Sep 11, 2013

Water treatment at Fukushima

Regarding the Sept. 6 editorial “No quick fix for Fukushima leaks“: The water treatment, referred to as “ALPS” is simply an old technology using something called “ion exchange.” This is not rocket science, and is similar to technology used in under the sink water ...

Sep 11, 2013

What 'evidence' on Pope Francis?

Regarding the Sept. 8 book review titled “The murky past of Pope Francis: Is he really so humble?“: There are loads of things wrong with the allegations made against Pope Francis by Paul Vallely, author of the book “Pope Francis: Untying the Knots,” and ...

Sep 11, 2013

Low U.S. support for Syria action

Regarding the Sept. 7 commentary by Ted Rall titled “Breaking bad: Why a U.S. strike would be illegal“: Most Americans are opposed. One poll I read only showed 6 percent positive support among registered voters for a strike, which is abysmal. Also, the U.S. ...

Sep 7, 2013

An expression of human nature

Regarding the Sept. 1 letter by Jennifer Kim titled “The Catholic acceptance of gays“: Yes, I know, this isn’t the first time I’ve locked horns with Kim over the issue of gay rights, which is really about human rights. Homosexuality is no longer a ...

Sep 7, 2013

Circumcision should be outlawed

Regarding the Aug. 31 Observer story “High hopes for victims of female genital mutilation“: This story reminded once again of the sad realization that there is no hope at all in the world for the many more victims of male genital mutilation. Male circumcision ...

Sep 7, 2013

What's wrong with this picture?

Regarding the photo with the Sept. 4 article “In first big test, Obama overrules new team“: This photo of the president of the United States, which has appeared in newspapers and on television around the world, deserves a few words of criticism. The photo ...

Sep 7, 2013

Japanese should mend food ways

Regarding the Aug. 28 editorial titled “Reducing food loss“: I think that the editorial depicts a contradictory mind-set of the Japanese. While they are well known for a strong sense of “mottainai” — regret concerning waste — they also have strong penchant for hygienic ...

Sep 4, 2013

Same-sex marriage not inevitable

Regarding professor Jeff Kingston’s Aug. 25 column titled “Gay marriage in Japan? Only over the reactionary LDP’s cadaver“: The theory that the dinosaurs died out because they were as stupid as they were huge has long been debunked, but the notion that human beings ...

Sep 4, 2013

Take the stairs if you want to walk

I am writing to address the three online comments written on Aug. 23 in response to the Aug. 19 editorial “Wanted: better escalator manners.” First, let me explain that a few years back, I spent six months working in this city with a serious ...

Sep 4, 2013

Japan has much to do to raise FDI

Regarding Shinji Fukukawa’s Aug. 31 commentary titled “Knock down barriers to FDIs“: I agree completely with the views on foreign direct investments expressed by Fukukawa, who is one of the most perceptive and visionary of Japan’s ex-government officials. He correctly points out three of ...

Sep 4, 2013

Poisoned minds

Regarding the Aug. 30 article “Yokohama recalls texts describing 1923 ‘massacre’ of Koreans“: I wonder what’s going through the minds of the folks at the Yokohama Board of Education. According to the story the city’s board of education has recalled a junior high school ...

Sep 4, 2013

Repair harm from misbehavior

Regarding the Aug. 17 editorial “Spare the rod at school“: The real issue is whether corporal punishment is effective in dealing with student misbehavior. The evidence is not encouraging. School districts in the United States that have adopted restorative justice practices, which focus more ...