“These exercises are typically pointless and futile … but they are de rigueur.”
Regarding the ban on carrying completely harmless items onto a plane, these are typically pointless and futile exercises … but they are de rigueur.
Just like certain rules of Japanese behavior, they must be carried out, for whatever obscure and inane reason.
Then again, the current international ban on carrying any water onto any airplane operated by any airline in any country is also ludicrous. (Image source)
Terrorists hiding … in tiny trees
They actually put up signs alongside the road explaining that the reason for cutting down the trees was to fight terrorism. This seems, conveniently, to have something to do with the Japanese policy of denuding cities of all greenery, and keeping those bothersome plants in forests and parks where they belong.
But, of course –– as my student pointed out, tongue planted firmly in her cheek –– terrorists might have been hiding in those spindly trees. (Image source)
Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats” (right-click on title)
Top 3 Dirty Politicians and Bureaucrats
Top 11 Stars I’ve Been Told that I Look Like
Bottom 8 Stars I’ve Been Told that I Look Like
... and more
Links to my Other Series …
Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability" (right-click on title)
Guide – "Guide to Entries" (right-click on title)
Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections (right-click on title)
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1" (right-click on title)
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2" (right-click on title)
Images sourced from Google Images, unless otherwise indicated or unless my own.