太宰治高校時代筆記和日記公開

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

優等生・太宰、高校時代のノートに意外な落書き

「人間失格」「斜陽」などで知られる作家、太宰治（１９０９～４８年）の旧制中学・高校時代のノートや日記など、２２点の資料が東京都目黒区の日本近代文学館に寄贈され、同館が１０日公表した。

　ノート類の存在は研究者には知られ、一部公開されたこともあるが、安藤宏・東大教授（日本近代文学）は「作家になる以前の太宰が何を考えていたか、まとまって分かる貴重な資料」としている。

　資料は太宰と交流のあった横山武夫・元青森県副知事の遺族が保管していた。

　ノートは全部で１０冊。中学時代の太宰（本名・津島修治）は優等生で、数学の問題を真面目に解く一方、「津島君は実に美男なり」と書かれた文字を線で消した跡もある。

　昭和２年（２７年）４月、１７歳で旧制弘前高に進学。１年生の時とみられる「地鉱」の科目名を書いたノートも、当初は「地球起原」「太陽系起原」と項目が打たれ、授業内容を丁寧に記していた。

　だが、１０ページあたりから似顔絵などの落書きが増え、２０ページ過ぎには「芥川龍之介」の文字を無数に書いた箇所もあった。ノートの後半には芥川の似顔絵や、太宰が高校時代に作った同人誌「細胞文芸」の目次案を書くなど、授業中も文学のことを考え、傾倒してゆく様子が分かる。

（2013年5月10日23時11分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

Twenty two items belonged to writer Dazaiosamu (1909 - 48), who was known for "No Longer Human" and "A Declining Sun" etc, including a diary and  notes written during the high school days at a old-system junior high school, were presented to the Museum of Modern Japanese Literature in Meguro-ku, Tokyo; the museum announced this officially on the 10th.

Although the existence of these notes might have been known to some researchers and a part of them might be exhibited before, the professor of the University of Tokyo (Japanese modern literature), Hiroshi Ando, supposed that "collectively these precious details could make known what Dazai was thinking before he became a writer".

The bereaved family of Takeo Yokoyama, the former Aomori vice-governor who had communication with Dazai was keeping these items.

The notes had ten volumes in total. Dazai (the real name Shuji Tsushima) in his junior high school days was an honored student. While he had tried to solve the mathematical problem seriously, there was also erasing marks of using lines to cover the written words "Mr. Tsushima is very handsome".

He went to the old system Hirosaki High School at the age of 17 in April, Showa 2nd year  (1927). The notes, believed to be at the time of a first grader, were written with the subject name "Ground Mineral” while earlier names written such as "Earth Origin" and "Solar System Origin" were struck out. The course contents were described carefully.

But graffiti such as portraits increased from around page 10, and there were also some places written with many times the words "Ryunosuke Akutagawa" after page 20. In the second half of the notes, Akutagawa's portrait was drawn and a table-of-contents proposal for the Doujinshi "Cell Literature" was written, the latter was available during Dazai’s high school days. He thought about literature even during classes, his admiration for it could be understood.

These are interesting high school records of Dazai.

山本五十六攻撃珍珠港之前曾寫信給長岡藩主

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

　新潟県長岡市出身で、旧海軍連合艦隊司令長官の山本五十六（１８８４～１９４３年）が、真珠湾攻撃の直前、親交のあった長岡藩主牧野家の当主に宛てて出したとみられる手紙の封筒が発見された。

　神奈川県逗子市在住の第１７代当主、牧野忠昌さん（７１）が６日、長岡市のアオーレ長岡で行った「五十六まつり」の講演会で明らかにした。来年同市に開館する「長岡藩主牧野家史料館（仮称）」での公開を検討している。

　牧野さんによると、見つかったのは、当時東京・渋谷にいた父・忠永さん宛てに、五十六が郵送した名刺サイズの封筒。宛先と名前が毛筆で記され、「１６・１２・８」（昭和１６年１２月８日）の「后０―４（正午から午後４時）」と消印が押されている。裏には「山本五十六」の名前とともに、差出人住所の位置に、五十六が真珠湾攻撃を指揮した時の旗艦「長門」の文字が書かれていた。

　牧野さんが４月、史料館開設や今回の講演会に向けて、代々引き継がれてきた家の資料を調べていて発見した。「真珠湾攻撃の日付と旗艦から送られてきた封筒であることに大変驚いた」という。

　封筒の中身は見つかっていないが、当時の郵便事情からみて手紙をしたためたのは開戦前とみられる。牧野さんは「父は毎日のように日記をつけていた。手紙は日記などとともに別の場所に保管された可能性がある」といい、引き続き中身を探す意向を示している。

　講演会は、長岡市の河井継之助記念館の稲川明雄館長との対談形式で行われ、牧野さんは忠永さんが五十六と親しくしていたことを紹介。「五十六元帥はまず平和を考え、国民の生活を考えていた。牧野家も領民を大切にしなければならないという思いを持っていた」と語り、長岡藩の伝統が五十六の思いとつながっていることを強調した。

（2013年5月9日21時33分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

It was in Nagaoka city of Niigata that the envelope and letter regarded as written by Isoroku Yamamoto (1884-1943) was discovered, he was the commander in chief of the old navy combined fleet; just before the Pearl Harbor attack it was addressed and sent to the intimate family head of a Nagaoka local lord, the Makino family.

Mr. Tadamasa Makino (71) the 17th generation family head that was living in Zushi city of Kanagawa clarified this on the 6th at the lecture meeting for the "Isoroku Festival" held in Aore Nagaoka in Nagaoka. Discussion was held regarding making public "The Nagaoka Local Lord Makino Family Archives (tentative name)", to be opened in the city next year.

     According to Mr. Makino, what was found was a card size envelope which Isoroku mailed to his father and addressed him as Tadanaga who was staying in Shibuya of Tokyo in those days. The address and name were written with a brush and "afternoon 0 - 4 (4:00 p.m. after noon)" and postmark of "16.12.8" (December 8, Showa 16) were printed. At the rerse side, there were the sender's  position and address and the name of "Isoroku Yamamoto"  was written. Also written were the words "Nagato", it was the Isoroku’s flagship when commanding the Pearl Harbor attack.

Mr. Makino in April discovered them when he investigated the data material of the family, which was succeeded from generation to generation, in preparation for the archives establishment and the lecture meeting. It was said that "It is very much a surprise that it is an envelope sent out on the date when the Pearl Harbor attack occurred and from the flagship".

Although the content of the envelope was not found, in view of a mail situation of those days, it was regarded as having written before the outbreak-of-war. Mr. Makino said "my father kept the diary almost every day. There was a possibility that the letter may have been kept somewhere else together with the diary etc."; and he showed the intention of continuing to search for the contents.  

The lecture meeting was held in the form of a talk with Akio Inagawa the superintendent of the Kawai Tsugunosuke Memorial Hall in Nagaoka; Mr. Makino introduced Tadanaga who had become intimate with Isoroku. It was said that "Isoroku marshal considered peace first and also considered people's life. Makino family must also cherish the people under its dominion", and emphasized that the tradition of the Nagaoka dominion was connected with the thought of Isoroku.

It is an interesting story. I hope they can find the letter eventually.

印度日本首腦会談

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

新幹線技術の導入確認…麻生氏とインド首相会談

【グレーターノイダ（ニューデリー郊外）＝河野越男】麻生副総理・財務相は４日、訪問先のニューデリー郊外のグレーターノイダでシン首相と会談した。

　インドでの日本の新幹線技術の導入や、レアアース開発での協力を進めることを確認した。日印が原子力発電に関する技術協力などを行えるようにする原子力協定の締結交渉についても協議を進めていくことで一致した。

　日本の金融緩和などデフレ脱却の取り組みについて、シン首相は「非常に目覚ましい措置」と評価したという。麻生氏は記者会見で、日本の金融緩和に対し、アジア開発銀行総会など一連の会議で各国から懸念は示されなかったとし、「日本が好況になることはアジアのためにも世界経済のためにもなる」と述べた。

（2013年5月4日23時31分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

On the fourth Finance Minister cum Deputy Prime Minister Aso conferred with Prime Minister Singh at a visiting place at Greater Noida at the suburb of New Delhi.

It confirmed further advancing the introduction of the Shinkansen technology of Japan to India, and the cooperation on the development rare earth. The Japan and India was in agreement in advancing deliberations to conclude negotiation for a nuclear agreement which would enable them to perform technical cooperation in nuclear power generation etc.

About the measure to break away from the deflation, such as Japan’s money market relaxation, Prime Minister Singh said that he estimated it as "a very remarkable measure". Mr. Aso at the press conference did no touch on the concern that would come from countries at a series of meetings, such as the Asian Development Bank general meetings about the money market relaxation by Japan. He just said "That Japan becomes prosperous would benefit both Asia and the world economy".

It seems that Japan is increasing its diplomatic ties with India.

中国廣東省廣州市發現有染汚米

Yesterday the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

カドミウム汚染米、情報小出しの広州当局に批判

【広州＝吉田健一】中国広東省広州市で、有害物質のカドミウムに汚染された米が流通していたことが発覚した。

　中国では「食の安全」への住民の関心が高いが、当局が情報を小出しにしたため、インターネット上やメディアで当局批判が噴出した。

　市当局は１６日、調査した米と米加工品の計１８サンプルのうち八つから、基準値を超えるカドミウムが検出されたと発表した。だが詳細の公表は拒んだ。

　これに対し微博（中国版ツイッター）では、「住民の健康より業者が大切なのか」と批判が噴出。広州の大学生は情報公開条例に基づき、関連情報の開示を求めた。世論の反発に押された当局は１７、１８日の２回、サンプルを抽出した飲食店名や米のブランド名などを立て続けに公表することを余儀なくされた。

（2013年5月21日22時54分 読売新聞）

 (試譯文)

It was revealed that the rice polluted by cadmium, a toxic substance, was being circulated in Guanzhou of Guangdong Province in China.

   Although the residents’ concern for "food safety" was high in China, the authorities gave out information in small bits only. In the Internet and the media there was an out pour of criticism over the authorities.

   The City administration announced on the 16th that cadmium exceeding the safety standard level was detected in eight of a total of 18 investigated samples of rice and rice processed products. But the administration resisted giving more details in its official announcement.

   On the other hand, in Weibo (the China version of twitter), criticism poured out asking that "whether a contractor's good being is more important than residents' health" and the college students of Guanzhou asked for the disclosure of pertinent information based on the access to information laws. The authorities pushed by the rebounding of public opinion were obliged to release in succession, twice on the 17th and the 18^th, the name of the restaurant which sample had been extracted and the brand name of the rice etc.

It is nice to note that the authorities have responded to the popular demand and released more information about the contamination.

日本指出歷史上中日交往很少是順利的

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

麻生副総理「中国とスムーズにいった歴史ない」

【ニューデリー＝河野越男】インド訪問中の麻生副総理・財務相は４日、ニューデリー市内のホテルで行った講演後の質疑で、日中関係について、「少なくとも我々は１５００年以上の長きにわたって中国との関係が極めてスムーズにいったという歴史は多分ない」と述べた。

　麻生氏は中国とインドは陸上で、日本とは海上で国境を接しているとし、「（日本とインドは）どうやってうまくやるかを常に考えておかないといけない」と指摘し、米国とインド、日本などが協力を深めるべきだと強調した。

（2013年5月5日17時25分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

On the 4th Deputy Prime Minister Aso who was at the same time the Finance Minister while visiting India gave a talk in a  hotel in New Delhi; when answering a question regarding the Japan-China relations he said that "At least we had as many as 1500 or more years of long relation with China and probably seldom went very smoothly in history".

   Mr. Aso indicated that supposedly China was connected to India on land, and connected with Japan at sea where the borders touched; "(Japan and India) always had to consider how to do it well", and emphasized that that India and Japan etc. should deepen cooperation with the US.

It seems that Japan is strengthening its tie with India.

澳洲計劃建造12艘新潛水艇

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

中国海洋進出に抑止力、豪が潜水艦１２隻建造へ

【ジャカルタ＝梁田真樹子】オーストラリア政府は３日、「国防白書」を発表した。

　太平洋海域で米中の角逐が深まる中、中国の挑発行為などに対する抑止力を高めるため、新型または改良型の潜水艦１２隻の建造を目指す方針を示した。

　国防白書の発表は２００９年以来。当初は１４年の発表を予定していたが、中国が海洋進出を強め、同盟国である米国がアジア太平洋重視の姿勢を鮮明にするなど、地域の戦略環境が変化していることを受け、発表を１年前倒しした。

　白書では、インドから東南アジア、北東アジアにかけてのインド洋から太平洋にまたがる地域を、豪州にとって戦略的な「焦点」と位置づけた。潜水艦建造に加え、電子戦機「ＥＡ―１８Ｇグラウラー」１２機の購入計画も盛り込んだ。

（2013年5月3日20時41分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

On the 3rd the Australia government released the "National Defense White Paper".

While the U.S.- China struggle had deepened in the Pacific Ocean area, in order to heighten the deterrent to the China’s provocative action etc., a plan which aimed at the construction of 12 advanced new model submarines was shown.

This announcement of the national-defense white paper was the first time since 2009. Although the announcement was planned for 2014, it was moved forward for one year because China was strengthening its advance at the ocean, and that the U.S. was showing a posture of focusing on Asia-Pacific with its alliance in response to the fact that the strategic environment of the area was changing.

In the white paper, the area at the Pacific Ocean from the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and from India to Northeast Asia was regarded as the strategic "focus" of Australia. In addition to the submarine construction, the plan to purchase 12 electronic warfare machines "EA-18G Growler" was also incorporated.

It seems that the military situation in South-east Asia is changing gradually.

蒙古對北朝鮮提供食糧支援

Recently the FNN on-line reported the following:

深刻な食糧不足が指摘されている北朝鮮に対し、モンゴルが食糧支援を行うことが明らかになった。
北朝鮮側が求めていたもので、核開発の一方で、北朝鮮の苦しい国内事情がうかがえる。
モンゴル政府は、先週末までに、北朝鮮への小麦粉の食糧支援を実施することを決めた。
具体的な援助の量や実施時期は未定で、6月、国内で入札を行ったあと、北朝鮮に送られるという。
4月、モンゴルに着任した北朝鮮のホン・ギュ大使は、エルべグドルジ大統領に対し、「北朝鮮はひどい食糧不足に直面する可能性があり、北朝鮮への食糧支援を検討するようにお願いしたい」と直訴していた。
これまで、北朝鮮を支援してきた中国との関係が悪化したため、春から夏にかけて、慢性的な食糧不足に悩む北朝鮮は、友好国のモンゴルに救いの手を求めた形となる。

(05/13 21:33)

(試譯文)

It became clear that Mongolian would provide food assistance to North Korea where a serious food shortage was pointed out.

While the North Korea was asking, on the other hand, it could be imagined there was the embarrassing internal condition of nuclear development in North Korea.

The Mongolian government decided, by last weekend, to carry out the food assistance in sending some flour to North Korea.

It was said that the quantity and the schedule of the concrete assistance to be carried out was not yet decided. After holding a tender at home in June, it would be sent to North Korea.

In April, Ambassador Hong Kyu of North Korea who arrived at Mongolian for a new post directly petitioned to President Elbegdorj, saying that "North Korea would face a severe food shortage and would like to seek your help so that the food assistance to North Korea may be considered".

Because North Korea’s relation with China who was giving the support until now had got worse, and that North Korea worried about a chronic food shortage might occur from spring to summer, the Mongolian as a friendly nation was therefore asked to lend a helping hand.

I am interested to know why the Mongolian would offer help to North Korea. Common sense tells us that there is no free lunch.

江蘇省發現隋煬帝墓

Last month the NHK News on-line reported the following:

隋王朝の煬帝の墓見つかる
4月15日 22時59分

中国東部の江蘇省で、都市開発の工事の際に偶然、１４００年前に大運河を築いたことなどで知られる隋王朝の煬帝のものとみられる墓が見つかったと、地元の当局が発表しました。

中国国営の新華社通信などによりますと、墓が見つかったのは江蘇省揚州の郊外で、都市開発の建設工事の際に偶然、面積が３０平方メートルほどの古代のれんがでできた石室２つが見つかりました。地元の文化財当局が調査したところ、石室のうち１つから「隋の煬帝」と書かれた墓誌のほか、銅製の工芸品や玉がちりばめられた金のベルトなどの副葬品が発掘されました。
盗掘の跡があり、人骨などは見つかっていませんが、地元当局は、発掘された副葬品は高貴な人物にしか見られないことなどから、墓の主は隋の第二代皇帝、煬帝と基本的に認定できると発表しました。煬帝は中国の南北を縦断する大運河を築いたほか、聖徳太子が当時の中国を日本と対等にみて「日出づる処の天子」で始まる手紙を書いたことに激怒したことなどで知られています。
江蘇省揚州には、別に煬帝の墓とされる陵墓がありますが、歴史の資料に煬帝の墓は何度も移されていると書かれていることから、地元当局は今後、今回発見された墓との関係を詳しく調べることにしています。

(試譯文)

The local authorities announced that by chance at a construction project for urban development in Jiangsu which was located at eastern part of China something believed to be the grave of Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty was found; Emperor Yang was known for having built the Grand Canal 1400 years ago.

According to the Xinhua News Agency managed by the Chinese government, it was at the suburb of Yangzhou in Jiangsu where the grave found. Two ancient tombs with an area of about 30-square meter made with ancient bricks were found by chance on the occasion of a construction work being carried out for urban development. When investigated by the local cultural-assets authorities, in one of the ancient tombs, there was the epitaph written "Emperor Yang of Sui". Besides, some copper handicrafts and jade, and a belt studded with gold etc. burial goods were unearthed.

Although there were marks of grave robbing, no human bones were found. The local authorities announced that fundamentally it was presumed that the owner of the grave was the second generation of Sui Dynasty Emperor Yang since the burial goods unearthed could be seen only among the noble people. Emperor Yang built the Grand Canal which ran through the north and south of China. He was also known for being enraged by Prince Shotoku because the latter had written a letter which saw China of those days as an equal to Japan and started writing with the words "the emperor of the place where the sun rises".

In Yangzhou of Jiangsu separately there was an Imperial mausoleum used as Emperor Yang's grave. Since it was written in historical records that Emperor Yang's grave had been moved repeatedly, the local authorities from now on would investigate in detail the relation of the grave that was now discovered.

It is an interesting historical discovery. Perhaps historical records could be updated because of this new finding.

当局調査張芸謀違反一孩政策?

Yesterday the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

中国:「紅いコーリャン」監督に子供７人　当局が調査

毎日新聞　2013年05月11日　21時27分（最終更新　05月11日　22時51分）

　【北京・石原聖】「紅いコーリャン」「初恋のきた道」などの作品で知られる中国の映画監督、張芸謀（チャン・イーモウ）氏（６１）が一人っ子政策に違反し、７人の子供をもうけたとの疑惑が浮上している。中国メディアは当局が調査に乗り出したと報じており、事実ならば約１億６０００万元（約２６億円）の罰金を科される可能性があると伝えた。

　報道によると、張氏は最初の妻との間に１人、再婚後に３人の子供をもうけたほか、婚姻関係のない女性２人との間に３人の子供がおり、子供の数は計７人。現在の妻の戸籍がある江蘇省無錫市で豪邸を購入し、妻と３子を生活させているという。

　映画のオーディションに落選した女優がインターネット上で指摘し、無錫市の当局者は「現行の政策や規制に基づいて調査を行っている」と説明した。ネット上では「有名人でも特別扱いすべきではない」といった意見が出ている。

　中国は人口抑制策として１９７９年から一人っ子政策を導入し、少数民族などのケースを除いて２人目を産むと罰金を科される。罰金は年収と子供の数から算出されるうえ、未婚の場合には増額される。

　張氏は２００８年北京五輪の開閉会式の演出も担当していた。

(試譯文)

 Suspicion had surfaced that the film director of China Mr. Zhang Yimo (61), who was known for the work such as "The Red Kaoliang" and "Wode Fuqin Muqin", had broken the one-child policy due to having seven children. The China media had reported that the authority was set to investigate, and if they were facts, it was reported that a fine of about 160 million Yuan (about 2,600 million yen) might be imposed.

According to the report, Zhang had one child with his first wife, and he had three children in the second marriage, and also had three children with two women who did not have marital relation. The total number of children was seven. A palatial residence was purchased in Jiangsu Wuxi registered with the present wife's family, and it was said that he was living his wife and three children.

An actress who had failed in the audition of a movie pointed out on the Internet that the authorities of Wuxi explained was "doing investigation based on the present policy and regulation". The opinion that "a celebrity should not be given special treatment, either" had come out in the network.

China introduced the one-child policy starting from 1979 as a population control measure and if the 2nd child was borne, except for an ethnic minority case etc., a fine would be imposed. The fine was computed based on the number of the annual income and the number of child; and in the unmarried case the amount would be increased.

Mr. Zhang took charge of the production of the opening-and-closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.

It is an interesting case. It is a test on how China would implement its one-child policy.

超過一半日本人賛成憲法修改

Last month the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

憲法改正、「賛成」が５１％…読売調査

読売新聞社の全国世論調査（３月３０、３１日、面接方式）で、憲法を「改正する方がよい」と答えた人は５１％となり、昨年２月調査の５４％に続いて半数を超えた。

　「改正しない方がよい」は３１％（昨年３０％）だった。

　政府が「保有するが行使できない」としている集団的自衛権に関しては、「憲法を改正して使えるようにする」が２８％（同２８％）で、「憲法の解釈を変更して使えるようにする」の２７％（同２７％）との合計は５５％となり、昨年に続いて容認派が半数を超えた。

　憲法改正の発議要件を定めた９６条については、「改正すべきだ」と「改正する必要はない」がともに４２％で並んだ。

　今夏の参院選で投票先を決める際、憲法問題を判断材料にすると答えた人は４０％で、前回参院選前の２０１０年調査から１２ポイント上昇した。安倍首相が９６条の先行改正などの憲法問題を参院選の争点に掲げていることを反映したようだ。各政党が憲法論議をもっと活発に行うべきだと思う人は７６％に上った。

　海外で事件に巻き込まれた日本人を自衛隊が輸送する場合、船舶や航空機に加えて、車での輸送を認める方がよいとする人は７６％に達した。

（2013年4月19日23時39分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

At a national opinion poll (held on March 30 and 31 by interviewing) done by the Yomiuri Shimbun, the people who answered that regarding the constitution "It is better to revise" turned out to be 51%, continued to exceed 50% following the investigation done in February last yeas which stood at 54%.

"It is better not to revise" was 31% (30% last year).

About the right of collective self-defense which the government was presupposing that "it will not be used even if it is on hand", those who answered "to enable it to be used by revising the constitution” was 28% (last year 28%), "to change the interpretation of the constitution to enable it to be used" was 27% (last year 27%). The sum total would become 55%, following last year the supporting group continued to exceed half.

 About article 96 which provided the requirement for initiating a constitutional amendment, those saying that "you should revise it" and those saying that "it is not necessary to revise it" were equally at 42%.

40% the people who had answered the poll supported the idea that when during the Upper House election vote casting this summer, to make this constitution problem into the material for voting. This percentage had gone up 12 points since last time’s 2010 investigation done before the Upper House election. It seemed that it reflected that Prime Minister Abe had brought up the constitution problems, before the revision of article 96 etc, making it a point of issue for the Upper House election. Those who thought that individual political party should perform a constitutional debate more actively went up to 76%.

When the Japanese were involved in the incident overseas and that the transportation of Self-Defense Forces was needed, in addition to the vessel and the airplane, those who thought that it would be better to permit transportation by car had reached 76%.

So, over half of the Japanese would support making some amendments to their constitution.

海龜鼻子靈敏度比狗更高

Last month the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

スッポンの鼻、犬より繊細？…理研チームが発表

スッポンは、においを嗅ぎ分けるセンサーの種類が多く、嗅覚の繊細さは脊椎動物でトップ級かもしれないという研究成果を、理化学研究所発生・再生科学総合研究センター（神戸市）などの国際チームが科学誌ネイチャー・ジェネティクス（電子版）に発表した。

　鼻の中の細胞表面にあるセンサー（嗅覚受容体）は、その形に合うにおい物質がやって来ると結合し、においを「感じた」という信号が脳へ送られる。受容体の種類が多いほど、多彩なにおいを嗅ぎ分けられる。同センターの倉谷滋グループディレクターらが、スッポンの嗅覚受容体を作る遺伝子の数を調べた結果、１１３７個あった。においを嗅ぎ分ける能力の高いラット（１２０７個）に匹敵し、犬（８１１個）や人間（３９６個）より多かった。

　入江直樹研究員は「犬の方が鼻の中の表面積が広く、においへの感度は優れているだろうが、繊細さはスッポンに軍配が上がるかもしれない」と話している。

（2013年5月1日12時19分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle had many kinds of smell sensors to perform smelling; the research result of the international teams, such as the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Office - the Generating and Reproduction Science Research Center (Kobe), showed that the delicacy of turtle’s sense of smell might be at the top in the vertebrate class; the team announced this in a science journal The Nature Genetics (electronic edition).

Regarding the sensors (odor receptor) in the cell surface of the nose of this turtle, they fit their shape together, and would join with the substance of the incoming odor, and sent to the brain the signal of "having felt" the smell. There were many kinds of receptor and a variety of smell could be sensed. As a result of counting the number of the genes, group director Kuratani Shigeru of the Center and others put the number of the odor receptor of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle at 1137. It was comparable to the high rat (1207 numbers) in the capability to scent a smell, and better than the dog (811 numbers) and the human being (396 numbers).

      Researcher Naoki Irie was saying that "although the dog probably has a large surface area in the nose and its sensitivity to the smell is excellent, yet the delicacy of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle is superior in tactic".

I think in future may be the turtle could be used to help differentiate the smell.

沖縄島附近海底發現大規模礦床

Last month the NHK News on-line reported the following:

沖縄沖の海底で大規模鉱床発見

4月10日 22時39分

沖縄本島の北西の沖合にある海底のくぼ地で、亜鉛や金などを大量に含んだ新たな鉱床、鉱物が集中的に集まる場所が発見され、当初想定されていた５００万トンの資源量を上回る可能性もあることから、今後の資源開発につながるとして期待されています。

新たな鉱床が見つかったのは、沖縄本島の北西およそ１００キロの沖合に位置する「伊是名海穴」と呼ばれる直径３キロから６キロの海底のくぼ地です。
独立行政法人の「石油天然ガス・金属鉱物資源機構」によりますと、国が策定した海底の鉱物資源開発計画に基づき、経済産業省の委託を受けて平成２０年度から伊是名海穴の海底調査を行っていて、ことし１月と２月、海底面から３０メートル以下の地底で亜鉛や金などを大量に含む新たな鉱床を発見したということです。
新たな鉱床の厚みや範囲はまだ不明だということですが、海底面付近ですでに確認されている鉱床の資源量がおよそ３４０万トンと見込まれていることから、新たな鉱床を含めると、伊是名海穴には当初想定されていた５００万トンの資源量を上回る大規模な金属鉱物資源が存在する可能性があるということです。
「石油天然ガス・金属鉱物資源機構」では、今後の資源開発につながるとして、新しい鉱床の全体の規模を把握するため、引き続き、海底での調査を続けるということです。

(試譯文)

It was new ore deposit containing zinc, gold etc. in large quantities: a place where minerals were gathering in large amount was discovered at a depressed ground of the seabed in the offing of the northwest of the main Okinawa island; since the resources might exceed 5 million tons that was originally assumed, it was expected that it might lead to future resources related development.

New ore deposit was found at the depressed ground of the seabed with a diameter of 3 to 6 km at the so called the "Izenakaiketsu" located in the offing about 100 km northwest of the main Okinawa island.

According to the "Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation" which was an independent administrative agency, it was said that based on the mineral-resources  development plan of the seabed which the country had decided, seabed investigation on the Izenakaiketsu was performed staring from the Heisei 20^th year in response to Commission for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In January and February this year a new ore deposit which was containing zinc, gold, etc. in large quantities was discovered below the seabed at depth of 30 meters below the sea water.

Although it was said that the thickness and the range of the new ore deposit were still unknown, because the resources of the ore deposit which was near the sea surface had already been checked and estimated at about 3,400,000 tons, when this new ore deposit was included, it was said that there might exist in the Izenakaiketsu a large-scale metallic mineral resources which could exceed the 5 million-ton estimation originally assumed.

In "Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation" it was said that the investigation on the seabed was carried out continuously in order to grasp the scale of the whole new ore deposit, noting that it would lead to future resources development.

It is good news for Japan, the discovery would help its industrial development.

新版松本清張大作「日本の黒い霧」會加入註解

Last month the NHK News on-line reported the following:

「日本の黒い霧」注釈付け改訂版出版へ

4月20日 21時33分

作家・松本清張の作品「日本の黒い霧」の中で、スパイ事件のいわゆる「ゾルゲ事件」の端緒となる情報を警察に流したと描かれている男性について、出版社が、記述内容を否定する証言も明らかになっているなどとする注釈を付けた作品の改訂版を出版することになりました。

松本清張のノンフィクションの代表作「日本の黒い霧」では、日本共産党の元最高幹部、伊藤律氏が、昭和１６年に起きたスパイ事件「ゾルゲ事件」の摘発の端緒となる情報を特高警察に流したと記述されていますが、伊藤氏の遺族側が、事実関係を否定する証言が出ていることなどを理由に、出版元の文藝春秋に内容の訂正を求めていました。
伊藤氏の次男の淳氏によりますと、文藝春秋側から、作品で記述された説を疑問視、否定する関係者の証言も明らかになっていることや、伊藤氏自身も関与を否定していたという注釈を付けた改訂版を出版したいとする打診を受けたということです。
淳氏は、２０日に都内で行った講演で「作品に注釈を加えることを評価して受け入れたい。父の名誉回復のために活動してくれた人たちに感謝したい」と述べました。
「日本の黒い霧」は、昭和３６年の出版から半世紀以上を経て、改訂版が出版されることになります。

(試譯文)

About the work "The Black Fog of Japan" by writer Seicho Matsumoto which described a man passing hints and information to the police in the so-called "Sorge Incident" espionage case, the publishing company would publish a revised edition of the work that would attach notes to make known that there was a testimony that denied the contents described etc.

In "The Black Fog of Japan", which was described as the nonfiction master piece of Seicho Matsumoto, the former executive of the Japan Communist Party Mr. Ritsu Ito passed information to the special political police and started the exposure of the espionage case the "Sorge incident" that occurred in Showa 16^th year. Mr. Ito's bereaved family asked Bungeishunju, the publishing agency for correction of the contents on grounds that some testimony on the facts had come out etc.

According to Jun, the second son of Mr. Ito, it was said that Bungeishunju had accepted the consultation and would, when published the revised edition, attached notes to point out and make clear that there were testimonies from concerned people who regarded some opinion described in the work as questionable, and also that Mr. Ito had denied his involvement.

At a lecture held in the metropolitan area on the 20th Jun said that "I would like to evaluate and accept the appending of notes to the work. I would like to thank those who had worked for my father's rehabilitation".

As for "The Black Fog of Japan", a revised edition would be published as it had gone through more than five decades since its publication in Showa 36.

So the story of this non-fiction literature would be up-dated soon.

日俄首腦會議與北方四島領土交渉

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

領土交渉「面積２等分で…」露大統領発言に憶測

ロシアのプーチン大統領が先月２９日の安倍首相との首脳会談で、過去にロシアが行った中国との領土交渉や、ノルウェーとの境界画定交渉に触れ、「面積を２等分して解決した経験がある」と述べていたことが分かった。

　政府筋が明らかにした。北方領土問題の解決を念頭に置いた発言か、４島返還を主張する日本をけん制したのか、様々な臆測を呼んでいる。

　これに関連し、安倍首相は１日、訪問先のサウジアラビアで同行記者団に、「（大統領が北方領土２等分による解決に言及した）事実はない。北方４島の帰属問題を解決し、平和条約を締結する方針に変わりはない」と語った。

　首相同行筋によると、首相の指摘通り、会談で大統領が両交渉の経緯を首相に説明した際、北方領土問題と絡めることは言わなかったという。仮に北方４島を面積で２等分した場合、４島の中で最も北側にある択捉島の西部に日露の国境線を引き、日本が択捉島の西側の一部と国後島、色丹島、歯舞群島の全部を領有し、択捉島の大半をロシアが領有する形が想定される。

（2013年5月1日19時07分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

It turned out that at the summit meeting with Prime Minister Abe on the 29th last month Russian President Putin had touched on territorial negotiations and about the border drawing which Russia had performed in the past with China and Norway, and about "the experience of dividing the area equally into two to solve the problems".

This was clarified by government sources. Various guesses were called for, with solving the issue regarding the Northern Territories in mind, could it be used to check Japan which had asserted the return of the four islands.

      In relation to this, on the 1^st Prime Minister Abe told the press corps traveling together at the visiting location of Saudi Arabia that "it (that the President mentioned the solution for the Northern Territories was to divide them into two equal parts) is not true, the ownership question of four northern islands would be solved, and there was no change in plan to conclude a peace treaty."

      According to sources accompanying the Prime Minister, it was say that the Prime Minister had pointed out that when the President explained the circumstances of the negotiation, the latter had not said things related to the Northern Territories. When temporarily equally divided the four northern islands into two areas, it was assumed that the form would be to draw the Japan-Russia international border in the western part of Etorofu which was the northernmost of the four islands, Japan would possess a part of the west side of Etorofu and all of Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai islets; and that Russia would possess the great portion of Etorofu.

It is an interesting story. To divide the islands equally could be a possible solution to the dispute.