Many Chinese come to Japan on vacation. Yet, you don’t hear of any Japanese attacking the Chinese visitors because of their stance on issues. They come, they travel and do their sightseeing around Japan and then go back to China unharmed or ridiculed.

Of course, most people around the world realize that the media makes little issues out to be bigger than they really are. Japanese living and working in China are getting treated terribly and don’t deserve any of it.

There really isn’t much to say except, Kampai! Hope you last longer than your predecessor!

Prime Minister, Naoto Kan

KIX uses the screen to display videos introducing visitors to the airport giving them guidance how to get around the airport along with information on sightseeing spots in the Kansai area.

Use the new KansaiConnect Hotel Finder and find the lowest prices by comparing all the largest hotel sites around the globe like:

• AsiaRooms.com
• Expedia.com
• Hilton.com
• HotelClub.com
• Hotels.com
• OctopusTravel.com
• Priceline.com
• RatesToGo.com
• Travelocity.com
• Venere.com

and many more, just to name the larger ones!

Click here to find your hotel now! Or click the Hotel Finder image above!

You would expect during a normal autumn season to see thousands upon thousands of people roaming here and there admiring the beautiful autumn leaves, but that is not quite the case this year.

Be it so called global warming or just another side of the way God created the earth, rain is pouring over Japan a little more than usual at this time of year. Usually rain doesn’t start falling this much until the leaves are at the end of the autumn cycle.

Autumn, however it goes, does not wait for man. Man cannot change it or slow the process down. We can only take it as it comes and enjoy the ride.

If people in Japan want to see momiji this year, they are going to have to endure getting wet or put on some rain gear and buy a new waterproof camera because rain is in the forecast off and on for the next week.

The H1N1 virus is the culprit. It’s taking its toll on the Japanese students. But who’s complaining? The students aren’t. That’s for sure. What student doesn’t enjoy a day off from school.

Week after week, students are getting days off from school. This week it’s the 2nd grade class out for 2 or 3 days. Last week it was the 5th grade class. Before that it was another grade out. Groups of students are being hit one by one around the country. Public and private schools are canceling classes as levels of students sick with the virus reach more than 30%. The H1N1 virus is so widespread the education system is trying to keep entire schools from being victims.

While children seem to be getting the brunt end of the virus, it is not just a virus for kids. Adults can contract the virus just as well, and education officials know this. Teachers need a break from all the sick students traipsing the halls.

Tags: H1N1, H1N1 virus, Japan, Japanese, viruses, japan school system, japanese school system, holidays, days off

Yesterday, there were so many shoppers, the streets leading to the store were backed up for blocks. Inside the store was so packed with people, it was difficult maneuvering carts. Shoppers were literally elbow to elbow on both sides of the cart.

Whatever the reason, whether it is from the large number of shoppers or the economy, prices at Costco in some areas have dropped.

Sausages, cheese, and coffees are down, while meats are up. Wine and other alcoholic beverages have stayed the same.

Thete were so many shoppers pushing their carts into me from behind one after another, today the backs of my heels are sore!

For the past several years, high humidity always seems to come and stay right after the first typhoon passes through the Kansai region. From that point on, it is here for the duration of the summer and doesn’t go away until autumn begins coming around.

The difference between now and then is the nights. Right now, the nights are relatively pleasant to sleep through with the windows open. There’s a cool breeze that can still be felt and the air is cool enough one can sleep with a light blanket. However, after that first typhoon comes blowing through, sleeping through the nights with the windows open will be unbearable, at least for those who don’t mind sleeping and sweating at the same time.

The good news about the high humidity in Japan is that it doesn’t last long. It usually comes and goes in about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on when the typhoon comes and leave its nastiness behind.

When the area becomes mushi atsui, thick with humidity, the best way to battle it is with a nice fan with the windows open – make sure you have good window screens to keep out the pesky mosquitoes (another story) – or you can close the windows and definitely keep the mozzies out and turn on the air conditioner.

For people who have joint problems, before you go to sleep make sure the air conditioner is pointing up or away from your body so the air doesn’t blow directly on you. If you sleep with the air blowing right on you, you may wake up in the morning stiff. Cool air tends to make joints and muscles stiff, and may cause some people to cramp at night. Air conditioners can also over-dry air which could potentially bother asthmatics or those with sinus or snoring problems.

There will be a seminar on how to find a job in Japan as well as legal advice on how to get a working visa. The seminar will be held from 10:30 to 12:30 pm on the same day.

Students graduating from universities between autumn 2009 and March 2010 are eligible to attend.

Registration can be made online at the International Foreign Students Association webpage or you can call (06) 6772-7327.

Doctors are using special kits designed to detect the virus, types A and B. Test results, if done the day symptoms first show up, tend to report patients as negative, while if the same test is done the day after the initial symptoms began, the results come back positive and are more accurate.

The rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) is generally used after patients have tested positive using the initial test kits to further confirm or negate the initial test result.