Surprise in Japan - A sincere apology
our Japanese teacher
starts her lesson bowing to us
and apologises for the war
I was rather surprised this 30's something Japanese teacher apologised for the role Japanese played in the second world war
in the Asia Pacific. All the students in this Japanese school in Ichikawa Japan were from Asia particularly China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Many Japanese never felt sorry about the ruthlessness they unleashed on their neighbours but there are some who knew of the real situations and are ready to apologise when occasions permits it.
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Turning Japanese
Ive got your picture
Of me and you
You wrote, I love you.
I love you, too
I sit there staring when theres nothing else to do
Oh, its in color
Your hair is brown
Your eyes are hazel
And soft as clouds
I often kiss you when theres no one else around
Ive got your picture, got your picture
Id like a million of em over myself
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
Youve got me turning up, Im turning down, Im turning in, and Im turning round
Im turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Ive got your picture, Ive got your picture
Id like a million of them over myself
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
Youve got me turning up, Im turning down, Im turning in, and Im turning round
Im turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder its dark
Everyone around me is a total stranger
Everyone avoids me like a cyclone ranger
Everyone
Thats why Im turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
(think so, think so, think so)
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
Turning japanese, I think Im turning japanese, I really think so
(think so, think so, think so...)
song performed by by Liz Phair
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Surprise in Japan - Our teachers wash our toilets
after the lessons
our japanese teacher washes
the toilets we use
I was rather surprised when our japanese teacher in the school we went to in Ichikawa told us teachers take turn to wash the school toilets.
I suppose the school wanted to cut cost and the teachers did not mind since they loved teaching and the school.
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The causes of the China Incident were the exclusion and insult of Japan throughout China, the exclusion of Japanese goods, the persecution of Japanese residents in China, and the illegal violation of Japanese rights.
quote by Hideki Tojo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Honor And Courage
In Japan, they write on rice paper,
In America, we write on the sides of buildings.
In Japan they honor their elders,
In America, we rob them on buses,
And abuse them.
In Japan there is great love for their country.
In America, people are refusing to stand,
For the national anthem.
In Japan, men are volunteering to die,
Without a second thought,
To give up their lives,
To save their fellow citizens.
Oh yes, you'll say, the Japanese are great,
At dying, at suicide missions.
But is that the point?
Shouldn't the point be,
The Japanese love their homeland,
The Japanese love their own people,
The Japanese love their way of life,
The Japanese love their traditions,
Love, honor, respect, courage,
Nobody writes on Japanese walls.
Offenders are quickly and severely dealt with.
Wouldn't you volunteer also?
Maybe not.
Honor, and courage,
Seem to be,
In short supply,
Stateside.
3/26/11 Alton Texas
poem by Juan Olivarez
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
They got word that the Japanese planes were coming back, so we sunk her ourselves so the Japanese wouldn't get it. We didn't want the Japanese to get it intact.
quote by Barney Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
If you have only two pennies left in the world, with the first penny, you should buy rice to feed your family. With the second penny, say the wise Japanese, you should buy a lily. The Japanese understand the importance of dreaming...
Surprise in Japan - Using Chopsticks
the Japanese says
he's surprised I use
chopsticks too
I thought everybody knows Chopsticks orgiinated in China and spread around from there. So I was very surprised when several Japanese expressed surprise that I can use chopsticks. Perhaps, they are not well versed in the history of chopsticks.
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
If these assets were set up as a revolving fund with which Japan could import raw materials for its industries, Japanese exports could again enter the channels of world trade-and Japanese workers would have employment and something to eat.
quote by James Forrestal
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Perhaps there is an idea among Japanese students that one general difference between Japanese and Western poetry is that the former cultivates short forms and the latter longer ones, gut this is only in part true.
quote by Lafcadio Hearn
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Responsibility In The Workforce
What is the work ethic
of Japanese
white-collar employees?
there are three
important components
to the work ethic
loyalty to company
a commitment to quality
peer group bonding
What do the Japanese
feel about their co-workers
and their company?
the Japanese feel
great responsibility
toward company
and co-workers
What moral attitude
are Japanese
employees taught?
Japanese employees
are taught a moral
to work in groups
to think of themselves
as part of a family
What is the Japanese
attitude to failure
in the workforce?
the white-collar executive
is extremely diligent
knowing that failure
or any errors affects
other fellow employees
What is the Japanese
attitude to sharing
profit in the workforce?
all rewards
are group oriented
which places
greater responsibility
on individual
performance.
What is the foundation
of modern business
relationships in Japan?
to develop to maintain
long-term relationships
within one's peer group
is the company goal
this system creates
social professional
networks representing
spiritual foundation in
business relationships
What is the Japanese
attitude to quality
in the workforce?
a Japanese commitment
to quality has rightfully
earned Japanese products
an esteemed reputation
How do Japanese workers
support the continued success
of the company they work for?
Japanese employees put
their best efforts into the
success of their company
Japanese employees give
a wholehearted allegiance
to employer and company
company family are inseparable
within harmony of group society
What is the future of Japanese technology?
All systems are on line and operational.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
When you look at Japanese traditional architecture, you have to look at Japanese culture and its relationship with nature. You can actually live in a harmonious, close contact with nature - this very unique to Japan.
quote by Tadao Ando
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Surprise in Japan - The woman next door
a japanese woman
becomes our friend
then asks to borrow money
our apartment
an old couple before us
took their own lives
We were really surprised by a middle age Japanese woman who came over to borrow money from us, students. Though Japan is an economic power, life is not so rosy as thought to be as the cost of living is extemely high. Most people in Tokyo cannot afford to own their houses. An old couple who lived in our apartment earlier committed suicide because of financial woes.
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Japanese have a strong tendency to suppress their own feelings. That's the Japanese character. They kill their own emotions.
quote by Ichiro Suzuki
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
When I go on Japanese Airlines, I really love it because I like Japanese food.
quote by Phil Collins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Take Me Away
(l. stansfield/aska)
How much hurt can we take
When its cold outside all I can do is hide and pray for better times
Oh how I need a friend to wipe the tears from my eyes
Love is hard to find in somewhere so unkind
When its been left here behind
There is a place somewhere and if youll lead me there
Then we can open our eyes
Chorus
So take me away
So far, so far away
Oh, wont you take me to a better day
Take me away
(japanese lyric)
Oh, take me away
(japanese lyric)
Its easy just hold me in your arms
cause when the world is upside down
We can bring it round
How much hurt can we take
How much hurt can we take
It seems that everywhere although we tried to care
Were just not taking the time
When all we communicate is full of greed and hate
Its time to open our eyes
Chorus
(japanese lyric)
We can bring it round
(japanese lyric)
We can bring it round
(japanese lyric)
There is a place somewhere and if you lead me there
Then we can open our eyes
Then we can open our eyes
(repeat chorus to fade out)
song performed by by Lisa Stansfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
We made air attacks on the Japanese anchorage, sinking and damaging several vessels. However, the Japanese were alerted to the fact that American carriers were nearby.
quote by Jack Adams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Left Hand Suzuki Method
(noodle speaks japanese)
The most important thing
Is to listen to a recording of the music.
It makes them gain a ..um.. musical sense
And gets to the point of..fast progress
(noodle speaks japanese again)
And also.. every day..every lesson...
We have to make sure theyre not lying about
Tunization
song performed by by Gorillaz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Surprise in Japan - Shinjuku's sex toy shop
shinjuku sex shop
it's more interesting to buy
one staffer quips
The sex shops paraded rubbery sex toys all over. It was my first visit to a sex shop and was quite thrilled by the openness Japanese had towards such merchandise. The staffer was a woman. Shinjuku Kabukicho is one large red light area so such shops are found in the area. Perhaps she knew I am not a Japanese and tried to put a light joke on my visit. She knew it would be hard to sell me an item. But that was a surprise, a Japanese woman trying to sell something quite 'offensive' to a man and being quite cheeky about it.
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Nevertheless, China was unfortunately unable to understand Japan's real position, and it is greatly to be regretted that the Sino-Japanese War became one of long duration.
quote by Hideki Tojo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Dont Go Down That Street
Dont go down that street
In those shoes that squeak
cause I get afraid that you might not come home
Careful how you speak
When youre on the street
cause theyve broken down all the telephones
Dont go down that street, no no no
Dont go down that street, no no no
Dont go down that street
Dont go down that street
Where the brave boys meet
cause Im chicken feed when theyre on their own
Dont get in that car
Things might go too far
(line in japanese)
Dont go down that street, no no no
Dont go down that street, no no no
Dont go down that street
(japanese talkover by miko)
(ooh, ooh, aaah, aah)
(japanese verse)
song performed by by Culture Club
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!