5/18/2010

Is increasing taxes a good way to improve public services?

I think increasing taxes is necessary to boost our country’s financial resources. People should bear the tax hike if the government improves public services.
Firstly, increasing taxes is necessary to boost Japan’s financial resources. Without increasing taxes, the government must curtail some existing public services or increase the amount of government bonds. However, if the government curtails some public services, those workers will lose their jobs. This may contribute to worsening the recession. If the government increases the bonds, people will worry about our future. Our country already has the largest amount of government bonds in the world. Government should not increase it more.
Secondly, people should support the government to reinforce public services because these are at the root of our life. These days, demands for welfare facilities and nursery schools are increasing because there are too few nursery schools and welfare facilities. If the number of these facilities increases, more people can contribute to the society because these facilities can help take care of their family during working hours. If more people are employed, tax revenue will gradually increase.
In conclusion, I believe increasing taxes is a good way to improve public services. People should support the government to implement these policies.

5/09/2010

Is there enough emphasis on important issues in politics today?

In Japan, big political change happened last summer as a result of the election of House of Representatives. Now, politics are changing for the better because the condition of education is improving and our government is reducing unnecessary budgets.
Firstly, the government is considering education to be of great importance. In fact, the educational budget has been increased so the number of teachers has also increased. This makes students understand their curriculum easier and prevents trouble such as bulling on schools. Teachers can work as a team and students can have more individual feedback. Education is an important issue because this is at the root of our nation.
Secondly, the government is making efforts to curtail the unnecessary budgets. Japan has the largest amount of government bonds and this is a huge debt to all Japanese. Current government abolished some public benefit corporations. Budgets must now be justified. Politicians and civil servants have to consider if the way they spend their budgets is really a benefit for the majority.
In conclusion, I believe politics has enough emphasis on important issues as education and budgets. Political change was a trigger to this change so people should go to elections and vote. This is the way to ensure the important issues will always be addressed.

4/11/2010

Does sumo have a role to play in modern Japanese society?

I believe sumo has great values such as respect the loser and preserving Japanese tradition. Sumo should play an important role in today’s society.
Firstly, sumo plays a role to encourage people to enjoy traditional sports because it is the most popular sports in Japan, regardless of age and gender. For example, I will never forget three years ago, when I was hospitalized. Usually, inpatients have dinner separately but one day, sumo was on the TV and everyone was watching it. Regardless of age and gender, everyone was enthusiastic about the matches. Even old and young were talking to each other about their favorite wrestlers. There are no other sports as popular as sumo. It brings people together.
Secondly, sumo plays a role in preserving Japanese tradition. Sumo has a long history, longer than 1000 years. Sumo wrestlers dress as long as their origin. These traditions have been built up throughout Japan’s long history. Especially after world war two, Japan lost a lot of traditional heritage. However, sumo teaches and reminds us to those traditions.
In conclusion, I believe sumo has an important role in today’s Japanese society. It gets connection to our past and brings people together.

4/10/2010

Graves disease and thyrotoxic ophthalmopathy.

In August 2007, when I wake up, I found myself that everything seems like diplopia. My right eye sees everything lower and left eye sees higher than the origin. So, everything seems like doubleness to me.
After an hour, my eyes become normal so I don’t consider my condition seriously.
However, in September my eyes need longer time to become normal view and my weight became patently lighter than before.
At the end of that month, I went to the hospital and I was diagnosed with the graves disease and the thyrotoxic ophthalmopathy. My weight was 10 kilogram lighter than before. It took two years to treat my serious symptoms.

4/08/2010

New school year started!

In Japan, new school year starts from April. At our school, the opening ceremony was on April 6th. This date depends on the community. For example, Kakogawa city which is next to our city has opening ceremony on April 7th and some cities in our Hyogo prefecture even have it on April 8th. Of course, children are looking forward for this day and feeling a little bit nervous. There are interested in, “who is my teacher” and “who will be my classmates.” Without students, school is a sad place, and the spring holiday was so. Now, I’m looking forward to spend time with my students!

4/06/2010

Is the family becoming less important in today’s world?

Nowadays, nuclear families are increasing as the number of extended families is in decline. People seem too busy to spend enough time with their family and families’ role seems to be declining in the society. However, I believe family is at the root of humanity and it still has crucial role in today’s world.
Firstly, children learn the difference between right and wrong throughout their childhood. Parents discipline their children when they do something wrong. Without discipline, children can not understand morals. If they do not acquire the morality, this can lead to juvenile delinquency when they grow older. In contrast, if parents disciple their children carefully with love, they will be able to make good relationships with other people and the society as a whole.
Secondly, families should take care of their elderly parents. In our aging society, people need help when they get old. Elderly people can depend on family’s help with less hesitation. Parents make great efforts to nurture their children, so children should repay the kindness when their parents need help. Of course, welfare systems such as elderly care facilities are needed in the society however families should help each other.
In conclusion, I believe families still have an important role in today’s world. People can not exist without family. Parents should educate their children and children should take care of their parents. Families should help each other without any hesitation.

4/05/2010

Cherry trees are also in full bloom!




Cherry trees at Yumesaki river where is near to my home are about 70 to 80% in bloom. Probably within a week, it will be in 100% full bloom. In Japan, the beginning of cherry blossoms falling down in considered the most beautiful time because it looks like snows falling down. Cherry blossoms embody spring in Japan.

4/02/2010

New school year has started.

Yesterday, April 1, was the opening day of the new school year in Japan.
Actually, students start their school life from April 6, the opening ceremony, but faculty members was announced our classes and segregation of duties by principle yesterday.
Students are enjoying the spring holidays, but for teachers, it is very busy days because we have to prepare for the new school year.

4/01/2010

Himeji castle is under refurbishment.


The crane is building the stage to refurbish the Himeji castle.

3/31/2010

Spring is approaching!



At Yumesaki river where is near my house. The cherry trees are gradually blooming. Spring is approaching!

3/30/2010

Should students evaluate their teachers?

Nowadays, many people are interested in schools and the education system. To improve the school's teaching system, I think students should evaluate their teachers. Because this should lead to improvements in the teacher's lesson, and make students think about their own score sheets more deeply.

Firstly, students’ evaluation of teachers may lead to improve the lessons in schools. Teachers have little chance to be evaluated about their lessons from students. Without constructive criticism, it is difficult for teachers to improve their lessons. If students evaluate their teachers fairly, teachers may try harder to improve their lessons to get better scores. Therefore, lessons in schools will improve and students will understand their curriculum better and feel that their opinion is valued.

Secondly, the experience of evaluating their teachers can lead students thinking about their score sheet more deeply. Usually, when students receive their score sheets, they pay attention only to their grades such as "A", "B" or "C." Through the experience to evaluate other people, they will rethink the meaning of their score sheets. This may lead to the students studying harder than before. By being able to comment on another’s performance, they might consider their own more carefully.

In conclusion, I think students should evaluate their teachers. This will contribute to improve teacher's lessons and let students rethink about their own performance, and thus encourage them to study harder.

Is democracy the best system of government?

In our country, people can elect assembly members who make laws, and we have freedom to live. I believe democracy is the best system of government because people can live freely. I would like to explain.

Firstly, through the election, people can select assembly members who represent them. Assembly members can make laws through the congress and everyone has equal rights under the law. Nowadays, election rate is decreasing than before as the younger generation seems uninterested in voting. However, election is the root of democracy, so people should vote to assure their rights. Schools should educate students about the importance of elections.

Secondly, equal rights are guaranteed for people in a democracy. People have rights to vote, to have free judgment, and to know the truth. Mass media can report the news and people can get information freely. Reportedly, Google is going to withdraw from China because of censorship. Autocratic countries control information to protect their status quo. However, it is unfortunate for people because the truth is hidden.

In conclusion, I believe democracy is the best way for government. People should follow elections and choose their representatives, and carefully watch the government to ensure they are being best represented.

3/28/2010

At the Himeji station


Signage in the Himeji station is displaying the waiting time to enter the Himeji castle. Yesterday, the waiting time was approximately one hour. Within a week, Sakura or Japanese cherry will become in full bloom, so it will be more crowded than now.

3/24/2010

Rainy graduation ceremony

Personally, I believe that the graduation ceremony which was done yesterday was pretty nice. Unfortunately, the weather was rainy. There was no doubt that students were praying for the fair condition. However, the dark sky inspired solemnity. They made a secret plot to surprise their teachers, and it was succeeded!

3/23/2010

Today is the graduation ceremony.

The sixth grade students graduate from our elementary school today. It is the biggest ceremony in the school. Unfortunately, the weather is rainy. In the course of time, they will yearn after the school life.

3/22/2010

Does advertising have too much influence on our lives?

Nowadays, we are inundated with advertisements through mass media such as TVs. I think advertising has too much influence on our lives, and should be restricted. I would like to explain the reasons.
Firstly, children are negatively affected by advertisements. They ask their parents to buy character goods which are advertised through TV commercials. However, these goods tend to be expensive and unnecessary for studying. Children may think those goods are better than simple ones, because they may be persuaded easier than adults. Therefore advertising for children should be restricted.
Secondly, TVs’ advertisements are becoming more inconspicuous than before. These days many people are using hard disc drives to record the TV programs, and tend to fast-forward the commercial times. To counteract, companies are advertising their products through the program. For instance, heroes and heroines are always driving sponsor’s cars, drinking sponsor’s beers, eating sponsor’s hamburgers. So people may be affected from the programs subconsciously. People should not choose their decision by the image on the TV programming, but should carefully consider the content of products.
In conclusion, I think advertising have too much influence on our lives. Advertising for children should be restricted and people should be careful not to be affected by TV programming subconsciously. People should choose product for its quality, not by the image presented in adverts.

The bullet train sweeps through Himeji station.

I went to Himeji station with my son and watched the bullet trains or “Shinkansen.” This train is popular for children. I took this video footage with my iPod nano. The “Nozomi” super express sweeps through the Himeji station probably at 250 to 300 km/h. “Nazomi” is the fastest bullet train and the meaning is “hope.”

Spring is comming!



In the park near my home. Spring will arrive soon!

Himeji castle which is made of sweets.


Himeji castle which is made of sweets.
It was exhibited during the Himeji sweets festival last year.