DenTok2009 comments

Hey Steve, (thumbs up!) thanks. I'm kinda sorta doing keto and intermittent fasting. I lost weight during the lockdown. Then I started putting on the weight around March and put my head in the sand for a couple of months.

I've been walking with lower back pain for a while. Haven't been to a doctor, but just self-diagnosing that if I lose the weight that I've packed on, I will lose the lower back pain. I used to go for a walk, rain or shine. Nowadays, I blame the weather for not going out for a walk.

Re: Actor Shinzaburo Yamazaki, 75

I wonder whether he could keep himself busy by doing one man shows. He could play a scene, read his wife's poetry or just talk about life.

I guess most elderly women cope with loneliness by working part-time and joining a class or two. One of my co-workers who is working one or twice a week for a few hours doesn't need the paycheck. She told me that chatting with people, whether her age or younger, is why she works. Some of the younger workers are rude and don't care to shoot the breeze with her. (I found out that they can't be bothered to hold a conversation with someone older.) She's joined a yoga class or some exercise class for the elderly and a crotchet class.

I'm glad the man wanted to be named as the father on both his daughters' legal documents.

On another note, I didn't know Japan recognizes a man as a woman, even with his family jewels intact.

law on gender dysphoria requires surgery to remove a person's reproductive capabilities to register a gender change, but a top court decision in 2023 said that was unconstitutional

How come no financial info on the rap musician? How much money is he making and how much is he paying for rent? Are utilities covered, or does he pay per usage (e.g., 100 yen for 5 minutes of hot water for the shower)? Does he use the laundromat?

I knew one girl who rented a room in a house where the elderly owners renovated the second floor. The rooms were small, so it might have been three and a half mats or four mats, with a sink and one burner stove. The toilet was not the flushing kind. The owners scrubbed it often and kept the hallway clean. The house was a couple of minutes or so from Yotsuya sanchome. I've forgotten whether all the rooms were metered and the tenants had to pay the utility bills themselves, or the owner just figured it out from one meter and divided accordingly. She went to the sento and the laundromat. Rent, utilities, sento and laundromat might've been half her salary. I remember being amazed at how cheap her rent was for the location. (This was during the bubble era.)

Sad to hear about Chateraise's treatment of foreign workers. I like Chateraise's ice creams. It's a splurge I don't need.

I guess prices going up for snacks is good thing for me. I mean, I don't need to eat snacks therefore I don't need to buy them.

What kind of mood was Norio Nagata trying to set? Microphone to the lower body means what? Fart jokes?

Perhaps the solution is to implement a kindergarten through high school meal program where fruits and vegetables can be provided to the school or church or an organization for the children and parents. Height, weight, cholesterol levels, etc can be monitored. Children can be guaranteed access to fruits and vegetables during their school years.

I think it's good to have an option to sit or stand while working the register. I think the same for security guards at stores. They just stand while observing people. I've never worked as a security guard but I think they should be able to sit. Standing still for eight hours must be tiresome.

Deviating from the topic for a moment, I worked for a few weeks at an amusement park one summer. I was all by myself, selling popcorn and drinks at a stand outside under the umbrella. I had on glasses with transition lenses and my supervisor told me that dark lenses were a no no because it makes the customer feel uncomfortable. I, inwardly rolled my eyes, Japanese are uncomfortable with cashiers/security guards sitting down on the job, tattoos (I don't have any, by the way) and dark lenses. So tiresome. My glasses when dark were not so dark that you couldn't see my eyes.

I was genuinely taken aback and deeply saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary Akira Toriyama, the brilliant architect of the enchanting world of Arale-chan. The delightful naivety and immense strength of the robot, coupled with the comedic genius of Norimaki Senbei, created a timeless masterpiece that never failed to bring joy to my heart. I couldn't help but burst into laughter at Senbei's transformation into a romantic leading man, especially during his attempts to impress his daughter's teacher.

Beyond Arale-chan, Toriyama's influence extended to the iconic Dragon Ball series, which I also held close to my heart. The early years, featuring the adventures of Son Goku and his master, were truly the pinnacle of storytelling.

As we bid farewell to Akira Toriyama, let us remember the laughter, excitement, and sheer brilliance he brought to our lives through his imaginative creations. His impact on the world of manga and anime is immeasurable, and the void left by his passing is felt by fans around the globe. Rest in peace, Toriyama-san, and thank you for sharing your extraordinary talents with us. Your legacy will continue to inspire and resonate with fans for generations to come.

Japanese women are required to put on makeup. One woman told me that it's rude/offensive to be makeup free. If it's required then why aren't women given an allowance for makeup? I mean, why aren't companies giving some extra money to the female staff to purchase makeup and skincare potions? I told a few young Japanese girls that I would tell the company that I want a few 万円s; you better not expect me to go shopping at the 100 yen shops! (Nothing wrong with the makeup at 100 yen shops.) They all laughed.

Some boys will grow up to be men who can not control their temper or always give in to the urge to do violence to others who are weaker than themselves. I've read quite a few articles here where the men, whether they be the father or latest boyfriend, beat up their child or the wife/girlfriend's child. I wonder whether those men came from single parent households. I wonder whether those men were neglected children.

In spite of my wondering, I hold those men accountable for their actions.

Years ago, some Chinese guys and Russian girls and I applied for a seasonal job at a factory in the boonies. We (the Russian girls and I) met the temp staff agency managers in Tokyo to fill out the paperwork. The managers wanted to see passports and residence cards, plus wanted to take photocopies. We thought they were going overboard with the checking. I now know that they were just covering their behinds by making sure that the foreigners they signed up were all legal and that the company wasn't playing any games when it came to checking documents.

@genkigaijingirl I guess the government, the medical community and the robotics industry have to a meeting of the minds conference to bring that about.

I like Tullys and Be A Good Neighbor Coffee Kiosk at Roppongi 1 chome station because I feel comfortable either sitting on a stool or standing while I sip chai and doodle or sketch on their counter tables.

@Monty There's a coffee shop in Shibuya near the post office where there is smoking. I was surprised because I thought there was no smoking in all coffee shops unless it's closed off.

Yubaru ...the blood-bath of "ristora" salarymen following the collapse of the bubble...

I don't know about the "ristora" salarymen so I'll discuss this with the same guy who told me about Japanese companies not firing their workers.

@GW Firing full time staff can be very difficult here

I found that out when I was chatting with a co-worker about firing someone who wasn't up to par. He told me that the company, Japanese companies, won't ever fire someone because, who knows, something awful might happen. (Some comment about the news in America where some nut job goes berserk after being fired and goes back to the company to shoot his boss and/or co-workers. See, that's what might happen...)

Aren't they afraid that their precious pooches may catch the coronavirus?

Are flight attendants serving the meals? Traveling all the way to Haneda and donning their uniforms (and masks) to serve meals aboard the parked plane?

@Joe Blow I don't know if that's how clerical work was done in the Edo period. The company I was referring to wasn't formed in the Edo period. It's not one of those companies that's been around for centuries. It seems whether temp or not, the staff are all similar in temperament. I was the oddball. I was grateful that they kept calling me back for several of their projects over the years.

I haven't heard of Twilight Samurai.

I worked at one company that strictly enforced the work time. Nobody was allowed to start doing any work till it was officially time. Everyone was at their desk and waited till the department manager said, "はい時間ですお仕事始めてください. " I was amazed that the company did this, even when we were on deadline. It was the same for clocking out. He would say, "時間になりました。あがってください." Everyone was supposed to have things done, so they could leave on the dot. I've never found another company like that one company.

Elsewhere (not in Japan), I've adjusted my start time or lunch hour on days I wanted or needed to leave a little early. My co-workers did the same.

@Desert Tortoise

I'm surprised McDonald's didn't hire him. As a teen, I remember working for McDonald's and then years later, working for Burger King, there was always an older man who was on staff. When I was younger, I thought the older man was working just to keep busy. I didn't really interact with him. But years later when I worked at BK, I chatted with the older man. He worked for an insurance company and life was good. Things happened, he lost his job, his savings wasn't enough to see him through, so he was grateful for his job at BK. It wasn't enough but, oh well.

In Japan, well, in the Tokyo area, the cleaning companies (janitorial, building, housekeeping) are willing to hire older men and women. I met and chatted with a few old men and women (well into their 70s and 80s) who aren't doing it to keep busy or for pocket money. They really need that income.

@kaimycahl

Agree. We have to be active and volunteer or donate what we can, whether it be time and/or money.

I'm not an employer, so I'm all for work is work and off duty means my time is my time. I can understand that the employer's perspective is: if you are here just for the money, I don't want you. I want people who will put the company first. If that means, I have to contact you outside your work hours then you better answer.

When I was overseas, I enjoyed working, and I was there for voluntary and mandatory overtime. Here in Japan, it's just a job; I'm doing it for the paycheck.

...His English suddenly got better...

I've been in some situations where Japanese women started off by saying something to the effect of "I'm not really sure whether I should take that class; perhaps my English isn't up to it..." blah, blah. Either being shy or just making sure that they weren't going over their comfort zone but ending up being in a class that was too easy for them. So... it could be that Hisashi Iwakuma liked having an interpreter because, well, he didn't have to pay the interpreter so why not? Plus, he wasn't sure of speaking "perfect English".

Dirk, if “Ken Kimura” was a retail clerk on commission, he was damn good at sales. Working part-time selling suits in rural Iwate prefecture and taking home 200,000 yen is impressive. Poor guy, I hope he lands another good job.

It was part-time and low-paying – 200,000 a month

Ummm... working part-time and taking home 200,000 yen? That's maybe around 20 hours a week in the fashion industry? What did he do? Was he in sales?

I wonder if the ATM keypad is a scrambling keypad. If not, hopefully that'll be one of the improvements before implementation.

the court ruled in her favor and awarded her 1.78 million yen

I wonder if he paid or will pay her. He's probably gone through her 300,000 yen.

Instead of apologizing, or in addition to bowing and all, "miss" a few paychecks. Man up and give up a few paychecks to feel the pinch. Businesses are suffering, people are struggling to survive. Politicians are enjoying dining out and entertainment. Why not just say, "Hey, I don't have to abide by the rules, but you do... ha, ha."