Big Sister's 1984 Post Office

Sealed With a Kiss

By Mike in Tokyo Rogers  

What does modern North Korea, 1600 ~ 1853 Imperial Japan and the USA have in common? Those government's try to support failing systems by cutting their people off from the foreign influence.  It's called, in Japanese, Sakoku.  Sakoku means something like isolation from the outside.

In North Korea, if they catch you trying to escape, they execute you. Imperial Japan did the same thing. How much longer until the USA tries this? Laugh now but the situation there is getting more absurd by the minute.

People from the outside of the USA can’t send you regular mail in many cases anymore.

Americans have lost their freedoms and their country. How much longer will they tolerate what has happened to them? How much farther will they allow their government to invade on their privacy in order to give the "security"? 

Considering all the recent uproar about police brutality to TSA groping, I wonder, how many more of these mini cancers will be needed to accumulate before the entire system collapses?

Now, unbeknownst to most Americans, I'm sure, people outside of the USA can no longer mail you packages if that package weighs more than 1 pound (453 grams). That's the total weight including packaging. One pound is not very heavy. 

My seven-year-old son just received a beautiful electronic building set for his birthday from a girl who is his seven-year-old friend in Arizona. My son loves it. With that set, you can build all sorts of electrical projects; lights, on-off switches, fans, you-name-it. The set is high quality. That, and the book she sent him, was easily over one pound. 

Too bad he is unable to repay the favor.

Of course, we try to teach our son manners and kindness; if you wish to receive mail, you write mail. If you get a present, you must write back thanks. To receive, you must give. 

In this case, Christmas is coming up and so he felt it was best to give a present back to his friend who sent the birthday present. Quite understandable and I agree.    

Since my son is only seven and has no job, it is up to dad and mom to finance such operations as buying gifts and we are happy to do so when the occasion seems right. I took my son shopping and he chose some Hello Kitty items and a book for his seven-year-old girlfriend. 

We wrapped the packages and took them to the post office to send to the USA this morning. Alas, while at the post office, we were told that the US Department of Homeland Security has stated that there can be no more mailing of packages that weigh over 1 pound unless we can provide the Social Security number of the recipient. 

Bravo! Homeland Security! I am so pleased to see you on the front line of America's safety! One can never be too careful you know. 

Always be proactive to make sure kids don't run, jump and have fun as they might hurt themselves… And never, but never, go into the swimming pool until you've learned to swim... So I applaud your caution.

But, darn it if I don’t have a few simple questions:  

In what manner shall I inquire to this little seven-year-old girl's father about this young ladies' Social Security number? If the father asks, "Why?" How shall I explain that we (Homeland Security and I) are working together to protect her freedom by invading her privacy? And from whom are we protecting her? Are we protecting her from an over-weight Hello Kitty? 

Also, I'm not sure, but I do think something like a Social Security number like this is private information, is it not? Aren't people running around these days involved in identity thefts that are sniffing for that sort of information? 

How does making an arbitrary limit of one pound stop anyone from sending dangerous materials? 

Also, how does providing you with a Social Security number relate to protecting people from terrorists? 

Hmmm… I've been thinking about this and figure that I must be just too dumb to see... 

Oh, and my final question to Homeland Security: 

If my seven-year-old sends the envelop to his seven-year-old girlfriend, sealed with a kiss, will that require extra postage or a DNA check? 

Copyright © 2010 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.

Okinawa (Ryukyu Kingdom) King & Queen Contest 2010

Okinawa is also known as the Ryukyu Islands. Every year they celebrate their heritage with a King and Queen contest. I thought you might like this very well made video!

From Discover Okinawa:

Discover Okinawa:

The 17th Shurijo Castle Park Mid-Autumn Celebration
Ryukyu Kingdom King & Queen Contest 2010
September 19th, 2010
At Shurijo Castle Park: Una Forecourt
国営沖縄記念公園（首里城公園）：御庭特設ステージ
In Naha City, Okinawa

On Ryukyu Kingdom King & Queen Contest, 10 candidates, 5 men and 5 women, promote themselves on the stage.

After chosen, the preceding year king and queen show up with full dressed and perform inheriting ceremony.

New king and queen will participate in annual events held in Shuri-Jo Castle such as the Sappo Gishiki (Enthronement Ceremony for A New King), the Ryukyu Kingdom Royal Procession and the Chohai Okishiki (New Year's Ceremony.)

Please join "Visit Okinawa Japan" / "What's up! Okinawa" Fan page:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Visit-O...
Zoome http://circle.zoome.jp/OKINAWAnet

Old Japanese Guy Has Hilarious Pranks!

Now this is FUNNY! I don't understand this, but this is what YouTube says:

Princeton University Cognitive Science Laboratory as "acting like a clown or buffoon" or "dressing showily", or alternatively, "a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement". Pranks can take the forms of practical jokes, hoaxes, or even petty criminal activity, such as the theft of traffic cones.
Practical jokes are associated with several holidays, such as April Fool's Day, Halloween, and the Day of the Holy Innocents (in Spanish-speaking cultures). They also feature in various rites of passage, such as stag nights.
In recent years, the term "pranking" has also come to mean the ringing of a mobile telephone and hanging up before it is answered, to alert the mobile phone's user without having to pay a network connection charge.


Anyhow, pay close attention to this video! This is great!








Thanks to I am Too Curious & YouTube

Tug of War w/ Women's Panty Hose on the Head? It's Japanese TV!

More highly intelligent TV from Japan.

From I am Too Curious:

Japanese television gives us another game show of weirdness, as two contestants fiercely battle with a pair of panty hose.


EMBED-Hilariously Weird Tug of War - Watch more free videos

New Article on Lew Rockwell!

I will have a new article on Lew Rockwell today with my comments concerning the mailing of packages from Japan to the USA.

I hope you enjoy it.

You can read it first here:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/rogers/rogers241.html

FUNKY & UNIQUE CHRISTMAS FASHION TRENDS

BY LAVIN

GIVENCHY

Most of us avoid walking in poo,

 but the INSA Dung Heel encourages as much.

 The 10-inch heels are made of elephant dung.

Antique Japanese Acrobatics

This is wild! This was supposedly taken in 1904!



Thanks to I am Too Curious

Japanese Real-Life Bridge Looks Like Erector Set

From Dump Trumpet.


The Coolest Double Spiral bridge you'll ever see!


The Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge consists of two spirals, each 1.1 km long,
80-meter in diameter - the only way for traffic to get down the mountainside into the valley, too steep for any other usual road-building solutions. The busy
Route 414 serves the weekend crowd from Tokyo, intent to wind down at the hot springs resort of the Izu Peninsula. The "winding down" bit obviously starts at this bridge. Built in 1981, the double-spiral structure demands careful driving - the speed limit on the bridge is only 30 km/h, which also helps to better enjoy the views...

Japanese Artist's Work on Display in New York

Japan doesn't have big parades down the streets like they do in the west (due to the cities being so cramped and narrow for a hundred years, we still have most large streets that have over ground telephone poles). But some Japanese artists get to take their work elsewhere and show it off. One artist did at this year's Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade!

Geekosystem reports:

This year's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, like usual, featured a number of new balloons, prominently featuring the transformed art of four pop artists. Takashi Murakami, Japan's king of pop art, was honored with two balloons, one each for his characters Kaikai and Kiki, and appeared himself, in costume, riding the float beneath them. more pictures of what happens when you take already strange-to-western-eyes Japanese otaku culture and filter it through a "high-art" lens to follow. 





Thanks to News On Japan

No More Mailing Packages to USA Over 1 Pound (453 grams)

It was reported on this site a while back and now here is confirmation: No More Mailing Packages to USA Over 1 Pound

Note to readers: I have just confirmed this news myself with a trip to the Futagotamagawa branch of the Japanese post office. They will no longer accept any packages mailed to the United States that weigh over 453 grams. 

The staff at the post office told me that policy was confused and that the Japanese post office is trying to get clarification. But, until then, the rule stands: "No packages to the USA that weigh a total of over 453 grams (one pound)."

Homeland Security has gone mad in the USA. How much longer will the people tolerate this?  


Well, Merry Christmas Amerika! - Mike in Tokyo Rogers


READ MY COMMENTARY ON THIS ON LEW ROCKWELL HERE

Napolitano Halts Shipment of Packages as Prelude to Civilian 'Shipper' ID Lockdown

We were just notified today from the relative in Japan who sent a box with video tapes that he couldn't send the box to the USA, but the Japanese postal clerk didn't know why when asked for the reason.

We then took a look at Japanese postal web sites to try to find out what's going on and discovered that Janet Napolitano set up new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shipping restrictions on November 17, 2010 that blocks the shipping of any NON COMMERCIAL parcel into the United States that weighs more than 0.9 pounds (under 16 ounces) without first supplying the Social Security number (or taxpayer ID number) of the RECEPIENT of the package.

Thanks to WRH

Korea's Nearing All Out War? Artillery Heard in North Korea! Breaking!

Artillery Heard in North Korea; U.S. Carrier Enters Yellow Sea 28 Nov 2010 Residents of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong island were ordered to bomb shelters after artillery shots were heard on the North Korean mainland and U.S. warships began naval exercises in the nearby waters of the Yellow Sea. The echo of shots rang out this morning, said a South Korean Defense Ministry official who declined to be named, citing military policy. While residents were later allowed out of shelters, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington joined South Korean vessels for four days of drills.

US, S.Korea in show of force as islanders take refuge 28 Nov 2010 The United States and South Korea staged a potent show of naval strength Sunday as residents of a border island bombarded last week by North Korea scurried for shelter for fear of a new attack. The Yellow Sea naval drill, spearheaded by the massive US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington, aims to send a message of deterrence to the North but has sparked strong criticism from Pyongyang's ally China.

North Korea readies missiles as U.S.-South Korea drill begins 27 Nov 2010 North Korea has placed surface-to-surface missiles on launch pads in the Yellow Sea, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday, as the United States and South Korea began joint military exercises that have upset neighbor China. The agency also said North Korea had moved surface-to-air missiles to frontline areas, days after it shelled a tiny South Korean island killing four people. The North's official KCNA news agency warned of retaliatory action if its territory is violated.


Japan on high alert amid war games 28 Nov 2010 Japan is increasing its vigilance amid a joint military drill by the United States and South Korea in the Yellow Sea a week after an alleged North Korean attack on the Yeonpyeong Island. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan told reporters on Friday night that the government is taking all possible measures, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday. Kan instructed all cabinet ministers to remain in Tokyo during the military exercises in order to prepare for any contingency.


The questions must be asked, "Why is this happening now?" Is this a game to help prop up a failing US Dollar?

Thanks to Breaking News and Commentary from Citizens for Legitimate Government

JPモルガンを潰そうキャンペーン! Max Keiser

JPモルガンを潰そうキャンペーン! Let's Fight Back Against the

 Financial Terrorists!　（ビデオは下）

Max Keiser has a great idea as to how we can fight back against the corrupt banking system:

MK: The question in not whether or not buying Silver crashes JP Morgan. No one is saying – not even JP Morgan – that it’s not possible if enough people mobilize and take physical delivery. The question now is whether or not the people of Ireland, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, France, Argentina, and all the countries being forced to give up their sovereignty to bail out the bankers and the IMF are willing to spend a few bucks to save themselves. The only defense JP Morgan has, the only way their stock can be saved from ZERO is if central banks print more money – - – but that only means that the remaining shorts on JP Morgan’s books are even more damaging to their balance sheet and the Silver in your hand is worth even more!!!! Don’t be a fucking idiot and don’t be swayed by those who think you’re not angry enough to take down the principle architect of your misery. Crash JP Morgan Buy Silver. 

１２月１１日までに、みんなが１オンスの金を購入するとJPモルガンは倒産する。


After a few drinks and after watching Max Keiser, I got enthused and decided to make this (slightly) drunken rant!


See Max Keiser here. Not only is Max great at saying the truth about our financial mess, he is excellent at running a web site. 


My recommended place to buy gold or silver in Tokyo here




(父さん倒産しないで！）

Fashion Jewelry For Fadz

Costume jewelry is also called “Fashion Jewelry” as it is used mainly for the purpose of fashions. Everything that glitters is not made of gold. Costume jewelry is that which is made of less valuable materials like plastic, base metals, synthetic stones and glass. Basically, in jewelry expensive materials like gems, metals are used but in costume jewelry expensive materials are replaced by the inexpensive materials.
It is an asset for those who use jewelry for fashion purposes. It is so called “costume jewelry” because it is used frequently for stage costume.
Gold over silver and silver over brass are the best combinations. Crystals are also having their own importance in the fashion jewelry. Ivory is mostly used in the preparation of jewelry for men. Acrylic and plastic are involved in the manufacturing of low value jewelry. Most of the products of costume jewelry are handcrafted.
Bracelets, Rings, chains, earrings, necklaces and pendants are most renowned items of costume jewelry. Gems like amber, aquamarine, and garnet, opal, freshwater pearl and amethyst are used in crafting of costume jewelry.
However, care should be taken of the costume jewelry to preserve the shiny appearance of it. You must wipe out the costume jewelry with a soft cloth since its shininess will be lost due to the sweat produced by the body. They must be preserved in smooth pouches and velvet boxes so that they may not become dull and its originality remains same. Dipping this jewelry in some strong solutions may disturb the glowing outlook of the jewelry. It may alter the color of stones on it and sprays, perfumes must be used before the wearing of this costume jewelry. They need some periodical maintenance like they should be rewashed in gold or silver. Dull gems in the costume jewelry are replaced by brighter and new gems to get brighter look.


Fashion Jewelry
Fashion Jewelry
Fashion Jewelry
Fashion Jewelry
Fashion Jewelry

Merry Christmas Tree in Japan 2010!

Here is our Christmas Tree in Japan for December 2010.

It is not decorated. Please stay tuned for updates on that!

Merry Christmas 2010!

Ha! Another Reason NOT To Fly in the USA! Convicted Felons Working for TSA!

I wrote that we should all boycott all American based airlines and not fly to the USA. Why? Because we shouldn't be treated like animals or slaves.


Now, WBSTV shows us that convicted felon works for the TSA.


This guy is a convicted felon!

TSA Worker Accused Of Assault Had Prior Record

ATLANTA -- Channel 2 Action News has learned a TSA security worker accused of abducting and sexually assaulting a woman had previously been convicted of misdemeanor harassment and stalking.

Randall King remains hospitalized following a suicide attempt. Police said last Wednesday, King agreed to drive a woman home from the airport. Instead, investigators said King took her to a MARTA station parking lot and placed novelty handcuffs on her.

Great! Just great! "Yes maam. Please pull down your underwear so that I can see if you have a bomb in your pants!" Huff! Huff!

George Williams' Top 5 Music Videos Show #4! (11/27/10)

Hey! Hey! Hey! Welcome once again! It's week #4 of the George Williams George Williams' Top 5 Music Videos Show.

George runs two of the highest rated music shows in Japan: GGTV on Music on TV (which has a webpage See it here.) and BAM! on 76.1 InterFM. But seriously, George Williamses, Er, George Wiiliams'... Oh, never mind... His own site kicks ass and is the only one like it in Japan! See it here: www.georgewilliams.jp

#5 Wooly Bandits - Gonna Make it Right 

#4 The Violet May - Bright or Better


#3 Expatriate - Blackbird

#2 Hellogoodbye - Baby It's Fact 

#1 Barb Wire Dolls - Street Generation

Bonus Video! "Barb Wire Dolls film trailer of girl female fronted New Wave Punk Rock band from Greece."

US Military Antagonizing China and North Korea

On Wednesday Nov.24, I wrote about how we didn't get the true story about the North Korean army firing upon a South Korean Island.


Now it seems that the intrigue has deepened. 


Business Insider posts:


China has warned against military activity near its coastline ahead of U.S.-Korea naval exercises, according to Reuters.

China's Foreign Ministry said in an online posting that naval exercises risks starting a war: "We oppose any military act by any party conducted in China's exclusive economic zone without approval."

North Korea has also threatened to respond to military gestures with more attacks: "The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war due to the reckless plan of those trigger-happy elements to stage again war exercises targeted against the (North)."

Now things are beginning to make sense. Why in the world is the US Imperial military machine antagonizing North Korea and China?


Or  is this all, as many have suggested, a way to prop up a failing US dollar?

Donut Boom in Japan Goes Mania!

There is definitely a donut boom going on here in Japan. Before we just had Dunkin' Donuts and Mister Donuts (both B-grade) but the competition really started heating up when Krispy Kreme donuts opened shop.

Now, Krispy Kreme is all the rage.

But it's not just donuts that all the girls are talking about (and eating).... How about a personal donut carrying case?

What will they think of next? I never had a problem with the paper bags they gave us.

See more decadence and money wasting at: Strapya World Product Site


Thanks to Geekologie

Japan Has Just As Many Michelin Restaurants as France Does!

I have been telling many friends, over the years, that Japan (Tokyo in particular) has some of the best restaurants in the world. Today's news once again confirms this.

From Google

Japan has for the first time drawn level with France in terms of the number of three-Michelin-starred restaurants it can boast, according to the latest Tokyo guide released Wednesday. The 2011 version of the French foodie bible saw 14 eateries in Tokyo get top marks from Michelin, giving Japan a total of 26 of the coveted stars nationwide and putting it neck-and-neck with Michelin's home turf. Tokyo itself managed to keep its status as the world capital of cuisine, according to Michelin, with its 14 three-starred establishments, up from 11 last year, building its lead over Paris, which has just 10.


  

Thanks to News on Japan

THANKSGIVING FASHION

IT ALL STARTED LIKE THIS

THEN WE LOST IT

AND WITH GLOBAL WARMING IS BECOMING LIKE THIS

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. While it may have been religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.^[1] It is sometimes casually referred to as Turkey Day.

In Canada, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October, which is Columbus Day in the United States. In the United States, it falls on the fourth Thursday of November.

The precise historical origin of the holiday is disputed. Although Americans commonly believe that the first Thanksgiving happened in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, there is some evidence for an earlier harvest celebration by Spanish explorers in Florida during 1565. There was also a celebration two years before Plymouth (in 1619) in Virginia. There was a Thanksgiving of sorts in Newfoundland, modern-day Canada in 1578 but it was to celebrate a homecoming instead of the harvest.

Thanksgiving Day is also celebrated in Leiden, in the The Netherlands. A different holiday which uses the same name is celebrated at a similar time of year in the island of Grenada.

:GOBBLE GOBBLE:

The Greatest Theft in Human History

My friends Mish Shedlock and The LRC crew recommend this.

No. It's not about Japan. But it's up to everyone to spread the message.


The American Dream Trailer from American Dream on Vimeo.

Win a Vacation to Croatia with Domino Pizza

This just in and not officially announced (nor confirmed):

Rumor has it that Domino Pizza Japan will make a Valentine's Day Heart-Shaped Pizza this next year (Feb. 2011).

Anyone who is a part of their e-mail magazine or web-member will get the chance to win a vacation to Croatia - The Mediterranean the way it used to be! (Whether they are ordering a pizza or not - just join Domino Pizza as a member!)

The campaign looks like it will be announced in January! Stay tuned!

Croatia Tourism Japan website

Super Narrow Japanese Houses

I wrote a while back about super narrow Japanese houses (Japan's version of Shotgun Houses).

Check out these great photos from Baraskit.sehttp://www.baraskit.se:

The Truth About North Korea and South Korea

There is nothing that happens on the Korean peninsula that doesn't affect Japan. But we must always use a cool head and be patient when making judgements and not jumping to conclusions.


The reports earlier today were completely blaming North Korea for agressive actions and killing civilians for no apparent reason.


The Lookout on Yahoo reported:

Early Tuesday, North Korea fired artillery shells at the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, which sits off the disputed maritime border between the two countries. The attack killed two South Korean marines and wounded 18 soldiers and civilians.  It prompted an exchange of fire between the two sides, involving around 175 artillery shells and lasting about an hour.

The North accused South Korea of having started the exchange by firing shells inside North Korean territory during a set of South Korean military exercises that the North called "war maneuvers."  The South denies that charge, saying that its soldiers were merely conducting military drills and that no shots fell in North Korean territory.

This report makes North Korea out to look like it is completely in the wrong.

But, then, a few hours later, the story changes.

From Yahoo News: 

The skirmish began when North Korea warned the South to halt military drills near their sea border, according to South Korean officials. When Seoul refused and began firing artillery into disputed waters — but away from the North Korean shore — the North retaliated by shelling the small island of Yeonpyeong, which houses South Korean military installations and a small civilian population.

Seoul responded by unleashing its own barrage from K-9 155mm self-propelled howitzers and scrambling fighter jets. Two South Korean marines were killed in the shelling that also injured 15 troops and three civilians.

We know that North Korea is run by some very paranoid people. We know that Kim Jong Il is sick and about to be replaced by his son. It's a pretty safe guess that the son is willing to show that he cannot be pushed around easily.

So why does South Korea antagonizes these people?

It is easy to imagine that North Korea would get very upset about belligerent military maneuvers near their maritime border. Then after they demand a halt, they are ignored. What would be their response?

If they fired shells into the water, it might look like they were poor shots with poor equipment. I can see why they would fire on a military base.

I am not excusing North Korea at all. They are dangerous and not to be messed with. 

I think that if you are messing with a hornet's nest and they buzz by your head and warn you to stay away, you'd better to stay away. Why in the world would South Korea fire shells into North Korean waters? What could possibly be the purpose of that besides starting a war