tshirt comments

Posted in: Lower house approves tax hike bill despite DPJ revolt See in context

"The tax on a sirloin steak is much higher than that on a piece of chicken...

Not fair? Why not, tokyokawasaki?"

The percent of income spent by poor people on food is about 35 percent. For the rich about 5 percent. Poor can't cut back too much, already eating at home and mostly cheap food. The rich can easily cut back on restaurants and steak. So a blanket 5 percent tax is regressive and hurts the poor twice or ten times as much as the rich. Basic economics.

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Posted in: Mickey and Matsui See in context

IvanCoughalot- The reason people at DL earn minimum wage is there is a line a mile long of eager teenagers who will gladly take the job... basic economics. Standing in a costume and waving isn't rocket science and will never pay as such.

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Posted in: As 'Avatar' conquers world, Fox also eyes local releases in Asia See in context

The government is upset that it's domestically produced and financed 'Confucius' isn't popular.

Also, if people only in China are getting.... It's called propaganda.

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Posted in: Problems at Toyota, JAL taint Japan Inc's image See in context

The list of top ten patent recipients from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) includes: IBM (4,914), Samsung (3,611), Microsoft (2,906), Canon (2,206), Panasonic (1,829), Toshiba (1,696), Sony (1,680), Intel (1,537), Seiko Epson (1,330) and HP (1,273).

USA:10,630 Japan:8,741 Korea:3,611

Only top ten companies and many of the patents are really just garbage, but it proves that Japan is in the game and China is nowhere to be seen. China's success will limited as long as it has a one party government. Japan will get smaller, but creativity is alive and well.

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Posted in: Problems at Toyota, JAL taint Japan Inc's image See in context

All of these comments are overblown. Most airlines in Europe and America have either been bought out, closed down, or given government support. The business model itself is mostly to blame. JAL is like many of the European national airlines that has never been able to compete, it's not unique.

Toyota will have trouble, but it's quality is generally the best given the price. A new Toyota still costs half a new BMW and lasts just as long with lower maintenance costs. Toyota's market share in the US is 15% and in California 30%... impressive numbers.

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Posted in: Google, Apple spar in high-tech battle See in context

For Apple it's about image and profit. Apple also controls 100% of the process, from the drawing board to the customer.

For Google it's about upsetting the current way of thinking and getting people to use something new... and then make a percentage on that new product. So the bigger the market, the bigger the profit.

Two different styles and the market is big enough for them plus another 100.

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Posted in: Three pedestrians hit by car in front of Imperial Palace; one dies See in context

When you drive a car, you accept some responsibility for any accident you are part of. Pedestrians and bicycles always have the right of way. It doesn't matter if the pedestrian was in the wrong, as an auto driver you must always be in control and anticipate others' actions.

Look at how buses drivers drive in this country. They are (mostly) very defensive and give way to everyone else. The law is unforgiving to drivers and since it's a privilege it comes with stiff penalties. My advice is take a bus or train.

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Posted in: Christmas lights return to Omotesando after 11 years See in context

Most likely LED lights, which use about 10 watts for a string of 100. The older style would use 1000 watts for a string of 100.

So, you could decorate two two meter trees (well) for the same energy usage as one standard light bulb. Pretty great really, you'll see cities using a lot more of these lights in the years to come. The only drawback is many LED light strands are poorly made... they corrode and don't work after a few years; hopefully newer ones will prove to be better.

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Posted in: CNN finding that prime-time success is elusive See in context

"Of people who say their main source of news is CNN, 46% identify themselves as Democrats and 13% as Republicans, according to a July survey by the Pew Research Center (the rest say they’re independent or don’t identify themselves politically). The same study found that Fox’s main source audience was 38% Republican and 18% Democratic."

Just about 40% consider themselves Democrats, 30% Republicans... so very basic statistics will tell you Fox is more partisan. Not only that, since Democrats are a larger percentage of the population, their views are more moderate (on the whole). Republicans lean much further to the right.

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Posted in: CNN finding that prime-time success is elusive See in context

"Of people who say their main source of news is CNN, 46% identify themselves as Democrats and 13% as Republicans, according to a July survey by the Pew Research Center (the rest say they’re independent or don’t identify themselves politically). The same study found that Fox’s main source audience was 38% Republican and 18% Democratic."

About 40% consider themselves Democrats, 30% Republicans... so very basic statistics will tell you Fox is more partisan. Not only that, since Democrats are a larger percentage of the population, their views are more moderate (on the whole). Republicans lean much further to the right.

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Posted in: Health insurance gets more complicated with new visa law See in context

Patrick Smash- As I said, a re-entry seal in your passport is no longer necessary (as long as you are in the country one day a year). But the permanent visa seal in a passport is good for the life of the passport (unless the authorities take it away), then it's a simple request to update the next passport. In addition, the gaijin card is a separate document that just conveys (in part) your passport information.

Now, as the article states, proof of NHI is necessary to change or renew visa status. Updating your passport is not renewing a visa, obviously the visa has already been granted and employment isn't necessary. Needing a new visa because your old one will expire or changing from spousal to permanent is.

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Posted in: Health insurance gets more complicated with new visa law See in context

Correct me if I'm wrong, but permanent visa holders wouldn't be subject to the requirement, nor spousal visa holders... both may work, but could still stay if they didn't.

I feel pretty certain about permanent visa in that it doesn't need to be renewed... nor does the re-entry permit, now.

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Posted in: Dueling 'racist' claims defuse once powerful word See in context

Over 90% of black voters didn't vote for McCain, is that because they are racist against Whites It's different if you are a minority, to pretend it's the same is ignorant

"America's first black president" is a lie in itself

Some president a long time ago was part Black, but it certainly wasn't part of his public persona. Seriously, according to law(s) in the US in the past, especially in the South. People half, quarter, or even an eigth Black (or Indian, etc) were not white, and thus had fewer rights. The constitution specifically had the Three-fifths compromise (about slaves, Indians were excluded from citizenship). Today universities can base acceptance upon race... getting into UC Berkeley is much easier if you can prove you have a great grandparent who is Black or Indian... good luck if you are Asian.

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Posted in: Woman, child not wearing seatbelts fall out of car at intersection See in context

Last year I saw a mom driving while using a cell, smoking, and her kid on her lap. That compares with the guy who was riding a bicycle, using a cell, smoking, and holding an umbrella. He came around a blind corner and then proceeded to run into me.

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Posted in: Wolverine See in context

Hollywood movie release dates have to do with the distributors, very simple.

Like in the States, many movies are released at key times to increase ticket sales... so US release dates often don't coincide with ideal Japanese ones.

I believe Ponyo was just released in the US, I doubt most US audience members cared when it was originally released in Japan. Same goes for US movies release in Japan, most people want dubbing or subtitles... they won't pirate.

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Posted in: Poll in U.S. finds support for World War II atom bombings See in context

Poll in China finds support for discovery of gun powder.

Sheezzz, Let's replay history, except by today's moral standards. The fact is the bombs were invented and used. Hopefully they will never be used again. But if Japan was really so adamant about nukes, then why does the country trade with countries that have them today?

The fact is, war sucks and Japan lost. Japan uses the issue to play the victim even though ALL East Asian countries still have great hatred for Japan.

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Posted in: Dating in Tokyo is pretty easy—if you’re not looking for a single guy See in context

Women date like they are order sandwiches. I want a tall, wealthy, and kind man, with a bit of passion and flamboyance... hold the ego.

She states she is, 'a bit older and with a built-in family.' So is that 40 or 50? Any of the 'good' guys in this age group can still pick up a 30 year old.

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Posted in: What if your company goes bankrupt? See in context

'The off-the-books unemployment rate is double digits, possibly as much as 20%'

Unfortunately, you are making a guess. The US Gov. has made many changes over the last 50 years to statistics. However, the government does have a variety of stats, and those claiming unemployment plus those underemployed is about 15% in the US. That was end of Nov beginning of Dec, so add another 200,000 to the unemployment roles. It ain't pretty.

The fact is this recession will last into 2011 or 2012. Don't listen to the pundits telling you all will be good by the end of the year... or should I say, don't bet your job on it;)

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Posted in: Protests or not, Japanese keep eating whale See in context

Western doctors will tell pregnant women to avoid eating sushi, specifically tuna due to the high metal levels. It is no secret. Logic would tell you that whale would have even higher levels of metal due to the fact that they eat a lot more and live longer.

Now, will one meal kill you? Of course not. But a daily diet is a bad idea... same for many of the fish used in sushi. Once a week or month is probably ok.

Whaleing is an issue pushed by a very small number of nationalists, and should be treated as such. Hit them economically and the issue would die. But, it makes great news!

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Posted in: Dealing with Muslim fundamentalism See in context

'Religion is the opiate of the people'

Nothing truer has ever been said. Nations controlled by Islamic fundamentalists will forever be backward. To treat them as equals is stupid. Perhaps some day moderates will prevail, I won't hold my breath.

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Posted in: Crown prince seeks public understanding for ailing wife See in context

She should get divorced, or walk into a TV studio and do a tell all. Trouble is, if she did either she would lose her daughter. With mental illness and odd behavior no way would she get custody.

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