Spanki comments

I always find the best way to come across as being fun to be around, is to actually be fun to be around.

Leash control of dogs in Tokyo is generally pretty atrocious, many people I see are being taken for walks by their dogs.

If anyone ever refers to my daughter as 'Hafu' I ask the person "which half of her is Japanese? and does that mean my daughter is somehow incomplete and inferior?" usually they look at me like with a clueless expression like a surprised cat...

That's just stupid

I tend to agree with that Kibousha, those of us who live here know how much the locals like to shorten terms, sometimes pointlessly so and usually pretty annoyingly so.

I'm the proud father of 2 gorgeous girls, it doesn't really bother me when people say they are half because they aren't being derogatory but I think the whole 'my kids are double' thing is actually pretty lame. Personally, I use the term mixed race.

Currently I feel they are a slight danger to Japan but more so to South Korea. They did shell that South Korean island not so long ago, so they aren't too scared to have a go.

Japan is weird, I do feel safer here out late, in that i'm less likely to get involved in a stupid fight or get mugged but I do feel more vulnerable to totally random nutters.

The US is a joke now, stand aside as the leader of the 'free' world. Pull the shutters down and throw custard pies at each other behind closed doors please.

Northern Ireland SHOULD be back in the Republic and i'm an Englishman. Scotland however, voted to remain part of the union and there were no conditions set for the outcome of the EU ref, they didn't even try to set their original indyref after the EU ref, so i'm afraid you should live with that Scotland. SNP desperation!

Toshiba crisis shines light on Japan's culture would be a more accurate headline.

It's not just corporate culture though is it, it runs right down from government through to schooling.

After reimbursement I think it cost me about 200,000 for the first one but the second was more expensive as it was c-section. not more than 400,000 though.

Turkey is using the migrant deal card already, ignore them and if they pull out of that deal, deport Turks in Europe.

And in other news, seals have been observed humping penguins.

Spent 2 nights down there with my kids and sister earlier this week, the children absolutely loved the place. This resort has the fun bath area, inside and out, that requires a swim suit and a proper Japanese style onsen area for traditional bathing. The novelty baths really just seem like scented water as opposed to really feeling like bathing in actual syrup, coffee or wine. It's a good bit of fun in the novelty area but better for young couples, young groups of friends or families with young children

Think about how many new high rise buildings are springing up around Tokyo. This shortage could easily be rectified if planners stipulate some childcare space in these buildings.

Were they blindly following the navi? Awful for the family whatever the reason though.

I do like the wet towels and constant glasses of water you get in restaurants here but yes I agree with others that special requests, even little ones, are sometimes denied without any good reason.

Unfortunately see people driving too quickly down the little side streets, the worst culprits are the delivery scooter riders but the smallish delivery trucks can be pretty bad too. If the kid just darted out it's really rough on the driver but the police will establish what speed he was doing. Be sure to drive slowly and diligently down those little streets and if you have a child make sure they wear a helmet whilst riding a bicycle, no matter where they are.

Whilst it is true that the outcome of the brexit referendum is highly unpopular in Scotland and has changed the opinions of people, the Scots knew well in advance there would be that referendum, so why the hell didn't they negotiate for their independence referendum to take place after the brexit one? It just isn't cricket to call for another referendum to try to force the desired result. Whether they now like it or not Scotland voted to stay in the union, nothing was conditional on the brexit vote, which whether we all like it or not, happened.

Why should less than 10% of the British population have such a say on the fate of a nation? Sorry Scotland, you had your chance, I don't think another referendum should be held so soon, live with it. The next time a referendum is held it should be Britain wide but I suspect the English would now vote Scotland out of the union anyway because they hate Sturgeon.

Itsonlyrocknroll, you might well be aware now that the EUs stance against accommodating Scotlands wishes is that they don't want to encourage more dialogue with breakaway regions, such as The Basque.

^^^^^ You sure do now how to treat your ladies...

So according to Japanese nationalists the Japanese race is pure and unique. About as pure and unique as the roots of the language it would seem!

I don't get it.....

Stink your own house or car out by all means but not anywhere around my family..

I'd build a strong house on high ground near a beach in southern Izu.

I saw a western host outside a club in Kabukicho and he looked bloody hilarious, had the full on J-host hair, winkle picker boots etc it wasn't a good look for him and he looked very sheepish indeed when he clocked me haha.

Those were some expensive English lessons!

I don't know about Japan but in England I got hit by a car when I was 11 and was hospitalized for 6 weeks. It was my fault , as I skated straight out into the road apparently (I don't remember anything past leaving my house, late to meet a friend) and the driver or drivers insurance company sued my parents for the damage to the car.

I think in most countries if a pedestrian is hit and killed the driver will initially be arrested pending an investigation but not necessarily charged.

Jeez I actually feel quite sorry for this driver. I can't even imagine letting my almost 2 year old cross our street alone and it's about 2 meters wide with hardly any traffic.