I lived there for six-ish years- from 1998 until 2004.

When Americans re-elected GWB, I realized “this place is RAPIDLY becoming a shithole that’s only going to get worse.” I got the hell out as soon as I was able, and every single day since, I’ve been more relieved I left when I did.

“Rock over London, Rock on Chicago”

It’s not a crisis, it’s just backwards-ass ethnonationalist bullshit. Disabuse the Japanese populace of the goofy “only Japan-grown rice is suitable for our very special and unique Yamato bodies” nonsense and the crisis disappears.

On top of this, given that:

Ultimately, Japan will need to figure out a long-term strategy since the average age of its farmers is 69, and the farming population has fallen by half over the past two decades to 1.1 million in 2024.

There are a LOT of people in Japan who would like to start (or take over existing) farms, but the system is stacked against anyone who isn’t a citizen. The Agricultural Land Act requires approval from local committees that favor established farmers- and the dinosaurs in rural villages would prefer their communities disappear than bear the horror of living next to foreigners, making it nearly impossible for newcomers to acquire farmland. Even forming a farming company demands that over half the directors be certified local farmers- a unrealistic hurdle given the circumstances. With no dedicated farming visa and no institutional support for newcomers, they’re “protecting tradition” at the expense of these same traditions by blocking foreign residents from contributing to its disappearing agricultural sector. Shit’s wild.

I can’t possibly be doing the jerkoff gesture harder than I’m doing it right now.

I ABSOLUTELY know who this snowflake voted for.

What the hell is with the last few years and suddenly nobody knowing that “worse” and “worst” are two different words with different meanings?

Counterpoint: no, you

I don’t think anyone should be living their lives in fear of being killed by zestiness

We called it that in the 80s in rural Canada.

What could they possibly need to do? Osama Bin Laden illustrated very effectively that all you need to do is give Americans a little bloody nose- the US will happily spend the next 30 years trying to stop the bleeding by stabbing itself in the heart.

Nah. Can almost guarantee I would have been on your side when I was your age.

Counterpoint: call out bigotry or fuck off

Authorities suspect the group was targeting the LGBTQ+ community. The arrested teenager was in possession of child sexual abuse material.

So exactly what you’d expect

That’s what happens when presenteeism is rewarded over productivity.

If you’re applying for a job in my department and your social media has a whiff of Jordan Peterson your CV is going in the garbage.

Obi-wan’s face at that bit kills me every time

She probably loves to honky-tonk

One in the hope, two in the change

You’ve crossed over into parody.

Great, so I’m asking you. Where is your line, beyond which sabotage is suddenly morally justified?