Thomas Robert Mountcastle comments

I enjoyed the line where 22% "allow" their workers to have part-time jobs.

I wonder at the 'negative' responses? Who can find something wrong with this?

Certainly.

@ebisen: I was living in Hiroshima during that earthquake. What is the good of remembering a natural event? Please do not jump to conclusions. Thank you.

I am confused. Earthquakes occur in Japan on a very regular basis. The children in this picture look to be 7 or 8 years old. No hats and no gloves. What do they remember about an event which happened long before they were born and when their parents were in elementary school? Why are some children seated while others are packed in groups? Is this performance voluntary or mandated?

Commanteer: My vote for best today! Another, "wish I had thought of that", post.

What a sad life. I remember Masako Kogosama as a young, vivacious student. I sent a birthday card: It was returned "addressee unknown." By the way, Empress Masako is the same age as Michelle Obama.

I fail to understand the negative votes: Our future is in space. We have polluted and overpopulated Earth. There is no serious plan, which must be an internationally agreed plan, to resolve any of those issues.

This is a great idea: Dress warm in the winter!

My Golden Retrievers are member of my family. When I lived in Japan, I was fortunate to have friends who treated their dogs the same way. Family members deserve more than a paid walker.

Why persist in building a submarine with out of date equipment? A lithium battery is still a battery.

Japan lags far behind modern nations in gender equality.

Why is the lady sitting on cold concrete?

To Girl in Tokyo: It is a pleasure to read your intelligent and accurate comments.

Thank you.

kumagaijin: I agree. I cannot understand the attraction of Tokyo: Crowds, pollution, noisy, and expensive.

This IS Japan. The "reasons" for refusing blood donation from a gaijin are too numerous to list. Like "Speed" above, I gave up long ago.

Once a gaijin, always a gaijin. (Personal experience)

GW - Best comment on this topic.

A refreshing article. I am glad to read about someone who does not accept "shikataganai".

Language? What a perfect piece of sakura. I lived 12 years in Japan. I am fluent in Japanese, well read and knowledgeable of customs,history and society. None of that made any differnce: A gaijin is a gaijin forever. How many times did I hear, "This is Japan, you cannot understand."?

Mr. Speed: Perfect! I have been fighting that battle, with no success, for a long long time.

To Tom from another Tom. Your comments are spot on. (I "enjoyed" 12 years in Japan.)

Absolutely! Japan is far behind the modern world in many things, the arbitrary school year and mass hiring process among them. "Summer vacation", Japan style, is about two weeks. Sadly, flexibility and innovation are not popular ideas in Japan. Long ago, I taught 5th. grade in Goshen, NY. In 1979, I took many of my students on a summer long tour of Japan. They were amazed children in their host families had to attend school during the summer. Our summer vacation was 10 weeks.

Fuzzy nailed it about comprehension. Thanks.

Why are they being sold? Why not a generous gift to build a community?

I didn't realize the race only allowed men to compete.

Why is that?

I agree with 'chip star'.

The death penalty serves no purpose other than revenge.

Why is a 3 year old awake at 2130?

I agree with "GyGene" I lived nearly 12 years in Japan. Without exception, coworkers and acquaintances had an almost religious "respect" for police. If you were arrested, you must be guilty.

Natsukashi: A beautiful place with many good memories. We took the night ferry from Hiroshima to Beppu and drove from the port.