VS Immigration

This is my last post in this year, which is now on the last corner, going to the ending. We want to delay the speed of finishing, but it is theoretically impossible. Only we can do is to make our brain work slowly, for feeling the time passing speed becomes slow. So, we always have a lot of drinking party in this month. Alcohol sometimes stops our time. It's miracle. But, of course, after we get up, we realise that time was certainly going forward.

From this year, the birth rate will became smaller than the death rate in Japan. Japanese population will strat to decrease. Japan will be an aged country rapidly. Japanese government and companies think about this situation seriously, but they don't have good solutions, though the government knew this problem 30 years ago.

The government started to support the bringing children up. The parents with kids can get small money from the government. I think this policy is good for some parents, but I am not sure this policy can solve the problem of decreasing population. I think that the choice which to have a child or not, is mostly based on our life style, not our economical condition. Who bears a baby to get money, in Japan? Another policy is to support a working woman with children. For example, the government support women( and men) to have a day-off easily to bring their children up. This policy could be helpful for women. But, I don't think Japanese population increases again by this policy. It is bigger trend for people not to have children.

I can't understand why Japanese government think more seriously about an immigrant policy. If we want to more population, it is the easiest way to invite here the people who want to come to Japan. There are many countries which population is still incresing. We can IMPORT the people to Japan.
While the lack of interest in an immigrant policy, Japanese government is very interested in making a bigger economical community in Asia with China, Korea, India, Australia and ASEAN.
I like this idea, but, for the success of the idea, we should understand the freedom of movability and stability is needed. It means that immigration must be more free in the community. So, I think Japanese policy is not consistent.

I know an immigrant policy is difficult. I was surprised that the riot of immigrant occured this year in France. I heard that the immigrant policy in France was most successful. But even France has a difficult problem.
However, I think it's impossible to survive in the future, for the country closed to outer people.
So are each person. Although we tend to be satisfied with keeping touch with familiar people only, it sometimes equals the lack of skill to communicate with different people. We must be open. Our country must be open.
"Be open" might be a pressure phrase for some Japanese. But, we should know that the person closed to others is also closed by others.

What kind of different others can I meet next year? I'm looking forward.

VS Silent Night

Today is December 24th. Long long celebrating season is almost reaching the climax. From the beginning of this month, all cities were decorated and illuminated in Japan. We are very excited.
Maybe, this mood in this seson in Japan is different from another countries. For most western people, today is good for a silent and holy night. But, not for Japanese. We must not be still.
For some silent Japanese, this mood is sometimes a pressure. If we don't have any plan tonight, we are regarded as a sad person. So, everybody makes effrots to have SOMETHING TO DO; having a dinner with a girl or boy friend, arranging a party with our family, and so on.
Spending a time joyfully is good, but, of course, we can't forget our purpose.
We have this day in order to celebrate him.
When I was walking in a city today, I often heard of the phrase of calebration.
People call, "Mil Mascaras!"

Mil Mascaras.
He was a hero when I was a kid.
"Mil" means a thousand. He was a man with a thousand of face. Everytime we saw him, his face changed. He was not only strong but also beautiful. His CROSS CHOP was a deadly art. He used his hand like a scissors, to cut an enemy's neck. Of course, Mascaras was a gentleman. So, autually he didn't cut his enemy's neck. But if he used his power 100%, nobody can't escape from saying goodbye to our head.
FLYING BODY ATTACK was his finishing hold. When he jumped from a corner, nobody can't move. This situation was like a frog in front of a snake. And, at the next moment, his muscular body pressed an enemy. If Mascaras was a litte less kind, all the enemies would become a paper.

Now I am an adult, so I know his face is not real. It's a mask. But, I believed in the existece of Mil Mascaras when I was a child. The mask filled with a lot of gifts were children's dream, and is.

VS North Korea

December is a busy month. Even when I am not busy, I can't be relaxed very well. One of the reason is that I have to see many people for business. I have to go to my customers and business-partners to give thanks for many things about our business in this year.

I went to a library, to see the library's manager. After talking about our business, we talked about literature. Because, the manager's life work is literature, and he sometimes writes a book about literature criticism.

In this two years, many Korean books, dramas and movies became popular in Japan. The manager thinks it's a good thing for Japanese culture. Because we can understand the emotion and feelings of the people in a different country.
This boom of Korean works is called "Han-ryu" or "Kan-ryu" in Japan.
The manager is, however, not satisfied with this boom. For him, it is not enough at all.
If Japanese is interested in Korean culture, we should be interested in North Korean culture more. This is his opinion.
For most Japanese, North Korea is a bad country, or our enemy. We think that the people in the country is brainwashed, and the media and culture is completely propaganda.
But, the manager doesn't think so. His friend went to North Korea before, and bought a lot of novels there. He translated some books to Japanese. The manager read them. Certainly the novels are influenced by the education and control of North Korean government. But, even so, he can understand the real feeling of North Korean in the books. The novels terat Love, Social jusitice, Life and so on. Such themes are easily shared by us.

He wrote a criticism of the novels in a magazine before.
But, his attempt looked difficult.
For Japanese, North Korea is a just kidnapping country. For facing a big political issue, nobody can have the interest in the culture of the country.
And, he had to think about the North Korean novelists.
The novelists must write about their real feeling under the pressure by the government. So, he worried that it would give a bad influence on them to focus on the good points easily shared by us. Brainwashers might hate such works.

I've never read the books in North Korea. So, I can't judge the quality of them. But, maybe to some extent, we can enjoy what they can enjoy. And, maybe to some extent, they can enjoy what we can enjoy. It seems to be intersting to find out the shareable parts of enjoyment between us.

VS Fukuoka

In Japan, we often call December "Shiwasu". The direct meaning is "Teacher is running." I don't
know the root of the word, but as we can anticipate it easily, it means "Rush","Busy" or
"Hurry". The word is fitted to my present feeling. Because, I had a trip soon again after Hakone trip. I went to Fukuoka last weekend. It was a very busy schedule.

My aim of this trip was just to see my old friends there.
Fukuoka-city is very convenient. We can go to the center of the city within 15 minutes from Fukuoka airport. So, when a airplane is landing, the view of the city is very close. In night time, it is very beautiful.
In all seasons, the food is delicious in Fukuoka. Especially in winter season, sea foods are great. Sake and Syochu are too delicious.
I organized a drinking party soon when I arrived at Fukuoka. My school friend, my company friend and my English-study friend came to the party. They didn't know each other. So. I had to be a good host there. It is funny to mix the people who don't know each other.

One of my friends also organized another drinking party at another night, for me. We went to a very delicious restaurant and a stylish bar. My friend intorduced his gril friend and her friend to me there. My friend's aim was to make his girl friend's friend my girl friend! For I didn't prepare for the situation, I was a little nervous(maybe).
My friend thought that I and he will drink together many times in the future. And, in the future, we will drink togther with our wives of girl friends. If our wives or girl friends can't get along well together, our drinking life would bocome worse.
So, he thought that I should be a boy friend of his girl friend's friend. He is crazy, but logical. In the situation, I had to behave as a good man. I couldn't be drunk at all.

This trip was not only for drinking.
Recently a new national musium was open in Fukuoka. I went there with other friends. The musium's display focuses on the relationship between Japan and other Asian countries. In the musium, I saw many Asian tourists. We can easily understand the similarity and difference among Asian countries there. The displayed things is very good. But, compared with them, the building of the musium is TOO good. It must be very costly. This symbolizes Japanese cultural policy. The governmnet tends to be satisfied with constructing a beautiful building.

After this trip, my mood is to finish this year beautifuly. I went to many places this year. And, I had good experiences. Now, I have to remember them, and think about the next challenge of the coming new year.

VS Hakone

Two Aussie friends visited Japan to see thier grand son. I went to Hakone with them for sight-seeing. I was not sure that they were interested in hot springs and old Japanese cultures. But, I like them. So, I arranged this trip for myself, and hopefully for them.

We stayed in an old hotel, Fukuzumiro (http://www.fukuzumi-ro.com/index.htm). The hotel is 115 years old. In the long history, to write a story, there stayed a lot of famous novelists; Yasunari Kawabata, Jiro Osaragi, Eijiro Yoshikawa and so on. Actually, the hotel is silent. We can listen to only the sound of river near the hotel. The condition is good for thinking about and writing something.

The hot spring of the hotel is not big. But, the quality of the water is good. The hotel doesn't use the water again, so it is very clean. Not using the water again means that they have an origine of hot spring, and they can use the water very much. Non-recycled hot spring water is very heavy. So, after the bath, we become tired. It means that the water is very effective.

After enjoying hot spring, we ate Japanese traditional dishes. We started with Japanese vegetables and Sake. The main dish was Syabu Syabu, a kind of pot food. And, we finished with rice and miso-soup. Unfortunatelly, some foods were bad for two Aussies; for example, raw fish. But, of course, I enjoyed everything.
There is an old bar in the hotel. We went to the bar after the dinner.Many novelists must have used this bar, after finishing writing a story. When I was drinking whisky there, I tried to make a poem.

"Hey an old pond, a flog jumped into you, making the sound of water."

Great poem. Beautiful.

We met other tour groups there. They were a company's salesmen group. We drunk with them and sang Karaoke together. My friends enjoyed very much, because they loves a big party. It must be the best experience for them in this trip. On the next day after Hakone night, we went to Asakusa for shopping. My friends bought a lot of Japanese classical wears; Kimono, Yukata and Jinbei. Now, it is an early summer in Australia. The wears must be good in this season, for them.

VS Bird flu

In my discussion class, we talked about "Bird flu". It is now a big issue in the world. But, not in Japan. To be honest, I was not iterested in this issue. I didn't think it relates to me. However, I realised I have to think about it seriously. Because newsparers say a few people died of the flu in China, and I ate a few chicken foods in China! Actually I had a stomachache in China. But it was caused by my eating spicy foods a lot, I hope.

I can't compare Japan with foreign countries, but I think Japan is a very clean country. We are very sensitive to keep everything clean. So, we can't imagine a deadly illness spreads here.
However, China and Japan is very close. And, Japan imports many thing, including chicken, from China. If the flu spreads in China, it will easily come to Japan. Fortunately, the dead people is a rare case now. Thus, we don't have to afraid of it too much. The people lived in a rural area in China. I think their living condition is not clean enough. Virus likes to live in a dirty area. So, we have to keep our public health clean.
In Shanghai, I watched many people cleaning a street in an early morning. So, I think that a big city like Shanghai is safe. But, safely I add that my thinking is not based on scientific reason, for this issue. Even in a clean area, virus might spread easily.

Japanese government seems to start to think Bird flu is a big problem.
Recently, a new laboratory was built in Tokyo ,for studying a infectious disease.
They needs medical books to study it. And, medical books are very expensive. And, I am a book-salesman. So, I have to go to the laboratory, to help them protect our world from the disease.
I had an appointment with a staff in the laboratory, and met her.
However, because she has an another favorite bookstore, she seemed to have no interest in my proposal.

Sorry, I can't save Japan.

VS Cross Roads

A lot of hair desingners is getting together in my city, hon-atsugi. I don't know the reason, but hair salons are increasing here now, even though the population of this city starts to decrease. Our hair growing speed might become faster than before. It's the only one rational reason.

I went to a hair salon, Cross Roads. (http://www.geocities.jp/crossroads_hm/ )
This shop is on a cross road near the south exit of the station. Only two professional hair designers are working there.
I chose this shop for my hair cut before, because it is very small. Small shop is good to keep private atomosphere. I don't like big "hair cut" factries.

Mr. Ogawa, the shop owner, trained for hair designing in New York. He desinged a lot of model's hair there. New York is one of the biggest cities for competition of hair salons and designers. I heard that each race has a different character of hair. Altough most Japanese hair designers have treated only Japanese hair, he has the technique to treat different types of hair.

Ms. Sekiguchi, the shop staff, can not only design hairs but also arrange how to wear the traditional Japanese cloth. As we know, Japanese old wear, especially for women, is very complex. It needs a skill to wear it beautifully. She cuts my hair everytime.

For foreigners in Japan, it would be difficult to find a good hair salon. First difficulty is a language. Second difficulty is a designer's skill.
So is Japanese.
It was very difficult for me to choose a hair salon, when I came to a new city. After many trial, I reached this shop.

By the way, there was a good ramen restaurant near Cross Roads. (To be precise, there "is", but the shop owner changed, so the taste also changed. Thus, for me, there "was".) The ramen was the best miso-taste ramen I have ever eaten. I heard that the previous shop owner will start a new restaurant. I can't miss it.

VS Red Dragon

I went to Shanghai last week. This was the third time trip to Shanghai in this year. Last two trips was in February and March. They were before a big anti-Japan movement in China. This third time trip was just after President Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni shrine. Many things has happened between last trip and this.

In last two trip, I couldn't talk with Chinese people for my lack of knowledge about Chinese language. But, this time, I studied Chinese language before going there. I thought I have to prepare for a debate with Chinese people for a controversial topic. I am now going to an English discussion class every week. So, I am proud of beating others by language. I thought I can win when I have a debate with Chinese. However, my Chinese is terrible. I can say "Hello", "Good bye", "Thank you" and "You are welcome" in Chinese. That's all! There is a big gap between my ambition and ability.

I experienced many new things in this trip.
When we arrived at Shanghai, we went to a middle-easten bar soon. And, we enjoyed a water-pipe there. It was an amazing equipment. Although I was not good at smoking because I don't smoke in Japan, I could taste the unique flavour.
There were many Turkish in the bar. I have never been to Turky, but I know Turky is where I will die in the future. So, I felt I was in a heaven at that time. There were a lot of angels there.

We went to DJ SASHA's show in a night club. I don't know about DJ play well, but it was a good experience. I thought DJ play is a kind of communication between DJ and the audience. His control of the audience and dancers was good. In fact, I was also controled. I was made danced even though I don't dance in Japan.
He will come to Japan in this month. I have to check his magical play again.

I went to my favorite spicy Chinese restaurant again. Last time, I got a VIP card of the restaurant. As a VIP, I went there.
Most dishes are very hot in the restaurant. My stomach was damaged very much before. So, I selected the menu carefully this time. But, I couldn't escape from stomachache again after the dinner.
I met a female staff I know again. Every time I came there, she surved me, by chance. I got the VIP card from her.
I tried to communicate with her in my terrible Chinese.
" Ni hao ma?"
Her reply was "Ni hao."
I am not sure that the reply "Ni hao" is correct to "Ni hao ma?". But, I want to think I can make a conversation in Chinese.

I went to check three bookstores in Shanghai. Because I will challange a publishing business in China and other Asian countries, in the future.
To be honest, the bookstore in Shangahi is tiny, and not interesting. It is very strange. Because China is one of the biggest publishing countries. On language level, English books are published most in a year. Chinese books are No.2 in the world. But, English books is American book plus England book. So, on country level, I think China is the biggest publishing country. I can't understand why these bookstores are small.

I bought some Chinese tea as a souvenier. After coming back to Japan, I went to a Hawaiian bar, and drunk Shochu with Jasmine tea. It was very delicious. Chinese tea is interesting. Some tea is Art. Now, I am writing this article with drinking pu er tea. It is strongly cleaning my inner body.

Many things to write! But, I finish this article at this point.
Now, this blog site can be read in China. However, it is impossible to write a comment there. It's strange. But, anyway, we can expect to communicate with the people in China freely soon.

VS Halloween

I had two Halloween parties last weekend. The first was Aeon's. Many students joined it and enjoyed drinking beer and singing in Karaoke. The second was Holo holo's. We enjoyed Hawaiian beer and foods very much. When I look around, I find that many bars and restaurants have Halloween party. Now, Halloween is becoming popular in Japan.
But, it is still difficult for me to find a good costume. Maybe, also for most Japanese people, it's difficult. Because, we feel ashamed to wear a strange costume a little! So, we have a dilemma between enjoying more and being ashamed. I know, we have to throw something away, to get something. Halloween is a kind of test for me.

From now, I'm going to China.
Time to fly.

VS University

I ate smoked horse meat in a Hawaiian bar recently. It made me drink a lot.
I became a rampaging horse then.

For my business, I always talk with the people related to University. Now, University students is decreasing in Japan. So, It is becoming difficult to manage University. Japanese government is preparing for the bankrupt of Universities now.
For Japanese, the bankrupt of Universities is out of image. Actually, for a long time after Warld War II, Universities had just continued to increase. But, in this year, a local University was bankrupt. This is the first case. Most people related to University think the second and third case will come soon.

Large size university has no problem. Such an university is popular, so it is easy to survive. Small size university is also OK. It can easily adjust to the circumstance.
But, middle size university has a problem. In Japan, middle size means the unversity which has about four or five majors. Such an university have to compete with large size university and get many students.
One of my customers is a middle size university. I sometimes talk with the people in the university, about how to survive under the difficult situation.
Of course, I don't have a solution about it. All I can do is to cheer them. "Your students are very polite!" "The collection of your library is great!" " You can look at Mt.Fuji from your campus. It's fantastic!"
It is important to find out good points for the university.
To be unique is the condition for their survival. Actually, now, Japanese government is selective to support Universities. If they don't have any unique point, they wouldn't get the support by the government.

Autumn is the season of University festival. We can check the information easily in an event magazine. I hope I can find unique events in it. Before, I went to an women's university's festival and joined a tea circule's event. I tried a classical tea drinking there. It was too formal for me at that time. But, I enjoyed it.
I think that the university having a good festival can survive in the future, because the festival indicates the power or level of the students.

VS Periodical

For some book salesmen and publishers, this month is the busiest in a year. Because everybody have to decide which journals or magazines to read in the next year. To read some journals from January, we have to order them now. So, all book salaesmen, publishers and readers have a time limit. We all are very busy in this month.

Now the publishing style of journals is changing rapidly in the world. Paper version was usual several years ago, but now, the rate of Electoric version is increasing rapidly, especially for English journals.
Compared with English journals, Japanese publication is old-fashioned. Still now, paper version is popular in Japan. But, I think Electric version will become popular soon in Japan.

In next month, a big show for librarians is held in Yokohama. Electoric publication is one of the show's themes. Not only librarians but also publishers or ordinary people come to the show. So, I will go there too. I guess some Japanese IT company people will come there too, because they are very interested in colaborating with TV companies, radio companies and so on. I think publishing is also in their interest. Most of Japanese publishing companies are small. If Japanese IT companies think about buying publishing companies, they will realise it's very easy.

After this busy month, I will go to Shanghai again. I will become both relaxed and nervous there.

VS Prime minister

The prime minister, Jyunichiro Koizumi, came to my town and made a speech yesterday. It was his first visit to my town, so many people came to see him. The place in front of Hon Atsugi station was very crowded. It was crowded more than the summer festival of this city, Ayu matsuri.

Before his coming, a lot of politicians made a short speech. It was boring. I think that nobody listened to them.
When they talked about something, I had looked around the place near the station. I recognized many SPs. They looked very strong. They were checking the people coming to listen to the speech. It was very interesting for me to check the SPs' checking.

When a politician was talking, SPs became to look nervous. Soon, eight black cars came to the place. Everybody thought he came. A man got out of one of the eight cars. He was similar to Koizumi, thus some people thought he was the prime minister. But he was not. After that, from another one of the cars, Koizumi arrived. All people were excited very much. Many people tried to take a photo of him by thier handy phone camera.

To be honest, his speech was a little boring. Before his speech, we thought he talks about funny things everytime. But, he is not a comedian. We became bored with his speech soon.
However, he is good at understanding the audience's feeling. He changed his speech tone soon, and began to talk about easy theme; for example, the price of an apple in China! I didn't think his theme selection was not fitted to Prime minister's speech, but thought his speech technique is nice.

In China, Japanese apple costs 2000 yen.

VS Surfing

Autumn is the best season for surfer. Beach is not crowded and water is still warm. Especially in Enoshima beach, there are a huge number of people in summer season. So, it's difficult to surf there in the season.

When I went there last weekend, it was a little rainy and there was a weak on-shore wind. I expected a good wave, but the sea was calm. But it was OK. Suefing is a Nature sport. We have to adjust to a natural condition. When the wave is weak, we can change the style of riding on it.

My friend said, surfing is where human meets God. I don't understand the real meaning, but I can know it is an idiot who think he/she can control anything in the nature, when we surf. All we can do is just to adjust to a given atomosphere.
I waited for a good wave coming on the sea. Good wave had came suddenly. I had to turn quickly, and paddled very fast. When my speed could catch up with the speed of wave, I could ride on the wave. But, in fact, I failed many times.

Long time waiting for a good wave was suffering. Our image of surfing is the scene of riding a wave. But, actually we spend the most time to wait for it. Riding time may be a few seconds. We have to be patient on the sea. However, we wouldn't be irritated there. Because, when watching the sea, we can forget time passing easily. I think it is the richest time.

I enjoyed the surfing school for super beginners last weekend.

VS Japanese Emperor

Maybe, it is a theme that most Japanese don't want to treat seriously.
Actually J.E. is sometimes a controversial existence.
Now, in Japanese government, it is a big issue whether to permit a woman to be an emperor or not. Ah, don't say "Stupid." Some of us think about it seriously.

Japanese long history can be roughly divided into two; Samurai's governance eras and Emperor's governance earas. Sometimes Samurai had a power in Japan. Sometimes Emperor governed Japan by the religious power.
Edo period was the longest eara in Japanese history, which was governed by Samurai,from 1603 to 1867. During this period, Japanese emperor still had a kind of authority. Even Samurai respect him formally. But he didn't any power in politics.
When modern Japan strated after Edo period, J.E. got a power again. That is why people thought he deserves our leader. Under his leadership, we made a modern government. But, soon, the power of army had influenced the government strongly until the world war II.

Recently, a book for Japanese Emperor is published. It is a collection of many documents written by J.E. family and relatives, from ancient to modern.
Japanese government owned the documents, but didn't make them open for a long time. But, a publisher had negotiated with the government. At last, they becomes published. This book will have a big impact on the historical study of Japan. Because, especially after Edo period, Japanese history was written by Samurai-side. They were in the center of Japanese governance. Their documents are important. However, we guess they have a bias. So, historians waited for the publication of Emperor-side information. In this autumn, it is my first priority to sell the book.

VS 24

The DVDs of American TV Drama "24 season four" was released in Japan recently. It's a problem for me. That is why, on previous three seasons, once I started to watch them, I could not stop.
Now I am very busy for many things. I thought that I shouldn't watch the season four for a while. But, unfortunately, my behavier betrayed my thinking. I have to create 24 hours from busy days. I am not sure I can, but I have to. This is urgent.

When I watch this drama, I can't stop thinking about the difference between American society and Japanese. We can't treat Terrorism in a drama. It means, if we treat Terrorism in a drama, it will lose reality very much. However, American drama can treat it, without losing reality, fortunately or unfortunately.
To be honest, I don't think that 24 is the best drama. It sometimes becomes extreme, to be like a cartoon. But it is very interesting certainly.

Terrorism is a more serious problem in America. But American can change it to good entertainment. I think that it is a good point or a surprising point of America. I think that some countries (for example, North Korea) think they are in danger of "Terrorism" by America. But, I don't think that they can make good entertainment by treating the danger. For them, a serious problem is a serious problem. There is no flexibility there.

Today I watched 4 hours stories. Now is midnight. Time to sleep, but no time for enough sleep. Damme it!

VS Tsukuba Express

Today I went to vote.
We had to choose a new government. And, we know now that LDP wins very much.
Everybody is surprised at this result. Nobady thougt that LDP is so strong.
Next government would maneuver this country very strongly.
Where will Japan go? I have no idea.

I went to Tsukuba last week. I used Tsukuba Express.
The line is new. It started at the end of last month. It connects Akihabara in Tokyo ,to Tsukuba in Ibaraki pref. It's very convenient. It takes 45 minutes from Akihabara to Tsukuba. It's not far.

Akihabara is famous for many electric equipments stores. And also, it is famous as Otaku culture city. The city is filled with Animation, Manga, Game, Computer ,CG and so on.
For me, this city is memorial for good curry and rice restaurants.
Now this city is very internatinal. Many foreigners come there to buy electric equipments.

Tsukuba was originally a local city, but now is the city for scientists. There are many kinds of laboratories there. Recently a Japanese technician living there went to the space.
And, many foreign scientists are working there. So, Tsukuba is now an international city too.
My favorite Aussie bar is there. On this time, I went to the bar and ate a kangaroo steak there.

Otaku city and Scientist city are related by the express. It's an interesting rink.
And, there is Asakusa, an old area in Tokyo, on the line. So, we can enjoy Japanese old culture and foods there. I think that the best point of the line is a variety of the stops. Now most of stops are rural, but they are growing. I love a growing city.

By the way, Japan will be a growing country? I hope she will be so.

VS China Town

Yokohama city has the biggest China town in Japan.
Chinese people or Chinese-Japanese manages Chinese restaurants there.
When I go there, I become happy. Because I like chinese foods and culture.

I had a dinner with my colleages there last weekend.
We went to a Sichuan-style restaurant(Sisen-style in Japanese), Kyokarou.
(See http://www.kyokarou.com/)
I like the taste in the restaurant. Sichuan-style chinese food is spicy and hot. My favorite is a baked chicken with chili. It's so great. Chili-mountain is on a dish. And, I dig the mountain and find the pieces of chincken with bone. It has an amazing taste.
I drunk three bottles of Chinese sake with my colleages there. The spicy foods are fitted to it.
It reminded me of my China trip this year. I enjoyed a spicy Chinese food restaurant twice at that time.

Compared with real China, the service in China town is better.
Especially, the restaurant I went to was very good. The owner was very kind and friendly. So, I think I will go there soon again.
Of courese, the price is higher than real China. I paid 9000 yen there. By this price, I can go to dinner nine times in China. But it is OK. It is a necessary cost for me to enjoy real Chinese food in Japan.

Now I am thinking about going to China again in this November.
It is the best season for Shangahi Crab. The crab is small. But, if I eat it in Japan, the price of a crub is about 3000 yen. It's too expensive! But, not in China. I can eat it till I become satisfied.
Next time in China, I wanna communicate with Chinese people in Chinese language.
In the restaurant in China town, I learned Chinese a little from the staff. I enjoyed it.
When I was a student, it was not popular to learn Chinese. But, now it is a second-popular language to learn in Japan. So, I can have many chances to study it. It's very nice for me.

Going back to Kyokarou, the noodle is very original. It is thick and cut by a sword. I didn't try it last time, but it must be a strong noodle. I will try it next time.
And in winter season, we can eat very very very hot Nabe there. The soup is red and spicy. I enjoyed the Nabe in Peking four years ago., but I was damaged by it!
I have to revenge it this winter.

VS Diary

Recently I am keeping a diary.
This is why I read a Japanese book about a diary, which titile is "The magical power of Diary".
I am influenced by it very much, so I started to keep a diary.

The author says, we don't have to write our impression of daily things in a diary, but we should write the fact or the action or the behavier of ourselves everyday.
And, a more important thing is that we should READ the diary later.
Therefore, we can understand ourselves more.
The auhtor says again, we don't have to write our impression ,our idea or our opinion in a diary.
Because, when we write such a thing, we tend to make ourselves more beautiful. In other words, we tend to make a self-image, which is different from ourselves.
If the purpose of keeping a diary is to understand ourselves more, we should write ourselves as we are.

I was impressed by the book, and I decided to keep a diary.
At first, I thought this blog can be my diary, but I changed my mind soon. Because, in general, the blog like a diary is not interesting for public. I think that a blog is a new publication, so when we write it, we had better make it public to some extent.
It means we have to create something in a blog.
But a diary doesn't want creativity. It wants Facts only.
So, I keep a diary in addition to this blog.

7:00 AM I woke up. I dreamed.....
9:00 AM I went to my office. My boss got angry with me because....
0:00 PM I went lunch with my co-worker. She is interesting and ....
2:00 PM I negotiated with a customer about the price of the books. But I failed....
4:00 PM I called a restaurant to reserve tonight's business dinner.
5:00 PM I got an email from a customer. This was urgent because...
7:00 PM I left my office and went to dinner with my business partner.
9:00 PM I didn't concentrate on business topic ,because of alcohol.

My diary is like this.
I think this acumulatiuon will be interesting and useful, of course only for me.

VS Pay Bath

My friend in China started a new hobby, to rid himself of job stress.
The new hobby is Drinking! Gash! He hated to drink in Japan. But not in Shanghai.
Maybe Chinese alcohol has a magical power.

Another story in Okayama.
I found a pay bath (or a public bath) there.
Now, a pay bath is not popular in Japan. It is differnt from hot springs. It is only boild water.
So, when I found it in Okayama, I wanted to go there.
My friend Scott hadn't experienced it. So, we tryed it.

A pay bath has two entrances; for men and for women. We have to pay money at the entrance, where a staff is sitting on a seat in a box. Now I call the seat in a box "neutral zone".
From the neutral zone, the staff can check both men's bath and women's bath.
The position of the staff is absolute.
If the staff is a man, most women would feel uncomfortable. But they can't complain about it. Because he is neutral and absolute.

When I went there with Scott, a woman is sitting in the neutral zone.
I felt a little uncomfortable, but soon I accepted it. Because the woman was old.
Japanese has three sex categories; Man, Woman and The Old.
Only the old can sit in the neutral zone.
I and Scott enjoyed the pay bath.

It is traditional to drink coffee and milk after a bath.
But the pay bath didn't have it, so we missed it.
I wanna try it next time.

I guess 80% of Japanese want to get the neutral zone job, but it's very difficult.
The job deserves to be a goal of our life.

VS Okayama

Okayama prefecture is in western Japan.
I went there to see my old friend Scott recently.

Okayama is a typical rural area. So, it is not usual to go there for sight-seeing.
Actually, we can go to Hiroshima or Osaka within a hour from there. These places are more popular for sight-seeing.
However, Okayama also has good places to see.

BIKAN area is one of them.
BIKAN means "beautiful view". The area has many old houses and architectres, preserved by the government. They were bulit in Edo period or early Meiji period, about 150-300 years ago.
They are preserved vell well, and now used for souvenir shops or restaurants.
Ohara art museum, which is famous, is in BIKAN area. I am not good at art, so I can't write about the art museum well, but it is certain that Mr. Ohara made the museum. What is Mr.Ohara? I don't know. But, it is certain that he made the museum. He made a good job.

Seto Ohashi bridge connects Okayama pref. to Kagawa pref.
This bridge is beautiful and very long, over 10 km. It is one of the longest bridge in the world.
We went to a port near the bridge, to join a ferry cruising. We can watch the bridge closer on the sea. It is more exciting to watch it, than to drive on it.
However,the most exciting thing happened in our cruising.
Our boat was old, and suddenly had an engine trouble on the sea, and made a fire and smoke!
We were very surprised. The room in the ferry started to filled with CO. Some passangers were a little in a panic.
Scott enjoyed the situation, and took many photos. He is too brave.
I sat down on a seat, and checked a life-saving goods under the seat, and noticed that the goods was as old as the ferry, and then, was depressed.
Fortunately, other ship come to us soon, and we were helped.
I got an unforgettable event in this Okayama trip.

One more information about Okayama.
It is famous for the origine of Momotaro-story, which is an old fairy tale in Japan.
This story is very interesting. A boy born in a fruit, controlled a few animals, and killed many devils.
In this story, the key point is to controll a few animals. The boy use a good item for it, which is a sweet, Kibidango.
I forgot to eat the sweet in this trip. So,I have to check the miracle power in next time.

VS Wake

I went to a wake of my colleague's father. He was 82 years old.I didn't know the English word "wake" until now.Because I was not sure if foreign people have any event on the night before a funeral.Now I found the word "wake" in a dictionary.But still now I am not sure if the event "wake" is common or not in foreign countries.

A wake is common in Japan.I didn't have any private relationship with my colleague's father, but we think it is polite to
go to the wake, so I and other colleagues participated in the event.The wake was Buddhist style. We listened to Buddhist priests, and prayed.After that, we were introduced to another room.In the room, many foods and many drinks were prepared.We can have a party there. It is popular in Japanese wake. I don't know a correct reason, but Japanese people think it is a good thing to drink and eat with a dead body. Some people was crying for a sadness, but some people was laughing with drunk.
This contrast might look strange and confusing. But we think it is OK in Japan.

When we go home after a wake, we put a little bit of salt on ourselves. We think the salt clean
us. We think we become dirty in a wake, thus we think we have to clean ourselves.
But sometimes drunk person forget the cleaning event. In that case, we see Sake has a same cleaning power. So the drunk person can escape from dirtiness. This is an important excuse for me.

VS Sendai

Sendai city is in Miyagi prefecture in the north-east part of Japan.
I went there last weekend ,to escape from hot summer and see my friend.
It takes two hours from Tokyo to Sendai by Shinkansen. It is not long.

I enjoyed a variety of foods. The sea near Sendai is a spot where warm water and cold water meet. So, there are much plankton there ,and in order to eat them, a variety of fish get together there.

I ate a shark fin sushi. It is very rare and the taste is original.
And I ate a whale sushi. The taste is controversial. I like it.
In addition, I enjoyed a beef tangue food, which is famous in Sendai.
All foods are great. I was very excited.

Sendai has many types of Sake.
Sake is made of rice. And rice farming is popular in Sendai. So, Sake is also popular there.
I tried to find a very very very rare Sake, Jyuyondai, which means "14th generation". I have drunk it once before. The taste is very soft. So, I wanted to meet it again, but I couldn't unfortunately. It is too rare to buy. If you meet Jyuyondai by chance, don't miss it. You must drink it. The chance might be the last chance.

My main purpose of this trip was to see my friend. But I had another aim.
I lived in Sendai 25 years ago. I had lived there for a year only. I was a kid.
I lost almost all memory about the days in Sendai.
Another purpose of this trip was to remember my ola days.

When I arrived at the town I lived in, I couldn't have any special feeling.
Maybe because everything has changed. Thus I couldn't find my old house there.
However I have memorized my kindergarden name. So I went there.
The kindergarden has not changed.
I rememberd many things. My kindergarden is inside a temple. The playground is surrounded by many tombs. It's cool in every meaning.
I was a canary bird class student.
When I checked classrooms, the class still existed.
The picture of a canary bird was showed on the wall. Maybe present students drew it.

I can't express my feeling then. 25 years has passed. It may be long ,but may be short. Mmm, I don't know.
I might have seen something like my roots in this trip.

VS Genome

Now the most rapidly develping and strongly influential study is Genomics.
By chance, one of my customer studies it, so I sells a lot of books about it.
Therefore I am very interested in Genome, DNA and so on. It is fun to know the process of solving the secret of life. And now many companies use the knowledge for medicine, food, agriculture, etc. This is why I think the knowledge is very useful.

I went to a small meeting for Genomics recently. An University professor talked about his study. It was too difficult for me, so I can't understand it, but I could enjoy it.
One of his students found an important function of a gene. It is related to some rheumatic diseases very well. Thus we can make a new medicine by it.
Many people is suffering from the illness related to the gene. Therefore if he can use the study for business, he must get a lot of money. But the student doesn't study fot business but for an academic interest. This is why he have to write about his study openly in a jounal. Once his study is open and known by others, everybody can use it. So he will not be able to get money. But of course he will be respected in a science world. If I were him, I would think it is a dilemma to choose business or academism.

In addition, I listened to a consultant for bio-venture companies in the meeting. She is supporting many young companies. Now Japanese government encourages people to start a venture business. We can make a new company by 1 yen. Now it is very easy for us to be a company president. But actually it is difficult that venture companies survive in a competitive market. They have a high-risk, but can't always have a high-return, usually a low-return or no-return. So their job is very risky.

I don't know the reason, but when I go to the customer, I think the women to study biology looks beautiful. This is my very private impression. So, I wouldn't say it in general.
Maybe, maybe, maybe, they are using biotechnology. I safely add "Maybe" again.

VS Car Chase

When I drove a car, I watched it.

The traffic light was red. I had stopped on the line of cars.
The road was a one-way road, but there were two cars in front of me.
A red car had stopped to turn right.
A wagon car had waited for the light color change to go straight.
Two cars were in paralell in front of me.

The traffic light changed to blue.
The red car didn't move. It had to wait for the timing to turn right.
Because the driving lane is left in Japan. We have to be cautious to another lane.

I watched it.

The wagon car next to the red car started to move.
At that time, the wagon touched the red.
It looked like a soft touch. But the power of a car was huge.
A side mirror of the red was completely destroyed.
Traffic accident happened.

Maybe it was a small accident. But accident was accident.
In this case, all drivers stop a car soon. And they check the damage of each other's car.
But the wagon driver ignored it.
He behaved like a person in a crowded train.
"My shoulder hit you? Don't complain me. It is bad that this crowded train is."

I followed the wagon, and checked the mirror in my car to watch the driver's face in the red car behind me. At first his face was surprise, but soon it changed to anger. The red car changed the driving plan ,from turning light to going straight. The reason was, of course, to chase the wagon.
Now I was sandwiched by two cars; the chaser and the chased.

This situation was so exciting. Actually I was so excited.
I was chasing the savage wagon. I had to teach the idiot the law in this city. " Guilty requires Punishment. You can't escape from it." Fortunately the traffic was slow. I wouldn't release him. I glanced at my mirror again to look at the driver in the red car.
He was chasing me.

I knew that he was chasing the wagon, not me.
But he was coming closer and closer to my car's tail. It was very uncomfortable.
My feeling had changed gradually. I felt as if I were running away. "What did I do? I have no guilty!"

"Are you kidding? Your shoulder hit mine, didn't you?"
"Ya, I touched you certainly. But don't OVERREACT to such a small thing."
"Ha? Who overreacts? You broke my mirror. Are you crazy?"
"Don't shout me, gay boy. You don't have a face to need a mirror."
"Who is a gay? Hey Ass-Hole, you had better choose the one to fight with before fighting."
"Hey hey hey, what did you say? Who is Ass-Hole? Do you want me to break another mirror too?"
"Try it if you can. You should be prepared to sink into sea with your car."
"Chao! I gonna bloody you!"

Because I changed the route, I don't know the end of thier battle.
The wagon might be in the bottom of sea now.
The red car might lose all mirrors ,and the color would be more red.
I'll never see the two drivers in the future. But I will continue to tell this story from generation to generation.

VS Salsa

Rainy season has almost finished in Japan. Recently everyday, it is very hot.
Yesterday I went to a very hot event, which was good for hot days.
It was Tokyo Salsa Festival 2005.

The festival was 10th anniversary. It was held in Zepp Tokyo in Odaiba.
Many people came there. Maybe 2000-3000 people.
I didn't know that Salsa dance is so popular in Japan. The population of Salsa dancer in Japan must be bigger than that of Sepak Takrow player.

This was my first time to watch Salasa dancing. I watched many group's dance.
The dance was very energetic and passional. I didn't think that the dance was acrobatic. So, I thought that I can do it. But the rhythm and the body moving are original. Therefore Salsa must be more difficult than I thought.

Salsa seems to have many variations. Some performances were influenced by Hip-hop, Cheer dance, musical, Japanese traditional dance, and so on. I am not familier with a dance, but I thought that some dances were experimental.
This festival was supported by Cuba embassy. And a Cuban dancer showed us his dancing. To be honest, I did't think that his dance was Salsa. It was like a pantomime. But Cuba is an origine of Salsa ,and a developed Salsa country. Consequently his dance is the most progressive Salsa.
Near the dance floor, we could buy a real Cuban cigar. It is legal. No problem. But I heard that it is illegal in US. It is lucky for Japanese to have no political problem with Cuba.

I didn't dance with the dancers and other audience. But it was very enjoyable for me to watch their dance, with drinking whisky. Alcohol was dancing in my blood with an original rhythm.
Next morning, I got a body pain when I waked up after long, long sleep.

VS Gyoza

I talked with my colleage from London. He came back to Japan temporally. So he didn't face the terorism. He was lucky. He told me that he could anticipate it. And also he told me that Tokyo can be one of the next targets.

Now I am writing a jounal in my English school, AEON.
On the writing, I am thinking about my porpose of studying English and the general purpose of gettong a communication skill with DIFFERENT people. I hope the journal can be showed in this blog someday.

I went to Mankin Gyoza with Lance and Akira.
Mankin. It sounds fantastic.
Mankin. It sounds precious.
The sound didn't betray me. The Gyoza was delicious and so cheap.
Mankin. Japanese think of money from it. However we don't have to think about it in the restaurant. Because it was so really cheap.
In the restaurant, the highest price menu is beer. It is 500 yen. Gash!
We ate many Gyoza and rice. And Lance bought a souvenier for his girlfriend. But our total cost was under 1000 yen per each one. So great.

The quality of the Gyoza was original. The skin was thick. The taste was mild and light. I like such kind of light Gyoza because I can eat many.
It was Saturday afternoon.
It was very relaxing. It was a good timing to eat food and drink.
Special Gyoza is fitted to the day.
We have an advantage to enjoy it in Japan. If you can, don't miss Mankin.

VS Sepak Takrow

At last, I watched Sepak Takrow.
Beautiful! It's a beautiful sport.
Sepak Takrow is a foot volleyball. Maybe many Japanese know there is such a sport in the world. But almost all Japanese doesn't know there is a Sepak Takrow player in Japan.

By Akira's invitation, I and my friends went to All Japan Sepak Takrow Open Tournament.
Even though this tournament decided No.1 team in Japan, the play court was very tiny.
There were little spectators and no media.
I thougt this was a real minor sport.

This was my first watching of the sport. Then I can't judge the player's level. But I was very excited. As I wrote above, my first impression was that Sepak Takrow was beautiful.
Treating a ball by foot is magical, I think.
They controlled a ball an kicked it naturally. It looked easy. But the ball size is smaller than volleyball and a little bigger than softball. It must be difficult to controll by foot.

I don't know why this exciting sport is so minor in Japan.
Akira explained to me that the PR was very bad.
Actually we can't get any information about the tournament on internet.
I think this sport can be more popular in Japan. It doesn't need a big court and many equipments. Then it's easy to start to play. I will and must play it soon!

VS Traffic safety

Nine months have passed sicne I stopped watching TV and reading newspaper.
This world is filled with much information. Then I want to reduce noise information.
This is the reason why I stoppped them. TV program in japan is silly. Newspapers in Japan have bias.
But much boring information still come to me.
Two famous Sumo wresthler brothers, Waka and Taka, are critisizing each other on mass media. They are denying each other's personality. This is one of big news in Japan now. Silly!

The theme in last discussion class was Traffic safety in Japan.
A big train accident happened a few month ago in western Japan. Many people died.
The time schedule of train in japan is correct. Train comes to stations just in time.
It's very convinient. But sometimes the driving of train becomes dangerous to keep their schedule. The accident above was caused by this reason.

In discussion class, we talked about the solution.
I have two solutions; social solution and cultural solution.
Social solution is to regulate the speed of train officially.
We have the regulation of speed on car traffic. But not on train.
Each train company have thier own regulation but such a self-governance is weak.
We should have more strict one.
Cultural solution is to hire old age drivers for train.
In general old people is slow. And their driving is also slow.
Maybe many passangers are irritaed by their slow driving.
But respecting old people is japanese most strong culture.
We can't complain to the old. We can keep our safety.

After the class I ate Tofu for lunch.
Tofu is a very safe food. It has low calorie. It's soft. It's white. It's not aggressive. It's kind. It's peaceful. It's gentle. No taste. No smell. It has perfect flexibility. My hook hand must be like a Tofu.

VS Marxist

It becomes humid and humid in Japan. Not so much rain. But humid.
Jacket and Tie system is terrible in this season.
If here is Russia, it's no problem.
But in Japan this self-boiling and self-neck-hanging culture is nonsence.

When I got angry with the nature or the culture, I had the chance to listen to a Marxist.
I am not sure if he is a real Marxist. But he studies Karl Marx for a long time.
He is a professer and the top of a library. Then I sometime meet him.
Recently he wrote a book about Marx. And he produced a speech about the book by himself.
I went to the speech in the library.
I was very irritated by these days' humid air.
Then I expected to know the possibility of revolution to change this uncomfortable society by his speech.

I went into the library with anger to this world.
I had already prepared to fight with my fellows. I was very hot.
But the speech place was very comfortable by a good air conditioner.
And it was a little dark there in order to use a slide or something.
Of course it was very silent there. Because it was in a library.
This too comfortable condition got rid of my fightingship.
When he started to talk, I strated to sleep soon.

I couldn't remember anything.
When I came back from a coma, he was asking to the audiences.
"Do you have any question? Any question is OK. Please ask me."
Sorry, I had no question.
Moreover nobody ask anything to him. He looked a little sad.
No reaction. Long silence continued.
I was very uncomfortable in the situation, then I asked a question almost not related to his speech. But he answered it very kindly.

After the speech, he drunk with his students. I joined it.
He drunk wine. It was red.
He worried about the sales of his book.
I hope the balance of publishing will not be the red.

VS Yakitori-Don

My busy weekdays were finished. Recently I am getting new customers, then I have many things to do. I work until midnight. But OK. I am positive. Now only one thing to do is to wait for Lance's party time coming. It's soon.

I don't go to Yoshinoya.
Because I think Yoshinoya food is unhealthy.
Of course unhealthy foods have an unforgettable character of taste.
Then it is difficult to avoid them permanently.
But about Yoshinoya, it lost the strength by BSE American beef problem.
It can't provide us the unhealthy but tasty ,beef and rice food.
Including me, everybody don't have the reason to go to Yoshinoya now.

But I went there midnight on my way to home from my office.
I found new menu there at the time. The new menu was Yakitori-don.
Chicken baked with soysauce, half boiled egg and laver was on rice.
The taste was more than my expectation. And enough healthy.
Moreover it's cheap. 380 Yen.

Lance's party will have many stages as usual.
I think we can have a Yakitori-don stage late midnight or early morning.

VS Sake Study

Rainy season has came in Japan. Fantastic.
Akira has not decided to buy new car. Fantastic too.
Lance's party night is coming soon. The 1st stage is a small bar.
I think it's better for everybody to prepare for an air bottle because the place will be very crowded. And it's also better to eat something a little before 1st stage because bar foods are always not healthy. Drinking hungry in a bar gives us a serious effect on our body shape.

I met a professor recently on business.
I asked him what his major is. His major is Sake Study.
Gash! Sake Study. It's same as mine.
I have ever saw the people studying Sake in a bar. But not in an university.
He studies the history of Sake making.
Hm, I study my own history of Sake drinking.
His study is general. My study is specific.
I realized soon we are complementing each other.

He is searching for the documents in Korea.
When Japan governed Korea before the war, there were many Sake companies and factries there. Then many documents about Sake making were written there at the time. Such documents were copied and brought to Japan then ,and preserved. But Japanese government has not made them open to us. He is trying to find out the original in Korea. But many documents were thrown away after the war. Maybe Korean people didin't think it was important to preserve documents. The interesting point is that Chinese people preserved many documents during the war period oppositely.

Sake study night is coming soon. I have to adjust my body condition to the long study.

VS Pollution

Rainy season is coming soon in Japan?
I have stopped watching TV and reading a newspaper. Then I don't have an exact information about wether.
I feel the increasing of the percentage of water in the air recently.
After the rainy season, humid summer is waiting for us.

I am worrying about the pollution in China. I experienced bad air in Shanghai.
Chinese people don't prepare for tha bad by-product caused by rapid economic growth well.
I think they are following the same way Japan walked on.
Japan was a rapid developing country too.
Japan had the four big terrible diseases by pollution after the war.
The most famous was Minamata disease. This disease was caused by polluted water from one company's factory.
Recently the document about this disease was published.

I have met the author before. He is an old lawer.
He met the patient of the disease 30 years ago. He was a justice man. He got angry very much.
And he decided to protect the patients and started the court battle against the company soon.
The company hired their side's lawers and scientists.
They tryed to deny their responsibility.
They said "This disease may be related to other factors." "The relationship between the disease and the company is unclear from the viewpoint of science."etc.

But the justice lawer was a strong will man. He destroyed all protections one by one
It took 30 years to solve all prblems about this disease. It is too long! But anyway, he won at last.
Unfoutunately he was sometimes too aggressive. Then he fought againt not only the company group but also the patients' group and other lawers.
He disliked a compromise. But some patients prefered it.
At the final stage of the court battle, he quited his job. Maybe he could fight more ,but most patients got old then they wanted to be free from long fighting days.

Now I am trying to sell the document about Minamata.
It is a very big collection. Then it's VERY expensive. We can buy a car by same money.
As you can image, this is a very difficult job. Car is more useful for most people than Book.
Akira the Aeon student is thinking about buying a new car. Because his car is old and almost broken.
Today I persuaded him not to buy a car. "Your car is still alive! It can do it!" He is rethinking.
If he will cancel to buy it, he can be my custmer. Tonight I will try to persuade him again.

VS Party Night

5:00 PM
I have a few hours before the party. This is one of the longest nights in my life.
I take a nap a little.

6:00 PM
I wake up by my handy phone alarm. I take a shower to make my brain work.

7:00 PM
I eat a junk rice food. Because eating a little before a drink is good for my body.
Many people are waiting for the start of the party.

8:00 PM
The party starts. The party space is not big, then very crowded.
But it's OK. We can talk together close. Mike calls "Kanpai".
I wanted to listen to the call. My first drink is Beer.

9:00 PM
Tonight's MC is Chiaki. She proceeds the party. Her lack of such an experience makes us fun.
Mike makes a speech in Japanese. It is a good challenge.
New guy Jay also makes a speech. Mm? He can speak Japaese?
Sudan makes a speech. Oh, He has an advantage of Japanese.
And Lance. He have to catch up with others' Japanese in one month!

10:00 PM
1st stage is finished.
Tonight is one of the longest night in my life.

11:00 PM
We are singing in Karaoke. I sing an usual song "Let's groove" with Mike.
How many times do I sing this song?
Mike sings Bon Jovi. Junko sings Maloon 5. One guy sings "Love Portion No.9".

0:00 AM
We are still singing. Many beer is coming.
Some people start to check thier watch. But don't worry.
Tonight is endless. Daisuke's Billy Joel is always good.

1:00 AM
What a classical song YMCA is! It's very old.
But we are standing on the chair and make Y,M,C and A with our body.
We should chinge the stage.

2:00 AM
Hungry.
Izakaya is the best inventment in Japan? I order Beer and Yakisoba.
Miho and Todo and Momoko join us form now! Our party is still big.

3:00 AM
Don't sleep, Akira. I order sweets. Sugar may get rid of our tireness.
We throw many paper airplanes to Akira's face.
He doesn't wake up. He doesn't wear socks. Gash.

4:00 AM
I think it's a hatopopping time.
We move to Hatopoppo Park. This is 4th stage and the last stage.
I konw I am weakened. But I continue to drink. It's my challenge.
Now 10 people is alive. Yuriko is only one female. She is the youngest, then strong.
Mike is still energetic. He requests more food. He is an iron man.
Jay's first night in Atsugi is no night.

5:00 AM
It is a mornig. Pigeons start to work. Dogs take a walk with their owner.
Odakyu Train starts to drive. Many people get together to Hon-Atsugi station.
Ok, it's the time to finish this party. We are winners.We made a legend again.
People, admire us.

VS Applied Physics

The topic in today's discussion class was DIET.
But we talked about Applied Physics(!) in the class. Because we knew Shunichi a student studies Applied physics in his university. His study is related to Robotics. We were very interested in the topic.
The topic is difficult to discuss. But luckily all the member in the class is familier with the topic to some extent.
Tadahisa wroks for a telecommunication company. It's completely the job of Physics.
I sells many books and journals of Physics to my custmers. Then the theme was OK.
Junko's English is sometimes like Applied Physics. She can do it.

Robot can understand Art? This is Shunichi's theme of study.
I thought such a theme was in SF movies, but now scientists study it seriously.
The robot understanding art must be almost a human. It must have emotion. It's interesting but dangerous.
Now all robots obey human's order. But it is not sure if the robot with emotion obey us or not.
To escape from a future crisis, I want to give a strict rule to all scientists of Robotics.

"The fingers of Robot hand must be limited to two."
Robot is very powerful. If it want, it can easily grasp us, hang us up, swing us and throw us away.
Were its fingers two, such actions are possible but become difficult.
Its hand may be like a pair of chopsticks. It need a correct point and a correct angle to catch something.
Of course Robot must be still strong and powerful. But it will have a big handycap.
Then we can have a chance to beat it.
After we escape from Robot's try to grasp our collar of shirt, we will move quickly and put a big wood into the caterpillar from the side position. We can get rid of the Robot's movability. Robot must be panic because it has emotion unfortunately. It may regret it got emotion. But it's late.
We have to think about the balance between the utiliy of Robot and the risk-hedge.
We need any kind of regulation of science because it tends to be extreme.
Two finger robot is my conclusion.
I know this is very suffering regulation for all scientists. But they have a duty to save the world.
I want them to understand it for the children in the future.

VS International School

Japan had been closed to foreign countries until 1853. Japanese might have enjoyed a happy single life for a long time. But it was difficult to be alone forever in the world. We opened the country and chose Yokohama as the entrance city about 150 years ago.
This is the reason why there are many international schools in Yokohama.

I went to Saint Maur International School with my friends.
(See: http://www.stmaur.ac.jp)
This school is the oldest international school in Japan.
It had recently a school event, International Food Fair.

The school location is very nice.
It is in Yamate area in Yokohama. Yamate means mountain-side.
Yokohama has sea-side. Then the view from Yamate is very beautiful.
There are many historical places and architectures there.
Old church, Old apartment for foreigners, Foreigner's cemetary and so on.

Food Fair was very exciting.
We could eat many countries' foods. At first Mexican food, next Indian snack, Shingapole sarada, Spanish paerea, Bergian beer, Austrarian lamb and Japanese Yakitori! I enjoyed one day world food tour. If I had more time and more stomach capacity, I could eat Korean food and Levanon food.

The relationship between me and this school was at first business.
I sold some textbooks to this school.
I like this school. This internationality is very good. If possible, I wanna be this school student.

Yokohama China Town is near Yamate.
We went to China Town to drink tea.
I konw real China. But China Town in Yokohama has itsown uniquness.
I will report it in another article.

Now I am a food cosmopolitan.

VS Tokyo

My colleague Satoru gave me a difficult request.
He will leave Tokyo soon to move to another office.
His request was to go to a typical Tokyo restaurant bfore leaving.

This request is more difficult than we think.
Because Tokyo is an international city as everybody know.
International city has everthing.
We can eat and drink anythimg we want.
It means it doesn't have a local unique color.
Then it's difficult to find a "typical" Tokyo.

We can go to old Tokyo area.
There are many classical restaurants there.
But in my opinion, they are just an old memory. They were typical before but
now are not typical.

I choose a restaurant, Chritian Cafe in Shibuya, Tokyo.
(See: http://www.ug-gu.co.jp/restaurant/shop/christon-shibuya.htm)
This restaurant concept is "Church".
Yes. It's a fake. It's not real.
The restaurant has a very costly gorgeous decoration.
All customers forget to be in a real world ,Tokyo.
And we can eat many foods NOT related to Tokyo.

I thought this kind of place was "typical" for Tokyo.
I was not sure Satuoru was satisfied with the restaurant.
But I was satisfied with my choice.
He will go to Sendai, a local big city in Japan.
He can enjoy good locality there.

VS Shanghai(3)

A Japanese minister went to Yasukuni shrine today even though the relationship wiht China becomes worse now. I don't know his "bravery" can get anything from Japanese gods. (By the way, God has a nationality?) It will give Chinese people bonus motivation to throw stones more to Japanese restaurant or property.

I went to therapeutic shops twice in Shanghai.
It was a good expreiece for my health. Foot massage helped my blood circulation. The beer after the massage moved inside my body quickly. I felt very good drunk. Milk and Oil massage was good for my skin. And more it got rid of my tireness of travel. Though I can't compare with therapeutic shops in Japan, the quality in Shanghai was very good. The service in many places in Shanghai is not sophisticated or not complete. But the people in therapeutic shops understand deeply what service is, I think.

I watched very very strange barbar.
The barbar inside was lightuped pink or red.
Staffs were all women.
Customers were all women too. Very strange.
Yes. They were prostitutes.
I did't think there were such women in China because I thought China was very strict to such a job. If my memory is correct, there was not such a barbar when I visited Shanghai four years ago. What is happening there? This is on the natural way to be a normal modern city?

From the interest of my job, I went to a bookstore in Shanghai.
There are many magazine stands on the street but there are not so many bookstores and not a good bookstore there. I think it's a good chance to start a publishing business. But still now publishing is regulated by Chinese government. Though my company has a branch in Taiwan but it has difficulty to make Chinese branch because of the old regulation.
I studied Chinese language a little by reading children's book to master the language.
I don't understand the complexity of pronounciation at all. Mustbe my reading was terrible.
One kind staff lady corrected me in the store.
I will study Chinese in this year. Fortunately one of my coworkers in my office is good at Chinese. I can learn it from her.
Besides the regulation, it must be a challanging work to try a publishing business in China.
Especially it's meaningful that Japanese companies start the business there.
Book is the best media to understand people's bias totally and completely.
Chinese people can know Japanese bias more directly.
It is better for both countries' people to judge each other by complete information.

I am not sure when I go to China next.
China is an interesting country still now . I have to visit there again and again.
Now I have a VIP card for a good restaurant in Shanghai because I went to the restaurant twice for a short period. But I failed to communicate with staffs there because of my lack of Chinese language knowledge. I have an unfinished work in China.

VS Shanghai(2)

During my stop writing this blog, the relationship between China and Japan becomes worse.
Many chinese people blame for Japan and throw stones or ink to Japanese embassy.
The Chinese people I met last month in Shanghai were friendly and kind.
Then I forgot the deep scar between two countries at the time.
But now I seem to remember it.

News commentators says on TV "China has many problems inside. For example, unemployment, poverty, too rich calss and so on. Then the goverment want people to look outside. Japan is made Scapegoat by them!"
Hmm, I am not sure if such an interpretation is right or not.
This kind of interpretation became common when the Korean president officially blamed for Japan recently.

We should understand too self-defensive opinion is uncool.
Certainly some people's opinion may be extreme and based on wrong information, but some people's is serious and important. To it, Japanese have to respond seriously.

However I don't know Chinese people want serious response from Japan.
If they want, their anger power should ride on official route.
Through government channel, they should blame for Japan officially.
Throwing stones and ink is only performance.
It is useful for breaking frustration but it's difficult to get anything from it.
People's anger moves their goverment. And the goverment officially requires something to another country. This means Democracy is working very well.

Again, News commentators think Chinese people's anger is controlled or made.
Then most Japanese don't react seriously.
I think now their anger is not organized.
Their anger should be organaized to be a social power, which can move thier government and give a serious request to Japan.
If China and Japan can battle seriously about some unfinished issues on official level, it is nice to understand each other.
Our problem is unsufficiency of fight.
If I were Chinese, I throw storns to Japanese embassy and Chinese government.

VS Shanghai(1)

It was my second visit of Shanghai in this year.
I am not a china freek but China is close to Japan. It is easy to go.
And it is valuable to go.
I and my friends made a tour and visited there.

My last visit was early February. It was a chinese new year season.
Then it was a holiday for many chinese people.
Many shops, restaurant, company and places were closed.
This time in March was different.
All places were open. Compared to last month, Shangahi was more active
and more and more noisy this month.

I rushed to see many sightseeing spot on the previous trip in Shangahi.
But ths time I don't have to rush.
I walked around Shangahi slowly, and I found many things I could't find last time.

Our party walked around the area where many old modern western architectures were built.
They are historical architectures when France, England, America and Japan etc governed China. They are not only historical but also very beautiful. I looked at one old church. It was like a church in fairy tale.
Now the area is a good sight spot. But also it is a target of real estate investment.
The land price becomes too high.
Unfortunately the people only watching the old houses, like me, don't drop money in the area.
It is good for the land owner to scrap them and build new office buildings.
Then I heard that the old architectures become less and less.
It's a disappointing thing.

We went to the antique goods shopping street.
Old books, pictures, photos, plates, swords, crowns, marjang pies, chinese chess boards, Mao Tsu-tung pins etc. This place was very nice. I was not bored with watching this area.
If chinese peoples sales is softer, this place is better.
They tend to hustle on business.
It is OK for electric equipment sales.
But an antique market is the place which a well understanding buyer meets a well understanding seller. Aggressive sales is not sophisticated there.
I bought some old postcards there.
(to be continued.)

VS Narita

I am in Internet Cafe in Narita airport.
From now, I am going to China again.
Narita is very uncovinient to reach. It is located in very rural area in Japan.
In addition, this airport is not attractive for me.
Maybe here is very boring for all passangers.
Then, when I found this Internet cafe, I was very happy.
Now I am waiting for my flight. I and my friends came here 3 hours before flight time.
It's a taugh work to kill time here.
I will drink beer after this cafe.

But staying in a air port is exciting for me.
I don't know the reason. I like to watch many passangers, flight attendants, air planes...
Airport has its own unique rules.
Then we have to adjust the rules. All peoples' behavier here is different form non-airport.
Many many checkings. Very correct time schedule. Existence of rule breakers.
Police dogs. Non-tax goods. Uneconomical price foods.
When writing, I become excited.

Hm, Narita may be more attracive than I thought.

VS Photo

There are so many photographer, professional or amateur, in Japan.
Everbody has a handyphone with camera or a digital camera.
And they love taking a photo. Japan is filled with a lot of photos.
But studying photo is unpopular in Japan.
We don't know which photo is good or bad.
I sometimes sell good photos to my customer.
Selling good photos encourages photo study, then I think it is a meaningful job.

Sebastiean the British photo hunter emailed me last month.
He found the very old photo recently.
His job is to find out the antique rare photos, to study them and to sell them.
To search for them, he travels all over the world.
The photo was found in Paris.
It was a portrait of Alfred Dreyfus, who was unfamilier with Japanese but maybe
famous in European history.
One musium in Japan is collecting the documents and photos about this man.
Then we tried to offer it to the musium.

We met one professor to offer the photo.
I realised soon he was very interested in it. He seemed to understand the value.
Such a rare photo is usually expensive.
Of course we wanted to sell it by higher price.
But the professor's position was oposite. He didn't want to pay money so much.
He checked it with calm face.
I checked his face with calm face.
Our faces were calm. But the situation was hot.

We found a sign "Alfred Dreyfus" in the margin of the photo.
If the autograph was written by him, the photo price becomes extreamly high.
I found the professor's nose hall to be bigger and bigger.
Maybe he also found our nose hall size changing.
But to judge if it's himselves or not was difficult.
Then now the proffesor is investigating it.
I don't konw if he will buy it, but it is sure this photo must be very valuable.
Don't miss it ,professor.

VS Live show

Tsukuba in Ibaraki prefecture is a developing city.
I sometimes visit there to see my friend,Peter the great entartainer .
This city was only rural site at first, became scientist living area next and now is becoming very young modern city.Basically the population in the cities in Japan is decreasing, but Tsukuba is getting many new comers.

This time my purpose of visit was to go to Peter's Live show.Live space was "CORK HEAD'S" which was a very good Australian bar.
The bar owner was a frank and kind guy. I enjoyed a real ozzi hamburger with beer.It was my first time burger after watching the movie "Supersize me!" a few month ago.
I had thought we don't need hamburger in our life after the movie.
But I changed my mind.
We must eat it.

His show was successful regardless of twice broken of his guiter strings.
He would think the accidents were terrible.
But I think it proves his guiter playing was powerful and perfect.
Last year he broke one Live show by himself because of too much drinking before the show.
The strings broken was not good but better at least.

I hook whisky and listened to the music with some junior high school teachers.
Decreasing children give an serious impact on all schools in Japan now.
Some famous school group is making new campuses in new location to get students.
Developing area like Tsukuba must be fitted. Of course, many competitor schools aiso exist there. The teachers I drunk with are new challengers in Tsukuba. I hope they can win the school survival race.

VS Old newspaper

Now one IT company in Japan try to take over one radio company.
The radio company is a sister company of one big TV company.
Then, if the takeover succeed, the IT company will infulence big media.
The media group with radio, TV, newspaper etc has a strong political
opnion which is very Right.
But the IT company's president is not interested in the opinion.
He said he would rid the media company of political parts.
We are enjoying the battle between new company and old company in
stock market now.

I hook a glass with one publisher this week.
He published many old English literature books before.
Now he is trying to publish an old newspaper, which is the former of
Japan Times.
This newspaper is famous, but nobody in Japan have it completely
from the first volume. Then he thought about republishing it.
I like this kind of challenging publisher.
His policy looks simple. He makes what he likes.
I am not sure he will succeed in the business.
But, anyway, I cheer him.

We drunk two bottles of Syochu.
I think we talked about sales tactics.
But all idea had gone after drinking.
But, anyway, I cheer him.

VS China(2)

Chinese people loves eating. They walk on the street with eating something. Of course such a scene is not special. But the percentage of eating pedestrian may be bigger in Shanghai than Tokyo.
I was impressed by the people standing on the road, who did nothing, just standing still.
I met such a people in the poor area in Shanghai.
People usually do something; talking with others, working for anything, sleeping, running or smiling by any reason. The impressive people in Shanghai were the just standing people outside.
If I can speak Chinese, I want to ask them what they are thinking about deeply.

Starbucks, MacDonald, KFC and Big Echo(Karaoke) ; there are too much familier things in Shanghai. I found Oden in a convinience store. It is arranged by chinese style, but it is a clearly Japanese popular junk food. Maybe these unspecial things get rid of the color or character from each cities. On the other hand we can easily understand or share the life pattern and the thinking style of differnt people.

In the last article I reported about very god drink.
I bought another type of Sake at the same time.
The drink is stronger than another one. I t has over 50% alchool.
It is made of the oil of five differnt types on snake.
I heard form seller that this drink make my hook hand bigger, harder, stronger and taugher after drinking. I couldn't miss it. I had thought I needed very hard training to get better my hook hand. But, Once I drink it, I can get the great ability of hook hand. This is the easiest way. My purpose of this trip had been reached.
I bought the one bottle of anacondic drink.
I have never tried it. But I can hope my hook hand gets super performance to any enemy.

VS China

I went to China last weekend.
The main purpose was to master kung fu technique.
I needed to get new skill for my dangerous hook hand.

Japan and China have a complex memory.
Japan was an unchained young dog before, and bit at an old silet dog, China.
Next the young dog tried to bite an another big dog, Russia. And it succeeded.
Japan got confidence and challanged America next. But it failed.
After that, Japan became a peaceful puppy and forgot the old memory.
But some,many,most or all chinese people still remember the memory.
Then our relationship was not as close as our geographical relation.
But generation is changeing.
And the economical relationship with China is biggest for Japan.
Our distance may become closer and closer, following necessity.

This visit was second times for me. Shanghai was changeing rapidly four years ago.
Still now it is changeing. The people in Shanghai is very aggressive.
Especially taxi driver is too offensive.
Their driving technique is, I think, crazy.
We can experience car race on the road in the city.
I often saw the scene that people were arguing loudly on the street.
Someone was kicking the stopping car to move it.
Basically the center of Shanghai is noisy like a festival.
In fact, when I visited Shangahi, it was in new year's festival days.

I enjoyed very best chinese foods. But I don't write about it in this blog.
Patrick the food master will write about it very well in his blog someday.
I have to report the experience to meet God in a chinese restaurant.
I drunk very good Chinese wine. The name was "The God of Sake".
It was an amazing name. I couldn't miss the chance to try it.
To be honest, I am not a religious people.
I suspected the existence of God.
But, in China, I met him. It was unbelievable.
He was on my tangue. It was natural I couldn't see him.
After finishing one bottle in the restaurant, I bought two Gods as a suvenier.
Now they guard me on the refrigerator in my room.

(to be continued)

VS Hay-fever

February 10th is a X day in my living area. The battle royal starts today.
Many mask men and women emerge in the city.
They don't intend to fight with my hook hand. They want to protect themselves against hay-fever.
A lot of seeds start to fly in the air today.
We are in the space filled with plant gene in this season.
The metal wepon attached with my arm is not useful to defend from the nano-scale enemy.
But my condition is good because I have a good medcine.

Today I made a book list about allergie.
(I have to explain my job for unknown readers. I'm a book sales man.)
My cliants are studying allergie science.
For me, to be honest, it's boring. But I know it's useful.
I expect them to defeat the botany bomb when I make a list for them.

I got a chance to escape from Japan for a while.
I will go to China tomorrow and stay for a few days.
I will write "VS China" report soon.

test

I've never written a blog in my life, then I need to test many things, ah maybe the message written in this box will be published. But I don't know the character type and size. I can arrange them freely? I don't know.
Anyway this is a test writting. I can write anything freely. About my friends, my job, my favorite food..
Mmm, but I may have to think about a private policy. There are many dangerous hooker in this net world. I can use my hook hand for self-defense in the physical world. But it can't work in this net world. Sometimes this hook hand is my disadvantage when typing a keyboard. Ok, my private policy is this. I will never write my credit card number.
Test writing was done.