Thursday, March 06, 2003
News just in from the possible war front here in Japan: Japan may buy U.S. Patriot Anti-missile Systems. Thank you, Lord! The Japanese government is finally coming to its senses. It must take a proactive role in all matters of national security. Of course, it is nice to know the the U.S. Military Forces will help/assist/protect the Japanese islands during any type of stupid invasion from 'you-know-who' from the country of hermits. I hope the Japan government does not just purchase the Patriot only for use on battleships. We kinda need those systems here on the islands. Hey, I will put in an order a couple myself. I think I can install one on the rooftop of my apartment building. Also, I would like to convert one into a mobile system and carry it with me when I go into to Tokyo for work. By the way, how much does the Patriot weigh? If the Japanese government is finally opening up its checking book and buying military weapons, etc. I would suggest that the LDPers open up the biggest checkbook they've got and buy a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Add to that a few nuclear-tipped missiles, lots of laser-guided weapons, and add a couple more AWACS planes and I think Japan might just be ready for any attack by the hermits. Hey, I would be willing to pay more money into taxes if the government finally gets off its collective asses and do something to protect the islands from the jerks across the sea.
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
In one of Japan's strangest business-political scandals, the trial judges sure tried the case very oddly. In the late 1980s, the then-chairman of a very large and successful corporation based in Tokyo decided to provide politicians with 'shares of his company' in exchange for 'political favours'. In the court ruling, the trial judges decided that since the chairmand could not guarantee a rise in the share prices, this could not constitute 'bribery' in principle. The chairman provided the shares at a 'very low' buy-in price (much lower than the IPO price anticipated). Hmmm. I am not sure what the judges were thinking but, I think the shares sure sound like a 'bribe' to me.
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
The Japanese Version Of Mice and Men.
I saw it! The guys from Steinbeck's novel. They were at JR Shinjuku station! I could not believe it. They were right in front of me. In flesh and blood. Of course, this was the MAD version of the book. Let me set the scene for you. Short guy, we will call him 'TARO'. The big, slow guy, we will call him 'YOSHI'. Taro tells Yoshi to push his way through the crowded platform and large queue of people waiting for the next train. As the door opens, Yoshi prevents the commuters from boarding the train. Taro grabs a nice comfortable spot on the train. Yoshi keeps the other commuters from bumping into Taro. [Kinda hard to keep from bumping into people on a 200% overcapacity packed train!] Why does Taro need to rest peacefully? Taro is hung over. What a creep! What a jerk! Now, if I recall in the original version of the book and movie, the little guy kills the big guy before the angry mob can capture him for killing some chick. Well, in the Japanese version, it gets better. The angry Japanese commuter mob stops the train and throws both of the fuckers under another moving train. Good riddance. Good bye assholes! Excuse, can we get take-out with that order??? What is the world coming to when little controlling bastards get their big (slow) friends to do their dirty work? Has this world gone completely crazy? After what I witnessed this morning, I shudder to think of the possibility...
I saw it! The guys from Steinbeck's novel. They were at JR Shinjuku station! I could not believe it. They were right in front of me. In flesh and blood. Of course, this was the MAD version of the book. Let me set the scene for you. Short guy, we will call him 'TARO'. The big, slow guy, we will call him 'YOSHI'. Taro tells Yoshi to push his way through the crowded platform and large queue of people waiting for the next train. As the door opens, Yoshi prevents the commuters from boarding the train. Taro grabs a nice comfortable spot on the train. Yoshi keeps the other commuters from bumping into Taro. [Kinda hard to keep from bumping into people on a 200% overcapacity packed train!] Why does Taro need to rest peacefully? Taro is hung over. What a creep! What a jerk! Now, if I recall in the original version of the book and movie, the little guy kills the big guy before the angry mob can capture him for killing some chick. Well, in the Japanese version, it gets better. The angry Japanese commuter mob stops the train and throws both of the fuckers under another moving train. Good riddance. Good bye assholes! Excuse, can we get take-out with that order??? What is the world coming to when little controlling bastards get their big (slow) friends to do their dirty work? Has this world gone completely crazy? After what I witnessed this morning, I shudder to think of the possibility...
Monday, March 03, 2003
Just got back from Osaka and Kyoto last night. Went down on Friday for a school reunion on Saturday. On Sunday, I attended a special ceremony to cememorate the life of someone special. Very somber ocassion but a beautiful ceremony nonetheless.
The Kansai region is a much smaller version of Kanto region. As Kanto is the seat of political and economic power of the country, the two areas are, in someways, very different. Kansai is full of beauty and culture. Kanto is full of concrete and busy lives. While I work in Kanto, I still wish I were living in Kansai.
I walked around my old neighbourhood. It was like walking into a time capsule. Things were slightly different but for the most part, the same shops and sights were there. It was some 12 years ago that I came to Japan. Gee, the world of Tokyo has changed so much in the past 5 years while the outlying areas of the country have not. I guess that is why some people enjoy travelling or retiring outside of Tokyo. Tokyo is too buy. Tokyo is too hot. Tokyo is too full of tall ugly buildings. Why do I remain in Tokyo when I truly love Osaka/Kyoto? Simple answer: The LDPers (a.k.a. Hardliners). The LDPers have sucked all the money into the metro centre. All jobs have come up to Tokyo. Anyone who wants to earn a decent living must move to Tokyo. Live in Osaka? Sure, you have that option. But, remember, if you wish to live above the Japanese poverty line, you have got to move up to Tokyo! It is as simple as that!
The Kansai region is a much smaller version of Kanto region. As Kanto is the seat of political and economic power of the country, the two areas are, in someways, very different. Kansai is full of beauty and culture. Kanto is full of concrete and busy lives. While I work in Kanto, I still wish I were living in Kansai.
I walked around my old neighbourhood. It was like walking into a time capsule. Things were slightly different but for the most part, the same shops and sights were there. It was some 12 years ago that I came to Japan. Gee, the world of Tokyo has changed so much in the past 5 years while the outlying areas of the country have not. I guess that is why some people enjoy travelling or retiring outside of Tokyo. Tokyo is too buy. Tokyo is too hot. Tokyo is too full of tall ugly buildings. Why do I remain in Tokyo when I truly love Osaka/Kyoto? Simple answer: The LDPers (a.k.a. Hardliners). The LDPers have sucked all the money into the metro centre. All jobs have come up to Tokyo. Anyone who wants to earn a decent living must move to Tokyo. Live in Osaka? Sure, you have that option. But, remember, if you wish to live above the Japanese poverty line, you have got to move up to Tokyo! It is as simple as that!
