Posted in: Health ministry to close loophole allowing sale of 775 'herbs' See in context
What a bunch of crap. Go ahead, legalize 10,000 herbs. People will just find more to use, or just go underground for the real stuff. These herbs will never be on the black market as their meant to be legal alternatives to the illegal ones.
Plus, in a lot of cases it's not even the herb that is the issue! In a lot of cases like Spice, it's a chemical that's sprayed on to the herb and not even the herb itself. If you don't make the chemical compound illegal then it's pointless, you can still just spray the stuff on any old tobacco.
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: Sony straps on Internet-linked wristwatch See in context
Apple I-pod Nano users have already been doing this for years. I have.
Not quite the same. That's just a bluetooth adapter in the shape of a watch and doesn't have the functionality that this does.
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Posted in: KDDI to sell new iPhone in Japan, ending Softbank's domination See in context
It's too early for iPhone 5 to come out, Apple has to wait until Android releases some more new features to steal. Oh, I mean make "revolutionary."
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Posted in: Docomo unveils Xperia ray SO-03C smartphone See in context
@smithinjapan:
How is this phone copying Apple?
3 ( +3 / -0 )
Posted in: Compulsory power usage cut implemented for 1st time in 37 yrs See in context
Wait, giving TVs as a reward for not using electricity? Isn't that like rewarding abstinence with condoms?
11 ( +11 / -0 )
Posted in: Norika has the ideal body See in context
So, 31 people's opinion represents an entire nation?
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Posted in: Sony PlayStation disconnects 77 million user accounts after massive data breach See in context
I got the call from Saison Card Services informing me that someone had been using my card to make unauthorized purchases. I had no idea how my number got out until I started to hear about this PSN issue. Based on what they purchased, I'm pretty sure it was taken as part of this breach.
Thanks for protecting my private info, Sony!
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Posted in: Ebisu Muscats form 'sexpendables' to promote Stallone movie See in context
Funny that, considering Stallone started off his career as a porn star.
TIL.
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Posted in: For many Japanese, laid-back overseas vacations a one-way ticket to nowhere See in context
You may not, but "assassins" derives a name from 'hashish eater'... No, they did not fight in the name of hemp, but they did fight for power and money, and the mind control was done utilising canibis. another story...
So says the urban myth. However, based on what I've read, it sounds like Hassan was such a pure follower of the Koran that it seems unlikely he would have allowed this.
Also, using cannabis for mind control?? I don't see how this could happen.
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Posted in: For many Japanese, laid-back overseas vacations a one-way ticket to nowhere See in context
Honestly, what is this article even trying to say? Don't travel abroad, you will become addicted to drugs or not be able to work in this over-standardized and rigid society upon returning? Bummer.
What a poor mix of reefer madness (seriously, "I’ve been hooked on the stuff" and "wild ganja parties"??), nationalistic propaganda, and general fear mongering. I think that Japan's thriving travel industry would frown upon this kind of publication.
As for the addictiveness cannabis:
Mary-Jane can be become physically addictive if it is mixed with other drugs like Tobacco, Alcohol, etc.
There is no compound in the plant that is physically addictive. Any addiction that occurs from this is a mental association stemming from whatever you mix it with. It's like the psychological version of Pavlov's dogs: if you smoke weed every time you drink or smoke tobacco, your brain will associate the two. That way when the presence of one is detected, an expectation for the other is developed.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Ebisu Muscats form 'sexpendables' to promote Stallone movie See in context
I don't get it... What does sexpendable mean?
I believe it's a SUBTLE joke made by the title of the film, and the fact that these three are porn stars.
Only in Japan can porn stars be used to promote a big-ticket Hollywood movie.
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Posted in: 7-year-old boy seriously injured in Oita hit-and-run See in context
I believe the city is called "Hita" and not "Hida."
Moderator: That has been corrected. Thank you.
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Posted in: Threats keep dolphin protest out of Taiji See in context
However, I still don't see where outsiders have the right to dictate what they do in Taiji.
Because he is protesting for what he believes and as long as he stays within legal boundaries, I don't see any reason to stop him. It's not like he has malicious intentions or anything for the Japanese people.
Protesting != Dictation
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Posted in: Threats keep dolphin protest out of Taiji See in context
And where in the world is it okay to kill people? Countries all over this planet kill dolphins.
Not quite. A long long time ago it was fairly widespread, but now it's limited mostly to Japan, the Solomon Islands, and the Faroe Islands.
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Posted in: Threats keep dolphin protest out of Taiji See in context
If you really think about it, this statement goes both ways. Just because Taiji carries on thier tradidtions, just because thier is alot of Anti this and that, it doesn't mean its wrong.
I completely agree. I didn't say anything about Taiji being in the wrong. My comment was about belittling people's opinions based on their occupations, but I never said that anyone was right or wrong.
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Posted in: Threats keep dolphin protest out of Taiji See in context
@MrDog
Congratulations on yet another biased article.
Because the used the word "stab?" I hardly think that makes it biased. If they had said something like "brutally murder" or "slaughter" then that's a different story. But the word "stab" is commonly used in the media. How much nicer can they put it?? "The dolphins are gently nudged with spears until they cease to move."
Here I was thinking he was going to say something worthwhile. What a GREAT person to get to comment!
So, because he runs a vegetarian restaurant his opinion is any less valid? They picked him because they wanted the opinion of someone who was at O'Barry's rally. Just because you disagree doesn't mean that his opinion is not worthwhile.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Nice couples See in context
Over 66% of those winners have been married a year or less? Talk about low standards for "nice couples."
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: High definition video camera with enhanced memory See in context
Is this really news? It handles twice the amount of video recordings, but what does that mean?? Twice the memory?
Also, using three sensors and recording in progressive is nothing new.
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Posted in: NEC research chief arrested for molesting girl on train See in context
Holy Crap, how much is wrong with this?? Who is to blame: The girl who quietly allows it to happen, the old guy who thinks the girl is "his type" because she puts up with his groping, NEC who hasn't taken strict action against lowlifes like this, or the local police for leaving the apprehension up to the railway company.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: What do you think about the custom in Japan of women giving chocolates to their male co-workers on Valentine’s Day as a form of “obligation,” and then receive chocolates back from the men on White Day See in context
It's a childish bastardization of the day. Not that it's a sacred holiday, but I always thought it was (for adults, at least) about expressing romantic feelings for that special person (people?).
They used to force us to give Valentines to the entire class in grade school to avoid causing hurt feelings, but this stopped after 5th grade. I think this will just make Valentines Day another "have to do" thing, not unlike nengajo. Nobody I know likes doing the "giri-choco" business, but nobody will go against the system because that's the way it is and that's just shouganai.
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Posted in: Fans search Waikiki Beach for answers to 'Lost' See in context
I would say the people watching this show are "Lost." I think Japanese TV is terrible, but then I watch American reality shows and think bad TV might be an international problem...
Um, Lost is not a reality show so I fail to see the connection. It has its flaws, but I think Lost is one of the best things to grace television since Twin Peaks or Carnivale.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: 16 security cameras installed on Akihabara streets See in context
The hypocrisy of this just hit me. Taking photographs of people in public (nothing dirty or violating) is frowned upon because it goes against people's privacy, but throwing up some video cameras to watch everyone 24/7 is meant to make people feel safe?
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Posted in: 16 security cameras installed on Akihabara streets See in context
10 million yen to purchase and install these cameras?? I bet that being Akiba and all, they could have them bought and installed for much cheaper by one of the locals.
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Posted in: Miniskirt Police to open their own theater in Tokyo See in context
performing twice a month
Their TV shows are tepid, they don't sing or dance...what will they be performing???
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Posted in: Sexless in Japan See in context
Sorry to be pedantic but the royal "we" means "I" :)
I realized that after posting...and thus smearing egg on my face.
I always find the lack of consistency in comment moderation on this board astounding.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Sexless in Japan See in context
This survey is about conjugal life after marriage.
No, it isn't: "...magazine’s survey of 1,000 single and married men..."
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Posted in: Sexless in Japan See in context
sure we just have sex once a year. Life is just too hard. We are always thinkinging money. I am marrie so i dont want.
Sorry I may have misread this. In the case that you meant "we" as in only you and your spouse, then my apologies. I thought you meant the royal "we."
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Posted in: Sexless in Japan See in context
sure we just have sex once a year. Life is just too hard. We are always thinkinging money. I am marrie so i dont want.
Is life too hard? Or is it just a matter of perspective? I work long hours at a traditional salaryman complex, ride the same packed trains and eat food from the same restaurants and supermarkets as the natives and yet my libido is still very much intact.
You say "we" as if you speak for the entire population of Japan, but I doubt that anyone elected you into such a position. I know plenty of Japanese people who do not fit into your generalization.
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Posted in: Junior high school girls arrested for marijuana possession in Kobe See in context
What a waste of resources. Spending a year and a half to bust a few minors who were apparently already on the lower rungs of the social ladder? Very sad.
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Posted in: China executes British man convicted of drug smuggling See in context
Why should there be no penalties for drugs when dozens of people are murdered every day in the slums of various south american cities to fuel the drug trade?
Because if these drugs were legally available and regulated then there would be no need to kill over them. Do people get killed over alcohol or tobacco?
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Posted in: Tokyo approves ordinance to prevent abuse by customers
Congratulations Japan. I like the country very much but that's just me.
Posted in: Japan voted Best Country in world for 2nd year in a row in Conde Nast Traveler poll
Posted in: Verdugo's go-ahead single and acrobatic catch lift Yankees over Royals 6-5 in ALDS opener
This may just be a symbolic visit but is a good move by Ishiba. It will have gone down well…
Posted in: Ishiba visits disaster-hit Ishikawa in 1st inspection tour as PM