Tokyo Bill

Long-time student of Bujinkan dojos, ESL teacher, consultant and social networker. And enjoying the beer scene in Tokyo!

[Richard @gaijinthoughts]

“A dog biting a person doesn’t make the news, but a person biting a dog does.” — Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi

Hayashi defends foreigners, arguing that the media and fake news are amplifying prejudice against them.

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Please Have Exact Change - Why Japan is both the most and least digital country on Earth. https://t.co/iqNcy2d22y
#japan #japandigital #cashlessjapan #paypay

[Jake Adelstein/中本哲史 @jakeadelstein]

Hello twitterdachi!

There’s a certain kind of foreigner In japan, that wants to belong so badly that they become incredibly angry with any other long-term resident here who is critical of the country.

In my case, I’m constantly subtweeted on the Twitter wasteland (x) by one particular business columnist.

Let’s call him “Gary”.

Gary—
You’re entitled to your opinions, and you’re a good writer. But you were badly wrong about Takaichi. You told your readers the alarm over her was overblown — that she was a pragmatist and the extremism framing was projection.

You have a habit of quoting extreme, vitriolic right wingers In japan and the usual assortment of “pick-me” gaijin. That’s great for you. You keep the company with people you want to keep the company with. I just hope you already have permanent residency because everybody else who doesn’t have it has pretty much been fucked by your hero.

A year on, her government has tightened permanent residency to the point where it’s out of reach for people who have built entire lives here: five years in category instead of three, screening that punishes long-settled taxes, and proposed income and pension thresholds most working residents will never clear. Add Minister Onoda touring Fuchu Prison to hand the online mob a foreign-crime statistic inflated by a factor of three or four. That is not pragmatism. That is a government that has decided which residents count.
She and her party faction are xenophobic opportunists. And everyone who knows anything about this country knows that behind the scenes Aso Tarō is calling the shots.
She’s just the mascot. I think you and Aso would get along, but I don’t know.

And, the Japanese government is corrupt dysfunctional, and the Japanese economy is crashing.
Because her economics platform is about as stupid as Abenomics, which I believe you also championed.

I don’t really mind you constantly getting on my ass and trying to find fault with my writing. I don’t do the same to you, but you do have an unpleasant habit of what seems to be harassing female journalists, although maybe I am mischaracterizing that. It would be nice if you stopped picking fights with other journalists. Speaking truth to Power isn’t about punching down.

I’ve got a day job, and another one as a Sōtō priest that asks me not to get angry and not to raise myself up by putting others down. I’m not always good at either. So: no hard feelings, and I’d appreciate being left out of it.
I have no interest in debating you or arguing with you. Please leave me in peace and enjoy your echo chamber.

Best of luck with the column.

Jake aka 良舒

PS. Thank you to everyone who read this. If you’d like to understand more about what is really happening in Japan, please follow me on whatever social media platform you like. Have a great day. Be nice to each other. It’s not an easy time in #Japanistan

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Keeping the Sword Sharp - How Japan became a weapons exporter despite it... https://t.co/lmNrhH0zmO via @YouTube
#japandefense #mogami #article9

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Cool Japan, Warm Losses https://t.co/mMtydz8IcQ

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

August isn't only Obon...it's ghost story season, too.
One by One - August 15, 2026 https://t.co/EjmgyF06O6

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

My commentary on Obon is now up...available on your favorite podcast player, as well as YouTube!
Come Home - August 8, 2026 https://t.co/H52f4mQwme #obon #japan #summerfestival

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Caterpillars Show Memories of the Cocoon? - theTokyoBill Japan news shor... https://t.co/d2U8i4bSda via @YouTube

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

When the Ground Moves - August 1, 2026 #japan #kumamoto #earthquake https://t.co/Qr2FgFDfqM via @YouTube

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

One Degree at a Time - July 25, 2026 #japan #coolbiz #summerheat https://t.co/waAYybYngg via @YouTube

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Swimming beaches down 30 percent - July 22, 2026 https://t.co/VDifzfqS6W

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

"The Chrysanthemum Question"
Following yesterday's legislation, my take on Imperial succession... Listen to theTokyoBill weekly on Spotify for Creators (or your other favorite podcast player)!
https://t.co/i6hu7l8jvH
#imperialfamily #Emperor #Japan

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

theTokyoBill weekly:
One More Round - July 11, 2026 #japan #beer #nonalcohol #nomikai #drinki... https://t.co/SoZYRQXnOn via @YouTube

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Umbrella-sharing service adds sun protection - July 11, 2026 https://t.co/4hcRUEBEEl

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

New episode now up! https://t.co/1Gp2CW0kjb

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

On Japan in the World Cup...let me know what you think:
The Ball is My Friend - June 27, 2026 https://t.co/xMEjT5BBem

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Equal Under the Law, Just Not Married - June 20, 2026 #japan #gaymarriag... https://t.co/JsXOnvDV9I via @YouTube

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Waiting for the Lights to Change - June 13, 2026 https://t.co/skmuKplLif via @YouTube

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

Anonymous and Fluid - June 6 2026 #tokuryu #yakuza #crime #japan https://t.co/Jd5sgEzchG via @YouTube

[Tokyo Bill @Tokyo_Bill]

theTokyoBill weekly update https://t.co/gKbIuoTB1z via @YouTube