2012年3月31日 星期六

四十年前蘇聯核爆輻射持續污染環境

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:
ロシアの有力紙イズベスチヤは14日、1971年に地下核爆破が実施された同国中部イワノボ州で、今日もなお放射性物質セシウム137の汚染が深刻であることが判明したと報じた。
 汚染の実態は国営原子力企業ロスアトムが2011年、同州で大規模調査を行った結果、分かった。場所によっては土壌1キロ・グラム当たり、最悪で10万ベクレルのセシウム137が検出されたという。この値は日本でコメの作付け制限が発動される基準値(昨年時点)の20倍という高いものだ。同社は除染に乗り出すことを決めた。
 汚染地域はモスクワの北東約340キロ・メートル。当時、ソ連では資源探査や大規模な土木工事で、破壊力が大きい核爆弾を使用した。軍事的な核実験とは区別し、「平和的核爆発」と呼ばれた。
 イワノボ州の核爆破は「地質調査のため」で、地下約620メートルで実施された。だが、爆破の後、放射性物質を含む地下水が間欠泉のように噴き出し、地表を汚染した。その面積は「1ヘクタール未満」とされ、表土は除去されていた。
 その40年後の調査で汚染が確認された地域は住民の生活圏にも近く、最も近い村までは4キロ・メートルしか離れていない。
(2012年3月15日16時18分 読売新聞)

(試譯文)
   The influential newspaper Izvestiya in Russia reported on the 14th that in the Ivanove state which was at the centre of the country where underground blasting was carried out in 1971, it became clear today that contamination by radioactive material cesium 137 was serious.
 
   The actual condition of contamination was found as a result of the large-scale investigation in the state conducted in 2011 by the national atomic power company "Loss Atom". Cesium 137 per 1 kg of soil at different location was detected, and it was said that the worst location was with 100,000-Bq cesium 137. This value was 20 times higher than the standard value (the time was last year) restrictions set for rice production advocated in Japan. The company decided to carry out decontamination.
 
   The contaminated zone was the about 340-km northeast of Moscow. In those days the Soviet Union used the large nuclear bomb destructive power for resource investigation or large-scale public works. Making distinction from the military nuclear test, it was called "peaceful nuclear explosion."

   Nuclear blasting was carried out in the State of Ivanovo "for a geological survey" at about 620 meters below the ground. But after blasting, groundwater containing radioactive material blew out like a geyser and polluted the top soil. This area was "less than 1 ha", and the topsoil was removed.

   The investigation conducted after 40 years showed that the area that had confirmed contamination was near the a neighborhood with residents living; the separation with the nearest village was merely 4 km.

It is a costly project to remove cesium 137 from the contaminated area.

2012年3月28日 星期三

中國商標註冊可以用日本地方名字

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:
枝野経済産業相は13日の参院予算委員会で、日本の農産物名や地名が中国などで商標登録申請されている問題に関連し、「大変ゆゆしき事態だ。こんなものがまかり通っているとすれば、国家としてのプライドの問題ではないか。『プライドがないのか』と言いたい」と中国側を強く批判した。
 枝野氏はまた、中国政府に商標登録に関する制度と運用の改善を働きかけていることを明らかにしたうえで、「若干ではあるが、(中国側の)姿勢は変わりつつあるので引き続き厳格な運用を求めたい」と語った。
(2012年3月13日18時35分 読売新聞)
(試譯文)
On the 13th in Upper House Budget Committee, Edano the Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry strongly criticized the China side with regard to the problem that China allowed trademark registration applications using Japanese agricultural-products names and place names, said that "it is a very grave situation; if it is allowed to go through, is it not a problem of the pride of the state. And want to say that 'it's a problem of the pride'".
Mr. Edano also noted that as there were indications that the Chinese government had worked towards improving the system and its usage over trademark registration, had said that "although only in part, the posture (of China side) is changing, wants to ask for continuous strict usage."

It is interesting to know that in China it is possible to register trademarks using Japanese proper names.

2012年3月25日 星期日

美國本田車廠廣告訴訟得到和解

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:
ホンダのハイブリッド車(HV)を購入した米国の消費者が、燃費が広告などで示されていたよりも悪かったなどと主張し、同社に損害賠償を求めていた集団訴訟の和解協議が16日、カリフォルニア州サンディエゴの地方裁判所であった。
 ホンダ側が1人当たり最高200ドル(約1万6700円)を支払うことなどで、和解が成立した。
 対象者は約20万人で、2003年~09年モデルの「シビック」のHV所有者。担当判事は和解額を約1億7000万ドル(約142億円)になると見積もっているが、今後の状況に応じて増減する見通し。
 AP通信などによると、対象者は車の年式に応じて100ドルから200ドルの和解金が支払われるのに加え、将来、ホンダの新車を購入する場合、最高1500ドルの値引きを受ける権利も得られる。
 ホンダは16日、「裁判所による和解の承認に満足している」などとする声明を出した。
 ホンダのHVを巡っては、この集団訴訟に加わらなかった米国の購入者による同様の少額訴訟で先月、原告側が勝訴し、裁判所がホンダに9867ドルの賠償を命じている。
(2012年3月17日19時41分 読売新聞)
(試譯文)
Reconciliation deliberation was handed down by the District court of San Diego, California on the 16th regarding the group action by the consumers of the U.S. who had purchased the hybrid car (HV) of Honda; they claimed that car's fuel consumption was worse than had been shown in the advertisement etc., and were asking the company for reparations.
Reconciliation was achieved because the Honda side paid a maximum of 200 dollars per person (about 16,700 yen).
There were about 200,000 candidates and they were HV owners of "Civic" 2003-20 09 model.
The judge in charge estimated the amount of reconciliation was about 170 million dollars (about 14,200 million yen), but it was expected to adjust according to the future situation.
According to the Associated Press etc. when the candidate in future would buy a new car of Honda, in addition to the settlement package of 100 to 200 dollars paid according to the model of the car involved, he had the right to receive a maximum of 1500-dollar discount also.
Honda on the 16th issued a statement saying that "it is satisfied with the court's recognition of the reconciliation".
Regarding the HV of Honda, last month there was a similar small claims lawsuit by US buyers who did not join the group action; the plaintiff side won the case and the court had ordered Honda to pay compensation of 9,867 dollars.


Companies should know that exaggeration in the advertisement could bring trouble.

2012年3月22日 星期四

中日關係民意調查讀賣新聞有結果

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:
中国では東日本大震災後、中国人研修生20人を避難させ、自身は亡くなった宮城県女川町の水産加工会社専務、佐藤充さん(当時55歳)が「英雄」として報じられたことなどで、日本に対する好感度が高まった。
 読売新聞が中国誌「瞭望東方週刊」と昨年10月に行った日中共同世論調査では、中国側で日本を「信頼できる」と回答した人が55%に達し、2010年の15%から大幅に改善された。
 だが、日本人で中国を「信頼できる」と回答した人は11%にとどまり、「信頼できない」は実に79%に達した。中国国際問題研究所の姜躍春教授は「日中間には歴史認識や領土問題などの解きほぐし難いわだかまりがある。一つの事件で一気に改善できるものではない」と指摘する。
(試譯文)
In China, the company executive director of a fish processing company in Onagawa city, Miyagi prefecture Mr. Mitsuru Sato (55 years old of that time) was reported as a "hero" etc. for the reason that he had evacuated the 20 Chinese trainees while he himself was killed during the East Japan great earthquake; the degree of favorable impression toward Japan had increased.
In the Sino-Japanese joint opinion poll done by Yomiuri Shimbun together with "The East Looking weekly" in China in October last year, on the China side the people who answered that Japan "was reliable" had reached 55%; this had been a sharp improvement from 15% conducted in 2010.
But, the Japanese people who answered China "was reliable" were only 11%, and that "it is not reliable" reached to 79%. Professor Jiang Yuechun of the China Institute of International Affairs pointed out that "because of obstacles, vexations over the understanding of history and over the territorial problems cannot be unravel easily among Japan and China. Just one incident cannot totally improve the situation".

It takes a long time to change one's impression on a country.

2012年3月20日 星期二

日消費團體發現不銹鋼產品也會生銹

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:
ステンレス製の台所の流しについて、国民生活センターは、手入れを怠るとさびる製品もあるとして、消費者に注意を呼びかけています。
国民生活センターは、消費者から「ステンレス製の流しがさびた」という相談が、この6年間に全国で123件寄せられたことから、主なメーカー4社の製品を対象に4週間、一定の間隔で水とみそ汁程度の濃さの食塩水をかける商品テストを行いました。
その結果、水では変化がありませんでしたが、食塩水では4社中3社の製品でさびができたということです。
国民生活センターは消費者に対して、ステンレス製の流しを使う際は、塩分を含む汚れなどを長期間放置しないよう注意を呼びかけています。
また、製品に含まれる「クロム」や「ニッケル」などの金属の量によっても、さび方に違いが出たことから、ステンレスの種類を確認することが選ぶ際の判断材料の1つになるとしています。
国民生活センターの松本浩司さんは、「さびにくいステンレスも、使い方しだいではさびることがあるので、手入れを怠らないでほしい」と話しています。
また、業界団体のキッチン・ガス工業会は、「手入れの重要性について、これまで以上に周知するとともに、ステンレスの種類について情報提供するかどうか今後検討したい」としています。
(試譯文)
Regarding the kitchen sink made from stainless steel, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan was appealing to consumers for caution after noting that there were products which would rust if care was neglected.
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, in relation to the discussion with customers about "the sink made from stainless steel rusted", had brought into focus 123 items in six years in the whole country to do test on the products of four main makers in which water and the salt solution at the concentration of about the miso soup were poured in at fixed intervals for four weeks.
Although there was no change in water, it was said that in salt solution rust popped up in the product of the three companies out of the 4 companies.
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan appealed to consumers that when using the sink made from stainless steel, be cautious not to neglect the salt containing dirt in letting it stay for a long period of time.
Moreover, the rust that came out would differ having regard to the quantity of the metal, such as "chromium", "nickel", etc. which was contained in a product; it was supposed that at the time of making a choice, the kind of stainless material would be one factor to consider when doing the judgment .
Mr. Koji Matsumoto of the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan was saying that "Since the stainless steel which does not rust easily may also rust depending on the usage, I want that there was no neglect in using it with care."
Moreover, the related trade organization the Kitchen Guth Industry Association said that "About the importance of using care, from now on the above is well-known; in future I would like to examine whether information dissemination would be carried out regarding the different kinds of stainless metal."

So it is the salt in the dirt that affects the chromium and nickel content inside the stainless metal.

2012年3月17日 星期六

廣島監獄職員因為中國人逃獄受重罰

Late last month the NHK News on-line reported the following:
広島刑務所での中国人受刑者の脱走事件について、法務省は29日、検証結果の最終報告をまとめ、この中では、受刑者がことばを理解できないことなどから処遇に不満を持ち、脱走のきっかけになったことを明らかにしたうえで、今後、通訳などの体制の充実を図る方針を示しました。
広島刑務所で、先月、中国人の受刑者が脱走した事件を受けて、法務省は刑務所の対応や原因の究明などを進め、先月下旬には、警察への事件の通報の遅れなど初動体制の問題点を指摘した中間報告を公表しました。
法務省では、その後も脱走した受刑者からも事情を聞くなど、引き続き検証を進めて最終報告をまとめ、29日、小川法務大臣が記者会見して公表しました。
この中では、受刑者が脱走した動機について、「刑務所で使う教材の日本語が十分に理解できないなど、処遇に不満を抱くなかで、妻の両親が体調を崩したことを手紙で知り、脱走を決意したと考えられる」としています。
そのうえで、刑務所で外国人受刑者との意思疎通を図ることが重要だとして、今後、通訳や翻訳の体制の充実を図ることなどを盛り込みました。
一方、小川法務大臣は、嶋田博前広島刑務所長など当時、事件の対応に当たった職員合わせて12人を減給に、また1人を訓告にすることも発表しました。
これを受けて嶋田前所長は29日、法務省に対し辞職願を提出し受理されました。
(試譯文)
About the incident that a Chinese convict had escaped from the Hiroshima prison, on the 29th the Ministry of Justice compiled the final report with verified evidence; it was because the convict could not understand the language, there was dissatisfaction over the treatment, a chance of escape opened up; the report showed that the policy from now on would be to work on a plan which aimed at reinforcing a system that included interpreters etc.
In response to the incident in the Hiroshima prison that a Chinese convict had escaped last month, the Ministry of Justice started to investigate the cause and the response of the prison etc., and towards the end of last month an interim report was released which pointed out problems in initiating of the system, such as delay in reporting the incident to the police.
The Ministry of Justice inquired about the matter after noting the escape of a convict and proceeded with the verification of evidence, and a final report was compiled; on the 29th Justice Minister Ogawa officially announced it at a press conference.
In it, about the motive of the convict to escape, the report supposed that "the Japanese used in teaching materials in the prison could not be fully understood etc, there was dissatisfaction towards the treatment, and from a letter the convict knew that the health condition of his wife's parent was bad, he considered to opt for an escape ".
Moreover, noting that it was important to look at communication with foreign convicts in the prison, from now on it would incorporate a plan to enhance a system that had interpreters and translation etc.
On the other hand, Justice Minister Ogawa also announced making salary cuts on 12 personnel in total who were in charge of responding to the incident on that day, such as the Hiroshi Shimada the former director of the Hiroshima prison, and giving warning to one person.
In response, former Director Shimada submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Justice on the 29th, and it was accepted.

I do not expect that the penalty is handed down to so many staff working in the Hiroshima prison and that the penalty is so stiff.

2012年3月14日 星期三

少於20%海外技能實習生重返日本

Late last month the NHK News on-line reported the following:
東日本大震災で大きな被害を受けた岩手、宮城、福島の3県で働く海外からの技能実習生は、震災から1年近くたった今も、震災前の半数以下にとどまっていることが分かりました。
これは、技能実習制度を進めている国際研修協力機構が、先月、東北地方や茨城、千葉の8つの県にあるおよそ3000社を対象に行った調査で、明らかになったものです。
それによりますと、このうち岩手、宮城、福島の3県の実習生の数は合わせて2005人と、震災前の48.9%に減少しています。
震災前に比べて、実習生が最も減ったのが宮城県で、震災前の27.0%の人数にとどまっているほか、福島県は55.9%、岩手県は61.8%となっています。
これは、震災後に帰国した実習生のうち、日本に戻った人数が20%にも満たないためで、沿岸の水産加工会社などの復旧が遅れ、実習生が戻れないことも背景にあるとみられます。
一方、国籍別に見ますと、中国人の実習生は大幅に減っていますが、ベトナムやフィリピンからの実習生は増えている県もあり、被災地の企業からは「ベトナム語の教科書を送ってほしい」といった相談も寄せられているということです。
国際研修協力機構の佐田通明専務理事は「中国だけでなく、ほかの国からの実習生を増やし、多様化を図らざるをえない」と話しています。
(試譯文)
Technical skill trainees who had returned from overseas to work again in the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima that had suffered from the serious damage due to the East Japan great earthquake remained below half of what was before the earthquake disaster at this moment of just about one year after the earthquake disaster.
This was made clear by the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization which was promoting the technical skill training system. Last month they had conducted an investigation in about 3000 companies located in the Tohoku district and in the eight prefectures such as Ibaraki and Chiba.
According to it, the number of the trainees in the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima had decreased to 2005 people in total, or 48.9% of what had been before the earthquake disaster.
Compared with before the earthquake disaster, it was Miyagi Prefecture that the number of trainees had decreased most, it stood at 27.0% of figure before the earthquake disaster; also Fukushima Prefecture was 55.9% and Iwate Prefecture was 61.8%.
Among the trainees who went back after the earthquake disaster the number that returned to Japan did not reach 20%; because of that, the recovery work of the coastal fish processing companies etc. was overdue, and it was expected that trainees' failure to return could serve as the background.
If to see it according to nationality, the number of Chinese trainees had decreased sharply; but on the other hand, there were prefectures that had an increase in number of trainee from Vietnam and the Philippines, and discussion about "wish that you could send in Vietnamese textbooks" was noted in the companies in the stricken area.
Japan International Training Cooperation Organization Representative Director Michiaki Sata was saying that "Not only from China, the trainees from other countries must also be increased, else diversification cannot be attained."

It will be a long way for Japan to totally recover from the 3.11 disaster.

2012年3月11日 星期日

中國籍研究員偽做研究資料

Late last month the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:
東工大は24日、次世代の燃料電池を開発する産学連携プロジェクトで、一部データが捏造(ねつぞう)されていたと発表した。

 燃料電池の発電性能などを調べていた中国籍の男性研究員が、実際より高性能に見せかけていた。本人も事実関係を認めており、同大は虚偽データを含む論文3本、特許2件を取り下げることを決めた。
 同大は、新エネルギー・産業技術総合開発機構(NEDO)の委託を受けてプロジェクトを主導。2008年から4年間で計8億6000万円を受け取り、燃料電池用の新触媒を開発していた。その触媒を使った電池の性能を調べる際、呉礼斌研究員(35)がデータを捏造していた。昨年9月、参加企業の指摘で判明した。
(試譯文)
On the 24th the Tokyo Institute of Technology announced that some data were found fabricated in the industry-university cooperation project which developed the next-generation fuel cell.
A male Chinese researcher who was researching the power generation performance of the fuel cell, etc. had made data to show a higher than actual efficiency. As this person had personally admitted to have connection with the matter, the same university decided to withdraw three papers containing fraudulent data and two patents.
The same university led this project in response to the commission from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). A total of 860 million yen was received in four years since 2008 for the development of a new catalyst for fuel cells.
When investigating the performance of the battery using the catalyst, Wu Libin the researcher (35) fabricated the data. It was known that a participating company pointed this out in September last year.


This news shocks me. I am interested to know the motive of this researcher.

2012年3月9日 星期五

日本老師拒絕唱君之代被罰

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:
大阪府教育委員会は、府立高校の卒業式で君が代を起立・斉唱せず、条例に基づく職務命令に違反したとして、17人の教諭を戒告の懲戒処分にしました。
大阪府では、府内の公立学校の教職員に卒業式などの式典で君が代の起立・斉唱を義務づける条例が去年6月に施行され、府の教育委員会は、ことし1月、条例の施行後初めてとなる卒業式に向けて、府立学校の教職員全員に起立・斉唱を指示する職務命令を出しました。
こうしたなか、府の教育委員会によりますと、先月行われた府立高校の卒業式では、合わせて17人の教諭が起立しなかったということで、この17人について9日付で戒告の懲戒処分としました。
起立しなかった理由について教諭らは、「思想信条に関わる問題だ」とか「理由は話したくない」と述べたほか、教育委員会の事情聴取を拒否した教諭もいたということです。
今月に入ってからの卒業式でも、これまでに12人が起立しなかったということで、府の教育委員会では、こうした教諭や、今後行われる府立学校の卒業式で起立しない教職員についても厳正に対処するということです。
大阪府教育委員会教職員人事課の中野伸一課長は、「生徒を送り出す厳粛な日にこのようなことになり、大変残念だ」としています。
府立学校の卒業式は今月16日まで行われます。
(試譯文)
17 teachers were given punishment in the form of disciplinary warning by the Osaka board of education for breaking the job instruction that was given out based on an ordinance in that they did not stand up and sing Kimigayo together at the graduation ceremony of a prefecture high school.
In Osaka prefecture the ordinance that was enforced in June last year had imposed on school staff the duty to stand up and sing Kimigayo together in public schools during ceremonies, such as a graduation ceremony; the board of education of the prefecture in January this year took out this job instruction to all school staff which directed them to stand up and sing together at the prefecture schools during the graduation ceremony. It was the first time since the ordinance was in force.
According to the board of education of the prefecture, at the graduation ceremony of the prefecture high school last month, in total 17 teachers did not stand up, and on the 9th it considered giving out punishment of disciplinary caution towards these 17 people.
Some teachers described that "it is a problem that has a connection with the principle of belief", or "does not want to talk about a reason"; also some teachers refused the investigation of the board of education.
In the graduation ceremonies this month so far 12 people had not stood up; the board of education of the prefecture said that regarding these people, and also those school staff who did not stand up at the graduation ceremony in the prefecture school held from now on would be dealt with seriously.
Section Chief Shin-ichi Nakano of the Osaka board-of-education school staff personnel division supposed that "I am very sorry as it is such a solemn day to see the students off."
All graduation ceremonies in prefecture schools would be organized up to the 16th of this month.

It is interesting to note that teachers in Osaka are fighting back regarding this new instruction.

2012年3月7日 星期三

由中國進口白胡椒有微量毒性

Last month the NHK News reported the following:
中国から輸入された香辛料の「ホワイトペッパー」から微量の発がん性物質が検出され、厚生労働省は、流通を止めるとともに、輸入業者に対して今後、安全性を確認する検査を義務づける命令を出しました。
厚生労働省によりますと、今月7日、東京・江東区の東京検疫所で輸入食品の抜き打ち検査を行ったところ、中国の山東省の会社が製造したホワイトペッパーから、発がん性物質の「アフラトキシン」が1キロ当たり11マイクログラム検出されました。
アフラトキシンは毒性のあるカビの一種で、おう吐や下痢などの急性中毒を引き起こすこともあるということですが、厚生労働省によりますと、今回、検出された量は微量で、健康に直ちに影響が出ることはないということです。
厚生労働省は、食品衛生法に基づき、今回輸入され倉庫に保管されているホワイトペッパー210キロについては流通を止めるとともに、今後、中国産のホワイトペッパーを輸入する業者に対して安全性を確認する検査を義務づける命令を出しました。
中国産のホワイトペッパーは、昨年度以降、合わせて1トン余り輸入されていますが、これまでのところ健康被害の報告はないということです。
(試譯文)
Because a small amount of carcinogen was detected in the "white pepper" spices imported from China, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had stopped its circulation, at the same time had issued the instruction that imposed a duty of inspection on the importing trader to ensure safety in future.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, when they conducted surprise inspection on food imported at the Tokyo quarantine station of Koto-district of Tokyo on the 7th of this month, 11 micrograms of carcinogen "aflatoxin" in per km were detected from the white pepper which was produced by a company in Shandong of China.
Aflatoxin was a kind of toxic mold that might cause acute intoxication such as vomiting and diarrhea; according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare because the detected quantity was small it would not have direct impact on health this time.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued the instruction which would from now on, in order to ensure safety, imposed a duty of inspection on the contractor who imported the Chinese white pepper; meanwhile based on the Food Sanitation Law had stopped the circulation about 210 km of white pepper imported this time and kept them in the warehouse.
Although in total a little more than 1 ton of Chinese white pepper had been imported since last fiscal year, up to now no reports on health impairment had been heard of.

It seems that the Japanese are very serious about food safety.

2012年3月5日 星期一

去年中日貿易赤字增加六倍

Last month the NHK News on-line reported the following:
去年1年間の日本と中国の間の貿易収支は、東日本大震災や歴史的な円高の影響で、自動車や食料品などの中国向けの輸出が落ち込む一方、中国からはスマートフォンなどの輸入が急増し、中国に対する貿易赤字は、前の年のおよそ6倍に拡大しました。
ジェトロ=日本貿易振興機構のまとめによりますと、去年1年間の日本から中国への輸出額は1614億ドルと、前の年より8.3%増加しました。しかし、震災や歴史的な円高の影響で、自動車や食料品それに半導体の輸出が落ち込むなどしたため、伸び率は、前の年が36%の伸びだったのに比べて大幅に縮小しました。
一方、中国からの輸入額は、急速に普及しているスマートフォンの輸入が増えたことや、震災以降、乾電池や扇風機といった停電や節電に備えた製品の輸入が急増したことなどから1834億ドルと、20%増えました。
この結果、輸出から輸入を差し引いた中国との貿易収支は、219億ドルの赤字となり、赤字額は前の年の5.9倍となりました。
ことしの見通しについてジェトロでは、「中国経済の減速で輸出は伸び悩む一方、日本企業が中国での生産を拡大し、いわば逆輸入する形が増えており輸入は大幅な増加が続くとみられる。貿易赤字はさらに拡大する可能性が高い」と話しています。
(試譯文)
The trade balance between Japan and China for whole year of last year was affected by the East Japan great earthquake and the historical strong yen; while cars and food exported to China fell, the import of smart phones etc from China had increased rapidly, and it increased the trade deficit with China by about 6 times compared with last year.
According to the conclusion of JETRO, the organization that aimed at improving Japanese trading, last year the export value from Japan to China had increased by 8.3% to 161,400 million dollars. However, the export of cars, food, and also the semiconductors fell due to the influence of the earthquake disaster and the historical strong yen, and thus reduced the pace of expansion sharply compared with the previous year of a 36% growth.
On the other hand, regarding importing amount, after the earthquake, the import of the popular smart phones had increased; the import of products used for power failures standing by and for power saving purposes, such as dry cells and electric fans increased rapidly, the amount of import from China went up by 20% to reach 183,400 million dollars.
As a result, the trade balance with China, which deducted import from export, went into the red of 21,900 million dollars, and the amount of deficit became 5.9 times more than the previous year.
According to JETRO, about the prospect of this year, it was being said that "while on the one hand the Chinese economy would slowdown and export could be sluggish, yet Japanese companies in China could expand production, it is a form re-imported so to speak, and there is a possibility of an increased import. Also there is a high possibility that the trade deficit would expand further."

It is interesting to note that Japan, as a country that is good at producing electronic goods, has to increase the import of smart phones from China.

2012年3月3日 星期六

日本大學生數學和理論思考能力退步

Last month the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:
数学の基礎学力や論理的思考力が十分身についておらず、24%の大学生が、小学6年で習う「平均」の考え方を尋ねる問題が分からなかったことが24日、日本数学会が実施した「大学生数学基本調査」で分かった。
 大学生を対象にした同学会の大規模な調査は初という。平均の問題は理工系の学生も18%が間違えるなど学力不足の現状が浮かんだ。
 同学会理事長の宮岡洋一東大教授は「『ゆとり教育』と学力試験を課さない推薦入試の増加が学力低下に拍車を掛けた」とみている。
(試譯文)
On the 24th it was understood from the "college student mathematics data survey" carried out by the Mathematical Society of Japan that the mathematical basic scholarship or logical thinking ability were not enough; and that 24% of college students did not understand questions that required the concept of "average" to answer, a concept learned in the six-year elementary school.
It was said that this was the first large-scale investigation of the society on college students. Regarding the "questions on average", 18% of the students from the science-and-engineering system had made mistakes, reflecting the current situation that student's academic ability was insufficient.
Professor Yoichi Miyaoka of the University of Tokyo as the chairman of the board of directors of the same society concluded that "'pressure-free-education' together with an increase in the admission based on recommendation which does not impose ability test have accelerated the decline in academic achievement."

Perhaps it is time for Japan to review their "pressure-free-education" system.

2012年3月1日 星期四

東京地下鐵為地震作準備

Last month the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:
東京地下鉄(東京メトロ)は、災害時の帰宅困難者向けに計10万人分に上る飲料水や毛布を、自社で管理する全170駅のほぼすべてに配備した。
 東日本大震災の発生直後に首都圏の駅が多くの帰宅困難者であふれたことを受け、首都直下地震への備えを強化するのが目的だ。災害時は改札前までの駅スペースを開放して帰宅困難者を受け入れる。
 東京メトロは今後、ほぼ全駅に救急用品も用意する。駅スペースの開放については、東日本大震災の際は駅ごとに対応を判断したが、新たに駅対応マニュアルを策定し、全駅が統一的に対応できるようにする。
 災害時は一般電話がつながりにくくなるため、専用回線で運転再開のタイミングを合わせるなどの連携を図り、接続する駅で乗客があふれるなどの混乱を避ける。
(試譯文)
As far as all the 170 stations managed by the Tokyo subway (Tokyo Metro) were concerned, nearly all were ready to manage drinking water and blankets for up to a total of 100,000 people who could be unable to return home from the company at the time of a disaster.
It was done for the purpose of strengthening the preparation to an earthquake beneath the metropolitan area after noting that the stations of the metropolitan area were overflowed with victims who were unable to return home immediately after the occurrence of the East Japan great earthquake. The station space before the ticket gates would be opened up at the time of a disaster so as to admit victims who were unable to return home.
Tokyo Metro was basically having first aid outfits ready at all the stations from now on. The case of the East Japan great earthquake would be used in judging the response that should be taken by stations regarding the opening up of the station space; manual for new stations would be decided upon, and the aim was that all the stations could respond systematically.
Because at the time of a disaster the general telephone could become difficult to connect, for the purpose of co-ordination, a line would be dedicated to unite the timing of resuming operation, so as to avoid confusion caused by passengers overflowing at the connecting stations.

It is nice to note that Tokyo Metro has learned from the 3.11 earthquake and has made preparations for a major disaster that may occur.