TrevorPeace comments

Practising rope skills in an area subject to an avalanche warning wasn't all that smart.

The South Korean government is starting to sound like Russia's or Iran's.

Before they disappear can one of you posters get one and send it to me? Adult size medium. Any colour. And don't worry about being paid for it. I can get the ¥ at my bank or the currency exchange I always use before travelling to Japan. A little cash in the mail might be a nice thing to get, don't you think?

@OssanAmerica, I tend to think you're correct about any unification of the Koreas fostering more hostility than friendship, but I also believe that hostility would be evident in only the politicians on both sides, not the ordinary citizens. But since I'm not Korean I could be terribly wrong. Nonetheless, Yoon's dream won't become a reality with Kim and his cohorts in charge north of the border. And let's not forget Xi and what he might cause China to do if such a thing happened. The whole thing's a hopeless mess.

I don't particularly care what Macron says, but I do believe NATO's feet should be put to the fire and the organization should unequivocally tell Putin to get out of Ukraine or watch NATO's air superiority make that happen. If Putin threatens a nuke (or worse, actually uses one) he and his cronies won't last a day. I don't think anybody wants that, but it's time for Europe and NATO to demonstrate some real backbone. This has gone on long enough.

I hope it doesn't rain on them. Mine stays in its glass case in my home office.

Time for Plan B.

Nice graphic at the end of that bank of computers.

A few things about this article bother me.

First, it says "out-of-wedlock births are rare in Japan." Not from what I've read on JT about abandoned and dead babies.

Second, what does the government consider as "unprecedented steps" to cope with the declining birthrate? Expanding childcare and promoting wage hikes for younger workers doesn't solve the problem of the continuously declining birthrate. And for Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi to say, "the next six years or so until 2030, when the number of young people will rapidly decline, will be the last chance to reverse the trend."

Six years? To reverse what's really an irreversible trend? Pie in the sky, that one! Unless, of course, he's talking forced pregnancies. Can you see that coming? Kidnap all the young women of childbearing age and use IVF to impregnate them?

Does anyone remember 'Mad' magazine's Alfred E. Neuman cartoon character's catchphrase, "What, me worry?"

Worry is a mental construct. No different from the feeling of 'loneliness'. Both can be eliminated. Without alcohol or drugs.

Thousands watched, in heavy snowfall. Says a lot about the mindset of medieval people.

They don't look that bad, for pyjamas.

"Operators of cram schools, afterschool clubs, babysitter services and talent agencies would not be obliged to use the system as they are not under state supervision."

It's obvious where all the offenders will go.

The game should never have been scheduled in NK to start with.

Corporations running to mom and dad to convince junior to take a job - any job - clearly demonstrates desperation.

The story doesn't say whether she was kept in jail since that day. I hope she wasn't sent home.

According to the article:

"The Gemini app also launched in the U.S. this month and is rolling out in Japanese, Korean and English globally — except in Britain, Switzerland and Europe...”

The last time I checked, Britain and Switzerland were both in Europe. What changed? Were they expelled?

Start teaching children in pre-school about the offences, dump their uniforms, teach elementary school kids that such behaviour by their parents in any form means those parents are criminals. Won't take long.

@Mark, according to the times mentioned in the story, it was less than 3 hours.

@dagon, I'm glad you picked up on that 'anti-corruption' mention. Well done.

My Japanese best friend and I were dressed in outfits like that by a professional costumer at Shiroishi Castle, last October, and got a lot of really cool photos from the session. I highly recommend the experience. Those costumes are heavy, too!

I'm not going to get technical about this because figures can lie. But in my 30s I reduced my work week to four 8-hour days. I reduced spending on everything but the mortgage on the house, which I paid extra to reduce quicker. And I quit work entirely when I was 54, sixteen years ago. I live frugally, but I can still be generous with money when it's needed by family and the occasional charity. And I have lots and lots of 'free' time for volunteering and travel (especially to Japan). It's all possible if you put your mind to it, and dump the desire for new things to replace things that are perfectly good to use. There's no need for a new car every few years. Feed your mind, not your ego. It's a better way to live.

Agreed, @Yokohamadrift. But the price is steep and forcing foreign visitors to try to make a reservation is dumb.

@Skeptical, you're spot-on about shrinkflation. It's rampant in grocery stores, here in Canada. And it isn't going away.

My camera and extra lenses. And of course my passport. Extra socks help too. And any necessary prescriptions.

@Abe234, that's a fine synopsis. Makes me wish more posters here would put equal thought into their opinions.

It was a long, long time ago, but when I was in basic training with the Canadian army I had long hair because I was in a rock band. I bought a short-haired wig and got away with it until the water safety part, when we had to remove our pants, tie the ankle seams and toss them over our heads to make water wings. I still remember the looks on the faces of not only the Sergeant Major, but also the Captain, both of whom were standing at the edge of the pool, but also those of the other recruits. A priceless memory!

"One of the microsatellites is expected to contribute to disaster prevention by taking photos and videos."

"Prevent disaster"? That's like being God.

Walked from the ferry and up to the observation building a few years ago, picking up a few chunks of pumice on the way that are on display in my home office. Even bought a t-shirt that's one my faves. It's a great place to visit, when it's not bursting at the seams.

Regardless of opinions about the quality of the things, it's a hideous demand to make of children to take their books to and from school every day. That's what a shelf under the desktop, cubbies at the back of the classroom and lockers were for when I was in school. University was different, but we're talking about tykes, here, and loading them up with burdens to which their bodies should not be subjected.