The problems facing senior citizens in an aging society

These days, the life of elderly seems to be in danger. The scandals such as pension fiasco and Comsn misdeeds have hit our society. According to the demographic statistics, one in four in 2025 would be over 65 years old.

First, posthumous chore. Especially for people who don't have any children like me, it’s a serious matter to handle posthumous chore. Whom can I rely on? If I could leave my living will or prepare for my death in advance, it’s not so critical. But if I become unconscious out of the blue, who deal with payment of medical care, handling real estate/bank account, informing utility sector about my death, discarding refrigerator/VCR, my cat and so on? One possible answer would be lawyers. But I doubt that they are willing to deal with such an unprofitable work. The elderly need overall support system. So, such a work should be done by the government.

Second, crimes targeting the elderly. Let’s take "Ore ore" ("It's me") frauds for example. Swindles call targets and persuade them that they are relatives in trouble and need quick cash. They pose as grandchild, police officers and lawyers to gain victims' trust using bunch of detailed information. They can be an easy pray for fraud due to impaired judgment. We can consider that banking facilities also have hand in this fraud. To prevent this, banking facilities should have responsibility not to be withdrawn money by such as redundant confirmation.

In conclusion, the elderly played important roles to achieve high economic growth. It is no　exaggeration to say that they have brought Japan to one of the highest industrialized countries. Now, they should be given social hospitality and protected from crimes.

Who is the role-model for children?(Educationネタの取りこぼしなので後回しでお願いします)

The world’s tennis top-ranked player-- Roger Federer. His influence is significant not only for children who are interested in Tennis but also children who are not. I’ll focus two his great aspects.

First, technical role model. He achieved ten Grand Slam men's singles titles. It is said that Federer may become the greatest player in history. His artistic play fascinates young players and enhances technical improvement.

Second, influence for children all over the world. He was assigned as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador. According to his statement, he made the remarks that he may have achieved a lot on the court, but he would also like to try to achieve more off the court, a privilege for him to continue this great tradition of UNICEF. For example, in the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster’s aftermath, he made a significant personal donation to the relief effort. For another case, he used his high profile to bring the world’s attention to their plight. In 2003, he established the Roger Federer Foundation to fund projects benefiting disadvantaged children

In conclusion, I believe that Roger Federer can be a good role-model for children with two aspects. One is as technical role-model and the other is as Goodwill Ambassador.

Government's responsibility to take care of the elderly

These days, the life of elderly seems to be in danger. The scandals such as pension fiasco and Comsn misdeeds have hit our nation. According to the demographic statistics, one in four in 2025 would be over 65 years old. I believe that the government should take full responsibility for taking care of the elderly. Here, I would like suggest what the government should do for the elderly.

First, overall support system for the elderly. Especially for people who don't have any children like me, it’s a serious matter to handle posthumous chore. Whom can I rely on? If I could leave my living will, it’s not so critical. But if I become unconscious out of the blue, who deal with payment of medical care, handling real estate/bank account, informing utility sector about my death, discarding refrigerator/VCR, my cat and so on? One possible answer would be lawyers. But I doubt that they are willing to deal with such an unprofitable work. So, such a work should be done by the government

Second, policy change for the elderly. Those who are now over 65 played important roles to achieve high economic growth. We couldn’t get national strength in international market without their efforts. It is no　exaggeration to say that they have brought Japan to one of the highest industrialized countries. Now, their efforts should be rewarded. To my surprise, it is said that expense for supporting the elderly over 75 years old is to be cut. I believe that this policy would be opposite against ideal situation. Let’s take Swedish case. The medical cost is charge-free. This should be government’s direction of the road ahead.

In conclusion, government should not return evil for good for the elderly. If government doesn’t take care of the elderly, significance of existence would decline.

Problems of increasing single mothers in advanced countries

I’d like to shed light on child abuse on this topic. Child abuse has been increasing among young mothers. According to one statistics, 60% of child abuse was done by mother. One possible cause would be to extremely pursuit their own benefit. Here are two aspects here.

First, recently, women have played important roles in our society and they pursue their own career. They can’t afford to take care of their children and emotionally handle them. resort to excessive physical punishment. For example, my wife is school nurse at elementary school. Three child abuse cases hit the school. In all three cases, mothers have own job and don’t have any mental leeway. It seems that there is strong correlation between child abuse and women in business world.

Second, mothers lack of their responsibilities and don’t know how to handle kids. I was shocked by one report that reports 23 children die last 8 years in leaving a child in a car. For example, one child left in a car at Pachinko polar without any air conditioner died from heat exhaustion. Temperature in a car could reach at 50 or 60 degree on hot summer day. I believe that these cases are good evidence to verify the lack of parent’s responsibility.

In conclusion, the lack of parent’s responsibility and the lack of knowledge how to raise children are significant social problems.

changing lifestyle of children in cities

The lifestyle of children in cities has been drastically changed for the last three decades. Their lives are too much affluent and hectic as same as adult’s one. I’ll shed light on two aspects.

First, Children are more affluent and comfortable than ever before. Let’s take convenience store for example. It’s open for 24 hours. They can get any food, drink, magazines and so on at the moment that they want to get. As negative effect of affluent, they can be short on patience. If they can not get what they want, as is often the case, they can resolve to physical violence as the worst case. I can’t help considering that the lifestyle of children is too much affluent.

Second, cram school in the heated exam. wars. Cram school and examination wars have existed since when I was a kid. But today’s trend goes too far beyond decency. For example, I’m on the way to home at the time close to the last train around 12 o’clock. I can easily find elementary school students in the train among drunken business people including me. It seems that their conversation is related to their coming examination and the result of mock exam. I can’t help sympathize with their tough environment or high expectation from their parents. I deeply understand the idea that graduating from the prestigious high school or university lead our nation to one of the successful industrized country in the world. However, why don’t they have leeway?

In conclusion, their lives are engulfed by hustle and bustle in cities.

How to improve Japan’s international image?

Japan is one of the successful industrialized countries. The fact reminds that it has played an important role in various field such as technology. However, other fact also reminds that foreigners have some negative views against Japan?

First, authoritarian business manner. Japanese tend to stick to position/title on business scene. For example, one British I know confessed that he was so bewildered by Japanese authoritarian business manner. He had a meeting with Japanese. After he exchanged the business cards, he noticed there are so many titled position such as “manager”, “senior manager”, “technical manager”, “deputy manager”, “director” and so on. He was not sure who is the right person to contact as their Japanese counter part. He ended up asking “who is the boss?” I propose just reducing the number of unnecessary title to distinguish between actual responsible manager and technical staff.

Second, I'm afraid we have to admit that English level in Japan is quite low.
How poor it is? According to TOEFL statistics in 2003, Japan was ranked at the 22nd out of 23 countries. The last one is north Korea. just for your information. At one international Semicon conference, interpreter is assigned to Japanese speaker against speaker's will. Not for Korean and Chinese but only for Japanese! How do we improve English education in Japan? Despite 10 years of study, many people still can't handle speaking English.
Language ability is evaluated by solely through written methods in the heated exam. wars. To the contrary, EIKEN includes a direct speaking component. We should more emphasize active ability to appeal one’s opinion than passive ability. The more a lot of people challenge Eiken, the better they can handle proficiency.

In conclusion, it’s important to enhance English proficiency and avoid complicated business manner to improve Japan’s international image.

The future of space travel

Yes, I believe that space travel will be common within half a century. Many criticise it wastes of time and money. Priority should be given to other issues on Earth such as poverty and hanger. But I believe that space travel plays an important role to improve technology. Now I’ll focus two aspect of technology improvement.

First, food technology. I’d like to define food technology as tecqunique to preserve delicate taste for a long period even in space.

Let’s take instant noodle for example. The founder of Nissin, Momofuku Andou invented instant noodle. Instant noodle was brough to space shuttle discovery. It contributed to hunger in Africa. Anyway, wecan expect technology leap for food. We would be able to experience three stars restaurant's taste in space craft/perfect Sushi/Tempura through improvement of food technology.

Second, we can expect secondary benefit to all of us. We'll make an effort to achieve space travel. It'd bear good fruit for not only space exploration but also other field. Let's take semiconductor chips as example. Semiconductor chips used in space craft should work under harsh condition -- extremely temperature hot and cold. It's a big challenge to design robust chip which works properly. This kind of effort enhances the quality of electric equipment for our daily life on the earth..

In conclusion, space travel is promising driving force to improve our technology.

We can receive huge benefit from space travel.

Do the benefits outweigh the dangers of nuclear power energy?

The Chernobyl disaster, widely cited as the reason not to build nuclear power plants, happened in the Soviet Union where safety standards were notoriously lax. The nuclear power stations can be targeted by terrorism. Unfortunately, the nuclear industry has a bad reputation for safety. But it brings huge benefits that more than compensate for the negative aspects.

First, requiring less land. It is estimated that it would take a wind farm the size of Texas to provide for the power needs of Texas. The inefficiency of alternative energy technologies make them impractical as solutions for large-scale energy needs. Hydroelectric usually needs building a large dam which floods an enormous region behind the dam, displacing tens of thousands of people. For example, the Three Gorges Dam project in China. It destroyed 30,000 hectors of farmland. If you take these requiring land cases into your consideration, nuclear power should be valued regardless of its potential dangers.

Second, environmental friendly aspect. Nuclear power is significantly beneficial to environment. Dams requiring huge area can devastate the eco-system of wide areas. Burning fossil fuels is highly polluting. Build-up of carbon dioxide is believed to accerarate the greenhouse effect, causing global climate change. Nuclear power energy does not emit carbon dioxide unlike fossil fuel.

In conclusion, there is no other power than nuclear power. Only nuclear power can supply our energy needs.

In what circumstances, if any, do you support human cloning?

Many people criticize that human cloning technology is unsafe. The nuclear transfer technique that produced Dolly required 277 embryos, from which only one healthy and viable sheep was produced. Moreover, we do not know the long-term consequences of cloning. However, if we are allowed to use cloning, I support this in two circumstances here.

First, cure for diseases. Cloning technology or stem cell technology hold the promise of future cures for diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Let me cite my mother’s case. She has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for the last 3 years. She doesn’t have any ability to call her son’s name. Yes, it’s me. She can’t call me “Taka” anymore. I wish cloning technology could be applied to my mother’s brain cell. I want to be called “Taka” by my mother.

I believe that the likely result of curing people of fatal disease is worth the cost.

Second, succession of technology and craftsmanship purposes. In an extreme case, old tech is simple. The longer time goes by, the more technology is sophisticated. For example, transistor radio uses simple technology; to the contrary, mobile phone with multiple functions is so complicated. Younger engineers need time to master the distinguished knowledge and enhance it. There is likelihood that it’s impossible to reach the master’s experience and to exceed it. As my wistful thinking, it’s beneficial to all of us to clone their brains. We can succeed their knowledge and enhance them.

In conclusion, cloning technology can benefit our society as a whole. This technology can contribute to cure diseases and improve technology.

Do you support genetic therapy to cure serious disease?

Genetic therapy involves technology that is still relatively young, and enough testing has not been done to ascertain its effect on potential human health impact. Nobody knows the long term effects of genetic therapy on humans. I think more time is needed to verify its effect before we will know the definitive answer with regard to safety. However, I strongly support genetic therapy to cure serious disease.

First, Now I’ll take up gout for example. Gout is arthritis which causes pain. Usually, the joints in the big toe are affected. It is believed to be the result of gluttony and inherited. Now I’ll focus inherited aspect. If genetic therapy is available and verified its effect, a lot of gout patients will be delighted. Especially me, because I’m one of the patients longing for such a therapy.

Second, Baldness. I believe we can include baldness as serious disease. Onset of hair loss sometimes begins as early as end of puberty, and is mostly genetically determined. Research has also shown that a person with a balding father also has a significantly greater chance of experiencing hair loss. This is applied to me. Yes, I’m afraid loosing my hair! There are some approaches to baldness such as medicine to treat high blood pressure, hair transplantation, stress reduction and so on. But it seems those are not definitive solution. If genetic therapy is available and verified its effect, a lot of people annoyed by baldness will be delighted.

In conclusion, it can benefit our society as a whole. This technology can contribute to the public good and improve the quality of our lives.

Genetically modified food and the future

Genetic modification involves technology that is still relatively young, and enough testing has not been done to ascertain its effect on potential human health impact. Nobody knows the long term effects of GM foods on humans or the environment. I think more time is needed to verify its effect before we will know the definitive answer with regard to safety. However, we can receive huge benefit from genetic modification.

First, less chemical treatment. The possible benefits from GM food are enormous. Among them, I’d like to especially emphasize less chemical treatment. GM technology can create crop varieties which are resistant to disease, thereby requiring less pesticides and safeguarding the environment. For example, import vegetable contaminated with pesticides from China is hot potato in our society. I believe that we can avoid such a threat through GM food. I mentioned ambiguous effects of GM foods on humans or the environment. Which is more fatal, a pesticide or GM food? I doubt China’s effort and reminisce about pesticides in the 1950s and 1960s such as DDT. So, it seems GM food is so far so good to me. The lesser of the two evils.

Second, added benefit or secondary effect from GM technology. Now I’ll take up gout for example. Gout is arthritis which causes pain. Usually, the joints in the big toe are affected. It is believed to be the result of gluttony and inherited. Now I’ll focus inherited aspect. If genetically modified technology applied for food is extended to other field such as genetic therapy, a lot of gout patients will be delighted. Especially me, because I’m one of the patients longing for such a therapy.

In conclusion, it can benefit our society as a whole. This technology can contribute to the public good and improve the quality of our lives.

Are we too dependent on science and technology?

We can get a lot of benefit from today's advanced technology and making good

use of it itself is not a bad thing.

However, I’m afraid I have to admit that we are too dependant on science and technology. We might as well rely on technology. But as proverb goes, Too much is as bad as too little. I’ll take up two examples here.

First, we rely too much on escalators/moving stairway. I consider that escalator is just a tool to assist us. What I can't stand most is a person, who doesn't step aside and stay still, which is not only against the public manner but also beyond my patience. Don't stop/ walk on your own except those who physically need an assist like elderly and disabled. I can't help considering that we are too dependant on technology. Usually, I don't use escalator. If necessary, such as lower ground subway station, I use escalator but I never stay still. I make it a rule to walk up and down.

Second, we rely too much Email. It’s no doubt that Email is significantly useful tool in our society. We can send a message to a lot of people all at once and avoid receiver’s interruption. But as a negative aspect of Email, it has a weak point on emergency situation. For example, we had a huge trouble on computer server at my work place. We needed to solve this accident as soon as possible to meet our deadline. Or else we could loose one billion yen sales business opportunity. I ordered one of my subordinates to handle this issue. He seemed to send Email to the computer maker to get it to fix our computer. Half a day later, I asked him what’s going on the progress. He answered that he was waiting for Email responses from the vendor. All he did was just sending an email and nothing else.　His purpose ended up just sending Email. It goes without saying that I chastised him.

In conclusion, it’s not bad to rely on technology and receive benefit and boon at all. However, Too much dependency is not good. We should bear in mind how to use technology.

The popularity of computer games

I deeply understand that many people criticize that computer games can generate a lack of communication and trigger violent crimes. But it brings huge benefit that more than compensate for the negative aspect. The popularity of computer games is vitally important for two aspects. One is the benefit for our society and the other is for me.

First, great leaps in technology. Computer games as product have many indirect benefits to our society. Let’s take semiconductor chips used in Sony PlayStation for example. The chips include the cutting edge technology accumulated engineer’s experience and knowledge. The performance is much more than super computer decade ago. The technology is widely reused for other category such as mobile phone. The semiconductor chips originated from game product play an important role to achieve the complicated and multi functional mobile phone. The popularity enhances the technical improvement.

Second, for my own benefit. My salary is decided by two factors. One is the evaluation of my personal performance. The other is company’s profit. The company I work for produce game products. In other words, the more our game products are in demand, the more my salary increases. If engineers can get better incentive, tecnology would be more improved. Buy game product. Not Nintendo DS but PlayStation, please.

In conclusion, we can expect the great leaps in technology and it can contribute to the public good. Do not forget trivial aspect. That’s my salary.

Should euthanasia be permitted in Japan?

Yes. I strongly support this idea. Some people criticize that there is no such things as a right to die. Suicide is always wrong. But it’s high time to change such a negative perspective.

First, euthanasia is not vice but virtue.

People should be allowed to request mercy killing to end their suffering. It is more humane that these individuals be allowed to choose the manner of their own end and die with dignity. This is for the patient. But it’s beneficial for others with some points. Euthanasia can release the needless agony of watching close relatives slowly degenerate and die in great pain. It would also increase the number of organs available for transplant in those cases where the patient’s and family’s consent had been obtained. The term ‘euthanasia’ comes from the ancient Greek words meaning ‘good health’. Those who end their own lives are not seen as evil.

Second, I don’t want to cause inconvenience to society. I’d like to contribute to reduce burden of life support through euthanasia. Now, we suffer from demographic imbalance in Japan. It generates work shortage such as doctors and nurses in medical field. Besides, financial burden to support the elderly is heavy for young generation. For example, If I become a ‘vegetable’ or I’m in PVS which stands for a persistent vegetative state, I’m wiling to opt for euthanasia to avoid inconvenience for others.

To maintain my life, human resources, medical facility and medical expense are more or less used. I’d like to contribute to our society by not accepting life support service.

In conclusion, euthanasia brings huge benefits that more than compensate for the negative aspect.

The increasing number of mentally ill people in Japan

In our society, the increasing number of mentally ill people is one of the biggest problems. If we don’t take measures on this problem, we will lose national strength in international market. Now, I’ll talk about the possible cause and its negative effect here.

First, about the possible cause. Performance based system, so called merit system has been installed in our society for the last two decades. As a negative aspect of performance based system, it generated stressful working environment. Employees are driven by the pressure that they need to bear fruits. Some people lack their confidence and they evaluate themselves as looser when they can’t performe well. Mental instability bears social withdrawal, as a worst case, it causes suicide. For example, one of my subordinates who left our office due to mental depression confessed me that he was willing to accept low wage if he could escape from the performance based evaluation.

Next, about negative effect. Labor shortage and a few successors for technology and craftsmanship would be serious crisis in our society. According to the demographic statistics, one in four in 2025 would be over 65 years old. Even now, we suffer from demographic imbalance. Absolute denominator of entire population is becoming small. Among this environment, loosing work force due to mental illness makes the matter worse. Besides, it’s difficult to succeed technology to younger generation. Let me take the same subordinate’s case once again for example. Apparently, we lost one personnel to succeed our accumulated knowledge and experience. Nowadays, high technology such as mobile phone with multiple function is so complicated. Younger engineers need time to master the distinguished knowledge and enhance it. I’m worry about whether we have time to succeed.

In conclusion, we need to stop increasing number of mentally ill people. Or else we will loose our nation’s strength and compositeness in international market.

How to avoid stress in a fact-paced society?

Now, we are living in fast-paced environment. It’s indispensable for us to have lifestyle to get along with this environment. I can demonstrates two possible solutions to avoid stress.

First, to release my stress, the best way is that drinking beer with my listening to rock music at high volume in the daytime on weekend. Old rock music is my good medicine such as Pink Floyd, Queen, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. The biggest stress annoying me is one related to work. It is consisted of many aspects such as demanding boss, tough project schedule to meet, technical improvement and achievement of patent quota. However, I can handle this stress through applying the drinking solution. Besides, this solution sparked the idea as derivative effect. Some patents I applied are ideas using this method. I can’t help saying that this solution is panacea for me.

Second, to avoid conflict as much as possible.
As proverb goes, Don't kick against the pricks. Bow to the impregnable.(長いものには巻かれろ) I’ll take an example from my work place. We had a huge trouble on the semiconductor chip design. But we need to proceed another project at the same time. I insisted that we should focus on troubleshooting at the first priority. To my surprise, my boss insisted that workforces should be divided into two teams. I was reluctant to follow his direction with lacking foresight. But it’s better than stress caused by conflict.

When I was at early 30’s, I used to be bloody-minded. I welcomed the heated argument over touchy issue. But I’m over the hill any more. I feel comfortable that I accept compromise rather than conflict.
“What will be will be” is the best motto for me to avoid conflict.

In conclusion, I focused on two aspects to avoid stress. Compromise and drink-listening to rock music is effective for mental stress.

Lifestyles that best contribute to good health

Now, we are living in fast-paced and afluent food environment. It’s indispensible for us to have lifestyle to get along with this environment. I can demonstartes two possible solutions for good health here.

First, Diet to reduce unnecessary calorie as much as possible. As negative aspect of afluence of food, life style related desease hit our society. For example, I abstain from food after nine. I developed gout a couple years ago. Gout is arthritis which causes pain. Usually, the joints in the big toe are affected. It is believed to be the result of gluttony and inherited. I could reduce my weight around 5Kg and my physical condition improved a great deal without taking any pills. I’m free from the pain.

Of course, the cases I have a drinking party are exception.

Second, to reduce mental stress. To release my stress, the best way is that drinking beer with my listening to rock music at high volume in the daytime on weekend. Old rock music is my good medicine such as Pink Floyd, Queen, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. The biggest stress annoying me is one related to work. It is consisted of many aspects such as demanding boss, tough project schedule to meet, technical improvement and achievement of patent quota. However, I can handle this stress through applying the drinking solution. Besides, this solution sparked the idea as derivative effect. Some patents I applied are ideas using this method. I can’t help saying that this solution is panacea for me.

In conclusion, I focused on two aspects for good health. Diet is good for physical health and drink-listening to rock music is effective for mental stress.

What should be done about food safety?

In our society, food safety problem has caused us a great anxiety. For example, agricultural product exported by China has been shed light on for the last decade because of residual pesticides. Fujiya expired food case/meat hope false-labeling scandal hit our society. Some people point out that the current inspection is too lenient and much more strict inspection is needed. It’s true. Now, I’d like to add two solutions here to tackle with food safety.

First, establishment of evaluation/ranking system. I believe, audit body formed by media/authorities as watchdog is effective. Companies are significantly sensitive to media coverage. Therefore, they will make strong efforts to earn good reputation from public. For example, an international environmental organization – Greenpeace has its own ranking system. This is environmental version. But I believe that this idea can be applied to food safety in stead. The first priority of companies is to make a profit. It has become clear that through earning good reputation, we can make more profit. In other words, good reputation plays vital role for making profit. Nowadays, handling environmental sustainability has been a significant impact on corporate sustainability.

Second, time to increase self-sufficient rate.
Japan’s food self-sufficient rate is around 40%. We heavily rely on import of agricultural product. The main partner nations are U.S, China, Australia, Canada and Thai land. Especially, import vegetable contaminated with pesticides from China is hot potato in our society. To avoid this kind of problem, I believe that setting up agriculture company/group farmer is effective through increasing self-sufficient rate. Agriculture has been considered as new type of business. It attracts young people as changing job and the retired senior people as the second job opportunity. We should consider that food safety problem enhances the trend of increasing self-sufficient rate.

In conclusion, it’s high time to tackle with food safety problem. I believe evaluation system and increasing self-sufficient rate are realistic solution.

This is great, huh?

economic growth and environmental sustainability?

In the past, economic growth was considered as the first priority, then environmental sustainability followed it. However, now that we are facing serious environmental crisis such as global warming and water shortage, we need to tackle with this issue. This is the grave concern not only for our generation but also for that of the future. I am seriously concerned about this issue because natural environment is our asset for mankind. I’ll talk about this issue with two points. I’ll mention how our awareness has been shifted from economic growth toward environmental sustainability.

First, the establishment of evaluation system. It seems that company’s policies have been changed and they’ve tackled with environmental sustainability citing “CSR” which stands for Corporate Social Responsibility. This is a good trend. But to extend this trend further, I propose establishment of evaluation/ranking system. I believe, audit body formed by media/authorities as watchdog is effective. Companies are significantly sensitive to media coverage. Therefore, they will make strong efforts to earn good reputation from public. For example, the company I work for was ranked at the last place at the latest Greenpeace ranking system. The CEO issued instructions to all employees to take environmental deliberation into our consideration. It has become clear that through earning good reputation, we can make more profit. In other words, good reputation plays vital role for making profit. Nowadays, handling environmental sustainability has been a significant impact on corporate sustainability.

Second, I’d like to shed light on technical effort. Let me take actual example from my work place. I’m working on semiconductor chip design field. We design chips which are geared for mobile phone, GPS and so on under some criteria. One of them is related to power consumption. As the first priority to save power, our design is constricted by how much power the chip is allowed to consume. This is an effort to hold buttery as much as possible for environmental sustainability. In short, we create better products and offer better service to customers through this kind of improvement.

In conclusion, environmental sustainability enhances corporate growth and technical improvement. We should positively accept environmental sustainability as the first priority for our prosperity.

The type of pollution that affect me the most

The type of pollution that affects me the most is noise pollution. I’m annoyed two kinds of noise in daily life.

First, noise pollution motorcycle gangsters generate. My condo I live in is in front of police box. Many motorcycle gangsters provoke police officers at midnight or early morning. I craved officer to crack down them. But one police officer ignored my appeal. To my surprise, he told me that people lodging a complaint are only me! This is funny but not convincing enough.

Second, noise pollution related to SDF. I live in the vicinity of SDF camp. Especially, on SDF inspection parade day, noise pollution reaches a peak. I can hear the sound of Helicopter and narrowly shooting sound. Demonstrators take to the street against SDF. Right-wing sound trucks come and go with huge noise! Oh man! Literally, here is war field.

In conclusion, my residential environment is hell at least at the aspect noise.

How to promote environmental education in school

We are facing at environmental degradation. This is the concern not only for our generation but also for that of the future. I am seriously concerned about this issue because natural environment is our asset for mankind. For environmental sustainability, I believe that education plays an important role. Now, I propose excursion to make them learn the importance of environment with two aspects.

Firstly, to make students recognize garbage problem. Let’s take Mt. Fuji for example as the destination.

The beautiful Mt. Fuji has not been appointed as a World Heritage site. It is believed to be because too much garbage is left on the mountain. In fact, junior high school students in Saitama prefecture visited Mt. Fuji. Their first purpose teachers expected was to experience climbing the mountain. However, some students recognized a lot of garbage along the path. I believe that it’s a good chance to raise their awareness for environmental degradation.

Second, to make students recognize the technology contribution. For example, the renouned automobile company -- Honda launches a program to invite students to appeal their environmental activity. It introduces the contribution of technology such as hybrid car, natural gas-powered car and technology to produce Ethanol. I believe that this would be a good trend to experience actual technology rather than visiting historical and cultural city such as Kyoto and Nara. The number of school using this program is small, roughly 15 schools every year. But it is expected to increase

In conclusion, excursion is effective to make them learn the importance of environment.

Modern sense of morality in Japan

I’m afraid that morality based on Confucian tradition in Japan is disappearing. This becomes social problem. One main theme to Confucianism is relationships. I’d like to focus on relationships with two aspects.

First, I’ll talk about my private experience as micro point of view. I’d like to emphasize police officers’ moral degeneration. For example, noise pollution motorcycle gangsters generate. My condo I live in is in front of police box. Many motorcycle gangsters provoke police officers at the midnight or early morning. I craved officer to crack down them. But one police officer ignored my agony. By contrast, he told me that people lodging a complaint are only me! That was the moment that the relationship between police and citizens was broken.

Second, macro point of view. Now our society is suffering from the lack of corporate ethics. A lot of cases increase our anxiety. For example, Paloma gas leak/Fujiya expired food case/meat hope false-labeling scandal and so on. I’m afraid that the relationship between companies and customers are at stake. Obviously, this is a grave concern as lack of morality. Furthermore, this trend can lead our society to worse condition. In short, we loose economic power in international market.

In conclusion, social harmony is the great goal of Confucianism. Failing to build good relationship can damage our stable harmony.

Why is Japanese animation highly valued around the world?

Some aspects of manga are taken from the West. Osamu Tezuka, the "father" of modern manga, was influenced by Disney. But its main features, such as contents and stylized features, are distinctly Japanese. I understand there are many fine works of manga and anime being produced in many places around the world. However, as far as I understand, the roots are in Japan, and Japan is still considered the center of the anime world. I’ll talk about why I think so with two aspects.

First, complicated contents on real daily life. Now I’d like to include comics as animation. For example, “Manager Kousaku Shima” This is notable manga series based on corporate businessman. This handles touchy issue/conflict at workplace or away from work place not like sci-fi, action, fantasy and comedy.

This diverse range of subjects and themes satisfies many readers, especially, adult readers of different interests.

Second, artistic taste. Some animation includes sophisticated and refined pictures. Let’s take Hayao Miyazaki’s film – “The Spiriting Away of Sen and Chihiro” for example. The film received many awards. This is the first anime film to win an Academy Award. He sticks to even pattern of kimono. His artistic technique to describe trivial things is distinct and unique.　It reminds readers of Japanese-style painting and Ukiyoe. It’s no wonder that Japanese animation fascinates a lot of foreigners. Besides, I believe that the quality of pictures reaches to craftsmanship level. Young generation follows Miyazaki and competes each other among environment where reader's demanding is high. This high level animation is evaluated by foreigners.

In conclusion, many people all over the world not only as readers but also writers have been heavily influenced by Japanese animation because of contents-rich and craftsmanship.

How to prevent people from committing suicide in Japan

Increasing number of suicide is one of the biggest problems in our society. Because human resources are our assets to strengthen our nation’s prosperity, if we don’t take measures on this problem, we will loose competitiveness in international market. I propose two solutions here. One is for business people and the other is for school children.

First, installment of flexible evaluation system at work place. Performance based system, so called merit system has been installed in our society for the last two decades. As a negative aspect of performance based system, it generated stressful working environment. Some people lack their confidence and feel looser. Mental instability bears social withdrawal, as a worst case, it causes suicide. One solution is to install flexible evaluation system. In that system, employees can choose the evaluation system on their own ; either merit system or fixed salary system. The fixed salary system can alleviate mentally vulnerable employee’s pressure in order not to be rushed. For example, one of my subordinates who left our office for a while due to mental depression confessed me that he would have chosen the fixed salary system. He was willing to accept low wage even if he could bear outstanding fruits. Compromising is better than being rushed.

Second, establishment of counseling body for school children.
As study shows, the organization formed by trainee teacher, university student
majoring in psychology and graduated student. The point is that they are
young and close to the age of bullied victims. According to the report
from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, many bullied victims are not willing to come to their parents or teachers for help. In stead, they feel comfortable to tell the truth to senior associate. In most cases, this is all that the victim wants and needs. The organization inform the parents of the victim and of the bully and discuss possible solutions with them. I believe that this system could prevent the bullied victims from committing suicide.

In conclusion, we need to take measures to prevent suicides so as to strengthen our nation’s prosperity for adults and children.

Are the changing eating habits common in a fast-paced society, good or bad?

I believe that the changing eating habits are common and this trend is good. Dining out including fastfood has been popular in a hectic society for the last three decades. Many people critisize that eating fastfood could impact on our health aAnd causes illness such as obesity. However, here are huge advantages for dining out.

Firstly, efficiency of fast-food. Let’s take Mcdonald for example. We need just 5min to eat hamburgers.when we are in a hurry. Besides, we can intake high calorie within a short time. Fastfood is reratively high calorie as many people point out. But it can be beneficial as the other side of the coin. It’s good for business people who work as a bee. They don't have any leeway to enjoy meal. 2 hours lunch like Italian? No way! What a procrastination it is in fast-paced environment! It’s very effcient for us to utilize fastfood.

Secondly, we can expect to reduce burden for cooking. Recently, women have played important roles in our society and they pursue their own carieer. They don't have leeway to cook after work. In this case, dining out is effective to reduce their burden. For example, my wife has her own job. She is up to her neck. Therefore, I don't want to impose a burden on her to cook dinner after work. We usually go out dining when we have meal togherther.

I belive dining out helps us to generate leeway in our life.

In conclusion, the changing eating habits are good things. Rather, it’s inevitable in our society. Anyway, humbugger of BurgerKing/ french fry of Macdonald is the best combination

The borderline between luxury and necessity

The boderline between luxury and necessity seemed to be clearer in the past.
The demarcation lied between "must" and "want."
Today, however, to define the clear borderline seems more complicated
because our living condition has dramatically changed for the last decades.
I would like to talk about how the boerderline has changed by using
following point.

Some of goods have been rapidly transformed in the public’s eyes from luxury toward necessity. Let’s take air conditioner for example. According to one statistics, air conditioner is now considered necessity by seven-in-ten adults up from 50% in 1996. The other day, two tragic deaths hit Japan. One 84 year old female living without any air conditioner died from heat exhaustion/heat stroke. The other case is like this. One child left in a car without any air conditioner died from heat exhaustion too. Temperature in a car could reach at 50 or 60 degree on hot summer day. To prevent them, especially vulnerable people against harsh condition such as the elderly and children from death, air conditioner is necessity for them. This is the equipment not only for comfortable but also for surviving.

In conclusion, the borderline between luxury and necessity is demarcation between “survive” and “die”. Goods seemingly categolized in luxury can become necessity owing to circumstance.

How to encourage companies to create sustainable business

Companies play an important role to preserve our priceless environment. It’s very difficult to encourage companies to create sustainable business. The first purpose of companies is to make profit. Many companies appear to tackle with sustainable business citing “CSR” which stands for Corporate Social Resposibility. I’m afraid that sustainable activity follows making profit in reality.

To enhance the activity, here is one idea here.

Establishment of evaluation/ranking system. I propose audit body formed by media/authorities/government officers as watchdog. They should be evaluated by the audit body. Companies are significantly sensitive to media coverage. Therefore, they will make strong effor to earn good reputation from public. For example, evaluation is done by various aspects such as how much one company could reduce carbon-dioxide emission? What kind of environmentally-friendly products it release? Sony develops Bio Battery using a glucose solution. Ten points plus. Radio-active contamination of TEPCO. 100 points minus! Like this. This is not humorous comparison. In fact, the stock price of Sony after it anounced the Bio Battery went up 10%.

Through this corporate’s effort to earn reputation , we can encourage companies to create sustainable business.

In conclusion, I believe evaluation system is effective to arise company’s awareness for sustainable business.

Should teachers be required to renew their qualifications every few year?

Today, education is one of the most important issues we need to tackle with in our society because we have so many problems related to children and schools. It’s obvious that it’s important for us to secure quality teachers for better education. I believe that renewing their qualifications every few year is necessary. I’ll talk about why I think so with two points

Firstly, teachers need to keep abreast of current affairs and teach the significance to students. We are living in various values and fast paced environment. We have to learn a lot from specific affairs and adapt to diversified environment.

For example, dietary education. This is Education for food habit and life-style related diseases such as diabetes. This education is done by acquiring the knowledge and ability of choice regarding food. This type of Education has been shed light on within decade.

As evidence, two years ago, dietary education Basic Act was established.

Children who take snacks or who lack of exercise, tend to suffer from disease such as diabetes. To prevent them, proper education in school is needed. Teachers also need to learn and get new type of knowledge to teach their students. To promote learning current affairs to teachers and to secure minimum level of standard across the country, renewing their qualifications every few year would be effective.

Secondly, improve quality of teachers.

Let’s take teacher of English for example. According to the report from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, only 20% of entire high school English teachers in Japan hold the pre 1st grade and over. As for junior high school

teachers, the percentage was only 10%! I was so shocked by miserable

status-quo. It's no wonder that Japanese English is so poor.

To improve quality of teachers, periodic evaluation system in their specific field is needed. As my private opinion, I propose that holding the 1st grade should be mandatory for high school teachers, the pre 1st grad for junior high school teachers. If they fail, pay cut or license deprivation should be in force.

In conclusion, it would be effective to impose teachers on renewing their qualifications every years.

Advantages and Disadvantages of postponing retirement

I am strongly for postponing retirement age. It is too many to enumerate/list. Due to medical improvement, age to be over the hill is extended. The life expectancy around WW2 was 50 years old. Now it is over 80. Age restriction is old-fashioned system before appearance of demographic imbalance. I believe we can expect huge merits from it. I’d like to shed light on two aspects here.

Firstly, postponing retirement can be one of the resolutions for work shortage. According to the demographic statistics, one in four in 2025 would be over 65 years old. Even now, we suffer from demographic imbalance. To solve this problem, to extend the retirement age can be good solution. The merit system has been installed for the last two decades. I believe the system is not a matter of age. Current 50’s and 60’s are still alive and kicking.　As far as people who are willing to work can bear fruit, they should be allowed to continue their career. Their contribution compensate for the shortage of younger work force.

Secondly, we can secure time to succeed technology and craftsmanship. In some fields, age and accumulated knowledge are strong advantage. Researchers, engineers and professors may very well benefit from their many years of experience. It's very difficult to take over their experiences within a short time. Why is it short? In an extreme case, old tech is simple. The longer time goes by, the more technology is sophisticated. For example, transistor radio uses simple technology, to the contrary, mobile phone with multiple function is so complicated. Younger engineers need time to master the distinguished knowledge and enhance it.

In conclusion, postponing the retirement age has two significant advantages. We can expect to secure work force and succession of technology and craftsmanship. These two are strongly related to national power.
If we don’t take measures on this issue, we will loose national power and competition in international markets.

Immigration and the Japanese economy

I believe immigrants play an important role for the Japanese economy. They are indispensable for Japanese companies as workforce. Many people criticize immigration from abroad and have negative perspectives such as cultural conflict and the increasing crime rate. But it brings huge benefits that more than compensate for the negative aspects. Now I’d like to focus on the solution of work shortage in Japan. Here are two advantages for accepting immigration for the Japanese economy.

Firstly, factory workers/plant workers. When I visited the subsidiary company in Minokamo city of Gifu prefecture on business trip, I was so surprised by the huge number of Brazilian. They serve for the company as factory workers. They are assigned to handle assembly process of VCR, Video Camera and so on. They play an important role to generate the company’s profit. Way back when, the subsidiary company was at a loss for finding younger Japanese as workforce. In 1990, Immigration Control Law was deregulated and the number of immigrants significantly increased. Since then, the profit of the company has been improved about 20%.

Secondly, industries in Japan rely on immigrants as intellectual contribution. For example, engineering field heavily rely on Indian to compensate for Japanese weak area. That is software and programming. I bet you’ve heard game product – Sony PlayStation. Operating system in PlayStation is programmed by a lot of Indian. Indian play an important role from implementing source code to project management. Sony can not produce PlayStation without Indian’s contribution. It is said that a lot of Japanese have hard time to tackle with Indian English like gun fire of barrage though. Anyway, we can create and offer better quality to customers than their rival companies. Their contributions strengthen Japan's competitiveness in international market.

In conclusion, immigration has significant advantages for the Japanese economy as workforce. They are inevitable for our society.

Drastic measures to solve the budget deficit in Japan

The budget deficit is one of the biggest problems in our society because this is the concern not only for our generation but also for that of the future. We need to take measures on this issue not to be blamed by future generation. Currently, we have 770 trillion yen for national deficit; it increases 100 thousand yen per second. It’s very difficult to reduce it. However, I’d like to shed light on two measures on the budget deficit.

Firstly, to increase tax revenue. I deeply understand this is painful and many people lambaste this aggressive measure. But this is necessary structural reform. We need to reset the deficit as the first priority. Money resources are incomes by increasing tax of higher income group and corporate. People who have 3 million yen revenue and below are exempted to pay tax. It’s unfair in democratic society. We should collect taxes from them. Small amount is good enough. It’s better than nothing. I believe that increasing tax is strait forward way and it brings benefits that more than compensate for the pain.

Secondly, we need to increase the transparency of how tax revenues are spent in parallel. If we prove of little value to the nation, we should categorically cut the expense. For example, expense of military exercise. It costs 4 trillion yen for military expenditures every year against 40 trillion yen for tax revenue. It makes up 10%. Surprisingly, we need 200 million yen to launch just one missile. What a waste it is!We need to stop inefficiently using tax now.

In conclusion, we need to take concrete measures on the deficit not loose national power or competition in the international market.

Is free trade a good thing?

I am strongly for free trade. Some people insist that free trade is not good for protecting their own domestic industries against foreign countries. But it brings huge merits that more than compensate for the negative aspect. I’d like to shed light on two aspects here.

Firstly, to export strong/pet products and import weak products. For example, Japan exports Automobile. American can own good fuel efficient car. Game products such as PlayStation, Nintendo DS, they can enjoy them. To the contrary, Japan imports MS Windows/Intel processor/Boing Aircraft and so on. If Japan are not allowed to import them, we would have been behind other countries. Vice versa. Free trade allows us to build the reciprocal relationship all over the world. As proverb goes, “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”. This is pertinent expression for the policy of free trade.

Secondly, we can expect freedom of choice and better quality of products. Renowned automobile maker such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, they export high-grade cars. On the other hand, Japan import cars such as BMW, Ferrari. Free trade can enhance customer's satisfaction. Please imagine. Solely one product are allowed to purchase. This is against the policy of capitalism. Besides, freedom of choice encourages free competition. companies try to create and offer better quality to customers than their rival companies. Of cource, domestic companies need to fight with foreign companies. But through harsh competition, quality of products is improved. This is natural process in capitalistic society.

In conclusion, free trade is a good thing from two points. Mutually helpful trade and freedom of choice. There is no other system than free trade

How to protect traditional Japanese craftsmanship

According to the demographic statistics, one in four in 2025 would be over 65 years old. We suffer from demographic imbalance. Due to this imbalance, succession of Japanese craftsmanship is the biggest problem we have to tackle with. To solve this issue, Education plays an important role. I’ll propose two solutions here.
Firstly, excursion to visit misters and experience their craftsmanship. The most popular destination is cultural and historical city such as Kyoto and Nara. However, I propose students visit misters. East Osaka city established a committee to deal with the invitation of school excursion. Aoki corporation in East Osaka is renowned company among aircraft industry. It produces parts which need high tech for aircraft. It is designated as the best supplier by Boing. The purpose of this invitation is to make students experience and have interest of manufacturing Japan proud. I believe this is a good trend to preserve traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

Secondly, recoding for short term solution. Craftsmanship/technology was handed down by oral method and stone in ancient age. Advent of paper significantly improves the efficiency to hand down tradition. Now we are living in high-tech age. We can use recording technology such as sound/moving picture. We can record the mister’s technique and preserve it for next generation. For example, one soy source company in Kagoshima prefecture utilizes this high-tech to record the process and the technique. On the top of that, younger employee’s methods are also recorded. The point is that they can compare with Mister’s one and they can learn from the gap. Ironically, what we can do is to reduce the gap between real McCoy and developing technique. But it’s better than nothing.

In conclusion, we need new approach to succeed Japanese craftsmanship.
I believe Education has key role to protect traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

The borderline between luxury and necessity

Many people define the borderline between luxury and necessity as demarcation between “must” and “want”. To survive, we must obtain/own something such as water/shelter/clothes and so on. To the contrary, luxury is considered for better quality of life. You can survive without something such as sumptuous dishes/gorgeous super car/palatial home. I believe this is true. But I’d like to add one more definition to spice up this argument.

To achieve the 1st purpose is necessity, to feel more comfortable is luxury. Let’s take beer for example. Obviously, beer might not be a good example in this case. Because we can live without beer as long as we own water to survive. But I’d like to focus on satisfying our desire. Usually, I drink domestic beer such as Kirin 1ban. But I love Guinness beer from the bottom of my heart. It’s a little bit expensive in Japan. I drink Guinness beer when I achieve my fulfillment such as finishing my project on business or winning at the tennis tournament. So I compromise with domestic beer. I believe we live in one hierarchy. The bottom is fundamental part, in this case, to drink "beer" is main purpose. The product doesn't matter. The top is to pursuit one’s desire to feel more comfortable. The kind of products is a matter of additional part. This is not always necessary.

In conclusion, the borderline between luxury and necessity is demarcation whether we can achieve the 1st purpose or not.

How to deal with the problem of bullying

Today, school bullying has become one of the most serious social phenomena which we need to resolve as soon as possible.

This is the concern not only for our generation but also for that of the future. I am seriously concerned about this issue because children are our future and if we don’t prevent the deaths from the bullying, we will lose our future asset. We should stop our asset being degraded or oppressed.
Now, I'd like to talk about two ideas to deal with the problem of
bullying.
Firstly, establishment of task force formed by students.

In most of the cases, bullying happens at school, especially behind
teacher's eyes, or no adult supervision. But students could be witness and recognize the symptom of bullying. We can expect their autonomous activity.
For example, one trial has shown that the task force was effective to reduce the number of bullying.

The task force was formed by not teachers but students. They voluntarily organize team
to patrol, set up a school problem box where kids can report problems, concerns and offer suggestions, build network to convey the symptom if
any. 60% of students signed up this program. Since then,　 due to encourage positive peer relations, it is said that the case of bullying was significantly reduced.
Secondly, establishment of counseling body.
The organization was formed by trainee teacher, university student
majoring in psychology and graduated student. The point is that they are
young and close to the age of bullying victims. According to the report
from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, many
bullied victims are not willing to come to parents or teachers for help.
In stead, they feel comfortable to tell the truth to senior associate.
In most cases, this is all that the victim wants and needs.
Inform the parents of the victim and of the bully. Discuss possible solutions with them. Arrange a meeting with them if possible.
In conclusion, I believe two kinds of approaches would be effective to reduce bullying within schools.
Establishment of task force formed by students and counseling body.

How to attract quality teachers to the profession

Today, education is one of the most important issues we need to tackle with in our society because we have so many problems related to children and schools. This is the concern not only for our generation but also for that of the future. Recently, a lot of people criticize poor quality
of teachers. Teachers have less ability to handle touchy issues than
ever before. As professional teacher, they should have strong vision to manage class and look after their students. If their efforts come off well, they should be praised in return for their fruits. It can be a good motivation to lead them to the better profession.

Now, I'd like to talk about two ideas to attract quality teachers to the
profession.

Firstly, implement teacher evaluation system.
Capitalistic society encourages free competition, companies try to
create and offer better quality to customers than their rival companies.
To edge out, they make a strong effort by evaluating themselves.
I believe this analogy can be applied to Educational field as well.
For example, "Plan, Do, Check and Action" type process is well common in
business world. However, it has been introduced to educational world since
very recently. This is effective to raise teachers’ awareness to
improve their profession and effective to build their vision to manage class.

Secondly, introduce performance based-system, awards system such as a bonus and a special promotion for outstanding teachers. Seniority system still remains strong. But it should be obsolete in educational world.
For example, one of teachers I know lamented how unfair the current system is.　She has 20% more classes than average. Besides she supervises swimming　team as an extracurricular activity. However, she is less paid than senior　co teacher who has less classes and without any extracurricular activity.
Her motivation to the profession is getting deficient, cutting off. We should implement performance
based payment system in return for their effort in educational world.

In conclusion, to attract quality teachers to the profession, I believe
two kinds of systems are needed. Evaluation system and awards system.
Educational world should have a sense of privatization.

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Which comes first: economic growth or environmental sustainability?

It's difficult to reach a definitive answer. But in my opinion, economic
growth should be placed in the first priority. There are two reasons why
I think so.
First, Corporations try to play a role to maintain the environment.
Let's take semiconductor chip design for example. A lot of engineers make
strong effort to reduce power consumption leading to durable. Literally,
night and day. Low power consumption is highly evaluated at not
international conference but also marketwise.
This is a good evidence to show how important environmental sustainability
is.
Second, this is not only our generation's problem but also future
generation's problem. For example, Kyoto protocol has been shed light on.
It covers more than 160 countries globally. This is a good agreement for future
generation. The U.S is criticized not to ratify the protocol by the
reason that it would result in serious harm to the economy of the United
States.
But over 200 cities in the U.S ratify on their own. This indicates that
the state-level program
will apply pressure on the federal government.
In conclusion, environmental sustainability should be placed at high
priority.

How should our taxes be spent?

How to spend our taxes is the most important issue in Japan. There is no easy answer to this question. But I have two ideas to efficiently use our taxes. First, health care. By 2015, one in four people will be over 65, which means that Japan will be a gray society. The government should have responsibility to take care the elderly. For example, we are DINKS which stands for double income, no kids. It means that there is no choice but rely on some kind of program the government provide with even if we have deposit money. Tax should be earmarked to support the system in demographic imbalance environment.

Second, financial support. If the couple has children, both of them will not have enough time to take care of them especially in case woman has her own work. Instead, they will have to hire a nanny or enroll the children in a nursery school. Financial burden is one of the obstacles for low birth rate. To remove financial burden, our taxes should be used to support couples. In conclusion, by using our taxes effectively, we can solve two social issues -- health care and low birth rate. As proverb goes, killing two birds with one stone.

A type of business I would like to start.

I'm an engineer of semiconductor. I'm immersed in technology. I'd like to do something which is completely different from technology for a change. That is food business. I'll tell you why I think so. First, business opportunity. When I visited the US and the UK on business trip, I noticed one thing. There are tons of Japanese food restaurants there. But I've never seen Takoyaki(Japanese octopus dumpling) . They serve Sushi or Tempura. However they don't serve Takoyaki. I thought it might become a good bussiness. Renting tenant is a little bit risky. So I thought Yatai(food stall) type would be suitable. I consider it seriously.
Second, I'd like to export Japanese culture through Takoyaki. I belive Takoyaki is one of the greatest traditional fast-food in Japan. I want a lot of people all over the world to enjoy it.
In conclusion, I'd like to challenge lauching food bussiness.

Why is Japanese animation highly valued around the world?

Japanese animation has been having a good reputation and accepted by allover the world. There are two reasons here. First, Japanese animation profiles an actual content with reality. Japanese animationdepicts complicated conflict over real life. For example, "ManagerKousaku Shima" The manager handles touchy issues and conflicts on the job. This kind of reality catches the readers interest at world wide level. Especially, demands of readers in Japan is very high. To attract not only children but also adults, contents should be more sophisticated. Second, artistic taste is brilliant and sophisticated. Japanese animation skill is much higher than Foreign one. Let's take Hayao Miyazaki's work-- "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi". This work vividly depicts just clothes with reality. There is no other foreign film than Japanese one.This kind of a way of depicting attracts a lot of foreigners. Besides, Osamu Tezuka is a pioneer of Japanese animation. A lot of young people followed him. Then competion is harsh. It ends up good quality.

Pros and Cons of fast-food culture

Fast-food culture has been widely accepted in Japan. The more society in Japan is westernized, the more fast-food is also accepted. Now I'll talk about Pros and Cons of fast-food culture. First, pros of fast-food culture is efficiency. Fast-food contributes to reduce time to take. For example, business people work hard as a bee. They don't have enough leeway to enjoy food. McDonald humbugger is a typical case. We need just 5 minutes to eat. As is often the case, fast-food is relatively high calory. Therefore, we can keep energy through eating fast-food. Time and calory efficiency would be pros.
To the contrary, long term effect on health is cons. One American film, "Super size me", took up fast-food. The leading character keeps eating fast-food for a month. The result shows us that only eating fast-food aggravates our health condition. It's very ridiculous.
In my opinion, I love fast-food even if a lot of people criticize it because fast-food is grease and leads to obesity. Humbugger of Burgerking, French fry of McDonald are the best combination.

Expressions I learned today

A dime a dozen.
Piter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
She sells sea shells by the sea shore.
The rabbit ran around the rugged rock.
People who talk loudly on their cell pones on the train really annoy me.
People who cough and sneeze without covering their mouths really annoy me.
We won't go there.

The surveillance network in space will provide the intelligence necessary to keep Japan secure. The security environment surrounding our country has become much more serious since North Korea conducted anuclear test and test-launched several ballistic missiles last year. With these considerations, expectations are high for this orbital surveillance network. The country should not cut corners on the development of technologies for this purpose.

Why do you think it is becoming more common for people to change their job?

The grwoing shift from the lifetime employment system and seniority system to the performance-based pay system has been significant for the last two decade. Under the merit system, workers have no qualms about changing their jobs for better working conditions. The other is declining loyalty to companies. Because of the influence of Western liberalism and individulaism, they don't hesitate to quit their jobs for freewheeling lifestyle.

How to deal with bullying

A demanding curriculum is placing teachers under a lot of strain. Schools need to employ qualified and experienced councilors who can discover and deal with disruptive behavior. Hopefully, councilor like Arnold Schwarzenegger would be preferable. In other words, councilor can support children from mental point of view and show off physical intimidation.
Nuclear families and family breakdown have caused a lack of communication, discipline and affection for children. More contact with different generations helps them to learn about respect and consideration for others. Responsible parents who spend time with their children would be able tonotice obvious distress and suffering. Parents need to take more noticeof what is going on in their children's lives.

Can age restrictions in the workplace be justified?

The issue of forcing workers to retire when they reach a certain age isa difficult one and there is no easy answer. But I think the answer to this question is "NO".I n some fields, age and accumulated knowledge may be an advantage. Researchers, engineers and professors may very well benefit from their many years of experience. It's very difficult to take over their assignment. Without their distinguished skill, we will be at a loss to achieve a challenging goal. It's too short for us to succeed their experience. Furthermore, the merit system has been installed for the last two decades. I believe the system is not a matter of age. As far as people who are willing to work can bear fruit, they should be allowed to continue their career. we might consider raising the age of compulsory retirement so that people who are still working and able to work are not forced to retire.

What type of crime most threatens society?

As far as I'm concerned, the worst crime is fraud. Murder and terrorism are crimes that carry the heaviest penalties. Fraud affects huge numbers of people around the world at all levels of society. Especially, elderly people can be easy pray of fraud. The more the old population increases, the more crimes targetting elderly people will increase. Moreover, crimes utilizing computer technology has also increased and includes producing counterfeit and altered credit cards. Thus, crime has become even more malicious and cunning as ever. To put it in a nutshell, fraud is the most dangerous threat to oursociety.

Is the family becoming obsolete?

The family will never become obsolete, and it shouldn't be allowed to become outmoded no matter how much our lifestyle changes. In today's fast pace environment, many of us easily forget the importance and value of the family. But we always have to keep in mind the impact of our family on each one of us. For the last two decades, women entered the workforce at an unprecedented pace. Companies put more emphasis on merit-based employment systems rather than on the costly traditional lifetime employment system. In such a chaotic environment, the family is united by blood ties and deep affection. It is also something fateful. Personally I'd place greater value on my family than on my company even though work is very important in my life, because your company can replace you but your family will not, and because you can find another company but you cannot find another family. So my answer to this question is that the family is not becoming obsolete at all.

The pros and cons of the double-income family

Speaking of pros, there are two major advantages. The first is financial.　Obviously, the couple has financial leeway. The second is that it allows　both partners to continue their careers and attempt to achieve success　and fulfillment in their chosen field.　To the contrary, some disadvantages come to mind. If the couple has　children, both of them will not have enough time to take care of them.　Instead, they will have to hire a nanny or enroll the children in a　nursery school. Because of job responsibilities, the couple will have little time to enjoy with family. They may also be restricted in the　number of holidays they can take together. Finally, they will most　likely fill up their free time doing household chores, such as cleaning,washing. People visit their families only during special events or　holidays such as the New Year. This trend has been common because young people tend to live away from their parents. Further more, declining birthrate is a antional crisis. The number of taxpayers is not sfficient to support the number of pensioners. This may become a big issue if we don't take any measures on preventing lowering birthrate. We mnight consider raising the age of compulsory retirement so that people who are still willing and able to work are not forced to retire.
But it doesn't always say that the family becomes obsolete.

Praise or punishment -- which is more effective in educating children?

I have clear opinion on this issue. Apparently, it's no doubt that praise is more effective than punishment. To support this idea, there are two reasons. First, successful experience intrigues their own interest. In my case, I'm very delighted to have successful experience when natural English expression or proverb I learned are understood by native English speaker. For example, "You scratch myback, I'll scratch yours", "Grass is always green on the other side ofthe fence" and so on. The more I have such a successful experience, the more I'd like to learn. Second, punishment is not necessary in essence. We have verbal language. We can use it before imposing punishment. When I chide my subordinate staff, I tell just the fact. I try to make them aware of their wrongdoing by themselves. I think we can apply to children. In conclusion, there is no other way to educate children than praising.

Are genetically modified foods safe?

No, GM foods are not safe. Genetic modification involves technology that is still relatively young, and enough testing has not been done to ascertain its effect on potential human health impact. Nobody knows the long term effects of GM foods on humans or the environment. I think more time is needed to verify its effect before we will know the definitive answer with regard to safety. Is there any standard or criteria that is accepted by all over the world. I'm not sure whether it exists or not. If it exists and regulates genetic modification, is it perfect? I'm afraid nothing is ever perfect. In terms of this question, I'd definetly say "NO". However, as my wistful thinking, genetic modification can be a driving force to improve our technology. Through making an effort to secure food, this technology can also eventually contribute to the public good and improve our lives. Not only food but also stem cell technology.
In conclusion, we can receive huge benefit from genetic modification.

Is space exploration worth the cost?

Yes, I believe that space exploration is worth the cost. Many criticiseit wastes of time and money. But I suppose space exploration is good trigger to improve the quality of our life. To support this idea, there is one reason here.We'll make an effort to achieve space exploration. It'd bear good fruit for not only space exploration but also other field. In other word, it has spreading effect. Let's take semiconductor chips as example.Semiconductor chips used in space craft should work under harsh condition -- temperature hot and extremely cold. It's a big challenge to design robust chip which works properly. This kind of effort enhances the quality. It can also eventually contribute to the public good and improve our lives. In conclusion, we can receive huge benefit from space exploration.

Do animals deserve the same rights as humans?No. I suppose animals don't have the same rights as humans. Some criticise that animal is tortured or needlessly mistreated by human. It's no wonder when we see that humankind has used animals for food,clothing and even companionship. However, there is a fact we -- animals and humans are living in a natural hierarchy. Everywhere in nature we see that some animals devour others. Utilization of others are necessarily natural process. In our society, we also see animals used as pets and in zoos. The animals in zoos are valuable teaching tools for us. Humans make strong effort to help endangered species. These are examples of how humans are helping animals. Animal testing is a necessary evil. These activities should not be restricted by something abstract idea.Humans have a moral obligation not to needlessly destroy or hurt animals, but I think utilizing animals is inevitable in natural process.

Why has Prime Minister Abe's popularity dropped? I believe his halfhearted attitude bears scant fruit. He has pledged to built "a beautiful Japan", reformthe education system and revise the Constitution. However, its policy is vague. His idea doesn't reach to our pleasant impression at all. I hope he can bring his effort against reforming Japan on track.