PeaceWarrior comments

Posted in: Sony to distribute Cuban music to world See in context

The perfect afternoon: cold beer, a great book and some Buena Vista Social Club music playing in the background. Chan Chan has always been my favorite.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Toyota launches hydrogen-fueled sedan See in context

Very positive news. Thanks Toyota.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Technology doesn't make school pupils smarter: study See in context

Judging from the people around me, it doesn't seem to be making anyone smarter.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Toyota rolls out new Prius hybrid See in context

Sure, the torque is the main thing, it kicks ass. I went and tried an Attenza wagon diesel before I decided on my newest car last year and it was really great, not fighting you on that. But most people in Japan are better served with a small petrol engine with clean start/stop cycles. They are much cheaper to buy and use.

I also like the fact that diesel runs a lot cooler than a petrol engine so it is much safer when driving in the forest for example (not starting forest fires) but it is about 4 to 5 thousand dollars more than a gasoline engine when you buy it, and that's a really large investment.

Either way, any car you buy right now will be a lot better on gas/diesel than most cars were even 6 years ago. Such an amazing difference.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Toyota rolls out new Prius hybrid See in context

Diesel is the way to go, especially in Japan since the fuel price is about 30% lower.

I'd say it is true mostly if you do a lot of highway driving. On the stop and go Japanese style of driving, a hybrid would be my first choice but only if you drive more than 25-30 minutes at a time. If you are a home maker, and only drive to the market and back, then a hybrid or diesel doesn't make any sense financially. Having a clean idle car (stopping when at a light or an intersection) is the best.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: 5 myths about solar power – and the real facts See in context

I mostly use solar power when I go boondocking and with two sub-batteries, I can get most of what I need for the camper. The problem is always when it rains or is cloudy and I haven't driven anywhere in days, then the generator is needed (but that doesn't happen very often and is usually only needed for about an hour at the most) to top off one of the batteries.

It makes sense if you don't have a large energy need and that's why I use solar mostly for my outdoor activities. GW is spot on with his comment.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: New defense bills may create Abe's version of a 'back-door draft' See in context

Not anybody can become a SDF soldier. The requirements are really, really strict and a lot of people just fail to get in even though they'd like to. Then after the first three months of training, some people are sent to places they don't want to go to and leave.

The two-year soldiers are mostly doing it for the really nice bonus they get after their two years are over and they get out. They're not really motivated and it weighs on the other troops who are in for the long haul.

Getting in to Boeidai is also really tough so either they increase the number of people that can get in or lower the standards they have been using.

The government will get plenty of people that way.

The reserve (Yobijieikan) is actually a good recruitment program and helps young men and women to make a decision as to what path they can take during recruitment. The ready-reserve is also really well set up.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Toyota rolls out new Prius hybrid See in context

Hybrids make so much sense in Japan. Gas is over 5$ a gallon (if I didn't screw up the conversion) and I rarely do under 50mpg in mine and it can seat seven with loads of room. It just makes sense here if you drive a lot on street levels. If you do a lot of highway driving, a good clean diesel is probably the better option, even in Japan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Organizers must provide spectators with necessary cooling items and medical services, including first aid, to cope with the heat. See in context

The temperature would feel like 63 degrees Celsius should the mercury hit 38 degrees Celsius with Tokyo’s average 71 percent humidity, according to the U.S. National Weather Service’s Heat Index calculator. In comparison, the average daily high of 33.2 degrees Celsius and 45.3 percent humidity in Athens in August, when it held the marathon in the 2004, would feel like 35 degrees Celsius, according to the index.

Needs to be moved to October like the last Tokyo Olympics. Spectators will be in real trouble with that kind of heat and there is nothing they'll be able to do about it. Most people won't have time to 'get used to' these insane temps. Sorry but you can't expect people to be taking responsibility for something they might never have encountered before, like temperatures that can send them straight to the hospital.

Most cars in my little neck of the woods back home don't have air conditioners because they don't need them...If it's hot, just open a window. They definitely need a heater though.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Organizers must provide spectators with necessary cooling items and medical services, including first aid, to cope with the heat. See in context

This is going to turn into a hot mess...

No air conditioning? I can just imagine all the Canadians dropping like flies (or snow flakes). I know the perfect cooling item... an air conditioner.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Samsung unveils new smartwatch to challenge Apple Watch See in context

My main problem with is is that it uses Tizen so you are basically locked to Svoice, not Google Now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Which cities in the world do you think are among the best for barrier-free facilities for wheelchair users at train stations, on buses, in restaurants, stores and other public areas? See in context

Vancouver is also really great. I used to work with disabled people in the late 80's and it was already very, very good. I agree with TrevorPeace (and not just because of his name!!)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Do you ever use your smartphone to avoid interacting with other people in certain situations? See in context

Don't need to. Most people I see have their noses glued to their screens... If someone wants to talk to me and I don't want to talk to them, I just start speaking fast-paced French and finish my tirade with a question. They usually end up doing a great interpretation of Forrest Gump running.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Posted in: I wonder if the new standard will mislead consumers into thinking that wines using materials from overseas are inferior to Japanese wines wholly produced in Japan. See in context

True enough kaynide. I hope I am still around in 25 years. I'll post my reviews then!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: 59% of 'salarymen' find family life more exhausting than work See in context

@lucabrasi

Gateball... Nooooooooooo!

We're talking about taking vacations abroad, but we can't decide on the same destination!! So maybe gateball it will be in the end.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: 59% of 'salarymen' find family life more exhausting than work See in context

I used to get home, get a "PAPA" from the kids, lots of hugs and kisses... And then they grow up, they move out, they get a life of their own. I'm lucky I think because I did it all pretty early on so I am still young enough to enjoy the rest of my life. But getting home to nothing, that would really be exhausting...

I am definitely in the 41 %...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: I wonder if the new standard will mislead consumers into thinking that wines using materials from overseas are inferior to Japanese wines wholly produced in Japan. See in context

I don't know John-san, they do a really great job with whiskey. In fact, they are so much better than 25 years ago, the difference is incredible. Maybe in 25 years, we'll see some really awe inspiring wine products quality-wise.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: What legal problems do you foresee in the event that driverless cars are involved in accidents? See in context

I think it will be mostly a question of ethics. If a driverless car has to make a decision between killing only the driver and avoiding pedestrians on the side of the road, or killing the pedestrians and keeping the driver alive in case of an unavoidable accident, car companies will be caught in a catch 22 deal. Fracked if they allow the car to act out one scenario and fracked if they allow the other one...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: 5 killed after minivan crashes on Nara bridge See in context

But they'll thank you for it later Sense, maybe... Well probably not but you know what I mean.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Fired reporter kills 2 former co-workers on live TV in Virginia See in context

Rest in peace dear victims

Just a few thoughts:

-Seems strange to me that people use the word "Liberal" as if it has a negative connotation.

-I see a lot of straw being strewn about on here.

-American exceptionalism is largely to blame.

http://www.newsweek.com/study-sees-mass-shootings-exceptionally-american-problem-365260

-When the number two country has five times fewer mass shooting than you, you know you deserve that America is number one spot at least in one category. I mean, you guys literally own the category!

My apologies to US residents who have a good head on their shoulders and see the world as it should be. Put someone in charge who will get those gun laws in the books, you'll all be better for it.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Posted in: 5 killed after minivan crashes on Nara bridge See in context

@Takuma

This is the Toyota Cami with a 1.3 liter engine and a 500 license plate so five passengers and five seat belts.

Speed was probably extreme considering the damage to the car and while it is possible for someone to be thrown out of a car if they are wearing seat belts, common sense dictates that you wear them.

I had a twenty something in my car last year who said she didn't wear her seat belt, ever... She was frustrated when I stayed in the parking lot until she had buckled up.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Posted in: What do you think is the biggest threat facing the world in the near future? See in context

Other: Overpopulation leading to a mass die off.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: What are the pros and cons of shorter hospital stays (in most Western countries) vs longer hospital stays in Japan? See in context

Japanese hospitals usually have a lot more beds available than other countries (in case they need to receive lots of disaster victims) and they have to find a way to monetize those beds. As well, the Japanese health care system is much more preventive than other health care systems worldwide that tend to react to a problem rather than prevent it from happening in the first place. This means that most hospitals will tend to be very conservative when hospitalization is required.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Las Vegas, Quebec City advance in NHL expansion process See in context

Badsey, you are preaching to the choir. I was so angry when they sold the Nordiques, and then to have such an amazing team win the Stanley Cup the following year, it was just so painful... I grew up with the likes of Goulet and the Statsny Brothers, and the most entertaining player ever, Dale Hunter.

The market is just too small for an NHL team in Quebec City. Too bad!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: For our readers who live in Japan, what are some items you always make a point to bring back to Japan after you return from a trip abroad? See in context

Poutine gravy! That's about all I ever need, I think.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Backpacker in yellow shirt is focus of Bangkok bombing probe See in context

Looks as if they're interrogating an American man at this time. He seems to have come in the country using a false passport.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=242_1439936530

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Osaka police order mandatory bicycle safety course for traffic violations in nationwide first See in context

@JT

the city of Osaka has order a man stopped

It shoud be 'ordered'.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Samsung keeps top spot as smartphone market grows See in context

@wtfjapan,

It's a really good phone and the battery life is out of this world. A friend of mine just got an iphone6 and my two-year old phone's battery life is a lot better than his even when I have my VPN going all day long.

I've had a look at the GN5 and if it is brought to Japan, I'm definitely get one.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Canadian Expat Voting Rights See in context

GW,

My biggest mistake was going back to Quebec where RQ went for my throat because I brought back a lot of funds with me, plus I still had financial ties to Canada at that time and had paid off existing loans while abroad (student loans and stuff). That made a mess of things.

I don't have an account anymore, no credit cards, no land... nothing that ties me to Canada, just in case. Things might have changed since then and they might be better in the rest of the country but RQ reminded me of blood sucking night creatures....

I don't know if I'll ever go back to Canada to tell you the truth. I've looked at other options and while my home is here in Japan, it doesn't mean that I'll be spending all my time here after retirement. There are really nice areas of the world that would really love my money, and would be much cheaper than going back to Canada, as well as being warmer.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Middle-aged not-so-easy riders still have fun on their bikes See in context

I have been riding a v-twin engine dual-sport bike in Japan for many years now and they are amazingly reliable machines. I do miss my last crotch rocket from Kawasaki, the GPX, but comfort and price have won over coolness and speed. Plus, I think I'm finally becoming an adult!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

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