- Discussion Week 16 -

 

 

- Tuesday the 25th and Friday the 28th of July -

                                   

- Should famous people that kill themselves/die of a drug overdose be given media attention? - 

 

When people get rich and famous, it isn't uncommon to hear that they do drugs. It's also not entirely uncommon to hear that they may have died of a drug overdose, or killed themselves while on drugs, or because of drugs.

 

After they die, the media often try to show how the famous person was loved and great etc.

 

What kind of message are we sending to people who idolise those famous people?

That you will still be loved even if you do drugs? even if you die from them?

That suicide is ok because people may still look at your life positively?

Should we be giving them negative media attention instead?

 

Let's talk about that.

 

 

 - Discussion Week 15 -

 

 

- Tuesday the 18th and Friday the 21st of July -

                                   

- When does convenience become laziness - 

 

 We've covered this topic before but I asked if you would like to return to it once again, and you all voted that you'd like to so here we are!

 

Points that make me wonder whether the Japanese are changing from wanting convenience to wanting to be lazy:

1. I have recently heard from a Tokyo resident that Kyoto's public transport is really inconvenient, as it doesn't go to enough places. Is the fact that you make need to use multiple kinds of public transport, or even walk a short distance from public transport really a form a of inconvenience? Or is this person just lazy?

2. The massive waiting line for escalators. People without problems concerning their legs/body, people without heavy luggage, and people who are not too old to climb stairs, will wait in a lone queue in order to use an escalator rather than the stairs right next to the escalator, is this really an issue of convenience, or are these people just lazy?

3. Check out Yodobashi Camera in front of Kyoto station, there's an up and a down escalator in front of the shop which is only 5 stairs worth of escalator, there are stairs and a ramp leading down to the entrance, yet people still wait in line to use the escalator, is this a convenience issue or just laziness?

4. Finally, I have heard from certain Japanese people that they live approximately 5 minutes walk away from a convenience store, but they find that they would prefer a closer convenience store, as they feel 5 minutes walk is inconvenient. Is this really a convenience issue or is it laziness?

 

Let's talk about that.

 

 

 - Discussion Week 14 -

 

 

-  Tuesday the 11th AND Friday the 14th of July -

                                   

- Employment Regulations - 

 If you were to apply for a job, but the employer said "Sorry, we don't employ anyone with tattoos", would you think that is unfair?

Let's pretend your tattoo is a culturally significant tattoo, how about in this case?

If you were to apply for a job, but a certain employment regulation would keep you out of that job, and even more so if that regulation encroaches on your culture, would you think that is unfair?

Do you think if a regulation is made for the appearance of staff, but it would prevent you from getting that job, that the regulation should be changed?

Do you think the employer has the right to demand that their employees have a certain appearance?

 

 

Let's talk about that.

 

 

 - Discussion Week 13 -

 

 

SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE!!! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!! - Mark :,(

 

 

- Friday the 7th AND Tuesday the 4th of July -

                                   

- I.H.A. - 

 

You all know the imperial family, and you all seem to have your own opinions about the members of the family, and that's fine, but there's an organisation behind this family that seems to be calling all the shots.

The Imperial Household Agency is an organisation that was set up to keep the imperial family in check, as well as arrange their affairs.

Do you think the family has any kind of freedom?

Do you think the I.H.A. is overpowered?

What changes should be made? (if any)

 

Let's talk about that.

 

 

 - Discussion Week 12 -

 

- Friday the 23rd AND Tuesday the 27th of June -

                                   

- The Curse of Cash - 

 

This is a topic suggested by a student!

 

Apparently there is a book, within which I'm guessing a study has been conducted in which it has been discovered that if societies were to drop the use of larger cash bills/notes, the amount of cash related crimes would drop. 

Also, in relation to this, we will also talk about the idea of the introduction of virtual currency as well as the reasons why paying by cash is so much more popular in Japan in comparison to paying by card. 

 

Let's talk about that.

 

 

 - Discussion Week 11 -

 

- Friday the 16th AND Tuesday the 20th of June -

                                   

- House size regulations - 

 

In Japan, it is possible to rent a room which is quite small, yet you could live in there if you tried.

In other countries, the size of rooms that seen as acceptable in Japan would be considered almost inhumane to rent out to people.

Even in New Zealand I can recall a case where some investor had intended to build an apartment building with so-called "shoebox apartments" but was denied, as the size of the apartments were too small.

Do you think house size regulations should change to increase the minimum size of houses/rooms in Japan?

Why do you think houses/rooms have been allowed to be rented out/sold at such small sizes?

Japan's empty house crisis shows that there is more than enough room in the country for bigger rooms, why do small rooms continue to be built?

 

Let's talk about that.