Ricky Kaminski13 comments

Posted in: LDP amends party rules to toughen penalties for fund violations See in context

The revised internal rules stipulate that the LDP can urge a lawmaker to leave the party if an accountant of their political group is arrested or if the lawmaker is prosecuted for violating the political funds control law.

They can urge someone to leave if found that they have broken the law? Urge doesn’t sound a particularly strong word to me. Maybe in LDP polispeak it’s a big deal, .but it doesn’t exactly pack a powerful punch now does it?

Was kinda thinking Kishida, being on what seems his last legs, has nothing to lose and may have chosen to go out with a bang and secure himself a lasting legacy. Single handedly, and without asking permission from the big powerbrokers from within the party, dismantling the faction system all together! That would’ve been boss, but is this just more capitulation? Another chance lost? Expediency winning again? Kishida Souri?

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Posted in: Blue Impulse See in context

Thanks fella! Guess there’s no pleasing some!

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Posted in: Blue Impulse See in context

It was awesome. This new Shinkansen has generated a feeling of excitement, possibility and expectation that I have never felt in the 26 years of living here in Fukui. Whether it will be the long term economic boom that some are hoping for our rural cities is one thing, but the mindset change and feelings of hope from all ages is palpable. The air show topped it off beautifully.

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Posted in: Cabinet OKs new foreign trainee program to promote longer stays See in context

Necessity is the root of all change. All will be well as long as everyone gets the same pay for the same work. Any ideas that creating or enabling an official underclass of foreign laborers with lower pay and harsher conditions to their national counterparts will ( and should ) be a recipe for trouble. We have a group ( gang? ) of foreigners here in Fukui , mainly from the original migrant workers countries from South America, that call themselves the KKK. Nothing to do with the American version, this stands for Kitanai, Kiken, and Kitsui. The only type of work they think they ever get. Dirty, Dangerous and Harsh. It has led to some pretty bad anti social behavior but their claims of 2nd class citizenship are very real.

Time to get off the ‘exceptionalism’ mindset of the past , bring in these workers with a fair go for all mindset, and treat them with respect.

By the very nature of the industries involved it may be a hard shift, but the central and local governments have to lead the way to ensure conditions are met, and definitely not being complicit in some of the abuse and bad behavior from black companies that we have seen in the past.

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Posted in: Extension of Hokuriku Shinkansen line opens, boosting tourism hopes See in context

Was at the festivities today. Of all the things we lament about these festivals of progress make you take pause, stop and appreciate how well they do what they do well. Welcome to Fukui everyone. Please come and have a look. It’s a top little town now on the map.

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Posted in: Middle East conflicts revive clash between president and Congress over war powers See in context

It’s been a great spectacle to watch the hard left start going into its inevitable cannibalism mode. It must be agonizing for their representatives in congress to try and hold back with all of their lofty convictions, frustrations and anger at the president, knowing that if they do let rip they will be helping their arch nemesis Donal Trump in his campaign to reclaim the white house. Fist biting through the conundrum they have created for themselves.

Problem is, you can never be left enough from within their base and ranks, it’s literally a competition to see who can virtue the hardest and it’s a blood sport. Biden has been flip flopping around the situation in Gaza in an attempt at appeasement, but it can never work. The sheer nature of the political game they play makes that impossible. Seeing AOC ( one of the hardest players of the game ! ) herself the other day being followed, harassed and shouted down by young angry activists was a classic example. It must be a real to her shock to realized that they will even come for her too in time.

Adults in the room, enjoy the spectacle.

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Posted in: TikTok devotees say platform unfairly targeted for U.S. ban See in context

Death by a thousand cuts. The Chinese are playing an incredible long term game and yes it is well planned, coordinated and working. Young TikTokkers are hooked, lined and sinkered. Like digital fentanyl.

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Posted in: Kishida questioned over scantily clad dancers at LDP party See in context

Wake me up, before you go go! Take me dancin tonihaaaait!

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Posted in: Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan sued for 'beautifying' wartime Japan soldiers See in context

Just a pee brained creep trying to signal his devotion to his overlords. Going after a Nobel laureate may not be the best strategy mate. Nice try though.

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Posted in: Kishida questioned over scantily clad dancers at LDP party See in context

Two secs, Kishida wasn’t even there. Bit rough on the PM to make him the target of scorn and ridicule ( and the headline of the article) that’s a bit of a naughty game right there!

Seems everyone plays the dirty game these days!

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Posted in: Kishida questioned over scantily clad dancers at LDP party See in context

We invited the dancers after studying from various viewpoints, including whether it matches the theme of diversity," Kawabata, deputy head of the local LDP youth wing, told broadcaster ANN.

Has to be the best story on the internet today. Surely. If you were going write a parody article it would work too. Diversity baby! Absolutely brilliant.

LDP The Lapdance Diversity Party. ;p

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Posted in: Uber Japan partners with Kaga City in Ishikawa Prefecture to launch ridesharing services See in context

Does the Hokuriku Shinkansen go to Kaga from Osaka?

No Borscht this latest stage of the new route comes down into Fukui city then to the southern port city of Tsuruga. Big ceremonies this weekend the 16th. Lots of fanfare and expectations here in Fukui city. Welcome!

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Posted in: Uber Japan partners with Kaga City in Ishikawa Prefecture to launch ridesharing services See in context

Wow, was hoping Uber would get an in somewhere. Especially as the taxi industry is struggling to find new drivers. Makes so much sense to do this just in time for the new Shinkansen and the expected influx of visitors to this small but quaint little city. Well done Kaga! Smart decision.

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Posted in: China demands Japan start Fukushima treated water compensation system See in context

China being China.

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Posted in: U.N. nuclear chief tells Japan transparency 'very important' in Fukushima nuclear plant's water discharges See in context

It is “very important to show the transparency of this process,” Grossi told Economy and Industry Minister Ken Saito.

It’s very important to be transparent in any process, even if until now the opposite has been true. It literally is the only way. Own your actions, be forthright and able to explain your methods, reasons, strategy and intentions. The recipe for respect.

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Posted in: More Chinese women choosing to stay single as economy stutters See in context

There's plenty of people of Chinese descent and diaspora around the world. Cities all over have Chinatowns, the receptionist at the Ottawa Ramada where I stayed at is ethnic Chinese Canadian.

starpunk, love the name. You are right. Although Xi the strongman might look in control, talk to any Chinese person out of the grasps of the consequences of dissent and you will hear the real sentiments and stories. No one wants communism, ( at this point in our shared human collective memory why would you?) , so to the emerged Chinese middle class they must be getting rather tired of being forced to pretend that their nation is gods gift to the world, because it clearly is not. Like every other country trying to survive in a complex global landscape a bit of humility would go a long way.

If the Xi zealots choose to double down and start a war in an attempt to occupy the poor lads that can’t find a wife then that will also be on them. It sounds like an absolute waste of human life and a disaster, but not beyond the realms of Orwellian possibility. Another example of how absolute power corrupts, absolutely, to the levels of the absurd. When you consider how well the Chinese people thrive and adapt all around the world it this option would be particularly tragic.

This 100 years of humiliation revenge itch, is it really that strong? Strong enough to sacrifice innocent lives for? Living in Japan we get a diluted version of the collectivism vs individualism dynamics, enough to have a bit of insight into the larger geo political game and this keeps me personally fascinated by the whole game. So much history, so much bad blood, can people rise above it? The golden question.

Still reckon we can get to that big global banquet with the right mindset, a bit of humor and general good will would do wonders. A timely reminder that even collectives are made up of individuals.

Sorry about the long winded, started with Chinese women deciding not to marry and lead here. Go figure. The meta story to be continued!

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Posted in: ‘The Boy and the Heron' earns Miyazaki 2nd Oscar; 'Godzilla Minus One' wins for visual effects See in context

Nice way to cap off his final movie. The genius of Miyazaki is just a cut above, inspired the whole world without being overbearing nor getting in peoples faces . What true art looks like.

Agree with Isabelle above too. Perfect Days was a stunning piece of cinema, best film in years in my humble opinion. Even did a ‘toilet’ tour of Tokyo last week in its honor! You can even watch it for the soundtrack!

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Posted in: More Chinese women choosing to stay single as economy stutters See in context

Not having a child is the single most beneficial thing you can do to limit climate change.

Ah the anti-humanist! It’s not often you hear it stated explicitly. Nice.

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Posted in: AI pervades everyday life with almost no oversight in U.S. See in context

Call me naive, but hoping AI can be purely data driven and take the confusion that we have created through the culture wars, and leading us more toward that elusive functional and fair for all meritocracy. Where the attributes of the individual are what counts regardless of gender, race, religion, sexuality, demographics, bias the works. You know, the old goal of social activism, a fair go for all before it morphed into what we see today.

Or do they try and program it to do the opposite and keep the equity game alive, no matter what the consequences. Will AI play that game for us, or advise us of the dangerous road that lies ahead if we do? The sci-fi dichotomy has arrived.

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Posted in: More Chinese women choosing to stay single as economy stutters See in context

A very strong sign of an unhealthy society when people opt out of having children en masse. Especially when the social engineering has created huge gaps in the number of men and women. The very fabric of Chinese culture is said to be based around the family too. The cracks in the foundations are becoming huge gaping holes. This will not end well for the CCP.

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Posted in: Biden cajoles Netanyahu with tough talk, humanitarian concerns but Israeli PM remains dug in See in context

Biden now represents Jesus…

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Posted in: Kyoto may launch tourist express bus service to handle overcrowding See in context

Come to Fukui y’all. Just an hour and a half up the road. Quiet, serene, untapped, a hidden gem. The word over tourism has negative connotations. Tourism is basically free money for a very slow and ailing economy. ‘Large, huge even massive’ numbers of tourists is a good thing. The only thing wrong is the OVERfocussing on problems?

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Posted in: Kishida's human rights initiative stalls as adviser post left vacant See in context

Smith, pickin trouble where there aint none ole chappo. Just trying to understand it, not defending it. If yelling all the time at stuff is the US way then, yeah naaaaa. Would prefer to at least try and stick with polite society.

Knock yourself out though man, each to their own!

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Posted in: If those old reactors are brought online when inexperienced operators have had few opportunities to become familiar with their operations, the risks of an accident would surge. See in context

Doesn’t sound like Gotosan has much confidences in the own industry he helped to create. I imagine it wouldn’t be a particularly welcomed statement, but I'm sure he knows more than pretty much everyone. What does that say though? Do you just keep them shut down, collecting dust and getting even more decayed and dangerous? Even decommissioning them will take workers who maybe out of practice. Doesn’t sound right.

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Posted in: Kishida's human rights initiative stalls as adviser post left vacant See in context

Often what you don't say or do has more meaning especially in high-context cultures. Perhaps Japan doesn't want to see itself as some sort of aggressive, outspoken do-gooder that preaches and pushes its standards onto other countries? Not excusing the post being left open, but that may explain it. It does seem like a step back though, especially considering the previous fellow seemed to be doing rather well.

Human rights are a big deal, but you have to be very careful about who you yell at in the current global climate, especially when your own domestic record isn’t particularly impressive. Nobody likes the hypocrite and the world is a tinderbox at the moment.

The engagement strategy? Different priority sets? Could be a number of things. Hopefully a work in progress.

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Posted in: Biden to announce plan for temporary port on Gaza's coast to increase flow of humanitarian aid See in context

I bet the die hard democrats are having a very, very nervous day waiting for their leader to showcase his goods again to the world. How bad could it be? ( nervous side glance )

Just remember guys, all of the Trump diversion techniques, claims of MAGA deplorables and that anyone not with you is a fascist, a racist, a misogynist whatever you want, nothing can cover for the fact that this is the guy your collective has been chosen to head your cause. Biden has become a joke to the entire world, a sad one and a sign of the decline of the west, all been allowed to happen on your watch. How does the saying go, the proof be in the pudding.

Looking forward to the show. Pump him full of the good stuff, close your eyes, tap those red shiny shoes and hope for the best! Now that’s entertainment.

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Posted in: Are social media networks changing the news gathering and disseminating process for better or for worse? See in context

There isn't much news out there anymore. Only spin and opinion pushers. The click bait industry has morphed into a monster that devours all in its wake.

Never has critical thinking been a more vital skill than now, and it’s about to go into hyper drive with AI. Has the education system kept up? Young minds don’t stand a chance.

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Posted in: AI tools generate sexist content, warns U.N. See in context

These new AI applications have the power to subtly shape the perceptions of millions of people, so even small gender biases in their content can significantly amplify inequalities in the real world," she said.

Micro aggressions from AI!

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Posted in: Some employees have turned to side jobs as a strategy for supplemental income, but only a small percentage are able to earn a substantial amount. See in context

RedemptionMar. 6  12:29 pm JST

I asked my company and they said a flat no. No side jobs. If you need more income you have to lateral up or return to a high income country.

One of the golden rules in Japan if you want to do anything off script and new. Don’t ask permission ( cause we all know what the answer will be ) for something that you believe in. You just go ahead and do it, and ( if necessary ) apologize later.

It literally is the only way.

Read this little pearl years ago and it is so true. They are so conflict averse that often won’t even bother pulling you in anyway. Don’t ever let people that don’t do anything to improve their own lot in life tell you what you can’t do!

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Posted in: Osaka Prefecture eyes collecting fixed fee for inbound tourists from 2025 See in context

The leaders and bureaucrats showing their sublime sense of vision yet again. The thing is though, we all know ( and so do they ) no matter what hey skim from the top people will still come in droves. Free money for the taking I guess. Statements like this though don’t help.

We want foreign visitors to enjoy Osaka and try to realize a coexistence with local residents through the beautification of towns," Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters.

Can’t believe they are still throwing the term ‘overtourism’ around, after all those years to prepare during covid. You really have to really ask, what exactly are they good for?

Lining their pockets it seems.

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