yabusama comments

“It’s probably not a bad thing for us to go through that kind of desperation and tight hockey like that,” Crosby said, “because it’s not going to get any easier as we move on here.”

No kidding but next time try going for this desperation against a team that should offer a challenge like the Russians or the States.

Didn't see the game but perhaps took the Swiss too easily? Hopefully this does light a fire under their butts and they come out hitting against the U.S. which will be on BS1 Monday morning.

Yes! 2-0 towards the GOLD!!!

I'm not condoning what the guy did, drunk or not, he had no right to hug her, especially in this country where physical signs of affection aren't exactly the norm. But what did the 24 year old woman think he wanted? And why did she go to his room in the first place?

The thing that most western Canadians don't seem to remember is that the opening of the west was paid in large by the east and at that time the 2 largest contributors were Quebec and Ontario, So I think Quebec is well in its rights to request respect and equal time for French!

Are you for real?! Quebec has been a drain on Canada for decades and has practically held the country for ransom. Every time they don't get their way they threaten to leave. And when they make those threats they still don't give up on demanding things such as same currency, passport, resources, etc.

And let's not forget how many seats in Parliament they have and the political power they wield in the Senate. If anyone in Canada has a reason to separate it would be the West, particularly Alberta.

Firstly, it is issue of motivation of the gaijin worker. Gaijin are not a japanese so the expectation of hard work is less because natural motivation is less than japanese or other asian.

Seriously? I think a more accurate statement would be foreigners are more motivated when they see a benefit for themselves in the form of higher pay, promotion, or even a simple acknowledgement of a job well done. To many Japanese this would seem to be selfish. But coming from a culture where you are rewarded for bringing success to your company this produces more motivation from someone who wants to get ahead and earn more.

However in Japan where you're not rewarded for your work, but are a part of a seniority based promotion style where the person in front of you could be a complete moron but still get the higher position because they're older than you, where's the drive to work that much harder coming from?

It wouldn't be fair to ask a Japanese worker in a foreign managed company to be creative and use your initiative to come up with ideas or opinions on something. Why is it fair to ask foreigners to work in a Japanese style environment? Just because we're in Japan?

Those who complain about low wages should concentrate more on earning your pay rather than expecting to be paid what YOU think you're worth then doing the job. If you're not happy with your wages leave and go where you'll be appreciated.

Second, the language problem is a big problem. Many gaijin can "talk" japanese, none really "understand" its nuances becuase they are not a japanese. It is peculiar to the special Japanese spirit I think. When a foreigner speaks japanese it always sounds like the looks of katakana. But when a japanese speaks it is like kanji, you know

No I don't know what speaking Japanese has to do with teaching or learning ENGLISH.

It is true that the real reason for motivation to be in japan is onlly for a japanese girl I think too.

Jealous?

spot on combini. In Canada the Olympics are always a big event and there is always the option of watching it live or on tape delay no matter what country the games are in. Perhaps that's because Canada is a multicultural country.

I personally have not watched any of the coverage on tv here in Japan. Based on what others have told me about the coverage of any international event in this country I haven't missed much.

Having said that does anyone know a good internet website that's showing the games?

Marie quipped that security guards even followed her to the bathroom, adding: “I want to go to the movies with a guy who can give me such beautiful jewelry.” And JT has the nerve to ask us why we readers hold these "talents" in such disdain and slam them with our comments? Here's your answer.

Isn't Chris Peppler the voiceover guy for the "Let's speak English" on NHK hosted by Pak-kun? If so he does have a cool voice.

hope someone posts the video on YouTube for the whole world to see along with this story.

Lots of people are jumping to the conclusion that the mother may have killed the boy. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if what the "mother" said happened actually did judging by the insanely stupid things I see people do in this country. Either the woman is a monster or too stupid for words. In any event my heart goes out for this beautiful boy and hope he is in a better place.

This isn't your run of the mill grunt looking to join the military because there's nothing else on the outside.. He is/was a highly respected, high level member of the air force. If he did it it's good they caught him before he could cause any more damage. R.I.P. to the murder victims and I hope the assaulted ones can find some happiness.

It's kind of like getting all dressed up to hang out with your friends in front of 7-11.

Ooh...brings back memories

ratpack: the man in front of the red arrow and the flashing lights and the red witches hats telling you it is safer to walk this way or that way.

MAN? I don't know where you are but every construction site I've seen has at least three of them directing foot traffic for a total of 20 yards.

Michaelqtodd: can you think of another country that "needs" someone to push a button in the elevator? The lack of elevator operating knowledge in this country is scary.

Has anyone read Dogs and Demons by Alex Kerr? Sums up the country nicely. Pretty disturbing though but answers a lot of questions as to why the Japanese are the way they are. Great chapter on the education system too.

I don't think you'll hear from Toyoda again. Even if and when he steps down.

The reaction to this problem is hardly a surprise. Toyota knew what was going on but like most situations here you do not admit a mistake, you find ways to shift the blame. Only when you are cornered do you offer a vague apology about how the situation was regrettable and unfortunate. It wasn't until the heads of two countries forced him to acknowledge the situation. Otherwise they wouldn't have said a thing.

I think Toyota will fix the problems they are having and will bounce back somewhat. But people in the rest of the world, not necessarily here in Japan, will always remember this and think twice about buying a Toyota.

This cultural exchange program was created to promote better international understanding, but whereas Japanese who go overseas can engage in multiple job opportunities most foreigner coming here have little or no choice other then "eikaiwas" giving these businesses access to a cheap and captive labor pool!

If you learn the language of the country you're going to then of course you're going to have more job opportunities. But it doesn't necessarily mean you'll take them. I have personally met two native english speakers of Japanese ancestry from the States who chose to work at Family Mart and a 100 yen shop for less money than they would have earned being a teacher. Didn't ask why they didn't teach though.

Where I'm from the Japanese students who take part in the working holiday program almost always work in Japanese restaurants, speak Japanese unless they are in school, and eat Japanese food. They REALLY take advantage of learning about and experiencing another culture.

I personally have struggled, and continue to struggle at times with the thought of the Eikaiwa industry being a business rather than an opportunity to learn English. But that's exactly what it is first and foremost. I can understand why some would say the industry is a scam but it depends on how you look at it. Ultimately if the customer/student is happy then whether they've learn something, or rather retain what they have been taught is secondary.

That's part of the reason kp123. There is no media in Japan, just talking heads regurgitating whatever someone in a higher position tells them to.

I was talking to a friend today who works for Nissan. He said Toyota's way of thinking and management structure is quite different than other auto companies. According to him, and he is in upper management so fairly credible as a source I believe, Toyoda the C.E.O. is like the Emperor, the figurehead. His "underlings" are the ones who truly hold the power at Toyota. They would be the IHC, always telling what the C.E.O. should do.

My friend also said it's quite possible Toyoda did not fully understand what's been happening in the States as lots of info may have been kept from him.

I could have saved my rant and read Bam Boo's post. Good call mate.

Young people are indeed able to process a lot of information in a short time in a way that say over 50s are unable to do. They also have vastly superior search skills Search in its own way does entail some lateral thinking ability. So not all is negative

Take away the internet and see how true this is.

The Japanese school system is perfect. For Japan that is. Teaching students how to be Japanese during the day and only what they need to pass an exam into high school or University in jukus at night produces a work force willing to sacrifice everything and anything for the company.

People speak of the internet and the opportunities to search for information but how many actually use it for that purpose? Why, after 150 years or so having opened their doors to the rest of the world are the Japanese barely aware of anything outside of Japan? The Japanese are their own worst enemy. Ignorant in history? No kidding. What do you expect when the government won't allow students to know what all happened in WW 2 or other major historical events. Don't read books? Why would you when you can surround yourself with kawaii creatures in a video game on your keitai,psp,nintendo DS, or feel yourself getting dumber by watching any of the overwhelmingly bad "TV programs" Japan has to offer. Treat the population with kid gloves and that's exactly what you get. A country of children who can't do anything for themselves and have to depend on someone to tell them what to do. As I said their education system is perfect and they will succeed as long as they don't try and compete outside Japan. Unfortunately the rest of the world will pass them by and Japan will be forced to play catch up.

Yet another reason not to watch the coverage here in Japan. Thank god for the internet.

Norman Bates is alive and well in Japan!

And the cops let him get in a car and drive?

My thoughts exactly. What if in the 200 yards he was driving were he to hit someone or a group of people? I'd like to know how the police would explain that one.

Pinheads the lot of them.LUCKILY...he didn't hit anyone and hopefully won't be driving again any time soon. Then again this is Japan.

This guy knows nothing about teaching. He might know how to run a business but he certainly shouldn't be out here writing about eikaiwas as he hasn't got a clue about what teaching involves,

What makes you think he doesn't know anything about teaching? Because of your alleged experience in Osaka?

My point was he,The owner and C.E.O. actually sits down at a desk in front of a computer and teaches students who show up for his lessons and walk away, not just satisfied, but happy. Hence the fact the company has been growing in new student numbers unlike the big Eikaiwas and fly by night operators out there.

kanadamanada- was that the view of upper management before the sale or after?

Yes it is a good observation Orchid64. But does it really matter what the student is coming in for? If they want the cultural experience then fine give it to them. That's part of the whole sales idea. Give the customer what they want. But if the customer/student wants to seriously learn the language you need to have the teachers that are able to teach.

The Eikaiwa industry in Japan has become a necessary evil. Lots of people need it to conduct business, evil because of the way it has manipulated this necessity by hiring those who couldn't care less about their students and ripping off both those teachers who are committed to giving quality lessons and students.

DMA, SALA, and Hummingbird recognize this and are doing something about it.

TMarie- all native speakers at DMA are required to teach including management. They don't just talk the talk.

Quest-your comments highlight the reason why the Eikaiwa is in the situation it is. While the kind of teachers you speak about do exist, it's hardly fair to lump us all in the same pile.

I'm really interested as to what pressure the U.S. is willing to exert on the Japanese to get them to act on this issue. On the surface it would seem the U.S. has so much leverage over the Japanese but they don't use it. Start with, as the poster above me mentioned, with the NK abduction issue. But maybe those who were abducted were born to a NK parent. Perhaps they were running away from a abusive Japanese spouse.

The Japanese listed figures ranging from 20,000 to 200,000, citing differences on the definition of “massacre,” the area and the span of the event. China, which compiled data from records of domestic and international tribunals, put the death toll at more than 300,000.

So at the high end there is a difference of 100000 people. Jpn says 200 000 China says 300 000. Are these people for real?

Japan: we admit to brutally killing 200 000 people. But don't you dare say it was 300 000. That's just irresponsible.

China: You must admit to your past activities. 300 000 died.

Japan; But we only massacred 200 000. please be reasonable,

China: well lets agree to disagree. Let's have some tea. Hey that rhymes!

Japan: well it's not quite the quality of a haiku but I guess it's ok.

congratulations to all the winners!!! I hope this brings you that much closer to a life of fulfillment and happiness!

I personally don't care whether he has an english menu. But he's trying to hammer home the point that his "burger" shop is not the typical American chain deal but a traditional Japanese burger shop. Here's a news flash...HAMBURGERS ARE NOT JAPANESE! FRENCH FRIES,no matter what oil you cook them in, ARE NOT JAPANESE! The only thing Japanese about this place is the name, the guy making the food, and the attitude towards Western culture.

Putting avocado or pineapple on a burger has been done ad nauseum. It's nothing new and doesn't make it gourmet. Mos Burger's negi miso burger is a better example of a Japanese style hamburger than this guy's.

you're putting yourself out there goddog. Insulting us by saying no one can make a hamburger while planning on opening your own restaurant? Please tell us where and when the grand opening is. Let us find out for ourselves just how amazing your burgers are.

tried a Sasebo burger last year after hearing how wonderful it was. Most tasteless piece of s**t I've ever had.

The best hamburger I've had that wasn't from McDonalds or Burger King was from a guy in Osaka selling them for 500¥ outside a strip club. Had all the fixins and was charbroiled. The guy was from St.Louis.

Western food in Japan, for the most part sucks a*s anyway Always Japanized to some degree in a bad way. Give me a Big Mac any day. TMarie I'm with you 100%.