Toyota supplies HV technology to China - First gives it to Guangzhou Automobile

 Recently Nihon Keizai Shimbun Electronic Edition reported the following:

トヨタ、中国にHV技術供給　まず広州汽車に

【イブニングスクープ】

自動車・機械 中国・台湾

2020/10/15 18:00日本経済新聞　電子版

トヨタ自動車はハイブリッド車（HV）の基幹システムを中国自動車大手の広州汽車集団に供給する。海外企業へのHV技術の外販は初めて。中国では2021年からHVを省エネ車として優遇する。日本勢は部品企業も含めてHVに強い。ガソリンエンジンの使用も認める中国の環境車政策をビジネスに生かす動きが広がってきた。

トヨタ、デンソー、アイシン精機が共同出資する電動車向け駆動装置の開発販売会社、ブルーイーネクサス（愛知県安城市）が広州汽車へのHVシステム供給で合意した。中国民営自動車大手の浙江吉利控股集団傘下の吉利汽車への販売でも大筋合意したようだ。

広州汽車に供給するシステムは発電用と走行用のモーターを2つ搭載した駆動装置で「プリウス」などに使われるトヨタ独自のシステム。モーター1つのものと比べて、より省エネ効率が高い。今後5年で10万～20万台分の規模を供給し、さらなる外販拡大を目指す。

トヨタのHVシステムはこれまでマツダやSUBARUなど国内勢に供給してきた。中国勢への供給が明らかになるのは今回が初めて。中国は21年からHVなどを「低燃費車」と位置づけて優遇する方針を打ちだしている。電気自動車（EV）の扱いが少なくても、HVの生産割合が多ければ同国の排出規制をクリアできるため、ガソリン車を多く扱う現地メーカーがHV対応を急いでいるもようだ。

19年春からは中国で関連技術の特許を無償開放しているものの、実際の開発や量産は難しく、システムそのものへの需要が高まっている。

トヨタの19年の中国販売は過去最高の162万台だったが、シェアは約6%にとどまる。20年に同国市場でEVを投入したが、販売実績は1～8月で2000台弱にとどまる。これまでHVは現地合弁から中国市場に供給してきたが、資本関係のない現地大手にシステム供給することで、HV機運を高めたい考えだ。

中国規制に対応し、日産自動車もHVを強化する。21年に中国に独自のHV技術「eパワー」の搭載車を初めて投入する。現地で売れ筋の主力セダン「シルフィ」など、搭載車種を今後3年で5～6車種まで増やす計画だ。

英調査会社のLMCオートモーティブによれば世界の新車市場におけるHVの割合は20年の7%から30年には26%に拡大する見通し。欧州などではメーカーの二酸化炭素（CO2）の平均排出量を引き下げる「CAFE規制」が導入され、対応策としても需要の拡大が見込まれている。

もっとも足元ではEVシフトが進む。欧州では英国が35年、フランスが40年までにガソリン車の販売を禁止する方針。米カリフォルニア州も35年までに販売されるすべての新車を排ガスを出さない「ゼロエミッション車」にする制度の導入をこのほど知事が打ち出した。同車種の割合は30年に16%の見込みだがさらに増える可能性がある。

長期的な視点ではEVや燃料電池車（FCV）など排ガスゼロ車への本格的な移行は避けて通れない。HVで時間を稼ぎつつ、いかにEVなどを収益源に育てるかが、自動車メーカーの競争力を左右する。

Translation

Toyota Motor would supply the core system of hybrid vehicles (HV) to Guangzhou Automobile Group, a major Chinese automobile company. This iwa the first time that HV technology had been sold to overseas companies. In China, HVs could be given preferential treatment as energy-saving vehicles from 2021. Japanese companies were strong in HVs, including car component companies. There was a growing movement in business to utilize China's environmental vehicle policy which allowed the use of gasoline engines.

Blue E-Nexus (Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture), a company for the development and sales of electric vehicles and jointly funded by Toyota, Denso and Aisin Seiki, had agreed to supply HV systems to Guangzhou Automobile. It seemed that they had generally agreed to sell to Geely Automobile, which was under the umbrella of Geely Holding Group and was a major Chinese private automobile company.

The system supplied to Guangzhou Automobile was a driving device equipped with two motors for power generation and running, and it was Toyota's original system used in "Prius" and so on. The energy saving efficiency was higher than one motor. Over the next five years, it would supply 100,000 to 200,000 units and aim to further expand external sales.

Toyota's HV system so far had been supplied to domestic companies such as Mazda and Subraru. This was the first time that its supply to the Chinese had been revealed. Since 2009. China had announced a policy of giving preferential treatment to HVs and other vehicles as "fuel-efficient vehicles." Even if the number of electric vehicles (EVs) handled was small, if the production ratio of HVs was high, it could get through the country's emission regulations. so, it seemed that local manufacturers that were dealing with the many gasoline vehicles were rushing to support HVs.

Although patents for related technologies had been released free of charge in China since the spring of 2019, actual development and mass production were difficult and demands for the system itself were increasing.

Toyota's sales in China in 2019 reached a record high of 1.62 million units and its share was only about 6%. EVs were launched in the country's market in 2020, but sales had been less than 2000 units from January to August. Until now, HVs was supplied to the Chinese market through a local joint venture, but the company hoped to increase HV momentum by supplying the system to major local companies with no capital relationship.

In response to Chinese regulations Nissan would also strengthen its HV. In 2021, it might launch in China the first vehicle equipped with its own HV technology "e-power". The company planned to increase the number of vehicle model equipped with it to five to six models in the next three years, such as the locally-selling mainstay sedan "Sylphy,".

According to LMC Automotive, a British research firm, the proportion of HVs in the global new car market was expected to increase from 7% in 2020 to 26% in 2030. In Europe and elsewhere, "CAFE regulations" was introduced to reduce the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of manufacturers, and HV demand was expected to grow as a responding measure.

However, the EV footing shifting was in progress at the moment. In Europe, the UK planned to ban the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 and France by 2040. The governor of California in the USA had recently announced the introduction of a system to make all new cars sold by 2035 into "zero-emission vehicles" that would not emit exhaust gas. The ratio of this type of model was expected to be 16% in 2030, but it could increase further.

From a long-term perspective, a full-scale shift to zero-emission vehicles such as EVs and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) would be inevitable. While buying time with HVs, how to nurture EVs as a source of revenue would influence the competitiveness of automobile manufactures.

              So, Toyota Motor is adjusting its automobile production strategy on how to develop HVs as a source of revenue at the moment. This strategy would influence its competitiveness in automobile production in future when the demand for EV become the main stage to compete for market shares.

Apple announces "iPhone 12" : for the first time 5G compatible, from $ 699 and up

Recently Nihon Keizai Shimbun Electronic Edition reported the following:

Appleが「iPhone12」発表　初の5G対応、699ドルから

2020/10/14 3:46 (2020/10/14 5:43更新)

【シリコンバレー=白石武志】米アップルは13日、高速通信規格「5G」に初めて対応したスマートフォン「iPhone」の新機種を発表した。画面サイズや背面カメラの台数が異なる4機種を用意し、10月下旬以降、世界各地で発売する。価格は最も低価格な機種が699ドル（約7万3千円）からとなる。

5Gは通信速度が速いほか、通信の遅れが生じにくい特徴がある。ティム・クック最高経営責任者（CEO）はオンラインの発表会で「iPhoneの新時代が始まる」と強調。5Gによってゲームや医療、ビジネスなどの分野で新たなスマホの使い方を創出していく考えを示した。

4機種のうち、主力モデルとなる「iPhone12」は画面サイズが6.1型で、背面に2台のカメラを搭載した。本体のデザインを見直すことで、現行の「11」シリーズと同じ画面サイズを維持しながら小型・軽量化した。価格は799ドルからで、日本での販売価格は8万5800円からになる。

基本性能が同じで画面が5.4型の「12 mini」も用意する。価格は699ドルから（日本では7万4800円から）。

背面に3台のカメラを備え、写真や動画の撮影機能を高めた「Pro」シリーズは2機種を用意した。価格は6.1型の「12 Pro」が999ドルから（同10万6800円から）。歴代iPhoneで最大となる6.7型の「12 Pro Max」は1099ドルから（同11万7800円から）となる。

Proシリーズにはレーザー光によって数メートル先の物体の形状などを検出し、カメラのピント合わせなどを補助する「ライダー」と呼ぶセンサーも搭載した。

発売日は機種によって異なり、画面が6.1型の「12」と「12 Pro」は10月16日に予約を始め、10月23日に発売する。画面が5.4型の「12 mini」と6.7型の「12 Pro Max」の予約開始日は11月6日、発売日は11月13日とした。

アップルは新型iPhoneの5G対応のために、米国や日本などで100以上の携帯電話会社と連携することなどを明らかにした。日本ではNTTドコモやKDDI、ソフトバンクと連携するという。携帯電話会社を通じたiPhone12の販売価格については、各社が発表する見通しだ。

Translation

[Silicon Valley = Takeshi Shiraishi] On the 13th, Apple announced a new model of the smartphone "iPhone" that was the first to support the high-speed communication standard "5G". Four models with different screen sizes and number of rear cameras could be available, and would be released worldwide from the end of October. The lowest priced model started at $ 699 (about 73,000 yen).

In addition to high communication speed, 5G was characterized by having little delay in signal communication. "A new era of iPhone is about to begin," said Tim Cook, CEO, at an online launch. He expressed his intention to create new ways to use 5G in smartphones in fields such as games, medical care, and business.

Of the four models, the main model "iPhone 12" had a screen size of 6.1 [inches]; it was equipped with two cameras on the back. Through reconsidering the design of its main body, it had been made smaller and lighter while maintaining the same screen size of the current "11" series. Prices started at $ 799 and in Japan started at JPY 85,800.

The 5.4 model, the "12 mini" that had the same basic performance was also available. Prices started at $ 699 (from JPY 74,800 in Japan).

Two models of the "Pro" series, which were equipped with three cameras on the back and had enhanced photo and video shooting functions, were also available. For the 6.1 model "12 Pro", prices started at $ 999 (starting at 106,800 yen). The 6.7 model "12 Pro Max," which was the largest iPhone in history, started at $ 1099 (started at 117,800 yen).

The Pro series could detect the shape of an object several meters away with laser light and were equipped with sensors called "rider" that assisted in camera focusing.

The release date varies depending on the model, the 6.1 model’s "12" and "12 Pro" would start receiving reservations on October 16th and would be released on October 23rd. The reservation starting dates for the 5.4 model’s "12 mini" and the 6.7 model the "12 Pro Max" would be November 6, and the release date would be November 13.

Apple had announced that it would work with more than 100 mobile phone companies in the United States and Japan to support 5G on the new iPhone. In Japan, it would work with NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and Softbank. Through mobile phone company, individual companies were expected to announce their selling price of iPhone 12.

              So, iPhone 12, designed for using the 5G network, will hit the market soon.

Malaysia - 6 Chinese fishing boats detained for invasion of territory

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

マレーシア、中国漁船６隻を拘束　領海侵犯で

2020.10.13 Tue posted at 10:56 JST

香港（ＣＮＮ） マレーシアの海事当局は１３日までに、領海を航行中の中国漁船６隻を停止させ、中国国籍の６０人を拘束したことを明らかにした。中国は複数の国が領有権を争う現在の南シナ海で、存在感を高めている。

拘束が行われたのは１０日。現場はシンガポールとの国境に位置する南部ジョホール州の東の沖合だった。漁船は中国北部の秦皇島市で登録されており、西アフリカのモーリタニアに向かう途中だったという。

マレーシアでは、２０１６年から１９年にかけて中国の沿岸警備隊や海軍の船舶による領海侵犯が８９件報告されている。資源が豊富で主要な貿易ルートともなっている南シナ海をめぐっては、中国政府がほとんどの範囲で領有権を主張しており、米国との間で緊張が高まり続けている。

漁船の船員らが拘束された当時、中国の王毅外相は、４日間の日程で東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）に加盟するカンボジア、マレーシア、ラオス、タイ、シンガポールを歴訪中だった。米国政府からの圧力が増し、新型コロナウイルスの影響も継続する中、地域的な結びつきを強化する狙いがあったとみられる。

一方、東シナ海では、日本が領有権を主張する尖閣諸島（中国名・釣魚島）周辺に中国の公船２隻が相次いで侵入した。海上保安庁が１２日に明らかにした。

海保によると、中国船は１１日から侵入しており、航行する日本漁船に接近を試みて同海域から退去させようとするなどしていた。中国側は現場海域を自国の領海と認識している。

日本政府はこうした尖閣諸島周辺への侵入について、中国側に抗議を行っている。海保は今回が過去２２日で１８回目の侵入だったとしている。

Translation

 Hong Kong (CNN) Malaysian maritime officials announced on the 13th that they had stopped six Chinese fishing vessels sailing in their territorial waters and detained 60 Chinese nationals. China was increasing its presence in these days in the South China Sea where multiple countries were vying for sovereignty.

The detention was done on the 10th. The site was off the east coast of southern Johor, on the border with Singapore. The fishing boats were registered in Qinhuangdao of northern China, and was on their way to Mauritania in West Africa.

In Malaysia, 89 cases of territorial invasion by Chinese Coast Guard and Navy vessels were reported from 2016 to 2019.  Regarding the South China Sea, it was resource-rich and was also a major trade route; the Chinese government was claiming the sovereignty of most of this region and tensions with the United States continued to rise.

When the sailors of the fishing boat were detained, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in a four-day schedule of visiting Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, and Singapore, which were members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As pressure from the US government increased and the effects of the new coronavirus continued, it seemed that his aim was to strengthen regional ties.

On the other hand, in the East China Sea, two Chinese public vessels one after another intruded into around the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name: Diaoyu Islands) which Japan had claimed sovereignty. The Japan Coast Guard revealed this on the 12th.

According to the Japan Coast Guard, Chinese vessels had invaded since the 11th, trying to approach the Japanese sailing fishing vessels but were evicted them from the area. The Chinese side perceived the sea area in the vicinity as its own territorial waters.

The Japanese government protested to the Chinese about such invasions around the Senkaku Islands. The Japan Coast Guard supposed that this was the 18th invasion in the past 22 days.

              So, the Chinese fishing boats are going around the world to search for possible fishery resources.

ANA recruits volunteer for retirement - wage cuts would reduce annual income by 30%

 Recently Nihon Keizai Shimbun electronic version reported the following:

ANA、希望退職を募集　賃金カットで年収3割減に

サービス・食品

2020/10/7 18:49 (2020/10/8 5:31更新) 日本経済新聞　電子版

全日本空輸（ANA）が退職金を割り増す新たな希望退職の実施を労働組合に提案したことが7日、分かった。新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大で経営状況が悪化するなか、コスト削減を急ぐ。2020年度の一般社員の冬季賞与もゼロにするほか月例賃金も減らす。年収は3割減る見通しだ。

希望退職の詳細は今後労組と交渉して決める。ANAは1992年から希望退職制度を設けている。人件費の圧縮へ、退職金を積み増して新たに募集する。

ANAは賞与を生活給の一部と位置づけ、冬季は例年月例賃金の2カ月分を支給してきた。この部分の支給をやめる。夏季賞与は1カ月分に半減させていた。一般社員に加え、非組合員の管理職も冬季賞与をゼロとするほか、役員報酬のカットも拡大する。

給与減額の対象になる従業員は約1万5千人。一般職まで含めて賃金を減額するのは20年ぶりだ。キャリアアップに向けた活動に使う無給の休業制度も最大2年設ける。春に実施した従業員の一時帰休は継続する。

持ち株会社のANAホールディングス（HD）の20年4～6月期決算は最終損益が1088億円の赤字だった。6月までに借り入れや融資枠の設定で約1兆円の手元資金を確保し当面の運転資金にはメドがついているものの、資金流出を抑えるために自助努力によるコスト削減が急務となっている。

Translation

It was revealed on the 7th that All Nippon Airways (ANA) had proposed to the labor union to implement a new voluntary retirement program that would increase the retirement allowance. As the business situation deteriorated due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, it would hurry to reduce costs. In addition to reducing winter bonuses to zero for the general employees in 2020, monthly wages would also be reduced. Annual income was expected to decrease by 30%.

Details of voluntary retirement would be decided through negotiations with the union in the future. ANA had established a voluntary retirement program since 1992. To reduce labor costs, it might increase retirement allowances to recruit new volunteers.

ANA had placed bonuses as part of the daily wages and had paid two months' worth of monthly wages in winter. Payment of this part was stop. Summer bonuses were to be halved for each month. In addition to general employees, non-union managers would also receive zero winter bonuses, and the cutting on the remuneration of the executive would be expanded.

Approximately 15,000 employees were subjected to the salary reduction. It was the first time in 20 years that wages was reduced, including for general employees. An unpaid leave system for career advancement activities would be set for up to two years. Employees' temporary leave enforced in the spring would be continued.

The holding company ANA Holdings (HD) reported a net loss of 108.8 billion yen in the April-June period of 2020. By June, it had secured about 1 trillion yen in cash on hand and by setting up credit lines; although working capital prospects for the immediate future were without problems, there was an urgent need to reduce costs through self-help efforts in order to curb the outflow of funds.

              So, globally all airline companies are having a hard time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

China’s international reputation plummeted; criticism focused on its measures against corona - US survey

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

中国への国際的評価が急落、政府のコロナ対策に批判集中　米調査

2020.10.07 Wed posted at 13:08 JST

 香港（ＣＮＮ） 過去数カ月間で、中国に対する国際的な評価が著しく低下していることが分かった。米世論調査機関のピュー・リサーチ・センターが６日、明らかにした。調査対象となった国々の大半は、中国政府による新型コロナウイルスのパンデミック（世界的な流行）への対応が不適切だったとの認識を示している。

中国の習近平（シーチンピン）国家主席に対する信頼感も過去１２カ月で激減。米国では回答者の７７％以上が習主席について、国際情勢で「正しいことを行う」とは思えないと述べた。

ピューは６月から８月にかけて１４カ国の成人１万４２７６人を対象に電話で調査を実施。これらの国々には米国、カナダ、フランス、ドイツ、オーストラリア、日本、英国などが含まれる。

ピューの上級研究員で今回の報告の作成にも携わったローラ・シルバー氏は「主な結果として、中国に対する否定的な見方が急激に高まっている。これは同国が新型コロナウイルスの感染に適切に対応しなかったという事実と結びついたものだ」と分析した。

新型コロナの最初の感染例は昨年末、中国の武漢で報告された。以後、同国は感染拡大初期の対応をめぐって批判を浴び続けている。西欧の政治家からは当初の感染拡大について、柔軟性を欠いた中国の政治体制に原因があるとする指摘が相次いだ。

ただ、それ以降中国は感染の封じ込めに成功しており、ここ数カ月は概ね通常の生活へと戻っている。

ピューが調査した１４カ国ではいずれも、中国に対する否定的な見方が大半を占めた。またフランス、日本、イタリアを除くすべての国々で、中国政府への評価は過去最低を記録した。

１４カ国全体では、６１％が中国政府のパンデミック対策を不適切だったと回答した。

一方で、中国に対する感情は昨年のパンデミック発生以前からすでに悪化傾向にあった。香港における民主化要求運動に対する弾圧や、イスラム教徒が多数派を形成する新疆ウイグル自治区での大規模な強制収容などが各国で報じられたことが背景にあるとみられる。

Translation

Hong Kong (CNN) Over the past few months, it had been found that China's international reputation had declined significantly. The Pew Research Center, a US polling agency, revealed this on the 6th. Most of the countries surveyed had indicated that the Chinese government's response to the new coronavirus pandemic was inadequate.

Confidence in Xi Jinping of China also plummeted in the past 12 months. In the United States, more than 77% of respondents said Xi did not seem to "do the right thing" in international affairs.

Pew conducted a telephone survey of 14,276 adults in 14 countries from June to August. These countries included the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Laura Silver, a senior researcher at Pew, who was also involved in the preparation of this report analyzed that "The main result is a sharp rise in negative views of China. This is linked to the fact that the country did not respond appropriately to the infection with the new coronavirus."

The first case of the new corona was reported in Wuhan, China late last year. Since then, the country had been criticized for its early response to the spread of the infection. Western politicians pointed out again and again that the initial spread of the infection was due to China's inflexible political system.

However, since then, China had succeeded in containing the infection and returned to a normal life in recent months.

All of the 14 countries surveyed by Pew had negative views on China in the majority. In all countries except France, Japan and Italy, the evaluation of the Chinese government was the lowest ever.

In all 14 countries, 61% said the Chinese government's measures in dealing with the pandemic were inadequate.

On the other hand, sentiments toward China had already been on the decline since before the outbreak of the pandemic last year. It seemed that the background was that the crackdown on the movements  to demand democratization in Hong Kong, and the large-scale detention in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region where Muslims form a majority, were being reported in various countries.

              So, the image of China has dropped due to the Corona pandemic. Western politicians have rightly pointed out that the initial spread of the infection was due to China's inflexible political system. Every governing system has it pros and cons. Inflexible political is one of the down sides of a totalitarian government.

(Note: The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan American think tank. It provides information on social issues, public opinion, and demographic. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis, and other empirical social science research. The Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts)

Mr. Biden - President Trump's new corona infection is "his own personal responsibility"

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

バイデン氏、トランプ大統領の新型コロナ感染は「本人の責任」

2020.10.06 Tue posted at 17:47 JST

 （ＣＮＮ） 米大統領選の野党・民主党候補、バイデン前副大統領は５日夜、遊説先の米フロリダ州で、トランプ米大統領が新型コロナウイルスに感染したのは本人の責任との見方を示した。

バイデン氏は同州マイアミでの市民集会で、「マスクや対人距離の確保は重要でないという主旨の発言をしながら感染する人は、自分自身に起きることに対して責任があるというのが私の考えだ」と述べた。

トランプ氏の感染が２日に判明してから、バイデン氏が同氏に向けて発した最も直接的な批判といえる。

バイデン氏は壇上でマスクを掲げ、「このマスクを着けることは私自身を守るというより、愛国心に基づく責任と考える」とも語った。

トランプ氏が退院の直前、ツイッターで「新型ウイルス感染症を恐れるな。生活を支配されるな」と呼び掛けたことについては、「新型ウイルスが問題ではないと解釈する人がいないことを願う」「これは深刻な問題だ。国際的なパンデミックだ」と強調した。

バイデン氏はここ３カ月間、週に３回は電話やオンライン会議で専門家の話を聴いてきたと話し、トランプ氏の行動からみて感染は「驚きではない」との認識を示した。

さらに、米国内ではこれまでに２１万人を超える死者が出ていると指摘。「このまま何も変わらなければ、年末までにさらに２０万人が亡くなる。そんなことになれば、第２次世界大戦で４年間に出た死者の数を１年で上回ることになる」と訴えた。

 Translation

(CNN) Former Vice President Joe Biden, a candidate for the Democratic Party of the United States, said on the night of the 5th in Florida, the destination of giving a speech that it was the US President Donald Trump’s own responsibility for being infected with in the new Coronavirus.

At a civic rally in Miami in Florida, Biden said, " It's my idea that people who get infected while saying that masks and interpersonal distance are not important are responsible for what happens to them. "

This was the most direct criticism that Biden had made against Trump since his infection was confirmed on the 2nd.

Biden displayed a mask on the stage and said, "I think wearing this mask is more of a patriotic responsibility than protecting myself."

Just before Mr. Trump was discharged from the hospital, he said on Twitter, "Don't be afraid of the new virus infection. Don't get your life controlled." And stressed that "I hope no one interprets the new virus as not a problem"; "This is a serious problem. It's an international pandemic. "

Biden said he had listened to experts on the phone and in online meetings three times a week for the past three months, perceiving that Trump’s infection was "not a surprise" given the latter’s actions.

Furthermore, he pointed out that more than 210,000 people had died in the United States so far. He said, "If nothing changes, another 200,000 people will die by the end of the year. If that happens, that would exceed the number of deaths in the four years of World War II in one year".

              I love and support the viewpoints expressed by Biden that “wearing a mask is more of a patriotic responsibility than protecting oneself”. And also, that “ the people who get infected while saying that masks and interpersonal distance are not important are responsible for what happens to them”.

Gender column deleted from the resume sample format

Recently NHK News on-line is reporting the following:

性別欄記載 履歴書様式例削除

10月02日　19時03分

 就職活動などで使う「履歴書」について、日本規格協会は、これまで、性別欄が記載されたものをＪＩＳ規格の様式例として提示してきましたが、心と体の性が一致しないトランスジェンダーの人たちの要望を受けて様式例自体を削除しました。

これによって、今後、性別欄のない履歴書を販売しようというメーカーも出てきています。

履歴書の様式は法律で定められてはいませんが、市販の履歴書の多くはＪＩＳ＝日本産業規格の様式例に基づいて作られています。

ＪＩＳ規格の開発などにあたる日本規格協会は、昭和３１年から、性別欄が記載された履歴書をＪＩＳ規格の様式例として示してきたということです。

しかし、トランスジェンダーの人たちが履歴書記載の性別と外見が異なることを理由に内定を取り消されたりするケースがあるとして、ことし、性別欄をなくすよう求める署名活動が行われました。

こうしたことなどを受けて日本規格協会はことし７月、ＪＩＳ規格の様式例自体を削除しました。

大手文房具メーカーのコクヨは、性別欄のある従来のものに加えて、今後、性別欄のない履歴書も販売するということです。

厚生労働省は、ＪＩＳ規格の様式例に基づいた履歴書を使うよう推奨していましたが、様式例がなくなったことで、求職者がどの履歴書を使えばよいか迷ったり、企業が履歴書やエントリーシートにどんな項目を記載すればよいか判断に支障を来したりするおそれもあるとして、履歴書の新たな様式例を国が作成するかどうかを含め、対応を検討しています。

Translation

Regarding "curriculum vitae " formats used in job hunting etc., the Japanese Standards Association (JIS) had so far presented the ones with gender columns as examples of JIS standards; but as transgender genders’ mind and body did not match, and at their requests, in the sample format, the gender column was deleted.

As a result, in future some manufacturers would try to sell curriculum vitae blank forms without the gender column.

 The format of resumes was not stipulated by law, but most of the resume blank sheets on the market were prepared using the JIS format as the sample.

The Japanese Standards Association, which developed the JIS standards, had been showing resumes sheets that had the gender columns as the samples of JIS standards since 1956.

However, there were cases where transgender people had their job offer cancelled because their appearance differed from the gender as stated in the resume they submitted when applying for jobs, and a signature campaign was carried out to ask for the deletion of the gender column.

In response to these factors, in July the Japanese Standards Association deleted the self status column from the JIS standard format sample.

KOKUYO, a major stationery maker, in addition to the conventional ones with a gender column, would sell resume sheets without a gender column in future.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had previously recommended that resumes based on JIS standard format samples be used, but due to the lack of another format example, job seekers might wonder which resume to use; and it might also hinder the decision of enterprises on what items should be included in the resumes and job application sheets. As such measures were being considered, including whether or not the government should create a new format example of the resume.

          In my mind Japan is a relatively conservation country. It seems that when coming to the reporting of one’s sexual status in job hunting applications, Japan is at the forefront among Asian countries in having an open mind.

"Senkaku" from the name Senkaku Islands is added to Okinawa Ishigaki - Will tension increase?

 Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

尖閣諸島 字名に「尖閣」加わる 沖縄 石垣 緊張が高まるか

2020年10月1日 0時58分

尖閣諸島の周辺海域で中国当局の船による活動が活発化するなか、沖縄県石垣市では1日から尖閣諸島の字名に「尖閣」が加わります。これについて尖閣諸島の領有権を主張する中国と台湾では反発の声が上がっていて、今後、緊張が高まることも懸念されます。

尖閣諸島を行政区域に持つ石垣市は、これまで尖閣諸島の字名を「石垣市登野城」としていました。

この字名について石垣市はことし6月「市内に同じ字名の地域があり事務的なミスを防ぐため」などとして「石垣市登野城尖閣」に変更する議案を市議会に提出し、賛成多数で可決されました。これを受けて1日から尖閣諸島の字名に「尖閣」が加わります。

尖閣諸島をめぐっては中国当局の船が周辺海域への領海侵入を繰り返しているほか、日本の漁船を追尾するなど活動を活発化させています。

今回の字名に「尖閣」が加わることについては、領有権を主張する中国と台湾で反発の声が上がっていて、今後、緊張が高まることも懸念されます。

Translation

While the activities of ships of the Chinese authorities become more active in the waters around the Senkaku Islands, "Senkaku" as a name from the Senkaku Islands would be added to the name of the Ishigaki City of Okinawa Prefecture on the first. China and Taiwan, which had claimed sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, voiced opposition to this, and there was concern that tensions could increase in the future.

Ishigaki City had the Senkaku Islands within its administrative area, and until now the name of the Senkaku Islands was "Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City."

Regarding this name, Ishigaki City submitted a bill to the city council in June to change it to "Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City Senkaku" so as " to prevent clerical mistakes as there is an area with the same name in the city ", and as it was approved in a majority, the bill was passed. In response to this, "Senkaku" from the name Senkaku Islands would be added starting from the 1st.

Regarding the Senkaku Islands, ships of Chinese authorities had repeatedly intruded into the surrounding waters, and activities such as tracking Japanese fishing boats had become active.

There were voices of opposition in China and Taiwan which had been claiming the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands. Regarding the adding of "Senkaku" to the name, and there was s concern that tensions could increase in the future.

              It is interesting to note that Japan is taking up the Senkaku Islands matter at this time. Probably Japan is thinking this is a good moment as China is busy in dealing with diplomatic pressures globally.

Interview with the developer of world's first approved “photoimmunotherapy", a new treatment for cancer

Recently NHK News On-line reported the following:

がん 新たな治療法の薬「光免疫療法」世界初承認で開発者会見

2020年9月29日 16時54分

光に反応する化学物質と組み合わせたがんの薬を、患者に投与したあと光を当ててがん細胞を攻撃するという新たな治療法の薬が、先週、世界で初めて承認されました。

この薬を開発した研究者が記者会見し「がん治療のもう1つの選択肢になってくれればよいと思う」と期待を示しました。

アメリカの国立衛生研究所に所属する小林久隆主任研究員は、がんを狙い撃ちにする抗体を使った薬に、光に反応する化学物質を組み合わせたがんの治療法を開発し、先週、世界で初めて他の治療が難しい頭けい部がんの治療薬として、日本国内で承認されました。

29日、小林主任研究員と薬を開発した製薬会社「楽天メディカル」の三木谷浩史会長らが、東京都内で記者会見しました。

薬は、患者に点滴で投与され、体の外から近赤外線のレーザー光を当てると活性化されてがん細胞が破壊される仕組みで「光免疫療法」と呼ばれています。

小林主任研究員は、この治療法を数十年研究してきたということで「患者の手に届かなければ意味がなく、日本で承認されたことはうれしいかぎりだ。がん治療のもう1つの選択肢になってくれればよいと思う」と述べました。

また三木谷会長は「他の化学療法との組み合わせも可能になると考えている。なるべく早く患者に届けたい」と期待を示しました。

この薬は今後、医療保険を適用する手続きが進められますが、早期に承認されたことから販売された後も安全性や有効性について検証が進められます。

Translation

Last week, the world's first approved new treatment that attacked cancer cells by shining light on a patient who was given a cancer drug that would combine with a chemical and reacted to light.

The researcher who developed this drug spoke at a press conference and showed expectations that "it will be another option to choose from for cancer treatment."

Hisataka Kobayashi, a senior researcher at the National Institutes of Health in the United States, developed a cancer treatment which would combine with a drug that used antibodies to target at cancer with a chemical that could react to light. For the first time last week, it was approved in Japan as a treatment for cervical cancer which was difficult to treat by other treatments.

On the 29th, Senior Researcher Kobayashi together with Hiroshi Mikitani the chairman of Rakuten Medical that was a pharmaceutical company that developed drugs, held a press conference in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

The drug would be given to the patient by intravenous drip and would be activated when a near-infrared laser beam was applied from outside the body so as to destroy the cancer cells, this process was called "photoimmunotherapy".

Kobayashi said that he had been studying this treatment for decades, saying, "It is meaningless if it is out of the reach of patients, and I am happy that it has been approved in Japan. I think it is nice to have another option in cancer treatment."

In addition, Chairman Mikitani showed his expectation that, "I think it will be possible to combine it with other chemotherapy. I want to deliver it to patients as soon as possible."

For this drug in future, procedure would be proceeded to make it coverable by medical insurance, but as it was just at an early stage with the approval, its safety and efficacy would continue be verified even after it had been marketed.

              It is nice to know that because of the appearance of this type of new drug, there will be one more option in cancer treatments.

To start dispatching dogs to sniff out corona infection - Helsinki Airport

 Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

コロナ感染かぎ分ける犬の出動開始、ヘルシンキ空港

2020.09.26 Sat posted at 15:40 JST

（ＣＮＮ） フィンランドの首都ヘルシンキの空港で新型コロナウイルスの感染者のにおいをかぎ付ける特別な訓練を受けたとする犬の出動がこのほど始まった。

ヘルシンキ空港の運営に当たる幹部は声明で、「我々が知る限り、新型コロナ予防策として犬の嗅覚を大がかりに利用する試みは世界の空港の中で初めて」と誇示。新型コロナを封じ込める新たな１歩になる可能性があるとも主張した。

犬は計１０匹で、フィンランドの新興企業「ワイズ・ノーズ」が訓練を施した。交代しながら任務に就く予定。

検査の仕組みは、対象者が布のようなもので皮膚を拭き取った後、カップに入れる。離れた場所に待機する犬と飼育担当者へこのカップが運ばれ、犬がかぎ分ける方式となっている。陽性反応が出た場合、該当者は空港内にある健康情報担当の窓口へ向かうよう指示される。

全ての検査は匿名で実施されるともした。

同空港の運営当局は、ヘルシンキ大学獣医学部の研究者による予備検査の結果に触れながら、これら犬たちは新型コロナウイルスをほぼ１００％の確率で探知出来ると主張。症状が出る数日前にもかぎ分けることが可能ともしている。

研究者たちを率いた同大学の講師は「我々は疾病のにおいをかぎ取る犬の訓練では確固とした経験を有している」とし、今回の犬たちについて「（新型コロナウイルスの）新たなにおいに素早く反応したのは素晴らしかった」と振り返った。

Translation

(CNN) Dogs allegedly specially trained to sort out the smell of people infected with the new coronavirus had just begun to be dispatched to a airport in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

A senior executive in charge of operating Helsinki Airport boasted that, "As far as we know, this is the first attempt at any airport in the world to make extensive use of the dog's sense of smell as a preventative measure against the new corona". He also suggested that it could be a new step in containing the new Corona.

There was a total of 10 dogs, trained by a Finnish start-up company Wise Nose. It was planned for them to take turns on duty.

The detecting mechanism was to wipe the skin of a subject with something like a cloth and then put it into a cup. This cup would be carried to a dog waiting at a remote location with its keeper, using a system for the dogs to sniff it. In the event of tested positive, the person would be instructed to go to the health information desk at the airport.

All tests would be conducted totally anonymously.

The airport's operating authorities claimed that these dogs had an almost 100% chance of detecting the new coronavirus, referring to the results of preliminary tests by researchers at the University of Helsinki's School of Veterinary Medicine. It was also possible to detect an infection a few days before the onset of symptoms.

A lecturer at the university who led the researchers said, "We have solid experience in training dogs to sniff out disease”; and on reflection about the dogs, “It was great to react quickly to the new smell (of the new coronavirus)".

              It is nice to learn that the dogs could help us detecting the new coronavirus early and effectively.

China's richest man - the founder of China's drinking water company overtakes Jack Ma

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

中国一の富豪、飲料水企業の創業者に　ジャック・マー氏抜く

2020.09.25 Fri posted at 17:29 JST

香港（ＣＮＮ Ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ） 中国飲料水大手、農夫山泉の創業者である鍾睒睒氏がアリババ集団創業者の馬雲（ジャック・マー）氏を抜き、中国一の富豪に浮上したことが分かった。米ブルームバーグ通信がまとめた長者番付で明らかになった。

農夫山泉は今月、香港取引所に上場。これに伴い鐘氏はすでに中国３位の富豪になっていた。ブルームバーグの計算によると、鐘氏の純資産は２３日時点で５８７億米ドル（約６兆２０００億円）に達し、マー氏の５６７億米ドルを上回った。

これにより鐘氏は中国ＩＴ大手、騰訊（テンセント）を創業した馬化騰（ポニー・マー）氏も抜いた。ジャック・マー、ポニー・マー両氏とは異なり、鐘氏はＩＴ関係の起業家ではない。農夫山泉以外ではワクチンメーカーの北京万泰生物薬業のトップを務め、同社が今年上海で上場したことも鐘氏の資産を押し上げた。

鐘氏は他の企業経営者と比べ交友関係が控え目なことでも知られ、「一匹おおかみ」の異名を取る。

資産調査会社、胡潤百富の会長を務めるルパート・フーゲワーフ氏は「起業家の友人は多くないとされる。自分のビジネスに集中するタイプだ」と指摘する。

ただ、これまでの成功者と比べても、鐘氏の実績はめざましい。「１００億ドル規模のビジネスを一つのみならず二つ築いた中国では数少ない人物」「これはすごいこと」（フーゲワーフ氏）

鐘氏の成功は、中国で急速に富が創出されていることを物語る。胡潤百富がまとめた世界長者番付によると、資産額１０億ドル以上の資産家の数では、今年前半の段階ですでに中国が米国とインドの合計を上回っていた。

Translation

Hong Kong (CNN Business) It has been revealed that Zhōng shǎn shǎn, the founder of a Chinese drinking water giant Nongfu Spring, had surpassed Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma to become the richest man in China. This was revealed in the ranking of the richest people compiled by Bloomberg News.

Nongfu Spring was listed on the Hong Kong Exchange this month. At that moment, Mr. Zhong was already the third richest man in China. According to Bloomberg's calculations, Mr. Zhong's net worth reached US $ 58.7 billion (about 6.2 trillion yen) as of the 23rd, surpassing Mr. Ma's US $56.7 billion.

As a result, Mr. Zhong also overtook Mr. Ma Huateng (Pony Ma), the founder of Chinese IT giant Tencent. Unlike Jack Ma and Pony Ma, Zhong was not an IT entrepreneur. Other than Nongfu Spring, he was the head of the Beijing Wantai biopharmaceutical industry, a vaccine maker; and the company's listing in Shanghai this year also boosted Mr. Zhong's assets.

Mr. Zhong was also known for his modest friendships compared to other business owners, and was known as "a lone wolf."

Rupert Hoogewerf, who was running an asset research firm and working the Hurun Rich List had pointed out that "Zhong doesn’t have many entrepreneurial friends. He is the type who only concentrates on business."

However, even compared to the successful people so far, Mr. Zhong's achievements were remarkable. "He is one of the few people in China who has built not one but two $ 10 billion businesses"; "This is amazing." (Mr. Hoogewerf)

Mr. Zhong's success told the story that wealth was being created rapidly in China. According to the World's Billionaires list compiled by Rupert Hoogewerf, in the first half of this year, China already outnumbered the United States and India together in the number of wealthy individuals with assets of more than $ 1 billion.

              Given CCP loves to have a hand in everything, I am wondering, as China is seeing itself as a socialist state in an early stage and is moving towards communism, will it do something on those extremely rich people in their country, for example to share their wealth with the society so that the nation could look more like a egalitarian state.

(Note: Mr. Rupert Hoogewerf is known by the name 胡润 (Hu Run) in the Chinese speaking world. He is a qualified chartered accountant (ICAEW) and has been working for Arthur Andersen before launching his Hurun Report in 1999. He is best known for his Hurun Rich List which gives a ranking on the wealthiest individuals in China.)

Doing a Saliva PCR test for 2000 yen

 Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

唾液ＰＣＲ検査を２０００円で

09月24日　18時59分

ソフトバンクグループは、希望する自治体の職員や企業の社員を対象に新型コロナウイルスに感染しているかどうかを確認する唾液によるＰＣＲ検査を、１回２０００円で受けられるようにすると発表しました。

これはソフトバンクグループが国立国際医療研究センターと協力して千葉県市川市に設立した検査施設で、孫正義社長が記者会見して明らかにしました。

それによりますと、この検査施設では新型コロナウイルスに感染しているかどうかを唾液で確認できるＰＣＲ検査を１回２０００円で受けられるようにするとしています。

当面は自治体や企業など法人単位でネット上で検査の申し込みを受け付け、検査キットで採取した唾液を検査施設に送り、企業などに結果が通知されるということです。

検査には医師が関わらないため、陰性の証明書は発行しないとしています。

ソフトバンクグループは２４日から検査の受け付けを始めていて、ことし１１月には１日あたり１万人の検査ができる体制を整えたいとしています。

孫社長は２４日の会見で「無症状の人が感染を広げるリスクを解消するためいつでも、誰でも、何回でも、安く、検査を受けられることが重要だ」と述べ、将来的には個人を対象にした検査も受け付けるようにしたいという考えを示しました。

Translation

SoftBank Group Corp. announced that it would be able to take a PCR test using saliva for wishing employees of local governments and companies to check whether they were infected with the new coronavirus for 2000 yen each time.

As was revealed by President Masayoshi Son at a press conference, there was an examination facility established by the SoftBank Group in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture in cooperation with the National Center for Global Health and Medicine,

According to the announcement, this laboratory could perform PCR testing using saliva to check whether someone was infected with the new coronavirus for 2000 yen each time.

For the time being, applications from corporations such as local governments and companies would be accepted for testing online, the saliva collected with the test kit were to be sent to the testing facility, and the company would be notified of the results.

Since the test did not involve a doctor, a negative certificate would not be issued.

The SoftBank Group had started accepting examinations on the 24th, and hoped to establish a system that could examine 10,000 people per day by November this year.

President Son said at the press conference on the 24^th that, " in order to eliminate the risk of spreading the infection, it is important for asymptomatic people to be able to receive tests at any time, any number of times, at a low price". In the future, they could also accept examination for individuals.

It seems that to be able to do a PCR test at at low price of just 2000 yen is amazing. At this moment globally, many places still could not provide a convenient checking to those in need due to the lack of medical facility and medial staff.

A budget of 3 trillion yen for NASA's "Artemis Program" - for the first woman to land on the moon by 2024

 Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

２０２４年までに女性初の月着陸を、ＮＡＳＡ「アルテミス計画」に３兆円の予算

2020.09.23 Wed posted at 14:56 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 米航空宇宙局（ＮＡＳＡ）は、男女の宇宙飛行士を２０２４年までに月に送り込む「アルテミス計画」の詳細を発表した。実現すれば、史上初めて女性が月に降り立つことになる。男性の到達は１９７２年以来。

ＮＡＳＡはアルテミス計画のために、２０２５年までのフェーズ１予算として２８０億ドル（約３兆円）を要求する。

アルテミスはギリシャ神話に登場する月の女神で、アポロの双子の姉妹でもある。ＮＡＳＡのアポロ１１号は１９６９年７月２０日、人類初の月面着陸に成功した。

それから１９７２年までの間に月面に降り立った１２人は、全員が米国人男性だった。

月のさらなる探検を行うことは、米国が宇宙で戦略的プレゼンスを確立し、国際的なパートナー関係を成長させる一助になるとＮＡＳＡは説明する。

予算のうち１０億ドルは、月へ人類を送り込むためのシステム開発に充て、６億５１００万ドルは宇宙船「オライオン」と、ボーイングが建造するロケット「スペース・ローンチ・システム（ＳＬＳ）」に割り振る。ＮＡＳＡは既にＳＬＳのために少なくとも１１９億ドルを費やしており、ＳＬＳは２０１７年１２月までに準備が整うはずだった。

ＮＡＳＡによると、ＳＬＳは完成していて、中核ステージと付属ロケット４基はこの秋の実験に備えて最終点検を行っているところだという。

アルテミス計画では、２０２１年に無人で月の周りを飛行する２度の実験を予定している。さらに、商用配送サービスを使って２０２１年に２回、ロボットを月に送り込む。

２０２３年には宇宙飛行士を乗せて「アルテミス２号」を打ち上げ、「アルテミス３号」による人類の月面再着陸に備える。

Translation

(CNN) NASA had announced details of its "Artemis Program" of sending male and female astronauts to the Moon by 2024. If realized, women would land on the moon for the first time in history. The arrival of men was since 1972.

NASA demanded $28 billion for the Artemis program as a Phase 1 budget up to 2025.

Artemis was the goddess of the moon appeared in Greek mythology and was also the twin sister of Apollo. NASA's Apollo 11 succeeded in landing on the moon for the first time on July 20, 1969.

From then until 1972, the 12 men who landed on the moon were all male American.

NASA explained that further exploration of the Moon could help the United States establish a strategic presence in space and develop its international partnership.

Of the budget, $ 1 billion would be used to develop a system to send humankind to the moon, and $ 651 million would be allocated to the spacecraft "Orion" and the rocket "Space Launch System (SLS)" built by Boeing. NASA had already spent at least $ 11.9 billion on SLS, and SLS was supposed be ready by December 2017.

According to NASA, the SLS was completed and its core stage and four attached rockets would receive experiments preparation this fall for conducting the final inspections.

The Artemis program intended to fly two unmanned flights around the moon in 2021. In addition, it would send robots to the moon twice in 2021 using a commercial delivery service.

In 2023, an astronaut could be on board to launch "Artemis No. 2" to prepare for the re-landing of humankind on the moon by "Artemis No. 3".

              It is nice to note that the US is preparing to make history again by sending women to the moon. I can still feel the excitement I had when the first human landed on the moon in 1969.