White cane is not a lethal weapon

Aichi prefectural assembly revised a regulation that bans bringing a white cane into the visitors’ gallery. The assembly has regarded a white cane as a “weapon” even it is necessary for a visually impaired person.

Japan finally ratified the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities last year. In the article of the convention, it stipulates as follows.

“States Parties shall guarantee to persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others.”

Therefore, the regulation of the assembly should have been revised anyway. I hope the same revise on each prefectural or municipal assembly be made soon.

Ministries are closely related with subsidized companies

After Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries resigned, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Justice are also suspicious about receiving donations from subsidized companies. These donations are prohibited by political donation control law.

The Diet deliberations on the matters will be held today. The ruling parties are lack of sense of compliance on political donations and the budget elaborated with these ministries do not wear legitimacy without being scrutinized.

The ministries should resign immediately as well. The PM Abe should also be fully responsible for the scandals.

Japan is below the international human right standards

Amnesty International points that Japan is falling below the international human right standards. One of the reason is Japan’s hate speech against Korean living in Japan. It is an immediate matter for the government to legalize a regulation that bans hate speech. I am afraid that these hate speech demonstrations spoil Japanese reputation in the world day by day. Hate speech is definitely different from an expression of one’s ideas or statement. It is humiliation and discrimination.

It is a serious boy murder case

A 13-year-old boy was found dead at the riverbed of Tamagawa at Kawasaki City. As I live in Ota-ku, next to Kawasaki, it is a shock and I feel deep condolence for the boy. It is a serious murder case and police should scrutinize it and arrest the suspects as soon as possible.

It is said that the suspects might be his senior friends. If so, this case shows a dark side of school life among young students. school teasing is one of the serious young boys issues and the numbers of the teasing cases are increasing. Most of them are not serious one but some cases cause the victim’s suicides.

In Japan, the suspects under 20-years-old are guarded by the Juveniles Act from being revealed their names or photos. However, the alleged suspects’ names or photos are circulating in Twitter.

Sugar powdered Minister is not sweet

Koya Nishikawa, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries expressed resignation yesterday. He received a donation from sugar industry related company, which is accused for a circumvention of the political funds control act.

As sugar is one of the major sensitive items of the TPP negotiation, this incident is extremely inappropriate and his resignation is a matter of course. PM Abe’s responsibility for his assign should be also condemned.

A referendum of the far west Japanese island

Yonaguni island is the far west island of Japan locating about 110km from Taiwan. It also locates about 150km from the Japanese Senkaku island where China is alleging that the island belongs to their country.

There, a referendum was made whether the self defense force of Japan should be equipped or not. The referendum has no legal binding power. However, people who are junior high-school students or above and foreigners who have the right of permanent residence could vote.

The result was favors occupied 60% of the votes. The government respects the result and the SDF will be equipped within the fiscal year of 2015.

Tokyo Marathon safely taken place

It was cold and rainy in the morning but was good condition for the Tokyo Marathon Game. Approximately 35,000 participants run the course and about 96% reached the goal at Tokyo Big Site. Police was very careful about the possible terror threat but nothing was happened fortunately.

This is arrogant PM Abe

Please see the following videos posted on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJKSJi5GSZg&feature=youtu.be

He was making heckling against a DPJ’s member while debating alleged illegal donation received by Minister of Agriculture. He yelled many times as “How about Japan Teacher’s Union?” which was not related at all with the matter itself.

It’s a sad thing that Japanese prime minister is such a fool and vulgar man acquiring high approval rate for his cabinet.

Is Tokyo Marathon safe?

Tokyo Marathon will be held on the coming Sundy. I began in 2007 and now is one of the biggest marathon events in the world. Every year, over 300,000 applicants apply for the entry and about 36,000 are chosen by lots.

This year, it is said that over 10,000 personnel including policemen will watch the event for security purpose as the fear of terror is growing after two Japanese hostages were killed by ISIS. The runners will not be allowed to bring plastic beverage bottles and other water containers.

I wonder it is hard and uncomfortable for the runners to participate for the events. I myself will not run at the event. Instead, I will join the campaign for the mayor of Taito-ku (where Asakusa and Kaminari-mon locate) after the runners pass by there.

NHK's top is not neutral

Katsuto Momii, the director general of “NHK” had a debate with DPJ members yesterday. DPJ member criticized Momii that he made an inappropriate comments that NHK carefully considers how they broadcast the issues on the Comfort Women as the standpoint of the government is not yet clear. DPJ also criticized that Momii had no intention to withdraw his comments.

I think his comments and attitudes spoil the basic rule that NHK should be neutral on broadcasting. It is obvious that Momii is leaning forward to PM Abe’s stance. As long as Momii keeps his position at NHK, NHK will not be regarded as neutral broadcasting organization. He does not have credentials to be the top of NHK.

I agree with Miyzaki’s comments

In a radio interview, Hayao Miyazaki, a very famed film director and animator referred to a satirical caricature that causes terrorists’ attacks in France or Denmark. He commented that it is a mistake to make someone who is worshipped by a different culture the subject of a caricature.

I agree with him. The right of expressions is definitely important and should not be limited. However, on use of the rights, it is also necessary to respect and be considerate with other religions or cultures even though they are not acceptable. Otherwise, the right of expressions may be used to insult or humiliate others and these expressions can cause intolerable angers like the incidents.

Human rights are not the excuse of being egoistic or arrogant against the others. The constitution of Japan stipulates in the Article 12 as follows.

“The freedoms and rights guaranteed to the people by this Constitution shall be maintained by the constant endeavor of the people, who shall refrain from any abuse of these freedoms and rights and shall always be responsible for utilizing them for the public welfare.”

Decrease official drug prices

The government is considering decrease the official drug prices. As Japan is suffering from increasing social security expenses due to population aging, drug prices become one of the targets for the cost cut.

If the official prices are lowered by 1 percent, the cost for drugs will be reduced by about \400 billion a year. Then, the effect is very large.

The government will urge us to use more generic drugs than before though the effect of using generic drugs are not yet completely recognized. In addition, if the official drug prices are decreased, it may affect development of new drugs by Japanese pharmaceutical companies due to decrease of revenue.

Therefore, we need to be careful with the by-products of the cost cuts.

A referendum for air conditioner

Yesterday, a local referendum was taken place in Tokorozawa city, Saitama prefecture in order to judge whether air conditioners should be equipped in primary schools close to Iruma base of Air self defense force.

The votes for approval exceeded those against. However, the voting rate was less than the ratio that the city must make much of the result.

I suppose it is not likely the matter that should be decided by referendum but it is very important that citizens judge the policy directly.

The mayor’s comment and decision will be focused thereon.

Ayako Sono ruins Japanese reputation

I got angry when seeing Ayako Sono’s column of Sankei Shinbun. She is eager to enhance immigration policy but she believes it is necessary to implement segregation on races. It is stupit that Sankei Shinbun printed her column no matter how they insisted it is an individual opinion and did not reflect its paper’s policy.

She should be ashamed of herself as she does not believe it contains of errors in her column. It is an idea that contradicts human rights of equality and that does not go with Japanese constitution.

What is worse is that she is an official member of the governments’ education rebuilding council. She should resign immediately and apologize for her wrong idea to the public.

A Japanese woman may be in ISIS

The government answered that a couple of Japanese woman and French man wanted to visit Syria and that the government tried to persuade not to visit there. Afterwards, they accepted the request and showed that they were not going to go to Syria. However, they visited Turkey instead and the current whereabouts is unknown.

A weekly magazine reported that the woman is from Ehime prefecture and that she must be in ISIS. Her father said that he thinks she had died and gave up hopes.

We can’t deny that ISIS include Japanese at this moment. It’s terrible.

DPJ drafted 2015 action plan

President Okada announced that DPJ drafted 2015 action plan which is to be approved at the annual meeting to be held on March 1. It criticizes “Abenomics” and makes much of improving inequality of society.

On the other hand, DPJ must be well prepared for the coming unified local election to be taken place on April as this will be the first big election after Okada becomes the president.  DPJ needs to be hold on by keeping the current number of members at least. However, I am concerned about the voting rate, which may be very low.

War against ISIS may begin

President Obama made an official request for legal authorization to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria. I anticipated that move after Ms. Kayla Mueller was known dead after the airstrikes by Jordan.

The request is limited for 3 years. On the other hand, it legalizes combat mission against ISIS, which was made like Afghanistan or Iraq.

I know ISIS is a worldwide threat, hoping no peaceful resolution or communication, killing many hostages in very cruel ways. It should be demolished as soon as possible. However, attacks may cause counterattacks. I am afraid it continues for a long time.

I would like to know the progress of other alternatives such as drying out their monetary sources.

Deep condolences to Ms. Kayla Muller

I saw a TV interview of Ms. Kayla Muller’s aunts and friends. ISIS claimed that she was said died by the airstrikes made my Jordan the other day. However, the officials said it is not yet confirmed.

It’s very unfair that the people who wanted to save other people’s life and acted dedicatedly had to be the victims. Of course it is super dangerous to visit the disputed area such as Syria or Iraq. However, the citizens need aid and help. Without those aid workers, more sacrifices may be occurred.

Hina dolls gift to the then President Kennedy

In 1962, a Japanese woman sent “Hina” dolls that is displayed at the girl’s festival days to the then President Kennedy. His daughter, now ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy wanted to find who gave the gift because the woman was not specified when delivered. Now, it is found that the woman is Tsuyako Matsumoto, living in Hokkaido, a 92 years old lady.

It is really surprising that the woman presented the dolls to the President directly without notifying who she is. And it is also amazing that Mrs. Caroline Kennedy gave her efforts to find the presenter after she came to Japan as the ambassador. This is really heart warming story.

North Korea launched missiles

It is said that North Korea launched 5 short ranged missiles to the north east see of North Korea. They are alerting the coming joint military exercise by the US and the South Korea.

However, Kim Jong-un is now in unstable position as some assassination attempts were revealed in advance and he executed many top officials from fear. I wonder North Korea is in a move toward collapsing. If so, we need to be extremely careful with their treatment of nuclear power. As North Korea has delivered many weapons to Syria government before, the possibility is not Zero that North Korea would deliver or use of its nuclear power as a last resort.

We have to keep our eyes on them.

More people are coming to Metropolitan area

According to news, the number that the people who moved in exceeds the numbers who moved out by 110 thousand. Especially, Tokyo absorbs 70 thousand people. The trend continues in 19 consecutive years.

Thus, Tokyo and the neighbor prefectures gather many people from all over Japan. However, the birth rate of these area are extremely low. Tokyo’s birth rate hits 1.13. The rate means the number that a woman bears children in her entire life. Therefore, if the number is lower than 2.0, the population decrease.

This is very serious situation. Japan is shrinking.

ISIL says American hostage killed by Jordanian airstrikes

I saw the videos of Jordanian airstrikes against ISIL yesterday. According to CNN, a minister of Jordan said this is “our” war. He did not deny that ground troops might be launched to Syria. He reiterated Jordan will do whatever it takes for retaliation. In addition, US moves rescue assets to Iraq in fight against ISIL. I suppose the time is approaching that the big battle will be taken place and the real war will happen. The point of return has been passed by killing the hostages.

ISIS revealed that an American woman hostage was killed by the airstrike but there is no proof on it. CNN and BBC broadcast the hostage news as a top. I am afraid that it is inevitable to kill an innocent citizens or even hostages however precisely the airstrikes are done. I understand that no coalition parties want to lose their soldiers. Airstrikes are the very important tactics to attack the enemy without being hurt. Nowadays, drones are often used for the airstrike.

ISIL is cruel. They deserve retaliation. But victims of ISIL, innocent citizens are hurt and killed by the airstrikes. It’s cruel too.

Greece is in trouble, Japan too

Greece new government has already been sandwiched by Germany and its nation.

Greece needs financial aid otherwise the default may happen in Greek economy. However, Germany does not agree to the Greek’s request unless Greece comes back on to the track that forces dramatic cut of expenses.

It may be the shape of future Japanese economy because the financial situation of Japan is even worse than Greece. The difference is that the national bond of the government is absorbed by the central bank of Japan and the domestic banks and the government does not depend on foreign countries or banks.

However, there are no elements that Japan can be optimistic on the financial deficit and no certainty that the financial deficit will be gone until 2020.

PM Abe wants revise of the Constitution

In order to revise the Constitution, two third of the total seats of both houses need to approve the decision. At this moment, the House of the Representatives equivalent to the lower house of Parliament, is occupied more than the number by the ruling parties while the House of the Councilors equivalent to the upper house is not.

The campaign of the House of the Councilors will be held next year, PM Abe is thinking to revise the Constitution after the campaign. I myself think that the revise of the Constitution is a necessary action because the shape and structure of the society has been changed since it was enacted. However, it is the issue that which articles should be revised or what kind of articles should be put or omitted.

PM Abe is well known that his policy is based on the nationalism, I am quite anxious about his idea. The DPJ definitely must hold on by winning the next campaign.

Deep condolence to the murdered pilot

It’s shocking news that the Jordanian pilot was burned alive. Different from Kenji Goto, the pilot was in a mission to attack against IS. Therefore, it is within my imagination that IS felt direct hostility against the pilot. However, I feel disgusted by their brutality. They are not a human group. They consist of devils and demons or beasts.

I feel my deep condolence to the pilot and Jordanian people. I also feel grateful that hundreds of Jordanians gathered in front of the Japanese embassy in Amman for mourning Kenji Goto.

Chinese people buy luxury products world wide

A Chinese market investigation company reports that Chinese people occupy approximately half of all of the luxurious products purchased in the world during 2014. The luxurious products purchased in 2014 amounts to 27.3 trillion yen (approximately USD 270 billion) and the sum that Chinese people purchased is about 12.5 trillion yen (approximately USD 120 billion).

The company also reports that among that purchase by Chinese people, about 76% of the total is purchased outside China. In this context, it can be said that Chinese people contribute to the world economy by purchasing many luxurious products. Actually, in the gorgeous department stores in Tokyo such as Ginza or Shinjuku, there are lots of sales persons who can speak Chinese. And a lot of goods shops make much of Chinese tourists by showing Chinese explanation.

One of the reasons is that customs imposed on the imported products in China is quite heavy. Another reason is that it would be less risky of getting imitation to acquire the luxurious products in foreign countries than domestic stores in China.

A smart girl killed a woman

It’s very shocking news that a girl university student killed an old woman at the girl’s room. It happened in Nagoya city, a third largest city in Japan. She is a student of the university of Nagoya, a very high grade national university among Japan.

She said she “dreamed” to kill someone one day and confessed that she studied and collected various fatal chemicals. She also continued post to a twitter about her desire or adore for murder.

It’s very easy to say that she is just crazy. However, I suppose a serious interview and interrogate to her is needed as such case frightens all of us.

ISIS should be ashamed of itself

ISIS uploaded a new video showing killing purportedly Kenji Goto. The worst anticipated scenario happened. I feel rage on ISIS not only killing him but also threatening Japan and Japanese government.

It should be utterly condemned. However, I dare say that it should not be air-stroked even such slaughter is taken place by them because it causes another chain of hostilities again and again. ISIS will not live long doing such outrageous and cruel behaviors.

The most urgent things to do is to cut off any monetary ties between ISIS. No ransom should be paid to them. No oil should be treated with them. No donation or remittance to them should be allowed at all. They will have great difficulty of keeping their entity if money is not coming. They will not afford thousands of  foreign soldier.

On the other hand, humanitarian aid should be given more intensively to the victims and the innocent citizens. The aid would geld ISIS’s threat.

Again, ISIS should be ashamed of itself. The executer will be suffered from remorse until the end of his life.