OssanAmerica comments

Posted in: Kishida mulls visiting North Carolina during state visit to U.S. See in context

I really wish these translators would stop using "mulls" for 検討してる.

"Considering: is far more appropriate translation.

Just like the rather silly "regretable" nonsense for 残念です instead of "unfortunate",

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Spy row erupts in Australia over 'traitor' politician See in context

The Australians have been aware of Chinese efforts to influence Australian poliiticians of various levels for quite a few years now. Name the politician and name the "foreign country". Throw diplomacy out the window.. This is an attack on Australia, not a shooting war, but an attack nevertheless.

"China is carrying out ‘blatant’ influence operations in Australia, Malcolm Turnbull says"

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/21/china-is-carrying-out-blatant-influence-operations-in-australia-malcolm-turnbull-says

"Allegations Prompt Calls for Inquiry on Chinese Influence on Canadian Elections"

https://www.voanews.com/a/allegations-prompt-calls-for-inquiry-on-chinese-influence-on-canadian-elections/6988241.html

"China Increased U.S. Election Influence in 2022, Intelligence Report Says"

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/us/politics/election-interference-china-russia.html

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Baseball superstar Ohtani announces marriage to Japanese woman See in context

No 一般人 following 日本人女性?

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Posted in: Ground Self-Defense Force recruit indicted for killing 2 instructors See in context

During questioning after his arrest, Watanabe told police he planned to steal ammunition to shoot people and that he felt no personal animosity toward the three men he shot.

Japan is a death penalty country. He would have gotten it anyway if he had suceeded in getting more ammo. Not someone you want walking freely in society.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Hong Kong's plan for a new national security law deepens fears over eroding civil liberties See in context

The evil dragon slowly chews and swallows it's victim. Eyes are on Taiwan next....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: Number of births in Japan hits record low in 2023 See in context

deanzaZZRToday  01:27 am JST

If you are suggesting that immigrants need to achieve N1 level before arriving to Japan say 歡迎 to plenty of Chinese who have a foundation in kanji.

An often stated fallacy made by those not in the know. that because Chinese use Kanji they can pick up Japanese easily. Chinese uses far more Kanji characters than Japan, but they don't have the near ridiculous different ways of reading the same character. Couple that with hiragana and katakana, plus the fact that many Chinese are used to the Simplified Chinese characters unknown in Japan plus a different grammatical structure. In fact Chinese syntax is closer to English.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: South Korea's fertility rate drops to fresh record low in 2023 See in context

Can't wait to see how "some" SKoreans are going to blame this on Japan.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Posted in: New Zealand set to scrap world-first tobacco ban See in context

factcheckerToday  07:49 pm JST

Good. A government has no business telling people what they can and can't do to themselves.

What if it's unintentionally killing them. Slowly but surely.

What if some people are either too uneducated or ignorant to do what's best for themselves in accordance with all available medical evidence and advice.

What if the practice puts a tremendous burden on the nation's medical system. That everyone pays for.

What if the practice untintentionally but indiscriminatley hurts people around them.

What if the users are unable to stop because they are heavily addicted.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Posted in: Do you think the performance of the stock market in a country reflects the performance of the economy as a whole? See in context

Of course not. Only politicians want people to think so. And that they are somehow responsible if it goes up.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Posted in: What to stream this week: Adam Sandler is in space, 'Elsbeth' sleuths and Japan shines in 'Shogun' See in context

Hiroyuki Sanada is aiming to be the next Toshiro Mifune. And he's very likely to suceed. He's come a long ways from the JAC days but his forte is still action/martial arts. Sonny Chiba would be proud.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Abductees' families say they won't oppose Japan lifting N Korea sanctions See in context

North Korea is pressed by the South Korea/US hardline position. They are sending out feelers to Japan. If that results in a resolution to the abductee issue that's great. I honestly don't expect anybody to be "returning" but at least NKorea may provide records and details of their demise to put this to rest.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan diversifying seafood export destinations after China ban See in context

Samit BasuToday  10:02 am JST

When I buy seafood at my local Japanese supermarket, I always check the label to make sure I don't buy anything from Japan.

That's ok. We don't buy anything from South Korea either. If there were any.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Posted in: Japan, China hold talks over Fukushima treated water release See in context

PseudonymouseToday  07:10 pm JST

Maybe if Japan and China would formally sign a peace treaty might help

They signed a Peace Treaty 52 years ago.

Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China 1972.

Look it up.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: One dead, 2 injured in knife attack in Hokkaido convenience store See in context

NHK reporting kitchen knife.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: One dead, 2 injured in knife attack in Hokkaido convenience store See in context

Anyone know what kind of knife? Kitchen knife or outdoor knife?

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Posted in: What did you do in your down time before cell phones were common (if you are old enough to remember)? See in context

餓死鬼Today  01:05 pm JST

I read a lot, drew a lot, tried doing wheelies on my bicycle, painted Warhammer miniatures for a bit and played a lot of 象棋 with my dad.

I think you mean 将棋. Unless there's some game involving elephants that I'm not aware of.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: What did you do in your down time before cell phones were common (if you are old enough to remember)? See in context

Well there's a difference between a "cell phone" which could only be used to telephone someone or send SMS texts, and today's Smartphones (Apple/Android etc) that can do just about anything.

Back when I only had a cellphone (first with antena then flip), I'd be on my PC opening up my Trumpet Winsock and Netscape to get to AOL Webcrawler, listening to the ding-dong-ding of my US Robotics 56k modem. At least until I got ISDN. Was quite a thrill pushing my Pentium 75 PC.

Definitely spent more time watching TV on the brown tube SONY Trinitron TV since the "internet" wasn't quite as developed as today. And yea, listened to my vinyl records.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Japanese volunteer in Ukraine See in context

DanteKHToday  12:31 pm JST

This would have been fine if not for the Japanese Nazi similar flag.

The Japanese naval ensign has nothing to do with Nazis or their flag. It goes back to the 1800s and is the equivalent of the German Iron Cross which is in use today.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

Posted in: U.S.-led Indo-Pacific deal on supply chain resilience takes effect See in context

GBR48Today  10:39 am JST

So when climate change bites and food runs short, the US has priority of supply from other members of this group. Hmm.

This isn't about climate change or natural disasters. It's about countering one particular country that uses and weaponizes trade; China.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan, China hold talks over Fukushima treated water release See in context

Makoto ShimizuToday  11:59 am JST

It seems to be fair to have the participation of experts from Japan, China, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, USA, Canada, etc, regarding this Fukushima nuclear water being released in the Pacific Ocean.

There is already international expert participation. The Fukshima releases are monitored by the IAEA. Even China has been a member of the IAEA since 1984.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Japan's Defense Ministry hosts Singapore Airshow display for 1st time See in context

Nowhere does Article 9 does it prohibit Japan from manufacturing or exporting weapons.

"Article 9. 

Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained."

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Posted in: Japan's Defense Ministry hosts Singapore Airshow display for 1st time See in context

There wasn't much of a market for Japanese cars or cameras at one time either. Only time will tell is right.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Posted in: Watch that melted during atomic blast over Hiroshima sells for more than $31,000 See in context

Elvis is hereToday  04:02 pm JST

Will do. Sorry to have upset you.

Not upset at all. Just don't want folks spreading incorrect information, that's all.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Posted in: Watch that melted during atomic blast over Hiroshima sells for more than $31,000 See in context

Elvis is hereToday  01:35 pm JST

If Noel Perrin is suggesting that Samurai carried firearms up to a certain point in time, then gave them up to just carry swords, I;m afraid he doesn't know what he's talking about.

You'll need to read the book to find out.

Based on your erroneous statement and reference to Perrin's book to support it I already know. Thanks but not worth my money. I suggest you read other books on the topic.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Posted in: Indonesian activists sue Japan over treated water release See in context

Lawyers will make money. An Indonesian Court has no jurisdiction over the matter. Even a ruling can't be enforced. But the lawyers will make money. Anything is worth a lawsuit.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Watch that melted during atomic blast over Hiroshima sells for more than $31,000 See in context

Elvis is hereToday  10:17 am JST

Most people think once the genie is out of the bottle it can't be returned. Nuclear weapons could be disposed of as history tells us with Japan and firearms

鉄砲術existed in the 1500s/1600s. The city of Sakai continued to produce firearms in great quantities until the Tokugawa period.

Indeed. Not sure about 'great quantities' bit. Japan adopted the firearm and then gave it up. Samurai went back two swords after the country was unified

That at one time Japan was manufacturig (by hand) more firearms than any other country is true. But we are talking about smooth bore matchlocks based upon what the Portugese brought to Tanegashima. Firearms development continued to advance in the West, but not in Japan.

The Samurai class did not "go back to swords". The wearing of swords was a privelidge of the Bushi Class. The Sengoku Jidai wars were fought with Teppo Tai (Gun troops) along with swords, bows and spears. Starting with Oda Nobunaga. hese Teppo Tai were made up of Ashhigaru of the peasant class, although they were lead by Samurai. Firearms were not part of the Bushi class culture. So when the civil wars ended after Tokugawa Ieyasu attained victory in 1600 starting a 250 year period of no civl wars, there was no need for a Teppo Tai. The Bushi class continued to wear their swords as a symbol of social status, and they contined to practice as an art, but there were no more wars.

If Noel Perrin is suggesting that Samurai carried firearms up to a certain point in time, then gave them up to just carry swords, I;m afraid he doesn't know what he's talking about.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Watch that melted during atomic blast over Hiroshima sells for more than $31,000 See in context

Elvis is hereToday  08:57 am JST

It is a reminder that nuclear weapons should be given up. Japan was one of the most advanced gun-making societies in the world but as a matter of cultural preference decided to curtail and eventually cease making firearms in the 17th century.  

Where did you get this info? 鉄砲術existed in the 1500s/1600s. The city of Sakai continued to produce firearms in great quantities until the Tokugawa period. After that, there were no more civil wars, and by the time there was in the 1800s, firearnms had advanced in the West with rifled barrels. Plus there was a glut of guns created by the end of the US Civil War that flooded the world markets.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Posted in: Watch that melted during atomic blast over Hiroshima sells for more than $31,000 See in context

This watch belongs in a Museum, either in Hiroshima or somewhere else. It holds far too much significance to the entire human race to be sitting in some private collector's safe.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Posted in: TSMC diversifies out of Taiwan with new Japan plant See in context

Japan has always been quake prone, That hasn't stopped the country from becoming a major economic power.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Posted in: TSMC diversifies out of Taiwan with new Japan plant See in context

obladiToday  07:04 am JST

As a consumer, I am happy with this change. However, does diversification of TSMC's assets make a Taiwan any less of a target for invasion?

The purpose of putting assets outside of Taiwan is to prevent their destruction or takeover if Taiwan is invaded. It is not to prevent or diminish the possibility of such an invasion.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

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