purple_depressed_bacon comments

Movies peaked in the 90s in my opinion. They were made with entertainment in mind and didn't rely heavily on special effects, green screens and CGI. They also weren't trying to push an agenda or use it as a PSA. Cartoons were also great in the 80s and 90s - 90s Cartoon Network was aces.

Imagine calling the cops because your toy figurine has been nicked. Only in Japan.

I thought Japan was trying to get its people to have more babies to boost their severely declining population. Increasing the prices of essential baby goods seems rather counter-productive.

The number of people who've died in Japan's police custody is atrocious. Why was this woman even in there for that long without official charges being brought up? Her prolonged confinement and her death are gross violations of international human rights.

Hayashi was quoted by police as saying she hated her husband and mother-in-law because of their attitude toward her mother.

And this has what to do with her daughter exactly? That poor kid. Sadly, while the mother has been arrested, I doubt she'll get more than a slap on the wrist from the judge.

No truancy laws in Japan? Then again, with how stifling and rigorous the school system is, I'm not surprised Japanese kids are refusing to go. Are they alternatives to public school in Japan that are affordable? I'd suggest homeschooling but considering the equally stifling and rigorous work environment, I doubt parents will have time to homeschool their kids or even make it back home at a decent hour.

Sounds like a ripoff to me.

Sidenote: that mascot is the fugliest thing I've ever seen. What's it supposed to be, a cluster of bacteria? A virus? How does it relate to the expo?

The dinosaur museum in Katsuyama, Fukui is a delight. It's a bit tricky to get to but worth it.

The sand sculpture museum in Tottori is also very interesting and exhibits change periodically so you get a new experience every time.

The staff reportedly told the police they were unaware that the holster contained a handgun.

Er, what exactly did they think was in the holster then? Flowers? Japan should just join the list of countries that don't carry guns; it's not like they need them when stopping (non-Japanese) cyclists and passersby.

Maybe VR? Where you can really immersive yourself in the movie or show and perhaps they'll start making more of those Choose-Your-Own-Adventure/Ending movies so you can "customize" and "tweak" the movie according to the choices you make.

It feels like high school.

That's how I feel about the makeup and structure of Japanese organizations - full of cliques in a hierarchy where the ones with power relentlessly take advantage of and bully the ones that don't. It's immature and childish. I mean calling someone "pig"? What, is this idiot, 5? Did he later go and yank on the woman's braids before pushing her onto the playground floor only to then point and laugh while surrounded by his cronies? Ridiculous.

And Japanese organizations needs to stop these public apology fanfares. He's not sorry; he's "apologizing" purely for ceremonial purposes and actually has no remorse at all, otherwise he wouldn't have said what he said in the first place. He should have been immediately fired, not allowed to resign.

Mmm, yes. Let's pay to sleep upright in what is basically a glorified coffin because this is what guarantees a good rest. Nuts. Instead of funneling financial resources into useless inventions such as this, why not use it to actually address the root cause of why so many Japanese people are chronically sleep deprived and exhausted?

Pity that people in Japan are missing out on this summer's greatest cinematic event. Barbie's an excellent movie - hilarious and heartfelt. Going to watch the movie in the theaters also added to the experience - never saw so many people in pink congregate in one theater hall before. And at the end ot my screening, people broke out singing and dancing to Aqua's Barbie Girl. It was awesome.

A movie about a plastic doll. It shows you the level of sophistication in the west.

Clearly you haven't seen the movie. It's more than just "about a plastic doll". There's a reason why it's a hit at the box office and why it's resonated with so many movie goers.

The tiny demographic that is the young Japanese are too busy trying to find time to catch up on what little sleep they can get in between school, club activities, whatever nonsense they have to go to school for on weekends, cram school etc. etc. I really don't think the dire state that is the current environment is on their minds. That and the fact that they don't seem to have much grasp on current environmental issues.

Considering Japan's rapidly aging population, the Japanese government had better start coming up with some kind of scheme or support service to help those who are unable to arrange and pay for the funeral for their deceased loved ones. This isn't the first time hearing about cases like this and it makes me shudder every time. I mean, can you imagine the stench of that decaying body? And in Japan's disgustingly humid and hot summer? Yikes.

Rather hypocritical of Japan to be all up in arms over a plant that grows in nature when it's a daily occurrence to see people passed out in public after abusing alcohol all night. Pot, meet kettle.

What's the point of apologizing? Either fix the problem or go home. Ever wonder why Japan has so many prime ministers who never last long in office? Probably because they think apologizing is enough to make all the issues go away.

Police are investigating the case further with a possible charge of murder.

A possible charge of murder? What, was the deceased actually The Headless Horseman who could screw his head back on as he pleased?

Depends on the product I'm buying in Amazon but I'm usually wary of products that have loads of 5-star reviews that seem just a tad too polished. Seems too good to be true. I usually read the 3 to 4 star reviews and compare some of the 1-star reviews to see if similar complaints pop up.

Classic! When the height of the pandemic is done and dusted, and other countries have moved on with their lives, Japan comes up with a vaccine. And a domestic one at that. Because what, Pfizer, Moderna etc. were proven so ineffective? What an utter waste of resources and money.

At least they spared the kid. I hope the state does right by him and gives him the help and support he will need.

The drop comes after changes were introduced to the English teaching curriculum in the 2021 academic year, putting more focus on students' ability to convey their thoughts and understand those of others in the language.

Well therein lies the problem. A test that focuses on students conveying their own thoughts? When the Japanese education system is built around emptying students of any and all thought, and to simply listen and nod and write down verbatim; they've set the kids up to fail.

Also, the way English is taught in Japan is horrendous - mostly concentrated on passive skills (reading and writing) when instead they should have from the get-go put emphasis on, encourage, and develop their active skills (speaking and listening).

Great. Kids who actually want a well rounded education that'll equip them for a life outside of Japan will now have options to do so. And be able to enjoy being a kid and have free time while they're at it.

Oh please, you think it is any better in other countries with dual custody?

Yes because then it's at least an even playing field from the get-go and the child has a higher and better chance of being brought up in a safe and healthy environment. Unlike in Japan where the absence of joint custody and the courts usually favoring the mother, the child may end up with a parent who is not fit to raise them.

The child should also have the right to see and be brought up by both parents and many cases involving couples, one half of which is not Japanese, lack of joint custody has led to the Japanese parent absconding with the child and/or refusing to let their ex see their kid. The law is skewed and heavily favors not just the mother but also the parent who is Japanese. It's unethical.

And Japan wonders why people aren't getting married and popping out kids. Why bring a child into this world when parents then abuse a clearly antiquated and draconian law that allows them to use their child as pawns? The mere fact that joint custody doesn't exist in Japan is insane to me. It literally screams that the Japanese law and government are in favor and enabling families to be ripped apart.

Sadly, yes. I loved summers as a child - you could spend all day outside and not drown in your own sweat or feel like you were baking to death. Summers now are abhorrent all over.

I grew up on her music. A sad day indeed but hopefully she's at peace wherever she is now. RIP and condolences to the family.

This plays out like a grisly sequel to Auditon. At least no piano wires were involved...

The blue bird was more inviting looking. The X just sounds and looks ominous but then again, Twitter has become such a cesspool of negativity it's probably more fitting.

Compounding the problem is a feeling among some older Japanese that selling a family business to outsiders is shameful. Some liquidate their firms rather than seeking buyers.

On their heads be it.