February 2010 Archives
(Oita Godo Newspaper, January 21st 2010, morning paper)
On January 20th, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in
Beppu City held RCAPS Seminar (Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies)
Animation International Ltd Executive Mr. Kondo Tsutomu delivered a seminar
titled "The Current Condition of the Animation Character Business in Asia".
There were about eighty students, including international students,
attending the seminar. He started by explaining that his company is a major
exporter of Japanese animation characters. "While the Japanese market is
sluggish, we must developed overseas business", said the executive.
Last year's August, the board chairman concluded the exchange agreement by
saying that Oita needs to be developed into a place where animation industry is
raised. As the first step, they called APU who has the most population of
international students across Japan to hold an exhibition.
Comment:
Animation has been really close to heart for many, as animation has been involved
in many people's lives since they were young. In Indonesia, Japanese animation is
the most popular one. On Sunday mornings, there is a set of animation movies, one
after the other from six o'clock till 10 o'clock in the morning. Many children
are "glued" to their television every Sunday morning. I support the growth of animation,
as long as it contains the right norms and values, so children can also be educated
through something exciting for them like watching animation.
NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
(APM3)
(Oita Godo Newspaper, February 16th 2010, morning paper)
(Sydney) It was confirmed that the octopuses, which live in the open sea of
Indonesia, are using the coconut shells that they found at the bottom of the
sea, in order to protect themselves from being attacked by the enemies. They
cover themselves by the coconut shells so the enemies cannot find them. This
finding about the invertebrate using coconut shells as refuge was presented by
Julian Fynn, who is a researcher from Victoria (Australia) on February 15th.
Octopuses, which are known to dive themselves into the rock to be
invisible, actually performed a survival action which are indeed inconvenient
and dangerous in order to protect themselves. He considered that octopuses have
the advanced ability to make use of tools.
The species that was confirmed by the investigated conducted on white-eye
octopus, which originated from the coastal waters in Indonesia and Bali Island.
According to the investigation, people throw coconut shells on the beach, and
the coconut shells were collected and brought by the octopus as their hiding
place. They transported the shells for about twenty meters away.
Fynn guessed, "At first they used similar bivalves, but then they found out
that the light coconut shells are convenient to use".
Comment:
In the past we used to hear that dolphins are intelligent creatures. It is
very interesting to hear about octopuses being intelligent. Indeed, to be able to
think about such survival act shows some level of intelligence.
NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APM3)
(Oita Godo Newspaper, February 9th 2010, morning paper)
On February 9th, Toyota Motor Corporation, made an announcement
of the recall of 4 of its new hybrid models such as "Prius", which will be
collected and repaired for free. There are approximately 437,000 units that
have "break defect" around the world. The repairment of "Prius" conducted since
February 10th, and the repairment of the other three models will be
conducted after the preparation is ready.
The defect of the new model "Prius" clearly made a negative impact on the
sales and management strategy of Toyota.
During a press conference, the CEO of Toyota apologized over and over again
for the defect, saying "I apologize for causing troubles and worries".
The objects of recall are "Prius", Sedan "SAI", the luxury car "Lexus
HS250h", "Prius Plug-In Hybrid", a model designed for corporations and
government, whose energy can be recharged through a normal electrical plug.
The four models were launched by Toyota in 2009 were at the leading edge.
They are modified in the shops, as there is a defect in electrical control
system of the break.
To Toyota users, it is suggested to exert more force when stepping on the
break of the cars before the repairment.
Comment:
This is definitely not a fortunate thing that can happen to Toyota. Toyota has been the most respective automobile company, and whose production system and management has been studied closely around the world. Nevertheless, they took a prompt action to respond to this incident, so hopefully the situation will get better soon.
NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APM3)
(Oita Godo Newspaper, December 7th 2009, evening paper)
On December 7th
2009, the large company who is doing business in communicative education,
Benesse Corporation, presented their research for ranking of baby names
according to popularity. "Hiroto" is the most popular name for boys, and Rin is
the most popular one for girls.
The name "Hiroto" has
been on the first rank for four consecutive years, "Shota" has been on the
second rank, "Sho" is on the third rank. All of those top names include the
Kanji "翔", which means "to soar, to
fly". Benesse Corporation analyzed, "Since for every one hundred years, there
will be one economic recession, the parents want their children to feel the
power and strength to overcome the bad condition in the recession".
Among the name for
girls, "Rin" which was on the fourth rank last year, became the most popular
name this year. "Sakura" which was the eighth most popular last year, became
the second one this year, probably to share the fortune of female professional
golfer named Sakura Yokomine was awarded money prize as Queen.
A boy name "Ryo" came up
from forty-eighth position last year to forty-first position this year, and the
name "Ryo" belongs to the male professional golfer who was awarded money prize
as King, named Ryo Ishikawa.
The entertainment
business also made an impact in the choice of baby names. For example, "Eita"
went up the rank from twenty-forth last year to ninth this year. Ms. Eita is
popular as she appears on Japanese Drama and television commercials. "Juri"
from Juri Ueno was on the two hundred and ninth rank.
This research done by
Benesse Corporation was targeted on their customers who gave names to their
babies from January 1st to November 5th 2009. The total
number of baby names were 37,000 names.
Comment:
The
wish of parents for the better future for their sons and daughters are
apparent in the ways they give names to their new-born babies. Now I am
quite curious to find out more about it, for example, which kinds of
character of the artists in entertainment business that they adore and
therefore adopt their names, and what kinds of the things they want
their children to have by giving the names. This is quite an
interesting observation.
NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APM3)
[Vancouver] At Vancouver Winter Olympics, the 45-year-old man of Skeleton "Kazuhiro Koshi", who possessed Japan`s longest history of attending Winter Olympics, finished his last game with the 20th rank on February 19th. "As a player, I could not get a medal. But with the application of my experience, I will make our next generation to be able to reach the medals. This is my next challenge." he expressed his intention to retire this season.
Koshi aimed to play as a player after the 1992 Bobsleigh Winter Olympics. He worked as Japan's first full-fledged skeleton player. As an active and independent player, he won the 2nd place for the overall of the 2000-01 World Cup season (W Cup), 8th place at the Salt Lake Olympic Games in 2002, and 11th place at Turin Olympics in 2006. In 2007, he formed a club to develop young players. His hometown is Nagano prefecture.
Comment: I happened to watch this game on the television. It was superb!! The speed looked really challenging and scary in the same time. Mr.Koshi in his forties was still strong and cool!! I wish someday I will have chance to try it.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APS4
Oita Godo Newspaper (2010/2/19)
University of Japan had an announcement on 19th to additionally accept 93 people who failed before as it is confirmed that there was a mistake in scoring "National Language" subject of Faculty of Economics in the general admission held on February 5.
According to the University of Japan, it was the question creator's mistake that he gave the score for the incorrect answer choice instead of the correct one. The commission also critized about it on 8th but that time the problem could not be confirmed. However, as the result that the test creators rechecked the exam questions and answers on 17th, a mistakes was finally noticed.
In `National Language` subject, there were 5,727 people taking the test, the rescoring result makes 93 more people passed the exam.
"We will try to compensate any expenses students paid to other universities as much as possible" said the representative of the University of Japan.
Comment: These 93 students should be congratulated on this issue. Hope they did not discourage so much after one failure. Thank you the test creators to admit your mistake and I admire the university that they said they will pay the compensation. Wish 93 of you bright future!!
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APS4
A survey to determine boundaries of the land burned since the large fire of Hikari-machi, Beppu, began on 16th at the local Kidashita for the reconstruction of the region.
The elimination of the wall of the building as well as heavy equipment was carried out prior to the removal of debris. On this day, there were three real-estate surveyors and engineer who were all divided into three group work. Under the presence of land owners, surveying the current status of the border rely on the remaining structures burned. Where something is buried in the rubble, they investigated by using heavy equipment.
Surveying the whole block up to 18 days to draw up a preliminary survey. With repeated measurements and against the land patents and then draw up a formal survey. In the case there is the landowners' agreement on land border, it comes to the removal of the rubble.
Mr. Mitarai Takao(73) , whose 15-year-old house was destroyed, attended the survey and said "I'm sad that house burned but also feel great to see the first step of reconstruction."
Comment: Thorought the time I have been in Beppu, I have never heard of any big fire so this surprised me very much. I am sorry for any individual who get affected and would like to cheer them up for building a new life and a new surrounding there. Make it as what you wish! Do not give up! I am cheering for you.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APS4
Oita
Godo Newspaper (2010/2/18)
[Port au Prince] Sarkozy President of France, on 17th, visited the earthquake-stricken Haiti. France is the former colonial power in Haiti. After the Haitian independence in 1804, this is the first visit of French president to Haiti. The president expressed that France would provide Haiti 2.7 billion Euros (approximately 33.6 billion yen) for 2 years as a reconstruction assistance. Reuters Reported.
Before the Second
World War, Haiti was occupied by
the United States for approximately 20 years long hence the politics and
the economy were also under the strong influence of the States. Concerning the occurrence of
the earthquake, although French government quickly dispatched rescue units, voices
from the Haitian side said they expected more
help from the former colonizing country.
France should have fully indicated the presence of the former colonial power than now.
According to Associated Press (AP), after the
earthquake, France has exempted Haiti's debt for as many as 56
million Euros.
Comment: I am
very sorry for Haiti about the earthquake but inside that, I am also glad to
see international cooperation to help Haiti actively. Even though the help
cannot take everything back from the disaster, it at least eases the pain of
the people. Thank you French government for the debt exemption, too. And in my
opinion, France has done its best to rescue Haiti and may be the best one among
other rescuing teams.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APS4
Oita
Godo Newspaper (2010/2/20)
[Phnom Penh News] On February 20 at Tuol Sleng
Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, where was a co-labor camps in the former
Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, Chief Curator of Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial
Museum (Itoman city), Mr. Irabu Takashi (48) held a
mock class for 23 local 3rd year middle school students and
teachers, peace education is fundamentally "Life itself is a
treasure " he said.
Mr Irabu began his lecture with the explanation on the
history of the Battle of Okinawa which has killed more than 200,000 victims. He introduced the significance that at the Peace Memorial Park, all names of the dead were engraved upon the "Cornerstone of
Peace" without
distinction of friend or foe. However, a
boy student argued that if he was in that situation, he would never engrave any
name of the enemies.
This is a project of
JICA, an international cooperation aiming at improving the awareness of peace, to transfer technology of management techniques and resource preservation to any museum aiming to be known as a
museum for peace. Mr.Irabu and a colleague were sent this time.
At Tuol
Sleng Security Prison 21
(S-21), about 15,000 people were tortured until death by the Khmer Rouge regime. Now
it becomes a
museum exhibiting photos
of tortured victims.
Under the cooperation
with Okinawa Prefecture, there is a plan to open the
museum's first international exhibition
project this spring.
Comment: As
you know I came from a country near Cambodia, I have heard a lot of violence
there and actually sometimes we have conflicts. However, that is mainly about
the governments not the people, I feel. I wish the peace for Cambodia, Thailand
and everywhere in the world.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APS4
Online Oita Press [2010/02/13, 09:54]
Mr. Sato Hiroshi, the president of Tokiwa Wasada town shopping center in Oita City, has announced the plan of remodeling "Tokiwa Wasada Town" on 12th February, 2010.
The 15 new stores will be opened including the new tea shop. This new tea shop will be selling tea imported directly from all over the world. Also, the existing stores, such as Uniqlo will be moved to the larger area. It is the biggest renovation since it opened. The grand opening will be held in April, 29th.
After the meeting, the manager and the president of Tokiwa Wasada Town has announced that there will be selling the casual clothes for teen agers and women. For the people who love fashion, the new stores will sell the brands at low prices.
Moreover, the L size clothes and the interior goods will be available. The three existing stores which are ABC- Mart, Muji and Uniqlo will be moved to 4th floor which is the largest selling space in Oita Prefecture.
The President Sato also sated that Wasada Town will suite for family gatherings, and will be a shopping centers that make everyone and everyday be exciting.
Comment: I am the one who loves shopping at Tokiwa. Tokiwa sells good products especially the women clothes. I go to Tokiwa in beppu at least twice a week to update new fasions!
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APU4
Online Oita Press [2010/02/07, 09:31]
The university students from faculty of economics, Oita University have interviewed the local leaders about the effort to revitalize rural areas of the prefecture. The presentation was held in Oita University.
There were about 40 people attended to this presentation. Yamaura Youichi, associate professor, said that the students who participated in this course will study not only the terms of industrial production and rural revitalization, but also considering of the idea of developing the rural area. From the interview with the local leaders, the students showed that human resource development is important. In addition, the nature in rural areas is also considered.
From the study, 15 students were divided into six groups. They have learned about the current situation in local areas by interviewing with the local leaders.
Uenishi-san who participated in the presentation said "I am glad that students were interested and considered in our rural areas"
Comment: I am also glad that young generations are interested in the nature. Recently, global warming is becoming a big problem. We can see from the news almost everyday. Such as, earthquake in Haiti or even the snow storm in European countries. I think we all should consider about this issue.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APU4
Online Oita Press [2010/02/07, 09:51]
Japan Football Association has held the Super Project Training Camp for ladies in Naranoguchi Park, Beppu from 5th February to 7th February, 2010.
The purpose of this camp is to develop skills of playing football. Such as; ball catching, positioning, and learning some basic football techniques. There were 16 football players were chosen to participate in this camp.
"I would like to learn and practice my catching skills with other members and also challenge myself" said Airi, with her 4th times participating in this camp. Mizuho Nakashima, another member who participated in this camp, also said "I was very excited and want to develop my ball-catching skills"
Comment: I always dream that I could play football very well in one day. I love watching football since my favorite football player, David Beckham, has participated in Football World Cup. He's such a good football player, and handsome as well.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APU4
Online Oita Press [2010/02/06, 09:44]
Last year from October, the APU students has been studying and doing a research about the charming of Hiji town. According to this studying, students will visit historical heritages and landscape of neighborhood town. They were also walking around the town seeing the agricultural resources and fish products.
From the study, the students had made a presentations explaining about what they have found and also promote the charming of this town. The professor, Todoroki Hiroshi, associate professor in APU, has been studying in heritage and tourism also helped them conduct the presentations.
There were about 50 local people attended to the presentation. The students report the result and experiences that they have gained from their studies. One of the students, Kamada Noriyasu, said that they have walked around the town, gone to the fish market and visitors can exchange experience with the elder in this city.
Comment: I have taken this class when I was in 3rd year student. At that time, I and my friends went to Kitsuki, the town nearing Hiji. This class was fun. We learn many things from our observations.
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APU4
Online Oita Press [2010/02/06, 09:36]
The President of social welfare group, Okuyama Hiroko, in Nakatsu-city, a city in Oita-prefecture, has launched a new home made product called "lucky-strap" wishing for a good luck.
This social welfare group called themselves "Pear Garden Group" is a group of disabilities people living in Nakatsu-city. Due to the economic recession and jobless, they have created a new product in last summer named it a "lucky-strap" which is made from beads and plastic sands. The useful of this strap is we can tie it to a mobile phone or use as a key chain.
They spend their time creating a "lucky-strap" by using straws, beads, plastic sands. With the three main colors, pink means love, gold means fortune and purple means academic, many people said they look very cute.
"The handmade product has become popular. Some people buy it because they believe it will bring a good luck to them" said the creator, Osamu Utsunomiya. "In the future, we will develop the product to be cheaper." said the head of center, Yuasa Hiroshi.
For more information contact: 0979-22-2138
Comment: Wow! I really love Japanese strap. When I first came to Japan, I can see many kinds of straps selling in the shop of grocery stores. I bought one which was a Hello-Kitty. It was really cute one and I gave it to my sister as a wishing luck strap present. I think the design and package of this kind of souvenir are very cute but also expensive though!
PUNTHUCHAT Siripun
APU4
