zenkan comments

It is September, ff'ss.

She wasn't alone - her companion was injured too, but stable in hospital now.

Well done Yodogawa Ward! Let's hope there is some sort of domino effect.

All potential host countries get quizzed about social or political shortcomings, and the results are not always what we expect. Who is to say what sways the decisions of the IOC...?

Does Abe conclude that men are the root cause of sexless marriages? ("...an aversion for one's wife...") I think he might have some issues of his own!

Reports and updates seem to be arriving with more regularity - still too late to renew any confidence in "INEPTCO".

Demonstrations, protesters, campaigning and dissent are of the utmost importance. They keep the general populace from stagnating completely. Once the majority becomes content and apathetic it is easily manipulated and ultimately controllable. It is easy to see how that has happened before, and how it could happen again (censorship, media control/influence, pampering, group conformity). The JT news discussion forum would not exist without the existence of free exchange of ideas.

Live together before marriage. Test the water. It won't solve all the problems, but it's a start. Also, these peeves are nothing new. We have to compromise! If not, we will end up bitter over trivial issues.

On the positive side, phone cams provide way better pictures than grainy old CCTV footage (really poor quality here). Sadly, "getting a cool shot" sometimes takes priority over helping in an emergency.

A whole generation, if not two, have been brought up pampered. Spoilt as very young children - then when gender differences become more apparent, parents reinforce stereotypes by continuing to mollycoddle the boys whilst telling the girls how to behave "to get a good husband". Parents should, of course, show their offspring the results of this demographic research instead of telling them: "Yes, of course you can live in Disneyland."

Dilligent campaigners for the return of abductees have been working tirelessly to achieve their goals. The Japanese governments, past and present, have also been consistent in bringing up the issue in summits etc. In the last decade there have been some positive results. Why, then, in the face of victim testimony and blatant lack of cooperation from the "powers that be" in NK, is this the FIRST commission to investigate human rights abuses in North Korea?

Are we to expect a full report from the minister after the fact-finding holiday... I mean visit? What do you think it will contain? A good opening line would be "If I had done this two and a half years ago..."

Putin is an arse with a capital C.

They could try speeding up the process instead of letting TEPCO and the govt. dilly-dally along as they are.

Signage is good on the whole, and comprehensive by international standards in my opinion. There are still not enought maps, especially in underground complexes. It is often difficult to relate places on, say, subway or transport schematics with real locations on the ground...

Should sports competitors (or, indeed, everyone) have abided by the laws of apartheid?

Fairly unsurprising propaganda considering the current political climate...

Well, that's incitement to commit a violent act. The shop owner should be prosecuted.

When will TEPCO and the government stop talking about this disaster as if it were a wine stain on a reasonably expensive rug? As commented above, funds would be better spent relocating people.

Bakanomics!

While I sympathize for everyone in the heat, do remember that sweating is a perfectly natural function - and SO necessary in these conditions. Most importantly, we should keep hydrated to avoid heatstroke. Let's cut some slack for everyone who gets "a bit damp"!

Ah, I was about to say the same thing - anyone referencing Nazi policy etc. should be viewed with great suspicion. I do agree that by doing so, Aso has shown true colours. Every cloud...

Reuters and AFP appear to be out of kilter on this (judging by another article in JT). Kim Jong-un is presenting so many mixed messages it's baffling. He visits a school with his wife - aaaah. He oversees a massive military parade - ooer. He entertains a famous sportsman - woohoo. He presides over war maps and sizes up targets - boohoo. Unfortunately, I think he might put his money where his mouth is. I hope the above visits and meetings weren't on his bucket list...

Some points are similar, others are not so (who'd have thought it?). In my experience as a child, we always bought souvenirs for ourselves as well as others - if you want to distinguish the naming of these gifts, feel free. In the UK there are a variety of edible souvenirs depending on the area/type of region, as well as many more traditional products that people buy to give on return home. The main difference is possibly the 'degree of obligation' as to whether you have to buy souvenirs or not.

Working conditions for foreigners are still appallng - often not taken seriously and feeling in a state of limbo regarding job security. Even competent Japanese speakers are not always taken seriously because they look different.

The amaount of lies, treachery, incompetence and cowardice in the higher echelons of power and society here is simply breathtaking. It takes a disaster to get people up in arms about the behaviour of corporations/institutions, but in some form or other it is happening all the time.

I don't think it's a good idea across the board. In fact, it's only really useful as a plum line. If anyone thinks making it an entrance requirement will magically propel students into the international community better prepared, they are deluded.

Yawn. We've been here before - here is the skinny: Many people wear masks, for protection against germs and prevention of spreading germs.This bemuses some people. The efficacy of these masks is frequently debated. Some people are put off by people wearing masks. Mask companies cash in on people's fears of germs, pollen and Chinese air. You will NEVER see an announcer/guest jester on TV wearing a mask. In the end, it's up to you.

Being aware of what is going on around us is most important. Wandering in a dream, eyes glued to a touch screen makes for an easy target.

I seldom use them - they cater for a different demographic. I agree that the number of clothes sold in department stores, especially for women, is overwhelming. I'm not a casual shopper, or a person who does it for fun or as a hobby. However, I much prefer the open spaces of the mall or the quaintness of the arcades.