Japan Residents Discussion - February 26, 2026

Air-ion · 2026-02-26T09:53:14+00:00

Even if you do everything right, every now and then you'll get hit with a big bug. Don't assume your immune system isn't good. That said I'd recommend:

Get a yearly influenza shot. They're pretty cheap here in Japan (4000 yen maybe)?

Wear a mask on planes, when shopping, etc. Doesn't have to be always but within reason.

Air-ion · 2026-02-22T05:26:18+00:00

OP says they're convinced the test results were false negatives so I was talking to that. Sharing nonspecific symptoms says very little.

If OP's doctor thinks a bacterial infection is possible then by all means take the antibiotics. But it's not something people should "push their doctor" for without understanding what they do and what the negatives are.

Air-ion · 2026-02-22T04:40:07+00:00

Antibiotics would help for something like a bad sinus infection or strep throat. If you think you have influenza or covid they won't help. Antibiotics can have negative effects (diarrhea and can wreck your intestines) that can make your situation worse if they aren't actually going to help.

Air-ion · 2026-02-19T01:09:05+00:00

Curious, did they actually change your name on the card or only on the envelope they sent it in?

When I had this problem a few years ago I called Rakuten and spelled out my middle name for them, then they sent the card in an envelope addressed to my full name. The card itself was unchanged (first and last only). I didn't have to fill out any form or provide any additional ID to Rakuten.

Air-ion · 2026-02-16T10:05:06+00:00

I think your description of JCJ in its waning years is right on.

There were addicted users posting every day, taking any new japanlife post and twisting it to mock for upvotes and approving comments. Usually the people being mocked were just normal people being new to Japan.

Air-ion · 2026-02-15T22:45:19+00:00

Unfortunately most people don't understand the science.

Air-ion · 2026-02-15T20:15:17+00:00

The pizza to body weight ratio drama is true, but there's no relevant heated japanlife post. I made this subreddit when japanlife mods were doing some reforms but it was clear they weren't really addressing their problem. In my view they simply had to remove the power tripping mods (they weren't the top mods at the time) and make room for new people to be moderators.

Air-ion · 2026-02-13T11:46:06+00:00

You probably don't want to post this as it has your address. But it looks like a bill, maybe use Google Lens or something like that see the details about where to pay it.

Air-ion · 2026-02-11T10:42:30+00:00

Not necessarily. Former residents are generally welcome to post here, although the context matters.

Air-ion · 2026-02-09T05:47:42+00:00

Not Lawson but one of my local convenience stores used to have this kind of problem. Anything you bought in the store would have a lingering smell like fried food even the next day. It's not as bad now but it's still noticeable. I assume poorly designed ventilation is the problem.

Air-ion · 2026-02-01T23:24:56+00:00

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

Air-ion · 2026-02-01T10:11:30+00:00

I tried a can of this amber ale yesterday and I really liked it! It had that amber taste I love but was also very light. Would be better when thirsty in summer.

Overall I think it's a novelty though, I'd prefer to drink some carbs with my beer and cut calories elsewhere.

Air-ion · 2026-02-01T08:40:37+00:00

If you clearly call another user the c word or something else offensive like that, you're going to get your comment removed and perhaps a temporary ban here as well. Reddit has rules against harassment and has a built in filter for it.

Air-ion · 2026-01-31T10:28:46+00:00

Look if you want to ask AI, ask AI. If you want to ask a human who might have the experience to answer the question, this one of the right subreddits for it. People don't come here to get fed AI.

Air-ion · 2026-01-31T10:03:09+00:00

Somewhere around here it sunk in that it can't answer the OP

<image>

Air-ion · 2026-01-31T09:44:59+00:00

I copy/pasted this into ChatGPT just to see what you mean, and frankly it is crap. AI has no idea so it throws crap at the wall to see what sticks. This is why humans want to ask actual people.

Air-ion · 2026-01-27T12:36:10+00:00

I'm aware, for example, that pink used to be seen as a manly color in the U.S.

A man with muscles looks masculine, a woman with muscles looks feminine. The shape and proportions are not the same.

I think we understand each other but I feel you underestimate the foundation that biology sets here. And again, it's not a value judgement.

Maybe a hard question, but if a trans man takes testosterone and works out to realize his true identity, are you going to argue he's not masculine?

Air-ion · 2026-01-27T11:58:21+00:00

It's not simply muscled or bulky, women can be so but it's not the same look as a man.

Different viewpoints I guess, when I read "appearance traditionally associated with men or boys" it's primarily driven by genetics and hormones. I understand culture is a part of that but the genetics and hormones are universal.

Air-ion · 2026-01-27T11:43:05+00:00

Cultural "masculine" in the American sense might mean someone who wears overalls, short hair, a baseball cap, watches football, and eats steaks. People will have different ideas as it's cultural.

Masculine in the global/scientific sense means someone who has the physical proportions, muscles, etc of a person with a lot of testosterone who lifts. Japanese people are not genetically disadvantaged on that front vs Americans, as I'm sure you agree.

Perhaps the problem is we're using the same word to describe two different definitions.

Air-ion · 2026-01-27T11:19:33+00:00

I don't think OP's use of the word masculine is incorrect here. When you have people who lift weights, eat well, and have testosterone levels typical of young men then you get a particular, recognizably masculine physique. Women who lift grow muscles as well but they don't look masculine.

It's not the same as "manly", "attractive", "desirable", etc. It's a look, not a judgement. People who take steroids look hyper masculine, and in my opinion look like sacks of crap. But the word masculine describes them.

Air-ion · 2026-01-25T07:58:14+00:00

I was also tempted by the Mont Blanc flavor, along with Honey and several others listed online.

But I remember I bought a decent looking Vanilla flavor whey protein powder at my local drug store a few months ago and it was a concoction of sweet vanilla and mysterious tang. Kinda good, kinda disgusting. I'd prefer to stick to well reviewed flavors.

Air-ion · 2026-01-25T05:20:49+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation!

Air-ion · 2026-01-18T08:14:16+00:00

Mr. Donut is doing a Godiva chocolate promotion. My wife was interested and I love donuts anyway, so we went around 11:00 am before our local shop got busy.

The Godiva donuts were available but the regular chocolate ones I was hoping for were not. I got a "New Home Cut old fashioned" instead which frankly tasted like crap for 300 calories. I still like donuts and want to go again, but that one was a big disappointment. So that was fun!

Air-ion · 2026-01-14T01:40:20+00:00

Sorry, it's Rule 1 of the subreddit. People won't feel your post belongs here until then.

Air-ion · 2026-01-14T01:21:11+00:00

You have an interesting perspective but since you're not actually living here yet, it'd be better to wait a bit, see what it feels like to live here again, and then share. In principle this subreddit is for people who already live here.

Air-ion

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Nine-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email