Primary and secondary schools throughout much of the country welcomed students last week as the new academic year began, while universities have delayed their in- person classes until mid- May.
The government's non- binding state of emergency for seven prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka has been moderately successful, with districts that are ordinarily packed referred to as "ghost towns" by locals.
All prefectures with the lone exception of Iwate are reporting cases, the nationwide total currently at 7268, with 138 deaths.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Thursday, April 09, 2020
Monday, April 06, 2020
Japanese Pride and Japan Today
Japan Today has become the go-to source of Japan-related news in English for the expat community. The quality of the reporting is fine when the articles originally appeared at Reuters, AP, and Kyodo News (among others), as opposed to inhouse productions. The comments section reveals many of JT's readers to be unable to understand Japanese, uninterested in learning the country's culture or history, and just plain uninformed.
An example from an article today re pride in Japan:
That's been a concern for me ever since I came here. Everything in the supermarkets is so expensive. I can get most things for less than half the price back home. And I'm tired of eating bananas and moyashi. I wonder how many Japanese are proud of the expensive fruit.
The reader has exposed his flanks on this one, but I'll resist the urge. Instead, let's consider food prices (Walmart Grocery US for comparison).
An example from an article today re pride in Japan:
That's been a concern for me ever since I came here. Everything in the supermarkets is so expensive. I can get most things for less than half the price back home. And I'm tired of eating bananas and moyashi. I wonder how many Japanese are proud of the expensive fruit.
The reader has exposed his flanks on this one, but I'll resist the urge. Instead, let's consider food prices (Walmart Grocery US for comparison).
green onions@ 98￥/ horenso spinach@ 128￥/ shishito sweet green peppers@ 74￥ (50% off)/ 3 nishin herring fillets@160￥ (20% off)/ aburage fried tofu@60￥/ oboro semi- soft tofu@70￥ (1USD=108￥)
I compared prices on similar items/ sizes (ones I could find) at Walmart Grocery (online): green onions (1 bunch) @$.50/ baby spinach@ $1.37/ herring fillets (tinned only) @$3.50/ tofu @$2.64
Total for the same 4 items puchased at a Japanese grocery store (pictured): $4.20
Walmart Total: $8.01
Dairy (cheese, cream, butter in particular) tends to be a bit more expensive in Japan. I purchased a liter (33 fluid ounces)of low-fat milk yesterday for 100￥. Walmart sells 64 oz. for $1.47.
Fruit (domestic), also, tends to be higher: 1 apple, 100- 200￥
Walmart: $1. 10
1 pear: 100- 250￥
Walmart: $.69
(That said, Japanese fruit is worth every yen of extra cost.)
So no, you don't have to subsist on a diet of bananas and bean sprouts.
Antlions for a Change
Today's edition of the popular Vox Populi column in the Asahi Shinbun features a 15-year old student who has researched antlions and their larvae since she was in primary school.
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13274882
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13274882
Sunday, April 05, 2020
COVIDiaries Japan
Tokyo continues to break records for infections, with yesterday's tally at 143, the second straight day above 100, and over 200 nationwide.
The prime minister is expected to announce a state of emergency by Wednesday. Just what that will entail remains to be seen. Legally, authorities are unable to enforce restrictions on movement.
The central government has announced it will offer direct cash payments of 300,000 yen to those whose annual income is 3 million yen or less (approx. 27,000 USD).
The prime minister is expected to announce a state of emergency by Wednesday. Just what that will entail remains to be seen. Legally, authorities are unable to enforce restrictions on movement.
The central government has announced it will offer direct cash payments of 300,000 yen to those whose annual income is 3 million yen or less (approx. 27,000 USD).
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