Social Distancing: Don't Stand So Close To Me

Keep Your Distance

Before 8 this morning this photo was taken and it would be a good two hours before I got home.

Along the way, I had lots of time to think of a title but, it wasn't easy.

With that Coronavirus thing going around, everybody seems to be in a panic.

So, I got the idea, to look on YouTube and see if I could find a tune for this image.

How's this sound?

Wordless Wednesday: Report to Police

Knife Carrying in Japan: An Insider's Tips

Japan Has Strict Laws

 

 

Over the past week the subject of knives in Japan has come up in a few conversations.

And, I had sort of, put the thought of writing this blog on the back burner.

This morning's news of the horrors in Sagamihara, Japan got me thinking.

A deranged person, killed 19 and severely wounded dozens of others, using a knife as a weapon.

 Now, is the time to make sure foreigners, in Japan understand the laws concerning knives.

Don't expect the laws, concerning knives, in Japan to become any more lax after this disaster.

Swords and Firearms Control Law

Guns and swords, I won't discuss here.  If you're interested, you can read the links.

The latest revision (English) that I could find on knife carrying, was dated 2009.

Don't carry a pocket knife, with a blade longer than 2.2 inches.

My folding Swiss Army knife (above) is safe, to carry in my pocket and, that's what I do.

The kitchen knife has a blade exceeding 6 inches so, it stays at home.

Does the Knife Carry Law Get Enforced ?

Yes.  I'll give a few examples, to show, it applies to foreigners and Japanese, as well.

An American traveler had a knife which was 1cm longer than the law allows.

He became a guest of the jailhouse for nine days.

Ignorance of the law, in any foreign country, can get you some time behind bars.

Whenever, I take a flight, the little pocket knife, doesn't go through customs in Japan.

It stays at home and, I use my teeth, to rip open peanut bags and, stuff like that.

Crisis Management Official Busted Too

Drinking until you are incoherent is not illegal in Japan and, that's nice to know.

When a policeman comes along, it's best, to not act stupid.

Like, this city official, who had a paring knife, 3cm over the authorized limit in his possession.

Unable to explain, he had been using it to peel fruit, he was arrested.

A Japanese citizen, who was an official of the city of Wakayama, Japan, he lost his job as well.

Comments by people, who come under American or European laws, don't wash here.

Probable Cause.  Where's the Probable Cause, for police to search this man ?

Acting stupid around police, when you're in violation of the law, would be my first guess.

Hunting Fishing and Camping

 

 

Just last Saturday, I was talking about knives, with a gentleman from South America.

He told a story about getting arrested for possession of a knife, in Okinawa.

He was going fishing and, had the knife on the front seat of his car.

Pulled over, for some minor thing, like brake lights, the cop saw the knife.

Had, he kept it in his tackle box, it would have been considered OK.

Many knives, I own exceed the limits of the law but, are used for my work.

As long as, they are stored properly and, only used for business, I'm not violating any laws.

 

Conversations with a Friend Visiting from USA

 

A backpacker, hiking and camping around Okinawa had a question via gmail:

Jul 24 2016

Hey Mike
Hope life is good... Can you tell of any knife shops around Naha/Kumoji where I can buy a good sashimi knife ?

Reply:

Any hardware store I imagine but be aware they have strict laws on carrying knives in Japan.

Same Day His Response:

Thanks and I appreciate the warning. I had no idea until recently. 

For Further Reading:

Japan Customs English Online

Customs Government of Japan English PDF

Nice to See the Cops Today on the Sesoko Island Bridge

This is the view from Sesoko Island, looking towards Okinawa.

The photo was taken at 6:45 and, I would walk to the halfway point before dark.

The idea, was to take photos of fireworks around 8PM.

The fireworks display was taking place at Expo Park in Motobu.

It was fairly challenging, shooting a camera.

Too many people decided to drive over the bridge and park on it to watch the show.

That didn't bother me.  It was the traffic jams they were causing and the glare of headlights.

Along came the police with their loudspeaker and, they chased everybody away.

It made me so happy, I wanted to buy those guys some donuts !

What's Wrong With That Picture? Ten Million Bucks in a Field !

This is my picture of a gal in a field, not far from where I live in Okinawa, Japan.  She gave me the evil eye while I was taking her photo but, that's probably because I look a little suspicious. I'm a foreigner.

Now, if I was going to do anything fancy with this picture, like sell it, I'd chase the gal down, make friends with her, get her to sign a model release form and print, frame and give the picture to her.

If she ain't too young maybe we could have a sake or some beer together.

When I saw her working the field I figured she was cultivating rice.  That's done in the fields around here.

So, my question isn't about what's wrong with this picture. 

I want to know what's wrong with the picture up in a place called Gimje, South Korea.

The police caught this guy with Ten Million US Dollars planted in his field of garlic.  They have a picture of what all those $100 bills look like in nice, neat bundles stacked and wrapped with rubberbands.

The farmer, must be a pretty fast-talker.  He told the cops his brothers-in-law got him to plant the money.  They were unavailable to speak to the press at the time.  One was in prison and the other guy ran away.

The police in the USA should make friends with those cops in South Korea and, I bet, they might find enough US Dollars to pay off the national debt. 

It sounds like the banks are so full of dollars, people are using them to fertilize the garlic fields in Korea.

Have a look at $10 MILLION CASH .  "What's Wrong With That Picture"?


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Lost and Found in Japan: An Insider's Tip

A LOST WALLET

Lost and Found:

My teenage son and I once found a wallet in a parking lot in Okinawa, Japan. It contained a young Japanese girl's ID and money, so we did the right thing. We took it to the local police station.

Every policeman in the station counted the amount of money in the wallet and made me watch to confirm that it was the correct amount before putting it back inside.

The shift changed at the police station while we were there so, of course, the counting and verifying of every piece of change had to be done by every cop in the station, again. They'd write down the quantity and amount of each coin and bill, have me initial each column on the form and watch as they placed each item back in the wallet. Then, I'd sign my full name and they'd stamp the forms with their red-inked stamps.

Once they were done, I was told I could get anywhere from 5 to 20% reward, and if the wallet wasn't reclaimed in 120 days, all the money would be mine. The entire process took three hours, I didn’t want any reward, I just wanted to go home.

Now, I know why nobody in Japan likes to turn lost and found items into the police!

Luckily, the girl was contacted and showed up to get her wallet the next day.

The wallet in the photo was probably dropped by someone fishing from the seawall. Whoever found it did the smart thing; placed it where the wind or waves wouldn’t take it away. It sat there for a week. I know because I walk that beach every morning. I’m positive the wallet got back to its owner. More than likely, no police were involved !

There's something to be said for the integrity and honesty of the folks on the Ryukyu Islands.

How are things of this nature handled in your neck of the woods?