Author Archives: MThomas

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About MThomas

Long ago, I gave up my high school dreams of becoming the next Carl Sagan and instead wound up working (in order) at McDonald's, a '60s-themed restaurant, a video rental store, a used bookstore, a computer seller, Kinko's, a Jewish newspaper company, and an HR firm. I eventually became a teacher of intercultural communication in Kyoto, where I vainly attempt to apply quantum mechanics to language teaching, practice martial arts and Zen Buddhism, and always keep one eye on the sky. And yes, I know my profile photo's backward. I just think it looks better this way.

Cultural relativism? Hardly. It’s the LAW

Posted on October 16, 2014 by MThomas

“This is not an “it’s OK, it’s Japan, it’s a different culture” issue. It is a violation of an international treaty signed by Japan… Continue reading →

Posted in age of consent, child abuse, child safety, Japan, Japanese law, Japanese politics, Japanese society | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UPDATED: Amazon Japan removes some, not all. Tip of the iceberg…

Posted on October 14, 2014 by MThomas

Depictions of 13 year olds wearing leotards in sexual positions are OK, right? Amazon continues to think so. So does Rakuten. And Yahoo Japan Shop. And Tsutaya… Continue reading →

Posted in age of consent, international hub, Japan, Japanese law, Japanese politics, Japanese society, online shopping | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An open letter to Amazon Japan: Stop selling child pornography

Posted on October 13, 2014 by MThomas

Until Amazon Japan removes “candy doll collection” products from its web site, I will not buy any products at any Amazon web sites…Remove these products. Now. Continue reading →

Posted in child safety, Japan, Japanese law, Japanese society | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments