Made in Bangladesh

This is my pass case which I bought in Tokyo today. This was made in Bangladesh. The price is around 20 dollars.

This product was sold by Motherhouse, a Japanese company. The president is a young lady who wants to build up a certain level of brand from developing country like Bangladesh. When you buy the products, it means your money can support Bangladesh's economy.

I met her a couple of years ago, and sometimes receive email information on this company's activity. Some media have introduced Motherhouse and it is getting to be famous.

I went to its shop with my friends finally today. I keep thinking to buy something and want to contribute in some way so far, and the shop was very nice design and good atmosphere.

This case was made of leather in Bangladesh. The company has its own factory there, and hires many local people. Providing the place to work will lead self-dependence style in economy.

I am not sure in detail, but I have sometimes heard a story that giving money to governments tends to lead to corruption. This business style shows another way to assist developing countries' economy.

Today I bought one, and I will start thinking of Bangladesh much more when I use this case.

Do you want to experience earthquake?

Recently, I read one article which introduced a story on foreign travellers' expectation in Japan. As you may know, the Japanese government set one campaign, "Visit Japan" to the world. Many people have come to Japan, and according to this article, many travellers say they want to experience earthquake. It tells their impression toward Japan.

People want to see some different points when they come to Japan. It is natural, I think. But of course, earthquake causes sad things, and it is not fun at all. I talked this topic with friends today, and one of my friends who works for a media company told me that some foreign media still request to deliver unique stories... they do not care the Japanese politics or policies, but some "different" things compared with the US or UK culture.

Samurai, geisha, sushi... I say, these are actually some aspects of Japanese culture. I wish it would be so nice if people want to experience Japanese unique hospitality and kindness.

Public Diplomacy

The market went turbulence on last Friday. The reason was the US congress situation which could not pass the automakers bailout plan. The people in the market said they were afraid of the future of the US economy.

The White House announced the statement to consider the options to bailout the automakers with using the TARP program. I can reach this information through media, and of course, the website. The White House provides much information including this statement and dialog with Press and Press Secretary. It is the transparent process for us to understand what kind of discussion was held there, and I think it is good. But at the same time, I am thinking we should not satisfied with much information it provides... not enough to understand why it is so slow to avoid the confusion.

Year End and New Year Plan

According to JTB survey, the number of people who plan to go abroad at the end of this year, 4.6% decreased compared with the last year data. The yen has become stronger than the US dollar or the Euro, so it is good to go abroad... but I need to work until the end of December this year. And the data shows how people suffer from this economic recession.

Thinking of the world will lead me something new discovery, and that is the most attractive point. I can learn I am not the one who can be satisfied with the current self through travelling.

Need to set my own goal

Working for an organisation sometimes provides me tough challenge. It is sometimes hard to overcome. To be honest, I am feeling that way now. I need to set myself calm down, and take in deep consideration about my future and dream. What kind of a man I want to be? What do I want to do in a short and long run?

I know I am not alone, but sometimes I need to make my own decision by myself... no one can do it for me. I need to face with tough situation.

With feeling my anxiety, I watched sports on TV yesterday and today. Those give me some energy to keep on going. I am now feeling I will be able to stay calm as usual, and not to care of what others will say.

Has anything begun to change?

The incident in Thailand, and the tense in India... these things show the aspect of the world. Has anything begun to change? For which direction? This weblog title is "feel the globe" and I want to feel it through good events and news.

For Precise Understanding

I begin to think of the relationship between precise understanding and taking some rest. It is actually difficult to understand what is going on in world economy. Today, dollar was sold per yen and euro. The stock declined about 1%. The FRB announced its new policy yesterday, and some people said it showed how serious the economy is, and others said it would be good to do something substantial. What kind of things do the investors care?

In order to understand everything in a short time, I need to concentrate. And it is necessary to take enough sleep to concentrate. Enough rests provides peace mind... I tend to be short-tempered recently and it may be a sign to warn unbalance of my mind.

3 days holidays

In Japan, it was a short vacation from Saturday to today. I have been able to take rests for all days. I have tried to sleep as much as I can to save my energy for this week.

It is getting to be cold these days. I imagine how cold Leeds is now... it may be colder than here.

Murders and wrong doings go around in the news media. The investors seem to worry about the Citi Group's situation, and the government announced its support plans. What about the Big 3? Concerns will be barrier for the stock market, I suppose.

The Summit

The Summit on Financial Market was closed in Washington. People say it is G-20 conference. I was a little surprised to see the way of organisation to the press. I can see the symbol mark and the meeting place's walls were covered with the sophisticated design. I am wondering who coordinated this. Which company, and who managed everything?

I remember that I have learned a concept "public diplomacy". It might be a good chance to show the US's power in terms of leadership among countries. I would say, the summit was a kind of "stage" to perform or promote the US as a leader.

If you go to the website of the White House, you can see much information on this summit such as Bush's speech and other statements. They provide so many things including videos, and I am not sure it is actually useful or meaningful. We have to take in consideration that this flow is just from one side. This is not the two-way communication.

Health

Recently, I always think of importance of being healthy. I sometimes feel strong headache, and start thinking possibility to have a bad disease. I need some holidays to be away from works, but it is actually hard. There is some pressure not to take them.

A Japanese magazine editor opened a hotel in Kenya almost 15 years ago. The hotel provides so-called western culture including cuisine, but it is not a bad thing. People can visit Kenya and spend much money there which gives wealthy to people. I heard this story almost one month ago, and in the time like I spent these days, I just dream that I could go there to feel the nature there.
http://www.mpata.com/index.html

I was invited friend's house to have dinner. It was good to talk about leadership, management, and future technology to protect the earth. I want to put myself in good conversation, simply.

1 Year Anniversary

One year has passed since I opened this weblog. Time flies so fast and I have tried to keep writing my thoughts in many areas of communication. I will continue to pick up interesting news topics and personal point of view on them.

The latest market trends show how the world connects each other. One country cannot solve this fear of markets. That is the way of economy and world.

The Market Turbulence Still Goes On...

Today was another tough day for the market. The stocks declined as same as the level of 26 years ago, 1982. I was a elementary school boy at that time. The investors suffer from this sharp decline so that they seem to hesitate to restart investing other stocks.

I got an email from my friend who lives in Iceland. It is simply good to have friends all over the world because I can understand many things through their insight. Feel close.

I learned that Iceland had been in trouble with British for a few days. The world seems to change in many stages. The relationship with Russia stimulate the situation between Iceland and British, I think. Somebody tries to end the system which we deserve at this moment, and make another one which allows to change the players in world politics.

Stand for the Weak

This week was very tough for me. There were a tons of work to be done within short time, and I needed to research many things related to the stock market. I have once checked the Wall Street Journal, but the terms were difficult enough to translate into easy Japanese.

The Japanese stocks declined sharply today. In a sense, the turbulence generally stimulates the journalists' minds. We can see something new when we face with the unusual things. But today, I have been feeling unhappy because I am thinking of an old lady who purchased stocks with her money savings to use for the rest of her life.

I saw a news program which she was introduced. She seemed unfamiliar with the market. I can guess that the security company just sold some products to her without enough explanation on risks. She said she got so disappointed with recent market movement. It has been secret among family members about this loss.

I am now thinking of the journalism concept, stand for the weak. I just tend to follow what happens in front of me. It takes time to find and understand the weak's voice, but it does not mean it is okay not to do it. I think this is the time to use my imagination in my work.

Thinking of Africa

I joined a symposium on global issues and Africa held in Tokyo on Saturday. I could listen to the speech by Dr. John Hamre, the CEO of CSIS and other intelligent people. The United States seems to have its own strategy in terms of the use of military, morality, and financial business. In addition to the things which Dr. John mentioned, I would say, its attitude toward the environmental issues including foods has not been good. The US seems to get off a position to commit many things as a leader in the world and try to focus on its own direct and short-term interest. The question is, who will design the world? Who will try to perform as a leader?

And I had a chance to listen to Mr. Emile Rwamasirabo, an Ambassador of Rwanda. He said we must know Africa's history to take in consideration today's Africa. I say I am not familiar with what Japanese government has done to support these countries, and the current situation among these. I could learn that they have thought to have a common currency among some African countries. It seems the visions and thoughts of the Western ways have spread there.

Coincidentally, in the midnight, I could watch a movie, Hotel Rwanda. In the genocide, radio had played a role to cause the situation worse. The movie describes how easy people tend to flow the trends, and the importance for people to stand up to difficulties with using their own experience and intelligence. It also describes the strength of love for families, and indifference of developed countries. The people were waiting for the help from the West.

In 1994, I had already started my career. I was concentrated on my problems only. But now, I have learned and can use my imagination with thinking of my African friends lives.

Leeds Alumni Meeting in Tokyo

I had worked for more than 12hours and I thought I should skip today's Leeds Alumni Meeting in Tokyo to save my energy for tomorrow. I need to wake up about 5 hours later now but I want to say it was good to meet people who are related to Leeds in some way. I know some people I have met in Leeds and I could talk to some business people sharing each experiences in Leeds. I felt time flied. I was planning to be there for 30 minutes but I was there for 1 hour and half.

A Couple of Days Off

From last Saturday to today, I took holidays. It was nice to take much sleep and could feel relaxed. Good to be away from job circumstance physically. No pressure, no complaints. I was planning to go to a movie house but I preferred to stay at home. Reading some articles to settle my brain and mind, trying to clean my room, and chat with my parents.

I started to study some foreign languages again, and it is interesting. I have some foreign friends and it is very lucky. I learned some sentences in German, Malay, and French as follows:

Guten Tag! Boleh saya ambil gambar? Pardon?

Knowing the new things restricts me not to be proud of myself too much.

Mission

The Tokyo Market felled sharply again yesterday. The Nikkei 225 Index declined 11% during the hours for buying and selling. I was in charge of reporting it yesterday and so hard to catch up every second. Tried to make no mistake, and tried to show the points of things we need to take in consideration and to understand. As a professional writer, of course, readers does not want to hear any excuses and heartache and I know it, I need to be sensitive to news and accurateness.

TV Asahi, one of the Japanese TV broadcasting company has some news programs in a day. One reported a Japanese life insurance company's failure yesterday, but they misunderstood the name. Why did it happen?

I am thinking of professionalism recently. If you think of your work as just a job for living, it may be difficult to devote your energies. In other words, it is a matter of having a mission in your life.

Reflection

At the end of the day, I cannot remember well what I did in the morning. It seems important for me to look back.

For example, today I woke up at 5:50 am. And left for my company at 6:10 and I missed the train arrived at my station at 6:14. I was listening to a radio to check the New York market. On my way to go to my company, I read a newspaper. I arrived my company at 7:09.

In the morning, I tried to figure out what happened in the US market with eating a cheese cake which was really sweet. It is actually heavy as my breakfast so I did not feel comfortable today's morning. Well, my editor asked me to write one article of analyst's comment on today's Tokyo stock market.

In noon, I went to one Japanese security company to take a short lecture on recent turbulence.
To be honest, I needed to fight the devil which try to make me sleep.

After that, I came back to my desk to understand what to do next. I decided to join one press conference and wrote one feature story within 90 minutes. I finished all works for today at 19:30. I came back to my house at 21:20.

Now it is 23:20. I need to wake up 4:30am tomorrow. I need to learn some tactic to make myself healthy.

Sharp decline again in Tokyo Stock Market

Today's Nikkei 225 index sharply declined about 9% in a day and it is the 3rd worst in history. They say investors are afraid of having volatile assets such as stocks, commodities, high rate country's currencies, and so on. They can just rely on cash which is considered as safe asset. Anyway, I kept watching the movement today and wrote 14 article from 9am to 6pm. I could feel the countries have strong relationship in terms of economy.

Tokyo Stock Decline again

Today is Monday, and the Tokyo stock market was just reflection of the US market last Friday. The main index, Nikkei 225 went down more than 4%. So tired to search the reason why it happened. Pessimism toward the US and Europe financial situation.

Historical Decline in the US market

On Sep. 29th, the Dow fell down sharply and it was worst record in the history. I was worried about today's Tokyo market reaction. I can see the connection between Japanese markets and the US. Today, the Nikkei 225 declined about 4%, and the investors keep distance until the bailout bill will be passed and accomplished.

Today I reported the foreign exchange market in a whole day from 6am to 6pm with sitting my chair for almost 12 hours and writing 11 articles. Hard to find out what is happening, and the reasons of its movement. Simply, so tired and feel headache.

A review: 24 season 6

I have been thinking of movie business, especially the Hollywood movie industry. It entertains us in many ways. At the same time, I have begun to think of its political role in the global level. I had watched the series of 24 season 6 by DVD set. It begins with a logo of Fox Home Entertainment. When we hear the name of Fox, we can imagine the guy, Rupert Murdoch.

This season, the image of stories is dark. And I must say about my feeling toward the nuclear weapon. I understand this is an entertainment, but I can't help thinking of unrealistic atmosphere which will have a certain level of social impact to people.

Very excited and thrilled. These are the attractive points of 24, but I feel it is too much to show the killing scenes.

Formula One in the Night of Singapore

I have just watched the Formula One in Singapore. The circuit is the street of normal roads located in the center of Singapore. The first time I heard about this project, it sounded very unrealistic and dangerous. However, I saw on TV, and it seemed well-organised and good opportunity to let people know how Singapore managed this kind of big project.

Sleepy holiday

Today is a national holiday and I slept for 12 hours... and still sleepy. Being away from news makes me comfortable, but begin to feel I need to catch up after one moment. I hope the crisis will change something related to greed, and just turn to normal.

I finished watching the American TV drama "24 season 6". I will talk about it later. This may be another reason why I got tired.

Economic Turbulence

The last week will be a historical one. The news coming out of Japan have affected very much and the turbulence seems to continue. Who created this, and who has this responsibility? In democracy, people can show their feeling and opinion through voting, but what about the things related economy? Is it good to let the market move or is it necessary to have some "control" to keep stability?

When I look at Japanese media reports, I can see many articles which quoted the other news media's stories. According to the Financial Times, according to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times reported... does this happen because of lack of journalists' ability?

People want to know what happens now and the reasons as well. The movements which come out are so many and change rapidly. I understand journalists may feel hard to catch up and analyse them.

Many bloggers already put their insights on each event. If we want to know what these events mean, we can have option to think of. I personally feel that journalists need balance between knowledge and simple questions like why and what will be next.

Thinking of Love

I have been thinking of love recently. I can feel many kinds of love from parents, friends... and start feeling how much I can give my love to them in return. And thinking of meaning of love.

Sounds innocent and naive a little, but I want to tell about my vision of love so far. I have been thinking everybody is weak enough to rely on love with wanting love from others. Contradiction. I am not good at some sort of psychological game between someone and me in love relationship and think it is selfish and ugly to get involved. But now, I can feel I have changed slowly to see love.

Love is more easy for people and natural. If you get a partner, you can feel brave in any circumstance, and that's what people say. And to understand and know love, people will change the way of thinking and living. More kind to others.

Lehman Brothers

When I looked at today's major Japanese newspapers morning edition, I could not find the detailed articles on Lehman Brothers. It announced about its financial report on quarter basis and its restructuring policies last night (Tokyo Time). I was not sure what was the point of Lehman's problems and there was no answer on papers...

I am wondering if economy and business issues are important to everybody's life but the way of presentation through media tends to be small or just reported simply without any deep analysis. Is it too technical? Yes, I think so but it is necessary to take it back to people's brain to understand what happens. That would be one of the important role for media.

My Grandfather

Today was a kind of special day... in 1987, my grandfather passed away in the night of September 9th to 10th. He ate dinner with us and I remember he and I talked about Shakespeare. He tried to explain about the story but I said "oh please stop saying the end because I am still reading it". After chatting with him, I started to read Shakespeare, and my
grandfather took his bath. I was feeling very thirsty but the book was almost finished. I was thinking of the scene which I finished it and talked to him about it.

My mother said "I am just wondering why he is taking so long time to take a bath today" and went to the bath room and suddenly I heard a loudly voice of my mother. She needed some help because she found my father laid in the bath room.

After his death, I swear to myself that I would strive to study as much as I can. In addition to it, I decided to encourage my grandmother who would be lonely without my grandfather, and I tried to cheer up.

Time flies so fast and when I look back the day, I feel it is like yesterday. At the same time, I can feel accumulation of my days since then. I really want to keep my great memories with my grandfather who gave me my first diary book and taught me the importance of writing it.

Thunder and Rain

I went to a barber this afternoon and it took for almost an hour. After my haircut, I felt thirsty and bought a package of vegetable juice. Then on my way to home, I found the rental shop of CD and DVD and took around for 30 minutes or so.

When I got out from the shop, I noticed that the sky was getting too dark. And suddenly it started raining very hard with thunder. The amount of rain was so much and I thought it was like the Southeast Asia... 10 years ago, I went to Malaysia for a short visit and I experienced this type of rain.

I am afraid of thinking that this phenomena is because of global warming. I have tried to take some thunder photos but they are not clear.

A sudden resignation... Fukuda

Japanese prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda announced his resignation tonight suddenly. He said this was a good timing to announce his resignation as the Diet had closed yet. A year ago, Shinzo Abe suddenly announced his resignation because of his illness. Fukuda denied the sickness as a reason of resignation. One big reason was the opposition party which has shut down its window to discuss about the future of Japan with the ruling party.

I feel empty to see his press conference on TV. He shows his high pride, and the way of his talk was just like other people's affairs. His action will affect everybody's life, but he seemed he almost said "I do not care what you feel... I want to drop out of this game".

I know that politics is a kind of psychological game. It requires politicians to be tough, and I can see Fukuda's weakness in tough situation. No passion to break through the wall between the ruling party and opposition party. Did he appeal his frustration to public with his words? No. He seemed not to believe in the power of words. He just follows his aesthetic which everybody cannot follow.

What kind of action do we take along with the concept, taking one's responsibility in this circumstance? What is the leadership? Fukuda has stayed as a prime minister for only a year.

Beijing Olympic 2008: Closing

The Beijing Olympic Games has now closed. Japan got 25 medals including 9 gold medals. Through athletes efforts, I could learn to have strong will to pursue my way in everything. Those athletes who got the gold medals are great to manage their anxiety and puzzlement to the difference in terms of atmosphere and the interpretation of rules.

Well, I always check the medal counts, and I find the difference to show the results among media.

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml

This is the official website to show the results of medal standings. The order is based on the number of the gold medals and China is the No.1 this time. However, when you got to the website like The New York Times or the Yahoo. com, you can see difference a little.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/08/04/sports/olympics/20080804_MEDALCOUNT_MAP.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/medals

It looks like the United States of America is the No.1... yes in terms of the total medal numbers which they have got.

I guess the Japan team did well in general, and I remember that Japan built the national training center in Tokyo a couple of years ago. It seems for the Olympic athletes only. Based on the mixture between the experiences of many athletes and nutritional science or the latest study of human being.

http://www.jiss.naash.go.jp/english/index.html

Anyway I want to appreciate the great performance of athletes from all over the world.

Beijing Olympic 2008: Softball

Japan finally gets the gold medal in softball game of Beijing Olympic 2008. Ueno threw each ball with sincere manner. Each player has been striving to get the gold medal, and since 1996, the Japanese team had missed it.

This web explains the game with deep description.

http://olympics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/coming-soon-gold-medal-softball-usa-vs-japan/


They have their own goal, and they have practiced. Maybe, I can learn their spirits for my daily life. Set my goal, and strive to achieve it. Good to watch their game on TV.

Unforgettable Meeting

I sometimes feel sick to think of working for an organisation. If I were an independent freelance-based person, I can manage everything under my decision, and it would be easy to take my responsibility. At the same time, I have to admit power of organisation to make myself grow mentally, and it gives me many chances which I cannot get as an independent person.

Many irrational things have attacked me and I have been thinking of the meaning of working. Why am I working for a media organisation? The best answer will be "it is for people who need information", but when I look at my mind without any feelings, I can see one answer, "it is for myself to learn society". It sounds selfish, and it is true that it is no good if this answer is only one that I have. It seems important for me to understand that I have the answer in my mind.

Today, when I finished almost all of my works at my office, I suddenly remember one person. I met him in 1996, and he was a doctor who had been tried to set up his new business with using the Internet. I was an interviewer, and he was my interviewee. The interview was held in the summer of 96 in Orange County, the United States. That was a part of my first business trip to abroad, and I already got much pressure from the editor to collect interesting stories there.

I entered his name on the Google and I could reach one website. When I accessed it, I got shocked to see the words about him... "In Memoriam", "The Passing"...

At that time, I was so young as an interviewer and late for the time to meet. He was smiling, and praised my English. He said he loved sushi, and I really remember he treated sushi with his son after my interview.

To be honest, I was eager to get reputation in my organisation with interesting stories or say, scoops. I asked many questions and he answered each with his sincere manner. At the restaurant, he said "you show me your professionalism during the interview". I did not expect the words like that and I was really glad to hear that. His words have been supported me many times when I got lost in my work since then. I was expecting to meet him again, and to report his business.

He established the website "Medicine Net". He used the Internet to help patients and their families, friends, and many people with his network, knowledge, and experience.

Thank you very much, Dr. Dennis Lee. I did not know you had already passed away, and I am very sorry for it. I really appreciate your kindness and what you gave me... hope and encouragement.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=88631

Building peace

Peace Village International is the place for children who suffer from hurts and disease caused by war. It is located in Germany and I have known this facility through a Japanese program almost 10 years ago. I donated some money once but recently forgot it in my daily life.

http://www.friedensdorf.de/welcome.html

Tonight, I saw the program which reported the latest situation of the Village and reminds me of the importance to build peace among people all over the world. Many children are still hurt by war and according to the program, the number of children who suffer from disease caused by unknown things is increasing, including cancer.

I just visited Southeast Asia to see my cousin and nephew who are one year old. They are innocent and curious to everything. And they are free and pure to express their feeling. The situation which children can laugh without worrying anything is peace. Watching babies creates peace of my mind, and I have noticed it since they were born last year.


When we get old, we may be required to take care of not only ourselves but also others as well. That might be a way to take our responsibility.

I am now in an East Asian country

Right now I am taking my summer vacation only for 9 days... and now I am in eastern region of Asia. Good to be away from my country, because it gives me different stimulation no matter what I feel. Culture, custom, the way of service, language... I will enjoy my days here.

July will be finished soon...

July is my "birth month" and I swear to myself that I would write one thing on this site everyday at least this month as a kind of celebration. Now, here comes the end of July and this is the 31st post this month.

In fact, I feel I could write more carefully if I have more time to consider. But it was my priority of this month that I should "record" what I feel on everyday basis. You might feel the wave of my mind when you read from the start to the end of this month.

I am going to write many things from now on including interesting news topics and personal reviews on society and culture.

Learning French

I have started to learn French by myself by watching French conversation program. Today's lesson is the situation in trouble. J'ai mal (Ouch), is a today's expression. Because I was busy these days so I was away from this program for almost two months (I recorded on videos though). The speed of the program seems faster than before... need practice more, I think.

You are what you eat

My television in my room works weird recently. When I turn on, it is suddenly turned off. Many times I try but the situation is the same. So now I am watching TV by my mobile phone. It is actually good to have TV on phone. I can use my time efficiently during I get on my train.

Right now, I watch an English conversation program. It introduces one sentence: You are what you eat. The teacher on the show tells us that this sentence means to be careful of foods to take.

I got weight after coming back to Japan... just looking at my stomach when I hear the explanation... feels like I am just my life style. My body seems to reflect what I have eaten and how long I train myself mentally and physically.

Early morning

I just went to the office at 6am this morning. Tokyo was still calm but morning sunshine created good atmosphere. I felt summer in that scene. Few people just walked in the street and the signals were turned off.

I wrote 11 articles today from 7am to 5pm and collected my colleagues to organise a meeting for 20 minutes and made some plans to write for this week. Felt tired even though today is just the beginning of this week.

Ready For Summer Vacation

I am now planing for my summer vacation. It will start this Saturday... yes too late for preparation.
Anyway, I just checked the railway company's website to check the availability of trains. In order to check it, I was required to be a membership of their web services. Then I became a member.

Put the station names and wait for results... it said this checking service is not 24 hours one so please check during 5am to 10:30pm. And it also said some trains were not available to check through the Internet. Hmm... inconvenient at all.

I need to wake up 4:30 am tomorrow and the day after tomorrow... a tough week will start. We'll see, what will happen.

Corporate Communication

I went to my friends' home party last night. I stayed there for about 5 hours with eating and chatting. There are a few foreigners more than Japanese, so everybody speaks English. During the party, I was thinking of the topics which were talked. I tend to talk about jobs, but everybody has a variety of topics such as hobbies, the unique aspects of Japanese culture for them, summer plan...

Conversation in different language takes a little time for me. I need some translation time when I reply or join the continuous conversation. It was fun, but at the same time, I felt I needed to brush up my English.

Anyway, some were saying the short sleeve shirts (business shirts） were out of fashionable. A woman said "I understand it feels cool during the hot day, but please stop to wear... it's for middle aged men who has no sense of fashion". Hmm... I have three or four short sleeve shirts and I go to my office. I think some have really nice colour and design.

In addition, another person said "in my culture, no one put pens in the pocket of business shirts".
It may be pathetic but very useful during business hours. Hmm... it seems difficult to be fashionable.

A Survey

The Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan announced its survey on Japanese communication yesterday (on 24th). It shows a certain aspect of Japanese.

One question was like this: How do you respond when you are talked by a foreigner?
The answer like "I will respond in Japanese" was 51.8%. The same answer in 2001 was 43.6%.

Another question was as follows: What do you think foreigners who live in Japan should use Japanese in communication with Japanese?
The answer like "It is better for them to use Japanese" was 78.8%.

The article on one Japanese economic daily reported with words that most of Japanese seemed to hesitate to communicate foreigners with other languages.

I personally think that this survey is reflection of Japanese minds... not open to others, but just be interested in their own world. Japan is one of the wealthy countries in the world and most of them can stay there without moving out for searching better situation to live. In a sense, they do not know the reality of the world. In this earth, of course, many people who are different in terms of skin colour, minds, religion, custom, and the like, live together, but if their mind is not open to others, they tend to forget the fact. According to this survey, I am afraid to say that Japanese seems to forget it.

Working for a media company

BBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Thomson Reuters, The Financial Times... each media company has trust between viewers and readers and the companies. And the journalists who works for those companies are easy to access to news sources with saying their companies' names. Because of the trust, those journalists has special advantages compared with citizen journalists, especially here in Japan.

But now, because of the growth of new media such as web, the power of viewers and readers is increasing. If they want to learn something on a certain issue, they can go to the Google site and collect information on it. They can compare much information, and they can train themselves to get the ability to judge what the point is on it. Many experts have their own weblog, so people can learn and sometimes ask questions to those experts directly through the Internet.

Brand has a strong and influential power. Including me, journalists must thank the elder generation to raise the brand. The viewers and readers already know that current journalists working for famous news media companies are kinds of free-riders in a sense.

The Internet websites are generally free service to provide information. On the other hand, many media especially newspapers are not free service. Competition grows so fast, and what I should do for my future? This question stays in my heart recently.

For Happiness

I think people need somebody who can share their own visions, thoughts, and opinions. Family, friends, teachers, bosses and whoever can be the ones. But when I hear the news on murder here in Japan, the criminals tend to say they feel isolated. I am not sure it is because of the nature of current days. They say those who cannot communicate with others is increasing.

When I get stressed out, I talk to my friends and family about it. I can take another type of opinions through communication and I believe it will change my way of thinking. It is sometimes tough process because it is not always that my opinion are agreed by them. It may take time to understand each other. But when it comes to the question as "what is the happiness for people?", I would answer that having people who always admit and understand the one.

In Reality

There are some people who do not like to work as a journalist even though they chose it as their work. Many people may not believe this fact, but there are actually some. I am in the position to let them work but sometimes feel my limitation. It is up to themselves to make a change and they need to understand it is a matter of themselves by their own efforts.

I know a guy who was eager to be a journalist and had tried to take entrance examination of many newspaper companies. He failed many times but I am sure he still has his own dream to write something by himself. He might say he could not believe those people who do not work as a journalist at news media companies actually exist.

Today was a national holiday

Today was a national holiday to celebrate oceans... what we call "Umi (oceans) no (of) hi (day)". It is good to have another holiday after Sunday. I could forget my job totally and have tried to clean my room. It was hard to keep things tidy up in my hot room. I have many books and magazines and need to throw away... but tend to read them with sentimental feeling like "this would be a historical entity for me to remind me of the time".

Anyway, I can feel relaxed today.

My Friend Introduces Me This Video

My friend recommended me to watch this video. I think this guy actually feels the globe. It is amazing to create this type of a video from zero basis. I am just wondering if Japanese can have this type of sense of humour. I think of myself and yes, it seems good to let myself free to act like him...sometimes.

All Night Karaoke

The long run for writing this weblog everyday is now stopped because I sang many songs at a karaoke place with my friends. We kept singing almost 80s such as Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Footloose main theme song, Journey, Asia, The Jets, Billy Joel, and more.

When we sang Nirvana, we were shaking our head with screaming no meaningful things, and when we sang the Footloose, we jumped and twisted. It was simply fun.

Press Conference

I think a press conference is a stage for psychological game. The one seems to try to explain with sincere feeling, but I know that will be a fake, and journalists need to be careful and cautious of the one's every little action. In addition, journalists need to control of what he or she feels during the press conference. Sometimes need to get angry, and sometimes tend to get nervous.

I joined one tonight, and asked a couple of questions. There was a silence during I said my question, and it was natural. But I could feel my heartbeat... even I am not a freshman in this job.

News Program on TV, Does It Need To Be Entertainment?

It is about 5am here in Japan when the US stock market closes in its summer time season. I am living Japan, so it is limited to get information of what has happened in the US market which has big and influential power to the Japanese market. Website, news flow through electric media, and TV are the main tools for me to get information quickly.

From 5:45, a program on economy starts from Monday to Friday. I watch this almost everyday, but I feel frustrated actually. The TV anchor does not seem to be interested what she reports at all. For example, there is a part of live report from New York, and the reporter just tells the results of the markets of stocks, oils, bonds and the like. The most important information is the reasons of the movements: why the oil future price climbed up today, or why the financial sector declined only in the stock market. But if the anchor does not care those points, of course, she or he cannot report or explain at all.

Unfortunately, in the program, they never show their insight on market movement in general. And I am also annoyed of the section in the program which the caster in New York tells on the US newspapers' topics. I need the information just related to economy, but she explains the entertainment news in detail... I like the Showbiz in general but not in the morning when I prepare for the day's work. The other day, the US financial situation was worried because of the concern on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, she mentioned about the scandal of Madonna and a baseball player.

The program is on economy, and I am sure the most of viewer is just people who are interested in economy. Why she had to introduces the scandal? Because of ignorance? Or laziness? News as an entertainment?

The word, viewers includes a variety of people. I can feel an assumption that most people are not interested in hard and technical news but like sports, entertainment and weather. The hard news such as politics or economic policies sometimes invite strong reaction, and it seems that TV anchors are intimidating to talk in depth without their deep knowledge. But it is hard for me to say this is not journalism, sad to say.

Everyday Is A Trial

It seems a trial for me to go back home by a crowded train after working everyday. I am always tired and want to sit down on a chair with taking some sleep to get rested, but it is difficult. Now it is getting hot and I need to stand closely with unknown people. Yes, I can feel others' hot body and that makes me tired and annoyed.

In that circumstance, it is actually hard to be kind to others. Tend to be hostile to others. But now, be at home and reflecting myself, and a question comes up in my mind: Why did I get angry so easily now? Because of work? Because of lack of sleep? Because of living Japan?

It is easy to express my own feeling in any circumstance, but it might be a trial to control the feeling. I can see many people who do not have a sense of manner... do I have to show my frustration or no need to say anything? The environment gives me many agendas on communication with others.

One Favorite Song

I understand that there is at least one song which everyone cannot forget. I like songs in general, and suddenly some songs come up in my mind. The recent one is "Not Even Blinking".

This song was released here in Japan almost 10 years ago, written and sung by Miyuki Nakajima. So the lyrics is in Japanese. But the singer, Miyuki set the English translation in her CDs. I know some nuance might be different from the original, but I would like to introduce some parts.

It's such a modest life, similar to mine
It's such a humble life, could it have been yours
As you go along the way
Don't you see such people

As our eyes blink life goes by so fast
Stars flicker brightly and disappear,
As we do
Life is so precious
Not even blinking, not even breathing
We seek others
Because our time is so short

Get The Talented People

According to Asahi, one of the Japanese newspaper, many countries have started to collect those who have special ability in a certain area. Human resource is considered as one of the national power, that's what it means I think.

The article mentions about the UK system: they set the point system. For example, if you have a PhD, you can get 50 score, then if you are young enough under 28, you can get the score of 20, and the like. It says, if you can get 95 or more than that, you will be free to get any jobs without regulations. In Singapore, entrepreneurs and investors who continue to put money into the country, they will get the right to live there forever. Germany and France also have some criteria to make them cheerful in terms of human resources for the countries.

It says, the competition has started to get the intelligence in the world. Simply, it is necessary for them to come to a country, people need to be open or accept the diversity in some level. In Japan, the number of people will decrease more in near future. The aging society has started here and the birth rate has been low for a couple of years. And the number of being a single is increasing.

Personally it will be good for me to have many talented people here... it will give us the chance to open our eyes to the new world through them.

To Welcome Grandparents

Today, we welcome our grandparents in traditional way. The grandparents already died, but we believe they come back during Bon period. I think the Bon comes from philosophy of Buddhism. During the Bon, the soul of people who died already come back to their home.

Two little models of horses were put in front of our house, and Father set some fire woods with fire. I had a kind of bell, and Mother had some incense sticks.

I am not so religious but felt good to have this opportunity. We believe they, I mean our grandparents will stay a couple of days here.

Haircut

I had a haircut this evening. I went to a barber where my father always goes. The barber is a tiny place run by a family. When I went there, all three chairs were full so I need to wait for a while. The hair cutters are the family: father, mother and their son. I maybe look young, so my cutter has been the son when I go there. But today was the father who was very good at cutting. Professional.

He moved around me many times with checking the length of each hair was settled. During I was on the chair, two more gentlemen came into the shop. It seemed popular, I think. It was around 7pm on Saturday.

It is okay for me to cut my hair at sophisticated and trendy place, but it is also good to be in a homelike atmosphere.

My Birthday

July 11th is my birthday. I work from 6am to 8pm today... and my lunch was just a cup noodle. Today's Tokyo stock market movement was strange. I mean, it moved so volatile. I finally said to my boss "today is my birthday, and I am really sad to have a cup noodle as birthday's lunch".
Then he replies to me with saying "okay, if you are free tonight, I will treat a glass of wine".

So we just went to a small and cozy restaurant and grabbed a couple of glass wine. I ordered red wine, but they brought white... it is okay. Anyway, it seems that everybody gets frustrated at my workplace including this guy. So we just talked about only job things... typical Japanese business people's chat!

Anyway, I got tired because of long work time. I have tried to catch a series of information about what has happened whole day, and also I have taken care of my 8 people. For example, giving some advices on his/her work, letting people feel good with a sense of humour, protecting them from unreasonable bosses...

When I look back my birthday today, it is fine for me. Well, maybe happy.
The guy who treated wine for me said "generally speaking, a birthday should be the day to thank one's parents who gave one's birth"... hmm I think it is a good phrase. I know this already, but again, it remains in my heart firmly.

To Save Children's Lives

I watched an interview program of one pediatrician last night. He saw a lot of patients and most of them were children. He said the expression of their feelings were great and pure. He has tried to help lives as many as he has been able to. He sometimes talks about disease with a little kid with encouragement. I was feeling his job was one of the most valuable and precious in the world.

Being a journalist sometimes knocks me out. Losing the sight of why I work as it is, and what to do it. Then back to the memories of pleasure as a journalist. One might be a letter of appreciation for my article... yes, it is a tiny memory but I still remember it.

I would like to be one' side who needs some help. I am not finding the exact way to practice it, but always think of it.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I would like to thank many people who support me.

How to Survive

At my workplace, there seem to be at least two people who got mental disease. They have been absent from work these days. One guy was scolded by my boss a couple of time. He has just learned a new area at the office, and it is natural to make some mistakes. I could feel a kind of atmosphere that everybody feels relieved to see that type of guy... he or she can feel himself or herself as an upper level person in terms of ability at work. It is unbelievable for me to write like this, but I think this is an aspect of my office. I have worked with 100% energy when I need to finish some work within the deadlines and I have not been able to help him. Only I could hear some strong and strict words from my boss to him.

Yes, my office sounds like a military. The commander is the strongest and I am just like a middle-aged soldier. What can I do in this circumstance? One solution which I am doing is that I try to use some sense of humour and to be careful of others' feelings. It is actually difficult to practice.

What is the G of G8?

People say "the G8 summit has held in Hokkaido, Japan". Now here is the question; What is the G of G8? I guess G is about Great 8 Countries in terms of influential power. If so, what kind of message do they express?

The stock market has not reacted by this summit so far. Many investors seem to care of the US economy and financial system as well as the impact of inflation including the sharp movement of oil prices. Why the gap between rich and poor happens all the time? I remember that Ethiopia faced with poverty in 1984-85 when the aid movement came into being among artists in the UK and US.

The answer might lay inside of our mind. Selfish, lack of kindness, careless...

July 7th --- Tanabata

The G8 summit has started in northern part of Japan. Today is July 7th, a traditional event day for Japanese. We call it Tanabata and celebrate the peace. I found the explanation website written in English.

http://www2.gol.com/users/csr-kts/hiratsuka/tanabata/

I did not do anything special today, but I know I should. When I was a child, I tend to write my wish in a long and narrow paper (we call it Tanzaku) and hang it on the leaf of bamboo.

I watch a news program tonight, and I learned the G8 participants such as Bush, Brown, Fukuda and others also wrote their wishes on Tanzaku. They wish peace and I know it might be a kind of nonsense, but I would say, it is okay to wish vague things with discussion in concrete words and solution. We understand to protect the environment, and now we need the political leadership and reflection of each of us what we have done to the earth and what way we need to change. When we can get this type of message from G8 summit, I personally think it will become the valuable one.

Hot day

Today it was very hot. Trying to get some good sleep but I netsurfed until late at night yesterday, so it was getting hotter during my sleep hours. No good habit.

I am a guy who cannot tidy my room. Many books, CDs, Videos, newspapers and clothes... I wish I could get a couple of extra holidays, I will do my best to clean my room but I know that I need to change my nature to have some courage to take things away. I tend to think "oh this is my memory in preparation to study in the UK" or "I cannot throw this away because it reminds me of my effort to do my best at the office"...

I went to the cleaner's to take my suits for winter season today. I walked to the shop and I got hot and tired. I feel I need to be more healthy both body and mind.

Japan and Singapore

In 2007, Singapore becomes no.1 country in Asian region in terms of GDP per a person. I read this article today, and the newspaper says this is based on the IMF data. Japan becomes no.2, and the article mentions that Singapore is eager to invite many foreign investments to stimulate the economy.

The message from this article is like "so what to do, Japan?". What does it mean to compete among countries? Well, I think it has some meaning. This trend has possibility to lead decline of Japan in the world and it will affect our lives in Japan.

In Singapore, they speak English and they are able to get much of western culture and information from the U.S. or the U.K. based on the assumption that there is no censorship. Yes, it is easy for Japanese to get that as well, but I am still doubtful that we are sometimes late to notice some very important change because of lack of ability in English. I mentioned about this before, I think...

People here tend to think within their own common sense, and it is important. However, I would say, we need to be interested in the outside of our own world which is very interesting.

Reflection

Now it is midnight, and I tend to reflect my behavior of today. Most of the time, I feel "oh I should not say that to her" or "oh I should not say that word to him". But of course, it is too late.

To have good quality of communication, I found one simple thing necessary. That is a sense of humour. The feeling of joy will lead people to be happy, I believe. At office, people act differently from their action with friends. For my case, I have some weird bosses, and their philosophy of communication does not suit for me. But I need to keep the communication with them to move my work forward. In this case, a sense of humour and yes, patience are the keys of smooth communication.

Metabolic Syndrome

I took medical examination in May, and a couple of weeks ago, I got my results. It says, I am the one of Metabolic Syndrome.

People call "Metabo" the guys whose stomach is big enough. I was always said a skinny guy when I was 20's. I understand to do some exercises...

When I was in Leeds, the U.K., I was not aware of this syndrome. When I got back to Japan, I had noticed everybody had talked about it too much. But now, it sounds more serious to me. This syndrome has a strong linkage to diseases.

Please Do It at Home

This is an ad on the wall of subway station in Tokyo. It says "Please do it at home".

The number of women who make themselves up in the train.

It is generally considered as shameless behavior among people before.

I talked this topic with my friends before. One of them said,

"women have become busier than before, so people should take in consideration this point".

What do you think when one guy starts to shave? I personally think it is a matter of manner. Or a matter of one's definition of disgraceful behavior. Those who do their faces tend to say "I am not hurting anybody, so why people can criticise my behavior?" And I understand there is an opinion like "simply, what's the problem?"

Some people start eating, some listen to music loudly, and I know some talk over their phone even train companies set a rule not to do it. The elderly people say they cannot believe women starts making up according to Japanese culture. It may be up to ourselves to think what kind of behavior is "matured".

The Most Satisfactory City for Japanese Travellers

A survey shows that Vienna is the most satisfactory city. A Japanese magazine for travellers called "AB-ROAD" announced the result of its survey on foreign cities.

In addition to Vienna, Las Vegas, Rome, Cairns, and Chiang Mai were in the top 5 in terms of the satisfaction. Those who like Vienna say "concerts were great" "the atmosphere of the city was really good".

On the other hand, cities like Gold Coast and the Alps got high rate of unsatisfied stay. I do not know the reasons.

The most popular country for Japanese travellers is Italy no matter he or she is a single or has own family. Among single guys, Dubai gets popularity. It ranks No. 11 of the place where they wish to visit from No.36 last year.

When I visited Venice in 2006, the atmosphere was really amazing and it was just like arts as a whole. I understand people like to visit Italy, and I wish I could visit other places in Italy with some knowledge of its history and arts.

The Mother whose daughter was abducted

The US government decided to ease its sanction to North Korea.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7476625.stm

I am thinking of a Japanese mother who met George Bush at the White House to appeal what has happened to her. The fact is that her daughter was kidnapped by the agents of North Korea, and the family keep asking to give her back.

How is the feeling of the families whose important people were abducted? I am trying to use my own imagination and thinking what I can do as an individual.

From Subprime to Oil

I have just watched a documentary program on current money flow. In the program, a family came to the US from Mexico needed to leave their home because they could not afford to pay their loans. The children seemed very sad when they left their home. I am sure they were really happy to be able to have their own home, and it was an American dream which the Bush administration appeals. On a contrary, the voice of bankers who enforced them to leave sounded high and cheerful. They wanted the houses as soon as possible because the housing market in the US has already declined.

The family borrowed money from a bank, but that was based on assumption which their home's value climbed up year after year. Subprime loan is basically low rate for the first two years, and it goes up in the third year. So the family borrowed another subprime loan from another bank.
Once the value started falling, they could not pay as much as the banks required.

The financial products which many financial institutions and companies purchased consist of loans including subprime. Now, many companies face with problems of losses.

The world is still filled with much money. In the documentary, an American guy who once worked for Bear Stearns is still selling the new type of financial products which consists of loans and oil prices. The oil prices moves up and down everyday. If it is "bubble" or just money game, another type of crisis will happen. This was a message from the program.

The Meaning of Feeling Isolated

There are some people who cause unimaginable murder. A critic said in a news program those people tended to think they were isolated and lonely all the time. When I look at myself, it is not a special thing for them, I would say. When I think of definition of friends, what will it be? Do friends need to understand what he or she likes and dislikes? What is the difference between friends and the best friend? What about a partner or family members?

I would suggest those who tend to think "I am not a valuable person to live in this society", just away from there and go another world. I mean, no need to go out actually, but do mentally. Thinking of others who call for some help.

To do such the actions above, I understand that it is necessary for them to have enough rooms in their mind and enough time to take in consideration. They need to understand the fact "you are not the only one who suffer from much confusion and frustration"...

Everybody seems to be a participant

I watched some news programs on an incident which a young guy killed 7 people in Tokyo. The fact is that 7 people were killed and they never come back to their families. What a sad and fearful incident... and many people who were there took photos by mobile phone. They just stared how the things were settled after killing and sent the photos to the media. The media use them as scoop photos. Some people who were there talked how crazy the scene was with their excitement. The way of their talk... I can't help thinking if they really consider the families' feeling.

My town changes

Here is a photo of my home town's supermarket. This building was closed yesterday, 6pm. I just went there after 6pm so I could not get inside.

I remember the day when this supermarket opened. The image was new and sophisticated, and recently I still heard the prices were a little more expensive than others.

However, I could see some parts on their floor were dirty and flawed. I was feeling there were some reasons not to repair, then understood that they decided to close.

This building will be reconstructed as a combination of supermarket and condominium. That will be the fall of 2009. I feel sad a little to see the change of my town.

Work and Life

I know that my life is mostly dominated by work. When I look back a day at the end, I tend not to remember what I have done in that day. I remember I have been busy, but there is almost nothing in my heart, to be honest. I have noticed my interest exists in a different world, but I do not want to get away from my current situation at the same time. I can find many new things through my job, and these are difficult to find if I do only what I want to do.

But simply, I am feeling that life is too short to use my time like that way. I understand I need to focus on what I want to do and to be. It is actually hard to recognise it.

What It Means to Take An Action; A Review of "Lions for Lambs"

I recently think of the meaning of taking an action. We can see many sad and considerable incidents in our daily lives. In order to stop or change the situation, it is important to start something we can do... but is it enough to do anything we are JUST able to do? For me, I tend to excuse myself to say "hey, this is very important issue so I need to take in consideration in depth at first", and as a result, I do not do anything.



Human rights, Environment problems, Aging society, and the like. I have a little money and time, then I feel and understand I should act something to solve these. I believe that is my understanding to take my responsibility.



I watched an US movie called "Lions for Lambs". The Japanese title of this movie is "The Great Intrigue"... sorry to make an digression, I disagree of this title at all. I think this is a matter of sense and intelligent to catch the message or I would say, philosophy of this movie. The marketing team of this movie on Japanese side sometimes mislead the message with putting wrong titles. Having a word like "Great" sounds very cheap and I felt "okay, they just see this movie as unpopular among majority".



Anyway, the movie is very short like 90 minutes and I was like "oh is it the end?" After seeing this movie, I was in depression a little. A journalist (Meryl Streep) got some information from a Senator (Tom Cruise). The relationship between them seemed realistic. A professor (Robert Redford) tried to let his intelligent student look at his potential power to start something. His other two students joined the war on terror under the name of "what we can do" to solve problems.

To change the world, it is actually important to make an action. Ignorance, being indifferent, talk only with nihilism can create almost nothing in a sense. However, a strong will is not enough as well. Some "lambs" use it to make their purpose come true. It is important to understand how society works and start to take in consideration how to make an action, and this is very tough to come to conclusion. The movie asks the audience's decision what to do. The student's face in a last scene is just as same as the audience's face.

Another spring scenes in Tokyo

I was writing this on Apr. 7th and could not post on this blog...
*******************************************************

Those pictures were taken about 10 days before.


The right one on the above was taken in the place near the Emperor's house.





The picture with a traditional dancer wearing Kimono was taken in Yasukuni shrine on the same day.

Spring has come in town

Now spring has come. I went to a national park in Tokyo to see cherry blossoms. There are many cherry blossom and this picture is one of them I took by my mobile phone. This park is called Shinjuku Gyoen, and the Wiki explains its history ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Gyoen).

This year, I had a couple of times to enjoy watching beautiful trees in Tokyo. I am going to put other pictures from now. To enter this park, you need to pay about 1 pound. There are Japanese style, British, and French. You can enjoy some different types of cherry blossoms.

Thinking of Aid

I watched a TV program on Angola (Republic of Angola). Ms. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, one of the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF went there and meet people who suffer with problems of education, poverty, health, and the like.

I remember one guy from Kenya. When I was in the UK, a postgraduate student from Kenya said to me, "people care each other in Kenya, and neighbors are like a big family". As same as today, I heard many stories of crimes in Japan, so I asked him "To be honest, when I look at Japan, a rich country, I wonder the meaning of being wealthy. Is it necessary for us to be even though we get rid of the minds such as caring or helping people?" His answer was wealthy was really important. Good quality of road, water, and other infrastructure are the basic to live in this world.

And, the program I watched this afternoon showed the same points to me. Angola has oil, so many foreigners have begun to visit there. However, there is a gap between rich and poor. I try to make a list as follows:

1. Clean water
It suddenly rains harder and there was no drains. The road immediately becomes like a small river. People there need water in their daily life, so they use springs which are not always clean. This means they live with infections diseases.

2. Shortage of Doctors/No telephone
Once they suffer diseases, they need to wait for medical examinations or consultation. The number of doctors is not enough and there is no booking system or telephone to ask to come and visit patients' places.

3. Education
There is a shortage of classrooms. Those who are not able to enter a classroom, they need to go out and be taught under the sun. According to the TV program, many adults also want to learn many things at school.

4. Minefields
It is said that there are about 8 millions of landmines.

5. Malaria
Mosquitoes are mediators to deliver Malaria. In the program, the UNICEF gave many mosquito nets (we call it Kaya) to patients at hospitals. According to the report, there was an ancient tradition not to sleep inside of something because it would bring bad things.

I begin to think to act in some ways to take in consideration of a gap between rich countries and poor. Realistically speaking, it is easy to rely on some social group to get involved with this matter. I know one guy from an African country who thank for a Foster parent program. Making action will be a big step.

I put some URL about the UNICEF.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Children%27s_Fund

http://www.unicef.org/people/people_tetsuko_kuroyanagi.html

Thoughts on Journalism

I went to my friend's home party in this evening. I met some experienced journalists there. Some of them stayed in China, Korea, Russia, and so on. They introduced stories on meeting authorities. I enjoyed the conversation, then one friend asked a question. Why the business newspaper put some articles on companies' revenue or profit with prediction? She said those articles were related to "insider dealing". I said writing articles were generally based on interviews and not committed to crimes like insider dealing. Of course, when journalists get information, then purchase some shares of the company which has a strong relationship with the matter, this is a crime. When I try to write about companies' revenue, people tend to refuse. Is it a crime to get scoops on companies? Do we need to wait for announcement from companies?

She kept saying business journalists behaviour should be changed at the home party. Her comments stimulated my pride on my job. I said "I do not want to fight with you anymore and I believe your comments are not right".

On my way to my home, I was thinking of my behaviour and the nature of my job. News sometimes make the stock markets volatile, but journalists should not hesitate to write news.
This is my relief.

Globa Media Studies

One of my friends has just visited the UK to do his presentation in Oxford. I got his latest papers on global media studies. I have never known what he has studied or taught in universities, and I
recently got papers through emails.

To be honest, I tend to think people in academies never understand what happens in media companies and they need to know it. And now I understand my way of thinking that way is sort of arrogant. His papers are not just full of criticism on to mass media, but are trying to let students be aware of the importance to look at themselves. How do they react to the news from media? Why do they rely on media?

I personally gain power to start new week from today by reading his paper. I do hope his presentation will be successful.

A Day of My Daily Life

Let me tell you a day of my life... the example is today's behavior.

4:40am get up
5:10am take the first train from my nearest station
5:45am change another train
6:10am arrive at my office in Tokyo
6:20am start to check major newspapers with looking for materials for the stock market
7:10am finish to write a first article to summarise today's news digest
7:30am start to call analysts to have their comments on prediction of today's market
8:00am finish to write a second article to show a market commentator's view
8:30am discuss with colleagues which point of view we should focus on the market
9:00am the market starts, and I keep writing, calling, reading, checking...
11:30am take a lunch... mainly box lunch
12:30 the market restarts, and I act as same as the morning
14:30 think to prepare some ideas for the articles after the market closes
14:50 let my colleague prepare some articles after the market closes
15:00 start calling, reading, considering, and writing
19:00 finish works and cleaning my desk
20:00 leave the office for my home

hmmm... let me rest more...

Difference

Last night, I was staying up very late with turning on TV. The channel was 1ch, that is NHK, and it was on Japanese culture aired in English. The program is as follows:

http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/japanology_e.html

When I was in the UK, I was asked about Japanese culture, and most of questions were about the differences between their culture and ours. I felt that way especially when I was asked by the students from developed countries. I maybe sensed a feeling that 'you are different from us'. At the same time, I tended to feel that I am also from a developed country, and I know a lot of information on politics, economy, pop culture and the like.

The program is on about rice balls, and they will introduce ceramics. I thought "yeah, those are parts of Japanese culture, but there are other things in this modern society". For example, the atomsphere of being irritable in the train. We can see it not only in Tokyo, but also maybe in London or New York. Or maybe not. I think it would be interesting to compare the atomsphere in the train when it is so crowded with people. Which country shows the tolerance to others?

Setsubun, 3rd of Feburary

Today is Setsubun, and our family, Father, Mother and me did it this evening. We threw beans from our house with saying 'demons go out, lucks come inside!' I have checked the Wikipedia website which explains this in English.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun

I remember this event when I was a kid. I played around to get snacks and candies when my grandfather threw them with turning off the lights. Now, it was a good memory and I really pray our happiness stays forever. And I thank for my parents' love.

Snow in my town

Today it snows heavily in my hometown. This is a view from my room's window, and it is cold as same as Leeds' winter season. Public transportation is always influenced by snow, and according to media, there are some delays.

The first week of Feburary is a season for 12 years old kids to take entrance examination of famous, highly competitive junior high school. In fact, I did it almost 25 years ago. I can recall the feeling to visit the places to take exams... Hope the kids are doing their best.

80's Music

80's music is my treasure. It reminds me of my days as a school boy. Sheena Easton, a Scotland singer who got the Grammy awards in 80's, has come to Tokyo to perform on stage. I was thinking to see her performance, but I was feeling not to go because of my work schedule.
Then, I decided to go to the live house first and try whether I should do.

http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/shop/32/index.html

The URL above was the place for her performance. I went to the counter and asked for a ticket.
The clark said 'You can get a ticket for you, but Sheena will not perform tonight. Her back band will play her songs without her." I was like "What??"

I asked him "so you mean, I will not hear her voice at all?" He said no.
It is a bit interesting. I was still thinking of my job for tomorrow, but I missed her performance at the same time.

Anyway, the place is located in a very sophisticated area of Tokyo. I like the atmosphere.

Meet new friends

I was invited a small home party tonight. I tended to think I wanted to take a rest in weekends because I am busy all the weekdays. And today was the same. However, I was feeling I needed to go out and make new friends, too. It links a question, "what is my life? what kind of a man I want to be?" Yes, I do not want to be lonely, I want to enjoy my life. In order to enjoy my life, I need friends.

Now I came back from the party and it is fun. I met a singer, a patissier, an associate professor, an entertainer who is known to many people through a big and international company's advertisement, a photographer, a businessman, and a woman who works for a clothing company in an investors relations section. With drinking, we talked about ourselves. I was there for 3 hours but I felt it was like an hour. I was thinking of myself. Everybody seemed to live by her/his own, but what about me? I lost some self confidence. At the same time, I was feeling some happiness. There is actually some good moods and I could feel it. Today's gathering is the one I want to continue to keep the relationship.

Feel the globe through markets

To tell you the truth, I am not interested in economy in general. More interested in human communication... but now, I have to admit how interesting to understand the structure of globalism in economy. Especially, a stock market.

Today, most of Japan's news programs talked about the Sub prime loan issues and the US ecomomy. In addition, the decline of the Shanghai index and the SENSEX in Munbai, India was discussed. Why? Because, these things influence the Japan's market. Yes, I can feel that I live in globalism in economy.

The FRB has just announced their decision to cut the federal fund rate. I predict that the Dow
will go up, but it seems hard in reality. That's the way it goes, and I feel that I need to study more about the reason why they do not accept the FRB's decision positively.

I can imagine my friends staying in New York when I hear the news such as the Sub prime loan.
It is not "other people's news", but "my news".

Free on communication

When it comes to communication, I feel stiff a little in Japan. There is some assumption that people should share personal information or backgrounds at first stage. I mean, people tend to care about job status, the level of income, married or unmarried, the age, and the like. Once people understand the basic information, then they select suitable topics. This is a way to protect themselves. It seems that they tend to classify friends, rivals, and enemies in communication. When I was in the U.K., I felt comfortable. It was easy to make friends much more than Japan. Actually, they tend to ask where I am from, but it is natural. People who I met in the U.K. focused on the topics such as what I am interested in, what kind of thoughts I have, what I want to be in the future and the like. I was delighted to talk about my experiences in the past, and they welcome to listen to. No jealousy, no frustration. I am too sensitive on this, but I felt the communication with Japanese in the U.K., they tend to think of the level. The number of native friends, the way of pronunciation, the speed of understanding in English conversation... it seems like competition. Of course, no need to compete each other. Maybe I am afraid to say that I have some elements to compete with others in my mind.

Global Society

On 4th of January is my first day to work. I understand the fact that we are living in global society. During the time Japan was in holidays, most of countries started their jobs. Some data indicated the U.S. economic growth was getting slow down, and this reminded people who invest Japanese stocks of the recession on global scale. The Tokyo stocks are sharply declined yesterday, and the decline was the historical record as a first day of a year. There are many stocks which do not have strong link with US or other countries' situation such as pharmaceutical manufacture or railway but more than 90% stocks in the Tokyo stocks were sold yesterday. It must be too early to say this indicates the start of global recession, but there is one question: why people cannot buy Japanese stocks? Korea, Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore-- other Asian markets rose. I assume there would be something in Japan which let the investors avoid to invest to Japanese companies. Anyway, a first day of the Tokyo stock market was disturbance.

Happy New Year 2008!

I would like to say Happy New Year to everybody. Hope this year will be fruitful and wish to have peace of mind through this year. Everyday life is very busy and I only tend to think of myself. I have noticed that it is necessary to imagine how others may feel.

I got a news that my Indian friend would get married soon. I wish I could join the ceremony, but it seems difficult. I am not so familiar with the Indian style of wedding, but I will try to catch up to celebrate it.

Well, I will try to write much more this year. Hope you will enjoy this.