clothing for cool biz is acceptable attire during the campaign, then it should be acceptable year round. It's time to allow everyone to wear clothing based on their own body temperature.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Posted in: 77% of junior high school teachers exceeded overtime cap in FY2022 See in context

It's unfortunately in the Japanese mindset to work long hours over working efficient hours. Many of these teachers, even with club practices could be out the door by 6 p.m. But they think doing so would look bad in the eyes of their fellow colleagues. Thus, they stay longer. It has taken a heavy hand from those in power at my school to force teachers to take days off and go home on time. Not doing so can actually result in a heavy financial penalty for schools these days.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Kumamoto stumbles over plan to recognize foreigners as citizens See in context

To be honest, if you've lived somewhere long enough and pay taxes, why wouldn't you want a say in how your taxes are being spent, at least in regards to locally spent money?

9 ( +16 / -7 )

Posted in: WHO fires Japanese director in Asia, accused of racist misconduct See in context

The Japanese government, which supported Kasai’s nomination for the role, declined to comment.

As the proverb says, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

1 ( +21 / -20 )

Posted in: Kishida says ban on same-sex marriage not discrimination See in context

Come on now you "marriage is between a man and a woman" posters. It wasn't that long ago that interracial marriages were frowned upon or denied. If two people love each other and wish to make a commitment to each other, then let them do so. Let them have equal rights the same as anyone else in such a marriage commitment.

10 ( +24 / -14 )

Posted in: U.S. envoy confident Japan will ban LGBTQ discrimination See in context

Media surveys show public support for legalization of same-sex marriage has increased in recent years to more than 60%.

This is great to see. I also see much hope in the younger generations as they are generally more open and accepting than the older generations. As much as some wish to inhibit change with their "woke" politics rhetoric, the fact is that the younger generations are already awake.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Posted in: Student in Japan misses week of class after school won’t let him wear sweatshirt on snowy day See in context

High schools in Japan, especially senior high schools are like a military prison. A lot needs to be done to change them into schools but I doubt it will ever happen.

I've never thought of my school as a military prison. But some of the rules are a bit old-fashioned, and I've sort of boiled it down to two reasons.

First and foremost is the fear of society making a negative judgement of the school. Complaints to schools about students behavior and looks are more common than you think. And when a negative image of the school persists, it does affect recruitment of students, especially for private schools.

Second, I find that many of my fellow teachers never grew out of their old school life. They liked the rigid life of high school so much that they became teachers themselves. And unfortunately they seem a little naive about the real world outside of high school.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Student in Japan misses week of class after school won’t let him wear sweatshirt on snowy day See in context

My school just began allowing students to wear school uniforms based on their own body temperatures. There are still regulations about how to wear things, but it is really up to them when to wear summer, winter, and in-between uniforms. Sadly, we teachers still must wear neckties and long sleeves, except during the CoolBiz term. It can be unpleasantly hot some days.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Upbeat Biden urges U.S. unity and vows to restore blue-collar pride See in context

Wow! Biden goaded the Republicans into publicly cheering for and supporting to not touch Social Security and Medicare on national television. That was something to watch!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Posted in: LGBTQ groups demand Japan adopt equal rights law by G7 summit See in context

I love how less than 7% of the population is demanding laws that favor them.

No. Minorities are only asking to have the same rights as everyone else.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Posted in: LGBTQ groups demand Japan adopt equal rights law by G7 summit See in context

I've listened for years to human rights seminars given by LGBTQ members to my high school students. I have also given a speech every year talking about the difficulties of foreigners working in Japan. And I've noticed that in the end, minorities are really only asking for this: To be acknowledged, To be treated equally, and To be shown respect.

7 ( +24 / -17 )

Posted in: Renault, Nissan reboot auto alliance for post-Ghosn era See in context

I know it'll make little difference. But I'll not buy Nissan ever again. The whole incident was so underhandedly discriminatory towards the foreigners working there.

3 ( +19 / -16 )

Posted in: Kishida weighs Ukraine visit in February to hold talks with Zelenskyy: report See in context

Why? What do you have to offer them?

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

Posted in: Some fear COVID downgrade may cause more infections See in context

Good news, time to move on and live with Covid.

This is my feeling now, too. No matter what we do, Covid is here to live among us. Wearing a mask or not wearing a mask is your choice. But I'm ready to see everyone's face again.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

Posted in: More youth tournaments banning angry coaches See in context

This is great. And if Japan eventually turns out like the U.S., they may need to ban angry parents towards referees.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Experts urge gov't to take gradual approach to COVID downgrade See in context

This is quite an interesting point. While it was an imposed duty to make sure the students wear their masks, did you think about the risks and benefits of their wearing them? I'm not having a go at you, as it was probably part of your job. It's just that with being able to see what's happening in other countries via the internet, wouldn't it be possible to gain another perspective in that way and not just be limited to what you see here in Japan?

I'm not exactly what risks and benefits you are referring to. I still see value in wearing masks. They can help prevent the spread of colds and viruses much better than not wearing them at all. But it seems no matter what precautions we take, Covid manages to find a way to spread regardless. A mask-wearing father may catch it at work or on the train and bring it home unknowingly, and once he takes off his mask at home, it spreads to everyone else in the family. Then daughter and son go to school with masks on, but during P.E. or sports practice, manages to pass it on to their friends.

As for gaining a perspective from the internet, yes, you can be better informed. But first-hand experience is so much better overall. I also don't wish to criticize others opinions. Most make their opinions based on their knowledge and experience. But I just have a different feeling about it all after seeing how much everyone was enjoying their daily life in the U.S. rather than worrying about catching Covid constantly.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Posted in: Experts urge gov't to take gradual approach to COVID downgrade See in context

Masks off there, masks on here. I find it fascinating at how simple peer pressure can cause intelligent adults to modify their behavior.

It's not so much peer pressure, but experiencing something different and having a new perspective. Before visiting the U.S. over the holidays, I was a very strict "every one should wear a mask" enforcer. But my only perspective was that of living in Japan where it was also my duty to make sure students wore masks, too. Having two experiences and perspectives enables me to be more intelligent than only seeing one side, no?

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Posted in: Experts urge gov't to take gradual approach to COVID downgrade See in context

I am 3 times vaccinated and will always wear a mask in Japan as that is still the norm right now. But after visiting the U.S. over the holidays, I found it refreshing to see everyone enjoying their lives without masks. So I guess my feelings towards Covid changed a bit. It can be terrible for some who catch it, but it seems to me that whatever preventions we take, Covid manages to find a way to spread around. It is unfortunately something we will just have to continue living with.

3 ( +17 / -14 )

Posted in: Volunteers taking outsized role in Japanese language support See in context

Turns out you don't need special training to teach a language. You just need to have the right motivations.

While motivation is the most important thing, you can often tell who is a trained / experienced teacher vs. someone who is not. And learning from someone with training and experience can provide faster and better learning.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Posted in: Gov't panel reviewing Japan foreign trainee program holds 1st meeting See in context

I give a speech every year to students about how minorities (foreigners) can often receive less pay and benefits as compared to their Japanese counterparts. But just saying that doesn't click with them. So I began to add a section in the speech talking about how Japanese women still tend to receive less than men in Japan. And suddenly, every girl in the room is fully focused and you can see them beginning to understand exactly what minorities (foreigners) can face. For effective changes to be made, people need to be made more aware of what is really happening. Many just do not know.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Posted in: Video game hub Japan confronts problem of addiction See in context

Nothing wrong with games. It should be treated as a hobby, the same as TV, books, and sports. Some might say that books offer mental development, but so do some games. Players often do a lot of research and have to make quick decisions based on the environment. Some might say that sports offer physical development. And while that's true, a gamer can get physical exercise in other ways. They don't have to spend three hours every day after school with mandatory club practice.

As long as children are taught priorities and to focus on getting studies and chores done and spending time with family and friends, then there is nothing wrong with enjoying gaming. A long time ago, we spent family nights playing Parcheesi. You can do the same now with video games if you so choose.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan eyes higher corporate, tobacco taxes to fund defense spending See in context

As an ex-smoker, I am okay with taxing tobacco more. But I feel the money gained should be related to health care as that is what tobacco effects. A country's defense spending should not be funded by smokers, especially as the number of smokers are dwindling. If we are going to go this route, then it would should be taxing alcohol more as well. An unpopular opinion I'm sure. But this would provide a more stable yearly revenue.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Posted in: Taxes to be raised to cover additional defense spending: Kishida See in context

Just no. Please don't make my family and others struggle more.

23 ( +25 / -2 )

Posted in: Japan beats Spain 2-1 to advance to last 16 at World Cup See in context

I'm very excited for Japan. I also have some good friends in Japan, the U.S., and Australia. And I'm am quite pleased to see all of their countries make it through.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Ex-student awarded damages over high school rule that banned dating See in context

"Considering the school's educational ideals and policies, the rule is reasonable in the context of social standards as a rule for making students focus on studies by banning dating," said Presiding Judge Kazuhiro Murata in handing down the ruling.

Dating, makeup, dress-code enforcements do not make students focus on studies. You can visit multiple countries and see students engaging in all sorts of activities and still performing well in their studies. Japan is not unique in that its students cannot do this. This thinking is so old-fashioned and there is absolutely not valid research supporting it.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Posted in: Japan's October job availability improves for 10th straight month See in context

If the job doesn't pay enough to afford rent, food, and other necessities, then it will remain unfilled.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Posted in: Moriyasu defends decision-making after Japan's loss to Costa Rica showing See in context

I found the first half to be quite boring to watch. Seemed to be just a lot of passing side to side in mid-field. Then when a pass was made forward and pressure was put on Japan, they would just pass it back and continue the same mind-numbing side to side passing. There was also very little movement from the forwards up front.

I want to see Japan pushing forward more. At a much faster pace. Put more crosses in from the side. Push the penalty area more. I believe they can do better against Spain.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: In U.S., inflation sparks tough Thanksgiving meal sacrifices See in context

We had a Thanksgiving dinner in Japan for four. Skipped Turkey (partly because of price) and had chicken instead. But we had biscuits and gravy and pecan pie! My wife could make anyone cry over her pecan pie.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

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