The DPJ recruits women candidates

The DPJ will make a public audition in order to recruit women candidates for local or national assembly members. I think this is good movement for the party. In Japan, the Diet women members occupy only approximately 8 % of all of the seats, ranking the 129^th among the world. It is too small number to emphasize equality between men and women. There are opinions that introduce Quota system which requires certain target proportions to a political group such as women or minorities. It is worth considering implementing the system while the detail should be scrutinized.

The university of Tokyo created a new vaccine for Ebola

Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a professor of school of Medicine, the university of Tokyo will announce that a new vaccine for Ebola is developed and acquire a preventing effect on monkeys. It is expected that it would contribute for cure Ebola hemorrhagic fever disease. 

Air-conditioner will be equipped in Tokorozawa

An exceptional referendum was taken place in February. As the result, the votes for exceeded the votes against by approximately 25 thousand, the mayor made a decision that the city would equip the air-conditioner. As there is a SDF(Self Defence Force) base nearby, it is necessary to shut out the noises.

A German plane fell

It is found that a Germanwings plane crashed in th French Alps. About 150 people were on board including a group of exchange students and two opera singers. There seems no survivors in the accident, it is a tragedy. I feel deep condolence to the victims and remained families.

Residency visas for foreign entrepreneurs to be relaxed

The Justice Ministry will relax the residency criteria for foreigners who establish and run companies in Japan. So far, registering business entities before coming to Japan is difficult. However, from next month, the ministry will grant residency status to investors and business managers even if they have not registered a company yet. That would facilitate foreigners to come to Japan and do business there.

14,000 people gathered claiming against Abe administration

Yesterday, people who are against PM Abe made an anti-government demonstration. They yelled and criticized for Abe’s decision such as national security and nuclear power enhancement.

High school students and university students also participated in this demonstration and some of them made a speech in front of the other participants.

This events were broadcast by Tokyo Shinbun, Asahi Shinbun and local Hokaaido Shinbun but neglected or too silently broadcast by Yomiuri Shinbun or Sankei Shinbun. The stance against the Abe administration is quite obvious.

Measures for Declining Birthrate

The government made a general principle on measures for declining birthrate. It contains of 28 policies including labor, social security, education and so on. As Japan’s birthrate is very low compared with other countries, it is very important to make the principle.

However, what matters is implementation of the principle. The policy belongs to the Cabinet Office where budget and human resources are not sufficient. If the government does make much of the implementation of the principle, it should set up a ministry for the policy. I believe it is worth doing it. The shortest way to increase birthrate is to give more importance on the policy.