Japan

[shuize]

I've been out of practice a long time, so maybe things have changed.

Back then, it was common for big firms to hire new law grads on the condition they pass the bar.*

If they did not pass on the first try, they were usually fired.

Firms that offered one second chance were considered very generous.

But I can't recall ever hearing of keeping someone who failed twice.

The former princess' husband is apparently in a special category.


* In my case, I was only hired at the PD's office after I passed the bar.

[Doctor X]

I have no idea what firm he works for, what they do, whom they represent, so allow me to discourse in great deal on the subject.

He is a celebrity.

Perhaps he will attract celebrity Japanese clients.

Or maybe she just gave them her "doe eyes."

– J.D.

[shuize]

I have no idea what firm he works for, what they do, whom they represent, so allow me to discourse in great deal on the subject.

He is a celebrity.

Perhaps he will attract celebrity Japanese clients.

Or maybe she just gave them her "doe eyes."

– J.D.

Yes, it may be a Japan affiliated firm.

In which case, bad PR to fire him.

But "Oh, sure, young man, take as many tries as you need" is not how that profession usually works.

At least, that's not how it worked in my day.*


* Get off my lawn!

[Ben Trovado]

I have no idea what firm he works for, what they do, whom they represent, so allow me to discourse in great deal on the subject.

He is a celebrity.

Perhaps he will attract celebrity Japanese clients.

Or maybe she just gave them her "doe eyes."

– J.D.

Yes, it may be a Japan affiliated firm.

In which case, bad PR to fire him.

But "Oh, sure, young man, take as many tries as you need" is not how that profession usually works.

At least, that's not how it worked in my day.*


* Get off my lawn!

I have an easement.

[shuize]

It's taken Japanese media a couple days to get up to speed, but now they're starting to ask questions.

「小室圭さん 司法試験2度目の不合格で雇用に黄色信号…夫婦で“収入ゼロ”の可能性も」

Loose translation: "Hey, how does that guy still have a job? Or a visa?"

Jokes aside, I sort of feel bad for Komuro-kun. He's apparently trying to study for the bar while working. People do it, but I'm sure it sucks. As a comparison, our hero studied for 8 ~ 10 hours a day for two months. No outside job. And I was probably considered a bit of a slacker. Komuro-kun has the whole world watching on a test that he's already failed twice.

The linked article estimates rent on their New York apartment around $4,000 per month. It also estimates he's earning around $50,000 per year as a legal assistant. The former princess is apparently putting her master's degree in "Art Museum and Gallery Studies" to use by "working" on a volunteer basis.* The math obviously doesn't work. They're either burning through savings or getting outside assistance. If I were him and I desperately wanted to be a lawyer in America, I think I'd try to find a way to quit the job and focus on bar study full time. Famous or not, if he fails a third time, he's going to be in serious trouble for both work and visa.


* Don't ever say women don't pull their weight! (Ha! Ha!)


https://www.msn.com/ja-jp/news/opinion/ ... 527b5b6115

[Doctor X]

He has other avenues the Japanese will accept:

https://i.imgur.com/1AY6CqU.png

– J.D.

[Doctor X]

Meanwhile, the Bugger'd by Colonists site has an interesting article on the infamous "Did Not Know the War was Over! Ha! What a Stupid Jap!" case.

I have not had time to cut up the article and give my Learn'd Yet Humble, but MagNIfIcent, Bon Mothingies. Here it is:

The Article

I think such a character is "found" on Gilligan's Island.

Or was it Lost in Space?

When I first heard of him, it was packaged as a sort of Noble Buffoon. You almost rooted for his persistence. Of course, back then as a Wee Spud, I was unaware of the intentional pervasive crimes against humanity demanded by the Japanese military.

Over time, reading about him, I realized he was a criminal. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Brought home, he quickly became the darling of the Ruling Right of Japan. He would become the Angry Old Man denouncing how soft the "younguns" have become. How much better when they were happy to fly themselves into a barbarian ship for the Emperor.

Or rape a girl then disembowel her.

In his "memoirs" he – Heavens to Betsy – neglected to mention some of his crimes against humanity.

Ooopsie.

I, frankly, do not think he did not believe Japan lost. I do not believe his excuses that he felt all of the newspapers left for him, all of the Japanese broadcasts were "FAKE NEWS!"

I think he feared being caught.

The motivation of all criminals.

In the rain.

– J.D.

[Anaxagoras]

I, frankly, do not think he did not believe Japan lost. I do not believe his excuses that he felt all of the newspapers left for him, all of the Japanese broadcasts were "FAKE NEWS!"

I think he feared being caught.

The motivation of all criminals.

In the rain.

– J.D.

Yeah, I had similar thoughts myself.

I don't know much about the story except what Dan Carlin talked about on his podcast. But, he did mention that he killed some people. That is, after the war and civilians. Frankly he got off easy as did a lot of Japanese. A few near the very top of the command structure were held accountable, but those below, and the one at the tippy top got a pass.

[Doctor X]

There was the "fear of Communism," certainly, but I think frankly the Allies did not care that Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, et cetera were slaughtered.

– J.D.

[Anaxagoras]

[Doctor X]

Speaking of grooming:



That her doxology is not actually "written in the Bible" should not, at all, dissuade her. Mayhaps it is in the Japanese Bible where Ezekiel 25:17 is not actually Ezekiel 25:17.

To take this seriously, and not to beat up on an Empty-Headed-but-Eager-to-Please . . . much, how many on the "Right" side screaming about "groomers" would support her grooming of their . . . CHILDREN?!1!!

Wibble.

– J.D.

[Doctor X]

https://www.japanpowered.com/wp-content ... i.jpg.webp

– J.D.

[shuize]

「知床観光船事故 不明なお16人、捜索範囲拡大 10人死亡確認」

Ten dead and sixteen missing* from a sightseeing boat off the cost of Shiretoko in northeastern Hokkaido.

Other sightseeing boat captains and local fishermen reportedly warned this captain against going out in the rough weather.

Even better, the boat was reportedly damaged in a previous grounding incident with cracks in the bow, and based on reports of how it went down,** the suspicion is that repairs were not done or done very poorly.


* It's not in the article, but I think I heard the water temperature was near freezing. If they went in, they're gone.

** As noted in the article, the emergency radio call said "sinking bow first."

https://www.msn.com/ja-jp/news/national ... uxbndlbing

[Anaxagoras]

Story in English:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61212761

Lots of unfortunate circumstances involved here.

But rescue would not arrive within an hour, or even two. The first coastguard helicopter would not reach the Kashuni Falls until more three hours after the first distress call was received.

The north-east coast of Hokkaido is known as a "blind spot" for rescue services.

The closest helicopter base is 160km (100 miles) away. But on Saturday the closest coastguard chopper was out on another operation. It had to fly back to its base, refuel, and then head north to Shiretoko. By the time it arrived there was only 90 minutes of daylight left.

This may prompt a review of safety procedures for these boats. I wonder if they had known whether any of the passengers would have attempted to abandon ship and swim for shore. Not clear exactly how far from shore they were, but apparently the boat approaches very close so that people can spot bears on the shore. If it's less than a kilometer away and the ship is about to sink anyway, I think I would at least attempt it. On the other hand, if they believed that the Coast Guard would arrive soon, they might have been told that it was safer to wait on the ship until the rescuers arrive. :notsure:

(and even if you do make it to shore, what about the bears? :o )

[Doctor X]

Or THE BEES MURDER HORNETS!!1!!! AND KOREANS . . . NO . . . WAIT!

– J.D.

[Doctor X]

Meanwhile . . . in Engrish:



– J. "Warn a Pervert!" D.

[Doctor X]

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/cont ... Ningyo.jpg

面白い

– J.D.

[shuize]

They found the boat.

海底に船体、「カズワン」の文字確認 知床・カシュニの滝付近

The article says "in the area" of the Kashuni waterfall.

Not sure what that means though.

I wonder if, like the Korean ferryboat several years ago, it was a case of the crew telling the passengers to stay inside while the boat went down.

If it was anywhere near the coast, I would have been tempted to swim for it.

On the other hand, maybe they did and it was just too cold.

https://www.msn.com/ja-jp/news/national ... 092fb4ef40

[shuize]

Latest reports say they found the boat on the bottom about 1km from the waterfall.

Damn. Almost seems like a swimmable distance.

But I guess cold water and currents argue otherwise.

[shuize]

For our Japanese readers here, this story was amusing all around.

I read the headline and thought, "Wait, what?"

「おもちゃの小切手で愛人契約を…48歳男「自分の欲に勝てず」

The article explains.

「男は、おもちゃの小切手を使って愛人契約を結ぼうとしていました。東京・港区のホテルで偽造した600万円の小切手を20代の女性に渡したとして、48歳の無職の男が逮捕されました ... 容疑者は、おもちゃの小切手に判子などを押して本物と偽り、600万円の支払いを約束して女性に愛人契約を持ち掛けたということです。

But I especially liked this part.

「不審に思った女性が警視庁に110番通報して発覚しました。」

Loose translation:

Unemployed and apparently homeless 48-year-old guy attempts to entice a 20-something woman into a "mistress contract" offering as consideration a "toy"* check for approximately $50,000. The "totally not a prostitute" suspects something might not be legit and contacts police.


* I guess they mean "phony," but the Japanese is "toy."


https://www.msn.com/ja-jp/news/national ... 2dfb54421b

[Doctor X]

Sort of wondered what "toy check" meant.

Figured Joe Biden wrote it.









Try the tonkatsu, we do not tip here, stranger.

– J.D.

[Anaxagoras]

Boat operator admits he ignored even basic safety rules

Laws were clearly broken here. He's fucked.

[Doctor X]

That is at least a 35° bow.

– J.D.

[shuize]

For all the foreign readers out there who buy into the myth of “hyper efficient” Japan, the tour company apparently did not even have a working radio.

[Anaxagoras]

This is such a Japan story:

People are selling lipstick-stained used masks online in Japan; expert warns of risks

Some people in Japan are selling used masks stained with lipstick "kisses" and traces of saliva online, as masking continues to be the norm in the country two years into the coronavirus pandemic. The Mainichi Shimbun spoke with a woman and junior high school student about their "business."

[Doctor X]

Japan . . . where you can purchase used high school girls' panties from vending machines.

– J.D.

[Ben Trovado]

Japan . . . where you can purchase used high school girls' panties from vending machines.

– J.D.

You say that like its a bad thing.

[sparks]

It is. Pervert.

Not that I'm ... judging ... the likes of ... you.

[Ben Trovado]

I have never used the vending machines.

I am from Texas, the only thing we can get from vending machines are guns. But none of the really good calibers.

[Doctor X]

面白い Interesting:



– J.D.

P.S. 憲兵隊 got to her.

[ed]

「知床観光船事故 不明なお16人、捜索範囲拡大 10人死亡確認」

Ten dead and sixteen missing* from a sightseeing boat off the cost of Shiretoko in northeastern Hokkaido.

Other sightseeing boat captains and local fishermen reportedly warned this captain against going out in the rough weather.

Even better, the boat was reportedly damaged in a previous grounding incident with cracks in the bow, and based on reports of how it went down,** the suspicion is that repairs were not done or done very poorly.


* It's not in the article, but I think I heard the water temperature was near freezing. If they went in, they're gone.

** As noted in the article, the emergency radio call said "Godzirra!!!."

https://www.msn.com/ja-jp/news/national ... uxbndlbing

Told you so
https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/D ... dzilla.jpg

[Pyrrho]

[Doctor X]

Searching for a "t3h funn3h" for Anax I discovered what may be the greatest and worse thing ever:



Though, nothing to lose her head over. . . .

– J.D.

[Doctor X]

https://i.imgur.com/Lb08zab.jpg

https://twitter.com/gakeppuche/status/1 ... 2786200576

– J.D.

[Grammatron]

Go on....

[Anaxagoras]

Your Japan Travel Reopening Questions, Answered!

Apparently Japan will finally re-open its borders to tourists either in June or July, although the numbers may be capped. It was quite a hassle last time I traveled though. This was last November through early December. Things looked to be loosening up before I left and then Omicron hit just as I was in the US. Upon returning I had to spend 3 days in quarantine at a hotel and 11 more days at home, with an intrusive monitoring app installed on my phone.

Obviously tourists with limited vacation time don't want to have to spend any of it in quarantine.

[Doctor X]

Will Kirsten Dunst be there?





I am asking for a friend.

– J.D.

[Doctor X]

Meanwhile . . . why Anax's Waifu's feet smell:



– J.D.

[Anaxagoras]

Is this Web page being cheeky?

https://www.yokohama-td.co.jp/article/13568270.html

Hello! my name is 404

Hilarious. :roll:

[Anaxagoras]

My daughter sent me the link to this video