MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2022

we touched this same spot with our hands, our feet, our gaze and our dreams

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Making spirits bright through holiday shopping in Japan

Christmas is in the air, but Japanese salarymen see no reason to celebrate. Recent statistics said the average year-end bonus at major Japanese companies this year plunged by 15.01 percent to 755,628 yen, or around $8,400. It is also the first double-digit decline for winter bonuses and the sharpest year-on-year drop since the records began in 1959. Read more here....

Merry Christmas 2009


Christmas Blessings
from
Ken Nielsen and Linda Guzzo

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 28:19


Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Bloggingheads: Naughty or Nice?

Robert Wright, left, author of "The Evolution of God," and Christopher Hitchens, author of "God Is Not Great," debate religion's moral effect. Watch this video exchange online here....
RELATED

Friday, December 18, 2009

An Immigration Story of Faith and Hope


I have just returned from Florida where I finally got to meet Keith, Akiko and two of their boys. We were first introduced online through a website created to rally support for the family and I found out about that site from a newspaper article back in 2007. You may remember that we posted a blog entry on this blog two years ago. My mother, Mary Nielsen, and I attended church with the Campbells last Sunday and then enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Olive Garden together.

If you want to read a real love story read the new book; Denied!.




This is the story of a 10-year, bitter fight of a legitimate intercultural couple to be together. Despite their best efforts to follow proper procedure, the United States government failed them at three critical junctures. The first failure occurred with a faulty timeline, the second failure with faulty advice and years later the third failure occurred with the implementation of a premeditated plan to trick them into leaving the country under the false pretense they would be permitted to seamlessly re-enter with proper authorization. This is the story of the loss of basic human rights, the loss of family cohesiveness, home and security, and the loss of trust in a government and its ability to deal fairly with, defend and protect its people. Through faith, public opinion, the power of belief and a strong sense of community and its involvement, this family persevered and was able to overcome all the obstacles that were thrown in their path and to finally re-unite and return home despite all the barriers and the very great price that was paid. This is a true story.

At Japanese Cliffs, a Campaign to Combat Suicide


SAKAI, Japan — The towering cliffs of Tojimbo, with their sheer drops into the raging, green Sea of Japan, are a top tourist destination, but Yukio Shige had no interest in the rugged scenery. Instead, he walked along the rocky crags searching for something else: a lone human figure, usually sitting hunched at the edge of the precipice.
That is one of the telltale signs in people drawn here by Tojimbo’s other, less glorious, distinction as one of the best known places to kill oneself in Japan, one of the world’s most suicide-prone nations. Mr. Shige, a 65-year-old former policeman, has spent his five years since retirement on a mission to stop those who come here from jumping. Continue reading……


Sunday, December 06, 2009

Help Us Help JHELP


JHELP.com is the organization that helps foreigners in trouble in Japan, and Japanese in trouble abroad. Metropolis Magazine has teamed up with several sponsors to create a Christmas donation program that helps both Metropolis and JHELP, and that costs you nothing in cash -- and just 5 minutes of your time online.

The program has 4 simple steps so please visit JHELP Christmas Charity Campaign.

What happens is that Metropolis then adds you to the donor's list, and in January 2010 will donate JPY200 per donor to JHELP. It may not sound like a lot, but the target is to sign up 5,000 registrations by December 25th, so collectively your 5 minutes of effort will go a long way to helping JHELP cover the operations costs it has helping those of us in need.

For more about JHELP, check them out on the internet at JHELP.

Christmas in Japan (日本語字幕)


What do you think about the way Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
Blue_Tiger at 08:43 PM JST - 5th December
What celebration? Yes, there's some nice stuff at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea; yes, some stores really roll out the red carpet for those who bother to purchase gifts; of course, sure, cake companies do a lot of business; there may even be the occasional office party, or school special.....but really, what in Japan can be classified as Christmas Celebration otherwise?
I agree, Phillyprnc - no George Michael for this chap. Christmas songs are for Christmas; George Michaels Horror is best left for some other time of year....
As far as people who say Christmas is about Pushing Religion: Who's Birthday are we celebrating?



tigerguy at 08:44 PM JST - 5th December
I think that it's fantastic, the food, decorations, music... just like the western Christmas celebrations. Lots of businesses making lots of money off the occasion. I especially like to see all the lovely illumination lights. It's too bad the Japanese don't do more gift-giving on Christmas day and they still have to work. I just love this time of the year when I can get a really nice long break from work and enjoy with family and friends.

Azrael at 09:33 PM JST - 5th December
I find the American tendency to remove Christ from Christmas puzzling and sad, but I suppose it may just be a small but very vocal minority, because it doesn't match with census info. In Japan it's only expected; Christmas in Japan is purely commercial, but to be fair I do know there are Japanese Christians and they celebrate with their own flair. It's just that they are not quite visible.
Christmas in Japan (for non-Christians) is only one night. There's a tree, food, gift-giving. Love hotels. I cannot help but think about that comedian's dish. I think he defined it better than I could.
In my country, Christmas is about the religious aspect. I am Catholic. Christmas starts on December 8th (Mother's Day honoring Virgin Mary and all mothers) and ends on January 6th (the Three Wise Men arrive). There are posadas and the Christmas novena up to the last one on Christmas eve. Posadas are basically night parties as the holy Family travels from one house to the next seeking lodgings (hence the name Posada). There are Christmas chants to request entry and replies from the house (house owners make lists to participate in their community, it's only nine nights one house a night), then the novena is prayed and there's a party with Christmas music, traditional sweets and foods. The parties format varies throughout Ibero-America. Posadas are my favorite part of Christmas. My family puts up a Christmas tree, but we don't feature Santa Claus, yet many people does. Families with foreign descent mix in their food traditions and music. Christmas bring people together; it's the best time of the year. Christmas Eve mass is my favorite. Christmas day Mass and New Year's Mass are also beautiful. I'm an architect and I've helped design scenes for my neighborhood's church. I love to watch Christmas Eve Mass broadcast from the Vatican; since I moved last time here in Japan I've not found a Catholic Church (or any for that matter). How I miss Christmas at home. Yes, consumerism is creeping in but we don't have such a thing as "war on Christmas" like the US seems to have, if their Media is to be trusted (which well... it really isn't). My sister lives in Spain and she has described how beautifully Christmas is celebrated there in local traditions (Spain's south). I wish I'll see it someday.

Azrael at 09:37 PM JST - 5th December
AND YES, I hope I won't have to listen to George Michael ever again @____@;. Last year it was like the ONLY song department stores had in Tokyo!

Madara at 09:39 PM JST - 5th December
I like to spend my christmas in Japan, no need to deal with all the crap people tell me how I should be nice and cheerful not to mention all the religious crap in my face.



spudman at 09:45 PM JST - 5th December
Time to send all the religious fanatics away and let us pagans celebrate the winter solstice the way it was before the papists came along. The Japanese are pretty good cause at least they don't ram religion down your throat. Eat, drink, swap presents, have sex and carry on working the next day, yeah thats pretty good.

Disillusioned at 09:48 PM JST - 5th December
Just another adopted Americanism and poorly adopted at that. Yes, they have lights. Yes, they have Christmas trees. But, they have no idea why. And, it's just another work day. Pitiful!

Sarge at 10:07 PM JST - 5th December
Phillyprnc - Thanks for that Christmas in Japan youtube link - ha ha ha, I like the stormtrooper best!

imacat at 11:13 PM JST - 5th December
Christmas is what you make it!
I can't understand the people here complaining about Christmas in Japan... make a nice day of it with family, friends or your Japanese girlfriend or boyfriend.
It's nice to have all the illuminations in Tokyo... they look fantastic! Much better than London. I love walking around looking at them, people watching, taking some pictures...
You can buy all the xmas stuff you want in Japan to make a nice xmas dinner at home. Try www.themeatguy.com or else head over to Costco. Ikea has great Swedish mulled wine too. I always get a few bottles to warm up and drink over xmas.
And make sure to spend one night around xmas at karaoke, belting out all the xmas classics. Get your Japanese friends to sing one or two Japanese xmas songs. Some of them are really nice such as Tatsuro Yamashita's "Christmas Eve".
So quit whining and make your Xmas in Japan one to remember.
Merry Christmas to all who read JT!! (and bah humbug to the moaning minnies) ;-)

seesaw at 11:41 PM JST - 5th December
I didn't like it before but I've gotten used to it now.

whatsgoinon at 01:35 AM JST - 6th December
I really love KFC Santa! I think I'll put him on my Christmas cards this year.
I try to be in my home country over Christmas, but if I have to be here, I celebrate it the way i do in my own country, minus family, but with friends and loved ones here.

cliffworks at 01:35 AM JST - 6th December
pls read my earlier posting about how many Japanese couples celebrate Christmas Eve, it's a lovely tradition. tks

Azrael at 04:38 AM JST - 6th December
Imacat: Merry Christmas! ^-^!

Ranger_Miffy at 06:05 AM JST - 6th December
The commenters here have added considerably to my Christmas/ X'mas spirit. Merry Christmas/X'mas to all!

MrUSA at 06:36 AM JST - 6th December
Japan isn't a Christian country, they shouldn't celebrate it at all.

Friday, December 04, 2009

New EU leader inspired by Japanese haiku

Hsin-Yin Lee, news editor at "China Times" in Taipei, writes about the new EU leader's haiku hobby. Read now

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thinking globally to save riches of the sea


Given the price a single bluefin tuna can fetch -- one sold for a record $173,600 a few years ago at Tokyo's Tsukiji market -- it's not surprising that the rich, buttery fish is a prized catch. Or that it has prompted a feeding frenzy among international traders. Read here.....
(By Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Christmas chorale members take a bough

IKURO AIBA
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

Christmas chorale members take a bough
(IKURO AIBA/ THE ASAHI SHIMBUN) 

Chorists on a 7-meter tall platform give voice to a "Singing human Christmas tree" at Megumi Chalet Karuizawa, a Christian education center in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The specially built platform can hold 60 people. Performances, which started on Nov. 22, will be held twice a day, from 7 p.m. and from 8 p.m., on Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 23.(IHT/Asahi: November 28,2009)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Air Canada to begin non-stop Calgary-Tokyo flights

Air Canada is to launch non-stop flights between Calgary and Tokyo. The airline will operate three times weekly flights to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport beginning March 27, 2010 in time for summer peak travel.
To promote its new Calgary-Tokyo route, Air Canada is offering introductory fares starting from C$598 round-trip before taxes and other charges.
“The introduction of the only non-stop service between Calgary and Tokyo is great news for customers traveling between Alberta and Asia on business or leisure as well as for freight forwarders,” said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer. “Air Canada’s new non-stop Narita service will provide Albertans direct access to a major Asian gateway that offers one convenient connection point with our Star Alliance partners to key destinations throughout Asia including Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, several points across Japan among others. Our initial schedule of three weekly flights during the 2010 summer season is the first step towards building year-round, daily flights.”
In addition to offering efficient connections at Narita to points throughout Asia with Air Canada’s Star Alliance partners, ANA, Asiana, THAI and United Airlines, Air Canada’s Calgary-Japan flights are timed to offer convenient connections to and from communities across Alberta and Western Canada served by Air Canada.
Air Canada’s Calgary-Tokyo flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Calgary at 12:20 p.m. and arriving in Narita the following day at 2 p.m. Flights will depart Narita on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 4 p.m., arriving Calgary same day at 10:45 a.m.
Air Canada will operate the new non-stop service with fully refurbished 211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of Economy Class and Executive First service featuring 24 lie-flat bed suites.
The new Calgary-Tokyo service will complement the carrier’s daily non-stop flights to Tokyo from both Vancouver and Toronto. Next summer, the carrier will offer up to 17 flights each week from Canada to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.

In Japan, 'Herbivore' Boys Subvert Ideas Of Manhood


November 25, 2009
The sensitive New Age man has finally arrived in the land of the salaryman. But there is a catch — a particularly important one in Japan, where the declining birthrate has caused alarm: The new Japanese man doesn't appear to be interested in women or sex.
In Tokyo on the weekends, the trendy area of Harajuku is a melting pot of urban tribes: Lolita goths bat their fake eyelashes, while the punks glower.
Away from the strutting are the retiring wallflowers, a quiet army of sweet young men with floppy hair and skinny jeans. These young men are becoming known as Japan's "herbivores" — from the Japanese phrase for "grass-eating boys" — guys who are heterosexual but who say they aren't really interested in matters of the flesh. Read & Listen to the story here.....

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tokyo Tops Paris in the Michelin Guide


Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009
Bloomberg

The Michelin Guide gave top billing to 11 restaurants in Tokyo on Tuesday, vaulting the Japanese capital over Paris as the city with the most three-star eateries.
All but one of the nine Tokyo restaurants that won Michelin's highest accolade last year retained the rating this year.
Hamadaya, which serves traditional Japanese cuisine, lost one of its three stars.
Three restaurants, Esaki, Sushi Saito and Yukimura, were promoted to three-star status after getting two last year. Paris has 10 three-star restaurants, Michelin said.
The 2010 Tokyo edition, Michelin's third for the city, goes on sale Friday.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Readers in Asia: Share Your Thoughts

November 13, 2009, 1:11 pm

Readers in Asia: Share Your Thoughts

Obama in Asia
Jason Reed/Reuters; Charles Dharapak/Associated Press; Cliff Owen/Associated Press
 
To foster discussion of President Barack Obama’s trip to Asia, the Times is inviting readers living in the countries he is visiting to share their views with us via video. If you live in Japan, Singapore, China or South Korea, we would like you to film yourself telling us what you believe Mr. Obama could do for your country.
Readers may send their videos — shot on whatever sort of camera is available — to us using this e-mail address: video@nyt.com. Please state your name and your location in your video. For readers who prefer to send text comments, please use the comment box below.

Do you know how to write?

Japanese Leader Slanders Christianity
Send Email or Call to Protest and Support the Church in Japan!
TokyoJapan-
Just before President Obama arrives in Japan, The Secretary General of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan in a series of remarks slandered Christianity and Western Civilization.

Speaking at Koyacho to an audience from the Japan Buddhist Federation said `Christianity is exclusive and self-righteous"

Commenting on Islam he said “It is exclusive too like Christianity too, but Christianity is worse.”

He carried his comments further saying “Western society because it is based on Christianity is dead as well.”

Ozawa, the head of the Democratic Party which won recent elections made the comments to reporters following his talk to the Federation.

As the head of the party, Ozawa is seen as the real power in Japan and experts are shocked to have an international leader of his stature speak derisively of Christianity as well as Western Civilization.

Ironically, Koyachi, the place where the conference was held is according to officials there formerly the site of a Christian Monastery from the 8th century.
 

Further the Democratic Party of Japan according to reports received financial support from the mother of Prime Minister Hatoyama who is a well known Christian and has the largest number of Christian believers of any Japanese party.

The previous Prime Minister, Taro Aso was a Christian believer as is the current Empress Michiko of Japan.

Christians in Japan are particularly upset as Japan has the notoriety of having the longest persecution of Christians in history with a nearly 250 year period known as the `Japanese Holocaust` in which up to one million “kirishitan” or indigenous Christians were martyred.

Please send a message to The Democratic Party headquarters is
info@dpj.or.jp or call 011 81 3 3595 9988

Please send a message to the Prime Ministers Office is at
kantei@mmz.kantei.go.jp or info@kantei.go.jp or call 011 81 3 5253 2111

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

DPJ's Ozawa calls Christianity 'self-righteous'

TOKYO —
Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa said Tuesday that Christianity is an ‘‘exclusive and self-righteous religion’’ after meeting with a Buddhist group leader. ‘‘European and U.S. societies with a historical background of Christianity are bogged down,’’ the ruling party’s No. 2 leader told reporters after meeting Yukei Matsunaga, president of the Japan Buddhist Federation, in Wakayama Prefecture.
On Islam, Ozawa said, ‘‘It is better than Christianity but it is also exclusive.’’ But Ozawa praised Buddhism, saying, ‘‘It teaches us a state of mind and way of life from the start about how human beings should be.’’ He added that the cause of the current social turmoil in Japan is that Japanese people are losing their original spiritual values.
   
‘‘Politicians cannot conduct politics if they are not prepared to work as both a human being and Japanese,’’ Ozawa said.
   
On the Liberal Democratic Party which became an opposition party following a general election in August, Ozawa said, ‘‘It is originally a typically Japanese party, but it lost that virtue. That is the biggest reason why it lost people’s support.’’

Monday, November 09, 2009

Men's smoking rate in Japan at record-low 36.8%

TOKYO —

The smoking rate among men in Japan has fallen to a record-low 36.8% since the survey of its kind was launched in 1986, while the rate among women stood at 9.1%, dropping below 10% for the first time since 2001, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said Monday. The rate among the men and women in total was 21.8% in the survey conducted a year ago, down 5.9 percentage points in five years.
   
The percentage of smokers who want to quit smoking was 28.5% for men and 37.4% for women. The ministry attributed the smoking rate decrease to rising health consciousness and introduction of ‘‘taspo’’ smart cards in July last year, which are only issued to people aged 20 or older and enable holders to buy cigarettes at vending machines.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Last Bilingual Japanese Newspaper in San Francisco Suspends Operation



New America Media, News Report, Ngoc Nguyen, Posted: Nov 02, 2009
The recent closure of two bilingual Japanese-American newspapers reflects not only demographic shifts in the community, but also a time of reinvention for newspapers serving the Japanese-American community, according to ethnic media experts.

With its last issue on October 30, the Hokubei Mainichi became the second bilingual Japanese-American newspaper in Northern California to shut down in the last two months. Its competitor, the Nichi Bei Times, folded in September. Read more of this story here…..


Sunday, November 01, 2009

Do you have product you would like to sell in Japan?


Do you have product you would like to sell in Japan?



Startline has a two story 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Shin Kawasaki waiting to act as your receiving and shipping station in Japan. Did you know that the greater Tokyo Metropolitan area is still the world's most populous and prosperous? With over 30 million population, your product can reach these consumers by the equivalent of UPS ground in one-day for a very affordable price.



Until now and for the past 20 years Startline has specialized in importing and selling American and specialty car parts from Hokkaido to Okinawa. With 450 dealers in Japan our network is extensive. We welcome your automotive possibilities so please contact us if you have product you want to sell in Japan.

With the recent worldwide downturn in automobile sales we have been experiencing a downturn in sales and so now we are looking to other product areas to import, warehouse and distribute throughout the Japanese archipelago.  If you have any ideas or products give Ken Nielsen a call.

STARTLINE

3918 East Main Street, Suite 114, Mesa, AZ  85205-8545
Tel: 480-807-2074  Fax: 480-807-2076
My office: 619-285-1149
Mobile: 619-218-5486

Skype Name: nirusen

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Tom Toles editorial cartoonist for The Washington Post


Tome Toles Bio
Tom Toles, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1990, is the editorial cartoonist for The Washington Post. His cartoons appear in the newspaper and on its Web site every day except Saturday, and are syndicated in nearly 200 publications nationwide.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Dave Clark on "becoming a community of shalom"


BARRC Sociological Theory

David K. Clark, (Former) Professor of Theology Bethel Seminary & currently Executive Vice President and Provost of Bethel University

The Purpose of Theoretical Foundations

We seek shalom. This includes acting against racism. Action presupposes and lives out a theoretical foundation. Any attempt to prevail over racial conflict demands solid theoretical analysis. While building theories is necessary, it's never sufficient as a response to racism.
Racism evokes sadness, anger, and disgust. Sometimes we merely think about racism; sometimes we only develop right opinions about racism. That makes us feel as though we're doing something about racism. Thinking for understanding is good, but thinking about racism instead of acting on it is not. Racism should ignite emotions and stir up action. If any person is subjected to a racial slur or insult, a racial injustice or systemic oppression, our common humanity should cause us to feel as though someone just made a lewd remark about a beloved family member. And we should respond with action. Read the whole article here.....

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Too Live News




Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Hiroshima and Nagasaki dream of Olympics 2020


The two cities, victims of the atomic bomb, would like to host the Games to launch the message of a nuclear-free world by 2020. All in agreement, but political and economic problems may lead to the rejection of the idea.

Read the story here....

What ever happened to Nagoya?



Tuesday, October 13, 2009

One nation, under illusion


THE HOARIEST and most oft-repeated cliche in American politics may be that America is the greatest country in the world. Every politician, Democrat and Republican, seems duty bound to pander to this idea of American exceptionalism, and woe unto him who hints otherwise. This country is “the last, best hope of mankind,’’ or the “shining city on the hill,’’ or the “great social experiment.’’ As if this weren’t enough, Jimmy Carter upped the fawning ante 30 years ago by uttering arguably the most damning words in modern American politics. He called for a “government as good as the American people,’’ thus taking national greatness and investing it in each and every one of us.
Carter was speaking when Watergate was fresh, and government had been disgraced, but still. The fact of the matter is that whenever anything really significant has been accomplished by our government, it is precisely because it was better than the American people.
Think of World War II, America’s entrance into which was strenuously resisted by the populace until Franklin Roosevelt carefully laid the groundwork and Pearl Harbor made it inevitable. Think of civil rights, which Lyndon Johnson pressed despite widescale opposition, and not just in the South. Even then it took more than 100 years. Or think of the current health care debate in which Americans seem to desire some sort of reform, just not a reform that would significantly help people in dire need, while the Obama administration is pushing to provide that assistance. In the end, government has inspired Americans far more than Americans have inspired their government. They are too busy boasting.
Read the whole editorial here…………
Neal Gabler is the author, most recently, of “Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination.’’

Sunday, October 11, 2009

MID CITY SAN DIEGO CHURCHES




Friday, October 09, 2009

From The Shadows Promo




Japanese police to keep U.S. dad in custody





American who took kids from ex-wife remains jailed at least 10 more days

Fri., Oct . 9, 2009

TOKYO - Japanese police said Friday that they are keeping an American man in custody for 10 more days before authorities decide whether to press charges against him for snatching his children from his ex-wife.
Christopher Savoie, of Franklin, Tennessee, was arrested Sept. 28 after allegedly grabbing his two children, ages 8 and 6, from his Japanese ex-wife as they walked to school. He will remain held in city of Yanagawa where he was arrested, on the southern island of Kyushu, police official Kiyonori Tanaka said.
Savoie's Japanese lawyer, Tadashi Yoshino, was not immediately available for comment.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

2009 Nissan Land Glider Concept


PhysOrg.com, Oct. 8, 2009



Nissan unveiled Thursday a futuristic concept car, the "Land Glider," that tilts to the side when going around bends to make drivers feel like they are gliding through the air.



Monday, October 05, 2009

The Japan Talks: Karuizawa, Japan 1954




Norman Grubb gave this series of addresses in 1954 at the Evangelical Missionary Association of Japan and Deeper Life Conference in Karuizawa, Japan. In these eight days of love and fellowship he pours out his own 'missionary heart' to them as only one who has "walked their walk" can do!
We, the reader, also profit from his wisdom as he thoughtfully develops each stage of our union with Christ from the beginnings in our new birth to our entire sanctification and finally as intercessors for our worlds… "Little children, Young men, Fathers.”   Throughout the days shared we find Norman's life motto…"Not God and – but God only!" 


Friday, October 02, 2009

Int'l school principal, husband nabbed on marijuana smuggling



TOKYO
The principal of the kindergarten-junior school of the International School of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo and her husband have been arrested on suspicion of smuggling marijuana into Japan from the United States, Tokyo police said Friday. Shirley Lane, 59, who lives in Tokyo, allegedly had her 62-year-old husband Thomas send a parcel containing 5.9 grams of marijuana to her in late September from Florida.

The marijuana was found by customs officers at Narita airport near Tokyo. The international school in the Sacred Heart school group said Shirley Lane arrived in Japan to take the post last August. Yvonne Hayes, the headmistress of the international school, told reporters Friday she was so shocked she did not know what to say.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

American arrested in Japan for kidnapping own kids

TOKYO — An American father on a mission to reclaim his young children in Japan was arrested over their alleged abduction while they were walking to school with his ex-wife, officials said Wednesday.
Christopher John Savoie snatched his two children — an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl — by force Monday in the southern city of Fukuoka, shoved them into a car and drove away, said Akira Naraki, a police spokesman in the city.
He was arrested by Japanese police as he tried to enter the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka with the children, said Tracy Taylor, a spokeswoman at the consulate. Read more here.....

Thursday, September 17, 2009

When was the last time..........

 
here is a pair of size 28.0 barely worn 
jikatabi, ......any takers?
Going now to the highest bidder.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

I Am From Nagoya

The Class of 1970 Announces a Party in Chicago in 2010
























Click on the pictures to enlarge for easy reading
Call Bobby Howe at 949.837.0838 or
email Bobby at robert.howe@aa.com
for more information or an English conversation

Monday, September 14, 2009

How do you keep up with what's going on in Japan?


Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009
News photo



Erin Ruttan, 36
Chef (Australian)
The Internet is really useful for discovering good restaurants and events around Tokyo. Word of mouth is also good. I've gotten lots of good tips from friends and colleagues.
News photo

Jarkko Vanhala, 22
Security guard (Finnish)
I occasionally read the newspaper to find out what's happening in Japan. I read a bit about the recent election. I don't watch the news because I can't understand Japanese well.
News photo

Kym Ruttan, 33
Restaurateur (Australian)
There needs to be more information for tourists and expats living in Japan. Some of the free magazines are good, but distribution is limited to mostly central Tokyo.
News photo

Hubert Cleonis, 35
Engineer (French)
There's a very good site, Autrement le Japon, which has lots of useful information about Japan. Some Japanese volunteer to show foreigners around, and they can be contacted there.
News photo

Danielle Goodwin, 22
Sales rep. (New Zealander)
I've been here for three weeks and I really like Metropolis magazine. I found my accommodation through it. It's got lots of information about shows, concerts, antique markets and festivals.
News photo

Lawrence Medina, 23
Student (American)
I usually read the newspaper or check the news online. I use the Japan Today site quite often. For cultural events, I usually ask my friends about what's happening around Tokyo.