Japanese Shame

Prime minister Koizumi becomes Bush now.

Five Japanese who had been abdusted by North Corea for more than twenty years came back to Japan two years ago. It was reported dramatically and sensationally in Japan at that time. I heard this news when I was in Berkeley, and I was surprised and shocked how American media (government) wasn't interested in this topic at all. I thought the U.S. government keeps tracks of the Asian situation because it might has much to do with U.S. interest and "Security Treaty." However, the fact was U.S.(Bush) just focued on Iraq war. It's very funny for me.

It is also reported that more than one hundred people have still taken away by North Korea, and Japanese government demanded N.K to bring all the people back especially ten people who N.K already confessed to haveing kidnapped. The result was N.K gave back their bone answering they have already died. After judging this bone, Japanese govenment concluded it's faulse.

Everyday, all day long, TV programs are stirring up the public opinion, and arguing whether Japan should impose economic sanction on N.K. or not. Almost 70% people agree to the sanction, but Koizumi seems to be very nervous and careful about this matter. He never explain anything cleary for people, and this makes people irritated day by day.
Actually he decided to extend the period of the Self-Defense Force (SDF) dispatch to Iraq for one year even though 90% of Japanese oppose it. He makes a opposite decision to public opinion.

The support rate for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet fell below 40 percent for the first time since he took power in 2001. He is really honeymoon with Bush!
Shame on you, koizumi.

Japanese Kids Get Stupider

The reading skills of Japanese 15-year-olds have plummeted over the past few years, leaving Japan lagging behind 13 other countries, a survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has shown.

In reading comprehension the top 15 countries and their scores were as follows:
Finland, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Liechtenstein, New Zealand , Ireland, Sweden, Holland, Hong Kong, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Macao. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, Dec. 7, 2004) In the first survey conducted in 2000, Japan had ranked eighth in this category.

It's not surprising result for me. Children are not willing to read books and talk or debate on it with others including parents. When Japan was economically poor, parents encourage their children to study and discipline them with using everything surrounding us, rivers, trees, mountains, insects, sky... There were the conversation between kids and parents. Parents tell the story when children get sleep every night. Children are gradually interested in reading and spread their wing of imagination.

Now alomost all Japanese kids are crazy about TV game and personal computer. Their imagination and feelig are packed into the small "box." They are poor at expressing their emotion, or they have already lost their opinion.

I think It's not their fault but adults'. A stupid news which we cannot laugh was reported last week. A teacher who cannot read and write right Japanese has fired. He does't even reach the lowest revel of the reading and writing skills of Japanese. Even teacher cannot have enough skills of Japanese! All adults should take full responsibility for children's education, and put the small seed of interest and imaginaion on their soul.

In response to the results of the survey, the ministry plans to introduce a program to boost students' reading comprehension skills by next summer.
I really hope this "program" is not just a mere formality.

The Last Lack of 2004

One of my big "current job" in my family is organizing a remodeling plan of my house. My parents' house is about forty years old, so I've been worrying that it might be tumbled if a big earthquake would occur in our area. Then I decide to plan to remodel it because it's a good chance both my parents and I. My parents are also getting older and weaker, so I encourage them to do it during my staying home temporally.
Fortunately, I use to work as an editor of "HOUSING" magazine and have more knowledge and severe eye for selecting stuff as a professional. That's why I am the "main person" who had been arranging with housing builder all about the remodeling plan.

Today I brought my parents to the showroom which exhibited a lot of house stuff such as toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens, and choose the model they like. Before leaving the showroom, a clerk woman ask my mother to draw a lot, and my mother did.
Our family has no luck of the draw, so I didn't expect the good prize. At least I want to bring something.
"Ohhhh!" a woman shouted.
"You got it! You won the first prize. Congratulations!"
The first prize is "holding bicyicle." We were up in the air at the moment.

We think "this is our last luck in this year."