2010年7月30日 星期五

The China White Paper 1949 (XXV)

Having noted the development in Changchun and the general situation in China, General Marshall felt that the National government had inadvertently given the CCP opportunities to point an accusing finger at them on several occasions. They included (i) the situation in Hankow (杭州) where a large amount of National government forces had surrounded the Communist troops (ii) the Nationalists violated the cease-fire agreement in moving troops into Chihfen in Jehol Province (iii) the National government shut down the Communist newspaper in Peiping and searched the homes of CCP personnel (iv) the Nationalist authority in Canton (廣東) refused to recognize the existence of Communist troops in the province, and (v) the detention of CCP field team personnel at the airfield in Mukden (瀋陽). General Marshall regarded these action by the Nationalist government as stupid that would not benefit the Nationalist but arouse the suspicion of CCP and thus eroded the basis of co-operation. General Marshall held the pinion that originally KMT had an opportunity to settle the matter in Manchuria peacefully, but now the Communist took advantage of the situation and became stronger everyday. Militarily the Nationalist was in a dangerous situation because it had over-stretched its forces.1 (to be continued)

Note:
1.United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 151.

2010年7月28日 星期三

The China White Paper 1949 (XXIV)

Russian's delay in withdrawal had helped the Chinese Communists' penetration into Manchuria. They were even able to take over weapon stores left behind by the surrendered Japanese with the direct or indirect help of the Russians. This situation gave people inside the Nationalist government who were suspicious of the CCP an excuse to reject political solutions offered by the Communists. On the other hand, one area that the Communists had accused the National government was the transportation of National Government troops using American transportation. On April 15, 1946, when Russians troops had just withdrawn, Communist troops attacked Changchuan (長春) and captured it three days later. This incident gave some anti-communist people inside the National government a reason to support their radical political viewpoints. According to this White Paper, the military success of the Communists in Changchuan area had been benefited from the military equipment taken over from the Japanese which included medium artillery and tanks. (to be continued)

Note:
1.United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, pages 147-150.

2010年7月25日 星期日

The China White Paper 1949(XXIII)

After the cease-fire agreement of January 10th was signed, General Marshall noticed that trouble could happen in Manchuria and the situation there could erode the confidence between CCP and the Nationalist government. The armed forces of both parties might clash when they competed to occupy the vacuum left behind by the Russian troops after withdrawing from China. Russian's continued delay in withdrawal from Manchuria began to add to the suspicion of the Nationalist government that the Russians were helping CCP. At this moment the National government was determined to occupy Manchuria totally. The Russian withdrawal was started on April 6, 1946 and completed by April 29. When they had left, the Nationalist government found that they had difficulties to transport enough troops to occupy the area soon enough to prevent the occupation by the Communist. One reason was that such action was delayed by the Russian who refused to allow the Nationalists to use Dairen as the port of entry. (to be continued)

Note:
1.United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, pages 145-7.

2010年7月23日 星期五

東北大学研究大容量電視錄影

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

 東北大学とソニーは20日、テレビ録画などに使われる大容量光ディスク「ブルーレイ」より20倍以上も記憶容量が大きい次世代光ディスク向けの小型レーザー光源を開発したと発表した。

 高精細なハイビジョン映像はブルーレイでも映画2、3本しか録画できないが、この技術を応用すると、50本以上を記録できる計算で、数年内の実用化をめざす。 光ディスクに情報を記録するには、強いレーザー光を断続的に当て、1と0のデジタル信号を書き込む。記録容量を増やすには、より小さな面積に信号を高速で書き込み、光も強くしなければならない。
 このような光は長さ1メートル弱、価格1000万円以上の実験装置でしか作れないため、これまではテレビの録画機に組み込めなかった。開発陣は既存のブルーレイのレーザー発光素子を基に、強さ100ワット以上のレーザー光を1秒間に10億回も繰り返し出せる能力にした上で、長さ約2センチまで小型化することに成功した。

On the 20th Tohoku University and Sony announced that they had developed a small laser beam source for the next generation optical disk that compared to the large memory capacity mass optical disk "Blue ray" now used for the television recording, the capacity was over 20 times larger.

They aimed at achieving practical use within several years. Now with blue ray recording only 2 and 3 movies in high-definition television image was possible, by calculation, to use this technology 50 or more could be recorded. A strong laser beam was intermittently applied to record information in the optical disk, and the digital signal of 1 and 0 was written. It was necessary to make the light stronger, and to write the signal in a smaller area at high speed so as to increase storage capacity.

As the pilot machine that could make such light was slightly less 1 meter in length and with a price tag of over 10 million yen, it could not be fitted into the television recording machines now we had. The development team based on existing blue ray laser light emission element aimed at achieving the laser strength of 100 watts or more, and in a second that could repeat operation as many as one billion times, and miniaturizing it up to about two centimeters in length.

Its seems that Japan is still taking the lead in the research and development of laser disk technology.

2010年7月22日 星期四

金賢姬會見横田的家人

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

1977年11月に新潟の海岸から拉致された横田めぐみさん(当時13歳)の両親が21日夕、長野県軽井沢町の鳩山由紀夫・前首相の別荘を訪れ、大韓航空機爆破事件の実行犯、金賢姫(キムヒョンヒ)・元北朝鮮工作員(48)と初めて面会した。
 「めぐみについて、わざわざ話すために来られたので、ゆっくりお会いしたい」
 父親の滋さん(77)と母親の早紀江さん(74)は、この日昼過ぎ、新潟県聖籠(せいろう)町での講演でそう語り、講演後、車で約3時間かけて軽井沢町に移動すると、来日2日目の金元工作員と夕食をともにしながら、3時間余りにわたって懇談した。めぐみさんの弟で双子の拓也さん(41)、哲也さん(41)も同席した。
 政府関係者によると、夕食をはさんでの懇談は「時間の制限なく、心ゆくまま語り合ってもらうため」。「妊娠中のめぐみさんに会った」と証言している金元工作員が、横田さん一家にどんな話をしたのかが注目される。横田夫妻は22日朝、近くのホテルで記者会見し、会談の概要を説明する。

In the evening on the 21st parents of Megumi Yokota (13 years old at that time) who was abducted from the coast in Niigata in November 1977 visited the villa that belonged to Yukio Hatoyama the former prime minister in the Nagano Prefecture Karuizawa-cho to meet for the first time the former North Korea agent provocateur (48) Kim Hyon Hui (Hyon Hui the Kim), the direct perpetrator of the bombing of a KAL airliner.

"Purposely I am able to come to speak about Megumi, and I want to do the meeting slowly. "
Father Shigeru (77) and mother Norie (74) in the afternoon on that day gave such a talk at Seiro of Niigata Prefecture, and after saying that, they went to Karuizawa by car for three hours, to chat more than three hours while having supper with Kim the former agent provocateur who was on her second-day visit in Japan. Megumi's twin brother Takuya (41) and Tetsuya (41) also sat next to them.

According to people related to the government, the chat took place when they enjoyed the supper "in order to have a satisfying and fulfilling discussion, there were no limit on time ". While what story Kim the former agent provocateur had said would attracted attention, the Yokota family was told "the pregnant Megumi was met". Mr. and Mrs. Yokota would hold a press conference at the nearby hotel on the morning of the 22nd, and to explain the outline of their talking.

In Japan, abduction done by its unruly neighbouring country is always a nightmare, on top of the missile testing, atomic bomb testing etc.

2010年7月20日 星期二

金賢姬探訪日本(II)

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

ただし政府は、警備上の問題があるとして滞在日程を非公開とする方針で、記者会見なども行われない見通しです。キム・ヒョンヒ元死刑囚の入国にあたっては、2つの課題がありました。1つは、北朝鮮の工作員だったキム元死刑囚が、1987年に起きた大韓航空機爆破事件の実行犯として韓国当局に逮捕されたあと、裁判で死刑判決を受けていることです。出入国管理法では、1年以上の懲役もしくは禁固刑が確定した外国人の日本への上陸を認めていないため、入国にあたっては特例措置をとる必要がありました。この点について政府は「キム元死刑囚の来日が、拉致問題の進展につながる可能性がある」として法務大臣の裁量で入国を特別に許可することを決めました。また、キム元死刑囚は爆破事件の際、「蜂谷真由美」という日本人名義の偽造旅券を使っていた疑いが持たれているため、通常であれば入国にあたって日本の警察当局による事情聴取の対象となります。これについて警察当局は、面会を実現させたい政府の意向を優先し、事情聴取は見送る方針です。
However, because of security problems government's decision was to assume the whole period of the stay to be closed-door, no press conference would be held.There were two problems concerning entering the country by Hyon Hui Kim the former condemned. One was that Kim as a former condemned prisoner and a North Korean agents that had received the death sentence in a trial by South Korea authorities after she was arrested for being the direct perpetrator of the bombing of a KAL airliner occurred in 1987. Under the Immigration-Control and Refugee - Recognition Act, a foreigner who had been sentenced the penal servitude or the imprisonment of one year or more was not allowed to enter and land in Japan, thus preferential measure was needed. On this point the government decided that the entering of the country was exceptionally and was permitted at the Minister of Justice's discretion because "There is a possibility that the visit to Japan by Kim the former condemned may lead to progress in the abduction matter". Moreover, Kim the former condemned had used the forged passport with a Japanese name "Mayumi Hachiya" when committed the bombing, therefore when she entered the country, she became the object for questioning by the police authority of Japan as a matter of routine procedure. The police authority gave priority to the intention of the government that wanted the interview be materialized, and the questioning would be a schedule for the future only.

To some Japanese families, Kim's visit would provide answers to some of the mystery on abduction.

2010年7月19日 星期一

金賢姬探訪日本(I)

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

大韓航空機爆破事件の実行犯で、「拉致被害者の横田めぐみさんと北朝鮮で会っていた」と証言しているキム・ヒョンヒ元死刑囚が、20日来日します。キム元死刑囚が海外に出るのは爆破事件以降初めてで、拉致被害者の家族にどのような話が伝えられるのか注目されます。

大韓航空機爆破事件の実行犯で、北朝鮮で一時、拉致被害者の田口八重子さんから日本語を教わっていたキム・ヒョンヒ元死刑囚は去年、日本政府に対して横田めぐみさんとも会っていたことを明らかにしています。キム元死刑囚は「知っている情報をめぐみさんの両親に直接伝えたい」という意向を示しており、日韓両政府が調整を進めた結果、20日に来日することになりました。キム元死刑囚が韓国から海外に出るのは、爆破事件で逮捕されて以降初めてです。キム元死刑囚は、政府のチャーター機で日本を訪れ、23日までの4日間滞在し、横田めぐみさんや田口八重子さんの家族らと面会することになっています。面会でキム元死刑囚は、めぐみさんの当時の状況についてさらに詳しく証言する可能性があるほか、去年、NHKが行ったインタビューで「北朝鮮で八重子さんとめぐみさん以外の日本人拉致被害者のことも聞いていた」と証言していることから、どのような話が伝えられるか注目されます。

Hyon Hui Kim the direct perpetrator of the bombing of a KAL airliner and the former condemned prisoner who had testified to have, "Met abductee Megumi Yokota in North Korea" came to Japan on the 20th. It was the first time for Kim the former condemned prisoner to go out to foreign countries since the bombing and what story she would tell the abductee's family had attracted attention

Hyon Hui Kim former condemned prisoner because of her bombing of a KAL airliner and had learned Japanese from an abductee Yaeko Taguchi had clarified to Japanese Government last years that she had met Megumi Yokota in North Korea for a short while. Kim the former condemned prisoner showed the intention that "I want to pass on known information directly to Megumi's parents", and could go to Japan on the 20th since both the Japan and South Korea governments had made adjustment to facilitate the matter. After being arrested because of the bombing, it was the first time for Kim the former condemned to go out of South Korea to visit foreign countries. Kim the former condemned was supposed to visit Japan by the government chartered plane, and to stay for four days until the 23rd, and to see Megumi Yokota and Yaeko's Taguchi families. What story she would tell had attracted attention because besides the possibility of testifying more details about Megumi's condition at that time, Kim the former condemned in an interview with NHK last had had testified that "A Japanese abductee was also heard of in North Korea other than Yaeko and Megumi". (to be continued)

2010年7月17日 星期六

東京都内到成田空港有新線

Recently the FNN News reported the following:

東京都内と成田空港を最短36分で結ぶ京成電鉄の新路線「成田スカイアクセス」が、17日、デビューした。
成田スカイアクセスは、京成上野駅と成田空港駅までのおよそ64kmを結ぶ新路線で、途中駅の日暮里から空港第2ビル駅まで最短36分で結ばれ、運行時間はこれまでのスカイライナーより15分短縮されるという。 日暮里からの運賃は、大人1人片道2,400円と480円の値上げになる。
車両は山本寛斎さんがデザインした新型スカイライナーで、在来線では国内最速となる、最高時速160kmで走行する。競合するJR東日本の「成田エクスプレス」は、東京駅と成田空港をおよそ1時間で結んでいて、今後競争が激化するとみられる。

On the 17th the "Narita Sky Access" new route of Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd. that connected New Tokyo International Airport to Tokyo in as short as 36 minutes was opened.

It was said that the route of Narita Sky Access which was about 64 km long connecting Keisei-Ueno Station with the New Tokyo International Airport could link Nippori station to the Airport Second Building station in 36 minutes in the shortest, and was 15 minutes shorter then the operating time of the current Skyliner. The fare from Nippori became 2,400 yen for an adult in a single trip and it was a rise of 480 yen.
The carriage was the New Design Skyliner designed by Yutaka Yamamoto, becoming the quickest existing domestic railway line, traveling at a maximum speed of 160km per hour. Competitor "Narita Express" of East Japan Railway connecting New Tokyo International Airport to Tokyo Station needed about one hour, competition was expected to intensify in future.

It is glad to know that Japan continues to improve its transportation network so as to shorten traveling time of travellers.

2010年7月15日 星期四

北海道函館市自由女神像

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

北海道函館市の歴史的な建造物が建ち並ぶ地区に「自由の女神」をデザインした像が設置され、住民が撤去を求めていた問題で、像を設置した水産会社が来月、この像を撤去することになりました。
高さが6メートルある、この「自由の女神」像は、観光エリアとして人気がある函館市の西部地区で、地元の水産会社が新たにオープンさせた店舗に市民が自由に使えるスペースを設け、その目印になるようにと、先月、設置しました。しかし、西部地区は明治から大正にかけて建てられた歴史的建造物が多く、地元の住民からは「景観にそぐわない」として撤去を求める声が相次ぎ、函館市も撤去を勧告していました。この像について、水産会社の北村暢一社長は15日「住民から、像だけでなく、店の外観などにも反対する声が出て、営業にも影響が出かねなくなっている。直接、話をして理解を求めようと思ったが話し合いが進まず、撤去を決めた」と述べ、来月20日までに像を撤去する考えを示しました。

In Hakodate City, Hokkaido, at the region where many historical buildings were standing, a design that had the image of the "Statue of Liberty" was causing problems because residents were requesting its removal, the fishery company that set up the statue decided to remove it next month.

At the sightseeing area in the popular west district in Hakodate City, this "Statue of Liberty" image of six-meter height designed by the local fishery company was set up to become the landmark last month at the newly open shops that the citizens were able to use the space freely. However, as landmark structures built from the Meiji era to Taishou era was abundant here, the voice of local citizens that requested the removal because "It is not matching the surrounding scene" came one after another, and Hakodate City was also recommending its removal to the west district. As for this statue, on the 15th president Kitamura of the fishery company said 「The opposing voice raised by residents was not only about the statue but also about the external environment of the shops, thinking that it might affect business. Although had talked directly to hope for an understanding, the discussion yielded no progress, and the removal was decided. 」It was shown that consideration was made that the statue would be removed by the 20th of next month .

I am interested to see the design of this statue.

2010年7月13日 星期二

中森明菜45歳生日

Recently the Excite News reported the following:

 歌手、中森明菜が45歳の誕生日を迎えた13日、都内で行われたパチンコ新機種「CR中森明菜・歌姫伝説~恋も二度目なら~」のプレス発表に登場した。
 同機種は、2006年に発表された「CR中森明菜・歌姫伝説」の第2弾。画面には、1982年のデビュー曲「スローモーション」や84年の「サザン・ウインド」など13曲のヒット曲とともに、当時の映像が流れる。
 78年から89年まで放送された伝説の音楽番組「ザ・ベストテン」で、歴代最多17曲を1位に送り込んだ明菜。肩を露出したセクシーなドレス姿で「いっぱい1位を獲って売れていたころの私がたくさん見れますよ」と胸を張ってPRした。
 が、「誕生日は誰と?」と質問されると、「仕事」と寂しげにポツリ。「恋はしていますか?」には、両手の人さし指を左右にふるポーズで「ない、ない」とシブ~い表情。

On the 13th when singer Meisai Nakamori had her 45-year-old birthday, in Tokyo a press announcement was released about the new model Pachinko: " CR Meisai Nakamori the legend of female professional singer - If love also have the second time -"

This model was the come back of "CR Meisai Nakamori and the legend of female professional singer" announced in 2006. The screen at that time flowed the image of 13 songs including debut songs "Slow Motion" in 1982 and "Southern Window" etc. of 1984 that were hits on the screen.

In the lgendary musical program "Za - Best Ten" that had been broadcasted from 1978 to 1989, Nakamori was given the first place in a record number of 17 songs. In a sexy dress that exposed one's shoulder, with straighten up chest for the PR, said that "with 1st place fully captured, I can see a lot could be sold".

"Who was with you on the birthday? ", when questioned, the reply: "Work", and was in loneliness. Asked "Do you fall in love?", with the index fingers of both hands waving right and left, saying that "There is not, and doesn't exist" and posed a bitter facial expression.

At the age of 45 and still keeping herself in good shape, Nakamori continues to be popular among many people, including people from Hong Kong. Good for her.

2010年7月10日 星期六

福岡市選舉活動有持槍客

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:

10日午後5時半ごろ、中央区天神2丁目の路上で、参院選福岡選挙区に立候補している民主党現職の大久保勉氏の応援弁士が街頭演説中、拳銃を持った男が大久保氏らに近づいた。秘書らが男に気づき、取り押さえた。福岡県警は銃刀法違反の疑いで男を現行犯逮捕し、発表した。大久保氏らや聴衆にけがはなかった。
 中央署の調べでは、男は同県久留米市津福本町、無職高瀬正二郎容疑者(71)。持っていたのは自動式拳銃1丁と実弾の入った弾倉だったという。調べに対し、「元右翼団体員だ」と話したという。現場は繁華街の福岡パルコ前で、当時は約100人の聴衆がいた。
 目撃者の話などによると、大久保氏の応援で訪れていた民主党県連代表が演説をしていたとき、高瀬容疑者が近づき拳銃を取り出したという。高瀬容疑者は秘書に「世間を騒がせたかった」と話したという。
 
On the 10th at 5.30 pm at a road in the Fukuoka City Middle Ward where the Democratic Party incumbent ran for the House of Councilors election, the Fukuoka electoral district Ohisa's assistant speaker while making a political speech a man with a gun approached Tamotsu Ohisa and others. The secretaries noticed the man and caught him. Fukuoka prefecture police announced the arrest of a man on suspicion of the weapon law violation. Neither Tamotsu Ohisa nor the audience had received injury.
According to the investigation of the Central station, the male suspect was from the same prefecture of Kurume City Tsu Fukumoto district, unemployed Takase (71). It was said that what he held was one automatic-pistol with one cartridge loaded in the magazine. In response to the investigation, it was said that he " is a former rightist organization member". At that time, there were about 100 audiences at the site in front of downtown Fukuoka Parco. According to eyewitness reports, it was said that when the representative of the Democratic Party prefecture federation who visited to give assistance to Tamotsu Ohisa and made a speech, the suspect Takase approached and took out the gun. Suspect Takase told the secretary, "I wanted to make a flutter".

So, to run for an election in Japan could be a dangerous activity.

2010年7月9日 星期五

埼玉県地蔵遭破壞

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

埼玉県北部で昨年9月以降、地蔵が相次いで倒されるなどした事件で、県警は9日、本庄市の無職男(34)を器物損壊容疑で逮捕した。
 男は「去年の夏頃から二十数件やった」と一連の事件への関与を認めているが、「悪霊が『仏を大事にしろ』としつこく繰り返すので、悪霊を退治するために地蔵を壊す必要があった」と話しているといい、県警は刑事責任能力についても調べる方針。
 発表などによると、男は8日未明、美里町関の長勝院にある地蔵2体の首をけ落とした疑い。付近に設置した防犯カメラの映像などから男が浮上。男が使っていた軽乗用車から塗料スプレー4缶も押収された。男は「夜眠れず、自分で運転して寺に行った」などと供述しているという。
 県警や被害に遭った寺によると、県北では昨年9~12月、本庄市内4か所で地蔵が壊される事件が6件発生。今年は、本庄(9件)、深谷(6件)、美里(5件)、熊谷(2件)、神川(1件)にも飛び火していた。
 県警は、関係5署や捜査1課の合同捜査班を本庄署に設置。地蔵がある計約400か所のうち、被害が予想される場所に防犯カメラや捜査員を投入していた。

In northern part of Saitama Prefecture since September last year statues of Jizo were knocked down one after another, on the 9th prefecture police arrested an unemployed man (34) of Honjo City on suspicion of property damage.

The man admitted that he "did 20 or more cases around last summer" and had participated in the series of incidents and seemed to have said, " the evil spirit 'is a big matter in Buddha', it lingered on and repeatedly returned, in order to root out the evil spirit it was necessary to break the Jizo statues", and prefecture police had the policy to examine the criminal responsibility of the man.

According to the announcement, a man was suspected of knocking down the head of two Jizo statues in the Long Victory Temple in Misato-cho Gate before dawn of the 8th. A man appeared in the image of the security camera that was set up in the vicinity. As many as four paints spray cans were confiscated from the mini-passenger car which this man used. The man testified that "Being not able to sleep at night I went to the temple, and I did the driving myself".

According to the temple that had suffered damages and the prefecture police, six cases of Jizo statute damage had occurred in four locations in the Honjo city in north prefecture from September to December last year. It leapt to Honjo (9 cases), Fukaya (6 cases), Misato (5 cases), Kumagaya (2 cases), and Kamikawa (1 case) this year.

Prefecture police set up a combination investigation group from five related regions and one investigation division in the Honjo station. Security cameras and agents were sent to the places where damages were expected among the about 400 locations in total that had Jizo statues.

I am wondering whether the man who had done these could have been mentally disturbed.

2010年7月7日 星期三

日抗議俄國在北方四島進行射撃訓練

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

ロシア国防省は、先月からロシア軍が極東シベリアで行っている大規模な軍事演習の一環として、北方四島の択捉島で射撃訓練を行ったと発表しました。
ロシア軍は先月29日から、極東シベリアで2万人が参加する大規模な軍事演習を行っています。ロシア国防省は、この演習の一環として、北方四島の択捉島にある「オクチャブリスキー演習場」で訓練を実施したと4日付けで発表しました。発表によりますと、訓練には極東軍管区に所属する1500人以上の兵士とおよそ200台の軍用車両が参加し、武装グループを捜索して射撃する訓練などを行ったということです。一連の演習について、ロシア国防省は極東シベリアの国境地域での治安確保が目的だとしていて、4日にはメドベージェフ大統領もオホーツク海で行われた演習を視察していました。ロシア軍は去年2月にも択捉島で軍事演習を行っていて、今回の演習を受け、日本政府は「きわめて遺憾だ」として、ロシア側に抗議しました。

The Russian Department of Defense announced that they had carried out firearms trainings in Etorofuto at the Northern Four Islands as part of the large-scale military exercise that Russian troops had been holding in Far Eastern Siberia since last month.
Since the 29th of last month Russian troops in Far Eastern Siberia had been holding a large-scale military exercise in which 20,000 people had participated. Depending on what was announced on the 4th, the Russian Department of Defense had carried out training at "Okuchaburisuki Training Ground" in Etorofuto at the Northern Four Islands as part of this maneuver. It was a training that had about 200 military vehicles participated toegther with 1500 soldiers or more who belonged to the Far Eastern army district, they searched for an armed group and shot at it. About this series of maneuvers, the Russian Department of Defense assumed that the purpose was for maintaining law and order in the borderland region in Far Eastern Siberia, and President Medvedev inspected the maneuver in the Okhotsk on the 4th. Russian army had held military exercises in Etorofuto February last year, and Japanese Government regarded the present maneuver as "extremely regrettable" and protested against Russia.

I am wondering who would be the potential enemy of the Russian in this region: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or . . . ?

2010年7月5日 星期一

日本景気動向指数下跌

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

内閣府がまとめたことし5月の景気動向指数は、景気の持ち直しをけん引してきた自動車やテレビの販売の伸びが鈍ったことなどから、景気の現状を示す指数が1年2か月ぶりに悪化しました。
景気動向指数は、企業の生産や雇用などさまざまな経済活動の指標を基に内閣府が算出したもので、指数が前の月を上回れば景気は上向き、下回れば下向きと判断されます。このうち景気の現状を示す「一致指数」は、平成17年の100に対し、5月は101.2となり、前の月に比べて0.1ポイント下がって1年2か月ぶりに悪化しました。これは、エコカー減税など政府の経済対策の効果で好調だった自動車やテレビの販売の伸びが鈍ってきたことや、輸出も増加のペースが緩やかになってきたことで消費や生産に関する指標が低下したためです。一方、景気の先行きを示す「先行指数」も、前の月より自動車やテレビの出荷が減少したことなどから、前の月を3.0ポイント下回る98.7となり、2か月連続で悪化しました。

Regarding the economic movement indices in May this year that the Cabinet Office had collected together, the index showed that the present state of the economy had deteriorated after an interval of one year and two months because the expansion in sales of cars and televisions that had pulled up the recovery of business became dull.
The economic movement index was a calculation of the Cabinet Office that based on the indices of a variety of economic activities like production and the employment, etc. of the enterprise, would assume that the business would go upward if the index exceeded the previous month, and would go downward if it fell below. "The Co-ordinated Indicator" that showed the present state of the economy that was set at 100 in 2005 had become 101.2, falling by 0.1 points when compared with the previous month, recording a deterioration in May after an interval of 1 year and two months. This was because the expansion of sales in auto-cars and televisions with the effect of economic measures of the the government such as the eco-friendly car tax reductions had become dull. The pace of increase in export had become slow, the index concerning consumption and export went down. On the other hand, the "Leading Indicator" that showed the future of business became 98.7, falling below the previous month by 3.0 points due to a decrease in shipment of cars and televisions in previous month, and it was a continuous two-month deterioration.

Although the economic outlook in Europe is not that positive, I hope the economy situation in Asia could improve soon.

2010年7月4日 星期日

English is getting modern

Recently I learn about the difference between the following two sentences:

(a) He hasn't any ideas.
(b) He doesn't have any ideas.

According to Geoffrey Leech and others, sentence (a) is an old way of asking a question while (b) is more common these days. That means both sentences are correct grammatically. As indicated in sentence (b), nowadays people prefer using the the word 'do' (grammatically called 'operator') by putting it before 'have' to form a question. They also explain that 'operator' in grammar is the first auxiliary verb in a finite verb phrase.

When I started learning English many years ago, I was taught to use sentence (a). In order to be in fashion, I think I should start using sentence (b). Time has changed, so does grammar in English.

Reference:
1. Geoffrey Leech et al . An A-Z of English Grammar & Usage. Longman, 2001.
2. Geoffrey Leech et al. English Grammar for To-day. Palgrave Macmillan, 2006.

2010年7月3日 星期六

茨城中国実習生過労死

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:

日本で技術を学ぶ外国人研修・技能実習制度で来日し、茨城県潮来(いたこ)市のめっき加工会社で働いていた中国人実習生の男性(当時31)が急性心不全で亡くなったのは長時間労働が原因だとして、鹿嶋労働基準監督署は2日、「過労死による労災」と認定した。男性の弁護士によると、外国人研修・技能実習生の過労死による労災が認定されたのは全国で初。

 労災認定を受けたのは、2005年12月に外国人研修・技能実習制度を利用して来日した蒋暁東(チアン・シアオトン)さん。潮来市の会社で働き始め、3年目の08年6月、就寝中に急死した。遺族が09年8月、鹿嶋労基署に労災申請していた。 同署は、蒋さんが亡くなる直前の3カ月間、月93~109時間の残業をしており、過労死だったと判断。同署は、蒋さんら中国人実習生3人を違法に長時間残業させ、最低賃金を下回る時給400円の残業代しか支払っていなかったなどとして、この会社と男性社長(66)を労働基準法違反容疑(長時間労働、残業代不払い)で水戸地検土浦支部に書類送検した。3人に対する未払い賃金は計18万円という。

The Chinese male trainee (aged 31 at that time) who worked at the plating processing company in Itako city of Ibaraki county came to Japan under the technical internship program, that allowed foreigners be trained in learning technology in Japan was assumed to have been working long hours and died of the acute cardiac insufficiency, and on the 2nd the Kashima Labor Standards Inspection Office recognized it as a case of "Workers' accident compensation due to death from overwork". According to the man's lawyer, it was the first recognized case in the whole country that workers' accident compensation was related to foreigner training and technical intern's death resulted from overwork.

It was Jiang Xiadong who came to Japan in December 2005 under the foreigner training and the technical internship program who had received the workers' accident compensation recognition. He began to work at the company in Itako City, and died suddenly while sleeping in bed in June 2008, the third year in Japan. The bereaved family in August 2009 applied to Kashima Labor Standard Office for the workers' accident compensation. The same Office judged that Jiang in the three months immediately before his death had worked overtime between 93 to 109 hours a month and judged that death was due to overwork. Three Chinese trainees including Jiang were made to work overtime illegally for a long time, and it was assumed that the overtime payment at the hourly wage was only 400 yen that fell below the minimum wage, and the Office had sent a police report on the male president (66) of this company to the Mito District Public Prosecutors office Tsuchiura branch on suspicion of Labor Standards Law violation (long working hours and overtime pay nonpayment). The unpaid wage to these three people was 180,000 yen in total.

It is a sad story to hear. I am wondering whether these Chinese workers in Japan are just working for the wage or are really motivated by the opportunity to learn some high technical skill from Japanese factories.

2010年7月2日 星期五

鄧麗君(1953-1995)


最近我的社區舉行了一個有關鄧麗君的歌唱比賽. 以前我對這些報導是毫不留意的. 不過近來幾星期, 我對鄧麗君唱的日本歌忽然有濃厚興趣. 使我成為她的一個遲來的超齡歌迷. 事緣我希望多聽日本歌來改善我聽日語的能力, 在找歌的過程裏, 無意中發現她曾經唱過很多日本歌.不知什麼緣故, 被她的悅耳聲調所吸引, 連帶她的國語歌也重新欣賞起來. 我透過You-Tube發現有不少她的歌迷把她的片段放置上網. 包括在香港一九七六年於利舞台, 一九八二年在伊館等表演. 八二年在伊館那首 "你怎麼說”, 十分有技巧地製造現場氣氛. 嬴得不少掌聲. 網上點擊率接近五十萬次. 在日本, 我最喜歡的是她連續三年在有線電視獲賞時的表現,十分感動. 當時的她, 應該是在歌唱事業的頂峰了, 很有成熟美, 表現大方自然. 她最後一次在日本的演出應是一九九四年. 當時已經感到她比以前老了, 艷光減退 , 顯示出時間流逝的無奈. 她能於日本闖出名堂, 當然是和她的日語能力有關. 她的努力, 使我欣賞, 亦使我發一奇想: 將來會否寫一些她在日本奮鬥的經過. 她雖然不幸英年早逝, 但已經留下了不少難忘歌曲, 亦不枉此生.

2010年7月1日 星期四

東大發現鼠涙腺分泌物可催情

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

 東原和成・東京大教授(応用生命化学)らは、オスのマウスの涙腺から分泌される物質が、メスの脳を刺激して交尾を促進することを明らかにした。哺乳(ほにゅう)類の性フェロモンの機構が明らかになったのは初めて。英科学誌ネイチャーに発表した。
 研究チームは、成熟したオスだけが分泌する「ESP1」という小さなたんぱく質の機能を解析。メスは通常、オスが交尾を仕掛けても10回に1回ほどしか受け入れないが、ESP1を与えると2回に1回ほどに増えた。 メスは鼻の下部の「鋤鼻(じょび)器官」にあるセンサーでESP1を認識し、発情を調整する視床下部に情報を送っていた。センサーを働かなくすると交尾の促進は見られなくなった。 効果てきめんのESP1だが、霊長類や人間にはこの遺伝子がなく、男が泣いても効果は期待できない。

Tokyo University professor (applied life chemistry) Higashiharawana and others had clarified that the material secreted from lachrymal gland of male mouse could stimulate mesu of the brain and promote copulation. It was the first time that the mechanism of this sexual pheromone was clarified. It was announced in the British science magazine Nature.

The research team analyzed the function of a small protein "ESP1" that only a mature male would secrete. Even if the male began copulating, in normal condition the mesu of the brain would give only one success out of every ten times, but it was increased to about once every two times wen ESP1 was given. The mesu allowed the sensor that existed in "jobi organ" under the nose to recognize ESP1, and to send information to the hypothalamus that controlled sexual excitement. Without this senor, promotion of copulation could not be seen. But even if a man cried, the effect could not be expected because neither primates nor men had this gene though ESP1 had such an effect.

So, Japanese scientists have proved that the lachrymal grand of the mouse is important for copulating.