Posted in: Japan’s oldest monorail permanently closing next month See in context
As a train geek I find this rather sad. But it wasn't ever really transport proper, more of a kiddies theme park ride.
There are so many great train lines that will close and I doubt the government will built anything remotely exciting in the future. Just practical lines like Utsunomiya's lightning bee thing.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Security tight for Halloween in Shibuya See in context
Shibuya used to be a hoot. I've been here long enough to remember the yamaba in Shibuya who were professional loiterers, squatting everywhere.
It's sad really that a handful of powerful silver people feel they need to manages everyone's fun. Just cause they ain't getting a slice of the pumpkin pie. This is the future I guess.
-1 ( +7 / -8 )
Posted in: Man arrested over murder of 3 family members in Saitama Prefecture See in context
My kids kicked a soccer ball into the neighbor's yard. When I went to apologize and ask for the ball back his aging mother got it from his room and gave it back to me. It was deflated and had knife-shaped puncture holes. I think it's hard to stab a soccer ball. My wife thinks that's normal behavior.
1 ( +2 / -1 )
Posted in: Japan accepts 8 people displaced by Russian invasion of Ukraine See in context
Eight is a good number for language classes. You can put them in pairs.
2 ( +7 / -5 )
Posted in: Survey shows 60% see drinking with colleagues as 'unnecessary' See in context
Ricky Kaminski13
Agree, totally. Office atmospheres suck in Japan, working in an office where people had previously been on a nomikai is heaps more relaxed, almost enjoyable. The parties are kind of fun, you gotta laugh at old mate singing with a tie around his scone.
Having said that, however. I used to drink at these shindigs so I could justify and abuse the 5-7000 nomihodi price tag. I don't drink that much anymore, so from a non-drinkers POV, 5000 yen is a lot of mediocre sushi I'd have to eat. That tab is a little hard to swallow if you ain't drankin'. Plus I don't suffer drunk fools all that well.
2 ( +5 / -3 )
Posted in: Only 30% of Japanese drivers stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, survey says See in context
Agree with other posters. 30% is propaganda to bolster the wholesome Japan image. Where I live, the birthplace of the 'Ibaraki Dash', my estimate would be less than 5% of drivers stop at crosswalks. You can hurl your body onto a crosswalk and you'll get honked at, or killed.
Additionally, most folk here are also aware drivers actually speed up to run red lights, and an interesting trend I've seen recently is drivers jumping lights at train crossings, good luck with that. Go Japan.
-1 ( +1 / -2 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 831 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 5,705 See in context
Nice. Edging down to the wonderful 500. The magicians can soon get their campaign into full swing and start shouting at me at 8:30 on a Sunday morn. Can't wait.
-1 ( +3 / -4 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 4,220 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 21,570 See in context
NHK News 7 really skipped over the Coronavirus stats today. They didn't even state Tokyo numbers. Just said numbers were down from last week. Interesting. Perhaps to pump up the Olympics.
They did mention the price of eggplants are up 39% from last year though. That left me feeling glum.
10 ( +12 / -2 )
Posted in: Tens of thousands of children to be allowed to attend Paralympics See in context
Most of the schools in the city I live have absolutely zero accessibility. They don't even pretend to provide for people with disabilities. No wonder there is no opportunity to 'view (athletes) people with disabilities'. This is an odd country.
1 ( +2 / -1 )
Posted in: Ohtani dominates on mound; hits 40th homer in Angels' 3-1 win over Tigers See in context
The lads were talking baseball at work. Ohtani came up in the conversation and one of the dudes queried, "Kare Nihonjin ja nai?". That made me chuckle a wee bit.
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: Bach to return to Tokyo for Paralympics opening ceremony See in context
If I was Bach I would've just stayed in that hotel downtown for the duration. He probably had free Wifi and eggs cooked any way he wanted.
12 ( +14 / -2 )
Posted in: Vaccination site for younger people to open in Tokyo's Shibuya district See in context
They should set up in Starbucks near the eki. Give the kiddies a free coffee plus vacs, they'll come.
9 ( +15 / -6 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports record high 5,042 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 15,263 See in context
Oh it's not so bad, snuck over 5000. Numbers might plateau now into the weekend. Perhaps we can have a masked holiday after all.
-23 ( +3 / -26 )
Posted in: Australia to play U.S. for women's beach volleyball gold medal See in context
What a matchup. The world has been waiting for this.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Spain beats Japan to reach men's soccer final against Brazil See in context
Smithinjapan. Yeah, perhaps that was a bit harsh, there are sports way more boring than soccer. I can wade through 105 mins +extra of an upbeat soccer match, but I can’t for the life of me afford 7 minutes for baseball. Although I do find the high school baseball tournament here somewhat entertaining. Its kinda genki, cute and emotional all at the same time.
I do hope however the video referee is introduced across the board, perhaps folk won’t fall over so much and just play. I will have to be careful though, I could make a lot of enemies dissing ‘The World Game’.
0 ( +3 / -3 )
Posted in: Spain beats Japan to reach men's soccer final against Brazil See in context
Soccer is a generally pretty boring game and this was a pretty boring match, nothing really happened. I was however pleasantly surprised that the penalty and awarded to Spain and subsequent Yellow Card were rightly overturned by video referee. It highlights the imperfections in this sport.
Where I come from, if athletes go down its because they are hurt, not for theatrics and milking free kicks.
Spain did deserve the win in the end however.
-2 ( +5 / -7 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 3,300 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 10,743 See in context
Perhaps stupid is the wrong word, apologies. But you get the point.
2 ( +4 / -2 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 3,300 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 10,743 See in context
It seems the government actually thinks the people are stupid.
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Posted in: Tokyo reports record high 3,865 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 10,699 See in context
I like how NHK news is shorter as well. Just don't talk about it
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Posted in: Surfing bronze See in context
It's awesome Japan is winning all these medals in the 'extreme' sports, surfing, skateboarding and potentially climbing. But I don't get it. Japan has the sloppiest surf, with few breaks around and even those breaks are jam packed like sushi, really difficult to get a wave. Additionally for skating the roads are crap and littered with debris and small stones, the enemy of a skater. Local people despise street skateboarding and I have never seen a decent local 'free' skate park. Where do these kids practice, only America?
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: 'Can't help but cheer': Some in Japan warm to Olympics See in context
What stops you, seriously?
It's complicated, my wife's father died of cancer and the family needs me here right now. But thanks for your concern Zoroto.
2 ( +6 / -4 )
Posted in: 'Can't help but cheer': Some in Japan warm to Olympics See in context
In my Japanese house everyone is going crazy about the Olympics, Covid speak is totally taboo now. It's fine, they are happy. The TV coverage is so pro-Japan, always has been, Absolutely zero coverage of any sport that doesn't give Japan a chance. As a foreigner here at this time I feel terribly alone and homesick.
I'm not going to die in Japan from Covid. But what troubles me is as the cases go up here the ease of me returning home, goes down. I really want to go home.
7 ( +12 / -5 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports record 2,848 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 7,629 See in context
Kinda saw this coming a mile away. Told my wife yesterday it would be this high and she nearly divorced me. She kinda sums up a lot of folk right now. Gold fever and denial.
8 ( +10 / -2 )
Posted in: Emperor tells Bach holding Olympics amid pandemic 'not easy' See in context
The Emperor probably signalled he was planning to watch the opening ceremony from home, whereupon Barfch set him straight with 'you're not staying behind and hiding in your palace, ahright?'
Ha, yeah. Did you catch Coatesy giving Annastacia Palaszczuk a manly serve about not hiding in her room? Dick.
2 ( +3 / -1 )
Posted in: Emperor tells Bach holding Olympics amid pandemic 'not easy' See in context
They certainly have skills for making rooms kinda tastless here. Who tossed my granny's old mat in the corner back there?
1 ( +2 / -1 )
Posted in: Bach corrects Chinese slip-up in Olympic talks; calls Tokyo best-ever prepared host city See in context
Seriously, I teach English in better looking rooms than that.
14 ( +15 / -1 )
Posted in: COVID means business is far from usual in Olympic athletes village See in context
I kinda have a little more respect the athletes. To live in that prison, then compete in front of no one, to no fanfare. Then get kicked the hell outta town when you’re done. You would have to love what you do.
-1 ( +4 / -5 )
Posted in: American arrested on suspicion of smuggling cannabis oil See in context
I'm pretty sure it's not for medicinal purposes. Unless, Ferrari guy is looking to help the elderly. How would you even move that shipment from an English school in Ibaraki. He's in deep.
3 ( +3 / -0 )
Posted in: Japan strengthens anti-virus measures in Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa See in context
My buddy is getting the vaccine Monday. He's the first person I know in Japan to get it. He's a pharmacist with some form of responsibility for distribution in the town I live in, so he has to take it.
He doesn't want it. Classic.
7 ( +8 / -1 )
Posted in: Springtime in Japan but COVID-19 limits festivities for cherry blossom fans See in context
There's no weird English on that sign! They're letting their guard down.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Wow... Just wow. Pillars of the community running a hospital...
Posted in: 2 doctors arrested over cover-up of patient’s murder at hospital in Aomori Prefecture
So only 95 year old Japanese can be referred to as idiots. That sound very similar to USA Fascism.
Posted in: 98-year-old man found dead under eaves of shed after removing snow from roof
Posted in: Colorful rider
Posted in: 2 doctors arrested over cover-up of patient’s murder at hospital in Aomori Prefecture