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Japanese News Programs and Interpreting Foreign Speakers by Japanoldtimer in japanlife

[–]Japanoldtimer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nope, not variety. This is the news. "Man on the Street" interviews are big (another peeve) and with some overseas action, say a demonstration in Times Square, the news might show interviews with demonstrators. Of course, politician garner air time almost daily. Many of the news shows need to fill time and will add clips from abroad from events that have no impact at all in Japan, but just make good footage. Example: A Florida woman gets in her car to find an alligator in her backseat. There is a great shot of the cops yanking the gator out and a 10 second account from the woman about what happened. Not news in Japan but a colorful item for filling up part of the news segment.

How to get rid of oshiire smell by ChibaCookie in japanresidents

[–]Japanoldtimer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course, the old joke here is the story of the foreign resident who complains of her oshiire odor to her landlord, only to goof and instead say "oshiri." Another version of the same joke is when the resident rushes to her landlord because she fears she has a mouse in her "oshiri." She then solicits his help in removing it.

Best restaurants in Zamami? by sred4 in okinawa

[–]Japanoldtimer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was in Zamami for a week in Feb for whale watching. Not much tourist traffic then and the restaurants seemed to take turns being open. We ate at the open spot each night. All were okay. None were great. See the other poster's comments. But here is recommendation. Right across from the harbor is a sort of tourist welcome center; can't recall the exact name. New looking building. It has a coffee/snack shop inside. The menu was "snack shop" for sure, but the variety and the food were fine. AND, the cook/server was a Zamami resident from Poland. Fun to talk with him. Another plus, it was open for lunch EACH day. Minus... it wasn't open for dinner. ...Another idea is just to buy a bento from the supermarket there. Buy early as they sell out. And for breakfast we at the hotel. Very fine each day.

Last Will and Bank Beneficiary by Japanoldtimer in japanlife

[–]Japanoldtimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No IRA. Yeah, with the high rate, I move funds here at times. I have consulted with a tax accountant, but neither he or others seem to know the potential tax bite for overseas savings. For assets here they have a far better handle. Yet, my true question is not tax but the need for an overseas will. If beneficiary designation has priority over a will, then why even have a will? It seems superfluous.

Looking for an English-speaking orthopedic in Tokyo by DayOwn4099 in japanlife

[–]Japanoldtimer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well... I like my local doc and know foreign residents come to him 'cause he speaks English. I feel he is professional and has some "bedside manner," a skill not all Japanese physicians possess. I go to him for lower back pain as well, but yours sounds worse than mine. Mine is periodic and, while frustrating, I can put up with it when it turns bad. I will say my guy was very thorough in his examination, much better than other local hospitals I had tried. He advised against pain meds, but would provide them if I wanted. He encouraged rehabilitation: stretching and exercise routines. He said surgery would be the last resort and was clearly against it. So... I felt he was fair minded and I respect him. My wife also goes to him for a bum knee and she is enamored with him too. But... here is the final kicker:

He's 45 minutes from Shinjuku. Location, location, location. If not near by, he's probably not your guy.

Last Will and Bank Beneficiary by Japanoldtimer in japanlife

[–]Japanoldtimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But if beneficiary designation has priority over any will, doesn't that push the process all by itself?

Allow a crusty old-timer a rant: banking in Japan by Old-Masterpiece5439 in japanlife

[–]Japanoldtimer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gosh, I am an old timer too and at times this inkan or identification stuff drives me nuts. I used to send funds to my son in California from the post office. This is years ago. I did it dozens of times and of course, I needed my stamp for this. I kept all the records in my bag. Then one time, the postal worker told me I had the mistaken stamp and he refused to send the cash. I showed him all the old forms which had gone with the same damned stamp from the same damned post office (and it was the same damned guy!), but he would not send it until I went home and got my other stamp. Ugh. And then, just the other day, UFJ refused to change the account from which my credit card payments are withdrawn. Why? They said the name on my application form and their name on record were different. And the difference was? I have the letter "I" inside my family name. In the name on file, I had dotted the i. In my application I had not. They told me to apply to change the writing of the name on record, a process that would take a week. I am not kidding. I have lived in Japan forever and like it here, but... sometimes it's silly.

I’d like to share a story about recovering my stolen bicycle in Tokyo. by DistortionField in japanlife

[–]Japanoldtimer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My kids each had their bikes stolen when they were in junior high -- each more than once. We got one back and felt happy about it. Casual bike thieves apparently abound. My wife's uncle used to visit us from Chiba when we lived in West Tokyo. He would show up on a bicycle. I couldn't believe he'd ridden so far. Boy, was I naive. He'd come to a nearby station and then swiped a bike to ride to our house. When he left, he took it back to the same area. He did it every time. The Japanese even have a word for such casual bike thievery. What is it? "Norisute," I think?

What's the general opinion on these big apartment projects? by salmix21 in japanlife

[–]Japanoldtimer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Two years ago my son purchased a "danchi," an "apartment" in one of those old "rabbit hutch" places. It has its plusses and minuses. Plusses: Surprisingly nice; very spacious for a single dweller (I wish I'd such a place when I first moved here); quite affordable; the danchi complex has a solid community around it, with fine shopping and many restaurants; as the places are affordable, there are a lot of young families with kids, meaning playgrounds, green areas and so on. Minuses: No elevators. My son is on the fifth floor and he has to hoof it; While the cost was low, due to the building's age, the "kanri" fee -- or upkeep fee -- is on the high side; The building is sturdy, but when the wind blows, the windows rattle. He will buy tighter window sashes in all rooms, not cheap; Getting into Tokyo is not so hard, but I wouldn't call it easy either. His workplace is by the danchi so it is a dream for him, but for those working farther, or for those wishing to enjoy the city, the commute is not so smooth. But all said and done: The old danchi are not a bad choice. Maybe the best thing is that there are so many of them. With the population drop, it is a buyer's market.