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 I have removed the requirement that comments need to be a approved. The current spam filter seems to be doing a good job, so I should have done this a long time ago. Sorry about delays in sending through comments previously.

I am currently working on more than one project that is not relevant to this blog, so posting will be sparse for now. If you'd like to connect with me via facebook, you can do so here (but please mention this blog). I look forward to when I can post more about anarchy and Japan. 

For those with an interest in this type of thing, here is a funny article in the Japanese press today about a "butler's cafe". I don't doubt other blogs on Japan have reported about this already. You have to make reservations and pay about 5000 yen, but then you are treated like royalty by a cadre of European/American butlers. At each table there is a bell. When you ring it a butler will come immediately asking, "hai, ohimesama". Both hugs and English lessons are available.

Mentally ill child-killer gets 22 years in prison ... According to the ruling, Ujiie stole a knife at an Ito-Yokado Co. supermarket in Anjo at around 10:40 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2005. He then stabbed to death 11-month-old Shoma Aoyama of Okazaki in the prefecture, who was in a baby buggy near his mother around the children's clothing section. Ujiie also kicked and injured the boy's 6-year-old sister and a 27-year-old woman nearby.

Oh. But he didn't mean to do this.

U.S. marine held over illegal entry in Okinawa NAHA--A 21-year-old U.S. Marine Corps corporal was arrested Monday on suspicion of breaking into a house in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, and falling asleep on a sofa, police said. Cpl.

Apparently that's what many Japanese think:

At home, the government faces a longstanding ambivalence toward foreigners. A 2003 survey shows that, while 48 percent of those polled would like to see more foreign tourists, 32 percent don't. About 90 percent of them blame increased tourism for a "rise in crimes committed by foreigners."

Link.

From the Japan Times:

... he got off the bridge by going through an unlocked door and down a stairway. He entered a restricted area on the ground but was not spotted by a security guard who was positioned just below the bridge, the sources said. The man walked through the restricted area for more than 500 meters and left the airport through a gate shortly before 10 a.m.

There's been a lot going on in Japanese politics, so I wanted to update everyone. First, there are a few things I don't really understand. I don't understand what the substance of a grand coalition between the LDP and the DPJ would have been. I don't understand why Ozawa even considered it. I don't understand why Ozawa resigned. I don't understand why the DPJ leadership begged him to come back. I don't understand why he came back. Okay, that aside let me go over in detail what I do understand. ahem ... [head scratching] ... :oops: Okay, I'll have to come back to this later ...

In the post previous to this one I mentioned the Ron Paul money bomb. I checked at about 11:55 PM, east cost American time, at Ron Paul's campaign site. Total contributions then we're about $2,700,00 for this quarter. As I write this they are over $3,800,000.

... a group of people are attempting to elevate Ron Paul's status as a candidate by simultaneously donating $100 on the same day.

Ken Worsley is reporting some fairly significant news about Nova over at Japan Economy News & Blog:

The Yomiuri provided some late night/early morning articles that certainly woke us up: According to one article, Nova President Nozomu Saruhashi failed to show for an emergency board meeting and was dismissed by the other board members.