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Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

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Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#131

Post by ersii »

barking wrote: post #94

In many ways Japan seems like a paradise. Crime free, almost, 70%+ forest coverage, technologically advanced but still respect for long-standing cultural traditions. It's unrivalled social cohesiveness comes at the cost though of a lack of diversity. For example, I read somewhere it gets less than 100 asylum seekers a year.

> For example, I read somewhere it gets less than 100 asylum seekers a year.

I'll clarify that image by tell you they roughly get 9000 asylum requests a year according to the Japanese Government themselves [1]. They are however extremely reluctant in accepting any of the requests, which is what I assume you were speaking about.

To some I can imagine that's quite a shock and horror, for some, it's a dream.

"Japan accepted just three refugees in the first half of 2017 despite receiving a record 8,561 fresh asylum applications, the government said on Tuesday"

"Only four refugees were accepted in the first half of 2016, when fresh asylum applications totaled 5,011, the Justice Ministry said."

[1] https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-accepts-3-ref...

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#132

Post by barking »

ersii wrote: post #131
barking wrote: post #94

In many ways Japan seems like a paradise. Crime free, almost, 70%+ forest coverage, technologically advanced but still respect for long-standing cultural traditions. It's unrivalled social cohesiveness comes at the cost though of a lack of diversity. For example, I read somewhere it gets less than 100 asylum seekers a year.

> For example, I read somewhere it gets less than 100 asylum seekers a year. I'll clarify that image by tell you they roughly get 9000 asylum requests a year according to the Japanese Government themselves [1]. They are however extremely reluctant in accepting any of the requests, which is what I assume you were speaking about. To some I can imagine that's quite a shock and horror, for some, it's a dream. "Japan acce…

I hadn't known the reason for there being so few. I assumed it was because it was 'off the beaten track'.

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#133

Post by barking »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #128
odiroot wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This may be a bit ignorant but why do they care so much about someone being Korean / of Korean ancestry? Both are East Asian. It's really hard to understand for my European mind.

Well they kinda invaded Korea for a long time for one. https://www.quora.com/Why-is-there-a-conflict-between-Korea-... explains that one. European as in west-European? That part is relatively culturally and ethnically diverse; northern and eastern Europe are a lot less so, and tolerance towards foreigners is lower there. The English and French still really dislike one another for example, and they're much closer toge…

I don't think the English and French living in one another's countries try to keep their ethnicity secret.

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#134

Post by rangibaby »

odiroot wrote: post #118
rangibaby wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Crime free It's because there are police everywhere, which keeps petty crime under control. There is a bounty for turning in lost money (and if it is not claimed after a certain period the person who turned it in can keep the whole amount). Police are also mostly respected here because they (mostly) are helpful and don't harass citizens. Someone being beaten or shot by police like overseas just doesn't happen here.…

This may be a bit ignorant but why do they care so much about someone being Korean / of Korean ancestry? Both are East Asian. It's really hard to understand for my European mind.

Europeans killed a few other Europeans in the 20th century (and before it!). The base cause of it is chauvinism. It's mostly gone in the EU thanks to post-WWII integration. CJK haven't had their "Asian Union" moment yet.

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#135

Post by innocenat »

hkmurakami wrote: post #109
nandemo wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I got lost on takao mountain once and was utterly hopeless of ever finding civilization again. Wait, what? Takao mountain is in Tokyo! Yeah, not central Tokyo but still, it's like a 45min train ride from Shinjuku. You make it sound like it's some remote place full of bears. :-p

Can't you get prettttyy deep in those mountains though? Also if you go pretty deep, I imagine the trails aren't really marked well, if at all. (was in a more remote mountain that's ~2 hours away from Tokyo last year)

Well, Kyoto is 2 hours from Tokyo and is pretty remote I supposed

JK. Shinkansen can really makes telling distance by time funny.

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#136

Post by ginko »

rangibaby wrote: post #104
on_and_off wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who buys stuff in a vending machine in the middle of nowhere though ? I am really intrigued.

Part of the reason there are so many vending machines around is preparation for a disaster; vending machines from at least the last 15 years will dispense drinks for free in the event of a disaster. According to this site Coca Cola dispensed around four million free drinks on 2011/3/11 (Great East Japan Earthquake). http://www.cocacola.co.jp/vending-machine/emergency-support

How is this triggered? Via (lack of?) mobile connection or power?

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#137

Post by icebraining »

nostromo123 wrote: post #113
Rainymood wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> social cohesiveness Also known as xenophobia. >For example, I read somewhere it gets less than 100 asylum seekers a year. And this is by definition a good thing? Don't forget the awesome working hours and working culture! It's so good that they even have a word for the awesome overworking: Karoshi [1]. I wouldn't romanticize Japan this hard as you are doing right now, it has it's own sleuth of problems just like an…

>>For example, I read somewhere it gets less than 100 asylum seekers a year. >And this is by definition a good thing? Been to Germany / Sweden lately?

Yes. Had a great time too, very peaceful.

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#138

Post by taway_1212 »

barking wrote: post #94

In many ways Japan seems like a paradise. Crime free, almost, 70%+ forest coverage, technologically advanced but still respect for long-standing cultural traditions. It's unrivalled social cohesiveness comes at the cost though of a lack of diversity. For example, I read somewhere it gets less than 100 asylum seekers a year.

> It's unrivalled social cohesiveness comes at the cost though of a lack of diversity.

Why is that a problem though? Does it make their life worse in some way?

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#139

Post by qarioz »

komali2 wrote: post #9

Those Japanese vending machines blow my mind. I got lost on takao mountain once and was utterly hopeless of ever finding civilization again. I found abandoned and rotting tractors the forest had taken back, weird half completed concrete structures, the trail was gone, I was well and truly lost. Then, I turn a corner, and find a goddamned vending machine. Powered. With stock. I followed its power cord back for a solid…

I never understand why people can get lost at Takao, the place is like a damned Shibuya, packed with people.

Re: Japanese Vending Machines at Night Juxtaposed with a Wintry Hokkaido Landscape

#140

Post by rangibaby »

peterwwillis wrote: post #96
ISL wrote: post #2

Getting a hot chocolate out of a vending machine while the sky is dumping snow is one of life's many sublime pleasures.

For me it was the hot milk tea. Almost impossible to find in the West, every morning at near freezing temps I could cling to a metal piping hot can of sweet milk tea. I can't go a day in .jp without grabbing a can. What really surprised me is how in a place like Tokyo the machines seemed to only reliably function using change, whereas in Norway you pay for bus station lockers and public toilets with credit cards.

You’ll love Teh C if you ever visit Malaysia. The real secret to good hot milk tea is using evaporated milk.
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