Tidbits
Go Hiromi Go - In an attempt to prove that he was indeed capable of living " la vida loco" (The Crazy Life), pop singer Go Hiromi gave a live, unscheduled, performance in front of 1,000 screaming fans at Shibuya Station. Unfortunately for Go and the organizers of the festivities, Sony Music Entertainment, Dentsu and Burning Production Co., the local constabulary did not find the concert, which was performed on the back of a flatbed truck in front of the station, within the law because they had not given it permission. The three companies and six of their employees have been accused of violating the Road Traffic Law. Police seem to be particularly upset as the impromptu performance may have disturbed several right-wing groups who usually "perform" in the exact same area with loudspeakers at ear-popping decibels, which the police routinely permit.
Freedom of information? - Did you know that in Japan you must have permission from police to distribute handbills and other forms of information in public areas like sidewalks and near train stations? Although treated like jaywalking in most parts of Japan (on the books but not enforced) as evidenced by half the shop owners in the country handing out flyers, the Azabu Police strongly enforces the law in Roppongi. Even people distributing religious information have been held by the Azabu Police for as long as three weeks without formal charges ever being filed. Japan Traveler would like to distribute our "free" magazines in near Roppongi crossing where foreigners are concentrated, but in order to do so we must first ask the police for permission. We will keep you posted on whether or not the police agree to grant us their permission to distribute our information in public.
JR is the No. 1 fare dodger in Japan - A company employee in Sapporo was recently hit with a Y7 million fine for "kiseru" (cheating on train ticket fares) over a 14-month period, but JR East takes the title for number one cheater as it routinely overcharges millions of riders on a daily basis. As a firm policy, JR will not refund overpayment of a ticket upon leaving a station. Travelers who realize their mistake before entering a station but do not have time to wait in line will not be given a refund at another station on an unused ticket and people returning the next day are also denied a refund even if the ticket was never used. A soccer-style poster in many JR stations exhorts riders to "play fair" and "not cheat" on train fares. It is about time for JR to put its money where its mouth is, read its own signs, stop gouging commuters, and play fair!
Otaru, Hokkaido Travel Advisory - United Front Japan, a group protecting the rights of foreigners in Japan, is reporting that the Otaru Sento Association has made it an official policy to ban foreigners from being admitted to member hot springs. This was confirmed by people from UFJ visiting three area onsens, Yuunohana Otaru, Ossupa Tenbou and Onsen Panorama. Signs stipulating "JAPANESE ONLY" were in place and the foreigners were denied entry. Visit http://www.ufj.gol.com for more information. When traveling to Hokkaido, foreigners may wish to consider avoiding Otaru City.
Girls in the buff in Hyogo - The municipal government of Kawanishi in Hyogo Prefecture has at last decided to build or allocate space for girl's changing rooms at all seven of the public middle schools in the city. This decision comes more than two years after the initial request by the female students who have been forced to change clothes in a corner of the school grounds. The municipal government had been denying the request saying that they had been experiencing financial difficulties. A video camera had been found near the school grounds fueling speculation that it had been used for videotaping the girls changing. The Kawanishi Municipal Board of Education finally decided to conduct a survey of the feelings of the students saying they could no longer ignore the issue, as it was a matter of the students' right to privacy. It is not clear whether the boys will be also getting change rooms.
Attention all U.S. Citizens - Americans should know that effective now, the social security administration will automatically send you an annual projection of your benefits at retirement. However, you must let them know your address (and you must be at least age 25). Catch them on the web at www.ssa.gov. Note also, that for your first year working in Japan, the post office will take care of the extra postage to forward your regular mail overseas.
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FEATURE
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