#pachinko: 108

[cptrs]

[yorozuyaxxangelsxxicons]

Gintama Sentence Starters: Funny Edition

Gintoki: "Blah blah blah... Put a lid on it. Are you in heat, or what?" "I mean, I get so cranky if I don't have sugar." "Was your sister raised by a gorilla or something!?" "Ow ow ow ow ow!! What did you do!? Is that my brain leaking out?" "I-it should be okay, you know... Wake Up TV's astrology segment said... I'd be lucky this weekend." "Whoever ate it, raise your hand now, and I'll only kill you three-fourths of the way." "Can't you say something like, 'Leave me, ____, you go on ahead'?" "How long are you going to go on and on and on like some stupid, gum chewing, Kyoto girl on her cell phone?" "SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE, FREAK!" "So, what do we do now? Can we touch your ass or something?" "Clearly you're the one who needs help! You can't do jack shit!" "GIVE ME YOUR BALLS." "'Is this love?' My ass!" "It's all my fault. If only I hadn't gone to pachinko! I'll repay you by doubling it in pachinko!" "Believe in yourself! Believe in the dick of the owner you believe!" "You have an ultimate move, even though I don't? Isn't that unfair?" "T-Toei Animation's gonna kill us!" "What? I never said I was talking about you. You actually thought your family was rich? You actually call yourself Richie Rich?" "Mr. Kakashi from Class N had his Sharingan stolen after school yesterday." "Hey, bitch. I'm done with Kingdom, so get me all the volumes of Terra Formars within three minutes, or I'll have your head." "I'll curse your family for seven generations, damn you!" "It was far too large to be called a sword stuck in my ass."

Shinpachi: "Sheesh!! You hide a filthy soul behind those beautiful eyes!" "You two think that anything with a mustache is Mario, don't you!?" "Why are you pretending to break your bones!?"

Kagura: "Don't need a license to hit and run, yessir!" [text] Good morning. Your poop is very smooth today! "We're not toilet paper for you bastards to wipe your asses with!" "Behold me, the 30,014th shogun!"

Hijikata: "You wanna sleep permanently? Huh?" "Why leave the party, pal? It's a nice fight. Let's have some fun!" "What do you mean you missed!? Hey! Look at me!" "Okay. Don't come back." "Then how about a handshake? I'm a real Bentendo fan." "You Zega fans should be quiet and play your Creamcast, stupid. Keep waiting for your sequel to Shenmue, stupid." "I'm going to defeat Breeza!" "Hey, just give me some balls. You have some, right?" "Have you heard of a penile break?" "I'll lick the soles of your sandals or anything you ask me to!" "You can use the tepid kiddy bath over there. It's probably your style." "I don't remember allying with you, either. Crazy bitch." "You're not innocent, are you!?"

Okita: "He doesn't look hurt, but trust me he's suffering inside." "Just so you know, I was supposed to work really hard today, but I took the day off." "Isn't he stereotypical? He thinks he's Vegeta. He's planning on casually joining in." "Go buy me a Yakisoba pan, and JUMP, too. Of course, you pay for them." "I'm going to investigate whether the octopus balls actually have octopus meat in them." "I'll cut right to the chase. Could you let ____ fuck your robot girl over there?"

Other: "Look, you just keep your mouth shut." "Your heart isn't big enough to embrace their wonderful flaws, and that's why you aren't popular with the ladies!" "A leader must use any means possible to lead his organization to victory. As such, you'll play Uno with me! Because I'm good at Uno!" "____ made me pay 108 yen for a Yakulk the other day. Did they make you pay, too? It wouldn't be fair if I was the only one who had to pay." "Quit acting like you're a leader already, damn errand boy." "To remove this apparatus, either go to your nearest church or withdraw 3 million yen from an ATM and deposit it to my account." "If sorry was enough, seppuku wouldn't exist in the world." "In my country, '(insult)' is just how we end sentences. I wasn't implying anything, (insult)." "Is she a man or Orochimaru?" "Quit talking about my butthole like it's some parking stall!" "The hell are you doing in my house!?" "Why are you sneaking into my house in the middle of the night to make fried rice all dramatic-like!? And turn off the damn music! It's bothering the neighbors!" "You're the one... who bent me over."

Other (Multiple Lines): "Now we can't use the 'I wanna eat your cooking' line." "Oh, well. Skip a few steps and go with 'I wanna eat you' instead." "That's skipping too many steps! What kind of irresponsible advice is that!?" "I'll help you outta there. 'hee, hee, hoo' got that? Together now. 'hee, hee, hoo'." "I'm not a pregnant woman, you moron!" "This is ____, and this is ____. Understand? Let's write them down ten times each." "Oh, fuck you!"

[bookclub4m]

Episode 169 - What is a Book? (Part 2)

This episode we’re continuing our conversation from last year and talking about What is a Book? We talk about hypertext, instruction manuals, visual novels, campfire stories, and more!

You can download the podcast  directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | Jam Edwards

Media We Mentioned

DC Pride 2022 #1

Tic Tac Tome: The Autonomous Tic Tac Toe Playing Book by Willy Yonkers

Homestuck (Wikipedia)

Doki Doki Literature Club! (Wikipedia)

Everything Everywhere All at Once (Wikipedia)

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Wikipedia)

Lasers & Feelings

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

Links, Articles, and Things

Episode 144 - What is a Book?

I read all 337 books in Skyrim so you don't have to 

Episode 108 - Visual Novels

Choose Your Own Adventure (Wikipedia)

Demian's Gamebook Web Page

KineticNovel (Wikipedia)

Hypertext fiction (Wikipedia)

HyperCard (Wikipedia)

Flip Book (Wikipedia)

Desert Bus for Hope

Microform (Wikipedia)

Rice writing (Wikipedia)

Matthew was just wrong about this

Changes to new editions of Roald Dahl books have readers up in arms

Jaffa Cakes: Legal Status (Wikipedia)

That time the X-Men’s humanity was put on trial in a real court of law

Fountain (Duchamp) (Wikipedia)

20 Books Adapted into Film/TV by BIPOC Authors (and 7 Being Adapted Soon)

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker | The Color Purple (1985)

The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor | The Women of Brewster Place (1989 mini-series)

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, translated by Carol & Thomas Christensen | Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan | The Joy Luck Club (1993)

Beloved by Toni Morrison | Beloved (1998)

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie | Smoke Signals (1998)

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi | Persepolis (2007)

Q&A by Vikras Swarup | Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Push by Sapphire | Precious (2009)

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup | 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly | Hidden Figures (2016)

Silence by Shūsaku Endō, translated by William Johnston | Silence (2016)

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese | Indian Horse (2017)

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan | Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | The Hate U Give (2018)

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin | If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han | To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Chararipotra | Tiny Pretty Things (2020 TV series)

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga | The White Tiger (2021)

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee | Pachinko (2022 TV series)

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang | American Born Chinese (2023 TV series)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker | The Color Purple (2023)

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid | Exit West (2023)

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam | Leave the World Behind (2023)

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu | The Three-Body Problem (2023 TV series)

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon | Blackout (forthcoming film & TV series)

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris | The Other Black Girl (forthcoming TV series)

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, join our Facebook Group, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, March 7th we’ll be discussing the genre of Gender Theory/Studies! 

Then on Tuesday, March 21st we’ll be talking about Moving and Management of Books!

[one-cric]

The Thrill of Chance: Exploring the Crazy Time Game

In the dynamic world of online gaming, one game that stands out for its vibrant energy and potential for big wins is the Crazy Time Game. Developed by Evolution Gaming, Crazy Time has taken the live casino experience to new heights, offering players a unique blend of entertainment and the chance to strike it lucky.

What is Crazy Time?

Crazy Time is a live online game show based on the classic Wheel of Fortune concept but with an electrifying twist. It combines live entertainment with augmented reality, creating an immersive gaming experience that’s both visually appealing and engaging. The game features a giant wheel with 54 segments, where each segment represents a number (1, 2, 5, or 10) or a bonus game (Cash Hunt, Pachinko, Coin Flip, or Crazy Time).

How to Play

Players start by placing bets on the number they think the wheel will stop at, or on one or more of the bonus games. Once the betting time is over, the host spins the wheel. If the wheel stops on a number you bet on, you win a payout corresponding to that number. But the real excitement begins when the wheel lands on a bonus game, triggering interactive and potentially lucrative mini-games.

The Bonus Games

Each bonus game offers a different gameplay experience:

Cash Hunt: Players are presented with a shooting gallery of 108 random multipliers. The multipliers are hidden under symbols, and players must shoot a target to reveal their prize. Pachinko: A large Pachinko wall with physical pegs comes into play. The host drops a puck, and players win the multiplier where the puck lands.

Coin Flip: A simple yet thrilling game where a coin with two sides, each with a different multiplier, is flipped. Players win the multiplier of the side facing up. Crazy Time: The most elaborate of the bonus games, taking players to a virtual world with a gigantic wheel of fortune. Players choose a flapper (green, blue, or yellow) and win the multiplier that their chosen flapper points to. Strategies for Winning

While Crazy Time is a game of chance, players often employ strategies to maximize their potential winnings. Some adopt a low-risk approach, betting on the numbers to ensure frequent, albeit smaller, wins. Others chase the thrill of the bonus games, accepting higher risk for a shot at bigger rewards.

Responsible Gaming

It’s important to remember that Crazy Time, like all forms of gambling, should be approached responsibly. Set limits for yourself in terms of time and money, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. The game is meant to be fun, and responsible gaming ensures it stays that way.

Conclusion

Crazy Time is more than just a game; it’s a spectacle. With its colorful presentation, engaging hosts, and the chance for big wins, it’s no wonder that Crazy Time has become a favorite among online casino enthusiasts. Whether you’re in it for the fun or the potential payouts, Crazy Time promises a gaming experience that’s anything but ordinary.

Experience the excitement of Crazy Time and see if fortune favors you in this whirlwind of fun and chance. Remember to play wisely and enjoy the ride!

The information has been taken from ekcricket

[appbestrummy]

Standout And Useful Gameplan For Crazy Time Tracker And RTP

In this post, you will learn the outcome of Crazy Time, how to win, and how to return to the player. Check out the new live casino game's Crazy Time Tracker minigames.

About Crazy Time

Crazy Time has been around for quite a while. We enjoy this game and play it frequently. Even if you only do it for a short time, it's always a lot of fun.

This game is just one example of how innovative and creative Evolution Gaming can be. Each minigame is unique and provides a unique experience. The people who run the chat are also excellent and interact with the audience frequently.

If you want to learn more, Visit: Hobigames.

Crazy Time Gameplay Ending

When you begin playing Crazy Time, you'll notice a colorful board with a large wheel in the center. The host of the game spins the wheel after everyone has placed their bets.

There are 54 spots with bet multipliers of 1, 2, 5, and 10. Coin Flip, Cash Hunt, Pachinko, and Crazy Time are the other four mini-games that can appear on the wheel.

There is a betting area with several boxes under the wheel. You can bet on a Coin Flip in Cash Hunt, Pachinko, and Crazy Time. You can wager on multipliers and minigames/bonuses.

Here's an illustration of how to play a Crazy Time game. Players have a limited amount of time to place their wagers. When a bet is placed on a slot machine above the wheel, a random multiplier of 2 to 50 is added to one of the wheel's bet multipliers or mini-games. The person in charge of the game also spins the wheel.

If the wheel stops on one, your money is returned, and the bet multiplier doubles it. When it reaches "1," the minigame begins.

Crazy Time's minigames

We discussed it after the last paragraph. Let's have some fun with some Crazy Time minigames.

Toss a coin

Coin Flip, the least entertaining of the four Crazy Time bonus games, can be played four times on the wheel. The two bet multipliers are determined by a coin flip (represented by the colours red and blue).

The multiplier for your bet in this minigame ranges from 2 to 100. If the multiplier wheel stops on the coin flip, it can be multiplied even more.

When the host presses a button, a coin is flipped by a machine. You are given the multiplier corresponding to the color of the coin's facing upside.

Find Money

The Cash Hunt is a fantastic minigame found twice on the Crazy Time wheel. On the huge wall you're facing, there are 108 bet multipliers hidden behind symbols like cacti, gifts, targets, sheriff's stars, rabbits, and a jester's hat. The game or you decide which symbol to use. When the timer runs out, the multipliers hidden behind the characters are revealed.

Pachinko

Like the Cash Hunt bonus, this bonus also shows up twice on the wheel. Pachinko is the side game at the wheel. The bottom of a vertical purple wall has 16 boxes.

There could be single or multiple "double" symbols in addition to random multipliers. The host throws the puck up the stairs, landing on a wall. It hits one of the boxes after bouncing off the spurs.

The bet multiplier that it comes with is yours to keep. If there is a double, the puck is dropped again after multiplying all multipliers by two.

The times are crazy.

Crazy Time is the best bonus in this video game. You'll see that it only shows up on the wheel once. The game's host directs you through the red door on the stage's right side to enter the bonus.

There is a lovely planet with a massive wheel in the middle big enough for the most famous theme parks.

The host, however, resembles an ant. From the top of the wheel, choose one of the three colors. In addition to the wheel's bet multipliers, there are double and triple symbols.

Why Do Players Check the Crazy Time Results from the Past?

It is a common misconception among gamblers and gamers that if an event has yet to occur recently, it will not occur shortly. Or the likelihood of the event occurring is more significant than a recent outcome.

For example, if the Crazy Time bonus round is supposed to appear once every six games but hasn't occurred in 15 spins, you may be concerned that a player may believe one is "due."

This fallacy is also known as the gamblers and the mature of chance fallacy.

It is the foundation of every outcome tracker, irrespective of the sport. They are designed to facilitate the player's wagering on outcomes that are more likely to occur based on historical data.

The money wheel must record previous results. Each new spin will result in a unique outcome unrelated to previous results.

Even though the results will eventually balance out due to the law of large numbers, it is incorrect to assume that a correction will occur on one of the subsequent spins.

In 150 spins, the Crazy Time bonus round will be triggered twice a row, so it may as well be now.

Probability, statistics, and mathematics are each advantageous. However, problems arise when incorrect conclusions are drawn.

How Do Tracked Results Appear In The Past?

As seen in the above screenshot, the Pachinko, Cash Hunt, and Crazy Time bonus rounds have not been activated recently (which was taken from tracksino.com). Coin Flip was the only one that had been activated recently.

Since bonus rounds are predicted to be triggered every sixth spin, many players would conclude it is time to place a wager. It would appear that Cash Hunt, Pachinko, or Crazy Time are likelier than Coin Flip to be the next bonus round.

This is not true. Therefore, the subsequent spin will have exactly the same chance of activating the four bonus matches.

The time since the previous Crazy Time result or the results of previous spins have no bearing on these options.

The odds are identical for spins made immediately after a win in the Crazy Time game and after a winless streak of one thousand spins.

What benefits do stats trackers provide?

Crazy Time stat trackers can be utilized for their intended purpose. You can see how the game is played by examining past results. Long-term, they typically concur with the game statistics, but they may soon begin to disagree.

To give you a better idea of what to expect while playing Crazy Time, the average win rate of each of the four bonus rounds is depicted in the image above.

While Crazy Time is the most lucrative and least frequently triggered bonus round, Coin Flip is the least lucrative and most frequently triggered bonus round. Pachinko and Cash Hunt should be equivalent.

Even though this information is helpful, it should not be used to predict the outcome of the next spin.

Keeping track of results in a Crazy Time Tracker

In some or all of the many available Crazy Time statistic trackers, the following information is shown.

Where we got our information:

Telling about the past

Top multiplicators at present

Best triumphs

How many spins have happened in a row without a result?

How often did the result happen in the last 24 hours?

Theoretical frequency and actual frequency of occurrence

A list of every bonus round wins in the past.

How much each bonus game usually pays out?

The most critical victories ever

If you want to learn how Crazy Time works, this information will help you. Because of this, your gambling could suffer.

Think about what happens when you use statistics to guess the next spin. There's no such thing as what's "due."

Best Plans for a Crazy Time

Crazy Time is a game of chance, just like every other casino game. Even though this article has tips on playing Crazy Time, remember that it is mostly a game of chance.

If you use the tips in this article, you can play better. No plan can always be sure to work.

You can use the three Crazy Time strategies below when playing this game:

Plan for Moderate Uncertainty

High risk is involved in the "Bonus Hunter method," which covers 16.66% of the wheel.

Compared to the last plan, this one involves more risk-taking. Here are some things you should do to make this happen.

You can bet on both the number 2 and the minigames. Why only two? Why not five or ten? Because it happens so often on the wheel, it makes it statistically more likely to fall.

Approach with High Volatility

"Crazy Time Strategy," which only covers 1.85% of the wheel, is a hazardous plan.

If you know what to expect from the first two strategies, you also know what to expect from this one. This risky strategy bets on luck and hopes to make money quickly.

The goal of this game is to keep betting on the mini-games. You will be rewarded if a minigame comes up quickly and gives you a good multiplier.

Make sure you change your bet to match how much money you have so that you can play for as long as possible. When your balance is low, it would be risky to use high volatility. In the blink of an eye, anything could be gone.

How likely is Crazy Time to happen?

If you know the Crazy Time odds, you can plan for the chance that one of the eight eligible areas will be hit every time the wheel is spun.

You are welcome to play any of the games. Hobigames are a great way to have fun and make some extra cash.

[vsplusonline]

Coronavirus: With no fear of penalties, Japanese defy stay-at-home requests

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/coronavirus-with-no-fear-of-penalties-japanese-defy-stay-at-home-requests/

Coronavirus: With no fear of penalties, Japanese defy stay-at-home requests

Under Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency, people have been asked to stay home. Many are not.

Some still have to commute to their jobs despite risks of infection, while others continue to dine out, picnic in parks and crowd into grocery stores with scant regard for social distancing.

On Wednesday, the first day of the “Golden Week” holidays that run through May 5, Tokyo’s leafy Shiba Park was packed with families with small children, day camping in tents.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: IOC official disagrees COVID-19 vaccine needed for Tokyo Olympics

The lure of heading out for Golden Week holidays is testing the public’s will to unite against a common enemy as health workers warn rising coronavirus cases are overwhelming the medical system in some places. Experts say a sense of urgency is missing, thanks to mixed messaging from the government and a lack of incentives to stay home.

Story continues below advertisement

In distant, tropical Okinawa, locals have resorted to posting social media appeals to tourists not to visit, “to protect our grannies and grandpas.”

“Please cancel your trip to Okinawa and wait until we can welcome you,” Okinawa’s governor Denny Tamaki tweeted. “Unfortunately Okinawa can provide no hospitality and our medical systems, including on remote islands, are in a state of emergency.”

1:08 Coronavirus outbreak: Japan set to declare state of emergency

Coronavirus outbreak: Japan set to declare state of emergency

In this country driven by conformity and consensus, the pandemic is pitting those willing to follow the rules against a sizable minority who are resisting the calls to stay home.

To get better compliance, the government needs stronger messaging, said Naoya Sekiya, a University of Tokyo professor and expert of social psychology and risk communications.

A tougher lockdown would also help.

While the halfhearted adherence to the calls to stay home has dismayed Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, none of those spurning the advice are breaking the law. Legally, the state of emergency can only involve requests for compliance. Violators face no penalties. There are few incentives to close shops.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Health officials urge vigilance as countries ease lockdowns

The main message has been economy first, safety second: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has insisted Japan will not adopt European-style hard lockdowns that would paralyze the economy. His economy minister heads the government’s coronavirus task force meetings.

Story continues below advertisement

“The message coming from the government is rather mild, apparently trying to convey the need to stay home while prioritizing the economy,” Sekiya said. Since people lack a shared sense of crisis, instead of staying home they’re hoping for the best and assuming they won’t get infected, he said.

Three-quarters of people responding to a recent survey by the Asahi newspaper said they are going out less than usual. But just over half felt they could comply with Abe’s call to reduce their social interactions by 80%.

1:24 Coronavirus outbreak: Japan implements travel restrictions on 73 countries

Coronavirus outbreak: Japan implements travel restrictions on 73 countries

People of all ages are shrugging off the stay-at-home request. The popular “scramble” intersection in downtown Tokyo’s Shibuya looked uncrowded, but eateries and pubs on backstreets were still busy. In the western suburb of Kichijoji, narrow shopping streets were jammed during the weekend with families strolling and heading to lunch. Pachinko pinball parlors have drawn ire for staying open despite name-and-shame announcements and other pressure to close. Bars and restaurants are ignoring a requested 8 p.m. closing time.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

“It’s ridiculous,” said an 80-year-old man drinking Wednesday at a downtown bar. “What am I supposed to do at home? I’d only be watching TV.”

READ MORE: Keeping up social distancing could pose challenge as coronavirus pandemic wears on

Officials are trying to fight back. In Kichijoji, they patrolled shopping arcades carrying banners saying “Please, do not go out.” Local mayors appealed to the government to close the crowded Shonan beach, popular with surfers and families, south of Tokyo. Some prefectures have set up border checkpoints to spot non-local license plates.

Story continues below advertisement

“It seems not everyone shares the sense of crisis,” said Kazunobu Nishikawa, a disaster prevention official in Musashino city, which oversees Kichijoji. “Many people understand the risks of this infectious disease,” he said, but “others seem to think COVID-19 is nothing more than a common cold and don’t care as long as they don’t catch it.”

Abe declared the state of emergency on April 7, as virus cases surged. It initially covered only Tokyo and six other areas but later expanded to include the whole country.

2:41 Coronavirus outbreak: Three months since global emergency declared due to COVID-19

Coronavirus outbreak: Three months since global emergency declared due to COVID-19

Abe did not ask non-essential businesses to close. But Koike, the Tokyo governor, fought and prevailed in requesting that schools, movie theaters, athletic clubs, hostess bars and other such businesses in the city be asked to close. Most restaurants and pubs still can operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and grocery and convenience stores and public transport remain open as usual.

The government has rolled out an unprecedentedly huge economic package of 108 trillion yen ($1 trillion) that included loans for small businesses and other coronavirus measures. Responding to criticism he was neglecting individuals and families in dire need of cash to survive, Abe belatedly announced cash payouts of 100,000 yen each to all residents of Japan.

Survey data show the 80% social distancing target has roughly been met during weekends, with the numbers of nightlife goers and commuters noticeably lower. But parks and popular outdoor spots in Japan’s densely crowded cities are still bustling with people, said Hiroshi Nishiura, a Hokkaido University professor and expert of epidemiological analysis.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Japan’s medical system on verge of collapse, doctors say

Tokyo reported 47 newly confirmed cases on Wednesday, with the total across the nation just over 14,000, though limited testing means the number of infections is likely much higher.

Call center employee Mayumi Shibata is among the many Japanese who cannot fully work from home, partly because much paperwork in this modern nation is still not computerized and most documents must be stamped in person using ink seals.

“I will commute as long as I can keep my job,” Shibata said while standing outside the busy downtown Shinagawa train station one recent morning.

With the trains slightly less crowded, conditions for commuting are better, and she tries to take her lunch break outside, if it’s not raining, to get some fresh air. “I’m trying not to get infected,” she said.

AP video journalists Emily Wang and Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.

View link »

© 2020 The Canadian Press

JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS

REPORT AN ERROR

Source link

[newstechreviews]

(TOKYO) — Under Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency, people have been asked to stay home. Many are not. Some still have to commute to their jobs despite risks of infection, while others continue to dine out, picnic in parks and crowd into grocery stores with scant regard for social distancing.

On Wednesday, the first day of the “Golden Week” holidays that run through May 5, Tokyo’s leafy Shiba Park was packed with families with small children, day camping in tents.

The lure of heading out for Golden Week holidays is testing the public’s will to unite against a common enemy as health workers warn rising coronavirus cases are overwhelming the medical system in some places. Experts say a sense of urgency is missing, thanks to mixed messaging from the government and a lack of incentives to stay home.

In distant, tropical Okinawa, locals have resorted to posting social media appeals to tourists not to visit, “to protect our grannies and grandpas.”

“Please cancel your trip to Okinawa and wait until we can welcome you,” Okinawa’s governor Denny Tamaki tweeted. “Unfortunately Okinawa can provide no hospitality and our medical systems, including on remote islands, are in a state of emergency.”

In this country driven by conformity and consensus, the pandemic is pitting those willing to follow the rules against a sizable minority who are resisting the calls to stay home.

To get better compliance, the government needs stronger messaging, said Naoya Sekiya, a University of Tokyo professor and expert of social psychology and risk communications.

A tougher lockdown would also help.

While the halfhearted adherence to the calls to stay home has dismayed Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, none of those spurning the advice are breaking the law. Legally, the state of emergency can only involve requests for compliance. Violators face no penalties. There are few incentives to close shops.

The main message has been economy first, safety second: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has insisted Japan will not adopt European-style hard lockdowns that would paralyze the economy. His economy minister heads the government’s coronavirus task force meetings.

“The message coming from the government is rather mild, apparently trying to convey the need to stay home while prioritizing the economy,” Sekiya said. Since people lack a shared sense of crisis, instead of staying home they’re hoping for the best and assuming they won’t get infected, he said.

Three-quarters of people responding to a recent survey by the Asahi newspaper said they are going out less than usual. But just over half felt they could comply with Abe’s call to reduce their social interactions by 80%.

People of all ages are shrugging off the stay-at-home request. The popular “scramble” intersection in downtown Tokyo’s Shibuya looked uncrowded, but eateries and pubs on backstreets were still busy. In the western suburb of Kichijoji, narrow shopping streets were jammed during the weekend with families strolling and heading to lunch. Pachinko pinball parlors have drawn ire for staying open despite name-and-shame announcements and other pressure to close. Bars and restaurants are ignoring a requested 8 p.m. closing time.

“It’s ridiculous,” said an 80-year-old man drinking Wednesday at a downtown bar. “What am I supposed to do at home? I’d only be watching TV.”

Officials are trying to fight back. In Kichijoji, they patrolled shopping arcades carrying banners saying “Please, do not go out.” Local mayors appealed to the government to close the crowded Shonan beach, popular with surfers and families, south of Tokyo. Some prefectures have set up border checkpoints to spot non-local license plates.

“It seems not everyone shares the sense of crisis,” said Kazunobu Nishikawa, a disaster prevention official in Musashino city, which oversees Kichijoji. “Many people understand the risks of this infectious disease,” he said, but “others seem to think COVID-19 is nothing more than a common cold and don’t care as long as they don’t catch it.”

Abe declared the state of emergency on April 7, as virus cases surged. It initially covered only Tokyo and six other areas but later expanded to include the whole country.

Abe did not ask non-essential businesses to close. But Koike, the Tokyo governor, fought and prevailed in requesting that schools, movie theaters, athletic clubs, hostess bars and other such businesses in the city be asked to close. Most restaurants and pubs still can operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and grocery and convenience stores and public transport remain open as usual.

The government has rolled out an unprecedentedly huge economic package of 108 trillion yen ($1 trillion) that included loans for small businesses and other coronavirus measures. Responding to criticism he was neglecting individuals and families in dire need of cash to survive, Abe belatedly announced cash payouts of 100,000 yen each to all residents of Japan.

Survey data show the 80% social distancing target has roughly been met during weekends, with the numbers of nightlife goers and commuters noticeably lower. But parks and popular outdoor spots in Japan’s densely crowded cities are still bustling with people, said Hiroshi Nishiura, a Hokkaido University professor and expert of epidemiological analysis.

Tokyo reported 47 newly confirmed cases on Wednesday, with the total across the nation just over 14,000, though limited testing means the number of infections is likely much higher.

Call center employee Mayumi Shibata is among the many Japanese who cannot fully work from home, partly because much paperwork in this modern nation is still not computerized and most documents must be stamped in person using ink seals.

“I will commute as long as I can keep my job,” Shibata said while standing outside the busy downtown Shinagawa train station one recent morning.

With the trains slightly less crowded, conditions for commuting are better, and she tries to take her lunch break outside, if it’s not raining, to get some fresh air. “I’m trying not to get infected,” she said.

___

AP video journalists Emily Wang and Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.

[itsfinancethings]

(TOKYO) — Under Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency, people have been asked to stay home. Many are not. Some still have to commute to their jobs despite risks of infection, while others continue to dine out, picnic in parks and crowd into grocery stores with scant regard for social distancing.

On Wednesday, the first day of the “Golden Week” holidays that run through May 5, Tokyo’s leafy Shiba Park was packed with families with small children, day camping in tents.

The lure of heading out for Golden Week holidays is testing the public’s will to unite against a common enemy as health workers warn rising coronavirus cases are overwhelming the medical system in some places. Experts say a sense of urgency is missing, thanks to mixed messaging from the government and a lack of incentives to stay home.

In distant, tropical Okinawa, locals have resorted to posting social media appeals to tourists not to visit, “to protect our grannies and grandpas.”

“Please cancel your trip to Okinawa and wait until we can welcome you,” Okinawa’s governor Denny Tamaki tweeted. “Unfortunately Okinawa can provide no hospitality and our medical systems, including on remote islands, are in a state of emergency.”

In this country driven by conformity and consensus, the pandemic is pitting those willing to follow the rules against a sizable minority who are resisting the calls to stay home.

To get better compliance, the government needs stronger messaging, said Naoya Sekiya, a University of Tokyo professor and expert of social psychology and risk communications.

A tougher lockdown would also help.

While the halfhearted adherence to the calls to stay home has dismayed Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, none of those spurning the advice are breaking the law. Legally, the state of emergency can only involve requests for compliance. Violators face no penalties. There are few incentives to close shops.

The main message has been economy first, safety second: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has insisted Japan will not adopt European-style hard lockdowns that would paralyze the economy. His economy minister heads the government’s coronavirus task force meetings.

“The message coming from the government is rather mild, apparently trying to convey the need to stay home while prioritizing the economy,” Sekiya said. Since people lack a shared sense of crisis, instead of staying home they’re hoping for the best and assuming they won’t get infected, he said.

Three-quarters of people responding to a recent survey by the Asahi newspaper said they are going out less than usual. But just over half felt they could comply with Abe’s call to reduce their social interactions by 80%.

People of all ages are shrugging off the stay-at-home request. The popular “scramble” intersection in downtown Tokyo’s Shibuya looked uncrowded, but eateries and pubs on backstreets were still busy. In the western suburb of Kichijoji, narrow shopping streets were jammed during the weekend with families strolling and heading to lunch. Pachinko pinball parlors have drawn ire for staying open despite name-and-shame announcements and other pressure to close. Bars and restaurants are ignoring a requested 8 p.m. closing time.

“It’s ridiculous,” said an 80-year-old man drinking Wednesday at a downtown bar. “What am I supposed to do at home? I’d only be watching TV.”

Officials are trying to fight back. In Kichijoji, they patrolled shopping arcades carrying banners saying “Please, do not go out.” Local mayors appealed to the government to close the crowded Shonan beach, popular with surfers and families, south of Tokyo. Some prefectures have set up border checkpoints to spot non-local license plates.

“It seems not everyone shares the sense of crisis,” said Kazunobu Nishikawa, a disaster prevention official in Musashino city, which oversees Kichijoji. “Many people understand the risks of this infectious disease,” he said, but “others seem to think COVID-19 is nothing more than a common cold and don’t care as long as they don’t catch it.”

Abe declared the state of emergency on April 7, as virus cases surged. It initially covered only Tokyo and six other areas but later expanded to include the whole country.

Abe did not ask non-essential businesses to close. But Koike, the Tokyo governor, fought and prevailed in requesting that schools, movie theaters, athletic clubs, hostess bars and other such businesses in the city be asked to close. Most restaurants and pubs still can operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and grocery and convenience stores and public transport remain open as usual.

The government has rolled out an unprecedentedly huge economic package of 108 trillion yen ($1 trillion) that included loans for small businesses and other coronavirus measures. Responding to criticism he was neglecting individuals and families in dire need of cash to survive, Abe belatedly announced cash payouts of 100,000 yen each to all residents of Japan.

Survey data show the 80% social distancing target has roughly been met during weekends, with the numbers of nightlife goers and commuters noticeably lower. But parks and popular outdoor spots in Japan’s densely crowded cities are still bustling with people, said Hiroshi Nishiura, a Hokkaido University professor and expert of epidemiological analysis.

Tokyo reported 47 newly confirmed cases on Wednesday, with the total across the nation just over 14,000, though limited testing means the number of infections is likely much higher.

Call center employee Mayumi Shibata is among the many Japanese who cannot fully work from home, partly because much paperwork in this modern nation is still not computerized and most documents must be stamped in person using ink seals.

“I will commute as long as I can keep my job,” Shibata said while standing outside the busy downtown Shinagawa train station one recent morning.

With the trains slightly less crowded, conditions for commuting are better, and she tries to take her lunch break outside, if it’s not raining, to get some fresh air. “I’m trying not to get infected,” she said.

___

AP video journalists Emily Wang and Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.

[ibilenews]

Tokyo, Japan central government reach agreement over COVID-19 shutdown

TOKYO: Tokyo and Japan's central government have resolved a high-profile feud over what businesses should shut down during a month-long emergency to fight the new coronavirus, the city's governor said, clearing the way for an announcement on Friday.

The rift with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has highlighted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's desire to minimise economic damage from the state of emergency, and boosted concerns that his measures are too little, too late to contain the spread of the virus.

Koike told reporters late on Thursday (Apr 9) that she and Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura had reached an agreement. Koike is expected to hold a news conference on Friday about the measures.

She will stick to her plan to ask a range of businesses, including pachinko parlours and internet cafes, to close and restaurants to shorten their hours, but bowed to central government pressure to keep department stores, home-furnishing centres and barber shops open, public broadcaster NHK said.

She said she wants the measures to take effect on Saturday.

Abe declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for Tokyo and six other prefectures after a jump in cases in the capital sparked concern that Japan was headed for the sort of explosive outbreak seen in many other countries.

The number of cases in Japan rose to 5,548 on Thursday, with Tokyo accounting for 1,519 cases, NHK said. There have been 108 deaths.

"The tension between Koike and the cabinet will definitely damage the impact of the (emergency) declaration," said Kenji Shibuya, head of the Institute for Population Health at King's College, London.

"There is zero chance of achieving 80 per cent," he said, referring to the government's goal for reducing person-to-person contact by that much to prevent an explosive spread of the virus.

Koike, a former lawmaker from Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and once seen as a possible future prime minister, had pressed Abe to declare a state of emergency sooner and made clear she wanted to quickly ask a broad range of businesses to close.

In late March, she warned Tokyo could face a full "lockdown" if infections surged, although Japanese law does not mandate penalties for residents who refuse to stay home or businesses that stay open.

Abe has stressed Japan's state of emergency is not a lockdown, and critics say he is sending a mixed message that confuses residents as well as businesses.

Koike will also create a fund for businesses that meet her requests to close, NHK said. Abe has rejected calls to compensate such businesses in a 108 trillion yen (US$993 billion) stimulus package crafted to cushion the blow of the outbreak, mainly, economists say, for fear of burgeoning fiscal costs.

[juditmiltz]

National Cheat Sheet: The West Coast dominates US crane count, Zillow’s market cap passes $10B … & more

Clockwise from top left: Sotheby’s International CEO Phillip White, one of the 10 buildings at New York’s Essex Crossing megaproject, Frank Gehry has been tapped to design a performing arts center in Los Angeles, and Wynn Resorts secured a $800 million line of credit.

Seattle leads US crane count, as Western states dominate construction activity, survey says There were a record number of construction cranes working in America in January, according to Rider Levett Bucknall’s biennial “Crane Index.” With 45 cranes in action, Seattle had the most activity, followed by Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver, with each having 36 cranes working. The survey found 53 total cranes working on the East Coast, with 27 active in Washington, D.C. and 18 in New York. All U.S. cities trailed Toronto, which had 88 active cranes. [TRD]

Posting strong profits in 2017, Zillow’s market cap passes $10B: report Seattle-based Zillow Group’s market cap rose past $10 billion as its stock has climbed in March. The company’s listing sites, including StreetEasy, earned $1 billion in revenue last year. “They’re showing that the business model can be profitable,” real estate technology consultant Mike DelPrete told Inman about Zillow’s run. [TRD]

The decision on real estate brokers taking the pass-through tax deduction is … ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The pass-through deduction in the new federal tax law should benefit independent contractors, but the impact on real estate brokers and their firms is not clear yet. Brokers making less than $157,500 a year (or $315,000 if filing as a married couple) will automatically qualify for the 20 percent deduction. Those who earn more face two possible exemptions. First “specified service businesses,” which include the nebulous definitions like “brokerage services” and firms where the “business is the reputation or skill” of employees, are exempted from claiming the deduction. Second, the income determination is based on a formula primarily derived from W-2 wages, while many brokers file a 1099 as independent contractors. The Internal Revenue Service is expected to issue additional guidelines for the tax law in June. [TRD]

Sotheby’s sold a record $108B in luxury homes in 2017 With a record $108 billion in worldwide sales in 2017, Sotheby’s International Realty’s numbers grew 14 percent from the year before. U.S. sales accounted for $96 billion — up from $85 billion in 2016. The brokerage has seen its sales volume soar from $4 billion in 2005. Realogy bought the right to license the Sotheby’s name from the auction house in 2004, and there are now 950 franchise offices worldwide. [TRD]

Perchwell signing new clients in fight for control of the listings space As it challenges established firms RealPlus and On-Line Residential in its offerings of listings, analytics and marketing, startup Perchwell is racking up new clients including Sotheby’s, Stribling and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Founder Brendan Fairbanks says Perchwell isn’t competing with OLR and RealPlus because his goal is enhancing data and helping agents interact with clients. Perchwell has raised $4 million in seed funding so far. [TRD]

Wynn Resorts secures $800M line of credit to help pay $2.6B settlement with founder An $800 million line of credit from Deutsche Bank will help Wynn Resorts pay a $2.6 billion settlement with Japanese pachinko magnate Kazuo Okada, who owned half the company before being pushed out. Wynn Resorts and Okada’s Aruze USA settled a lawsuit stemming from the forced redemption of Aruze’s Wynn stock after the FBI launched an investigation into his firm. The loan and settlement payments are unrelated to the sexual misconduct allegations against another founder, Steve Wynn, who resigned last month as chairman and chief executive. [TRD]

MAJOR MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

Charting the progress of NYC’s mixed-use Essex Crossing megaproject With an expected footprint of 1.9 million square feet, the 10 buildings of the $1.5 billion Essex Crossing megaproject are already rising on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Construction began in 2015, and the development team — comprised of Taconic Investment Partners, L+M Development Partners, BFC Partners, Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and the Prusik Group — is aiming for a 2024 completion. The project’s first market-rate rental apartments at 145 Clinton were listed this month, with several more buildings scheduled to open this year. [TRD]

Frank Gehry tapped to design performing arts center in Downtown LA Another Frank Gehry-designed complex is on tap for Downtown Los Angeles. The 89-year old starchitect has been tapped to design a campus extension for the performing arts Colburn School on Grand Avenue, which will include an 1,100-seat concert hall and a 700-seat studio theater for dance and vocal performances. This will be the third Gehry-designed building within three block in Downtown LA. [TRD]

Colombians lead foreign buyers with interest in Miami real estate More Colombians are looking for homes in the Miami area than any other group of potential international buyers, according to a report from the Miami Association of Realtors. In January, 12.6 percent of foreign nationals searching for South Florida homes on the group’s website were Colombian, followed by Venezuelans at 9.5 percent and Canadians at 7 percent. Of the $7.1 billion of foreign investment in Miami area residential real estate in 2017, Colombians and Canadians buyers each bought a 9 percent share, while Argentinians represented 15 percent of all foreign purchases. [TRD]

Detroit is looking for buyers and developers as it prepares to sell 24 vacant schools The Detroit Public Schools Community District has listed 24 vacant properties for sale and is looking for developers to submit proposals for the properties. Ranging from .4-acres to 7.4-acres, the parcels feature the buildings were constructed between 1896 and 1969. The 321,00-square-foot former Cooley High School building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits on the largest plot. The properties are listed on the school district’s real estate website. [Curbed]

Land at San Francisco’s massive shipyard redevelopment may still be radioactive: report As city officials and developers work to build an entirely new neighborhood at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, there is a chance that the EPA Superfund site is still contaminated with radioactive pollution despite reviews by federal, state and local regulators, Curbed reports. A U.S. Navy review found that Tetra Tech, the contractor it hired to clean up the site for before its redevelopment, may have faked nearly half of the $250-million-dollar work. Plans call for 12,000 housing units and millions of square feet of office and retail space to be built in the area. Developer FivePoint has already built about 300 units, which are not in the affected areas. Officials said the work being done on the land does not pose a risk to public health. [Curbed]

Boston hotel project would add 677 rooms in two hotels across the street from each other Mark Development and Buckminster Annex Corp. are proposing a joint project that would see two neighboring hotels built on either side of Beacon Street on Boston’s Kenmore Square. A 24-story building would host a 382-room hotel where a Citizens Bank now stands, and a 19-story, 295-room hotel would be built next to the existing Buckminster Hotel, which is owned by one of the partners and would remain open. Called Crossroads at Kenmore, the project will also feature street-level retail space. [Bisnow]

from The Real Deal Miami https://therealdeal.com/2018/03/15/national-cheat-sheet-the-west-coast-dominates-us-crane-count-zillows-market-cap-passes-10b-more/#new_tab via IFTTT

[tonreihe]

On staying in capsule hotels

I recently spent two weeks in Japan, and during my time there I stayed exclusively in capsule hotels. This is an account of my experience with this form of accommodation. (Please note that I booked my stays well in advance, so I will not be addressing the issue of finding accommodations while in Japan. However, I used Booking.com for my reservations, so I suppose that that Web site could be used "on the fly.") During the first week of my visit to Japan, as well as the penultimate night, I stayed at the Capsule and Sauna New Century, a men's-only capsule hotel in the Ueno neighborhood of Tokyo. It was conveniently located five minutes' walk from the Ueno train station, which was one of the features that recommended it to me. The hotel is located on the second through fourth floors. The front desk is on the fourth floor, and is reached by an elevator. The first thing you do is remove your shoes. (You walk about the hotel in your bare feet or stocking feet, except in the toilets, where you put on slides before using the facilities.) After you check in and pay for your night's stay (cash and credit cards are accepted), you are given a key to the locker in which you keep your shoes. You put your shoes away, return the key to the desk, and receive a locker key. The number of your locker is also the number of your capsule. Waiting for you in the locker is a large towel, a small towel, and clothes to wear while you are in the hotel--a pair of long shorts and a sort of waist-length yukata-like jacket that ties at the side. You put your things in the locker and change into the hotel clothes. If, as was the case for me, your luggage is too large to keep in the locker, there is a baggage room (which doubles as a room for massages). In addition to the lockers, the fourth floor contains the bathing area (on which more in a moment), an area for morning toiletries, a lounge containing several recliners and a bookcase full of manga, a small dining area, a toilet, and a room containing a microwave oven and washers and dryers. There are also vending machines selling soft drinks, beer, and instant noodles (food is also available for sale at the front desk). Japan is a smoking nation, and smoking is permitted in the lounge. The capsules are on the third floor, where smoking is also permitted, and the second floor, where it is not. There are about 120 capsules on each floor, made of fiberglass and stacked two high. Each is about two cubic yards in size. Each contains a mattress with a sheet, a futon blanket, a pillow, a TV, a light, and an alarm clock. There is a curtain at the entrance to each capsule which can be drawn down for privacy (though not for sound insulation). There is also on each floor a toilet which contains urinals, Western-style toilets, and Japanese-style toilets (a trough in the floor); a lavatory with sinks; and vending machines selling soft drinks. I bathed in the morning, as did many others. There is a small antechamber to the bathing area, lined with cubicles to leave your clothes and towels in, in which you undress. The bathing area contains a dozen locations for washing, a hot bath (108 degrees F), a cold bath (64 degrees F), and a sauna. Each washing location is basically a seated shower. You sit on a plastic stool, lather up using soap and shampoo provided by the hotel, and rinse off with a handheld shower unit or a plastic bucket filled by means of a faucet. You may also brush your teeth and shave at this time, though I did that before washing. When washing, you are sitting with your back to the center of the room, so no one is looking at anyone else. Only after washing can you use the bath. You simply climb in and sit there for as long as you want to (or can stand to). Some people cover themselves up when getting in or out of the bath, but it's clear that you're expected not to look. After bathing (or washing, if you decide not to bathe), you head back to the antechamber to towel off and dress. When you're ready to leave, you change into your street clothes, put the towels and hotel clothes into hampers, turn in your locker key, and get your shoes from the shoe locker. If you're staying for more than one night, you pay for the upcoming night at this point. You put your shoes on and head out for the day. During the greater part of my second week in Japan, I stayed at the Capsule Inn Osaka, a men's-only capsule hotel in downtown Osaka about ten or fifteen minutes' walk from Osaka Station. Capsule Inn Osaka, which belongs to a chain of capsule hotels, was largely similar to New Century. The front desk was on the fourth floor, and most of the capsules were on the third floor (though some were on the fourth and fifth floor). A minor difference was that I paid for my entire stay in one go. Another was that I was given a terry-cloth robe to wear in the hotel, which had to be returned to the front desk upon checking out. A third: there was no baggage room, so large luggage had to be kept at the front desk. (It fit in my locker, so this was not a problem.) A major difference was that the bathing areas were on the first and second floor, and could not be entered from the hotel. (This was because they were available as a separate service.) Instead, you went to the first floor, showed your hotel key, and received another key to use in the locker room for the bathing areas. And you had to do your business before 8:00 am! My last night was spent at 9 Hours Narita, located in Terminal 2 of Narita International Airport. Like Capsule Inn Osaka, 9 Hours Narita is part of a chain. There are separate areas for men and women, so couples sleep in separate parts of the hotel. Upon checking in, you receive a locker key, a caftan-like robe to wear in the hotel, towels, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a pair of disposable sandals. There is no bath or Japanese-style toilets, only Western-style toilets and showers. There are no vending machines in the hotel, and food cannot be brought in. As the name suggests, you can stay for only a short time: I checked in at 6:00 in the evening and had to be out by 10:00 the next morning. Capsule hotels are designed for solo travelers looking for an inexpensive place to stay for a night. And they are truly inexpensive: 9 Hours Narita was the priciest at ¥6,900/night (about $64). The others were ¥3,600/night (about $33) on Fridays and Saturdays and ¥3,000/night (about $28) the rest of the week. Those prices simply can't be beat. If you don't care to live off vending machine food, there is usually a restaurant or convenience store nearby, and you usually can bring food into the hotel. (But you could do worse than live off Japanese vending machine food!) All the capsule hotels I stayed in had high-quality WiFi, which you can take advantage of if you don't care for Japanese television. In my experience, there are two downsides to staying in a capsule hotel. The first is location: capsule hotels are usually not in the nicest part of town. New Century is in an entertainment district, surrounded by pachinko parlors, restaurants and bars, and places for "relaxation." Capsule Inn Osaka is located in an arcade, in amongst restaurants and hostess bars. I didn't feel myself to be in danger in either area, but both areas were rather louche. If that bothers you, then a capsule hotel is probably not for you. The second has to do with flexibility. Capsule hotels are designed for resting in. You're expected to show up late in the day, maybe hang out for a few hours, go to bed, and head out early the next morning. You usually need to check out by 10:00 am. You can check in as early as noon, but the staff doesn't make it easy to drop your stuff off, head out for an afternoon, and then come back in the evening, as you can in a regular hotel. You need to be gone the entire day for a capsule hotel to be convenient. That was how I spent my days, so it was convenient for me, but it may not be for you. One final point, which has to do with Japanese mores. Visible tattoos are not accepted in Japan, certainly not to the extent they are in the United States. They are still closely associated with criminals and other lowlife. If you have visible tattoos when you check in to a capsule hotel, there's a good chance you will be refused entry. You will also be expected to keep your tattoos covered up while you are in the hotel. If this bothers you, then a capsule hotel is not for you.

[newstechreviews]

(TOKYO) — Under Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency, people have been asked to stay home. Many are not. Some still have to commute to their jobs despite risks of infection, while others continue to dine out, picnic in parks and crowd into grocery stores with scant regard for social distancing.

On Wednesday, the first day of the “Golden Week” holidays that run through May 5, Tokyo’s leafy Shiba Park was packed with families with small children, day camping in tents.

The lure of heading out for Golden Week holidays is testing the public’s will to unite against a common enemy as health workers warn rising coronavirus cases are overwhelming the medical system in some places. Experts say a sense of urgency is missing, thanks to mixed messaging from the government and a lack of incentives to stay home.

In distant, tropical Okinawa, locals have resorted to posting social media appeals to tourists not to visit, “to protect our grannies and grandpas.”

“Please cancel your trip to Okinawa and wait until we can welcome you,” Okinawa’s governor Denny Tamaki tweeted. “Unfortunately Okinawa can provide no hospitality and our medical systems, including on remote islands, are in a state of emergency.”

In this country driven by conformity and consensus, the pandemic is pitting those willing to follow the rules against a sizable minority who are resisting the calls to stay home.

To get better compliance, the government needs stronger messaging, said Naoya Sekiya, a University of Tokyo professor and expert of social psychology and risk communications.

A tougher lockdown would also help.

While the halfhearted adherence to the calls to stay home has dismayed Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, none of those spurning the advice are breaking the law. Legally, the state of emergency can only involve requests for compliance. Violators face no penalties. There are few incentives to close shops.

The main message has been economy first, safety second: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has insisted Japan will not adopt European-style hard lockdowns that would paralyze the economy. His economy minister heads the government’s coronavirus task force meetings.

“The message coming from the government is rather mild, apparently trying to convey the need to stay home while prioritizing the economy,” Sekiya said. Since people lack a shared sense of crisis, instead of staying home they’re hoping for the best and assuming they won’t get infected, he said.

Three-quarters of people responding to a recent survey by the Asahi newspaper said they are going out less than usual. But just over half felt they could comply with Abe’s call to reduce their social interactions by 80%.

People of all ages are shrugging off the stay-at-home request. The popular “scramble” intersection in downtown Tokyo’s Shibuya looked uncrowded, but eateries and pubs on backstreets were still busy. In the western suburb of Kichijoji, narrow shopping streets were jammed during the weekend with families strolling and heading to lunch. Pachinko pinball parlors have drawn ire for staying open despite name-and-shame announcements and other pressure to close. Bars and restaurants are ignoring a requested 8 p.m. closing time.

“It’s ridiculous,” said an 80-year-old man drinking Wednesday at a downtown bar. “What am I supposed to do at home? I’d only be watching TV.”

Officials are trying to fight back. In Kichijoji, they patrolled shopping arcades carrying banners saying “Please, do not go out.” Local mayors appealed to the government to close the crowded Shonan beach, popular with surfers and families, south of Tokyo. Some prefectures have set up border checkpoints to spot non-local license plates.

“It seems not everyone shares the sense of crisis,” said Kazunobu Nishikawa, a disaster prevention official in Musashino city, which oversees Kichijoji. “Many people understand the risks of this infectious disease,” he said, but “others seem to think COVID-19 is nothing more than a common cold and don’t care as long as they don’t catch it.”

Abe declared the state of emergency on April 7, as virus cases surged. It initially covered only Tokyo and six other areas but later expanded to include the whole country.

Abe did not ask non-essential businesses to close. But Koike, the Tokyo governor, fought and prevailed in requesting that schools, movie theaters, athletic clubs, hostess bars and other such businesses in the city be asked to close. Most restaurants and pubs still can operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and grocery and convenience stores and public transport remain open as usual.

The government has rolled out an unprecedentedly huge economic package of 108 trillion yen ($1 trillion) that included loans for small businesses and other coronavirus measures. Responding to criticism he was neglecting individuals and families in dire need of cash to survive, Abe belatedly announced cash payouts of 100,000 yen each to all residents of Japan.

Survey data show the 80% social distancing target has roughly been met during weekends, with the numbers of nightlife goers and commuters noticeably lower. But parks and popular outdoor spots in Japan’s densely crowded cities are still bustling with people, said Hiroshi Nishiura, a Hokkaido University professor and expert of epidemiological analysis.

Tokyo reported 47 newly confirmed cases on Wednesday, with the total across the nation just over 14,000, though limited testing means the number of infections is likely much higher.

Call center employee Mayumi Shibata is among the many Japanese who cannot fully work from home, partly because much paperwork in this modern nation is still not computerized and most documents must be stamped in person using ink seals.

“I will commute as long as I can keep my job,” Shibata said while standing outside the busy downtown Shinagawa train station one recent morning.

With the trains slightly less crowded, conditions for commuting are better, and she tries to take her lunch break outside, if it’s not raining, to get some fresh air. “I’m trying not to get infected,” she said.

___

AP video journalists Emily Wang and Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.

[juditmiltz]

National Cheat Sheet: The West Coast dominates US crane count, Zillow’s market cap passes $10B … & more

Clockwise from top left: Sotheby’s International CEO Phillip White, one of the 10 buildings at New York’s Essex Crossing megaproject, Frank Gehry has been tapped to design a performing arts center in Los Angeles, and Wynn Resorts secured a $800 million line of credit.

Seattle leads US crane count, as Western states dominate construction activity, survey says There were a record number of construction cranes working in America in January, according to Rider Levett Bucknall’s biennial “Crane Index.” With 45 cranes in action, Seattle had the most activity, followed by Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver, with each having 36 cranes working. The survey found 53 total cranes working on the East Coast, with 27 active in Washington, D.C. and 18 in New York. All U.S. cities trailed Toronto, which had 88 active cranes. [TRD]

Posting strong profits in 2017, Zillow’s market cap passes $10B: report Seattle-based Zillow Group’s market cap rose past $10 billion as its stock has climbed in March. The company’s listing sites, including StreetEasy, earned $1 billion in revenue last year. “They’re showing that the business model can be profitable,” real estate technology consultant Mike DelPrete told Inman about Zillow’s run. [TRD]

The decision on real estate brokers taking the pass-through tax deduction is … ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The pass-through deduction in the new federal tax law should benefit independent contractors, but the impact on real estate brokers and their firms is not clear yet. Brokers making less than $157,500 a year (or $315,000 if filing as a married couple) will automatically qualify for the 20 percent deduction. Those who earn more face two possible exemptions. First “specified service businesses,” which include the nebulous definitions like “brokerage services” and firms where the “business is the reputation or skill” of employees, are exempted from claiming the deduction. Second, the income determination is based on a formula primarily derived from W-2 wages, while many brokers file a 1099 as independent contractors. The Internal Revenue Service is expected to issue additional guidelines for the tax law in June. [TRD]

Sotheby’s sold a record $108B in luxury homes in 2017 With a record $108 billion in worldwide sales in 2017, Sotheby’s International Realty’s numbers grew 14 percent from the year before. U.S. sales accounted for $96 billion — up from $85 billion in 2016. The brokerage has seen its sales volume soar from $4 billion in 2005. Realogy bought the right to license the Sotheby’s name from the auction house in 2004, and there are now 950 franchise offices worldwide. [TRD]

Perchwell signing new clients in fight for control of the listings space As it challenges established firms RealPlus and On-Line Residential in its offerings of listings, analytics and marketing, startup Perchwell is racking up new clients including Sotheby’s, Stribling and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Founder Brendan Fairbanks says Perchwell isn’t competing with OLR and RealPlus because his goal is enhancing data and helping agents interact with clients. Perchwell has raised $4 million in seed funding so far. [TRD]

Wynn Resorts secures $800M line of credit to help pay $2.6B settlement with founder An $800 million line of credit from Deutsche Bank will help Wynn Resorts pay a $2.6 billion settlement with Japanese pachinko magnate Kazuo Okada, who owned half the company before being pushed out. Wynn Resorts and Okada’s Aruze USA settled a lawsuit stemming from the forced redemption of Aruze’s Wynn stock after the FBI launched an investigation into his firm. The loan and settlement payments are unrelated to the sexual misconduct allegations against another founder, Steve Wynn, who resigned last month as chairman and chief executive. [TRD]

MAJOR MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

Charting the progress of NYC’s mixed-use Essex Crossing megaproject With an expected footprint of 1.9 million square feet, the 10 buildings of the $1.5 billion Essex Crossing megaproject are already rising on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Construction began in 2015, and the development team — comprised of Taconic Investment Partners, L+M Development Partners, BFC Partners, Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and the Prusik Group — is aiming for a 2024 completion. The project’s first market-rate rental apartments at 145 Clinton were listed this month, with several more buildings scheduled to open this year. [TRD]

Frank Gehry tapped to design performing arts center in Downtown LA Another Frank Gehry-designed complex is on tap for Downtown Los Angeles. The 89-year old starchitect has been tapped to design a campus extension for the performing arts Colburn School on Grand Avenue, which will include an 1,100-seat concert hall and a 700-seat studio theater for dance and vocal performances. This will be the third Gehry-designed building within three block in Downtown LA. [TRD]

Colombians lead foreign buyers with interest in Miami real estate More Colombians are looking for homes in the Miami area than any other group of potential international buyers, according to a report from the Miami Association of Realtors. In January, 12.6 percent of foreign nationals searching for South Florida homes on the group’s website were Colombian, followed by Venezuelans at 9.5 percent and Canadians at 7 percent. Of the $7.1 billion of foreign investment in Miami area residential real estate in 2017, Colombians and Canadians buyers each bought a 9 percent share, while Argentinians represented 15 percent of all foreign purchases. [TRD]

Detroit is looking for buyers and developers as it prepares to sell 24 vacant schools The Detroit Public Schools Community District has listed 24 vacant properties for sale and is looking for developers to submit proposals for the properties. Ranging from .4-acres to 7.4-acres, the parcels feature the buildings were constructed between 1896 and 1969. The 321,00-square-foot former Cooley High School building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits on the largest plot. The properties are listed on the school district’s real estate website. [Curbed]

Land at San Francisco’s massive shipyard redevelopment may still be radioactive: report As city officials and developers work to build an entirely new neighborhood at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, there is a chance that the EPA Superfund site is still contaminated with radioactive pollution despite reviews by federal, state and local regulators, Curbed reports. A U.S. Navy review found that Tetra Tech, the contractor it hired to clean up the site for before its redevelopment, may have faked nearly half of the $250-million-dollar work. Plans call for 12,000 housing units and millions of square feet of office and retail space to be built in the area. Developer FivePoint has already built about 300 units, which are not in the affected areas. Officials said the work being done on the land does not pose a risk to public health. [Curbed]

Boston hotel project would add 677 rooms in two hotels across the street from each other Mark Development and Buckminster Annex Corp. are proposing a joint project that would see two neighboring hotels built on either side of Beacon Street on Boston’s Kenmore Square. A 24-story building would host a 382-room hotel where a Citizens Bank now stands, and a 19-story, 295-room hotel would be built next to the existing Buckminster Hotel, which is owned by one of the partners and would remain open. Called Crossroads at Kenmore, the project will also feature street-level retail space. [Bisnow]

from The Real Deal Miami https://therealdeal.com/2018/03/15/national-cheat-sheet-the-west-coast-dominates-us-crane-count-zillows-market-cap-passes-10b-more/#new_tab via IFTTT