upnorth71 comments

Posted in: Say cheese See in context

question on the camera though are they still made in Japan?

Yes, it is.

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Posted in: World's smallest digital single-lens reflex camera See in context

Boy, people really get their panties in a bunch over trivial things like English menus. How difficult is it to figure out the Japanese language menus?- they are all function based, and camera operation is basically a repetitive exercise. It's not like you're reading the Kojiki. Anyway, like people have suggested, just buy a different camera- preferably from a "real" camera maker like Canon or Nikon;-)

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Posted in: Japanese-built train makes debut on British rail lines See in context

When it comes to trains, the Brits and the Yanks totally dropped the ball.

Actually Sebastian, if the Americans had even half of the level of rail service Britain enjoys(?), warts and all, it would be twice as good (at least) as what Amtrak does. British trains and railway stations are like Star Wars compared to the sad state of passenger service in the good 'ol USA, which has been described as "like the passenger rail system of Uzbekistan without the basic competence".

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Posted in: Why I hate driving in Japan See in context

Agree with benjie. Why even drive in Japan? Even the smaller cities in Japan have better public transport than your average big North American city (Houston anyone?). And intercity transport- no contest- Japan kicks a**. One of the reasons I left America was to escape the shackles of car-dependent living. Dump the car, and find yourself with (much) more money in your pocket and less stress.

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Posted in: The Japanese Skincare Revolution See in context

****marked you..

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Posted in: The Japanese Skincare Revolution See in context

when Japaense women tend to go crazy over white women's skin and do their best to have "white" skin

Actually, white skin has been valued in Japan (and Asia) for hundreds for years, even before any Japanese set eyes on any blue-eyed hakujin, and has nothing to do with wanting to be like a white woman. Having white skin was a mark of aristocracy, while a dark complexion market you as a peasant who worked outside in the fields. Even today, you can can go anywhere in Asia and see women using parasols to protect their skin from the sunlight.

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Posted in: Japanese cooking shows and the loss of sanity See in context

Nothing like these cheap set piece articles to bring out the rabble from the woodwork, eh? Geez, just the sensational title just makes 'em drool like the veritable pavlov's dog. Granted, have to agree that TV is mostly a wasteland (where is not?- enlighten me), with TV cooking shows a big culprit. But the article (and I daresay some commentators here) falls into the reductionist (or merely absurd) trap of attributing this to some loss of sanity or cultural brainwashing. The fact is, as other more level headed posters have mentioned, these shows are cheap to produce, and garner an audience among the ever-shrinking number of TV viewers. The TV programs and movies produced in Japan don't have much of a market (relatively) outside of its borders, so unlike the savvy Korean or H.K. producers, who can rely on profitable overseas distribution, Japanese media conglomerates have to make do with skimpy domestic profits. Hence the low production values. Now, as for me, I don't have satellite TV, but as an alternative to what's on TV, I just go, as do many Japanese, to the local video rental store to rent the latest Prison Break DVD or episode of "24". That's voting with your feet, and TV in Japan is hurting because of it.

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Posted in: Miss Universe Japan See in context

philomoscowitz and ninjazilla- the lady who trains Miss Japan contestants is French, and apparently selects candidates that conform to Western images/ideals of Japanese women, which differ from what Japanese people (and some expats, apparently) consider ideal. That said, Chibana is still the best of the bunch, confirmed by the fact that she has the most appearances in Japanese media.

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Posted in: Nikon D90 See in context

Nice of Nikon to add a movie mode on a DLSR. But I wish camera manufacuturers (that includes Canon too) would introduce their products BEFORE the summer holiday season, rather than after. Now am nursing a bit of buyer's remorse...

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Posted in: Kawasaki Heavy to develop high-speed train See in context

Nippon Sharyo, a competitor of Kawasaki Heavy, is involved with a magnetic levitation train, in cooperation with JR Tokai. A line between Tokyo and Nagoya is planned to be operational by 2025. The Germans have a system too, but unfortunately, it crashed two years ago, killing 23.

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Posted in: For quality broadband, it's Japan by a mile See in context

I remember when many were criticizing Japan as being behind back in the dark days of dial-up, but it seems being a late adapter has allowed some leapfrogging over problems being experienced in other countries.

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Posted in: McFlurry caramel macchiato See in context

Mickey D's could have used a better pic than that one. It looks like a scoop of what those drunk sarariman deposit on the station platform...

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Posted in: United Airlines begins campaign to mark 25th anniversary of 1st flight to Japan See in context

DenshaDeGo, when mentioning US airlines nowadays, "good" is not an adjective often used. Suffice to say you will arrive at your destination safe, if not satisfied or rested. And I echo borscht's sentiments regarding United's cabin crew. If you like eye candy, stick with the Asian airlines.

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Posted in: South Korean pop star BoA sets sights on U.S. See in context

I think this is more of a publicity stunt to garner more attention from the local media than a real desire to "make it" in the states. Like itabashiku says, she'll have a few concerts in New York and LA, where there is a big enough Asian as well as otaku population to draw an audience from, the J media will call it a success, and then everyone will come down to reality and focus on the Japanese market as before.

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Posted in: Palin's glasses give boost to Japanese company's sales See in context

"If you walk in the streets of Osan outside the airbase, you can get the same glasses (style and material) with a perscription filled for about $150. Probably in Alaska, a visit to LensCrafters or Wal-Mart for that matter cost her about $150"

You gotta think about rent, labor costs, and location. Few people want to live near an airbase, or freeze their butts off living in Alaska. That's why the glasses are expensive in Japan. Oh, and those $150 ones are likely Chinese-made knockoffs (especially if you got them at Walmart- LOL!)

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Posted in: Building blocks See in context

Legos- best toy I had as a child. Lets you create your own world, unlike video games, which give it to you ready-made.

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Posted in: Canon See in context

Nisegaijin, I think Canon's position is that I.S. works better when it is specifically tailored for each lens, which means lens mounted, rather than camera mounted I.S. Also, a good lens with I.S. will probably be used longer (and have comparatively better resale value) than a camera body which is basically obsolete once it is released. Of course, having I.S. on lenses gives Canon an excuse to charge more for them...

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Posted in: Movie industry enjoying 'die-and-cry' boom See in context

"I guess one can conclude that people are fleeing from reality, and the awareness that ‘I don’t want to think about difficult things..."

Though I avoid these types of movies (e.g. "sekachu") like the plague, isn't one of the points of going to see a movie is to escape from the humdrum (and difficulties) of your own daily life??

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Posted in: Hiroshi Kume to host TBS's new infotainment program See in context

If the program is anything like Kume's recent segment about Japanese twentysomethings, it may be worth watching.

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Posted in: New Lumix digital cameras See in context

I agree with Freespeech. High megapixel counts are just marketing gimmicks- what counts is sensor size, and compact digital cameras (and rangefinders) have tiny sensors. If you really want good pictures get a DSLR, which has a decent size sensor. As for a good rangefinder, have you checked out the Canon G9? Albeit it has a small sensor, but otherwise it's a good camera, and it shoots RAW pictures (I own the previous-gen G7).

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Posted in: 'Eco-actress' Saya Takagi under attack See in context

I think Ms. Takagi should put more effort in building better relationships with the local community that she visits on the weekends, or else she will continue to be seen as a carpet bagging outsider- rather than soliciting for volunteers for a "trendy just for 30something women" eco-cafe, perhaps a community-wide eco/organic foods festival or rice planting event would be better. And she should take the train to Boso- that would do more good for the environment than any single effort by a volunteer.

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Posted in: Carla Bruni hurt by critics of new album See in context

Hey, maybe the much talked about reform of the G8 should begin with kicking out France- after all, Carla didn't come 'cause she had her album debut, and Sarkozy left early before the other leaders...

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Posted in: English graffiti 'Hack' grounds bullet train See in context

notimpressed, I agree with your critique of the "artwork", but you obviously have little knowledge of railway operations. Only one train was cancelled, and JR always has back up for these or any kind of incidents. Since Shinkansen is a regular interval service, the only "inconvenience" for the passengers was to wait for the next available service(an hour or two?). There is no mention of "a whole days schedule cancelled" in the article. Now, in America, if there was a fault with an Amtrak train, a cancellation would have stranded passengers for up to one day, as most lines have only one pathetic train running in each direction daily. Yes, an Amtrak train would run with graffiti, but then again they have no "face" to save- in Japan OTOH thay have pride in their trains!

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Posted in: Spiraling airfares put squeeze on both passengers and airlines See in context

Westurn, I hope that ticket you bought was one-way. I think you'd be happier somewhere else...

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Posted in: Tully's first parfait See in context

terebiko, I join Himajin in agreement with you. Starbucks overroasts their beans, hence the "charbucks" nickname used by some coffee aficionados. But most Stabucks customers would care less, they drink those fatty things served in domed plastic cups, not a simple cuppa joe. Tullys has better drip coffee.

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Posted in: New Fukutoshin subway line plagued with trouble for 1st three days See in context

Piglet You make some good points, but they are not applicable in an urban area like Tokyo. First of all, double deckers require larger tunnels, and there is already little space underground in Tokyo. The Fukutoshin Line tunnel actually passes within 10cm of another subway line tunnel at one point. As for fully automatic lines, they are practical when they are isolated from other lines. However, most subway lines in Tokyo are interconnected with surface lines and the complex flows and different signalling systems of the respective railway companies requires human control.

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Posted in: Clinton vows to stay in race; lends her campaign $6.4 million See in context

Some have surmised that HRC is holding on for another week or so to incur more expenses in order to recoup her investment, as traditionally the eventual nominee (Obama in this case) pays off the debts of any challengers.

"...if a white presidential candidate went to the church of Pastor Richard Butler of Aryan Nations..." Helter, as a matter of fact, John McCain sought the support of noted anti-semite and anti Catholic pastor John Hagee, who has called Roman Catholicism "the Great Whore" and equated the pope with the Anti-Christ. But apparently the main stream media in the States cuts more slack to candidates who associate with far-right white evangelical preachers...

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