sonnoujoui comments

And those who are saying "missed calls on both sides," can you tell me when a Japanese player committed a foul that would have led to a player being ejected and the US getting a penalty kick?

There was none. USA was not the better team, but they had big luck with the decisions of the referee. It is high time they use video proof in football matches, like they do in hockey.

2 clear penalties not given to Japan. 2 gifts to the USA. What a farce.

That's why I love Japan.

So you're real concern is for rape victims in Okinawa? How touching.

I think it's kind of strange, that you are making fun of the rape victims by that statement.

About your statistics - there is a saying: "Dont believe any statistics that you didnt fake yourself." There are several things that are not taken into account. Cases where the predetaor wasnt identified and crimes that havent been reportet at all. And it doesnt show all the rapes and crimes that happened right after US military came to Okinawa. If the US military would leave, then the total numbers of crimes would go back. That is sure.

The US mlitary is a guest in Japan, and therefore they have to be extra carefull. Of course the average number of crimes commited by military members or police should be lower than that of the average people, that also includes jobless people, drug addicts, etc. I hope it's same in the US as well. US-military doesnt belong to Japan and therefore they should leave. The crimes are just one of many reasons.

No one said the US "empire" will remain as strong as it has been for ever, but applying your standared of the Roman Empire, I'd say we have a few hundred years before our decline. Like I said, not in your life time.

Funny, you assume that the "American Empie" will stay as long as the Roman Empire. Only totally blind people havent noticed yet the decline of the Superpower America.

Mr. Obama - who is the ELECTED President of the United States - should NOT be bowing to this old bloke in the photo by the name of akihito.

Silly statement. It doesnt matter if Akihito was elected. He is the emperor of Japan. The big majority of the Japanese are quite happy that he represents Japan as the emperor. If Obama is lucky, then maybe half of the americans want him to be their president, while the others think he's probably the devil. Akihito was the Emperor of Japan long before Obama and I wouldnt be so surprised if Akihito is still Emperor when Obama isnt president anymore.

Are there more photos that might show what happened next? Just curious.

The next thing that happens is that he greets the Emperess, but only with a slight bow.

Hawaii was a military target becase military was there. Okinawa could be another military target in a new conflict. If I'd be an islamic terrorist in Japan, I'd attack american military bases. China would never attack Japan. What for? They are making business with each other. It's like Russia would never attack Germany, with or without american bases there. Now, what is sure is that rape incidents on Okinawa would decline without US bases. That is reason enough for them to leave. The possibility of an Okinawan girl to be raped by an american soldier is higher than beeing caught by any asian invaders.

BTW, where did I say I am Japanese?

Case in point, China does not desire a military conflict with the US and won't for the foreseeable future because the economic ties with the US are far too vital for its survival.

Funny, I rather think it's the other way around. The US doesnt want military conflict with China because the economic ties with China are far too vital for the survival of the US.

Good luck with that. I wouldn't hold your breath though; you won't be seeing that dream realized anytime soon, probably not in your life time.

Well, as I plan to live for the next 50 years I am quite confident. Mainly because it's just a matter of time that the US wont be able to maintain such a big army anymore as it is already on the way of economic decline. Ask the Romans where their military bases in Germania, Gaul and Brittania are now. lol

Hail the emperor! BANZAI!!!

USNinJapan2

alter the power balance between Japan and its strongest and most influencial ally.

It's high time to make a change. And it would be a good thing if Hatoyama would not only talk but do some changes.

But you cannot say with any degree of certainty that with US military gone from the region in a few years' time the geopolitical stage in East Asia could change to make armed conflict between Japan and one of its Asian neighbors a possibility.

No, it is very unlikely there will be an attack from one of the neighbouring countries, with or without american forces in Japan. There is only 1 country possible, and that is North Korea. And they wouldnt invade Japan, they'd drop an A-bomb. I wonder how a Navy man like you could avoid that. But, I dont think this will happen anyway.

By the way, did that military base on Hawaii about 70 years ago prevent an attack?

If Japan wouldnt have relied on big america all the time, then it would probably already have arranged better relationships with it's neighbouring countries. Now they realise, USA is on the downfall and it's better to have good relationships with the awakening dragon China.

So, kichiku-beihei out of Japan!

No, the Japanese want them out. The Japanese people also voted for Hatoyama knowing his position about politics with the US.

Do you seriously think Japan would be attacked if the US would leave? Get real!

USA out of Japan! NOW!!! The war is already over more than 60 years.

USA out of Japan! NOW!!!

This is bad news on Christmas! I think she was a good girl! Why always the best have to go early while some idiots seem to live forever. RIP, Ai!

North Americans complaining about quality of Japanese TV and Japanese Food - there is some irony in it!

Heating things up in microwaves is actually done all over the world. As is using ketchup.

Only an American can say that.

I really disliked the constant "oishiiii" and "umaaaaaaaaaaai" type segments. Sometimes they don't even show the food prep, just the tarento eating it and having a face-gasm.

You only find that odd because in North America there is no reason for anyone to say "oshii" about the food.

In America cooking equals heating up something in the microwave and pouring ketchup over it. And are there any other food advertisements in American TV that don't include Cheese and meat?

I know it's quite common in Japan to commit suicide like that but still I was surprised to see the reaction of those japanese who had just heard the news of another suicide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh4icVsbzYE

Well, I don't know if that is you in the youtube-film, but how is grinning while making videos of other people in such situation a more appropriate reaction?

Actually I was surprised at first, when I heard about a Spanish guy bathing in the Imperial Palace moat. A spanish guy? That sounded strange to me. It would have been rather sth an american or british guy would do.

Now I hear that he was actually a briton. Ahh, I am relieved - everything OK with my world view.

Cant understand why some guys here complain about the girls wearing sexy clothes. I am a MAN and I admit I like to see that - better than those fat western girls that walk around. Anyway, if those j-girls wear sexy clothes they cant complain when men are looking. I sure do!

"life is easy in Japan if youre kawaii."

Should be more like : "life is easy in Japan if youre STUPID and kawaii."

Too bad that's the way girls are raised in this country. The dumber a girl acts, the cuter she looks.

The only stupid thing is your comment. Maybe you prefer how girls are raised in the US, where you have idols like Britney Spears. I prefer the Japanese ones any day.

Damn, I missed it!

When will be their next performance?