Slow Bullets - a blogsite by novelist John Rachel

Since leaving America August 2006, I have traveled to sixteen countries. A great deal has happened. I have written three full-length novels, had over thirty short stories and seven poems published, and even composed several songs. In my travels I...

[jdrachel]

We got a real, honest-to-goodness blizzard this past weekend. It brought back memories of my many years in Michigan.

[jdrachel]

My new book, "America's Hijacked Peace Dividend", is arriving February 16th! https://peacedividend.us/coming-soon-americas-hijacked-peace-dividend/

[jdrachel]

We have in Japan what most Americans would call "socialized medicine". Uh-oh! Socialized medicine! That means long waits to get help, crowded waiting rooms, inferior service, all the problems that come with massive bureaucracy. Well, not quite. Here's the truth!

[jdrachel]

Sure, China has done some impressive things. But we Americans know that's the real action is in the good old U S of A!

[jdrachel]

Japanese law has zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol. ZERO! It saves thousands of lives every year.  https://jdrachel.com/2026/01/06/life-in-japan-zero-tolerance/

[jdrachel]

My my how time flies! LIVE FROM JAPAN! was published end of January, 2021. I sent the first shot of love here to the fans of the book June 2023, and again July 5, 2024. On those two occasions, as now, I let everyone know that the adventure continues, as I regularly post articles on new happenings and my evolving perspective on life here as an American expat.

https://jdrachel.com/2025/10/16/live-from-japan-the-journey-continues/

[jdrachel]

A few weeks ago, my wife Masumi and I attended the grand opening of Sasayama Cotton Base, the name of the "presence" here in our Noma Village. I learned what Samurai Jeans is all about! https://jdrachel.com/2025/10/15/life-in-japan-samurai-jeans-revisited/

[jdrachel]

I've finished the interior of the new catio and can report that it has turned out to be a success.

[jdrachel]

Chengdu China: Shopping

What you see here is the reality of the new China, the China of 2025. I predict China will continue to advance and become even more amazing!

What you see here is the reality of the new China, the China of 2025. I predict China will continue to advance and become even more amazing!

[jdrachel]

Happy Halloween Laugh Riot Book Sale! Pricing of my hilarious satirical novels at rock bottom until Halloween. Just because the world is going to Hell in a hand basket doesn’t mean we can’t have some laughs along the way! https://jdrachel.com/2025/09/21/happy-halloween-laugh-riot-book-sale/

[jdrachel]

Chengdu, China is an enormous city, the capital of Sichuan Province, with over 22 million people. There are countless things to do, places to see, sites to explore. But the main reason people from China and all over the world go there is PANDAS! https://jdrachel.com/2025/09/20/chengdu-china-pandas/

[jdrachel]

Chengdu China: Time Machine

My wife Masumi and I just spent a week in Chengdu, China. It was like climbing into a time machine and traveling into the future.

[jdrachel]

My wife Masumi and I attended both nights of this year's Dekansho Festival, here in Tambasasayama, Japan.

[jdrachel]

The Death of Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan’s passing was not just a pop culture icon kicking the bucket at the relatively young age of 71. It was the death of a man of historic importance. It was the death of America’s newest Founding Father!

Hulk Hogan’s passing was not just a pop culture icon kicking the bucket at the relatively young age of 71. It was the death of a man of historic importance. It was the death of America’s newest Founding Father!

[jdrachel]

Life In Japan: City Boy Gardener

For me, every year it's the same. I find it miraculous that you can start with a seed and a few months later end up with a salad, or a delicious bowl of mashed potatoes.

[jdrachel]

Life In Japan: Building a Catio

"Hey Daddio, what's a catio?" Why, a catio is a cat patio. You got that, Pinnochio?

[jdrachel]

(via Life In Japan: Panda Heartbreak | John Rachel) Because they are due to be returned to China in June, we just visited the four pandas living at Adventure World, in Wakayama Prefecture.