2010冬季奧林匹克運動會於二月中旬開始在溫哥華舉行, 今天二月二十八日是閉幕的日子. 除了奧林匹克官方的活動和比賽外, 市中心每天都十分熱鬧, 到處人頭湧湧. 鬧市街頭有不少表演. 小女兒在過往兩星期亦有觀看其中一些活動, 並影了一些相片給我分享, 把這次城中盛事留下一些回憶.
2010年2月27日 星期六
大阪汽車賊
Recently Asahi News reported the following:
車を運転すると「カラカラ」と変な音。降りて調べているすきに男が車に乗り込んで発進――。そんな被害が大阪市内で相次いでいる。乗り捨てられた車の左前のタイヤには金属片が張り付けられていて、車内の財布などが盗まれていた。捜査員の間では「カラカラ盗」とも呼ばれ、大阪府警は同一犯とみて捜査している。
生野区の主婦（６８）は昨年１０月下旬、天王寺区の路上でセダンを発進させた直後、車の下から異音がした。車を止めて降り、しゃがんで左前部下をのぞいた。顔を上げると、フロントガラス越しに運転席の男と目があった。 男は３０代ぐらいで、白っぽい作業着に帽子とマスク姿。両手でハンドルを握っていた。助手席には財布の入ったバッグがある。「あんた何よ！ 何で座っているの！」と、車の前で両手を広げて叫んだ。男は運転席から出て「何でこんなとこに車止めんねん」と言い、悠然と歩き去ったという。
車の左前タイヤには、金属片が付いた縦５センチ横１１センチほどの薄いゴムが接着剤で張られていた。主婦が用事で車を降りた数分間に張り付けられたらしい。「走り続けたら危ないと思って降りた。偶然キーを抜いて出たのがよかった」
２３日午後には、東成区の路上で会社員の女性（３８）が被害にあった。点検中に２０～３０代の男が突然運転席に乗り込んで逃走。女性は車のサイドミラーをつかみ、転んでけがを負った。東成署によると、女性は銀行で現金を引き出した直後で、同署は「女性の行動を観察して目をつけていたのでは。ターゲットを絞って効率的に犯行を重ねているようだ」とみる。
大阪府警のまとめでは、同様の被害が昨年１０月末から大阪市内で計８件発生し、被害額は計約６００万円にのぼる。
When the car was driven, there was a "kara kara" strange sound. When the driver got off to examine it, a man stepped into car and drove it away. Such crime had happened successively in the Osaka city. A metal piece was found being stuck to the left front tire of this driven away and then abandoned car, and the purse in the car was stolen. Among the investigating officers, it was called" kars kara thief", and the Osaka prefecture police was looking for one suspect.
In late October last year, a housewife (68) in Ikuno Ward heard strange noise from under the car shortly after she started driving the sedan on the road in Tennoji Ward. She pulled over the car, got off, squatted down, and peeped down into the left front part. When she looked up again, she saw through the windshield a man in the driver's seat. He was a man aged around thirties, wearing a hat and a mask, and looked like wearing white work wear. Both hands were holding the steering wheel. In the passenger's seat, there was a bag that had a purse inside. She spread out her hands in front of the car and shouted "What 's the matter, why you are sitting there". Going out of the driver's seat he said "Why you stopped the car in such a way", and walked away calmly.
A thin rubber of five centimeter in length about 11 centimeter in width, with a metal piece attached was found being put on the problematic tire of the car with the adhesive. It seemed that it was stuck to the car a few minutes after the housewife got off the car to do something. ｢Get off the car if you think it is dangerous to keep on driving. It is better to take the opportunity to pull out the key. ｣
In the afternoon of the 23rd, a female company employee (38) became a victim on the road in Higashinari Ward. While checking, a man in 20s-30s suddenly entered the driver's seat and then escaped. The woman gripped the side-view mirror of the car, fell down, and sustained injuries. According to the Higashinari Police station the woman had just withdrawn some cash from the bank, the same police station saw that "The woman's behavior is being observed and having been marked down. It seems that it could efficiently select the target and to commit the crime repeatedly".
According to Osaka prefecture police' summaries, in total eight similar victimization had occurred in the Osaka city since the end on October last year, and the damage cost amounted to six million yen in total.
So, be careful if you are driving a car in Osaka city in Japan in these days.
車を運転すると「カラカラ」と変な音。降りて調べているすきに男が車に乗り込んで発進――。そんな被害が大阪市内で相次いでいる。乗り捨てられた車の左前のタイヤには金属片が張り付けられていて、車内の財布などが盗まれていた。捜査員の間では「カラカラ盗」とも呼ばれ、大阪府警は同一犯とみて捜査している。
生野区の主婦（６８）は昨年１０月下旬、天王寺区の路上でセダンを発進させた直後、車の下から異音がした。車を止めて降り、しゃがんで左前部下をのぞいた。顔を上げると、フロントガラス越しに運転席の男と目があった。 男は３０代ぐらいで、白っぽい作業着に帽子とマスク姿。両手でハンドルを握っていた。助手席には財布の入ったバッグがある。「あんた何よ！ 何で座っているの！」と、車の前で両手を広げて叫んだ。男は運転席から出て「何でこんなとこに車止めんねん」と言い、悠然と歩き去ったという。
車の左前タイヤには、金属片が付いた縦５センチ横１１センチほどの薄いゴムが接着剤で張られていた。主婦が用事で車を降りた数分間に張り付けられたらしい。「走り続けたら危ないと思って降りた。偶然キーを抜いて出たのがよかった」
２３日午後には、東成区の路上で会社員の女性（３８）が被害にあった。点検中に２０～３０代の男が突然運転席に乗り込んで逃走。女性は車のサイドミラーをつかみ、転んでけがを負った。東成署によると、女性は銀行で現金を引き出した直後で、同署は「女性の行動を観察して目をつけていたのでは。ターゲットを絞って効率的に犯行を重ねているようだ」とみる。
大阪府警のまとめでは、同様の被害が昨年１０月末から大阪市内で計８件発生し、被害額は計約６００万円にのぼる。
When the car was driven, there was a "kara kara" strange sound. When the driver got off to examine it, a man stepped into car and drove it away. Such crime had happened successively in the Osaka city. A metal piece was found being stuck to the left front tire of this driven away and then abandoned car, and the purse in the car was stolen. Among the investigating officers, it was called" kars kara thief", and the Osaka prefecture police was looking for one suspect.
In late October last year, a housewife (68) in Ikuno Ward heard strange noise from under the car shortly after she started driving the sedan on the road in Tennoji Ward. She pulled over the car, got off, squatted down, and peeped down into the left front part. When she looked up again, she saw through the windshield a man in the driver's seat. He was a man aged around thirties, wearing a hat and a mask, and looked like wearing white work wear. Both hands were holding the steering wheel. In the passenger's seat, there was a bag that had a purse inside. She spread out her hands in front of the car and shouted "What 's the matter, why you are sitting there". Going out of the driver's seat he said "Why you stopped the car in such a way", and walked away calmly.
A thin rubber of five centimeter in length about 11 centimeter in width, with a metal piece attached was found being put on the problematic tire of the car with the adhesive. It seemed that it was stuck to the car a few minutes after the housewife got off the car to do something. ｢Get off the car if you think it is dangerous to keep on driving. It is better to take the opportunity to pull out the key. ｣
In the afternoon of the 23rd, a female company employee (38) became a victim on the road in Higashinari Ward. While checking, a man in 20s-30s suddenly entered the driver's seat and then escaped. The woman gripped the side-view mirror of the car, fell down, and sustained injuries. According to the Higashinari Police station the woman had just withdrawn some cash from the bank, the same police station saw that "The woman's behavior is being observed and having been marked down. It seems that it could efficiently select the target and to commit the crime repeatedly".
According to Osaka prefecture police' summaries, in total eight similar victimization had occurred in the Osaka city since the end on October last year, and the damage cost amounted to six million yen in total.
So, be careful if you are driving a car in Osaka city in Japan in these days.
2010年2月26日 星期五
2010年2月25日 星期四
George Kennan (Part I)
In 1947 George Kennan (1904-2005), a career diplomat of the US, published an article anonymously in Foreign Affairs. This article was entitled "The Sources of Soviet Conduct" and was singed by "X". It asserted that Stalin's policy was based on a combination of Marxist-Leninist ideology that aimed at the defeat of capitalism in the world outside USSR. At that time Kennan was the director of policy planning under the supervision of Secretary of State George C. Marshall. When the real identity of X was eventually known, people began to believe that its content represented the official viewpoint of the Truman administration as far as US foreign policy towards USSR was concerned. On the death of Kennan on 17, April 2005 at the age of 101, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice published a statement on March 18 which called Kennan "one of the greatest strategists in the history of American foreign policy". Kennan was regarded by many as the US diplomat who first proposed the Cold War strategy of containment that would be followed by the Americans for over half a century. Some of the ideas presented in the "The Sources of Soviet Conduct" are quoted as follows:
1) The political personality of Soviet power as we know it today is the product of ideology and circumstances: ideology inherited by the present Soviet leaders from the movement in which they had their political origin and circumstances of the power which they now have exercised for nearly three decades in Russia.
2) The circumstances of the immediate post-revolution period -- the existence in Russia of civil war and foreign intervention, together with the obvious fact that the Communists represented only a tiny minority of the Russian people -- made the establishment of dictatorial power a necessity. (to be continued)
Reference:
1. [George Kennan]. "The Sources of Soviet Conduct" in Foreign Affairs, 1947.
2. US Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs.(http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2005/March)
3. Una McGovern ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd.,2002.
1) The political personality of Soviet power as we know it today is the product of ideology and circumstances: ideology inherited by the present Soviet leaders from the movement in which they had their political origin and circumstances of the power which they now have exercised for nearly three decades in Russia.
2) The circumstances of the immediate post-revolution period -- the existence in Russia of civil war and foreign intervention, together with the obvious fact that the Communists represented only a tiny minority of the Russian people -- made the establishment of dictatorial power a necessity. (to be continued)
Reference:
1. [George Kennan]. "The Sources of Soviet Conduct" in Foreign Affairs, 1947.
2. US Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs.(http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2005/March)
3. Una McGovern ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd.,2002.
2010年2月23日 星期二
The China White Paper 1949(XVI)
In China Hurley had spent much time in mediating the differences between the CCP and the Nationalist Government. Another problem for Hurley was about the supplying American arms and equipment to China other than the Nationalist Government. In January 1945 Chu Teh (朱德) asked the US to lend the Communist forces US 20 million dollars for the purpose of "procuring the defection of officers and man of the Chinese puppet government. "1 Such a proposal was objected by Hurley. In mid-February 1945 Hurley returned to the US for consultation. When he left Washington for Chungking in early April 1945, he travelled by way of London and Moscow. While in Moscow, Hurley had a discussion with Stalin and Molotov.2 He recorded this discussion in a report dated April 17, 1945. In this report Hurley was optimistic about USSR's attitude towards US's policy in China, saying that Stalin would be glad "to cooperate with the US and Britain in achieving unification of the military forces in China."3 However, Hurley's optimism as presented in his report was not shared by the Charge d'Affaires in Moscow, George Kennan. Kennan in his report dated April 23, 1945 stated that while nothing in Hurley's report was not honest, it had to be understood that "to the Russians words mean different things than they do to us." Kennan believed that Soviet's policy towards China would still be "a fluid resilient policy directed at the achievement of maximum power with minimum responsibility on portions of the Asiatic continent lying beyond the Soviet border . . . within the framework of this policy Moscow will aim specifically at :(1) Re-acquiring in substance, if not in form, all the diplomatic and territorial assets previously possessed on the mainland of Asia by Russia under the Czars . . . (3) Acquiring sufficient control in all areas of north China now dominated by the Japanese to prevent other foreign powers from repeating the Japanese incursion. . . It would be tragic if our natural anxiety for the support of the Soviet Union [leads] us into an undue reliance on Soviet aid."4 (to be continued)
Notes:
1.United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 86.
2. page 94.
3. page 95.
4. page 97.
Notes:
1.United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 86.
2. page 94.
3. page 95.
4. page 97.
2010年2月21日 星期日
日本立體電視
Recently Yomiuri News reported the following:
家電メーカーなどが、人やモノが画面から飛び出してくるように見える３Ｄ（３次元）映像を無料体験できるショールームを相次いで開設している。 ３Ｄ映画「アバター」が大ヒットするなど２０１０年は「３Ｄ元年」と位置づけられており、各社は、３Ｄ対応テレビやデジタルカメラの普及につなげたい考えだ。 東京・銀座のソニービルでは、自分の姿を３Ｄテレビに映して見ることができる。専用のメガネをかけ、３Ｄカメラに向かって手を伸ばすと、画面から自分の手が飛び出してくる。「プレイステーション３」用のレースゲームでは、本物の自動車を運転しているように錯覚しやすい。 大阪・梅田の「ソニースタイル」や「パナソニックセンター」（東京、大阪）でも、３Ｄカメラで撮影したアニメ映画やスポーツの名場面を大型モニターで視聴できる。
Electrical appliance makers were opening up showrooms one after another to give free trial of 3D(three dimensions) that produced images which people and things seemed to dash out from the screen. 2010 was the year considered to be the "3D first year" because 3D movie "Avatar" became a big hit, and each company thought that they were tied to the spread of 3D televisions and digital cameras. In Sony Building in Tokyo, Ginza, it was possible to see one's appearance being projected into 3D television. When one reached out his hand towards the 3D camera one would see his hand dashed out from the screen if special glasses were worn. In the racing game for "Play Station 3", it was easy to mistake driving a genuine car. In Osaka, Umeda's "Sony Style", "Panasonic Center" (Tokyo and Osaka), great scenes of cartoon movies and sports could be enjoyed with large-scale monitors using pictures taken with 3D cameras.
It seems that the "3D Era" has started in Japan.
家電メーカーなどが、人やモノが画面から飛び出してくるように見える３Ｄ（３次元）映像を無料体験できるショールームを相次いで開設している。 ３Ｄ映画「アバター」が大ヒットするなど２０１０年は「３Ｄ元年」と位置づけられており、各社は、３Ｄ対応テレビやデジタルカメラの普及につなげたい考えだ。 東京・銀座のソニービルでは、自分の姿を３Ｄテレビに映して見ることができる。専用のメガネをかけ、３Ｄカメラに向かって手を伸ばすと、画面から自分の手が飛び出してくる。「プレイステーション３」用のレースゲームでは、本物の自動車を運転しているように錯覚しやすい。 大阪・梅田の「ソニースタイル」や「パナソニックセンター」（東京、大阪）でも、３Ｄカメラで撮影したアニメ映画やスポーツの名場面を大型モニターで視聴できる。
Electrical appliance makers were opening up showrooms one after another to give free trial of 3D(three dimensions) that produced images which people and things seemed to dash out from the screen. 2010 was the year considered to be the "3D first year" because 3D movie "Avatar" became a big hit, and each company thought that they were tied to the spread of 3D televisions and digital cameras. In Sony Building in Tokyo, Ginza, it was possible to see one's appearance being projected into 3D television. When one reached out his hand towards the 3D camera one would see his hand dashed out from the screen if special glasses were worn. In the racing game for "Play Station 3", it was easy to mistake driving a genuine car. In Osaka, Umeda's "Sony Style", "Panasonic Center" (Tokyo and Osaka), great scenes of cartoon movies and sports could be enjoyed with large-scale monitors using pictures taken with 3D cameras.
It seems that the "3D Era" has started in Japan.
2010年2月20日 星期六
The China White Paper 1949 (XV)
In the US in August 1944, arrangements were made to send General Hurley to China, the goal of his visit would include: 1) to serve as personal representative of the US President to Chiang Kai-shek, 2) to promote harmonious relations between US General Joseph Stilwell and Chiang, and 3) to unify all the military forces in China for the purpose of defeating Japan.1 Hurley arrived Chungking (重慶) in September 1944. He traveled to China via Moscow in order to have a discussion with USSR Foreign Minister Molotov about the situation in China. Among other things Molotov said that his country had been unjustifiably held responsible for many happening took place in China recently, and stressed that his government had no responsibilities for these developments. He also said that 'in China some of whom called themselves communists but were related to Communism in no way at all. It was merely a way of expressing dissatisfaction with their economic condition and they would forget this political inclination when their economic condition improved.'2 Molotov also confirmed the statements made previously that "his government would be glad to see the US taking the lead economically, politically, and militarily in Chinese affairs".3 After arriving at China Hurley thought that in order to unify all the military forces in China for the purpose of defeating Japan, it was important to achieve mediation between the Chinese National Government and the CCP.4 (to be continued)
Notes:
1. United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 71.
2. Ibid., page 72.
3. Ibid., page 72.
4. Ibid., page 73.
Notes:
1. United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 71.
2. Ibid., page 72.
3. Ibid., page 72.
4. Ibid., page 73.
2010年2月19日 星期五
F.D. Roosevelt's D-Day Prayer
In the morning of June 6, 1944, after months of preparations, American and British troops assisted by Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy. It was the long-awaited ‘D-Day’, which would force the Nazis to defend themselves in the west, east and south. In the US the news of this landing was received with mixed emotions among the people: with some luck, it might bring the war to a conclusion, but it might also mean that some of their loved ones might die in the invasion. That night the US President Roosevelt (1882-1945) through the radio broadcasted a prayer for the sons of the Nation who were fighting in Normandy. This prayer is reproduced in part as follows:
“Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness to their faith. They will need Thy blessing. Their road will be long and hard. The enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. They will be sore tired, by night and by day, without rest – till the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war. For these are men lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them. Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. . . . With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country . . . and a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.”
I love the prayer because it was written beautifully and President Roosevelt is one of the few American leaders that I admire. During his life time the US had experienced two important events: the Great Depression and the war with Nazis Germany and the Empire of Japan. As a politician, he had truly discharged his duties as the leader of the country. He had the political wisdom and charisma to unite his people together during crucial moments in American history. He could command the confidence of the people when faith in the country was at the ebb.
Hong Kong is now at the crossroad of the political reform. Will she be lucky enough to have a political leader who has the wisdom to guide people out of the chaos?
“Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness to their faith. They will need Thy blessing. Their road will be long and hard. The enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. They will be sore tired, by night and by day, without rest – till the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war. For these are men lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them. Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. . . . With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country . . . and a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.”
I love the prayer because it was written beautifully and President Roosevelt is one of the few American leaders that I admire. During his life time the US had experienced two important events: the Great Depression and the war with Nazis Germany and the Empire of Japan. As a politician, he had truly discharged his duties as the leader of the country. He had the political wisdom and charisma to unite his people together during crucial moments in American history. He could command the confidence of the people when faith in the country was at the ebb.
Hong Kong is now at the crossroad of the political reform. Will she be lucky enough to have a political leader who has the wisdom to guide people out of the chaos?
2010年2月18日 星期四
日器官捐贈新例
Recently NHK reported the following:
ことし７月に施行される改正臓器移植法では、患者本人が臓器の提供を拒否する意思を示していない場合、家族の承諾で脳死からの臓器提供ができるようになりますが、厚生労働省の作業部会は１８日、拒否の意思表示を確認する方法について、移植コーディネーターが家族への聞き取りや意思表示カードで確認すれば十分だとする方針を決めました。
ことし７月に施行される改正臓器移植法では、臓器の提供を拒否する意思を示していない場合、家族の承諾で脳死からの臓器の提供が行えるようになるため、厚生労働省の作業部会では、本人が拒否していないことをどのように確認すればよいか議論を進めてきました。その結果、本人が書き残した文書などをすべて調べることは不可能だとして、家族への聞き取りのほか、意思表示カードと日本臓器移植ネットワークのホームページへの登録で、拒否の意思が示されていないかどうかを、移植コーディネーターが確認すれば十分だとする方針を決めました。改正臓器移植法では、１５歳未満の子どもからも脳死からの臓器の提供ができるようになりますが、幼い子どもでも拒否の意思を示していれば、有効と認めるとしています。また、本人が拒否していない場合に、臓器の提供を承諾する家族の範囲については、原則として、夫婦、親子、祖父母と孫、それに同居する親族とする方針も決めました。
Based on the Revised Organ Transplant Law to be enforced in July this year, if the intention of the patient himself to refuse to offer the internal organs was not indicated, organ donations after the brain death could proceed with the approval of the patient's family. On the 18th the Working Group of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, regarding the method of confirming the refusal, decided that it would be adequate if the transplant coordinator could confirm the understanding of the family and the details in the wish expression card.
Regarding the Revised Organ Transplant Law to be enforced in July this year, the Working Group of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had been carrying out discussions on ways to handle offering of internal organs due to the brain death based on the family's approval, and on ways to confirm that there was no intention to refuse to offer internal organs. As a result, knowing that it was impossible to examine all documents left by a person in question, it was decided that as a policy it would be enough for the transplant coordinator to confirm whether an intention to refuse was shown in the donor registration card, and in the homepage of Japan Organ Transplant Network, besides confirming the understandings of the family. In the Revised Organ Transplant Law, 15-year-old child could offer internal organs due to brain death, but the young child's intention of refusal would be effective if such an intention had been shown. It was decided that if the person in question had not shown intention to refuse, the range of the family who could approve the offer of internal organs would be, as a rule, the married couple, the parent and child, the grandparent and grand son, and the cohabiting relative.
Its seems that the new laws on organs donation will permit more donations to take place.
ことし７月に施行される改正臓器移植法では、患者本人が臓器の提供を拒否する意思を示していない場合、家族の承諾で脳死からの臓器提供ができるようになりますが、厚生労働省の作業部会は１８日、拒否の意思表示を確認する方法について、移植コーディネーターが家族への聞き取りや意思表示カードで確認すれば十分だとする方針を決めました。
ことし７月に施行される改正臓器移植法では、臓器の提供を拒否する意思を示していない場合、家族の承諾で脳死からの臓器の提供が行えるようになるため、厚生労働省の作業部会では、本人が拒否していないことをどのように確認すればよいか議論を進めてきました。その結果、本人が書き残した文書などをすべて調べることは不可能だとして、家族への聞き取りのほか、意思表示カードと日本臓器移植ネットワークのホームページへの登録で、拒否の意思が示されていないかどうかを、移植コーディネーターが確認すれば十分だとする方針を決めました。改正臓器移植法では、１５歳未満の子どもからも脳死からの臓器の提供ができるようになりますが、幼い子どもでも拒否の意思を示していれば、有効と認めるとしています。また、本人が拒否していない場合に、臓器の提供を承諾する家族の範囲については、原則として、夫婦、親子、祖父母と孫、それに同居する親族とする方針も決めました。
Based on the Revised Organ Transplant Law to be enforced in July this year, if the intention of the patient himself to refuse to offer the internal organs was not indicated, organ donations after the brain death could proceed with the approval of the patient's family. On the 18th the Working Group of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, regarding the method of confirming the refusal, decided that it would be adequate if the transplant coordinator could confirm the understanding of the family and the details in the wish expression card.
Regarding the Revised Organ Transplant Law to be enforced in July this year, the Working Group of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had been carrying out discussions on ways to handle offering of internal organs due to the brain death based on the family's approval, and on ways to confirm that there was no intention to refuse to offer internal organs. As a result, knowing that it was impossible to examine all documents left by a person in question, it was decided that as a policy it would be enough for the transplant coordinator to confirm whether an intention to refuse was shown in the donor registration card, and in the homepage of Japan Organ Transplant Network, besides confirming the understandings of the family. In the Revised Organ Transplant Law, 15-year-old child could offer internal organs due to brain death, but the young child's intention of refusal would be effective if such an intention had been shown. It was decided that if the person in question had not shown intention to refuse, the range of the family who could approve the offer of internal organs would be, as a rule, the married couple, the parent and child, the grandparent and grand son, and the cohabiting relative.
Its seems that the new laws on organs donation will permit more donations to take place.
2010年2月17日 星期三
日本神奈川禁煙
Recently Mainich News reported the following:
日本マクドナルドは１７日、神奈川県内の全店舗２９８店を３月１日から全面禁煙にすると発表した。同県内の６割にあたる約１８０店舗で既に全面禁煙を実施しているが、４月１日から施行される同県の受動喫煙防止条例で飲食店での喫煙が制限されることを受け、対策を強化する。
店内にポスターを掲示するなどして喫煙者に理解を求める。ただ、喫煙の要望が多い店舗については、完全分煙に切り替えることもあるという。 ファミリーレストラン「ロイヤルホスト」も、３月１日から改装して喫煙専用室を設けるなどし、同県内の全２５店舗を全面禁煙にする。
McDonald in Japan announced on the 17th that starting from March 1 it would prohibit smoking in all of its 298 stores in Kanagawa prefecture. Although in this prefecture in total 60 percent or about 180 stores were already under the general restriction on no smoking, as from April 1, for the purpose of strengthening the measures, smoking in restaurants would be restricted under the Passive Smoking Prevention Ordinance.
In the stores, posters would be put up to seek the understanding of smokers. However, it was said that in stores where demand for smoking was huge, it might switch into setting up completely isolated smoking area. From March 1 the family restaurant "Royal Host" would start redecoration work to set up smoking special room, and it was decided that all 25 stores in the prefecture would ban smoking completely.
It seems that in some prefectures of Japan, the no-smoking policy is applied more flexibly.
日本マクドナルドは１７日、神奈川県内の全店舗２９８店を３月１日から全面禁煙にすると発表した。同県内の６割にあたる約１８０店舗で既に全面禁煙を実施しているが、４月１日から施行される同県の受動喫煙防止条例で飲食店での喫煙が制限されることを受け、対策を強化する。
店内にポスターを掲示するなどして喫煙者に理解を求める。ただ、喫煙の要望が多い店舗については、完全分煙に切り替えることもあるという。 ファミリーレストラン「ロイヤルホスト」も、３月１日から改装して喫煙専用室を設けるなどし、同県内の全２５店舗を全面禁煙にする。
McDonald in Japan announced on the 17th that starting from March 1 it would prohibit smoking in all of its 298 stores in Kanagawa prefecture. Although in this prefecture in total 60 percent or about 180 stores were already under the general restriction on no smoking, as from April 1, for the purpose of strengthening the measures, smoking in restaurants would be restricted under the Passive Smoking Prevention Ordinance.
In the stores, posters would be put up to seek the understanding of smokers. However, it was said that in stores where demand for smoking was huge, it might switch into setting up completely isolated smoking area. From March 1 the family restaurant "Royal Host" would start redecoration work to set up smoking special room, and it was decided that all 25 stores in the prefecture would ban smoking completely.
It seems that in some prefectures of Japan, the no-smoking policy is applied more flexibly.
2010年2月15日 星期一
2010年2月14日 星期日
2010年2月12日 星期五
日本山葉裁員
Recently Asahi News reported the following:
ヤマハ発動機は１２日、２０１５年までに、国内の先進国向け製品の１２工場を７工場に集約することを柱とした合理化策を発表した。０８年末以降の世界的な経済危機を受け、同日発表した０９年１２月期連結決算は８４年４月期以来の営業赤字に転落。収益改善に向け生産拠点再編に踏み切る。
生産を停止するのは、いずれも静岡県内の森町、掛川、浜松、新居、福田の５工場。昨年８月に３工場の停止を表明していたが、合理化対象を拡大した。計約６００人の従業員は他の工場などに移ってもらう。今後も需要の伸びが見込めない先進国向けの二輪車やボート、四輪バギー事業の合理化策の一つだ。海外でも１２年までに９工場を７工場に整理統合する。
人員削減策では、国内での８００人の希望退職募集をすでに発表しているが、欧米でも年内に２００人を削減するとした。一方、新興国向け二輪車事業は拡大。中国やインド向けに７万～９万円ほどの低価格車を投入する。
０９年１２月期連結決算は売上高が前期比２８．１％減の１兆１５３６億円、営業損益は６２５億円の赤字（前期は４８３億円の黒字）、純損益は２１６１億円の赤字（同１８億円の黒字）だった。
On the 12th, Yamaha Motor announced a rationalization plan that centered on consolidating 12 factories into seven by 2015, all of them manufactured products for export to advanced countries. Having suffered a worldwide economic crisis since the end of 2008, the consolidated accounting statement ending on December, 2009 announced on the same day showed a fall in the operating deficit since the period on April, 1984. It launched a production based reorganization that aimed at achieving earnings improvement. Five factories that would stop production were all in Shizuoka prefecture: Morimachi, Kakegawa, Hamamatsu, Arai, and Fukuda. This was an expansion of the rationalization target because last August it already declared that three factories had been stopped. About 600 employees in total were moved to other factories. This would be one of the rationalization plans for four-wheeled car business, which would also cover both the two-wheeled vehicles and the boats, both could not expect any demand increase in overseas. By 2012, nine factories in foreign counties would be consolidated into seven. Under the staff reduction plan, a scheme was announced that looked for 800 people to join the voluntary retirement plan, it was also assumed that 200 people would be reduced within the year in Europe and America. On the other hand, the two-wheeled vehicle business for the developing nation was increasing. The production of low-priced car ranging from 70,000 to 90,000 yen sold in China and India was up. As for the consolidated account ending December 2009, sales were 1,153,600,000,000 yen, a 28.1% decrease compared with the previous term, and it was a loss of 62.5 billion yen (The previous term was a surplus of 48.3 billion yen) in gross operating profit and loss, and a net deficit of 216.1 billion yen (surplus of 1.8 billion yen previously).
It seems that some companies in Japan are still fighting for their survival.
ヤマハ発動機は１２日、２０１５年までに、国内の先進国向け製品の１２工場を７工場に集約することを柱とした合理化策を発表した。０８年末以降の世界的な経済危機を受け、同日発表した０９年１２月期連結決算は８４年４月期以来の営業赤字に転落。収益改善に向け生産拠点再編に踏み切る。
生産を停止するのは、いずれも静岡県内の森町、掛川、浜松、新居、福田の５工場。昨年８月に３工場の停止を表明していたが、合理化対象を拡大した。計約６００人の従業員は他の工場などに移ってもらう。今後も需要の伸びが見込めない先進国向けの二輪車やボート、四輪バギー事業の合理化策の一つだ。海外でも１２年までに９工場を７工場に整理統合する。
人員削減策では、国内での８００人の希望退職募集をすでに発表しているが、欧米でも年内に２００人を削減するとした。一方、新興国向け二輪車事業は拡大。中国やインド向けに７万～９万円ほどの低価格車を投入する。
０９年１２月期連結決算は売上高が前期比２８．１％減の１兆１５３６億円、営業損益は６２５億円の赤字（前期は４８３億円の黒字）、純損益は２１６１億円の赤字（同１８億円の黒字）だった。
On the 12th, Yamaha Motor announced a rationalization plan that centered on consolidating 12 factories into seven by 2015, all of them manufactured products for export to advanced countries. Having suffered a worldwide economic crisis since the end of 2008, the consolidated accounting statement ending on December, 2009 announced on the same day showed a fall in the operating deficit since the period on April, 1984. It launched a production based reorganization that aimed at achieving earnings improvement. Five factories that would stop production were all in Shizuoka prefecture: Morimachi, Kakegawa, Hamamatsu, Arai, and Fukuda. This was an expansion of the rationalization target because last August it already declared that three factories had been stopped. About 600 employees in total were moved to other factories. This would be one of the rationalization plans for four-wheeled car business, which would also cover both the two-wheeled vehicles and the boats, both could not expect any demand increase in overseas. By 2012, nine factories in foreign counties would be consolidated into seven. Under the staff reduction plan, a scheme was announced that looked for 800 people to join the voluntary retirement plan, it was also assumed that 200 people would be reduced within the year in Europe and America. On the other hand, the two-wheeled vehicle business for the developing nation was increasing. The production of low-priced car ranging from 70,000 to 90,000 yen sold in China and India was up. As for the consolidated account ending December 2009, sales were 1,153,600,000,000 yen, a 28.1% decrease compared with the previous term, and it was a loss of 62.5 billion yen (The previous term was a surplus of 48.3 billion yen) in gross operating profit and loss, and a net deficit of 216.1 billion yen (surplus of 1.8 billion yen previously).
It seems that some companies in Japan are still fighting for their survival.
2010年2月9日 星期二
The China White Paper 1949(XIV)
Starting from the latter half of 1938, relationship between the KMT and CCP began to deteriorate, in particular after the fall of Hankow (漢口) in October 1938. KMT accused CCP for not allowing the National Government to exercise direct control over Communist armies in the field. Yet up to late 1940, large scale open hostilities were avoided although the Communist military forces continued to expand and infiltrate into regions outside the defense zones.1
In early January 1941, the conflict between KMT and CCP culminated in the "New Fourth Army Incident". In early 1944, the US sent Vice President Henry Wallace to China for the purpose of consolidating China's war effort against Japan. In September 1944, General Hurley as the Personal Representative of the US President visited China for the purpose of promoting the good relationship between Chiang Kai-shek and General Stilwell, an American General appointed to help Chiang to fight the war in China. During this period, more and more Americans believed that neither the KMT nor the CCP were eager to use their army to fight the Japanese.2 Their observation was that the situation in China was deteriorating as noted in the intelligence reports gathered by the Embassy, the Consulates or the Foreign Service officers who had the unique opportunity to travel and contact the Chinese Military authorities and make observations. In essence these reports centered around the following themes:
1. the intention of USSR in the Far East was an aggressive one.
2. the Chinese Communists had a background of subservience to the USSR, but nationalism had played a role in modifying its outlook.
3. the Chinese Communists were challenging the KMT for control of China.
4. the KMT and the National Government were disintegrating.
5. the rivalry between between the KMT and CCP could culminate in a civil war.
6. the Communist would win this war because of the weakness of the National Government.
7. from the view point of the US, it was desirable to encourage the KMT to reform and revitalize itself.3 (to be continued)
Notes:
In early January 1941, the conflict between KMT and CCP culminated in the "New Fourth Army Incident". In early 1944, the US sent Vice President Henry Wallace to China for the purpose of consolidating China's war effort against Japan. In September 1944, General Hurley as the Personal Representative of the US President visited China for the purpose of promoting the good relationship between Chiang Kai-shek and General Stilwell, an American General appointed to help Chiang to fight the war in China. During this period, more and more Americans believed that neither the KMT nor the CCP were eager to use their army to fight the Japanese.2 Their observation was that the situation in China was deteriorating as noted in the intelligence reports gathered by the Embassy, the Consulates or the Foreign Service officers who had the unique opportunity to travel and contact the Chinese Military authorities and make observations. In essence these reports centered around the following themes:
1. the intention of USSR in the Far East was an aggressive one.
2. the Chinese Communists had a background of subservience to the USSR, but nationalism had played a role in modifying its outlook.
3. the Chinese Communists were challenging the KMT for control of China.
4. the KMT and the National Government were disintegrating.
5. the rivalry between between the KMT and CCP could culminate in a civil war.
6. the Communist would win this war because of the weakness of the National Government.
7. from the view point of the US, it was desirable to encourage the KMT to reform and revitalize itself.3 (to be continued)
Notes:
1. United States, Department of State. The China White Paper-August 1949. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1967, page 53.
2. Ibid., page 61.
3. Ibid., pages 64-5.
2010年2月5日 星期五
舊日軍731部隊
Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:
第二次世界大戦後の占領下で、米軍が「細菌戦」などを研究した旧日本軍７３１部隊の関係者１２人の郵便物を検閲するよう指示していたことが分かった。山本武利・早稲田大教授（メディア史）が国立国会図書館の米公文書資料から、検閲指示の秘密文書を発見した。米軍は人体実験などのデータ提供と引き換えに、同部隊員らの戦犯訴追を免除した。その一方で、郵便検閲により関係者の動向を探っていた事実が明らかになったのは初めて。謎の多い部隊をめぐる情報収集に、米側が戦後、硬軟両様の手段を駆使していた事実が浮かび上がった。
文書は１９４６年２月１５日付で米陸軍参謀第２部（Ｇ２）から、連合国軍総司令部（ＧＨＱ）の民間検閲局（ＣＣＤ）あてに出された１枚。上下に「機密」のスタンプ、右上には「廃棄」を求めた手書きのメモがある。
内容は２項目で、最初に「下に挙げた人物の郵便物を検閲するように」と指示。７３１部隊長だった石井四郎（１８９２～１９５９年）や、石井の側近で戦後はミドリ十字を創設した内藤良一（１９０６～８２年）ら１２人の氏名をローマ字で、肩書や住所とともに列挙している。満州事変の首謀者、石原莞爾（１８８９～１９４９年）の名前もある。
検閲のポイントは五つで、石井や細菌戦に関するあらゆる言及など。「会合の手はず」なども挙げ、関係者同士の連絡にも注意して検閲するよう求めている。
第２の項目は、部隊の研究施設にいた「医学的な背景を持つ」とされる９人のリスト。住所は「不明」だが、これらの人物の動向にも注意するよう求めたとみられる。二つのリストとも、従来７３１部隊の関係者として知られていなかった名前が含まれている。
米軍は占領開始直後の４５年９月から、同部隊関係者の尋問を始めたが、当初から戦犯免責をちらつかせ、情報を引き出そうとした。４７年には実験データを提供させ、関係者の訴追は見送った。今回の文書は、米軍が尋問により証言を引き出すと同時に、郵便検閲を通し、ひそかに情報を得ようとしたことを示す。
山本教授は「東京裁判（極東国際軍事裁判）が始まる前の時期で、７３１部隊の免責に必要な作業だったのかもしれない」と話している。
It had been understood that when Japan was under the occupation of the American after World War II, the US military had directed the inspection of the mails of 12 persons who were connected to the 731 old Japanese army forces that researched on "Biological warfare". [Takeshiri] Yamamoto as the professor of Waseda University (History of Media) discovered at the National Diet Library some US official documents that allowed eyes-only inspection. The U.S. military exempted members of this force from war crime prosecutions in exchange for their offer of the data of the human experimentation. This was the first time for one side to use mail inspection to clarify facts and search for the movement of the concerned party. Through this information gathering on the force which was covered by lots of mysteries, the fact that after the war the US had been using threats and persuasion as the means had come to the surface.
It was one document dated February 15, 1946 sent from the staff office of the US Army Second Division (G2) to private inspection bureau (CCD) which was under the General Headquarters (GHQ). At the top and bottom of the document the word "Secret" was stamped. Hand-written memos that requested "Abandonment" was seen at the upper right corner.
The content had two items, first it instructed that, "The mail of the person enumerated below be inspected". Shiro Ishii (1892-1959) who was the head of 731 forces, and Ishii's aides, Ryoichi Naito (1906-82) who founded The Green Cross after the war were enumerated, in all 12 names were enumerated in Roman alphabet order with title and address. There was also the name Ishihara (1889-1949) who was the master-mind of the Manchurian Incident.
There were five points for the inspection, all were related to Ishii and the biological warfare. It requested to note, to inspect and to report "Arrangement of the meeting" etc. on people that communicated with this group.
Item two was a list of nine people related to research facilities of the Japanese force who "had medical background". Because their addresses were "unknown", it requested that these people's movement be noted. The list included two names previously not known to be connected to the 731 forces.
The U.S. military immediately after the occupation in September, 1945 tried to start questioning the persons related to this force, and to pull up information, amid the possibility of granting war crime immunity. The experimental data was offered in 1947, and prosecutions on the concerned parties were put off. This document showed that the US military tried to obtain information secretly through mail inspections and at the same time tried to draw out the testimony by questioning.
Prof. Yamamoto was speaking that "Probably the work on the immunity of 731 forces must be done at a time before the start of the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal (Far Eastern international, military trial) ".
The finding of Professor Yamamoto adds one more piece of evidence to support the belief held by Chinese historians that the US granted immunity to the 731 forces in order to obtain the experimental information.
第二次世界大戦後の占領下で、米軍が「細菌戦」などを研究した旧日本軍７３１部隊の関係者１２人の郵便物を検閲するよう指示していたことが分かった。山本武利・早稲田大教授（メディア史）が国立国会図書館の米公文書資料から、検閲指示の秘密文書を発見した。米軍は人体実験などのデータ提供と引き換えに、同部隊員らの戦犯訴追を免除した。その一方で、郵便検閲により関係者の動向を探っていた事実が明らかになったのは初めて。謎の多い部隊をめぐる情報収集に、米側が戦後、硬軟両様の手段を駆使していた事実が浮かび上がった。
文書は１９４６年２月１５日付で米陸軍参謀第２部（Ｇ２）から、連合国軍総司令部（ＧＨＱ）の民間検閲局（ＣＣＤ）あてに出された１枚。上下に「機密」のスタンプ、右上には「廃棄」を求めた手書きのメモがある。
内容は２項目で、最初に「下に挙げた人物の郵便物を検閲するように」と指示。７３１部隊長だった石井四郎（１８９２～１９５９年）や、石井の側近で戦後はミドリ十字を創設した内藤良一（１９０６～８２年）ら１２人の氏名をローマ字で、肩書や住所とともに列挙している。満州事変の首謀者、石原莞爾（１８８９～１９４９年）の名前もある。
検閲のポイントは五つで、石井や細菌戦に関するあらゆる言及など。「会合の手はず」なども挙げ、関係者同士の連絡にも注意して検閲するよう求めている。
第２の項目は、部隊の研究施設にいた「医学的な背景を持つ」とされる９人のリスト。住所は「不明」だが、これらの人物の動向にも注意するよう求めたとみられる。二つのリストとも、従来７３１部隊の関係者として知られていなかった名前が含まれている。
米軍は占領開始直後の４５年９月から、同部隊関係者の尋問を始めたが、当初から戦犯免責をちらつかせ、情報を引き出そうとした。４７年には実験データを提供させ、関係者の訴追は見送った。今回の文書は、米軍が尋問により証言を引き出すと同時に、郵便検閲を通し、ひそかに情報を得ようとしたことを示す。
山本教授は「東京裁判（極東国際軍事裁判）が始まる前の時期で、７３１部隊の免責に必要な作業だったのかもしれない」と話している。
It had been understood that when Japan was under the occupation of the American after World War II, the US military had directed the inspection of the mails of 12 persons who were connected to the 731 old Japanese army forces that researched on "Biological warfare". [Takeshiri] Yamamoto as the professor of Waseda University (History of Media) discovered at the National Diet Library some US official documents that allowed eyes-only inspection. The U.S. military exempted members of this force from war crime prosecutions in exchange for their offer of the data of the human experimentation. This was the first time for one side to use mail inspection to clarify facts and search for the movement of the concerned party. Through this information gathering on the force which was covered by lots of mysteries, the fact that after the war the US had been using threats and persuasion as the means had come to the surface.
It was one document dated February 15, 1946 sent from the staff office of the US Army Second Division (G2) to private inspection bureau (CCD) which was under the General Headquarters (GHQ). At the top and bottom of the document the word "Secret" was stamped. Hand-written memos that requested "Abandonment" was seen at the upper right corner.
The content had two items, first it instructed that, "The mail of the person enumerated below be inspected". Shiro Ishii (1892-1959) who was the head of 731 forces, and Ishii's aides, Ryoichi Naito (1906-82) who founded The Green Cross after the war were enumerated, in all 12 names were enumerated in Roman alphabet order with title and address. There was also the name Ishihara (1889-1949) who was the master-mind of the Manchurian Incident.
There were five points for the inspection, all were related to Ishii and the biological warfare. It requested to note, to inspect and to report "Arrangement of the meeting" etc. on people that communicated with this group.
Item two was a list of nine people related to research facilities of the Japanese force who "had medical background". Because their addresses were "unknown", it requested that these people's movement be noted. The list included two names previously not known to be connected to the 731 forces.
The U.S. military immediately after the occupation in September, 1945 tried to start questioning the persons related to this force, and to pull up information, amid the possibility of granting war crime immunity. The experimental data was offered in 1947, and prosecutions on the concerned parties were put off. This document showed that the US military tried to obtain information secretly through mail inspections and at the same time tried to draw out the testimony by questioning.
Prof. Yamamoto was speaking that "Probably the work on the immunity of 731 forces must be done at a time before the start of the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal (Far Eastern international, military trial) ".
The finding of Professor Yamamoto adds one more piece of evidence to support the belief held by Chinese historians that the US granted immunity to the 731 forces in order to obtain the experimental information.
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