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...
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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.

Year End Party with Friends

I joined a party with friends tonight. I met them after I came back from Leeds... yes, we are the same that all of us had once lived in Leeds. It would be so nice to get together in Leeds and visit many places including organising some parties. When I was in Leeds, I had some chances to join parties or society works such as Greece, Thailand, China etc., but not Japanese. I felt some sense that people try to examine who I am through my organisation to work, age, marital status and so on even in Leeds. Maybe I was too sensitive, but I tended to think that way. When I look back now, I think my thoughts on this is partially true. In Tokyo, I know many people from all over the world live, but it is very rare to make friends, but in Leeds, I could meet many friends no matter what kind of attribute I have.
Anyway, the party was fun except the fact that I was stolen my sweater which I always wore in Leeds.

English

When I was staying in Singapore, I took cabs to go town.
Of course, I took subways as well, but when I took cabs,
I could enjoy conversations with drivers.

As most of people already know that Singaporeans can
speak and understand English. Plus, most of them can
handle Chinese as well. When we think of the globalisation,
the US plays an important role in general. And the UK is
also important in terms of the relation with the US. In
addition to this, China has become an important country
in the international relations. Based on these facts, the
ability of language, especially English and Chinese is really
crucial to consider my position in the globe.

Huge information is on going back and forth every second.
When I stay in Japan, most of information is in Japanese.
I can access the foreign information which someone translates
for us, which means, the information is through the translator's
angle. In a sense, I can say, people like Japanese need to have
the ability to judge what is truth and what is an important
point in information.

I imagine that Singaporeans can understand what the CNN
or the CNBC says when they watch news in a real time. Yes,
here in Japan, they show the news as live with translations,
but what about the subtle nuances in each news? The way of
talk by reporters, and the way of showing the news... I assume
Singaporeans can judge the news more intelligent than us.

When I took cabs, some drivers were listening the radio. I thought
they were more knowledgeble about many things like not only what
is going on the globe but also how the world connects with or
without their intentions.

The night is still young in Clarke Quay

Here is a photo of my memories in Singapore 2007.

This place is called "Clarke Quay", a modern style night spot where a lot of restaurants are serving delicious dishes such as Thai foods, Chinese things, and western style things.

I went to one Thai restaurant. I am a big fan of green curry and yes, I ate it there. In Japan, a towel or wet tissue is served for free, but I found that it is not there. The wet tissue they served has nice smell...

It gets dark very quickly after taking this photo.