Lectures

Once a month I have been attending a lecture at Temple University about the health care system in Japan. While health care has never been part of my field of study, Japan's society and culture have been. For that reason, it is interesting.

For exam, Japanese Politics are generally more "realism adverse" than other countries. In other words, it takes government officials much longer to acknowledge social changes and problems, and even longer still to act upon them. One example is that Japan, a country of people very concerned about health and safety, ranked bellow China in Tobacco control (non-smoking areas, age verification vending machines. checking age at stores, etc.)

However, today Sanami didn't go with me because, "Since I can't change the system, why would I want to learn about it's problems? That's just frustrating!"

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つづく

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Sorry

Maintaining a blog is sometimes easier than others. When I first came to Japan I kept one, and I have been keeping one since I came back in 2007. While I might not update very often. I promise I will always keep posting for those who read and care.

On a different note, I finally put together my taxes for 2008. Don't freak out. I know it is late but that is ok. US nationals living abroad get and automatic 2 month extension. After seeing what I earned over a year, I am saddened it is not more. Well, I guess having a job is better than not hav
ing one.

On a final note, I made my first "complex" investment. What I mean is something beyond typical savings. I invested some money in a 6-month timed saving in dollars (not yen). We'll see if it was a good investment.

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sent from W-ZERO3

つづく

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