宮城県白石市加強檢查新米放射量

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
宮城県白石市で収穫されたコメの「ぬか」から、放射性セシウムが国の暫定基準値を超える１キログラム当たり６６８ベクレル検出され、宮城県では食品などに使わないよう指導することにしています。
宮城県は、原発事故を受けて行った新米の検査で、玄米から国の暫定基準値以下だったものの一定量以上の放射性物質が検出された白石市の旧越河村と気仙沼市の旧津谷町の２か所で、国の指導に基づいて、玄米を精米したときに出る「米ぬか」の放射性物質の調査を行いました。その結果、今月７日に旧越河村で採取した米ぬかから、放射性セシウムが国の暫定基準値の１キログラム当たり５００ベクレルを超える６６８ベクレル検出されました。県では旧越河村の米ぬかについては、食品に使わないよう農家や精米業者などに指導することにしています。また、旧津谷町の米ぬかからは１キログラム当たり３７０ベクレルの放射性セシウムが検出されました。飼料に使える暫定基準値の３００ベクレルを超えたため、県では飼料として使わないよう指導することにしています。宮城県は「米ぬかは玄米の表面にあることから、放射性物質が付きやすかったのではないか」と話しています。宮城県では、２つの地域の玄米はできるだけ地域内で精米するよう要請することにしていて、「県産米の安全性は確保されており、問題ない」と話しています。
(試譯文)
From the "nuka" of the rice harvested in Shiroishi-shi, Miyagi, radioactive cesium at 668 Bq per kg was detected and it exceeded the country's interim standard value; and as a guide for Miyagi prefecture, it could not be used as food etc.
Miyagi Prefecture in response to the nuclear power plant disaster had conducted inspection on new rice; when radioactive material below the country's provisional safety standard was detected in two places: Old Kosugo Village in Shiroishi city and old Tsuya town in Kesennuma, inspection was conducted using the country's guiding standard on the rice bran that came out when brown rice was milled. As a result, in the rice bran extracted from old Kosugo village on the 7th this month, 668 Bq was detected: a radioactive cesium that exceeded the 500 Bq per kg interim standard value of the country. In this prefecture, regarding the rice bran of the old Kosugo village, it was pointed out to farmers and rice-milling contractors etc. that it might not be used as food. Moreover, 370 Bq per kg radioactive cesium was detected in the rice bran of the old Tsuya city. Because it exceeded 300 Bq of the interim standard value which could be used for feed, it was directed that in the prefecture it might not be used as feed. In Miyagi Prefecture there was the saying that "Since rice bran was on the surface of brown rice, wasn't that the radioactive material could attach to it easily?". In Miyagi Prefecture, there was the request that the brown rice of two areas should be milled as far as possible in the area; and it was said that "The safety of the rice in the prefecture is secured and there is no more problems".


It seems that the prefecture is doing what they could so as to regain the confidence of the consumers.

今月初東京世田谷區一些位置有高放射量(下)

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

東京・世田谷区で検出された１時間当たり２．７マイクロシーベルトという放射線量は、文部科学省が積算の放射線量を計算する際に用いている、１日のうち、屋外で８時間、屋内で１６時間過ごすという条件で計算すると、１日の被ばく量が３８．８８マイクロシーベルト、１年間にすると１４．２ミリシーベルトになります。これは国が避難の目安としている年間の放射線量の２０ミリシーベルトを下回っています。計画的避難区域に指定されている福島県の飯舘村役場では、１２日、移動式のモニタリングポストを使って計測された放射線量が１時間当たり２．１マイクロシーベルトで、世田谷区の値はこれよりもやや高くなっています。首都圏では、比較的高い茨城県の北茨城市で、１２日、０．１４マイクロシーベルトが計測されています。放射線影響研究所の長瀧重信元理事長は「文部科学省などによる上空からの測定では、世田谷区では放射線量の高い場所は確認されなかったので、このような値が出たことに驚いている。ただ、地形や天候の関係で局地的に高い線量になることはあり得ると思う。周辺の土壌や草木などから放射性物質の種類を調べたり、どこから放射線が出ているのか調べて原因を突きとめるとともに、ほかにもこうした場所がないか調査する必要がある」と話しています。
(試譯文)
Based on the radiation dosage of of 2.7-micro sievert per hour detected in the Setagaya-district of Tokyo, if it was used to calculate the condition of spending 8 hours outdoor, 16 hours indoor in one day as adopted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, it was calculated that the radiation dosage of total exposure for one day would be 38.88-micro sievert, and in one year would become a 14.2-mm sievert. This was less than the 20-mm sievert of the annual dose of radiation which the country set in the refuge standard. In the Iitate village office in Fukushima Prefecture that had been specified as the planned refuge zone, the radiation dosage measured using the portable monitoring post on the 12th was 2.1-micro sievert per hour, in comparation Setagya-district had a little higher dosage. In the metropolitan area, on the 12th, 0.14-micro sievert was measured in the comparatively high location of Kita-Ibaraki in Ibaraki Prefecture. Nagataki Shigenobu the former chairman of the board of directors of Radiation Effects Research Foundation said "based on the measurement collected from the sky by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology etc., the high radio-active value came out of Setagaya-district could not be checked. The high radiation dosage that came out was surprising. However, I think that there can be high dosages in certain locations due to the relationship between geographical feature and the weather. While investigating the kind of radioactive material from surrounding soil, plants, etc., or investigating where radiation has come from and tracing the cause, it is also necessary to investigate whether there is any other such place."

So, it is true that some locations in Tokyo are emitting radiation with a dosage higher than expected. For public safety reasons, I hope the local authorities could handle the matter urgently.

今月初東京世田谷區一些位置有高放射量

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
今月初め、東京・世田谷区の区道で１時間当たり最大で２．７マイクロシーベルトという高い放射線量が検出され、世田谷区は、この場所に立ち入らないよう呼びかけるとともに今後の除染を検討しています。
高い放射線量が検出されたのは、世田谷区弦巻の区道の歩道の長さおよそ１０メートル、幅およそ１メートルの部分です。世田谷区によりますと、今月３日、区民から「放射線量が高い場所がある」という情報が寄せられたため、区が測定したところ、１時間当たり最大でおよそ２．８マイクロシーベルトと周辺に比べて特に高い放射線が検出されたということです。このため高圧の洗浄器を使って歩道部分の洗浄を行いましたが、放射線量はあまり下がらず、１時間当たり最大で２．７０７マイクロシーベルトが検出されたということです。原因について世田谷区が専門家に聞いたところ、問題の場所は雨水が集まって放射線量が高くなったことが考えられるということです。ただ、今回の測定では地表より高い場所でより高い数値が出るなど、通常あまり見られない結果が出ていることから、世田谷区では原因を詳しく調べることにしています。この区道は小学校の通学路にもなっていることから、区は、１２日朝からこの場所をコーンで囲って立ち入らないよう呼びかけるとともに今後の除染を検討しています。世田谷区は、ことし７月から８月にかけて区内の小中学校や保育園、それに幼稚園で放射線量を測定しており、その際、高い放射線量は検出されていませんでした。世田谷区は、子どもへの影響を重視し、今月下旬から区内の砂場がある２５８か所の公園について調査することにしています。世田谷区環境総合対策室の斉藤洋子室長は「現場は小学校の通学路で、近くには幼稚園や保育園もある。心配する保護者の方がいると思うので、専門家とも相談してできるだけ速やかに除染などの対応をとりたい」と話していました。
(試譯文)
At the beginning of this month, radiation with a dosage as high as up to 2.7-micro sievert per hour was detected at the district roads of Setagaya-district, Tokyo; and while considering future decontamination, appeal was made to stop coming into this location.

It was a portion about 10 meters in length of the sidewalk of district roads of Tsurumaki, Setagaya-district, and it was about 1 meter in width that a high dose of radiation was detected. According to Setagaya-district on the 3rd of this month, information was received from the district residents that "there is a place where the radiation dosage is high", when the district measured it, the high radiation detected was as high as around 2.8-micro sievert per hour and was particularly higher than the surrounding. Although the sidewalk portion was washed using the high-pressure syringe, the dose of radiation barely fell and was as high as 2.707-micro sievert per hour. When Setagaya-district asked a specialist about the cause, it was considered that the place in question had rain water gathered and the dosage of radiation became high. However, as the numerical value measurement came out higher at a place, and higher than surface of the earth etc.; as a rarely seen result had come out, it was said that Setagaya-district would investigate the cause in details. Since this district road was also a school zone of the elementary school, while the district was considering future decontamination, it appealed to enclose this place with cones and denied entry starting from the morning of the 12th.
Setagaya-district had measured the dosage of radiation from July to August this year from the kindergarten to the elementary and junior high schools, and nursery school in the district; at that time a high dose of radiation was not detected. Setagaya-district thought that its influence on children was important, so from the end of this month it would carry out investigation on 258 parks in the district which had a sandy ground. Section Head Yoko Saito of the Setagaya-district environmental comprehensive policy section said that "the spot is a school zone of an elementary school, and nearby there is also a kindergarten and a nursery school. In view of the worrying parents, I would like to consult as soon as possible with a specialist and to action to respond to decontamination etc.
(to be continued)

三洋電機

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
三洋電機の洗濯機などの事業を買収する中国の大手家電メーカー「ハイアール」は、三洋電機の商品ブランドを使った製品を来年１月から日本で販売することになりました。
中国の大手家電メーカー「ハイアール」は、パナソニックから子会社の三洋電機が手がける洗濯機と冷蔵庫の事業のうち、日本と東南アジアの拠点を買収することで１８日にも最終合意する見通しです。これを受けてハイアールは、現在三洋電機が製造している洗濯機と冷蔵庫については、三洋電機の「アクア」という商品ブランドをそのまま使って、来年１月から日本で販売することにしたものです。また、東南アジアでは「ＳＡＮＹＯ」のブランドを使って冷蔵庫などの家電製品を販売することにしていて、中国メーカーが日本メーカーのブランドを使って事業の拡大を図る動きとして注目されます。
(試譯文)
The Chinese major home electronics maker "Haier" which had purchased the enterprise of the washing machine etc from SANYO Electric would sell the product using the goods brand of SANYO Electric as from January next year in Japan.
The Chinese major home electronics maker "Haier" was expected to complete the final agreement on the 18th with Sanyo Electric, the subsidiary of Panasonic, in purchasing the bases in Japan and Southeast Asia regarding the enterprise producing washing machines and refrigerators. As a result, Haier would from January next year sell in Japan the washing machines and refrigerators which SANYO Electric was manufacturing now, using the goods brand "Aqua" of SANYO Electric as it had been. Moreover, in Southeast Asia, home electronics such as refrigerators would be sold using the brand name "SANYO"; and it was observed as a move that the China maker was aiming at enterprise expansion using a Japanese maker's brand.

So in future the brand name Sanyo could have reduced connection with Japan.

日本退休金和福利金將會減少

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
　厚生労働省の社会保障審議会（厚労相の諮問機関）の年金部会は１１日、厚生年金の支給開始年齢を将来的に６８～７０歳に引き上げるための議論を本格的にスタートさせ、三つの案を提示した。
　同省は、年内の改革案取りまとめを目指す。
　厚生年金の支給は、男性は２０２５年度まで、女性は３０年度までに、それぞれ６０歳から段階的に６５歳まで引き上げ、基礎年金と合わせることがすでに決まっている。
　だが、厚労省は、少子高齢化の急速な進展や、国民の平均寿命の伸びを念頭に、年金財政の安定化のためには年金支給開始年齢の一層の引き上げの検討に入る必要があると判断した。
(試譯文)
On the 11th, the pension department's meeting of the Social Security Council (a consultative body of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare) of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare formally started the discussion on increasing the eligibility age for payments of welfare pension to 68 - 70 years old in the future, and presented three proposals.
The said ministry aimed at the finalization of the reform bill before the year end.
Regarding the provision of the welfare pension, it would be pulled up to 65 years old. For the men it would be pulled up till the 2025 fiscal year, for the women it would be pulled up gradually until 2030 fiscal year, respectively; and it was already decided to unite it with the basic pension.
But, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, bearing in mind the low birth rate and growth of national life expectancy, further judged that it was necessary to raise the pensionable age so as to stabilize the financing scheme.


It seems that the welfare payment in Japan would be shrinking gradually in the coming years.

三十萬多福島居民會受終身甲状腺檢查追蹤

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:
福島県は９日、東京電力福島第１原発事故に伴う県民健康管理調査の一環として、今年４月１日時点で１８歳以下の子供全員の甲状腺検査を福島市の県立医大病院で始めた。約３６万人を対象に生涯にわたって甲状腺をチェックする世界でも類を見ない調査となる。
　検査は１人５分程度で超音波を使い、複数の医師で診断し、結果は約１カ月後に通知。病変の恐れがあれば後日、採血や尿検査、細胞を採取する詳細検査を行う。初日は飯舘村と浪江町、川俣町山木屋地区の１４４人が検査を受け、２２人は県外の避難先から。１４年３月までに県内を一巡、その後は２年ごと、２０歳を超えると５年ごとに検査する。
　飯舘村から川俣町に避難している主婦、荒ちどりさん（４３）は５～１１歳の男の子４人を連れ来院。検査後、無邪気にはしゃぎ回る姿を見つめながら「なぜこんなことに」とやり切れない様子。マスク姿の高校１年の女子生徒（１６）も飯舘村から川俣町に避難。不満そうに「もっと早く検査してほしかった」。将来子供を産むことなどを考えて一人で思い悩むこともあるという。
　浪江町の主婦、小松きく江さん（３８）は小学生の一人息子（７）を連れ避難先の前橋市から訪れた。「４、５年先が心配。心は福島にあるけど、線量が高いので帰ろうとは思えない」と複雑な表情。１１カ月の男の子を抱き来院した主婦、高橋美幸さん（３４）は「少し安心した」と笑顔を見せながら「できる限りいろいろな検査をしてほしい」と訴えた。
(試譯文)
On the 9th, Fukushima Prefecture began the thyroid inspection on all children aged 18 and below as of April l this year in the prefecture medical college hospital in Fukushima; this was part of the people-of-the-prefecture health-care-administration investigation connected to the Number One nuclear power plant disaster of Tokyo Electric Power in Fukushima. It became an unprecedented investigation in the world which would check the thyroid gland covering the whole life for about 360,000 people.

The inspection would use ultrasonic wave for about 5 minutes, and diagnose it by two or more doctors, and notify the result in about one month. If there was a fear of pathological changes, blood collection, urinalysis, and detailed inspection that extracted cells would be conducted later. As for the first day, 144 people in Iitate-mura, Namie-cho, and the Yamakiya of Kawamatamachi area underwent the checking, 22 people were from refuge centers outside the prefecture. A full round would be completed within the prefecture by March 2014; thereafter inspection would be conducted every two years, and for those exceeding 20 years old, they would be checked once every five years.
A housewife Ms. Arichidori (43) from Iitate-maru taking up refuge in Kawamatamachi was accompanied by four boys aged 5 - 11-year-old when visited the hospital. After the inspection, it appeared that she could not help but pondering “why this has happened” while she was looking at the romping innocent children. Wearing a mask, a female student (16) at the tenth grade who took refuge in Kawamatamachi from Iitate-mura said in a dis-satisfied manner that "I hoped to have the inspection earlier". And it was said that to consider bearing a child in the future etc. would be privately a worrying matter.
A housewife Ms. Kikue Komatsu (38) of Namie-cho, accompanied by her son (7) who was in the primary school, made the visit from Maebashi where she took refuge. Showing complicated emotion she said that "Four to five years into the future is worrying. Although my heart is with Fukushima, I cannot think of returning because the radiation dosage is high."
A housewife Ms. Miyuki Takahashi (34) who was holding a 11-month-old boy when she visited the hospital, showed a smiling face as if "feeling a little bit easier", and insisted that "I want to receive different kinds of checking if possible".

To follow up on the condition of 360,000 people is a huge medical project. As the only country that has suffered from the atomic bombing twice, Japan should have the experience in dealing with the challenges ahead.

馬英九考慮未來十年與大陸達成和平協議

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
来年１月の台湾総統選挙で再選を目指す馬英九総統は「今後１０年の間に、台湾海峡両岸の平和協定の締結交渉を行うかどうか考慮する」と述べて、中国との平和協定に前向きになったともとれる姿勢を示し、選挙戦への影響が注目されます。
これは１７日、馬英九総統が、向こう１０年間の政策ビジョンを発表する記者会見で言及したものです。この中で馬総統は、対中国政策について「政治より経済を優先するが、将来の政治対話を排除するわけではなく、平和協定も当然その中に含まれる」と述べました。そのうえで「台湾海峡両岸の関係が、順序を踏んで徐々に前進していくなかで、今後１０年の間に平和協定の締結交渉を行うかどうか慎重に考慮していく」と述べ、中国との平和協定に前向きになったともとれる姿勢を示しました。馬総統は、交渉入りには、あくまで住民が強く支持することや、国会に当たる立法院の監督を受けることなど、３つの条件が必要だと強調しましたが、一方で「１０年ビジョンの中に入れなければ、あたかも１０年間はやりたくないみたいになり、よくない気がする」とも述べました。来年１月の総統選挙では、中国との距離の取り方が最大の争点になるとみられ、今回の馬総統の発言が選挙戦にどう影響するか注目されます。
(試譯文)
President Ma Yinjiu who was aiming at the re-election in the Taiwan presidential election in January next year said that "He will take into consideration in the coming ten years to negotiate for the conclusion of a peace agreement for both sides of the Taiwan strait ", it was a posture which could be taken as showing positive direction towards a peace agreement with China, and attracted attention regarding its influence on the election campaign.

The declaration was make on the 17th at the press conference as President Ma Yingjiu announced the direction of his next ten-years' policy vision. In it, President Ma, regarding the policy towards China, said that "Although priority is given to economy over politics, it is not necessary that a future political dialogue would be eliminated, and naturally a peace agreement is also included". It was further said that "on the relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan strait, orderly steps would be taken to move it forward gradually; and in the coming 10 years consideration would be taken carefully on whether to carry out negotiation to conclude a peace agreement", taking a posture which could be regarded as having positive effects towards a peace agreement with China.
Although it was emphasized that President Ma needed three conditions, such as that the strong and lasting support from the residents, and receiving the supervision of the legislative organization which was the equivalent of the Parliament in order to enter negotiations. On the other hand, it was stated that "If it is not put in the 10-year vision, it will look like that I will not do it within 10 years, I feel it is not right". In the presidential election in January next year, it was expected that how to keep a distance with China could become the greatest point at issue. How President Ma's remark would influence the electoral campaign would attract attention.

As always, Taiwan's relationship with China has been a hot topic in the presidential election in Taiwan.

日本消費税率會超過10%

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:
五十嵐文彦財務副大臣は１１日、ＣＳ放送の日経ＣＮＢＣの番組で、消費税率について自身の試算を紹介し、中長期的には「１７％くらい必要になるのではないか」と述べた。
　政府・与党は２０１０年代半ばまでに１０％に引き上げる案をまとめたが、五十嵐氏は「経済成長も同時に考え、色々な手段を取らないといけない」として一段の引き上げが必要だとの認識を示した。
　政府・与党は、１０％への引き上げで社会保障費の増大に備える構えだが、五十嵐氏は、国と地方の基礎的財政収支（プライマリーバランス）の黒字化には１０％では不可能だと強調した。
(試譯文)
In a program about Japanese economy on CNBC of CS broadcasting, Fumihiko Igarashi the financial deputy minister introduced his own trial calculation about the consumption tax rate, and said on the 11th that on a mid- and long-term basis, "Isn't it that about 17% would be needed?"
Although the government and the ruling parties had gotten into consensus to pull up to 10% by the middle of the 2010, Mr. Igarashi showed his recognition on the needs to further raise it "as one of the various necessary means to be taken, having considered the economic growth simultaneously."
Although the government and the ruling parties showed an intention to prepare for the increase of social security fee by raising it to 10%, Mr. Igarashi emphasized that 10% was impossible to achieve surplus in balancing the basic finance in the country and the rural areas.

Obviously the consumption tax rate in Japan would be increased gradually beyond 10%.

國際原子能組織到達福島視察除輻射工作

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
放射性物質を取り除く「除染」について助言するため、９日から福島県を訪れているＩＡＥＡ＝国際原子力機関の調査団は１０日、村全域が計画的避難区域に指定されている飯舘村で、国が行う農地の除染実験などを視察しました。
原子力などの専門家１２人からなるＩＡＥＡの調査団は、放射性物質の効果的な除染方法などについて助言するため来日し、９日から福島県を訪れています。１０日は、自治体が独自に除染作業を行った小学校などを視察したあと、村全域が計画的避難区域に指定され、国が実験を行っている飯舘村を視察しました。このうち水田の実験現場では、国側は表面の土を４センチ取り除いた結果、土壌に含まれる放射性物質の濃度が１キロ当たりおよそ１万ベクレルから４分の１ほどに減ったことや、栽培したコメからは、玄米の状態で土壌の１０００分の１程度にとどまったと説明しました。これに対し、調査団のメンバーは「問題のない低いレベルだ」と答えていました。また、調査団は、放射性物質が含まれる植物を「熱分解」という比較的低い４００度で処理する現場を視察しました。調査団は１１日まで福島県に滞在し、１１日は、福島県の佐藤知事と会談する予定です。

現地を視察したあと、調査団のレンティッホ団長は、「除染は最適な方法で行わなければならず、そのためにはできるかぎり多くのデータが必要だ。視察して非常に興味深い情報を得ることができたので、今後、さまざまな関係者と専門的な議論を深め、調査団の目的を達成したい」と話していました。
(試譯文)
In order to give advice on the "decontamination" work of removing radioactive material, the investigating commission of the IAEA= International Atomic Energy Agency which visited Fukushima Prefecture starting from the 9th, on the 10th at Iitate-mura where the village had the whole region specified as the planned refuge zone, the Agency inspected the decontamination experiment of farmland etc. conducted by the country.
The investigating commission of IAEA which consisted of 12 specialists, such as atomic power, arrived at Japan in order to advise on the effective method to decontaminate the radioactive material etc. visited Fukushima Prefecture from the 9th.
On the 10th after inspecting self-governing bodies, an elementary school etc. which did decontamination work independently, they inspected Iitate-mura, the village with whole region specified as the planned refuge zone and where the country was doing the experiment.
Among these, at the experimental spot of the paddy field, as a result of removing 4 cm of the surface soil by the country, the concentration of radioactive material decreased from about 10,000 Bq per km to about 1/4; and regarding the rice cultivation, it showed that the soil condition of brown rice stabilized at about 1 in 1000 in the concentration.
On the other hand, the investigating commission's member had replied that "It is a satisfactory low level." Moreover, the investigating commission inspected the spot which processed the plant that contained radioactive material using "thermal decomposition" at a comparatively low 400 degrees.The investigating commission would stay in Fukushima Prefecture till the 11th, and would confer with Governor Sato of Fukushima Prefecture on the 11th.
After inspecting the area, the investigating commission chief Rentitsuho said " there is no other ways but to carry out the decontamination by the most suitable method, and for that purpose, many data are required. Because after the inspection, it is able to acquire very interesting information, from now on, I would like to deepen professional discussion with different people concerned, and hope to achieve the goal of the investigating commission".

It seems that the International Atomic Energy Agency is working hard in helping Japan's farmers to recover from the disaster.

横濱舉行一年一度大型爵士音樂會

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
戦後多くのジャズバンドが生まれ育った横浜で、３０００人近いミュージシャンが参加して街角やクラブなどさまざまな場所で演奏を披露する「横濱ジャズプロムナード」が開幕しました。
「横濱ジャズプロムナード」は、まち全体でジャズを楽しもうと１８年前から毎年横浜市で開かれている国内最大級のジャズの催しです。ことしは、広場やホール、ジャズクラブなど４８会場で演奏が行われ、このうち横浜市西区みなとみらいの広場では、大勢の市民や観光客が集まるなか、小学生から社会人までの６つのアマチュアのバンドが登場しました。会場ではなじみのある有名な楽曲がかわるがわる演奏され、観客たちは演奏に合わせて足でリズムを取ったり手拍子をしたりして、ステージを楽しんでいました。家族連れで訪れた３０代の女性は「街角でジャズが聞ける雰囲気が大好きで来ました。演奏も上手で私もあんな風に弾けたらなと思います」と話していました。横濱ジャズプロムナードは９日まで開催され、東日本大震災で被災した宮城県気仙沼市の小中学生も参加して、２日間で３０００人近いミュージシャンが演奏を披露することになっています。
(試譯文)
In Yokohama where many jazz bands were born and grew up in the postwar period, the "Yokohama jazz promenade" which announced the performances by nearly 3000 participating musicians at various places, such as a street corner and in a club was declared opened.
The "Yokohama jazz promenade" was an event that had the greatest jazz domestically and was opened every year in Yokohama since 18 years ago in order thal all could enjoy jazz. This year performances were held at 48 venues, such as open areas, halls, jazz clubs; among them, many citizens and tourists gathered in the open space in Minatomirai, Nishi district, Yokohama city where six amateur bands with membership from schoolchildren to members of society showed up. At the hall, famous and familiar musical pieces were performed in turn, and spectators took the rhythm on foot according to the performance, or did the hand clapping, and were enjoying the performances. A woman in her 30s who visited with the company of her family members said "it is a lovely atmosphere that one can hear jazz at the street corners. By looking at someone whose performance is also good, I wish I could play the musical instrument as good". The Yokohama jazz promenade was held till the 9th, and it announced the performances in the two days done by the nearly 3000 musicians. The elementary and junior high school students of Kesennuma city, Miyagi which had been stricken by the East Japan great earthquake would also participate.

This jazz carnival must have attracted a lot of visitors, both from the local communities and from abroad.

俄國積極發展北方四島

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
ロシア政府で北方四島の開発を担当している地域発展省の高官は、２０１５年までの北方四島などの開発費用を大幅に増額する考えを表明し、来年の大統領選挙のあとも引き続き、北方四島をロシアの領土として積極的に開発していく姿勢を示したものとみられます。
これはロシア地域発展省のパノフ次官が、４日、ロシア極東のハバロフスクで発言したものです。この中で、パノフ次官は北方四島などのインフラ整備の予算として、２０１５年までに１０５億ルーブル（日本円で２４０億円余り）を追加拠出する考えを表明しました。ロシア政府は、２００７年から２０１５年までの８年間で北方四島などの港湾施設や空港、それに道路といったインフラを集中的に開発する事業を進めており、今回の追加拠出が実現すれば、開発予算の総額は７００億円を超えることになります。ロシアでは、来年３月の大統領選挙に向けてプーチン首相が立候補する考えを表明し、当選が確実との見方が広がっていて、今回のパノフ次官の発言は政権が変わってもロシア政府が引き続き、北方四島の開発に積極的に取り組んでいく姿勢を示したものとみられます。
(試譯文)
Inside the Russia government, the senior official of the ministry that was responsible for the local development of the four islands off Hokkaido had expressed the idea of increasing sharply the exploration expenditure up to 2015 for the four islands off Hokkaido etc; and would continue it after the presidential election next year, showing a positive posture regarding the development of four islands off Hokkaido as a territory of Russia.

This was what had been said on the 4th in Khabarovsk of Russian Far East by the Russia's Vice-Minister Panoff of the ministry responsible for area development. In this, Vice-Minister Panoff expressed the idea to assign an additional amount of 10,500 million rubles (it would be a little more than 24 billion yen in the Japanese yen) by 2015 as the budget for infrastructure construction, for example in the four islands off Hokkaido. The Russia government for eight years from 2007 to 2015 had been advancing the enterprise in the four island off Hokkaido etc. of developing harbor facilities and airports, and in it, the collective development of road and infrastructure linkage; if this additional provision was realized, the total amount of development budget would exceed 70 billion yen. In Russia, the expressed idea was that Prime Minister Putin would stand as a candidate for the presidential election in March next year; the view that believing in his success in the election was wide spread. The remarks by Vice-Minister Panoff this time was regarded as to show the posture that the Russia government would positively continue to tackle the development of the four islands off Hokkaido, even if there were changes in the political power.

Like it or not, Japan has to face the reality that Russia is controlling and developing the four islands.

台灣加強宣傳保釣意識

Recently the Mainich News reported the following:
台湾総統府直属の国家安全会議が６月、尖閣諸島（沖縄県）に対する台湾の領有権意識を高める教育・宣伝活動を強化するため、台湾の民間団体「中華保釣（尖閣防衛）協会」に補助金６０万台湾ドル（約１５０万円）の提供を承諾したことが分かった。中華保釣協会は尖閣諸島への上陸を目指して出航を繰り返し、昨年も日本の排他的経済水域に入るなど挑発行為を続けており、台湾当局に対する日本側の不信感が高まりそうだ。
　野党・民進党の立法委員（国会議員）が９月２６日に公表した国家安全会議の資料によると、補助金は「正確な」台湾と尖閣諸島の関係を宣伝するためのもの。中華保釣協会の「長期支援制度」を創設することも規定した。協会のほか、教育部（教育省）や大学などに計３１５万台湾ドル（約８００万円）を提供することも決めた。
　国家安全会議が承諾した時期は、尖閣諸島が沖縄県の一部とされた日米の沖縄返還協定調印から４０年の記念日（６月１７日）で、中華保釣協会などが活動を活発化させるとみられていた。
(試譯文)
It was understood that in June during a national security meeting which was directly under the control of the Taiwan Presidential Office, in order to strengthen campaigns that aimed at raising the sovereignty consciousness of the Taiwanese toward the Senkaku Islands (Okinawa Prefecture) , it had agreed to offer 600,000 Taiwan dollar (about 1,500,000 yen) as subsidy to a private enterprise the "Chinese Bao Diao (Defense Senkaku) Association" of Taiwan. The Chinese Bao Diao Association had repeatedly making trips aiming at landing on the Senkaku Islands, and also continued the provocative action such as going into the exclusive economic zone of Japan last year; the distrust of Japan towards the Taiwan authorities was likely to increase.

According to the data of the national security meeting which the legislative official (Diet member) of the opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party released on September 26, the subsidy was a means to promote the "correct" relationship of Taiwan towards the Senkaku Islands. The meeting also decided on setting up a "long-term support system" within the Chinese Bao Diao Association. It also decided to provide the Ministry of Education (Department of Education) and universities etc. a total of 3,150,000 Taiwan dollars (about 8 million yen).
The timing of this national security meeting during which the promise was made was the 40th years of memorial day (June 17) that Japan and the US signed the Agreement for the Return of Okinawa, with the Senkaku Islands as part of the Okinawa Prefecture; it was expected to activate the activities of Chinese Bao Diao Association etc.

It seems that the current Taiwan government is taking a more active stance over the Senkaku Islands disputes.

民進党蔡英文主席訪問日本

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

２０１２年１月の台湾総統選挙に野党・民進党候補として出馬する蔡英文主席が３日から３日間の日程で日本を訪問する。
　蔡氏は訪日を前に台北市内の党本部で日本メディアと会見し、「国際社会の枠組み」を重視しつつ、「中国との交流を図りたい」との考えを強調した。その上で、「日米安保がその枠組みの一つ」と述べ、日米との関係強化を重視する立場を示した。
　蔡氏は日本滞在中、国会議員らと面会するほか、記者会見も行う。今回の訪日には、馬英九総統の対中融和策が国際的評価を受ける中、対中交流に積極的な姿勢を内外にアピールするとともに、安定した対日関係を構築し、親日感情の強い本省人（台湾出身者）の支持を固める狙いがある。
　会見で蔡氏は、日本の尖閣諸島に対して中台が領有権を主張していることについて、「平和的かつ理性的な手段で処理する。最も重要なのは、台湾と日本の意思疎通と相互信頼だ」と語った。これは、馬政権が０８年、尖閣諸島を目指した台湾の抗議船に巡視船を同行させ、日台関係がギクシャクしたことを意識したものだ。蔡氏は、尖閣の領有権主張で「中国とは連携しない」と明言した。
(試譯文)
Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Cai Yingwen who would run for the Taiwan presidential election in January 2012, as the opposition party candidate visited Japan for three days starting from the 3rd.
In the party headquarerts in Taipei, Cai had an interview with Japanese media before visiting Japan, and she emphasized the thought of "wishing to aim at exchanging with China" while at the same time regarded "the international society networks" as important. Furthermore it was said that "Japan-U.S. security is one of the networks", and showed the viewpoint of thinking that to strengthen ties with Japan was important.
During her stay in Japan, Cai would meet with Diet members, and would also hold a press conference. While President Ma Ying-jeou's reconciliation policy was receiving international evaluation, in this visit, on top of appealing to insiders and people abroad for a positive posture of exchanging with China, there was the aim to build a stable relationship with Japan, and to harden the support of the native Chinese of Taiwan (Taiwan native people) who all along had a strong pro-Japanese feeling.
At the interview, regarding Japan's Senkau Island which both China and Taiwan had asserted sovereignty, Cai said "would process it by peaceful and reasonable means. The communication and mutual trust between Taiwan and Japan are the most important."
Accompanying the patrol vessel sent by the Ma administration in 2008 that expressed Taiwan's protest aiming at the Senkaku Islands, she noted the souring relationship with Japan. Cai declared that she "would not cooperate with China" on matters regarding the territorial claim over Senkaku.

Cai is building up her international image through this trip to Japan.