Peter14 comments

The only objection to the vote came from Russia,

Hardly surprising.

Great news for Ukraine, this fund for non military use will help buy medical supplies, food, shelter and some reconstruction in Ukraine. It wont help defeat Russia but will aid the survival of Ukraine and its people.

The country's Navy has just five vessels in service after the sinking of the Manawanui.

"NZ Navy idles One-Third of its fleet due to manning shortage."

NZ navy has 8 commissioned ships listed since the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Royal_New_Zealand_Navy_ships

Poor old China's aspirations of being the worlds largest economy are dead in the water. They are in big trouble and it will get worse. I predict record shrinking to match the period it had of record growth. It wont last as long or be as much but its coming.

China hitched its engine to some Russian wagons instead of staying with wagons from the west. Xi has killed the golden growth as he strangle the people to get maximum loyalty above all else. Social credits and limiting children's time online, targeting tech firms and private ownership, stifling inspiration and innovation and making people so nervous about the state that they simply trundle along and try to keep a low profile. Fear will only last so long as at some point desperation will outweigh fear and things will get ugly, real ugly. Before then things are going to get much worse and many middle class people will lose everything, as will many well off business owners.

Xi must go for China to have any hope of improvement. And they must rid themselves of the CCP evil. Perhaps pattern themselves after Taiwan that has been successful for decades even with China's efforts to hurt it.

The title is way off target. This survey of tourists is for the "best tourist destination", not the best country in the world.

Naturally most people will say their own country is the best in the world so take the title with a grain of salt.

As a tourist destination Japan has much to offer from great food and natural scenery to factory tours and quirky niche tours just not found anywhere else. A great destination for all ages.

vows & pledges blah blah blah.

Yes, better to not say anything at all and leave people guessing.

But with en election coming up he has to state his intentions. Perhaps your more used to simply being told what to do and having no say in it? Freedom has its perks, like a say in who governs you as one example.

The one party state leader has spoken,he mentions to restore trust in politics instead he should say to restore it in the LDP.

Japan last ruled by someone other than LDP 2012. Because it is multi party democracy.

China last ruled by someone other than CCP 1949. Because it is a one party state.

Thank god for democracy! Dont like who is in charge, you have the freedom to vote for a change. Dont like who the new leader of the LDP is, well he had the guts to call an immediate election so the people can decide. More courage than the entire CCP who are so scared they dont even allow multi party elections.

Why so much sympathy for the murderer?

With basically forced and coerced confessions at the hands of investigators who's only aim is to close the case with a conviction, you cant be sure the murderer is actually "the murderer" or someone forced to confess to get rest after days of continuing brutal interrogation.

By executing someone for a crime, in Japan at least with a 99% confession rate, obtained by submitting people to endless duress, you cant be certain the convicted actually committed the crime. Thats why. Too many people innocent get murdered by the state to achieve that 99% confession rate .

and the continue this war.

*and to continue this war.

Australia has seen a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war

There is a large diaspora of both Jewish and Palestinian/Islamic people in Australia where they are both treated the same, bound by the same laws and for the most part all get along great. Until violence flairs in the Middle East. First there are grumblings but the longer the violence lasts the worse the reaction and as time goes on with more and more violence the tension keeps building.

This war that has gone a year now, started by HAMAS and from the next day onward fueled by Israel in a futile attempt to eradicate HAMAS from existence, has only increased the violence and drawn in other entities making the violence worse and making it spread further over the region.

The continuing and spreading war is driving unrest of diaspora in many places around the globe making peaceful and friendly people take up protests to stop the killing in the Middle East. Sadly nobody is listening to the message, and only comment that it is ugly and can lead to violence spreading even further and outside the region of origin.

There are two sides to every story, to every tragic clash and this is no exception. Listen to both sides, a majority of whom desperately want peace, and dont listen to those wanting to drive up the hate and the continue this war.

A talented Kiwi born Japanese actress. The English she learned as a native of New Zealand got her this English/Japanese role and it was played to perfection. Showing not only talent but range, she can comfortably and convincingly speak both Japanese and English making her future in film a rosy one whether in Japan, Hollywood or elsewhere.

Given that a large percentage of confessions are forced and in reality inadmissible in a fair and just system, the death penalty for all but the most clear "caught in the act + video of the offense clearly showing the perps face" with anything less being given a max sentence of life behind bars is needed. The recent case of the longest death row inmate being found not guilty after all this time shows that innocent people get executed along with the guilty.

Sad to say it but Japans criminal justice system and police procedures are 3rd rate in all too many cases. Time to catch up and improve standards of policing and standards of incarceration. Imagine the taxpayer money wasted on convicting so many innocent while the actual guilty are free to re-offend down the road. Japanese people are not kept safer in such a system.

Two state is good, but who is going to run the other state? Both Hamas and the PA do not recognize the existance of Israel. So who are your partners in this statehood deal here?

If true it would change once Israel recognizes Palestine. It would need to be a joint statement at the same time. Israel has opposed and actively blocked the creation Of Palestine giving HAMAS no choice but to return the favor and not recognize Israel.

Shrinking where? Yes, I do not doubt that some Israel settlements on the West Bank are illegal, but the claim that they all are is false,

Neither the Palestinians nor the UN recognize any Israeli settlement in the West bank and East Jerusalem as being legal. In fact the UN resolution calls them illegal, all of them.

https://unny.mission.gov.au/unny/240918_UNGA_EOV.html

You can say you want it to shrink more (maybe to zero?)

I have been clear that a two state solution is the only viable one for peace. If you want Israel gone just man up and say so.

but the claim that it has been growing is simply false.

Are you saying that Israel settlements taking Palestinian lands are shrinking? That is a huge falsehood. Palestinian lands have been shrinking at the hands of Israel at a steady and undiminished pace.

AttilathehungryToday 02:27 pm JST

Peter;

Before the war in 1948, the Sec General of the Arab League said, "the millions the Jews had spent on land and economic development would be easy booty, for it would be a simple matter tothrow Jews into the Mediterranean...  "

Untrue but it makes for a great soundbite.

Sounds like genocide to me.

Thats what you want it to sound like.

The idea was for the Jews to be killed, and the Palestinians and Arabs to get the riches.

The Idea was to stop Israel's creation, period. Return Palestinians to their stolen homes and keep the status quo. Create a state of Palestine as they were promised by Briton and the UN.

This fallacy that everyone wanted to wipe out the Jews is a hangover from the Nazi effort in WWII and the Jewish determination that such atrocities would never again be visited upon the Jewish people. Were there some Palestinians who just wanted to kill Jews? Sure, and many or most were those who had lost their homes, lands, businesses and family. Painting all with the same brush is a huge mistake as would accusing all Israelis of wanting genocide of Palestinians since Oct 7th. Are there some Israelis who want Palestinian genocide today? YES. Pointless trying to deny it. Extreme elements on both sides must be reigned in and stopped or peace will never be realized.

Unfortunately the government of Israel is one of the extreme elements. That too is undeniable.

AttilathehungryToday 01:48 pm JST

Peter; "address the imbalance"...is that a fancy way to say commit genocide? Because that was the goal.

The goal was to take control of the land Israel had been given, to return the citizens who had lost their homes. Genocide was never an option but it helps the narrative to accuse all Arabs of being extremists. But the boot is on the other foot with Israels PM wanting to extinguish Palestinians and the idea of a Palestinian state so that Israel can expand.

HAMAS wants to deny the right of Israel to exist because Israel has forbidden the existence of Palestine. Is that not fair? Both or neither.

The attack by HAMAS on Oct 7th was horrific and completely inexcusable, they should have limited targets to military only. But even if they had I am positive that Israel would have reacted identically to how it did.

As long as Palestine is denied the basic right to exist Israel is stoking the fire. Sometimes you get burned. Such treatment of an entire people is unacceptable in this day and age, but Israel persists on making new enemies. HAMAS will have new recruits for decades thanks to Israel. If I didnt know better, I would say the government of Israel does not want peace for its people because thats how they behave.

AttilathehungryToday 01:20 pm JST

Peter; I think the "two state solution" went out the window the day AFTER Israel was created. Remember? The surrounding Arab countries launched a war of extermination against Israel within 24 hours. Fortunately, they lost. Even more fortunately, Israel did not return the favour and eliminate the Arabs.

No it didnt as some Israeli PM's actually tried to attain the two state solution. One was assassinated by one of his own people for getting close

So IMHO the refugee crisis was created by the Arabs. So up to them to solve it. Total Arab population in the world is 500 million- surely they could take in their brethren?

The Arabs were ignored when Israel was created first, they did what they thought would address that imbalance. Israel has continued to take more land, reduce the ability for the creation of Palestine and created the worlds largest prison, or if you prefer ghetto, in Gaza. Nobody in their right mind would be thankful for Israels behavior since Bibi took the reins. If that treatment were metered out to Americans they would be at war until they were free, but apparently Palestinians are simply supposed to go away for the sake of a greater Israel. That wont ever happen.

If the Arab countries truly felt such sympathy for the Palestinians, they would have accepted them as refugees 70 years ago. They didn't. Wonder why....

Maybe because the UN created Israel and supposed to create Palestine for a two state solution to ensure both have homelands. Why on earth would Arab nations do Israels work for them and absorb Palestinians so just Israel can take all their land?

If Israel was a good and friendly nation they would have ensured the two state solution went through and show the world they are good neighbors. Instead the current government of Israel is arrogant and shows terrorist tendencies. I always shake my head at the hubris of Israels PM when he calls others terrorists.

Everyone in the middle east should have a home and safety with self determination and freedom.

The Israeli government wants war and seems they have found another one. They cant continue to hit neighboring countries with impunity, there comes a time when the neighbors will hit back. The more Israel targets everyone on its hate list, the more likely they will get the conflict they so desperately seem to want. It is very hard to have sympathy for Israel when they keep voting in radical right wing governments.

Everyone has the right to self defence, including the Arabs, Catholics, Christians and Jews.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn a "red line" for the United States and its allies by signaling that Moscow will consider responding with nuclear weapons if they allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with long-range Western missiles.

Yeah, Nah, not going to ever happen.

Consider Russia is already using ling range missiles from Iran and North Korea deep inside Ukraine. Consider also that if Ukraine actually buys long range missiles they should be able to use them in defense of Ukraine including in the invaders territory as all other weapons are used when purchased and a country is invaded.

Russia knows that there is already a red line on Russian use of Nuclear weapons and if it initiates such use it will be at war with NATO once radiation sweeps over a NATO border if nothing else.

Russia would be the first nation to use nuclear weapons upon mankind after the results and horrors of such use was first obtained at the end of WWII when the US used two. Some handful of Americans knew how bad it could turn out to be but others were simply told it was a new big bomb that would speed up the end of the years long world war. Russia would be turning itself into a world recognized evil nation that would live on in history forever more.

Russia will not use nuclear weapons unless perhaps Moscow was in danger of being lost by ground invasion. That wont happen either. Another Russian bluff to delay, as was giving modern tanks, and giving F-16's before this, were both used to suggest it would mean NATO was at war with Russia.

Russia accepted arms to use against Germany, from a neutral America in WWII, and it used them all. There is nothing here that justifies Russia using nukes when it is the aggressor and invader of Ukraine. Nothing at all.

well chinese have just learned from ...you in USA.as simple as is.

Glad to see your openness in agreeing Chinese CCP use fake news following the GOP in the US. But it doesnt make it right or less fake.

The world just HATES the Chinese CCP + Russia and unfair practices. See the tragedies of the Ukrainians and Philippines/Taiwan, the world knew it was the policy of China and Russia, enabling and causing them. These are not fake news !

Shorter stalks use less water but when you plant more crops to increase yields then your water use is going to rise because your growing more ears of corn.

I had a Green carriage card for 3 weeks when visiting Japan and used it 6 or 7 times up to Niigata and as far down as Osaka. Loved each ride it was such a pleasure. One integral part was the purchase of ekiben's for the journey with so many delicious offerings it would take quite a while to settle on a choice.

Great scenery of Japans cities and smaller towns and countryside along the way. All the things you miss if you fly rather than ride the shinkansen.

So sad to see the large price hikes for the travel cards. Glad I did it when I did.

For the record Australia already has the SM6 missiles used in the Typon launcher, for use in the RAN

What exactly are Typhoon missiles in Australia and NZ going to hit? Indonesian or Fiji fishing boats? I would think an Aussie would understand that Australia is not a part of Asia.

Why is the region sometimes referred to as Australasia? At the end of the day China has already complained about US bases in Australia so it would no doubt complain about Typhon systems in Australia.

China has ambitions and delusions of grandeur and likes to complain about anything that could be an impediment to its ambitions of empire and power.

The Philippines kicked out the US and its bases a long time ago, the Filipino people.

But corrupt president/s brought it back

It was the corrupt Philippines leader that kicked out US bases then the current President who had a corrupt father, that brought them back because China was invading their territory and building bases in Philippines territory. A prudent move by Philippines.

The Philippines made themselves a nuke target.

No they have not. Did you not hear China reiterate they will not use nuclear weapons first? Philippines does not have nukes, is not planing on developing nukes and is not a target for nukes.

Not to mention the other problems they're having for letting them be a pawn of the US.

Do tell, really please tell us what problems they have for being allied to the US.

Compared the the good relations they've had with China before Marcos became president.

Not good relations with China, they have never had good relations with China. There was a point where China was less belligerent but still limited Philippines fishermen in their own traditional fishing grounds. That is not good relations.

China invested heavily in the Philippines. Theyve given a lot of aid.

Wrong again. China gives very little aid as they prefer to provide loans at high interest rates. Unlike the US who give real aid with no expectation of repayment.

people seems to like that the Philippines hosted the Typhon so maybe they wouldn't mind also if Japan did the same.

And why not? Let South Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand all install Typhon missile systems as well. It is their business and nobody else's if they want to defend themselves, and what systems they do or do not employ to do it.

JJEToday 03:42 pm JST

11-Dash line (now the 9-Dash line) is applicable in SCS.

China's 9 dash line is Chinese fantasy. The reality is China has no legal standing for such claims.

These missiles need to be removed one way or the other.

Yes the missiles placed by China in international waters and the ones in other nations EEZ do need to be removed one way or another. Philippines can install any weapons it likes in and on its territory regardless of Chinese wishes.

Philippines, U.S., Australia, Japan, New Zealand to hold joint maritime activity in South China Sea

Great to see all these friendly nations coming together to promote safety and security in Philippines EEZ waters. A counter to the chaos created and pursued by Chinese maritime elements.