Weekend Stupid Questions Thread – 18 March 2023

15 comments

1. I asked in the past but didn’t get a good answer.

   Who are the people (always ladies) who stand outside Hello Work in suits with clipboards full of papers. I’ve never seen then talk to anyone, but always try to make eye contact as if they aren’t allowed to be the ones to initiate discussion. I don’t think they’re a cult or anything, not JW. Look very professional.

   Union reps? Lawyers? Recruiters?

2. Best place to buy a can crusher? My local can collection point became really strict, before it was all week, now it’s only the night before (I think it’s local oba san or oji san actually). Luckily I live next to a coop and they take cans, but crushed only. I’ve looked on Amazon and it’s like ¥2,000. Can I get them from a ¥100 shop or something?

3. I’m thinking of installing a carport in front of our house. I would like to put it as close as possible to our neighbours house, as he has an overflowing roof gutter every time it rains.
   I was looking online if there are any laws of how close to their house I can put it, but found only articles about not blocking sunlight.
   Are there any laws in Japan about the distance? Do I need to ask in my city hall?

4. I have a question for anyone who has been to one of the TeamLab places. I see in videos that you have to take your shoes and socks off and you have to be barefoot?

   With thousands of people walking through every day, surely it’s quite dirty…? This is the only thing putting me off visiting.

5. Are four basketball games on your TV at the same time too much Madness?

6. My kindle linked to my US account has died, and I replaced it with an onyx boox rather than another Amazon device. I’d like to keep my kindle books! But of course when I download the kindle app on both the boox ereader (which runs on android) and on my iPhone, it automatically offers me the kindle Japan version. How do I go about getting one or the other of these to let me access my kindle US account?

7. We bought tickets for Okaasan to Issho and inaiba. For our 2 year old it is free to go to inaiba but we had to purchase a ticket for the other. Any theories why?? They are at the same venue so it doesn’t make sense for me.

8. How do the staff working in Yodobashi Camera not go batshit insane listening to the same cycle of “theme tune” and multilingual announcement on permanent repeat?

9. Water leakage inside a room from balcony. Who do I complaint? Owner or the real estate company? I did informed them about it last time and they sent a person to look at it, during checkup, he damaged the flooring much harder which is making leakage as its raining continuously. Can I also inform the insurance company ?

10. My iPhone is unlocked but I can’t download Japan-only apps because I have a US credit card, but I also can’t download US-only apps because I have a Japanese carrier. Is there a fix?

11. Considering buying a used 50cc scooter to get around town. Since I live in a hilly area, I need one that can handle an incline. I owned one before that had no issues, but rented one last year that slowed to 10 kph at even the hint of an incline. Can’t remember the make or model of either. Any recommendations for a 50cc scooter with a bit more power?

12. I see some doctor’s web sites asking to bring prescription record book “お薬手帳” but I don’t have one. Where should I get it or will they give one to me?

13. Employees who get a year-end adjustment (年末調整):

    Do you get a summary that shows all the income, deductions, etc? If so, what is it called?

    I do a tax return every year so it’s very easy to check my records later, but how about the year-end adjustment?

14. In my previous apartment there were fire extinguishers around the propane gas tanks, but my current one uses natural gas and there are no extinguishers anywhere.

    Should I buy an extinguisher or should this be provided by the management company?

    And in case I should buy one, what should I buy?

15. has anybody ridden a bicycle around Lake Biwa before? Thinking of doing it for Golden Week this year. Any particular things to watch out or be careful of?