Just for Fun – Japanese Comedy YouTube Video about How to Use Chopsticks

I came across this video while looking for some historical Japanese news footage for personal study. This is apparently a series. I’d be happy to embed some more of them if people are interested in seeing them. This video starts out with very subtle comedy. It’s a lot of fun, but I don’t know if…

Somebody Revolt or Something! Prime Minister Fukuda’s Approval at 26.6%

If I have any readers from England or any other country with a prime minister, I have to ask!!! Would this fly? Wouldn’t there be a call for elections way before the approval had sunk this low. The government has already missed its own deadline for resolving the missing pensions debacle, is giving a one…

Japanese Pre-school Parents’ Crazy Requests

If you, like most of the major journalists in the U.S. (see my pop-Japanology posts), are under the mistaken impression that Japan is an unassuming, grin-and-bear-it type of society, here’s a great list of some of the things today’s Japanese parents are expecting from their kids’ preschools. “I’m busy in the mornings so the day…

“Guzen dazo!” “It’s Gonna Happen!” mistranslation? Big buzz in sports in japan!

Japan is all abuzz about this fan seen at the Cubs game He was holding up a sign which said, “It’s Gonna Happen!” on one side, and “Guzen dazo!” on the other side in Japanese characters. Assuming that the English for “It’s gonna happen” is correct, then “Guzen dazo” which sounds more like, “It’s just…

More Cartel-like Price Raising on the Way – Bread and Milk!

Possibly contrary to popular belief, milk and bread are also staples in Japan… everyday expenses that a caring government should only tax lightly if at all. Well, the GOVERNMENT is going to raise the wheat prices it sells to millers by 30% which will send up the prices of udon, ramen, pasta, and of course…

Associated Press Perpetuating Common Myth About Japan

I’ve mentioned this before in other articles about what I call pop-Japanology in the media. People saying something about Japan which is completely unsubstantiated, never fact checked, but people who don’t know better believe it. The example this time may be found this article found on CNN. Man Wanted For Murder Goes on Stabbing Spree…