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FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
Mon Jun 17, 2013, 08:56 PM Jun 2013

Japan fears losing battle of buffets against China

Belt-tightening in Japan’s diplomatic service is cutting the quality of canapés on offer abroad, the Foreign Ministry has said, leading to fears Tokyo is losing the battle of the buffets to Beijing.

Diplomats in Tokyo say China appears to be ramping up its spending on its missions while Japanese diplomats are being forced to scrimp, the ministry said. Allowances for embassy bashes have dropped 40 percent over the last decade, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told a parliamentary committee earlier this month.

Foreign guests invited to mark occasions such as the Emperor’s birthday have noted the second-rate sake and substandard snacks, Kishida said. One diplomat reportedly complained the Middle East mission where he worked had been unable to afford to serve the popular shrimp tempura, and this had turned off invitees.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/japan-fears-losing-battle-of-buffets-against-china.aspx

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Japan fears losing battle of buffets against China (Original Post) FarCenter Jun 2013 OP
neither of them can win that against us hfojvt Jun 2013 #1
I wonder how the foreign guests can tell "second-rate" sake from "first-rate" sake? Art_from_Ark Jun 2013 #2
LOL Box O' Sake! cherokeeprogressive Jun 2013 #3
I don't know if Rakuten ships overseas, but if they do, Art_from_Ark Jun 2013 #4
And then there are the convenient 180ml packs Art_from_Ark Jun 2013 #7
Reaching for the one on the left! n/t cherokeeprogressive Jun 2013 #8
Ah, "Oni-goroshi" sake Art_from_Ark Jun 2013 #9
When will descend to Top Ramen? longship Jun 2013 #5
Top Ramen is an American brand Art_from_Ark Jun 2013 #6

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
2. I wonder how the foreign guests can tell "second-rate" sake from "first-rate" sake?
Mon Jun 17, 2013, 09:01 PM
Jun 2013

Is the "second-rate" sake the stuff that comes in a carton instead of a bottle?

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
7. And then there are the convenient 180ml packs
Mon Jun 17, 2013, 11:36 PM
Jun 2013

Sold for around 100 yen ($1) each in most Japanese grocery stores

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
9. Ah, "Oni-goroshi" sake
Mon Jun 17, 2013, 11:56 PM
Jun 2013

Last edited Tue Jun 18, 2013, 12:27 AM - Edit history (1)

Literally, "demon killer". I wonder what sort of demons that kills

On edit: The reviewer of "Oni-goroshi" wrote it was "mazui", or "yucky", because it was "too sweet". "Just the kind of low-grade sake you'd expect to find at a sleazy bar"

http://f.hatena.ne.jp/congiro/20111026105549

longship

(40,416 posts)
5. When will descend to Top Ramen?
Mon Jun 17, 2013, 09:19 PM
Jun 2013

10 cents a package.

Your choice of flavors:
*Chicken
*Beef
*Shrimp (my fave)
*there are no other flavors

Drop a raw egg in and mix for egg drop Top Ramen. Yummy three minute breakfast. Toast on the side.

Ramen diplomacy is next.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
6. Top Ramen is an American brand
Mon Jun 17, 2013, 09:57 PM
Jun 2013

A comparable Japanese brand would be a store house brand. And even then, the cheapest store brand ramen is about $2.00 for a bag of 5. The usual flavors are soy sauce and miso.

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