東京等大城市和周邊地區地價有回落趨勢

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
国土交通省がまとめた、先月の全国の主な都市の地価は、東日本大震災の影響で不動産の取り引きを控える傾向が続いていて、東京やその周辺では地価の下落する地区が増えています。
国土交通省は、全国の主な都市の合わせて１５０の地区を対象に、３か月ごとに地価の動きを調べています。今回は、被災した仙台市と千葉県浦安市の合わせて４地区を除き、先月１日の時点で調査が行われました。それによりますと、東京都と周辺の４県では、横ばいが１８の地区だったのに対し、下落は前回より３地区増えて４５地区でした。一方、大阪府と周辺の３府県では、横ばいが８地区増えて１９地区、愛知県では、横ばいが１地区増えて８地区で、いずれも横ばいのところが前回より増えました。国土交通省は「震災後、全国的に不動産の取り引きが控えられ、東京などでは地価の下落傾向が続いているが、西日本はマンション用地を取得する動きもあり、地価の下落に歯止めがかかるところも出始めている」と話しています。
(試譯文)
According to the collation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, last month, the land price in major cities of the whole country, because of the continuing tendency to refrain from real estate transaction due to the East Japan great earthquake, in Tokyo and the surrounding area, the number of district that had a falling land price had increased.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in every three months examined the movement of land price in major cities in the whole country and in total 150 districts became the target. This time, the investigation was done on the first of last month, excluding in total four districts that included the Sendai City and Chiba Prefecture Urayasu City that had been struck by disaster. According to it, in the four prefectures surrounding Tokyo, while there was a price level-off in 18 districts, districts that had a fall increased by 3 when compared to the last time to become 45 districts. On the other hand, in the three prefectures/counties surrounding the Osaka prefecture, the level-off increased by eight districts to become 19; in Aichi prefecture, the level-off increased by one district to become 8; both had an increase in level-offs. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said " After the earthquake, real estate on a nationwide scale refrains from dealing, the tendency for falling land price continues in Tokyo and other cities; in west Japan there is a movement to acquire apartment house sites, and it appears that it is beginning to put a brake on land price falling".

If the land price continues to slip, it may be harmful to the economy in Japan.

民進黨總統競選政綱對大陸政策轉趨務實

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
来年１月に総統選挙が行われる台湾で、最大野党の民進党が対中国政策を発表し、独立志向が強かった従来の政策を転換し、経済的な結びつきが強まっている中国との交流を重視する現実路線を取る考えを示しました。
これは台湾の民進党のトップで、総統選挙の公認候補の蔡英文主席が、２２日、記者会見で発表したものです。この中で蔡主席は、対中国政策について「中国と対じする姿勢を変え、さまざまなレベルの交流を通して、安定した両岸関係を築いていく」と述べ、独立志向が強かった従来の政策を転換し、中国との交流を進めていく考えを示しました。台湾と中国の間では、ことし１月に貿易自由化を柱とした「経済協力枠組み協定」が発効するなど、経済的な結びつきが強まっていることから、民進党としては経済界も含めた幅広い層の支持を得るためにも現実的な路線を示し、政権奪回を図るねらいがあるものとみられます。一方で蔡主席は、自由や民主主義、人権といった普遍的な価値を共有するアジア太平洋地域の国々との関係強化を目指すとして、中国に依存しすぎていると一部で批判が出ている与党・国民党の馬英九政権とは一線を画す姿勢を強調しました。民進党では、２８日に党の全国代表大会を開き、選挙に向けた運動を本格化させることにしています。
(試譯文)
In Taiwan where the presidential election would be held next January, the main opposition party (the Democratic Progressive Party) announced its policy toward China that showed the intention of changing its past policy of having a strong intention for independence, and had the idea of taking a realistic path that would treasure exchanges with China with which economic connection had become strong.

This was what had been said in the press interview on the 22nd, by the head of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, president Cai Yingwen, the endorsed candidate for the presidential election. During the interview, president Cai, regarding the policy towards China, said that "The posture to confront China has changed, now it is to build steady cross-strait relations through exchanges at various levels", it changed its past policy that had a strong intention for independence, and showed the idea of advancing exchanges with China. As the "Economic cooperation framework agreement" between Taiwan and China that centering on the deregulation of trade came into effect in January this year, the Democratic Progressive Party, because the economic tie was becoming strong, was expected to show a realistic direction so as to win a broader base support, including from the economic sector; and there was the aim of attempting to recapture the political power. On the other hand, president Cai aimed at strengthening the relation with countries in the Asia Pacific region that were sharing the same universal value like freedom, democracy, and human rights etc., she emphasized her position and made a clear distinction from Ma Yingjiu's political regime the ruling KMT party, and partially criticizing him for depending on China too much. Democratic Progressive Party would hold a nationwide party representative rally on the 28th, and carried out the election campaign in earnest.

In the past few years, the Democratic Progressive Party has been modifying its policy in response to the political reality. I think it is a sign of maturity.

東京國際展示場漫畫展人數減少

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:
　東京都江東区の東京ビッグサイトで開かれた日本最大の同人誌即売会「コミックマーケット（コミケ）８０」が１４日、閉幕した。最終日は１日としては過去最高タイの２０万人が来場し、３日間で計５４万人となったが、０９年と１０年に記録した５６万人には届かなかった。夏のコミケの来場者が減ったのは、前年比５万人減の４３万人だった０６年の「コミケ７０」以来５年ぶり。主催の準備会は「東日本大震災の影響と見ている。もっと減ると思っていたが、思いのほか楽しみにしてくれた人が多かった」と話していてる。
　次回の「コミケ８１」は１１年１２月２９～３１日の３日間、東京ビッグサイトで開かれる予定.
(試譯文)
The 'Comic Market 80', the biggest comic association sales fair in Japan held in the Tokyo Big Sight at Koto Ward of Tokyo came to a close on the 14th. While on the closing day 200,000 people had come, being the same as the past highest record; in the three-day period in total the number of people was 540,000, and it had not reached 560,000 that was recorded in 2009 and in 2010. It was five years ago that the number of people came in the summer was a decrease when compared with the previous year: 430,000 people in the year 2006 in 'Comic 70', being a decrease of 50,000 people compared with the previous year. The sponsoring preparation association said that ｢It is thought it was due to the influence of the East Japan great earthquake. There are still a lot of people looking forward to it, although it is thought that the total would decrease further｣.

The next 'Comic 81' was scheduled to be opened for three days between 29 - 31 in December 2011 in Tokyo Big Sight.

Perhaps the decrease in the number of people is related to the weak economy in Japan.

巴基斯坦被懷疑將隱形戰機技術交給中國

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
アメリカ軍が、国際テロ組織アルカイダの指導者オサマ・ビンラディン容疑者をパキスタンで殺害した際に、現場に不時着した特殊なヘリコプターについて、アメリカの主要メディアは、中国側に機体に関する機密情報が漏れたとみられると伝えました。
アメリカ軍は、ことし５月にパキスタンでアルカイダのオサマ・ビンラディン容疑者を殺害した際、レーダーに映りにくい高度なステルス性能を持ったヘリコプターを使いましたが、１機が故障して不時着しました。アメリカ軍の特殊部隊は機体を爆破したものの、後部の一部が現場に残されたことが分かっていて、ニューヨーク・タイムズなどアメリカの主要メディアは、１４日、アメリカ政府当局者の話として、この機体に関する機密情報がパキスタンから中国側に漏れたとみられると伝えました。それによりますと、中国の当局者が、残された機体の一部の写真を撮影するとともに、ステルス性能の鍵となる機体の表面の一部を持ち帰ったとみられるということです。情報漏洩が事実ならば、アメリカが強く反発するのは確実で、アメリカの対テロ作戦の鍵を握るパキスタンとの関係が、さらに冷え込むことが予想されます。これについて、パキスタン軍の広報担当者はＮＨＫの取材に対して「根拠のない話だ。パキスタンのイメージを悪化させようとする人たちの作り話にすぎない」と述べ、パキスタンが中国にアメリカのヘリコプターに関する機密情報を提供した可能性が高いという報道を否定しました。
(試譯文)
When the U.S. Army in Pakistan killed Osama bin Laden the suspected leader of the international terrorism organization Al Qaeda, some major media in the United States told the idea that the sensitive information on the body of the special helicopter that made an emergency landing on the site had been leaked to China.
The U.S. Army, when in Pakistan in May killed Osama bin Laden as an Al Qaeda suspect, used helicopters that had an advanced Stealth performance in that it could reduce reflection in radar. One plane broke down and made an emergency landing. Although the special force of the U.S. Army blasted apart the plane body, it was understood that the rear part was left behind on the site. Major media in the United States such as New York Times on the 14th told the idea that the sensitive information on this plane's frame had been leaked from Pakistan to China; it was a story being circulated among American government officials. According to the story, it was thought that Chinese officials took photographs of the body parts of the plane left behind, and a part of the surface of the plane body that held the key to the Stealth performance was taken home. If the information leakage was true, with a strong repulsion from the United States, the relation with Pakistan that was holding the key to the US's anti-terrorist operation was expected to get cold further. Someone in the Pakistani army who had the information told NHK that was doing the reporting that ｢It is a baseless story. They are only fictions of the people who are trying to corrupt the image of Pakistan｣, and denied the report that there was a high possibility for Pakistan to offer China sensitive information on the US's helicopter.


To spy for technological secret is a fact of life among countries, I think the responsibility to guard the secret rests with the country that has the technology.

日本國民繼續向政府要求二次大戰賠償

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
太平洋戦争中の空襲や、沖縄戦などの戦争被害者とその遺族でつくる全国組織の初めての交流集会が沖縄県で開かれ、参加者が被害の多くが救済されないまま放置されていると訴えました。
４年前、東京大空襲の犠牲者の遺族らが空襲による被害について国に賠償を求める訴えを起こしたのをきっかけに、全国各地で戦争による被害の救済を求める動きが強まり、去年８月に戦争被害者の全国組織が発足しています。１１日は、この全国組織の初めての交流集会が国内で唯一、住民を巻き込んだ地上戦が行われた沖縄で開かれ、県内をはじめ関東や九州から合わせて９０人が参加しました。集会では、はじめに太平洋戦争の犠牲者と東日本大震災の犠牲者に黙とうをささげました。そして、沖縄戦の被害者の会を立ち上げた瑞慶山茂弁護士が「沖縄戦では、住民だけで９万４０００人が亡くなったとされるが、軍に積極的に協力したとみなされなければ救済されず、国からの謝罪や補償を受けられない人が多数いる」と指摘しました。そのうえで「戦闘に参加したかどうかではなく、犠牲者すべてを救済の対象とすべきだ」と訴えました。
(試譯文)
The first nationwide exchange meeting, consisting of the bereaved family members of war victims of the Okinawa war etc. and the air raid in the Pacific War, was held in Okinawa Prefecture; the participants made appeal over the many damages done but not being relieved.

Four years ago bereaved families of the victims of the Tokyo air raid had requested compensation for damages from the country because of the raid, this was a chance that strengthened a nationwide movement to request for the war damage relief in various places, and led to the forming in last August of a nationwide war victim organization for appeal.
On the 11th, the first exchange meeting of this nationwide body was held in Okinawa where domestically it was the only place that had ground battles involving residents, and in total of 90 people had participated, including those from Kanto and Kyushu prefectures. At the start of the meeting, silent prayers were offered to victims of the Pacific War and victims of the East Japan great earthquake. Lawyer Shigeru who started the victim's association of the Okinawa war pointed out that " In the Okinawa war it was assumed that merely for the residents 94,000 people had died; one did not get relieve if he was not considered as being an active collaborator with the army. There are lots of people who were not relieved, and the apology and amends from the country were not received". On top of that it appealed that "All are victim, whether had taken part in the battle or not, and should be assumed as the target of a relief case".

Even the war has been over for more than 60 years, the Japanese government is still haunted by the issue over compensation.

七十年代日本靚仔小生竹脇無我病逝

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:
テレビドラマ「だいこんの花」など、数多くの映画、ドラマに出演した二枚目俳優の竹脇無我（たけわき・むが）さんが２１日午後２時５分、小脳出血のため死去した。６７歳。葬儀は２２日に済ませた。喪主は長女友加（ゆか）さん。
　千葉県我孫子市出身。高校在学中の１９６０年、映画「しかも彼等（かれら）は行く」でデビュー。映画「アンコ椿は恋の花」（６５年）で初主演。端正な顔立ちと安定した演技で人気を博した。「姿三四郎」「大岡越前」などのテレビドラマや、舞台でも活躍した。
　９０年代にうつ病を患い、闘病生活を続けていたが、０１年に舞台復帰。
(試譯文)
Takewaki Muga the handsome actor who had performed in a lot of movies and dramas such as TV drama "Radish Flower " died of cerebellum hemorrhage at 2:05PM on the 21st at the age of 67 years old. The funeral was completed on the 22nd. The chief mourner was the eldest daughter Yuka.
Coming from Chiba Prefecture Abiko City, in 1960 while attending the high school he made his debuts in the movie "Moreover They Go". In the movie "The Anko Camellia is a Flower of Love" (in the year 65) he took the leading role for the first time. The simple features and the steady acting made the film popular. He also took an active part in the TV drama and stages such as "Sanshiro Sugata" and "Ooka Echizen".
In the 1990s, although suffered from depression, he struggled against the disease to live on, and returned to stage in 2001.

"Sanshiro Sugata" was my favourite TV drama and I was thrilled by the music in the opening song, in particular the trumpet.

中國與日本關係有民意調查

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
尖閣諸島沖の漁船衝突事件や、福島第一原子力発電所の事故などの影響で、中国によくない印象を持つ日本人は８割近く、日本によくない印象を持つ中国人は３分の２近くと、いずれも２００５年以降で最悪になったことが、両国で行われた世論調査で分かりました。
この世論調査は、日本のＮＰＯ法人と中国の政府系の新聞社が、ことし６月から先月にかけて行い、日本で１０００人、中国で１５４０人が回答しました。日本人の中国に対する印象は「よくない」と「どちらかといえばよくない」を合わせて７８％、中国人の日本に対する印象は「よくない」と「どちらかといえばよくない」を合わせて６６％で、いずれも調査を始めた２００５年以降で最悪になりました。日本人が中国によくない印象を持つ理由を複数回答で聞いたところ、「去年９月に、尖閣諸島沖で起きた漁船衝突事件を巡る中国政府の対応」が６５％で最も多かったほか、「資源などの確保を巡る行動が自己中心的」が５２％で３番目に多くなっています。中国人が日本によくない印象を持つ理由は「かつて中国を侵略したから」など歴史認識が依然として多くを占めているほか、４１％が「福島第一原発の事故に対する日本政府の対応」を挙げました。一方、日本によい印象を持つ中国人の４９％が「東日本大震災のときにみられた日本人の連帯感に感動した」と答えています。
(試譯文)
Under the influence of events such as the fishing boat collision off the coast of Senkaku Islands and the accidents at the number one nuclear plant in Fukushima, it was understood from the public opinion poll done in the two countries that the number of Japanese who did no have a good impression of China was about 80%, while the Chinese who had a bad impression of Japan was about 2/3, both were the worst since 2005 .

The public opinion poll was done this year from June to last month in China by a government newspaper, and in Japan by an incorporated nonprofit organization; it was answered by 1000 people in Japan and by 1540 people in China. The impression of the Japanese on China was that "It was not good" and "If anything, it is not good" was up to 78%; the impression of the Chinese on Japan was "It was not good" and "If anything, it is not good" was up to 66%; both were the worst since the starting of this inquire in 2005. There were several reasons for the Japanese to have a bad impression of China, the most popular one was that the "Response of a Chinese government last September over the fishing boat collision event that occurred off the coast of Senkaku Islands" and it was 65%; the 3rd popular reason was that "The action over securing such as the resources is egocentric" and that had 52%. The reason why the Chinese did not have good impression of Japan was due to the perception of history such as that "China was invaded before"and it still was the major reason; while 41% was over the "Response of Japanese Government towards the number one nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima". On the other hand, 49% of Chinese who had a good impression of Japan answered that "Being impressed by the Japanese solidarity as seen in the East Japan great earthquake".

I hope both governments could do something to improve the situation.

長崎縣佐世保市發展医療観光事業

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
長崎県佐世保市のハウステンボス（ＨＴＢ）は１０日、体質改善やダイエットによる予防医療と観光を組み合わせた「医療観光事業」を１１月中旬から開始すると発表した。
　来春、長崎と中国・上海を結ぶフェリーが定期便化されるのをにらみ、健康への関心が高いアジアの富裕層の集客を図る。
　西洋医学と東洋医学を融合した「統合医学」に基づき、園内の温泉施設を改装してカウンセリング室などを設置する。医師が利用者の体質診断をしたうえでプログラムを作成。温浴による体温管理で免疫力を高める健康機器のほか、近くの寺院や大村湾の無人島でのヨガ、座禅、園内散策、陶芸体験などを通して体質改善を促す。
　期間中、利用者はホテルヨーロッパに宿泊し、無農薬野菜を使った菜食で食事も管理する。希望すると、提携している佐世保中央病院などで人間ドックも受けられる。
(試譯文)
On the 10th it was announced that Huis Ten Bosch (HTB) in Nagasaki Prefecture Sasebo City would begin by the middle of November the "Medical treatment sightseeing business" that combined sightseeing with preventive medical care through improving one's physical condition and dieting.
Noting that the ferry that connected Nagasaki with Shanghai in China would become regular flights next spring, it aimed at attracting the well-to-do populations in Asia that had a high concern for health.
Based on "Integrated medicine" that combined Western medicine with the Oriental medicine, hot spring facilities in the garden were redecorated and counseling room etc. were set up. After the doctor diagnosed user's body conditions a program would be drawn up. Apart from bathing, a health equipment which improved the immunity by temperature management, through the doing of yoga, Zen meditations, strolling in the garden, and experiencing ceramic arts etc. in the near by Buddhist temple and the uninhabited island the Oomurawan, one's physical condition would be encouraged to improve.
During that period, users would stay in European hotels, and vegetarian meals that used the chemical-free vegetable would be managed. The hope was that the complete medical checkup would take place in the central hospital in Sasebo etc. that had been working in cooperation.

In order to generate more business, it is a nice idea to combine sight-seeing with medical check up for those who can afford.

'後現代'與'大話'

最近讀了 “感情的實踐:香港流行歌詞研究”一書, 有一些得著. 例如以前我對兩個詞彙不甚瞭解: 一個是 ‘grand narrative’ 另一個是 ‘post-modern’. 在這本書陳倩君在文章引用李歐塔(Jean-Francois Lyotard)加以說明這兩詞. 亦引用陳清僑指出post-modern (後現代)帶來的衝擊可簡化為三要點: 敘事解體,意義崩裂和主體分離. 至於‘grand narrative’(大話)一詞, 文章引用李歐塔指出,近代社會的一大特色是 ‘大話’ 的存在. 所有近代文明都會編做造一些理想, 說一個充滿意義的偉大故事來聯繫人心, 以保社會文化秩序的合理性和合法性.

註: 陳清僑編.“感情的實踐:香港流行歌詞研究. 牛津大學出版社, 1997. 這本書是由網友Alex郵寄送來.在此僅表謝意. 參考: http://blog.hoiking.org/2011/07/15/2571/

韓國對日本海名字有爭議

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
　米国務省が「東海(トンヘ)」の併記を退けたことに対し、韓国メディアは「政府の外交努力の欠如を示した」として一斉に反発、韓国政府は複雑な反応を見せている。
　韓国は、独立後の１９５７年、国際水路局（現・国際水路機関＝ＩＨＯ）に加盟したが、「東海」の英文表記を国際的に主張し始めたのは、９２年以降だ。韓国内で朝鮮半島の東側を「東海」と呼び習わしてきたことを根拠に「公海を一つの国の名称とするのは不合理で、日本海と東海を併記すべきだ」と主張してきた。
　韓国内では、「日本海の呼称が世界で一般化したのは、日本の植民地支配を受けた２０世紀前半だ」との認識がある。日韓両国が領有権を主張する竹島（島根県）問題と同様に、韓国側は歴史問題と捉えている。
(試譯文)
South Korea media were unanimously repulsive as "The government had shown a lack of diplomatic effort" regarding US State Department's repelling the use of parallel description of "Tokai (Donghae)"; the South Korea government was showing a mixed reaction.

South Korea after obtaining independence in 1957 joined the International Hydrographic Bureau (at present the International Hydrographic Organization = IHO); since 1992 it began to insist that the English marking of "Tokai" be used internationally. It insisted that in South Korea on grounds that it was on the east side of the Korean peninsula "Tokai" was called as a custom, and "it is irrational to assume the high seas with a name of a country, and should describe the Sea of Japan with Tokai in parallel".
In South Korea, there was an understanding that "It was in the first half of the 20th century that the name of the Sea of Japan was popular in the world, when they were under the colonial rule of Japan". South Korea linked it to the history question, same as the Takeshima (Shimane Prefecture) problem that both Japan and South Korea were insisting on the sovereignty right.

I hope the argument in using the name " East Sea" or "Sea of Japan" would not hurt the relationship of these two countries.

美國駐日大使首次出席二個原爆和平紀念儀式

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
今月９日に行われる長崎市の平和祈念式典に、アメリカ政府を代表してズムワルト駐日首席公使が出席することが分かりました。ズムワルト駐日首席公使は、６日、広島市の式典にも、出席することになっていますが、長崎市の式典に出席するのは初めてです。
関係者によりますと、アメリカのズムワルト駐日首席公使は臨時代理大使として、今月９日に長崎市で行われる平和祈念式典に出席し、犠牲者を追悼するということです。アメリカ政府側から５日、式典の関係者に連絡があったということで、原爆を投下したアメリカ政府の代表が長崎市の式典に出席するのは初めてです。去年はルース駐日大使が広島市の平和記念式典に初めて出席しましたが、長崎市の式典にはスケジュールの都合がつかなかったとして出席せず、後日長崎市を訪れ、原爆落下中心地に献花して犠牲者を悼みました。ズムワルト駐日首席公使は、６日、広島市で行われる平和記念式典にも出席することになっており、アメリカ政府の代表が初めて広島と長崎の両方の式典に出席することになりました。長崎市の黒川智夫原爆被爆対策部長は「出席するのであれば長崎の被害の実情をしっかり見てもらいたい」と話しています。
(試譯文)
It had been understood that America's chief minister to Japan J.P. Zumwait would attend the peace memorial ceremony at Nagasaki City on the ninth this month on behalf of the US. Although chief minister Zumwait had attended the ceremony at Hiroshima City on the 6th, supposedly it would be the first time to attend the ceremony at Nagasaki City.
According to people related to the matter, America's chief minister to Japan Zumwait, as Charge d'Affaires ad interim, would attend the peace memorial ceremony held in Nagasaki City on the ninth this month to mourn the victims. Parties connected to the ceremony had the report from the American government on the fifth that a representative of the US, the country that had dropped the atomic bomb would attend the ceremony of Nagasaki City for the first time.
Last year although Ruth the Ambassador to Japan attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony at Hiroshima City for the first time, he did not attend the ceremony in Nagasaki City because it was not able to arrange the schedule; he later visited Nagasaki, and offered flowers at the atomic bomb dropping location to mourn the dead. As Zumwait the chief minister to Japan had attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony held in Hiroshima City on the sixth, it would be the first time for a representative of the US to attend both the Hiroshima and the Nagasaki ceremonies. Kurokawa Tomoo the atomic bomb radiation exposure measures director in Nagasaki City said "want him to see fully the actual damage of Nagasaki if he attends".

It is interesting to note that there is some small attitude changes in the American regarding this WWII matter.

三菱重工接到造十二萬五千噸級郵輪定單

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
三菱重工業は３日,世界最大のクルーズ客船会社「カーニバル・コーポレーション＆ｐｌｃ」から、１２万５０００総トンの世界最大級の大型客船（３２５０人乗り）２隻の受注を内定したと発表した
　同社の大型客船受注は１２年ぶりで、同社が建造する客船としては過去最大となる。納期は２０１５年３月と１６年３月の予定。受注額は非公表。
　カーニバル社傘下のアイーダ・クルーズ向けに、長崎造船所（長崎市）で建造する。三菱重工が最後に大型客船の受注を内定したのは、１９９９年６月。カーニバル社から、１１万６０００総トンの大型客船２隻を受注したが、２００２年に建造中の「ダイヤモンド・プリンセス」が火災を起こして以来、注文が途絶えていた。
(試譯文)
On the 3rd Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced that an order was received informally from the world's largest cruise company the "Carnival Corporation & Plc." for two liners with the tonnage that belonged to the world's largest class of 125,000 gross tons (accommodating 3250 people). Among the boats built, it became the biggest passenger boats this company would built after an interval of 12 years. Delivery date was scheduled to be between March 2015 and March 2016. The order amount was not made public.
Nagasaki shipyard (Nagasaki City) had been building for the Aida Cruise, a subsidiary of Carnival Company. The last time for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to receive informal order for the liner was in June 1999. Although it had received an order for two large passenger boats of 116,000 gross tons class from the Carnival Company, after a fire had occurred in the "Diamond Princess" built in 2002, orders came to a stop.

Obviously, the ship building industry morale in Japan would be boosted by the order.

日本製紙業減產

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:
日本製紙グループ本社は３日、コピー用紙やチラシ・雑誌などの印刷用紙をつくる「洋紙部門」の従業員の１５％に当たる１３００人を削減するリストラ計画を発表した。生産能力も１５％落とす。「紙離れ」の需要減に、東日本大震災での主力工場の被災が追い打ちとなった。
　来春から希望退職を募るなどし、従業員８８００人の中から正社員８５０人、非正社員４５０人を減らす。そのうち１００人は本社の管理部門を対象とする計画だ。
　生産設備は国内の主要２０工場のうち石巻（宮城県石巻市）、岩沼（同岩沼市）、富士、吉永（いずれも静岡県富士市）、岩国（山口県岩国市）の５工場で一部を停止。２０１２年９月までに生産能力の１５％にあたる８０万トン分を止める。
(試翻譯)
Nippon Paper Group, Inc. on the third announced the restructuring plan to reduce 1300 people which was 15% of the employee in the "Western-style paper section" which made copy paper and printing paper used for the handbill and the magazine, etc. Production capacity was dropped by 15%. Because "Away from Paper " demand had decreased, it became that a major industry was struck by the East Japan great earthquake.
Voluntary retirement would be raised from next spring to reduce 850 regular members and 450 contingent workers among the 8800 employees. In it, the plan targeted at 100 people in the department of management in the headquarters. Regarding the production facilities, of the 20 main factories in the country, part of the production facility at five factories would be stopped (Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture Ishinomaki City), Iwanuma (same prefecture Iwanunacho), Fuji, Yoshinaga (both Shizuoka Prefecture Fuji City), and Iwakuni (Yamaguchi Prefecture Iwakuni City)). By September 2012, 15% of the capacity that was 800,000 tons of the production would be stopped.

So the employee in the paper industry is having a hard time.

新潟縣出産米可能被混合其他米出售

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
全国の小売店で「１００％新潟県産コシヒカリ」と表示して販売されているコメのうち、表示どおりだったコメは全体の３分の２にとどまり、そのほかのコメには別の品種や産地が特定されないコメが混ざっていたことが新潟県の調査で分かりました。
新潟県は「１００％新潟県産コシヒカリ」と表示して販売されているコメを対象に、首都圏や関西、九州など全国の小売店２００店舗で１袋ずつ、合わせて２００袋からサンプルを取ってＤＮＡ鑑定を行いました。その結果、新潟県によりますと、表示どおりに１００％新潟県産のコシヒカリと確認できたのは２００袋のうち１３１袋で全体の６５％にとどまり、そのほかの袋には別の品種のコメや産地が特定されないコシヒカリが混ざっていたことが分かりました。新潟県産のコシヒカリを巡っては、先月、東京の業者が「新潟県産コシヒカリ」などと書いた袋に別の品種のコメなどを入れて販売したとして逮捕されています。新潟県は今回の調査結果から、ほかのコメが意図的に混入された疑いがあるとみて、刑事告発も視野に業者間の取り引きなどを調査することにしています。
(試譯文)
In an investigation done by Niigata Prefecture on the rice that displayed "100% Niigata Prefecture Koshihikari" that was sold in retail stores in the whole country, it had been found that the rice that was true to the display stayed at 2/3 of whole amount, other types of rice with unknown production location were being mixed into it.
Niigata Prefecture in total took 200 bags as sample, one each from the 200 stores in the whole country such as in the metropolitan area, in Kansai, and in Kyushu retail stores that sold the rice displaying "100% Niigata Prefecture Koshihikari", and did the DNA test. The result, according to Niigata Prefecture was that it was able to confirm that among those 200 bags having a display of '100% Koshihikari of Niigata Prefecture', 131 bags had 65% in the whole bag. In other bags, it was understood that they were mixed with other types of rice with production location could not be specified. In the investigation held last month on Niigata Prefecture Koshihikari, the bags written "Niigata Prefecture Koshihikari" etc.were put into with other rice etc and sold; a trader in Tokyo was arrested. Niigata Prefecture, based on this round of investigation, was suspecting that there might be other cases of intentionally mixing of rice, and would investigate the dealings between traders etc. with a view for criminal indictments.

It is disappointing to note that some rice traders in Japan are cheating their customers.

宮城県石巻市有悼念海嘯死難者活動

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
宮城県石巻市で、伝統の夏祭り「石巻川開き祭り」が開かれ、ことしは東日本大震災の犠牲者を追悼するため１万個の灯籠が川に流されました。
「石巻川開き祭り」は、地元を流れる北上川の恵みに感謝する伝統の夏祭りで、ことしは規模を縮小したうえで、震災の犠牲者への供養と復興への願いを込めて開かれました。石巻市の中心部を流れ、津波がさかのぼって周辺の地区に大きな被害を出した旧北上川の近くで、供養祭が開かれ、多くの人が訪れて震災で犠牲になった人に祈りをささげていました。また、亡くなった家族などの名前を書いた１万個の灯籠が川に流され、柔らかな明かりが薄暗い中に浮かび上がりました。石巻市では、震災で亡くなった人が２９日の時点で、３１４９人に上り、今もおよそ９００人の行方が分かっていません。灯籠を見つめていた３０代の女性は「子どもたちの面倒をよく見てくれた母が津波で亡くなり、灯籠に名前を書きました。子どもたちの成長を見守っていてほしいです」と話していました。石巻川開き祭りは８月１日も開かれ、花火が打ち上げられることになっています。
(試譯文)
The traditional Summer Festival, the "Ishinomaki River opening festival" was opened in Miyagi Prefecture Ishinomaki City to mourn the victims of the East Japan great earthquake this year; 10,000 floating lanterns were put into the river.
"Ishinomaki River opening festival" as the traditional summer festival that expressed gratitude to the blessing of Kitakami River that flowed through locally had its scale reduced this year; it was opened to making prayers to the earthquake victims and making wishes for the revival. The festival service was held near old Kitakami River that flowed through the central part of Ishinomaki City; during the tsunami water flowed back and had left much destruction behind at the surrounding districts. A lot of people had visited, prayers were offered to the people who were sacrificed due to the earthquake. Moreover, 10,000 floating lanterns that had written with the name of the died family member etc. were thrown into the river, and it floated with soft light amidst the dim surrounding. The number of people who had died in the earthquake went up to 3149 on the 29th, and at this moment in Ishinomaki City the whereabouts of some 900 people were not known. A woman in her thirties who was staring at the lantern said ｢A mother who often saw children's troubles had died in the tsunami, and the name is written in the lantern. The wish is for her to watch over children's growing up｣. The "Ishinomaki River opening festival" was supposed to be held on August 1, and fireworks would be launched.

It is a sad story to hear that in this area over 3,000 people had died and 900 people were missing.

有中國傳媒技巧地繼續報道高鐵事件

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
中国の有力経済紙「２１世紀経済報道」は１日、乗客１０６人が死亡した２００５年４月のＪＲ福知山線脱線事故を１ページを使って紹介し、日本の事故処理を評価した。
　浙江省温州の高速鉄道事故に対する報道規制が強化される中、不公正な中国の事故処理を暗に批判したものだ。
　記事は、福知山線事故の業務上過失致死傷事件が審理中であることに触れ、「原因調査や民意聴取、責任追及は精密に、細心に行われる」とする学者の見解を紹介。事故調査は独立した委員会が監督者の立場で行い、報告書は３００ページにも及んだとしている。
　これに対し、中国の鉄道省は監督官庁と現業部門を併せ持ち、同省に所属する警察、検察、裁判所が事件処理を担当。温州の事故では、同省が政府の調査グループに加わり、証拠隠滅疑惑に世論の批判が集まっている。また、記事は「被害者の遺族は公開の法廷で陳述し、半数以上がまだ賠償交渉を続けている」とし、賠償で署名を強要する中国との違いを強調している。
(試譯文)
The "Economic Report of the 21st Century", as a powerful economic newspaper in China, on the first used the first page to introduce the JR Fukuchiyama line derailment accident in which 106 passengers had died in April, 2005, and to evaluate the processing of this accident in Japan.

In face of the strengthened restriction imposed on the press in reporting the Wenzhou high-speed railway accident of Chechinag province, the paper tacitly criticized the unfair processing in China over the accident.

The article touched on the trial over the professional negligence that had resulted in death and wound in the Fukuchiyama line accident, and introduced the opinion that the scholars had "precisely and carefully done the investigation on the cause, listened to the public opinion, and pursued the responsibility". Regarding the accident investigation, an independent committee was set up to discharge the supervising role; and the report had extended to as much as 300 pages.

In contrast, in China the railway ministry controlled the supervisory authority and the industrial civil service section; the police, the prosecution, and the court that all belonged to this ministry took charge in processing the event. In this accident in Wenzhou, the ministry joined the investigation group of the government; and public criticism had gathered and suspected the destruction of evidence. Moreover, the article showed that "the victim's bereaved family had made their statements at the court that was open to the public, and that more than half are still continuing with the compensation negotiation", and emphasized the difference in China that requested the signature on compensation by coercion.

It is nice to note that the newspaper is discharging its moral duties despite the pressure from the authority.