OssanAmerica comments

What an awful way to welcome Spring.

Simon FostonToday  01:41 pm JST

OssanAmerica

Today 10:21 am JST

"The shrine is seen by Beijing and Seoul as a symbol of Japan's past military aggression because it includes 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal among the 2.5 million war dead honored there."

Yes, and it also includes 21,000 Koreans.

They all opted to be enshrined there, did they?

Maybe some did and some didn't. But until 1945 (actually the 1990s) Koreans didn't care since Korea was psart of Japan, they had Japanese citizenship and served in the Japanese military.

Hello Kitty 321Today  05:15 pm JST

No, in fact when one Korean family asked for their relative to be removed, they were refused.

21,000 Koreans enshrined there. And only 27 people sued for their removal.

Mr KiplingToday  05:00 pm JST

.....that the country would strike back with force if its interests came under threat.

In other words, China would react exactly the same as almost every other country in the world.

How many countrues in gthe world are claim vast expanses of international water andcallig it theirs, building military bases on them?

How many countries in the world have continued to threaten an invasion of another for 75 years?

Oh yea, "exactly" like every other country my rear end.

The shrine is seen by Beijing and Seoul as a symbol of Japan's past military aggression because it includes 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal among the 2.5 million war dead honored there.

Yes, and it also includes 21,000 Koreans.

MoonrakerToday  07:54 am JST

The sheer arrogance and ingratitude of Israel is astonishing. They get promised a who slew of extra money from the US and seem to take that as their right, while throwing the toys out their pram about this possible sanction

Well yea. We support many allies around the world but Israel is acting like as bunch of, well I'm not going to say it.

deanzaZZRToday  08:54 am JST

Qingdao is a wonderful coastal city with a past that includes German imperialism that will never be repeated. The only positive legacy is Qingdao Beer.

Japan is taking a pass?

Look it up before asking.

"The navy hosts the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao from Sunday. The top officer of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force is among the participants."

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240421_03/

That's nice. But they still aren't getting an invite to RIMPAC. Last time they took the opportunity to spy on other countries' vessels.

itsonlyrocknrollToday  06:48 pm JST

OssanAmerica

If this relic of the past, Yasukuni Shrine and the museum next door can forge a future, open J politicians eyes to the threats faced on just about every level from Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, it could advert an global war.

It may sound a tad melodramatic, however the threat is proven and unarguable.

You are absolutely correct as to the very real external threats that Japan is facing today. However, I do not agree that J-politicians are blind to these facts.

The ones who are blind are opposition parties, like the Communist Party of Japan, who still hold the unrealistic position that the JSDF should not exist, and a large portion of the civilian population who have grown up with the Heiwa Boke that they are in denial of today's threats to Japan and the need to adapt to them.

While the Yasukuni Shrine and the Yushukan could, as you say, play a postive role domestically, it will continue to be used by Japan's adversaries to prevent Japan from re-arming itself to meet today's threats. The media, both Japanese and Western feed them by reporting every visit and gift sent. In the scope of today's events, it is utterly irrelevant.

If the media didn't make a big issue out of nothing some countries wouldn't either.

Steel corrodes when in contact with water. End of story.

Mike_OxlongToday  11:25 am JST

RESCUERS were still searching for the other seven bodies. What is the Japanese obsession with the word "officials"?!

With all the information the article gives concerning 1 dead 7 missing chopper crew, that is what bothers you?

"Officials" is often used to mean "Authorities" in translationed articles. It's not a "Japanese obsession" it's a translation practice.

Abandoning a hamster is terrible. But nowhere near as bad as feeding it to your frog. Seriously, google it.

Police said he admitted to the allegation and quoted him as saying, “I didn't know the victim. I didn’t care who I killed. Anybody would have done."

Every time I read this line it annoys the hell out of me. There are so many horrible people out there who deserve it. But these types always murder completely innocent people for no reason.

Mr KiplingToday  08:04 am JST

Just like the ones in Europe, they have very little intention to return to Ukraine.

Can one expect such intentions while the war still continues with no end in sight? I am sure that many would return if the war was over.

to equip Australia with nuclear-powered but conventionally armed submarines.

That's not nuclear weapons Wang, and not "nuclear proliferation".

MeiyouwentiToday  07:59 am JST

Lost two choppers at the same time. There must be something fundamentally wrong with US designed aircraft.

Or maybe there is something fundamentally wrong with Mitsubuishi Heavy Industries who manufactured them.

JMSDF has over 80 SK-60 variants in operation since 1991.

Can't be sure but Jupiter Coffee and Imported Foods would be a reasonably good bet.

I get my Spanish and Italian hard salamis there.

sakurasukiToday  10:50 am JST

@OssanAmerica

Check again from that news website that you gave, so prefectural government can decide and report anytime they want to considered that's illegal practice. Why prefectural government can do that, because there's no legal protection for Ainu people to do so.

Salmon fishing in the rivers has been banned in Hokkaido since 1883. This applied and continues to apply to all Japanese as well as Ainu, who are by their own admission; Japanese.

Despite the "present" exchange rate, many investors continue to hold JYen. Or rarther they are buying it up at these exchange rates.

The return on holding JYen is indeed ridiculous, but they are drawn to the long term stability of that currency. Whch often comprises only a portion of their currency holdings. This is especially true in light of current global events.

If you're not in that game, the only reason to hold JYen is if you have JYen expenses and liabilities.

deanzaZZRToday  01:28 pm JST

Perhaps the locals should have a say in their future, having experienced the military boot of both Imperial Japan and the USA.

Japan and the United States are working to ensure that the locals don't get the Chinese boot.

Is it my imagination or are the nacelles at an odd angle? Shouldn;t they be parallel to each other?

They will follow this up with Super Duper Large Warhead.

Half the population of my country wants a President who has never apologized for anything in his life. SMH...

sakurasukiToday  07:20 am JST

@OssanAmerica

 This prohibition applies to all Japanese not just those of Ainu extraction.

In Japan there are many laws that create exception there are special law for many type of gambling, there are many law for "security", Japan can make one for Ainu but choose not too.

Limited salmon fishing in the rivers for preserving Ainu tradition is already being carried out.

Apart from tradition, some limited recreational salmon fishing is allowed under permit for all Japanese including Ainu.

Over the last 10 years there has been a movement to change the law to allow Ainu to fish without a permit.

"The chairman of a group representing Japan's indigenous Ainu people on Sept. 15 called for guarantees of indigenous rights, after he was hit with a criminal complaint for salmon fishing in Japan's northernmost prefecture without a license."

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190916/p2a/00m/0na/011000c

Unfortunately living pretty much anywhere in Okinawa Precture is living in the line of fire.

Woudn't be happening if China was a friendly pacifist nation. But it's not.

EastmanToday  08:50 am JST

how abt to talk to DPRK directly dear Fumio?

its just some 60min flight from Tokyo.

Koizumi could do...?

or are there any...obstacles?or no negotiation skills?

Try to keep up with the news.

"N. Korea says no interest in holding summit with Japan, rejects further talks"

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240326-n-korea-says-no-interest-in-holding-summit-with-japan-rejects-further-talks

I don't see Trump having the time between trials for such a visit. Unless Aso is going to lend him money.

リッチToday  02:21 am JST

Honestly ask 99% of the American public if they know anything about this and they will say no.

Doesn't mean anything. That would apply to anything outside the U.S.

This article fails to make clear 2 very pertinent points.

This is not an effort to quash Ainu tradition. Salmon fishing in the rivers is banned for all Japanese regardless of Ainu extraction. It was a good effort to try and overturn this prohibition on the basis of indigenous tradition but probably knocked down because it would open the door to lifting the highly unfair prohibition.

The Ainu already are permitted limited salmon fishing in the rivers for the sake of preserving tradition. This is something that everyone else in Hokkaido are not permitted to do.

The blanket ban is wrong.

The Hokkaido prohibition on the fishing of salmon in rivers is driven by the Fisheries Unions who don't want their bread and butter touched. They are behind the poliiticians who influence the Courts. All salmon taken both commercially and recreationally are taken at sea. This prohibition applies to all Japanese not just those of Ainu extraction.