Japan Reacts

Author: Japan Reacts Editorial

  • AC Repairmen Are Always Some Old Guy — 5ch: ‘Even the Manager’s an Old Guy’

    When a woman called an air conditioner repair company and an older man showed up, her bewildered post — “Um, I’m a woman” — sparked a thread on 5ch. The AC installation and repair industry is said to be overwhelmingly staffed by men, and many replies voiced anxiety about women having to deal with a stranger alone at home. At the same time, plenty of jokes and pushback appeared too, like “saying 90% of repairmen are men is an exaggeration” and “even at a celebrity’s house, it’s some middle-aged manager guy who shows up.” Several people floated the idea of a women-only repair service, though others doubted it would ever actually work.

    1AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:24
    Poor thing
    3AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:26
    Pretty sure there've been actual assault cases tied to this kind of thing
    It's not really about "ojisan" (older guy) specifically — any man would be scary
    Unfortunately, like 90% of repair workers probably are men
    16AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:29
    Re: #3
    Is it really 90% though…?
    4AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:26
    I'm thinking of starting a temp staffing agency that dispatches only women
    This would be total world domination (haken)
    Get it — "haken" (dispatch) sounds just like "hegemony" (haken)
    8AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:27
    Re: #4
    Women can't install air conditioners though
    12AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:28
    Re: #4
    Woman: "This job isn't glamorous enough, I quit"
    52AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:40
    Re: #4
    Back in the day it was "whoever made this, it's great" (an old net-slang compliment)
    Now it's just "shut up already"
    7AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:27
    Then just refuse the repair job
    10AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:28
    Re: #7
    If you refuse, you can't use your AC
    Use your head for once
    11AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:28
    Come to think of it, even someone like Minami Hamabe (famous actress) gets some old guy showing up to fix her AC
    Wild
    13AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:29
    Re: #11
    Her manager would be there with her
    19AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:30
    Re: #13
    And the manager's some old guy too
    21AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:31
    Re: #19
    Hell where old guys attack old guys
    28AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:32
    Reminds me of when a subcontracted repair worker came out for an AC job and the client complained "his socks stink!" lmaooo
    31AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:34
    Re: #28
    If someone in smelly socks walks around your place, the smell lingers
    That's a legit complaint
    40AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:36
    Re: #28
    I feel like movers specifically bring a spare pair of socks for this exact reason
    36AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:35
    Do people even bother getting repairs anymore?
    If it breaks, you just replace it with a new one
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:38
    Re: #36
    The outdoor unit breaks down a lot though
    43AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:38
    Couldn't someone flip this and make bank with a "women staff only" repair company?
    45AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:38
    Re: #43
    Sure, if there were women willing to actually do the work
    46AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:39
    Re: #43
    They'd just call it "dirty work" and refuse to take the job
    60AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:42
    Re: #43
    Guys like you calling them in is exactly why they all quit
    48AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:39
    That's exactly why services like "Rent-an-Ojisan" exist — for situations like this
    54AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:40
    Re: #48
    Woman: "I called Rent-an-Ojisan and… an old guy showed up"
    56AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:41
    If you order through a place like Yamada Denki (major electronics retailer), there's an easy paper trail, so nobody's gonna try anything
    59AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:42
    Re: #56
    You think criminals think that far ahead?
    71AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:48
    A repair company with only female staff serving only female customers sounds interesting, but it'd probably collapse within a few years
    77AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:50
    Re: #71
    Let's just turn it into that kind of industry — "sorry for wearing such a short skirt, could you hold the ladder steady for me~" ❤
    91AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:58
    I keep saying you could make serious money running this kind of business with host club guys
    92AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:58
    Re: #91
    If they were actually that good-looking they'd already be raking it in as hosts
    Why would they bother installing air conditioners?
    94AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:59
    But honestly, I don't want some middle-aged guy showing up while I'm not home either
    98AnonymousSep 3, 2026 11:01
    Re: #94
    Let's be real, you wouldn't want a woman coming in either
    100AnonymousSep 3, 2026 11:01
    If you feel that unsafe about it, couldn't you just ask a friend or family member to be there with you when the repair guy comes, even without a boyfriend?
    101AnonymousSep 3, 2026 11:02
    Re: #100
    Could you not with the logical arguments right now?

    Background and Talking Points

    Installing and repairing air conditioners is physically demanding work requiring certifications like refrigerant handling licenses, and the industry as a whole has a low ratio of female workers. This thread grew out of that structural reality, framed around the anxiety of a woman living alone letting an unfamiliar male worker into her home. Opinions split over how much anxiety was actually warranted — some replies raised the risk of sexual crime, while others pushed back more calmly, saying things like “90% is an exaggeration” or “even a women-only repair company wouldn’t be able to find enough staff.” The idea of a repair company staffed entirely by women came up more than once, but commenters raised concerns about a shortage of applicants and the risk of such a business being mistaken for the sex industry, making the practical barriers to actually starting one the real focus of the discussion. Note that this article excludes sexually charged jokes and crude replies that named real public figures.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Nandemo Jikkyo G) thread “Woman: “Wait, an old guy is coming to fix my AC? I’m a woman, you know””.

  • Tokyo MK Holds Press Conference Over Chair-Throwing Harassment Allegations — 5ch: ‘Throwing Things? I Just Don’t Get It’

    ABEMA TIMES reported that management at taxi company Tokyo MK subjected drivers to power harassment, including throwing chairs at them and shouting at them in English, prompting the company to hold a press conference. At the center of the controversy is a 62-year-old owner from the founding family who is also a shareholder in the company. The representative director’s sister, who appeared at the press conference, reportedly said, ‘If the owner comes in and causes another scene, even though he’s my own brother, I’ll have no choice but to call the police.’ Opinions on 5ch were split, with some arguing the drivers themselves were partly to blame for failing to keep up with English training for inbound tourists, and others saying that throwing objects as a form of guidance can never be justified.

    Chair-Throwing and English-Language Verbal Abuse Harassment Report: Taxi Company Tokyo MK Holds Press Conference — “62-Year-Old Younger Brother in Major Row With Sister,” “If the Owner Comes in and Causes Another Scene, I’ll Have No Choice but to Call the Police, Even Though He’s My Brother”

    Published 9/2 (Wed) 18:48

    ABEMA TIMES

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

    11AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:31
    Representative Director Kyomi Matsubara = Ms. Yoo (given name undisclosed; eldest daughter of founder Yoo Bong-sik)
    Owner (Matsubara's younger brother) = Yoo Chang-wan
    77AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:50
    @11
    Yeah, that's the kind of company it always was.
    Just business as usual, I guess.
    219AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:35
    @11
    This reminds me of the money-grubbing siblings from the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine incident (the 2017 shrine murder sparked by an inheritance dispute).
    16AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:32
    Huh, MK is a Korean company? Had no idea.
    18AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:33
    @16
    They're a big customer of Hyundai Motors lol
    28AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:37
    Actually read the article.
    Losing it is understandable here.
    Japanese people's refusal to study is off the charts.
    They were paying for materials and lessons specifically to prep drivers' English for inbound tourism.
    Then it turns out that of 15 drivers, not a single one knew what "intersection" means? They clearly didn't study.
    Of course he snapped.
    35AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:39
    @28
    Sorry, but I get being exasperated and wanting to retrain them —
    but throwing chairs and whiteboards? I genuinely don't get that.
    42AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:42
    Feels less like a labor shortage and more like an oversupply of bosses and owners.
    They probably still think there's an endless supply of people out there willing to be pushed around like in the old days.
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:42
    You guys are the weird ones here.
    How were they planning to handle inbound tourists if they didn't even know basic taxi-related English words?
    Knowing Japanese people, they probably don't even know "station."
    Way too low awareness.
    50AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:43
    @44
    The out-of-touch old guard doesn't get it, but it's common knowledge now that "scolding" or "yelling" is basically useless as a teaching method.
    60AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:46
    @44
    They even held study sessions and people didn't bother showing up.
    Of course he got angry.
    96AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:55
    People who end up driving taxis do it because they couldn't cut it anywhere else — an industry veteran said as much on TV.
    104AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:57
    @96
    That's what people used to say.
    That's also why some of them fudge the cash and taxi vouchers.
    136AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:07
    @96
    They should air one of those behind-the-scenes industry documentaries like the ones made back in the '90s.

    Plenty of industries still haven't changed even now — that's exactly why turnover is so high.
    No matter how much the world changes, people's personalities don't.
    115AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:01
    @104
    Apparently drivers still have to front their own cash for change and only get reimbursed after they're back at the office.
    Talk about zero trust.
    159AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:12
    @1
    Lol, Shincho straight-up printed his "tsumei" (a Japanese alias some Korean residents in Japan use).

    https://www.dailyshincho.jp/article/2017/12231600/?all=1

    > Who else could it be but Yoo Chang-wan, the South Korean national who serves as president of taxi company Tokyo MK. The media used to report on him under the Japanese alias Aoki Masaaki. This time, though, his real name was suddenly used.

    > Indeed, Tokyo MK's official website lists the representative director as "Yoo Chang Wan." He's the second son of the late Aoki Sadao (Yoo Bong-sik), the industry trailblazer who founded MK Taxi.
    193AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:23
    @159
    Shincho doesn't hold back, huh.
    162AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:13
    Matsubara, not Aoki? Since when?
    177AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:18
    @162
    The sister probably changed her surname when she got married.

    The current 100% shareholder (owner) of Tokyo MK (Tokyo MK Taxi) is Mr. Aoki Masaaki (Yoo Chang-wan).
    201AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:29
    It's the job's fault anyway, right? Not guilty, not guilty.
    206AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:30
    @201
    Blaming the job? Is your Japanese okay?

    @203
    No, that's not it.
    202AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:29
    If I were the driver, I'm confident I could make this guy cry — in English.

    Background and Key Points of the Debate

    Tokyo MK is part of the “MK Taxi” group, a company long run by its founding family. What came to light this time was the conduct of the 62-year-old owner — the younger brother of the representative director — leading to the unusual scene of his own sister publicly criticizing him at a press conference. Opinions on the thread split between those who felt the drivers bore some responsibility for failing to keep up with English training for inbound tourism, and those who argued that throwing objects can never be justified as a training method, regardless of the circumstances. The press conference was held in response to ABEMA TIMES’ reporting, and for now this remains an internal labor matter rather than a criminal case — worth keeping in mind.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (News Express+) thread “[MK] Chair-Throwing and English-Language Verbal Abuse Harassment Report: Taxi Company Tokyo MK Holds Press Conference — “62-Year-Old Younger Brother in Major Row With Sister”.”

  • “New Education Ministry Vice Minister Is an Aoyama Gakuin Grad” — Why Todai Elites Are Fleeing the Bureaucracy, Blamed on Low Pay and Brutal Hours

    Kazuhiko Yano (60), who became Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on August 6, is reportedly the first Aoyama Gakuin University graduate to reach the top career-bureaucrat post at any central government ministry. Of the 2,021 people who passed this year’s National Public Employee General Exam (Japan’s elite fast-track civil service exam), the largest group — 291 — came from the University of Tokyo, but the number of Todai graduates aspiring to become bureaucrats is said to have declined compared to the past, with private-university graduates increasingly filling the gap. Reacting to an article about this trend, users on 5channel debated the reasons behind it. Many pointed to poor working conditions — low pay and grueling hours that include late-night call-ins — and the discussion split between those who saw the bureaucracy’s declining appeal as “a rational individual choice” and those who saw it as “a loss of sense of mission among the elite.”

    Published 9/3 (Wed), 5:58 AM

    Daily Shincho

    This spring, 2,021 people passed the National Public Employee General Exam, the gateway to becoming a career-track bureaucrat. The largest group, naturally, came from the University of Tokyo (291 people), but the number of Todai graduates aspiring to become bureaucrats has declined compared to the past. Taking their place is a growing share of private-university graduates. Against this backdrop, this year’s ministry personnel reshuffle saw an Aoyama Gakuin University graduate rise to the top administrative post at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. That person is Kazuhiko Yano (60), who became the ministry’s Vice-Minister on August 6 — the first Aoyama Gakuin alum ever to become a Vice-Minister at a central government ministry. What kind of person is he?

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

    2AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:59
    It's because the pay is way too low, right?
    150AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:11
    Re: #2
    Pay's low, working overtime until dawn is the default, and there's always some lawmaker ready to call you in at 3am — it's a hyper-exploitative ("black") organization, man (lol)
    156AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:13
    Re: #150
    At least it'll toughen you up as a man.
    176AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:18
    Re: #150
    Maybe if they made the whole staff women, things would actually change.
    4AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:01
    Why did you guys struggling from the Employment Ice Age generation even go to university in the first place?
    Same generation as you, by the way (graduated 2000).
    I knew I wasn't cut out for much, so I focused solely on becoming a civil servant and went to a vocational school instead.
    Got hired at my local town office, married by year four.
    My kid's already in high school now.
    All my classmates from vocational school have wives and kids too.

    Wasn't going to university the wrong call?
    Didn't you just assume a college degree made you superior and go along without thinking?
    You figured studying alone would guarantee you'd win — you were underestimating life, weren't you?
    6AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:02
    Re: #4
    The usual copypasta from a high-school-grad with an education inferiority complex.
    55AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:28
    Re: #4
    Cut public spending and private citizens get some relief. Expansionary fiscal policy is exactly what crowds out private business.
    168AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:15
    Re: #4
    People go to university precisely so they don't end up with that kind of personality (lol)
    22AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:10
    For a few years now, Japan's elite have increasingly stopped choosing to become bureaucrats.
    Does this raise or lower the quality of government administration?
    28AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:15
    Re: #22
    The central government is too corrupt for it to matter who runs it.
    Nothing changes unless there's a war, a massive disaster, a revolution, or a coup.
    50AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:26
    Civil servants are basically the umpires of baseball.
    Even if you stack the umpiring crew with talent, that doesn't grow the sport.
    Unless you get talented people into the players — meaning the private sector — the country won't grow.
    59AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:30
    Re: #50
    Yeah, civil servants are a non-productive position by nature.
    69AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:33
    Re: #50
    Can you really say that after seeing Shirai?
    87AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:47
    It's not because the job is exploitative — people join planning to quit from day one. With "former bureaucrat" on your resume you can land a job anywhere, and you build connections along the way.
    89AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:48
    Re: #87
    The sense of belonging to the nation has been watered down way too much.
    That's not something money fixes.
    There's no way a spirit of serving Japan's future is going to grow under conditions like that.
    95AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:52
    Re: #89
    They don't have a shred of a service spirit.
    These days people become civil servants because they're lazy and want an easy, relaxed job.
    If they actually had that spirit, they'd be logging 300 hours of unpaid overtime a month on average, no question.
    97AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:52
    Re: #89
    They're forced into exam-cram studying their whole childhood purely to maximize lifetime earnings, so telling them to suddenly "be of service" once they're adults is asking the impossible.
    141AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:09
    Todai Law grads who couldn't cut it in the legal profession are worthless.
    146AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:10
    Re: #141
    Is judging other people really that much fun? (lol)
    148AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:11
    Re: #141
    Going from Todai Law into the legal profession is what the dropouts do.
    157AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:13
    You can become a bureaucrat even coming from a MARCH-tier private school or a regional "ekiben" university (a nickname for the one national university in every prefecture, like the boxed lunches sold at every train station), so what kind of person deliberately picks the National Civil Service General track after going to Waseda or Keio?
    163AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:13
    Re: #157
    They probably don't want to do difficult work. Plus you can't get fired.
    167AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:15
    Re: #157
    Maybe they got hit with the reality that every senior staffer is a walking example of "here's what a hopeless, unmotivated person looks like after fully evolving," and just gave up in despair.
    175AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:17
    Re: #157
    People who don't want to get shuffled around to postings all over the country.
    162AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:13
    The reality is that Aoyama Gakuin is basically on par with Tohoku University or Kyushu University these days.
    170AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:15
    Re: #162
    No way (lol). You can't get into Kyushu University without being good at math, and you'd have to study physics and science too — the workload is on a totally different level.
    172AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:16
    Re: #162
    Maybe that's true now, but back when this guy took his entrance exams there was surely a gap (lol)
    177AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:18
    So even the old Imperial universities have fallen into "just now, just money, just me" thinking.
    Once the elite lose their patriotism, all that's left is selfish profit-seeking — nothing but harm, no benefit.
    182AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:21
    Re: #177
    Because their abilities are so high, they're arguably even more harmful than an ordinary person would be.
    200AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:28
    Re: #177
    >Once the elite lose their patriotism, all that's left is selfish profit-seeking — nothing but harm, no benefit.

    Come on now — so it's the patriotic Tokyo bureaucrats who calmly:
    hop from one cushy "amakudari" post-retirement post to another (the practice of ex-bureaucrats parachuting into cushy jobs), collecting hundred-million-yen retirement payouts again and again,
    drive ever more concentration into Tokyo,
    strip Japanese industry of its competitiveness through regulations and administrative directives,
    and wreck ordinary people's lives with tax hike after tax hike?

    You really think they can pull off that string of misdeeds without blinking?

    Which country's bureaucrats are you even talking about?
    You think you're describing chivalrous gangsters, but isn't that just actual yakuza? (lol)
    189AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:23
    Re: #175
    Apparently even the General Service track gets shuffled all over the country. A Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare General Service employee I know said he'd hate it if his next transfer landed him at some regional Hello Work office.
    190AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:24
    Re: #189
    They call that being a "satellite" (slang for someone endlessly rotated through remote postings). Come to think of it, a certain governor of Hyogo Prefecture might've been one of those (lol)
    192AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:25
    Re: #189
    My brother-in-law is going through that right now (lol)
    201AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:28
    Re: #189
    General Service staff are hired by regional block. In the Kanto block you might get transferred from Tokyo to Ibaraki, for instance. But you won't get transferred to Hokkaido.
    204AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:29
    It's not exactly noblesse oblige, but the highly educated do have a mission.
    A huge amount of tax money goes into the old Imperial universities, after all.
    Being able to study under the country's top humanities professors was made possible with the nation's money.
    That's exactly why they need to actually serve the public good of the nation.
    221AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:34
    Re: #204
    Yeah, I guess. Back in the prewar era it was like: "A vast national budget has been poured into your education, so work yourselves to the bone in service of the state — especially you who went all the way to grad school and got a doctorate. Work for low pay until retirement, and in exchange your status is guaranteed." "Fukoku kyohei" (rich nation, strong army — the old imperial slogan) was achieved by respecting (lol) the highly educated even more than that. Well, after the war there was also a mood of disdain for a powerful Japan, so things got a lot more democratic (lol)
    234AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:40
    Is there even any use for a Todai degree outside of becoming a bureaucrat?
    243AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:43
    Re: #234
    They're in huge demand in the private-sector job market, so unless the treatment of bureaucrats improves, Todai grads simply won't choose to become bureaucrats.

    Background and Key Points of the Debate

    The National Public Employee General Exam was once overwhelmingly dominated by University of Tokyo graduates, but in recent years the share of private-university graduates is said to be rising. The factors that came up repeatedly in the thread were poor working conditions — late-night call-ins and chronic overtime — and dissatisfaction with pay that doesn’t match those demands. The sticking point was a difference in values: whether to view this trend as simply “individuals rationally choosing the private sector or local government jobs instead,” or as “the elite, who are supposed to serve the nation, having become selfish.” Commenters pushed back and forth from both sides. Worth noting: the original article’s main focus is actually an introduction to Kazuhiko Yano’s personal career, and it does not itself present data on the year-by-year trend in the number of Todai graduates.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5channel (Breaking News Plus) thread “‘New Education Ministry Vice Minister Is an Aoyama Gakuin Grad’ — Why Are Fewer Todai Grads Becoming Bureaucrats? Too ‘Black’ a Workplace to Appeal to Old Imperial University Grads.”

  • Offal and Booze at Breakfast — 5channers: ‘Hair of the Dog Is the Best!’

    A thread on 5ch’s Newsoku VIP board lit up as users bonded over morning drinking and grilled offal. Starting with hair-of-the-dog drinking, the conversation ranged widely — from staple snacks like dote-ni and kotecchan to chopsticks bought at the 100-yen shop Seria. In the second half, a rumor surfaced that new pachinko machines might get complicated internal odds systems, like a hidden “C-zone,” prompting grumbling from posters who hate fussy mechanics. There was no real conflict — just a relaxed, rambling chat from start to finish.

    1AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:35
    (´;ω;`) Hair of the dog is the best! Eating offal first thing in the morning
    2AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:36
    You're seriously always drinking.
    Your body's gonna give out.
    4AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:36
    Re: #2
    (´;ω;`) Only once a week!
    3AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:36
    Cute chopsticks for an old dude
    6AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:36
    Re: #3
    (´;ω;`) Bought these ages ago at Seria (the 100-yen shop)
    16AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:39
    (´・ω・｀) What's that offal stew they make in Kansai again?
    19AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:41
    Re: #16
    (´;ω;`) Dote-ni (miso-simmered offal)? For this one I fry it in sesame oil and pour yakiniku sauce over it
    20AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:41
    GEEGEEGEEGEEGEEGEE GYANCHU! (a drunken drinking-thread cheer/chant, more sound effect than words)
    22AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:42
    Re: #20
    (´;ω;`) DRINK UP!!!! ("nonke" — slangy shorthand for "nome," i.e. "drink!")
    25AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:44
    Re: #19
    (´・ω・｀) Oh right, it's called dote-ni.
    I mostly just go for kotecchan (a seasoned-offal brand).
    I usually buy it by the gram at my local butcher shop.
    29AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:45
    Re: #25
    (´;ω;`) Offal's cheap and delicious — the best combo.
    32AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:46
    Nah, cut that out.
    You're gonna go play pachinko anyway, aren't you? Good luck racking up those winnings ♡
    34AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:48
    Re: #32
    (´;ω;`) There's no positive expected value in it though
    35AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:49
    (◍•ᴗ•◍) Mornin'~
    Oh, you won 2,000 yen… that's enough for some snacks
    36AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:49
    Re: #35
    (´;ω;`) Exactly ♡ Ougon Mokushiroku ("Golden Apocalypse") really is a god-tier machine
    37AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:50
    Re: #29
    (´・ω・｀) It doubles as a drinking snack and a side dish for rice.
    Handy since you can just microwave it and eat right away.
    39AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:51
    Re: #37
    (´;ω;`) The only problem with the cheap stuff is it basically melts away to nothing when you cook it… gotta buy from a place you trust.
    38AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:51
    (◍•ᴗ•◍) Turns out we never needed "Lucky Trigger" after all!! (a pachinko/pachislot jackpot feature)
    40AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:52
    Re: #38
    (´;ω;`) Seriously, right… apparently pachinko's going to get these convoluted internal setups like slot machines from now on, and it's such a buzzkill… I hope it doesn't catch on.
    41AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:54
    Re: #40
    (◍•ᴗ•◍) Yeah, sounds like it. If they add "zones" like that, I bet every machine ends up being one you quit on after XX spins if you don't hit first thing in the morning.
    45AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:55
    Re: #41
    (´;ω;`) It's gonna be crawling with "hyena" players (scavengers who pounce on machines someone else primed)… I don't even play slots because I hate having to study up beforehand, and now I'll be stuck only playing hanemono (the simple wing-type pachinko machines)…
    42AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:55
    (´;ω;`) The best thing about pachinko is that you can just quit once the rush ends — please stop secretly building in stuff like a "C-zone" or making it feel like you're losing out unless you grind out XX more games… seriously, who even asked for this?
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:55
    Re: #42
    (◍•ᴗ•◍) The parlors did
    50AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:59
    (´;ω;`) Here's a goodbye kiss to send you all off

    https://gzo.ai/i/b814pgF.jpg
    57AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:04
    (´・ω・`) I'm still here!
    60AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:05
    Re: #57
    (´;ω;`)✊ WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
    58AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:04
    (´;ω;`) I've got meetings all day tomorrow, ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh
    70AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:09
    Re: #58
    ૮₍ ･ω･ ₎ა Gyahaha
    61AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:05
    (´;ω;`) Anyone around Kyoto up for meeting up?
    62AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:07
    Re: #61
    ( ･᷄ὢ･᷅ ) Meet up and do… what exactly?
    65AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:09
    Just watching TikTok clips of people grilling meat with ponzu sauce and washing it down with a "construction-worker highball" (slang for a cheap, extra-strong highball) is enough to get me drunk lolololololol
    67AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:09
    Re: #65
    (´;ω;`) What's a "construction-worker highball"?
    101AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:38
    (´;ω;`) I was just grilling pork heart

    https://gzo.ai/i/oC9u5TT.jpg

    Background and Talking Points

    Dote-ni is a miso-simmered offal stew beloved in the Nagoya region, while kotecchan is the well-known seasoned-offal brand from Esfoods — cheap and easy to cook, it’s become a staple for drinking at home. The rumor raised later in the thread, that pachinko’s internal odds systems might become as convoluted as slot machines’ (complete with a hidden “C-zone”), was floated by posters only as an unconfirmed worry, not something backed by any official announcement. Talk about internal pachinko/slot mechanics like “zones” and “ceilings” often circulates on 5ch as a mix of fact and rumor, so it shouldn’t be taken at face value. On the whole, this was a lighthearted thread with no real conflict, centered on morning drinking, snacks, and idle chatter about gambling.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Newsoku VIP) thread “(´;ω;`) I’m gonna keep drinking from now till nighttt!!“

  • “Nippon-Ham, Our Good Customer” Caption Sparks Backlash — TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Apologizes

    On September 2, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting posted an apology on its official website after airing a caption during the previous day’s broadcast of the Nippon-Ham vs. SoftBank game that lacked consideration for the opposing team. On 5ch, word spread that the caption in question read “Nippon-Ham, our good customer” — a jab implying SoftBank has an easy time beating them — and since the actual head-to-head record stood at 15 wins to 5 losses in SoftBank’s favor, opinions split between those saying “it’s just stating a fact” and those saying “even if it’s true, there are things you shouldn’t say in an official broadcast caption.”

    Pro Baseball Broadcast Caption “Lacked Consideration” for Opposing Team — TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Apologizes: “We sincerely apologize for any discomfort caused”

    On the 2nd, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting apologized after airing, on the 1st, a caption during its broadcast of the professional baseball game “TeleQ Super! Stadium: Nippon-Ham vs. SoftBank” that lacked consideration for the opposing team.

    An apology statement was posted on the top page of the official website.

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Read the original article here

    3AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:34
    Baseball ("yakyuu") really does have this problem, huh
    like those fight songs that are basically borderline slander against the other side
    4AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:35
    Don't worry, nobody's even watching baseball anyway
    10AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:38
    11AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:39
    They couldn't even beat their so-called "good customer" — lmao
    12AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:39
    What did it actually say?
    19AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:42
    Re: #12
    I think it said "Nippon-Ham, our good customer"
    It caused a bit of a stir on social media lol
    38AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:48
    Re: #19 Re: #20
    This isn't about "consideration," it's just plain stupid
    13AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:40
    When it comes to showing consideration for the opposing team, people get real strict
    but a lack of consideration toward your own guys gets a pass
    like with Shiino, for instance
    15AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:41
    21AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:42
    Re: #15
    Ah
    well, I guess apologizing does make sense then
    58AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:57
    Re: #15
    well, anything that puts down the other team is a no-go
    16AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:41
    SoftBank also outranks Nippon-Ham as a company, so that's part of it too
    17AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:42
    My house is in Fukuoka Prefecture and TVQ still doesn't come in
    69AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:03
    Re: #17
    Do you live on some remote island or something?
    24AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:44
    If it's just a local Kyushu broadcast, seems like it shouldn't be a problem lol
    34AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:47
    Re: #24
    Back in the day, on what was supposed to be a neutral SoftBank-home radio broadcast, a commentator said Koyano looked like "a rotten mikan (orange)" and it blew up into a huge controversy.
    They ended up apologizing on-air later.
    31AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:47
    Well, 15 wins to 5 losses does make "good customer" technically accurate lol
    40AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:49
    Re: #31
    Pro baseball is entertainment.
    It's not like anyone's trying to start an actual war.
    37AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:48
    "Lacked consideration" makes it sound like "good customer" is basically confirmed as fact lol
    46AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:50
    Re: #37
    Exactly.
    Even if it's true, there are things you should and shouldn't say.
    Is that really so hard to understand?
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:49
    Re: #34
    Yeah, that one's definitely crossing the line lol

    but calling them a "good customer" on a local broadcast
    is honestly fine
    49AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:50
    Re: #44
    If they'd said "Fighters" instead it would've been less bad
    putting the Nippon-Ham company name front and center is what gets you in trouble
    50AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:52
    Re: #49
    The "correct" phrasing would be "We are always deeply grateful for Nippon-Ham's continued patronage" lol
    53AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:53
    Re: #50
    Though honestly, Orix was just really good at that placard-gag routine of theirs.
    52AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:53
    No need for "consideration" at all
    it's just a fact
    54AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:54
    Re: #52
    Yes there is.
    That's just the times we live in now.
    Remember that singer who vanished after saying a woman's "amniotic fluid rots" at 35?
    55AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:55
    They play the same opponent over and over like crazy anyway
    stirring up a pro-wrestling-style rivalry would honestly get people more interested
    they should lean into it
    60AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:59
    Re: #55
    The problem is the fans hate each other way more than "just a joke" level.
    It's like the Giants vs. Tigers rivalry in the Central League.
    64AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:01
    "Good customer," huh
    it really is embarrassing for a broadcaster to say that

    at this rate they'll probably start policing words like "hated rival" too before long
    70AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:04
    Re: #64
    "Drop dead" has already been officially designated an insulting term.
    "Kutabare Nostradamus" (drop dead, Nostradamus — a classic parody film title) can't even air on terrestrial TV anymore.
    74AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:05
    With Giants vs. Tigers games
    maybe because there are plenty of Tigers fans in Kanto and Giants fans in Kansai, broadcasters are careful
    they call it "the traditional rivalry match" and don't take sides
    90AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:11
    Re: #74
    Both fan bases keep watch on each other, so if there's any weird provocation, one side or the other
    will come down on the TV station in force.
    80AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:06
    Isn't TVQ basically a Hawks-biased broadcast made for Hawks fans anyway?
    Have we really reached an era where even this gets complaints?
    91AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:11
    Re: #80
    Like in other sports, in Japan-vs-foreign-country matches — even though cheering for Japan is a given — they don't go around mocking the opponent.
    92AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:11
    Re: #80
    Probably a complaint came in from Nippon-Ham itself — they're a sponsor tied to the TV Tokyo network group connected to the parent company, right?
    97AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:13
    Re: #80
    It's one thing for a commentator to say it out loud, but putting it in a caption is bad.
    If it were Tigers fans, forget "consideration" — they'd storm in purely because it pissed them off.

    Background and Key Points of This Topic

    The phrase “good customer” drew criticism because, as the Nippon-Ham vs. SoftBank head-to-head record shows, it implies SoftBank has the upper hand over an easy opponent — and what made it worse wasn’t just an offhand commentary remark but the fact that it appeared as a fixed on-screen “caption.” On the thread, those defending it with “if it’s true, there’s no problem” clashed with those countering “even if it’s true, there are things you should and shouldn’t say,” with some pointing out that spoken commentary and an official on-screen caption deserve different standards. Commenters also brought up past cases where a commentator’s remarks about an opposing team sparked backlash and led to an apology, suggesting that references to opposing teams have repeatedly been a recurring problem for broadcasters. Worth noting too: TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting is SoftBank’s local home-market station, and this was framed as a Kyushu-local broadcast.

    *This article is compiled as an excerpt and summary from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[TV] Pro Baseball Broadcast Caption “Lacked Consideration” for Opposing Team — TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Apologizes: “We sincerely apologize for any discomfort caused”.”

  • Shohei Ohtani May Abandon Pitching Comeback — Manager’s Comments Spark Alarm on 5ch: ‘Only 10 Starts in 3 Years’

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on September 2 that resting Shohei Ohtani from pitching for the rest of the season is “one of the options,” raising the possibility that Ohtani could abandon his pitching comeback altogether. Despite a stellar 1.79 ERA, 8-2 record, and 0.95 WHIP this season, there’s no clear timeline for him to resume throwing. On 5ch, users debated whether his workload justifies a contract reportedly worth around ¥100 billion (roughly $680 million), and questioned the wisdom of using him in a way that keeps leading to injuries.

    Ohtani’s Pitching Comeback May Be Off the Table — Manager Calls It “One of the Options” as Return Timeline Stays Unclear

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to reporters on September 2 (September 3 JST) before a home game against the Cardinals. Asked about pitcher Shohei Ohtani, he said resting him from pitching for the rest of the season was “one of the options.” With the team’s support, Ohtani had been working toward a return to the mound this season, but the possibility that he may give up the pitching comeback entirely has now emerged.

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

    3AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:35
    He got a $680 million deal on the promise of being a two-way player, and he's only pitched in like 10 games total over 3 years — that's genuinely insane lol
    15AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:36
    Re: #3
    That part is basically fraud at this point
    5AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:35
    Source: the manager himself, lol
    Yeah, this is done
    6AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:35
    Ah, he's cooked
    Farewell, see you next year
    Not sure there'll even be a next year though
    7AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:36
    Wish he'd pitch enough innings to at least qualify for the ERA rankings
    39AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:43
    Re: #7
    He'd need to throw a complete game every single day to hit that
    14AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:36
    Just lift weights and hit more homers instead then
    18AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:38
    At this rate, a $680M contract for a part-time DH is a terrifyingly bad deal lol
    24AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:38
    Re: #18
    Two World Series titles already paid that $680M off
    28AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:40
    Re: #24
    If winning just one World Series nets you $680M in value, the peak-era Yankees must've made like a trillion then? 😅
    21AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:38
    *Note: he's a position player
    25AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:39
    Re: #21
    Not a position player — a hitter. Can't play defense, so he doesn't count as a position player.
    26AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:39
    ERA 1.79
    Innings Pitched 85.2
    Record 8-2
    Strikeouts 95
    K/9 9.98
    Walks 26
    K/BB 3.65
    WHIP 0.95
    Opp. Batting Avg .180
    Quality Starts/% 12 / 85.7%

    It hasn't been making news so I'd been ignoring it, but this is straight-up monster-level stuff
    90AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:08
    Re: #26
    An 8-12 record from a guy who stays healthy and holds down a rotation spot all year gets more respect than this
    That kind of peak brilliance means nothing for the team if it doesn't last
    35AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:41
    Why did he suddenly turn into a has-been like this?
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:44
    Re: #35
    Probably because he doesn't listen to anyone
    Back in his prime, Ohtani used to brag, 'I don't really listen to the coaches. I don't need advice either — I do things my own way.' But now that he's older and declining, it's completely come back to bite him.
    50AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:48
    Re: #35
    His physical talent was off the charts, but maybe his ability to heal was just average?
    77AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:57
    Re: #35
    Even back in his Fighters days (Japan's Nippon-Ham Fighters, his NPB team)
    he'd push past his limits even while hurt,
    which led to further injuries — [manager] Kuriyama used to scold him for it
    52AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:49
    When you think Fujinami's about to lose his spot in NPB entirely, you realize he's actually done pretty well for himself
    78AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:58
    Re: #52
    Wasn't Fujinami actually the better pitcher in the majors?
    68AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:54
    Guess the second Tommy John surgery was a bust
    If he can only hold up for 80-90 innings, they might as well fully convert him to an outfielder at this point
    80AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:00
    Re: #68
    It's not his elbow, it's his knee
    He's been sprinting full speed despite the injury
    and doing bullpen sessions on his own, making it worse
    76AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:57
    Ohtani throws nasty stuff and racks up strikeouts, but he doesn't really have that 'unquestioned ace' aura, does he
    86AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:05
    Re: #76
    Guys who get hurt this often can't become an unquestioned ace
    87AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:06
    If he gets knee surgery, will it actually fix it? For the sake of baseball history, I really hope they can somehow get him healthy 😤🤚
    91AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:08
    Re: #87
    Once a knee starts hurting and you keep moving on it, it stops healing properly — so it's probably hopeless now
    94AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:11
    Re: #87
    A trashed knee like that is a lost cause

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    What’s actually come up so far is only the “possibility” of giving up the comeback — at this stage it’s just the manager calling it one of the options in an interview, not an official announcement that Ohtani is done for the year. Ohtani underwent his second elbow surgery in 2023, and this season he had been gradually working his way back to pitching with the team’s support, aiming to keep up his two-way role as both hitter and pitcher. Opinions in the thread split between those who value the impact of his pitching when he’s healthy, regardless of how injury-prone he is, and those who feel it doesn’t count for much unless he can pitch reliably all season. Some pointed to the size of his contract as clashing with how little he’s pitched, but the deal also reflects his value as a hitter, so judging it purely on pitching output oversimplifies things.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Nanademo Jikkyo G) thread “[Sad News] Talk Emerges That Pitcher Shohei Ohtani May Be Done for the Season шшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшш.”

  • Juice=Juice Fans Anxious About Kohaku Chances: ‘We’re Jealous of Morning Musume. and ANGERME’

    In recent years, Juice=Juice’s name has come up repeatedly in year-end predictions for NHK’s ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen’ (Red and White Song Battle). But making the prediction lists and actually getting picked are two different things, and on 5ch’s Hello!Project board, fans opened up about envying Morning Musume. and ANGERME — groups that have rarely had a Kohaku connection. Citing the case of One for All, once rumored as a lock for Kohaku only to be passed over, the agency’s cautious strategy of skipping a single release this year, and sluggish EP sales, the thread reveals a mix of hope and anxiety.

    1AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:18
    They keep showing up in the Kohaku predictions lately.
    Being on the list doesn't mean much though — it's still an uphill battle, honestly…
    but I can't help hoping anyway.
    3AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:19
    There was a time back when everyone in the fandom ("the village") was hyped, convinced One for All had Kohaku locked in…
    5AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:20
    Re: #3
    Was One for All really that big back then?
    I wasn't around for it —
    why'd they blow up?
    4AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:19
    Morning Musume. fans keep saying 'even One for All couldn't do it,'
    but they only had TV exposure with no signature hit —
    there was never a real shot.

    Juice actually has the skill and a signature song, though…
    ugh, this hurts 🥵
    6AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:21
    When do they usually open applications for the Kohaku studio audience?
    7AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:22
    If they actually get picked, groups inside and outside the fandom will rip on them for it.
    If they don't, they'll get mocked to death…
    We haven't even done anything,
    and there's just no upside here.
    8AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:22
    What even was the hit back in '14?
    10AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:24
    Re: #5
    They were on TV more than Juice is now,
    variety shows included though.
    12AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:25
    Re: #10
    Why'd they suddenly start getting booked?
    11AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:25
    Already set my DVR for Kohaku Uta Gassen.
    13AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:26
    Even if it doesn't happen this year, people will just say 'maybe next year.'
    Unless they flop badly or Reiruru graduates, this'll get said every single year from now on.
    It's gonna wear you down for a while.
    14AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:26
    How would I know?
    I've heard plenty of tall tales from self-proclaimed 'insiders,' but none of it's verified.
    17AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:28
    There's no way they miss Kohaku after this.
    Do you have any idea how far 'Moré' (fan nickname for one of their hit songs) alone has carried them?
    18AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:29
    I don't think Juice would just get handed a Kohaku slot —
    feels like some big freeloader (lit. 'goldfish poop') would tag along for the ride.
    26AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:32
    Re: #18
    Like Be-yan or Banban, for instance.
    19AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:29
    Re: #15
    This year's first-timers are probably =LOVE and CUTIE STREET.
    20AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:30
    Michishige was pretty popular and had a steady stream of solo TV work.
    She was even allowed to skip group activities (like Lilium) sometimes.
    21AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:30
    Heh, I wonder if Juice=Juice can really pull off a solo appearance…
    ???: 'We're coming along too.'
    27AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:33
    The prediction crowd's picks for the red team




    31AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:34
    Re: #27
    One for All was on the predictions too, back in the day.
    32AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:34
    Re: #27
    These guys probably have no idea about Hello!Project's whole 'convoy system' (keeping every group moving in lockstep instead of letting one break out).
    30AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:34
    Oh right, no single this year, huh.
    Feels like that timid gamble's about to end in a loss.
    33AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:35
    Re: #30
    So timid.
    Real on-brand move for a music agency that hasn't had a hit in decades.
    36AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:36
    Re: #30
    This is peak dumb.
    MVs are blowing up right now, the YouTube numbers would look great.
    They'll probably just fob everyone off with something like the Kurakura MV,
    and then it's back to cover-song hell.
    There's no making it big at this agency.
    35AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:36
    Just treat it like a bonus if it happens.
    They've got better odds than the other groups anyway.
    40AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:39
    Re: #35
    Up Front's got that old-school Showa-era mentality, so Kohaku is a big deal to them.
    A lot of the fanbase is older too, so they treat Kohaku as something special.
    That's why there's a mountain of 'will they make Kohaku' threads popping up every summer.
    39AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:38
    Honestly, if Morning Musume. had gotten a song on the level of 'Moré-mi,' they'd have been pushed way harder and probably made Kohaku. Though since the skill wouldn't have matched, they'd probably get hated to death for it.
    42AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:40
    Re: #39
    The skill level across Hello!Project groups doesn't really differ that much.
    43AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:40
    You can tell from the numbers that neither the songs nor the group are really well-known.
    They get TV spots, sure, but you can buy your way onto TV.
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:42
    Re: #43
    Exactly that.
    The agency's just dumping its agency-quota slots onto Juice.
    49AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:45
    Re: #43
    Still, there's some responsibility for getting fans' hopes up.
    After being on TV this much, if they don't make Kohaku,
    the fans are gonna lose it
    and it'll expose that Juice's 'popularity' was fake.
    46AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:43
    Was it 40,000 or 50,000 copies?
    Sure, it's an EP, but
    this year's CD sales being this low is weak — way too weak.
    48AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:44
    Re: #46
    That's exactly why they should've put out a single and posted a decent number.
    With how fired up Juice fans are right now, I bet it could've hit around 200,000 —
    but Pony Canyon probably just won't press that many.
    47AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:43
    Re: #42
    Wait, what? lmaooo
    You think Morning Musume. is on the same level as Juice? lol
    No way, no way lol
    50AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:46
    Re: #47
    Right?
    Compared to the other Hello!Project groups, Juice's performance level is pretty low —
    about on par with Rosy.
    51AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:47
    Even without winning concert tickets, I feel like putting out a single and doing individual meet-and-greets ("kobetsu") would keep fans decently satisfied though?
    53AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:49
    Re: #51
    They can't put out a single —
    it'd expose them as the lowest-selling, least popular group in Hello!Project.
    Though apparently tour sales are already looking shaky, so the secret's kind of out already.
    73AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:17
    Why do people think last year's hit means they'll get in this time?
    Are they out of their minds?
    75AnonymousSep 3, 2026 10:20
    Re: #73
    This right here.
    'Moré-mi' wasn't nominated, but this year's song 'Vanilla' is actually nominated for Kohaku selection.

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    Juice=Juice is a Hello!Project group formed in 2020. In recent years their TV appearances have increased and they’ve become regulars on Kohaku prediction lists, but CD sales have stagnated, and the gap between actual sales figures and TV exposure became a key point of debate in the thread. Hello!Project reportedly has a practice known as the “convoy system,” which keeps a balance among groups rather than letting any one of them stand out, and the thread raised the view that this makes a solo Kohaku appearance a tall order. The precedent of One for All, once seen as a Kohaku lock that never materialized, is cited as evidence that TV exposure and Kohaku selection don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Note that the discussion of the agency’s promotional strategy and comparisons with past groups is largely personal speculation, not confirmed information.

    ※This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Hello!Project board) thread “[Real Talk] I’m a Juice=Juice Fan, But I Envy Morning Musume. and ANGERME, Who Have Zero Shot at Kohaku.”

  • Dragon Ball Super ‘Beerus Arc’ New Anime Trailer Unveiled — 5ch: ‘Beerus Is Huge Overseas’

    A thread on 5ch’s “Anything-Goes Live” board lit up over news that a trailer had dropped for a newly animated version of the Beerus arc from Dragon Ball Super. Rather than being a totally new story, it’s reportedly a "remaster" project that redraws the original’s animation and direction using the latest technology. The broadcast slot appears to be the one currently occupied by One Piece, and the thread filled up with questions like “why remake it now?” and “what happens to One Piece’s timeslot?” Posters also discussed just how popular Lord Beerus is, and how this differs from Dragon Ball DAIMA, Akira Toriyama’s posthumous work.

    The broadcast slot is the one currently used by One Piece

    Source: video.twimg.com / Original article here

    5AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:43
    Not Daima, but Super? Why?
    75AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:28
    Re: #5
    Daima, aimed at little kids, is already flopping based on the buzz.
    If that's the case, they're shifting toward hooking the fans from back then instead.
    12AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:45
    Whoa~! I want to see more of Lord Beerus in action~! How many people are actually out there saying that?
    26AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:55
    Re: #12
    Beerus is popular, you know.
    Especially overseas.
    14AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:48
    By the way, production of the Galactic Patrol arc was already announced before this.
    104AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:54
    Re: #14
    Guess they want to do a refresher before that airs.
    A lot of people have forgotten this arc anyway.
    17AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:50
    What about DAIMA?
    It's the posthumous work Toriyama himself made — the one you all wanted, remember?
    80AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:29
    Re: #17
    He barely had any hand in it himself, but I bet you'd find the same claims written about DQ/FF stuff too (Dragon Quest/Final Fantasy — franchises where he contributed character designs).
    Besides, he's from an era before he could've grown as an artist, no way he could draw manga at today's level.
    20AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:51
    What's going to happen to One Piece?
    Don't tell me it's going on hiatus again.
    One Piece's whole value was airing all year round — is even that last stronghold going to crumble?
    21AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:51
    Re: #20
    Isn't it better to go on hiatus and stockpile episodes than to air something that looks like a slideshow?
    22AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:52
    I was hoping for Jujutsu Kaisen-level quality, but this isn't even close.
    Toei really is garbage.
    24AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:55
    Re: #22
    Well, they're calling this a remaster, so…
    The real question is what happens with Galactic Patrol.
    23AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:54
    Honestly there's not enough demand to justify a full remake of Super.
    Unless they're planning to write Zeno out of existence.
    29AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:57
    Re: #23
    If Zeno didn't exist, how would they even beat Fused Zamasu?
    30AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:58
    If you want good animation, just watch the movies.
    Why bother making a downgraded TV version after the movie, and now remaster that too lol
    37AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:03
    Re: #30
    The movie's animation was pretty mediocre too, honestly…
    Also the movies are officially classified as Dragon Ball Z, so maybe they wanted a fresh start under the Super banner.
    33AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:00
    Wait, this isn't a continuation of Super, it's a redo?
    35AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:02
    Re: #33
    Yeah, a redo.
    They're using Super as the base, swapping out the parts with bad animation, and beefing up the direction with the latest tech.
    41AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:08
    Not sure how far they'll take it, but if they remake the Future Trunks arc, I'm fine with that.
    46AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:10
    Re: #41
    Fix the ending first — this comes up every time.
    47AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:10
    Re: #41
    Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if they just animate all the way through Broly and roll straight into Galactic Patrol.
    55AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:13
    Re: #41
    They're not doing a remake.
    They specifically said it's just fixing up Super's animation and direction, plus adding extra cuts.
    42AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:09
    Isn't the character design off?
    Goku's all lean and toned, zero presence at all.
    49AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:11
    Re: #42
    He slims down in God form.
    He goes back to normal from Blue onward.
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:10
    Why redo an episode they already made instead of doing new content?
    Did someone with rights to the original screw something up or what?
    53AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:12
    Re: #44
    They're doing new episodes too.
    Remastering is a classic Toei move — they do it with One Piece all the time.
    51AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:11
    A strong guy shows up → punch and kick your way to victory → an even stronger guy shows up.
    There's basically no story, it's just been this loop forever.
    56AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:13
    Re: #51
    And now you've got angels and gods, even stronger guys just smirking and watching from the sidelines, so even that basic formula is dead.
    72AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:27
    How far are they taking this? Up to Frieza? 🤫
    77AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:28
    Re: #72
    Probably at least up through Hit.
    86AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:36
    I always think this, but isn't it way too soon for a remake?

    I'd get it if it were "redoing a great story that got ruined by bad anime," or "remaking that legendary anime with modern technology,"

    but the Beerus arc wasn't some terrible flop back then, and there hasn't been some huge tech leap that would drastically change the animation either.
    So what's the actual point of this?
    88AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:38
    Re: #86
    Go look up the animation collapse from the Dragon Ball Super anime.
    92AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:42
    Super characters are hugely popular in the Dragon Ball mobile gacha games, you know.
    94AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:44
    Re: #92
    Yeah, like half the anniversary headline characters are from Super.

    Background and Key Points of This Topic

    Dragon Ball Super was a TV anime that aired from 2015 to 2018, and its animation collapsing in certain episodes was repeatedly a topic of discussion. What’s been announced this time isn’t a completely new series, but appears to be a "remaster" project redoing the Beerus arc from back then with up-to-date animation and direction — a different undertaking from Dragon Ball DAIMA, the new series based on notes Akira Toriyama left behind before his passing. Reports that the broadcast slot overlaps with One Piece’s timeslot sparked worry about the impact on One Piece’s long-running broadcast schedule, but remastering is itself a technique Toei Animation has used before, and some believe it will run alongside production of new episodes. Some voiced concern about the aging voice cast, but it’s worth noting that no official announcement of a cast change has been made.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Anything-Goes Live) thread “[Breaking] New Dragon Ball anime ‘Dragon Ball Super: Beerus’ trailer released.”

  • A Friend’s ¥45 Million ‘FIRE’ Retirement Sparks a Withdrawal-Rate Feud on 5ch

    An article describing a 55-year-old company employee’s bewilderment after a friend of 30 years quit his job last month and announced he’d “FIRE’d” (Financially Independent, Retire Early) went viral on 5ch. The friend reportedly plans to live off roughly ¥45 million in assets, drawing it down at 7% a year. What really lit up the thread wasn’t the narrator’s struggle to say a genuine “congratulations,” but a full-blown argument over whether this financial plan actually holds up. Posters clashed over the difference between nominal and real returns, the so-called “4% rule,” and confusion about when pension payments actually start — with the exchange eventually devolving into people calling each other “idiots.”

    “…Actually, I quit my job last month.”

    Ikegami-san froze, chopsticks halfway to his mouth.

    “Wait, what? Quit? Why?”

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Read the original article here

    4AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:00
    Is 55 even young enough to count as "early" retirement?
    6AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:02
    So this went from a "FIRE ruined my life" story to a "here's how people will judge you for it" story.
    7AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:03
    Next up: the "FIRE and your friends will give you the cold shoulder" storyline?
    14AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:08
    If he's living off a 7% return on ¥45 million while keeping it invested, fine.
    But if he's just withdrawing 7% of the principal every single year, that's only 15 years' worth.
    By 70 all he'll have left is his pension (five years' worth untouched).
    16AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:09
    Re: #14
    It says right there that he's still investing it.
    21AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:12
    Take something like "Orukan" (eMAXIS Slim All Country, a popular index fund) — average returns run about 7%, so this isn't unusual at all.
    Honestly, the people in FIRE threads claiming you need ¥100 million or ¥200 million are the ones who can't do the math.
    24AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:13
    Re: #21
    They probably just can't afford it themselves, so they jack the bar up sky-high to feel better about it lol
    56AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:32
    Re: #21
    You and the people saying that are just working off different assumptions.

    That 7% average return is nominal. Subtract 2% for inflation and you get a real return of 5%.
    Subtract another ~20% for capital gains/dividend tax and you're down to 4%.
    That's the so-called "4% rule" for index investing.
    If you're relying purely on dividends and price gains without ever touching the principal, even ¥100 million only gets you about ¥4 million a year.
    38AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:19
    My old man FIRE'd at 60 too.
    Money must've been rolling in, because he redid the kitchen with a ¥5 million German-made sink.
    Never paid a cent toward my college tuition, though.
    39AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:21
    Re: #38
    That's just called "retirement," buddy (＾ω＾)
    43AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:23
    Re: #38
    That's called retiring at the normal age.
    44AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:23
    Re: #16
    It literally says he's withdrawing 7% a year.
    45AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:24
    Re: #44
    While still investing it, though.
    47AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:24
    Re: #45
    If he's withdrawing 7%, realistically the principal is just going to keep shrinking.
    50AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:25
    Re: #47
    Why's that?
    Are you just taking the 4% rule at face value?
    51AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:25
    Guess FIRE-ing costs you your friends too, huh~
    52AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:26
    Re: #51
    If you don't mention the amount, you won't lose them lol
    57AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:32
    What happens if he gets sick or something?
    63AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:34
    Re: #57
    You think getting sick costs ¥10 million or something?
    64AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:34
    Re: #50
    Assuming you'll pull in 8%+ returns every single year without fail is way too optimistic.
    Ever heard the term "sequence of returns risk"?
    65AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:35
    Sounds like he lives frugally, so once his pension kicks in, the principal probably won't shrink much at all.
    71AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:37
    Re: #65
    Exactly this.
    With both spouses' pensions combined he should be fine — that's like ¥200,000 a month, and he seems like the frugal type.
    68AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:36
    Called it, this is a Gold Online piece, right?
    76AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:41
    Re: #75
    Even over 10 years that's not much different…
    79AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:42
    Re: #71
    Hard to say, it depends on how much the wife worked.
    If she was a stay-at-home housewife, she'd only get the basic pension portion.
    80AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:43
    Re: #79
    Even at ¥150,000 for the husband and ¥60,000 for the wife, that's plenty.
    You single or something?
    83AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:46
    Re: #80
    If anything, that mindset is the single person's one.
    Whether it's owned or rented, you've still got regular maintenance costs or rent either way.
    Most of that money gets eaten up right there, leaving just enough to barely scrape by.
    It's less "living" and more "just not dead yet."
    87AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:48
    Re: #83
    Honestly, who cares about some made-up family's finances anyway.
    It's not my household lol
    Go ahead and nitpick it all you want, lololol
    85AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:47
    People are supposed to get married to live a rich life,
    and yet choosing a "just not dead yet" existence on that tight of an income seems kind of dumb.
    90AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:49
    Re: #85
    I'm not knocking FIRE-by-investing itself, but the guy in the original post (Re: #1) is a different story.
    He just can't do basic math.
    91AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:50
    "FIRE regret" and "grandkid fatigue" are Gold Online's two biggest recurring themes.
    They must get great engagement, since they rehash them every single time.

    Background and Key Points of the Debate

    The “4% rule” often cited around FIRE is a rule of thumb based on the U.S. Trinity Study, representing the real withdrawal rate left after subtracting inflation and taxes from the average (nominal) rate of return. What split the thread was how to read the setup of “withdrawing 7% a year” from ¥45 million: as a nominal rate of return earned while staying invested, or as a withdrawal rate that eats straight into the principal every year. Under the first reading, the assets could theoretically be sustained; under the second, the math works out to running dry in about 15 years — and that mismatch in interpretation is a big reason the back-and-forth never quite connected. Some also pushed back on the assumption that “a 7%+ return every single year” is realistic, pointing out that a downturn hitting right when withdrawals are being made can drastically shorten how long the money lasts — a factor known as “sequence of returns risk,” one often overlooked in FIRE planning. There was also some disagreement over the age pension payments begin (in principle, 65 for Japan’s Employees’ Pension), but the article’s central focus remains the complicated feelings of watching someone close to you FIRE, and the ensuing argument over just how realistic that friend’s plan really is.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (“Nandemo Jikkyō G” board) thread “A 30-Year Friend Just FIRE’d Out of Nowhere — Why a 55-Year-Old Office Worker Couldn’t Bring Himself to Say ‘Congratulations’.”

  • MLB Players Fiercely Oppose Salary Cap — 5ch: “The Union’s Got Its Act Together, That’s Healthy”

    In an anonymous survey of more than 20 active major leaguers conducted by ESPN, players fired back hard against collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations and the proposed salary cap, with some going as far as “I won’t play if it’s introduced.” Players reportedly fear that even proposals that look favorable at first would see their share whittled down with each round of renegotiation, turning the cap into a tool for owners to control payroll. Reports have also surfaced of a possible delayed 2027 Opening Day due to a lockout. On 5ch, some praised the union as “solid and healthy,” while the discussion expanded into debates over revenue-sharing and MLB’s declining viewership.

    Sports Nippon [Sep 3, 2026, 07:12 JST]

    The U.S. sports network ESPN’s digital edition reported on the 2nd (3rd JST) the results of an anonymous survey of more than 20 active major leaguers on collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, the salary cap, and the possibility of a 2027 lockout.

    On the salary cap, players fired back with hardline opposition — “zero chance,” “I won’t play if it’s introduced,” and more. Players are wary that even if an initial proposal looks favorable, subsequent renegotiations would gradually shrink their share of revenue, turning it into a tool for owners to control payroll costs. Some said that even if their own earnings would go up, they wouldn’t accept it if it hurt players as a whole.

    Source: sponichi.co.jp / Original article here

    3AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:36
    Sucks for fans if the season gets delayed, but it's genuinely great to see a union that's this solid and healthy.
    4AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:38
    It's gotten out of hand — true of American sports business across the board. Even Nootbaar, who probably wouldn't be much use if he came over to Japan, easily out-earns Japan's highest-paid player.
    14AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:49
    Re: #4
    Japanese baseball's revenue is chump change by comparison — MLB's a whole different animal.
    5AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:40
    Making that much money is just wrong. They should be operating within broadcast rights, ticket sales, and sponsorship revenue — the players' union relies way too much on rich owners.
    77AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:54
    Re: #5
    The revenue's so massive that of course labor is going to demand more of it back. Even now, players probably aren't even getting half of total revenue.
    6AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:41
    It's a rule that doesn't quite add up — a cap makes the rich teams hold back, while the poor teams still have to pay up, grinding everyone down over time.
    8AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:44
    Re: #6
    So you mean there's a penalty if you go under the salary floor?
    27AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:57
    Re: #6
    They take local broadcast rights money from the rich teams and redistribute it to the poor ones, so every team can easily afford the floor amount. Honestly, the teams claiming to be "broke" are just letting the money vanish into the owner's pocket — most of them could already afford to pay more.
    7AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:42
    Guerrero, Ohtani, Raleigh too — feels like a lot of players are worn down by all this drama and it's showing in their numbers this season.
    9AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:47
    Not totally following this, but bottom line: the Dodgers are the bad guys here, right?
    29AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:58
    Re: #9
    Pretty much — a lot of teams are getting caught in the crossfire because of the Dodgers.
    10AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:48
    And what about the minor leagues in all this?
    19AnonymousSep 3, 2026 07:53
    Apparently Americans don't even really watch baseball anymore these days.
    Might as well just end it.

    ↓Nikkei article below
    Dodgers games:
    Japanese viewers ＞＞＞＞ American viewers

    https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQODH288DU0Y5A820C2000000/

    > Regular-season Dodgers games draw only a few hundred thousand viewers.
    > In other words, people living in the U.S. have far fewer chances to see Ohtani play than viewers in Japan do.
    42AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:09
    Re: #19
    Then how can they even afford to pay salaries like that?
    32AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:01
    Re: #27
    Revenue-sharing payouts currently come out of the existing "luxury tax."
    The worry is that under a salary cap, those payouts would end up smaller than what the current luxury tax provides.
    94AnonymousSep 3, 2026 09:07
    Re: #32
    Nope, that's not it lol
    Revenue sharing is funded mainly by national broadcast rights money and sales from MLB.tv, which the league runs directly — the luxury tax is just added on top, it's not the main source.
    The new idea is to grow the pool further by also pulling in the huge local broadcast rights money that teams like the Dodgers and Yankees have.
    35AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:03
    It's weird — almost unheard of — to see a fight over "rich people, stop spending your money."
    39AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:08
    Re: #35
    In a closed league, you can't let a huge talent/wealth gap develop between teams — that's the whole point.
    38AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:06
    Making a rule that literally says "don't pay your players" is pretty abnormal — nobody actually benefits from that.
    46AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:12
    Re: #38
    The NFL and NBA both have salary caps too.
    The NFL's is the strictest.
    What MLB is trying to bring in is actually on the looser end.
    From a sports-business standpoint, having both a salary cap and a salary floor is necessary.
    52AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:18
    Re: #42
    The New York Times exposed that MLB's huge salaries are basically funded by cable money from people who don't even watch baseball — totally out of line with the sport's actual popularity.
    66AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:33
    Re: #52
    This right here.

    Key points from the New York Times MLB article:



    ① The average baseball viewer is 57 years old. Factor in radio listeners and it gets even scarier.
    ② The trick behind the huge salaries: cable subscribers are effectively forced to pay for baseball whether they like it or not.
    ③ MLB pockets that massive cable money from people who don't even watch the sport — it doesn't reflect real popularity.
    ④ On top of that, once the younger generation of cord-cutters takes over, MLB's revenue model collapses.
    ⑤ The average American 10-year-old thinks Jorge Soler, the 2021 World Series MVP, is a local city councilman.
    ⑥ Little League registrations have been cut in half over 15 years in parts of the U.S.
    ⑦ There you have it — baseball's decline, plain as day. Nationalizing it might be the only way to avoid extinction.
    70AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:40
    Re: #66
    Exactly this. That last punchline — the irony — got a laugh out of me.
    55AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:21
    Are there even any players left in the majors who play because they love baseball?
    It's all just for the money, right?
    Maybe only the Japanese guys still play for love of the game.
    64AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:30
    Re: #55
    Isn't MLB infield defense basically built on guys practicing it like it's just for fun?
    72AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:46
    It's not like everyone in Japan watches MLB either, but NHK still buys the broadcast rights, right?
    74AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:48
    Re: #72
    Ah, so you're the one paying Ohtani's salary.
    79AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:55
    Re: #72
    That's because the ratings are good among the "elite class" (a sarcastic term for privileged/upper-crust citizens), compared to ordinary people.
    75AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:48
    Crappy article — at least explain what a salary cap even is.
    80AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:56
    Re: #75
    Whether it's a hard cap or soft cap and the exact terms vary by league, but honestly, a sports fan who doesn't know what a salary cap even is is pretty rare these days lol
    83AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:58
    Re: #75
    What a salary cap system is:

    In a professional sports league, it's a mechanism that limits the total amount each team can pay out in player salaries.

    Main goals and effects:

    Competitive balance: Prevents big-market teams or teams with wealthy parent companies from monopolizing star players, creating a fair environment where every team has a shot at winning.

    Financial health: Prevents teams from pouring unlimited money into player salaries and running into financial trouble, boosting the sustainability of the league as a whole.
    82AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:58
    Re: #80
    Hardly any Japanese people know what that is lol
    Only sports-watching nerds know that one.
    84AnonymousSep 3, 2026 08:59
    Re: #82
    Don't go acting like your own ignorance isn't the issue here lol

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    MLB has never had a strict payroll cap like the NFL or NBA. Instead, it has softened competitive imbalance through a “luxury tax” on teams that exceed a set payroll threshold, plus a revenue-sharing system funded by broadcast rights and other income. The current CBA runs through the end of the 2026 season, and there’s precedent for worry here: the 2021-22 offseason lockout ran 99 days and delayed Opening Day, so this report of a possible 2027 delay is being read as a sign of history repeating. In the thread, opinions split over whether revenue sharing is funded by the luxury tax or by local broadcast rights money, and over whether the players’ push for a bigger share or the wariness toward a system that raises the burden on big-spending teams has more merit. It’s worth noting this ESPN survey was anonymous with a limited sample of just over 20 respondents, so it shouldn’t be read as representing the consensus of all players. Separately, the “decline of baseball” argument attributed to the New York Times runs on a different track from the core salary cap debate, with broader skepticism about MLB’s business model itself surfacing alongside it in the thread.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports Sokuhou+) thread “[Baseball] MLB players fiercely oppose salary cap — “Won’t play if introduced,” 2027 Opening Day delay also predicted.”