Toshihiro comments

I remember going through a phase where I would attend every comic con there was in my country, and remember a feeling of belongingness and happiness. It was like a festival for people with the same interests. It was great. I think you could compare this to sporting events such as the world cup. Aside from the actual sport itself, the gathering of like-minded people over a common interest creates that sacred feeling.

All I know is this, people can gamble on anything and can bet on anything. I've seen people gambling over a board game and a basketball game. I personally don't gamble and I don't endorse it, but I get why people get hooked. The Japanese are just like people from other parts of the globe, some like to gamble. That's why there's pachinko parlors and there's shops nearby that buy the ball bearings you win.

never tried this workweek but a close friend does, here's what she told me

pros: you have one extra day to live. this is more pronounced if you live far away.

cons: you have almost little to no time to do chores and do other things after work since you're tired.

If you ask me, a compressed workweek is best for people who live close to their workplace and can manage to do their chores with little to no time.

It's just a perceived precious metal. As other commenters said, it's based on historical narratives. It's rare and looks pretty, but doesn't have much practical application. The water-diamond paradox comes to mind. The recent pandemic puts this into perspective, what good is a bar of gold or any precious metal when you can't but food because shops are closed.

Yes, especially Japan. When backpacking, you're less likely encumbered by a heavy suitcase and can travel to more remote and niche areas, something that Japan has lots of. I keep telling people that Japan isn't just Tokyo and Osaka, it has lots of hidden gems in the countryside. If you're also doing backpacking, chances are you're not the fast-paced and high-rolling traveler as well, which is great for the countryside as you won't see much neon lights and rowdy bars there. Plus, Japan has a great public transport network and is significantly safer than most countries, so backpacking is better to do there than other places.

It stands firm with Ukraine and will provide all logistical support on its defense against the Russian invasion, as well as ensuring that those that wish to seek asylum in Japan will be given. At the time where we're too intertwined and interdependent, there shouldn't be a lukewarm response on global matters like this. What happens in Ukraine could also happen in other global hotspots, including two at Japan's doorstep.

It's easy to be complacent and apathetic when disasters are just seen on tv as opposed to seeing them through your window.

80% is a credible percentage of the population. I guess behind the ultra polite and considerate facade of the average Japanese, the archaic side still resides where unwavering wills prevail and punishments are harsh.

A fair comparison on the quality between Chinese-made and Japanese-made EVs are on those small motorcycles and scooters. They're a boom in my country and I've seen Honda electric scooters alongside Chinese-made ones in our streets. The edge the Japanese-made ones have is service life and quality. A neighboring office has a Honda Sundiro SO7 and has been in use for quite some time. Meanwhile, I know several people who own China-made EVs and complain about replacement parts and aftermarket service.

This is also true for their gas-powered motorcycles. Chinese-made ones are hard to repair, but Japanese ones are a breeze.

It's a cascading effect. Large data centers consume lots of electricity, bumping up the demand for power in their area. If the local power provider can't provide enough power for all users, energy reserves will run low, heightening the risk of power outages during peak consumption periods such as winter and summer. If the energy provider does bump up their output and their means of production is through dirty means such as coal and fossil fuel, more emissions will go up in the air, ruining the environment in the long run.

I think we probably won't need an explanation on why more emissions are bad for the environment. With the advent of AI and more industries leaning more on big data, more massive data centers will exist. If you ask me, they are the new polluters. Let's not even get started on mining for rechargeable batteries.

China will never overtake Japan in the automotive business, even in EVs. It's just that China has a stronger industrial complex and its government can strong arm its manufacturing sector, which is probably why we get a boom in China-made EVs. I personally don't hate China-made EVs, I just won't trust them as much.

I have a classmate living there and says there's no place she'd rather be. Life there is slow, peaceful and there's lots of nature. Jobs are relatively easier to find as despite being a countryside due to population centers and resorts.

The local artisan-made ones that are just known in their area. I find that artisan-made chocolates taste more like chocolate should, you can find the cocoa beans in there with a hint of bitterness and sweetness. I'd argue that commercially-made ones taste more like sugar.

I lost a good friend since high school when we were 26 due to cancer as well. He survived bone cancer, only to succumb to complications and lack of proper healthcare during covid. I know that this isn't the same essence as her story, I'm just saying that cancer is also getting to us younger generations and staying healthy has never been harder considering the pace of modern life.

Good on her for keeping that fighting spirit alive and choosing to fight even when the odds are against her. I remember one saying that stuck to me from a survival manual that says the only true defeat is death, anything else is a battle in your head.

My situational awareness changes depending on the setting, time of day, and who I'm with. These reports of course raise the hairs on the back of your neck for some time, and that's good because it reminds you to stay sharp. @Hawk sums it up nicely:

While you can take certain precautions, you can't live your life being ruled by fear. Sometimes bad stuff is just going to happen.

My advice for this is to stay vigilant, but not paranoid. And always wear something you can move quickly and freely in.

I'd argue and lower the bar at people have become poor at even conversing in text, especially at long conversations and their ability to comprehend. I can't count how many times somebody got mad at me or got confused from reading my comment because they couldn't understand the nuances or the message between the lines. In terms of speaking conversations, the presence of the phone makes it unpleasant. I find it that people can't seem to last more than 10 minutes without checking their phone. Call me old but during the smart phone boom of the 2010's the people who check their phones that much were mostly high-level executives or just people who were chronically busy.

I thankfully can cope will with hay fever so I never felt the need to take extra precautions. From experience, have some antipyretic such as paracetamol in your home. To quell the irritated airways, I recommend doing a steam bath (basin of hot saltwater and cover yourself up with a blanket and inhale that steam). This never fails for me.

Osaka is more laid-back and rowdier, catering to more foreigners. From what I noticed from fellow foreigners, Tokyo is a gateway to Japan, with others moving to smaller and more laid-back cities. Osaka is a major city but not as stiff, confusing and stifling as Tokyo. In short, Osaka is more livable for us foreigners.

oligarchy is in, democracy out. Just look at Trumps inauguration event and look at who are the people he's standing beside, it's the multi-billionaires. He's going to lead America into being isolationist and full head-on focus on the economy.

I have ideas but they won't be glamorous or profound:

sell all food for a lower price at the end of each working day. some bakeries do this.

donate still decent leftovers to volunteer-run soup kitchens and give away said food to anybody who'd like a hot meal for cheap or for free (this would save my bacon if I lived alone)

let the staff take these leftovers for free

allow customers to take home their left overs

if said food is no longer fit for human consumption, then give it to pig farms or as compost. give back to the soil what it has given to you.

> dobre vam zajebavaToday  08:53 am JST

Switch to a vegetable that's in season.

My grandparents did so all of their life and yes-they did not missed a fresh cabbage in middle of winter.

Be less spoilt and more reasonable.Eat lettuce for example.

Or pay a market price and stop moaning around.

1( +1 / -0 )

I was going to say this, let's not forget that some foods are seasonal. Yes, climate change plays a part but, a lot can be also said by how insanely consumeristic we have become. Aren't there any alternatives to cabbage? there's lots of good veggies out there, why not just pick a substitute?

voted for yes, but democracy done moderately. not too liberal like what we're seeing in the US, but not too strict like in a lot of countries where authoritarianism thrives. I don't have a specific country in mind, but the general rule is the people should have the power to vote out the head of state and any laws that the public deems unfit.

authoritarianism is on the rise under the guise of strong leaders who peddle distorted views on nationalism.

if there was ever a human-powered device that can carry loads over long distances without much complex mechanisms, it's the rickshaw. I wonder if there have been attempts to rickshaw their way through the Eurasian landmass or at least across the length of Japan? It's been done by bike before, it can probably be done by rickshaw.

wow, I never knew that Sunfish enjoyed interaction. I wonder how would they fair in the wild? It's a vast ocean out there and interactions are probably rare and potentially deadly for a sunfish. Again, an interesting article, thanks JT.

Those who make "old man" sounds excessively loud throat clearing every 3 minutes, sucking their teeth, doing that "tch" sound when they get irritated at something, among others.

Guys like these are just rageworthy. He should pick on something his own size, preferably a wild boar or a bear.

A similar approach is done in Southeast Asia where emergency responders would arrive via motorcycles, and there's even a motorcycle ambulance. I don't see why this can't be done in Japan that has better roads and significantly less traffic. You can use a large ATV and have a trailer that can tow a stretcher if need be. That and deploying emergency workers via small amphibious boats would be great. If at all, Japan should be at the cutting edge of disaster response since it would (sadly) be useful for the country as disasters are frequent.

To think that the guy's a doctor and should know that coughing is difficult to control. I get that hearing somebody coughing and sniffling in a perfectly silent train is annoying, but give those people some sympathy. It's not like they're doing it to ruin your day.

That's what happens when society puts money and progress first over sustainability, people become too tired and discouraged to have their own family. I'm a single millennial and in this economy, I'm choosing not to have a kid because I can't afford it and I can't ensure a good future for them.

We should be aware that when people problematize the shrinking population idea, they mostly concern themselves about the economy. It's not bad, but they're missing the point. They shouldn't count on the population to constantly grow just so they can keep those charts pointing upwards like they're some financial investment.

Kofu in Yamanashi

I think it would depend on many factors. Generally, the Japanese aren't physical in their greetings, I can't count how many times I've gotten confused looks by extending my hand for a handshake. In my home country (the Philippines), hugging and kissing on the cheeks used to be commonplace among the older generations. The pandemic changed those norms. It would also depend on the culture of that place. Let's just say that certain social movements in the past years have ruined these otherwise friendly and warm greetings.