|  Epoch-making
Idea to Solve the Japan’s Pension Problem
In 2007, the sloppy management of pensions by the
Social Insurance Agency was discovered. The government
promised that they would check up on 50 million unidentified
pension accounts by the end of March 2008. However,
this will be extremely difficult to accomplish. Many
people are disgusted at their irresponsible government
officials. ...
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 A
Politician Grading Guide Book will be on Sale Soon
The “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2008” was published
for the first time in Japan, and all 120,000 copies
sold out within four days. This book was later reprinted
and has been selling very well. In Japan there is a
tendency for people to rank everything from sightseeing
spots to movies. Now a guide book for grading politicians
is being produced. Hiragana Times CIA interviewed the
chief editor KANESAKI Shinichi. ... |
 Let’s
Learn the Other Side of Japanese Apolog ies
In 2007, cases of the dishonest practice of changing
freshness dates on food products by leading food companies
and renowned brands including Fujiya, Shiroi Koibito,
Akafuku and Kitcho were uncovered one after another.
This has now become a big issue. What is going on behind
the scenes? Hiragana Times CIA interviewed Professor
HIKAGE Masateru, a leading expert in dishonest trading.
... |
 A
“Sneering at the Rich Movement” Has Emerged
in Japan’s Income Gap Society
It was once said in Japan that 100 million Japanese
belonged to the middle class, but now, annual income
differentials are widening among Japanese. The National
Tax Administration Agency announced that the average
annual income for 2006 has dropped again, as it has
for the last nine consecutive years, and that after
a 21 years interval there are again more than 10 million
people whose annual income is less than two million
yen. ... |
 Your
Piece of Work can be a Masterpiece!
In Japan, autumn is also called “art autumn”
and it is the time when people honor great pieces of
work including paintings and literature. Honored works
will gain a reputed position, and consequently their
creators will enjoy fame. Every writer is desperate
to win awards. Soon, a book called “Prize Winning
Tricks,” which casts suspicion on the way these
prizes are awarded, will go on sale. Hiragana Times
CIA interviewed Mr. GOKOU Matsuo, an author and representative
of the Awarded Works Examination Institute (Japan).
... |
 The
“Don’t Go on a Diet!” Diet
Diets are again booming in Japan. In particular, one
of the more popular weightloss programs is the army-style
exercise program, “Billy’s Boot Camp”
from America. Hiragana Times CIA interviewed Professor
TAINAKA Keiko to learn more about the reality of dieting.
... |
 The
Threat of the World’s Largest Religion
Religion has been the cause of many conflicts around
the world including, some say, the current war in Iraq.
However, Professor MUNEMOTO Shinji, an expert in studies
of religious conflicts, warns that a real religious
war has already started. Hiragana Times CIA interviewed
the professor, who is scheduled to publish a book “The
Threat of the World’s Largest Religion”
soon. ... |
 Why
are Japanese Women so Beautiful?
At the Miss Universe 2007, a Japanese representative
was selected as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Last year, a Japanese representative reached the second
place in the contest. Coincidently, Dr. J. HYDE, who
is well known worldwide for his studies into beauty,
wrote a book to be published soon titled “Why
are Japanese Women so Beautiful?” Hiragana Times
CIA carried out an urgent interview with him. ... |
 Battle
for Securing Brides in Asia has Started!
The number of international marriages continues to rise
in Japan. At present, one in 20 couples, including one
out of 10 couples in Tokyo, is in an international marriage.
Hiragana Times CIA interviewed Professor UJIIE Tamotsu,
an expert in international marriages, to learn how this
trend will influence Japan. ... |
 Insurance
Companies Only Want Excellent Customers
Many cases of nonpayment by insurance companies have
recently come to light in Japan. Hiragana Times CIA
interviewed business insurance expert Mr. URANO Tadashi,
who is also the director of “Association of Medical
Victims,” about the situation. ... |
 New
Facility to Prevent Sex Crimes for Public Officials
Opens
Lately, the number of sex crimes including molesting
and peeping that have been committed by public officials
including policemen, teachers and civil servants has
been increasing. Hiragana Times has recently obtained
information that a facility to prevent sex crimes for
public officials is going to be discretely opened in
Tokyo early next year. This facility will be run by
an extra-departmental organization. To learn more, Hiragana
Times interviewed the manager, TAKAI Mamoru. ... |
 Labor
Caste System has Started in Japan
Recently, a tanka (a short Japanese poem) written by
famous Japanese poet ISHIKAWA Takuboku (1886~1912),
has become increasingly quoted: "Working, working
hard, but my living, still hasn't improved, I gaze my
hands." This poem fits the situation of the growing
number of "working poor" in Japan. Hiragana
Times CIA interviewed Dr. THREADBEAR, who is an expert
on Japan's working poor problem. ... |
 Fabricated
TV Programs are Extremely Healthy
Recently, a TV program was broadcast that created a
strong reaction among the public. The program introduced
people who said they could lose weight by eating natto,
fermented soybeans, but later, it was discovered that
the producers had fabricated the content and subsequently
the TV company was forced to cancel the program. ... |
 Japanese
will Never Start a War!
On January 9, 2007 the Japanese Defense Agency was upgraded
to a Ministry of Defense, while in the previous year,
the Basic Educational Law, which included the “patriotism
clause,” was also passed. These developments are
very closely related to recent changes in the security
situation around Japan that has included China’s
military expansion and North Korea’s nuclear armament.
... |
 Study
of World History is Nonsense!
Recently, a very serious issue has been discovered in
which 540 high schools (approximately 10%) nationwide
had neglected to teach their students world history,
which is a compulsory subject. Since 84,000 third grade
students are now not able to graduate, the government
has decided to let students undergo 70 hours of extra
lessons to make up for the error. ... |
 Consumer
Loan Interest is Too Low!
A consumer loan institution reform plan is now being
discussed in the Diet. This plan proposes the lowering
of interest rates charged by moneylenders, however,
some tricks can be observed behind the scenes. ... |
 Contents
of Sensational Book “Fake Leaders”
Japan now has a new Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. On this
occasion, a new book called “Fake Leaders”
written by Dr. Ernesto REED, a writer well-known for
his studies into the lives of leaders, is now drawing
attention worldwide. ... |
 Who
is the Real Winner?
Japan has changed from being a relatively equal society
into an American-style society where the law of the
jungle rules and the difference between incomes of the
rich and poor is bigger than ever. ... |
 Mankind’s
Downfall will Start This Century!
The dramatic effects of climate change are now taking
place around the world. British doctor Charles MANSFIELD,
an authority in geophysics, warns that mankind will
not be able to adapt quickly enough to changes to the
earth, if this trend continues. ... |
 The
Strong Make All the Rules!
The first WBC (World Baseball Classic) held in the USA
in March ended happily for Japan as they became the
champions. On the other hand, the WBC created a big
fuss thanks to misjudgments by the umpires. ... |
 TV
station for weak and downtrodden people to be launched
soon, but ...
As the “Livedoor scandal” was unfolding,
it was pointed out that the media, in particular TV
stations, that had described Horiemon as a hero, played
a significant role in the scandal. Under these circumstances,
“Weak People’s TV,” a unique internet
TV broadcasting company specializing in news and reports
from the perspectives of weak people, is now being established.
... |
 Invention
of the Century — ”DNA Recombination”?
Can it Stop Wars?
In the past 2,000 years, human beings, who are gifted
with wisdom, have brought civilization to many fields,
but they still cannot stop wars, even in the 21st century.
Now, a secret study about how recombining DNA can protect
people from war is being carried out by an international
network of DNA experts. ... |
 "Japanese
Tricks Dictionary" to go on sale soon?
A new type of dictionary for non-Japanese called the
"Japanese Tricks Dictionary" will soon be
going on sale. This dictionary highlights the many tricks
used by Japanese organizations and businesses, along
with illustrations to aid easy understanding. This dictionary
will play an important role in helping people learn
the truth about what goes on behind the scenes in Japan.
... |
 'Japanese
are the easiest people to take in
Only a small number of books, movies and designer brand
goods become best-sellers. However, it is not well known
that masterminds are creating these hot-selling items
behind the scenes. They never appear out in front, but
in actuality, they greatly influence the daily lives
of millions of citizens. ... |
 'Fortune-Teller'
Provides for Him that Trusts
In Japan fortune-telling is undergoing a boom, especially
among women. Nearly every TV station broadcasts the
fortune of the day along with the morning weather forecast,
and there are regular fortune-telling programs as well.
Almost all womens magazines have a fortune-telling section,
and feature stories about fortune-telling are available
nearly every month. ... |
 Will
the Corruption of Public Office Ever End?
It has been disclosed that local governments, including
the Osaka City Hall, have been paying unlawful benefits
to their personnel. In addition to their receiving higher
on-average salaries than private company staff, City
Hall staff had been offered various benefits such as
uniform allowances for their suits, an allowance for
unpleasant work - ie. ... |
 The
Dictators Museum- A New Sightseeing Spot in Tokyo
The world's first dictators museum will open soon in
Tokyo. Here, dictators of modern times will be displayed
along with photos and evidence of how they oppressed
people. The museum is sure to become a major topic of
conversation as Tokyo's new sightseeing spot. ... |
 A
University Which Meets the Desires of Young People will
Soon Open!
March is graduation season in Japan. Some universities
will not meet their quota for new students because the
number of children in Japan is decreasing. Universities
are now facing difficult times financially since they
cannot receive subsidies from the government these years.
... |
 Any
Woman will say "Yes!"
February 14 is St. Valentine's Day. Last year the Korean
TV drama "Winter Sonata" became a boom among
Japanese women and pure love has now been revalued in
Japan. The CIA interviewed Professor Chateley, a world
famous love psychologist, about love and the "Winter
Sonata" boom. ... |
 Who
is the Ugly Duckling?
This year marks 400 years since Hans Christian Andersen's
birth. The other day I had an opportunity to talk with
a portly expatriate Japanese child who recently returned
to Japan. The country she was raised in was poor and
she said the expatriate Japanese children called themselves
"Ugly ducklings." ... |
 Is
Offering Money to the Gods Bribery?
It is a traditional custom that Japanese people visit
shrines and temples at the beginning of the New Years
period and make a wish to the gods. Can gods make their
wishes come true? Hiragana Times CIA recently successfully
contacted a Japanese god thanks to a top secret, ultra
high technology communication device. ... |
 She
went to Britain to learn English, but…
When I went to Britain last month I had an opportunity
to speak with a young Japanese girl who came to Britain
to study English. I asked her in English, "You
are staying here one year? You must be able to speak
quite well now then, right?" ... |
 The
Less Talent, The More Happiness - Interview With a Former
Great Actress
She was a beautiful actress who was once in the spotlight.
She appeared in movies and on TV and led a fantastic
private life that included having love affairs with
many celebrities. Although she is now retired and stays
away from the mass media, she recently allowed Hiragana
Times CIA to interview her. ... |
 Japanese
are Great Experts in Terminology
The capture and decapitation of a young Japanese man
in Iraq was a great shock to many Japanese. In the days
before his death, the militant group responsible issued
a notice informing that the hostage would be killed
unless the Japanese Self Defense Force left Iraq within
48 hours. ... |
 The
Destiny of Human Beings
Hiragana Times recently interviewed Dr. Richard DARWIN,
descendant of Charles Darwin, famed for his theory of
evolution. Dr. Darwin is now writing a sensational book
"The Future of Species" which will be published
soon. ... |
 What
is the most important talent an American President should
possess?
The other day an American journalist friend invited
me to his home. He has a son in the 6th grade of elementary
school. I asked him "What do you want to be when
you grow up?" He replied, "I want to be the
American president and knock down terrorists."
... |
 Are
you a "Losing Dog"?
The term "The Howl of the Losing Dogs" is
popular in Japan at the moment. Originally, the term
came from the name of a book which describes childless,
unmarried women over thirty as "losing dogs."
... |
 The
Greedy King
Several years ago, an anonymous story called "The
Greedy King" was circulated among people living
under a dictator. The story said . ... |
 When
you look at your face in the mirror after taking off
your thick make-up...
The current national pension issue in Japan has disclosed
the fact that almost everyone is cunning and indulgent,
including politicians and journalists. On this occasion,
the Hiragana Times CIA asked professionals in each field
about their true view of their occupation. ... |
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