Questions to Investigate

  1. I overheard a man who was describing his brother's job say that his brother "plays football". The brother sounded interesting, and I was curious as to what kind of football he played; however, not being a participant in the conversation, I was reluctant to ask. What game could this man be playing professionally?

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  2. Japan is a country comprised of many islands, and everyone seems to agree on the names of the four largest islands. What is the name of the fifth largest island? Why is this a tricky question to answer?

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  3. When I was a boy, I read a wonderful report on the leader of Sikkim; however, this country seems to no longer exist. What happened?

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  4. Newspaper articles suggest that there are two types of rugby. Are there? Are there more than two? If there are different types, what are they called, and how do they differ? and why are there more than one type?

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  5. Recently, while browsing a new atlas, I saw the map of a country which I had never noticed before: Belize? What kind of country is this?

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  6. Partly in honor of the late wife of Paul McCartney, a young Japanese couple decides to name their daughter Linda. When they apply for a Japanese passport, however, the passport center insists on spelling the name "RINDA". Why? The couple is not happy about this. What, if anything, can the couple do to overcome their difficulty?

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Previous Questions

  1. Recently, I read that Japan is about to start using plutonium to generate electricity. Where and in what kind of reactor will the plutonium be used? Is this really the first time that plutonium has fueled a nuclear reactor in Japan? What fuel is normally used? Why is Japan switching to plutonium in this case?

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  2. Recently, the United Nations honored a tribal government in Uganda for its efforts to end the traditional practice of female genital cutting, which is sometimes called "female circumcision". What is this, and why is the U.N. concerned about it? Is there a similar concern about the practice of male circumcision? As a U.N. member, what is Japan's position? When and how are circumcisions done in Japan?

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  3. Recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Japan, even though he did not have a passport. What is the law regarding the entry of persons into Japan? When is a passport unnecessary? What documentation, if any, is necessary? What exceptions to rules are permitted? Schwarzenegger arrived in Japan aboard a private plane. If my friends come from Guam on their private yacht to visit me, is there any restriction on where they can land and clear immigration?

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