I had a conversation with a student yesterday who said that he noticed everyone is smiling, like everything is fine. He'd been reading about how China has territorial disputes not only with Japan, but also Philippines and Vietnam. Yet he's surprised at how calm people are in Japan. He told me that most Japanese people are completely ignorant about anything that goes on outside of Japan. Refreshing to hear this from a Japanese person. He understands exactly where you're coming from. He seemed quite disturbed by the Japanese attitude.
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Forgot to mention the juku kids across from where I work. Whenever they see me, they don't seem to be able to act naturally.
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I think you've been exposed to this kind of thing more than I have. Not that I haven't. I've been attacked in a train station near Tokyo Dome, and I've been mocked on the Yurikamome by a young Japanese couple with my Japanese girlfriend (now wife) sitting next to me.

I get the microaggression often enough. I'm always tempted to respond to "you use chopsticks very well" with "you use a fork very well." I get amazement when people find out I can actually read hiragana and katakana. I've been in Japan for more than 7 years! How can I not know how to read them? But I get this from students who have international experience, and they should know better than to say things like that.

Seems that way to me. I go back to it every once in a while, and it seems like it's more of an advertising tool now. It's no wonder people hardly comment anymore.
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I noticed that about Loco's blog. He doesn't seem to respond to many comments at all. I haven't yet read his book, though I am planning to.

I remember reading his blog 3 or 4 years ago, back when he was getting far more comments than he gets now. I liked the old Loco blog muh more. Good for him for succeeding in his book, and his blog is his business, so he can do what he wants. However, I think if he'd interact more on his blog, he'd be far more successful. And I do remember the responses he was getting. He did get a lot of ignorant Japanophiles claiming he was lying. The past couple of years, I've been far more observant about people around me, and I do see it.

Well, the earthquake book was free on Kindle, but that's about it. Not interested in tsuki, nor am I interested in the kind of writing Abiko Free Press has going.
My recent post 2012 Picture of the Week (19/52) – Spring sunset

I love free content from you!

There are quite a few who are starting up with writing books lately. Some start with blogging and later decide they want to write. Loco started out wanting to write, but used blogging as a way to hone his writing skills. Should everyone write? Hell, no! Totally agree. There are too many mediocre bloggers who think they can be successful at writing the same content that they wrote about in their blogs.

The writers I have a problem with are the ones who do it for money. They're most likely to be average writers at best. I admire the writers who do it for the writing, because they enjoy it. Same with bloggers. Do it because you enjoy it, not because it's a way to make a quick buck. When they do it for the money, they're not doing it for themselves. They try to please the readers, not themselves. They lie to themselves and their readers. They're not genuine.

And of course, I love the comments. They're very welcome and I enjoy the interaction.
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That is an incredible picture! Amazing that you got it with an iPhone.
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BBQ, hawks and the beach. Reminds me of a week ago :) That is one big looking boombox!

And I agree, the iPhone camera is great! I use it quite a lot now, and it's far better with colour and quality than my digital camera, although my camera does nighttime better and has better focus.
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I completely agree. I've seen how subservient female staff were to the old president of my old company here. What a sexist asshole he was. He was an example of bubble era business culture, where men ruled and women were servants. I was often quite disgusted by his attitude.

As for Hooters, there's no comparison with that cleavage cafe. I've never eaten there, but I've heard the food is quite good, and the uniform is nothing like exposing their cleavage while cleaning shoes.

But you know what? My wife's grandmother is an incredibly strong woman. She is the boss of the family. She's the Queen, and there is no King.
My recent post Hawk attack at Yuigahama Beach!

I guess it does. I forgot to mention the lack of turn signals for many drivers. They don't use them or only turn them on while they're turning.
My recent post Hawk attack at Yuigahama Beach!