Can you believe there is a sign like this being displayed in a store in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan where millions of people live? Believe it! It’s something that happens all the time, maybe not so foul, but the misuse of English is prevalent in all facets of literary use throughout Japan.

In this day and age, when computers and electronic dictionaries are something most have access to, you’d think those wishing to use English would get it correct. That, however, is not the outcome, no matter what their approach. They still get it wrong; so much it has become a sort of cult for foreigners!

Foreigners living, working and/or traveling in Japan cannot go a day without seeing some sort of English faux pas. Many foreigners make it a mission to seek out bad English. Once they find it, they post their findings to the web. Many blogs and websites around the world have been created by native English speakers to display strangely written English on T-shirts, signs, billboards or other forms of English print. It’s amazing how much there is out there! It’s even funnier when you take into consideration the huge number of foreigners that now live in Japan who can provide Japanese with English support if they were ever given the chance.

Most of the grammar mistakes come from people who think they have a good enough grasp of the language to do it on their own. Some might consider them idiots while others might consider them genius, if you taken into consideration the amount of exposure they get from foreigners posting their mistakes. Just look at how much exposure the store in Shinsaibashi is getting as their sale campaign is being splashed across the web on Facebook and websites like this one.

Another reason people in Japan make grammar mistakes, aside from the fact they don’t hire out foreigners to edit their works, is they take words straight from their dictionaries and use them thinking that because their dictionary said it means what they want to say in Japanese that it can be used in English just the same way. Unfortunately, this does not apply to all or most words the English language. Just look at the different words in a Thesaurus and you’ll see how words may be similar in meaning, but are used in different ways at different times. And some words, if used in conjunction with other words, may take on a whole different meaning.

Japanese people would do well to hire out foreigners to edit their English, especially since so many of them now live in the country and work in the English industry. But then again, they might not get as much exposure if their English stopped being funny!

Years ago, ATMs used to closed from before January 1st and wouldn’t be available for use until around the 4th or 5th. If you needed money, you had to get it out of the bank before then, otherwise you’d be without money for almost a whole week. Nowadays, ATMs are open 24 hours at convenient stores, and some are open at other locations. But banks are generally still closed during the New Year holiday period.

Another place that closes down on the 1st is gas stations. If you wish to get gas on January 1st, good luck. You can find some on major highways, but ones in local townships are generally closed for at least on day.

Anyone traveling to Japan during the New Year holiday period should remember this and make sure to have enough cash available because stores, even large ones, sometimes don’t take credit cards. If you don’t have cash, you’re stuck, especially at restaurants!

Yawata City, which lies just along the northeastern border of Osaka prefecture, is host to one of the latest Costco stores to be opened in Japan. Tons of people will be flocking to the store today to get a glimpse of the latest addition to the Costco Japan family.

Roads leading into the Yawata Costco will most likely be jammed with cars as members and visitors head to the store to shop on Opening Day.

Locals have been anticipating this day for a long time and have hopefully prepared themselves for the traffic that will now be something they have to deal with on a daily basis. Granted, it might not be as bad as it most likely will be today, but nonetheless, from now on, anyone living near Costco Yawata will have a lot more traffic.

Locals, like myself, will most likely walk or ride their bicycles to beat the traffic. Anyone going by train will have to take a bus or taxi in order to get to the store since JR Matsuiyamate station is not a close walk away. But even though the store is not a short walk away, today, anyone going by train might want to consider walking. It might be actually faster!

I’m heading there by bicycle now…

Right now is that time!

As temperatures begin to fall, people are beginning to talk about momiji viewing. It will continue to be the hot topic here in Japan until the last autumn leaves have fallen.

What most people want to know is “Where and when to go?”

Many people go to parks, shrines and temples, while others go to the countryside. Momiji viewing is done individually, as a date with someone you love or as a group. Most people in Japan from now on will be talking about momiji.

Momiji will be the hot topic on this site until sometime in December, just before Christmas. So keep your eyes and ears open. You will find many great places to go momiji viewing, too.

Typhoon 16 doesn’t look to reach mainland Japan, but typhoon 15 is hovering south near Okinawa and hasn’t really made up its mind where it’s going yet.

The current possible tracking route is saying the typhoon will pass slightly over the east coast of the Kansai region and along the coastline. If that is the case, everyone that experienced typhoon 12 will most likely have more rain, mud and landslides and flooding to deal with.

Currently, it is raining in the Kansai area off and on, hot and muggy.

This typhoon has been moving very slowly. First reports said the typhoon would reach the mainland of Japan yesterday, then it was changed to 3am this morning. But when it finally reached the Shikoku, it was 10am.

The typhoon has slowed down tremendously compared to when it was out over the ocean south of Okinawa. It is bringing lots of rain and wind.

Many areas near rivers and valleys are experiencing flooding. So far, there are no reports of mudslides, but the storm is expected to continue hitting the mainland of Japan for the next few days at the rate it is currently moving.

2 people have died so far from this typhoon; one is a surfer.

Businesses throughout Japan have sought to help by sending supplies and workers to the effected region. People have cut power to their homes and businesses. Schools have even contributed by cutting power, turning off air conditioners and heaters, depending on temperatures outside. Likewise, businesses around Japan are turning off the A/C.

In order to help those working at companies choosing to switch off the coolers, business attire rules are being bent or changed.

Workers in Japan, depending on the companies, are being told they can come to work in shorts, Hawaiian shirts and sandals to combat the heat this summer. No more business suits, white shirts and ties! Men and women can go to work in casual attire and dress down in order to save power and do their part to help rebuild the Tohoku region of Japan.

According to them, radiation coming from the Fukushima plant will be passing over the Kansai region starting tonight and throughout the rest of the day tomorrow.

Click this site for the air pattern and map. Radiated Air-flow Map

The Japanese government is encouraging people to not to go up to Sendai individually. CRASH also encourages people to not go up to the headquarters individually. The problem with individuals going up to the region is people need to work in the disaster areas in teams and people coming and going one by one causes disorganization. So people are urged to create groups or teams.

Teams need to consist of between 5 and 7 people; a few more than 7 is also okay, if that many can be coordinated. People who can fulfill leadership roles are needed immediately and will need to go to the CRASH Tokyo headquarters for orientation and training. Leaders will be in charge of finances, coordinating with churches and need to be able to go for at least a week or longer at a time.

Laborers need to be able to stay for at least 3 days or longer and be available from April 1st onward.

Contact CRASH directly to find a team heading from your area.

For teams leaving from the Kansai region, you can contact fill out the Contact form on this website. Shortly after sending your information, someone will contact you about volunteering.