Peacetrain comments

Posted in: Michelin-star sushi restaurant in Tokyo defends foreigner rules See in context

@zones2surf

Agreed. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Michelin-star sushi restaurant in Tokyo defends foreigner rules See in context

Mr Noidall.

No seriously. It wouldn't bother me. I probably have an extreme view of freedom. It just doesn't bother me that a shop or a business especially a small one owned by one person has rules about accepting customers.

I realise that's unusual, but that's my view. I think there's enough room for little sushi shops to cater for different people.

I also realise that you are all upset about the principle of it all. For me, if I REALLY wanted to go to that restaurant and it was SO important for me to eat there, I'd probably go there, talk to the owner tell him I'd really love to eat there, ask him what problems he's had before - and offer to pay up front.

But....There is no way I'd pay 20,000 yen for myself to eat sushi. And if I brought three others, I'd probably be dying of guilt that we spent 80,000 yen on rice and raw fish.

I'd rather give the money to some charity.

But if I were a gazillionaire who thought nothing of me and my friends dropping 800 bucks on sushi? I'd probably just go somewhere else.

And that's got nothing to do with monkey suits and dancing. But maybe you're right. He should call it a club. And on that note, it doesn't bother me that some people want men's only clubs or women's only clubs or lesbian Muslims clubs or whatever.

I'm sure if Mo went to see this owner they could sort it out. Maybe we could hear some more stories about why he ended up that way.

No cheap shot was intended either. I am seriously just surprised it means so much to people that they'd get so upset about a sushi owner having strange admission practices.

ps I guess if you are so offended by my post it probably follows that this sushi guy really offends you.

A snooty upscale sushi chef like him probably has other things you wouldn't like either - like not wanting to hire female chefs! see, that's crazy to me too, but if people want to be like that let them.

There are a lot more things that upset me than having to use some special credit card to eat there.

it's probably a great marketing move. Now he'll have all these gaijin breaking their banks forcing him to let them in as customers just because they want the right.

And if gaijin boycott the place, it will probably be seen as some exclusive place for Japanese only.

But it's his call. I say let the market decide.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Posted in: Michelin-star sushi restaurant in Tokyo defends foreigner rules See in context

Is this a record number of comments?

Amazing that so many people are upset about not being able to dine at a place that costs at least 20,000 yen.

I just wonder how good life must be to be able to blow that much money on sushi and then get upset about it when you can't.

I'm wondering if perhaps Mizutani knows other customers like eating at a place without foreigners.

Anyway, for a completely different take from a gaijin..

It's his business. If he's had problems before then it's his right to refuse anyone he wants. If I knew someone didn't want me as a foreigner to eat at his restaurant, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest, and I probably wouldn't feel comfortable eating there anyway. I also don't mind if someone doesn't want to rent to me. It's their house.

People who run businesses should be able to run them the way they want. If you don't want to work there, don't. If you don't want to buy from them, don't. He might lose customers over this, but on the other hand, he might gain just as many.

And people calling up pretending to be Japanese now? And calling Michelin? Surprised at how angry people get over a restaurant they'll probably never go to, and probably don't want to go to.

So, I'm with Tina and the right-wingers on this one. Wow!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Posted in: Lesbian couple hold symbolic wedding ceremony in Tokyo See in context

"So it's not just conservative Christians against gay marriage"

Of course not. Every country has been against it, until recently. And the countries that allowed it first were countries with a Christian history. Ironically, it's the people from "traditionally" Christian countries who have only accepted gay marriage in the last few years who are going around the world telling the non-Christian countries that their position of the last couple of thousand years is absurd.

As for homosexuality in animals, there is certainly homosexual activity at times, but I've never heard of animals rejecting sexual activity with their own sex in favor of a whole life of homosexual behavior. If there is, let me know, but so far I haven't heard of it.

But, animals also pack rape, and have incest too, so I don't think it makes any sense to talk about what is natural from observing animals.

That said, they look like a really happy couple.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Posted in: Japanese men share a list of common male woes before and after marriage See in context

If you talk to lots of Japanese men and women of different ages, this list is no real surprise. And many Japanese women will laugh at the list because they'll agree with it.

(Yes, you all can talk about how you are different and you know someone etc etc)

But, it's an interesting look into what goes on in many Japanese relationships.

The only one that SEEMS strange is the DV for withholding sex.

But go to your local city office and get the brochure about DV. Japan has gone from having no protection for women to going the other way. Read the list about what is included in DV and there are things like "ignoring" and "making fun of you in front of your friends" as being emotional abuse And if a woman goes there the people won't suggest counselling, they'll suggest just moving out. Then when a lawyer gets involved, most men in Japan won't see their kids again or much at all.

Again - domestic abuse is disgusting - but watch out for an increase in DV claims. Japan often swings from one side to the other of issues.

As others have said - just pick the right person when you get married. And it may not be romantic - but you're better off discussing finances, kids, roles, etc BEFORE you get married and don't just assume anything.

@Asakaze - of course a girl will offer to pay the bill or half. But if it's a REAL date a japanese woman would expect to be paid for (from a Japanese man). Probably she'd offer to pay, then if the man said Okay, she'd tell her friends who would be amazed that he accepted.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan must apologise for WWII until it is forgiven: Novelist Murakami See in context

This is one brave man.

5 ( +18 / -13 )

Posted in: Vagina kayak artist denies obscenity charges See in context

Okay, seems like one big issue here is whether this is generic or an actual model based on her ....attributes. I nominate myself to make a thorough examination for comparison purposes. I don't even need money.

Just leave it to Beaver.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: University student arrested for molesting 9-year-old girl See in context

For the life of me I'll never understand why guys do that.

Every girl and their parent needs to read this though. I think the best policy is to tell kids never to open a door to anyone. And even if it seems reasonable, tell the kid to tell the person at the door to call the parents to discuss it.

That sounds extreme but would unfortunately its necessary with the Masaki Hatta's of the world running around.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Posted in: Woman slashes husband for not washing his hands after using toilet See in context

What kind of disgusting man doesn't wash his hands after going to the toilet? She should have chopped his head off and done Tokyo a favor.

But given that he was too stupid and vile to know basic hygiene, if he had any consideration or love for his wife, then on the honeymoon when she first noticed and probably nicely put it to him that he should wash his hands, why didn't he?

Geez of all the things that are conflicts in marriage, why couldn't this pig just take 30 seconds even to wash his hands and put a smile on his wife's face.

She is crazy. But she probably got like that after putting up with a completely obnoxious, unreasonable pig.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Posted in: Singer Gackt claims he was victim of discrimination in Paris hotel See in context

"But it would save me the irritation of being treated like a pariah on account of being not famous..."

Such modesty. I'd say you're the most famous person on Japan Today!

So your French is probably better than you are making out!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Multiracial Miss Japan hopes to change homeland's thinking on identity See in context

She's getting a lot of media coverage, and I like her more and more. Nice girl! Don't worry, if she won the Miss Universe, Japanese will all love her.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: 6-month-old girl drowns while in bath with mother See in context

I could believe it. My mother-in-law would be drunk and doing stupid things with kids, while I'm trying to warn her.

It could actually be a true story. Some people get drunk and have no idea of danger.

Also, there are Japanese mother's who NO MATTER WHAT think that a child has to be bathed and its hair washed everyday.

I'm speaking as a guy who was married to a crazy woman who insisted that NO MATTER WHAT, an infant had to be bathed everyday. On the other hand, if they had a fever, no water could touch the child - even it's legs because "all Japanese know that you can't have a bath when you have a fever!"

Sorry, just realized I'm raving. But honestly, there are some women out there who have absolutely no common sense, but won't listen to a gaijin father.

I could go on.

I just hope someone isn't going to ask "Where was the father?"

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Posted in: Man arrested for throwing bodily fluid on girl's skirt See in context

100 times and he's only been caught now?

Wonder how many other guys have done that and other things and women have just not reported it.

There are some sick puppies in this country.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Multiracial Miss Japan hopes to change homeland's thinking on identity See in context

Don't know if I'm a Japanophile, but if I based everything on the pathetic anonymous insults i read on social media, I'd give up on the human race.

But you are right - THAT kind of thinking is disgusting. The anonymity of social media is a horrifying insight into the way SOME people think.

Go Ariana - you come across as a great ambassador for Japan.

29 ( +31 / -4 )

Posted in: Vast majority of women in survey say no to guys who smoke See in context

Great news. Now all we have to do is make every Family restaurant no smoking. No, make that everywhere.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Buddhist monk arrested for filming up girl's skirt on escalator See in context

Can anyone explain to me why people do this - monks or otherwise?

I don't think I'll ever tire of looking at naked women - but I've honestly never thought of taking photos on escalators.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Why doesn’t the U.S. adopt the metric system? See in context

Just change. It will cost money and be a problem for a few years. Other countries switched and old people didn't like it and took a while to get used to. And some of us still talk in miles and a man being 6 feet etc. But, has any country every regretted going metric? It's obviously a great system. 0's are cool.

Funny in the bodybuilding world having guys talk about how many pounds they can bench press and then run to get in their 30 grams of protein.....

Just change. American, you are indeed exceptional but the metric system is just good.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Posted in: Parents of schoolboy liable for Y15 million after wayward soccer ball leads to man’s death See in context

First of all, having some experience recently with the Japanese court system, all I can say is that some judges just aren't very bright. And can't seem to look at the real picture.

And what's the reality here? A kid in a school ground kicked a soccer ball. Like millions before him. So, by bad luck this 80yr old failed to avoid the ball. Probably if he were 60 or 40 or 20 he would have avoided it. I've seen any number of old people on bikes who just aren't capable anymore of riding anyway - nearly got hit by one yesterday.

So, the kid was already being careful. He wasn't playing soccer on the road but in the school grounds. And if he made a mistake by mis-kicking well I've seen soccer playing representing their country shooting 2 meters above the goal posts during a penalty kick when their whole reputation and the country's chance at the world cup were at stake.

But, guys think about it. If my Dad were still riding a scooter at 80 first of all I'd be thankful he was still able to do it. Then I'd probably be telling him to stop it. And if he couldn't avoid a soccer ball and fell over - even if he died that day, would any of you really want to sue a boy and his family over that? What kind of vicious person does that?

You'd think there'd be a little bit more compassion and understanding. The kid probably feels terrible already. But to sue his parents?

And it was 10 years ago? The family of the old man must be insane or just completely weird people.

They could have just had a nice funeral for the old beggar, said their goodbyes and gotten on with life. The two dingbat judges need a kick in the pants.

Not to mention the low-life lawyer.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Abe's visit to U.S. generating a lot of interest, controversy See in context

I think Obama will probably apologise to Abe.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Posted in: Japan opts for massive, costly sea wall to fend off tsunamis See in context

Yep. LDP usually has the same solution to everything.

Pour concrete somewhere.

But what we really have to get rid of in this country is this...

"But even people who really don’t like the idea also feel as if they would be shunned if they don’t go along with those who support the plan!"

Come on Japan. From the PTA, to mamas in the park, to the upper echelons, THIS is what we have to change.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: 'Haafu' to represent Japan at Miss Universe 2015 See in context

"The fact that there is a word to differentiate between two Japanese, based only on the appearance of one (and only if your parent hailed from a non-mongoloid heritage) is as reprehensible as that fact that some Japanese still differentiate between Japanese and "dowa", or "same as Japanese" (the politically-correct term for the burakumin"

Okay. Okay, so never call anyone a black American, or if there's a basketball team with only one which guy, never refer to a man as the white guy if you forget his name.

This is just ridiculous!

People use terms all the time to refer to something. Humans are like that. We talk about the tall guy, or the shortest banana. There's nothing wrong at all in having some kind of word or term to describe someone whose parents aren't both native Japanese. If you didn't use the word "haafu" you'd use another word.

What do you want people to say? "double"? Then someone would be mad about that?

Hey Taro, go and tell that kid over there who kind of doesn't look like the other Japanese because his mother OR father, may not have been born in Japan, (not that there's anything wrong with that(, but see that he kind of looks like his skin is lighter (not that there's anything wrong with that) and and of course we don't know where his parents were born and.......

geez! its just a word. And nobody is upset about it except a few gaijin who haven't been here long enough to not realise nobody is trying to be nasty.

If anything all this gaijin complaining just makes it harder for Japanese to get along with you.

Incidentally, I've been trying to tell Japanese friends about this article and all the anger about the word haafu and just been met with blank stares then worried looks and questions about what word won't be offensive.

Can I tell them Dabburu is okay, or should I just tell them to just never mention the topic, and if they say that someones kid is cute be very careful not to link that to anything about the parents possible country of birth....

I've been here too long. I almost feel like telling some people to go home! lol

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: 'Haafu' to represent Japan at Miss Universe 2015 See in context

Tina Watanabe said "I don't agree from here. You assume diversity is good. And you decide Japan does not have diversity and need it and need to be educated. Some countries have diversity, some don't. You can't make all countries the same. Diversity may be good, but there is negative side in everything. You can't make Japan change the way you want."

Interesting point - and should be allowed to be made.

Just came back to this post and saw 280 comments!

Let's remember that some people who questioned this woman being crowned are just nasty people. But others are the nicest people you'll meet who just haven't thought much about it.

Most of us are foreigners living in another country, many of us married to people of another country and we speak another language. I think we often forget how "different" we are.

Some people still think its a big deal to talk to someone of another race simply because they haven't had the experience.

But, anyway, I still think we can celebrate that Japan has come so far that this girl was able to not only represent her prefecture but win the competition.

And again, "haafu" is not the problem. I think you'd have to live in a country for quite a while and have done sufficient study before you go lecturing people on their own vocabulary.

Even in English speaking countries we use words differently.

"Do you think, for example, a fluent Japanese speaking white or black looking person (haafu or foreign) can go and introduce himself to a group of lads in their 20s and 30s playing sport and have them soon treat him as a regular dude and member of the team because his Japanese is fluent? They are far more likely to have to deal with people feeling uncomfortable with their fluency, constant reference to their foreignness and unwillingness to be seen standing talking one-on-one to the foreigner, unless others are gathered around and there is safety in numbers."

Really? Where do you live man??

Maybe you go around with a scowl on your face? I seem to get treated nicely everywhere I go.

Look, some people have never actually met a non-Japanese speaking great Japanese.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: 'Haafu' to represent Japan at Miss Universe 2015 See in context

I'm a gaijin and I use the word haafu. My kids are haafu and they call themselves haafu and say their Dad is a gaijin. And i refer to myself as a gaijin.

Not a problem! lol

As for Japanese staring heck, I stare at gaijin too! In some countries people who look different get insulted and things thrown at them. In Japan they get stared at admiringly and get told they should be models and are so good looking - and that makes them upset????

Wow. Who thought life could be so hard?

Thinking about it again. It's a big thing that a haafu was crowned Miss Japan. So Japan is coming a long way.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Posted in: U.N. chief urges Japan, China, S Korea to reconcile See in context

Japan could have done a lot more, and can still do a lot more in their attitudes to WW2. On the other hand, Korea and China need to learn that you can't keep ordering people to apologise, and no matter how badly done by you have been, there comes a time when people tire of hearing about another's suffering.

So, yeah, I agree. All three countries could do a lot more.

On the other hand, let's remember that Jewish organisations never stopped hunting down Nazi war criminals. WW2 is like yesterday for a lot of people.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Posted in: 'Haafu' to represent Japan at Miss Universe 2015 See in context

No problem with the term haafu. No problem with her being haafu, and being Miss Japan. Interesting they still have the competition because when I was young all the feminists wanted to get rid of it.

Or at least call it the Ms Universe contest ......

As for Cleo's comment about Miss Mars etc, I think the problem is that contestants from other countries don't get their applications in on time. Or somehow get lost coming to the venues... I'm sure if there are beautiful women on other planets Donald Trump would welcome them with open arms.

Japanese are funny though. All the women I spoke to wondered how much she would really be a representative of Japan. (and these are sweet women who mean no offence at all)

I think you just have to realise that it will take a while for Japanese to get used to things.

PS I don't think the Miss Universe needs to be intelligent or know anything about politics either. And that's not being sexist. Why not have a Mr Universe (not for muscles), but to see who has the handsomest face. Nothing wrong with looking at beautiful faces.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: 10 things you probably didn’t know about Pearl Harbor See in context

I was reading this and was wondering what the commenting was going to be like etc, and was thinking there'd probably be a debate about whether the Americans knew, whether they should have know, whether it was America's fault, whether it all really started with Perry, how the war could have been finished differently, whether the US had any right to be in Hawaii, and all the other arguments that could take place,

and then I read this.

"Of the 1,177 crew members who died on the USS Arizona, there were 37 sets of brothers."

No arguments from me today.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Police arrest 3 youths over murder of Kawasaki boy See in context

I just hate hearing news about a group of people picking on one.

You'd think there'd be some kind of mechanism within them condemning themselves.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: China media mock Japan's luxury lavatories See in context

”not one of the Boeing sales staff realized that the toilet cubicles on aircraft needed to have "how to use" diagrams for the Chinese flying public. As such, they were amazed by all the mystery footprints on the bowls.”

Ah, now that brings back memories of a classic Bruce Lee movie...

But seriously, do a survey of travellers who have been to both China and Japan.

Sorry, China on this topic - you LOSE!

Of all the things you could argue about, this is not the one to pick guys! lol

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Police arrest 3 youths over murder of Kawasaki boy See in context

Everyone tells me there is no hell. Until something like this.

Hell is too long. just beat these punks up. And send them to do the harder work at Fukushima! Why put them in a jail.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Posted in: Top court backs punishment of 2 men for sexual harassment comments See in context

So they were demoted, and this went to the District Court, the High Court and the Supreme court??

Because two guys asked two women "if they had boyfriends and why they weren’t married." One man said "his urge for sex increases as he gets older" "certain women visitors to the aquarium were his type" "and that his marriage had been sexless"

First, I've worked in japan for 20 years, and heard comments like hundreds of times. And I've heard the same from women. And I've had my stomach, backside and hair stroked by women.

Probably, the two women had a vendetta against the two guys. I wouldn't employ either of them after this. Actually, hearing someone say their marriage is sexless is pretty well like hearing the weather is bad in Japan. This is ridiculous. To think this went through three courts? At least some lawyers got money, and govt workers had something to do with their time.

But it also makes me realise how ridiculous the legal system is, and how nobody needs to feel to bad if they lose a court case. Seems to me it depends on who the judges are. So these brilliant judges (Tell someone your son is a lawyer of judge and just wait for the eeeeeeeeeee ) in one court ruled one way, then the next lot ruled the opposite way, then the next lot agreed with the first lot.

So to me it seems like its just like on Japntoday. It's not so much law and what is right, but comes down to the opinion of the judges on that day.

Judges and lawyers are not my favorite people in case you haven't noticed.

But let this be a warning. Don't anyone if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend, and don't mention sex, or what kind of people you find attractive. No wonder lots of people just discuss the weather and obento at the water cooler.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

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