|  Japan’s
New Immigration Measures Further Alienate Foreign
Residents
On November 20, 2007, new immigration measures came
into force in Japan as the result of an amendment
to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition
Act, further eroding the civil liberties of Japan’s
foreign residents and receiving widespread condemnation
from the international community and human rights
organizations. ...
|
 Prevent
Hunger While Dieting!
Metabolic syndrome has become a serious issue in Japan.
The term is mentioned every day on TV and in newspapers
and advertisements. People are suffering from obesity
and diseases associated with poor lifestyle habits due
to excessive calorie intakes not only in Japan but also
in many advanced countries. The number of people affected
is approximately 1 billion. ... |
 The
Great Tokyo Air Raid
— Passing the Record About an Unprecedented Massacre
on to the Next Generation
The Kitasuna area of Koutou Ward is in the eastern part
of Tokyo located between the Sumida and Arakawa rivers,
and facing Tokyo Bay. Kitasuna is an old town that has
been shaped by industry. Now, the area is packed with
houses and apartments and is rather quiet. Back in World
War II, however, Kitasuna was severely damaged by the
Tokyo air raids. ... |
 Save
the Lives of Little Creatures
The December issue of 2006 Hiragana Times featured an
article called “Dogs are treated as family members,
but behind the scenes ...” I work as a police
officer. Dogs that are apparently stray or abandoned
are often brought to my police station. Besides dogs,
other animals are also sometimes brought to the station.
... |
 Background
of Those who Slander Others on the Web
I often use the bulletin boards on the Internet. The
other day I noticed someone had slandered my favorite
writer. Since having read all of his books, I believe
I understand his thoughts. The slanderer made his criticism
by picking up only a part of what the author wrote,
but it was obvious if you read all he wrote that the
slander was entirely off the point.... |
 The
USA is the Country Most Visited by Japanese
Since the United Nations declared 1967 as the "International
Year of Tourism" and proclaimed the slogan "Tourism,
a Passport to Peace," there has been a massive
increase in the number of travellers worldwide. According
to a survey by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO),
763.28 million people traveled abroad in 2004. ... |
 Japanese
Government Wishes to Promote Patriotism Amongst Citizens
Due to the revision of the Fundamental law of Education,
"patriotism" has become a topic of discussion.
Government parties expressed the wish to include the
phrase "an attitude that respects tradition and
culture, loves the nation and homeland that have fostered
them" in the law. ... |
 The
Shape of Japanese Women in their 20s is Ideal!
Many scholars have studied the ideal body shape for
women. Among them is the survey carried out by Professor.
Devendra SINGH, for the University of Texas. He explored
men's thoughts on the ideal women's body. ... |
 In
Japan, Women are Happier than Men!
There are only a few female politicians in Japan. In
the workplace, men hold most of the important executive
positions. The work offered to women is generally in
the realm of assisting male staff and carrying out routine
duties. ... |
 Japanese
Wander Among Three Religions in 10 Days
From the end of December to New Year’s Day, Japanese
take part in three different religions. As December
starts, Christmas trees decorate shopping centers and
the Christmas mood envelops the nation almost as if
Japan was a Christian country, and as Christmas approaches,
Christmas parties are held everywhere. ... |
 How
will the “Year 2007 Problem” change Japan?!
Japan is now facing the "Year 2007 Problem."
This looming predicament is due to the fact that a huge
social restructuring will take place in Japan when the
"baby boomer generation" begins retiring from
2007. The baby boomer generation (6.8 million people)
was born between 1947 and 1949 and the population ratio
of this group is extremely high compared to other generations.
... |
 Japanese
Employees Want a Return to Lifetime Employment &
the Seniority System
The Japanese employment system is now under review.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the secret
of Japan's rapid post war economic growth were the lifetime
employment and seniority systems. ... |
 Will
the Japanese Tendency to Delay Marriage Change Japan?
The tendency of Japanese to delay marriage has become
clearly evident. According to Japan's Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare, the average marriage age last year
was 29.6 years for men and 28.9 years for women. The
late marriages are having a big impact on childbirth.
... |
 Women-Only
Coaches Offering Shelter from "Chikan" are
Flourishing
Most Japanese in big cities commute to office by trains
so crowded that bodies stick together during rush hours.
Exploiting these occasions are male passengers called
"chikan" who grope women's bodies. Many women
hesitate to shout out from embarrassment and shyness.
... |
 Young
Japanese are Drifting between “Needs” and
“NEET”
In Japan, 70% of junior high school graduates, 50% of
senior high school graduates and 30% of university graduates
quit their companies within three years stating that
their job did not fit them. This phenomenon is called
“Shichi-go-san.” (“Seven Five Three,”
which has the same name as a Japanese festival for the
ages). ... |
 The
Impression of Japan Amoung Foreign Students in Japan
is not Good
According to an OECD survey, the total number of students
studying abroad around the world was approximately 1,900,000
in 2002. Looking at it geographically, the country that
accepted by far the greatest number of foreign students
was the U.S.A., which took in more than 500,000 students,
followed by other Western countries including the UK,
Germany, France and Australia. ... |
 Now,
One Out of 20 Marriages are Mixed!
According to the statistics from the Ministry of Health,
Labour and Welfare, there were 36,039 international
marriages between Japanese and non-Japanese in 2003.
This is about 5 percent of the 740,191 couples who married
in Japan, which means an an average of one out of 20
marriages were mixed. ... |
 "Ore,
Ore" Fraud Increasing
This year, the number of so-called "Ore, Ore"
("It's me") frauds has been increasing. The
fraudsters' trick goes like this. The criminal calls
somebody's house and when the mother or grandparents
pick up the phone, he pretends to be a son of the family,
saying "It's me" in a fearful voice. ... |
 Are
the Lives of Human Beings Worth Less than Insects'?
I was most shocked to recently hear the news about the
murder of an 6th grade pupil in Nagasaki. A 6th grade
elementary school girl was killed by a pupil in the
same class. Japanese society seems to be deteriorating
and the criminals are getting younger. Who's responsibility
is this? I believe 11 year old children are pure. ... |
 Unexpected
crimes are on the increase
Japan is well known as one of the safest countries in
the world, but this reputation is beginning to unravel.
Although Japan's crime rate is still low compared to
other advanced countries, the present figure is about
double the rate in 1980 and the highest number since
World War II. ... |
 The
small actions of a Japanese woman leave a big impression
Many people despair over the bad manners of today's
young Japanese women, especially when they do their
make-up on trains and sit with their feet on the chair
in restaurants. But on the other hand, there are some
nice women, too. ... |
 What
has happened to the Police force that used to have the
world's highest arrest rate?
I commute to my company by motor bike. The other night
a truck driving in front of me hit a pedestrian on the
left side of the road. To my surprise, the driver didn't
stop. I chased the truck, but the driver kept going,
even driving through red lights. ... |
 Japan’s
Aid to Under-Developed Counties is the Second Largest
in the World, but…
According to the OECD, the Japanese government offered
US$8,859,000,000 in 2004 to developing countries. This
is the second largest amount of aid after the U.S.A,
which offered US$18,999,000,000 followed by France (US$8,475,000,000),
Britain (US$7,836,000,000) and Germany (US$7,497,000,000).
... |
 Will
Japan's Peaceful Constitution be Changed?
May 3rd is Japan's Constitution Day and a national holiday.
Article 9 of Japan's Constitution clearly renounces
war. Therefore, it is called a "peaceful Constitution,"
but Japanese are beginning to debate whether Article
9 should be revised or not. ... |
 Do
you know all roads lead to Kasumigaseki?
Dear friends, do you know the jargon "Onobori-san"?
Those who visit Tokyo are called "Onobori-san."
The trains coming up to Tokyo are called "Nobori-Densha,"
or "Up Train" and trains leaving Tokyo are
called "Kudari-Densha" or "Down Train."
... |
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