browny1 comments

Wallace - Any number of players on Japan's mens teams have had blondish/brownish hair over the years, but I'm guessing if Tomiyasu for example, suddenly sported shocking pink hair a comment or 2 might well be made.

But yes - these micro-discriminations abound.

Rare to hear about the suits a male politician wears, but a womens attire, shoes and hairstyle are often open game.

Who cares.

Japan may be able to cause a few ripples in the upcoming world cup - maybe.

What a.......... how do the Brits say it .... a load of bollocks!!!

Bairstow was out as declared by the umpires as declared by the rules of the game decided by the very same MCC - the overseers of the game.

And comments after the fact by the PM, captain Stokes, coach Baz and sundry others just smack of hypocrisy.

If Bairstow the English keeper did that at a tight part of the game (actually he tried), all mentioned above would have rejoiced.

To believe that Stokes would have decried his own players "unfair" play and recalled the appeal to let the opposing batter remain not out is......yeah........just bollocks.

Cry me a river, then read the rules.

Seigi -

No this time was to the west of Iya Valley - Niyodo River area, famously called Niyodo Blue.

A little hint of it's offering @ Niyodo Blue Japan.Travel

The power of hitting 3 pointers is huge.

Japan have been the big team in Asia for years and look like continuing with it.

Lots of outstanding natural beauty in Japan.

Just spent the weekend in a deep Shikoku mountain area - as I've done many times over the years.

Even in such remote places though, as Jefflee says, we see puzzling de-spoiling of the scenery with inappropriate buildings, constructions, lines etc.

Imagine our surprise last Saturday while driving on a lovely winding river valley road and turning the corner to see a small hamlet with a large concrete factory perched overlooking the river. One of the most polluting industries in a prime position in nature. Like wth.

Discussing this with folks here over the years, there has been some common responses to the effect -

"What power lines?"

"We don't notice that"

"Yes - but the nature is beautiful"

"Jobs are important"

etc, etc.

But yes- Japan needs to astutely market it's natural offerings to those who would truly appreciate it.

It doesn't need more mega-sightseeing bus tours on narrow roads in sensitive areas.

To date we still have varying and sketchy reports.

But a few comments on what we have.

Contrary to some posters it WAS Big News on national tv yesterday, headlining the 7 & 9 o'clock news.

The news media continuously reported it as a foreigner with knives as if the nationality is of any concern whatsoever. Never heard Aum Shinrikyo's train attack called a group of Japanese with poison gas.

It has been reported that he was a chef who had just finished his job - as in left - so he was taking his wrapped knives home.

If it's true that he was a chef then the law is on his side as a few specialist professions are allowed to carry the tools of their trade. It's the law. What may be up for debate is how securely he "wrapped" his tools. He apparently had them loosely wrapped and they were exposed as he dozed off.

Hitting the "Red Button" on a train is a very serious action which can result in serious injury.

The ensuing panic suggests the dangers of ill informed mobs in crowded places. Watching video on the news of a guy screaming get the kids off, get the kids off based on panic cries was alarming.

And if there was an apparent danger of a man with a knife(ves) why didn't the 100s of able bodied men who streamed off the train in blind panic do nothing to verify / challenge the situation.

All will come out in the wash, but atm smacks a little of public paranoia.

Interesting that the leading G-7 nations summit for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the chair of the meeting was Ogura the only male representative.

But...but... He IS Japanese cabinet Minister for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, so it's only appropriate that he be chair, is the cry from the local officials.

Oh....er....right. Got it.

Coz no-one knows more about Women and their situation than a man.

Ogura was the enlightened Minister who last year wore a 7.3 kilogram pregnancy belly while going about his daily routines, in order to understand the burden on the body of carrying a child.

What more expertise is possibly needed to understand the wants of women in the 21st C.???

u-s- reamer - right on the money.

In no other democratic nation I know of would the people accept this.

A very simple, passive expression of opinion and LDP Incs "authorities" move in to ...you know to quell the unrest.

And it's all about their safety.

How about the police do their job and protect lawful citizens from the thugs if they suspect violence.

Weak as.

More Blab from self-important govt agencies.

Like who do they think they're kidding.

As if.

Like no-one, as in no-one is going to have a chatGPT device on their desk during exams.

Like no-one.

Just trying to exert control where it's not needed.

The situation is already controlled.

Not such a new idea - been a Big demand for such timber in my area for years.

House material scavenging is a pretty lucrative business - esp for the larger pieces.

I've been amazed sometimes at the high prices. They're like gold.

A temple carpenter told me these timbers are perfectly seasoned, often for 100+ years and are very strong and stable. Modern lumber doesn't come close and he always is sourcing the best of this stuff.

My house - 38 years old - has some of these big tree like beams supporting the 2nd floor and roof in parts.

I think it was one of the last to be built with such techniques and materials before the sturdy but "plasticized" houses became the norm.

Tons of people with cash to burn for such seats. And just 20 seats a show.

How many folks are flying first class - not business - everyday all over, and think nothing of dropping 4, 5, or 6+ times that amount.

I mean there's no shortage of people who lined up to for a ticket to the edge of space for a few mo's while forking out close to half a million big ones.

Not for me - but there is a market for this, that's fer sure.

Explained to my English course students they are welcome to use tech including translation software, chat GPT etc when doing homework.

I emphasized that they should be reading carefully what they write and checking for meaning, esp key vocab, as the more they read the more they recall. Use it to improve your word skills and sentence construction I said.

If you don't then you're just wasting your time as homework is only worth a small part of the courses score.

The exam at the end will tell all.

Ossan - well thank you for that thoughtful reply.

And I'll heed your advice whenever I, a mere anon poster, wants to comment on a public forum about the topic at hand.

And re the topic. I was pleased to see on the news tonight a more broader coverage of the cemetery visit and the Emperor himself pre-visit acknowledged the suffering brought to Indonesia by Japan. He actually said that.

And the news commented on the war deaths and hardships for millions.

So I feel happy that my probable thoughts were actually carried out by the Emperor.

Truly a man of wisdom that understands the greater picture.

It's appropriate to recognize the historical links and how those Japanese soldiers decided to help with the liberation of Indonesia from the colonial Dutch. It also shows how common people can break the shackles of conformity forced upon by a govt and decide their own way.

But by the same token, it's probably also appropriate to at least acknowledge the utter devastation the IJA thrust upon Indonesia. Far more Indonesians died than the total number of Japanese civilians and soldiers killed, many of them shocking deaths from combat, hard labour and famine. Millions!

Laying a wreath at something like the equivalent of the tomb of the unknown soldier or similar memorial would show great understanding and respect and be a cause of past reflection.

Mr Kipling - Thanks for that overview.

One person's Trash is another person's Treasure.

or

Trash is in the eye of the Holder.

or

It's not a Royal Road to Trashdom.

or

.................!

Babe - Trailer trash ?

Just a handful of prominent folks with tattoos that are / were probably not immoral.

A quick sample of sports stats - Beckham; Lebron; Messi; Wawrinka; Pliskova.........

A quick sample of entertainers - Scarlet Johansson; Rihanna; The Rocj; Angelina Jolie; Gaga; Ed Sheeran.......

A quick sample of assorted folks - Prince Frederik of Denmark; Winston Churchill; Ted Roosevelt; Justin Trudeau; Princess Stephanie; King Edward 7th........

All an indication that having a tattoo doesn't neatly fit some folks pigeon holed view that sporters are somehow low life or crims.

Aly - all pertinent points that need to be addressed in this discussion.

It's fine to play the glass half full vs half empty hand, but breezing lightly over the details informs no-one.

Of course we know a smaller population has benefits, in fact over population is one of the world's most pressing problems. This is not new news.

But the govt(s) to date in Japan have known of the demographic crisis of 2 workers to one elderly coming soon for decades - and they've just been shifting deck chairs (don't want to upset the voter base?).

The article flits over details with crushing simplicity -

*"..Of course, if the population continues to decline, there will be a myriad of issues to deal with. **A few generations will probably **end up paying higher taxes during this correction,..."*

A few generations. Thank god it's only a few - you know 50 ~ 80 years for 100s of millions.

Probably? Heh, Heh? That's funny.

Articles such as this need to be far more analytical and point the bone where it needs to be pointed.

Only reason for calling an early election is to simply extend time in power.

Due in 2025 after 2 years, but dissolving parliament and holding an election he is guaranteed to win - because of a politically immature and inept public - means the next election won't be due until 2027.

Abe successfully used this tactic to stretch his time.

If this does happen, the people of Japan should just say "enough is enough, we don't need it now".

But pigs will fly before that happens.

Gaijinland - you don't know what's happening around the world in women's soccer do you?

In the richer countries - Europe, N. America, Australia etc - it's moving ahead to the point it's unrecognizable from the game of 2 decades ago.

Large crowds, Big sponsors, full-time professionals with salaries slowly creeping up.

Strangely Japan's interest in Nadeshiko has dwindled after their memorable world cup win. Why?

Put it down to fair weather support imo.

Doing well - then they're the darlings of the day.

Slide down a little then bye, bye.

The world cup in Aust. / NZ will be a Big Event with a huge live attendances and huge tv audiences.

Car alternative fuel/energy technology is just getting into 2nd gear.

All the naysayers of EVs etc usually focus on the current or past technology to justify their beliefs that the future is fossil fuel.

2035 - a goal set by many to achieve EV saturation - allows for years of tech development.

Old style lithium-ion batteries will not be the force.

*“We see what has happened at the company and this is a serious governance problem,” Makoto Hayashi, a former prosecutor, told reporters at a Tokyo hotel.*

Heh, Heh! Classic obfuscation - weaseling away from the real problem.

That is / was - ongoing systemic sexual abuse of minors within a Power Corrupt framework.

And systemic it was - because all knew about it.

And when the first allegations / court cases surfaced decades ago with rulings implicating Kitagawa, did the abuse stop?

No - he continued on his slimy way with those in the know obviously keeping eyes wide shut.

Beyond Belief.

No Mr Prosecutor this is not a governance problem - this is a Criminal Problem.

Just part of the technology (r)evolution that's been occurring all around us.

Most people, esp younger people, take for granted things like their modern cars, smartphones, PCs, Air-cons, Booking systems, music devices etc etc already without a single thought of what's behind it. No-one had this tech 50 years ago and we all survived and flourished - well most of us. And we all mostly accepted all the new developments.

Granted this time Generative AI is a significant shift, but it was always coming.

Making preparations, taking precautions, involve education and possibly create legislation will be necessary, because there's one single guarantee - AI in all it's forms is not going away.

Clippety - thanks for your comment.

My interpretation is a little different because of the use of "begun". How about the seasonal rain front now covers Japan or the like.

And also the "officially" part always gets me.

Rainy season started in my region days before being "given "official" status.

Actually enamoring many of his followers to be bigger, bolder and more brazen.

Witness the public comments by "I was Wronged # 2" Kari Lake on Friday -

If you wanna get to President Trump, you’re gonna have to go through me, and you’re gonna have to go through 75 million Americans just like me, And I’m gonna tell you, most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA. That’s not a threat, that’s a public service announcement.”

Washington Post reporter Isaac Arnsdorf quoted Ms Lake and noted that she received a standing ovation.

Sheesh! What a Sham(ble) of a country.

As the article indicates - most Buddhist, Shinto and Christian priests have little or no connection with the wider community, especially in the realms of care, help, understanding, comfort, advice for those needing it.

Yes there are a few charitable exceptions, but for the majority if you're not a signed up contributing member, then you're not "one of us".

My dear friend of 3 decades - a lovely woman who is a pastor of her local chapel - says churches here, including her own head church in Tokyo, are like private clubs. She compared once to Golf Clubs which have stringent rules and protocol.

With all the social strife and financial worries facing a large portion of society, these institutions offer little.

Probably why cults have an attraction as they fulfill these basic needs.

That headline is weird -

Weather agency declares rainy season has officially begun across Japan

How? As it states in the article and is common knowledge - it already has begun days/week ago in many places in main Japan.

Or are they equating Japan with Tokyo as often is the case?

And this -

The season does not occur in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture.

Recent years have shown an extended rain influenced season has occurred in the North.

Lacking in substance article.

Interesting as to what brings down a leader in democratic countries.

Boris's little parties and little lying is enough in the UK.

My wife said this morning that if his acts happened in Japan it wouldn't even make the news.

The US operates under a completely different set of rules. Removing # 1 is a hard pull.

My home country Aust would probably also hang the "perpetrator" out to dry.

Based - thanks for your reply.

Sorry but I wasn't courtside and have no idea about what the "injury level" was.

I've already mentioned my opinion re shock etc.

The problem with this case is the "duty of care". You don't have to be angry or in a state of frustration etc to be careless.

As I said before - I don't agree with the decision - but it was on Miyu to see where she's hitting the ball. She didn't and the ball girl was looking away. So a mistake was made. Forfeit is too tough - but those are the rules.

Some players & others say never to return a ball to the ball girls / boys as that's their job and then no problems will occur.

Yes - great for her. She quickly put the debacle aside and moved.

I generally agree with the above comments.

Common sense should have come into play.

Tennis has some strict by the book rules that need to be reviewed.

In the case of the ball-girl, by the letter of the law, Miyu had to forfeit the match.

Rule states that any injury to an official or other resulting from a reckless act - intentional or not - automatically is disqualified.

Miyu carelessly hit the ball back without checking if the ball girl was watching or not. She wasn't and Miyu's lob hit her in the neck.

The shock of the sudden hit and all the attention caused more "damage" than the actual "hit" imo.

So the rule should allow umpires to use more discretion.

Tennis rules are pretty finicky but compared to golf they are super liberal.

Golf is stuck in the 19th C.

Hopefully change will come.

Decision was definitely not made in the spirit of the game and there will be differing opinions over how hurt was the ball girl really and how much did hte opponents push hte umpire to follow up his initial warning.

I saw the video and Miyu lobbed the ball back in hte direction of hte ball girl without even looking. That was the mistake.

The ballgirl was in fact looking at the other 2 players with ball hand to throw to them as it was their serve, She was slightly side on and not looking in the direction of the Miyu lob.

Probably the ball hit stung - maybe quite a bit - but I think most of the tears came from the shock and sudden heavy attention from all the officials and then Miyu. All a bit overwhelming. I mean she's just a 13 yr old kid.

And I do think umpires should use common sense discretionary powers in such cases but the bottom line is the Laws of the Game state to the effect that any hitting of a ball outside of play in a dangerous or even reckless manner resulting in an injury to others will see immediate forfeit of the match. So even if it was a mistake the duty of care is on the player.

By not looking at where she was lobbing the ball was careless. She should have hit the ball along the ground or even better as other posters said - leave it to the ball staff. It's part of their jobs.

Unfortunate incident - but hte happy ending is she won the mixed doubles final. Good on her.