Japan Today

SaikoPhysco comments

Posted in: TV host sex scandal exposes dark underbelly of Japanese media See in context

Media in all countries could be the same but Japan is different because of the Gaman culture. The USA was possibly the same up until the 1960's but things changed women started fighting back and speaking up which coincided with the fight for Women's Rights. Japan, to this day, has still not ever had any large Woman's Rights Movement.... and again, that is part of the Gaman / stay quite persevere mentality in the Culture. The women of Japan need to band together and make their voices heard.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Posted in: Toyota subsidiary Hino makes deal to settle emission fraud case in U.S. See in context

$1.6 Billion... don't even think about trying to deceive U.S. regulators. Now Japan on the other hand, they'd get of with an apology and a very small fine.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Posted in: Despite Nippon Steel rift, U.S. and Japan say ties stronger than ever See in context

This is total BS... what I really think is happening is that the Japanese Govt. is using this issue as a tradeoff / leverage point for any potential Trump tarriffs. The Japanese Govt would not ever allow a U.S. Company to buy Nippon Steel.... so why would they believe they have any right to back up a Japanese company other than political gain.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: Sony-Honda venture debuts Afeela EV from $89,900 in U.S. See in context

At $89,000 starting price... it prices out most of the middle class and poor. Just give me a bare bones electric car without the bells and whistles, that has 400 miles of range and is priced $40,000 or below. Heck... 300 miles of range and priced at $30,000 or below and I'd be a buyer. All the gadgetry is BS... just more things that can break.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Posted in: Tuna fetches ¥207 mil at year's 1st auction in Tokyo See in context

50 and 40 years ago the prestige of paying top Yen for the biggest and best Tuna at the New Year's 1st Auction had quite a bit of clout... it announced to all... hey, we're "top dog" or at least a serious "up and comer" and people pay'd attention. However in this age I think it might be dilusional to believe one would receive the same attention, respect and boost to the bottom line.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Japan governors push to have hot spring culture recognized by UNESCO See in context

Must of required a lot of brains to think up the idea.... many thousands of years ago, that bathing in clean hot spring water is desireable. But since it is Japanese... of course they could only be the one's to have the idea and do it right. The cultural arrogance of this country is amazing... but I guess at this point its the only thing they have.

-17 ( +21 / -38 )

Posted in: Record number of teachers in Japan took mental illness leave in FY2023 See in context

Was talking to a teacher the other day in Tokyo... in addition Teacher's are not volunteering to coach various sports activities around schools because all they get is grief from parents and students. Gone are the days when one would spend their whole life in sacrifice for their employers success. Now people want more balance and you cannot blame them one bit.

14 ( +23 / -9 )

Posted in: Biden blocks Nippon Steel's proposed deal to acquire U.S. Steel See in context

A U.S. company has never been allowed to purchase any strategic Japanese company ever. In addition the Japanese Govt. has purchase restrictions on over 600 Japanese companies whereby even if they want to purchase just 1% of a Japanese company it would require prior Govt. approval. Japan does not play fair... so why should anyone in Japan be bent out of shape when the U.S. does the same? Let the U.S. bail out U.S. Steel, just like Japan bailed out its steel companies over 30 years ago and leave it at that.

-6 ( +27 / -33 )

Posted in: Tradition vs tourism debate clouding future for famed local festivals See in context

What is killing these festivals and events is the dwindling population and the reluctance of younger individuals to participate. Selling tickets is BS... they're basically selling themselves out in my book. Tourism isn't killing Japan... don't blame it on that. The Japanese Govt. is killing Japan... they will not open the country to immigration properly.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Posted in: 7 tourists hospitalized after drinking cocktails in luxury Fiji hotel See in context

Sorry but my first thought was it might be some nefarious Chinese company copying brand name liquor and selling them... one may've somehow got into the hotel's inventory.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Posted in: Bear attacks rising in Japan; aging hunters on the front line See in context

I recently purchased a 2nd home near Kobuchizawa in Yamanashi and plan to do a bit of hiking nearby in the mountains, this does concern me. Japan's over regulation regarding guns and hunting will cause more hikers and nearby villagers to die as a result.

0 ( +12 / -12 )

Posted in: Nearly 90% of Chinese view Japan negatively: poll See in context

Just goest to show... when you're "disliked" you pretty much equally "dislike" back. They should just stop doing the surveys... maybe over time people will forget about this mutual problem.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: 1,000 Nissan employees in Thailand to be let go or relocated See in context

Yeah, because when Japanese companies "layoff" employees the don't do it in Japan.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Posted in: Japanese, South Koreans at bottom of global love life survey See in context

In Japan Hugs or a kiss goodbye are rarely seen. Just these small acts help to keep relationships constant and close. When you take the away physical side of a relationship the loving side often vanishes too.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Posted in: Japan's latest tourism headache is American arrested for damaging Tokyo shrine See in context

27 million tourists.... and of course here in Japan we're gonna read about every bad thing they do. While there are 123 million Japanese and even though I see them often on trains at night causing a lot of trouble and who knows what else, I rarely read anything about their conduct. The Japanese are pretty much perfect... no need for prisons in Japan.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Ishiba's drastic wage hike push may hurt small firms in Japan See in context

Collge grads are making Y3 to Y4 mil a year in Japan... in the UK, USA, Australia, France, Germany and Canada they start a double to triple the starting salary of those in Japan. You talk to the average 40 to 50 year old salaryman in Japan and the say... Japan has become poor. The major reason Japan has become poor is the lack of wage growth for the last 35 years. The govt. does not want wages to grow and does not want inflation because half of retired people, and the numbers are large, will not be able to afford to live. The won't be able to live because they've all been screwed by the govt. pension system, and by financial institutions that manage retirement funds. The people of Japan are too docile, they won't fight for themselves because it is ingrained in their culture to stay quiet and endure... the perfect combination for the Govt. and Corporations to take advantage of them.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

Posted in: Couche-Tard executives in Japan to push 7-Eleven deal See in context

LOL... take a look people, there has never been a hostile takeover of any healthy large Domestic Japanese Company by a foreign company ever. It is just not allowed. They've willingly sold out in the past but only because they'd have gone bankrupt otherwise. So when a Japanese company is out there trying to buy a foreign company and the foreign company is saying no... I say... "you reap what you sow".

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Posted in: Foreign tourist angers locals for doing pull-ups on torii gate at shrine in Japan See in context

Not good... problem is, with millions of tourists you're gonna get idiots here and there. But a real idiotic thing to do would be to print up thousands of large red and white labels with a human figure doing a pull up with a large X over it and sticking them everywhere.

22 ( +28 / -6 )

Posted in: Japan visitors spent ¥5.86 tril through September, breaking annual record See in context

By the end of the year, in USD terms, this should work out to around $50 billion. Instead of complaining about how things have increased price wise, or travel being crowded due to foreigners... you should be thinking on how to cash in on this increased business. This is an opportunity for those willing to take some risk and work. The more you / we can make the experience of visiting Japan better for tourists, the more often they will come and spend money. We should be thinking about creating tour companies, fixing up old Ryokans, producing more foreign friendly, domestically made Omiyage. The government should be planning on how to decrease overcrowding at certain major tourist locations and increasing tourism to other areas. Japan is perfect for tourism... great transportation, safe and, despite being westernized, a very unique culture. Quit complaining... get on the train... keep Japan Japan but make it work better.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Posted in: Only 13 female CEOs among Japan's 1,600 top-listed companies: survey See in context

@dagon - "The West is hardly better" Well... there are 31 female CEO's in the S&P 500, which is 6.2%. Also, the Russell 3000 index, 3000 of the largest U.S. Companies, in 2022 there were 196 female CEO's. That works out to 6.5%. Hardly not, "Hardly better". Statistically almost 9 times better than Japan and the numbers continue to rise. Do some research before you compare the "West" to Japan. It took me all of about 5 minutes to find the data.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Posted in: U.S. Steel warns plants could close without Nippon Steel sale See in context

Wait until after the election... right now neither side wants to appear easy on Corporate America. As soon as one or the other is elected a package will magically appear that will keep the company going until it needs rescueing again.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Typhoon weakens but train, flight disruptions continue See in context

In the Tachikawa area of Tokyo... well, I have a bucket that is about 25CM deep, it was empty yesterday morning, it was full and overflowing this morning. And the rain didn't really start to fall until around 5PM yesterday. That is a lot of rain in a short time. Oh... and Japan was not always fearful of Typhoons... 30 and 40 years ago people would have been out like it was practically a normal day... now-a-days, the media, like almost any place, blows it a bit out of proportion but... it is very hard to balance vigilance and going overboard.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Posted in: Osaka dragon’s tail must be cut off, high court rules in ramen restaurant case See in context

The point is... you let one company get away with it other's may follow. I agree with the courts 100%.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Posted in: Little League See in context

Good luck!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Posted in: Nagasaki marks 79th A-bomb anniversary as Israel snub overshadows ceremony See in context

The Mayor of Nagasaki has taken the stance against Nuclear Proliferation and diluted it to anything they disagree with. Which basically has weakened the fight against Nukes.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Posted in: Japanese inn’s first foreign guests disappear without paying – 'We feel so betrayed' See in context

I find this story hard to believe! Their 1st ever foreign guests left without paying? Why, up until now have there never been any foreign guests at this ryokan? And it cracks me up that they felt the need to make this a story. Something is very fishy about this... not sure yet what it is but I believe we're not getting all the information on what actually took place. Not saying it is impossible to happen, but my antennae is perked up.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Posted in: Nikkei closes up 10.23% after Monday's record fall; dollar trading at ¥145.94 See in context

Too many posers that think they know economics.... the Yen at 130 is the best blend for Japan. Not too strong but not too weak.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Posted in: Nikkei closes up 10.23% after Monday's record fall; dollar trading at ¥145.94 See in context

Japan's domestic designed engine keep chugging along. House built 30 years ago... worthless now, tear it down, build another. The people lose but industry gains. Chug a Chug along.... while the young see no end of despair in sight. But we want more babies!

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Posted in: Nikkei plunges 12.4%, logging its worst two-day decline in history See in context

We are due for a correction... the U.S. will probably sell of tomorrow but I'd be willing to bet it will rebound on Tuesday. That said, the silver lining here is the Yen, it has strengthened 10% vs the USD. Much of this due to unwinding the Yen/USD Carry trade. A currency carry trade is when interest rates are very low in a certain country... like Japan. What happens is Hedge Funds from around the world borrow Yen at a low interest rate from Banks and Brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, the hedge funds then buy mainly U.S. Dollars and then buy U.S. Treasury bonds that yield anwhere from 1 to 5% or more. The Yen loan may only cost 0.3 to 0.7%, so you borrow at the low rate, invest at a higher rate and pocket the difference. And we're talking hundreds of billions of dollars here poured into this trade. Most of these trades were orchestrated years ago when the Yen was much stronger. But with the BoJ looking to increase rates and the U.S. looking to ease rates and with the Yen so cheap, the Hedge funds can cash out and still make a massive profit. Especially if they put on these trades when the Yen was around 80 to 90 to the USD. This is the "knee jerk" reaction... so initially we'll see a big move... but it will slow down unless the BoJ makes another solid move and increases rates again.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Man arrested for attempted voyeurism of neighbors having sex from balcony See in context

Next time... take a quick picture and call the police... and then pray the police do not arrest you for voyerism but arrest them for semi-public acts of lude conduct.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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