Ramen Size Me

Happy Birthday Dear Leader

2006-02-13T22:48:00.000+09:00

It is almost Kim Jong-Il's Birthday, and strangely enough one of my goals when I leave the Military is to go to Pyongyang as a tourist. Why Pyongyang? Why not, I am interested to see how a total cult of personality has been able to control one country for years, rendering every citizen a loyal unquestioning citizen believing in the Juche ideal. I know several people who have been and they say it is one trip you will never forget (It will tough to beat my Mongolia experience.) Actually a couple of my fellow journos have invited me along to the Chosun Soren festivities tomorrow, which as much as I want to attend won't be able to, as I would have a hard time explaining things to my current employers. Not only did I look forward to free food and beer in honor of the dear leader, i could have met all the representatives from some of the more dodgier countries with embassies in Tokyo, I had actually planned on passing myself off as the Japan correspondant from the Daily Rhodesian, Southern Africa's most respected news daily. So what if Rhodesia ended it's existance over 20 something years ago. Anyhow here's a good link if you want to watch the daily newscast of N Korean TV. Even if you can't speak Korean it's good for a laugh. Damn I'm missing out on free beer.

www.elufa.net

What to do later on in life.

2006-02-11T10:26:00.000+09:00

I am coming up on 9 years in the military, 9 years. it doesn't seem like its been that long but it has been one incredible whirlwind from kicking boxes around Aviano Air Base to travelling across Mongolia in a land cruiser with only Yak's and Camels the only other thing out there. I never thought I would be in this position of really having to decide what next, as I really will have to make some hard decisions in the next year. I love this job, I do and I could be anywhere doing it, the broadcasting community is small, and full of interesting individuals something that makes wherever you go a really good assignment. At the same time, I wonder if I should go the civilian route as I have talked to quite a few people who tell me with my resume I can work anywhere. Here's the factor, I just want to stay overseas. No big surprise but I don't want or plan to return to the US to live, I don't want to. One thing positive about the military is a retirement check at 20 years. while it's not the end all catch all, moving to Malaysia or Thailand and opening a bar is one of those little things I would seriously consider as I will more than be able to do it provided a few things don't happen between now and then. so maybe 13 years from now if you see me in an Irish pub in Kuala Lumpur, chances are I own it. No matter what though I will plan everything out. thoroughly.

Horie, Bobby, and The Man

2006-01-29T11:19:00.000+09:00

It's been an interesting week in Japan, first and foremost everyone is still talking about the arrest of Takafumi Horie the now former CEO of Livedoor, Japan's premier IT company or I should say former premier IT company. Seems there are some financial irregularities and because of that Livedoor was first raided by investigators and then later Horie was arrested and taken to Jail for questioning with an avalanche of interesting news to follow in the when it rains it pours style. Livedoor did this livedoor did that, all week long you can't avoid what live door has done, of course all of the networks have been showing thier past interviews and shows involving the man especially the shows where he shows what his billions of yen have bought. And of course it wouldn't be a Japanese program if they didn't show what his prison cell looked like and analyze his menu of delicious jailhouse food...Oishii! Ahhh it is funny, how everyone is crucifying the man even the LDP have apologized for having him run as a party candidate in the last election, a seat he lost. Having been arrested though he now is truley qualified to run for the Diet.

On the other end of the spectrum we have Japan's favorite Nigerian, Bobby who's whole schtick on TV is playing the dumb foriegner who constantly makes mistakes in Japanese while speaking in a buffoon like accent, almost like some have called it a modern day minstrel show, which isn't far off the mark. The Japanese love it so much they do blackface imitations of him on other TV shows. The sad thing is he speaks perfect Japanese and seems to be a smart guy. This week like Horie he spent some time with the Police after apparently going crazy in his promoters office, tearing the place apart as they let the cameras in to see, a story which BTW knocked Horie's plight out of first place on Fuji's 5:00 news program. Ahh bobby what were you thinking. He had a press conference on Friday to apologize for the troubles he caused and cried, which should be recieved as a sincere apology and allow him to keep shuckin and jivin in his broken Japanese across TV screens from Hokkaido to Okinawa.

Back to watching more TV.

What's on the Telly......

2006-01-09T21:49:00.000+09:00

I love Japanese TV, I do, the shows really do show what the country can truley be like. Tonight is just one of those nights. Over on Fuji Terebi, there is the 2006 Rookie Announcer special, Announcer is the term for a pretty girl who doesn't have to think about the news she is reading, and the special pretty much confirmed it. My favorite is the games part where the girls had a tumbling contest, and the winner after a few other matchups of the same nature won a trip to Canada. Then there was another highlite, a pannel of girls was matched up with very rich Japanese Celebus(anyone with an assload of money and no taste...like the Hiltons, not just Paris the whole family) as a video showed us what thier millions and billions of yen have bought; boats, helicopters, 4 room apartments in Roppongi Hills residence, basically the things most these girls would like, no make that love to have by just marrying one of the men and looking pretty and neither working nor using thier brain. So they have a quiz after all the look at my toys part, and the winner gets to send a phone mail to the Million...I mean person she is interested in to ask them on a date. Our heroine and winner being half Mexican, half Japanese asked her man if he would like to get together for Tacos and Tequila (no doubt at his place) He promptly said no...ouch in front of the entire nation. I love watching these shows, it just shows that being a vapid, louis vuitton purse carrying, whiney girl at age 27 is what the men want. Well some men.

How Not To Get Arrested In A Third World Country

2006-01-01T20:22:00.000+09:00

If you love to travel, and by that I mean do something other than a Contiki tour of Europe or go on a Princess Cruise with you Grandparents, then chances are you will find yourself spending time in a third world country. It doesn't matter which one because go to one and you'll find they are all the same regardless of the continent. You can't drink the tap water, you have to buy a 70 dollar "visa" upon arrival at the airport or border crossing that was just 10 dollars 2 months ago, the places you'll sleep will be of questionable construction, and chances are there will be a picture of the "dear leader" staring at you wherever you turn. On the upside the beer is cheap, the weather is usually warm, and you can get great knock offs of Levis 501's or Diesels for the price of breakfast at Denny's. Spend enough time in the third world and you will without a doubt become friends with the countries finest, the local police force, the men in charge of serving and protecting the peace, while at the same time giving the foreign vacationers a little extra attention. You know what I mean, someone in uniform who wants to see your passport and finds its "out of order" or stops you while you are riding that scooter with your girlfriend on the back because you were "speeding" or riding "in an unsafe manner." It could happen to you, it most likely will, the clue is how you deal with the powers that be, something not taught in Law Schools around the world or dealt with in "responsible" publications like lonely planet. So here it is my own 2 centavos on how to deal with local boys in blue.

1. Always have a smile on your face and a non confrontational manner, trust me this is how you get things started, just nod and act friendly and things will wind through the usual path of questions as the officer explains what local law you have just violated.

2. Don't argue the facts, he has the ill fitting uniform, questionable badge and more importantly the gun on his belt. just ask if there is anyway you can pay the fine on the spot, it's the PC way of offering a bribe and chances are he will say yes.

3. Have Five dollar bills ready to go in your pocket so you don't have to take out your wallet and show how much money you really have. As long as it's green has a dead U.S. president on it and bigger than 1 dollar, he'll take it, after all it's probably bigger than his monthly salary sadly enough.

4. Flattery, Flattery, Flattery, it always does the trick if they don't like and look for complements then why would most third world police uniforms have all kinds of shiny shitty accoutrements all over the shirt.

5. Memorize the name of key people in the country you are visiting, learn the name of local senators, ranking officials in the national police force, anyone the copper would know and you necessiarly wouldn't. Thanks to the internet the names are easy to find and it's more convincing to drop that the deputy national police chief is a friend of your fathers rather than use the President, Prime Minister, or Dictator of the country you are in unless they really are, then you wouldn't be worrying about this would you. Example, "Wow I am embarassed this is happening, my Father is friends with Colonel Dominguez and when he finds out and tells my father I'll be in trouble." try it at least once and you'll be surprised of how soon you are walking away with no problems.

These are the basics.....you really shouldn't need anymore than this, if you do then you probably just got caught with 5 kilos of drugs ala Corby and are truly F&^%ed, in that case be ready to call the Embassy.

A Finger Licking Good Christmas

2005-12-21T20:54:00.000+09:00

Tis the season once again, and that means its time for the tree, the wreath, the stockings stuffed with treats and candies, and if you live in Japan your traditional Xmas eve Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner. That's right, while some may be used to a nice roast with the trimmings in Japan nothing says Christmas like a bucket of the Colonels finest by the light of the yuletime fire. It's a big deal too, you can't just stroll in all willy nilly expecting to buy a Christmas Meal from your local KFC, no sir you have to reserve yours up to a month in advance. While I do enjoy KFC every now and then, this year I'll stick with the roast

Here's the details in case you want your own, its Kentukee Cureesmasuu Meeru in japanese in case you wondered.

http://www.kfc.co.jp/xmas2005/

Hard Gay, Japanese Hero

2005-12-13T21:55:00.000+09:00

Right now the one thing I am addicted to on Japanese TV is Razor Ramon HG otherwise known as Hard Gay......the guy is awesome and his skits are funny. Imagine if you will a man in the Hard Gay get up from the village people running around Japan, helping old ladies cross the street, getting kids to eat thier veggies and protecting women from men of questionable charecter. That is the genius of Hard Gay, pure entertaining comedy. My favorite so far is when he is trying to get Yon-sama to recognize him. I have included a link to a lot of Hard Gay clips, they may take a while to load, but trust me it's worth it.

What's The Beef?

2005-12-07T21:36:00.000+09:00

According to an article in the ever popular Japan Today, over 70% of Japanese asked will not eat good old American beef when the ban is supposed to be lifted sometime next week (http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=2&id=357557)
62% percent of those refuse based on the safety of American meat, even though the fact is the ban was made after one US cow originally from Canada was found with the disease, the only cow as a matter of fact and compared to 14 found in Japan, one wonders what the safety issue is. On the flip side the poll will be completely disproved the moment Yoshinoya opens its doors with Gyudon real Gyudon back on the menu as Japanese from Hokkaido from Okinawa will line up and devour the sacred dish once again, with a grateful media looking on happy to have something to fill thier news casts with other than tales of where to find good soba resteraunts.......

Only you can prevent forest fires....

2005-11-28T21:06:00.000+09:00

In my military career I have learned to shoot the M-9,M-16, AK-47 (Mongolian Army Qualified) went on convoy training, first aid buddy care training, just about every kind of training someone needs to be a good Airman and member of our Armed Forces. Today though I went through some of the most rigorous training in the Military known to any troops out there Marines, Rangers and SF's included. I am talking about a weapon so fierce, so powerful it takes a full hour just to learn how to use it. I am talking about the fire extinguisher......yes the fire extinguisher as we were forced to sit through our annual training with the fire department learn how to use this weapon of mass distruction, an hour that I will never get back . Aim high....and make sure you hit the base of the fire to put it out properly

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving

2005-11-27T10:13:00.000+09:00

It is the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as I sit here with my coffee watching this weeks Sunday Japan whilst typing up the highlights of the last few days.....Wednesday night I decided to go on a bender with my friend Lee in Roppongi, a place I thought was never dead, never quiet. I was wrong. Dead wrong. We did have fun floating around to about 6-7 places, and we did kick off the weekend of big meals by going to Tucano's for churrasco so all in all it was a good time even if Nigerian touts think my name is John and want to take me to good time my brother. Thursday the party continued on Thanksgiving and my boss had us over to his house for Turkey and Karaoke and all the trimmings. I love Asia as where else can you have a good feed and follow it up with songs.....I learned that I can't sing in Filipino no matter how hard I try. It's been a good weekend, I've had Mr. Donut, good ramen in Tachikawa, even went to the chicken house last night for dinner and today I am going to the Turkish place for lunch. I guess all I really did this weekend is eat well. Oh and I started watching the Bollywood films I brought back from India. good stuff, if I get tired of the Air Force, I'll learn Hindi and go to Mumbai to become an actor.

I'm Back

2005-11-20T12:49:00.000+09:00

Top Victoria Memorial Kolkata
Bottom Map of West Bengal

I am back from my 2 week Jaunt to India to cover the Air Force exercise there and what a good trip it was. Before I went to India, I had a lot of visions in my head of what I thought it was going to be, visions of Mother Teresa (because we were more or less based in Calcutta, now named Kolkata), City of Joy, Born into Brothels and all the other things that shock you with the poverty and suffering that exist in India. Then I got there, on a Sunday night at 11:15, a little bewildered a little nervous, but it wasn't as bad as I had heard, no mad rush of people trying to grab my bags and steer me to a taxi, my driver was there and whisked me off to the hotel and to sleep I went. Over the two weeks I was there I would venture into Kokata and off to Kalikunda in the countryside a few times. Kolkata was just another city quite a bit of poverty but like the rest of the trip better than I expected. The shopping was fun with one guy trying to sell us everything includidng a wooden Gandhi statue. Just like in Thailand I am still the king of bargaining. India defenitly is a growing economy and has a base of potential probably unthought of 15-20 years ago, money is being made and a new middle class is emerging, that doesn't mean poverty is going away,on the contrary, there is a lot of it visable at every turn. Indians are really good people, very curious about the west as the west is curious about India, a smile goes along way there and once I opened my mouth and talked cricket, well the subject never changed, I was interviewed by 5 different reporters on why as an American knew anything about the glorious sport....good stuff. The food awesome...murgh tikka masala curry and naan bread, could you ask for a better combination. The seen to be believed was 3 guys on a motorcycle running into a water buffalo.....on the national highway, both walking away unscathed. I am looking forward to going back and to anyone who has put off an India trip because of whatever, just go, experience it and appriciate it.

On the Narita front I think I set a record last night with a 15 minute plane to luggage belt no waiting at customs time. It was nice to see no line for gaijin and I even managed to pass up waiting Japanese nationals in thier own line. Ha!

Mr. Smith Goes To Nagata-cho

2005-11-05T16:22:00.000+09:00

Yesterday on my way to pick up my passport and visa from the Indian Embassy, I had time to kill so I decided to go for a walk around the Diet building, Japan's seat of government. It was a pretty nice walk but everything was pretty much blocked off or guarded by cops, so walking up the steps of power or wandering around the grounds were a no-no, defeintly a sharp constrast to other places like New Zealands Parlament building in Wellington, where you can wander all over the place without being bothered for the most part, especially when you are using it as a cut through to get to the Fish and Chips shop a little quicker. There are guided tours, but I didn't have time and I will go and check one out as it would be interesting to have a look inside. I did find however one of the gift shops which also had the Koizumi rice crackers, and this time picked up a coffee mug with the face of every Japanese PM on it for only Y400.

In other news, I did get my visa, so I am off Sunday for India, it should be pretty interesting I think, especially since I may not get to cover anything as there are some protests scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, so I may be stuck in Kolkata.....well at least I can watch the cricket, I hope.

Speaking of protests there was one today at Yokota, I guess we can't make everyone happy. I am sure if they invited these same get the bases out of Japan types on the base for a slice at Anthony's or a Whopper at Burger King they'd put the megaphones down and come on in......

Visiting Yasukuni

2005-11-02T20:38:00.000+09:00

Today I had to go to the Indian embassy to get my visa to go out to Kalikunda, so a trip into town was how I spent my morning. On the directions of how to get to the embassy was something marking Yasukuni Shrine, the famous Shrine which remembers Japan's war dead, 14 class A war criminals among them and the one PM Koizumi makes an annual visit to while pissing off the rest of Asia. So after to playing bureaucratic bingo and leaving my passport at the Indian Embassy, I decided to walk across the street and see what all the hubbub is about for myself.

Well to be honest, it could be any shrine anywhere in Japan, it was a pretty quiet day, and those of you expecting me to say right wingers in black sound trucks chased me off the temple grounds, well it didn't happen. Outside of a few pensioners, kids and moms, and the odd temple staff here and there it was pretty quiet. There is a museum but I am waiting for Heather to come up to go back and see it. So overall it was interesting to be at Asia's least favorite tourist attraction, but................

The Junichiro Koizumi face rice crackers made up for no right wingers chasing me off the temple grounds, that's right they had Koizumi Senbei, and the box has a cartoon happy dancing koizumi on it with kids dancing around him. It now proudly sits on my desk. Along with all the other crap I've managed to accumulate over the years.

Taiwan on...the report

2005-10-31T20:47:00.000+09:00

It was good, really good, I am lucky to have good Brothers in Taipei who take care of thier own, and to that I am thankful. In 4 days I did everything I planned to, and more. I ate alot, drank alot, even saw Lord of War with Nicholas Cage (it's a damn fine film) and made new friendships while renewing old ones. Ahh it was a good time when a guy name Jumbo is in charge of the banquets, you know it has to be good. I was lucky enough to have peking duck twice at the best place in Tapei to have it, and this place knows how to put on a feed. While I was there I did some shopping at the FNAC (www.fnac.com.tw) which is a cool store with Books, DVD's, CDs, Magazines, and electronics, probably about 20% cheaper than tokyo and to be honest I don't know why they don't have an FNAC in Tokyo, the store is awesome ...I also went to the top of 101 Taipei, currently the tallest building in the world, and got a sweatshirt at roots for 20% off the original price they had it for in August, who says patience doesn't pay off......we also went to a hooters which was a good time in a place I think we least expected to find one.....so I did alot and am still tired from the trip......more to talk about later

Yokoso Japan?

2005-10-30T18:13:00.000+09:00

I am back from Taiwan, more on that trip later, but for now we'll talk about Japan. When I was a kid I went with my family to Disney World in Orlando, it was a big deal especially from a kids point of view and it was always exciting to go to the park looking forward to hitting all the good rides like space mountain. The one guarentee of hitting the good rides was waiting in line for an hour or more, the line slowly snaking it's way to the promised land, and the guarentee of an exciting experience. Because you were rewarded for your patience you didn't mind the wait. Forward to today twen.......uhhhhhh a few years later, and Narita Airport, Japan's main international airport. Off the plane from a long flight and into the queue you go, one hour, sometimes 45 minutes if you are lucky, with the long line snaking around the customs area and what do you get at the end of your wait, no not the thrills of Space Mountain, but the excitement of a brief encounter with your first Japanese bureaucrat, and the chance to have your passport stamped, exciting huh.

The frustrating part is that there are 10 spots for customs agents to stamp passports but only 5 are working, plus the 2 old guys walking around making sure you have filled out the back side of your immigration card where no kidding the question "do you have any narcotics or stimulates on you" is there for you to check yes or no.....the law of averages has it that someone will eventually be stupid enough to incriminate themselves and win them a trip to Fuchu Prison out here in West Tokyo.

I digress, the Customs issue is bad. I fly in and out of Narita alot, so much I recognize everyone stamping passports, it's so bad I may have to bring them omiyage.....anyhow with Japan trying to improve it's image as a tourist destination, it's stuff like the one hour wait right off the plane that will continue to hamper things. I mean it's pretty sad that tourists will spend 3 days out of thier 5 day package tour waiting in line at the passport check at Narita, what's even sadder is that with all the Airplanes coming in Customs only has 5 people working the line. Improving the image of tourism in Japan has to start somewhere, so it may as well start with the first contact with Japan takes place.

Valentine's day

2005-10-25T22:35:00.000+09:00

No not the day I haven't celebrated in years, the day that will happen while I am in Taiwan, as the Chiba Lotte Marines are one game away from winning this years Japan Series, at the Koshien home of the Hanshin Tigers. Chiba Lotte, Managed by Bobby Valentine one of the all time best Foriegn Managers and most respected too, were far from anyone's guess to even make to the Pa-league playoffs, miracously winning, and maybe even giving thier interesting looking uniforms a bit of credibility. Now add in the fact that they aren't just winning the Series but WINNING the series by scores of 10-1, 10-0, and 10-1 beating the Hanshin Tigers C-League champs and the Man United of Japan with pinstripe wearing fans all over the country. Also add the fact that Game one was called due to fog and oh what a Japan series its been. But good on Valentine, he's a chap tries to practice Japanese, seems to love being over here as opposed to "show me the money" and really cares about the Marines fans who deserve this as fans of a team who has been on the bottom rungs of baseball for a while.

Hanshin on the other hand are the super team along with the Yomiuri Giants, with supporters everywhere ofter outdrawing the hometeam fans even when on the road. It's pretty funny to see especially when I am at Jingu watching my Swallows play and there are just a few of us on our side and the visitors section is packed with Tigers fans who didn't travel up from the dark depths of Kansai, they came from thier Apartos down the street. My favorite Tiger fan is the one always shown on TV anytime the manage to at least win the Central League, the 60+ year old Oba-san with Blue permed hair, a faux silk leopard print shirt and a voice roughed away from years of smoking mild sevens.......Ah that's Japanese Baseball, well that along with squid on a stick readily available to go with your whisky and water served up at the ballpark.

Taiwan On!

2005-10-25T20:46:00.000+09:00

I am slowly but surely packing to head off to Taipei for five days for a trip to take part in the Grand Lodge Of China's annual meeting as a delegate from The Grand Lodge of Japan. For those of you not sure what I am talking about it is a Masonic thing, and yes I am a Freemason, 32nd Degree Freemason as well as a Shriner, and yes I do wear the Fez. Anyhow me and Freemasonry would take up a lot of space but let me say I love the Lodge and I have made many good friends who are my Brothers as well around the world, and contrary to popular belief we aren't sacrificing virgins or ruling the world, we are just men of all races and faiths who come together and believe in the good of man. Not only that we also know how to enjoy a good meal and even better fellowship.

Back to Taiwan, this is my second visit as I went back in August and now make my return
looking forward to seeing all of the Brothers there and doing everything from going for dim sum at lucky star to watching a movie at Warner Village. Another thing I like about Taipei is that you don't have to spend an arm and leg to do anything, I even have money left on my MRT card from the last trip...yeah boy!!! I also plan to hit up some museums and the night markets provided I am not out at KTV until 5 in the morning with the guys.......On my first night of the last trip I had one of the best nights out with Bro Kail and his friends which meant a lot of Scotch, a lot of singing, and good hot pot and tan tan mien at 4 in the morning which was quite alright with me. Anyhow I had a good time and saw and did a lot, it reaffirmed my love of Asia and gave me another reason to stick around for a while.

Anyhow I will be there for a bit so the blog may be a bit silent, no worries I will tell all when I return. It should be an interesting time in Japan as the Korean Foriegn Minister is planning to visit after saying he wouldn't until Koizumi apologizes for his Yasukuni visit. Less than one week and he changes course. Interesting, the rest of Asia probably realises now there is nothing more that they can do ......more on that later

Check out my freind Randy's Blog www.randylane.org He's got a good outlook on life and is learning that life is pretty good over here you might even find some incriminating pictures of me there

Ghengis Don

2005-10-24T20:52:00.000+09:00

Over the weekend Defense Secretary and all around nice guy Donald Rumsfeld visited Mongolia to thank them for their support in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's definitely about time. For those of you unaware, Mongolia has been sending troops to Iraq since 2003 and Afghanistan since last year, and considering the state of the economy over there that's a pretty generous gesture. I had the good fortune of traveling to Mongolia in September and worked with their Army and Border Forces covering how they are preparing for future missions abroad and how they want to be better allies with the U.S., truly I have never met a greater bunch of people willing to do what they could with what they have and what they have is very little after 70 years of Soviet dependence. The cool thing about Rumsfeld's visit is he actually met with the veterans who were in Iraq and Afghanistan and personally thanked them. Then he took them all down to Khan Brau for a pint or 2 of the dark beer.......ok maybe he didn't

I do wonder if he gave Airag a try, that being fermented mare's milk a rather aquired taste as is the salty milk tea.

If you have ever thought about going to Mongolia, go! Go now! It is truly a great place where you can see some of the most incredible scenery and nature, stop by the side of the road and hang out with a family in there ger, have the time of your life in the countless bars and discos which are popping up all over Ulaan Bataar and meet some really good people.

Bring back the Gyudon

2005-10-24T19:04:00.000+09:00

Accoring to Japan Today the current beef ban on American beef may be eased by the end of the year (http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=&id=353045). If this happens then once again the most wondeful I'm drunk and need food now Gyudon will be able to make its comeback at Yoshinoya. Gyudon is simply sliced beef and onions in sauce served over rice, simple and tasty, really tasty especially at the afore mentioned time. When the ban came into effect 2 years ago Yoshinoya refused to use any other beef than the American kind they've used for years and served up their last dish of Gyudon as the stock of beef ran out. They managed to change thier menu and offer everything from grilled meat sets (pork and "yakiniku" beef) to curry rice, still staying in business even after stopping the sale of Gyudon. Last year on the one year anniversary of the ban Yoshinoya managed to get enough of the American beef still around for a one day sale of Gyudon. It was mayhem as everyone and thier cousin tried to get a bowl for old times sake, and a car crashed into an Osaka branch, but they kept it open, closed down the damaged side and kept the gyudon flowing. Gotta love Japan. Anyhow the funny thing about the findings which will lead to the easing of the ban is that an expert panel sees risks related to mad cow disease between Japanese and North American beef as "extremely small".
The facts stand that only 1 cow of Canadian orgin was found with the disease in the U.S. and 15 were found in Japan with these cases being found during the 2 year ban.

http://www.yoshinoya-dc.com/index.html

By the way there is no kidding a Yoshinoya game for play station where you work your way up the ladder to become a Store Manager.......I may have to breakdown and buy a playstation just to give it a go.

So I watched last nights new drama for the fall season on TBS, Koi no Jikan, it was ok, and predictable. It's about a Older sister who runs a travel company and single, and a younger sister who is a housewife and mother. Anyhow it's already set up Older sister will marry the doctor she met at the hospital her mother was taken to, and the younger sister will have an affair with the guy she met in the park. They even had the smokey izakaya with the old school master telling the older sister to get married as she nursed her yakitori and complained about being single. I'll still watch it though. Soon I'll write the Japan TV review, and show you that yes I watch way to much TV over here........

Oh yeah Rumsfeld went to Mongolia!!

2005-10-23T21:30:00.000+09:00

Now did you say the Lawson's is next to the Saddam statue or around the corner from the WMD stockpile. (making friends in Iraq, 2004, Jietai member on far left I knew from exchange program in Misawa, he and the other guy were part of the second deployment of Japanese troops to the "sandbox")

2005-10-23T21:20:00.000+09:00

Me and Carabao at Tokyo's Thai Festival 2005

Yasukuni a Go-Go

2005-10-23T20:36:00.000+09:00

For those of you up to speed, it's been one week since Prime Minister Koizumi helped improve Japan's image in Asia by paying a visit to Yasukuni Shrine, a place that honors Japan's war dead, 14 Class A war criminals amongst them. This is his 5th visit to the shrine and every time he goes usually China and South Korea protest hard about his honoring the soldiers that pretty much invaded and colonized part of their countries. Well today big surprise the foreign Minister says that the visits are affecting his diplomatic schedule(http://www.japantoday.com/e/?Content=news&cat=1&id=352991). You think? Five years in a row he's made the trip and five years in a row it's been the same response, we're not happy don't do it again. Anti-Japan protests usually are pretty heated with flag burnings in Korea and mass riots around China. In spite of the reactions and the diplomatic rows that follow, he always follows through on his pledge to visit the shrine come hell or high mizu. This year I do have to give the PM some diplomacy points for the trip;

1. He went on the Monday that China's manned spacecraft successfully returned to earth, thus ensuring (and hoping and praying) his visit to Yasukuni might be overlooked by the Middle Kingdom as they celbrated the return of not one but two taikonauts who spent about 5 days in space. (editors note, it wasn't)

2. It was quick and brief, no signing the book, no formal ceremony, and no formal Kimono.

3. It was a crappy day weather wise

For those you interested here is how the visit was reported in Japan
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20051018TDY03002.htm

And here is the Chinese version of the PM's field trip
http://english.cctv.com/english/20051017/101316.shtml

The differences in view speak for themselves.

Well one thing is for certain, this will be his last visit to Yasukuni as he plans to step down next September, thus ending an interesting historic period in Japanese politics as well as his control of the LDP.

On the other happy hand, tonight is the last debut of the Fall drama series, this time it's TBS's turn to impress me with Koi no Jikan, their summer Sunday drama was crap, and so far their Fall drama has never dissapointed so time to give it a watch. So far though Fuji is keeping me happy with all thier dramas in the fall line up, but more about that later. Oh and Asashoryu has a can coffee commercial.......

Currently Reading:
War Trash by Ha Jin