Sam Watters comments

Ishiba will reportedly discuss plans to launch a new disaster management ministry in the earthquake and flood-prone country, as well as stressing the importance of nuclear energy.

I’m against any new ministry but I like the idea of exploring nuclear energy options. in resource-poor Japan, it’s doubtful we will be able to afford oil for much longer if prices continue to raise.

I’m not a fun of consuming puffer fish but I am beyond impressed with Tabira’s skills at such a young age.

Absolutely horrifying.

Compared to who? The USA?

Yes, among others. Compared to almost any other country, the CCP looks bad.

That’s because the CCP, one of Japan’s neighbors, is one of the most dangerous rogue regimes in the world.

As much as I love Japan, it cannot be denied that pettiness is ingrained in this culture. “If I had to do it, then YOU have to do it,” nicely sums up why some problems in this country never get solved. The current managers had to work long, long hours so there is no way in hell they are going to cut the younger generation any slack.

Considering that he will be replaced in less than a month after these events it would be appropriate for him to shorten if not cancel the entire trip.

If you ate today, thank a farmer!

Japanese band Pornograffitti. Great music but, uhm, unique name.

Samit BasuToday  02:16 pm JST

I am sorry, but no one will stand with Taiwan on the Chinese invasion day including Japan.

I think you might be surprised. Most of the world already hates the CCP. If China tries to take Taiwan, it will also likely try to cut off access to waterways vital for transport. The world won’t settle for that.

Please follow up on this story! Sounds fascinating!

There are many groups in Japan that seem to be overworked and underpaid but I doubt civil servants in Japan are among them.

Ouch! That was painful just watching it. Can’t imagine how bad that must have felt.

I wonder if he was posting the “reactions” on social media.

The shrine is private property.

@Wallace. I stand corrected. But the fact that it is private and is open to the public still means the vandal had no right to write graffiti on it. He should be deported.

A Chinese man living in Japan was indicted Tuesday for allegedly spray-painting the word "toilet" on a stone pillar at the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo in May.

His feelings about Yasukuni Shrine are irrelevant. The shrine is public property and he has no right to vandalize it. He should be deported immediately.

Disgusting and very offensive if you are a Christian (which I am not). Shame on the IOC and France for allowing such a gross spectacle.

Nope! These events just fleece the common person and line the pockets of the connected.

Society might benefit from planned departures in such cases.

@Asiaman7. I agree. Many people are simply living too long (and by that I do not wish to insinuate that the elderly are a burden but rather to point out that many are living longer than they wish to live). Planned departures/living wills are other end-of-life preparations could very well reduce the number of tragic stories like this one.

the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida seeks to drastically boost Japan's defense budget, partly through tax increases that require broad public understanding

I suggest if taxes are raised any further than the Hina Maru on the Japanese national flag be replaced with a squashed lemon since the current government is just squeezing juice out of its citizenry.

The Japanese version of traditional university education is on life support. In addition to the shrinking population, there is no really purpose in going to a traditional university unless one is going into a STEM field or searching for a licensed qualification. In addition, the quality of education is often spotty due in part to uninspired teaching methods (long, boring lectures anyone!) and too much emphasis on paperwork and other forms of bureaucracy. Trade schools are often a better option.

Start building India!

@JaviLM. Not everyone who disagrees with you is a racist or a bigot or a homophobe.

We can expect a new round of vows and pledges soon…

Japan is a victim for only the first time China pulls this nonsense. From the second time on Japan is a participant. Grow a spine, defend our territory there (at sea) or we will have to defend it here (on land). One more note of possible interest: there is a report that last week China had a skirmish with India that resulted in 4 dead Chinese soldiers. The death of these 4 soldiers ended 4 separate bloodlines and the revolt from the families was so great that the CCP reportedly gave the families a house and increased allowances. The reason for this that China’s 1-child policy has reduced the number of available men. In other words China does not have any number of men that can be sacrificed in military conflict. I say the next time China encroaches in our territory that we bloody their nose a bit. Like all bullies, China wants to be feared but needs to be protected. Pop them once and they might get the message. The opposite is also true.

I don’t know much about him (an advantage?) but I I hope the “My Number” rollout isn’t a preview of what a Konno-led government would look like.

Japan to popularize online birth registration by FY2026

I’m not “popularize” is the right word.

The shock absorbers on the car carrying Kim and Xi must be at the breaking point.

CCP members are thugs. No one should be surprised by this behavior.

Call their bluff. The Chinese will fold the first time they are punched back.