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Fun / foon Tokyo
Friday, July 16, 2004
Hmm, I swear my ikebana said something to me at lunch.
Topic: Japanese Tech
Turn up the Flowers! Let's Party !

Listen to the flowers
... A Japanese woman listens to music through a bouquet of gerberas during a demonstration of the "flower speaker". The flower speaker uses a coil in the base of a flower vase to send musical vibrations through the water and have them emanate from the flower petals and leaves. Photo: Reuters

Posted by trek/taro at 4:44 PM KDT
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Tortured Bobby Fischer Japanese jail

Fishing for Fischer
Via the The Daily Dirt Chess Blog
July 15, 2004
....Bobby Fischer's scrofulous website has just added the news that he has been detained at the Narita airport in Japan. ....

Bobby Fischer's site
"The World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer has been viciously attacked brutalized seriously injured and very nearly killed when he was illegally detained and arrested by the Japanese immigration authorities at Narita international airport in Tokyo Japan. Also the Japanese immigration authorities at Narita international airport have illegally detained Bobby Fischer at the Narita airport jailhouse.
Furthermore in collusion with the U.S. government the Japanese immigration authorities have confiscated and destroyed Bobby Fischer's U.S. passport. Bobby Fischer is still in jail at Narita airport in Tokyo Japan. Bobby Fischer does not wish to return to the Jew-controlled USA where he faces a kangaroo court and 10 years in Federal prison and a likely early demise or worse on trumped political charges. Nor does he wish to remain in a hostile brutal and corrupt U.S.-controlled Japan.
He urgently requests at immediate offer of political asylum from a friendly third country. Any country wishing to offer Bobby Fischer political asylum should do so immediately

MY COMMENT: Who'd think that Bobby Fischer would end up a wasted freak is Japan ranting pro-Hitler pro-911 Holocaust-denying droll (his mother was Jewish, but he denies it). I've hard that Fischer Nazi bend to chess that according to Kasparov is a game where your "ego must destroy your opponent's ego" but WTF?????

Posted by trek/taro at 1:47 PM KDT
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FedEx Hydrogen in Hell

FedEx tries out GM?s hydrogen fuel cells
Jul 15, 2004, 11:24 AM ET by Christopher Diken
GM has been testing its fuel cell technology on one of the most arduous motoring courses in the world: the stop-and-go hell of a FedEx route in downtown Tokyo. The yearlong experiment uses GM?s HydroGen 3, which GM claims does not pollute one single iota. The FedEx implementation puts the fuel cell through its paces by subjecting it to high temps, constant stopping and starting, and long idle times.

Posted by trek/taro at 12:33 PM KDT
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Thursday, July 15, 2004
Ubiquitous RFID wristwatch for Japanese Borg
Topic: Japanese Tech

RFID Reader Wristwatch
Via Wristdreams.com July 14, 2004
Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory led by Professor Ken Sakamura of the University of Tokyo unveiled the "UC-Watch," a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader embedded in a wristwatch.
The UC-Watch features a function to read data based on "ucode," an RFID code system that the Ubiquitous ID Center developed. Users can pick up objects that contain a RFID chip to read the info, which is then displayed on the 120 x 160pixel screen on the RFID wristwatch.
More details on the Nikkei

Posted by trek/taro at 3:18 PM KDT
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Funerals Japanese
Topic: adviceS
Steve B suggests--->... write 'Kono tabi wa honto ni zannen deshita, gomeifuku o oinori shimasu"

このたびは、本当に残念でした。ご冥福をお祈りします

Can you believe the rudeness of forcing a gaijin on crutches to sign the damn register standing up, sheesh?

Everyone here in the office is under orders to not to help me (too teach me a lesson). Wish me luck 'cause here goes nothing....

Posted by trek/taro at 11:29 AM KDT
Updated: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 11:45 AM KDT
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52 Japanese school girls VS Tokyo's Chou Line
Blood -n- gore!
Click here first for the soundtrack

Then click here for suicideclubtrain

Full link for--53 japanese school girls versus a tokyo subway train

Posted by trek/taro at 9:33 AM KDT
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Wednesday, July 14, 2004
a K-coooool Japanese treat
Koooooool off and enjoy this....

The WACKIER World of
Japanese Ice Cream

By Ryann Connell / MDN June

Japanese Cool doesn't get any cooler than ice cream! And, perhaps we should all be thankful for that. .....
Raw Horseflesh Ice Cream (Basashi Aisu)
...Not wanting to be a nag, this flavor needs a definite gee-up. The only saving grace is perhaps that tonight's dessert could well have been last week's odds-on favorite. ...
...more....

Posted by trek/taro at 1:08 PM KDT
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Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Killer Klowns & War "buddhists"
Soka Gakkai, a Nichiren sect that counts some 7.5 million members in Japan. Japan's Komeito Party which is the political wing of Soka Gakkai voted for the Fools War in Iraq against the wishes of its own memembership and the Buddha.

Nichiren, utimately the orginal founder of Soka Gakkai, was insistant on eliminating other Buddhist sects, warning that Japan would be punished if they didn't make his brand of Buddhism the universal one. He even took credit for the Mongol invasion as proof that he was the true religious leader of Japan. Theologically speaking, Soka Gakkai is a pyramid business selling newspapers. Soka Gakkai use wild presure and can resort to strong arm tactics to convert people.

SGI is worse than Mormons and appeal to same wannabe, upward-aspiring l0sers. The Victims of Soka Gakkai Association has a website including the expose in Time magazine:
http://www.toride.org/eindex.html

Counterpoint (typical problem that SGI is "buddhism" to the Western world and the only Japanese religion that "exports".).
http://joi.ito.com/archives/2003/08/20/meeting_with_kenji_yoshigo_of_soka_gakkai.html

Posted by trek/taro at 1:16 PM KDT
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BOO! Today is Halloween.
Topic: Japanese life
Did you light a lantern at Yasukuni Shrine?

The 13th of July
is first day of traditional OBON when the Japanese light a fire to welcome the spirits of family ancestors back. Ever serious about their religion, the Japanese moved OBON to next month so the travel industry could make more money selling tickets for two OBON periods.
---refer to O-bon - Japan's Halloween

Posted by trek/taro at 12:12 PM KDT
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An authentic Mexican restaurant in Ebisu???
Topic: adviceS
There maybe an authentic Mexican restaurant called Salsita about 5 minutes' walk from Ebisu station. It faces the Yamanote Line tracks --west of the tracks-- just north of Ebisu Statio, (left hand side as the train goes from Ebisu to Shibuya).

Yen 2,500 to Yen 4,000 per person depending on how much you drink. Most dishes are in the Yen 900 to Yen 1,500 range.

Hours: 18:00 to 24:00, closed Sundays.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Ebisu-Nishi 1-3-2 1F
Phone: 03-5489-9020
http://homepage3.nifty.com/salsita/INFO&MAP.htm
http://homepage3.nifty.com/salsita/My%20Pictures/mapa.jpg

Posted by trek/taro at 11:30 AM KDT
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200,000yen/m is the minimum wage in Japan for an alien
Topic: adviceS
JOBS IN JAPAN
"TERRIE'S JOB TIPS"
Tips and advice on finding jobs in Japan.
http://www.japan.com/jobs/jobtips/96.php

No 96. JPY200,000 is the Magic Number


....Frankly, even if they really scrimped, it would be hard to imagine a couple surviving on much less than JPY4,000 per day for food and transport, which would total JPY120,000 a month.
In giving her this advice, I also expressed the opinion (yes, I told her to get professional advice as backup) that her daughter would be well served coming to Japan on a spouse visa and then attempt to switch to a work visa as soon as possible. As I understand it, you're normally not supposed to work when you're the spouse of a foreigner.
Hearing what a low salary the prospective groom was receiving started me wondering what Japan's minimum wage is. I've heard various stories about whether there really is a minimum wage in Japan. Theoretically there is one, but given that someone can be classed as a "part-time" worker for up to a year, it's anybody's guess as to whether minimum pay rules really get enforced.
The ILO web site (http://www2.mhlw.go.jp/english/outline/04-10.htm) says that the minimum wage varies between professions and prefectures, but for laboring work in Tokyo, it is JPY5,465 per day, which works out to about JPY121,000 per month.

---------------------------------------
---- Terrie Lloyd is the founder of DaiJob Inc. He also publishs JapanInc magazine and writes a weekly newsletter for entrepreneurs and business people, about business and political opportunities in Japan. You can find the newsletter at www.terrie.com.


MANY More Job Tips

Posted by trek/taro at 11:19 AM KDT
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Monday, July 12, 2004
"Hello Kitty Robo(tm)"
Topic: Japanese Tech

AFP 12 Jul 2004 12:00 AM
TOKYO, JAPAN:
Japan's computer giant NEC and robotic venture Business Design Laboratory unveils in Tokyo, 12 July 2004 the prototype model of communication robot "Hello Kitty Robo", which is able to recognize human voices, faces, and to speak thousands of phrases. The 52cm, 6kg robot will go on sale from 01 November...

Posted by trek/taro at 4:37 PM KDT
Updated: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 1:51 PM KDT
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Whale of Winners

PHOTO LEFT AFP / 12 Jul 2004 12:00 AM
TOKYO, JAPAN: Campaign girl Luri Sasaki shows a mock ticket of the 300 million yen (2.65 million USD) Summer Jumbo Lottery next to a Tokyo ticket booth, 12 July 2004. Thousands of people queued up for tickets in the hope of becoming a millionaire.
PHOTO RIGHT AFP / 12 Jul 2004 12:01 AM
WADA, JAPAN: A fishermen takes away meat of a whale at the Wada port in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo 12 July 2004, while students (R) from a local elementary school observe.


Posted by trek/taro at 3:14 PM KDT
Updated: Monday, July 12, 2004 3:25 PM KDT
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Friday, July 9, 2004
Japan is Asia's laziest country

Japan Is Asia Pacific's `Laziest' Nation, ACNielsen Survey Says

July 12 (Bloomberg)
-- Japan is the `laziest' nation in the Asia-Pacific region, with almost half the population saying they never exercise, a survey showed. ..
----------------------
>Via the forrestino blog, copied from the
Wall Street Journal --July 1
MORIOKA, Japan -- Nothing was going right for the residents of northern Iwate prefecture. Try as they might, the people of Iwate seemed stuck in a poor backwater, with factories closing, shaky state finances and few prospects. So, three years ago, Gov. Hiroya Masuda sent out a bold new message: Just give up.
"We don't make an effort in Iwate," Mr. Masuda declared in a nationwide ad campaign that has run annually since 2001. ... ...more...
頑張らない宣言(ganbaranai sengen = ganbaranai declaration).
Inside story from the translator
http://www.livejournal.com/users/forrestino/116719.html#cutid1

Posted by trek/taro at 5:20 PM KDT
Updated: Friday, July 30, 2004 10:22 PM KDT
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It's 38C/100F in Tokyo (Why do people live here?)
38C = 100.4 F

Four die as heat wave hits Japan
Sydney Morning Herald,
A heat wave in Japan has killed four people, most of them elderly, and left at least 10 others in serious condition in hospital, officials said Friday. ...

Torrential rains flood buildings in Saitama Prefecture
Mainichi wrote:
SAITAMA -- Torrential rains hit northern Saitama Prefecture late Thursday, flooding seven buildings, police and a meteorological observatory said Friday.

Posted by trek/taro at 4:45 PM KDT
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WOT?! Campaign posters for Sunday's election in Japan

Campaign posters leave room for revision

Vox Populi, Vox Dei -- Herald Tribune/Asahi; July 9, 2004

The Liberal Democratic Party's poster reads: ``Konokuni-wo omoi/ Konokuni-wo tsukuru'' (Caring for this country/ Creating this country)
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) ``Massugu-ni, hitamuki-ni'' (Going straight ahead with devotion)
New Komeito... ``Jitsugen-ryoku'' (Ability to get things done)
Social Democratic Party is brief: ``Ima koso `min'-ism'' (Now is the time for the people's will).
The Japanese Communist Party ...: ``Kaiaku nenkinho-no jisshi-wo yamesaseyo'' (Let us stop the government from implementing its poorly revised pension laws). Evidently, the party thinks the wordiness will induce voters to read its campaign poster, but it remains to be seen whether voters will stop to read it.

Posted by trek/taro at 12:22 PM KDT
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Thursday, July 8, 2004
Japanese love-of-nature at their garbage beaches
Topic: Concrete Japan
Long ago during my first Endoshima (aka Garbage Island) swim, I managed to get a mouthful of dead cat as well as being covered with green oily dioxin film.

Losing battle being fought to keep Kanagawa beaches clean
The Japan Times: July 2, 2004
FUJISAWA, Kanagawa Pref. -- It's almost 5 a.m. and the sky is warming as the sun rolls up to burst open the horizon. The pacific rhythm of the ocean waves dominates the soundscape of the virtually deserted beach.
For Atsuko Sakurai, a local surfer, this is the best time of day to pursue her passion. She strides excitedly onto the beach, but her glee fades quickly into quiet dismay as she steps around the minefield of cracked bottles, smashed cans and other assorted trash.
Seeing such a messy beach, Sakurai can only sigh.
Summer is officially here and it's the season when piles of trash from weekend parties at the beach welcome early morning surfers and trouble the residents. The ocean debris is a serious environmental issue for Kanagawa Prefecture's popular beaches, and the condition gets only worse as summer wears on....
_________________
モ?ベッタ...DEATH for DUMBO!

Posted by trek/taro at 11:14 AM KDT
Updated: Thursday, July 29, 2004 2:42 PM KDT
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Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Dinner of Death VS death for dinner
Topic: Me
Quicktime movie of my "fugu" poisonous blowfish for dinner this evening in Kannai Yokohama.

A "while" back I wrote this about my first encounter with THE FISH OF DEATH, FUGU...

Fugued!
It?s another gray day at Japan Inc. It?s a gray Monday morning for moaning, stretching and staring at battleship gray metal desks and concrete walls .
Ah, but last night ...
I was thrashing in the middle of Roppongi crossing baying at the moon. Two hundred and fifty thousand yen flopped out of my back pocket and whirled about in the wind as my date was hobbling about in her red miniskirt trying to fetch the bills. I was howling - laying flat on my back I could see her see-through pink lace panties. I definitely had found a friend in fugu.
An interesting fish, the fugu ...
The CIA uses its poison for dartguns. Japanese girls feed it to their men to get them "inspired". The blowfish, which is what fugu is called in English, was sliced up to be eaten raw at a neighborhood bar. The terribly charming Emiko had taken me there for a little hot sake and English conversation. Between her giggles and my gropes, she ordered the night's adventure, fugu, from a knife wheedling cook who had full control over my life. If I died from the little rubbery fish hors d'oeuvres, it's the cook's legal right under Japanese law to commit suicide. It seemed like a fair deal to me.
After fugu, she poured four bottles of hot sake into me , poured me into her husband's 4x4 pickup and sported me down to Six Trees, Roppongi, Tokyo's partyland. We were snarfing a couple of cheeseburgers while watching a Hamasaki Ayumi video when the fugu took hold. I felt hot flashes and then full-blown menopause followed by metamorphosis and a big blur that eventually dumped me at my desk at Japan Inc.
Fugu! Who needs drugs when you can eat little slices of raw death? But sitting here in my gray uniform, sprawled prone on my gray desk top, surrounded by gray walls and my gray job,
Well there you have it. I've only a few hours here to catch some sleep at my desk.... I?ll have to prepare myself for the evening's meal of more sake and something safe like. shirokarai, fermented raw squid guts.

Posted by trek/taro at 9:20 PM KDT
Updated: Thursday, July 8, 2004 10:07 AM KDT
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Post subject: Crash college classes for 'classroom collapse' in Japan
学級崩壊 gakkyu hokai = 'classroom collapse'

Shiga Univ. to train teachers to fight classroom chaos
Kyodo / July 07
Shiga University will offer four new courses next spring designed to train would-be teachers to resolve pervasive school-related problems such as classroom chaos and truancy....
Education expert Naoki Ogi said existing programs to train teachers generally put excessive emphasis on teaching subjects even though bullying, truancy, severe disruptions and other serious problems are becoming prevalent.
--Also refer to the education research here and here.

Posted by trek/taro at 4:27 PM KDT
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"Far-Out Far East Rickshaw Rally Race"

"Far-Out Far East Rickshaw Rally Race" will have children participating in a simulated race through Japan... "We call it racing to meet Jesus. The ultimate prize of the race is becoming closer to him...Kids come and participate in music and arts and crafts. They learn about the Bible but also about other cultures."

A different Vacation Bible School theme package every year!

Posted by trek/taro at 3:22 PM KDT
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