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Reader Mail
Sep 6, 2009

Show same courtesy to foreigners

I think the "gaijin clown" article is bang on. I was one of those people who laughs off many of the daily insults encountered as a foreigner in Japanese society, although I don't think all Japanese people have such narrow-minded views. I do think that such thinking is not discouraged in Japanese society,...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Sep 6, 2009

Kawasaki's Nihon Minkaen: Traditional folklore in a natural setting

In an article last May 10 introducing the many attractions of Tokyo's neighbor Kawasaki, this writer made a brief reference to the Nihon Minkaen (The Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum) in Tama Ward.
Reader Mail
Sep 6, 2009

'First lady' appears out of touch

Regarding the Sept. 2 Kyodo article "Next first lady feels affinity with Michelle Obama": It seems to me that Miyuki Hatoyama is somewhat naive to believe that she has some affinity with Michelle Obama. The common thing she may share is being the wife of a leader, but apart from that I doubt she has...
LIFE / Travel
Sep 6, 2009

Kawasaki's Nihon Minkaen: Traditional folklore in a natural setting

In an article last May 10 introducing the many attractions of Tokyo's neighbor Kawasaki, this writer made a brief reference to the Nihon Minkaen (The Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum) in Tama Ward.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Sep 5, 2009

Capello deserves credit for a job well done

LONDON — There is still resentment in some quarters that England has an Italian manager, but if Fabio Capello leads his adopted country to victory over Croatia next Wednesday to secure a place in the 2010 World Cup finals, any remaining xenophobia will be among a hard-core minority who probably wouldn't...
Reader Mail
Sep 3, 2009

'Rightwing hawks' an easy target

Regarding Gregory Clark's Aug. 26 article, "First ban the hawks, then the bomb": With all due respect to Clark, why do I get the feeling after reading his articles that he seems to blame everything on "rightwing hawks" in Japan, while repeating the same points and claims? Trouble with China? Rightwing...
Reader Mail
Sep 3, 2009

Sanctions don't impoverish Burma

In his Aug. 29 article, "U.S. should engage Burma," Brahma Chellaney makes some good points concerning U.S. sanctions against the military regime in Burma: that these sanctions have failed in their stated purpose to promote democracy and human rights; that they have increased China's already large influence...
Reader Mail
Sep 3, 2009

'Clown' does OK by comparison

Regarding Debito Arudou's Sept. 1 article, "Meet Mr. James, gaijin clown": I can't believe The Japan Times would print this self-serving rubbish. It seems that Arudou has run out of things to complain about and is resorting to writing about trivial things that are irrelevant to the lives of foreigners...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2009

Citizens find their place on the bench

As far as civic duties go, most Japanese would probably say voting is the most serious. But last month, a contender emerged with the first trial under the lay judge system.
Reader Mail
Sep 3, 2009

Slow response to bird disaster

Regarding the Aug. 20 article "Avian killing fields of lotus": Thank you for this much needed coverage of birds that are being trapped around Lake Kasumigaura. I drive through the area on a weekly basis, and the sight of birds struggling in the nets is one I will never forget. Most of them hang by a...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 2, 2009

'Distorted' in translation?

An opinion piece by Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama published in The New York Times has drawn flak in America over its apparent antiglobalization bent, prompting the presumptive prime minister to argue portions of his essay were "distorted" in translation.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 1, 2009

A dose of common sense for the crisis in capitalism

HONG KONG — The global economic turmoil has sparked international debate over whether we are witnessing the death throes of capitalism or signs that a "new capitalism" needs to be devised. French commentators have gloated over the end of the Anglo-Saxon way of doing business, citing the need for the...
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 31, 2009

Historic sea change at polls product of frustrated public

For better or worse, history has been made.
Reader Mail
Aug 30, 2009

Aso's all-time greatest blooper

Regarding the Aug. 25 article "Poor men too lowly to wed: Aso": Prime Minister Taro Aso's comments that people with little money would be better off not getting married and that it is difficult for him to understand how someone without pay can be seen as worthy of a partner's respect are, to say the...
Reader Mail
Aug 30, 2009

Police gauntlet in the parking lot

Regarding the Aug. 26 article "Tourist's 10-day detention rapped": The Metro Police are asking the same question of foreigners who intend to use the Tokyo Immigration Bureau's parking lot. Police will ask if you have a knife and search your vehicle for knives and other dangerous weapons perhaps known...
Reader Mail
Aug 30, 2009

Live dolphins, whales add value

Regarding the Aug. 25 article "Taiji told to stop dolphin carnage or sister ties end (with Broome, Australia)": I recently saw the film "The Cove" and would like to suggest to the people who kill dolphins in the port of Taiji that the dolphins and whales that visit the area are worth more alive than...
Reader Mail
Aug 30, 2009

Significant Japanese contribution

Regarding the Aug. 25 opinion article "Japan ready for 'no nukes' ": In a country like Thailand, which is a party to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty) of 1995, it is rewarding to learn that Japan is ready for "no nukes." If the antinuclear sentiment in Japan is sufficiently...
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 28, 2009

ASEAN rights panel offers scant defense of victims

PENANG, Malaysia — Last month the Term of Reference (TOR) for the establishment of a regional human rights body received the approval of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Phuket, Thailand.
Reader Mail
Aug 27, 2009

U.S. allies could be on their own

I read Tom Plate's Aug. 23 article, "Scrutinizing the Chinese threat to Taiwan," with interest. While there is a lot of support in the United States for Taiwan and Japan, the current political climate suggests that neither Taiwan nor Japan should count on U.S. support in the short term. Americans no...
Reader Mail
Aug 27, 2009

MacArthur's 'truth' for Australians

Regarding Roger Pulvers' Aug. 16 Counterpoint article, "Japanese attacks provoked a seismic 'me-too' shift Down Under": Pulvers is correct that the U.S. Army under Gen. Douglas MacArthur did give second-class treatment to the Australian military under its command. That was not the case, however, with...
COMMENTARY
Aug 26, 2009

First ban the hawks, then the bomb

This year's Hiroshima atomic bombing anniversary saw more demands for the abolition of nuclear weapons. It is a worthy goal. But does it make sense? People genuinely keen to rid the world of nuclear weapons need first do something about the hawks and hardliners whose actions often make nuclear weapons...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / HAVE YOUR SAY
Aug 25, 2009

One pocket knife, nine days' lockup

Following are a selection of readers' responses to the July 28 Hotline to Nagatacho column headlined "Pocket knife lands tourist, 74, in lockup."
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Aug 24, 2009

Party shakeouts unlikely if the DPJ wins big-time

The latest major opinion polls seem to indicate that the general election on Aug. 30 will bring about a change of government in Japan, with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) unseating the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Prime Minister Taro Aso as the predominant force in the Lower House. One is left...
Reader Mail
Aug 23, 2009

Beverage companies show acumen

Regarding the Aug. 13 article "Kirin-Suntory talks reflect global business realities": As usual, it's the big companies in Japan that are demonstrating the business acumen that made them leaders in their markets. Suntory Holdings Ltd. and Kirin Holdings Co. are smart to realize that they stand a good...
Reader Mail
Aug 23, 2009

Elementary way to needle gropers

Regarding the Aug. 18 article "In anonymous packed train lurk gropers": Hong Kong's crowded commuter trains also have gropers, and the Mass Transit Corporation is seriously thinking of adopting women-only carriages during rush hour to combat this obnoxious problem. This would be very similar to the system...
Reader Mail
Aug 23, 2009

U.S. military presence is a shield

Regarding the Aug. 18 article reprinted from Sentaku magazine, titled "Weighing the nuclear option": It seems to me that so long as the United States maintains a robust military presence in Japan, there is a strong likelihood that America will support Japan should there be a nuclear or conventional...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Aug 23, 2009

Imagine a time with no fish in the sea

BAR HARBOR MAINE — Each summer, our family visits this part of the New England coast, and each year I am reminded of the elemental connections humans share with the oceans.
Reader Mail
Aug 23, 2009

The relative 'evil' of stimulants

The Aug. 13 article "Sakai bust puts spotlight on narcotics evil" prompts the question: Is the stimulant (kakuseizai) that actress and pop star Noriko Sakai may have inhaled equivalent to heroin and other hard drugs? The answer is obvious.
Reader Mail
Aug 20, 2009

Omiyage ritual has been difficult

Regarding Kris Kosaka's Aug. 15 article, " Surviving a Japanese summer boils down to the art of omiyage": As the wife of a Japanese man since 1974 and as a Paris resident, I enjoyed reading about the "omiyage pleasure-nightmare." Since 1974 I have bought thousands of travel gifts for my husband's visits...

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?