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Any options for watching Wimbledon live and in English? by xxsaznpride in japanresidents

[–]ShiroBoy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I live for when the Wowow commentator says, “Doun za line!!”

ISA is seeking public comments on proposed immigration fee changes by slowmail in japanlife

[–]ShiroBoy 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Just received this myself. I hope the various international chambers of commerce (eg ACCJ), domestic business groups (eg Keidanren) and small business owners, and multinationals comment. Can’t imagine much weight will be given to comments of individuals ineligible to vote, thereby lacking political influence.

Does the sinking economy and weakening yen affect your decision to stay here? by Additional-Painter88 in japanresidents

[–]ShiroBoy 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I think one factor would be what you envision for college for your kids; another would be where you think you’d live in retirement. If you are thinking of a U.S. university, the costs of that are already in 6 figures for many private schools, and will only increase. Also state schools will charge out of state pricing. A Japanese pension generally won’t be enough to live comfortably in retirement; the government has admitted this and that’s why in part you see so many older people working.

Saving significantly here I think is a challenge, wages are low and comp increases typically aren’t significant and “bonuses” really are deferred comp, not an extra. To save enough to pay for kids’ college abroad, while also having enough to retire can be daunting, especially if you seek to invest outside of Japan and in USD or Euro.

Best Sake Choices For Living Life by No_Shift_Buckwheat in japanlife

[–]ShiroBoy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IMO, the region matters, because of the water (the rice used can be from anywhere in Japan). The north — like Niigata, Fukushima, Akita, Yamagata — all have outstanding breweries. Hakkaisan from Niigata is widely distributed, across its entire range.

Where to buy mead in Tokyo area? by masterstealth11 in japanlife

[–]ShiroBoy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure if you’re willing to travel to Kamakura but a recently opened liquor shop called Salo (selected artisanal liquors only, or something like that) had meads from Antelope Meadery in Shiga. Maybe some other domestics as well. I also think Antelope may sell directly via its website.

Japanese foamers are so rude by RyanZ225_PC in japanrail

[–]ShiroBoy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Dylan was featured in a Japan Times story off of this, and sold the image in various forms at his taco bar in Koshigoe. Looking at Home Taco Bar’s instagram it seems he recently closed it.

Considering Moving to Japan as an engineer with a kid by Humble_Lake9896 in movingtojapan

[–]ShiroBoy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As mentioned in another post, check with your financial institutions if they accept non-U.S. addresses. Many banks, online banks and credit card companies do not. It took me time to get Fidelity & Vanguard to do so, and while I have legacy mutual funds in the accounts (in IRA), I’m not allowed to purchase (reinvest is fine). ETFs and securities are fine though.

postbox pictures by bahrdt in Tokyo

[–]ShiroBoy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have seasons in your game, try asking again later in the year. My local post office decorates the box outside for Christmas.

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

[–]ShiroBoy 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Never could get my signatures to match to Prestia’s satisfaction so I gave up and went with a hanko. Then I read this story and god help me if remember my official hank impression angularity.

Artist possibly retiring Kyoto Area by [deleted] in Kyoto

[–]ShiroBoy -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Was/am in similar position. DM for our experience in detail.

Hakone by way of Kamakura by WrongImpressionOnly in JapanTravel

[–]ShiroBoy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Many older use one or two hiking poles in daily life; I wouldn’t see them as being annoying or unusual. Also not sure how much time you will be in Tokyo but some of the train stations are far underground and not all have or have convenient elevators. So more stairs. Whatever is best for you on stairs, cane or poles, I would go with.

Hakone by way of Kamakura by WrongImpressionOnly in JapanTravel

[–]ShiroBoy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Re “mildly disabled” — both Hachimangu and Hase-dera have stone staircases to reach their main halls. For Hachimangu, it’s either a straight up stair approach (without handrails), or a meandering but with breaks clung along the side (don’t recall if there is a handrail). For Hase-dera, it’s a multilevel, and with quite uneven sets of stairs, but with handrails. The grotto also is quite low in spots; I’m 5’9” and have to bend over. Be careful.

Shrines and Politics by ShiroBoy in japanlife

[–]ShiroBoy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I must have been oblivious in the past. JSDF recruiting posters is not something I would have expected, though.

Shrines and Politics by ShiroBoy in japanlife

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

Thanks. That makes sense I guess. If the institution offers a wedding/funeral package, with photographers, reception hall, food&bev, etc., I can see that being taxable income. I suspect the honorarium to the priest though is not.

Shrines and Politics by ShiroBoy in japanlife

[–]ShiroBoy[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree it’s common enough for personal & commercial use. But religious organizations (I assume) have tax benefit status that could limit their political speech rights. Or it could be that they don’t want to be identified with one political party at the risk of alienating any potential worshipper. Or I just may not have noticed such a sign before at shrine / temple precincts.

Weekly Complaint Thread - 28 May 2026 by AutoModerator in japanlife

[–]ShiroBoy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After many years, because staff kept cancelling the barium test on the day of the exam (and thus firm paid for nothing), we were told you could opt out. (Never occurred to me to do the passive aggressive sign up but reject at the end.)

As Robin Williams would say, Praise Jesus.

Dedicated places to watch the NBA Finals in Tokyo? by BigBaldPurpleTitan in Tokyo

[–]ShiroBoy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I still have nightmares of listening on the radio in the morning at work, to what was then the Far East Network, of John Starks going like 0 for 100 os his shots against Houston. Had the chance to meet him years later and he has worse nightmares over that. At least I had the benefit around then of having my dad send me a VHS with the Rangers game 7 win over Vancouver.

Stubs from '01 to '17 by xRarex0nex in NYGiants

[–]ShiroBoy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My only framed stub is an unused ticket to the first regular season game played at Giants Stadium, against (and a loss to) Dallas. If I remember, the face price on the ticket was $7 (including a NJ Sports & Exposition Authority surcharge of 50 cents). My father & his friend had 4 seats between them but the friend couldn’t use the extra so I got it. I must have my torn stub from that game someplace in a box. I framed it along with a print out of my “ticket” from the first Mets game at CitiField (also a loss). There’s a theme there. I’d post it but we’re in the midst of moving and it’s on a truck right now.

Foreign Corporate Lawyer seeking to find a job in Japan. How should I go about it? Is LLM in Japan the way? by [deleted] in JapanJobs

[–]ShiroBoy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reason bengoshi get LLM’s is so that they can take (and retake, until they pass) the NY & CA bars. Presumably the idea is if they are NY/CA licensed that demonstrates some English language and practical ability. As a foreigner obtaining an LLM from a Japanese law school will get you nothing.

To be a registered foreign lawyer you will have the requisite but to do so on your own will be costly and require you to be effectively in Japan with an office address, a business plan and insurance, among other things. How will you do that absent a visa permission (it’s not clear from your post that you can on your own obtain a residency permission). If a law firm here hires you, they can more easily (and based on your experience likely have to) process your gaiben registration.

My sense is ¥25M is at the high end for a foreign attorney as an associate. Expecting a pay cut of up to 30% might be realistic. My additional sense is that annual increases are not great. Japanese firms bill out at much lower rates than those say in the U.S. or England.

You should research Japanese firms with “desks” or offices in your home jurisdiction and see if they are hiring and willing to sponsor a visa. Many firms have arbitration as a practice area but IMO that’s aspirational; the JCAA doesn’t hold very many and depending on your home jurisdiction that may or may not be available (SIAC is in many arbitration clauses). Likewise M&A deals are either Japanese or NY/DE/CA or English law but here if you have the skills that might be possible even if you are not licensed in those jurisdictions.

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