johnraff
@johnraff.bsky.social
Nagoya layabout. Master of nothing in particular. Linux (@bunsenlabslinux.bsky.social), food (元ラッフルズ), languages, gardening, music 第8旅団 ( daihachiryodan.com ) のジョンです。Lot of politics recently...
Pinned
johnraff
@johnraff.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Reposted by johnraff
Trying to stay positive about the new guidelines for international engagement they will come up with but when they seem to lump all international visitors, short-term stays and permanent residents together it's hard to see any sense to it
Japan’s government will soon hold the first meeting of a new panel of experts to discuss ways to realize orderly coexistence with foreign nationals. 👉 ebx.sh/lZcSHZ
November 21, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Trying to stay positive about the new guidelines for international engagement they will come up with but when they seem to lump all international visitors, short-term stays and permanent residents together it's hard to see any sense to it
Reposted by johnraff
The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism & white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews & the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in WWII — as a hate symbol, according to a new policy that takes effect next month.
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism & white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews & the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in WWII — as a hate symbol, according to a new policy that takes effect next month.
Reposted by johnraff
As if we needed any more proof fascism has sunk it's teeth into America...
www.rawstory.com/trump-swasti...
www.rawstory.com/trump-swasti...
Military service will reportedly no longer classify 'divisive' swastika as 'hate' symbol
Trump administration insiders are furious over reporting that the U.S. Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, will no longer classify the swastika as a symbol of "hate."Acc...
www.rawstory.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
As if we needed any more proof fascism has sunk it's teeth into America...
www.rawstory.com/trump-swasti...
www.rawstory.com/trump-swasti...
Reposted by johnraff
there can be no doubt at this point who currently runs the show on the global stage. there are precious few existing western world leaders who are ready to deal with reality. among the absolute stupidest blunders possible to give an adversary intent on destroying you a front row seat to your demise.
Starmer expected to approve China’s ‘mega’ embassy in London on.ft.com/47UxgSF
Starmer expected to approve China’s ‘mega’ embassy in London
PM likely to green light project despite concerns about Beijing’s efforts to spy on Britain
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:25 AM
there can be no doubt at this point who currently runs the show on the global stage. there are precious few existing western world leaders who are ready to deal with reality. among the absolute stupidest blunders possible to give an adversary intent on destroying you a front row seat to your demise.
Recorded video about China's overseas police and more.
Sinocism Live: Beijing’s strategy to remake global security sinocism.com/p/sinocism-l...
Sinocism Live: Beijing’s strategy to remake global security sinocism.com/p/sinocism-l...
Sinocism Live: Beijing’s strategy to remake global security
Watch now | China’s Foreign Police Training: A Global Footprint Global outreach by China’s internal security agencies is expanding. As China’s Global Security Initiative externalizes a concept of secu...
sinocism.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Recorded video about China's overseas police and more.
Sinocism Live: Beijing’s strategy to remake global security sinocism.com/p/sinocism-l...
Sinocism Live: Beijing’s strategy to remake global security sinocism.com/p/sinocism-l...
Excellent.
Send this to friends who want to know what's happening in Japan.
Send this to friends who want to know what's happening in Japan.
The Lemonade Stand podcast interviewed me for their Japan episode!
We spoke about Prime Minister Takaichi, immigration, Sanseito, historical revisionism, territorial disputes, conspiracy theories, and a whole lot of other stuff!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc0z...
We spoke about Prime Minister Takaichi, immigration, Sanseito, historical revisionism, territorial disputes, conspiracy theories, and a whole lot of other stuff!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc0z...
THE JAPAN EPISODE ft. Prof Jeffrey Hall | Lemonade Stand 🍋
YouTube video by Lemonade Stand
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Excellent.
Send this to friends who want to know what's happening in Japan.
Send this to friends who want to know what's happening in Japan.
Reposted by johnraff
Last night’s lavish White House dinner showed us the global oligarchy coming together in plain sight.
By cozying up to MBS, Trump has signaled to the world that the United States is now on the side of authoritarianism, not democracy.
By cozying up to MBS, Trump has signaled to the world that the United States is now on the side of authoritarianism, not democracy.
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Last night’s lavish White House dinner showed us the global oligarchy coming together in plain sight.
By cozying up to MBS, Trump has signaled to the world that the United States is now on the side of authoritarianism, not democracy.
By cozying up to MBS, Trump has signaled to the world that the United States is now on the side of authoritarianism, not democracy.
Reposted by johnraff
"If you ask me, Microsoft has been one of the biggest driving forces behind Linux adoption in recent years": Microsoft's New Windows AI Feature Comes With Warnings About Malware and Data Theft
Microsoft's New Windows AI Feature Comes With Warnings About Malware and Data Theft
New opt-in experimental feature comes with some warnings and requires file access.
ift.tt
November 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
"If you ask me, Microsoft has been one of the biggest driving forces behind Linux adoption in recent years": Microsoft's New Windows AI Feature Comes With Warnings About Malware and Data Theft
Reposted by johnraff
"Japan gov't ordered to pay 3.9 bil. yen in damages over noise at [Atsugi] air base"
The US should pay the proportion attributable to US forces. Barring that, they should at least deduct it from whatever amount the Trump administration demands from Japan.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
The US should pay the proportion attributable to US forces. Barring that, they should at least deduct it from whatever amount the Trump administration demands from Japan.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Japan gov't ordered to pay 3.9 bil. yen in damages over noise at air base - The Mainichi
YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- A Japanese court on Wednesday ordered the government to pay around 3.9 billion yen ($25 million) to residents around Atsugi air ba
mainichi.jp
November 19, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"Japan gov't ordered to pay 3.9 bil. yen in damages over noise at [Atsugi] air base"
The US should pay the proportion attributable to US forces. Barring that, they should at least deduct it from whatever amount the Trump administration demands from Japan.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
The US should pay the proportion attributable to US forces. Barring that, they should at least deduct it from whatever amount the Trump administration demands from Japan.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Reposted by johnraff
Who needs enemies with friends like the US?
‘US and Russian officials have quietly drafted a new plan to end the war in Ukraine that would require Kyiv to surrender territory and severely limit the size of its military’.
‘US and Russian officials have quietly drafted a new plan to end the war in Ukraine that would require Kyiv to surrender territory and severely limit the size of its military’.
US and Russian officials draft plan to end Ukraine war based on capitulation from Kyiv
It is unclear if Trump administration backs deal that would mean Kyiv giving up territory and slashing size of military
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Who needs enemies with friends like the US?
‘US and Russian officials have quietly drafted a new plan to end the war in Ukraine that would require Kyiv to surrender territory and severely limit the size of its military’.
‘US and Russian officials have quietly drafted a new plan to end the war in Ukraine that would require Kyiv to surrender territory and severely limit the size of its military’.
Ukraine: Teenage saboteurs paid to attack their own country www.bbc.com/news/article...
Ukraine: Teenage saboteurs paid to attack their own country
Russia is using Telegram to recruit Ukrainian children and teenagers to carry out sabotage and bombings according to the Ukrainian government.
www.bbc.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Ukraine: Teenage saboteurs paid to attack their own country www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by johnraff
Indian seafood exporters rally after report of China suspending Japanese imports reut.rs/43yzrsw
Indian seafood exporters rally after report of China suspending Japanese imports
Indian seafood exporters surged as much as 11% on Wednesday following media report that China had notified Japan of plans to suspend imports from the country, a move that could shift demand toward alternative suppliers such as India.
reut.rs
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Indian seafood exporters rally after report of China suspending Japanese imports reut.rs/43yzrsw
They're just going to keep cranking it up. But Takaichi is stubborn...
If Japan refuses to withdraw its erroneous remarks, all consequences will be borne by itself, foreign ministry spokesperson says – Xinhua: ‘China will have no choice but to take strict and resolute countermeasures’
If Japan refuses to withdraw its erroneous remarks, all consequences will be borne by itself: spokesperson
english.news.cn
November 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM
They're just going to keep cranking it up. But Takaichi is stubborn...
Not unexpected.
China will suspend imports of Japanese seafood, media in Tokyo reported Wednesday as a diplomatic spat sparked by comments about Taiwan deepens. In full: buff.ly/iKIjLei
China to halt Japan seafood imports amid Taiwan spat: media reports
China will suspend imports of Japanese seafood, media in Tokyo reported Wednesday as a diplomatic spat sparked by comments about Taiwan deepens.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Not unexpected.
Reposted by johnraff
"Japan minister Onoda warns against dependence on Chinese economy amid escalating dispute"
Onoda seems ignorant of the risks of trade embargoes, which helped bring about WWII. People like her never worry about depending on the US.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Onoda seems ignorant of the risks of trade embargoes, which helped bring about WWII. People like her never worry about depending on the US.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Japan minister Onoda warns against dependence on Chinese economy amid escalating dispute - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- Kimi Onoda, minister of state for economic security, has expressed concern over Japan's dependence on the Chinese economy amid an escalating
mainichi.jp
November 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
"Japan minister Onoda warns against dependence on Chinese economy amid escalating dispute"
Onoda seems ignorant of the risks of trade embargoes, which helped bring about WWII. People like her never worry about depending on the US.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Onoda seems ignorant of the risks of trade embargoes, which helped bring about WWII. People like her never worry about depending on the US.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Reposted by johnraff
People compare the war in Ukraine and Gaza. Russia began a war of aggression.
But criticizing Russia for breaking international law while the world lets the Israeli army ignore it every day creates a contradiction that weakens our democracies and how people see the world. ⚖️🌍
But criticizing Russia for breaking international law while the world lets the Israeli army ignore it every day creates a contradiction that weakens our democracies and how people see the world. ⚖️🌍
November 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
People compare the war in Ukraine and Gaza. Russia began a war of aggression.
But criticizing Russia for breaking international law while the world lets the Israeli army ignore it every day creates a contradiction that weakens our democracies and how people see the world. ⚖️🌍
But criticizing Russia for breaking international law while the world lets the Israeli army ignore it every day creates a contradiction that weakens our democracies and how people see the world. ⚖️🌍
Reposted by johnraff
Russia is blowing up railways inside NATO now — just 97 kilometers from an EU capital, Warsaw in Poland.
Gangsters only yield to overwhelming force.
Our response is long overdue.
Gangsters only yield to overwhelming force.
Our response is long overdue.
November 19, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Russia is blowing up railways inside NATO now — just 97 kilometers from an EU capital, Warsaw in Poland.
Gangsters only yield to overwhelming force.
Our response is long overdue.
Gangsters only yield to overwhelming force.
Our response is long overdue.
Reposted by johnraff
Trump is welcoming MBS, the Saudi crown prince, to the White House. This is the dictator who had a U.S. columnist murdered for criticizing the Saudi royal family.
Sadly, we have a president who prefers the Saudi model — an autocracy run by a trillionaire family — to democracy.
Sadly, we have a president who prefers the Saudi model — an autocracy run by a trillionaire family — to democracy.
November 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Trump is welcoming MBS, the Saudi crown prince, to the White House. This is the dictator who had a U.S. columnist murdered for criticizing the Saudi royal family.
Sadly, we have a president who prefers the Saudi model — an autocracy run by a trillionaire family — to democracy.
Sadly, we have a president who prefers the Saudi model — an autocracy run by a trillionaire family — to democracy.
Reposted by johnraff
I’m delighted to find this new review of my book on Russian spies in Japan. It’s very generous in its praise: “It is very well written, and he manages the difficult task of being thorough, balanced, and entertaining with aplomb. The next volume is keenly awaited”
japan-forward.com/book-review-...
japan-forward.com/book-review-...
BOOK REVIEW | James DJ Brown Takes On Russian Espionage From Peter the Great to Richard Sorge in 'Cracking the Crab | JAPAN Forward
Author James DJ Brown opens the nesting dolls to reveal Moscow's audacious layers of espionage and power grabs that influenced 20th-century Japan and Asia.
japan-forward.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I’m delighted to find this new review of my book on Russian spies in Japan. It’s very generous in its praise: “It is very well written, and he manages the difficult task of being thorough, balanced, and entertaining with aplomb. The next volume is keenly awaited”
japan-forward.com/book-review-...
japan-forward.com/book-review-...
Is Aso behind this?
> Deeming “routine union activities illegal and criminally punishable” renders Article 28 of Japan’s Constitution (guaranteeing workers the right to organize collective action) “meaningless”...
> Deeming “routine union activities illegal and criminally punishable” renders Article 28 of Japan’s Constitution (guaranteeing workers the right to organize collective action) “meaningless”...
Osaka High Court issues a ruling today on the appeal of Yuji Yukawa, head of the Kan'nama union. An extraordinary, underreported story of blatant union-busting, Yukawa was held for 644 days without trial and given a 4-year prison sentence in his 1st trial: apjjf.org/2022/9/mcneill
Union City Blues - Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus
[…]
apjjf.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Is Aso behind this?
> Deeming “routine union activities illegal and criminally punishable” renders Article 28 of Japan’s Constitution (guaranteeing workers the right to organize collective action) “meaningless”...
> Deeming “routine union activities illegal and criminally punishable” renders Article 28 of Japan’s Constitution (guaranteeing workers the right to organize collective action) “meaningless”...
Reposted by johnraff
"Main opposition party leader pushes Japan to uphold non-nuclear principles"
Does Noda advocate that Japan join the TPNW Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty? If not, why not?
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Does Noda advocate that Japan join the TPNW Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty? If not, why not?
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Main opposition party leader pushes Japan to uphold non-nuclear principles - The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A former prime minister who heads the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on Saturday called for the country's n
mainichi.jp
November 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
"Main opposition party leader pushes Japan to uphold non-nuclear principles"
Does Noda advocate that Japan join the TPNW Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty? If not, why not?
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Does Noda advocate that Japan join the TPNW Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty? If not, why not?
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Reposted by johnraff
Imagine it’s 2045. Mexico has fallen under a hard-line communist regime. Overnight, the government in Mexico City announces a “historic correction” in national identity:
“California is an inseparable part of Mexico since ancient times.”
They begin using that exact phrase—every day, everywhere.
“California is an inseparable part of Mexico since ancient times.”
They begin using that exact phrase—every day, everywhere.
November 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Imagine it’s 2045. Mexico has fallen under a hard-line communist regime. Overnight, the government in Mexico City announces a “historic correction” in national identity:
“California is an inseparable part of Mexico since ancient times.”
They begin using that exact phrase—every day, everywhere.
“California is an inseparable part of Mexico since ancient times.”
They begin using that exact phrase—every day, everywhere.
Reposted by johnraff
The foolishness of continuing to increase the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere will have far-reaching, and very expensive consequences.
There is no excuse for it. We have known for over 40 years this was a problem, far too little has been done about it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There is no excuse for it. We have known for over 40 years this was a problem, far too little has been done about it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Fossil fuel emissions rise again - but renewables boom offers hope for climate
Carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels are forecast to reach a new high in 2025 but could soon peak.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The foolishness of continuing to increase the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere will have far-reaching, and very expensive consequences.
There is no excuse for it. We have known for over 40 years this was a problem, far too little has been done about it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There is no excuse for it. We have known for over 40 years this was a problem, far too little has been done about it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by johnraff
Last week, five of the episodes had gone - but now it's the lot.
www.comedy.co.uk/online/news/...
www.comedy.co.uk/online/news/...
Spitting Image episodes removed from YouTube in legal battle - British Comedy Guide
Five episodes of Spitting Image Presents: The Rest Is Bulls*!t have been removed from the internet as the legal battle with the rights holders to Paddington Bear intensifies.
www.comedy.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Last week, five of the episodes had gone - but now it's the lot.
www.comedy.co.uk/online/news/...
www.comedy.co.uk/online/news/...
This should be seen.
WE'RE GETTING SUED | The Rest Is Bulls*!t - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUON...
WE'RE GETTING SUED | The Rest Is Bulls*!t - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUON...
WE'RE GETTING SUED | The Rest Is Bulls*!t
YouTube video by Spitting Image
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:26 AM
This should be seen.
WE'RE GETTING SUED | The Rest Is Bulls*!t - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUON...
WE'RE GETTING SUED | The Rest Is Bulls*!t - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUON...