thegoons wrote:
> We have all seen it:
> 
> - three men waving flags on a highway to indicate a lane closure
> 
> - five policemen standing at the pedestrian crossing outside Lumine in
> Shinjuku to direct pedestrians across a street that maybe 1 car in 5 minutes
> uses
> 
> - five security guards directing traffic/pedestrinas at a quiet intersection
> outside JRA betting-hall in Shirahama, Fukushima-ken
> 
> - the seemingly pointless lone flag-waver/whistle-blower directing buses
> into/out of the bus terminal at Nagoya Station
> 
My favorite was the policeman in Himeji directing traffic in the Uomachi 
district in the mornings. Nary a car in sight; probably less than a 
dozen total for the entire morning (he was outside my office window and 
the street was rarely used).

> Is this disguised unemployment on the downturn or still a "necessity" of
> Japan? I am not totally against it, as it keeps people off (living on) the
> streets in a country with such a poor social welfare system.
> 
What about their social welfare system don't you like?

John W.