Tim Sullivan comments

Thank God for foreign pressure. Fuji TV appears to be blissfully unaware of the post-Harvey Weinstein era (it's probably run by octogenarians, like most Japanese firms). I'm ashamed to live in a backwater that is so isolated from international trends. It will probably take Japan about 50 years to catch up with everyone else in this area.

I wasn't a great fan of Abe, but I have to admit that he was a master at sucking up to Trump. The gold-plated golf club, the Nobel Peace Prize nomination (and who knows what else). A hard act to follow for Ishiba.

The good news is that we will never have to see his face on our TVs again. He's finished.

The family that saws heads together, stays together. You never know what your neighbors are up to. Probably better not to find out.

Osamu Tamura, a 61-year-old psychiatrist

I wonder what kind of advice he has been giving his patients over the years?

It's always interesting to read how my fellow sexagenarians spend their free time. I watch NHK and Netflix, spend time with my grandchildren and do a bit of volunteering in my local community. Hard to imagine that people of my age are sawing people's heads off. It's a bit Norman Bates.

I am tired of the daily grind. I should start my own cult. You have to give me all your money and I won't have to pay any tax on it. Sounds good to me.

Yep, it's all very predictable and reassuring. Nothing too subversive -- I guess that's the charm of Kohaku.

This year's Kohaku is cringe, isn't it?

Lots of Koreans this year (much better dancers than Japanese, but I like Perfume). Most of the old enka singers are dead, don't really miss them. The presenters are good though.

Life is becoming increasingly grim for most people in Japan, especially pensioners. I could feel the poverty when doing my New Year shopping this afternoon. I want to go back to the Showa era!

As Kohaku Uta Gassen settles over my living room like a four-day-brewed cabbage fart, I retire to the other room with a bottle of something warming and a couple of good films.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the ease with which the Japanese TV-viewing public can be rendered docile.

The days when everyone watched NHK on New Year's Eve are long gone. The viewing stats will be out tomorrow. Could be single figures this year.

Thanks to tech stocks and gold, I am about 35 percent richer than was a year ago.

Christmas is about the joy of family and friends if you're lucky enough to have them. It's not a celebration of capitalism.

I am not an economist, but I think inflation is a lot higher than 2.7%. The Land of the Rising Sun has become the Land of Rising Prices.

I think Ishiba will bore the pants off Trump. A great present will make up for our PM's lack of people skills. Abe's gold-plated golf club was a brilliant idea.

I can't help thinking the impoverishment of the Japanese people is a deliberate government policy. The LDP doesn't want the plebs to travel abroad because they will realize what the Living Dead Party has done to this country. It's truly shameful.

Don't take the current affluence for granted

What affluence? Japan is rapidly becoming a third world country. The visible poverty in some parts of Tokyo is truly shocking.

My Japanese accountant is more astounded -- when he sees my exploding NISA and IDECO balances and dividend income from my regular securities accounts. I assume he is used to Japanese clients, who keep their savings in cash, life insurance, and, LOL, Japanese govt bonds

That's the beauty of capitalism. I sometimes think Japan is more communist than China.

Reduce government expenditure first before ripping off the taxpayers

Calling Elon Musk -- Japan needs you!

Our cash-strapped government is targeting the wrong age group here. This will only encourage money laundering by people who will be dead by the time they find out what they are up to.

You may also be sharing your dream home with a ghost or poltergeist.

Which parts would that be? Would be curious to take a look.

Some parts of Shinjuku and Toshima wards are like China or Vietnam nowadays. It appears that many commenters on JT live in the boonies. The Big Mikan has changed. Come and have a look.

We really need guns to protect ourselves from the yami-baito vermin. The Japanese police are useless.

I recently visited NYC and have to admit that I felt safer there than I do in Tokyo. Something has changed. Some parts of the Japanese capital look very run down and have a third-world vibe (if you venture outside the usual tourist haunts.)

This has inspired me to start choosing the music for my funeral:

Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side (Official Audio)

(It will sound good in the mostly empty church -- I'm not expecting many mourners)

Back Stabbers

(For all the two-faced work colleagues who pretended to be my friends)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXW-sL5gzHQ

(Reflects my belief in reincarnation)

I knew several young, attractive women who let themselves be supported by older men while they were attending university. It enabled the women to avoid going into debt, and they had the company of rich, courteous older men, without any expectation of being together forever. One later became a school teacher, another became a psychiatrist and successful author. They seemed very well adjusted to me. Both came from low income backgrounds, but were very beautiful and very smart. So far as I could tell, no one was hurt.

And you don't get judgmental or envious looks when you dine with someone who is old enough to be your daughter. That's one of the things I love about his country.

How do you fight back Timmy?

I don't. Life is too short. In my somewhat limited experience (three marriages), Japanese women are happy with very little. They just want the ring on the third finger, left hand.

Another complaint: first-class lounges are not what they used to be. The peasants can blag their way in with the right credit card. I worked hard to acquire my platinum status. What has happened to exclusivity?

North Korea seems to be more advanced than Japan in this field. The fear of being sent to a labor camp may be a factor. But where are they getting the technology from?

Legalizing polygamy would help older rich men to share their wealth around instead of spending it all on one person. The women would benefit as well. Polygamy -- you know it makes sense!