Sam Watters comments

Start building India!

@JaviLM. Not everyone who disagrees with you is a racist or a bigot or a homophobe.

We can expect a new round of vows and pledges soon…

Japan is a victim for only the first time China pulls this nonsense. From the second time on Japan is a participant. Grow a spine, defend our territory there (at sea) or we will have to defend it here (on land). One more note of possible interest: there is a report that last week China had a skirmish with India that resulted in 4 dead Chinese soldiers. The death of these 4 soldiers ended 4 separate bloodlines and the revolt from the families was so great that the CCP reportedly gave the families a house and increased allowances. The reason for this that China’s 1-child policy has reduced the number of available men. In other words China does not have any number of men that can be sacrificed in military conflict. I say the next time China encroaches in our territory that we bloody their nose a bit. Like all bullies, China wants to be feared but needs to be protected. Pop them once and they might get the message. The opposite is also true.

I don’t know much about him (an advantage?) but I I hope the “My Number” rollout isn’t a preview of what a Konno-led government would look like.

Japan to popularize online birth registration by FY2026

I’m not “popularize” is the right word.

The shock absorbers on the car carrying Kim and Xi must be at the breaking point.

CCP members are thugs. No one should be surprised by this behavior.

Call their bluff. The Chinese will fold the first time they are punched back.

Here is a link to a discussion about BRICs decision to use currency other than the US dollar. https://youtu.be/fWgn8t3Vnyg?si=u6TqIJamKzaDI8pt

Why are Japanese workplaces so rigid? Humans get sick, get married, get pregnant, do jury duty, etc. Structuring a team in an office with no flexibility or redundancy is pointless: less productive and more stress for everyone involved.

I agree. It’s one of the main reasons for a lot of Japan’s social ills.

nothing will embolden china more than russia conquering ukraine. they will know the world won’t stand up to them when they invade taiwan.

I disagree. While I have no love for Russia, I don’t think Russia will go beyond Ukraine and wonder if Russia will be able to even hold on to it should it conquer it. The CCP, on the other hand, will not stop if it gets it’s hands on Taiwan. For that reason, I think if China does try to take Taiwan that it can expect a unified front that knows how to use force. Speaking of force, China’s military is not combat ready. Should an armed conflict break out, China would likely have to use some sort of biological, chemical or nuclear weapon to compensate for their lack of preparedness and should that happen…pray god, it doesn’t…such an act would likely seal China’s fate as the world would turn against it.

No sarcasm intended, I am honestly just curious. Are there any case studies or examples of teachers calling off a student excursion because of adverse conditions? If so, how did the school administrators respond? In addition, can teachers refuse such assignments if they feel the risk and responsibility exceeds the benefit?

I am a good immigrant. I came to this country 33 years ago. I did not sneak across the border, I entered through a legal point of entry (an airport in my case). I ate the foods and accepted the accommodations that were available. I did not demand that the Japanese diet be altered to suit my palate or religious beliefs. I learned to live within the rules of Japanese culture. I did not demand that Japanese society conform to my beliefs or preferences. I learned to obey Japanese laws, even ones that seem nonsensical to me. I have never hit nor spit on a police officer. I found and maintained employment, paid my taxes and volunteered in my community. I have never gone on welfare nor expected the Japanese government to provide me with benefits that Japanese citizens would never receive. I have always appreciated this country and have never once chanted “death to Japan” nor hoped for its destruction. Finally, one day I applied for citizenship. I got in line, paid the fees, passed the requirements and waited my turn. In other words, I acted a great deal like the immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island in the 1920’s and nothing like illegal aliens who crash the border, commit crimes, demand extra resources in exchange for protests and violence. Immigrants who do it the right way are always welcome in the US, illegal aliens who do not are not.

Watching the CCP react to anything they don’t like reminds me of the days when i was 9 years old and told that recess was cancelled because of rain.

Insurance scam….?

Just last week I had to explain “spoiler alert” to my students…

One day China is going to learn the difference between “meek” and “weak.” It will be a painful lesson and a well-deserved one.

Congratulations! She’s a great actress.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's expansive claim had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected.

I think China is being rejected.

Civil servants…not surprised.

@gaijintraveller. Thanks for the info!

Looks like a K-car. They are great for gas mileage but terrible in accidents. Prayers to the families.

Zhang said China's territorial sovereignty “brooks no infringement and its core interests cannot be challenged. We do not provoke trouble, but we will never flinch in face of provocation. The Chinese military will resolutely defend the reunification and interest of the motherland."

I think China and North Korea have the same speech writer.

There are cans of diet soda that are more “natural” than some Chinese Olympic athletes. Yeah, they cheat…

The Philippines' decision to ramp up ties with Japan and the United States at a recent summit was a "sovereign choice" for the country, its foreign ministry said on Thursday in response to China's comments opposing the trilateral meeting.

In addition to the accurate sovereign-choice reasoning, it is generally a good idea to the opposite of what the CCP wants.

China's military said on Wednesday it sent fighter jets to monitor and warn a U.S. Navy patrol aircraft that flew over the sensitive Taiwan Strait,

And the US pilots either laughed or yawned.

Poorly written article that leads to a wide range of speculation. What exactly does “lower body” mean? If we are talking about the pubic area then use that phrase or something similar. Either use clear language or don’t report it.

For a little bit of context here, which I think is needed.

Sapporo had an elongated Winter with snow storms deep into March.

Temperatures didn't raised as usual, which kept Sapporo with a good amount of snow in April, which is rare.

"The temperature in Sapporo hit 26 degrees... and is still rising"

Yes! This past March was one of the coldest and snowiest I have experienced in 33 years in Hokkaido.

Disney is an example of “go woke, go broke.” Unfortunately for Disney, Iger was reportedly at the center of the Disneys shift to politics over entertainment so I’m not sure how much Disney will recover. Hopefully, Iger and his crew got the message.