Oita Godo Newspaper (February 10, 2009)

 (Lhasa 10th collaboration) Chinese Tibet local self autonomy, since the last year in March the large scale outbreak amongst citizen has been become one year of memorandum within one month later. The communicating collaboration had included Asia and Europe's media 11 reporters from 8 places, then according to the Chinese government's arrangement they became a part of Lhasa. After the rebellion situations that turned Buddhism in Tibet became locked down, one temple that was influenced by this situation named jyokan, at this place; from the collecting data the monk explained that ' At the Buddhist temple everyone (in accordance to after the control of rebellions) there's no restraint for Buddhist monks left.        

Although the temple circumstance may not seems as a form of armed police, but there is no place that information is approved for security. The great numbers of foreign media also reported about Lhasa, last year May, it was an Olympic Torch at Beijing that had relayed.

This year also the 50th year anniversary since in 1959 March of the disturbance in Tibet, Chinese government said to international media that they aim to establish the improvement and set up stability for the citizen as appeal.

Comment; I think China should have international relations policy to strengthen a relationship between China and Tibet. The politic issue now becomes important in many countries, particular Asian regions nowadays. I think it would be better if everyone learn to know more about peace and love each other like the way they love themselves. The medias also play a big role on political, people and media should conduct a balance power, medias should express a real news not take benefit on others and the people should have more consideration to distinguish between the truth and lie.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 9, 2009)

 On the stage, the kids were singing the song = eight days before, at Oita Cultural Meeting Hall 'the congratulation entry to the school ceremony' (Oita Godo newspaper as a sponsor organization, Shogakukan publishing, cooperated with The Japan Child education Encouragement Foundation) which held at the Meeting Hall on 8th. Inside the prefecture, in spring, there will be an entry for elementary school students, the guardians around 1,800 people participated the officers. The officers matching band 'Anwa Inn Blue Bazz) opned a ceremony with a music performance. Tsuru primary school in Oita, 1st year students Kurogawa Tetsuya and Mitsumoto Saki said, 'in the primary school there are lots of fun activities such as studying and playing with friends. Everyone comes to the school and enjoys it', this is the welcome message from kids.

At the Primary school's principal meeting, Ueki Yoshinori as a president (of Tsuru primary school) advised to the students that, 'sleep early and come to say good morning then let's play together'.

 The children are on the stage there were a music chorus from them (if we become the 1st year students) and (Mejiron dance). The prefecture transportantion security association, the communicating guidance staff from Oita central branch also performed a stuff dolled drama play on the title of 'traffic safety', including films and other enjoyments.

Comment; I also have this kind of ceremony in my country but it is totally different from Japan. And I've never experience a ceremony when I attend primary school too, so I think it sounds great. It support students to love their school and the relationship between parents and children become better, they could meet the parents of the children friends and learn how other guardians grow the kids, contact each other when the kids have problems also. The coordination from the social institution is good, promoting the safety way about 'traffic wish my country could create and practice this someday.  

 PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 7, 2009)

According to the prefecture and prefecture education committee, acknowledge the fascination of prefecture's local economic and social industry in a form of a reading book for school students as it aims to manufacture as supplementary reading book. The fifth-year students (approximately 11,200 students) and the teachers in charge also give a distribution, the coordination between the social public such as put the content from the book as a lesson in the teaching material in a school, which is very useful.  The supplementary book's title is 'Discovery Oita' (A4 printed, 46 pages). This was begun around 1 year before; first created from a bureaucratic purpose within a team of 19 young staffs gathered to achieve the project. And the data collected from a local scale pointed out from the original that the enterprise has picked up this project to comply with 125 companies in the prefecture.

The main character, 'Tsubasa - kun', the book started by a scene of a little boy who has just attended school, including student livelihood, student social life inspection as one aspect and it's interested by many students so the company publishing has to hold the story. The prefecture has promoted to get more interest, and they are looking for promoting to get an interest and a new ship building company to deliver their goods. This will be held as a sub seminar and a self-automobile industry, as they are paining to develop as a SME company provides those reading materials to others at a large scale.

Comments; This would be a good opportunity for a staffs in the local scale to develop their hometown by giving knowledge and practice the children since they are still young to learn, the coordination between the social public and bureau can help to accomplish the project easier and measurable. And to support the human resource within local area to be more active, know how to enlarge the business or industry at global scale also.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 7, 2009)

Shuuki, Oita prefecture, drive through the national high way from number 197 until Saga gate way the same way lead to the damn, there's a way for cars. You can notice that there's a roof. That place is surrounded by 14 goats, which are taking their times and having fun. They are easy to get close to, they have curiosity in human; people's pockets. They have already gathered around us suddenly we got off the car. Their attitude seemed to be like 'come and play with us' such kind of invitation for guests. They used the pink noses skinship. They camera's lenses looked like it became a port to attract them. 'The growth to adulthood is so interesting', shepherd's Mr. Kimura (60 years), the same place we came to Saga gate way.

 He started keeping the goats since in the year 2005, he has feed, and cut the fur for them, and absolutely that also pours the love every time. 'The eyes look so kind right? It was healing. If the number goes up more, then I would need more people to feed them, he said while stroking the goat's head smoothly. For goats, the season to give a birth for them will come soon, in spring; we can see lots of cute baby goats to make Mr. Kimura and neighboring people feel glad.

Comment; I also the one who love animals, goats are lovely and easy to get close, they are kind animal. I used to dream that one day I could really touch them, the fur looks so attractive for me, white and soft to your hands.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 7, 2009)

At Oita University on 6th afternoon, according to the global deteriorate condition facing now and the effect from high valued exchange in yen, as a consequence the amount of remittance has decreased and livelihood for overseas students become difficult to handle with, then rice has become a present for them. USA said that the guardian of Japanese students donated the rice around 100 kilograms for 'overseas students who are in trouble', the contribution from the University's staffs 213 kilograms. The students were waiting hopefully; Chinese, Korean, Malaysian and so on from 9 countries, 411 students will be given the rice 3 kilograms per person. At last, the students had written on the paper for guardians that donated rice for them with the feeling of thanks, which was conveyed from them.

The deteriorate effects and high valued exchange in yen, the overseas students who rely on the allowance, this has produced a direct hit to them. The Korean short term exchange student, Chang Shee Jae (22 years), according to her report, high valued in yen but less valued in won approximately 4 % lower, 'a cost for eating outside has become cheaper, and the rice can help a lot', she said. Oita University has overseas students from 21 countries 171 students (calculated from February until nowadays). Most of them are staying in University's dorm spending livelihood and cooking by themselves.  Another similar big issue is the investigation to establish the policy for supporting those overseas students.

Comment; the financial crisis has affected around the world, not only Japan. But as I'm also one of overseas students here, I would like to say that the policy to support the international students should be implemented as soon as possible, there are lots of students who are in trouble; their parents loan money from the back and sent them to be higher educated in Japan, but those students still have to help parents by doing part time job. So, I think there should be some policies launched to support their living standards particular, students from India, Bangladesh, Sir Lanka, and South Africans.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 7, 2009)

'Eco Vegetables' its value is at the same level at common goods. The panel and seal are matching introduced at Oita Minaharu Co - op. A cooperative Co - op Oita (headquarter, Oita prefecture) has handled the kitchen garbage from the store then transformed to be a fertilizer. They use this composting stuff in a cultivated process of agricultural production, and sale it, this is the way of tackling by using 'Food stuff recycle'. It has begun to comply 'vegetable circulation model' with many stores. Hereafter, while they get to understand agriculturalists and consumers, they can enlarge the manufacture also.

 According to Co-op Oita, the kitchen waste (backlog's perishable goods, fishes) will be passed put into a process of waste disposal by the traders. In order to prevent confusion amongst all the shops, they will separate garbage from each. They have considered about the security of separation, for example, they use a plastic pouch for perishable food.  Nowadays there are five types of vegetable have been involved with this project, strawberry, cucumber, Chinese cabbage and so on. The industrial factories have included waste disposal management in the system; one of them is 'Oasis Japan' (Oita prefecture), which is collaborating with other factories in the city.

Comment; I think we can also help them by separate the garbage before we throw it and it kind of burden for whom has taken the responsibility of this. Since I came to Japan I also started to learn how to divide many types of garbage and get to know that it give more advantages than I thought before. Many people always feel that rubbish is disgusting and leave it to the next person, but actually we could make benefit from them surprisingly.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 7, 2009)

At a Youth Support Station, Oita region, the career counselor talked to a neat guy, as there's the participation forum invited both guardian and youth. Youth who do not have jobs, and have not finished the school, to be called 'neat'; therefore, this forum considers about a comfortable career environment where they can work easily and created 'support station forum' has established on 21^st since then.

The open ceremony held at Oita prefecture livelihood expenditure and youth planning plaza (Iness). In order to organize, Oita youth support station had invited guardian and neat to participate, and request them to come, ' to make the turning point of advancement before they take the next step on life' with no charge.  In 2005, the citizenship survey showed that, the domestic neat population is around 3,692 people.

Oita support station, ' bullying, not attend the school, company life, the lack of cooperation and so on, there are infinite reasons to become a neat but, they also pointed out that lots of youth think 'it should not be left away'. At the forum, NPO as a juridical person to support and tackle with problem as an aim of 'raising education' net, Tokyo metropolis contact Mr. Imura Ryoei, the division of supporting actual work for youth, head office. And Mr. Doi Toshikatsu is in the position of employment obstacle that knows many details of business mate very well can give the advice for this purpose.

Comment; I think it's really nice precautionary and not to leave those people become homeless people in the future. If compare with my country, Japan has more potential to achieve and create effective human resources in order to develop country. To provide them jobs, which have less stress and good environment for them, should be the best ways to bring those people realize the value of their life and reach the goal that they expect.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 6, 2009)

Kunisaki senior high school 1st year students around 13 people has organized a household club, contributes a public acknowledgement to a public through positive volunteer activities, as they acquired 'the 12th volunteer spirit prize (award)' judged from the whole country (national). 'We didn't think that our activities will be evaluated to be a winner' and all members are feeling with pleasure.

This prize is held for youth people who practice and know about public environments volunteers' activities positively to participate since it was established in 1997. The school applied as same as the other schools of entire country around 1900 schools, and then 10 of all were selected for the superior reward winning prize from the whole country.

The household club was established in 2008, May, the pupil of the whole school aim to spread the activities; they are planning to develop a '1000 people volunteer project' as a marathon rally charity, they also participated in many events held around Oita, as a national scale. To visit the aged house, cooperated to the local areas and created them to make a native cooking and result in a manufacture named 'Kunisaki Dream Box Lunch' these are some examples to extend their ideas and activities that have evaluated from everyone. 

Comment; I can't believe that the youth people can create such a nice activity like this, I'm sure that in the future they will be good adults and do for the community. The supporting people such as guardian, teachers, or social institutions' coordination also significant, the club would not be succeeded and won a winning prize if there's no adult who knows and understands what they want to do, what is the aim of the club. It reflects that they have a strong communication within the community that everyone supports them to reach the goal.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (February 5, 2009)

Oita in many aspects today will introduce 'Oita studies', a well - known university in Oita, Beppu University, Tsujino Kou; the lecturer (70 years) from 'Oita University 2 - Oita, the fascinate German' (published at Meiseki book shop). Three months left for the retirement being a professor. With the passion for Oita, so, he wants citizens to read his book as a request. 'Oita 2' is the name of Gohe organization. Which is the place aims to keep Oita's historical and cultural value. During the age of war the live activity in Oodomo household was in decline, his introduction starts from the Japanese feudal lord, Kazuma, he influenced the governing division in to a small segment separated from each other, and the aspects that have appeared in a history.

Tsuchino professor is from Kagawa prefecture - home town, graduated from Kyoto Arts Modeling University, teaching experience at Japan Bunri University (Oita), taught the same subject. During the time at Bunri University he started teaching 'Oita studies', opened as a lecture, further more, he has already launched books which have 4 volumes. For more than 40 years passed by until nowadays, Tsuchino professor as a living scholar will separate from this career soon, but after that he'll be staying in Oita and still wants open lecture. Tsuchino's message, 'from now on I will put my effort on the studies of Oita'. 

Comment; I wish I could attend this lecture but he's already finished. I'm interested in Japanese history and I think that Japanese young people nowadays, I mean from my point of view, they should be more active to keep this national treasure. There are not many people who can create a lecture like Tsuchino professor I guess. And that  means he has something special and a good basis of historical knowledge and also the skill to acknowledge to other people to see the same way he sees.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (January 31, 2009)

Higo the old highway that has been existed in Notsuharu district, Oita, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)'s students with a fascinate idea of the creation. Young students' brilliant point of view and the expression to authorized local people was well done.  Notsuharu district as a name reading has been a center of commercial industry, around that area there's a Higo highway that was build to promote a sight seeing. In this current year, Higo highway will be developed for a new project 'Higo highway location restoration industry'. Notsuharu and Imaichi, which located in the city, will be conducted with cooking revival as a goal. Besides, as they attempt to accomplish the project, APU is seeking for a suggestion, leadership, and support to deal with it.

From the report meeting, at Ichiya Tsuhara branch office, there are around 60 citizens participated and made a livelihood proposal by, Koumasayoshi Shun (historical geography) was a leader for students who take ' sight seeing practice seminar lecture' around 17 students. Last year, December there was walking trip for 2 days on a highway, so just heard from the local citizens what they want it to be then put in a practice to better this old highway.  Ms. Ikebe Takako (63 years); self - employment, has enthusiasm in APU student's project 'their ideas are really brand new'. As the local personnel will be the same, it would be a good encouragement for the prefecture. 

Comment; I think it sounds like OTOP in Thailand, which actually it has developed form Japan. The student also came up with interesting ideas to unify the livelihood, the relationship in local areas, not only studying in the class but also acknowledge those they have learned to make a benefit to public, social. I hope that it would be more people who can think like that someday, nowadays there're many people want to take advantage from each other nobody thinks give advantage to other people. This would be a new idea that motivates some students to launch more development plan to help people in their community have a better living standard.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

(Oita Godo Newspaper, February 2nd 2009, evening paper page 5)

As the President of United States of America, President Obama has to deal with difficult tasks immediately. During the war in Iraq, many people died and were injured, while the relationship between the United States of America and Iraq did not get better. Meanwhile, the current global crisis which started in the United States became worse. Throughout the world, there are a lot of people who are suffering from war and poverty. Since currently the United States is still playing a leading role in the world, President Obama has to take actions in order to eliminate war and poverty in the world.

In his speech in inauguration ceremony, President Obama said that "We are now in the middle of crisis. From today onwards, let us regain our enthusiasm and take up responsibilities to revive America".

During election, the word "reformation" (the process of changing something and replacing it with something new), in other words "change" has captured people's hearts. We are wondering whether the United States of America can lead the change in the world.

Comment: President Obama is a man with a strong vision to save the world from crisis and he has a good leadership skill. However, it is not fair if people demand evident changes in the world and put all the responsibilities on him alone. Each of us have to set a new paradigm, and be aligned with one another, so that we are ready to make the world a better place to live. We do not have to start by initiating demonstrations like many people who want to appear on television usually do, but we can simply start from ourselves, by just growing to be a better person, actualizing our talents in all the works that we do every day, while cultivating a heart that yearns to make the world a better place each day.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama

Indonesia

APM2, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

(Oita Godo Newspaper, November 4^th 2008, morning paper)

In order to support small-medium enterprises, which develop new products by utilizing the natural resources in Oita area, an organization to promote the creation of products in the prefecture, namely Kensansouzoukiko, was established (the foundation to utilize Oita's natural resources for the purpose of city revival) and the first aim to support enterprises was concluded. About 12 or 13 items were selected to be the first products which would be used in the product development activities. In the future, within one or two years these "competitive products" would be improved and polished, so as to bring out benefits to the prosperity to the enterprises and the prefecture.

In the product development projects involving the industry-university cooperation, TLO Oita (in Oita City) had selected two items and strived to develop a health drink by making use of kabosu and herbs. In the product development involving only industry, by utilizing the surplus of agricultural products such as gingko nuts and chestnuts to develop products Kitsuki City was working towards the improvement of the city. In the product development projects involving the cooperation of industries, Hita City managed to make use of pears to develop liqueur.

To promote the development of products by through the utilization of natural resources in an area, a law had been planned and decided. Forty-seven resources including tourism resources like iron-related products hot springs houses which look like samurai's houses would become the focus.

According to Kensansouzoukiko, "the products related to food have been developed relatively easily, but in the future there is a need to develop other fields as well".

The organization also made donations to the financial institutions in the prefecture (900,000,000 yen) and the country (4,000,000,000 yen) and the total donation was 5,000,000,000 yen. After the ten years of operation period, an operating profit of 70,000,000 yen is anticipated.

Comments: The utilization of natural resources to develop unique products in the prefecture is indeed an important part of the economy of the prefecture. In Oita prefecture, there have been a wide range of activities relating to social entrepreneurships by making full use of the resources available and considering citizens' needs. There have also been projects involving university students and I really think that this is a mutual, win-win cooperation, as both the citizens and students gain benefits. I look forward to the involvement of international students in the local projects to develop local products, and I truly hope that we can learn from the experiences and apply the knowledge and skills that we have gained to revive the economies of our own cities.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama

Indonesia

APM2, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

(Oita Godo Newspaper, January 15^th 2009, morning page 3)

The nuances of orange and brown colour in the interior have enhanced the chic atmosphere of this chocolate specialty shop, which enlivens the taste of the eight types of chocolate in the shop. "The taste of the chocolate matches Sake, so this chocolate will also appeal to those gentlemen who do not really like sweets", said the Mr. Maki Koji, the owner of the shop.

The most famous one, "Fuku", is made of bitter chocolate with a tinge of sweet taste and is sold at 500 yen, in a box which consists of nine small chocolates. The chocolate will meet inside the mouth, and the original taste of the chocolate will spread. "Cheese", a truffle made of cheese mixed with blueberries and strawberries, is sold at 500 yen, 5 truffles in a box. This rich-flavoured truffle seems to match with champagne.

Some other chocolate with lovely wrappings are suitable to be exchanged as gifts to friends and relatives. The refreshing taste of mint combined with white chocolate , produces a delicious "Mint". There are six more types of chocolate, namely "Salt", "Caramel Almond", which is made of roasted almond with caramel, "Pistacio", "Coffee", "Banana Chip", and each chocolate costs 280 yen. On Valentine's Day, the high-quality "Donberi Chocolate" was sold in limited edition.

Comment: Chocolate, which was discovered over 3000 years ago, has become integral to the lives of many people in the world. Nowadays, chocolate has become one of the most popular flavours in the world and developed into many varieties. Chocolate has also become a common ingredient in many snacks and deserts. Besides, chocolate has been molded into various shapes and become a part of the traditions on certain important days, like Easter, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. While usually chocolate is regularly eaten for pleasure, there are also potential beneficial health effects of eating chocolate. For example, cocoa and dark chocolate are said to enhance the circulatory system of the body and are even suggested to have anticancer and antidiarrhoeal effects.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama

Indonesia

APM2, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University