Comments by "GO TAKAZAWA" (@gotakazawa408) on "Askjapan" channel.

  1. As a Japanese person, I would like to add a little more detail. It is true that people wear masks because they have a lot of hay fever, but what he was saying was for a specific type and at its peak. If the symptoms are severe, people wear masks for almost a year. In addition, some women wear masks when they go out without makeup. There are several other reasons as well.
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  2. He should at least consider changing his channel name from 'askjapan' to 'Ask a Madman'.
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  3. I’m 60's years old Japanese man, I also find it difficult to understand his situation. If his family were financially struggling and only had one bedroom, that would be understandable. However, he lives in a standalone house, where it’s typical to have at least two or three bedrooms. A typical Japanese family lives in a rental or owned apartment or house with two or three bedrooms (usually around 80 to 100 square meters), and except for babies who need nursing, family members generally have separate bedrooms from their parents.
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  4. I'm a Japanese individual slightly older than him, and I've already paid off my mortgage. With my two kids already grown, I might be more of a typical Japanese person than he is. It's rare for a Japanese person like him to express views like this, but it's a pleasantly surprising to see that foreigners seem to have an understanding of Japanese culture and its future prospects. I don't believe there's an absolute right answer to the immigration issue, but I think Japan should take cues from examples in the United States and Europe and develop its own immigration policy. Specifically, I believe it's practical to keep the immigration rate to around 5% for the time being and verify its impact. For instance, assessing factors like understanding of Japanese language and culture, and whether there's a shared understanding in place, would be practical.
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  5. A personal opinion from a typical Japanese person in their 60s: A friend of mine met his wife through a matchmaking service 30 years ago, and they've been happily married ever since. Back then, there were no apps, so it was all done on paper. Regardless of the tools used, I think it's important to approach these services with the mindset that they are just one way to make a connection.
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  6.  @mysterioanonymous3206  I'm aware that Japan is known for having the highest snowfall in the world. Apart from Hokkaido, Niigata and Nagano Prefectures are also renowned for their high-quality snow. However, living there comfortably may come with some inconveniences. Nevertheless, if one understands and accepts those aspects before making a purchase, I think it's a good choice. What I meant was that purely considering it as a real estate investment could be risky.
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  7. I think it's spot on. I'm a Japanese person older than him, and I think 20-30% of people wore masks even before the pandemic, although there are other reasons besides the ones he mentioned.
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  8. I feel like I understand the essence of what you're saying. Especially in Japan, factors like its unique language, vastly different history and culture from the West, and being essentially a homogenous nation, all play a role. While many people can enjoy experiencing different cultures while traveling, the implications change significantly when considering living there.
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  9. As a Japanese person, I find it hard to believe that he chose a variable-rate mortgage during Japan's period of unusually low interest rates. The fixed-rate mortgage I paid off two years ago was at 1.8%. I can’t understand why he opted for a variable rate when it’s almost certain that rates will rise.
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  10. The areas he mentioned are properties built during the "bubble era." Whether these areas will bring the same prosperity as present-day Niseko needs to be thoroughly considered. If there's no clear projection, it feels more like speculation than investment.
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  11. I agree, I feel like he is unconsciously setting himself up for the wrong thing.
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  12. I'm not sure what article the OP is referring to, but as a typical Japanese person, I think that while a height of 170 cm is average, a weight of 100 kg is definitely too much. For reference, the average weight for Japanese men is around 70 kg, so it might be a good idea for the person mentioned in the article to hit the gym and lose some weight before signing up for a dating app. I don’t think living with his parents is the main issue here．
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  13. I’m 60's years old Japanese man, I agree with you. I feel that his lack of consideration in this way is likely one of the factors leading to conflicts with his wife.
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  14. I am a typical Japanese person, but we hardly ever have the opportunity to speak English in daily life. We study English for at least six years, but most of us live our entire lives speaking only Japanese. Furthermore, "studying English" in Japan is mainly for passing tests rather than being a tool for communication. Therefore, the mainstream focus of study is on memorizing vocabulary and grammar, reading, and writing, with very limited emphasis on speaking. Additionally, because English tests are graded by deducting points for mistakes, there is a general perception that "grammatically incorrect English" is wrong. This has led to a common feeling among Japanese people that we shouldn't speak English unless it is perfect. However, speaking English at a level similar to his is not very difficult if japanese people have the opportunity and put in a little effort. Of course, this trend has been changing over the years, and I think people are becoming less resistant to speaking English, even at a modest level. In fact, I am writing this sentence with the help of Google Translate. (^▽^;) I am in my sixties, but I have started learning English again, and now I make small talk with foreign tourists at sightseeing spots.
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  15. As a Japanese person, I’d like to share my personal experience. I was also simply puzzled as to why he chose a variable interest rate. Given Japan’s historically low interest rates, the rate was 1.8% when I purchased my home. (In my case, due to preferential treatment from the bank because I worked for a large corporation, my rate was 0.8%.) Even without my preferential rate, it seems that a fixed-rate mortgage would have been a better choice.
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  16.  @sammoon7689  I'm Japanese, but when I think of Canada in the 1980s, David Foster comes to mind. Didn’t he compose the theme song for the Calgary Olympics? I have a few of his albums, and I still listen to them when I go skiing.
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  17. I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but I’m curious why the divorce rate is relatively high among the French, who often see themselves as deeply affectionate people. I’ve asked both French people living in France and those living in Japan, but I haven’t received a clear answer.
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  18.  @Orientalbackyardgarden  Additionally, in China, many people have been known to end their lives by jumping from major bridges. To prevent this, guards are stationed every 20 meters along these bridges. Those who attempt to jump face heavy fines. Unfortunately, there have also been chaotic situations where even the guards themselves have tried to jump, only to be stopped by their colleagues. This tragic social issue is far too widespread to fully describe.
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  19. Recently, CNN reported that an unopened copy of 'Super Mario 64' was auctioned and sold for $1.56 million (about 172 million yen) including fees. He might be aiming for something like that, though this is just my personal opinion.
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  20. When he constantly says things like 'doing so bad' or 'things are hopeless,' it's mostly an act and his imagination, with a bit of truth sprinkled in. So, it’s best not to take it too seriously.
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  21. As a Japanese person, I think this is a good question. I have my own answer, but I’m looking forward to seeing how the OP responds.
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  22. You're quite up-to-date on the changes in visa requirements, aren't you? As a Japanese person, I see these as part of the trial and error process.
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  23. At the very least, he is speaking about 'himself,' but that doesn’t represent the 'typical Japanese person.'
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  24. I agree. I'm not sure what article the OP is referring to, but as a typical Japanese person, I think that while a height of 170 cm is average, a weight of 100 kg is definitely too much. For reference, the average weight for Japanese men is around 70 kg, so it might be a good idea for the person mentioned in the article to hit the gym and lose some weight before signing up for a dating app. I don’t think living with his parents is the main issue here
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  25.  @KairuHakubi  I understand your point well. However, Japanese is a very high-context language, so in close relationships, even first and second-person pronouns and verbs can be omitted. In fact, I use a completely different mindset when speaking Japanese compared to English. I believe this is something you can only fully understand if your Japanese is at an advanced or native level and you have lived in Japan for more than several years.
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  26.  @miguelfonseca1104  Do you have any evidence to support what you call the 'majority of women choose'? I’ve provided an example based on current statistical data, but you haven't presented any supporting evidence. Let me reiterate: while you are free to think as you like, please refrain from imposing such narrow views on others. I'd like to emphasize once again that you may not realize you are dismissing women who choose to be with men who live with their parents.
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  27.  @miguelfonseca1104  Are you serious? Whether in developed or developing countries, the majority of people living in areas with high rent have no choice but to live with others. Are you aware that even in the U.S., this trend is becoming more common? According to a Bloomberg News survey, around 23 million Americans aged 18 to 29, representing 45% of that age group, are living with their families. This is the highest figure in 80 years, with 60% of them reporting that they returned to their parents' home within the past two years.
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  28. 彼は婿養子だったのですね。それではなおさらあなたの言う通りです。加えて言えば、彼が言う住宅ローンの負担も彼の奥さんの実家が最終的に面倒をみるかもしれないですしね。
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  29. If you are interested in Japanese culture, you might want to learn about "Honne" and "Tatemae." This is a Japanese feature, for better or worse.
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  30.  @IamaNewCreature  I can't relate to that. Everyone has their reasons for thinking the way they do, but to some extent, we all live with our struggles. At the very least, I don't understand why he feels the need to post daily just to earn a dollar, especially at the cost of his privacy. As a typical Japanese person, I believe there are countless wiser ways to make money. Given how persistent he is with these posts, it feels either highly intentional or that he may be in a mentally precarious state.
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  31. Regarding your son's education, I believe there's no need to choose a private school; public schools are sufficient. In reality, even if he attends a private middle school, his future ultimately depends on him. Private middle schools do not guarantee success, and since the tuition is expensive, they may not always be cost-effective. In fact, both of my children attended public middle and high schools and went on to high-level universities. This is my personal opinion as a Japanese person.
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  32.  @Matmat123_5  The Japanese government will undoubtedly move towards raising interest rates, taking into account the situation in other countries. On the other hand, Japanese individuals have the option to choose between variable and fixed interest rates for their home loan repayments. I'm curious why he chose a variable interest rate and furthermore, why he hasn't switched to a fixed rate even now.
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  33. That's a very good question. Even as a Japanese person, I'm interested in how he answers. For reference, I have subscribed to two Taiwanese streamers and am enjoying them.
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  34. In Japan, the Democratic Party was in power for three years starting in 2009. This change came about due to widespread dissatisfaction with the then-ruling Liberal Democratic Party. However, the three years following the transition were disastrous, often referred to as a "nightmare." Additionally, many of Japan's policies are created by bureaucrats who are public servants, often referred to as the "real shadow cabinet." The biggest issue is that many politicians lack the capability to produce effective policies compared to these bureaucrats. This is my personal opinion as a Japanese person.
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  35. There are many videos on that topic. It primarily comes down to the Japanese diet and the fact that people often walk or ride bicycles as part of their daily commute to work or school.
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  36.  @yuripetrovic7606  It's okay, for better or worse, he may not even know it himself.
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  37. I can’t believe that this kind of stereotype is still being believed in 2024. As mentioned in other comments, the current working hours in Japan, according to international statistics, generally cannot be considered excessively long. On the other hand, you might already know that in China, the "996 work culture" is well-known. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, openly advocated for it, stating that working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, is the minimum standard. Overtime means working even longer than that.
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  38.  @yuripetrovic7606  His views on Americans may be correct, as you mentioned, or they may not be. At the very least, since I possess slightly more advanced English skills than he does, I think that if he has any misunderstandings, they could be related to his vocabulary and expressions.
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  39.  @yuripetrovic7606  I see. I'm looking forward to seeing how this pessimistic guy responds.
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  40. I would like to see Disney, which promotes 'DEI,' put that idea into practice.
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  41. I see. This could be one reason why there has been an increase in women moving from Australia to Japan and starting YouTube channels recently. I’m currently subscribed to at least three of them. They speak Japanese at an intermediate level or higher, but their videos are primarily in English.
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  42.  @GlasbanGorm  Your opinion is ridiculous. You should recognize that many countries no longer see the U.S. as superior, except in terms of its economy and military. While money is necessary for a happy life, you seem to believe that money is everything. Many people, including Americans, would disagree with your viewpoint.
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  43.  @twnb7733  What? Could you please explain the reasons in detail?
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  44. Very good question. As a Japanese person, I have the answer to your question, but I will refrain from answering for now because the OP may answer.
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  45. His reselling of toy guns made in China is bordering on illegal activity. At the very least, he could receive a warning from Mercari, the Japanese online marketplace.
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  46.  @twnb7733  I'm definitely aware of the large-scale protests and riots in France. Additionally, I feel like many other countries in Europe, Canada, and Australia have recently been incorporating immigration restrictions into their policies.
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  47.  @askjapan9669  Among the items whose sale is restricted on Mercari are "other items whose safety cannot be confirmed," which includes "all toy guns made overseas."
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  48.  @clutchceez1470  It is often jokingly said to be a special ability of Japanese people, but many Japanese people can tell the difference between "Honne" and "Tatemae" with just a little conversation.
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  49. The reason Japanese people differentiate between "Honne" and "Tatemae" is that we naturally dislike conflict and value harmony. This significantly differs, for better or worse, from the overseas perspective that if you don't express yourself directly, your message won't be conveyed. This also relates to the Japanese habit of "reading the air" (understanding the unspoken context).
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  50.  @mofo02  Since many of his videos are just him talking, I don't think they cost much to produce. However, I personally wonder if he’s planning his content during his regular working hours.
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