xrc comments

Why does Trump think he can by-pass any conviction? I guess we don't need any courts, judges or witnesses.

Yes, I wonder why everyone who isn't Japanese is labeled as a foreigner! I mean it's as if it's us (Japanese) and the rest of the world. Not a very good ideal for wanting to be an international minded country. and with the Olympics coming up, wait till they see all the tattoos. Guess, everyone (foreigners) will be considered yakuza!

Last winter (Nov. to April)...I only used two 18 liter containers of kerosene. about ¥3,000. one reason is I get good sun on both floors of my place. secondly, I have a kutatsu table...didn't even turn it on half the time... now open windows, no shirt, in shorts...nice...sure can't do this in Connecticut! (in the fall~winter~spring)...

Does anyone know how many Japanese are employed on the bases here in Japan? I recall in the late 70's early 80's there were many Japanese working on Yokosuka base. I worked with them side by side. Do they count for anything?

Somewhat related...I teach elder students at a few community centers. I've asked them about marijuana, guns etc. I asked them about "tattoos"... they really equate tattoos with yakuza (crime) ...I told them all my nieces & nephews have tattoos. they are good people...Then I asked "What are you going to do when the Olympics a large number of foreigners have tattoos?" consider them all criminals? Marijuana has the same stigma...I told them "This is 2016 and not 1960's, you have to adjust to a different mind set and get rid of tattoos equal the yakuza mind set.... same with marijuana...grow up Japan.

as far as the "Clinton opened the door for Isis etc." I beg to differ...G. Bush went into Iraq when not one of the 9-11 hijackers were Iraqi...kinda missed the target...

Well as far as Japanese studying English: enjoy...prepare...are two I can think of off hand...of course these can be used, but most students OVER-use them...

China celebrates with a huge military parade which included nuclear weapons as well as building military airstrips on man-made islands in the South Pacific, North Korea has lobbed some missiles into the Sea of Japan that might in the future be able to carry Nucs as well and they also said they'd like to hit America's west coast...(and America is worried about Iran who doesn't even have a nuclear bomb yet!) but shrug off what China and N. Korea do... Then both claim Japan is trying cause all this war bull...is ridiculous! Doesn't Japan have the Right to defend itself? although it's the Americans kind of pushing them into it!

The expressionless robotic "いらっしゃいませ" that is said upon entering a shop, conbi etc.

I'm not sure how Japanese history or science, math, geography, politics, sports etc. are taught, but I'd give the English teaching curriculum an utmost failure especially since Japan trying to fit onto the world stage as a leading industrial nation. Saying and expressing what one thinks is a cultural disaster! It needs to change but....It doesn't look good. They must grow up!

Stay naked (in your place of course) and take cold water showers. Been doing that since the end of May right up until early October for over 30 years...Hey, I like the ¥1.256 gas bill last month!

Unless American's have changed, my girlfriend was under 18 when we made love in high school. Everyone is then a labeled a child molester? Good point above "molester" is someone forces usually a woman into sex. Bill Wyman (Stones) married a 13 year old. I'm not condoning under age sex, just being more realistic.

It's expensive for expatriates who think they live in their home country and eat, drink, buy and rent places that they are used to... You can still get a teishoku lunch for ¥500~¥1,000 in Tokyo. But, some think they're too good to lower their standards of a regular restaurant. In New York a slice of pizza is $5.00 or more.

Easy! Why do Americans need guns? Well, the source is that no one trusts anyone else.

What??? Many Japanese onsen operators are apparently unaware of the role of tattoos in some cultures. Don't they watch soccer, football, basketball, baseball, rock concerts, movie stars etc...??? what an excuse... いいわけ。They have to grow up and stop being ignorant.

What if she had declared "medicine for ailments prescribed by a doctor"...what do you think would happen in that case?

Money is what some call "Capitalism" isn't it! "Communism" or "Socialism" two words that are just words. The United States has used these terms as excuses for war. Why do we bully a small nation like Cuba? No nucs! not such a large military. Complain about North Korea, Laos (still Communist) but I liked it traveling there, Vietnam, El Salvador (people are hungry) just label them as all trying to row boats over from Asia and take over America... And now who do we do business with..... CHINA, the largest military Communist closed society in the world. Yes, for the green buck (dollar). I agree with kcJapan...Isn't the whole beginning of this Iraq/Syria mess started by G W. Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rove, and C. Rice? why aren't they in prison? Have we helped Iraq in their quest for freedom (word) democracy (word)... look at what's happening now. We should be proud we have helped out Iraq so much ha?

Yes, I totally agree with Sighclops...to add another opinion...Some of my students (private here at my residence) work in some of the top Japanese companies and medical institutions. One software programmer told me about the way Japanese have meetings. Most everyone is afraid to say or give their opinion or idea especially if there is a high level manager present. Therefore putting a damper on creative thought and fresh ideas. One can't think outside the box. Another example is a Intermediate English level Community center class of elder housewives and a few guys. We had read a column or two of a paper I handed out two weeks previous, I said, "O.K. Let's "review" it from the top. Read thru it fast since we studied it two weeks ago. The class leader said she didn't want to start at the beginning because she's bored (always) of reviewing, I mean one sentence each about fourteen students should take about five to six minutes. She said, "she didn't care if she doesn't learn every word"! ah? We got into a sort of tense moments as I stressed that some weren't here for the first reading as well as one must go over the words until they know and can apply them. Then I said, great that you have your opinion, but I disagree and then asked the class. What DO YOU think? Do you want to start with a quick review from the beginning? or do you want to just start where we left off two weeks ago? And ya know what No one said anything. I couldn't get an answer out of ONE person. They are so afraid that someone will feel bad or get their feelings hurt that they'd rather NOT "rock the boat"! I grew up to say what I think! Yes, at times I say the wrong things but....aside from that...well Abe can have a positive dream for what Japan could accomplish, but he's not dealing in reality. It's already imbedded in their education since first grade...These elder students grew out of that experience and education. Don't say what you think...follow the others and shut up....

They don't need any arrest warrant. If you get caught bringing something illegal into Japan (case) you are in detention (jail) for 20 days automatically, while waiting to see a prosecutor which decides if your crime should go to court...

Hey where can I buy it? Anyways, why do Islamists get so offended...You should see some of the Jesus Christ jokes, even using the "F" word...

Most Japanese are oblivious to anything they deem somewhat out of character that might "rock the boat"! These were only pictures that anyone can see on TV or in the newspaper. Not the videos. They have to face some disgusting and serious issues rather than go shopping and eat chocolate cake, and being afraid of what the normal westerner faces in daily life.

I'm so saddened by the killing of Kenjo Goto...First, let's go back to the source of this mess. America opened a can of worms! (Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rove & Rice) and others are responsible for attacking Iraq (Saddam had the terrorists in check)...all the hijackers were SAUDI ! Not Iraqi's...How is it Americans (most of) feel they are real patriots? Why did we attack Irag? Still many are dying in terrorists attacks almost every day...no freedom, work, education, electricity, we really helped them out.... Why no responsibity_? And we still support Saudi Arabia with weapons...Who cares if a woman has No equal rights, can't even drive....Yes, the USA stands for freedom & equal rights, right! I'm sad to see people such as Kenji dying trying to help those in need. WTF!

Yes, I agree..Smartphones etc...are for lazy and sometimes childish people. I see salarymen playing games or reading manga on the train. Honestly, I can't understand...I guess I'm old fashioned. I don't even have a keitai, iPhone, iPad or smartphone...Just a MacPro with seven hard drives... I sometimes hear the conversations as people are walking up the stairs getting off the train. Probably something like..."Hey what are you doing"! "Oh, I'm walking up the stairs now"! or "I'm going to the toilet" what a waste of time....then can hardly speak English in a conversation.... Good luck wives!

We forget who opened this whole can of worms. Those who got on the bandwagon to bomb a country that had NOTHING to do with the 9-11 bombings of the World Trade Center. Weren't the hijackers all Saudi, why punish Iraq...there's your source...We destroyed countries, killed thousands and really helped Iraq where people die every day. Now I'd like to see GB, Rummy, C.Rice and Chen be put on the front of “Je ne suis pas Charlie” — I am not Charlie — showing them collecting their cash and ..... what else should they deserve? anyone offended by cartoons...well, I'm not...

As if the doctors don't know that they are doing anything wrong. Oh, as long as they can make money, all's well that goes well! Why aren't they punished too! They could say, "sorry we'll continue using our present clients' medicine(s). Greed at it's best. I have two doctors as students and they don't make a lot of money...

I have a good idea...Let's move the base to North Korea.

The article didn't clearly state which so-called "terrorist" group he had joined. It didn't mention that it was ISIS or the Islamic state...How can people understand without all the information clear and concise?

I really don't mind paying my fair share of taxes. But, I'm living just about poverty level. I made due without much but can survive fine. But, my last two Japanese National Health care (国民健康保険 Kokumin-Kenkō-Hoken) monthly bills went up from about ¥14,000 (for over 14 years) to ¥29,000 as of recent. My income hasn't gone up. Nor do I visit the hospital (twice) in fifteen years. Why did this increase so much?

Dogashima (west Izu) clear blue ocean, a boat ride through caves with an opening in the top for the sun to shine down through to light up the emerald blue water, outdoor hot springs, a hot spring over looking the sea from a high cliff, nice rock formations popping out of the water like in the Prehistoric days... lush steep hill sides, the beach is O.K. I was there last week... beautiful...Oh my friend lost her sandal in the water under some caves (like) the next day we went to search for it, the water so clear, she found it about 8 feet down...

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6312.html

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/shizuoka/nishiizu.html

have fun....

What happened to the Free World? I always have taken pics or videos for years of the basic daily life in Japan and many other countries. Privacy what does that mean, one is doing something wrong and doesn't want to get caught? I get on the train, turn on the video and walk down the aisle filming. Life as it is...I don't even see who I'm filming until I get home and take a look at it. Oh, she's cute (I think) but I had no knowledge of taking her video/photo...it's just life as it goes on. Shinjuku, Shibuya crossing, onsen, beaches, izakaya, typhoons, festivals, stations etc....now we can't take pics or videos? I don't care if you take my pic or video. Come on over...take as many as you like...