Phantom Raspberry Blower 0 Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Smart speech http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6306685.stm Japan's health minister has referred to women as "birth-giving machines" in a speech to a local political meeting. Hakuo Yanagisawa called for women to do their best to bear children in order to counter Japan's plummeting birth rate and rapidly ageing population. "Because the number of birth-giving machines and devices is fixed, all we can ask for is for them to do their best per head," he said. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Is this just an extension of the Japanese fixation with vending machines? Link to post Share on other sites
SirJibAlot 0 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Like human Pez dispensers? Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 why don't they offer some cash incentives? it's worked in OZ. Link to post Share on other sites
midnightcharger2 0 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to bring in policies that will tackle the falling birth rate." OOOHHH, Im just waiting to see what this policy looks like. I would have no problem helping fix Japans falling birth rate. but on a serious note, it is important that the population is at a balance, but stating that women are "birth giving machines" just continues to make concrete evidence on telling women in Japan what their only purpose in live and Japan's society is. I believe that Japan is a bit more modernized and women are starting to see that they are as much as an important role in society then in prior decades. They are starting to realize on putting personal decisions as child bearing off till their professional careers are built. How a government will implement a plan is a very interesting topic. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 The guy apologized for that. Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 f*cking increadible. well, not really. I just wish it was uncommon for people to hold those views here. I would like to see Japan downsize a bit, but its happening so quickly its hard to adapt. But reducing women to a biological function is pretty sexist. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Why doesn't he ask men to do their bit too? And describe how much joy he gets from playing with his kids and helping his missus. He could even put the boat out and castigate Japanese firms for not allowing willing dads to do so. (Is "Japan women" BBC English?? ) Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I wish that too Oyuki kigan. One thing I really don't like is the personal questions about babies people seem to find it ok to ask here. Like those along the lines of "hey so why aren't you pregnant yet". They seem to take it for granted that I want 3, finish work and put on an apron. (As well as think it's ok to ask sometimes incredibly personal things). Link to post Share on other sites
Big Dogg 0 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 "why don't they offer some cash incentives?" I can't recall the specifics...but I think (at least) government workers get paid leave during and after pregnancy for like 3 years. The first year pays almost full salary and it drops lower each year after. Also, I think the woman's job is held for them for 3 years. Does anyone know the exact numbers? IF this is the case, it might not be so bad to have some kids... Frank, you could be a door-to-door salesman Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 even IF that is the case, it is still extreemely difficult for workers to actually take that time because of pressure (real or perceived) from employers. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I can't imagine not wanting kids, someone saying you can have some cash if you have a kid --- and then deciding to have kids. I suppose for people who want children but cannot because of lack of money but. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Good idea thursday Work, kids, sleep, fun, sex....somethings gotta give, usually the last one Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 "The guy apologized for that." --yep... and in the same speach --like he realized it was a dumb thing to say right away. Aparently the translation wasn't quite as blunt as that though either. Of course the media still jumped on it because it's ...a dumb thing to say. Link to post Share on other sites
SirJibAlot 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 nope the translation was pretty much right on. My wife wasn't too happy with that comment and she want's his head on a platter! Should I be nervous guys? Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 he said "生む機械" which is literally a birthing machine. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Seriously he used that language?! What a total fool. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 what a total tool Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 That as well. Can I imagine him to be one of those dudes with the low gutteral grunting voice with slicked back hair. Lets stereotyping. Link to post Share on other sites
number9 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 By looking at the declining birth rate, these machines surely aren't performing upto Japanese standards Japanese politicians still don't know how to interact with the media with any savvy (except for Koizumi), and they're often quite nearly dead which doesn't help with modernizing their brains. But Japan also doesn't have Sesami Street education. Things are gradually changing though. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Quote: Originally posted by Big Dogg: I can't recall the specifics...but I think (at least) government workers get paid leave during and after pregnancy for like 3 years. The first year pays almost full salary and it drops lower each year after. Also, I think the woman's job is held for them for 3 years. Does anyone know the exact numbers? IF this is the case, it might not be so bad to have some kids... What country is that in? Surely not Japan. Most women I know that work and go back get a year max (sometimes 6 months ) to get back to their jobs or they're gone.. and that's unpaid too. Link to post Share on other sites
SirJibAlot 0 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Yea, it's usually 1 year. They usually say "Yea, I'm coming back" then after the 1 year of benefits are over, they quit. Lovely system.... Link to post Share on other sites
boardbaka 3 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 just told the mrs about this thread- she said `that`s nice- like me?`- don@t think its right myself though. Link to post Share on other sites
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