October 2009 Archives

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on Oct 8, 2009)

A well known American retailing website "Amazon.com" announced on 7^th that from now on the Kindle Electronic book which was sale only in USA will now on sale in 100 countries all over the world, including Japan. Even though, there is still no program support Japanese language, it　subscripted by Western principle newspaper, and seems to be popular in Japan.

In Amazon website has started reservation on the same day. It cost 279 dollars. (around 25,000 yen) excluded the shipping fee. It will be start shipping from October 19^th.

The electronic box can read New York Times and others newspaper of USA. For Japan, Mainichi newspaper can be read only in English version.  Download system of Electronic box will be through the wire of cell phone for FREE. Furthermore, it can save 1500 books with the 6 inches screen.

Comment:  I'm so surprised in new technology these days. This is might be good news for businessman, but I don't know whether it is good news for the newspaper delivery people or not. However, I am still looking forward to seeing the next technology.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on September 22, 2009)

"Mejiron" was born to be a mascot of the 63^rd National Sport Festival and the 8^th National Sport Festival for disabled held at Oita in September and October, 2008. It is well known and beloved by the people of Oita. However, there seems to be a cloud hanging over the popularity of it which maybe because its boom has passed for long. Here is a story of the 1^st anniversary of Mejiron.

After the two National Sport Festivals finished, Majiron was switched its duty from the PR of the events to the "Chou (meaning bird)", a part of Oita supporting team. Whenever there is a sport event at school, a cultural event, or other kinds of sport event at inside or outside Oita prefecture, Mejiron serves its responsibility to cheer up. According to the public relation center of Oita, 12 Mejiron dresses are under the care of the office with the high popularity thus there are many times when dresses are fully reserved during weekends.

"Mejiron Dance", which was created since the mentioned National Sport Festivals, is still danced by children at nursery schools and the children love to do it, too.

Those mentioned sound like Majiron is still popular but actually he is not that. We can rarely find him at shops in towns now since many shopkeepers decided not to keep him at the shops after the events done. Referring to sales through the internet of a company called "Itodanemu" which has approximately 100 types of Majiron goods,"we are still selling them currently but from 20,000,000 yen sales before, it became just only 100,000 yen per month. The orders come from outside more than inside of Oita" said the company. 

Comment: As I wrote before, I have participated in the opening ceremonies of the both events thus I knew Mejiron since he was born. Even though I didn't do the Majiron dance but I think he is cute and has become a symbol of Oita in the view of people from other prefectures. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep him alive for people to forever remind the days of the National Sport Festivals in Oita as well as Oita prefecture itself , but that needs the support from Oita residents first.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on September 11, 2009)

The number of more than 100 year old elderly from over Japan has reached 40,399 people on the 15^th of September. First known that the number has hit 40,000 was when the ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare finished a survey on September 11^th, "the day of respect to the elderly".

This year's statistics is 4,123 people more than last year's, which makes the expansion entered its 39^th year continuously.   Both male and female have been increasing in numbers and reached the highest point of the history. However, females occupy the bigger ratio of 86.5% of all elderly.

Males augment 5,447 people continuously during 29 year long period (384 people increase from last year) while females augment 34,952 people continuously in 39 year long period (3,739 people increase from last year).

The highest age is owned by a female elderly from Okinawa, 114 years old. For the highest age of males, it is 112 years old owned by Mr.Kimurajirou from Kyoto. Regarding Oita prefecture, there are 461 elderly who are more than 100 years old (69 males and 392 females).

Comment: Oh my god!!! Japan has so many healthy people who can live long. Maybe here is the most in the world, I am not sure. However, I think it is because Japanese people eat healthy food (fish and vegetables) and do the exercise such as walking regularly. It is good to have your parents and grandparents with you as long as possible but I know Japan has a problem of too few children. And if they successfully increase the number of children, Japan's population must be... (*O*)...

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

 2 people died, 44 injuries

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on Oct 8, 2009)

Typhoon no.18 landed Chita Peninsula, Aichi Prefecture on 8^th around 5.00am. After that even it got weaker but still has a huge power with more than 25metre of storm level and then move to northward, expected it will be around Hokkaido in the early dawn of 9^th.

It is been 2 years since the last Typhoon no.9, landed Japan in September 2007. In Wakayama Prefecture, the newspaper delivery Mini-bike was found in an overturn position, the rider man was dead. In Saitama, a guy died by a branch of tree that blew by the power of the storm hitting around his stomach. There have been several injuries founded in many places.

At 8^th 11.00 am. The typhoon is now at Gunma prefecture with the speed 50 kilometers moving to northeast. The biggest moment of typhoon is 45 meters.

Comment:  Such a bad news for the many countries. However, it is a fact that we can not avoid the natural disaster. We can only protect and keep the destruction at the least level by trying to not go out and being under the reliable and well-built place.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on Oct 8, 2009)

Starting broadcast this 9^th on Fuji Television Channel (TOS) Friday Play Stage "Team Batista: Episode2 the silence of Nightingale" 21:00~, Yamada Yuu is starring as a nurse for the first time.

Team Batista is a medical treatment drama, also has a scent of mystery inside. It is base on the best-selling novel and became first on drama series September last year, Batista no Eiko. This episode is a special episode from that drama. The bumbling duo Kato and Nakamura come over with the new riddle.

With 169 cm. height in a completely white dress of Yamada Yuu said "Unexpected Suit". She is starring as a nurse who holds the key of the story this time. She said "dressing like this and shooting in the real hospital made lots of patients misunderstood her as a real nurse".

Comment:  I watched the last year's one. It is really interesting drama. Not only entertaining but also reflects lots of issue these days. Furthermore, it shows you the things you will never see if you are not sick; the operation scenes, etc. I've never seen any drama like this in Thailand before and I really wish there is such this kind of drama one.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                   

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on Oct 8, 2009)

Tsukumi city- There is going to hold a cleaning volunteer meeting on this 25^th October from 9 am. until noon at Youra Peninsula, a popular fishing spot. The people who interested just come with the work gloves and trash claws gathering at Sensui Fishing Centre.

This time is the 7^th time of the cleaning volunteer activity. Every times around 100 people participates this program.

 In case if the weather is bad on that day, it will be postponed to the 1^st November. Any questions are welcome at 0972-82-8277

Comment:  This is the good chance to not only clean up and preserve the hometown natural resources, but also to meet up new people and share the experiences. Moreover, I think it is very suit for family to go there. The parents can teach their children natural biology and at the same time the kids can enjoy and be near the nature.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on Oct 8, 2009)

Sceptre is a long and narrow board originally handed down from China. It was made as a reminder to remind the bereaved family by the posted paper behind the board which written about the program of ceremony of one's family.

The tuft sceptre is going to be used only when making a justice or the things involved the dignity.   Originally, the way of reading this kanji笏is "Kotsu", however, in Japanese it can be associate to the bone which inauspicious. So they called "Shaku" instead.

In the past, there were many little specifications about the use of material and the shape in order to make the sceptre. The name "tuft sceptre family" is derived from the feature of the board that tuft is attached with. Actually, the original tuft that post with the sceptre was a bag. The tuft sceptre can be found a lot in Oita prefecture.

Comment:  I tried to imagine the feature of the tuft sceptre. I'm not sure is it the same one with the one I've seen the historical period Chinese movie or not since this is derived from China. The new said that it can be found in Oita, so any Oitian is here who can show me the sceptre???

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun