Wednesday, October 5, 2011

What is the meaning of the verb DESU ?

Question:


why childish characters used and women?

Answer:


In Japanese, Desu roughly corresponds to the English verb "to be" and can mean "it is" "we are" "they are" etc depending on the context.

For example, Tokyo desu means "It's Tokyo".

An Introduction to Modern Japanese by Osamu Mizutani & Nobuko Mizutani
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

What age are you considered a teenager in Japan?

Question:


In Japan how old do you have to be to be considered a teenager in Japan?

Answer:


13- 19...You're not an adult until you turn 20.

If Senkaku island HAS TO belong either Taiwan or China, who will Japanese prefer it belongs to?

Question:


taiwan or china?

i know Japan thinks they own Senkaku islands. thanks.

Answer:


I have no idea what the rationale that PRC. could insists it belongs to them.
As far as I've heard, PRC's story is that the island should belongs to Taiwan, and Taiwan is a part of PRC., therefore the island belongs to PRC.
I don't understand that theory.

If Senkaku island HAS TO belong either Taiwan or China, who will Japanese prefer it belongs to?

Question:


taiwan or china?

i know Japan thinks they own Senkaku islands. thanks.

Answer:


I have no idea what the rationale that PRC. could insists it belongs to them.
As far as I've heard, PRC's story is that the island should belongs to Taiwan, and Taiwan is a part of PRC., therefore the island belongs to PRC.
I don't understand that theory.

Name of this Japanese desert/sweet?

Question:


I had this Japanese sweet at a con a while back, and I can't remember what it was called. They were small round rice-cakelike balls: slightly transparent, jelly-like and covered with a white powder. Inside was a sweet paste (I can't remember what it looked or tasted like, unfortunately). They came in a package of 6-8 of them. Unfortunately I can't remember anything else, but if anyone could throw out some ideas I'd probably recognize the name. Thank you!

Answer:


In colloquial use, many people use the word mochi and manju interchangeably.

However, if you were to use older tradition as a gauge, mochi is sweet rice pounded into a taffy-like consistancy. It could be formed into a ball or rectangle. It was (usually) not made with any sweets such as sweet red paste in the center. Think of it as a simple bun with nothing in the center.

A manju is more of a confection in a very wide variety (more so than mochi) and with various types of filling in the center.

These days, there are even hybrid of mochi and manju which is probably why the name is used interchangeably.

Will Yoshihiko Noda be able to stay in office longer then Naoto Kan and the other PMs?

Question:


I hope so, Japan needs to stick with a permanent leader for awhile.
How long is Noda's term for?

Answer:


All the nation of Japan want our PM to stay in office at least two years, preferably four years.
But due to a critical flaw in our political system, ugly power struggles within the LDP and DPJ has kept destroying our premiership ever since PM Koizumi (LDP) left office in Sep, 2006. Since then, we had six stupid PMs in five years, which is terribly embarrassing to the nation.

Talking about Noda, his days are already numbered from the beginning. Because, he has just succeeded Kan's remaining term of DPJ leadership which expires next September. Noda has to win the next DPJ election to stay in office. Will he win? That's nobody's guess.

Just for your info:
The worst and the most powerful figure behind the scene of DPJ power struggle is Ozawa Ichiro who happened to be put on a trial today for money scandal. The political confusion in Japan seems to continue. For how long? Nobody knows.

Do Japanese refer themselves to Japanese?

Question:


I usually hear nihon or nippon. Can you explain how the word Japanese came and who mostly use it?

Answer:


Nihon or Nippon is written 日本
This was pronounced something like Chipangu in old Chinese language.
Marco Polo, 13th. century, heard of it while he was traveling in China and introduced it to Europe. "There is a big island which is full of gold and pearls. That country is called ZIPANGU"
Later on, Zipangu had been changed to Japan.

Marco Polo:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo

After the shogunate closed Japan's ports and banned foreign travel and trade in 1638, for how many years?

Question:




Answer:


The isolationism was implemented step by step from the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603.
There is no fixed theory in what year the isolationism began. 1639 is one of the interpretations.
The end of the isolationism is fixed in 1854 when the Tokugawa Shogunate concluded the Treaty of Peace and Amity with the US.

If you show your teeth in japan is it disrespectful?

Question:




Answer:


I don't think so. Some women still cover their mouth when they laugh, but I think it's become outdated.

Who is a very famous japanese person thats alive?

Question:


i need to qrite a speech on someone japanese, who is alive. Who will be remebered in 100 years. Not actors, or pop starts but like company creators or scientists?

Answer:


As a businessman, Masayoshi Son of Softbank or Mikitani of Rakuten are the most famous people.

There are some Nobel laureate scientists in Japan. They are most famous as scientists.

Japanese view on marijuana?

Question:


Yesterday I sent a Japanese friend I know from YouTube a message titled Japanese weed. This is what I said.

"Hey man. I know this is a random topic to bring up, but I was talking to my girlfriend, and she said that in Japan, they're way more strict about weed. She said she didn't know a single kid who smoked it and that it's not common for students to do it casually over there. Since I know you're Japanese and smoke weed, I just had a few questions. How did you get into it? How many people do you know who do it? How much does it cost over there and where can you get it if drug laws are so much stricter over there?"

He responded with this.

"My cousin imports from the U.S. I dont know how he does it but it gets here pretty fast like usually a 3 to 5 day process. I just smoke with him I dont know how it cost him to purchase. Its very high grade stuff too like lavender kush and even sour diesel. We have a very low down area we go to to get super duper high :) His moms basement lol. You'd be surprised actually how many Japanese guys like us smoke marijuana. Its actually very common. We just duck the law using similar American methods :) and btw Japanese weed sounds epic lol."

Some of what he said contradicts what my girlfriend said. If you are Japanese, what is your take on it?

Answer:


Japan used to be a lot more free regarding drugs, but then again so did the U.S., if you go back a couple centuries.

It's not as common in Japan to smoke marijuana as it is in the West. I would say the vast majority of Japanese university students never try it.

It does exist though. Some people smoke it. It's grown in Japan, but it's rare. It's not very socially accepted.

One time I ordered tempura udon in a small town in Japan. I could've sworn that one of the pieces of tempura was a piece of marijuana. I can't verify that it actually was, but weird things happen in Japan sometimes.

Before going to Japan the first time I was warned strictly about not mentioning if I had ever tried marijuana or not.

Different people live different lives. I'd say your girlfriend has a more realistic take, and your friend who smokes up, just lives in that world, so he sees it differently. To him it might seem like a lot of young guys smoke marijuana, but to other guys, they'd wonder what you're talking about. You'd probably be more likely to find someone who's eaten a sparrow than smoked a joint.

Japanese help please?

Question:


How would you say "If you had the chance to live in New York for a year would you do it?"

Also how would you say "If I had the chance to live in New York, I would." and "If I had the chance to live in New York, I would not."

Thank you!

Answer:


>"If you had the chance to live in New York for a year would you do it?"
ニューヨークに1年住めるとしたら、住みますか?

>"If I had the chance to live in New York, I would."
ニューヨークに住めるなら、住みます。

>"If I had the chance to live in New York, I would not."
ニューヨークに住めるとしても、住みません。

Tokyo radiation level?

Question:


how is radiation level in Tokyo now? Some are reporting it's serious, and some are saying no worries. I have to decide if Im going to Tokyo for study abroad in March next year in one day, and please someone provide some detail if it's perfectly safe (not just by saying yes it's safe) or if it's still dangerous....

Answer:


Truthfully ??
We, the general public will NEVER be told the real truth.
From the minute the Tsunami hit the Fukushima plant to now it has been totally covered up. We know radiation leaked, they could not fully deny it but as to the levels ??
The truth will emerge soon, about 15 years into the future when large numbers of those close to the plant begin to drop dead of all sorts of cancers. Give it time. This WAS a massive disaster and they are keeping it tight as to tell the truth to the Japanese first and us 2nd would cause one hell of a mess and what does that mean?? Money. It's all about keeping the Japanese economy up and running. Human life ?? You ARE kidding, the world markets are far more important to the powers that be than people.
Well, that's my conspiracy theory anyway.

Japanee translation help?

Question:


what does it say in this video at 2.27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfjyGKciYhk&list=LLWGgAjj5-glw_OYIckaV1Ng&index=8

Answer:


The theme of Lupin the 3rd.

That music is main theme of this anime.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupin_III

Japanese people help me please. 日本人は私にしてください助け.?

Question:


Whats this show called, I've been looking for a long time and I find it very interesting. Please help me out. The link is below.

このショーはと呼ばれるものを、私は長い間探していたと私はそれは非常に興味深い… リンクは以下です。

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XdxJmkyZAE&feature=related

Answer:


心霊番組 Psychic TV Shows
心霊写真や心霊映像を紹介する バラエティー番組
Variety Shows focused on psychic phenomenon (ghost photos, videos)
-

Some British friends gave me a nickname ''Jap's eye'', is it very derogatory? I'm Chinese but have small eyes?

Question:


in case ''Jap's eye'' doesn't make any sense to you, they told me the meaning of their slang ''Jap's eye'' means ''hole in the penis'', because i often joke with them, so they joke with me too. but should I be angry with them for giving me such a bad nickname. and i'm not even Japanese, they thought i was japanese at first.
i don't mean to offend anyone here. How bad is this nickname? should i leave them? they are young of course(early twenties). have you heard of this slang?

Answer:


Basically, I like troll questions. But this is weird.
You failed our audition.

Some British friends gave me a nickname ''Jap's eye'', is it very derogatory? I'm Chinese but have small eyes?

Question:


in case ''Jap's eye'' doesn't make any sense to you, they told me the meaning of their slang ''Jap's eye'' means ''hole in the penis'', because i often joke with them, so they joke with me too. but should I be angry with them for giving me such a bad nickname. and i'm not even Japanese, they thought i was japanese at first.
i don't mean to offend anyone here. How bad is this nickname? should i leave them? they are young of course(early twenties). have you heard of this slang?

Answer:


Basically, I like troll questions. But this is weird.
You failed our audition.

Is 5'6 Tall in Japan?

Question:


Im 5'6 and almost 14, but im only gonna be 5'7 when Im done growing. Am I tall or short in Japan?

Answer:


Not really tall at all. Male or female.

What are your thoughts about Japan/?

Question:


What do you think about this country? Their culture? Just to throw my opinion out there, i love their culture and i'll love to visit Japan in the future. probably over the summer.

Answer:


I love the culture too! I want to visit Japan one day.

Have korean or japan ever read Jin Yong novel?

Question:




Answer:


He's not known in Japan.

Similarties on tokugawa and meiji (japan)?

Question:


any similarities and diffrences? any thing u know about them please :)

Answer:


People tend to assume that when there's a regime change as drastic as the Tokugawa to Meiji transformation, or 1945, everything changes overnight. But that's not true. There's always a continuation in history.

Source(s): Wanna-be history buff. This aspect of history, continuation in history despite the major upheavals, is stressed countless times on "Embracing Defeat" by John Dower.

Information about Middle school in Japan?

Question:


Hi!
I need to figure out as much as possible about Japanese middle schools! I'm talking about public schools.

It's not for homework or anything. But I just kinda need the information.

Unfortunately as far as I know there is not a lot to be found on the well know site's like wikipedia or something. So could someone lead me to a good site with much information? I need it to be accurate.

I need to know stuff about how they get books, what the books look like, what they do in their classes. (I already know the subjects they follow) and much more!

Please help me!
If the information is about the 9th grade especially then that would be great!~

Thank you!!

Answer:


You may want to check on secondary education page of the web site of MEXT: Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science & Technology in Japan:
http://www.mext.go.jp/english/elsec/inde…

I am not sure if it provides you with the specific info you're looking for, but you may get a broad view and some problems they are facing.
I hope it helps.

Recommend me some japanese snacks from jbox?

Question:


I'm ordering some stuff from jbox, and I thought it would be fun to include some snacks.
$5 per item is my limit, and i'm not a fan of meaty things.
So far I have pocari sweat drink mix, Fujiya Large Milky Peach, and Tyrant Habanero chips.
What are some yummy things? thanks for any suggestions!

http://www.jbox.com/category/822

Answer:


This is under your budget and they are yummy.. The only thing is that it's not on jbox but rather EBAY.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180732280899?ssP…

I don't want to go through the website but I do know that you can buy Sakuma Drops from that website you picked. They are yummy.
As well as Neri Ame. Yum. Yum. Yum.

Do japanese people like europe ?

Question:


Have you ever been there. Did you like it ??

Answer:


Japanese people generally like Europe because European cities are generally clean and advanced.

My mother often travels to Europe, hahaha.

Where can I buy a Wa-Lolita dress online?

Question:


Are there any websites where I can get one?
Thank you.

Answer:


Wa is a hard subfashion to find. Bodyline is probably the best place to look, probably the only other place to look would be egl_comm_sales on LiveJournal.

Most Lolita stores on eBay are scams. (Even if they have 95% positive feedback. Trust me on this.)

Fan+Friend is okay if you don't need the dress anytime soon (sometimes they take 6 months to ship) and if you do not want custom sizing. (If you order custom sizing, they mess it up horribly 90% of the time. It will probably not fit you.) Bodyline is a better option, though.

Is there anyone who like Hey!Say!JUMP! from Japan stay in NJ?

Question:


Hey!Say!JUMP! is from Japan. I just move to NJ>

Answer:


I think it's better to ask this on NJ section.

Is it safe to live in Tokyo?

Question:


I just got accepted to a study abroad program in Tokyo which starts in March 2012 and ends in August 2012. I was wondering if it is safe to live there considering the radiation level. I have to decide by tomorrow if I am going or not..

Answer:


There never has been a radiation problem in Tokyo. They are far away from the Fukushima nuke plant(s). If it wasn't safe, it would be world wide news.

Ramen noodles online to UK?

Question:


Looking to but instant ramen noodles to be delivered to the uk. Whats the best way to do this? sites etc... brand i had before was a thai brand called wai wai quick minced pork flavour in a cup. Would love to get those again! thanks

Answer:


Japan Centre has an online shop that sells a huge range of instant ramen noodles... 79 different types in stock at the moment and delivery starting from just £1.95 to the UK.

There isn't any Thai Wai Wai minced pork ramen unfortunately, but there are plenty of Japanese flavoured noodles in cups if you are interested in those instead.

You can find the instant noodle category here:
http://www.japancentre.com/categories/12…

I didn't pay a bill, I'm in japan, and i got a letter from E-Justice jp, I need to know how to go about this?

Question:


The letter is all in Japanese so i can't translate it, the bill is not that much only about 40, 000 yen and thats only about $450, The web site translated is only for customers, hints im not the customer, and so i want to know if i can pay this online or , mail it in or what? I'm lost and just want to pay this bill so i can be free of guilt for this failure to cooperate. Thank you

Answer:


I can't give you any advice without more detail. Who is the creditor?

Addition:
Well, it might be your cell phone charge or something. But I can't give you more advice without more detail as I said.

Can I live and work in Japan without a degree?

Question:


I live in the U.K and I have a Level 3 national diploma in media production as well as various other qualifications that I earned in college but no degree. So is there any way I can swing it with a TEFL qualification or similar?

and no sarcastic or pretentious answers.

Answer:


No.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires you to have a college degree from a " accredited " college.
Go to the site below and see for yourself. The site is run by the Japanese government, so it's fact, not my opinion.
You need a degree to qualify for a work visa.

Living in Japan, what sort of job?

Question:


I know that visa's last around 90 days and I do want to live in Japan (Not now, as I need to graduate and get my degree) but I want to be able to stay for the period given. I am going to hopefully become a photographer but that, I do not think would allow me to stay. I have various family members in Japan (Grandma is Japanese) to possibly stay with but what are other jobs that I could possibly look for to allow me to stay in Japan for a longer time period?

Answer:


You can't get Japanese citizenship just because your grandma is a Japanese.

Is either of your parents Japanese citizen? If so, you may have some hope. Otherwise, you are just a foreigner in Japan.

You can't find many jobs other than English teacher in Japan if you don't have any skill.