Rhaegar comments

Simple lesson.

I treat all emails as fake, never click any links.

If I am curious or want to find out more I log onto the official website directly on a PC, via a dedicated browser that I only ever use for banking/finance....

I feel for the older folks who don't really understand the dangers... the police/media here put a lot of effort in making people aware of the fake phone callers that prey on older folks but not much is done to inform about email based communication. I've drilled this into my parents/grandparents... but I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that don't have anyone to warn them.

As for censorship, there was none. It's the fever dream of a cult.

I'm no fan of either of these guys... but to be fair, Zuckerberg did admit to censorship based on FBI warnings.... turns out the FBI was wrong.... whether intentional or not....

Here is some politically correct mainstream "news" which should pass the bias filter:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62688532

Hope this "fight" takes place.... I recall a Friends episode with a rich guy wanting to be a UFC fighter... he got beat up every time... Kinda reminds me of Musk too.

@Phillip bear.

Must be beautiful along the south coast of Tassie. Been there a few years back but couldn’t go on any long hikes… would love to someday go into the south west area… amazing place…

I’ve had a few scares with ankle rolls in the past… I only ever use high cut hiking boots now just in case… I think they make a nice difference in support… albeit with a slight impact on extra weight and some flex.

Safe Hiking everyone!

Funny story... straight to the comments :)

Perhaps he was embarrassed to purchase them, so made the mistake in thinking he could steal them instead.... keep it hush hush.... ironically he ended up telling the entire country.

I hope the system isn't too hard on the poor bloke if this is the case...

People need drugs now in order to reduce cholesterol? By artificially “blocking some of the livers cholesterol production”…. What could go wrong? Sad how the “first-choice treatment” is via some drug, when for most simply tweaking your diet will achieve a natural and safe reduction to cholesterol without any drug side effects…. But yeah, there is no money to be made via the natural method….

Why do westerners make such a fuss about wearing a mask? It is no big deal and if it keeps our hosts happy, why not?

Do you really believe it makes "our hosts" happy or that they even care?

As a tax paying permanent resident living here longer than the entire lives of many of “my hosts” I think I am within my rights to set an example, by following government guidelines and actually NOT wear a mask out in the street… I consider it doing my part in educating the captured majority that can’t think for themselves yet…. On some occasions I’ve had “my hosts” remove their masks upon making eye contact with me… can’t get through to everyone but happy when the message gets through...

If you wish to wear a mask to "keep our hosts happy" you are most free to do so.

Good luck J Gov… Mental weakness here wont be solved by revising “guidelines”… just the other day I saw an interview of a man wearing a mask on NHK, “When will you take off your mask?” the reporter asks… “When more than 50% of the other people aren’t wearing them” was the reply…. In other words, if most people have the same line of thought mask wearing will be the status quo for a while….for the mentally weak that is. With the exception of those with Hay fever or are genuinely sick, mask wearing isn’t about Covid anymore… its fear… fear to stick out and be different.

Giving people the option is nice and all… but why would anyone want to do this?

Makes no sense to me. Locations you can use it are limited. Network conditions can make digital payments un-usable (basement floors, parts of the countryside etc etc) Restaurants etc during lunch often only accept cash… how about your bank transfers to pay rent etc… there are holes in this idea everywhere….

How much trouble is it really to top-up you digital wallet from a linked bank account?…not much trouble at all and depending on the service you use you can set it up do to it automatically… This looks more of a show to make it appear that things are moving forward to compensate for the banks which are still in the stone age… fact is though you can use your cash anywhere so for versatility it still cant be beaten.

I bet the uptake of this and workers volunteering to get paid in this way would be very small.

The irony of everything the government does here never ceases to amaze me.

They removed the requirement to get a PCR test if you have had 3 shots… and a negative PCR test is required otherwise…. So in effect the only tourists that are most likely to be bringing the virus to Japan are those who have had the 3 or more shots since they don’t need to be checked with a PCR…. Case in point,  Kishida got Covid after having had the shot 4 times. So basically Japan’s stance is… if you have had 3 or more shots… you have the right to bring Covid into Japan whilst those with 2 or less shots don’t.

Having said all that, In all likelihood it’s the tourists who have more of a chance of catching Covid whilst here from the locals than the other way around…

As to the masks… well the government guidelines say its ok to NOT wear them outdoors… so if foreign visitors don’t do so outside why should this even be a topic of conversation or have their photo splashed across a news site?

Maybe if the child is vulnerable and high risk of complications from a covid infection the vaccine could be an option. But in cases like this healthy 13 boy who died the same night after taking the shot you really have to consider the risk/reward. No definitive link between his death and the vaccine… but really… Do you think he would have died if he hadn’t taken the shot that day?

https://youtu.be/JbrKAOXQSxg

Must be hard a hard decision to make for a parent.

@ Virusex

But it helps reducing both risks (according to scientific data that proves it), which is a reason valid enough to get it.

You forget to mention the harm/benefit aspect…

Since you keep bringing up scientific data, here is some peer review scientific data for you published on the National Institute of Health government site. Published AUG 31st 2022.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36055877/

In summary: "The excess risk of serious adverse events found in our study points to the need for formal harm-benefit analyses, particularly those that are stratified according to risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes. These analyses will require public release of participant level datasets."

If you are healthy and low risk for serious impact from COVID getting the shot is something to question indeed.

I think part of the issue is that many people aren’t actually aware of the government recommendations… the government isn’t doing a good job of putting the word out…

Here is the official guideline.

www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000942851.pdf

I’m tempted to print a few hundred copies and doing a local mail drop.

I think it’s a sad reflection of people’s mental weakness really. Most of my Japanese colleagues say they are only wearing them because they are worried about what other people think. In our office we are free to remove them at our desk (most do) and now it’s our choice whether or not to wear them whilst walking around. It will take time but things are heading back to normal I suppose. I wear mine on my wrist now outside and put it on only when entering a store/building or public transport. Haven’t had any issues, I’m not breaking the law and actually following government guidelines so don't care what people think… Still makes me laugh though when I see a lone person at 11PM in a deserted street with the mask on, I guess some people don’t really care, each to their own. Personally, I can’t stand them.

Australia's incarceration per capita is about 1/4 of the US

Maybe Steve was referring to home incarceration due to government lockdowns during the pandemic… if that's the case… it’s a gross understatement. Poor Aussies.

Interesting… though why would anyone want to travel to Australia right now? How is it going to work for non Australians? – even those vaccinated, to enter any of the businesses/shops/restaurants the local version of proof of vaccination is required. That’s right folks, unlike our free Japan, citizens in Australia need to show vaccination status for most things… and it’s a QR code via the mygov app linked to your medicare details (this contains your vaccination records in Australia)… Its going to be a really fun holiday having to fumble around to try and convince each establishment you visit that you are vaccinated, and without being on the official system you will be at the mercy of each establishment. Better sharpen up your English debating skills...Safe travels.

What a sad state of affairs…

I’ve had both Pfizer shots, but I don’t agree with any kind of discrimination, and that’s all this is. Any business that promotes this kind of “Covid Passport” I will avoid and do my business elsewhere. All we need now is another form of discrimination, its laughable that many people here who may have experienced discrimination based on their appearance or background would support this concept, not surprising though.

If I walk into a restaurant or business,  I really don’t care about vaccination “status” of the people around me, makes no difference to me. I’m somewhat protected by the vaccine I took, stay fit with exercise daily and eat well.

Lets end the division. Take care.

If you're on the family register you are eligible, Nationality is irrelevant.

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20200417-00010019-huffpost-soci

Most top comments support and agree that residents who pay tax and live in Japan legal should receive it regardless of national.

Use the money wisely people.

Stay safe!

Another unenforceable policy aimed at selling the image that the J-gov is looking after its people.

I’d love to know how they hope to determine if a traveler has been to a city within a country.

Oh thats right, the questionnaire or sign on entry to Japan saying, “Have you been Daegu? If yes please walk to this counter”….

The good old honesty system will keep the people of Japan safe… brilliant plan.

Its too late to restrict visitors from abroad anyway.. this thing is now well and truly in the wild…we were informed today that a visitor to our building last week was confirmed to have the new virus… lets face it this is just the beginning and until a drug or vaccine is made to help deal with it, this virus is going to be as common as the flu.

I guy in the office didn't win the lottery so he paid the 100000YEN charity fee to enter. That money is gone.... sure he gets to enter the 2021 event but I think he would need to pay again... doesn't seem fair to me.

I really don't get the mentality of tailgaters... sometimes they're not even tailgating to apply pressure for you you to move out the way. I often see cars on the left lane driving a couple of metres away from the truck in front of them... are they trying to save fuel by riding in the wake of the vehicle in front of them? They will need super fast reflexes should the driver in front of them suddenly hit the brakes.

Meanwhile, their stock continues heading down down down.. right now at ￥568/share. Hasn't been this low since Q4 2009. This fiasco is hurting shareholders for sure... A pointless lawsuit just wasting more funds....

Too bad this psychopath is a kid who's name won't be disclosed to the general public and will only be referred to as "Shonan A". He won't have to go to school now legally either since he has reached 15, so thats good for the school system I suppose. What kind of a future is he going to have though I wonder?.... he won't be held for long and when he does get released will his idea of "wanting to kill someone" still be there? Will he be treated? if such a thing is even possible. He'll be physically stronger and his next victim might not be so lucky. Glad the lady is going to be ok though, kudos to her for fighting back and glad he was apprehended so soon.

Lets not forget that it was the incompetent police that let him get away from the police hospital to begin with…. The complete story as shown on NHK went something like this…

Kim – “I need t to go to the toilet”

Police - “Ok, I will accompany you to the toilet block and wait outside”

Kim enters…. a short time later – “Hey policeman, can you go get my note book, its in my room”… wink wink wink…

Police – “Sure, let me go get it for you”…. Gullible Policeman goes looking for non existent notebook…

And that’s when Kim made his escape… Don’t the police here ever learn?…. A few months ago there was a huge man hunt for a man who escaped from a police station (stealing their shoes on the way out)…

Oh and how did Kim get caught? Well he didn’t…. he must have felt sorry for them and decided to make their life much easier by turning himself in…. the same way many fugitives get caught to re-caught in Japan.

Damn... hope it doesn't come to the victim losing an eye. That's life changing impact right there...

As for the perp.... really annoying that police here almost never release surveillance footage to the public... the help from the public to identify suspects would be a lot quicker.

Not bad at all..... looks like they needn't worry about having 20million yen in savings for when they retire...

Its good to see Japan playing hardball for a change.

But really, the title of this story is a little off…“Japan curbs technology exports to S Korea”?? Its not technology they are curbing… its raw materials….Technology is the ability to use these raw materials and actually produce a product. How ironic seeing Japan providing the raw resources for Korea to make their tech which is now superior to Japan… wasn’t it the other way around 20 years ago? Look at LG… their OLED technology is basically being used by all OLED TV manufactures in Japanese makers such as SONY, Panasonic etc…  remember when SHARP was the leader in display technology just 12 years ago?  What happened?

This won’t fix entry…. hope they eventually roll this out to entry as well….. re-entry  in January was mayhem…. Re-entry permit holders and PR’s were put into the same lines as tourists…. The lines were huge and it took about 45 minutes to get through…. The automated gates were only usable on Japanese passports and these were the only entry options for Japanese Passports…. Some exceptions were made for foreign spouses of Japanese Nationals with kids to get though manually alongside the auto gates ….but it was just a mess TBH…. staff were apologetic with the situation though, just too many people too handle. After 20 years here it was quite a shock… I’ve always used the Japanese lines in the past and the re-entry holder gate was often faster than the standard Japanese Nationals lines… those were the good old days.

oh well, until the Ghosn fiasco I actually thought I'd buy a Nissan.... always wanted a GTR... but now I know I'll never buy a Nissan, no matter how good of a car they produce.... disgusted with they way everything went down.

Interesting idea...Looks cool and all that... but two issues I can foresee.

These kind of signs have a sweet spot or ideal position in order to be viewed properly. In other areas they are hard to make out.

Looks great in the photo with no one there... but how well will it be visible when that areas is swarming with people on a busy day...

Poor lady. What a low life and coward this man is. Some tips for anyone seeking to go to jail.

Go to an expensive Ginza jewelry store

Try your luck by breaking open a display-case and grab that million dollar diamond.

RUN!

If you make it your money woes are gone for a while. If you get caught your money woes are gone for a while.

Most importantly you didn't inflict physical pain and suffering on a random weak target.