Here are a few articles from the past six months:
1. Chinese authorities pull plug on 'vulgar' foreign-made TV
2. New Zealand bans Elijah Wood horror film Maniac
These are about Japan:
Happy reading!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Articles on censorship
Hi class!
Here are a few articles from the past six months:
1. Chinese authorities pull plug on 'vulgar' foreign-made TV
2. New Zealand bans Elijah Wood horror film Maniac
5. American teacher’s spin on Japan’s racism riles Net nationalists
Happy reading!
Here are a few articles from the past six months:
1. Chinese authorities pull plug on 'vulgar' foreign-made TV
2. New Zealand bans Elijah Wood horror film Maniac
Happy reading!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Japanese avtive elderly woman
I found an article about Japanese on CNN.
According to this article, Mieko Nagaoka who 99 year-old(!) is won swimming competition, got more medals and broke the records. Japan has the highest proportion of working seniors in the developed world, but many elderly people still have enough power to keep an active life.
Nowadays Japan is well known as an aging society, it looks not good for our future. However, Elderly people have much knowledge and many experience of working, life, and on relationship. We can learn many things from them.This article mentioned everybody have a stereotype for elderly people, such as not active or walking with a cane, but I think it is not true. My grandpa and grandma can walk actively and do everything in our house. I am so proud of them, even I live apart from them. I love my grandma and grandpa, and I always talk to and be with them when I go back to my hometown. I miss them so much because I read this article.
Here are 2 questions:
Do you have any stereotype of senior people between 60-100 year-old?
Why do you think so?
According to this article, Mieko Nagaoka who 99 year-old(!) is won swimming competition, got more medals and broke the records. Japan has the highest proportion of working seniors in the developed world, but many elderly people still have enough power to keep an active life.
Nowadays Japan is well known as an aging society, it looks not good for our future. However, Elderly people have much knowledge and many experience of working, life, and on relationship. We can learn many things from them.This article mentioned everybody have a stereotype for elderly people, such as not active or walking with a cane, but I think it is not true. My grandpa and grandma can walk actively and do everything in our house. I am so proud of them, even I live apart from them. I love my grandma and grandpa, and I always talk to and be with them when I go back to my hometown. I miss them so much because I read this article.
Here are 2 questions:
Do you have any stereotype of senior people between 60-100 year-old?
Why do you think so?
Tweet about Death of Husband
I read this article on The State.
A woman who lives in Seattle tweeted about the car accident which happened in Washington. She took the picture of the accident and posted it on Twitter. After that, she noticed that her husband also uses the road when he goes to work. She tried to contact with her husband but she could not do that because her husband was dead by the car accident. She realized that the death of her husband after she called his office and the police. She told that her husband had an epilepsy.
I thought that how she was sad when she noticed that she tweeted about her husband's death. I could not imagine to see the moment of death of my family. I have never experienced the death of important people. However, I am sure that my family may die someday so I want to spend a good time with my family more than now. She said that her husband had an epilepsy so she should not allow him to drive a car. I think that we should care about our and family's health. The accident can be happened even just walking so we should make sure about our safety every day.
Have you ever talked about your health with your family?
Have you ever watched the car accident?
A woman who lives in Seattle tweeted about the car accident which happened in Washington. She took the picture of the accident and posted it on Twitter. After that, she noticed that her husband also uses the road when he goes to work. She tried to contact with her husband but she could not do that because her husband was dead by the car accident. She realized that the death of her husband after she called his office and the police. She told that her husband had an epilepsy.
I thought that how she was sad when she noticed that she tweeted about her husband's death. I could not imagine to see the moment of death of my family. I have never experienced the death of important people. However, I am sure that my family may die someday so I want to spend a good time with my family more than now. She said that her husband had an epilepsy so she should not allow him to drive a car. I think that we should care about our and family's health. The accident can be happened even just walking so we should make sure about our safety every day.
Have you ever talked about your health with your family?
Have you ever watched the car accident?
Sub Culture on the Skin!
How do you imagine when you hear tattoo? Perhaps someone think it can be seen on the skin whose works in the world of Mafia or just enjoying its coolness. This article from Japan Times is about the tattoo as one of a culture in Japan.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/12/09/lifestyle/otaku-culture-gets-under-the-skin/#.Uqab_dKBk2Z
The issue of tattoo has been discussed for a long time. Recently, the mayor of Osaka, Mr Hashimoto tried to find all police officer who has tattoo on the skin. On the other hand, the tattoo , in Japanese, Irezumi is popular in overseas as one part ob Japanese culture. The design has also been changing as well, for example, the animation character are often draw on customer's skin.
Some wise said that the appearance shows us the 90 percents of one's characteristic, and I agree. Of course it is one demand if they want to have tattoo or not, but to be honest, it can scare other people. Therefore I don't hope them to be public officer. I sometimes see foreigner who has tattoo. If they like Japan and try to have cultural tattoo, it doesn't matter me. Moreover, I am quite glad they decided to do it. The difference I will be afraid and be happy is "they respect Japanese culture or not". I have been wondering that they cannot go to hot spring because most of them do not allow those people inside of their facility, and how do they feel. someday I want to know by talking with ... man with Irezumi.
Here are my questions to you guys;
How do you feel when you saw tattoo?
What do you think: what kind of Japanese culture should be spread to the world more?
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/12/09/lifestyle/otaku-culture-gets-under-the-skin/#.Uqab_dKBk2Z
The issue of tattoo has been discussed for a long time. Recently, the mayor of Osaka, Mr Hashimoto tried to find all police officer who has tattoo on the skin. On the other hand, the tattoo , in Japanese, Irezumi is popular in overseas as one part ob Japanese culture. The design has also been changing as well, for example, the animation character are often draw on customer's skin.
Some wise said that the appearance shows us the 90 percents of one's characteristic, and I agree. Of course it is one demand if they want to have tattoo or not, but to be honest, it can scare other people. Therefore I don't hope them to be public officer. I sometimes see foreigner who has tattoo. If they like Japan and try to have cultural tattoo, it doesn't matter me. Moreover, I am quite glad they decided to do it. The difference I will be afraid and be happy is "they respect Japanese culture or not". I have been wondering that they cannot go to hot spring because most of them do not allow those people inside of their facility, and how do they feel. someday I want to know by talking with ... man with Irezumi.
Here are my questions to you guys;
How do you feel when you saw tattoo?
What do you think: what kind of Japanese culture should be spread to the world more?
Is digital piracy possible on any object?
Thanks to the presence of a 3D printer, everyone can now make anything they want. While this advanced technology attracts people’s attention, there is a controversy for being questioned whether piracy is violated. The chief executive of a 3D company says he doesn’t think we need the marketplace.
I really feel technology is being advanced. Recently I saw TV program featuring this kind of machinery creating what children want to get after saying “apple,”. I was amazed. Nowadays in Japan more and more people come to download many favorite songs without buying CDs. Although Japanese people have neglected to protect the copyright because of its lax enforcement, recently I saw a person who was arrested. Therefore I think Japan’s attitudes are changing. Making something useful and complex such as electronic appliances easily is really needed, so balancing between the presence of piracy and technology is important and difficult to do. If the 3D printer become more practical, I hope it will be used to make something for medical treatment.
Let me ask some questions.
1. Can you come up with something made by the 3D printer that might infringe copyright?
2. Are you for or against the idea that “we don’t need a marketplace, it’s a sharing world.”
Why?
Effect of Wii Fit Plus
I found an interesting article on BBC.
Reserchers said that Nintendo’s Wii Fit
Plus can lose weight, and moreover, it helps people to lower glucose levels. Exercise
is important for particularly important for people with diabetes. It helps the
body use insulin more efficiently.
I have Wii Fit, and that game have a tennis
program. CP is not easy to beat so everyone can enjoy the game and move hardly.
I noticed it can be good for losing weight, but I did not know that this game
is effective to cure diabetes. I heard diabetes is terrible disease and also my
grandfather had diabetes, so I hope that Wii become the way to cure diabetes.
And off course, I want everyone to enjoy Wii Fit Plus and lose weight, or cure
their disease.
Connection between monkeys and diets
I found an interesting article on BBC.
According to a team from the University of East Anglia, there is a close connection between the size of monkeys and diet; mid-sized monkeys are the biggest fruit consumers, and they eat 50 different species of fruit a day. Small monkeys eat mainly insects and larger monkeys prefer leaves.
I did'nt really know that the size of monkeys and foods which they like to eat are closely connected, and moreover, I was even surprised to know that not small monkeys but larger monkeys prefer leaves to fruits or insects. At the same time, I can say for sure that mid- sized monkeys are gourmet, being different from me because, surprisingly, they have 50 different spiecies of fruit. In addition, I remember a problem in connection with the topic. In Japan, especially Nikko, monkeys tend to attack tourists to get some foods, and because of that, people pounched by monkeys get injured, but this is not to say that only monkeys are bad; there are several certain reasons which cause such a situation, so I'd like to ask my classmates about them. (129 words)
Here are 2 questions for you,
1: Can you guess the reason why mid-sized monkeys like to have fruits?
2: Why do you think some monkeys have a tendency to attack tourists to get foods?
According to a team from the University of East Anglia, there is a close connection between the size of monkeys and diet; mid-sized monkeys are the biggest fruit consumers, and they eat 50 different species of fruit a day. Small monkeys eat mainly insects and larger monkeys prefer leaves.
I did'nt really know that the size of monkeys and foods which they like to eat are closely connected, and moreover, I was even surprised to know that not small monkeys but larger monkeys prefer leaves to fruits or insects. At the same time, I can say for sure that mid- sized monkeys are gourmet, being different from me because, surprisingly, they have 50 different spiecies of fruit. In addition, I remember a problem in connection with the topic. In Japan, especially Nikko, monkeys tend to attack tourists to get some foods, and because of that, people pounched by monkeys get injured, but this is not to say that only monkeys are bad; there are several certain reasons which cause such a situation, so I'd like to ask my classmates about them. (129 words)
Here are 2 questions for you,
1: Can you guess the reason why mid-sized monkeys like to have fruits?
2: Why do you think some monkeys have a tendency to attack tourists to get foods?
English Teachers and Study Abroad
I read the article on Japan times.
The Tokyo Board of Education announced the program of sending junior or high school teachers to English speaking countries for three months. In Japan where teachers are required to avoid Japanese in the class, this program will bring good experiences to teachers to have a more communicating class in English.
I really like this program. I think one big reason; why Japanese English proficiency is poor is education in this country. No matter how the government try to improve it by increasing the number of classes, it surely doesn't work because the problem is not the quantity of English class, but it is the quality of the class, so to improve the teachers English ability is very effective way to improve Japanese potential English ability. I spent three months studying English in Ireland, which was a great experience for me, and even changed my life. Therefore, three months are also valuable period. In 2010, Tokyo will have Olympic games so English is more required for Japanese than ever. I'm actually afraid that majority of Japanese people become fluent in English because it is one of my strengths for getting a job, but i hope next generation will be able to have a great environment of learning English, and Japan will be more global society.
1 Do you think Japanese English ability will improve a lot with the program?
2 Do you think we can be global human resources only by demanding learning English?
The Tokyo Board of Education announced the program of sending junior or high school teachers to English speaking countries for three months. In Japan where teachers are required to avoid Japanese in the class, this program will bring good experiences to teachers to have a more communicating class in English.
I really like this program. I think one big reason; why Japanese English proficiency is poor is education in this country. No matter how the government try to improve it by increasing the number of classes, it surely doesn't work because the problem is not the quantity of English class, but it is the quality of the class, so to improve the teachers English ability is very effective way to improve Japanese potential English ability. I spent three months studying English in Ireland, which was a great experience for me, and even changed my life. Therefore, three months are also valuable period. In 2010, Tokyo will have Olympic games so English is more required for Japanese than ever. I'm actually afraid that majority of Japanese people become fluent in English because it is one of my strengths for getting a job, but i hope next generation will be able to have a great environment of learning English, and Japan will be more global society.
1 Do you think Japanese English ability will improve a lot with the program?
2 Do you think we can be global human resources only by demanding learning English?
Olympic × Politics
I found interesting article on CNN.
[Summary] Joachim Gauck who is the president of Germany will not attend Winter Olympic which will be held in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. It means that he will boycott the games that will be held at the Black Sea resort. He protests against human rights violation and the harassment of Russian.
[Reflection] I do not understand why he will not attend Olympic. Olympic is a symbol of peace. Peace and political issues have not connection with each other. They should be sorted out in Olympic. I cannot accept to use Olympic to appeal or solve political problems. For instance, in 2012, Korean did foolish act in London Olympic. At men’s soccer games, Korea win to Japan and then Korean’s player put up a placard and it read “Dokdo is our land”. I really surprised and discouraged by this act in Olympic. I want all people just to do or play sports for their countries.
[Question]
Q1. What do you think about the connection between Olympic and politics?
Q2. What sports are you interested in Olympic?
[Summary] Joachim Gauck who is the president of Germany will not attend Winter Olympic which will be held in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. It means that he will boycott the games that will be held at the Black Sea resort. He protests against human rights violation and the harassment of Russian.
[Reflection] I do not understand why he will not attend Olympic. Olympic is a symbol of peace. Peace and political issues have not connection with each other. They should be sorted out in Olympic. I cannot accept to use Olympic to appeal or solve political problems. For instance, in 2012, Korean did foolish act in London Olympic. At men’s soccer games, Korea win to Japan and then Korean’s player put up a placard and it read “Dokdo is our land”. I really surprised and discouraged by this act in Olympic. I want all people just to do or play sports for their countries.
[Question]
Q1. What do you think about the connection between Olympic and politics?
Q2. What sports are you interested in Olympic?
Studying abroad for English teachers of Japan
This week, I read this article about
English teachers of Japan.
The Tokyo Board of Education decided new
system that 200 English teachers, who teach at junior high or high schools of
Tokyo for three years, go to English-spoken countries for three-month home stay.
The aim is to improve English skills in Japan and this is connected with the
2020 Olympics.
This innovative system is very effective to
improve English education for Japanese. Thanks to conducting it, English
teachers in Japan motivated to teach English to Japanese students with better
way because they can input and use practical English by staying normal home and
visiting local English class. I heard that there are a lot of English teachers
who have never been to go abroad before. If the teachers motivated and improve their
class, their students may also have interests in English. The 2020 Olympics will
be held in Tokyo, so there is a great demand for using English. I wish the boar
to continue this system not only one time.
I have two questions to you. If you are a
teacher, do you think it is important to study abroad? Do you think this is an effective
move? Why?
Dark side of privacy problem.....X(
I got this opinion from The Japan times
This opinion is about the negative aspects of privacy issue especially internet like we learnt at the class. When the writer happenned to find the site which involved rape scene or attacking drunken women or something with attaching the word "real" not a fictional. And he tried to determine who operated, but the account infomation was intentionally masked by "privacy protect service". Therefore he has been objected to these situation he experienced.
When I read this, I deeply understood the situation and I felt the same thing as the writer. Because when I encounter this situation, I feel the people who apper in kind of "adult" site are not procted by their privacy in cace of "real" not fictional. However we can't specify the person who uploaded such cruel video. Sometimes they uses privacy protect service as their advantage. It means they insist that they have a right to be protected their privacy even they upload such video. I really complain about that!, It is not fair. They shoud be panished if the video which illustrates rape scene is real. I learnt bad and dark side of internet privacy though, it is really hard to improve the situation.
I have questions!
*have you ever experienced this casebefore?
*Who do you think can protect these people?
This opinion is about the negative aspects of privacy issue especially internet like we learnt at the class. When the writer happenned to find the site which involved rape scene or attacking drunken women or something with attaching the word "real" not a fictional. And he tried to determine who operated, but the account infomation was intentionally masked by "privacy protect service". Therefore he has been objected to these situation he experienced.
When I read this, I deeply understood the situation and I felt the same thing as the writer. Because when I encounter this situation, I feel the people who apper in kind of "adult" site are not procted by their privacy in cace of "real" not fictional. However we can't specify the person who uploaded such cruel video. Sometimes they uses privacy protect service as their advantage. It means they insist that they have a right to be protected their privacy even they upload such video. I really complain about that!, It is not fair. They shoud be panished if the video which illustrates rape scene is real. I learnt bad and dark side of internet privacy though, it is really hard to improve the situation.
I have questions!
*have you ever experienced this casebefore?
*Who do you think can protect these people?
Killing cancer like the common cold
I found this article from CNN.
At the university of Pennsylvania, a new experimental therapy against cancer has been adopted. The new treatment works on a patients own immune cell and makes it become more able to kill the cancer.
I was taken aback to read this article, because I was under the impression that "cancer"is really hard to cure, and I'm amazed that medical treatment is progressing day by day. This news will be very encouraging for not only someone who are struggling by the cancer, but also supporters of the patients like family or friends. Also, I was surprised to know that this treatment might not take a decade to become available to anyone who needs it. In this article, Nick Wilkings who was turned out he had leukemia is featured. He knew he would die if he kept having the traditional treatment. So, he took this new experimental treatment, and he recovered from leukemia. If I ware him, I would definitely hesitate to take this therapy because this is experimental and there is no precedent. Actually his father said he had no choice to survive, but I think his action is brave and admirable. He proved that this treatment is effective by himself. I wish the therapy progressed and became a hope for the patients.
I want to ask you following questions.
1. If you were Nick, would you decide to take this experimental treatment, or not?
2. Do you know other progressing medical treatments? If yes, please tell me.
At the university of Pennsylvania, a new experimental therapy against cancer has been adopted. The new treatment works on a patients own immune cell and makes it become more able to kill the cancer.
I was taken aback to read this article, because I was under the impression that "cancer"is really hard to cure, and I'm amazed that medical treatment is progressing day by day. This news will be very encouraging for not only someone who are struggling by the cancer, but also supporters of the patients like family or friends. Also, I was surprised to know that this treatment might not take a decade to become available to anyone who needs it. In this article, Nick Wilkings who was turned out he had leukemia is featured. He knew he would die if he kept having the traditional treatment. So, he took this new experimental treatment, and he recovered from leukemia. If I ware him, I would definitely hesitate to take this therapy because this is experimental and there is no precedent. Actually his father said he had no choice to survive, but I think his action is brave and admirable. He proved that this treatment is effective by himself. I wish the therapy progressed and became a hope for the patients.
I want to ask you following questions.
1. If you were Nick, would you decide to take this experimental treatment, or not?
2. Do you know other progressing medical treatments? If yes, please tell me.
Canadian Woman Unknowingly Wins $50 Million Lottery
I found this article on ABC news.
Last Tuesday, a Canadian woman Kathryn Jones became $50 million richer by her lost lottery ticket. She did not know the fact until lottery officials made contact with her because she had lost the ticket and forgotten about it. Before the announcement, about 430 people had introduced themselves as a winner of the unclaimed lottery.
I think she is a very lucky person because she won a $50 million lottery in spite of the fact she had lost the lottery ticket! It is not usual thing that lottery officials tracked down the winner of a lottery and announced to them that they won the lotto, so I was surprised at her good luck. $50 million is about four billion 800 million yen, and I cannot imagine such a large amount of money. Also, I am interested in the cultural difference over lottery. In Japan, the name of winners of a lottery is not published to protect their privacy, while Western countries like Canada publish it as you can see in this article. I wonder if publishing the lotto winner’s name endangers them.
Questions :
・If you got about five billion yen, what would you do?
・What do you think about the cultural difference between Japan and Canada?
Last Tuesday, a Canadian woman Kathryn Jones became $50 million richer by her lost lottery ticket. She did not know the fact until lottery officials made contact with her because she had lost the ticket and forgotten about it. Before the announcement, about 430 people had introduced themselves as a winner of the unclaimed lottery.
I think she is a very lucky person because she won a $50 million lottery in spite of the fact she had lost the lottery ticket! It is not usual thing that lottery officials tracked down the winner of a lottery and announced to them that they won the lotto, so I was surprised at her good luck. $50 million is about four billion 800 million yen, and I cannot imagine such a large amount of money. Also, I am interested in the cultural difference over lottery. In Japan, the name of winners of a lottery is not published to protect their privacy, while Western countries like Canada publish it as you can see in this article. I wonder if publishing the lotto winner’s name endangers them.
Questions :
・If you got about five billion yen, what would you do?
・What do you think about the cultural difference between Japan and Canada?
Otattos -Otaku tattoos-
I read this article on Japantimes.
In Western countries, “Otattoos” is very
popular but Japan is still unwilling to allow tattoos in to society. One tattoo
artist, Benny who loved Japanese tattooing and Japanese manga, so he tries to broaden
it to Otaku.
When I read this article, I was surprised by the picture of tattoos because Japanese animation characters were drawn in arms. I’ve never seen such a design. In my opinion I don’t want tattoo such an animation character. If I want erase it, it is difficult to erase tattoo cleanly and it cost a lot of money. But actually, I don’t care about tattoos very much. I just regard it fashion. However, many of Japanese think that tattoos are connected in Yakuza. In short, tattoos are not accepted in Japanese society. As Benny said, “it is a sad stereotype”. I hope that this stereotype will be changed.
1. What do you think about tattoos? 2. What is the difference between western countries and japan in tattoo?
When I read this article, I was surprised by the picture of tattoos because Japanese animation characters were drawn in arms. I’ve never seen such a design. In my opinion I don’t want tattoo such an animation character. If I want erase it, it is difficult to erase tattoo cleanly and it cost a lot of money. But actually, I don’t care about tattoos very much. I just regard it fashion. However, many of Japanese think that tattoos are connected in Yakuza. In short, tattoos are not accepted in Japanese society. As Benny said, “it is a sad stereotype”. I hope that this stereotype will be changed.
1. What do you think about tattoos? 2. What is the difference between western countries and japan in tattoo?
Transgender model
This week I read an interesting article on CNN.
It is siad that Victoria's Secret is going to hire a transgender model, Carmen Carrera. The petition has recieved more than 36,000 signatures by her fans. However, she announced that she has yet to hear from the lingerie company, and Victoria's Secret declined to comment. When I read this article, I was surprised because Victoria's Secret is very famous lingerie company and it is influential news for transgender problem. If the company hire Carmen Carrera, I think she will be more famous rapidly. Because she has already succeed as a women model, and it is better for people who are disagree with hiring her as a Victoria's Secret model to understand what transgender model is. These days, many people declare themselves to be a transgender in the world and some people do not understand about it. However, if the famous company such as Victoria's Secret hire transmodels, it will lead to accept the problem. I hope that she perform well as a Victoria's Secret model.
1. What do you think to hire a transgender model? 2. Do you think that Victoria's Secret should hire her?
It is siad that Victoria's Secret is going to hire a transgender model, Carmen Carrera. The petition has recieved more than 36,000 signatures by her fans. However, she announced that she has yet to hear from the lingerie company, and Victoria's Secret declined to comment. When I read this article, I was surprised because Victoria's Secret is very famous lingerie company and it is influential news for transgender problem. If the company hire Carmen Carrera, I think she will be more famous rapidly. Because she has already succeed as a women model, and it is better for people who are disagree with hiring her as a Victoria's Secret model to understand what transgender model is. These days, many people declare themselves to be a transgender in the world and some people do not understand about it. However, if the famous company such as Victoria's Secret hire transmodels, it will lead to accept the problem. I hope that she perform well as a Victoria's Secret model.
1. What do you think to hire a transgender model? 2. Do you think that Victoria's Secret should hire her?
JR plans to built Maglev rail for Linear Motor Car
I found this article on CNN.
The Shinkansen that transport passengers around 930,000 every day became one of the most important transportations in Japan, and JR Tokai planned to build Linear Motor Car that use a magnetic levitation rail to run the 286 kilometer distance between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027 as a new transportation.
At first, I was surprised about Shinkansen because it carries a lot of people every day without serious delay. 930,000 people is almost same as the population of Chiba city, so I amazed bullet trains are able to transport most people in Chiba city. However, according to the article, Japan needs a new way to convey many passengers at high speed because not only trains in Europe such as France or Germany but also Chinese high speed railways are overtaking Shinkansen of Japan. So Railway Technical Research Institute of JR has developed Maglev, Magnetic Levitation rail for Linear Motor Car, and JR try to build it between Tokyo and Nagoya. It will make journey between Tokyo and Nagoya down to 40 minutes but it will also cost around 11 trillion yen to build a maglev rail and this transportation is going to be completed after 14 years.
Then, I have two discussion questions that 1) Do you have taken on Shinkansen and how did you feel? 2) What do you think that it will cost around 11 trillion yen to build Linear Motor Car?
The Shinkansen that transport passengers around 930,000 every day became one of the most important transportations in Japan, and JR Tokai planned to build Linear Motor Car that use a magnetic levitation rail to run the 286 kilometer distance between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027 as a new transportation.
At first, I was surprised about Shinkansen because it carries a lot of people every day without serious delay. 930,000 people is almost same as the population of Chiba city, so I amazed bullet trains are able to transport most people in Chiba city. However, according to the article, Japan needs a new way to convey many passengers at high speed because not only trains in Europe such as France or Germany but also Chinese high speed railways are overtaking Shinkansen of Japan. So Railway Technical Research Institute of JR has developed Maglev, Magnetic Levitation rail for Linear Motor Car, and JR try to build it between Tokyo and Nagoya. It will make journey between Tokyo and Nagoya down to 40 minutes but it will also cost around 11 trillion yen to build a maglev rail and this transportation is going to be completed after 14 years.
Then, I have two discussion questions that 1) Do you have taken on Shinkansen and how did you feel? 2) What do you think that it will cost around 11 trillion yen to build Linear Motor Car?
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Change of the union jack
I read this article on BBC.
Scotland Scotland
Having the referendum of the independence is already decided, but the new design of the national flag is not considered, I felt that it is not natural. I had wondered that there are nothing shows the Wales Wales was a part of the English Kingdom , but now, Wales U.K.
I have questions about this article.
1. Do you think that the flag need to be changed? Why or why not?
2. What do you think that this issue has been overlooked?
English Teachers in Japan
I read this article on Japan Times.
There is a plan to raise English level at public schools in Japan, and if its plan goes without any problems, English teachers have to study English and stay in an English-speaking country for three month. This is connected to Tokyo Olympic in 2020 because a weakness in Tokyo is the level of English, so improving English skills is a task in Japan.
My goal is to be an English teacher in junior high school, so if its plan goes well and is accepted, I need to go abroad at least three month. I have never studied abroad, and I do not have chance to go, so I do not want to accept the plan. Of course English level in Japan is poor, so some changes are needed in Japanese education. Especially in junior high school it should be required to improve quality of English classes. I mean it is important to lay the foundation of Japanese English education. To do so, English teachers have to study a lot and have good skills to teach English. After reading the article I got confused.
Questions
1 Do English teachers have to go abroad to study English, or not?
2 What do you think of the level of English in Japan?
There is a plan to raise English level at public schools in Japan, and if its plan goes without any problems, English teachers have to study English and stay in an English-speaking country for three month. This is connected to Tokyo Olympic in 2020 because a weakness in Tokyo is the level of English, so improving English skills is a task in Japan.
My goal is to be an English teacher in junior high school, so if its plan goes well and is accepted, I need to go abroad at least three month. I have never studied abroad, and I do not have chance to go, so I do not want to accept the plan. Of course English level in Japan is poor, so some changes are needed in Japanese education. Especially in junior high school it should be required to improve quality of English classes. I mean it is important to lay the foundation of Japanese English education. To do so, English teachers have to study a lot and have good skills to teach English. After reading the article I got confused.
Questions
1 Do English teachers have to go abroad to study English, or not?
2 What do you think of the level of English in Japan?
What can tourists expect when visiting North Korea?
I
read this interesting article on CNN.
Tourists
can enjoy visiting North Korea by joining in a tour. Actually, about 6,000
western people had visited there for a year. The tour is designed with strict
rules and trained guides. Therefore, tourists are necessary to consider their
leaders and history to travel safely.
I
am a little interested in visiting North Korea, but I would never like to visit
there because I am afraid to enter the country. In fact, as this article
mentions, an American retired solder held just before he left North Korean 10
days travel. I think it was a terrible thing, and North Korea ignores human
rights. On the other hand, I was surprised that there are more tourists to the
country than I had imagined. Also, another article related this one stated that
people can bring cameras and mobile phones while they are stay in North Korea. That
report brought small change to my stereotype concerning North Korea.
I
have two questions.
1. Would
you like to join in a tour to North Korea if you can?
2. What
do you expect in North Korea? Where would you like to go and what would like to
know about the country?
The first man and man marriage in Australia
I found this article on The Japan Times.
Same sex marriage was allowed in Australia, and the marriage of two men, Ivan Hinton and Chris Theo was held at old Parliament House in Canberra, but it is said that if the unions High Court reject the law, the new law that allows same sex marriage will not live long.
I have been interested in these kind of sexual problem because my high school assistant English teacher was gay, and he often tell me many problem and concerns of gays. In my opinion, I'm sad to hear that there are many countries which don't allow same sex marriages. People should understand there are not only men and women. As we can marry who we want, gay and lesbian couple should be allowed to marry. Also, these name such as "gay" or "lesbian" should be throw away. Since we call them with these name, it can devide kind of general people and strange people.
* what do you feel if someone in your family were kind of gay or lesbian?
* do you think same sex marriage should be accepted? why/why not?
working environment for women
I found this article this week.
More and more women are working at the company than before, because they try to earn money in order to make their living. They have been hired as a part-time or temporary statuses, though. Working conditions for women should be improved as women workers increase.
In the past, there were stereotypes that men were working outside the house and women were doing housework inside the house in Japan. However, it has gone recently and women who work at the company has increased as this article stated. In spite of this, women are not still acceptable at some companies even now. They are still hired as a part-time or they might promote their positions. Also, other companies are not even suitable for women to work, for example they do not have the systems for childcare. Some women have their children, therefore they try to earn money for their living. Thus they need to have supports from the company. I hope almost all the company have positive opinions for women in the future as quickly as possible.
Then, I have two questions for class.
Do you have good opinions to support working women? ( for example, childcare systems into the company)
If you were women and had a husband and child, would you work at the company as a full-time worker?
In the past, there were stereotypes that men were working outside the house and women were doing housework inside the house in Japan. However, it has gone recently and women who work at the company has increased as this article stated. In spite of this, women are not still acceptable at some companies even now. They are still hired as a part-time or they might promote their positions. Also, other companies are not even suitable for women to work, for example they do not have the systems for childcare. Some women have their children, therefore they try to earn money for their living. Thus they need to have supports from the company. I hope almost all the company have positive opinions for women in the future as quickly as possible.
Then, I have two questions for class.
Do you have good opinions to support working women? ( for example, childcare systems into the company)
If you were women and had a husband and child, would you work at the company as a full-time worker?
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