Yuko Maeda comments

Hoping isn't a very useful tool when residing next to a volcano.

Oh please, it was funny. The only thing funnier would be if the bowl spilled directly on the man's body.

There are plenty of great travel agents out there. If you are too lazy to do the work yourself, then by all means pay the service fee to have someone book your flight, hotel and whatever else for you. But it will always be cheaper to do it yourself, and even the busiest people I know tend to book their own (or have an assistant do it).

So 75% of women working in Japan are easy?

So Trek is basically admitting they are using Farley's name to brand/market their product to make money, but want to use a legal loophole in order to not do the right thing and pay for the rights to use Farley's name. Thanks for the clarification, Trek.

How is it news? People choose to live near a volcano. Your choice. Your land didn't come with a 50 year guarantee of no eruptions. If and when it happens, odds are you will loose everything. Living in the vicinity of a volcano is essentially playing the lottery.

Only a matter of time before some ISIS-inspired sheep drives full speed thru that crossing. People on foot should be more aware, although "This is Japan, _____."

I have a friend from EU who lives in Japan but is not fluent in Japanese. But what she has is 25 years of international experience in the music industry (business side), including many years worth of coming to Japan for concert tours/music festivals. The very same companies who never had 1 single issue or excuse working with her when she was here on tour all refuse her as an employee now that she lives here - the excuse...language.

I'll say it again, she did the same work with these companies when not a resident and can do the same work now that she is here living. Blame it on language. They claim it's "impossible" for her to do anything for the companies, even though 40-50% of their concerts/festivals are dealing with foreign artists, even though they all have English speaking divisions where everyone uses English, even though ALL contracts, paperwork, interactions with these artists are in English.

When she finally found a company who was interested in hiring her - a Tokyo nightlife company who wanted her for booking manager for djs at their nightclubs, they welcomely said that English-only was fine, but then stated that everyone must start at the same salary (regardless of fresh graduate or someone with 23 years experience), and that she needs to work for 3 months at 1000yen/hour. And the best/funniest, kept asking if she had any bartending/service/bottle service expereince as when not booking their entertainment, they want her to bus tables, help behind the bar, etc.

Sure, Japan is in the same language boat of the majority of other countries of Asia - that their language is typically only used in that one country or neighboring area (Japanese in Japan, Korean in Korea, Tagalog in Philippines, etc). But those countries don't have this dire issue of the population turning old, not enough younger ones to fill roles, etc. So perhaps Japanese companies need to do something on the language front. At the very least, not just flagging people because of poor/no Japanese language ability for companies inside Japan who have international departments.

The short of it, Japan is screwed unless they start thinking big picture and out of the box - both which are concepts the large majority of Japanese are unable to conceptualize let alone act upon. The country is literally going to start falling of its hinges.

Robots and third-world slave labor (i.e. "interns") is not going to shore up the declining work force. Neither is saving the best jobs for Japanese people.

I don't have a specific percentage to guess on this, but think about most of the people you know or hear about who dream of coming to Japan. I'd venture to say the majority of them are of the "Japan is so cool" weeaboos who don't bring much to the table as far as depth of professional experience.

Hey Japan - maybe fix your problem with aluminum/steel companies falsifying data (unethical, illegal, dangerous) before worrying about why America doesn't want your lower quality metal.

But don't you understand, noypikantoku, that doesn't matter because women demand change and equality (ha ha).

If women want to work in a physically demanding job, if they can't pass the tests, then obviously the tests are sexist and standards should be lowered so we can al be equal.

When casting a movie, the woman lead should make the same as the male lead, regardless of prior box office history, breadth of resume and accolades, and if their agent negotiated a good deal or not.

If we know this is such a huge issue, then why not station some guards in/around the area to tell these idiots to keep out.

Great idea. Why waste your time watching free music videos or listening to the 1000s of full albums already on the platform when you can pay to stream from the same company.

People care because he's a public figure. Most people are eager to hear gossip, whether positive or negative. It's why celebrities are celebrities. Because people gawk, scream, beg for autographs, will do literally anything for a photo or more.

All this above talk about the wife having any culpability in the cheating, him having money, or she should expect such things - maybe you need to reevaluate your lives first.

The guy cheated on his wife. He admitted it (because caught). The end.

Regarldess of what country

So here we have a volunteer for the death penalty. Please grant him his wish.

Long story short, this 96% figure will remain at 96% for as long as people refuse to do something about it. Same goes for Hollywood and the rest of the world.

It's the same with casino players cards. If you are a regular player and gamble often, it's useless to do it for the sake of getting a comp (room, meal, drink, show, gift), because you'll be wagering 10-20x more than what that item/service would cost you to pay for it on your own. But if you'd be gambling anyway, whether there are comps or not, then it's better to use the card because they will add up and in time, by doing that thing you would be doing anyway - you'll end up getting something back.

Not gonna visit Lawson daily just to earn points. But if I find myself at the same stores often because it's convenient or my fave store - use the card(s) and wait a few months or end of year and it adds up.

This is the most illogical "movement" ever. They want equality, yes? Ok, then let's make it equal and simple:

Starting Jan 1, 2019 - ALL members of SAG-AFTRA will be paid the same exact day rate regardless of prior professional experience, box office receipts or any other measureables. This is non-negotiable and binding.

Done. Now all actors are equal. Men. Women. Kids. Animals.

Tom Cruise. Tara Reid. Selma Hayek. Corey Feldman. Lassie. The nameless extras who die in 300. They all get paid the exact same rate. Equality reigns supreme.

Sounds fair, right?

Total BS.

The pay scale in Hollywood is no different than in the music industry, and it's based on a number of factors, none of which have to do with being male/female. Main factor is draw and this is due to past performance history/box office receipts. Another integrated part in this cog is the agent who's negotiating performance fee for the project. Not all agent's are created equal, as well as not all actors are at the same level (or percieved level. It's the agent's responsibility to get the best deal possible for their client (the actor, musician, etc).

When Justin Bieber sells out a venue and is guaranteed a minimum of $1,000,000 (with possibility of more) - should he need to give half of his guarantee to his female opening act, Moxie Raia (who's normal guarantee is $7,500)? Should Madonna have to give half of her $1,000,000 (with possibility of more) performance fee to her male or female opening act because it's just not fair to the opener?

As you get more popular, you are able to draw more peope to your concerts. And agent's can start asking for and getting more money for their client. Since agent's get paid on percentage points, it's in their best interest to get as much as they can for their artist - regardless of sex.

Hollywood = the same. Resume of popular, well regarded movies. Box office receipts which back up your worth as an actor. You can and will get higher pay. And again, you have an agent for this sole purpose.

Tom Cruise is going to make more than Seth Rogan. Jennifer Lawrence is going to make more than Jennifer Love Hewitt. If you have two "equals", be them same sex or opposite sex, it's still going to come down to past box office receipts, perceived status/buzz, and their agent.

There is no equlity in any section of the entertainment industry. It's based on indiviual value which is measurable. A hell of a lot different than a man and a woman both being hired out of the same university as entry level workers at the same company for the same position.

Um, sorry to burst your bubble Gary, but 100% of all recordings are "enhanced" whether they were recorded to tape or digitally. Guitar, bass, drum, vocal (etc, etc) tracks are doubled, effects are added, sounds are shifted and bent, and on and on it goes. Has nothing to do with Utada not being an excellent singer. Welcome to the world of professional audio recording.

And if you spent 5 seconds glossing over her live performances on YouTube, she doesn't "dance" in the way you are suggesting. She doesn't do choreographed routines with back-up dancers.

Some people should read a little before speaking. There is not an audio release from a single artist you could name (because there are none) who's music was not mixed before going to mastering and then altered more. Not one. And this includes live recordings, as well. They are 100% ALL "enhanced."

They can't all be as perfect sounding as you (in your shower or car, I'm sure).

@tmarie: this article specifically says this scumbag invited her to karaoke when she was still a high school student, touched her shoulders and thighs, and made obscene remarks, promising to land her roles. as well as some other recent articles involving adult men (mostly older adult men) inviting/touching/kissing underage girls.

first, as for underage girls (and guys)...if it's for legit meetings/discussions, it wouldn't be held between one man and the underaged girl/guy. and it certainly would not be held at the guy's apartment, home, karaoke, hotel room, love hotel or any other private, odd place to do business. due to there only being the one guy at the meeting, and it being in a non-business location, it screams "red flag" and obvious that the guy was up to no good.

second, where are the parents of these underaged girls? "by mom/dad, i'm gonna go meet with an older man for karaoke and hopefully he'll give me more acting roles." sounds legit (not). where are the handlers/staff who are suppose to take care of them for company time, meetings, etc?

third, if you are legally an adult, it doesn't seem any less obvious that this story nor the other ones are shams to have sexual contact with the woman. go to any work meetings you want ladies, but no legit business meeting for any industry (entertainment or otherwise) takes place with you and only 1 guy at places where business is never conducted (unless said business is an exchange of sexual services).

try using a minute amount of common sense. it goes a looooooong way.

First, the guy is a first class scumbag.

Second, why is a high school girl willingly going to his place?

Third, where was this teen found? One of the talent agency hacks had to know a teen girl to bring there. Why isn't this enabler and the agency (and it's ceo) also legally in the crosshairs?

Fourth, where are this girl's parents in all of this? No care about where she goes, who's she's with, etc?

If Japan honestly cared about gambling as a health detriment, they wouldn't allow 10+ pachinko parlors in every town/city, big and small. Why no entrance fees there to prevent an increase in gambling addiction? I guess the logic is pachinko is not addictive but casino games are?

If anything, you'll probably have more people willing to gamble aggressively because they want to win back the 6000yen hit they take at the entrance, than if they were free to come and go without care.

Ah, so the antisocial behavior rampant in Japan is related to gambling, got it.

Don't think one needs to read a parenting book to know that beating a crying child won't make it stop crying.

Here's a good first step - how about NOT having your children attending one on one meetings, karaokes, house/apartment visits with men. If it's for any legitimate purpose, surely a parent would both want to attend and be required.

Wow, thanks Abe. I'm sure both leaders of their respective Koreas can sleep easy tonight knowing they have your seal of approval.

Please oh please - for every 10 people working their way thru college with normal jobs, there is 1 who decides it's just too hard to struggle and easier to do porn. Socialized everything won't change the excuses those women make.

And again, the mass majority of women here involved in porn are not having a loaded gun to their head or living in Aokigahara forest with zero options. So dry your tears for these women. Every one of these reported stories is exactly the same. Women don't read the contracts BEFORE signing them as well as asking questions about line items in said contracts. When in a situation where they are verbally (not physically) told they must make porn movies, they don't say no, walk out, hire a lawyer to fight, etc - they just say "oh, ok, I don't really want to do it, but I guess I will."

If I didn't read my Softbank mobile phone contract and signed it, but buried deep in the fine print was this ridiculous line item saying if I try to cancel my contract before the expiration date, I am liable for the monthly fee x months remaining plus cancellation fee plus misc fees" - you can bet you life I, as well as most people, would be hiring lawyers and going to court - not running to the bank to withdraw money.

There are other jobs in the world. Not as ritzy or glamorous (or sleazy). These women all come at it with some level of interest in the fame and bigger, faster money. They can read the terms if they wanted to. They could say no if they wanted to. They could find a lawyer if they wanted to. NOBODY has ever been accused, charged or convicted of raping these women.

Sorry to tell you, Mr. Pelham, but many of these same women you refer to - the ones here in Japan - their main goal is quick, easy money. Not out of desperation to support themselves or any other desperation. They want to be famous, as well. The nonsense about being forced to say yes and perform because of some terms in the contract - try reading the contract before you sign it. Nobody is forcing fame on them. Nobody forced them to sign the contract. Seems a normal person would say no and hire a lawyer, not say yes and then do not only 1 movie, but dozens or hundreds.

Fine them for the cost of clean-up and inspection.