RareReason comments

On the plus side right now, ticket prices to Japan are kind of cheap.

Can scoop up US$560 non-stop economy seats from Montreal right now.

No you can't. Cheapest you can get right now is around 250,000 JPY.

Why should these people get paid any less than an office worker sat doing nothing that adds any real value all day?

Because I can easily do what you do, but you can't do what I do.

Those that can't, teach.

Second time. Disgraceful.

I can think of so many low cost procedures that could be implemented after the first time.

Japan Rail famously implemented the point and check method which improved the reliability of visual checking significantly.

To avoid complacency, and force a detailed check, all you need to is paint a number in every footwell. Before locking up the bus the driver needs to take a picture of every footwell number on a digital camera. That act alone is enough to enforce and remind of a detailed check.

There's maybe 5 or 6 rows in a minibus? It would take under a minute to take 10 to 12 pictures.

Or the driver has a numbered sheet of paper per seat. Before locking the bus each seat needs to have its number put on the seat.

Surely I can't be the only one to think of such low cost, low effort, non time consuming enforcements.

When visiting other countries, the majority of Japanese tourists do so only on guided tours. Especially those middle aged and older.

Considering the age of policy makers... They probably never saw any issue with requiring guided tours. They are probably unaware there is any other way of travelling than with a young woman dressed like an air hostess carrying a flag.

To pre-empt the usual bleating...

Yes, it is a criminal offence to overstay a visa in Japan. Just as it is in many other countries (eg UK).

All posts repeating "she did not commit a crime" are wrong.

Read this while you can, before it is cleaned away for not signalling the desired virtues.

@finally rich

Malaysia is one of the most pleasant countries to live in SE Asia (especially if you're paid a japanese salary) and you can experience 3 distinct cultures (indian-chinese-muslim) all at the same time. But there will always be people like this...

Shah Alam councilor Muhammad Shakir Ameer slammed the party for its "lack of understanding and ignorance on cultural diversity in Malaysia".

You can't read.

That person is the one defending the festival. The "party" is the group trying to stop it.

@Frank Ellis

The Yen is high

Err... No. Try again.

Germany. Nord Stream 2.

Wrong.

The Nord Stream 2 has not been cancelled it's suspended

Correct.

Germany imports 35% of its gas from Russia and continues to do so. Nothing has changed.

Nord Stream 2 was to increase that to 50%, but was already facing legal hurdles before the Ukraine invasion.

Typical reactions above from the usual bunch of posters.

Before scoffing, please provide an economically viable and logistically possible alternative. Don't forget to consider money already spent.

And also don't forget to send your solution to all the European nations who are also continuing to execute their energy contracts with Russia.

Tell you what, to make it easier... Why not start by telling us all which nations have cancelled their energy contracts?

criminal gets to keep the majority of the cash

What cash? Are you also unable to read?

This was undeclared income. Not stolen cash.

The amount of tax that should have been paid was 52 million.

He got caught. He admitted it, he paid the 52 million.

Then he was sent to court to be prosecuted for the crime of attempting to evade tax.

Court gave him a fine of 13 million and suspended sentence for the attempted tax evasion.

Why do you all seem to struggle with this?

Nice math.

Guy still have own 39 millions-equals to majority 10 years of income.

I’m prepared the take a one year suspended sentence in return for ¥39 million.

Try reading what is written.

He was caught, owned up and paid the 52 million.

This was a fine on top of that for trying to evade it in the first place.

All things considered, for a non violent crime he admitted to straight away and paid what was owed... A fine and a suspended sentence seems appropriate.

By banning speech, books and forcing religious “meditation”. But no indoctrination.

Like many others, you are totally missing the point. It's so easy to confuse this with anti-sexual-minority sentiments... Or assume its based on enforcing a particular set of values.

The restriction is for Grade 3 and below. In other words, 9 years old and younger.

The intention is that sexual education, including discussions on sexual orientation, should begin around 9 to 10 years old in the school environment. If someone wanted to teach their kids at a younger age, fine, but 9 to 10 years old is an appropriate age to start the subject in schools.

The problem is that in these modern times, its becoming increasingly popular to declare one's sexuality openly and proudly. That's fine... But you can't declare you are Gay to a class full of 7 year old without explaining what Gay is. And you can't explain that without touching on the subject of sexual education. And anyone who has ever spoken to room full of kids knows, you're not going to be able to just leave it there.

Nothing changes for the more age appropriate age of Grade 4 onwards.

At what age did you discuss sexual education and orientation in school? I bet it wasn't younger than 9. And that practice clearly didn't condition you to be "anti-gay" or a religious fanatic.

Let kids be be kids for just a little bit. That's all this is.

'frame of mind

Well... If he's in such a frame of mind where this is the only way out, I doubt he's in the frame of kind to even consider other people. So selfishness and thoughtlesness don't even come in to it really.

But if he did leave beind an estate (bank account, insurance, anything) then it's only fair she gets some of it for the hassle of having a broken leg and trauma caused by his actions. Don't see why people are objecting to that part so much.

@dagon

The government this... The government that.

Like the majority of your posts, you expect the government to do everything for you but complain when they do something for someone else.

When there is some nutter attacking people it’s always in Saitama!

Because of nothing more than your confirmation bias.

Also, a demonstration of how easily influenced someone can be.

Check out the last 2 or 3 pages of crime reports on this site. Now count how many of the those reports specify the prefecture in the headline.

(and if the penny has still not dropped after that, do a quick poll of the prefecture where the other crimes took place)

The "long wallet" looks like a lady's purse and doesn't belong in the hands of a man.

And neither do the handbags half the men here choose to carry.

@joe blow

An often-quoted but misrepresented fact.

Yes, the average may be high, but only if you choose to have all of the pomp and grandeur in order to make a statement of status.

Culturally, there's a bit heavier weighting on the ceremonial aspects of a funeral in Japan than some other cultures... But it's not a requirement. There's plenty of lower budget options. And if you're struggling to make ends meet you can use the services offered by local authorities. Granted they are quite basic but it's a funeral nonetheless. We're talking a few hundred dollars worth of expense.

And for unemployed people on benefits, the local ward will help with the few hundred dollars of costs and arrange a very reasonable payment plan.

So this is an irrelevant point.

You might as well quote the average spend on a car in certain districts of Tokyo in N million yen. Doesn't mean its the cost required for a car.

The same high cost is often quoted of weddings here too... Again this is due to wanting to keep up with the Jones', wanting the fairytale photo shoots, etc. A budget gathering and ward office appearance can be done super cheap, just like is very common in every other country. (and just like many people here choose to do).

Ridiculous rule

Didn't know London was in Greece

Half eh? Exaggerate much?

Surely the childless people should be grateful others spend a significant portion of their lives investing in a future tax payer to pay for their retirement and medical care

That's true. Although rather more general an observation and not really applicable to the subject person of the article.

Feel free to retract the personal insults on reading comprehension and exquisite reasoning... And then we can go after the predators together when a real victim presents themselves.

The government both forces people into the adult business emporium by lack of social support networks and enables the adult businesses but turning a blind eye to their shady business dealings.

Can you explain the part where she was forced in to this?

To quote a few highlights...

while still in high school, "befriended" an older man for monetary considerations, an activity referred to as papa katsu.

Hmmm... I wonder who forced her to do this.

approached on the street by a "scout," which led to her debut as a performer in adult videos

Nasty scout. She had no chance to say no.

wanting to live out her fantasies, she took up employment at a high-class soapland

I wish I was forced to live out my fantasies too. Sign me up.

She subsequently took up employment in a massage parlor that involved erotic manipulation without going all the way

Well OK... Let's give you the benefit of the doubt and say she was forced to do this...

I felt a real sense of gratitude toward my parents, and have given up the shady work to be a more filial daughter.

Ah... And finally had the good sense to go back to her support network that was there all along, ready and waiting.

Can't keep blaming the government for this girl's choices and subsequent regret. Not everyone is a victim.

How about not giving kids as young as 2 or 3 your phone or ipad every time you can't be bothered to engage with them so they don't develop the habit of screaming for it every time you sit down in a restaurant. And maybe set a better example yourself but not spending the whole time while seated texting, checking feeds and taking pictures of the damn food to put online and advertise how great your pretend life is.

And then when they are a bit older, how about not buying them smartphones or tablets in the first place. Far easier to control physical access to a PC or laptop (which is needed for school).

Seems simple enough. But sadly, requires a bit of parenting effort.

Since when are we supposed to feel sorry for sex workers?

And not someone forced in to it either. She started off on this path at high school. Had all the same options and opportunities as everyone else, but chose to be a little harlot instead for handbag and jewelry money.

@fxgai

I suppose a better example would be Japanese agriculture, which most would argue has failed long ago and been propped up by subsidies ever since.

It now can't function at all without those subsidies and is steadily getting worse.

This argues your point quite convincingly! But also, unfortunately, shows how reluctant Japan is to change/modernise.

I guess the only way is, as you say, to force the change, by removing the incentives not to.

@fxgai

No subsidies, for any type of industry.

All industries fall on hard times now and then. We can’t have a subsidy program for everyone, we can’t afford it and the harm it does to us all in the long run.

Ah good... Finally a point worth discussing.

I do see the merit of your point.

I still struggle with the short term hardships suffered for the benefit of the long term. I recall your point that it can be turned around quickly... But is Japanese culture as dynamic and fast to act as your previous examples in other countries?

I have no idea really, but the speed of change is the part I doubt.

I hope others can distinguish this debate on the effectiveness of subsidies from a debate on wealth inequality.

Many low income earners and families want to use the go-to-campaign but don't have the money to start with and leaving them out is not fair

Many low income earners and families want to have a new hybrid/electric car and want to use the government campaign to get a discount on one but don't have the money to start with and leaving them out is not fair.

Many low income earners and families want to buy a house and take advantage of the government campaign to get 1% refund per year but don't have the money to start with and leaving them out is not fair.

Many low income earners and families want to install solar panels and take advantage of the government campaign to get a higher Feed In Tarrif than current purchase price or electricity... But don't have the money to start with and leaving them out is not fair.

I could go on.

Do you still not understand?

Hooray! Someone finally gets it.

There are subsidies to promote the purchase and running costs of hybrid/electric cars. The government pays some of the purchase price and reduces the yearly taxes for them.

Who here owns their own house? Well, unless you paid cash, chances are you have a mortgage. To encourage house purchases there is a subsidy on your mortgage. For 10 years you get 1% interest refund.

Why are you not up in arms about these subsidies? Because you don't understand the concept properly.

Yes... I understand subsidies are debatable. There is indeed a point to be made about letting bloated companies/industries fail, to be replaced by a better, more efficient business.

But that does not change the point that this is not a "handout for the rich", as so many still fail to realise.