Newsletter from Fukuoka

Can Microfinance make it in America?

2010-02-01T21:14:00.002+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of“Can Microfinance Make It in America?”, page 24-25, TIME Asia issued on January 18, 2010

Your article on the Grameen bank in the U.S. gave me a fresh surprise of the unique relationship between a lender born in Bangladesh, the world’ poorest country and borrowers in the U.S., the world’s richest country. If Grameen’s way of microfinance prevails in the U.S., I feel a foreboding that the new era would come soon when more and more developing countries help the developed ones by their cooperative spirits and minds. Yes, money isn’t everything.

The Lessons of Flight 253

2010-01-13T21:38:00.001+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of “The Lessons of Flight 253”, page 16-20, TIME issued on January 11,2010.

The start of A Happy New Year became an ominous and uneasy one not only for American passengers but also for others of different nationalities because of only one young bomber on Flight 253. This kind of terrorist attempt reminds me of proliferating cancer cells in a human body. How strong our immune cells become, we can’t prevent those cancer cells from proliferating further permanently because they are also parts of our body, even if they are considered to be evil.

As for eliminating terrorists from international flights, more advanced airport technology could help a lot. However, as long as any ordinary person could become a terrorist someday like a cancer cell, there is and will be no panacea for perfect safety.

Mr.World ; Kevin Rudd

2009-07-15T21:27:00.007+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Mr.World" by Hanna
Beach/Cockburn, TIME dated on July 13, 2009.

For me like many other Japanese, before I read your article, Kevin Rudd was imaged as just a stiff and locally biased politician simply because he has been criticizing Japan for its continued whale killing even for the research purposes which have been approved in a world community.
But my image of this Australia’s top leader is totally changed now. He has a say not only about Japan’s whale killing but China’s human right abuses in Tibet and other politically controversial matters between
Australia and such big trading partners as the U.S., India and other
Asian nations.

In a sense, he resembles U.S. President Barrack Obama because of his minority character as Aborigines, his seriousness to tackle controversial issues as statesman and his passion to change the status quo of his country and the world. From now, I want to support him as a new leader for Asia and the world.

2009-04-02T05:34:00.005+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Man Who Wants To Save Japan", TIME dated on March 12, 2009.

Many Japanese people including myself do not expect Ichiro Ozawa to become the leader who could get us excited with smart speeches and hopeful but firm policies like President Obama, nor to become another Ichiro as a national hero in the baseball world for his Samurai-like disciplined style and superb skill. However, we recognize him as the temporary but only powerful political figure to change the beleaguered Japanese systems that have been piled up since the end of World War II by the powerful bureaucracy. In this sense, it seems clear to me that he is the alternative next Prime Minister to whomever from the old LDP. Escaping from a deepening recession is another matter.

My Comment on "A Great Divide" published on TIME

2009-03-02T23:16:00.003+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "A Great Divide", Page 22 to 27, TIME magazine dated on February 16, 2009 and was published in "Inbox" of TIME Asia dated on March 9,2009.

Walls Will Tear Us Apart
It is sad to know that India's building of a fence along its many miles of border with Bangladesh is the only solution to prevent migrants and terrorists from Bangladesh infiltrating India [Feb. 16]. I can understand that there may be economic disparities and security threats. However, before enclosing Bangladesh with a fence, India's government should place the top priority on helping its neighbor stand on its own feet by boosting Dhaka's economy and shining the way for its poorer, smaller neighbor. After all, India is one of the new superpowers of Asia. It should start acting the part.
Tadashi Kawabe,
Fukuoka, Japan

The above comment can be read on Web version of TIME dated on February 26, 2009. Please click the below URL for your reference.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1881882,00.html

A Great Divide between India and Bangladesh

2009-02-22T05:51:00.006+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "A Great Divide", Page 22 to 27, TIME magazine dated on February 16, 2009.

It is sad to know that building a fence along the vast miles of borders with Bangladesh on the part of the Indian government is the only solution to stop flooding immigrants and terrorists from Bangladesh to India

I can understand that there may be differences of religion, economic disparities and perception gap of terrorist threats between the two countries as you pointed out in your article. However, before completing a long fence surrounding Bangladesh as the mere solution, Indian government should place the top priority on helping her neighbor stand its own feet economically by boosting her own economy and accepting more immigrants as one of the newly emerged economic superpowers in Asia.

Improbable Paradise --- Seashores in Cambodia

2008-06-15T05:38:00.004+09:00

Below is my comment on the article "Improbable Paradise" of TIME dated on June 9, 2008, posted to TIME magazine on June 10, 2008.

Your report on the rapid developments of many remote and once unknown beaches in Cambodia reminds me of the happy and curious moment when I found out some fascinating sightseeing spots on the Google Earth. As the globalization accelerates all across the planet, many foreign investors are now rushing to such intriguing but untouched areas as the seashores in Cambodia to earn a huge sum of money by making them the world-class resorts. First they start only curiosity like myself on the web, and then money and greed dominate their minds.

In the early stages, Cambodia people could benefit a lot from those economic developments led by the foreign capital, but later they would be sorry for the massive destruction of the natural environments around those areas caused by the greedy logic of capitalism, unless strong monitoring on those development projects are enacted by the government or the world class organizations to support the local people who live their lives there. Local people should have a stake in local developments, not foreigners. The trade off between economic development and natural environment are becoming the big issue everywhere on earth. Cambodia is not the exception.

The Japanese Way - "Mottainai" spirit

2008-04-29T06:27:00.002+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of “The Japanese Way”, TIME dated on April 28, 2008.

Is it true that Japan still have a mentality of “Mottainai” as your article praised us? Yes, actually many world-class Japanese manufacturing companies keep it as their corporate ethic for survival to satisfy egoistic Japanese consumers who want the most advanced and energy-efficient gadgets in the world by providing them with incessant innovative approaches and less resource. However, with American consumerism deep in people’s minds and behaviors, I must admit that many Japanese consumers have been spoiled by such excellent companies for a long time and as a result of it, they forget about “Mottainai” spirit.

In order to seriously win the fight against climate change, Japanese consumers must regain their own sense of humility and try hard to prevail “Mottainai” spirit not only to wasteful Americans but also to the people all over the world.

U.S.pilots and Aviation Safety

2008-04-23T04:58:00.002+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of “International Departures”, TIME dated on April 21, 2008.

Mobilization of U.S.airline pilots from domestic carriers to overseas is one of the unexpected results from globalization. It is also similar to the Japanese star baseball players leaving Japan for the Major leagues in the U.S. seeking for much higher pay. In a global economy, money speaks everywhere and with good reason.

The trouble is that if the outflow of experienced pilots from the U.S. should be a major trend, many American passengers may have some uneasiness about the safety of domestic flights. To get rid of their anxieties, U.S. airlines as well as the aviation authorities should try hard to recover the social and mental status of domestic pilots by raising their salaries and reducing their stress and fatigue caused by overwork. Otherwise, U.S.carriers would become the least safe vehicles in the world.

A Furious Hunger

2008-04-01T22:34:00.002+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "A Furious Hunger", TIME dated on March 31, 2008.

After reading your article of “A Furious Hunger”, I felt that something extraordinary bad is happening and there seems little way out to solve it. Because the major causes of rocketing food prices are awfully interrelated with each other such as the climate change, population explosion, the sharp rise of oil prices, the boom of biofuels straining food supplies and so on. In addition, there seems to be a desperately growing gap between the fury by the hungry poor in some countries and the total indifference to them by the rich filled with abundant food at home. Unless the rich have the common feeling of “clear and present danger” on food with the poor and take some bold actions to fill the gap, they should know that the food shortage would soon retaliate against them. I am not the exception, living in the country of repletion, Japan.

China's Short March

2008-03-07T05:08:00.003+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of 「China's Short March」 , TIME dated on February 25, 2008.

After looking at the photos of your article, I was appalled to know that the impact of China’s Short March seems to be enormously bigger than any suburbanizations that had happened in many advanced economies, especially Japan and the United States for the last several decades.

If this kind of rapid suburbanization spreads all across China, more and more people in the middle and upper class will commute by their own cars between homes and offices, use air conditioning at home and water for gardening with emitting vast amount of carbon dioxide and to shortening the water supply, resulting to accelerate global warming in the near future.

However, we, as the citizens of the advanced economies, can’t blame them simply for high carbon emissions since we have done the same kind of behaviors in the past. Instead, we should give them some advice, technical and financial support to prevent them from going to catastrophe together with us.

Take the Money and Run from London

2008-02-28T05:54:00.002+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Take the Money and Run", TIME dated on February 18, 2008.

The decision of the British Treasury to get tough on tax breaks is not crazy, but smart and balanced. Because they are sure that money and foreigners are not the only resources to bring prosperity and development to London as well as England where a mix of dignified tradition and forward-looking openness to the rest of the world with advanced democracy has been fascinating big cash and celebrity from the parvenu Russia, the Gulf states and Asia recently. So they balanced the people of England with those from abroad, reacting to the criticism on tax breaks for foreigners from inside the country.

In fact, the other major tax havens as Switzerland, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Singapore and Hong Kong have been attracting more overseas big money than London with the direct tax break incentives such as the secrecy of privacy in Switzerland rather than with the various charms of the country by itself.

A Tale of Three Cities

2008-01-30T21:54:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of “A Tale of Three Cities”，TIME dated on January 28, 2008.

As your article pointed out clearly, the lifespan of cities and towns seems to vary with a certain degree of cycles as that of human beings does. New York, London and Hong Kong came back to life as a unique combined city of Nylongkong after the long debacles of social disorder, bubble burst or bankrupts. The resurgence of those three cities symbolizes the recent tidal wave of globalization in every corner of the earth and the power of greed by the people living and working there to mobilize the big money.

Where money speaks, people gather and prosper with greed. However, no one knows if we are in the right direction. I do hope they may not lose morale when money goes out and global warming comes close.

Good Urban Greenery Example at Fukuoka City!!

2008-01-27T09:15:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of “Need to Weed Your Roof?”，TIME
dated on Jan. 14, 2008.

How encouraging to see the green covered urban roofs of the four
photographs in your article! Especially when I found out that one of
them was the famous green stepped office building completed in 1995 in
the center of our home town Fukuoka, I almost jumped for joy.

It now seems that the tidal wave of global warming almost swallowed the
urban-heat-island effect caused by the increasing number of
heat-absorbing asphalts and buildings in such big cities as Chicago, New
York City and Tokyo. The efforts to change the concrete jungle into the
urban greenery from every roof of the buildings seem to be a small step
only to reduce the urban-heat-island effect. However, with the increase
of green roofs here and there, I am sure that it will lead to change our
uneasy minds positively into the courage to overcome global warming.

Dangerous Head Games

2007-12-11T06:02:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of “Head Games” ，TIME dated on December 10, 2007.

As the father of two young daughters, I was shocked to know the fact that U.S. female soccer athletes suffered almost 40% more concussions than males did. Wasn’t there any strict guidance to prevent such female suffering on the teachers’ side at school so far?

Popular sports often require athletes to use their souls and bodies to the limit to win the game or to defeat the opponent, whether or not there are some gender differences between men and women.

However, now that the gender related vulnerability of women to men in specific sports techniques such as heading became clear, we should recommend some kind of protections or alternative sports for women to keep them safer, not only in the schoolyards but also in the professional sports, based upon the scientific research.

Water Worries

2007-12-02T19:02:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Water Worries", TIME dated on November 26, 2007.

It was a fresh surprise for me that climate change has never been on the election issue in Australia before this election.

Since water is vital to every living creature on earth and climate change is taking it away from many ordinary citizens over there in the form of a long drought，it is with good reason that worry is so ballooning among them that the future course of politics in Australia could be affected by the stance on climate change by political leaders at the election as one of the important election issues.

Based upon such recognition, your article kindly indicated to me that this election would also be the turning point for many political leaders in the world to tackle climate change seriously not for a hypocritical or superficial slogan such as “Save the earth!” but for their own political survival now and in the near future. In that sense, politicians in Japan, my country, are not the exception.

Asia's Growing Gambling Addiction

2007-11-11T18:12:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Asia's Growing Gambling Addiction", TIME issued on November 1, 2007.

To my astonishment, so many new casinos are planning to build in Asian countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines in such a short period of time to catch up with the economic success of Macau, the recent Asian Mecca of casino resort. As your article pointed out precisely, Asia, especially China, seems to be more vulnerable to gambling than Europe and other regions because of its cultural and mental generosity to gambling. In order to avoid the problems caused by such weakness in those new casino resorts, central and provincial governments in those areas should in advance take strong leadership to build firm social infrastructure such as the places to teach residents some discipline, to give them some counseling and to keep social orders and public security. Among other places, Singapore seems to me the best place to have new casino resorts in that sense, although it is regarded as a dull place to enjoy now since the society is somewhat too rigid and strict.

Miracle gadgets to keep you young & cute

2007-10-28T05:51:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Newest Wrinkle", TIME dated on October 29, 2007.

The older I get, the more often I worry about the age spots, wrinkles and acne on my face although I am not an appearance-conscious woman. In that sense, your article on do-it-yourself dermatology gadgets gets my attention so much. Once the safety of those gadgets is confirmed together with simple use and reasonable price, not only Americans but people all over the world will rush to buy them because we have the strong and potential desire for dressing up our appearance even by getting rid of our physical defects secretly.

Spread of Breast Cancer

2007-10-13T16:42:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Changing Face of Breast Cancer", TIME dated on October 15, 2007.

Whenever action is needed to change the deteriorating situation like the spread of cancer diseases, the first thing to do is to let people know the fact and educate them as quickly as possible.

In this sense, it is quite fitting and proper for a sophisticated and global media like you to let many people on earth inform the shocking fact that breast cancer has been widespread not only in the developed countries but many developing ones with such an unexpected speed. I was one of the citizens who did not know the fact of breast cancer and was enlightened by your article.

To fight against this awful disease, some kind of global support system similar to “Baby Hatch” or a telephone hotline is needed for women who are suffering from breast cancers but being reluctant to talk about them for fear of being isolated from their husbands, families or communities. Each of them are so lonely and desperately need help.

Sudden Resignation of Premier Abe

2007-09-29T23:02:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Fade Away", TIME dated on September 24, 2007.

As your article pointed out, Premier Abe’s sudden resignation pulled a trigger to turn back the clock of Japanese politics to the bad old days of revolving-door cabinet. In the early stage of Prince-like Abe’s appearance following Junichiro Koizumi’s long era, people gave him support not only because he advocated strong leadership to reform the old regime of the country after World War II but he seemed to survive for a longer period to improve and stabilize their ways of living now and in the future.

With a widening gap between Shinzo Abe and the people and his deteriorating health, he had to resign at the worst timing of political struggle with Ichiro Ozawa, the opposition leader of the DPJ.

The important lesson from this incident is that we should select a leader with both strong mind and health and never with the good appearance and high popularity.

To dye or not to dye, that is the question!

2007-09-15T07:22:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Gray Wars", TIME dated on September 10, 2007.

Looking at the two pictures of Condi and Nancy Perosi in your article, I was astonished at the clear differences of image between their faces with dyed hair and the ones with gray. Apparently, dyed hair could make women more beautiful，energetic, powerful and younger than they actually are. On the contrary, gray or white hair only gives them the image of aging and weakness.

As long as the women’s desire for beauty and youth exists, to dye or not to dye is not the question of fashion and cosmetics, but of their life and death for real. In this sense, Japanese women are not the exception.

Sunken Treasure

2007-08-31T05:58:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Sunken Treasure", TIME dated on September 3, 2007.

Almost every day and night, I see at least several horrifying news about endangering earth environments caused by global warming in newspapers, magazines and other news media these days. Your article on coral reefs is one of them.

But this time you gave me a glimpse of hope by showing the fact that tens of hundreds of volunteers as scuba divers have made a tremendous efforts to gather vital information on dying coral reefs for about ten years to rescue them with a sense of mission and love. As long as there are volunteers like them to seek for truth, I believe our earth and human beings would not perish in vain.

Voluntourism- Is it good or bad?

2007-08-17T08:40:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Vacationing like Brangelina", TIME dated on August 13, 2007.

“Seeing is believing”. Volunteer work is not the exception for this old cliché. I believe that many people around the world want to help those who need help in the developing countries, but cannot do so because of time, money and other constraints they have in relation to their family matters and company responsibilities.
In this sense, volunteer tourism could give them a glimpse of harsh realities of volunteer works through some intensive works in the tour in such developing countries as Uganda, Cambodia and Thailand if they participate in it with shorter time and lesser money than they actually get into volunteer work.
I understand the critic’s saying that combining volunteer work and sightseeing is very difficult. But the important thing is to move forward to build better environments for troubled communities on earth if only a little. Voluntourism could help for that.

The Price of Anonymity on the web society

2007-08-01T05:25:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Price of Anonymity" , TIME dated on July 30, 2007.

Generally speaking, anonymity is the norm of the Internet society these days except when you are required or willing to disclose your true name and other personal data to the net shops where you buy something or to the authorities where you pay tax for example. It gives us freedom of speech without having any fear of being attacked by others.

In your article on the price of Anonymity, I was very impressed that Whole Foods CEO John Mackey taught us how influential your anonymous postings on the internet could be used to let people believe your way of thinking if you could keep it going so long. However, he also taught us a future risk of being humiliated or even sued by others in case of an unexpected disclosure of your identity. Be careful of your high social status whenever you use your handle name with fun on the web!

"Made in China"----Can we trust?

2007-07-11T05:23:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Growing Dangers of the China Trade", TIME dated on July 9, 2007.

Your article on the tainted imports “made in China” reminds me of a huge number of products made in Japan once notorious for its cheap price with bad quality exported to the world when Japan tried to recover from the ashes of World War II. However, after several decades most of our goods and services gained its fame and trust from all over the world because both corporate managers and workers tried hard to constantly improve its quality to earn the full trust of severe domestic consumers first, then of overseas ones at last.

I am sure that China could do the same only if Chinese consumers keep sharp eyes on their own products and demand better and safer qualities as the Japanese and western consumers do.

For the time being until Chinese consumers begin to awake, however, Beijing and local authorities need to give tougher regulations to greedy and dirty corporate managers making those tainted products.

Corn-Powered in Yuma

2007-06-28T05:00:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Corn-Powered in Yuma", TIME, June 18, 2007.

Yuma farmers should not be blamed on their greed to raise corn not as a grain for food but as a more combined bio-fuel to solve the global warming as well as the energy problem because the latter can be sold higher. They only pursue their better standard of living by following a national policy of energy security.

Who should be blamed most is President Bush because intentionally or unintentionally he erased the line used to separate food grain from the grain being used for energy as Lester R. Brown warned. He is just like Julius Caeser who went across Rubicon River with his army to invade Roma in the ancient Roman era.

What the President of the U.S. should do now is not to protect national interests as the leader of one country but to provide the world with better ways to decrease CO2 emissions to prevent the disaster of global warming as the great leader of the earth.

Africa's Oil Dreams

2007-06-14T05:14:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Africa’s Oil Dreams TIME, June 11, 2007".

In your article, you picked up some of the vital attractiveness of African oil, namely its high quality, cheap cost and higher security. But such merits are only for a handful of locals in power and greedy oil buyers from America, Europe, China and Japan. What is worse, huge sum of money from oil would definitely expand the darker side of Africa such as political violence, the disparity, corruption and environmental hazards as “curse of oil” without any firm infrastructure of sound democracy all around Africa.

If developed nations do not help African people build their democracy sincerely in many fronts, Africa’s oil would bring only despair but no dreams to them forever.

The Last Temptation of Al Gore

2007-06-02T08:26:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Last Temptation of Al Gore", TIME dated on May 28, 2007.

Al Gore’s passion and seriousness to let people know the present danger of global warning mobilized them so dramatically that many Americans want him to become the next U.S. President to fix it with good reason.

And this may be the last time indeed for Al Gore to change the course of American politics from chaotic democracy to principled one not only for tackling the global warming but also for finding a way out of Iraq mess.

But I don’t want him to become the political leader of the United States who is likely to solely pursue the national interest. Instead, I want him to be the leader of the earth to save the human being from global warming with passion and morale principle.

Why so few Japanese in TIME 100?

2007-05-20T08:04:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of TIME 100, TIME, May 14, 2007.

Why is the number of Japanese talents so few in your TIME 100? Only Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigeaki Watanabe this time again? This is my honest impression and wonder whenever I see your yearly selection of “TIME 100”. In my understanding, it was with good reason that TIME magazine is originated in the U.S.

But this time I could find the right answer to my question in the comment of Richard Stengel, saying that they are selected not because they are the most powerful or popular but are the most influential in the world who change the world and make history. Now I decided that I would not cling to the nationality of Japan that I belong, the power and popularity when I see your TIME 100. Thank you for your right reasoning.

Unfriendly Environment - Sanyo and CEO Nonaka

2007-04-28T06:08:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Unfriendly Environment", TIME dated on April 23, 2007.

As you pointed out in your article, Nonaka’s sudden resignation as CEO of Sanyo did show us the precious lesson that her long-term strategy of eco-friendly image building did not solve the company’s short-term problem of red ink.
However, it also seems to have some grave implications behind the scenes. Namely there is a spreading rumor that the founding family made much use of Nonaka for her fame as journalist to keep the founder’s offspring as president when she was appointed as CEO to support him.

The more globalization spreads, the fewer family managed corporations similar to that giant electronic maker once flourished under the founding family rule can survive without open human resources unrelated to narrow family ties.
As you pointed out in your article, Nonaka’s sudden resignation as CEO of Sanyo did show us the precious lesson that her long-term strategy of eco-friendly image building did not solve the company’s short-term problem of red ink.
However, it also seems to have some grave implications behind the scenes. Namely there is a spreading rumor that the founding family made much use of Nonaka for her fame as journalist to keep the founder’s offspring as president when she was appointed as CEO to support him.

The more globalization spreads, the fewer family managed corporations similar to that giant electronic maker once flourished under the founding family rule can survive without open human resources unrelated to narrow family ties.

A Penguin on the Collapsing Glacier

2007-04-11T06:35:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "What's Now for Our Feverish Planet?", TIME dated on April 9, 2007.

It was the stunning picture on the first page of your article. A lonely penguin on the glacier gazing at the Antarctic sea deep below him indicates the fate of an endangered human being surrounded by global warming.

What is urgent for us is to recognize where we are standing now. Namely we are on the edge of the collapsing cliff and there is no way out unless we find solutions by ourselves. Thank you for showing so many ways to make a difference. It is our turn to think deep and act immediately.

Why the Buffalo Roam?

2007-03-29T05:45:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Why the Buffalo Roam", TIME dated on March 26, 2007.

Mother Nature unexpectedly warns us that the excessive behavior of human beings could give life or death to any species on earth. One positive example of such behaviors is given by your article that the recovery of the Buffalo in number has been closely linked to the human appetite for meat. Paradoxically enough, only natural and wild environments can foster leaner bison than cattle to satisfy the greed for healthier meat without locking them in the confinement feedlots filled with tons of pesticide

and fertilizer. The more eco-friendly wild environment is preserved all across the U.S., the more bison could eat natural grass for their leaner and healthier body.

Therefore, I strongly feel that Bison gave us a precious lesson that someday human beings would perish by such terrible diseases as mad cow disease if we continue to breed cattle in confinement with lots of pesticide and fertilizer.

Haunted By History - The Truth of Nanjing Massacre

2007-03-17T14:03:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Haunted By History", TIME dated on March 12, 2007.

Having read your article on some new films about the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Army, I wondered why this historical event has drawn so much attention for such a long time. Is that because of an estimated number of Chinese people massacred? Or is that because of the best seller book entitled “The Rape of Nanking” once sensationally picked up by famous western media? Or is that because of tremendous number of harsh photographs as hard fact of the Japanese army’s cruelty?

I assume that Nanjin is, in a sense, the symbol of the still uneasy feelings in the minds of both Chinese and Japanese irritated by sensationalism. I am not the exception. But what we should not forget as the citizens of both nations as well as those of other countries is that the war tends to make human beings crazy and be cruel even though they are ordinary citizens before it starts. To remember this precious lesson, we should seek for the truth of Nanjing without being overly emotional.

CAN SHINZO ABE FIND HIS WAY?

2007-03-03T18:56:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Can Shinzo Abe Find His Way?", TIME dated on Feb. 26, 2007.

As you illustrated in your article that Shinzo Abe is lost in a big-circled maze with his puzzled look on his face, many Japanese people are also perplexed and discouraged by his poor performance and fighting posture for tough reforms against the rigid bureaucracies and the old regime of the LDP for the last several months. In other words, he seems not to focus on the disparity between the rich and poor, job security, aging population and mounting national debt that people are most concerned, but still excessively on a return to traditional Japanese values and constitutional revisions that they are not.

What is worse is the recent surrounding noise by some of his cabinet members’ slip of the tongue with little respect to their young and inexperienced Prime Minister. The only way for him to reverse this difficult situation and get credit from people is to stand firm by himself, not leaning on the big and old bosses of the LDP circles.　If he begins to hear the voices “Poor Abe!” from the people on and off, that might be the end of the story.

Green Airlines

2007-02-15T06:49:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on "Green Airlines", the article of TIME magazine dated on February 5th, 2007.

What looked shocking in your article is the definitive contrast of two figures as to greenhouse effects by jet, namely the only 1.6% of airline contribution to greenhouse gases on a global scale and the enormous 2,400 kg of carbon per person emitted by a round-trip flight between NY and Tokyo on an individual level.

Awful enough is that the more time and far away we travel by jet, the more carbon is inevitably emitted and there is little alternative of jet transportation with such speed, even though its portion still seems small in the overall greenhouse gases.

In that sense, your title of “Greenhouse Airlines” symbolizes the deadlock of the environmental hazards that our human beings are now facing as a result of more comfort and speed in life. The first and only step for us to overcome it is to know the very fact, anyway.

Kyoto, Heal Thyself

2007-02-01T21:41:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Kyoto, Heal Thyself", TIME dated
on January 29 2007.

After reading your article about Kyoto, I really had a mixed feeling of
proudness and shame as one of the Japanese in the land of the world
second largest economy equipped with the most energy-efficient and
eco-friendly technologies, but at the same time barely attained the
target of slashing the Carbon output stipulated by Kyoto protocol in 1997.

What is at stake now to save the planet from the global warming is to
realize the harsh realities and to stand up by yourself to act, never to
depend on the government, the green-counscious corporations.

In that sense, we should not forget that Kyoto gives us a lot of
historical wisdom to harmonize with the Mother nature such as shrines
and temples abound in green.

How Business Saw The Light－"Going Green"

2007-01-20T12:11:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the ariticle of "HOW BUSINESS SAW THE LIGHT", TIME issued on January 15th, 2007.

Who can save the planet plagued by the deteriorating environments and dying birds and animals? Environmental NGOs? Governments? International Institutions? No. Smart companies can, as you pointed out. Some of them are Toyota and Wal-Mart that have already been acting positively so far to protect our earth within their own playing fields since they know that is the only way to stay competitive for survival.

I do expect them to push many unconscious consumers and the authorities to act together because they are not likely to act pro-environmental unless they are driven into the corner, despite that they began to feel vague uneasiness about the future of their lives due to the unexpected scale and speed of the climate change appeared last year such as Hurricane Katrina and the warm winter in the northern hemisphere.

Person of the Year

2006-12-23T07:22:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Person of the Year", TIME
issued on December 25, 2006 - January 1, 20007.

So delightful is your selection of “you”, me and other millions of people as Person of the Year. It is the only hope in our world’s chaotic conflict between the Arab and America, the haves and have-nots, and the global warming and the greed of high economic growth that a huge number of nameless individuals emerged distinctively this year as the main player through “YouTube”, “Myspace” and other Web 2.0 tools on the web because the collective power of people could be stronger to lead our planet in the better direction in the future, even though they only pursue their own goals at the beginning.

I am one of those nameless people, who actively started expressing the opinions in the blog, the Japanese popular social networking service “Mixi” and your “Letters” corner.

Russia's Bitter Chill

2006-12-23T07:20:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Russia's Bitter Chill", TIME
issued on December 4, 2006.

Your report on Russia shows us the surprising paradox that the stronger the Russian economy becomes, the less freedom of speech people over there can get. Namely, the life of many dissidents criticizing Putin regime has been threatened seriously in and out of Russia without any strong support from the West because Europe is now dependent on Russian energy to a certain degree.

It is still unknown whether the death of Litvinenko relates to Kremlin although Scotland Yard is trying very hard to investigate the case. I do hope the England authority keeps uncompromising stance on Russia as the leading country of democracy and free speech. If Litvineko’s case ends up with no true criminal, democracy will be at risk and the awful sort of espionage will more flourish all over the world.

The Megatrend of "YouTube"

2006-11-28T06:06:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "the people's network", TIME
issued on November 20, 2006.


I really would like to applaud your selection of YouTube as the top
of your best inventions 2006 because of its mega-impact on people’s
lives, our society and our culture not only in one year alone but also
in the years far ahead.

To my great surprise, YouTube is evolving by itself with the ballooning
increase of people making and watching videos on earth, separate from
the original intentions of the young founders. The old regime in the
media might have some fears on the peculiar phenomenon. No one knows
where YouTube will go. However one thing is clear to me, namely, the
major player of this game is not the limited number of professionals
involved in it, but the vast number of people connected with each other
on earth through this new device on the web.

OCEANS WITHOUT FISH

2006-11-16T07:06:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Oceans of Nothing"
Page 26, TIME November 13, 2006.

“Oceans without fish are like cities without human beings!” A terrible thought hit me when I read your article on the study of seafood supply published in Science.

The conclusion of this study that fishermen will have nothing left to catch in about fifty years ahead is so stunning that some other scientists and industrial experts are critical and skeptical on that.

However, judging from the recent trend of climate change, pollution and overfishing, it is probable that the ocean ecosystem is deteriorating dramatically under the deep sea. Oceans are the very Mother Nature that directly link to human beings as the top of the pyramid in food chain.
In that sense, we should not disregard the sincere warning from Canada.

Asia's Great Science Experiment

2006-11-09T05:17:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of TIME magazine, "Asia's Great Science Experiment" Page 46. TIME October 30. 2006.

Your message is shocking for Americans and Europeans. Namely, Asian economies are not the only clear and future threat to the advanced ones as U.S. and Europe that they have long believed, but Science is another clear and present danger to them.

However, Asians, especially the Chinese, the Indians and the Koreans, should also stay sharp because the loose ethical codes and hasty ambitions by scientists and engineers in those countries could lead to a serious disaster in the future like the environment hazards spreading all across Asia now.

What is needed now for both Europeans and Asians is not to remain on the sidelines with each other but to act together to benefit from this global science innovation.

A Simple Solution

2006-10-25T05:14:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on "A Simple Solution", the article of TIME magazine issued on October 16th, 2006.

Sensationalism sometimes covers the truth behind the norm believed by many people on earth. So long I have had little doubt that the main killers of children in the developing countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia are the avian flu, HIV and starvation until your article gave me an awakening fact of diarrheal diseases as the grave cause of many deaths of those poor children over there.

What is more striking for me is that only a pinch of sugar and salt with clean water can be available for them to revive. I do appreciate your effort to let us know this simple solution for the survival of the children in those countries and do hope as many governments, world organizations and celebrities all over the world as possible realize the importance of this simple solution and mobilize the needed fund as early as possible.

Endangering Asia's Environment

2006-10-14T08:36:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Visions of Green" Page 26, TIME October 9, 2006.

“This is a Déjà vu!”. I shouted to myself when I saw the pictures in your article of many bike commuters with masks to avoid heavy toxic at the street of Kanpur, India and a flood of junk trash floating on Jakarta river.

Yes, those are just the same as the scenes in Kitakyushu and other cities in the 60’s and 70’s when Japan became notorious as the archipelago of “Kogai”. I was one of the victims to inhale the choking smog very often at that time.

It is true that the more Asian people get higher income and feel inconvenienced by pollution, the more pressure the governments of those regions get to improve the staggering environment. But the time is running out to save it.

As one of the Japanese who experienced both rapid economic growth and Kogai proliferation decades ago, I am confident that Japan can contribute greatly to the improvement of the deteriorating environments all across Asia and urge Asian friends to further demand our helping hands without hesitation.

Why Can't the English Learn How to Speak?

2006-10-11T22:21:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of TIME magazine, "Why Can't the English Learn How to Speak?" Page 44　 TIME, September 25, 2006.

As one of the non-native English speakers struggling to master English accents, I am envy of Lucy Fisher, the writer of this article, having inherited received pronunciation(RP) in her mother tongue even though she has been sometimes embarrassed to be seen as a person of the upper class because she actually belongs to the plain middle class.

As the number of non-native speakers such as the Indians, the Chinese and other Asian people having little sense of the social class in their English is increasing so rapidly, I expect they will soon overwhelm the RP in the motherland and change it to a new “glocal”(meaning global but local) English as the standard on earth.

What we've learned from 9/11

2006-09-17T09:22:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "What we've learned" Page 18,TIME Sepetember 11, 2006.

You article’s episode of an American businessman clearly showed the American people what they have lost and learned from 9/11.

What they’ve lost is the trust and respect from the world mainly because it is now obvious that the war against Iraq was a mistake by President Bush and his advisers with no evidence of Hussein regime’s holding the mass destruction weapons and the links with Al-Qaeda that were the good causes for starting the war at the outset.

What they’ve learned is that there is and will be no panacea to seal off terrorism all over the world even though they have the strongest military power to fight against them. Now then, the world should reunite to root out terrorists not for the sake of only the American interests but for the citizens’ all across the borders.

Japan's Mystery of MAJESTY

2006-09-17T09:12:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Japan's Mystery of MAJESTY", Page 16, TIME, August 31, 2006.

As one of the Japanese ordinary citizens, I felt some sympathy with the royal family because it seems that the Imperial Household Agency has been overly interfering with the family affairs to preserve its dignity as the symbol of the state and resulted in the tail wagging the dog situation between the agency and the family.
In order to recover the trust from the public, this shadowy government body should act sincerely as the servant of the Imperial family as well as the people. What is more important, we as the Japanese citizens loving the royal family, should watch every detail of the agency’s behaviors more carefully.

THE MEDITERRANEAN’S TUNA WARS

2006-08-28T22:04:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of "THE MEDITERRANEAN'S TUNA WARS"
Page 32, TIME, August 21, 2006.

Your article on Tuna wars is a big blow to my belief on the prevailing Japanese fish eating culture on earth because excessive Tuna catching might cause the destruction of the ecosystem.

Many Japanese believe that sushi and sashimi are the national pride of the Japanese traditional food　culture not only for its tasty and colorful features but also for its benefits to dieting and health. That is why more and more people all over the world tend to try them. Tuna is the very symbol of that proudful food culture.

To my regret, however, the more people eat sushi and sashimi, the less Tuna could survive in the Med　and other oceans. As the inventor and preserver of sushi and sashimi culture, Japan by all means should take the lead to save Tuna by her intelligence and technology.

HOW TO KILL THE TIGER

2006-08-17T19:53:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article "HOW TO KILL THE TIGER" of the TIME magazine,Page 24,August 7 - 24, 2006.

The human greed for money is driving Indian tigers into a corner of “ecological extinction”. Even the Indian government can’t stop poachers hunting tigers not only because she doesn’t take it serious but because poor farmers and tribal groups living in the tiger-reserve areas depend on tiger-oriented money.

What is more important and should not be forgotten is that we, human beings, are the part of ecological system as well as those tigers in danger of “ecological extinction”.

Hate Thy Neighbor

2006-07-30T05:57:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article "Hate Thy Neighbor" of the TIME magazine,Page 24,July 24, 2006.

After reading your article, I could finally recognize why Israel is so fierce and firm to demand Hizballah return only two soldiers and the battle between them this time has a new dimention of greater risk in that region.

No compromise would be expected because even one soldier’s life is the raison d’etre for both Israel and Hizballah. A greater risk lies in a complex web of relationships among Israel, the U.S., Lebanon, Hizballah, Hamas, Syria and
Iran.

I am wondering in despair how much blood of civilians on both sides would be sacrificed for the states’ survival. Civilians have no choice but wait for a ceasefire and then for peace.

The stone-faced President - Putin

2006-07-17T06:44:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article "Russia's New World Order" of the TIME magazine dated July 10, 2006.

With the continuous surge of the oil price, Russia has re-emerged as the powerful counter party to the United States, the unchallenged mighty power in the world. The G-8 summit at St.Petersburg this time seems to be the most appropriate venue for Putin to show his intelligence and delicacy to be able to coordinate with other G-8 nations and China representing as one of the big disturbing powers on many urgent issues in Lebanon, Iran and North Korea.

The existence of the U.S. as the single superpower is the problem, but the re-emergence of Russia not only solves it but may complicate it with argument divided further because the world leadership behind G-8 summit would become more tripolar, namely the first group of the US and Japan, the second of Europe and the third of Russia and China.

AFTER KOIZUMI

2006-07-08T05:37:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "After Koizumi" Page 16　 TIME, July 3, 2006

Although Prime Minister Koizumi maximized his abilities as “a man of destruction” to change the way that Japanese politics was played and achieved some structural reforms such as the privatization of highway and postal-saving system, they fell well short of what he originally planned as his policy pledges.

What lacked in his achievements was a grand design to lead Japan simply because he is simply stubborn to stick his goals, but does not seem to have a firm ideological background with his plain character.

I do hope his successor would pursue higher goals for Japan to lead the world as “a man of creation” with much respect not only from the U.S. but also from neighboring countries as China and Korea.

Germany's New Pitch

2006-07-03T09:54:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Germany’s New Pitch"　Page 31　 TIME, June 12, 2006

As your article pointed out, the World Cup is one of the best chances for Germany to transmit their national image from being rigid and punctual to being fun and friendly since they still have the trauma of Nazism in World War II.

Whether their intentions can convince the world of a new Germany depends not on the well-organized and diplomatic smiles but on each German’s personality and hospitality on every pitch during the exciting games.

THE SHAME OF KILO COMPANY IN IRAQ

2006-06-10T17:20:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Shame of Kilo Company",　Page 20　 TIME, June 5, 2006

What led such proud and brave men of U.S.Marines to a horrible and shameful conduct of killing Iraqi civilians if it is revealed to be true?

War sometimes leads a man to madness, how he is well trained to be self-controlled with strict military discipline. If his company is killed in a life or death battlefield, anything could happen with his anger and madness. But that can never be an excuse to kill innocent children and women.

I strongly hope the US government as well as media unravel the truth of this incident to restore the prestige of US Marines and America itself if it still exists.

Bye Bye Birdies

2006-06-07T11:02:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Bye Bye Birdies",　Page 44　 TIME, May 29, 2006

How shocking it is to know the number of migratory birds was dropped sharply! I have never thought about a close relationship between migratory birds and global warming as you pointed out in your article.

We should not forget the fact that even the death of a single bird affected by global warming is closely linked to the fate of human beings since it could lead to the all-out deterioration of the ecosystem on which we heavily depend.

Rocky Relations

2006-05-14T13:34:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Rocky Relations",　Page 22　 TIME, May 8, 2006.

The hundred years’ war still continues between South Korea and Japan over the sovereignty of some tiny rocky islets in the Japan Sea. Your picture of a pair of South Korean police standing guard on the top of the islands clearly shows the strong Korean will to keep them as the established fact. On the Japan side, it seems that Prime Minister Koizumi pretends to have a wait-and-see attitude for not overly stimulating the Korean people.

As long as the islets have been closely connected to the sovereignty of two nations mixed with hatred and nationalism, only bilateral negotiation could not be successful in the foreseeable future. How unrealistic it might be seen for the time being, the only solution could be with a good mediator of the third country. We should only keep cool.

Between Two Worlds

2006-05-05T22:36:00.000+09:00

Between Two Worlds　Page 40　 TIME, May 1, 2006

Your article on a new generation of Asian-Americans gave us an inside look at how they have muddled through racial alienation and ethnic mockery during their school days and established a new Asian-American identity with diligence and high morality in the United States.

I do hope more and more young Asian-Americans respect of their Asian heritage and culture behind them and will serve as a driving force to reconcile themselves with non-ethnic people and work as a bridge between the United Sates and Asian countries now and in the near future.

Why Iraq Was a Mistake

2006-04-18T22:48:00.000+09:00

Why Iraq Was a Mistake　Page 30　 TIME, April 17, 2006

Retired Lieut. General Newbold is bold enough to choose your space to openly challenge the grave mistakes of Iraq War by Ramsfeld and other policymakers in the Pentagon and the White House. I am sure that he did it after great agony and pressure. He may be only one of many high-ranking generals in the US military operating in Iraq, but the important thing is that he was on the spot in Iraq and knew what was done over there. In that sense, Defense Secretary and his supporters should listen sincerely to those dissented to better handle the crippled operations in Iraq and to restore trust from all over the world.

GLOBAL WARMING

2006-04-07T05:08:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of "
GLOBAL WARMING" Page 24　 TIME, April 3, 2006

Only a picture, not detailed words of explanation happens to move people’s minds. Shocking enough was your picture of showing the very change between the huge glaciers in 1928 and a lake after retreated glaciers in 2004 in the South American Andes due to the grave effect of the global warming.
This picture eloquently warns that we have already come to the point of no return.

SEEDS OF FURY IN CHINA

2006-03-18T23:37:00.000+09:00

SEEDS OF FURY Page 22　 TIME, March 13, 2006

Your article,“Seeds of fury” reminds me of Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath which showed us the brutality of capitalism in the thirties against the poor farmers in the capitalist America. Why did Communist China fall victim to such a classic Capitalism’s plot by driving their own farmers into the corner? Market economy under communism seems to have brought to China both the bright side and the dark one. They are not demanding the huge sum of money given by Beijing, but only basic justice to protect their everyday life. Unless the Chinese government tell them the truth and correct their wrongdoings by corrupt burocracy in the rural areas immediately, things would go to the extremes for the worst.

Glory Days in Manila

2006-03-18T23:35:00.000+09:00

Glory Days Page 29　 TIME, February 27, 2006

As your article pointed out, the ousting of Marcus by Manila’s People Power twenty years ago has been the role model of democracy for many developing countries. But the Philippines is now in jeopardy not because democracy does not work but because President Arroyo is likely to seek for her own interests and forget about her country's dream to root out poverty spreading all across the country.

Drawing a Fine Line

2006-02-23T00:12:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on "Drawing a Fine Line" Page 22, TIME, Feb.20, 2006

As your article pointed out correctly, it is extremely hard to draw a fine line between free speech and hate speech when the religious belief is keenly different as the Muslims and the Christians. As long as Europeans insist on freedom of speech, the confrontation mounts in many parts of the world. There seems to be no panacea for calming the frustrated Muslims. Keep to have a dialogue with them or why not hiring the Japanese as the go-between? They could get credit from both sides and to resolve the conflict because the Japan’s belief of multitudinous gods accepts Muhammad and Jesus Christ if they stop staying on the sidelines now.

Living on the Edge

2006-02-03T05:07:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of " Living on the Edge" Page 22　 TIME, January 30, 2006

Fortunately the Livedoor case would not lead to a major setback in the Japanese economy in the short run because it is a matter of just one IT related company and its group ballooned by its stock price and its charismatic CEO and could be replaced by other giant IT enterprise such as Softbank soon.

What is at stake universally for this issue in the long run is that once a charismatic and smart top like Takafumi Horie runs the company, no one in the company including auditors and directors could stop his runaways even though he seems to go to the extremes in the market. Sound market mechanism could be established by sound corporate governance in the first place and powerful market watchdogs like SEC in the U.S. correcting the wrongdoings by such companies.

Double Jeopardy

2006-01-09T06:06:00.000+09:00

DOUBLE JEOPARDY Page 26　 TIME, January 9th, 2006

After reading your article, I strongly wondered why Mother Nature or God is so brutal to the poor people living in a remote area like Kashmir by giving them a big earthquake. No one knows the answer, but My Pakistani friend living in Japan, like Matt George, voluntarily headed to Kashmir to give a sigh of relief to survivors by supplying food and clothing bought there by our small donation without getting any answers from God .
His recent e-mail delivered from the devastated area suddenly realized me that he and other volunteers could finally give us an answer to that question someday because they are trying hard to narrow the gap between the poor nations and the rich ones and Mother Nature and human being. They are deserved to be remembered for ever.

STANDING TALL

2005-12-28T23:34:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of "STANDING TALL", Page66 TIME, December 26,2005

As your article keenly pointed out, it could be a great risk for Junichiro Koizumi and Japan to alienate China and South Korea for a long time by his continuing visits to the Yasukuni Shrine.
But we should not forget that many Japanese people chose his policies at the Upper House election, not only because he promised to break down the powerful bureaucracy such as the post office, but because he is the only prime minister who could say “No” to the leaders of China and South Korea about many taboos such as the Yasukuni issue laying between those countries and Japan. People support him deep in minds despite his stubbornness simply because he speaks for their inner voices.

Italy vs China - A Tale of Two Towns in the Chair market

2005-12-10T08:06:00.000+09:00

The fierce competition in the market economy shrinks the distance of real miles and minds of people between the two towns and cities as Manzano in Italy and Anji in China but widens the distance of minds of people there.

Who could imagine a decade ago that in the chair market, the once flourished town of good chairs exported around the world was suddenly replaced by the tiny unrenouned town of Anji taking over the once-dominant share by Manzano?

One important lesson from this episode is that this could happen everywhere including your workplace and your home town unless you go on trying hard to make better goods and services to your customers by keeping high motivation and innovation.

"Italy vs China" TIME, Page 34, December 5, 2005

Hollyhood's Asian Romance

2005-12-10T08:04:00.000+09:00

Your article on “SAYURI” gave me a whole picture of this amazing movie even though I have yet seen it.
Say,

“A fairly tale familiar to every culture: poor girl meets rich man of her dreams.”

“Memoirs of a Geisha is the Cinderella story.”

But your comment on the reason why the three main geishas are played by Chinese women was most striking as well as instructive to me and many Japanese. Namely, as you say, there’s a bald fact that is evident to anyone familiar with today’s East Asian films: China is rich in top actresses, and Japan isn’t.

Apart from my somewhat strange feeling of seeing Chinese geishas on the film, this collaboration led by the U.S. as a good mediator could break off the emotional frictions between China and Japan in other field as well.

"Hollywood's Asian Romance" TIME, Page 42, November 21, 2005

A Right Royal Makeover

2005-11-12T23:34:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of "A Right Royal Makeover " Page 36　 TIME, November 7, 2005

British royal family still has a big image problem solely due to Prince Charles’ unhappy past with Diana not only to the people in England but in the rest of the world. I am one of them who still have some doubts on him.

He will be happy to read your article showing his good image as a philanthropist who is leading more than 15 foundations raising big money and attracting ten of thousands of volunteers.

However, whether or not he can restore his image depends not on the official outings with a new wife Camilla arranged by his royal staff, but on his continuous and silent effort at home to contribute to those who have not with his strong passion and belief. Public relations by his staff could be easily found out and add minus images.

How to Kick the Oil Habit

2005-11-03T06:58:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the TIME article of "How to Kick the Oil Habbit" Page 26　 TIME, October 31, 2005

As you pointed out in your article, the hybrid cars of Honda and Toyota got a lot of attention from other carmakers such as GM and Mercedes-Benz in the Tokyo Motor Show because of the recent rise of oil price and they are desperately trying hard to find a technological breakthrough for their oil-conserving models.
The stakes are high for those carmakers because less fuel cars decides their survival from now on.
However, for the individuals in our society as a whole, it seems that nothing particular has changed in our energy exhausting habit as compared with the oil crisis in the seventies and eighties, mainly because we still lack crisis awareness deep in mind. As we have already lost an enormous lead time since then, we should prepare for the coming hardship caused by energy crisis and try everything needed to avoid it. Conservation is only the start for our firm determination.

Asia's Space Race

2005-10-19T23:18:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on theTIME article of "Asia’s Space Race" Page 20 TIME, October 17, 2005

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is simply in the wrong way. She should not follow Beijing’s kind of space program to take the priority of manned space flights.

Launching a manned space flight is the effective way for China to sir up Japan, enhance her national pride and develop it as military purposes as the third superpower following the U.S. and the Soviet Union. But the world carefully watches such behavior with little respect.

What’s at stake now for both China and Japan is the new and respected space mission for the 21st century with the clear political vision to save the endangered Earth, not to kill each other on earth.

2005-10-09T07:50:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the TIME article of "China’s Web Watchers" Page 27　 TIME, October 10, 2005

Beijing seems to be successful to tame the domestic users of the Internet by showing their determination to censor the political propaganda and online crimes. It is with good reason that they fear the free exchange of political ideas in the cyberspace could deteriorate the one party rule.

However, they should also know that the more strict the censorship becomes, the more chances of sudden blow-up of the suppressed political dissenters could arise in the future.

System Failure ---Lesson from "Katrina"

2005-09-19T21:43:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the TIME article of "4 Places Where the System Broke Down" Page 18　 TIME, September 19, 2005

The war game with terrorists made President Bush and his supporters forget about the rage of Mother Nature. In that sense, the four leaders of the federal and local governments should be to blame for not having coped with Katrina properly.

The important lesson derived from that government failure is that the priority of the US policies should be shifted from the war on terrorism to protecting thousands of people from unexpected megadisasters which are now increasing all over the world due to global warming.

Great natural disaster comes to us when we forget the last one. Government should never forget it.

Koizumi's War on Postal Reform

2005-09-11T09:47:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the TIME article of "Koizumi’s War " ( Page 48　TIME, September 12, 2005)

It should be noted that the upcoming parliamentary election in Japan will choose 480 members of the lower house and the governing party, not Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi himself even though he seems to lead the election by focusing on the single issue of Postal reform. Japanese people can not elect their Prime Minister under the parliamentary Cabinet system which is completely different from the President system in the U.S. elected directly by the people.

What matters most this time again is whether the Japanese people can eliminate the evils of the powerful bureaucracy that have been the long-time obstacles of the sound economy. The postal reform is only the breakthrough.

Power of Japanese Women

2005-08-27T08:39:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of "The WASTED ASSET", Page 34　 TIME, August 29, 2005

As theTIME article pointed out, I must admit that Japanese skilled women still have lesser opportunities to get an equal footing with men in the workplace. Especially, many politicians and business executives still seem to make light of gender equality due to the long tradition and culture of “male-dominated” society in Japan.

But I strongly believe that Japanese women will be able to find their new lifestyles as well as new jobs by themselves because they have proved that they are brighter than men in many fields. Another Tomoyo Nonaka or Yuka Tanimoto will appear and penetrate the old tradition of Japan.

Lack of Passion for Space Mission

2005-08-12T09:42:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Why NASA Can’t Get It Right" , Page 26　 TIME, August 8, 2005

The agonizing flight of Discovery this time clearly indicated the turning point for manned missions conducted by NASA, the only space institution that led a glorious space age in the past several decades.

Then, why NASA can’t get it right? It is not because of the aging space technologies and the lack of space budget, but of the passion by every NASA staff and the American people to change an impossible space mission for a possible one.

The only hope for NASA now is their plain openness to disclose all the data and apologize for their faults in the public.

60 Years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki

2005-07-31T22:14:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Living Under the Cloud" Page 30 TIME, August 1, 2005

I really appreciate that you picked up the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as your cover story to let people know the meaning of the atom bombs dropped by the B-29 on the innocent citizens sixty years ago.

Without knowing the facts and thoughts of survivors of two cities and the U.S.servicemen aboard the B-29s, many Americans tend to justify this atom bombardment because it ended the war and saved lives too. It is with good reason.

However, the question lies not on the past behaviors of both Japan and the U.S. but on the future commitment of preventing the use of atomic bombs as well as an unexpected disaster of meltdown or explosion of nuclear plants all over the world in order not to increase the number of the hibakusha in the future.　U.S. and Japan should take the initiative to do so by overcoming the past.

Because the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not the only hibakusha. So far, uncountable number of “the hibakusha” have suffered from the physical ailments and the psychic trauma caused by radiation, such as the downwind people in several US nuclear plants, Chernobyl nuclear plant and depleted uranium weapons.

Shocking Resemblence

2005-07-26T23:33:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Unraveling The Plot " Page 28　 Time, July 25, 2005

Shocking resemblance is seen between the four London bombers and the Aum Shinrikyo cult members who unleashed sarin in the subway of Tokyo almost ten years ago. They are both young and intelligent, look like ordinary citizens but have strong belief in sole radical religion.

As your article pointed out, it is hardly possible to find out these kinds of terrorists before they execute their suiside bombing because they show little or nothing on their records to raise suspicion.

The only way to stop them is not the force by authorities but the strong bond and love by their families.

Wolfowitz Shows His Commitment To Poverty

2005-07-05T05:39:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "The Other Side of Paul Wolfowitz " Page 50　 TIME, June 27, 2005

Your article on Paul Wolfowitz shows us how important a leader rushes to the scene first and takes the initiative to capture the minds of the subordinates. The scene on the spot was Africa where he found himself on the front line of the war on poverty.

Despite that many of the 8,000 staff in the huge and rigid bureaucracy of the World Bank are skeptical of Wolfowitz as a neocon leader, his quick move with warmth changed their minds from negative to positive as a man of realizing the mission almost impossible, namely reducing poverty in Africa.

I do hope that he devotes himself to the daunting task of changing the World Bank and forgets about his past behaviors as a neocon leader.

Nuclear Plants Can Never Be Safe Everywhere

2005-06-26T21:24:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Are These Towers Safe? " by TIME issued on June 20, 2005

It is quite surprising to know that only 80 guards per reactor on average are working to prevent convinced terrorists from intruding the nuclear plants all across the United States where the government and the citizens seem to be at the highest alert to the terrorist attack after 9/11 as compared with other countries.

The reinforcement and the increase of guards, however, cannot solve the problem because the vulnerability of nuclear plants lies not in the weakness of anti-terrorist hardware but in its uncontrollably huge and complicated system of containing dangerous radioactivity.

In this sense, the U.S. Federal government should not leave the grave task only to the regulators as NRC and DOE but should cooperate closely with all the government agencies like Pentagon, the local government, the power companies operating nuclear plants and local residents to lessen the danger of nuclear catastrophe caused by terrorists.

The megabomb by Mark Felt's appearance

2005-06-14T05:42:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on "Inside Watergate’s Last Chapter"( Page 17　 Time, June 13, 2005)

As you pointed out in your article, Mark Felt’s appearance as Deep Throat gave us important questions on his motivations and how valuable a source he really was.

If he was really the key man who influenced a lot over the course of driving President up the wall, it could be a coup d'etat with the dangerous alliance between the secret police and the journalism.

The only hope we have now is that time still remains for Mark Felt to tell us all about the truth, especially about his true motive to contact with Woodward.

China -Emerging power in Southeast Asia

2005-05-29T20:54:00.000+09:00

Below is my letter to Time magazine "Deals and Diplomacy Page 14　 Time, May 30, 2005"

As you pointed out in your article, whether we like it or not, China is becoming a dominant power to expand her influence over many Southeast Asian nations politically as well as economically.

What differentiates China from the United States in their use of power in Asia now is the presence of local ethnic Chinese and a strong thrust for natural and human resources to sustain their high rate of economic growth.

The game of power in the Southeast Asia has just begun between China and America. Asian people should always unite and be ready to say “No” if they find a slight of arrogance in their attitude.

20050530TimeCover

Xbox and Playstation-Another round starts

2005-05-22T07:00:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on TIME article of "Out of The X Box?"(Page 32　 TIME, May 23, 2005)

Your article on the Xbox tried to show us the new strategy of Bill Bates empire to gain the dominant share of home entertainment market over Sony. Yes, game players could feel the differences between the old Xbox and the new version on such points as the warm and friendly design, more realistic views and motions of game software and the machine concept by itself made in a more un-Microsoft way.

However, I still can find nothing revolutionary in and outside of the Xbox 360 if you compare it with the debut of Windows series or Steve Job’s i-Pod. At this moment, neither can Sony nor Nintendo.

If Bill Gates really wants to conquer the living rooms of the computer users all around the world, something new and great is needed to fully destroy the old image of Microsoft as Windows for business and to attract people’s appetite to play when the entertainment giant Sony is resting her laurels.

The Key to Contain Epidemic

2005-05-15T08:43:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the Time article of "Polio’s Back. Why Now? "( Page 42　 Time, May 16, 2005)

Your article on Polio reminds me of the past experiences of other famous contagious diseases such as AIDS, mad core disease and bird flu and knocked me on the head because the people’s fear of vaccines gave polio a chance to revive despite that it was almost eradicated everywhere.

Since the recent spread of polio is seen mainly in the developing countries of Africa and Asia, the people’s attention as well as the chance of this epidemic in the developed countries seems to be very low.

However, the key to contain these infectious diseases depends not only on the advanced medical technology but on the education by the developed world not to spread the rumor and the fear in the developing countries.

20050516TimeCover

Sharper Focus by Sharp

2005-05-08T08:52:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of Time magazine "A Sharper Focus"( Page 36　 Time, May 9, 2005)

With the existence of the Japan-born multinational electronics giants like Sony and Matsushita, Sharp has not attracted world’s attention so much for a long time. Thanks to their potential of inventing new “one-of-a-kind” products such as their LCD TV “Aquos” and the new-concept oven “Healsio”, however, they are emerging as the “small giant” that has the competitive edge over other mammoth rivals.

Whether they keep the moment of prime time in the electronics jungle depends largely on their sincere attitude to go on listening to the sharper and more severe voices of the Japanese consumers seeking for gentler and more convenient products before expanding their fields globally.

20050509Time-SharperFocus

Toyota's Challenge

2005-05-03T07:30:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of "The New Dude on the Road Page 41　 Time, May 2, 2005"

For Toyota, it is not the gamble but the game they will have a good chance of winning to conquer the U.S. truck market. With high-performance and competitive price, their pickups could attract American consumers’ attention despite their patriotic shopping habbits.

However, if Toyota swept the board in the whole U.S. car market by defeating GM, the risk of prevailing anti-Japanese sentiment would be high as we experienced in the trade friction of the late eighties. I don’t want that happen as a fan for both Toyota and GM.

Days of Rage in China

2005-04-23T15:29:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Days of Rage Page 14　 Time, April 25, 2005"

As you pointed out in your cover story, the power struggle between Beijing and Tokyo to gain the dominance in Asia lies behind the scenes and the initial symbolic issue is Japan’s bid to join an expanded United Nations Security Council. To my relief, however, the issue will not balloon quickly because majority of the Japanese young and old seem to be relatively calm and quiet despite that they are exchanging their good and bad feelings about China on the web as well as in the pubs and snack bars every day and night.
To avoid further tensions, both China and Japan should respect each other as an indispensable neighbor and should not forget that the every step and word is always witnessed by other Asian people and the world.

How to cope with the hatreds to the Japanese

2005-04-18T23:55:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the "Time" article of "Smoldering Hatreds Page 28　 Time, April 18, 2005"

Since the communication gap has been deep-rooted, we cannot find panacea for settling down the rising hatreds in the minds of the Chinese and the Korean people.
What the Japanese should do most is to make all the efforts with persistent endurance to show them the future vision and principle not as an economic giant but as a reliable partner in the neighboring region before trying to gain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council until they understand it fully.

We should also bear in mind that nationalistic reactions against those neighboring countries could only damage our own security and prosperity now and in the future.

After the Tsunami

2005-04-10T08:34:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the "Time" article of "After the Tsunami Page 16　 Time, April 4, 2005".

Your special report on the people in Asia after the Tsunami tells us how important the media continues to attract world attention to the people and their lives devastated by natural disasters because so many red tape and corruption exist in the process of spending the aid to them.
We are apt to forget the past happenings even though they were tragic and massive. Especially when something enormous happened in your neighbors. Honestly, I almost forgot the Tsunami in Asia because I was terrified by the big earthquake registered 7.0 on the Richter scale in my home town Fukuoka on March 20 with more than 700 people injured and 1000 houses damaged.

Difference of my original letter and the adopted one

2005-04-10T06:22:00.000+09:00

As received from the Time magazine, I found my letter to the editor in the "Letters" section of Time on April 11. That was my second letter when I restarted to send my opinion to Time magazine for the first time in nine years. Please find the defference between my original letter and the adopted one.

1. My original letter to the article "The End of Poverty" Page 32 of Time, March 14,2005

Your article of the poverty in Africa knocked me on the head because of the nature of this tragedy.The sudden natural disasters like an earthquake off Sumatra and the following massive tsunami could mobilize a large number of people and money for a short period of time. On the contrary, a slow but a massive wave of poverty and death in Africa is often very difficult to attract world’s attention. We should not count the number of the dead like eight million each year in Africa and 290,000 off Sumatra when we try to do something good for the people devastated by those disasters. The life of one person weighs the heaviest for his family and those who loved him/her. I myself can’t do anything for the African people but try to support Jeffery D. Sachs’ efforts for them.

Time on April 11,2005

2. Adopted one by the Time magazine on April 11, 2005

Extreme poverty is so tragic. Sudden natural disasters like a tsunami mobilize a large number of people and money for a short period of time, while the slow but massive wave of poverty and death in Africa doesn't attract world's attention in the same way. When we try to help those affected by disasters and extreme poverty, however, we shouldn't focus on the overwhelming number of the dead but simply try to do something good for others.

Expectation for Japanese "Maria Curie"

2005-04-02T07:28:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on your article of " The Math Myth Page 55　 Time, March 28, 2005".

Aside from the fundamental differences of brain structures between men and women, I do believe the real social needs could dramatically ignite the emergence of a few more female geniuses in the scientific fields.
Japan now faces a deadlock not only in its dragged economy but in its scientific accomplishments that is vital to our survival partly because the men-oriented society has long confined a large majority of women to their homes for housework even though they have superb mathematical or scientific ability.
Now that the real social needs exist in our country, people’s expectation becomes high that Japanese “Maria Curie” not “Einstein” will appear soon to save us.

The difficult path to revive Sony Corp.

2005-03-20T17:47:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the article of "Out of the Shadows Page 18 Time, March 21, 2005".

Howard Stringer might be a capable and brilliant CEO. But it is a wishful thinking for Sony that he could solve the core of the problems she faces now.

The point is that the future of Sony Corp. depends not on the appointment of a foreign boss but on whether all of her directors and employees could regain the spirit of craftsmanship that Mr.Morita, the founder of this global enterprise, had the other day enthusiastically to satisfy his cool customers as well as his strong curiosity to technology.

I believe they can have a chance to revive the company because the sound of “Sony” is still alive in the hearts of many customers as the symbol of superb Japanese technological gadgets.

How to end poverty

2005-03-13T22:06:00.000+09:00

Below is my comment on the aritcle "The End of Poverty" of Time magazine, March 14, 2005

Your article about the poverty in Africa knocked me on the head because of the nature of this tragedy.

The sudden natural disasters like an earthquake off Sumatra and the following massive tsunami could mobilize a large number of people and money for a short period of time. On the contrary, a slow but a massive wave of poverty and death in Africa is often very difficult to attract world’s attention.

We should not count the number of the dead like eight million each year in Africa and 290,000 off Sumatra when we try to do something good for the people devastated by those disasters. The life of one person weighs the heaviest for his family and those who loved him/her.

I myself can’t do anything for the African people but try to support Jeffery D. Sachs’ efforts for them.

Emerging as non-neglect existence

2005-03-12T17:05:00.000+09:00

My comment on the article "Power to the Center" of Time magazine reported by Nicle Qu and Jodi Xu on March 14, 2005.

Whether you like it or not, China is increasingly emerging as the biggest testsite of the power game between a handful of leaders and people, politics and economy, urban and rural and harmony and unrest for the rest of Asia and the world.

Time article