Thomasina Larkin - The Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Oct 24, 2006

Views from Tokyo: Is Japan too permissive a society?

Thomasina Larkin asks people if they think that Japan is too permissive a society

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Oct 3, 2006

What's the most useful thing you've ever bought abroad?

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Sep 19, 2006

How will people remember the Koizumi era?

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Sep 5, 2006

Does Japan need an emperor or empress?

Taichi Kadowaki Office worker, 32 I don't think we need an emperor or empress. We Japanese adore the royal family because they are this great symbol,but they don't really do anything. They just spend our tax money, but on nothing useful or important.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Aug 22, 2006

Should Japanese leaders give Yasukuni Shrine a wide berth?

Shounago Tadamasa School manager, 31 Koizumi and the new prime minister both shouldn't visit Yasukuni shrine. The prime minister has to think about relations with China and Korea. Visiting the shrine is harmful for the economy, for trade and for politics.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Aug 8, 2006

What is the most serious issue facing Japan?

Katy Abud Teacher, 44 Teachers in elementary schools and junior high schools don't teach children life values. They only teach what's outlined in the curriculum and don't know how to answer children who ask "Why is something like this or that?"

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jul 25, 2006

Would you like to have children?

Satoko Woolala Graphic designer, 39 Even if I were heterosexual, I wouldn't want to have children. Japanese law only takes care of heterosexual families. Same-sex partners can make private contracts, but don't both have legal rights to their children.

LIFE / Lifestyle

Jul 25, 2006

Soaking in the urban onsen scene

Taking a nice, long, hot bath has for eras been an ideal way to unwind, whether it is a soak crammed in the tub at home after a hard day's work, a trip to the local sento (public bath) for a leisurely scrub-down or a weekend getaway to the countryside in pursuit of hot springs and the healing powers...

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jul 25, 2006

Lesbian mothers' twin tasks

Motherhood can be daunting under even the best of circumstances, but, as a lesbian, considering starting a family brings with it a whole new set of difficulties.

LIFE / Food & Drink

Jul 14, 2006

A tipple or two on top of the world

In a city crammed with over 12 million people, digging up a little space to breathe can be a tall order.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jul 11, 2006

How do you think conditions for foreigners in Japan could be improved?

Shinya Sato Self-employed, 28 I think there should be more free Japanese lessons that are better advertised and easier for foreigners to find. The government should also publish some kind of booklet or brochure with useful every day information.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jun 27, 2006

Have you ever had a racist experience?

Toru Ishii HR worker, 30 In Texas, I was walking on the street and some guy came up to me, said "f***in' Jap" and punched my stomach. Once at a Nagano onsen, the entrance guy said "gaijin dame." I told him "I'm Japanese!" and he apologized and let me in.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jun 13, 2006

Should Japan impose restrictions on non-Japanese-speaking-foreigners coming here to work?

Niels Hansen Business owner, 38 I just wonder if the Japanese would want the same standards applied to them if they went anywhere else. It would damage international business. I don't think it's a good path to go down when you start imposing borders.

LIFE / Lifestyle

May 30, 2006

Fitness for kicks and more

The yearly ritual of storing away our winter duds and unpacking skimpy summer styles often leads to a common conclusion: It's time to get into shape, and fast.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

May 30, 2006

Would you pay more tax to stop whale hunting?

Masuko Hosokawa Office worker, 66 I disagree with whale hunting. Whale meat is delicious, but it's not good to catch so many whales. I would pay more taxes to help subsidize fishermen, but only a little bit. And I wouldn't pay higher taxes for anything else.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

May 16, 2006

Is Japan a good country to raise children?

Tomas Castro Account exec., 40 Children here are lacking parental role models. Fathers spend too much time at work and mothers are stressed with the running of the household. These responsibilities then fall to cram schools, peers and, lastly, grandparents.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

May 2, 2006

Are trains safe?

Yayoi Miyahara Cook, 32 Japanese trains always run on time, but there have been accidents where the train comes off-track. I think JR should have more workers to protect people when the trains are crowded and to perform routine safety checks.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Apr 25, 2006

What's your holiday plan?

BHeather Cone Scuba instructor, 29 I'm going to Beijing with my girlfriend. It's going to be two girls cruising the Great Wall, shopping for handbags and shoes, because we can't find any that fit our big feet in Japan, and drinking whatever they drink over there.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Apr 18, 2006

What is your favorite Japanese show?

Yoko Miyazaki Clothing sales, 22 "Ai Nori" (basically a "gokon" traveling from country to country on a pink bus) If someone loves another person, they have to try their best to win their love. It shows how Japanese have friendly and romantic relationships.

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Apr 4, 2006

What is your impression of Japan?

David Hung Clothing importer, 26 I give props to Japan because after losing WWII they could build themselves back up and become one of the top technological countries.

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