Liberal Japan

Kininaru News:

• China overtakes Japan as Asia’s biggest military spender: SIPRI, The China Post; Wow, I’m sure this is likely to cause a stir.
• Ex-minister’s son avoids jail for growing dope, The Yomiuri Shimbun, “The Otsu District Court on Monday sentenced the eldest son of former Finance Minister Masayoshi Takemura to three years in prison, suspended for five years, for growing cannabis at home in violation of the Cannabis Control Law and other charges.” I don’t think anyone should go to jail for growing cannabis, however, is this a case of privilege winning over justice? According to the Mainichi Shimbun this guy also stole and illegally acquired “about 40 items including medicine and a rear-view mirror from a pharmacy and a car-parts retailer in Koka, Shiga Prefecture.” Now for that you should get a little jail time. Look, didn’t they give even Paul McCartney 9 days in prison for cannabis possession?
• College admissions revamped / But system criticized for accepting students before summer vacation, The Yomiuri Shimbun, More universities are accepting students without making them take grueling entrance exams. And they are doing so as early as summer. I think getting away from grueling entrance exams is good, but in this case it seems to be only for a select few. So it would seem unfair.
• Golf bugging scandal symptom of low standards, The Yomiuri Shimbun; Ryo Ishikawa is a big golfing sensation in Japan. On the day before an amateur tournament, three golfers who would be golfing with Ishikawa were approached and asked if they would wear a small microphone so they could record Ishikawa’s every comment while he golfed. As I understand this, they all said, ‘no’. This is now a mini-scandal. Maybe they should have just asked Ishikawa, himself?
• Rainy season delayed in most parts of Japan, drought feared, Kyodo News; The rainy season will probably be late and end early. That may cause a drought. Nevertheless, if it somehow translates into less mosquitoes that would be a boon.
• Children’s attendance to be checked with IC tags in 2015, Kyodo News via Yahoo; And you thought they were only keeping surveillance on those opposed to using the SDF in Iraq. Now it’s your kids.
• U.S. officials meet Diet members over ‘loophole’ in Japan’s child pornography law, Mainichi Shimbun; This was blogged at Japundit. In Japan possession of child pornography is not illegal. The only other G-8 member who has not made possession illegal is Russia. Mainichi Shimbun also has a related article on “Rorikon Taikoku” (a country with a world-class Lolita complex).
• Getting Away with Murder? Japundit; “First it was whales and now apparently it’s ivory. According to Reuters, a United Nations wildlife pact has allowed the export of 60 tonnes of ivory from three southern African countries to Japan amid concerns about the growth of the illegal ivory trade and elephant poaching in parts of Africa.”
• Japan LDP declares ‘War on Animals’, The Crazy News Interesting and serious story. Nice monkey pictures, too. Check it out!
• Archery club’s teacher’s arrow injures student, The Yomiuri Shimbun, “A 15-year-old Tokyo high school student was seriously injured in the head by an arrow that a teacher shot during club activities at the school, police said. … The teacher, who is ranked at the lowest grade in Japanese archery, was giving a demonstration at the time.” The teacher sounds almost as unqualified as a (Japanese) English teacher.

O-kiniiri News:

• Donuts take a bite from Asian fast food market, Reuters via Yahoo! Asia, “Six months after entering Japan late last year, Krispy Kreme still draws crowds to its stores, following an early rush that saw hundreds of people sometimes waiting up to two hours to buy donuts, said spokeswoman Mayumi Jinji.” There is nothing more disgusting and delicious than a warm Krispy Kreme donut.
• Father of pro golfer Yokomine to run in Upper House election on DPJ ticket, Mainichi Shimbun; Well, he has good qualifications, his daughter’s a popular pro golfer, and he’s often served as her caddie. I mean, you know he’s got to be good. Go DPJ. Sigh … Also see the Kyodo report here.
• Bar operator Watami interesting in taking over scandal-hit Comsn’s rest homes, Mainichi Shimbun; Nursing and home bars, good combination. That should really breathe some life into the service.
• Hamasaki Ayumi Crucified in Fukuoka, Japan Zone; “Never one to hide her ambition to follow in Madonna’s shoes, the show also featured Ayu on a crucifix, though the imagery is meaningless for Japanese audiences.”
• Flying for Cheap in Japan, Japan Travel Info; Good information on cheap tickets, unfortunately it only works for people residing outside of Japan.