In my experience, this is because they conduct yearly x-ray examinations to detect tuberculosis and other lung diseases. Shirts and bras interfere with the image, so they ask students to bring a plain shirt to wear during the examination. However, if there's no other option, they may ask them to do the examination bare-chested. In my case, there was gender separation (not only in location but also in the time frame), but I can't say the same for all schools or age groups. Japanese schools are known for having students change into sports clothing in the classroom without gender separation up to 3rd or 4th grade, so I wouldn't be surprised if there are schools that don’t separate genders for medical examinations.

One of the rationales of sane people regarding alternative energy sources is the cost of using "more expensive" energy sources when cheap (at least for the time being), albeit more polluting, alternatives like coal and natural gas are readily available.

The argument is that if Country A switches to full renewables, in the time it takes for the prices to become low enough to be competitive against coal, Country B, which is unscrupulous in its development and continues using coal as its main energy source, would gain a significant advantage over Country A.

You could even argue that for Country B, switching to alternative energy sources would be unfair, considering that Country A enjoyed decades of rapid growth and development using cheap coal, whereas Country B would not. Since Country A won't fully switch to alternative energy sources to maintain its supremacy, and Country B won't change for the sake of its development, we're effectively in a deadlock.

Personally, I think all countries should work together and switch to renewable energy sources to reduce the impact of climate change. Unfortunately, the world is not so simple, and the conflict is more nuanced than simply "keeping profits vs. creating a better world."

Not tonal, but pitch accent difference. The first and last words (紙 and 髪) are indistinguishable by pronunciation, both are flat (pitch accent 平板 or 'flat'). For the second word (神), the pitch accent descends for み (pitch accent 頭高 or 'head high').

Great response! Just a comment, 食べ歩き (eating while walking) is definitely not seen with good eyes in many places in Japan. Some very touristic streets even have signs to forbid it.

Ok, that was exactly my point earlier. I thought that since some countries experience annual cicadas, the U.S. experiencing both periodical cycles simultaneously would be similar to what other countries experience every year. However, I was wrong. It turns out that the numbers for periodical cicadas are much, much greater than those for the annual types. So, indeed, just their sheer numbers will make them a spectacular event. Sorry for the misunderstanding. TIL

I think about 1k USD would improve my life a lot at the moment and in the future. I'm in the process of moving countries for a job and I need to have my things shipped. I already live abroad, so I can't leave anything behind. Anything I cannot afford to ship I will have to give away or dispose. With all the moving expenses, I have no idea how much money I have left for shipping, but 1k would allow me to ship everything stress free.

I found a source in Spanish where the original term used by the scientist was "antros flotantes" (floating nightclubs): https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/2023/11/24/adopta-un-ajolote-una-idea-de-la-unam-para-proteger-al-anfibio-mexicano-al-borde-de-la-extincion/

I'm from Mexico City, and he's referring to the custom to go to Xochimilco's canals and rent one or a few "trajineras" (shallow boats) and have a huge party while navigating the canals. In Mexican Spanish, "antro" is very often used to describe nightclubs. I suppose this activity is not very environmentally friendly in terms of trash, noise, etc.

Tell me you've never been to Japan without telling me you've never been to Japan.

It's just the same book divided in two to be more portable.

The Japanese is really bad :(

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

I bought this record immediately after finding it in a record ship in Japan because of this green text. It slaps as promised.