Zoroto comments

There was a small advancement with the most gain around the 26th July. Since then they have been pushed back.

Russia doesn't need to advance anywhere. As long as the Ukraine army keeps coming at them, Ukraine will take much heavier losses. Eventually they will run out of equipment, and much more tragically that almost nobody in the West seems to care about: men.

But for all of Russian gains up North they have been pushed back to nearly where they started.

Didn't Russia start in Russia? Have they been pushed back to Russia?

U.K.’s zone of international airspace

Isn't that an oxymoron, contradiction?

Don't tell me Johnny & Associates are a bunch of groomers. Who would thunk?

I support Ukraine to the last man standing!

Burton continued, “As a dad, I think it’s pretty disgusting that you would attack someone’s son like this.”

Every man is a son of somebody....

Looks like another nerd-fest.

Thanks for letting me know... to make sure I don't watch it.

with some economists attributing the decline to an increase in work-from-home policies and fewer drinking parties in the wake of the pandemic.

Do these economists get paid for these insightful observations?

This has nothing to do with nomikais. Nobody goes to Shinjuku station because they want to attend a nomikai. People only go to Shinjuku station because they have to take a train from there.

So this is purely because of WFH. The one thing positive Japan embarrassed from COVID is WFH. None of my friends (all professional, no ALT types) were called back to the office. Most moved away from Central Tokyo or just don't go to the office at all (like me). Some others go to the office voluntarily. Nomikais have essentially disappeared.

So while Shinjuku station foot traffic is down by 20%, I bet izakaya takings are down 40-50%

Nearly 30% of Japan prefectures saw crowds surpass pre-COVID levels

Let me rewrite the Kyodp style positive spin title to one that's more accurate;

More than 45% of Japan prefectures saw crowds decreased from pre-COVID levels

an average bonus of 903,397 yen

Yeah, right.

It probably is. But the average is meaningless when some people get 1000x of that.

The "mean" is a much more important number, but since it would probably be 1/10 of the quoted number, it's not surprising they are not using that.

The govt is pushing an industry that is notorious for its low wages and for which there aren't nearly enough workers.

There is no other avenue of growth in Japan. So they are pushing tourism, no matter how unpalatable it is to most of the population. I've never met an ordinary Japanese who wished for more tourists.

the son of a local assembly member

Suspended sentence incoming.

Sounds like another LDP puff piece.

Actually sounds like it was written by ChatGPT.

appear to signal consumers are ready to ramp up spending

I am not ready to ramp up my spending, but have no choice since the price of essentially everything has gone up.

Japan has really become a tourist destination for the lowest class Westerners for some reason. Maybe it has to do with the cheap yen. Boy, do I miss the COVID years.

And they arent any much better than the Chinese. at least Chinese are spending tons here and contributing a lot to tourist revenue.

Nah, they are far, far worse than the Chinese. Loud, obnoxious, uncultured, tattooed, live-streaming pieces of human thrash.

Rather the Chinese that the overweight tattooed Westerner wearing a tank top, while talking loudly.

Ginza department stores must be so happy. They can resume making all their announcements in Chinese first, then Japanese, like before COVID.

Xi will only see him if he brings omiyage and bows to him.

but what is that building in front of it , the one with the wavy beams of concrete?

Shops designed to cater to Chinese tourists. Marble and gold waves, very Gucci. Even passe in China these days.

Another go-getter.

But corporate profits are at all times high, and the PM is jet-setting from junket to junket.

Everything that matters is well.

Japan is a great place to visit but don't expect to make a living there.

Depends obviously whether you are skilled or not. Teaching English is not considered a skilled job (anybody can do it, even those who don't speak English as their first language).

The tender offer led by a buyout fund of major Japanese banks and companies

In other words, another bailout for a moribund Japanese business.

Sadly for you, I'd think you'd see intervention before 150, let alone 160.

Yes, we know the BOJ is a currency manipulator. Of course, you can only do so much the strengthen the currency via manipulation, as it costs too much.

So every country should have nukes, huh? Any other stunning insights you would like to share with us?

Just curious, why are you so pro-war?

When you countries like the US and most of Europe who are pro-war in places like Ukraine, this is not surprising.

Probably 75 percent of the ads on tv are for alcohol and junk food.

What do they expect to happen?

, they are all pretty sure human activity derived climate change is already proved.

That says it all (bolding is mine)

Smoking doesnt cause cancer, acid rain is a fantasy and man made global warming

The first 2 you mention is scientifically provable. The one about global warming is not, as there isn't, and cannot be, a control arm of the experiment.

But I am sure you know this as you certainly believe in scientific methods.