森下仁丹廣告重現

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
明治末期から昭和初期にかけ、「森下仁丹」（大阪市中央区）が全国の街頭に掲げた琺瑯(ほうろう)製の町名入り広告看板（縦９０センチ、横１５センチ）を京都市内で再び増やそうと、同社が新しい看板の筆入れ式を２７日、同市内で開いた。
　年間２０～３０枚のペースで設置するという。
　街に住所表示が少なく郵便配達人が困っていたことから、同社は１９１０年から、都市部に看板を設置。金属にガラス質の上薬を塗って焼き付けた看板には、仁丹のマークが入れられた。
　しかし、戦災や戦後の開発で失われ、最も多く残るという京都市でも、町家の建て替えなどに伴い、１５年前の約１２００枚から約７５０枚に減っている。
　今年度は１３町内会の２５か所に設置を予定。
About the advertising signboards (90 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in width) with the name of a town made of enamel to advertise "Morishita Jintan" (Osaka City Chuo Ward) which had been hung in the streets in the whole country from end of the Meiji era to the beginning of the Showa era, it was said that their number would again increase in Kyoto city.This company on the 27th started the pencil case type new signboard in the same city.
It was said that it would be set up at a pacing of 20-30 numbers in a year.
Because the number of address display boards set up in towns was few and postmen had a difficult time, this company set up signboards in the city part since 1910. The marking of Jintan was added on the signboard that was made by applying a layer of vitreous material onto the metal and then treated it with high heat.
Kyoto City that had the most number of it, 15 years ago the number decreased from about 1200 pieces to about 750 along with the rebuilding of houses, and the lost due to war damage and the development in postwar days.
This year, the installation was scheduled for 25 locations in 13 town associations.

Jintan was a famous brand name even in some parts of China before WWII. It is interesting to note that this brand is making a return.

東京過激性表現漫画販売受規制

Recently the FNN News reported the following:

東京都、過激な性表現のある漫画販売など規制する条例改正案を都議会に再提出へ
東京都は、過激な性表現のある漫画の販売などを規制する条例改正案を、来週から始まる都議会に再提出する予定。
東京都は2010年3月、18歳未満とみられる人物の性行為などを描写した作品を販売規制の対象とする条例改正案を提出していたが、改正案は表現を封じ込めるものだとして、漫画家・ちばてつやさんや永井 豪さんなどが反発し、その後、都議会で否決された。
11月30日から始まる都議会で、都が再提出する改正案では、「非実在青少年」といった文言を削除し、販売規制の対象について、刑罰法規に触れる性交や近親者同士の性交を不当に賛美・誇張するマンガなどと明確にしている。
In Tokyo, the ordinance amendment bill that restricted the sales of cartoon etc. which showed extreme sex expression would be submitted to the metropolitan assembly again.
In Tokyo the ordinance amendment bill that aimed at restricting sales of cartoons etc which showed extreme sex expression was scheduled to be submitted once more to the metropolitan assembly that would start next week.
Although in March 2010 Tokyo put forward the ordinance amendment bill which aimed at buyers of those works that described sexuality of persons that looked like to be less than 18 years old, and suggested them be covered when on sale, cartoonists Chibatetsuya and Nagaikata, and others objected. That amendment bill was voted down in the metropolitan assembly afterwards.
In the capital, in the metropolitan assembly that started on November 30, in the re-submitted amendment bill the words of "Non-entity youth" was deleted, and the bill clarified the targets of sales restriction were those cartoons etc. which had sexual intercourse that touched punitive laws, and that close relative sexual intercourse were praised and exaggerated without justification.

It is a moral issue. It is difficult for the government to draw the line.

東北新幹線將會全線開業

Recently the FNN News reported the following:

12月4日の東北新幹線全線開業まで、あと2週間。新たに開通する八戸 - 新青森間で11月20日、一般向けの試乗会が行われた。
JR東日本は、12月4日の東北新幹線全線開業に先立って、新幹線「はやて」を体感してもらおうと特別試乗会を計画、全国から応募が殺到し、5,000人の定員に3万8,646人の応募があり、7.7倍の倍率となった。
選ばれた人たちは、一足早く八戸 - 新青森間を乗車し、陸上複線トンネルでは世界最長の長さおよそ26.5kmの八甲田トンネルで、区間最高速度となる時速260km走行を経験するなど、新幹線の速さと便利さを実感していた。
12月4日の開業後は、東京 - 新青森間は1日15往復、3時間20分で結ばれる。

For two more weeks, on December 4th, the Tohoku Shinkansen whole line would be open. On November 20, the general trial-ride fair was done for the newly opened Hachinohe to New Aomori line.
East Japan Railway planned a special trial-ride fair even if Shinkansen "Squall" could be experienced before the Tohoku Shinkansen whole line opening on December 4, application had poured in from the whole country, with 5000 capacity applied by 38,646 people, it became 7.7 times in excess.
The chosen people would be slightly earlier than others to actually feel the speed and the convenience of Shinkansen between Hachinohe and New Aomori when he got on it, and would experience the 260km per hour maximum section speed at the Hachikoda tunnel which was about 26.5km long, being the world's longest on land double-track line tunnel.

After its opening on December, the line would connect New Aomori and Tokyo by 15 round trips a day, in 3 hours 20 minutes.

I think after December 4th, travelling between Tokyo and the northern territories would be much faster.

駕車態度可顯示真個性

Recently the Excite News reported the following:

半数以上の女性が「ドライブ中に彼氏にゲンメツ」した経験がある――。車を運転する男性にとってはちょっと気になる「ドライブデートに関する調査」を、財団法人道路交通情報通信システムセンターが実施した。

この調査は20〜30代の女性501人を対象に行われたもの。まず、「ドライブデートをしたことがありますか」とたずねたところ、93％が「ある」と回答し、“車離れ”が叫ばれる昨今においてもドライブはデートの重要な要素となっていることが分かった。

次に「ドライブ中に彼氏にドキッとした経験がありますか」とたずねると、「ある」は66％で、その内容は「スムーズな車庫入れ」（51％）、「狭い道でもスムーズな運転」（42％）、「運転席から助手席のものをとる仕草」（36％）、「止まる時に助手席の前に手を出してくれる仕草」（29％）と続いた。

しかし一方で「ドライブ中に彼氏にゲンメツした経験がありますか」との質問では、54％と半数以上が「ある」と回答。その理由は「ほかの車に文句を言う」（49％）、「運転が乱暴」（42％）、「渋滞でイライラして八つ当たり」（38％）がトップ3で、ドライブだからこそ分かった彼氏の意外な一面にゲンメツする女性が多いようだ。

そして「ドライブ中に喧嘩をしたことがありますか」をたずねたところ、65％が「ある」と回答。さらに「ドライブ中の喧嘩で別れを決意したことがありますか」との質問では、10％が「ある」と答えている。

(試譯文)

Over half of the women who had experienced "disillusionment when the boyfriend was driving the car". The Foundation for Vehicle Information and Communication System Center carried out an "Investigation concerning driving when dating" that focused attention on the moments when a man drove the car.

This investigation was done towards 501 women in their 20s and 30s. First of all, 93% answered "Yes" when asked "Do you have the drive dating experience?", and recently it was understood that to shout "Leaving the car" was an important element in drive dating.

Next, 66% answered "Yes" when asked "Do you have the experience of giving encouragement while the boyfriend was driving?", and the related contents in sequence were, "For parking smoothly into a garage" (51%), "For drive smoothly on a narrow road" (42%), "The gesture of taking one thing from the driver's seat to the passenger's seat" (36%), and "The gesture that put out the hand in front of the passenger's seat when stopping" (29%).

On the other hand 54%, or more than half said "Yes" in answering the question "Is there an experience of disillusionment towards the boyfriend while driving?". "Complain about other cars" (49%), "The driving is violent" (42%), and "Gets irritated due to congestion and snarl" (38%) were top 3 reasons, and it seemed that a lot of women unexpectedly understood the boyfriend's the other side because of the driving and became disillusioned.

Also, 65% said "Yes" when asked "Do you have an argument while driving?". In addition, 10% answered "Yes" to the question "Has the separation been caused by the argument related to the driving?"

It seems that driving often could show the true temper of a person.

作詞家星野哲郎逝世

Recently the FNN news reported the following:

「三百六十五歩のマーチ」や「アンコ椿は恋の花」など、数多くの名曲を生み出した作詞家・星野哲郎さんが、15日午前11時48分に亡くなった。85歳だった。
2001年11月、星野さん(当時76)は「何曲くらい作られたかと、4,000曲以上だと申し上げました。どういうものを作っているかと(聞かれ)、『函館の女』と『三百六十五歩のマーチ』ですと申し上げました」と話していた。
大正14年(1925年)生まれの星野さんは、船乗りを志したが、病気で断念。
その後、雑誌の流行歌歌詞募集の応募がきっかけで、作詞家の道へ進んだ。
昭和34年(1959年)に、「スリー・キャッツ」が歌った「黄色いさくらんぼ」が大ヒットした。
都 はるみさん(62)の「アンコ椿は恋の花」は、日本レコード大賞新人賞を受賞した。
北島三郎さん(74)の「兄弟仁義」や「函館の女」、水前寺 清子さん(65)の「三百六十五歩のマーチ」など、次々と大ヒットを飛ばした。
演歌だけではなく、「男はつらいよ」の映画の主題歌も手がけた。
星野さんが生涯で書き上げた作品は4,000以上ともいわれ、海を題材にした作品を多く書いた。
鳥羽一郎さん(58)は、「ことしの正月に、先生のご自宅にお伺いし、とても元気な姿を拝見していただけに、まさかという思いでいっぱいです。(星野先生の作品集の)アルバムを制作中で、完成した作品を先生に聞いていただけなくて、非常に残念でなりません」とコメントした。
神野美伽さん(45)は、「1999年のわたしの結婚式に立会人をお願いし、快く引き受けてくださったことが、今、懐かしく思い出されます。夫(荒木 とよひさ氏)の目標である方がお亡くなりになったことが、すごく残念です」とコメントした。

(試譯文)

Tetsuro Hoshino the person who had written and composed a lot of famous music pieces such as "March of 365 steps" and "The Anko Camellia is the flower of love" died on the 15th at 11:48AM. He was 85 years old.
Mr. Hoshino (76 at that time) in November, 2001 said ｢As to how many songs made, I said that it was about 4,000 or more. I said it was 'Woman of Hakodate' and 'March of 365 steps' that were made and (be heard). ｣.
Mr. Hoshino was born in 1925 (Taisei 14th year) and determined to become a sailor but had to abandon it due to sickness.
Afterwards, he applied to popular song lyrics recruitment held by magazines and began advancing towards the road of song writer.
In 1959 (Showa 34th year)"Yellow cherry" sung by "3 Cats" had become a big hit.
In the capital "The Anko camellia is the flower of love" by Harumi (62) won the Japanese Record Grand Prix for Rookie of the Year Award.
"Brother humanity" and "Woman in Hokodate" of Saburo Kitashima (74), and "March of 365 steps" of Kiyoko Suizenji (65) became smashing hit one after another.
Not only Enka, the theme song of the movie "A man is painful" was also handled.
The work that Mr. Hoshino had finished writing throughout his life was said to be 4,000 or more, and a lot of work written had used the sea as the theme.
Ichiro Toba (58) commented that ｢When visiting the teacher's home at the New Year of this year, a very energy appearance was seen, it was totally unexpected. The teacher was in the process of producing the (Mr Hoshino's work collection) album, but as the complete work could not be heard it become very regrettable. ｣
Bitogi Kamino (45) commented ｢I am reminded of asking him to witness my wedding in 1999, and now I miss this pleasant undertaking. It is terrible and regrettable that my husband's (Mr. Araki Toyohisa) targets died. ｣

It is regrettable to learn that Japan has lost one of its most popular song composers.

昂山素姬接受NHK訪問

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

１３日に自宅軟禁が解除されたミャンマーの民主化運動のリーダー、アウン・サン・スー・チーさんが１４日、ＮＨＫとの電話インタビューに応じ、「対話は双方向のプロセスであり、一方通行ではできない」と述べ、軍事政権に対し、みずからとの対話に応じるよう強く求めました。

アウン・サン・スー・チーさんが１３日に自宅軟禁が解除されてから、報道機関の単独取材に応じるのはこれが初めてです。スー・チーさんは、まず軟禁中の生活について、軟禁は認められるものではないとしながらも、「不満は言わない。政権側の人はよくしてくれた」と述べ、軍事政権への批判を避けたうえで、「国のために感情ではなく、信条、信念に基づき、理解と和解を進めていかなければならない」と述べて、今後、軍事政権とねばり強く向き合っていくとの決意を示しました。そのうえで、１４日に行った演説で軍事政権側に対話を呼びかけたことについては、「対話は双方向のプロセスであり、一方通行ではできない。誰であれ、責任ある立場の人物と話をしていきたい」と述べ、軍事政権のトップとの直接対話を含め、あらゆる可能性を探りたいとの意欲を示し、軍事政権側がみずからとの対話に応じるよう強く求めました。また、今月７日に行われた総選挙をめぐり、スー・チーさんが率いてきた政党から分裂した政党とも、協力を進めていくという考えを強調しました。さらに、日本との関係について、スー・チーさんは「民主化を推し進めていくためには、あらゆる人々の支援が必要で、日本を含む国際社会からの支援が欠かせない」と述べて、ミャンマーの民主化実現に向け、日本を含む国際社会が積極的に関与していくことに期待を示しました。

(試譯文)

Aung San Suu Kyi the leader of the democracy movement in Myanmar who was under house arrest but released on the 13th, in response to the phone interview with NHK on the 14th said that "Conversation is an interactive process, and it is not possible to do it in one-way traffic", and strongly requested a personal conversation with the military regime.

This was the first time for Aung San Suu Kyi to respond to a single coverage by a news organization after the house arrest order was removed on the 13th. First about the life during house arrest, it was assumed that there was no way not to admit it and said that｢There is no complain. The person on the side with political power often did this｣, while on the surface criticism on the military regime had been avoided, it was stated that "It is necessary to advance understanding and reconciliation not based on feelings but on creed and belief in the country", in future it was decided to use patience and flexibility when facing the military regime. In this respect, in the speech on the 14th, she had asked the military regime for a conversation, saying that ｢The conversation is an interactive process, and it is not possible to do it in one-way traffic. She wants to talk with the someone who holds a responsible standpoint ｣,the desire of wanting to look for all the possibilities was shown, including direct talks with the top of the military regime, and strongly requested a talk with the military regime personally. Moreover, Suu Kyi emphasised the idea of advancing cooperation within the political party that she led, and with parties that had divided from this political party in the general election held on the seventh this month. In addition, Suu Kyi showed an expectation when stating that "All the people's support are necessary, and support from the international society including Japan is indispensable to promote democratization", and showed expectation of a positive participation by the international society including Japan in achieving democracy in Myanmar.

I hope Myanmar could have a peaceful process in achieving democracy.

蘇聯總統探訪北方四島

Recently the NHK news reported the following:

前原外務大臣は、ロシアのメドベージェフ大統領が北方領土の国後島を訪問したことを受けて、ロシアのベールイ大使を外務省に呼び、北方領土は日本固有の領土であり、わが国の国民感情を傷つけるもので、きわめて遺憾だとして抗議しました。
この中で前原外務大臣は、メドベージェフ大統領の国後島訪問について「ロシアの最高指導者が北方四島を訪問すれば、日ロ関係を損ねるという懸念を表明していたにもかかわらず、今回、大統領が訪問したことは、日本との関係発展の重視を表明してきたロシア政府の真意を疑わせるものだ」と述べました。そのうえで、前原外務大臣は「北方領土は日本固有の領土であり、日本の原則的立場と相いれない。わが国の国民感情を傷つけるものであり、きわめて遺憾だ。日本政府としては、訪問時の大統領の言動などを踏まえ、適切な対応をとっていかざるをえない」と述べ、抗議しました。これに対し、ベールイ大使は、北方領土に対するロシアの原則的な立場を説明したうえで「大統領の訪問は純粋な国内問題であり、対外的な側面はない。日ロ関係の悪化は双方にとって利益にならない」と述べ、日本側に冷静な対応を求めました。このあとベールイ大使は、外務省で記者団に対し「ロシアの大統領がロシアのどの地域を訪問するかどうかは大統領の選択だ」と述べました。

(試譯文)

Foreign Minister Maehara noted Russia President Medvedev's visit to Kunashirito that located in the northern territories, called in Russia ambassador Bearui to the Foreign Ministry to protect because northern territories was Japanese territory traditionally, and regarded the visit as extremely regrettable as it damaged the public sentiment of our country.

Foreign Minister Maehara described President Medvedev's Kunashirito visit as this "If the top leader in Russia visited northern four islands although it was declared that there is anxiety that it would damage Japanese-Russia relations, that casts doubt on what is the real intention of Russian government when it declared valuing the relationship development with Japan". On top of that Foreign Minister Maehara described and protested that ｢Northern territories were traditionally Japanese territories, and it is contradictory to a standpoint of Japan in principle. It is a matter that damages the public sentiment of our country, and it is extremely regrettable. Japanese Government cannot help taking appropriate response based on president's speech and behavior made during the visiting｣. After explaining the standpoint of Russia on northern territories in principle, ambassador Bearui said that ｢The presidential visit is purely internal affairs, and doesn't aim at outsiders. Deterioration of Japanese-Russian relations would not profit both parties｣ and requested calm response from Japan. After this, ambassador Bearui described to reporters in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that "It is a presidential pick on which region of Russia that the Russia president would visit".

Although the visit by Russia president to the Northern Territories had caused some diplomatic tension between Russia and Japan, the dispute had died down in the past few days.

魚船衝突事件日官民意見有差別

Recently the FNN News reported the following:

中国漁船衝突事件の映像流出問題で、衝突映像を公開した人物への応援の声が海上保安庁に寄せられる一方、漁船を衝突させた中国人船長の釈放に釈然としないとの不満の声もあります。街の声を取材しました。

10日、仙谷官房長官が、「これは先般の...、大阪地検特捜部の事件に匹敵する、ゆゆしい事件だ」と憤慨したビデオ流出問題。
国家公務員法の守秘義務違反に問われた場合、「1年以下の懲役、または50万円以下の罰金」となる。
一方、那覇地検は9月24日、会見で「今後の日中関係を考慮いたしますと、これ以上、被疑者の身柄の拘束を継続して捜査を続けることは、相当でない」と発表していた。
公務執行妨害で逮捕されながらも、釈放された中国漁船船長。
法治国家・日本の街で、果たして罪が重いのはどちらなのかを聞いた。
中国人船長の方が罪が重いと答えた人は、「(映像を公開した『sengoku38』は)法律上、罰せられてしょうがないかなと思いますけど、国民心情としては、ヒーローですよね」、「この人(中国人船長)も、やっぱり日本の法律で罰するべきです」と話した。
一方、映像を公開した「sengoku38」の方が罪が重いと答えた人は「国として情報を出すのはいいと思いますよ。だけど、一個人が感覚的に出したらね、それは統治ができなくなりますよ」と話した。
100人中93人が、ビデオを流出させた人物よりも、中国船船長の罪の方が重いと答えた。
中国人船長の方が罪が重いと答えた人は、「この中国人船長の場合も、最初日本が言ったことは、『法に従って裁きます』。途中、手のひらを返したわけだから、まったくおかしな話ですよね」、「法治国家たる日本が、これだけ弱腰だと、法治国家の名に恥じると思いますよ」と話した。

(試譯文)

Regarding the outflow of the image on the Chinese fishing boat collision event, the opinion of assisting the person who disclosed the collision image was sent to the Japan Coast Guard, on the other hand there was voice of dis-satisfaction over the release of the Chinese captain whose fishing boat was involved in the collision. The voice on the street was taken note of.

On the 10th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Tani was indignant at the video outflow problem ｢ It is a serious event that equals the the recent case that involved the Osaka District Public Prosecutors office Special Investigation Division. ｣

When asked about the violating of the responsibility of keeping secret under the National Public Service Law, it was stated "The imprisonment was up to one year, or penalties of 500,000 yen or less".

On the other hand, on September 24 the Naha District Public Prosecutors office announced in the interview that "When considering the Japan-China relations in future, it is not appropriate to continue retaining the suspect and to continue investigating the suspect any further".

Re. Chinese fishing boat captain being released although he had been arrested for obstructing the performance of official duty. It was asked which crime was really heavy in a city of a law-abiding country Japan.

The person who had answered that Chinese captain's crime was heavier said "(to disclose the image of 'sengoku38' ) was probably punishable in law though, but on national feeling, it was thought of as heroic" and "After all, this person (Chinese captain) should also be punished by laws of Japan".

On the other hand, the people who answered that the crime of disclosing the image of "sengoku38" was heavier said ｢As an information for the country, I think that the disclosure is good. However when an individual's feeling causes it to come out, it become an impossible task for the administration｣.

93 people in 100 answered that Chinese ship captain's crime was heavier than the person who made the video flow out.

People who answered that the Chinese captain's crime was heavier said "At first what Japan had said was "To make all decisions according to the law. Along the way, it was noted that attitudes had changed, it is a completely laughable story" "Being thought of as a law-abiding country, with such a weak-knee, I think Japan was ashamed of being named as a law-abiding country".

It seems that the incident has separated the Japanese government from its people.

免費網上看村上春樹小説1Q84

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:

１Ｑ８４：中国サイトでは日本語でも閲覧
　作家村上春樹さんのベストセラー「１Ｑ８４」などの小説が、検索会社「バイドゥ」が運営する「ライブラリ」というサービスで一時、日本語で自由に閲覧できる状態になっていたことが９日、分かった。
　バイドゥライブラリは利用者が文書を投稿できるサービス。閲覧可能になっていた「１Ｑ８４」は日本語版で、ＢＯＯＫ１、２の２冊分。同日アップロードされたが、版元の新潮社から連絡を受け、バイドゥが削除した。

　バイドゥ側は「投稿された文書に著作権を侵害する恐れがないか、コンピューターで自動的にフィルタリングをかけているが、今回は漏れてしまったようだ。権利者からの申請があれば、削除に応じたい」としている。

(試譯文)

1Q84 in Japanese is available for viewing in a Chinese site.
On the 9th it was understood that for one brief moment it was able to read the novel such as Haruki Murakami's best-sellers "1Q84" in Japanese freely in the so called "Library" service that was managed by the retrieval company "Baidou".
Baidou Library service allowed users to contribute documents. The "1Q84" that was available for reading was a Japanese version, in two books as BOOK1 and 2. After receiving a report from the publisher Shincho company, Baidou deleted it although it was up-loaded on the same day.

As far as Baidou was concerned, its action was that ｢There is no worry that the contributed documents have violated copyright, there is some automatic filtering in the computer, although it seems that this time it has fallen through. If copy right holders request, we will respond by deleting it ｣.

It is an interesting incident. For a brief moment, readers in China can read some new Japanese books free of charge through the Internet.

中國與日本的單身女士比較

Recently the Excite News reported the following:

2010年11月5日、中国紙・環球時報は北京在住のフリーライターによるコラム「日本と中国、独女（売れ残りの独身女性）の違いはどこに？」を掲載した。経済発展の度合いは異なる両国だが、ますます多くの女性が結婚を選ばず、あるいは結婚に至らず独身のままでいる割合が高まっているという状況は同じようだ。

「独女（中国語では「剰女」…余った女性の意味）」とは、決してモテない女性とは限らない。むしろ、高学歴高収入、知的で都会的で容姿も悪くない女性も多い。コラムではしかし、「日本の独女のほうがより婚活に必死」としている。

(試譯文)

On November 5, 2010 the Chinese newspaper Global Time published a column entitled "Where are the differences between single women (single women of unsold stuff) in China and Japan " written by a free-lance writer living in Beijing. Although the degree of economic development was different between the two countries, the situation that more and more women chose not to marry, or to remain single by maintaining a un-married status was the same; and they occupied a rising ratio in both countries.

"Single woman" ("excessive woman" in Chinese means a single woman of unsold stuff) was not necessarily a woman who had never been popular. There were lots of intellectual city women with high academic background and high income, and their figure was not bad. But the column assumed that "Single woman in Japan is more desperate for a married life".

It seems that more and more women choose to remain single in modern cities.

ＪＲ西現存最古老特急車退役

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:

ＪＲ西日本で現存する特急車両で最も古く、大阪と鳥取を結ぶ特急「はまかぜ」で使われていたディーゼル車の１８１系が６日、定期便として最後の運行を終えた。大阪駅に集まった約８００人のファンがラストランに出た列車の雄姿をカメラで撮影し、別れを惜しんだ。

　同社によると、１８１系は車体の天井にエンジンの冷却装置が付いた珍しいタイプで、１９６８～７２年に製造。長野－名古屋間の特急「しなの」や岡山－出雲市間の特急「やくも」でも使用された。

　鉄道ファンの仲間と列車に乗り込んだ高松市の会社員、窪田雄一さん（３３）は「１８１系はかつて四国でも走っていて力強いエンジン音が好きだった。最後なので奮発してグリーン車です」と話した。

(試譯文)

Being the oldest special express vehicle in existence in West JR of Japan, on the 6th, the 181 series of the diesel-powered vehicle used by special express "Makaze" that connected Osaka with Tottori finished the last operation as a regular flight. The fans of about 800 people gathered in Osaka Station using cameras to take pictures of the imposing figure of the train that left for the Last Run, and parted with it reluctantly.

According to the same company, the carriage body of the 181 series had attached to its ceiling an unusual type cooling engine that was manufactured in 1968-72. The special express "Shinano" that traveled between Nagano and Nagoya, and also in the special express "Yakumo" that traveled between Okayama and Izumo City had the same engine used.

Company employee Yuichi Kubota (33) of Takamatsu City who boarded the train with the companion of other railway fans said ｢As for the 181 series, I liked the powerful engine sound as it ran in Shikoku before. It is the last time for the green carriage to make strenuous efforts. ｣

Many people love seeing trains in Japan. These special express carriages have completed their historical mission and it is time for them to retire, it is a regrettable but unavoidable moment.

樂天書店發展電子化業務

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:

楽天は５日開いた事業説明会で、米アップル社のｉＰａｄ（アイパッド）など携帯端末向けを含めた電子書籍配信事業への本格参入を検討していることを明らかにした。自社のオンライン書店「楽天ブックス」と連携し、人気小説などを従来の紙の本のネット通販に加え、電子書籍として提供するサービスを目指している。

　楽天では「本の一部をサイトで試し読みし、すぐに続きを読みたい人には電子書籍で購入できるようにしたい」（楽天ブックス責任者の谷口昌仁・パッケージメディア事業長）としている。同社は現在、パソコン向けにマンガやライトノベルなどをダウンロード販売する事業を展開。今後はこれをオンライン書店事業に統合し、電子書籍の品ぞろえを大幅に拡充する方針だ。

(試譯文)

In the business briefing held on the 5th, Rakutien clarified their examination on the full-scale entry to the electronic book delivery business including the portable terminal such as iPad of the USA Apple Computer Company. Adding to the popular novel etc. mail ordering of paper books in the net, it would aim at providing digital book service in parallel to its own online bookseller "Rakutien Books".

It was assumed that "After signing in, part of the book can be trial read on site, and a person can at once buy the digital book if he wants to continue the reading" (by Taniguchi the person incharge of the package media business of the Rakutien books). At present, the company developed business that aimed at cartoons and light novels etc. downloading sales to personal computers. In future, with the integration into the online bookstore business, the direction would be to greatly expand goods stock in the digital books.

It seems that in the book selling business, the general direction for future development is to go electronic.

釣魚台衝突錄像被公開

Recently FNN News reported the following:

沖縄県の尖閣諸島沖での中国漁船と海上保安庁の巡視船の衝突映像が5日未明、インターネット上に流出した。
海上保安庁幹部は、この映像が本物の衝突映像であると認めた。
これは9月7日、尖閣諸島沖で中国漁船が海上保安庁の巡視船2隻に衝突したもので、海上保安庁が船長を逮捕したため、日中外交問題に発展した。
映像は、国会で一部議員のみに限定公開され、国民には公開されていなかった。
中国漁船の船首は、巡視船「よなくに」の左舷船尾に衝突し、その後、よなくにの右側を加速して走り去ろうとした。
2回目の衝突では、巡視船「みずき」の右舷に漁船がおり、しばらく並走したあと、みずきの右舷後方に接触した。
海洋学が専門の東海大学・山田吉彦教授は、この映像を見て、「みずきへの接触は、船が通った跡、波の跡を見ても、かじを左に切っていることがわかります。故意に船体をぶつけてきたと、しかも漁船側の損傷が少ないように接触しています」と語った。

(試譯文)

On the 5th before dawn, the collision image between a Chinese fishing boat and the patrol boat of Japan Coast Guard happened at the coast of Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture had flowed out on the Internet.
The officials of the Japan Coast Guard admitted that this image was a genuine collision image.
On September 7, because Japan Coast Guard had arrested the captain of the Chinese fishing boat that collided with two patrol boats of the Japan Coast Guard off the coast of Senkaku Islands, it developed into a diplomatic issue.
Regarding this footage, it was open only a limited number of the assembly members in the Diet, and it was not open to the general public.
The prow of a Chinese fishing boat started colliding with the port side stern of patrol boat Yonakuni, then accelerated and ran away from the right side of Yonakuni afterwards.
In the second collision, the fishing boat, at the starboard of patrol boat Mizuki, and for a short while moving in parallel, then hit the rear right side of Mizuki.
Prof. Yamada of Tokai University that specialized in Oceanography saw this image and said ｢As for the contact with Mizuki, the mark of ship passing and the mark of the wave indicated that there was a cut to the left of the rudder. The hull had been in contact by intention and moreover, the small damage to the side of the fishing boat shows signs of contact. ｣

I hope the footage would not further add fuel to the Senkaku conflict.

日拉麵製造市場有變化

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

「熊本ラーメン」の老舗として知られる「桂花」（熊本市）は１日、民事再生法の適用を熊本地裁に申請したと発表した。

　負債額は１２億５８７０万円。国内外で「味千ラーメン」を展開する「重光産業」（同）の支援を受ける方向で調整を進めながら、営業を続ける。
　桂花は１９５５年に創業。熊本市や関東地区で１１店を直営しているが、製めん工場などへの設備投資が膨らみ、他店との競合も激しくなった。ピーク時の２００５年度に１２億円あった売上高は、０９年度には９億６６００万円まで落ち込み、現状のままでは業況改善が困難と判断したという。

(試譯文)

On the 1st it was announced that "Katsurahana" (Kumamoto City) known as the business house that established "Kumamoto ramen" had applied to the Kumamoto district court for the enforcement of the civil rehabilitation law.

The amount of the debt is 1,258,700,000 yen. It kept on doing business while advancing at the direction of adjustment as support was received from "Shigemitsu industry" (same) that developed the "Thousand Taste Ramen" inside and outside the country.
"Katsurahana" was established in 1955. With 11 shops being operated directly in Kumanoto City and the Kanto district, capital investment on equipment to the noodle factories etc. swelled, yet competition from other shops became intense, too. The peak sales was 1.2 billion yen in fiscal year 2005, it fell to 966 million yen in fiscal year 2009, and it was judged that if to stay on the present course, improvement to the business condition would be difficult.

"Thousand Taste Ramen" is a big noodle company. Old companies have to make adjustments in order to survive new competitions.