Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jake Adelstein

Artista Novato 🪨 @artistanovato.bsky.social · 21h

"The modern-day yakuza are innovative entrepreneurs; rather than a bunch of tattooed nine-fingered thugs in white suits wielding samurai swords, a more appropriate metaphor would be “Goldman Sachs with guns.”.

"Tokio Vice", by @tokyovice.bsky.social.

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 11h

Hey Zack! I'll DM ya

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 1d

Japan’s ruling LDP planned to install Sanae Takaichi as PM—but that plan’s blown up
Buddhist ally Komeito, fed up with corruption and Aso’s influence, isn’t backing her
Weirdly,Komeito’s spiritual leader Daisaku Ikeda— vanished for a decade before his death

Maybe his ghost spoke up?

bit.ly/46Kiihr

Where in the World is Ikeda Daisaku, Soka Gakkai's Long-Missing Leader? - Unseen Japan

Ikeda Daisaku, one of the most powerful political fixers and religious leaders in Japan, hasn’t been seen in public since 2010. Where is he?

unseen-japan.com

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 1d

I’m around another day! DM me.

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 1d

Japan’s Buddhist party has cut ties to the ruling LDP. The choice of Sanae Takaichi as PM isn’t progress—it’s regression in a skirt. Corrupt, authoritarian, openly hostile to press and minorities, she embodies everything rotten in the LDP: nepotism, nationalism, decay.
substack.com/home/post/p-...

The Rise of Japan’s Female Trump: Why Takaichi Sanae Is the Worst Thing to Happen to Japanese Democracy Since Abe 2.0

Takaichi endorsed “Hitler’s Election Strategy” in the ‘90s, threatened TV networks as communications minister, claims foreigners abuse Nara’s deer without evidence and speaks to the Gods #InsaneSanae

substack.com

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 1d

Hello Seattle! I'll be at Elliot Bay Books from 7pm tonight for the release of The Devil Takes Bitcoin. It's not officially in stores until October 14th--so this is the book launch!
Join me on a deep dive into the connections between #Bitcoin crime and Japan!
elliottbaybook.com/events/48173

Jake Adelstein | Elliott Bay Book Company

Full-service, general bookstore operating since 1973. Frequent author events, cafe, over 150,000 titles

elliottbaybook.com

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 2d

I agree!!

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Reposted by Jake Adelstein

Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 2d

In Japan, they say “the customer is God.” お客様は神様
But some gods have gone too far.
Mie Prefecture plans Japan’s first law with penalties for “customer harassment" (カスハラ

Those who demand endless apologies or torment staff could face fines up to ¥500,000 for going overboard

#Omotenashi

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Reposted by Jake Adelstein

Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 2d

The customer in Japan is no longer a god. Sometimes, they are a devil that needs to be exorcised. And if you’re a really bad demanding customer—it might cost you $3000. #kasuhara

open.substack.com/pub/tokyopal...

In Japan, the customer is no longer a god. And Mie Prefecture is going to exorcise the devils.

They say in Japan, "the customer is God.” But lately some of those gods have been acting like little demons. Now harassing clerks and demanding they bow down and apologize could cost you big.

open.substack.com

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 2d

The customer in Japan is no longer a god. Sometimes, they are a devil that needs to be exorcised. And if you’re a really bad demanding customer—it might cost you $3000. #kasuhara

open.substack.com/pub/tokyopal...

In Japan, the customer is no longer a god. And Mie Prefecture is going to exorcise the devils.

They say in Japan, "the customer is God.” But lately some of those gods have been acting like little demons. Now harassing clerks and demanding they bow down and apologize could cost you big.

open.substack.com

1 2 22

Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 2d

In Japan, they say “the customer is God.” お客様は神様
But some gods have gone too far.
Mie Prefecture plans Japan’s first law with penalties for “customer harassment" (カスハラ

Those who demand endless apologies or torment staff could face fines up to ¥500,000 for going overboard

#Omotenashi

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 2d

You should listen to the audiobook and try to decide if I sound like Ansel or Ansel sounds like me.

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 2d

In these serious times, I have a stupid question but I'll ask anyway.
What is the song "Cardigan" by Taylor Swift actually about? It's playing on an endless loop in my head.

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 3d

So say we all. 🥹

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 3d

Japan’s new PM is a woman—and a Hitler admirer. She threatened TV networks that criticized PM Abe, opposes gender equality, and blamed foreigners for Covid. Hand-picked in a backroom deal by ex-PM Taro Aso, she’s basically Aso in a dress—an authoritarian xenophobe, not progress. bit.ly/4pW9GvP

The Rise of Japan’s Female Trump: Why Takaichi Sanae Is the Worst Thing to Happen to Japanese Democracy Since Abe 2.0

Takaichi endorsed “Hitler’s Election Strategy” in the ‘90s, threatened TV networks as communications minister, claims foreigners abuse Nara’s deer without evidence and speaks to the Gods #InsaneSanae

bit.ly

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 4d

I know the feeling.

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Reposted by Jake Adelstein

Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 4d

Book tour!📕 Whoever said crime doesn't pay, never had any good cryptocurrency
Crime does pay--as long as it's paid in Bitcoin
In my new book, the devil takes bitcoin—we take a deep dive into how crime propelled an academic exercise into a powerful currency.
tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/us-book-to...

US Book Tour! 📕 The Devil Takes Bitcoin 😈 (**UPDATED**)

The Devil Takes Bitcoin: Cryptocurrency Crimes and the Japan Connection is out October 14 in the US. Get an early look with two pre-release events in Seattle and Philadelphia!

tokyopaladin.substack.com

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Reposted by Jake Adelstein

Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 7d

BREAKING 🚨Japan to have a female Prime Minister
But it's not progress
Sanae Takaichi, "the Brendan Carr" of Shinzo Abe, threatened critical TV networks as communications minister, lies that foreigners kick Nara’s deer, claims she speaks to The Gods
#InsaneSanae bodes badly for Japan
bit.ly/3VRR3ey

The Rise of Japan’s Female Trump: Why Takaichi Sanae Is the Worst Thing to Happen to Japanese Democracy Since Abe 2.0

Takaichi endorsed “Hitler’s Election Strategy” in the ‘90s, threatened TV networks as communications minister, claims foreigners abuse Nara’s deer without evidence and speaks to the Gods #InsaneSanae

bit.ly

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Reposted by Jake Adelstein

Bianca Vandenbos @booknotions.bsky.social · 4d

One day we will meet @tokyovice.bsky.social . For anyone who can, he’ll be in these cities for his book tour. The Devil Takes Bitcoin is a good book. You’re in for a treat 😉📚

Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 4d

Book tour!📕 Whoever said crime doesn't pay, never had any good cryptocurrency
Crime does pay--as long as it's paid in Bitcoin
In my new book, the devil takes bitcoin—we take a deep dive into how crime propelled an academic exercise into a powerful currency.
tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/us-book-to...

US Book Tour! 📕 The Devil Takes Bitcoin 😈 (**UPDATED**)

The Devil Takes Bitcoin: Cryptocurrency Crimes and the Japan Connection is out October 14 in the US. Get an early look with two pre-release events in Seattle and Philadelphia!

tokyopaladin.substack.com

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 4d

Book tour!📕 Whoever said crime doesn't pay, never had any good cryptocurrency
Crime does pay--as long as it's paid in Bitcoin
In my new book, the devil takes bitcoin—we take a deep dive into how crime propelled an academic exercise into a powerful currency.
tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/us-book-to...

US Book Tour! 📕 The Devil Takes Bitcoin 😈 (**UPDATED**)

The Devil Takes Bitcoin: Cryptocurrency Crimes and the Japan Connection is out October 14 in the US. Get an early look with two pre-release events in Seattle and Philadelphia!

tokyopaladin.substack.com

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Reposted by Jake Adelstein

GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE @golikehellmachine.com · 4d

related, the NYT has portland-based reporters, but chose to assign this piece to one based in SF

Alex Baumhardt @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social · 6d

This was lazy reporting, and the Times would have done better for its audience exploring why so many Portlanders voted in DSA council. Article includes nothing from these voters. Describing Republicans in Portland as an “endangered species” is a choice.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...

What Happens When Socialists Are in Charge? Portland Offers a Glimpse.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Jake Adelstein

Erica Friedman @okazu.yuricon.com · 4d

I am still immensely salty about this. DK asked me 4 times to work on this book while I was recovering from Long Covid. From day one. we all explained how the image licensing would have to be.

As Zack said, we got paid. But we will never have the pleasure of seeing our names on the same book.

Zack Davisson @zackdavisson.com · 4d

This will go down as the most heartbreaking thing of my career. An absolute Mount Rushmore of manga scholars I was honored to be included with. Everyone included, such as myself and @okazu.yuricon.com did some of the best work of our lives. A brilliant book.

Now dead. Because of image rights.

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 4d

Ms.Takaichi, Japan’s new Prime Minister was chosen in a backdoor deal by former PM Taro Aso
She’s a fan of Hitler’s politics
Her boss Aso
“We should learn from the Nazis who stealthily swapped out Germany’s Weimar constitution for their own without anyone noticing.”
open.substack.com/pub/tokyopal...

The Rise of Japan’s Female Trump: Why Takaichi Sanae Is the Worst Thing to Happen to Japanese Democracy Since Abe 2.0

Takaichi endorsed “Hitler’s Election Strategy” in the ‘90s, threatened TV networks as communications minister, claims foreigners abuse Nara’s deer without evidence and speaks to the Gods #InsaneSanae

open.substack.com

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 4d

I get so many Nazis and trolls in my feed recently that I decided I would show some compassion and at least teach them to spell better.

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Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social · 4d

日本版“女性トランプ”の出現：高市早苗は、安倍2.0以降の日本の民主主義にとって最悪のニュース
90年代に『ヒトラー選挙戦略』をヨイショ、総務相としてテレビ局を脅し、根拠なく「外国人が奈良の鹿を虐待」と言い、挙句に神さまに語りかける―― #InsaneSanae

open.substack.com/pub/tokyopal...

日本版“女性トランプ”の出現：高市早苗は、安倍2.0以降の日本の民主主義にとって最悪のニュース

90年代に『ヒトラー選挙戦略』をヨイショ、総務相としてテレビ局を脅し、根拠なく「外国人ばかりが奈良の鹿を虐待」と言い、挙句に神さまに語りかける。麻生太郎元総理の策略で、青いドレスを着た安倍晋三氏の亡霊が総理大臣になる日が最悪。

open.substack.com

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