December is busy, always

Based on my experience, December is always very busy. Media provides the reflection of the year as feature stories. I need to work until 30th of this month... The workplace makes me sick, to be honest, but I really feel great to talk and drink with friends. I really realize I have been saved by friends and family members.

Life Goes On!

Recently, I hear some stories which made me feel how hard a life was. Today I feel so tired and want to go to bed. However, I have something to do before sleeping. Thinking of a life, preparing for memory cards to record programs...

When I feel so alone, I have to admit my tendency. I tend to envy others' lives. The way of thinking is like this: while I am struggling, others seem nothing to worry about. Then feel like it is not fair.

But I am getting to understand the meaning of a life a little. Not only pursuing my own goals, but also accepting a reality also brings me a joy or calm feeling. There are something not to experience but it is hard for us to avoid every that kind of thing. It is a matter of one's resolution. Saying is easy and doing is tough and difficult. I know. I am feeling that not chasing the perfect in everything will be the way to make myself feel better.

twitter boom

Some of my friends have started to open their own twitter site recently. It's like a kind of boom. If you have a Facebook account, it seems similar with the "what's on your mind?" part on the SNS.

It will be convenient to write down as a memo for myself. And it is suitable for mobile users to write in short messages. I am thinking of short message version of Feel the Globe. It will not be structured one, but just a collection of ideas when it comes out.

Michael Jackson's This Is It

It was a documentary and I assume it was aimed to shoot for the private use, say, check the moves from the third person's view. At the beginning, I can see the explanation which mentions the film was for Michael Jackson's library.

Through the movie, I can see MJ's professionalism. He seemed very sensitive when it comes to music, rhythm, dances, vocals and the like. It was interesting to see his way to give his requests to staffs. He said "I am not blaming you, and this is the love" (I am not sure the exact words because I was relying on translation into my native language) . When he wanted the high sound of guitar, he talked to a guitarist with saying "this is the best part for you, and this is the moment you can shine at the stage".

The show at London has become an illusion... never be shown in public. How sad he has already gone and we cannot enjoy his live show anymore. His message is the importance to look at oneself before complaining somebody.

Seeing his performance of "Wanna be starting something" makes me weep. The beautiful song "This is it" brings me the fact that this is the last song and he has not lived here. Each dancer and backing vocalist carried his or her life to his stage, so the live show was expected to be the collection of people's dream and professionalism. MJ said the show should be a journey from the daily life. I can understand that he put himself into creating the stage.

Miss the talented genius.

Recalling my life in the UK

I have been working so hard this week because of many events to write, and covering some colleagues who has been absent from work for a while. Doing jobs makes me step forward as a professional writer, but honestly, I need time to rest.

Well, today was off, so tried to see Michael Jackson's This Is It at a nearest movie house but the ticket was sold out. I could not wait for the next showing so gave up.

In Leeds, the price was around 3~4 pounds to see a movie. Seeing movies is one of the easiest entertainment for students. Easy to go there with friends, and easy way to excuse to have dates.

Anyway. I decided to have a healing time for myself. Went to a department store and took a massage course for an hour. The price was cheap and the people who provide massage were mainly blinds. He said my shoulder and waist were so hard. I understand I need to be away from PC and take some nice sleep.

Accept a man in a state of depression

I am working with a man in a state of depression. Some people tend to say he or she in the situation is a nature of dependence on somebody. It is case by case, but we need to keep in mind that he or she is struggling to deal with the disease.

From a view point of a profession, we need to move on no matter how one feels. A professional has its own responsibility to its customer. But as a team to provide something to society, each need to be tolerant to forgive somebody's weakness. Hard to practice, but this is the way to save a person in depression.

1 Dollar = 89 Yen

When we look at the currencies, the dollar seems to be declined. As a result, the yen has climbed higher from this summer, and has reached 89 yen level last Friday. It is for the first time since this February.

Strong yen is not a bad thing, according to some politicians. Japan faces with a problem of natural resources. Japan does not have so many kinds of natural resources that it has to import from foreign countries. It actually seems good to import with cheaper prices under the strong yen.

In the late 80's, Japan was in the strong yen days. Many entertainers came to Japan to do their shows such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, the Rolling Stones... etc. Japan's economic growth in 1987~88 was 5 or 6%.

Now it is quite lower than those years, and it has been supported by the exports toward the US or China which put the stimulate policies to their economy. Is it suitable to pursue the strong yen policy at this moment? There is an argument that making its own currency weak will lead to protectionism.

The current Japanese new government seems to try to change its economic structure not relying on exports. In other words, it may seeks the way to be independent in terms of economy as much as possible.

5 days off

I have had 5 days off until today. You can tell how I feel now... not wanting to return to work-mode. Works always require me to act more than my level, so I tend to get tired at the end of the day. Believing in contribution to society through my job is the only way to keep working.

The Price of Agricultural Products

When we look at the statistics on prices, Japan seems to face with the shadow of Deflation. Last year, the oil price climbed the highest level, so it is natural to get lower than a year ago.

Today, I read one article which mentioned the price of agricultural products will be higher and higher, because the world's population is still increasing. China and India will be richer than ever, and their power to purchase influences the market price.

Yes, it is difficult to imagine it if we look at the domestic charts. We need to take in consideration on the global scale.

Talk at a party

I was invited an official party which had a dress code recently. There were many people who were almost the same generation, and most of them were bureaucrats, bankers, and people who worked for governmental organisation.

After the party, some of us went to a restaurant to get to know each other. One guy started talking journalists' "privilege". I am a journalist, and he knew about it. He said "Journalists always talk about the bad side of things, but I am wondering how about them. Say, how many journalists did bad things and apologise them officially?"

I am used to have this type of conversation. I know that people feel a certain level of frustration toward media or journalists, and I can imagine I would say similar things if I am not a journalist. However, I know that this sort of topic is not suitable for a party, or gathering especially the first meeting.

I replied to him with saying "Journalist are the same with people, of course, and some are actually arrested because of bad behaviour". He kept showing his frustration to me.

When I visited some home parties, I was asked about the reality of a media company. Most of them say "I have not read newspapers for a long time" "Why do you decide to work for a media company?" "What will happen when you make a mistake?"... Whenever I was at these situation, I began to feel that I was a representative of media to excuse those questions. I once hesitated to visit those parties even I was invited.

Now I have grown up a little and I can manage those questions. I mean, I can be calm and answer my own feeling with sincereness. Simply, I want to enjoy parties, and to be honest, I want to talk more interesting things separated from work... which is difficult to exercise.

Be a professional

I am thinking of being professional. I have caught a cold and felt bad these days... headache and stomachache, but kept working as usual or more than that, because my job is based on mass-communication. The readers are waiting for information and news, and they do not care about my personal health. How severe the reality is... but that is the fact, at least I try to think that way.

But recently, I can see the situation has been changing. Many subordinates ask for holidays easily. You can say that kind of behaviour is the symbol of lack of professionalism and I would take it that way. However, if you need to keep your health well, do you really have to keep working?

I do not have any answer.

Kind of new start... for my birthday

Last Saturday was my birthday... feel great to think of my situation. Good in health, I suppose, spent the great time on that day, and seeing my brother's family today. Hope this age is also fruitful one as well as the past.

Michael Jackson, the real message was a fight with the self

It is reported that Michael Jackson has passed away. I listen to his music now, and never imagined I would cry until I feel my tears on my cheek. It is midnight here, and I finally get his strong messages through his music.

My favorite song is "Man in the mirror". If you want to make the world a better place, just look at yourself then make a change... It is a song about the fight with the self, "a victim of selfish kind of love". We, or at least I tend to think of myself or my interest at first. But he sang we could not pretend not to see anymore, and try to look at serious problems in this world and start something for our own speed.

A several years later, he released a song "Will you be there?" and his cry was "I'm only human". People tell like a man need to be faithful, and fight till the end. Of course, people tend to make mistakes, and he repeatedly cried I'm only human. I can imagine how big he got pressure from inside to outside.

He understands a person should look at oneself, and keep asking to change. But his circumstances were tough enough to beat him mentally and physically. Both songs provides sentimental thoughts. Rest in peace.

So busy these days...

I was a little surprised that I have written this blog only one time last month. I have been busy these days. The weekends pass so fast and the weekday starts so quickly.

What makes me be busy? I started the new area to report not only currencies, but also bonds, rates, and management for 8 writers as a group. There was no taking over session with the former person. Learning new things and showing each result with a certain level of quality are tough tasks.

Recently we have a new writer, but I have found he has started to lose his confidence. One of my colleagues said that he was thinking of quitting the job. I tried to encourage the person to release his pressure, but I feel that it is a matter of his life and choice at the last moment. Difficult to create a good mood at my office...

Life

When you feel hard to live in this world, what do you do? I am now thinking of meaning of life... I understand it is very important to live everyday no matter what I feel. I believe life grows sweet, happy and joyful depending on how to work out to make it.

Dreaming of travelling abroad, visiting France or Italy, or meeting some old friends with funny stories, thinking of my future life to have my own family with kids... I believe it will come true when I keep living my own life.

In Japan, many people especially my generation tends to commit suicide recently. My generation has raised in wealthy circumstances. Television, newspapers, manga, idol, sports, friends, travel, liberty... why it happens? I know that we need to have own ways to get away from our own stress which is created in our own souls mostly.

I have learned that I have been able to feel great and confident to overcome difficulties. And I also believe that I can help those who suffer from their difficulties with using my experiences. This will be a part of meaning of life, I think.

I am on a trial

I have some subordinates who are problematic. The one is always late for time, and the other has no ears to listen to and sticks to her own way. I want to wait and see for a while but the nature of my job and my boss are not waiting so long. They are adults enough over 25, and I understand they have their own philosophy for their lives. It seems difficult for them to change them.

Cherry Blossom

Here is a photo of the view from my room. This cherry blossom tree has grown so big.

What will you do if you are free?

One of my friends was recently fired because of this world recession. It is not the other people's matter. I have thought my job could have been stable, but media has been influenced by the Internet. Now, people can obtain their own media when they want to publish.

Now I ask to myself. What will you do when you are told firing?
My answer will be... travelling abroad, looking for another job related to volunteerism. I want to put myself in the circumstance which provide the luxury of life... understand the meaning of life and confident with myself.

It is important to stand on the basement which can be trusted by myself. Say, I want to live with the feeling that I am doing the right thing.

Work/Life Balance

It is 23:00. Midnight. I feel tired enough. I feel pain inside my eyes. I am listening to a radio program, Everyday Chinese. Train myself for my future.

I feel stress inside my mind... thinking my mistake related to my job. I cannot take it back. All I can do is to accept it. It is very hard to do it, but I need to get accomplish it. But I know that I am on the process to make myself grow and I can reach a certain level of stage with calm heart.

Dreaming a situation in free... I found that it is the most precious thing.

Back to The 80's: Sheena Easton's Live at Billboard Tokyo

I just got back from a live at Billboard Tokyo. I went to Sheena Easton's live consisted of her 80's hit songs such as "Morning Train (9 to 5)", "For Your Eyes Only", "Telefone", "Almost Over You", "Strut", "Sugar Walls", "The Lover In Me"... they brought me back to 80's. Those were the days I tended to listen to the radio program "American Top 40".

Her voice is still strong enough, and the talk has a sense of humour. Lucky enough, I could get the seat just in front of the stage, and I could shake hands with her.

The photo was taken just after the show. The view was not from my seat, but a place close to an exit.

The climax of the show was "Morning Train" and the encore, "Modern Girl". The former one has a very soft and kind atmosphere, and one lady sitting in the front seat started crying because she could keep shaking hands with Sheena. She looked around 40, but I am sure that everybody at the place felt the same way... I mean, everybody spent the young days with Sheena's hit songs and finally we could meet her such a close distance.

Cheers for great performance and songs! Oh, I must add one more thing. The band was great as well. They supported her with strong and firm sound and vocals.

A Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I watched an American movie called "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". It is about life and relationship. In our lives, we meet some nice people but we all know that we must be apart some day. The main character was acted by Brad Pitt with high visual technology. This man was born as an old aged baby and getting younger year after year.

I tend to think the time can ease my frustration and it gives some progress mentally and physically. And when I get old, I can obtain a certain level of refinement. It may be true, but I found we would be the same in our whole life. I mean, there are some points not to be changed.

Even if I wish to meet my grandparents who already passed away, my dream would be a dream. That's the way it is. So, we know this, and we need to thank every second of relationship and communication.

This movie inserts some historical events such as Pearl Harbour, Hurricane Katrina and the like.
Seems like a fable when you hear this movie's plot, but this insertion provides some reality taste. Life is sometimes painful, and this movie actually describes this point. It's almost three-hour movie, but I could concentrate this story. Quiet and sort of philosophical.

Country, Nation and Individual

What is the meaning of a country for you? I remember that nation-state is one of the important concept of international politics study. I belong to one nation, and am regulated by my nation's rule. I tend to think it is natural and no doubtful thing.

Today I watch one documentary on Singapore. It is trying to collect highly educated people from all over the world. It created a place called Biopolis, or Fusionpolis. Giving huge place to pursue their study with no limitation of budget as they want. At the same time, Singapore requires results. The documentary introduces one Japanese under the pressure to show some obvious result of his study.

I remember that Qatar also established a place called Education City where many intelligent people are gathered. Nations try to build up their quality with these policies.

And I begin to feel what my nation gives me. One thing will be freedom, but I am thinking of it for only limited people... I mean what about people coming outside my nation? The prime minister of Singapore says the workers coming from other countries are buffer. When there is shortage of human resources in business, those people are necessary. That means, when it is the time of recession, they are not necessary.

Is that the way it goes? What about the concept that everybody is equal? By watching the program, I begin to think this point. Not settled my mind yet, so I will try to keep thinking of this point.

Broadcasting or Net

I read one interview article on a magazine. The Chairman of a broadcasting company in Japan answered many questions on broadcasting industry's future. I show you his comments (originally written in Japanese, translated into English by me).

--The Impact of the Internet
"Many people misunderstand the impact, but it is wrong. The Internet is just hardware. The point is that it is a matter of contents. For example, a news program. The value of a program is related to the way who decides the news value..."

--In terms of advertisement, will the Net grow faster than broadcasting?
"It won't happen at all. The advertisement on the Internet rapidly declines in the US now... I don't think the demand for advertisement in broadcasting is invaded by something. The truth is the demand itself is getting to be falling."

Well, the broadcasting is now facing with great crisis. Viewers are smart enough, and looking carefully at programs' quality. The interviewee is more than 80 years old and he has an influential power in the industry, so he could not admit the real situation on the impact of the Internet. That's what I think.

Thoughts on Obama's Inauguration Speech

I have recorded the Obama's inauguration speech on a chip, and I can watch it on my mobile phone. The progress of technology contributes convenience of my life... anyway, I am going to introduce my thoughts on his speech.

The Time has come...
He mentioned that all are equal and free. These words reminds me of Gettysburg address. He showed his respect to the ancient people with saying the precious concept which was carried generation to generation. For citizens, they can get energy to survive this world with his words. I feel a leader is sometimes necessary to cheer people up with his or her own words.

We are ready to lead once more...
I think this concept 'lead' is one of the important points for the unity of the US. I guess he needed to show his belief for leadership with saying this. This is my assumption.

The new era of responsibility...
He let the people to take each responsibility and duty to contribute society. He also implied the discrimination to black people at a restaurant 60 years ago. I am sure that there are some people who actually experienced this kind of things. His words may touch upon their hearts.

In democracy, we tend to point out the person's responsibility and duty in power. Obama's speech quietly pointed out OUR responsibility and duty.

Sumo

The January Tournament of Sumo finished yesterday. Asashoryu won the tournament and he showed his emotion directly. He is Yokozuna (the highest and strongest position in Sumo), and Yokozuna is considered not to show his emotion in public.

Asashoryu touches many kinds of unique rules in Sumo world and his ways of manner is sort of controversial recently. He had been absent from tournaments last year and media thought he would resign if he could not continue to win the race.

Many other Rikishi (wrestlers) tried to defeat him and I could feel their guts. I could find attractive points in Sumo and I begin to feel I want to know Sumo more in depth. Sumo is related to my culture so it would be interesting to pursue the study on Sumo.

I will put the sumo association's official homepage URL.

http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/

The Beginning with huge expectation

I tried to wake up when Obama's speech had started... it started almost 2am here (I went to sleep at midnight around 12). And I checked the outline on one of Japanese newspapers. I felt he showed his respect toward former presidents in history with using polite and modest English words.

When you access to the Whitehouse website, you can read some trivia on it and history. And they put movies of Obama's Inauguration on YouTube linked with the website. Its design is changed from Bush's days.

He expressed his philosophy clearly, and now is the time to make an action. How deep he can get involved in peace building? How to achieve the recovery of economy especially home industry in the US? We need to examine each step carefully.

Obama's Inauguration

Obama's inauguration will start very soon... media report from Washington DC and I know this is a sort of historical moments to have a black American as a president. I am looking forward to listen to his speech. What will he talk on many tasks in front of him such as economic crisis, diplomacy including building peace, prejudice, medical system, and the like?

I heard that he did some volunteer work before joining the ceremony. I am actually impressed to know he showed what we need to do; make an action. It may be a kind of performance to the press, but the message coming from it is meaningful.

I would like to pay attention to his philosophy in his first speech as the American President.

Children's poverty

I read one article on children's poverty this morning. According to it, relatively speaking, Japan is high in terms of children's poverty rate among OECD countries. The writer says, parents financial ability tend to decide children's growth and education. I know I need to examine in detail, but the article mentions that a number of crime such as child abuse, thief, and the like tend to be caused by children in low income family.

The article also introduces the difference on what should be given to children between British and Japanese. The rate of what should be given is as follows:
--Toys 12% 84%
--Bicycle 21% 55%
--non second-hand shoes 40% 94%
--books for children 51% 89%

Which one is Japanese? The answer is the former one. The writer says Japanese tend to set the notion on minimum level of quality of life comparing with other developed countries. I say, Japanese may tend to hesitate to use money generally. Problem will be the case that parents cannot afford to get toys or books even though they wish to give them to their children.

A Book on Sociology

I started reading a book on sociology. It sounds difficult, but it is actually for teenagers. There are two pictures in it. One shows an old scene of a street of Tokyo... many kids are playing around with adults. The other shows the same street taken recently... no one is on the street. The author says this is the simple example of current society. Lack of communication? I need to keep reading it to obtain the answer.

Our news VS Other people's news

The title is one topic which we discussed at the postgraduate course in Leeds. When I live in Japan, I can notice that many newspapers set the value judgement onto much information. I mean, they classify news into two categories, the ones which are related to Japan, and the others are not.

I know the fact that many people from the world have been living in Japan, but they seem to act the fact is just rare. They tend to set the line between Japanese and non-Japanese, and the latter is hard to share "Japanese common sense".

When I think of my workplace, most of us seems Japanese. I cannot find anybody from the US, the UK, African countries, China... This may create misunderstanding in many dimension.

I think it is important to use our imagination toward the globe. There are people who are living as we do and some have faced with troubles caused by politics, economy, environment, and so on, and our future has possibility to be like their current situation.

It will snow tomorrow...

According to weather news, it will snow tomorrow morning... I need to get on the first train in early morning tomorrow. The city is not so well-managed when it comes to snow, for example, the delay of train arrival. I feel I need to get up earlier... hold on one more day.

Expectation to Obama

When you watch the recent Japanese markets, you may wonder why the positive flow keeps going. People say there is strong expectation to Obama's policy including cutting taxes. Expectation is different from actual results, so there is a risk of failing to improve the economy.

With listening to his speech, he seems he will do different things compared with Bush administration. It is said that stock markets reflects the situation of 6 months later. Is current movement in the market showing future improvement? Let's wait and see.

First day to work in 2009

Today was my first day to work this year... I took 6 days off until yesterday and I think it was mild start. Not bad in general. But now, I feel tired. I got up at 5am today and it is half past 11pm.

Workplace is totally different from family or friends place. People do not share their vision which should be shared originally. It seems a matter of management, and I feel sad actually.

Anyway, I feel it is important to switch on and off in a day this year. I should not bring works in my private time. I will try to use the time in the train more effectively.

Preparation for 2009

I went to a shop to buy a business diary and a binder for personal use. When I look back 2008, honestly speaking, I do not like to even look at my diary, so I sometimes missed some schedule (not caused rude things).

To select the diary, points were good design, useful functions such as looking through weekly, monthly and yearly, easy to write down, and size. It is almost 5 pounds... but I think I can use this one frequently this time.

I will carry the binder everyday and am going to write down every idea on many things including topics for this website. Or tasks for myself to brush up the way of considering things.

Another memo for 2009

I am thinking of my task for 2009.

-- Learning some languages more such as Chinese, French, German, and Italian
-- Learning more knowledge on currency market
-- Learning about history on market such as Great Depression in 1930's
-- Learning about Japanese history especially Meiji era
-- Cleaning my room more
-- Writing this weblog everyday

Mt. Fuji

This is Mt. Fuji from my house this morning. It has been fine these days and I keep thinking of uploading the photo of it. This was taken by my mobile phone so unclear a little...

Mt. Fuji is a kind of symbol of Japan over hundreds of years, I think.

I tend to sleep around 2am these holidays... and wake up around 11am. According to one article, it is not good for health. This habit tends to lead to depression.

Apart from work, I need to get up earlier and enjoy the atmosphere of morning tension.

Peace

I have just watched a TV program and an old woman whose age is 101 appeared on it. She manages a kindergarten in western part of Japan for a long time and she talked about her education policy. She asked her children to be a person to imagine and understand others' pain and sorrow.

I know that there are some places under conflicts. Pray for peace and I am thinking I need to start one more actual step.

Note For 2009

Happy New Year!

The first day is very smooth and quiet. I think it is good to classify ideas in my mind... what I should study and what I should know.

Economy:
Why this turbulence has happened?
Is it the end of market-oriented economy?
Why unemployment spreads so fast? Why companies cannot keep them?
What is the problem in industries such as automakers, retailers, electric companies...?
The linkage in the market... stocks, bonds, foreign currencies, commodities. How does money flow among them?

Diplomacy:
What is the role of Japan in the Globe?
The relationship between the US and Japan... where will it go?

Keep thinking of these topics this year as well.