December 2009 Archives
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 15, 2009 11:16)
The mayor Masayoshi Shimizu of Ota city and the mayor Yasutomo Suzuki of Hamamatsu city, Gunma prefecture met Masaharu Nakagawa, Vice Minister of Ministry of Education, on 15th to hand in a proposal seeking for the urgent establishment of "Foreign Office" in order to mandate foreign-related measures after "The City Conference of Foreign Collective Living" held at 7 prefectures and 28 cities where there were many Japanese-Brazilian residents.
The proposal points out that there becomes a necessary to have the measure to treat foreigners as salaries persons since the number of foreigners who lost their jobs due to the economic crisis in Japan is very large. Other than Foreign Office, in order to enhance the educational environment for foreign children, it is mandatory to seek for financial assistance to enter public schools and to do job hunting.
"The City Conference of Foreign Collective Living" is aiming to coexist with the local foreign residents, exchange information and solve common problems. It was established in 2001. The proposal submitted this time was the agreement the regular meeting held at Ota City in late August.
Comment: Oh, Japanese people are so generous to foreigners. Thank you so much. I myself have been living here for about 4 years, I know it well. In response, I behave as a good resident of Japan, too.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 17, 2009 13:49)
Saga prefectural Takeo police station arrested unemployed Onoe Ayako (27) living in Omura city, Nagasaki, on 17th on suspicion of cosmetic theft at supermarkets. The police seized total of 2391 unused cosmetics from her house.
According to the police, the suspect Ogami said "steal and calm when feel nervous". In addition, she has repeatedly shoplifted hundreds of times over since 2004, at large commercial facilities in Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima prefectures.
All seized goods were stolen ones. The investigator believed that some had been sold through eBay. The suspect was arrested around 3:20 pm on 5 December on suspicion of stealing of one bottle of foundation (1600 yen) inside Takeo city, Saga prefecture.
According to the police, seized cosmetics included 792 pieces of the foundation, 458 pieces of eye shadow, and 206 pieces of eyeliner. Only half of the seized number (1976 pieces) valued as much as 540 million yen. She packed them in cardboard or paper bags hidden in a closet and the car.
Comment: Another rare case in Japan, isn't it? May be because of the economic crisis, she decided to did it. The news did not state when she started to steal.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 18, 2009 10:20)
Due to the influence of strong coldness and the pressure pattern in winter, the land on the side of the Sea of Japan was covered by heavy snow on 18th. Referring to Meteorological Agency, the heavy snow would continue on 19th mainly in the region west of Tokyo on Japan Sea side of Japan including Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures. The agency also called for attention to the road surface freezing and avalanches. On 19th, there would be certain places in the East Sea and northeastern Pacific side of Japan where snow piled up.
18th, the first snow happened at Wakayama, Takamatsu, Kochi, and Oita whereas the first freezing was observed in Tottori and Kobe. Sapporo morning temperature was the lowest at -7.9 degree, -3.7 degree at Akita, 4.2 degree at Tokyo, -0.6 degree at Niigata, 0.1 degree at Kyoto and 1.5 degree in Kochi. This winter is the coldest for every cities and towns.
According to the agency, the chill lower than -42 degree, which was over the Sea of Japan for five meters, would pass through northern Japan on Monday morning. The winter pressure pattern would increase further.
Expected amount of snow in 24 hours from 18th to the morning of 19th was much everywhere. Hokuriku 80 cm; the Japan Sea side of Tohoku, Tokai (Gifu) 60 cm; Hokkaido, Kinki, Kanto-Koshin (Nagano Prefecture) 50 cm; Shikoku 15 cm.
Comment: Woo~ it sounds so cold. I think I couldn't live there since I easily suffer from coldness. However, it is challenging for people from tropic area like me. I prefer not too cold season such as spring and fall. By the way, take care of your health, everyone!
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 15, 2009 14:47)
This plan is beyond a local information promotion site "BEPPoo!!" of a Student Organization (President Tamura Mariko). The chosen Beppu hot spring facility was "Yuya Yumetamate Bako" in Kitachu. There are students from 97 countries and regions. The organization actually gained approximately 80 responses to this plan but some canceled on the appointed day.
Ms. Mikiko Katsurao was the person in charge (22, 3rd year student) said deplorably that "some people couldn't come due to a cold. Some forgot to bring the passport to prove the nationality. I want to entrust the juniors to recapture the Guinness World Record. An exchange meeting was held in the city after the challenge, and then the result was reported. Finally the participants enjoyed Indonesian folk dance and Mochi making.
Comment: Unsuccessful result? Really!?! What a pity. I thought APU could surely make it this year also. However, since there are so many nationalities in APU, there will be a lot of next chances. This time became a good lesson. Little strict management and better cooperation must be obtained next tome.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 17, 2009 10:19)
Saiki City Tourism Association began a trial of "bicycle rental" for tourists. The purpose is to further promote remained famous places such as castles, samurai residences and streets as tourist attractions by expanding the tourists' "legs" to those who formerly walked only in the center of the city.
The bicycles are available at the City Tourist Association office near Oita Bus Terminal in Otemachi town, Saiki city, and the city tourist office in JR Saeki. After use, the bicycles can be returned either. Rental fee is 300 yen per 2 hours for adults and 150 yen for elementary school students or younger.
Overall 20 units including 4 for children are prepared. In order to tickle tourists, stickers read as well-known names in associated with the city like "Chrysanthemum Princess", "Hotappi", "Portman" and so on, are pasted in front of the front baskets.
Cycling route map will be well created within in the next spring. City Tourism Association said "At the heart of the city, there are Shiroyama and Yamagiwa Streets, and a lot of beautiful season changing sights at Banjou River to see. We hope tourists enjoy the relaxed bicycling. Contact the City Tourist Association (TEL 0972-23-1101).
Comment: Very good tourism improvement in Saiki. It is also good for tourists' health themselves! I have been to Saiki twice; one for a home stay and another for a speech at Rotary club. So I know that Saiki has made a lot of effort to develop the city's tourism industry. I wish it the big success!!
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo
Newspaper (morning edition on December 20, 2009)
After Yakisoba and Nabe, this time the local food would like to present "Sushi". Hita sushi association and Hita tourist association has agreed that will open the Sushi restaurant by using the local ingredients in Tenryou Hita Festival next year (middle of February- the end of March).
In the coming Festival, a sampling food from 5 local sushi restaurants which will be on sale in the festival are all tasted by the tourists and local people. Leaf mustard roll, Ayu (kind of fish), eel, Enoha fish eggs from Shinkou district, Shiitage mushroom, Chinese cabbage, tomatoes etc, will be used as ingredients to make sushi. Furthermore, all 5 restaurants will serve this delicious sushi at lunch time in the reasonable price 1,000- 1,500 yen.
Hita people are also aiming to present a unique sushi in Hita's style by using Natto and left mustard roll. The president of Hita's sushi association said "I would like to make this dish as a represent of Hita gourmet". Moreover, "full of amount, delicious vegetable, can't wait till Hita matsuri I would like to eat it now!" are a part of the comments from the participants.
Comment: I would like to try those dishes after reading this news! It sounds interesting! If I have a chance, I would like to go taste it by myself. Using local ingredients is very appealing, so that even it is the same food but you can get a different taste of it.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 18, 2009 08:57)
"Beppu Christmas Firework Fantasia 2009" (Joint project with Oita Press), reminding the winter of city of hot springs, will be held on 23th and 24th at Beppu Spa Beach. For two-day, total of 1 million of fireworks are planned to be launched to perform the most fantastic night.
Venue opens at 17:00 on both days. The fireworks begin at 8. "Synchronized Fireworks" which combined the show with music will be done on both days - on 23th with a music selection for families and 24th for couples.
On April 23 at 17:20, there will live shows of "Ask", "Ootatatsuya" and "Sari Aya Azuma". Later at 19:10, there is an assembling to sing Christmas songs by 1000 children. At 18:00 on 24th, it is the time for "HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR", "Ganaha Mina", "Asia Engineer" on stage.
Comment: Another event I miss this year since I am staying in my hometown. I accept that Beppu's Synchronized Firework in Christmas is the best firework show I have ever seen in life, better than the big one without music in Fukuoka.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 18, 2009 14:02)
Due to the fraudulent accounting problems, Chiba prefectural assembly was held on 18 and ended with the unemployment of total 2245 people including prefectural school officials and public officials. The prefecture announced that it sought for the return of about 9 billion yen. Three officials were accused for the suspicion of embezzlement in responsibility. A total of four people including those three were dismissed.
Moreover, the accounting irregularity was found newly with the amount of 3 billion yen, a total of incorrect accounting went up to 3.2 billion and 8 million yen. Governor Morita Kensaku also cut 33% of his salary for 3 months. Morita governor told that "with the reality of these accounting irregularities, there are also the arrests of officials happened. We deeply apologize to all the residents.
Comment: It was surprised for me that there are also officials found guilty in work in Japan. However, I believe that it is only a small number. I hope my country can get rid of the whole corruption as soon as possible for all Thais' sake.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 18, 2009 14:34)
In the prefecture on April 18, the pressure distribution of the wintry had become strong, and then the snow was first seen in Oita city. Four days earlier than usual, 12 days later than last year. Snow covered on the top of the mountains. At the center of Oita city, in flying snow, people wearing coats and scarves to protect the coldness walked to workplaces and schools. At Yuhuin basin in Yuhuin town, Yufu city, about 1 cm of snow was over roofs of people's houses, rice fields and etc. On the sidewalk at eaves of shops, the sight of snow was observed.
The lowest temperature in the morning (10 AM) was at Yufuin town, below the freezing point (-1 degree as usual). Additionally, they were 1.6 Celsius degrees at Hita (0.4 degree usually) and 3.4 degrees at Oita (3.3 degrees usually).
According to the Japan Weather Association, today's radiative cooling was weak thus the morning temperature became a bit higher than average every year. "It's because wind was strong that many people felt cold" he said. From tonight until 19th, due to the influence of very strong cold air flows, the weather is predicted to be severely cold. In mainly the north and west, it is forecasted to have an intermittent snow. Care must be taken when passing a freeze on the road.
Comment: Right now, I am back to the warmer place, Thailand. ^^ It is good to live!! but sometimes miss the snow of Beppu. I heard from my friend still living there that today it snowed even at the downtown (not only at APU and other top of the mountains).
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Oita Godo Newspaper (December 18, 2009 14:31)
The movement of charging for plastic shopping bags (stop free distribution) inside the prefecture began in June this year. The prefecture announced the result of the movement, the rate of bringing own bags or so-called 'my bag' after 6 months - the end of November, on December 17. At 28 food stores and other 219 outlets participating, the average rate of bringing own bag was brought about up to 85.3%. Except for Himejima village and Kokonoe town, where there are no stores have joined the movement, the rest of 16 participating towns have all successfully reached the goal of 80%.
The rate of "person bringing own bag" has been calculated as equal to no. of customers who did not buy plastic shopping bags (no. of total customers minus no. of plastic shopping bag buyers) from June 1 to November 30. The total rate found out for six months was then calculated to the monthly rate in the prefecture, which is approximately 80%.
Looking at the rate as of November separately in each municipality, the highest is Taketa - 89.9%, followed by the cities of Usuki and Tsukumi (both 89.0%), Kitsuki (87.7%), and Saeki (86.4%) respectively.
According to a summary of the province, the consumption of plastic shopping bags at participating stores is about 934 million bags in six months. If assume that one customer used one plastic bag before the charging movement - then the reduction of the consumption was about 4887 million bags (no. of total customers minus no. of plastic shopping bags).
Comment: As everyone knows, the carbon dioxide is bad for the environment. It generates the global warming and others which then bring about bad effects to creatures' lives. Yet, many careless or selfish people still do not care about it. Please do not presume that doing just a little this like stated in this news cannot help much; because that's wrong - it helps a lot. Each person does a little (or the most as you can in the best case) and everyone does, the world will surely be conserved. Finally, I wish for the great conclusion of COPENHAGEN Climate Conference 2009.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
Thailand
APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
