Rugbyfan comments

I think Mr Hatoyama has done a very god job so far. He seems to be a likeable person who has self-confidence but is modest too. I just hope that one of his ministers or other politicians in his group don't do something really stupid, like showing up to a news conference drunk or embezzling funds. He hope he stays in power long enough to actually do some real good.

I agree with you "thepro". Akina is one of these typical ditzy, air-head, squeaky voiced "talento" we see too much of on Japanese TV. Have you seen her when she wears strapless tops, her upper body and upper arms are a good commercial for anorexia. There are however some "real" (in every sense of the word) women talento like Norika Fujiwara, but alas they are few and far between.

I agree with "smartacus". The true test will come when it's a murder trial where the accused pleads not guilty. Frankly, I think the Japanese lay jury system is terrible. The fact that the lay jury has to decide the punishment is crazy and that they are sworn to a life time of secrecy is ridiculous!!!

A true athlete in every sense of the word, and a nice guy to boot. He's 35 years old now, I wonder how much longer he will continue to play baseball???

Hugh Jackman is so cool and is multi-talented. I have really enjoyed watching the X-Men series of movies so far and can't wait to see this latest installment.

If Mr Hatoyama employed an independent company to do efficiency reports on each ministry, and to make recommendations like firing staff that would be great.

Well "Razor" then make it 65. You don't obviously get my point, do you. What Japan doesn't need is all the elderly politicians (some in their late 70s) running the country. We need younger more positive thinking. Not just "how many pies can I get my fingers into" mentality.

No "franz75" not because they don't care,but because they have all that wealth and celebrity and don't put it to good use. Look at people like Lady Diana, Bono, and Bill Gates (of course on a much grander scale)they have had an impact on the world. Now even silly, brainless "talento" could surley put there time and money to better use, if even on a much smaller scale. Don't you think? And yes I do help and give money in my city.

I totally agree with you "tkoind2", your comments are spot on. Why don't we ever see or read about these idiot "talento" doing anything good, like handing out food to the homeless in a shelter or donating money to a women's refuge etc !!!!!

I agree totally with the comments so far. Treating women as second class citizens is deep seated and entrenched in Japanese society. This will be no quick fix, but hopefully Mr Hatoyama and the DPJ will stay in power long enough to get the ball rolling.

If Mr Hatoyama really wants to have the "power" and "control" of the government and Japan. So that he is able to make good policies that will improve life in Japan, then he should make it a law that there is a mandatory retirement age of 60 for all politicians and bureaucrats!!! That would really get things going.

The Japanese term "hafu" which is considered to be quite a cute word or word of endearment, actually comes from the totally racist and repugnant word "half - caste". I hate it every time some one I meet refers to my son with that word.

No!! I disagree with "sf2k" comment the dark side is not stronger. May the force be with you. And keep your light saber close at hand.

What a very strange story. What was the teacher hiding from? An angry wife or enraged lover? Why not just check in to a hotel? Or maybe he was being chased by the Yakuza because of unpaid gambling debts.

I'm a gaijin and my wife is Japanese, we've been married for 16 years.An international marriage certainly is interesting, with it's ups and downs. It certainly helps to have supportive family and friends when things are a bit rough. I will certainly make the effort to watch this movie when it comes out, and see how true to life it is.

I would love it if we had the Olympics in Tokyo. I'm a big sports fan and would really like the opportunity to actually watch the Olympics live, once in my life. I only live about an hour and a half from the city, but I think the tickets for the venues will be expensive. Yes! Yes! Yes! We want the games in Tokyo!!!!

I'm surprised that "Flash" agreed to do the photo spread. With a waist of 65cm and looking at the photo. I'd say she is carrying a few extra kgs!!!

To steal 2000 bunches of grapes must have taken quite some time and quite a few people, wouldn't it? How can this happen without any of the neighbours not seeing the thieves? And as "bobbafett" said, how would you transport such a large amount of produce? I'm quite sure the thieves will be caught, because, also how would you sell them without a lot of people knowing about the sale?

I am a "gaijin" and my wife is Japanese, so my son is a "half". Oh, how I hate the use of that word.Better to refer to these children as "of mixed parents" or "bi-racial". My son had quite a few problems with bullies at primary school, but the teaching staff were very supportive. Now he is at a private junior highschool which is very strict and has a zero tolerance for bullying. So, in some ways I guess it depends on the school that you put your children into and the attitudes of the teachers.

I wonder who came up with the idea of cutting out her breast implants? Was it general knowledge that she had had cosmetic surgery? I saw something like this once in a movie with Steven Seagal. He was a cop and they had found a dead Russian prostitute. In the morgue he just flicks out a knife and slices open one of her boobs, and bob's your uncle there is a serial number on the silicon implant.

Miss Venezuela isn't bad looking but I wonder what percentage of her looks have been enhanced with cosmetic surgery. Maybe in the future they should have two catergories / competitions: "natural beauty" and "Surgically enhanced". At least one or two of the judges would have to be a surgeons, so they could verify if the women have had any surgery.

I agree with Alphaape that the Japanese police should be a lot tougher on these idiots. In NZ there is a big problem with "Boy Racers" but there are a whole bunch of laws that make any modifications to vehicles illegal, and limit the decibel level. If the police find any illegalities they can confiscate the car/bike for up to a month, and in severe cases the police can sell the confiscated vehicle.

I agree with Frontandcentre and Jizzeez, this low life Oshio deserves everthing he gets. I really hope they don't give him a suspended sentence but actually put him in prison for the longest time possible.

I agree with KingSaint. There must be more to this story than has been reported. Maybe she knew this man? Maybe he offered her money to get in the car? What ever the case, I think this Kobayashi guy should be publically humiliated in some way. Maybe put him in some stocks and let people throw rotten vegetables at him. Or in cases where the sicko actually does "things" then a public thrashing with a thin bamboo cane.

I agree with Tenshi21. Get off Beyonce's back all those haters out there. Beyonce has it all, the voice, dance moves and looks. I think it's great to see a super star, with a "full" figure or should I say voluptuous figure, like her. I get tired of seeing all the pencil thin pop stars here in Japan.