Great Bird comments

Abe's approval rating was indeed always surprisingly high. Support for his policies was constantly low. So the popularity certainly never based on his policies, which were all unpopular and also ineffective.

The GOP’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” isn’t just bold—it’s a decisive rejection of the failed economic policies that have punished working families, stifled entrepreneurs, and pushed retirees to the brink. At long last, we see a plan that prioritizes real Americans: those who clock in every day, who build businesses from nothing, and who deserve to retire with dignity. This is tax relief where it matters most—not for bureaucrats or Beltway elites, but for small business owners, overtime workers, and seniors. It's proof that when we put Americans first—when we reward grit, ambition, and sacrifice—prosperity follows. This is more than policy. It’s a long-overdue course correction.

Oh please. It's proof that if you put Americans first prosperity follows? How can it be proof of that before it happens?

This is not a rejection of failed policies, this is nothing else than another step in the same direction. Extension of what has been done for the last 40 years. Neo-liberalism on steroids. More trickle-down economy. Tax relief for the rich, more pressure to work jobs that don't pay enough for the rest. The fools are told "the holy trickle this time will work! Being poor is a moral failing, work hard, no handouts give money to the rich, it will trickle, like the pee!" and the fools believe it. Real Americans?

I state clearly that it is absolutely impossible for foreigners to truly understand Japanese culture.

And I state clearly that you're wrong. Btw, I've yet to meet a Japanese who truly understands my culture... must be impossible for Japanese to truly understand other cultures!

No more extension. Let the money start rolling in from other countries.

That's not how tariffs work. No money will be coming rolling in. Stuff will get more expensive, tariffs paid by importers of course will be paid by the consumers in the end. Trumps war on poor people looks to be a big success. America is losing.

Fascinating. No mention of the CDP (you could say being the main opposition party it's not minor) or the JCP. The Kyodo articles Japan Today keeps publishing almost seem to want to erase those 2 parties from existence.

Also there is a bit of confusion that everybody be will pay this ( 4,000 people per day ) but this rate only applies to foreign tourist removing the locals from that 4,000 people per day would make a significant difference.

There seems to be confusion indeed. Everybody pays.

There was no civil war.

In 2024 Fenty killed a total of 48,422 souls in the U.S. Alone.

If this is not a genocide then I don't know what genocide is, the U.S. has every right to go after every single supplier, dealer, regardless if it's a Nation or a private company with it's mighty armed forces if it has to.

Other nations are putting dealers and suppliers to death as soon as they are convicted.

Fentanyl of course is mostly a US problem. Instead of whining about genocide, trying to blame everybody else, how about looking how Europeans countries got their Heroin problems under control in the 1980es. And no, it wasn't by killing people.

It's not about what is happening in Japan. It is about whether Ishiba has sent very nice letters and lost several rounds of golf to Trump.

No, Trump doesn't respond to flattery. He thinks it's normal. He responds to criticism with temper tantrums. Flattery? He likes it, but since he expects it, he doesn't give you any special treatment for it. Just refrain from criticism and you're fine if you're a foreign leader, flattery or no flattery won't change anything.

Hm, Japan time in the mood for Japanese far right fringe parties? First Sanseito, a few days later this?

1) It still has absolutely nothing to do with Europe. And the perceived (by deluded far-rightists) catastrophe there.

2) Like Sanseito, Hyakuta's party will disappear, some mergers, some renaming, gone, a new equally fringe party will emerge. As it has been since forever.

3) Japan's racism will change over time of course. Until a very short while ago it was mostly "foreigner-free". Little experience with foreigners, with more workers from Vietnam/Indonesia/China/the Philippines etc coming, there will be more interaction, obviously resulting in a change in attitudes. Less racist people but with harder racism. Emergence of anti-racism too, something which is a bit absent in Japan mostly, a certain (low) level of racism seems almost expected.

Jeffy:

There are two schools of thought on immigration. The first is “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” The second is “When in Rome, do as the Visigoths.” The first reflects the traditional expectation of immigrants to integrate—those who come gradually adopt the culture of the society into which they have come. The second reflects the modern notion of multiculturalism—those who come should keep their culture intact and be respected for it even when that culture clashes with the culture of the society into which they have come.

Laughable. There are no 2 such schools of thought. There's integration and assimilation. France sort of tried/expected assimilation, by now is in the integration camp too. Which is modern multiculturalism. Where you keep, preserve parts of your culture, while adapting to the host countries culture too.

Mate, if I could keep my culture, I wouldn't be considered a xenophobic racist for calling out the unsustainable number of illegal immigrants that have flooded in who care not one thing to assimilate,

Ok, now you want assimilation it seems? But doesn't matter, more important: What part of your culture have you lost?

So you have no formal proof of Japan being a vassal state, just the fact that Japan tends to geopolitically align with the United States, is that what you’re saying? Japan has full autonomy which definitionally distinguishes it as not a vassal state.

Then there have been no vassal states for quite a while. If you want formal proof. Mongolia wasn't a vassal state of the USSR. Etc.

Tends to align geopolitcally? Not in my examples. Iraq was 100% done on demand from the US, Japan saw no reason, had no reason to send non-combatant troops to Iraq, would have been more than happy to continue to just bankroll America's crazy wars, like the Gulf war in the 90es. Wasn't enough for the US, they demanded more, they got more.

Financial crisis? Japan said: Good idea. The US shakes its head. Japan: "We meant bad idea! BAD idea".

2014 ok, that was in Abe's (not Japan's) interest, on that one ok.

Again, under the true definition of the phrase vassal state Japan wouldn’t have a say on how negotiations take place with their ruling state. In fact, there wouldn’t be negotiations at all.

if you want to use a different phrase for the relationship between the U.S. and Japan we can talk about that but dying on this hill of insisting it is a vassal state it just simply definitionally incorrect

You don't like "vassal state". Ok, Lapdog will do. Happy? Also be very careful about your own phrasing if you are against an informal use of "vassal state". I wrote: "Of course calling Japan a vassal state of the US is not completely wrong." That is something very different from what you now falsely claim: "insisting it is a vassal state". If we want precision in words, ok, let's do it, but then no more misstating of what I write.

Of course calling Japan a vassal state of the US is not completely wrong. That doesn't have to be written down anywhere, that doesn't have to be formal, and doesn't have to fit the historic meaning of vassal state. But if Koizumi deploys troops (not for combat) to Iraq after a US request, if Abe reinterpreted article 9 again in 2014, again to the delight of the US. There was something in the Asian financial crisis too, Japan supported some proposal, forgot which or what exactly, but dropped that immediately after the US made it clear that it didn't support that.

Abe looking for a Kim Jong-Un meeting after Trump got one, while Japan was of course 100% opposed to any meetings before that, praising the US for showing the North Koreans the cold shoulder at the Winter Olympics, just to be left on the wrong side after Trump decided to give it a go.

The US orders, Japan mostly follows. Vassal state is overstating it a bit if you get technical, but fits in an informal discussion.

This here though has little to do with that, this is just self-interest and pragmatism Everybody knows Trump is thin-skinned, Japan wants a deal on tariffs. Ishiba would probably follow Trump to the toilet if he could, he isn't going to the NATO thingy anymore because he wouldn't be able to meet Trump. Praising Trump doesn't really work, criticizing him always work, you're on the black list. Since Japan wants that deal, now and fast, a statement showing understanding for whatever Trump is up to, is to be expected. This here actually is the absolute minimum, if there was a meeting this week it probably would not be enough and lead Trump to declare that Japan wasn't being thankful enough to him for sewing peace and keeping Japan safe or whatever, and would end in a no deal. Since the US is much less in a hurry to have meaningful discussion on these tariffs, this probably will do.

And let’s be honest: wearing a mask for three years because of unchallengeable government mandates left many feeling dehumanized and unheard. Is it really so shocking that this would trigger political engagement?

There were no unchallengeable government mandates. There was never a mandate in Japan. Recommendations. Which stayed in place for longer than in other places, yes. But the problem if anything was social pressure. At the start if you walked around without mask it still was ok, there was a shortage. Later yeah, no mask you did get strange looks. And Japan having been masked up because of allergies and working even with the flu, so you work with mask not to infect others, of course it took longer to go majority maskless again.

Left people feel dehumanized? Rightwing snowflakes only, normal people wore a mask and went on with their lives.

Nothing new really, there have been countless japanese far right fringe parties since forever, they come and go. Is this one different? Organic food is new I guess, but for the rest... no, give it 5 years and 6 name changes, 8 reallignements and the party is gone too. Tamogami got 25% of the votes of young voters way back when he wanted to be Governor of Tokyo...

Also it has nothing to do with either MAGA or Western European immigration. Again, these parties existed in Japan way before Trump decided to want to lock Hillary up. And surprisingly Western Europe is completely fine, less crime than 50 years ago, hasn't lost its culture either. It's only a mess in the minds of the deluded.

But who are these evil globalists that control everything, that's what we're never told. The proto-fascist narrative spread with lots of patience here fails already at that point, who controls the puppet?

Ukraine's security btw can be guaranteed without having them join NATO as well, so don't think NATO membership is necessary.

Overtourism isn't a problem in Tokyo. Hotel prices, ok, for the rest? No problem. Give us another 20 millions, Tokyo can absorb that.

The link above is interesting:

The Japanese media has also picked up on a number of incidents that have been particularly shocking, including the case of a US tourist who was arrested for scratching graffiti into a wooden gate at Tokyo's historic Meiji Jingu shrine and that of a Chilean influencer who filmed herself performing pull-ups on a sacred torii gate at a Shinto shrine. Another foreigner was caught on video kicking a deer in the ancient capital of Nara.

Interesting because that's 3 incidents in what, a year? There doesn't seem to be an epidemic of incidents. Yes yes, we could find a few more. Also I was under the impression that the deer kicker was Japanese, no?

Who called RFK Jr "the world's biggest liberal lunatic" - then made him HHS Secretary?

Why hypocrisy? Being the world's biggest lunatic is the ideal qualification for a job under Trump! He probably simply forgot about the 'liberal' part.

Stopping the war, Trump's ego playing tricks on him once again. The one war that Trump could indeed stop, is the one Israel is waging vs Iran, but he clearly isn't interested.

Nor was it funding terrorism prior to 2022.

That Iran was or is indeed doing. Same as Israel.

Ukraine wasn't developing a nuclear bomb in contravention of UNSC resolutions.

Neither is Iran.

It's obviously not for Sendai. The train would have to ride incredibly slowly for a night train to Sendai making sense. Aomori, Akita, possibly Yamagata?

Should just re-introduce the old night train to Sapporo though...

What overseas consumer would choose to buy Japanese rice when there are so many cheaper alternatives available?

Does this guy know the only reason why the domestic market is buying Japanese rice is because the Japanese government puts a tariff on imported rice (up to 700%)?

In a free market the demand for Japanese rice would plummet. Yet this guy thinks the world wants it.

Fascinating.

You didn't get his point I think.

In a free market the price of japanese rice would indeed collapse. Not because of imports, but overproduction in Japan. So acreage reduction to keep the farmers income at a certain level. What he's saying is: Export! Don't reduce acreage. At the current prices of course nobody will buy Japanese rice, but at the *normal" prices of course there's a market for high quality japanese rice. Now Japan seems intent on trying that, he says that he's been saying that for decades

Trump is just not going to stand for any rioting, that’s it.

That's wrong. Trump is pro-riots.

Clear, hold the criminals to account

Trump has pardoned the criminals

The lack of trash cans of course is ridiculous. The defenders of that here even more.

Japanese? They dislike it as much as everybody else, they are just a) used to it b) have their daily routine and c) are in shoganai mode.

Tourists: Good that they are there, since they are not used to it they complain.

But who could empty those trash bins? A question the whole world has been pondering, a solution seems impossible, it simply can't be done! We have to wait for AI to develop further to ask that question I guess. Or we could try thinking ourselves.. ah no, there is no solution..

As for the Romans, Japan of course is incredibly dirty. Countryside, cars, bikes, friges, microwaves, explore a forest near a road near a city/town/village, it's amazing. Cities? Clean, yes. (But so are many Europeans cities, despite the claim to the contrary) Trash cans wouldn't make them dirtier. One reason for the lack of trash bins is the fear that the romans would dispose of their household trash there. The whole Aum and terrorism thing at this point is just a pretext.

Do shoplifters actually go to prison in Japan?

Of course there are fines for cyclists in Germany and the Netherlands too. For much the same things that are proposed here. So if anything Japan lags behind in punitive rules vs cyclists. It lags waaaay behind in infrastructure too though.

AntiquesavingToday 10:10 pm JST

Try doing the 10' drive by bicycle next time. And see how enjoyable the dodge the car game is. With cars parked in your cycling lane, car's standing on pedestrian crossings because the light changed while they were there. Cars no yielding a mm because they know they are stronger than the cyclist.

The problem isn't lack of bike lanes or car drivers etc... the problem is cyclist not knowing, not following, not understanding the rules of the road and in many cases simple physics that a multi-ton vehicle cannot stop instantly as the cyclist drat out.

Actually wrong, the problem is lack of bike lanes. Car drivers are the problem. Or to put it another way, people with your mindset are the problem. Paraphrasing a bit "Cyclists have all they want, but they break the rules. Me and my fellow drivers? Faultless, we're not the problem." No. Cyclists not following the rules are indeed part of the problem. As is the lack of cycling infrastructure, as are car drivers. Did you follow this rule today? And every day? "The April 2026 laws also include...cars, when passing a bicycle must leave 1.5m between the car and bicycle." (quoted from Ossan)

Also the assumption that accidents on intersection are basically because of cyclists ignoring the traffic rules will need some evidence. Let's do your gambling idea... get a nice intersection tomorrow and look at the % of cyclists following the rules.

Jeffy

Going with the flow of traffic poses the greater risk to cyclists. The statistics clearly support this conclusion.

Can you do the same with car accidents? I think interpreting the results in the same manner will clearly support the conclusion that for cars as well, going with the flow of traffic poses the greater risk. Especially on the highway, pretty sure there's less accidents involving doing it the safe way and going against traffic. Also if in a 2 storey house it's safer to take the stairs or jump out of the window from the second floor. I think the stats will show that taking the stairs is the riskier method.

Going against the flow of traffic clearly is a dumb idea. Use the sidewalk, since it is in fact allowed in Japan (if not using is seems dangerous)

AntiquesavingToday 07:57 pm JST

I'll pass on the trip, but looked at it on google street view.

Looks pretty good to me. Clearly demarcated, with a line, the line that is usually missing. Looks wide enough, not overly wide, but enough, wider than the average lineless stuff we usually get. And it's actually road, not half of it the slightly inclined gutter, as if often the case. (South part though looks a bit like that) 8/10 first impression. Downgraded to 7/10 after clicking around a bit. That's still way better than the usual rating those cycle lanes get. It looks like closer to Tokyo Dome the lane gets narrower though. And the first place I looked, had to laugh a bit. Saw 2 cars parked on the cycling lane... but ok, clicking around must really have gotten the worst place to start.

How to make it a 10/10: Only a line, a barrier would be better. Those parking spots next to it... horrible for cyclists. Guess on which side the drivers regularly open their doors without looking back? And when there's a truck parked that then uses half the cycling lane as well... But if all of Tokyo had this cycling infrastructure, would be a big improvement. Or at least all new roads, but they don't.

The problems: Looking at street view lots of people still on the sidewalk. On the north end in a one place there's even a sign that splits the side walk in a cyclists and pedestrian zone. Weird. Force cyclists on the lane. People not following the rules? Increase police presence. For a bit at least. Hand out fines to the car drivers. Because as much as you rant against the evil cyclists, on street view you see multiple cases of drivers making the basically well done cycling lane rather unsafe. Parking in it. Some cars half driving in it. So even though the city did every effort to create what one of the safest bike lanes around, drivers just cannot seem to follow the rules... (that's a quote with one word changed btw) Hand out the blue tickets etc to the cyclists too. And get them off the sidewalk, there is a cycling lane. Not only drivers have to get used to cyclists on the road (and realize cycling lanes are not for stopping or driving in) cyclists have to get used to the cycling lanes too. If 95% (or more) of the roads you ride on don't have anything really qualifying as cycling lanes when you hit the one road that has, you'll often continue doing what you usually do. Ride on the sidewalk.

Can't comment on your numbers, 50%, 90%, somehow suspect it's a bit of hyperbole there, but accept that there's probably a lot.

barrel through red lights especially pedestrian crossings but they are also the first to get upset and even violent when a car gets to close to them, funny how that works!

Funny indeed. Those nasty cyclists don't enjoy cars almost touching them when cycling, how dare they. But yes, very funny. Almost as funny as car drivers. They don't stop at pedestrian crossing without traffic light (depends a lot on which admittedly, one near where I live has an almost 100% stop rate, another one not too far away had maybe 10%, somehow gone up lately, probably 50/50 now) they stop in cycling lanes, they drive in cycling lanes, when there is none they will ride as far left as possible, even if there's a cyclist there, they will stop right on the left side not leaving a cm of free space at traffic lights. But they are also the first to get upset and even violent, when a cyclist dares to insist on his rights. Funny how THAT works!

The problem with the sidewalks is that it's so ingrained that it's ok to ride on the sidewalk that everybody does it. Always and everywhere. And yes, it is ok. In basically every situation for everybody. It's forbidden, except if it feels dangerous on the road, result is that it always feels dangerous on the road.

There's a Sakura street near where I live, 2 lanes, not too busy with traffic, sidewalks on both sides, with all the trees every 10 meters or so you can't even walk next to each other. Cyclists? 80% on the sidewalk. The police on their bicycle patrols? Yes, they are on the sidewalk. Will people get fined for cycling there under new rules? No, because nobody can ride fast with pedestrians and trees. But should they cycle there? No. First step would be to clearly forbid riding on the sidewalk in places like that.

Then antiquesaving says it's hard to put in cycling lanes in old roads. Ok. What they mostly do is just slap that blue cycling sign on the road, which I guess has very little effect. But then new roads? Take the pretty new road next to Shinjuku Gyoen, from Shinjuku sanchome towards Yoyogi station. Big roads, 2 lanes in each direction, one way a tunnel, one way an overpass. Did they put a cycling lane there? No, of course not. There's the blue cyclist picture on it as usual. And everybody rides on the sidewalk. Of course. Which is actually not a big problem there. BUT if you are serious about the whole thing, you simply should have put a separated bike lane there. Separated from the sidewalk and from the road. But they didn't. Why? Makes no sense. The painted blue cyclists with the arrows is completely pointless, at the very least you have to make a line on the road there to have some clear indication to everybody, this is not only where cyclists should ride, but also where cars shouldn't be. Ok for old roads, for new ones like this one, separated bike lanes. Get people used to ride on the rode as much as possible. Get drivers used to bicycles not being on the sidewalk.

The threat of fines, while all stays very much in the gray zone (regarding the sidewalk issue) won't see any change. The start should be: You need to clearly forbid sidewalk cycling (for everybody, no exceptions) on certain sidewalk, put up signs. And on new roads consistently have bike lanes. Separated ones. Where again, riding on the sidewalk then becomes fineable. That's a start. For the sidewalk issue, which annoys me both as a pedestrian (you're always on the lookout for the cyclist sneaking up on you from behind) and as a cyclist, ride on something slightly bigger, Shin Ome kaido, Koshuu kaido, and cars pass so close to you on the road that it actually does feel better to slowly ride on the much safer narrow sidewalk. That's because nobody is used to you being on that road as a cyclist. Forget the blue arrows, make a clear line.

That most of those foreign students are the children of global liberal politicians?

Hm, can you give us some example of global liberal politicians? Or at least a definition.