Life in Japan - Pictures galore !! Arcades, Temples, Rainy days, etc

Amazing pictures Martin, They almost looks as if you could reach out and touch them!

 

The US make it incredibly hard to immigrate - hence why me and my family went to Canada instead
What pisses me off a bit is that they make it hard for just anyone - not just for people who have no qualifications. If I recall correctly, you need a US citizen who acts as a guarantor for you as well as $150,000 (??) per person in liquid capital to be eligible for immigration (and lots of other small things of course, such as perfect health, a job contract,...).

While it wasn't easy to get a visa in Canada either (permanent residency, that is), it was easier. And still, after the financial crisis of 2008, Canada started picking on everyone who is not "perfect" - for example, suffering from asthma or diabetes is a potential reason for them to refuse your application. I think that's crazy from an ethical point of view, but I can understand it and economically it does indeed make a lot of sense.
However, one can argue that Canada acts quite contradicting. They let tons of Somalians into the country as "political refugees", no questions asked, and all those fuckers do is drug trafficking and pushing up the homicide rates. And then there are people like me and my parents - educated, no charges for anything, healthy.... but even a 1 month gap in my mom's vita could've prevented us from entering the country because "maybe she was in jail and doesn't tell us". She sold donuts in 1974 during college... what the fuck man, who keeps a certificate of such a job from 38 years ago? Well, we did

Sorry for the long OT, just a little rant on immigration things from my part.

 

Thanks for the comment

I'll publish when I can on my blog too.

 

In a nutshell, b/c the current Americans have paid for the infrastructure more or less, and there's not nearly as much land to give out. And b/c immigrants mooch of the system and don't work and all that shit.

Hmm... for which type of visa? Student visas are easy to get (relatively), but for your parents, it would be quite difficult. The main question generally asked with you're immigrating is, "why?". The next is, "What do you have to offer". Don't even bring up guarantors. Japan has redefined those fucking things. Ironically the poverty line here is VERY low. I think you can make 2.5 million yen a year and live in Tokyo and still qualify for permanent resident if you've resided long enough.

And, as you've stated, the US also takes quite a few refugees as well. Before everyone just goes and shits on America, note that it is far more secluded than a European nation, yet, is not very homogeneous. I can't find any statistics now, but it is hard to statistically say the country is anti-immigration.

 

Call Me Maybe by martindesu, on Flickr

I suppose less to do with Japan-centric stuff:


Day off by martindesu, on Flickr

and then an extra...

 

Hachimanguu Aki Matsuri (02) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Hachimanguu Aki Matsuri (04) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Awa Odori 2012 (03) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Awa Odori 2012 (09) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Awa Odori 2012 (18) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Awa Odori 2012 (02) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Awa Odori 2012 (05) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr

 

The one terrible part of US immigration policy that does need to be changed is the mandatory return to your native country after 3 (?) years as a permanent resident. It's a schizophrenic policy: on one hand, you want the person to become established and successful, and on the other you force them to leave mandatorily for a year before accepting their return as a permanent citizen throwing all those years of work out the window.
Why such a mandate is in law is highly questionable, and its hard to say it wasn't inserted specificly as a deterent. Either way, it's foolish and I'm in full support of a change.
You also get into some weirdness when you talk about certain states. I think it was 15 years ago when Florida dropped the 'impact fee' for moving into the state--right around the same time that spitting on someone because they were a northerner was considered a hate crime.

That said, you're certainly right that the US isn't anti-immigration and temporary visas are pretty easy to get. So many people focus on Mexican immigrants they often fail to realize how much seasonal help comes from Europe. There's always a huge influx of Polish, Irish, and Italian workers in Chicago for the construction season, and after talking to some of them it was basically just a small fee and travel expenses.

 

Agreed... it's more retarded than most bullshit rules I see in Japan (although it's much longer than 3 years... for some visas anyway). The dumbest is making people return after their 4-year university stint is over. The law should require immigrants to pay some type of deposit, which they will get back after completing 4 years of work/internship in a US company. It makes no sense to train someone and send them somewhere else to earn tax revenue for another country. Makes about as much sense as pussy with hair on it.

 

Some people like a hairy pussy

I bet that stern looking guy in y our 2nd photo does you can see it in his face. He's thinking "Hmm, hairy pussy, nice". Or maybe that's the beer talking?

 

I wish it was the beer talking, but there are some sick mother fuckers out there!

 

That is true.:dejection:

 

Awesome shots GP.

I should have looked out for you


Dancing by martindesu, on Flickr

 

Haha -- crazy.
Although it looks like you were down quite a ways. I was actually on my way to dinner, and just hung out right at the front.

 

Went for a walk up Mt. Takao


Mt Fuji from Mt. Takao by martindesu, on Flickr

 

Conservative (04) (BW) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Conservative (03) (BW) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Conservative (02) (BW) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Conservative (00) (BW) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr

 

Sorry, where was that? I guess more about Koreans and the bloody island again.

 

It was at Yasukuni Shrine on August 15th. Lots of tension rises on that fateful day.

 

Cool shots GP.

Pissing with rain last night, but today is lovely.


When it rains... by martindesu, on Flickr

 

wow, i REALLY want to visit Japan.

 

@GaijinPunch, Ohh, the 15th. Yep. A day to let off all that tension for sure. Nothing happened down here though.

@Martin, I also love rainny days. We've had nothing but sun sun and more sun down here though. It's quite nice now with no humidity and a cool breeze.