血液検査可以顯示認知症風險

A few weeks ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

健診結果でこの数値が低いと、認知症リスクが…

2014年07月14日 14時34分

　健康診断の血液検査項目の赤血球数やＨＤＬ（善玉）コレステロール値、アルブミン値が低いと、認知機能の低下が２～３倍起きやすいとの研究結果を、東京都健康長寿医療センター研究所のグループがまとめた。

　栄養が低い状態が将来の認知症のリスクを高めることを示す結果で、老年医学専門誌に近く発表する。

　同研究所の谷口優研究員らは、群馬県と新潟県に住む７０歳以上の１１４９人の暮らしぶりや健康状態を調べて、認知症が疑われた人などを除いた８７３人を追跡調査（平均２・７年）した。

　調査開始時の赤血球数、善玉コレステロール値、アルブミン値を、それぞれ「低い」「普通」「高い」の３群に分け、その後の認知機能の変化との関係を調べた。

　その結果、それぞれの値が低い群は高い群に比べて２～３倍、認知機能が低下しやすかった。

(試譯文)

A research group came from the Tokyo healthy long-life medical center research institute summarized its research findings which showed that in the blood test of a medical examination, if the red blood cell count, the HDL (good) cholesterol count, and the albumin level were low, a decline in cognitive function might occur easier by 2-3 times.

The research result which showed that low nutrition situation could increase the risk of dementia in future was announced in a gerontology technical magazine recently.

Masaru Taniguchi and researchers of the research institute investigated for the first time the health condition and lifestyle of 1149 people who were aged over 70 living in Gumma Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture, and conducted a follow-up survey (on average 2.7 years) on 873 people except for those who was suspected to have dementia etc.

At the time when the investigation was started, their red blood cell count, the good cholesterol value, and the albumin value were divided into three groups of "low", "common", and "high" respectively, and then their relation with changes in cognitive function was investigated.

Based on the results, the group that had low values when compared with the high value group, showed a easier decline in the cognitive function by 2-3 times.

It is interesting to note that low nutrient level could increase the chance of dementia.

中国報紙建議禁止使用蘋果電話產品

A few weeks ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

米アップル製品、使用禁止を…中国紙が論評掲載

2014年07月28日 19時31分

　【北京＝五十嵐文】中国共産党機関紙・人民日報系の環球時報は２８日付で、党員や政府職員、軍人らに対し、米アップル社のスマートフォン「ｉＰｈｏｎｅ（アイフォーン）」などの製品の使用禁止を呼びかけるインターネット専門家の論評を掲載した。

　アップル製品を通じて米当局が盗聴や通信データの不正入手を行う危険性を指摘し、中国国産の携帯電話への切り替えを推奨している。

　米政府は、中国の大手通信機器メーカー「華為技術（ファーウェイ）」の製品が諜報(ちょうほう)活動に使われる懸念から、同社の製品を排除する動きを強めている。中国政府がこうした動きに対抗し、今後アップル社への圧力を強める可能性がある。

(試譯文)

   On the 28th (July) the Global Times, a China Communist Party newspaper and member of the People's Daily group published a comment from some Internet experts who appealed to members of the Party, government employees, and military men for forbidding the use of U.S. Apple smart phones such as "iPhone" etc. company products. 

   It pointed out the danger that the U.S. authorities might perform tapping and illegal acquisition of communication data through apple products, and recommended changing to the mobile phone of the China domestic production.

    Because the U.S. government had raised concerns that products made by "Huawei technology", a major Chinese communication equipment manufacturer, could be used for espionage, it strengthened a motion to avoid the product of the company. The Chinese government opposed to such a motion and might strengthen its pressure on the Apple Company from now on.

It is an interesting “espionage war”.

日本「今治造船」強化国内造船業

A few weeks ago the Asahi News on-line reported the following:

最大手今治造船、国内生産にこだわり　提携で活路

山村哲史

2014年7月14日23時30分

　船の建造量が国内最大の今治造船（愛媛県今治市）は１４日、今ある国内工場の生産性を高めて成長を追う事業方針を表明した。造船業界が縮小する中で着々と増やしてきた瀬戸内海の工場群を生かし、ほかの大手との提携で浮き沈みの激しい世界市場に挑む戦略だ。

　日本の船の建造量は、世界で中国、韓国に次いで３位。一部では人件費の安い海外への移転も進む。今治造船の檜垣幸人社長はこの日、東京都内での記者会見で「（コスト削減による）数％のメリットのために出て行くのか。適切な建造量さえ持っていれば、負けることはないのでは」と国内へのこだわりを見せた。

　今治造船は１９８０～００年代に、経営難の同業を相次いで傘下におさめてきた。いずれも造船産業が集まる瀬戸内で、様々な種類の船を低コストで造る力を蓄えてきた。今年末には、海外生産に積極的な常石造船（広島県福山市）から、丸亀事業本部に近い多度津工場（香川県多度津町）を取得し、能力を強化する。

　造船業界は世界的に生産能力が余っている。今よりも規模を大きくして勝ち残ろうとする企業も多い。１３年１月にＩＨＩとＪＦＥホールディングスの傘下の造船会社が合併して、業界２位の建造量になるジャパンマリンユナイテッドが発足。今年５月には、名村造船所と佐世保重工業が経営統合を決め、１０月に業界３位の新会社ができる。

　だが、檜垣社長は「これ以上のＭ＆Ａ（合併・買収）となると、かなりのシェアになる。得意な船の種類ごとにスクラムを組むのがいい」と話した。

　それが三菱重工業との提携だ。シェールガスの輸送などで需要が増えそうな液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）運搬船では、１３年４月に共同出資の設計・販売会社「ＭＩ　ＬＮＧカンパニー」を設立。１３年１２月には、海洋開発に強みを持つブラジルの造船大手に三菱重工などと出資し、ノウハウを取り込もうとしている。（山村哲史）

(試譯文)

On the 14^th (July) the Imabari shipbuilding (Imabari-city, Ehime), which had the biggest ship construction capacity in the country, announced a business plan which followed the growth caused by the increase in productivity of existing domestic shipbuilding plants. While the shipbuilding industry was shrinking, by taking advantage of the shipbuilding groups at the Seto Inland Sea which had been increasing steadily, Imabari would tie-up with other major companies as a strategy to challenge the intense ups and downs in the world market.

   The amount of ship built in Japan was at the 3rd place ranking next to China and South Korea in the world. Part of it had moved overseas where labor cost was cheap. President Yukito Higaki of the Imabari shipbuilding at a press conference at Tokyo metropolitan area on that day showed a commitment to the country in saying that "Do we move away for the merit of several percent (in cost reduction)? If we can maintain a suitable amount of construction we will not lose".

The Imabari shipbuilding in the 1980s - 2000s had successively sheltered companies in the same trade that had financial difficulties. All had conserved the power which could build various kinds of ships at a low cost in Setouchi in which shipbuilding industries had gathered together. At end of this year, the Tadotsu factory (Tadotsu-cho, Kagawa) near the Marugame business headquarters would be acquired from the Tsuneishi shipbuilding (Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima) which had been active in overseas production, thus Imabari’s capability was strengthened.

As for the shipbuilding industry, globally there was excessive production capacity. There were also many companies which would be enlarged to become bigger than the present size and tried to remain undefeated. IHI and a subsidiary shipbuilding company of the JFE Holdings had merged in January 2013; the Japan Marine United would be inaugurated and would have a construction capacity 2nd in the industry. Namura Shipbuilding and Sasebo Heavy Industries opted for merging operations in May this year, and this new company would be at the 3rd place in the industry in October.

But President Higaki said "the M&A (merger and acquisition) up to now have created big shareholdings. To team up arm-in-arm for different kinds of favorite ships is good".

There was a tie-up with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. For the liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport ship, the demand was likely to increase due to the transportation of shale gas etc. A joint investment company of design and sales the "MI LNG company" was established in April 2013. In December 2013, a major shipbuilding company in Brazil which was strong at ocean development was financed by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industry etc., and was trying to take in the know-how.

So Japan is keen in keeping a leading role in ship building globally.

防虫剤原料及防火壁保護材料可能致癌

A few weeks age Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

防虫剤原料ナフタレンに発がん性…健康被害恐れ

2014年07月25日 19時40分

　防虫剤の原料などとして使用される「ナフタレン」と、防火壁保護材などに使われる「リフラクトリーセラミックファイバー」について、厚生労働省の専門家検討会は２５日、発がん性があるため、製造や取り扱いをする事業所では、作業員の体内に取り込まれないようにする防護措置を取らなければ、健康被害を及ぼす恐れがあるとする報告書をまとめた。

　今後、同省が具体的な措置内容を検討し、事業所に実施を義務づける。

　世界保健機関（ＷＨＯ）に所属し、化学物質などの発がん性を評価している専門組織、国際がん研究機関（ＩＡＲＣ）は２００２年、二つの物質を、５段階のリスク評価で３番目に危険性が高い「発がん性を示す可能性がある」レベルに分類。厚労省が労働現場の使用実態を調査し、健康被害のリスクを検討してきた。

(試譯文)

In an expert review meeting held on the 25^th (July) the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, about a report they compiled on "naphthalene", a raw materials for insect repellent, and "refractory ceramic fiber", which had been used as firewall protection material, said that because they were carcinogenic, business that handled and manufactured them had to take protective measures to prevent their absorption into workers’ body, otherwise there was a risk of health hazard.

From now on, the said ministry would examine the concrete contents of the measures to take, and would impose a duty on business environment for enforcement.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a special organization under the World Health Organization (WHO) which evaluated carcinogenicity, such as in chemical substances, had classified these two substances at the 3rd highest-risk level "that may show carcinogenicity" according to a five-step risk assessment in 2002. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare would investigate the actual condition of using them in the labor working environment, and examine the risk of health impairment.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan is doing a good job.

日産汽車在泰國開設新工場

A few weeks ago the NHK News on-line reported the following:

日産がタイに新工場を建設

7月3日 22時58分

大手自動車メーカーの日産自動車は、東南アジアでの生産体制を強化するため、タイに新たな工場を建設し、３日、開所式が行われました。

日産自動車の新たな工場は、首都バンコクに隣接するサムットプラカーン県に日本円でおよそ１１０億円で建設され、３日、日産やタイ政府の関係者、およそ１００人が出席して開所式が行われました。
この工場は、日産としてはタイで２か所目の生産拠点で、主にタイや東南アジア向けにピックアップトラックを中心に、年間で最大１５万台を生産する計画です。
これにより、現地での生産能力は年間３７万台となります。
日本の自動車メーカーにとって、タイは主要な市場ですが、自動車購入の際にかかる税の軽減措置が打ち切られたことに加えて、長引く政情不安による消費の冷え込みで、ことし５月の新車の販売が前の年の同じ時期より３割余り落ち込むなど低迷が続いていて、日本メーカーの間では減産の動きが広がっています。
日産自動車の片桐隆夫副社長は「タイの市場の中長期的なポテンシャルが非常に高いことには疑う余地がない。部品の供給体制が整っているなど、産業基盤はしっかりしているので、これを活用して市場に攻めていきたい」と話しています。

(試譯文)

Nissan Motor, a major automaker, in order to strengthen its production system in Southeast Asia, built a new factory in Thailand and the opening ceremony was held on the 3^rd (July).

The new factory of Nissan Motor was built for about 11 billion yen in Japanese yen in the Samutprakarn prefecture contiguous to the capital Bangkok. About 100 people related to Nissan and the Thailand government were present, and the opening ceremony was held on the 3rd.

This factory was the 2nd production base in Thailand for Nissan, and was scheduled to produce 150,000 cars every year at the maximum centering mainly on pickups truck for Thailand and Southeast Asia. 

Thereby, the production capacity of this spot would be 370,000 cars every year.

Although Thailand was a major market for Japanese automakers, the tax reducing measures in the case of automobile purchase were ceased; in addition, in order to cool consumer spending due to the prolonged unstable political situation, the sales of new car in May this year fell a little more than 30 percent from the same time of the previous year, and the downturn in sale was continuing. A movement to decrease production had spread among Japanese makers.

Nissan Motor Vice-President Takao Katagiri said that "there is no room to suspect the very high mid- and long-term potential of the market in Thailand. I want to get ready the organization in parts supply etc. and to make solid the industrial infrastructure in order to use it to conquest the market".

It seems that Japanese investors are confidence in investing in Thailand.

神戸將會建立新據点使用再生ｉＰＳ網膜医療眼疾

A few days ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

ｉＰＳ用いた網膜の再生医療、神戸に新拠点

2014年09月13日 21時45分

　ｉＰＳ細胞を用いた網膜の再生医療の新拠点として、神戸市などは研究・細胞培養・病院機能を持つ総合施設の新設を計画している。

　ｉＰＳ細胞からつくった細胞移植を行った理化学研究所の高橋政代プロジェクトリーダーらが入る研究所や専用の手術室、世界最高水準の培養施設などを整備する。

　目の再生医療では今回手術が行われた加齢黄斑変性に続き、失明にいたる遺伝性疾患「網膜色素変性症」についても、高橋氏がｉＰＳ細胞による再生医療の臨床研究を計画している。新拠点に全ての研究機能と医療体制を集約することで、再生医療の実用化を目指す。

　市によると、施設は「神戸アイセンター」で、建設予定地は人工島・ポートアイランド（神戸市中央区）内。敷地約２０００平方メートルを市が買い取り、市の外郭団体が７階建てのビルを新設する。建設費は約３０億円、来年度にも着工、２０１６年度の完成を目指す。

　センター内に整備される眼科病院（３０床）は、目の病気を広く最先端治療の対象とする計画という。

(試譯文)

   Kobe was planning the establishment of a comprehensive institution that had research, cell cultivation, and hospital function, becoming a new medical base that used iPS cells for the regeneration of the retina.

   It would contain a research institute for the use of Masayo Takahashi project leaders of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research who had performed the cell transplant built by iPS cells, and maintain an operating room for their exclusive use, together with the world's highest standard cultivation facilities etc.

   In the eyes regeneration medical field, the regeneration medical care using iPS cell operation conducted this time would be continued, Mr. Takahashi was also planning a clinical study about the hereditary disease "retinitis pigmentosa" which could result in loss of eyesight following the age-related macular degeneration. By combining all the research functions and medical organizations at a new base, the aim was the practical use in regeneration health treatment.

   According to the city, the institution would be the "Kobe eye center" and the planned construction site was inside a man-made island - Port Island at the Central district of Kobe city. The city bought a site of about 2000 square meters. A 7-story building was newly established as a city auxiliary organization. Construction costs would be about 3 billion yen, aiming at groundbreaking next year and completion in 2016 fiscal year.

   As a plan, the ophthalmological clinic (30 beds) would be maintained inside the center targeting at a wide range of eye illness with the latest medical treatment.

This is good news in the medical field in Japan.

中国工業生産大幅減速:５年８月以來低水平

A few days ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

中国工業生産、大幅減速…５年８か月ぶり低水準

2014年09月14日 13時31分

　【北京＝栗原守】中国国家統計局は１３日、８月の工業生産が、前年同月比６・９％増だったと発表した。

　７月（９・０％増）に比べ大幅に減速し、リーマン・ショック後の２００８年１２月（５・７％増）以来、５年８か月ぶりの低水準となった。

　７月から２か月連続で増加率が縮小しており、７～９月期の経済成長率にも影響を与えそうだ。

　内訳を見ると、自動車生産が同３・１％増と前月（１０・５％増）より７・４ポイント減速し、携帯電話生産も２・３％減で前月の増加（１０・１％増）から減少に転じるなど弱さが目立った。

　減速の背景には、自動車や携帯電話の生産増が一巡したことのほか、不動産投資の伸び悩みによる粗鋼やセメントなど建設材料の生産の停滞があるとみられる。

(試譯文)

On the 13th the National Bureau of Statistics of China announced that the industrial production in August was an increase of 6.9% compared with the corresponding month last year.

Compared with July (an increase of 9.0%), it slowed down sharply, and had become a low level for the first time in five years eight months  since the Lehman shock in December 2008 (increase of 5.7%).

The rate of increase was contracting for two consecutive months since July, and it was also likely to affect the economic growth rate for the term July - September.

Looking into the breakdown, for the same period it was an increase of the 3.1% in car production which was a slow down by 7.4 point from the previous month (an increase of 10.5%). Also in mobile phone production, it was a decrease of 2-3% from an increase (10.1%) of the previous month, it was a change into reduction and the weakness was conspicuous.

Serving as the backdrop was the slowdown in the production of construction materials such as crude steel and cement etc. due to a real estate investment stagnation, in addition to the increased production of mobile phones and car had run its course.

I think the situation will improve when the government relaxes its control over real estate investments.

日本使用iPS細胞移植手術成功

A few days ago the FNN News on-line reported the following:

iPS細胞使った移植手術成功　山中伸弥教授「最初の成果出た日」

09/12 22:04

iPS細胞を使った世界初の移植手術が行われ、成功した。
理化学研究所の高橋政代プロジェクトリーダーは「患者さん方の期待、希望、思いに1つの答えをお渡しできたかなと思って、それが、すごくうれしいところです」と語った。
高橋政代プロジェクトリーダーの研究グループは、iPS細胞から作った目の網膜の一部となる細胞を、兵庫県に住む女性患者に移植する手術を行った。
iPS細胞から作った細胞が、人体に移植されたのは世界初。
患者は手術後、元気な様子だったという。
手術の成功を受け、京都大学の山中伸弥教授も、会見を開いた。
山中伸弥教授は「チーム高橋の本当の底力と言いますか、最初の成果が出た日だというふうに思います」と語った。
高橋リーダーらは今後、患者の容態を見ながら、視力の定価が抑えられたかなど、効果を検証する予定。 (関西テレビ)

(試譯文)

The world's first transplant surgery using iPS cells was performed and succeeded.

Masayo Takahashi the project leader of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research said that "when thinking of passing on an answer to a patient that has been expected, hoped for, and thought of is a moment full of delight".

The research group with Masayo Takahashi as the project leader conducted the operation of transplanting the cells made from iPS cells to become a part of the eye’s retina of a female patient who lived in Hyogo Prefecture.

It was the first in the world that cells made from iPS cells were transplanted to a human body.

It was said that patient’s situation after the operation was fine.

Kyoto University Professor Shinya Yamanaka also gave an interview in response to the success of the operation.

Professor Shinya Yamanaka said that "it is talking about the true potential power of Takahashi's team; I consider it is the day which the first result comes out". For Takahashi leaders, from now on the plan would be to look at the patient's condition, to see whether the price of vision could be suppressed etc., and to verify the effects.

It is good news for the eye-patients in Japan.

印度: 承認「一個中国」有條件

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

「一つの中国」認めてほしいなら…インドが注文

2014年09月09日 17時28分

　【ニューデリー＝田原徳容】インドのスワラジ外相は８日の記者会見で、今月中旬に予定されている中国の習近平(シージンピン)国家主席の訪印に触れ、「中国は、『一つの中国』を認めてほしいなら、『一つのインド』を認めるべきだ」と述べた。

　中国は、台湾問題で「一つの中国」を主張している。一方、インドは、実効支配する北部アルナチャルプラデシュ州が中国に領土として扱われていることに反発し、抗議を続けている。

　スワラジ外相の発言は、中国との経済関係強化を進める一方で、国境問題では妥協しないモディ政権の姿勢を示したとみられる。

(試譯文)

At a press conference on the 8th, Foreign Minister Swaraj of India touched on the planned India visit by PRC President Xi Jinping of China in the middle of this month, saying that "If China wants us to accept ‘one China’, it should accept "one India".

China asserted that there was only "one China" on the Taiwan issue. At the same time India was repulsive regarding Arunachal Pradesh state at the northern which had effective control was treated by China as its territory, and continued to make protests.

While the economic relation with China was further strengthened, Foreign Minister Swaraj's remarks could be regarded as a posture of the Modi government to show that it would not compromise on the border issue.

I think territorial negotiations demand a lot of diplomatic skill

９３％日本人對中国的印象「不佳」

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

中国の印象「良くない」日本人９３％…過去最多

2014年09月09日 19時27分

　日中両国民の相互意識を探る「第１０回日中共同世論調査」（実施＝言論ＮＰＯ、中国日報社）の結果が９日、発表された。

　日本人の中国への印象で「良くない」（「どちらかと言えば良くない」を含む）は９３％（昨年９０・１％）に上り、２００５年の調査開始以来、最多となった。中国側は８６・８％（同９２・８％）と６ポイント改善した。

　良くない印象を持つ理由（複数回答可）で、日本側は「国際的なルールと異なる行動をする」（５５・１％）が「尖閣諸島をめぐる対立」（５０・４％）を上回り、最多となった。日本の対中認識悪化は、東シナ海に加え、南シナ海など周辺地域における、中国の力を背景とした行動への懸念が反映されたとみられる。中国側は「日本が領土紛争を引き起こし強硬な態度をとっている」（６４％）が最多だった。

(試譯文)

On the 9th the result of "The 10^th round of Sino-Japanese common opinion poll" (organizer: Genron NPO and China Daily) which explored mutual impression of the people between China and Japan was released.

The impression among Japanese on China was "no good" ("it is not quite good" is included) went up to 93% (90.1% last year), and became the majority view since the investigation started in 2005. On the side of China it had improved 6 point to stand at 86.8% (last year 92.8%).

On the side of Japan the reason (multiple answers allowed) for having a no good impression was "carried out actions deviated from international rules" (55.1%), becoming the majority view exceeding the reason "confrontations involving the Senkaku Islands" (50.4%). Regarding the aggravation in impression on China in Japan, it could be seen as a reflection on the concern over activities in areas surrounding the South China Sea, in addition to the East China Sea, with China’s power in the background. As on the side of China "Japan caused the territorial dispute and has taken a firm attitude" (64%) was the majority.

I hope the impression could be improved in the next survey.