N. Knight comments

200v units much more energy efficient than 100v. There's also many other simple things that can be done to a house to mitigate energy consumption in the height of summer.

There's lot of different factors on AC and how efficient it will be in various houses.

I have over 300 sqm, 200 sqm of that is open plan with 6 meter ceilings.

Have 7 AC units throughout, big ones too, all 200v which is more efficient. Don't need to run them all at the same time. Night time don't need any at all. House stays cool after dark.

My electric bill has never hit ¥40,000 per month although has come pretty close in August withing a couple hundred yen.

¥40,000 is fine for me to keep cool, but Spring & Autumn I'm down around ¥10,000 or often less.

But planning on modifications to the house to increase cooling efficiency, so that should bring the cost down dramatically.

I'm pretty much all electric. My gas bill rarely hits more than ¥3,000 per month.

Summer is definitely hotter than it used to be. My house was built with no AC, it wasn't needed back then. We are at 800 meters and in forest and it hit 33⁰ today. Our neighbours still don't have AC and they are now considering it. Family has owned their house for 60+ years so they can see the temperature trend.

Not even close. Acccording to latest numbers, roughly 53% of the international flight passengers using NRT are Japanese, at KIX it's only 16%.

Ahh yes. But are these passengers using JAL or ANA?

There is a much higher proportion on Japanese using the Japanese carriers. Most people outside of Japan have never even heard of ANA despite them being a huge airline.

I suggest that, by proportion, there is higher incidences of unsavoury behaviour from foreign customers.

Those non-Japanese carrier flights must be a nightmare.

So stop blaming foreigners for all the problems.

Just my experience. I fly probably 15+ long haul flights per year and maybe 30+ domestic in Japan Europe and USA. Used to fly twice a week Itami to Haneda and back.

Japanese carrier flights are, in my experience, infinitely better than the horrendous flights in North America and Europe.

I have never seen an incident on a Japanese carrier; plenty of them on American, United, BA, etc.

No need to take my word, just search YouTube and similar videos.

YouTube will give you any "fact" you're looking for.

Camilla does not come from an aristocratic family which makes her a "commoner".

We all have a bit of blue blood in us if we dig deep enough.

Biden is way to old. He's having multiple "senior moments", needs step down now and to be in a nursing home receiving care.

Trump is getting way too old, he's having his own "senior moments" is a liar, rapist, grifter, treasonist & convicted felon who needs to be in jail.

Basically need two decent candidates to run for president because these two are a compete embarrassment.

America is falling apart because of lunatics on both the left and the right.

They should be released, thank God for the Supreme Court and a blow to Garland and his Constitutional overreach.

Brainwashed madness

I fly both these airlines almost weekly domestic and maybe monthly long haul. I've never seen any abusive incident on either - it's always a serene experience.

Maybe with the ramp up in tourists we are getting the America effect, where flying is a complete and utter bun fight most of the time, customers are rude and staff don't care about the quality of their own work.

I think it's a stretch to consider Queen Camilla as born a commoner. However "commoner" might be a technical rather than emotive word

Family had houses in Kensington and Sussex, they were upper class and society people; and Queen Camilla was educated in Switzerland.

It doesn't quite conjure up being born in the front room of a Brixton terrace.

Oh, really? I’ve never actually heard him speak it.

It's pretty rough.

I wonder why the chancellor didn’t greet the emperor. He’s an idiot but he can speak Japanese.

Because his Japanese is atrocious. It would have been an embarrassment. Even his prepared scripts in Japanese are utterly painful to listen to. The King would probably do a better job than that twit.

In late 2011/early 2012 it was JY70=USD1.00

Yep exactly. I did well from that year however it wasn't good for export led Japan having such a strong yen. That period of relative strength was a good 3 years too and wasn't healthy for the overall economy.

People who understand, realize the longer term cyclical nature of this stuff. The plebs bleating from the sidelines about the price of their daily sausage, mean nothing in the big picture.

Yes they are. But election is overshadowing it. Been on news and newspapers though.

They've finally brought some summer to a miserable weather in England so far. Great weather for next few days.

First game with a new squad and everyone's writing Eddie off? Mostly the Aussies who can't see the real problems back home with Rugby Australia. Hopefully the Aussies will be coming back strong soon but RA needed the no nonsense kick in the arse from Eddie, with NRL wiping the floor with Union back there and RA not fulfilling their promises. It's a shambles and not because of Eddie. Dave Rennie new it too. He must be so happy to be out of there. Still wish Schmidt good luck, hopefully he will turn it around and RA will pull their fingers out and get the investment in it needs.

Japan were OK for a first game under a new era against an ascendant world cup semi finalists. The 12 year old full back looks like he's a phenom and will be sensational over the next few years. Building for 2027. Loving the speed and the ability to break tackles in a blitz defence. I think Eddie will have them on a good track over the next 24 months. They need good international game time.

Still England too good right now. Hoping they demolish the All Blacks but that's a big test. I think they're up for it. Ewels should be on the next plane home. 3 game ban? That idiot has form. Can't keep his head straight at the top level. He's a liability. Rest of them were good. Thought Maro was quiet but he's a big game player so we will see against NZ. Marcus terrific.. even the professional foul interesting. Initially I was nonplussed with Borthers, but he's growing on me now. Theo and Roebuck and the young guys looking exciting.

Thought Warner Dearns was great too... Big hands... And before anyone says it he's lived in Japan since age 9, went to normal Japanese school and speaks better Japanese than English... Bit like Leachy.

Good. The muck coming in from China is terrible. Sliced my finger open on some stainless products a couple of months back, workmanship was a disgrace, packaging was far from sustainable. Ban it all. Ban China.

That is discrimination and will not attract tourists, the fees should be the same for everyone. Plus, how would you enforce it? Check resident’s cards?

No it's not. This has all been well discussed and is totally feasible like many other places around the world.

I would be quite happy to pay 5 times the amount to got in if there was less than half the people in there (even though I am a resident and by the simple production of a recognised Japanese ID - Zairyu, passport, DL, My number, etc.- I would be able to get in for a discounted price)

Last time i went it was horrendous and it wasn't even peak season. The point in the article about the wear and tear is understandable. But you can't fit any more people in there anyway. It was completely rammed - horrible.

It's terrible that she's been harassed and store been damaged. This lunatic behaviour belongs in America not Japan.

The charges have not been increased. The mayor proposed the idea to gauge reactions, but I don't think he will follow through with it.

Let's see what happens. Wouldn't faze me if they do it. But you're probably right.

not a relationship like this one now, totally aligned and cooperating against Biden and his “sanctions”

More dribble

He free to visit any country he wants.

Rubbish

Make everyone show i.d...

Even simpler... Just bring the acceptable ID if you want the resident/citizen discount.

If you don't want to show your ID that's fine too, just pay full price or don't go at all.

Easy.

No need to cry and get all french revolutionary about it.

Himeji castle will double their money if the implement the price rise and with less visitors and less wear and tear.

Good. It will be much nicer experience than the all day rugby scrum in the keep right now.

Probably an honest Russian (yeah i know it's a contradiction in terms) just trying to make a business.

Putin is screwing his own people as well as the Ukrainians. Most just want to get on with there lives and be happy. But this insane dictator is messing up lives everywhere just because he is completely mental.

The heat and humidity might be advantage for Japan. England is still bloody Baltic!

Just seems that all the momentum has gone out...

Not really... 60,000+ sell out for the Japan League One Club final. A few years ago would be hard pressed to get that in England.

An interesting game to watch. Anyone know which TV channel it will be aired upon or of available via internet ?

Also free wth English commentary on Rugby Pass TV

My Number Card, Driving Licence, Zairyu Card, Boat Captain Licence, Wallace's happy smile...

All would probably suffice.

How does a passport prove you're a resident in Japan?

If you have a Japanese passport then you're a Japanese citizen and therefore have a residency status. Doesn't matter if the Japanese passport holder lives in Darkest Peru for 50 werks each year, they're still a citizen.

Why should I have to provide an ID? It is illegal to even ask. Just like staying in a hotel.

Hi Wallace, They're not asking. You can volunteer it for the discount. Or just tell them you live in Japan might get you in. An honest ex-Jack Tar like yourself will never be refused ;-)

Plus you live in Hyogo so you're a better class of person.

Yes. I never show my ID in hotels in Japan. Never have an issue. For my rental villa I am required by law to collect passport copies and data on the (foreign) guests. Have submitted regularly to government.

Carding will result in a lawsuit.

Just present your Japanese ID to get the discount. It's voluntary. No one is forcing anyone. If you don't want to show it then don't, just pay the full price or don't go at all.

Not sure why this concept is so difficult to grasp.