Torakichi comments

Rates in Japan are falling, which is great news, but it's still high of course.

Of course, rates in countries like the UK and Canada, though on the whole lower than Japan, are still subject to regional and cultural variations:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/16/canada-first-nations-suicide-crisis-attawapiskat-history

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/mar/16/scotlands-drive-to-reduce-male-suicides

Any decrease in suicide is good news. If you have a negative comment about this kind of good news article, you better have a good point to back it up. Otherwise you just sound like a jerk.

I'm a dad myself, and I know what the parents did was unforgivable and stupid and the worst kind of parental punishment they could do... But, right now, honestly, I'm just glad the little dude is safe. Made my day, have had a smile on my face for the last 45 minutes knowing he's safe. The parents hopefully will learn from what they did, his family will hopefully become closer, and he'll stop throwing rocks at cars too, maybe :) Most of all, maybe the country can learn from this about raising our kids better.

Awful thing to happen, 5 men on the verge of their golden years who now will never get a chance to play again with any grandkids, spouses, go to nomikai, or do anything else again. My condolences to the families.

Gary Raynor, There seems to b a convergence between our end arguments (Japan's weakening of the yen) and the means with which we've arrived. Can I ask you to simplify the argument for me by answering the following question, briefly: What makes you think the Japanese QE was about anything other Han liquidity, given what they were looking at with the Japan Post pension fund, and what is right and wrong about Japan being placed on unilateral monitoring list? You se m to think it's not a bad move on the U.s.'s part.

Gary Raynor, You're obviously an intelligent person, so please don't tell me you buy that U.S. Propaganda about Japan's QE being about weakening the yen more than liquidity. Abenomics, like it or lump it, is all about liquidity. Please drop believing that BS that American economists are feeding you - that stuff ain't good for you. Also, let's just see what happens when the States tries imposing sanctions on Japan, South Korea or Germany... Or China for that matter. This trade monitoring list is posturing, with empty diplomacy backing it. All pomp and no substance. What a joke.

He's a diva, but jealousy in sports is a real and serious issue. His anger issues aside, it's not unlikely that it was an intentional bump.

Come on Japan Today, it's one thing to be biased and another thing to file erroneous reports. The new system is meant to streamline the process as a whole by removing applicants who have little or no chance of receiving asylum. Furthermore, it provides for humanitarian protection (I believe you mentioned this, albeit briefly). Please, if you want real news, consider Japan Today a good introduction to whatever topic you are reading about, but please always question what you read (not just here but any news site, for that matter).

http://atimes.com/2015/09/japan-unveils-eased-refugee-recognition-criteria-but-critics-quick-to-cry-foul/

It's times like these I wish I was back in Japan to help out. Stay safe, guys, and keep us informed!

Let's see, in my experience there's Sleepy, Grumpy, Lazy, Loudy and Drunky. Did I miss anyone :)

I don't care what people say, at this point in his term Abe is doing very good work for international ties and for the economy. If he can somehow bring the environment back to the forefront, he has my unconditional support.

This site is bordering on becoming blatantly anti-Japanese, even though it's based in Japan and caters to the (malcontent) expat community. Nice job using Wikipedia for your sources, by the way.

Even after the Takata airbag thing? Jeezus, Toyota's on fire the last few years.

What's this? A positive story from Japan Today? Oh my goodness, perhaps there's hope for this site yet! Let me just go and read all the positive comments that I'm sure are... never mind.

Ah, the commentors here are consistent - complaints about living in Tokyo right and left! A proper nest of negativity these boards are. I didn't live in Tokyo, I lived in a city about half that size. But, I went there often for work and for trips. Tokyo seemed crowded, but for the population density, the people seemed nice and the public transportation very good (outside rush hour!) Can you people just stop complaining for once?

I remember that line, very fondly. I'm so glad to hear about this. Tohoku damashii forever! :)

Earth to Japan. come in! We love you, but if you want our tourist money ya'll better fix this! Get some English/French/Chinese menus up, try online reservations, do something. In the meantime, yoroshiku!

Sincerely, Earth (heart emoji here)

Peace is something or ancestors paid for with their lives. It's best if we all remember that.

Thanks for the response Katsu78!

I love this site, and always have - especially when my Japanese wasn't so great and I couldn't keep up with NHK or the Japanese language newspapers/sites. So, I don't want my opinions here to be interpreted as overtly biased or blatant nationalism (especially since I live away from Japan at the moment.) I was wondering if anyone has any real ideas, plausible explanations, as to why this site seems to take on a stance that's more than critical of Japanese views of history and of the Japanese government? Articles like this are extremely valuable, and it's paramount to our fundamental knowledge of modern society that we recognize the sacrifices "our" side made in the war to defeat Japanese expansionism and its brutal, inhumane, unforgivable assault on Asia. But, where is the counterpoint to this article? Where is the Japanese nationalist side, or even the Japanese side in general with regards to the war? This site's called "Japan Today," after all. Don't you all think there's a need to explore the Japanese side of the war and of general world affairs on this site? Just because a fair proportion of the readers are from the Allied side of the war does that mean we should ignore what Abe's justification is for his stance on history. It just seems very negative and one-sided, sometimes, especially in the comment boards where discussions should be taking place (not dozens of downvotes for people who go against the mob).

Wish the Jgov had the same guts and authentic desire to put a stop to these disgusting groups.

Speed, my son, if the government cracked down on the Yakuza and jailed them all, 80% of the Diet would be in jail. The country would fall apart. It's nice to wish for such things, but this will simply push the Kodo-Kai out to somewhere else.

I get why the US wants this (obviously) and why there elements within Japan that want this - China and Russia pushing their ways out further from their own borders, Japan having one of the most technically capable and versatile Navies in the world, and Japan having the chance to make tighter ties with allies in areas in the Middle East and Africa. But, there's good reason to worry Abe's Defense Minister, Nakatani, and those like him could use this as a reason to preemptively or prematurely reach out where they're not wanted or needed.

Following in her big sister's footsteps I see. Wonder if she needs an English tutor :)

Negative comments out in full force for another positive development, I see :) Hopefully, in all seriousness, this can be enforced. If Japan wants to boost its population, or, more realistically, promote equality, this can work its way into HR departments soon. I remember when I worked with part-timers, and some full-timers, they'd see pregnancy as the end of their careers. This will hopefully gradually put an end to that.

Awesome, welcome to the club, Shibuya!

US Army gains recruits through Call of Duty, Transformers, and the SDF uses... female models and smartphone games. Not sure if I should laugh or cry...

@toshiko Yes, I agree. If this were a male politician, I don't think the response would have been the same.

I don't even care if I get downvoted for this: I feel sorry for her. Being a widow must be difficult, and a woman in power as well. If it was just a kiss I say get on with work, seeing as she's genuinely sorry and she's apologized. Good on her colleagues for supporting her.

This man's a real patriot, concerned for his country's future and what's best for everyone else, a true Japanese spirit. It's ironic that those on the militaristic right seem only concerned about pomp and chest-thumping gestures, and not at all about their countrymen's best interests.

I agree, Japan should fess up and earnestly apologize. But, really, would it do any good?

It just hit the fan!

I find a lot of Japanese kids get panic attacks. Then again, teaching where I do now, in a western country, a lot of kids in general get panic attacks. I wouldn't be so quick to make fun of Japanese kids for freaking out. Some of the negative comments on here are just as "infantile" as they claim these kids are.