日本教授懷疑中國高鐵意外成因

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
日本の鉄道関係者は、中国の事故調査チームの報告について、「あり得ない内容」と驚きを隠さなかった。鉄道のシステムは、機器に故障が起きたときは、常に安全な側に制御する「フェイルセーフ」という考え方に基づいて設計されているからだ。
　須長誠・東洋大教授（鉄道工学）は「落雷が原因とは信じがたい。原理的に、故障すれば、必ず赤信号になるはずだ」と報告を疑問視。「中国の鉄道システムは、各国の技術の寄せ集めで作られている。その過程で運行のコンピューター制御に欠陥が生じたのに、それを隠そうとしているのではないか」と推測した。
　大手鉄道関係者も「仮に落雷で信号が壊れたら、日本の新幹線なら必ず止まる。中国の説明通りだとしたら、どういう仕組みで青信号になったというのか。理解できない」と首をひねった。ＪＲ関係者も「事故車両をいったん埋めてしまうなど、中国はきちんとした原因究明をする制度がないように感じる」と話した。
(試譯文)
People in Japan who were related to the railway, regarding the report done by the accident investigation team in China, could not conceal their surprise over the "unbelievable content". Because, on the safety side of the railway system, the design of equipment was always based on the idea of "Fail safe" control when a breakdown occurred.
Sunaga Makoto the professor of Toyo University (Railroad Engineering) regarding the report expressed doubt in that ｢It is not easy to believe that lightning was the cause. Basically, it is sure to become a red signal if there is a break down. He guessed that ｢The railway system of China is made from a mixture of technologies from different countries. It might try to conceal the fact that the defect was caused by the computer control problem during the process of operation｣.
The people related to a major railway also showed a puzzled face in that ｢The Shinkansen of Japan is stopped whenever the signal breaks down because of the lightning. By what kind of mechanism did it become a green light, if it was according to the explanation of China? It is not possible to understand｣. The people related to JR also said "Once the accident vehicle is buried etc, he feels that there is no proper system of investigation in China".

China should produce a trust-worthy report as soon as possible in order to settle the doubts expressed by railway experts.

「黨的恩情比天高」

人民日報頭版，7月26日，讀者看不到溫州高鐵意外的新聞新發展, 但在另外一個無關痛癢的報道上, 卻看到「黨的恩情比天山高」的八字標題. 在微博有人以"黨的恩情比天高"徵求下聯及橫批，得來不少創作回應, 笑中有淚, 茲摘錄一些如下 :

人的命運比泥賤
民的生命比鬼賤
和諧獨裁比海深　横批：民不聊生
命的長度比香短
親的臉皮没地厚
貪的金錢比海深
作秀成分價更高
金錢意義重於命　横批：超英趕美

(參考來源:http://www.littleoslo.com/cnt/home/?p=23908)

台灣日本合作進軍大陸市場

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
台湾の馬英九総統は２１日、台北市内の総統府で、読売新聞グループ本社の老川祥一・最高顧問と日本経済新聞社の杉田亮毅会長の共同インタビューに応じ、日台間の経済協力について、急成長する中国市場への共同進出をにらみ、「もっと制度化することができる」と述べ、投資保護協定などの締結が必要との考えを表明した。
　馬総統は「（日台が）共同で市場に出れば、成功率は高まる」と述べ、中国市場を熟知する台湾企業と技術力のある日本企業の連携の強みを指摘した。
　中台は昨年６月、事実上の自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）にあたる経済協力枠組み協定（ＥＣＦＡ）を締結しており、日本企業にとって、台湾企業との協力が容易になれば、中国市場に参入しやすくなる。情報通信技術や工作機械の分野では日台連携で中国に進出する例が出ている。
(試譯文)
On the 21st President Ma Yingjiu of Taiwan in his Presidential Office in Taipei city, in response to a joint interview with Oijawa Shoichi the supreme adviser to the Yomiuri Shimbun group headquarters and Ryoutsuyoshi Sugita the chairman of Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc., in regard to the economic cooperation between Taiwan and Japan that eyed on the joint advancement into the Chinese market that had grown up rapidly, described that "It is possible to institutionalize it more", and disclosed the thinking regarding the need to conclude an Agreement on the Protection of Investment etc.
President Ma described that "(For Taiwan and Japan) the success rate would rise if they enter the market by cooperation", and pointed out the strong point for cooperation was that the Taiwanese enterprise was well informed of the Chinese market while Japanese firm was in technology.
China and Taiwan last June concluded an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) that was a de facto Free Trade Agreement (FTA); for the Japanese firms it became easier to cooperate with a Taiwanese enterprise, and it became easier to enter the Chinese market. For Taiwan and Japan, the example that came out regarding the joint advancement into China was to cooperate in the fields of information-communication technology and in machine tools.

It seems that because of the ECFA, the economic tie between Taiwan and Japan will grow in the future.

中國溫州高鐵出軌

A few moments ago the NHK News reported the following:

中国国営の新華社通信によりますと、中国東部の浙江省で、走行中の高速鉄道が脱線しました。これまでのところ、死者やけが人が出ているかどうかなど、詳しいことは分かっていません。この事故に関連して、上海の日本総領事館は、「これまでのところ、日本人が事故に巻き込まれたという情報はないが、引き続き確認している」と話しています。
国営の新華社通信によりますと、日本時間の午後９時半すぎ、中国東部の浙江省の温州で、走行中の高速鉄道が脱線し、車両２両が高架から転落したということです。新華社通信などによりますと、この高速鉄道は、浙江省杭州発、福建省福州行の列車だったということで、１両当たりの定員はおよそ１００人で、多数の乗客がいたものとみられますが、死者やけが人が出ているかどうかなど、詳しいことは分かっていないということです。
(試譯文)
According to the China government-run Xinhua News Agency derailing occurred in the rapid-transit railway in Chechiang province in the east part of China. Up to now details on whether there was death and injury etc. were not known. Japan Consulate General in Shanghai in relation to this accident said "Up to now there is no information on whether any Japanese was in the accident although seeking confirmation continuously".
According to the government-run Xinhua News Agency, a traveling rapid-transit railway train was derailed in Wenzhou in Chechiang province in the eastern part of China at 9:30 pm Japan standard time, and two carriages in the train fell from a elevated location. According to the Xinhua News Agency etc. the train was traveling to Fujian Fuzhou from Chechiang province Hangzhou, details on whether death and injury had occurred were not known, although it was estimated the train like this had the capacity of about 100 people per car and had a lot of passengers.

It is a shocking news to me. The government should find out what has caused the accident.

Teresa Teng in Concert: late 1989 in Japan

Taiwan singer Teresa Teng (鄧麗君) (1953-1995), in her television music concert held in late 1989 in Japan, said the following in Japanese when she introduced her new song "悲しい自由":

"私はチャイニーズです。世界のどこにいても、どこで生活しても私はチャイニーズです。だから,今年の中国のできことすべでに私は心をいためてます。中国の未来がどこにあるのがとても心配しています。私は自由でいたい。そして すべでの人たちも自由であるべきだと思っています。それがおびやかされているのがとても悲しいです。でも、この悲しくて　じらい気持ちいつかはれる、誰もひとわかれあえる,　その日がくること信じで私は歌で行きます。それでは、最後、新曲'悲しい自由'をきいてください。"
(Draft translation)
"I am Chinese. No matter where I am, and no matter where I live, I am Chinese. Therefore what had happened in China this year has totally distressed me. I am very worried about where is the future of China. I want to be free. And I hope not only myself but also all people would be free. It is very sad that this freedom is threatened. But I believe that this sad feeling will be clear one day, and one day everybody understands each other, I believe that that day will come and I sing to assert my belief. So, finally, please listen to my new song: Sad Freedom".

Although Teresa Teng was shocked by what had happened in Beijing on June 4th 1989, she was still proud of her Chinese identity. Teresa's love for China is beyond political boundaries.

日傳統啤酒銷路下降

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
ビール大手５社が１２日発表した２０１１年上半期（１～６月）のビール類の総出荷量は前年同期比３・５％減の２億３２万ケース（１ケース＝大瓶２０本換算）で、上半期としては２年連続で過去最低を更新した。
　ハイボールや低アルコール飲料の人気に押され、東日本大震災後の「自粛ムード」で業務用を中心に需要が落ち込んだことも響いた。
　メーカー別の市場占有率は、低価格で人気の「第３のビール」の「クリアアサヒ」などが好調だったアサヒビールが３７・８％と、２年連続の首位。キリン、サントリー、サッポロ、オリオンと続いた。
　種類別では、ビールが前年同期比４・８％減の９６０４万ケース、発泡酒は同１２・５％減の３２６４万ケース、「第３」は３・２％増の７１６４万ケースだった。全体に占める割合は、ビールが４７・９％と上半期として最低だったのに対し、「第３」は過去最高の３５・８％に伸び、消費者の低価格志向が鮮明だ。年間でもビールが初めて５０％を下回る可能性が高まっている。
(試譯文)
Five beer major companies had announced on the 12th that total shipment of beer in the first half of 2011 (January - June) was 200.32 million cases, when compared to the previous year it was a 3.5% decrease (one case =20 large bottle in conversion), being a new low in a row for the first half of a year in the past 2 years.
The demand in business use had decreased because of the "Self-imposed control mood" after a East Japan great earthquake; while the popularity of the highball and low-alcohol drinks was pushed up.
In terms of market-sharing according to the manufacturers, Asahi Breweries Ltd. that had the "Clear Asahi Breweries, Ltd." etc. producing the popular low-priced "Third category beer" was good, it had 37.8% and was 2 years in a row in the head position. It was followed by the Kirin, the Suntory Limited, the Sapporo, and the Orion.
By individual categories, the beer was 96.04 million cases, corresponding to the previous year it was a 4.8% decrease; for the low-malt beer it was 32.64 million cases being a 12.5% decrease; "The 3rd" was 71.64 million cases, being an increase of 3.2%. As for beers by percentage in total, beer was 47.9% in the first half of the year, being a new low in comparison; as for "The 3rd", it expanded to a new height at 35.8%; consumer's low-priced intention was clear. The possibility that the beer would fall below 50% for the first time in one whole year had increased.


It seems that the beer consumption pattern in Japan is changing.

北京上海高速鐵路系統有小毛病

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
中国で、先月開業したばかりの北京と上海を結ぶ高速鉄道で、車両の故障などのトラブルが相次いでおり、早くも安全性に課題を抱えています。
中国では先月３０日に北京と上海を５時間足らずで結ぶ高速鉄道が営業運転を開始し、中国政府も、国の科学技術の発展を象徴するものとして、大々的に宣伝してきました。しかし国営の新華社通信によりますと、今月１０日、山東省で強風のため激しく揺れた送電線がショートし、合わせて１９本に遅れが出たほか、１２日は安徽省内で、送電設備の故障によって、一部の列車に遅れが出ました。さらに１３日も、江蘇省内で停車中の車両が突然動かなくなり、急きょ乗客をほかの車両に移す措置をとったものの、２時間半の遅れが出ました。北京・上海間の高速鉄道は、１３００キロを超える長い区間を、着工から３年余りという短期間の工事で完成させた上、日本やドイツから技術提供を受けた結果、異なる規格の車両が入り交じって走ることから、一部の鉄道関係者の間からは、トラブルが起きる可能性を指摘する声が上がっていました。これに対し中国政府は、安全対策は十分とられており、問題はないなどと反論していましたが、開業から２週間でトラブルが相次いだことで早くも安全性に課題を抱えています。
(試譯文)
In China the rapid-transit railway, that was just opened last month connecting Beijing and Shanghai, had vehicle breakdown troubles etc. one after another, and already had the safety problem.
In China the rapid-transit railway, opened on the 30th last month connecting Beijing and Shanghai in less than five hours, had begun commercial operations; it had been widely advertised by the Chinese government because it symbolized the development in science and technology of the country. However, according to the government-run Xinhua News Agency, on the 10th this month in Shangtung the power line shook intensely because of the strong wind had caused short-circuit, and delay occurred in 19 flights in total; besides, on the 12th delay happened to one train in Anhui due to the breakdown in the power transmission equipment. In addition, on the 13th, there was a delay up to two and a half hours when the carriage stopped in Chiangsu province suddenly could not move, and measures to hastily transfer passengers to other vehicles were taken. There was voice coming out from some people that were related to the railway, pointing out the possibility that troubles occurred because this rapid-transit railway that went between Shanghai of Beijing and having over 1300 kilo in length, from the start of construction to the completion of construction had taken a short period of three years or more; also the railway had mixed different standards into it because it received technical supports from Japan and Germany. As for the Chinese government, they said that enough security precaution had bee taken for this and refused to admit that there was any problem. Opened only in two weeks, with troubles coming out one after another, it already had safety problem.

Probably the railway system could be run more smoothly after the problems have been identified and the necessary improvements have been carried out.

Teresa Teng in Concert: January 1982 in Hong Kong

Taiwan singer Teresa Teng (鄧麗君)(1953-1995) said the following in Cantonese when she introduced the song Mei Hua* (梅花) :

“. . . 我就為大家介紹呢首歌係, 每一次我唱呢首歌我都覺得非常感動, 覺得呢首歌既歌詞呢代表每一個中國人奮鬥的精神 . . . 尤其是在海外的華僑. 每一位台灣的同胞都會為你們感到非常的驕傲. 這首歌呢 . . . 如果你會唱的話, 歡迎你一塊唱這首 ‘梅花”’
(試譯文)
" . . . the song that I want to introduce is, every time when I sing this song I feel very moved, I feel the song lyrics represent the fighting spirit of each of the Chinese people . . . in particular the overseas Chinese. All compatriots in Taiwan will feel very proud of you. This song . . . if you can sing, you are welcome to sing along "Mei Hua”.

I believe that as an entertainer, her love for good songs is beyond doubt, her devotion to professionalism is respectable, and her concern for overseas Chinese is from the bottom of her heart.

*梅花
作詞/作曲：劉家昌

梅花梅花滿天下
愈冷它愈開花
梅花堅忍象徵我們
巍巍的大中華

看啊遍地開了梅花
有土地就有它
冰雪風雨它都不怕
它是我的國花

看啊遍地開了梅花
有土地就有它
冰雪風雨它都不怕
它是我的國花

梅花梅花滿天下
愈冷它愈開花
梅花堅忍象徵我們
巍巍的大中華

千葉縣柏市焚化灰的固化物有放射性

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
千葉県柏市は１１日、ごみ清掃工場の南部クリーンセンターで、焼却灰の固化物から最大で１キロ・グラム当たり７万８００ベクレルの放射性セシウムを検出したと発表した。
隣接する同県流山市も同日、同市クリーンセンター焼却場の灰から同２万８１００ベクレルの放射性セシウムが検出されたと発表した。
　環境省は、一般ごみ焼却施設から出る焼却灰から同８０００ベクレル超の放射性セシウムが検出された場合、埋め立て処分せずに一時保管するよう通知している。柏市は６月下旬の検出後、保管していたが、検出前に最終処分場に搬入された灰から４万８９００ベクレルの放射性セシウムが検出された。また、流山市は検出後の９日、秋田県内の処分施設に向け、発送していた。
　庭木の枝切りなどで出た一般ごみに放射性セシウムが付着していた可能性があり、焼却灰を溶融施設で溶かした時に出る排ガス中の灰を固化した際、放射性物質が濃縮されたとみられるという。
(試譯文)
On the 11th, the Chiba Prefecture's Oak city announced that they had detected in the maximum 70,800 Becquerel radioactive cesium in one kilogram of the solidified material in the incineration ash at the Southern Part clean center of the garbage cleaning factory.
On the same day in the same Prefecture in nearby Nagareyama city, it was announced that 28,100 Becquerel radioactive cesium had been detected from the ash of a clean center incineration plant.
In general, the Ministry of the Environment would give notice when radioactive cesium of 8000 Becquerel or more was detected from the incineration ash that came out of garbage incinerator, giving advice to keep it temporarily without the reclaiming disposal. In the Oak City, after it was detected in late June, it was kept. Before detection, 48,900 Becquerel radioactive cesium was detected from the ash that had been carried to the final disposal dump. Moreover, in Nagareyama City on the 9th after it was detected, it was sent to the disposal facilities in the Akita prefecture.
While there was a possibility that radioactive cesium could adhere to general garbage coming out from cut branch of garden tree etc, it was thought that in the ash melting facility when the ash in exhaust gas that came out from the melting process was solidified, the radioactive substance would be concentrated.

The government should exercise care in handling the radioactive substance, for public health reasons.

日本飲食消費二十九年來最疲弱

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:
サラリーマンの小遣いがバブル後の最低水準に――。新生銀行系の消費者金融会社「新生フィナンシャル」が今年春に調べたところ、小遣いの平均額は月３万６５００円で、昨年より４１００円減った。その分、昼食費や飲み代を削ってしのいでいるようだ。
　減るのは４年連続。７年ぶりに４万円を下回り、２９年前（１９８２年）以来の低水準に落ち込んだ。これまでの最高額だったバブル期（９０年）の７万６千円の半分に満たない。
　仕事帰りの外食の回数は月２．９回で前年と同じだったが、１回の飲み代は３５４０円と昨年より６５０円減った。昼食代も昨年より１０円減り、４９０円に。自宅から弁当を持参する人も増えている。「景気回復の実感に乏しく、将来不安も根強いため、財布のひもを緩められないのではないか」と新生はみている。
(試譯文)
Businessman's pocket money : at the minimum level since the bubble. The amount of the average pocket money was 36,500 yen a month, which had decreased by more than 4,100 yen when compared to last year, as Shinsei Bank's consumer finance company the "Newborn Financial" examined the situation in spring of this year. It seemed that it was overcome by cutting down the amount of lunch expenses and the drink money.
It was the 4th year in a row to decrease. It fell below 40,000 yen after an interval of seven years, and it dropped to a 29-year low level (since 1982). It didn't come up to even half of 76,000 yen during the bubble economy era (1990) which was currently the highest amount.
The drink money on any one occasion had decreased by more than 650 yen to become 3,540 yen, although last year the frequency of dining out after work on the way home was the same as that of the previous year: at 2.9 times a month. The lunch fee was 490 yen, decreased by more than 10 yen compared to last year too. The number of those who brought the box lunch from home also had increased. The Newborn saw that "Because the feeling of actual economic recovery is lacking, and uneasiness about the future is also deep-rooted, purse strings might not be loosened".


Obviously, the wage earning class in Japan is now having a hard time.

静岡、大阪等地牛肉有超標放射性物質(II)

Recently the FNN News reported the following:

ほかにも2頭を大阪府の業者が仕入れたこと、また愛媛県の業者から徳島県の店に販売されていることが11日夜、明らかになった。
今回の問題の原因となったのは、農家が餌として牛に与えていたわらだった。
会見で、福島県は「原子力発電所の事故発生後も外にですね、水田に管理していた稲わらを収集をいたしまして、家畜である牛に与えたというようなことでございました」と話した。
福島県の調べでは、農家が牛に与えていたわらから、国の基準のおよそ60倍となる7万5,000ベクレルのセシウムを検出した。
この農家は「配合飼料が不足したため、禁じられていることを知りながら与えた」と話しているという。
これを受け、福島県は餌の取り扱いで同様のケースがないか再点検を始め、さらに計画的避難区域などから出荷される食肉に放射性物質が含まれていないかどうか、全頭検査を始めることを決めた。
枝野官房長官は「全頭検査についてはですね、関係省庁で実際にどういうことが可能であるのか、より安全性と安心感を高めるために検討いただいていると承知しております」と述べた。
(試譯文)
In addition, regarding the matter that the trader in Osaka Prefecture had stocked with two, it was clarified on the night of the 11th that they were sold to the shop in Tokushima Prefecture by the trader in Ehime Prefecture.
It was straw that the farmers had been giving to cows as food that caused the problem.
In the interview, in Fukushima Prefecture it was said "At the outside, the rice plant straw used for managing the rice field was collected, and was given to the cows as domestic animal after the nuclear plan accident occurred".
In the investigation in Fukushima Prefecture, cesium at 75,000 Becquerel, which was about 60 times above the standard of the country was detected from the straw that farmers had given to the cows.
This farmer seemed to have said that"To feed them even knowing that it was forbidden because of the shortage in mixed forage".
Having noted that, the Fukushima Prefecture, regarding the handling of the feed, would do re-checking to ensure there were no similar cases; in addition, it was decided that a blanket testing would be started to check whether radioactive substance was included in the meat shipped from the pre-designated shelter districts etc.
The Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano described, "About the blanket testing, it is agreed that the ministries concerned would examine what was actually possible, and do it for the purpose of improving safety or increasing the sense of security ".

It seems that people have good reasons to cast doubt over their government's ability to handle the crisis.

静岡、大阪等地牛肉有超標放射性物質(I)

Recently the FNN News reported the following :
市場に流通している食品は安全という前提がまた崩れた。
国の暫定基準値を超える放射性セシウムが牛肉から検出された問題で、福島・南相馬市の牧場から東京都内のと場に出荷された6頭の肉牛の肉は、東京以外に静岡、大阪など少なくとも9つの都道府県で流通していたことがわかった。
肉の一部は店頭で販売されるなど、すでに消費された可能性があるという。
静岡市民は「食べていたら、後々体がどうなるのかなというのが心配ですね、ものすごく」、「それだけど、牛肉だけじゃないでしょ。すべての食品があてになりませんよ、今」などと話した。
不安を隠しきれない静岡市民。
福島・南相馬市の農家が出荷した牛の肉から放射性物質が検出された問題が11日夜、全国に飛び火した。
同じ農家から、牛肉は東京・港区の食肉処理場を通じて、全国各地へと流通していたことがわかった。
同じ牧場の牛6頭が、すでに9つの都道府県で流通し、一部が消費されていたことが新たに判明した。
静岡県や静岡市の調査の結果、静岡市の加工業者は6月10日に仕入れた肉を、牧之原市と静岡市の販売業者に卸していたことがわかった。
牧之原市の業者は、4.7kgを販売し、9.8kgを飲食店で消費、静岡市の業者は300グラムを飲食店で消費し、13kgを冷蔵庫に保管していた。
市が検査した結果、国の基準を上回る放射性セシウムが検出されたことがわかった。
(試譯文)
The assumption that the food circulated in the market should be safe had collapsed again.
Regarding the problem that beef was detected to have radioactive cesium that exceeded the tentative standard value of the country, it had been understood that the meat of six beef cattle had been shipped from the ranch in Fukushima and south Soma City to locations in the Tokyo metropolitan, and the beef from these cows was circulated in at least nine administrative divisions such as Shizuoka and Osaka etc. with the exception of Tokyo.
It was said that there was a possibility that part of the meat was sold through the shops etc. and had already been consumed.
A Shizuoka citizen said "It is terrible, there is the worry on how the body would become in the future if eaten ", "only this, only beef - no. Now all foods are not reliable".
Shizuoka citizens could not conceal their uneasiness.
The problem that the radioactive substance was detected from the meat of the cow shipped out by farmers in Fukushima and south Soma City spread out like wild fire to the whole country on the night of the 11th.
It had been understood that beef from the same farmers was circulated to various places nationwide through the slaughterhouse at Minato Ward in Tokyo.
It newly turned out that beef of six cows in the same ranch had already been circulated in nine administrative divisions, and part of them had been consumed.
As a result of the investigation of Shizuoka City in Shizuoka Prefecture, it was understood that processors in Shizuoka City sold the meat which they stocked wholesale on June 10th to distributors in Korehara City and Shizuoka City.
As for the traders in Korehara City, 4.7kg were sold, and 9.8kg were consumed in the restaurant; and as for the traders in Shizuoka City 300 grams were consumed the restaurant, and 13 kg were kept in the refrigerator.
It had been understood that radioactive cesium exceeding the standard of the country was detected when the city did the inspection.
(to be continued)

南韓市民可以付費學習射擊M16步槍

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:
韓国国防省は４日、一般市民向けに、Ｍ１６自動小銃を使った有料の射撃体験サービスを１０月から始めると発表した。「国民が自ら安全保障を考える機会を提供し、軍と民間の連帯意識を強化する」としている。
　ソウルにある予備軍の演習場１カ所を開放。Ｍ１６を使い、実弾１０～２０発を２５メートルの距離で射撃する。実弾１発の値段は３５２ウォン（約２７円）。保険料１４００ウォンなども加算し、計２万ウォン程度を支払う。サバイバル訓練も体験できる。
　議論を呼んでいるのが、年齢制限を１６歳以上としたこと。国防省は、射撃関連法上は１４歳以上でも可能だが、判断能力も考えて１６歳としたと説明した。
(試譯文)
On the 4th, the South Korea Department of Defense announced that, with regards to the civilian, in October a pay-shooting-service would be open up to let them experience the use of M16 automatic rifle. It assumed that "It offers a chance to people to think about their security, and the solidarity between the army and the private is strengthened".

In Seoul a location designated as the reserve army training ground was opened. M16 would be used, shooting 10-20 rounds of ball cartridge at a distance of 25 meters. The price of one ball cartridge would be 352 won (about 27 yen). Adding insurance as much as 1400 won etc., about 20,000 won in total would have to be paid. Survival training could also be experienced.
In the discussion now taking place, the age requirement of 16 years old or more was assumed. The Department of Defense explained that 16 years old had been assumed after taking into account the ability to make judgement, although even above 14 years old was acceptable in shooting related laws.

I think if this new arrangnment could be extended to tourists, definitely it would help the tourism in South Korea.

全日空將用波音787飛國內線

Recently the FNN News reported the following:
日本の先端技術を導入し、燃費や航行距離が大幅に向上した最新鋭旅客機「ボーイング787」が、初めて日本に飛来した。
ボーイング787は3日午前6時20分すぎ、アメリカ・シアトルから羽田空港に到着した。
787は、翼や胴体を構成する炭素繊維複合材など、全体のおよそ35%が日本の技術でできており、燃費は従来より20%向上している。
全日空の石井正之機長は「周り見渡すと、ものすごくたくさんの人たちが来て、考えていた以上に感動しました」と話した。
787は、設計変更などで引き渡しが延期されたことから、予定より3年遅れて完成した。
全日空は、早ければ9月にも国内線に導入したいとしている。
(試譯文)
The state-of-the-art passenger plane "Boeing 787" , in which fuel cost and the travelling distance had improved greatly using Japan's high technology, flew to Japan for the first time.
The Boeing 787 left from United States Seattle arrived at Tokyo International Airport(Haneda) at 6:20AM on the 3rd.
Overall 35% of the 787, with carbon-fiber composites to form the wing and the body etc, was built using the technology from Japan, and the fuel cost had improved more than 20% so far. Captain Masayuki Ishii of All Nippon Airways said, "when look around the surrounding, seeing so many people had come, it impresses my thinking more".
Because the delivery had been postponed due to design changes etc. , the 787 was completed with a delay of three years behind schedule.
It was assumed that All Nippon Airways had wished to introduce it to the domestic flight as early as in September.


Japanese high technology research effort has made contribution towards a better environment: the new technology could help reducing gasoline consumption in air traffic.

日產汽車製造廠週末需要開工

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:

自動車メーカーの「土日操業」が２日始まった。電力不足の恐れがある平日の操業を減らすためだ。影響は部品メーカーも含め、８０万人以上の従業員に及ぶ。電機メーカーなども土日出勤を始め、この夏の生活が大きく変わる。
　日産自動車は２日、小型車をつくる追浜工場（神奈川県横須賀市）を報道陣に公開した。建屋ではいつも通りに従業員が生産ラインに沿って作業し、車が出来上がっていく。生産担当者は「工場の中は平日と変わらない。曜日の感覚がなくなるかも」。工場周辺では部品を運ぶ大型トラックが行き交った。
　日産は休日振り替えに加えて、政府が１日発動した電力使用制限令に対応するため、東京電力管内でピーク時の１５％節電も実施。追浜工場でも、２日からさっそく勤務時間を変えて、電力使用が多い午後３～５時は生産ラインを止めた。
(試譯文)
On the 2nd, auto manufactures had started "Working on weekend". The purpose was to reduce the operation on weekdays for fear of the electricity shortage. It also included the effect came from the parts supplier, and involved 800,000 or more employees. The implementation of Working on Weekend by the manufacturer of electric appliances etc had greatly changed the daily life in this summer.

On the 2nd Nissan Motor Co. disclosed to reporters publicly at the Oppama factory (Kanagawa Prefecture Yokosuka City) that made compact cars. The employee in the building always worked according to the production line, and completed the cars. One production personnel said ｢The factory is the same compared to ordinary weekdays. Has the sense on what day of the week been lost?｣｡The heavy-duty truck that carried parts came and went around the factory.
In addition to holiday transfer, Nissan in order to correspond to the electric power usage limitation ordered by the government on the 1st, had to execute a 15% power saving during the peak time in the Tokyo Electric Power Company controlling area. At the Oppama factory working hours were immediately changed on the 2nd, and between 3 to 5 o'clock in the afternoon when a lot of electric power was used the production line was stopped.


It seems that the new method to share the use of electricity has caused some inconvenience to the Japanese car factory employees.

哲學家查尔斯·桑德斯·皮尔士(1839-1914)

Recently I revisited the book “Classic Philosophical Questions” edited by James A. Gould. My attention was attracted by the philosophical ideas of Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914). Part of the detail is briefly summarized below:

Charles Sander Peirce is seen by many American as a profound philosopher. He suggests that every individual has a philosophy, i.e. a system of belief on philosophic issues such as ‘love’, ‘good life’, ‘death’, ‘value of money’, ‘duty to one’s country’ , ‘the role of the government’ etc. Usually people form their beliefs through their parents, peers, church or perhaps even from reading various philosophers. A mature philosophy consists of making reflection on the experience in search of the underlying meaning and principle that guide one’s life. The particular approach used to tackle a philosophical question often determines the answer. Peirce distinguishes four common methods. First is the Method of Tenacity, which is fixing one’s belief according to environment or personal relationship. The second is the Method of authority, which fixing one’s belief according the person who is in authority (e.g. what the authority has said must be right). Third is the a priori Method, or the Method of intuition (i.e. the belief is arrived at independent of experience). The fourth one is the Method of science. Peirce only favors the fourth method.

I am surprised to note that many people are using Method of authority to form their philosophy in general, and in politics in particular. May God bless these poor souls.

(Reference: James A. Gould ed. Classic Philosophical Questions.NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc. 1998)

中國現代文化

最近翻閱 ”民族主義與中國現代化”一書, 在書序中見到陳方正有以下之言:
1. 經歷了過去一世紀多次運動與思潮衝擊之後, 中國知識分子已不會再熱衷於宣揚思想,主義, 或者引導群眾運動了. 他們焦點在於深層的文化反省. 這樣的研究必須從西方學術成果中吸收營養.
2. 文化建設不等於學術研究, 因為它還有觀念始創與大眾傳播的一面.
3. 人文社會科學和自然科學不同. 根源於地域與文化的個別性是必自然存在的. 所以中國知識分子必須用自己的心思眼光,為中國文化建設自自己的觀念系統與價值正規範.
4. 中國的意識,觀念,價值,什麼時候才會像日本主宰全球青少年神經的卡通電影那樣,成為衝擊西方哲學家,社會學家,歷史學家的思想與下意識的不可抗拒力量?

我也希望知道中國的意識,觀念,價值,什麼時候才會像日本一些流行文化般成為衝擊西方哲學家,社會學家,歷史學家的思想力量.
(參考: 劉青峰編. 民族主義與中國現代化. 中文大學出版社. 1994)

「你做初一我做十五」論

沈旭暉《給林局長的信﹕爾愛其羊﹐我愛其禮﹐求學所謂何事》有以下的一段:

「五區公投」不過[是]辭職議員自說自話﹐毫無法律效力﹐那不過是補選﹐現在因為投票率低﹐補選要被杜絕。似乎是你把它當作「是否保存補選」的變相公投了﹐但選民連參加了這公投也不自知﹐你以對方隨意演繹選票為橫蠻﹐何以橫蠻百倍﹖什麼「你做初一我做十五」﹐ 政府是高登論壇還是強國論壇﹖要是下屆選舉某派候選人集體杯葛﹐投票率低﹐是否取締全部選舉﹖假如有區議員辭職搞「變相屋村公投」﹐這是否漏洞﹐又取締區議會補選﹖你要杜絕的是單一案例﹐而不能把它定義出來﹐延伸的一切能不自相矛盾﹖(信報, 2011-06-30)


文中提到的「你做初一我做十五」用字十分傳神. 如果當權派說推出替補機制的其中一個理由是「你做初一我做十五」, 我為這些政客的 "對人不對事” 政治胸襟感到汗顏.

牛肉刺身需要加熱表面才可出售

Recently the FNN News reported the following:
焼き肉チェーン店の集団食中毒事件を受け、厚生労働省の審議会は、肉だけでなく、生レバーについても、生食の規制対象にするかどうか検討することを決めた。
厚労省は、食中毒事件を受け、生肉を提供する際の新たな衛生基準を検討している。
審議会では、牛のレバ刺しが原因の食中毒が相次いでいるとして、肉だけではなく、生レバーについても、生食の規制対象にするかどうか検討することを決めた。
また牛の生肉について、厚労省は、「トリミング」しても肉についた菌を完全に取り除くことはできないとして、今後、肉の表面を加熱、殺菌したうえで出荷することを義務づける方向で検討していくことになった。
厚労省は10月にも、罰則をともなう新たな衛生基準を作る方針。


(試譯文)
Having noted the mass food poisoning incidents in the grilled meat chain stores, the Council for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare would decide whether making raw food the controlled target, and to examine not only meat but also the raw liver.
As food poisoning cases were noted, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was examining new hygiene standards for situations when the raw meat was supplied.
In the council, because of the successive food poisoning caused by the sliced raw cow liver, it would decide whether making raw diet the controlled subject, and to examine not only the meat but also the raw liver.
Moreover, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare would review cow meat in the direction where in future it would be obligatory to sell the meat only after its surface was heated and sterilized, assuming that the bacteria that attached to meat could not be completely removed even "Trimming" had been done.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had the policy of making new hygiene standards that would come along with penalty regulations in October.


For public hygiene reasons, it is understandable that the Japanese Government would tighten control over the consumption of raw cow meat.