Posted in: Western officials suspect Russia behind plot to put incendiary packages on cargo planes See in context
He was examined in a Russian laboratory. A very high-level toxicology laboratory.
So, you mean a Russian laboratory examined Navalny and found that Navalny was not poisoned by Russia? Okaaaaayyy. You don't think there is anything untrustworthy about that?
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: Over the next few days, millions of Americans will learn that someone they loathe will be president of the U.S. How can the winner unify the country? See in context
Think of it this way too. What unites human beings is ultimately love. It's hardly in abundance in the US but those on one side are so cut off from it that they likely deride its role in human affairs.
-4 ( +0 / -4 )
Posted in: Can Japan play a role in bringing peace in the Middle East and Ukraine? See in context
A strong step would be a break with of relations with Israel as Mexico and some other countries already did.
Perhaps you could tell us what kind of relationship Japan has with Israel, diobrando. For all my time of observation of Japanese foreign policy it has never been as blatantly pro-Israel as the US. The reason is that Japan's reliance on Middle East oil has encouraged it to keep a low profile so as not to upset oil-exporting countries. This repeated narrative in this forum that Japan is completely a tool of the US foreign policy, once again, is so far away from the facts that people either want to believe it or have an agenda in echoing it without thought.
0 ( +4 / -4 )
Posted in: Western officials suspect Russia behind plot to put incendiary packages on cargo planes See in context
As if Russian security forces were not capable of it. Some will be telling us the never did try to poison the Skripals or Navalny. It was all an elaborate psyops plot by the West. I mean, what planet do these people live on? One where Putin is the good guy? I want whatever they are on.
0 ( +1 / -1 )
Posted in: Australia, India say U.S. election result won't impact Quad group See in context
Some just believe what they wanna believe. If he gets in, check back in 4 years. But the real point is whether he can be trusted by allies (even personal ones). The answer to that is clear.
3 ( +5 / -2 )
Posted in: China's latest cry for more babies may fall on deaf ears See in context
I wish I felt sorry but, if a society cannot reproduce itself, maybe there is something badly wrong with that society. And this applies everywhere.
-3 ( +7 / -10 )
Posted in: Australia, India say U.S. election result won't impact Quad group See in context
You talked to who? Pompeo? What does he know? You'd have to be pretty naive to believe that, if Trump gets elected, nothing would change. He will assess whether it benefits him personally and, if not, things would definitely change. And, Australia, would you really be happy to be in partnership with a possible fascist dictatorship? China might even look more attractive if Trump undermines US democracy.
-1 ( +5 / -6 )
Posted in: Can Japan play a role in bringing peace in the Middle East and Ukraine? See in context
With its mantra of "world peace" as practically the only principle that can be universalised - that is not simply particular to Japan - Japan does remarkably little to help as any kind of broker. One would imagine, when any conflict or disagreement broke out, that Japanese diplomats would hope to be first on the scene but they usually seem to keep their heads down. Of course, I am expecting that to be heavily downvoted by the thin-skinned but I will be happy if anyone can show me a consistent level of interventions that have yielded any results at all.
-6 ( +4 / -10 )
Posted in: Over the next few days, millions of Americans will learn that someone they loathe will be president of the U.S. How can the winner unify the country? See in context
I don't believe either candidate can unify the country. But one of them certainly doesn't want to.
3 ( +5 / -2 )
Posted in: Service industry takes stand against customer abuse in 'polite' Japan See in context
I think the trope of great customer service in Japan is overblown myself. Sure there are sleights of hand to get you focus on what you are being given, like excessive welcoming of customers into shops or some elaborate packaging but for a large part it is: you will get what you are given and like it.
-7 ( +15 / -22 )
Posted in: World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, in orbit around Earth See in context
Who knows, maybe wooden rockets powered by burning wood next.
-4 ( +4 / -8 )
Posted in: Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91 See in context
BTW There is a very good Netflix doco about Jones.
3 ( +3 / -0 )
Posted in: Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91 See in context
I just love the fact that he apparently once said that the Beatles were poor musicians.
My God, is that all you can think to say about him?
4 ( +5 / -1 )
Posted in: People should be thorough in taking basic precautions to stop the spread of the disease, such as mask wearing and washing hands. See in context
True, virusrex. Many Japanese are still wearing masks in the open air on a windy day or alone in cars so getting them to wear them again should be no problem.
-5 ( +12 / -17 )
Posted in: Japan's soy sauce exports in 2023 top ¥10 bil amid 'washoku' boom See in context
It is fast becoming as ubiquitous as Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Olive oil, Chilli sauce or any of the many condiments that cooks use world wide.
Yeah, but I prefer Maggi sauce, like in Thailand. I even put it on toast with butter.
-3 ( +1 / -4 )
Posted in: The growing scourge of plastic pollution See in context
The observing alien says: "You are an absolute blight on your beautiful planet. You were raised on one of the most equable places in the galaxy and all you want to do is uglify it and make it less hospitable. What have you done of any consequence in your destructive history? You are humiliating yourselves every single day."
0 ( +2 / -2 )
Posted in: Trump increases violent rhetoric; Harris vows Gaza peace in final hours See in context
Inequality deepened under Trump obviously; that's what happens when you lavish tax cuts and welfare on corporations and the wealthy.
Some people are immune to facts. They believe what they want to believe. Trump included. Trump is beyond redemption, as are most narcissists and psychopaths, but if only people would examine what they want to believe and why, there might some fruitful discourse and solutions.
16 ( +18 / -2 )
Posted in: Your next favorite story won’t be written by AI – but it could be some day See in context
It can mimic humans and for most people that will be good enough, especially if they have grown up on a diet of inauthenticity anyway. Can AI create an allegory of the ineffable? Or will it be more interested in the lowest common denominator of an increasingly dumbed-down humanity, in part dumbed down by the tech and its nerds. Yes, I can see it as an intensification of the capture of humanity by the machine, especially as we are being hemmed in by the digital panopticon the IT nerds are building brick by brick.
-1 ( +1 / -2 )
Posted in: Climate change driving 'record threats to health': report See in context
Yes, we get it, Zaphod, you don't want to believe it. All the rest is self-serving sophistry.
-1 ( +6 / -7 )
Posted in: Japan plans automated cargo transport system to relieve shortage of drivers See in context
Or how about we stop buying so much crap?
-4 ( +6 / -10 )
Posted in: Points cards are popular at many shops and other places of businesses in Japan. How many do you have? See in context
One.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Hello Kitty turns 50 See in context
I used to see more 50-year-old women contrive themselves to be cutesy in the old days. Are they still around?
-7 ( +0 / -7 )
Posted in: We have conducted a thorough study and determined that there are no obstacles. I hope that the central government will tackle this issue head-on. See in context
I suppose it is something anyway.
-1 ( +2 / -3 )
Posted in: Chairman of TEPCO during Fukushima nuclear disaster dies at 84 See in context
After prosecutors dropped the case, Katsumata and two other former executives were indicted in 2016 by a citizens' inquest of prosecution and forced to stand trial in the only criminal case related to the Fukushima disaster.
Prosecutors forced into having to take one for the team (team Japan Inc) by the citizens. Wonder where the Supreme Court will go. Maybe they can hang it out until everyone is dead. Not like that never happened before.
1 ( +5 / -4 )
Posted in: 'CEO of supercute': Hello Kitty turns 50 See in context
Another cultural phenom Japan has given the world; along with Pac-Man, Pokémon, Godzilla, Shonen Knife, Transformers, SONY, karaoke, etc
Not much of a list, is it really?
-7 ( +4 / -11 )
Posted in: Trump boards a garbage truck to draw attention to Biden remark See in context
The nasty left always struggle to hide their disdain and disgust for normal, everyday Americans.
True. I think they are pretty dumb though. But so is humanity in general. People voting or supporting Trump just highlights the gross stupidity of our species. We could have been something better. Now we are gonna squabble over the ruins of civilisation.
6 ( +16 / -10 )
Posted in: North Korean troops in Russian uniforms heading toward Ukraine, U.S. says See in context
Some people seem to want Russia to win so much they can create all kinds of sophistry now for North Korean troops being there. I wonder what feelings that is based on. Love for authoritarianism? Father issues? Support for might is right? Hatred of the US? There is really no rational reason. Are you happy to have Putin's nihilistic, callous attitude, even towards his own people, universalised? What is it guys? What really motivates your deep, dark feelings?
-2 ( +3 / -5 )
Posted in: North Korean troops in Russian uniforms heading toward Ukraine, U.S. says See in context
Two countries, two leaders, Kim and Putin, who care nothing for their soldiers and people. They are just tools for the dictators.
7 ( +9 / -2 )
Posted in: FIFA announces first Club World Cup sponsor with Chinese electronics firm branding VAR checks See in context
Seems like an incentive to have more VAR checks.
1 ( +2 / -1 )
Posted in: Japan protests U.N. call for reviewing male-only imperial succession See in context
How dare the UN very much, Japan imperial succession is a matter, and ONLY a matter for Japan nation its people.
Well, the people are fine with a female emperor, according to the polls. Does that count for something? If so then maybe time for the UN to put a little pressure on those resisting. After all, Japan signed up for scrutiny, even if it doesn't like the result.
3 ( +7 / -4 )
Posted in: China removes its buoy from Japan's EEZ near Senkakus
Posted in: Why so many marriages in Japan are sexless – and what you can do about it
I wonder what variety the apple are, is it a common variety or are they one of the varieties that…
Posted in: Apple harvest threatened after heavy snow blankets Aomori
Posted in: Trump pushes for plastic straws as he declares paper ones 'don’t work'