Shaolin7 comments

I'm glad to hear the girl is ok, and thankfully not a victim of some darker fate. I never hear of guys like this doing this to someone strong enough to fight back -- an immutable truth about bullies (or worse...) preying on the weak or those perceived as such. As much as I agree with Kyushujoe's stance on the 'macho posturing', it almost makes me wish that just for once, one of these geniuses would pick on the wrong guy and end up getting their just desserts (sorry, Kyushujoe...you can call me out too if you want = )).

There's a few information gaps in this story. I can't fathom how it took months for anyone to notice or report? At the very least, you would have expected hotel staff to be aware of a family staying there for an extended period, and to have their suspicions aroused with the childrens' absence (even if just on hotel grounds, let alone attending school). Still, it is good to know they were rescued, particularly that little girl. I find it difficult to rationalize concepts like mercy, compassion, forgiveness...in the face of so many horrific cases of abuse and murder. The world stopped making sense a long time ago.

Proxy, while I admire the effort you probably shouldn't bother calling out the double standard; people will choose to remain willfully oblivious to their own bias and hypocrisy.

This is certainly much better than last year's iteration. Hopefully she'll shine in the interview portion, and show some indication of a brain behind the beauty.

It looks like two girls enjoying themselves at summer festival. The magnitude of history and the sad legacy of war may be lost on them, but I am quite sure this could be said about many young people all over the world. Some of you are projecting and displacing your bias far too much, over a simple picture. I smile in fondness when I see yukata and think of summer festival season!

I'm happy for Spain, considering the economic mire and deepening troubles they find themselves in -- a momentary sense of joy, something to take their minds off of problems for a little while. I have to wonder what will happen now as reality sets back in for SA residents (and indeed for much of the world), many of whom are struggling in desperate poverty. As others have said, it was not a 'beautiful' game, but the win injects some small happiness for the Spanish.

I don't know which is sadder, the loss of all these people's lives (amongst the sea of suicides that are committed, worldwide) or some of the commentary by the genuises and paragons of evolution here. You display the very same coldness you are so critical of in Japanese society, talk about being inconvenienced on the way to work...etc. The hypocrisy is disgusting.

Nice catch, TRichfield! The Tokyo quarters are situated in their self named, iconic looking "cocoon" tower in Shinjuku. Would be nice to see more art related photos instead of the usual vacant, empty smiles of idols and 'tarentos', but I think I'm probably in the minority on that one.

Yes, there were a couple of media guys staying in a more remote luxury hotel (close to the Portugal team I think) that were robbed. Apparently one of them slept through it?? Anyways, it's hard not to be cynical given the crime rates, especially the despicably high rate of rapes. While I will enjoy the spectacle of competition, I won't be cheering for the host nation in any capacity..

I am not so worried about my daughter, but my son will be starting Japanese school in a few years and is already intent on becoming a candidate for a Darwin award even at the age of 4. It takes all my wits on a daily basis to protect him from himself(!) and god only knows how a teacher with 35 other little hoodlums is going to manage it!

Give him a chance to grow out of it, Kira! I wasn't exactly a MENSA candidate either, when I was young = ). Further to the point, there definitely needs to be much more active oversight, particularly when it comes to kids. The sheer irresponsibility of some parents and schools is absolutely maddening (not saying that's the case here, as there isn't as much info). The poor parents must be devastated.

There's more to this. I saw another report stating that the cloth contained a torso with the head and hands dismembered (believed to be a young male) with multiple stab wounds, with the severed legs laid beside the bound cloth in the ditch. Absolutely barbaric and horrific.

You're only partially right. As I understand it, nurses in Japan are well paid. That said, it is not a glamorous job. It is a 3K job, and it can be very thankless--sick people are not always fun to deal with.

Sorry, but I'll have to disagree with your contention. Nurses are not particularly well paid, if you take into consideration unpaid overtime, incredibly heavy workload and the constant schedule turnover, let alone the other job stressors. As Zenny11 has said, they also need to record their daily reports for each individual patient per shift, after every shift (adding up to the bulk of their unpaid OT). From Japanese friends who are nurses, the pay and the hours of work are primary detracting factors in recruiting younger generations into nursing.

If they can manage to recruit more native Japanese into nursing, all the better but as others have pointed out, the Japanese themselves are turning away from it and thus necessitating the desperate 'importation' of foreign help! Good luck and bless the foreign nurses giving it a go -- it is a very difficult task to accomplish, given the compressed time frame. This was a good article to read.

There is alot of preaching in the comments but I have to wonder how many people here practice it. People are labelling each other left and right, ascribing titles and pegging everyone else down into some caricature of personality and life. The guy was called out in an article for his boorish behaviour. If the writer felt so strongly about it, why wouldn't she say something? It doesn't need to be confrontational, or aggressive -- a quiet word or two, maybe even a sympathetic and conciliatory tone for two people obviously dealing with the burdens and stress of everyday life. Coming from a woman, perhaps some 'positive' stereotyping would come into play and might soften the angry guy's demeanour, seeing a woman's lighter, softer touch?

Instead, she wrote an article about it, patronizing this guy about his behaviour and citing the need to dispel the scary foreigner 'archetype' while simultaneously perpetuating that same stereotyping mindset when referring to Japanese and Japanese society. The irony on display here would be amusing, if it weren't so sad. Live and let live, and let's all try to be a little less judgemental of each other. Can I get an amen?

Sorry, that was me that thought there was a recanting from the woman. I had read another article on a different site that I am sure stated that (I even cross-checked it with this article, noting this discrepancy) because I remember seeing his picture. However, after checking up both Japanese and English sides it appears that article was pulled. My apologies, but it doesn't change my feelings on this.

Unless I'm mistaken, I believe it was reported that she actually recanted her statement? As noted here and by other news sources, his colleagues and friends vehemently and tearfully denied he had the character to do this. What a sad and senseless end. Somehow, I don't think the accuser or her two partners in crime are losing any sleep, which makes this all the more sickening.

That's a great, succinct post, SoggyGyoza. The quote in the last paragraph sums things up rather nicely.

Funny article, I liked it. Needless to say, with anyone contemplating martial arts training, alot depends on you, and on the teacher. To those with kids who are wondering, just go and explore the various options. When taught properly, it instills discipline, the value of hard work, and dedication -- things you can learn in any sporting activity, really. Hope your kids have fun!

These stories seem to be different sides of the same sad tale, with names, locations, ages changing...but always ending in the murder of a child, by one or both of the parents. What I don't understand is why people on here seemingly fall over themselves to 'explain' away murder commmitted by women, yet given the same circumstances where a father is the perpetrator, everyone uniformly condemns them to hell and worse? The horrific nature of a crime like this is damning, regardless of the gender of the person involved. The double standard shown by some here is ridiculous and utterly despicable.

Regardless of the pressures involved, whatever external forces might have been in play, no matter how desperate someone's situation may be -- how on earth can any rational, sane person, father OR mother, conclude that robbing their own child of life is the only solution? And how can seemingly intelligent people try and justify or explain it away as a result of 'pressure'? Give your head a shake, really.

It's good guys, give it a go.

There is legitimate concern about safety in South Africa, I can certainly understand why people wouldn't want to go (see Timorborder's post, as well as some of the crime statistics below:

http://www.nationmaster.com/country/sf-south-africa/cri-crime

Frankly I'm glad the sales are down so much; why reward a government rife with corruption and graft? Let them learn to take care of their own suffering populace properly, before awarding them things like the bloody World Cup.

It's never easy to recognize the failings within ourselves, but self-examination and much introspection is greatly needed, on every level. I understand both perspectives -- you must face the truth, however hard or unpleasant it may be, but once you have done so, and made your peace with things (and whatever that will entail), there must come a time to move on in life as well.

Good for her, in continuing to do the right thing here.

What I don't understand is how some people complain about the Japanese, but then go on to say things like, 'I really can't stand how my husband treats others he views as beneath him....' but you married him?? He's Japanese, isn't he? So he must be a good guy other than treating people like crap? Sorry there Kira, I'm not trying to take a deliberate shot at just you but your example stood out the most. I'm rather surprised at the responses of other intelligent posters, as well.

How many people's friends are truly genuine and loyal, irrespective or ethnicity or country of origin? If you were back in your home countries, broke as a joke, unemployed, struggling with life...how many of them would act as benevolently as you all say they do? Lend you money, let you have a place to stay until you get back on your feet, take you out for dinner and commiseration, regularly call to see how you're doing, etc. How many of them would really have your back in a time of need? And when you wax nostalgically about the good old crowd back 'home', aren't most of your social activities also centred around alcohol, or at least that how alot of these 'great' friendships had their genesis? Some are critiquing the Japanese for this, but I'm fairly sure there's an entrenched drinking culture in other countries too. I have no problem with holding people up to a better standard, provided it's a fair application across the board (including oneself).

There are differences, for sure, but I don't think they're quite as diametrically opposed as alot of you are saying they are. The perspective is skewed, and there remains that air of imagined cultural superiority which detracts from the good discussion. But I guess since this is JT I had better get used to it.

Some good and astute observations are being posted here, with arguably greater merit than this article. Nonetheless, even the optimists admit the difficulties of creating Japanese / non-Japanese friendships with depth and meaning.

But that in itself is a crucial part of the problem. When will we simply learn to accept people, and value them for who they are and not what they are? Japanese, non-Japanese, educated, uneducated, white collar, blue collar, etc etc. ad nauseum. They are artificial, divisive barriers borne out of insecurity, jealousy, stupidity...and we overlook the shared humanity. I notice it alot on JT and it bothers me, that combative 'us vs. them' mentality. Those vulnerabilities, the preconceptions, the overriding prejudice and bias we're quick to accuse others of, well...those are ours, too. It is easier to judge and dismiss, than it is to understand.

So please keep putting in the effort, guys. I know it sounds corny, or cheesy, but there are good and decent people, whose friendship would be treasured. Engage the reticent in conversation, draw out that shy and quiet person (Japanese or not). Give someone the benefit of the doubt, even if you feel you've been treated poorly or rebuffed. You might just surprise yourself.

Could it be that the kids are fighting back in their own way...? Amazing. I have hope yet for the Japanese, they are beginning to show some backbone and pushback over the abusive work culture that some companies foster and encourage.

The Dr. Sketchy's event sounds cool, but you can find more conventional life drawing classes in Meguro and Mitaka for a more 'mundane' experience and regular schedules. Still, one day I'd like to check it out!

That's true, kimosabi! Finding ice time is becoming increasingly difficult, and reminiscent of beer league hockey times in Canada (late at night, after all the minor leagues have played their games).

You can see a microcosm of this mentality played out daily at the Shinjuku Krispy Kreme, I can't imagine it's too much of a surprise. Fast fashion has certainly taken a firm grip.

Finally, JT has a photo depicting real beauty. That's a wonderful shot!

While I understand, to some extent, the arguments here for compassion and understanding regarding mental health and documented underlying psychological factors -- I haven't seen many pleas for clemency when it is a man who has murdered a child in a posted story. The tone, in such cases, is often far more vengeful and merciless. Whether people are willing to admit it or not, there is a double standard at work.

She may have been suffering from post-partum depression, along with other psychological problems, but that should not be an 'excuse' -- which is how it comes across in some posts here. If you are going to appeal for empathy, then let it be even handed and fairly applied across the board. I have no doubt there are other women who endured similar psychological states, yet did not raise a hand against their own child as this one did.

While this is a story from a dubious source of information, there probably is some segment of society it reflects. I keep seeing some of the foreign guys here posting about their marriages, too, and if you read into the subtext there...they are not happy either.

It is sad to think that it's no longer enough to simply love someone. I used to look at happy couples with regret, but now I have to say the more I hear of married life and its bittersweet nature, I'm almost relieved I'm single.

She looked so disappointed afterwards, and even after receiving her medal. Poor girl. But you have to hand it to Yu-na, she had such an incredible skate. And it was nice to see Joannie show some steely resolve, after her grief ridden performance earlier in the week. Good for all of them, I say! It was a great event to watch.