Parts of western Japan have been hit by torrential rain.
Weather officials are warning against landslides and other disasters.
The Meteorological Agency says an active rain front is bringing downpours to the northern Kyushu and Chugoku regions.
The agency says a damp air mass is moving into the front, causing rain clouds to develop and bringing heavy rain in and around Tokyo.
The rain front is expected to become more active.
Up to 200 millimeters of rain is forecast in Kyushu by Tuesday afternoon. Chugoku is likely to have 100 millimeters of rain.
The total rainfall since Friday has exceeded 350 millimeters in some areas of Kyushu and Chugoku.
Weather officials are calling for caution against possible landslides, flooding and swollen rivers.
The also warn that some areas may have tornadoes, lightning strikes and hail.
2010年6月28日月曜日
A-bomb survivors protest Japan-India atomic pact
Atomic bomb survivors groups in Nagasaki have lodged a protest with the Japanese government after it started talks with India on an agreement to provide the country with Japanese nuclear power-generation technology.
India has been pushing forward with the construction of nuclear power plants in an attempt to deal with a chronic power shortage. But India is not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Japanese government had been cautious about concluding the agreement, which is indispensable if Japanese firms are to get orders for construction projects related to nuclear power generation. Japan changed its stance following the turnabout by the United States and France, who decided to start providing support for the supply of nuclear power technology to India.
On Monday, officials from Japan and India began negotiations to conclude the bilateral agreement.
Representatives of 5 groups of atomic bomb survivors from Nagasaki Prefecture held a news conference. An atom bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki in 1945. The representatives said the 5 groups have sent written protests to Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada protesting the negotiations. They stressed that there is no guarantee that the technology provided will not be used to develop nuclear weapons. They said it is unacceptable for Japan, the only country to have suffered an atomic bomb attack, to cooperate in nuclear development.
Koichi Kawano, the leader of the survivors' groups, says this bilateral cooperation could lead to a collapse of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty system, and the Japanese government should encourage India to become a signatory to the treaty.
India has been pushing forward with the construction of nuclear power plants in an attempt to deal with a chronic power shortage. But India is not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Japanese government had been cautious about concluding the agreement, which is indispensable if Japanese firms are to get orders for construction projects related to nuclear power generation. Japan changed its stance following the turnabout by the United States and France, who decided to start providing support for the supply of nuclear power technology to India.
On Monday, officials from Japan and India began negotiations to conclude the bilateral agreement.
Representatives of 5 groups of atomic bomb survivors from Nagasaki Prefecture held a news conference. An atom bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki in 1945. The representatives said the 5 groups have sent written protests to Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada protesting the negotiations. They stressed that there is no guarantee that the technology provided will not be used to develop nuclear weapons. They said it is unacceptable for Japan, the only country to have suffered an atomic bomb attack, to cooperate in nuclear development.
Koichi Kawano, the leader of the survivors' groups, says this bilateral cooperation could lead to a collapse of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty system, and the Japanese government should encourage India to become a signatory to the treaty.
2010年6月23日水曜日
Gang involvement suspected in extorting wrestler
Tokyo police investigating a gambling scandal involving sumo wrestlers and stable masters suspect that a crime syndicate associate was present at negotiations with Ozeki Kotomitsuki over hush money he was blackmailed into paying by a former wrestler.
Police suspect the former wrestler blackmailed Kotomitsuki over illegal bets he'd placed on Japanese professional baseball games.
The police have already obtained an arrest warrant for the former wrestler on suspicion of extorting about 39,000 dollars.
They also say Kotomitsuki was asked to pay more than 1.1 million dollars in additional hush money during the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March.
They suspect that the gang associate took part in negotiations over payment of the money, and that stablemaster Otake accompanied Kotomitsuki and another stable master, Tokitsukaze, was waiting in a car parked nearby.
Police suspect the former wrestler blackmailed Kotomitsuki over illegal bets he'd placed on Japanese professional baseball games.
The police have already obtained an arrest warrant for the former wrestler on suspicion of extorting about 39,000 dollars.
They also say Kotomitsuki was asked to pay more than 1.1 million dollars in additional hush money during the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March.
They suspect that the gang associate took part in negotiations over payment of the money, and that stablemaster Otake accompanied Kotomitsuki and another stable master, Tokitsukaze, was waiting in a car parked nearby.
Okinawa observes 65th memorial day
Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa has marked the 65th anniversary of the end of organized combat between the now-defunct Japanese Imperial Army and US forces at the end of World War Two.
On Wednesday, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City, where the last of the fierce fighting took place in 1945. The Battle of Okinawa killed more than 200,000 soldiers and civilians.
During the ceremony, about 5,500 people, including victims' families, observed a minute of silence.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima said the prefecture continues to host many US military bases, and that local residents have been suffering from incidents caused by US soldiers as well as noise pollution.
He also said quickly removing the danger posed by the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is an issue that concerns not only Okinawa, and that all Japanese nationals should try to help solve it.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed his condolences to the victims' families, and apologized to Okinawa for having to shoulder the great burden of hosting many US bases.
He pledged that the government will work harder to reduce the burden and remove danger posed by US bases.
This is Kan's first visit to the prefecture since taking office earlier this month.
2010/06/23 14:39(JST)
On Wednesday, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City, where the last of the fierce fighting took place in 1945. The Battle of Okinawa killed more than 200,000 soldiers and civilians.
During the ceremony, about 5,500 people, including victims' families, observed a minute of silence.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima said the prefecture continues to host many US military bases, and that local residents have been suffering from incidents caused by US soldiers as well as noise pollution.
He also said quickly removing the danger posed by the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is an issue that concerns not only Okinawa, and that all Japanese nationals should try to help solve it.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed his condolences to the victims' families, and apologized to Okinawa for having to shoulder the great burden of hosting many US bases.
He pledged that the government will work harder to reduce the burden and remove danger posed by US bases.
This is Kan's first visit to the prefecture since taking office earlier this month.
2010/06/23 14:39(JST)
2010年6月22日火曜日
Yokohama holds APEC-related cultural seminar
The Japanese city that will host this year's summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum has held a cultural seminar for children on one of the member economies.
Yokohama, south of Tokyo, will host the APEC summit this November.
To promote the event, the city presented a seminar about Vietnam at a local elementary school on Tuesday.
Using photos and videos, a Vietnamese student at the municipal university introduced aspects of Vietnamese culture --- including traditional water puppets and cuisine --- to 80 children.
A schoolgirl who attended said she knew little about Vietnam before, but now hopes to visit there someday.
Yokohama plans to hold similar seminars on the cultures of other APEC members, including China and Thailand, at about 20 other elementary schools.
Yokohama, south of Tokyo, will host the APEC summit this November.
To promote the event, the city presented a seminar about Vietnam at a local elementary school on Tuesday.
Using photos and videos, a Vietnamese student at the municipal university introduced aspects of Vietnamese culture --- including traditional water puppets and cuisine --- to 80 children.
A schoolgirl who attended said she knew little about Vietnam before, but now hopes to visit there someday.
Yokohama plans to hold similar seminars on the cultures of other APEC members, including China and Thailand, at about 20 other elementary schools.
Abductees' families seek Mongolia's support
The families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea are heading to Mongolia to seek support from the country, which has close ties with the North.
Shigeo Iizuka, the elder brother of abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and Teruaki Masumoto, the younger brother of abductee Rumiko Masumoto, left Japan for Mongolia on Monday. Iizuka also heads a group of abductees' relatives.
Iizuka and Masumoto are making their first visit to Mongolia at the request of the Mongolian media.
During their stay until Thursday, they plan to meet senior government officials to directly appeal for their support.
They will also attend a lecture on the abductions to raise Mongolians' awareness of the problem.
Iizuka said he wants to ask the Mongolian government to urge North Korea to return all the abductees.
Masumoto said he has heard that some North Korean defectors live in Mongolia, and he will ask the Mongolian authorities to share information on the abductions.
The Mongolian government has diplomatic ties with North Korea and has previously expressed its willingness to cooperate with Japan to resolve the abduction issue.
Shigeo Iizuka, the elder brother of abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and Teruaki Masumoto, the younger brother of abductee Rumiko Masumoto, left Japan for Mongolia on Monday. Iizuka also heads a group of abductees' relatives.
Iizuka and Masumoto are making their first visit to Mongolia at the request of the Mongolian media.
During their stay until Thursday, they plan to meet senior government officials to directly appeal for their support.
They will also attend a lecture on the abductions to raise Mongolians' awareness of the problem.
Iizuka said he wants to ask the Mongolian government to urge North Korea to return all the abductees.
Masumoto said he has heard that some North Korean defectors live in Mongolia, and he will ask the Mongolian authorities to share information on the abductions.
The Mongolian government has diplomatic ties with North Korea and has previously expressed its willingness to cooperate with Japan to resolve the abduction issue.
2010年6月20日日曜日
Rainy season ends in Okinawa
The rainy season has ended in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.
The Okinawa Meteorological Observatory announced the end of Tsuyu 4 days earlier than usual.
The total amount of rainfall during the season until Friday, which started on May 6th, was 761 millimeters in Naha City and 741 millimeters in Kume-jima. That's about twice the amount of rain compared to a normal Tsuyu rainy season.
Mainland Japan is still in the midst of the rainy season which will continue into next month.
The Okinawa Meteorological Observatory announced the end of Tsuyu 4 days earlier than usual.
The total amount of rainfall during the season until Friday, which started on May 6th, was 761 millimeters in Naha City and 741 millimeters in Kume-jima. That's about twice the amount of rain compared to a normal Tsuyu rainy season.
Mainland Japan is still in the midst of the rainy season which will continue into next month.
Dalai Lama visits Nagano's Zenkoji Temple
The Dalai Lama has visited the well-known Zenkoji Buddhist temple in the central Japanese city of Nagano to express his gratitude.
The temple withdrew from being a starting point of part of the Japanese leg of the Olympic torch relay for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, citing concerns about the Chinese government's response to Tibetan issues at the time.
After a prayer for peace, the Dalai Lama told a news conference that he feels very blessed to be able to visit such a holy place for the first time.
Referring to the temple's withdrawal from the torch relay, he said he is very thankful for its understanding of Tibetan issues.
The Dalai Lama will give a lecture in the city on Sunday ahead of his departure on Monday.
The temple withdrew from being a starting point of part of the Japanese leg of the Olympic torch relay for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, citing concerns about the Chinese government's response to Tibetan issues at the time.
After a prayer for peace, the Dalai Lama told a news conference that he feels very blessed to be able to visit such a holy place for the first time.
Referring to the temple's withdrawal from the torch relay, he said he is very thankful for its understanding of Tibetan issues.
The Dalai Lama will give a lecture in the city on Sunday ahead of his departure on Monday.
2010年6月15日火曜日
Gangster extorted money from Kotomitsuki
Sources close to Tokyo police and the Sumo Association say not only the wrestler, Kotomitsuki, but other people who work in sumo are caught up in illegal gambling.
According to the sources, a man belonging to a sumo stable acted as an intermediary for the betting on baseball games.
In December last year, they say, Kotomitsuki asked the intermediary to pay him his gambling winnings worth tens of thousands of dollars.
But the intermediary told Kotomitsuki to get the money from another man, who is also employed in sumo.
Kotomitsuki did as instructed, but the other man's brother then appeared and threatened to reveal the wrestler's gambling activities unless he paid hush money.
The brother, a gangster and former sumo wrestler, extorted about 30-thousand dollars, and later tried to make Kotomitsuki pay more than one-million dollars.
According to the sources, a man belonging to a sumo stable acted as an intermediary for the betting on baseball games.
In December last year, they say, Kotomitsuki asked the intermediary to pay him his gambling winnings worth tens of thousands of dollars.
But the intermediary told Kotomitsuki to get the money from another man, who is also employed in sumo.
Kotomitsuki did as instructed, but the other man's brother then appeared and threatened to reveal the wrestler's gambling activities unless he paid hush money.
The brother, a gangster and former sumo wrestler, extorted about 30-thousand dollars, and later tried to make Kotomitsuki pay more than one-million dollars.
Traditional rowboat races in Okinawa
Fishermen in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost island prefecture, have competed in races in traditional rowboats to wish for a good catch and safety at sea.
The event held on Tuesday in Itoman City dates back more than 400 years.
In one race, 10-man teams from 3 local communities paddled rowboats measuring about 7 meters long on an 800-meter course near a fishing port as onlookers cheered from the shore.
A member of the winning team of oarsmen said they'd practiced hard every day, and hope to bring in a big catch this season
The event held on Tuesday in Itoman City dates back more than 400 years.
In one race, 10-man teams from 3 local communities paddled rowboats measuring about 7 meters long on an 800-meter course near a fishing port as onlookers cheered from the shore.
A member of the winning team of oarsmen said they'd practiced hard every day, and hope to bring in a big catch this season
2010年6月14日月曜日
Record work-related stress claims in FY2009
A record number of people sought worker's compensation in fiscal 2009 for mental health problems related to job stress.
A labor ministry survey shows that 1,136 people applied for compensation in the year ending March 2010. The claimants said they suffered psychological illnesses such as depression due to excessive workloads, harassment by superiors and other workplace stress.
The figure represents a surge of 209 claimants from the previous record set in 2008. The figure is also more than 5 times the number of a decade ago.
234 of the claimants or their families have been granted compensation. 63 of them committed suicide.
The most common causes cited for work-related mental illness were major changes in job content and workload at 24 percent, exposure to traumatic circumstances or accidents at 16 percent, and excessive working hours at 11 percent.
Meanwhile, there were 293 cases in which compensation was paid for stroke and heart attack caused by overwork. That's down 84 from a year earlier. 106 of the cases involved people who died.
A labor ministry survey shows that 1,136 people applied for compensation in the year ending March 2010. The claimants said they suffered psychological illnesses such as depression due to excessive workloads, harassment by superiors and other workplace stress.
The figure represents a surge of 209 claimants from the previous record set in 2008. The figure is also more than 5 times the number of a decade ago.
234 of the claimants or their families have been granted compensation. 63 of them committed suicide.
The most common causes cited for work-related mental illness were major changes in job content and workload at 24 percent, exposure to traumatic circumstances or accidents at 16 percent, and excessive working hours at 11 percent.
Meanwhile, there were 293 cases in which compensation was paid for stroke and heart attack caused by overwork. That's down 84 from a year earlier. 106 of the cases involved people who died.
Rainy season begins in Tokyo
The rainy season has started in Tokyo and the southern Tohoku region.
The Meteorological Agency announced on Monday that a front near Japan's southern coast is bringing seasonal rains to the Kanto-Koshin area, which includes the capital, and to part of northeastern Japan.
The start of the rainy season comes to Tokyo 11 days later than last year and 6 days later than average.
Western and central Japan has already entered the rainy season. This leaves only northern Tohoku still waiting for its annual installment of persistent rain. The main island of Hokkaido in northern Japan does not have a rainy season.
The Meteorological Agency announced on Monday that a front near Japan's southern coast is bringing seasonal rains to the Kanto-Koshin area, which includes the capital, and to part of northeastern Japan.
The start of the rainy season comes to Tokyo 11 days later than last year and 6 days later than average.
Western and central Japan has already entered the rainy season. This leaves only northern Tohoku still waiting for its annual installment of persistent rain. The main island of Hokkaido in northern Japan does not have a rainy season.
2010年6月12日土曜日
Wives of construction workers rally
Thousands of women gathered in Tokyo on Friday, demanding more jobs for their husbands and sons who are subcontract construction workers in the capital and surrounding areas. Such workers are being hit hard by lower wages due to the recession, and fewer public works projects.
The rally at Hibiya Park in central Tokyo attracted more than 3,300 women. Some participants from Chiba said their families are facing serious hardship and living on scant earnings.
A group of women from Tokyo performed a short play dramatizing how they have cut spending on their children's education and recreational activities.
Last year, the construction industry recorded its lowest number of contracts since the collapse of Japan's bubble economy at the beginning of the 1990s.
Some subcontract construction workers have seen their wages drop by 40 percent over the past 3 years.
The wife of one worker with 2 children said their household budget is severely strained, and said she attended the rally thinking she had to act to change the situation.
The rally at Hibiya Park in central Tokyo attracted more than 3,300 women. Some participants from Chiba said their families are facing serious hardship and living on scant earnings.
A group of women from Tokyo performed a short play dramatizing how they have cut spending on their children's education and recreational activities.
Last year, the construction industry recorded its lowest number of contracts since the collapse of Japan's bubble economy at the beginning of the 1990s.
Some subcontract construction workers have seen their wages drop by 40 percent over the past 3 years.
The wife of one worker with 2 children said their household budget is severely strained, and said she attended the rally thinking she had to act to change the situation.
2010年6月10日木曜日
Seasonal cherry picking begins in Yamagata
About 300 cherry orchards have been opened to visitors in Sagae, Yamagata Prefecture, in northeastern Japan.
One of the orchards welcomed children from a local nursery school on Thursday.
The children were all smiles as they enjoyed mouthfuls of fresh cherries.
Yamagata is Japan's largest cherry-producing center.
The prefecture and an association of local farmers say low temperatures delayed the growth of cherries this year, but that careful pollination and protection from frost helped bring about the first rich harvest in 4 years.
Orchard owner Tokio Kikuchi says he's happy to have opened his orchard to tourists because it's really hard to get cherry trees to bear fruit. He says he hopes to see many visitors from all over Japan come to pick cherries.
One of the orchards welcomed children from a local nursery school on Thursday.
The children were all smiles as they enjoyed mouthfuls of fresh cherries.
Yamagata is Japan's largest cherry-producing center.
The prefecture and an association of local farmers say low temperatures delayed the growth of cherries this year, but that careful pollination and protection from frost helped bring about the first rich harvest in 4 years.
Orchard owner Tokio Kikuchi says he's happy to have opened his orchard to tourists because it's really hard to get cherry trees to bear fruit. He says he hopes to see many visitors from all over Japan come to pick cherries.
Miyakonojo struggles to contain outbreak
Over 200 cattle have been slaughtered at a farm in Miyakonojo City, the heart of Japan's livestock industry, after a fresh outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
The farm in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, culled all 208 cattle on Thursday after finding the previous day that 3 showed symptoms of the disease.
Tests later confirmed that the 3 were infected. The city is about 50 kilometers southwest of the areas where the outbreak has been concentrated since its onset in mid-April.
The prefecture is planning to ban the movement of livestock within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected farm, and transport of animals from within a 20-kilomter radius.
The non-transport zone covers parts of neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture.
The farm in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, culled all 208 cattle on Thursday after finding the previous day that 3 showed symptoms of the disease.
Tests later confirmed that the 3 were infected. The city is about 50 kilometers southwest of the areas where the outbreak has been concentrated since its onset in mid-April.
The prefecture is planning to ban the movement of livestock within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected farm, and transport of animals from within a 20-kilomter radius.
The non-transport zone covers parts of neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture.
2010年6月8日火曜日
2 years pass since Akihabara killing rampage
Two years have passed since a random killing rampage left 7 people dead and 10 others wounded in Tokyo's Akihabara electronics district.
On June 8th, 2008, then temp staff worker Tomohiro Kato drove a truck into a vehicle-free zone crowded with weekend shoppers, hitting people and then getting out and stabbing others with a knife.
On Tuesday, about 50 people, including Chiyoda ward mayor Masami Ishikawa, residents and survivors of the attack, gathered at an altar set up at the crossing where the killings took place.
They offered flowers and prayers for the victims.
Mayor Ishikawa said that security cameras have been installed in Akihabara and he renewed his determination to keep the district safe.
Former taxi driver Hiroshi Yuasa visited the site with a number of young people. He suffered a serious wound while trying to help other victims. Yuasa said many people have already forgotten the tragedy and that he will work with these young people to keep the memory alive as long as possible.
The altar will be in place for the rest of the day.
Kato's trial began in January. He admitted what he did and apologized to the victims and their families.
On June 8th, 2008, then temp staff worker Tomohiro Kato drove a truck into a vehicle-free zone crowded with weekend shoppers, hitting people and then getting out and stabbing others with a knife.
On Tuesday, about 50 people, including Chiyoda ward mayor Masami Ishikawa, residents and survivors of the attack, gathered at an altar set up at the crossing where the killings took place.
They offered flowers and prayers for the victims.
Mayor Ishikawa said that security cameras have been installed in Akihabara and he renewed his determination to keep the district safe.
Former taxi driver Hiroshi Yuasa visited the site with a number of young people. He suffered a serious wound while trying to help other victims. Yuasa said many people have already forgotten the tragedy and that he will work with these young people to keep the memory alive as long as possible.
The altar will be in place for the rest of the day.
Kato's trial began in January. He admitted what he did and apologized to the victims and their families.
2010年6月6日日曜日
Japanese online mall operators go to China
Japanese online mall operators are entering the rapidly growing Chinese market.
Yahoo Japan formed a tie-up with Taobao, the largest Chinese internet retailer, and launched business operations earlier this month.
Cosmetics, electric appliances, and clothing in Yahoo's mall are now available for sale to Chinese customers.
The two companies have set up a Chinese language website to showcase their products. They accept payment in Chinese currency and provide a customs clearance service.
Major Japanese online mall operator Rakuten will set up a joint venture with China's top search engine Baidu, and begin operating an Internet mall in China this summer.
Annual sales in China's online shopping market have almost doubled in the last year and are expected to top 110 billion dollars in 2 years' time.
More Japanese firms are aiming to move into the Chinese online market.
However, many are worried about piracy and protection of intellectual property rights, as illegal copies of Japanese products are widely circulated in China.
Yahoo Japan formed a tie-up with Taobao, the largest Chinese internet retailer, and launched business operations earlier this month.
Cosmetics, electric appliances, and clothing in Yahoo's mall are now available for sale to Chinese customers.
The two companies have set up a Chinese language website to showcase their products. They accept payment in Chinese currency and provide a customs clearance service.
Major Japanese online mall operator Rakuten will set up a joint venture with China's top search engine Baidu, and begin operating an Internet mall in China this summer.
Annual sales in China's online shopping market have almost doubled in the last year and are expected to top 110 billion dollars in 2 years' time.
More Japanese firms are aiming to move into the Chinese online market.
However, many are worried about piracy and protection of intellectual property rights, as illegal copies of Japanese products are widely circulated in China.
2010年6月4日金曜日
Naoto Kan biography
Naoto Kan won a Lower House seat for the first time in 1980 as a member of the Socialist Democratic Federation.
In 1994, Kan joined New Party Sakigake and served as its policy chief when it was part of a coalition government led jointly by the Liberal Democratic and Social Democratic parties.
In 1996, he became health minister under the government of then prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of the LDP, and made his name by tackling the problem of HIV infections from tainted blood products.
That same year, Kan and Yukio Hatoyama founded the precursor to the present-day Democratic Party.
In 1998, Kan became the party's first leader after it merged with smaller parties.
In 2003, Kan led his party into a merger with the Liberal Party, led by Ichiro Ozawa.
When the Democrats took power in their historic Lower House victory last summer, Kan took up the posts of deputy prime minister and national strategy minister in the government of Prime Minister Hatoyama.
In January, Kan replaced then finance minister Hirohisa Fujii, who resigned for health reasons.
Some people call him "Irakan," or "Irritable Kan," as he is known to be rather short-tempered. But lawmakers close to him say that lately he has become more well-rounded in terms of his personality.
In 1994, Kan joined New Party Sakigake and served as its policy chief when it was part of a coalition government led jointly by the Liberal Democratic and Social Democratic parties.
In 1996, he became health minister under the government of then prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of the LDP, and made his name by tackling the problem of HIV infections from tainted blood products.
That same year, Kan and Yukio Hatoyama founded the precursor to the present-day Democratic Party.
In 1998, Kan became the party's first leader after it merged with smaller parties.
In 2003, Kan led his party into a merger with the Liberal Party, led by Ichiro Ozawa.
When the Democrats took power in their historic Lower House victory last summer, Kan took up the posts of deputy prime minister and national strategy minister in the government of Prime Minister Hatoyama.
In January, Kan replaced then finance minister Hirohisa Fujii, who resigned for health reasons.
Some people call him "Irakan," or "Irritable Kan," as he is known to be rather short-tempered. But lawmakers close to him say that lately he has become more well-rounded in terms of his personality.
2010年6月3日木曜日
Yokohama celebrates port opening anniversary
A citizens' chorus and fireworks marked the anniversary of the opening of Port Yokohama to international trade on Wednesday evening.
Port Yokohama near Tokyo -- one of Japan's major ports -- was opened to foreign ships by the Tokugawa Shogunate government in 1859.
This year's festival took place at a park in the Minato- Mirai district, which overlooks the port.
About 1,000 citizens, from small children to seniors in their 80s, participated in the choral concert, singing 8 songs, including the city's anthem and popular tunes. The participants rehearsed for 2 months for the event.
At the end of the concert, 3,000 fireworks were set off against the background of the Yokohama Bay Bridge.
Port Yokohama near Tokyo -- one of Japan's major ports -- was opened to foreign ships by the Tokugawa Shogunate government in 1859.
This year's festival took place at a park in the Minato- Mirai district, which overlooks the port.
About 1,000 citizens, from small children to seniors in their 80s, participated in the choral concert, singing 8 songs, including the city's anthem and popular tunes. The participants rehearsed for 2 months for the event.
At the end of the concert, 3,000 fireworks were set off against the background of the Yokohama Bay Bridge.
Fusion of Kabuki and rap music to be put on stage
A rehearsal for an innovative performance of Kabuki, which melds rap music into the traditional art, was opened to the media on Wednesday.
The show, which aims at interesting young people in Kabuki, is partly accompanied by electric guitars instead of the shamisen, a Japanese string instrument.
The work is based on a classical Kabuki play titled "Sakura-gimin-den"--a story of a man who stands up to save poverty-stricken farmers, with the lead role performed by Nakamura Kanzaburo.
Actors playing farmers sing their lines to a rap music accompaniment in various scenes, including ones where they express anger or encourage the lead character.
The actors have diligently practiced incorporating rap into their lines, adding a certain power to the performance.
Nakamura Kanzaburo told reporters that the show has many interesting features, such as explaining yearly routines of historical farming to rap music. He said he hopes many people, including the young, would come to see the performance.
The show runs through Thursday to June 27th.
The show, which aims at interesting young people in Kabuki, is partly accompanied by electric guitars instead of the shamisen, a Japanese string instrument.
The work is based on a classical Kabuki play titled "Sakura-gimin-den"--a story of a man who stands up to save poverty-stricken farmers, with the lead role performed by Nakamura Kanzaburo.
Actors playing farmers sing their lines to a rap music accompaniment in various scenes, including ones where they express anger or encourage the lead character.
The actors have diligently practiced incorporating rap into their lines, adding a certain power to the performance.
Nakamura Kanzaburo told reporters that the show has many interesting features, such as explaining yearly routines of historical farming to rap music. He said he hopes many people, including the young, would come to see the performance.
The show runs through Thursday to June 27th.
2010年6月2日水曜日
Japan's fertility rate remains unchanged in 2009
A government survey has found Japan's fertility rate for 2009 has remained unchanged from the previous year, after the preceding 3 years all saw rises.
The rate refers to the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.
According to data released by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the fertility rate stood at 1.37 in 2009.
Post-war, it has declined since 1947, when it stood at 4.54, and 2.16 in 1971. The rate hit a record low of 1.26 in 2005, before rising through 2008.
By regional breakdown, Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan saw the highest rate of 1.79, while that of Tokyo was the lowest at 1.12.
Women aged between 30 and 35 gave birth to the greatest number of babies at 389,788.
The ministry said this reflects the rising age of women having their first child, which is now 29.7 years old on average.
The rate refers to the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.
According to data released by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the fertility rate stood at 1.37 in 2009.
Post-war, it has declined since 1947, when it stood at 4.54, and 2.16 in 1971. The rate hit a record low of 1.26 in 2005, before rising through 2008.
By regional breakdown, Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan saw the highest rate of 1.79, while that of Tokyo was the lowest at 1.12.
Women aged between 30 and 35 gave birth to the greatest number of babies at 389,788.
The ministry said this reflects the rising age of women having their first child, which is now 29.7 years old on average.
2010年6月1日火曜日
Child allowance payments begin in some areas
The disbursal of child-rearing allowances --- a key campaign pledge by Japan's main ruling Democratic Party --- has begun in some municipalities.
Under the program, parents are entitled to receive monthly payments of about 140 dollars per child until the child leaves junior high school.
On Tuesday, some towns and villages in Hokkaido, Niigata and Toyama prefectures began disbursing the child allowances for April and May.
In Asahi town, Toyama Prefecture, fathers and mothers visited the town hall in person to receive the funds, which were handed out in cash.
A father of 3 elementary school children said more money will be needed as they grow older, so he plans to put their allowances into a savings fund.
A mother of a 2-year-old said she wants to take her child to an amusement park.
Disbursal of child allowances will begin in other municipalities before the end of this month, mostly through bank transfers.
The welfare ministry says the program covers more than 17 million children and will cost the government about 25 billion dollars for the current fiscal year.
Under the program, parents are entitled to receive monthly payments of about 140 dollars per child until the child leaves junior high school.
On Tuesday, some towns and villages in Hokkaido, Niigata and Toyama prefectures began disbursing the child allowances for April and May.
In Asahi town, Toyama Prefecture, fathers and mothers visited the town hall in person to receive the funds, which were handed out in cash.
A father of 3 elementary school children said more money will be needed as they grow older, so he plans to put their allowances into a savings fund.
A mother of a 2-year-old said she wants to take her child to an amusement park.
Disbursal of child allowances will begin in other municipalities before the end of this month, mostly through bank transfers.
The welfare ministry says the program covers more than 17 million children and will cost the government about 25 billion dollars for the current fiscal year.
Ayu fishing season starts in Tochigi
Recreational fishermen flocked to a river in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Tuesday for the opening of the ayu, or sweetfish, season.
Scores of anglers, many from Tokyo and its vicinities, dropped their lines along the Naka River at first light for the annual first-of-June start of the fishing season for the prized fish.
Some of them used live ayu as bait while others tried their hands at fly fishing.
A local fishermen's association released roughly 700,000 fry in the river this year. But the 2010 catch is expected to be relatively small due to unseasonably cold weather.
An angler said it is fun to catch ayu using live bait
and that he started preparing his rod and tackle one month ago.
The fishing season for ayu in the Naka River will run through November 10th.
Scores of anglers, many from Tokyo and its vicinities, dropped their lines along the Naka River at first light for the annual first-of-June start of the fishing season for the prized fish.
Some of them used live ayu as bait while others tried their hands at fly fishing.
A local fishermen's association released roughly 700,000 fry in the river this year. But the 2010 catch is expected to be relatively small due to unseasonably cold weather.
An angler said it is fun to catch ayu using live bait
and that he started preparing his rod and tackle one month ago.
The fishing season for ayu in the Naka River will run through November 10th.
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