When did you stop talking like a school kid? Do you remember when you stopped using the slang that was once cool? One of my friends asked me, and I couldn't answer.
Everyone must have noticed that the younger generation uses their own jargon: speech which has a unique meaning with very limited usage among kids of that generation only. Sometimes it confuses me and I feel like I have a big question mark stuck on my face when I overhear them talking.
I receive lots of sales solicitation calls at the office. I just can't believe what I'm hearing sometimes. They just can't greet their prospective clients properly and introduce themselves. Some of them try so hard to sound polite, but they sound insulting instead. As you might know, the Japanese language has 3 layers of politeness for verbs. Many of these young salespeople not only can't speak politely, they sound too casual. Just for kicks, I sometimes ask them questions about their service, and they can't answer. They're just lost and suddenly talking to me like they would talk to one of their friends. Only problem is: I don't want to make friends with them over the phone...
It's deplorable, today's crisis of slang, and it breaks my heart. This is not what I learned and studied in order to teach foreigners the Japanese language. "These days young people are..." is such a cliche, but it just keep popping up in my head.
Maybe I'm coming out the other side of the generation gap...!
Monday, June 30, 2003
Monday, May 26, 2003
Mold
Tsuyu, the Rainy Season, has started in Southern Japan already. And so with Tsuyu also comes the season of Kabi (mold).
Because of Japan's humid climate, mold becomes a problem at home. Areas such as your bathroom, kitchen, etc., provide an environment for spores to grow, and while you may feel this is a bad thing, we also have to remember that mold is a key contributor to some unique Japanese foods (and of other cultures as well).
One such food is Natto, a sticky mixture of boiled soy beans that traditionally come wrapped in straw. The bacteria responsible for Natto's smell and stickiness is Bacillus Subtilis, which propagates in straw and which makes Natto rich in Vitamin B.
Another food is Katsuo Bushi (dried bonito), the shaved brown flakes that people put on top of their Tako-yaki or Okonomiyaki. Shaved fish flakes dance in the heat of the food and are fun to watch as they move. The flakes are produced with a mold enzyme which breaks down the bonito adeps (a type of lard) and adds the taste and flavor.
Cheese is also, of course, made with the help of molds, as well as wine, saki, etc. Especially the precious is the Botrytis Cinerea bacteria's contribution to create La Pourriture Noble (Pourriture Noble wine). Botrytis cinerea requires a complicated combination of temperature and humidity, which wine makers struggle with each year.
Interestingly, with the SARS epidemic, people in Hong Kong and China have started wondering why Japanese and Koreans are not suffering from the disease. An urban myth has emerged that it may be because both cultures eat a lot of fermented foods. As a result, sales of Kimchi and Natto have soared in the region, as have those of Yakult, a fermented milk drink, made with the Shirota strain of Lactobacillus Casei bacteria.
Because of Japan's humid climate, mold becomes a problem at home. Areas such as your bathroom, kitchen, etc., provide an environment for spores to grow, and while you may feel this is a bad thing, we also have to remember that mold is a key contributor to some unique Japanese foods (and of other cultures as well).
One such food is Natto, a sticky mixture of boiled soy beans that traditionally come wrapped in straw. The bacteria responsible for Natto's smell and stickiness is Bacillus Subtilis, which propagates in straw and which makes Natto rich in Vitamin B.
Another food is Katsuo Bushi (dried bonito), the shaved brown flakes that people put on top of their Tako-yaki or Okonomiyaki. Shaved fish flakes dance in the heat of the food and are fun to watch as they move. The flakes are produced with a mold enzyme which breaks down the bonito adeps (a type of lard) and adds the taste and flavor.
Cheese is also, of course, made with the help of molds, as well as wine, saki, etc. Especially the precious is the Botrytis Cinerea bacteria's contribution to create La Pourriture Noble (Pourriture Noble wine). Botrytis cinerea requires a complicated combination of temperature and humidity, which wine makers struggle with each year.
Interestingly, with the SARS epidemic, people in Hong Kong and China have started wondering why Japanese and Koreans are not suffering from the disease. An urban myth has emerged that it may be because both cultures eat a lot of fermented foods. As a result, sales of Kimchi and Natto have soared in the region, as have those of Yakult, a fermented milk drink, made with the Shirota strain of Lactobacillus Casei bacteria.
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Parks
May is the month when Tokyo's greenery becomes noticeable. The weather is nice, with lots of sunshine, and its only natural that most of us decide to take a walk and/or a picnic in the park.
Public parks came into being in 1873 in Japan. Each prefecture chose suitable locations. In Tokyo, Sensojii/Asakusa Park, Zojoji/Shiba Park, Kaneiji/Ueno Park, and Tomioka Hachimangu/Fukagawa Park were all among the first public parks to be established. By no coincidence many of the parks are in the precincts of famous temples. Apparently, the parks were an appeasement by the central government in return for prior neglect when innovating the land distribution system.
Before this, Japan didn't have parks. Instead, people went to shrines and temples to enjoy manicured landscapes. The first such publicly developed temple grounds were at Asukayama, opened in the Edo era (1716 - 36). At this time, the masses started enjoying cultural pursuits that previously had been restricted to the ruling class.
Each nation with a park tradition, has had a different reason for developing them. For example, with the industrialization of England and the increase of blue collar workers (who liked dog fighting and other "low-brow" sports), parks were created as a place to escape for the mid- and upper-class residents of London. In Germany on the other hand, parks were created to provide an uplifting of the general public's spirit -- which they achieved by building many statues of patriots and public achievers in the newly created public spaces.
How about Japan? The government was totally focused on modernizing the nation and thus in 1903 established Hibiya Park as a place that would reflect the moral ambitions of the time. Unfortunately, the park soon became overrun with peddlers, street performers, carriages and rikishas.
Well, considering that this was the exact same thing that such people did at the various shrines and temples, their actions were actually quite normal.
Today Japanese parks serve not only as places of recreation, but also as fire breaks. When the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 hit Tokyo, it caused about 43% of the city to burn. The other 60% was protected by parks, squares, rivers, and similar open spaces.
Public parks came into being in 1873 in Japan. Each prefecture chose suitable locations. In Tokyo, Sensojii/Asakusa Park, Zojoji/Shiba Park, Kaneiji/Ueno Park, and Tomioka Hachimangu/Fukagawa Park were all among the first public parks to be established. By no coincidence many of the parks are in the precincts of famous temples. Apparently, the parks were an appeasement by the central government in return for prior neglect when innovating the land distribution system.
Before this, Japan didn't have parks. Instead, people went to shrines and temples to enjoy manicured landscapes. The first such publicly developed temple grounds were at Asukayama, opened in the Edo era (1716 - 36). At this time, the masses started enjoying cultural pursuits that previously had been restricted to the ruling class.
Each nation with a park tradition, has had a different reason for developing them. For example, with the industrialization of England and the increase of blue collar workers (who liked dog fighting and other "low-brow" sports), parks were created as a place to escape for the mid- and upper-class residents of London. In Germany on the other hand, parks were created to provide an uplifting of the general public's spirit -- which they achieved by building many statues of patriots and public achievers in the newly created public spaces.
How about Japan? The government was totally focused on modernizing the nation and thus in 1903 established Hibiya Park as a place that would reflect the moral ambitions of the time. Unfortunately, the park soon became overrun with peddlers, street performers, carriages and rikishas.
Well, considering that this was the exact same thing that such people did at the various shrines and temples, their actions were actually quite normal.
Today Japanese parks serve not only as places of recreation, but also as fire breaks. When the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 hit Tokyo, it caused about 43% of the city to burn. The other 60% was protected by parks, squares, rivers, and similar open spaces.
Monday, April 28, 2003
Local Tourism
The Gifu Prefectural government will open a new theme park in Minokamo City, called Nihon Showa Mura. It has a period theme and features an old theater, 50's style houses decorated with seasonal flowers, and entertainment from the 50's and 60's. Gifu has been building the park since 1990 and will leave management to a management company called Farm Group.
During the bubble years, the penchant of Japanese local governments to open up huge theme parks became a real problem, and resulted in the disposal of such sites as Sea Gaeia in Miyazaki, at fire sale prices. So it's rather amazing that somewhere like Gifu is still trying to do this.
Still, given the current problems in the world and the reluctance of Japanese recently to travel overseas, maybe the "Build it and they will come" mentality is about to make a comeback. SARS has all but killed off the overseas travel industry for this Golden Week, so there is likely to be a lot of people stuck at home this year who will want to take their families somewhere -- maybe Gifu is the place to go.
Or how about New Zealand-mura, in Tohoku? Maybe you can find out what makes Terrie tick... ;-)
During the bubble years, the penchant of Japanese local governments to open up huge theme parks became a real problem, and resulted in the disposal of such sites as Sea Gaeia in Miyazaki, at fire sale prices. So it's rather amazing that somewhere like Gifu is still trying to do this.
Still, given the current problems in the world and the reluctance of Japanese recently to travel overseas, maybe the "Build it and they will come" mentality is about to make a comeback. SARS has all but killed off the overseas travel industry for this Golden Week, so there is likely to be a lot of people stuck at home this year who will want to take their families somewhere -- maybe Gifu is the place to go.
Or how about New Zealand-mura, in Tohoku? Maybe you can find out what makes Terrie tick... ;-)
Monday, April 14, 2003
Edo
The recent building boom is escalating: followed by the launch of the Maru-biru in front of Tokyo Station recently, Shiodome City Center opened on April 10, and Roppongi Hills will open on April 25. All of these complexes have business offices supported with the latest urban facilities such as restaurants, hotels, shops, etc.
I have heard that the number of young women applying for jobs with companies located at these trendy offices is increasing. They chose to work in such locations not for income only, but also for the lifestyle. Their logic appears to be that if the working conditions are almost the same as where they are now, then they may as well work somewhere where they can have a good time with their friends after work.
Naturally these new building complexes need services people to support the huge number of new tenants. For example, Maru-biru houses about 140 tenants and has 50 service companies with about 5,000 workers supplying those services. Most of these support companies still need staff to handle their operations start-ups. Given that Osaka has had such a hard time recently, I personally hope that the opening of "Namba Park" in October will have the same effect down there. More foot traffic means more business and improved money flow to that area.
By-the-way, April 11 is a famous day for Japanese history. It is the day that the last Shogun was forced to surrender Edo Castle to the Emperor's forces in 1868. The Meiji Period started thereafter and Japan began to industrialize. The city of Edo (Tokyo) has changed a lot since that time. But in a way, this city still needs to be opened up to the world...
I have heard that the number of young women applying for jobs with companies located at these trendy offices is increasing. They chose to work in such locations not for income only, but also for the lifestyle. Their logic appears to be that if the working conditions are almost the same as where they are now, then they may as well work somewhere where they can have a good time with their friends after work.
Naturally these new building complexes need services people to support the huge number of new tenants. For example, Maru-biru houses about 140 tenants and has 50 service companies with about 5,000 workers supplying those services. Most of these support companies still need staff to handle their operations start-ups. Given that Osaka has had such a hard time recently, I personally hope that the opening of "Namba Park" in October will have the same effect down there. More foot traffic means more business and improved money flow to that area.
By-the-way, April 11 is a famous day for Japanese history. It is the day that the last Shogun was forced to surrender Edo Castle to the Emperor's forces in 1868. The Meiji Period started thereafter and Japan began to industrialize. The city of Edo (Tokyo) has changed a lot since that time. But in a way, this city still needs to be opened up to the world...
Monday, March 31, 2003
Thunderbirds Are Go!
Have you heard about the TV show "ThunderBirds"? It was a puppet show that went on the air in the UK in 1965. NHK will broadcast the original series (which was broadcast in 1966 in Japan) over digital as part of its 50th anniversary of TV broadcasting. The show will be aired from April 13.
The story is about the Tracy family, a father with 5 sons, which protects people from disasters and accidents in 2065. Jeff Tracy, the father is well to do, and was able to organize the INTERNATIONAL RESCUE (IR) team -- using technology beyond the capability of nations and regular rescue groups. Their hi-tech arsenal includes a rocket, aircraft freight lifter, space station, a fancy pink Rolls Royce, etc.
What a shame we can't call on the IR (no, not investor relations) team to help out in the Middle East. We need someone who can solve the life-threatening problems there that full nations can't do on their own. I wonder if the screen writers ever imagined that the world would have more complicated problems than even IR could help with -- especially, a rescue team that wasn't influenced by politics or leader's egos...
The story is about the Tracy family, a father with 5 sons, which protects people from disasters and accidents in 2065. Jeff Tracy, the father is well to do, and was able to organize the INTERNATIONAL RESCUE (IR) team -- using technology beyond the capability of nations and regular rescue groups. Their hi-tech arsenal includes a rocket, aircraft freight lifter, space station, a fancy pink Rolls Royce, etc.
What a shame we can't call on the IR (no, not investor relations) team to help out in the Middle East. We need someone who can solve the life-threatening problems there that full nations can't do on their own. I wonder if the screen writers ever imagined that the world would have more complicated problems than even IR could help with -- especially, a rescue team that wasn't influenced by politics or leader's egos...
Monday, March 17, 2003
Internationalization
On March 14 in 1873, the Japanese government authorized international marriage in Japan, providing permission was first sought from the government. Japan been closed for about 200 years prior to that date, except for ports such as Nagasaki, and international marriage was illegal. If you wanted to marry a foreigner, you had to go overseas.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in the year 2000 (the latest date for such statistics) one out of 22 couples who submitted a marriage application had at least one foreign spouse. There were 36,263 international marriages, an increase of 13.6% over the previous year. You might think this trend was only evident in Tokyo, but in fact, in Yamagata and Yamanashi Prefectures, international marriages occurred in one out of every 14 couples -- about 7% of all marriages registered. And in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Gifu, and Oita, international marriages increased 30% to 40% over the previous year.
Nowadays, almost everyone I know has at least one foreigner within the family -- so it's not so surprising any more. I am willing to bet that the number of international marriages will continue to rise and in 50 year's time, Japan will look very different to how it does now.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in the year 2000 (the latest date for such statistics) one out of 22 couples who submitted a marriage application had at least one foreign spouse. There were 36,263 international marriages, an increase of 13.6% over the previous year. You might think this trend was only evident in Tokyo, but in fact, in Yamagata and Yamanashi Prefectures, international marriages occurred in one out of every 14 couples -- about 7% of all marriages registered. And in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Gifu, and Oita, international marriages increased 30% to 40% over the previous year.
Nowadays, almost everyone I know has at least one foreigner within the family -- so it's not so surprising any more. I am willing to bet that the number of international marriages will continue to rise and in 50 year's time, Japan will look very different to how it does now.
Monday, March 03, 2003
Hotel Boom
As you may heard, the large Dutch-themed Nagasaki resort, Huis Ten Bosch applied for court protection from bankruptcy (Chapter 11) this week, with debts of JPY228.9bn. Sasebo, where Huis Ten Bosch is located, has both a seaport and airport where it had hoped to receive large numbers of visitors, especially from China/Taiwan/Hong Kong. Now that the resort is bankrupt, the big question is whether to use public funds to support it -- given all the tourist dollars that will be lost otherwise.
Ironically, there is now a hotel-building "bubble" going on in Tokyo, and many hotels will open around 2006. To counter those newcomers, existing Japanese hotels has been re-investing to improve their facilities, with investment increases of 49%, JPY73bn, over last year. The amounts are significant: Tokyu Hotel chain JPY2.4bn, ANA Hotel Tokyo JPY1.7bn, Kobe Port Pia JPY1.2bn...
Small onsen (hot springs) in remote parts of Japan have also become popular again, and now for some places reservations stretch as far as two years from now. It seems that with all the chaos going on around us, lots of people are looking for some peace and quiet, without TVs, clocks, and even telephones. Some of these places aren't cheap, either.
Just looking at these trends, I have to wonder if it's an imbalance or just a case of diversification by the public. I had the impression that hotels would lose money in a recession. For example, that people would tend to have weddings somewhere cheaper than the city hotels -- so now these hotels would have to be seeing their profit margins get battered as most of those staying there are eating buffet style, rather than banquets.
Me? Well, I'd rather sit back and relax in quiet onsen now....
Ironically, there is now a hotel-building "bubble" going on in Tokyo, and many hotels will open around 2006. To counter those newcomers, existing Japanese hotels has been re-investing to improve their facilities, with investment increases of 49%, JPY73bn, over last year. The amounts are significant: Tokyu Hotel chain JPY2.4bn, ANA Hotel Tokyo JPY1.7bn, Kobe Port Pia JPY1.2bn...
Small onsen (hot springs) in remote parts of Japan have also become popular again, and now for some places reservations stretch as far as two years from now. It seems that with all the chaos going on around us, lots of people are looking for some peace and quiet, without TVs, clocks, and even telephones. Some of these places aren't cheap, either.
Just looking at these trends, I have to wonder if it's an imbalance or just a case of diversification by the public. I had the impression that hotels would lose money in a recession. For example, that people would tend to have weddings somewhere cheaper than the city hotels -- so now these hotels would have to be seeing their profit margins get battered as most of those staying there are eating buffet style, rather than banquets.
Me? Well, I'd rather sit back and relax in quiet onsen now....
Monday, February 17, 2003
Eating
Did you hear the news that the NY Federal court dismissed the liability claim of obesity and overeating against McDonald's?
The plaintiffs were a couple of teenagers who claim they gained weight and damaged their health by eating McDonald's products several times a week. Their claim is that the products are dangerous because they are addictive...
The Judge, Robert Sweet (great name!) said, "It is not the place of the law to protect them from their own excesses." then "Nobody is forced to eat at McDonald's. (Except, perhaps, parents of small children who desire McDonald's food, toy promotions or playgrounds, and demand their parents' accompaniment.)"
I just thought, what would this plaintiff's lawyer get by defending these teenagers? Did the idea come from their parents or from watching Judge Judy on TV (while scarfing down Mickey D burgers?)? Either way, the plaintiffs clearly miscalculated the stupidity of the legal system - turns out it isn’t so stupid afterall.
After reading this article, I imagined my mother in law waiting in line, ordering the kids meal at Burger King so as to get the all 4 Simpson's talking watches that come with the meal, as a Christmas gift. I'm sure they were not forced to be there, but rather went their of their own free will.
Amazingly, the plaintiff’s lawyer says he will file amended suits!
The plaintiffs were a couple of teenagers who claim they gained weight and damaged their health by eating McDonald's products several times a week. Their claim is that the products are dangerous because they are addictive...
The Judge, Robert Sweet (great name!) said, "It is not the place of the law to protect them from their own excesses." then "Nobody is forced to eat at McDonald's. (Except, perhaps, parents of small children who desire McDonald's food, toy promotions or playgrounds, and demand their parents' accompaniment.)"
I just thought, what would this plaintiff's lawyer get by defending these teenagers? Did the idea come from their parents or from watching Judge Judy on TV (while scarfing down Mickey D burgers?)? Either way, the plaintiffs clearly miscalculated the stupidity of the legal system - turns out it isn’t so stupid afterall.
After reading this article, I imagined my mother in law waiting in line, ordering the kids meal at Burger King so as to get the all 4 Simpson's talking watches that come with the meal, as a Christmas gift. I'm sure they were not forced to be there, but rather went their of their own free will.
Amazingly, the plaintiff’s lawyer says he will file amended suits!
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Foie Gras
If you're vegetarian or pro-animal protection, please don't read this column, because I'm writing about foie gras.
As you may know, this French delicacy is the fattened liver of a duck or goose. The birds are force fed lots of corn to create the right effect. You may think this is cruel, BUT, it tastes so good!
Originally, people in Egypt started eating migrating geese that were wintering along the Nile river, on their way from Europe. Around 1 B.C., the Romans discovered that the liver of fat geese were delicious, and serving it with figs makes it taste better. This preparation secret was been kept by the Jewish people for a long time, because it was one of the few meats they could eat without conflicting their religion.
The ancient Romans used to worship a particular type of goose known as the "Roman Capitoline Goose." The bird got its name after the myth that goes something like this... While the Romans were fighting the Gauls in the Gaulish invasion attempt of Capitolino, a Gaulish sneak attack was forestalled thanks to a goose's honking after being startled by the approaching Gauls.
I rather admire the wisdom of the ancients to have discovered and developed such an awesome food. Certainly, I will be looking on delicious foie gras with even more reverence and worship! ;-)
As you may know, this French delicacy is the fattened liver of a duck or goose. The birds are force fed lots of corn to create the right effect. You may think this is cruel, BUT, it tastes so good!
Originally, people in Egypt started eating migrating geese that were wintering along the Nile river, on their way from Europe. Around 1 B.C., the Romans discovered that the liver of fat geese were delicious, and serving it with figs makes it taste better. This preparation secret was been kept by the Jewish people for a long time, because it was one of the few meats they could eat without conflicting their religion.
The ancient Romans used to worship a particular type of goose known as the "Roman Capitoline Goose." The bird got its name after the myth that goes something like this... While the Romans were fighting the Gauls in the Gaulish invasion attempt of Capitolino, a Gaulish sneak attack was forestalled thanks to a goose's honking after being startled by the approaching Gauls.
I rather admire the wisdom of the ancients to have discovered and developed such an awesome food. Certainly, I will be looking on delicious foie gras with even more reverence and worship! ;-)
Monday, December 09, 2002
Well, it's already December -- how the year has flown by! Everywhere I look I see the colors and sights of Christmas -- and this is Tokyo that I'm talking about! Looks like more Japanese kids have started believing in Santa Claus, too.
Actually, if you really want to track down Santa Claus and his reindeer, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) has a new Santa tracking system on its web site. For those of you who may not know, normally NORAD is a fearsome aerospace protection system run by both the US and Canadian military. So what's with the Santa deal?
According to NORADs Christmas website, the fifth year in a row that they've prepared one, the system tracks Santa's movements by using satellites and infrared radar that can detect Rudolph's red nose.
The site is in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and even Japanese!
I don't want to say that the whole thing is a waste of time, because some of you out there may have kids who like using the Internet. But I do think it's a bit paradoxical that the story of Santa is being perpetuated by two of the most technically complex systems known to mankind: NORAD and the Web. Still, please show it to your kids --they'll have a ball!
http://www.noradsanta.org
Actually, if you really want to track down Santa Claus and his reindeer, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) has a new Santa tracking system on its web site. For those of you who may not know, normally NORAD is a fearsome aerospace protection system run by both the US and Canadian military. So what's with the Santa deal?
According to NORADs Christmas website, the fifth year in a row that they've prepared one, the system tracks Santa's movements by using satellites and infrared radar that can detect Rudolph's red nose.
The site is in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and even Japanese!
I don't want to say that the whole thing is a waste of time, because some of you out there may have kids who like using the Internet. But I do think it's a bit paradoxical that the story of Santa is being perpetuated by two of the most technically complex systems known to mankind: NORAD and the Web. Still, please show it to your kids --they'll have a ball!
http://www.noradsanta.org
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Digital
I came to the realization that I have to give up on using a conventional camera for overseas trips, after being X-rayed twice at airport security damaged my holiday snaps...
So, of course, I went on to the Net and searched for a "digital camera". There're so many types and sizes that I can't really tell the difference. In the land of "small things are beautiful" Japan, you get smaller, thinner, and lower price.
One of the good things about a digital camera is you can put pictures on the Net to share with your friends and families no matter where they are. And if broadband becomes more prevalent, you will be even be able to watch a wedding in real time from a remote area.
Well, before talking about the broadband, I have to figure out how to make my Yahoo BB connection work with my computer/mac at home. I've had a hectic 2 weeks since the modem was delivered and still haven't hooked up...
So, of course, I went on to the Net and searched for a "digital camera". There're so many types and sizes that I can't really tell the difference. In the land of "small things are beautiful" Japan, you get smaller, thinner, and lower price.
One of the good things about a digital camera is you can put pictures on the Net to share with your friends and families no matter where they are. And if broadband becomes more prevalent, you will be even be able to watch a wedding in real time from a remote area.
Well, before talking about the broadband, I have to figure out how to make my Yahoo BB connection work with my computer/mac at home. I've had a hectic 2 weeks since the modem was delivered and still haven't hooked up...
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Trash
I was in NY a couple of weeks ago to attend friend's wedding. During my stay, one of my friends took me to a steak house, and I saw the bartenders throw everything into one single garbage bin: glasses, glass and PET bottles, combustibles - literally anything. They told me that NY can't do recycling anymore due to the financial difficulties that the city has. I was very surprised. This kind of thinking is totally against the social responsibility trend all over the world.
Maybe no recycling will save some money and help overcome the $5BN deficit caused by the clean up of Ground Zero - where the World Trade Center used to be. However, I wonder what will happen to the homeless people who used to collect recyclable items as a living? Now, maybe it's because I heard the news, but nevertheless, I thought I saw more bums on the streets and subways of New York that I have done in the past.
NY is not a very clean city at the best of times, unfortunately. But to see trash cans in every corner of Manhattan is such a stark contrast to Tokyo and its trash bin-free subway stations, that I can't help wondering why it is that New Yorkers can't look after their habitat a bit better.
Maybe no recycling will save some money and help overcome the $5BN deficit caused by the clean up of Ground Zero - where the World Trade Center used to be. However, I wonder what will happen to the homeless people who used to collect recyclable items as a living? Now, maybe it's because I heard the news, but nevertheless, I thought I saw more bums on the streets and subways of New York that I have done in the past.
NY is not a very clean city at the best of times, unfortunately. But to see trash cans in every corner of Manhattan is such a stark contrast to Tokyo and its trash bin-free subway stations, that I can't help wondering why it is that New Yorkers can't look after their habitat a bit better.
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Whither the Economy?
I think many of you have heard that Louis Vuitton opened another new store in Omotesando recently. The media say that the sales on opening day reached JPY125m. Apparently, this is a record for a single store. More than 2,800 people visited on opening day, including 1,400 young women who spent up to two days lining up for over one kilometer to get in! The store is a good size: 8 stories aboveground and two floors underground -- all together there is a total of 3,300 sq./m displaying more than 1,500 products.
In this economic downturn, it is unbelievable that Louis Vuitton's sales increased to JPY117.9bn in 2001, a 17.6% increase from the previous year. I'm sure they're happy with the great success, but, it this is not a healthy picture. The Japanese economy is in the pits and a recent survey found that there were 1,718 bankruptcies in July, leaving behind debts of JPY1,161bn. Indeed, an average 1,725 companies have gone bankrupt every month since the beginning of 2002. Unemployment for July was is 5.4%. Deflation is getting worse -- and yet... people are willing to spend so much money on the goods to show their status.
I wonder where the Japanese economy and our society in general is heading...?
In this economic downturn, it is unbelievable that Louis Vuitton's sales increased to JPY117.9bn in 2001, a 17.6% increase from the previous year. I'm sure they're happy with the great success, but, it this is not a healthy picture. The Japanese economy is in the pits and a recent survey found that there were 1,718 bankruptcies in July, leaving behind debts of JPY1,161bn. Indeed, an average 1,725 companies have gone bankrupt every month since the beginning of 2002. Unemployment for July was is 5.4%. Deflation is getting worse -- and yet... people are willing to spend so much money on the goods to show their status.
I wonder where the Japanese economy and our society in general is heading...?
Monday, September 02, 2002
Smoking
Have you heard of a nicotine gum called "Nicorette"? It's produced and imported by Pharmacia, and sold by Takeda Chemical Industries. Sales have reached a surprising JPY9bn in just 10 months. The company says that sales indicate about one million people are trying to quit smoking.
Nicorette-type nicotine replacement products originally were invented in Sweden in 1967, to help submarine crew smokers control their cravings. Later in 1978, Pharmacia of Sweden developed the first nicotine gum.
According to survey, the cost of smoking -- including tobacco, lighters, etc., based on two packs a day -- is about JPY180,000 for the average smoker. An additional JPY8trn in public costs is blamed on the social damages caused by smoking: fires, lung disease, etc.
It's ironic that tobacco was once a medicine that was said to be effective for virtually every illness, but it's now the cause of many forms of sickness. I wonder if the ancient Native Americans using their "Calumet" (peace pipe) had any inkling what a huge impact their habit would have on future generations....
Nicorette-type nicotine replacement products originally were invented in Sweden in 1967, to help submarine crew smokers control their cravings. Later in 1978, Pharmacia of Sweden developed the first nicotine gum.
According to survey, the cost of smoking -- including tobacco, lighters, etc., based on two packs a day -- is about JPY180,000 for the average smoker. An additional JPY8trn in public costs is blamed on the social damages caused by smoking: fires, lung disease, etc.
It's ironic that tobacco was once a medicine that was said to be effective for virtually every illness, but it's now the cause of many forms of sickness. I wonder if the ancient Native Americans using their "Calumet" (peace pipe) had any inkling what a huge impact their habit would have on future generations....
Monday, August 12, 2002
Memories
Images of Japanese summer are seen everywhere: elementary school kids doing "rajio taiso" (exercises broadcast on the radio every morning at school), watermelons, baseball games on TV, beer and "edamame" (boiled green soybeans), etc. Since I moved to Tokyo, these images appears frequently on TV and on the sides of buses, in newspapers, etc. But are these images real?
When you're little, you take it for granted that everything you and your family do is the way everyone else does it, too. Everyone eats fried eggs with fermented soy beans on it, everyone has their own rice bowl, their own miso soup bowl, and their own chopsticks, everyone takes care NOT to eat "mochi" (rice cake) on New Years day, etc. But then I grew up and came to Tokyo, and the reality I knew changed; TV brainwashes you about what a "typical" Japanese person does.
I read that the human brain has a very strange function: if you're continuously told that you did something you actually didn't do, your brain starts creating such memories and eventually you accept such memories as fact, and you believe that you really did do it. Maybe this has happened to me. I feel very comfortable with the image of edamame and beer -- but if I remember hard, I realize that back home we never ate edamame while drinking beer. In fact, we didn't really eat green soybeans at all, but rather boiled fava beans. And we certainly didn't eat fava beans with a beer in hand.
When you're little, you take it for granted that everything you and your family do is the way everyone else does it, too. Everyone eats fried eggs with fermented soy beans on it, everyone has their own rice bowl, their own miso soup bowl, and their own chopsticks, everyone takes care NOT to eat "mochi" (rice cake) on New Years day, etc. But then I grew up and came to Tokyo, and the reality I knew changed; TV brainwashes you about what a "typical" Japanese person does.
I read that the human brain has a very strange function: if you're continuously told that you did something you actually didn't do, your brain starts creating such memories and eventually you accept such memories as fact, and you believe that you really did do it. Maybe this has happened to me. I feel very comfortable with the image of edamame and beer -- but if I remember hard, I realize that back home we never ate edamame while drinking beer. In fact, we didn't really eat green soybeans at all, but rather boiled fava beans. And we certainly didn't eat fava beans with a beer in hand.
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
Shaved Ice
So many continuously hot days in Tokyo make me feel like eating shaved ice. It just so happens that July 25th is Shaved Ice Day. Inaugurated in commeration of the hottest summer's day in Japan, July 25th, 1933, Yamagata City in Tohoku sweltered in 40.8C heat.
Back in the old days when people didn't have freezers or ice machines, ice was a precious luxury allowed only to the imperial family and aristocracy. In the Edo era, a system of ice storage started, with local governments transporting huge ice blocks to the Emperor and Shogunate on June 1st. Special efforts were made to get these monstrous ice cubes to Tokyo in record time -- getting here as quickly as 5 days, when usually it took 10 days or more to make the trip by horse.
I'm planning to go to our local store to have shaved ice this weekend...
Back in the old days when people didn't have freezers or ice machines, ice was a precious luxury allowed only to the imperial family and aristocracy. In the Edo era, a system of ice storage started, with local governments transporting huge ice blocks to the Emperor and Shogunate on June 1st. Special efforts were made to get these monstrous ice cubes to Tokyo in record time -- getting here as quickly as 5 days, when usually it took 10 days or more to make the trip by horse.
I'm planning to go to our local store to have shaved ice this weekend...
Monday, July 15, 2002
Clones
The Japan Institute of Immunology has set up a new venture company, which will develop technology to regenerate human hair. The company will make practical use of a technology that a Hiroshima University professor discovered -- which lets clinicians implant cells into the skin and thereby stimulate the regeneration of a patient's hair. Sumitomo Electronics also looking at becoming the retailer for such a chemical stimulation procedure.
It seems that humans can regenerate a lot more physical parts of the body these days. Cloning of humans is banned more than 40 nations, but there's a big argument going on at the US Capitol Hill right now over this very subject. I personally find it hard to accept the idea of cloning, though it's possible and some academics are pursuing this line of research. In my opinion, cloning will open a Pandora's box of problems.
The end result will be that someday we will be able to engineer human body cells so that they just keeps on growing back, just like lizard's tail......
It seems that humans can regenerate a lot more physical parts of the body these days. Cloning of humans is banned more than 40 nations, but there's a big argument going on at the US Capitol Hill right now over this very subject. I personally find it hard to accept the idea of cloning, though it's possible and some academics are pursuing this line of research. In my opinion, cloning will open a Pandora's box of problems.
The end result will be that someday we will be able to engineer human body cells so that they just keeps on growing back, just like lizard's tail......
Monday, July 01, 2002
Ter Teru Bozu
Rainy season continues, sort of, but I think we are having less rain than normal. I remember when I was a kid that we used to make "Teru Teru Bozu" (literally: Sunny Sunny Monk) to bring good luck and make the next day a sunny day.
This custom came from China about 1,200 years ago. Originally the doll was of a woman made of red and green cloth and carrying a broom to wipe the clouds away and make a sunny day. Over time the doll changed to a "Teri Teri Hoshi" or "Tere Tere Bozu" (Sunny Sunny Monk/Minstrel) by the 19th century. In days of yore, people hung the doll under the eaves, and if the weather became sunny, they drew eyes/nose/mouth.
According to a folklore, monks with hair (usually they shaved off their hair to show obeisance to Buddha) and who were married were engaged in agriculture when they weren't conducting a weather ceremony was called the "Hairy Monk" (sounds like a dance!). The ceremony, "Hijiri" eventually made people monks could tell the weather, therefore it became natural to ask a monk to make the next day sunny.
There is a children's song about the Teru Teru Bozu, that has an interesting end. It goes something like this:
"Sunny Monk, Sunny Monk, please make tomorrow a sunny day, just like the sky in a dream. If it is sunny day, I'll give you a golden bell, if you make my wish come true, I'll give you a sweet drink -- but, if it's still cloudy and raining, I'll decapitate you."
... Nice song, huh?
This custom came from China about 1,200 years ago. Originally the doll was of a woman made of red and green cloth and carrying a broom to wipe the clouds away and make a sunny day. Over time the doll changed to a "Teri Teri Hoshi" or "Tere Tere Bozu" (Sunny Sunny Monk/Minstrel) by the 19th century. In days of yore, people hung the doll under the eaves, and if the weather became sunny, they drew eyes/nose/mouth.
According to a folklore, monks with hair (usually they shaved off their hair to show obeisance to Buddha) and who were married were engaged in agriculture when they weren't conducting a weather ceremony was called the "Hairy Monk" (sounds like a dance!). The ceremony, "Hijiri" eventually made people monks could tell the weather, therefore it became natural to ask a monk to make the next day sunny.
There is a children's song about the Teru Teru Bozu, that has an interesting end. It goes something like this:
"Sunny Monk, Sunny Monk, please make tomorrow a sunny day, just like the sky in a dream. If it is sunny day, I'll give you a golden bell, if you make my wish come true, I'll give you a sweet drink -- but, if it's still cloudy and raining, I'll decapitate you."
... Nice song, huh?
Monday, June 17, 2002
More World Cup
No matter what you do during June, you'll be inundated with sights and sounds of the World Cup. This massive event influences not only the media, but the other areas of our daily lives, e.g., the stock market -- such as a TV advertiser's stock price going up or down depending on whether their spots appear during scheduled games. TV viewer figures are hitting over 61% when the Japan team is playing, and even when other national teams are playing, ratings are still around 23%, which is pretty high. Some companies are reportedly thinking about changing their commercials featuring new players other than those from the French National Team -- which has already been knocked out of the competition.
In other news, the song used for the Nike TV commercial, "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis vs JXL has hit Number 1 on the UK music charts. Also, the Ministry of Education has apparently given approval to their workers to watch the soccer games during work time. And for those who are supposed to still be working, clearly streaming video connections are an alternative point of access -- which appears to be slowing down the Japanese segment of the Web, crashing servers, etc. The World Cup is a global festival and such problems will be with us for another 3 weeks -- enjoy!
In other news, the song used for the Nike TV commercial, "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis vs JXL has hit Number 1 on the UK music charts. Also, the Ministry of Education has apparently given approval to their workers to watch the soccer games during work time. And for those who are supposed to still be working, clearly streaming video connections are an alternative point of access -- which appears to be slowing down the Japanese segment of the Web, crashing servers, etc. The World Cup is a global festival and such problems will be with us for another 3 weeks -- enjoy!
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