To ease the requirements for permanent residence, and also the animation category etc. : the Government Review Committee

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

永住許可の要件緩和 アニメなどの分野でも 政府検討会

3月24日 5時07分

「クールジャパン」と呼ばれる日本独自の文化の海外展開に向けて、政府の検討会が報告書案を取りまとめ、専門性の高い外国人を対象に導入している永住許可の取得要件を緩和する措置などを、アニメやファッションの分野にも拡大するとしています。

「クールジャパン」と呼ばれる日本独自の文化の海外展開に向けて、松山一億総活躍担当大臣を座長とする政府の検討会は、人材の育成や確保のための報告書案を取りまとめました。

それによりますと、実践的な職業教育を行うために、再来年度から設置が認められる新たな高等教育機関「専門職大学」に、アニメや観光などに精通した教員が配置されるよう、政府が業界団体に働きかけるなど必要な支援を行うとしています。

さらに、研究者や企業経営者など、専門性の高い外国人を対象に導入している永住許可の取得要件を緩和する措置などを、アニメやファッションの分野にも拡大するとしています。

また、国内の専門学校などを卒業した留学生が日本で就職しやすくなるよう、政府がネット上に企業と留学生をつなぐサイトを整備し、留学生の就職相談にも対応するとしています。

政府の検討会は週明けに開く会合で報告書を決定する方針です。

My translation

Targeting at the so called "Cool Japan" : Japan aimed at its own unique culture development in overseas, a government’s review committee had collated a draft report; it was supposed that conditions to obtain permanent residence for the highly specialized foreigners would be eased, and the categories in animation and fashion would be expanded.

Targeting at the so called "Cool Japan" in which Japan aimed at its unique culture development overseas, a government review meeting chaired by Matsuyama the Minister for all Japan Activities had collated a draft report on human resources for the purposes of their upbringing and securement.

According to that report, for the purpose of conducting practical vocational education, it was assumed that in the "Professional University", as a new higher education installation to be recognized by the government in next next fiscal year, teachers familiar with animation and sightseeing would be deployed there; it was necessary for the government to give support such as influencing the industry’s organizations.

Furthermore, for researchers and corporate executives etc., and also those who were highly specialized and being targeted to be let in, measures were taken to ease the criteria in the acquisition of the permission for permanent residence; also the categories in animation and fashion were also expanded.

To make sure that the student studying from abroad who were graduated from a domestic college could easily get a job in Japan, the government had maintained a site on the Net which connected foreign students with enterprises, and it also responded to foreign students on job consultation.

Regarding the government  review meeting to be held in the beginning of next week, it was a policy to decide on the draft report.

  It is understandable that Japan is eager to keep foreign talents to work in its country.

Enya Production made an appeal on copyright violation of "Chinese Ultraman"

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

円谷プロ「中国ウルトラマン」著作権侵害で訴え

3月14日 4時04分

日本の円谷プロダクションは、中国の映像製作会社に対して去年中国で公開された「ウルトラマン」の映画が著作権を侵害しているとして、これまでに上海の裁判所に訴えを起こしていたことがわかりました。

去年、中国で公開された「ウルトラマン」の映画は、中国南部、広東省広州の会社が製作し去年１０月から中国全土で、１か月余りにわたり上映されました。

この会社に対し、日本の円谷プロダクションは、これまでに、映画は無許可で製作されたものだとして直接、上映の停止を求めたほか、去年９月には、上海の裁判所に宣伝活動などで著作権の侵害があったとして訴えを起こしていました。

しかし、中国の会社が、映画の上映を強行したため、円谷側は、宣伝活動に絞って行っていたこれまでの訴えをいったん取り下げたうえで、上映された映画を含めて、著作権の侵害があったとして先月訴えを起こし、今月認められました。

ウルトラマンの映画をめぐっては、今月に入って中国の会社が、中国版ツイッター、ウェイボーなどで、円谷側が訴訟を取り下げたことのみを取りあげて『われわれの会社の権利が揺るぎないものであることが認められた』と投稿するなど、みずからの権利を正当化する主張を繰り返しています。

円谷プロダクションは、ＮＨＫの取材に対し、「当社は、いかなる権利も放棄していない。今後も法的措置により権利侵害行為と戦っていく」と話しています。

My   translation  

It was understood that regarding a Chinese picture making company in China last year released a movie of  the "Ultraman" had invaded a copyright, so far the Enya Production in Japan had initiated an appeal in a courthouse in Shanghai.

In Kuangtung-province’s Guangzhou which was at the southern part of China last year a company produced and released a movie of  the “Ultraman" in China, and the film last year was shown for about 1 month in the whole China from October.

Towards this company, so far the Japanese Enya Production asked directly for a stop in the showing as the movie was produced without approval; in addition in September last year Enya initiated an appeal in a courthouse in Shanghai because an invasion of a copyright had been caused by the advertising campaign.

But as the Chinese company forced its way to show the movie, for the Enya side, on top of temporarily withdrawing the appeal made so far that aimed at limiting the advertising activities, it made an appeal on invasion of a copyright including showing a movie last month. That appeal was admitted this month.

Concerning Ultraman's movie, from this month the Chinese company wrote in Way Baud, the China edition of Twitter to say that  Enya side merely took up the retracted suit, and that "the rights of our company are unwavering was recognized", and repeatedly asserting the justifications on the right of the company.

Enya production responded to a coverage by the NHK and said that “We have not given up any right. Also, from now on I'll fight against the infringement of rights by legal action."

  I am interested to know the outcome of this legal battle on copyright in China.

The highest bid in history at about 300 million yen: a camera made in Germany nearly 100 years ago

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

史上最高 3億円余で落札 100年近く前のドイツ製カメラ

3月12日 15時13分

ドイツの老舗カメラメーカー「ライカ」が１００年近く前に製造した試作品のカメラがオーストリアで競売にかけられ、カメラとしては史上最高額となる３億円余りで落札されました。

落札されたのは「ライカ」が９５年前の１９２３年に製造したもので、１０日、オーストリアのウィーンで競売にかけられました。

競売は４０万ユーロ、日本円でおよそ５０００万円からスタートし、最終的にアジアの収集家によって２４０万ユーロ、日本円でおよそ３億１５００万円で落札されました。

このカメラは「ライカ」がカメラの量販を始める２年前に試作品として製造した２５台のうちの１台で、当時の状態のまま保存されているのは世界に３台しか残っていないということです。

カメラのこれまでの最高落札額は２０１２年に落札された同じメーカーのもので、２１６万ユーロ、日本円でおよそ２億８０００万円の値がついていました。

My translation

A sample camera produced nearly 100 years ago by a German long-established company - the camera manufacturer "Leica"  was auctioned off in Austria by a bid of about 300 million yen which became the highest ever bidding for a camera.

 The bidding was for a "Leica" produced 95 years ago in 1923, being auctioned off in Vienna of Austria on the 10^th.

The auction was started at 400,000 euros that was approximately equal to 50 million yen in Japanese currency; finally it was successfully bidden by an Asian collector at 2,400,000 euros or approximately 315 million yen in Japanese currency.

This camera was 1 of the 25 produced as a sample two years before "Leica" began to sell this camera in bulk; and it was said that in the world only three were left in a condition as they were in those days.

Regarding camera bidding, the highest bid so far was for the one made by the same manufacturer that was auctioned in 2012 at a price of  2,160,000 euros, approximately equal to 280 million yen in Japanese currency.

    It is surprising to know that the price of one antique camera can fetch such a high price.

To produce liquid milk in the country: a plan on sanitary standard was being compiled

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

液体ミルク 国内で製造を 衛生基準案まとまる

3月13日 8時18分

粉ミルクのようにお湯に溶かす手間がかからない赤ちゃん用の液体ミルクについて厚生労働省は国内での製造や販売を促すため、初めての衛生基準の案をまとめました。これを受けて国内の乳業メーカー各社は商品化に向けた研究開発を本格化させる方針です。

厚生労働省は赤ちゃん用の液体ミルクについて国内での製造や販売を促していこうと、初めてメーカー向けの衛生基準の案をまとめ、１２日、専門家会議で示しました。厚生労働省は早ければことし夏ごろに省令を改正する見通しで、これを受けて国内の乳業メーカー各社では液体ミルクの商品化に向けた研究開発を本格化する方針です。

しかし、液体ミルクは、粉ミルクと比べて時間の経過とともに栄養成分が失われやすいため、商品化に向けては長期保存をできるようにする技術開発が課題となります。また、製造方法も粉ミルクとは異なるため、新たな生産ラインも必要で、その分、価格が高くなることも見込まれ、いかにコストダウンするかも課題となります。

こうしたことからメーカー最大手の「明治」では、実際の商品化までには数年はかかると見込んでいます。

「明治」の栄養営業本部、大野竜之介グループ長は、「社会環境の変化により、液体ミルクのニーズは感じている。法整備に合わせて、商品化を前向きに検討していきたい」と話しています。

My translation

Regarding the sales of liquid milk for babies that did not take the time and effort to dissolve in hot water like powdered milk, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare suggested its production in the country and for the first time a plan on sanitation guidelines was complied. Individual domestic dairy business manufacturing company had received a copy and their policy to carry out research and development to commercialize it was in full swing.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in suggesting the production and sales of liquid milk for babies in the country for the first time compiled a plan of sanitation guidelines for manufacturers and it was shown in an ad hoc meeting on the 12th. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had estimated that at the earliest by around the summer of this year, the ministerial ordinance would be revised. When this was accepted, for each domestic dairy business manufacturing company, the policy on research and development for the commercialization of liquid milk would formally get into full swing.

But because compared with powdered milk, a nutrient composition in liquid milk tend to be lost easier as time passed, the technical development to make sure that it could be stored for long periods of time would be a problem for commercialization. A new product line would also be necessary because liquid milk production technique would be different from powdered milk. That being the case, it was expected that they would become expensive and how to cut cost would be a problem.

"Meiji" as the largest manufacturing company expected that it would take several years to actually commercialize such a thing.

Ryunosuke Ono the group chief of the Nutritional Sales Department of "Meiji" said that "due to changes in social environment the needs for liquid milk are felt. I would like to consider pushing forward commercialization according to the development of legislations."

   It seems that there are lots of hurdles to overcome before liquid milk could be ready for the market.

The retirement term of the President of China was abolished; even with a wave of critical comments they were deleted one after another

Recently the NHK New On-line reported the following:

中国 国家主席の任期撤廃 批判の投稿殺到も次々に削除

3月11日 18時41分

中国で開かれている全人代＝全国人民代表大会で、国家主席の任期の撤廃が盛り込まれた憲法の改正案が採択されると、中国版ツイッターのウェイボーには批判的な投稿が殺到しましたが、当局によって次々と削除されています。

このうち、中国共産党系の新聞「中国青年報」が投稿した憲法の改正案が採択されたことを伝える号外記事のコメント欄には、「恥知らずだ」とか「国家は滅亡する」といった投稿のほか、検閲を免れるため、中国語の「帝国」と同じ読み方の別の漢字を使った投稿も見られました。

中には「やっと意見を述べられる場所を見つけた」とか、「ここは、まだコメントできる？」など当局による厳しい検閲の中、大勢の人がインターネット上で批判的な意見を書き込める場所を探している様子がうかがえます。

しかし、これらのコメントは投稿されて数分後には削除されたり閲覧禁止になったりしていて、当局が任期撤廃に批判的な意見が広がることに神経をとがらせているものとみられます。

My translation

When a proposed constitution amendment which incorporated the abolition of the state chief’s retirement term was adopted by National People's Congress = the whole country standing committee of people's congress  held in China, critical messages in Way Baud, the China version of Twitter rushed in, but they were deleted by the authority one after another.

Among these, in "Chinese Youth Report” a newspapers related to the Communist Party of China, its extra edition conveyed the proposed amendment of constitution, and in its comments column there were  readers contribution saying that  "there is no shame", "the state is finished". Also to avoid censorship, contribution using a different kanji with the same way to mean the word "empire" in Chinese was also seen.

Also, on the Internet there were comments "finally a place where you can express your opinion was found", "still a comment can be made?" etc., it could be seen that amidst severe censorship by the authority, many people were searching for a place where they could write a critical opinion.

But these comments were allowed and eliminated several minutes later and you could not read them anymore. It was thought that the nerve of the authority had been put on edge because of the wide spread opinion that was critical of the abolition of the retirement term.

    I think the wide spread critical comments are understandable.

Until the day the temporary housing vanished Kizuna newspaper would tie to victims of the accident: Ishinomaki of Miyagi

Recently the Mainichi News On-line reported the following

仮設住宅消える日まで　きずな新聞、被災者に寄り添う　宮城・石巻

毎日新聞2018年3月5日　東京朝刊

　東日本大震災の被災者に向けた宮城県石巻市の「石巻復興きずな新聞」は一度は終刊しながら復活した無料情報紙だ。編集長の岩元暁子さん（３５）は資金難から震災５年を区切りに発行をやめたが、以前に読者の「おっちゃん」から言われた「仮設に残る俺たちを見捨てるんか」という言葉がよぎった。「被災者にとって５年はなんの節目でもない」。最後の１人が仮設を出るまで続けると決め、被災者に寄り添う。

　情報紙は毎月１０日発行。Ａ４判４ページで、市内の仮設住宅約１０００戸と市街地の災害公営住宅（復興住宅）の住民に計約６０００部配布する。１月発行の１面トップは「どんと祭裸参り参加記」。無病息災を祈り、さらし姿で町を歩く裸参りに記者が挑戦した体験記だ。「石巻でも裸参りをやっているんだ」「今月も待っていたよ」。喜びの声が届く。

　横浜に住んでいた岩元さんは震災後すぐにボランティアとして石巻に入り、避難所などで活動、２０１２年から東京のボランティア団体が発行を始めた「仮設きずな新聞」の編集長に就任。しかし、時がたつにつれ助成金も人材も減った。

　１６年３月で終刊を決断したが、以前に休刊した際に言われた「見捨てる」の言葉の裏にある救いの手が減っていく心細さを、岩元さん自身も理解できた。

　メンバーたちも「『ありがとう』の言葉がやりがいになる」と続行を望んだ。読者アンケートでは８割以上が「続けてほしい」と回答。１４年に結婚し別居が続いた東京の夫も編集作業を手伝うと背中を押してくれた。

　ボランティア団体を退職後、資金集めに奔走した。クラウドファンディングで全国に協力を仰ぎ１６年４月、同市に「石巻復興きずな新聞舎」を設立。６月に創刊にこぎつけた。現在は２人の職員と約３０人のボランティアと活動する。岩元さんは「泣いてばかりいた人も元気を取り戻していく。そんな日々に寄り添えた時が一番うれしい」とほほ笑んだ。【森口沙織】

My   translation

The "Ishinomaki Reconstuction Kizuna Newspaper" of Ishinomaki-shi in Miyagi was a free information paper that aimed at victims of the Eastern Japan great earthquake accident, it re-appeared after ceasing publication for some time. Akiko Iwamoto, the chief editor (35) stopped publishing it after five year due to financial difficulties, marking the 5^th year of the earthquake disaster. A former reader known as "The Uncle" passed along the words saying that “are you leaving me behind who is living in the temporary structure” “for victims of the accident there was not even one milestone in five years". Now the paper had decided to continue until the last person moved out from the temporary structure, aiming at staying close to victims of the accident.

The information paper was issued on the 10^th of each month. With 4 pages of A4 size, a total of about 6000 copies were distributed to people in the accident temporary public housing that had about 1000 residents, and also to those in the disaster municipal housing (reconstruction housing) in urban areas. At the top page of the January issue was "A participation account of the nude parade in the Daito Festival ". It was an experience which was challenging to the reporter:  wishes for good health and no disaster; and walking the town in nude form. "Nude parade will be also take place at Ishinomaki," “Also waiting for this month". The voice of joy had arrived.

Mr. Iwamoto who lived in Yokohama came to Ishinomaki jumped into action among shelters etc. as a volunteer immediately after the earthquake disaster. Taking up the post of chief editor of the "Temporary Kizuna Newspaper", a volunteer group in Tokyo, he began to publish issues from 2012. But as time passed, grants and human resources decreased.

A cessation of publication was decided in March, 2016. But when the publication was suspended, it called back of the word “abandon",  which one could understand the loneliness inside: the helping hand was fading. The same was also felt by Mr. Iwamoto.

Members too also felt the words  " ‘Thank you very much’ it will be worth doing" , and wished for a continuation. By a reader questionnaire, more than 80 percent answered "want" it to be continued.  A husband in Tokyo who married in 2014 and living apart would help with editing work to give backing.

After the retreating of the volunteer group, fund raising was busy. By a crowd funding the whole country was looked to for cooperation and the "Ishinomaki Reconstruction Kizuna Newspaper House" was established in the said city in April 2016. The first issue was published in June. At present it was operating with 2 staff and about 30 volunteers. Mr. Iwamoto with a smile said "The people who kept crying are back to vigor. It is most pleasing when I got close to such days.”

    It is nice to know that this local newspaper has returned through the kind efforts of the volunteers.

"No need for a register" a show to introduce the modern technology of a store

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

 “レジ不要”店舗の最新技術などを紹介する展示会

3月6日 17時12分

人手不足に悩む小売りの業界を支援するため、レジのいらない店をつくる最新の技術などを紹介する展示会が開かれ、さまざまな企業が近未来の買い物のしかたを提案しています。

６日から東京都内で始まった展示会には、およそ２１０社が出展しています。

「ＮＥＣ」が展示したのは、レジのいらない店を実現する技術で、顔認証の機能がある店内のカメラが、客がどの商品を手に取ったかを認識し店を出る時にそのまま支払いの決済ができます。財布やスマートフォンを持たなくても、買い物できるのが特徴です。

「沖電気工業」の技術は、店内のカメラで客の人数のほか、それぞれの性別、年齢を分析し、ＡＩ＝人工知能がレジの混み具合を予測するシステムです。ＡＩが「３０分後にレジが混雑しそう」と予測すれば、店ではそれにあわせて稼働させるレジの数を増やし、客の待ち時間を減らせるということです。

「富士通」の技術は、客がどの商品をどれくらいの時間、見ているかをカメラで捉え、商品への関心をＡＩが分析します。関心を持った客に、店員が適切なタイミングで声をかけて商品の説明ができるということです。

富士通研究所の開発担当、上村拓也さんは「快適な接客につながり、人手不足に悩む店側の負担も減らせる。客がまた来店したくなる店づくりが実現できる」と話していました。

展示会は、東京ビッグサイトで今月９日まで開かれています。

My translation

 To support of the retail industry that was troubled with labor shortage, an exhibition was held to introduce the latest technology to make a store that needed no register, and various enterprises had proposed the near-future way of the shopping.

Approximately 210 companies were participating at the exhibition which was started in Tokyo-to from the 6th.

What "NEC" exhibited was a technology that could made real a store without the need for a register.  A camera in the store that functioned as facial authentication could recognize a visitor who took goods in his hand and went out of the store, payment could be settled just as that. The special feature was that you could shop even if you did not have a purse and smart phone.

About the technology of "Oki Electric Industry", it used a camera in the store to analyze the gender and age of each individual in addition to the number of visitors. The system used the AI= artificial intelligence to predict the crowded condition of the register. When AI predicted that "the register would be crowded 30 minutes later", then it would accordingly increase the number of cashiers to operate, and it was said that they could reduce the waiting time of customers.

The technology of "Fujitsu" used a camera to catch what goods and for how long a customer was looking at, and then the AI analyzed his interest in the goods. A shop assistant would speak to this interested customer at an appropriate timing to say that he could explain the goods.

Mr. Takuya Uemura the development in-charge of Fujitsu research center said that “while linked to comfortable customer service, the burden on the store side over labor shortage can also be reduced. To make a store that visitors feel like coming again can be achieved."

The exhibition was held at Tokyo Big Sighton until the 9th this month.

     I think the new technology could help improve the shopping experience of customers.

Mr. Seiji Ozawa was hospitalized: will concentrate on treatment for 1 month, this month's performance was replaced

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

小澤征爾さん入院 １か月治療に専念 今月の公演は降板

3月8日 16時58分

世界的な指揮者の小澤征爾さんが、心臓の弁がうまく機能しない「大動脈弁狭さく症」と診断されて入院しました。退院までおよそ１か月かかる見込みで、今月予定されている公演の指揮を降板して、治療に専念するということです。

事務所によりますと、小澤征爾さん（８２）は先月２７日に体調不良を訴えて病院で検査を受け、その後、心臓の弁がうまく機能せず、血液を全身に送り出す部位が狭くなっている「大動脈弁狭さく症」と診断されました。

検査と同時に入院し、精密検査をしたうえで治療に専念し、退院までおよそ１か月かかる見込みだということです。

小澤さんは今月、京都と名古屋、東京で開かれる「小澤征爾音楽塾オペラ・プロジェクト」で４回、指揮をするほか、子ども向けの公演で話をすることになっていましたが、すべて降板し、指揮は代役が立てられることになりました。

小澤さんは「本当に申し訳ない気持ちでいっぱいです。楽しみにしてくれていたお客様に、心から深くおわび申し上げます。私自身も、とても残念な気持ちでおりますが、また皆様の前で指揮をするためにも、今は治療に専念し、体力の回復に励みたいと思っております」とコメントしています。

My translation

Mr. Seiji Ozawa the international conductor was hospitalized, his heart valve did not function well and was diagnosed as having “Aortic valve stenosis ". It was said that it was possible to take approximately 1 month before being discharged,  his conducting  scheduled for this month was replaced in order to concentrate on treatment.

According to his office, Mr. Seiji Ozawa (82) complained about poor physical condition on the 27th and had received a check in a hospital last month, after that he was diagnosed as suffering from “aorta valve stricture"  :  his heart valve did not function well and the part which pumped blood to the whole body had become smaller.

While hospitalized, examination was done at the same time. In order to receive treatment after careful examination, it was said that there was the possibility of taking approximately 1 month before being discharged from the hospital.

Mr. Ozawa was scheduled to hold the “Ozawa Seiji Music School Opera Project” in Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo this month. On top of conducting  for 4 time, he was  supposed to talk in lectures for children, but all these were replaced and his conducting role had a substitute.

Mr. Ozawa commented that “I am really full of sorrow feelings. I deeply and sincerely apologize to the customer who was looking forward to the performance. For myself I feel very regrettable, in order to be able conduct in front of everybody, I would like to concentrate on treatment to encourage the recovery of my physical strength."

    Mr. Ozawa is an internationally famous music conductor. I wish him a quick recovery from the ailment.

Children with thyroid cancer due to the nuclear accident:10 percent or 8 people had cancer recurrence and operations performed

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

原発事故 甲状腺がんの子ども 約1割の8人再発し再手術

3月1日 4時18分

東京電力福島第一原発の事故のあと甲状腺がんと診断された子どもの支援を行っている民間の基金が、子どもたちの手術後の経過を調べたところ、およそ１割に当たる８人ががんを再発して再手術を受けていたことがわかりました。

民間の基金、「３・１１甲状腺がん子ども基金」は、原発事故後に甲状腺がんやがんの疑いと診断された２５歳以下の子どもたちに１人当たり１０万円の療養費の支援を行っていて、１月末までに１１４人に支給しています。

このうち事故当時福島県内に住んでいた８４人について基金が術後の状況を調べたところ９．５％に当たる８人ががんを再発して甲状腺を摘出するなどの再手術を受けていたことがわかりました。

８人は、事故当時６歳から１５歳で最初に手術を受けた時期から最も早い人で１年後にがんを再発していたということです。

福島県が行っている甲状腺検査では、これまでにがんやがんの疑いと診断された人は１９４人に上り、再発するケースが出ていることはわかっています。

しかし県の検討委員会でも詳しいデータは明らかになっておらず、基金では国や県はがんの再発のケースを詳しく検証してほしいと話しています。

基金は、事故から７年を前に３日医師による無料の電話相談を行う予定で、電話番号は、０１２０－９６６－５４４です。

My translation

A private fund which provided support in monitoring the children who were diagnosed to have thyroid cancer after the accident in Tokyo Electric Power Daiichi Fukushima nuclear power plant examined the progress of children who had received surgery, it was found out that  8 people or approximately 10 percent had cancer recurrence and received operation again.

The "3. 11 Thyroid Cancer Children Fund" was supporting  medical expenses of 100,000 yen to each child under the age of 25 who had been diagnosed to be likely to suffer from thyroid cancer or some other cancer after the nuclear accident; it provided  private fund to 114 people up to the end of January.

Related to this Fund, 84 people who were living in Fukushima-ken during the accident were monitored after the operations, among them 8 people or 9.5%  were found to have received operations to remove the thyroid etc. due to the recurrence of the thyroid cancer.

It was said that these eight people who had received operations were aged from 6 to 15 during the accident, the earliest person to have cancer recurrence was one year after the operation.

Through a thyroid check done in Fukushima-ken, the people diagnosed as to have suspected cancer or confirmed cancer so far reached 194 people, and the cases on recurrence were noted.

But even in the exploratory committee of the prefecture detailed data were not made clear. It was said that the Fund wanted to inspect cases of cancer recurrence in the country and the prefecture.

As it was reaching 7 years after the incident, the Fund was planning to do a free telephone consultation by doctors for 3 days, and the telephone number was 0120-966-544.

     I hope the cancer victims would be carefully looked after.