My opinion of this week(305)

A Red Counter

In our Mailing List, a number of messages on copy right of music have been 
presented by many people. I wrote a kind of big difference exist for the
usage when the right is applied. The copy right is to be applied very
strictly for any business use. On the other hand, the copy is not 
generally too strict against non-business purpose including educational
purpose and/or their promotional purpose. 

Although it is entirely different category, this red counter is one of
examples of an intelligent product which is provided for people for free.
Although it is very valuable intellectual product, the owner of the 
product does not claim any copy right for it. The owner provides it
in open net society so that it is to be used widely in it.

Provided that the owner claims the copy right and set some rental fee,
the institution could earn some money. (It seems that the owner is
Keio University.) But the institution does not do it. They offer it for
free in Internet by opening even the source of that software. Their 
purpose is to promote such serious financial debt issue to Japanese
people and not to make money by it.

At the same time, their another objective of them is to get some more 
hints and suggestions from professional people in various fields as to
how the counter will be improved. Through that process their counter
will help to proceed structural reform of Japanese economy. They would
get a high reputation that is the biggest return for them rather than
small rent fees for the right. They could earn money, of course, as 
by-products of such social work. 

This is one typical example of how copy right for non-business field 
are to be claimed in Internet world today.

2003/2/1
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion of this week(306):

Keep walking

I play tennis usually on Tuesday every weeks. But I could not do so 
because I have to go to Hakuba, Nigata Prefecture for my personal 
business. I arrived at Hakuba at 11:45 in the morning, and went to
my place by taxi. It takes about five or six minutes by taxi to get
there. Since weather was so nice, I decided to walk back to Hakuba
station after finishing my business. I guess that there are about
6 kilometers to the Hakuba Station.

I left there around two o'clock in the afternoon and started 
walking worrying if I could get to the station by 15:04 when Super
Express Azusa leave for Shinjyuku. I took about only about 40 minutes
early enough to take the train. I satisfied with it by saving 1,200 
yen taxi fares and by enjoying very good fresh air at the foot of
Mt. Happou. It could be much better if no cars run beside the road.

I could arrive at the station early enough for the train and enjoyed
drinking a cup of beer soon after the train left. 

I have sore legs on Wednesday next morning and could not go out to 
play soft tennis as scheduled. It was only 6 kilometers or so that
I walked on Tuesday. I thought over the fact that my foot was not
strong enough to walk only such short distances. 

I have made up my mind that I would walk much more at any place
at any time from now on so that I could strengthen my legs.

2003/2/8
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion of this week(307):

Special deregulation area

According to Nikkei News Paper yesterday morning, only about 30% of special
deregulated area are now approved by various ministries concerned. Such 
special area were set by Koizumi Cabinet in order to proceed structural 
reform by making deregulation at various fields such as education,
medical care, construction, and so forth.

Typical example of resistance against such deregulation measures is
whether or not Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will admit for
incorporation to come into hospital business. Strange enough, both 
Minister Sakaguchi and Vice Minister Kimura are against incorporation to
come into hospital business. 

Minister Sakaguchi said introduction of incorporation for hospital business
will end up with increase cost of medical cares. Vice Minister Kimura,
the strongest man who resists to the reform plan, said the purpose of
incorporation is to maximize profit. That will totally deteriorate medical
care system of this country.

I just don't understand what Vice Minister talks about. What's wrong with
profit? Whether or not any hospitals can make any profits fully depends
upon how they can get satisfaction from their customers. Customers will be
satisfied after they compare services of various hospitals concerning 
their services and prices. Unless hospital can provide a good service and
price, they are not to be selected by customers. Unless they are not 
selected, they can never make any profit. It is very clear and fair
process, isn't it? The same thing can be said with any other area including
management of schools.

I wonder why the Ministry and Japan Doctors Association are against such
basic concept of deregulation. What are they trying to protect? What are
they afraid of ? Do they have no confidence on what they are doing now?

2003/2/15
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion of this week(308):

The subject is not "me"

"Watashi teki" is a very strange Japanese word that is used frequently by
young men these days. When they say something or express some opinion or 
feeling, they tend to use Watashi teki for the subject. The subject is  
to be "I" definitely, when they say or insist something. 

But they often use this expression "watashi teki" instead of "I".  "Watashi
tekini ha " means according to my  very very personal opinion or feeling, 
it looks something like something". What' s this?

They tend to avoid impression of strong assertion about what they want to 
say at any rate . They don't have any sense of discussion or debate for
better solution about any controversial issues. The attitude is far from
modesty and self-humiliation. They just lack self-confidense.

 It is very strange word indeed. The existence of such word itself is an 
evidence of weakness of Japanese society today.

2003/2/22
Tadashi HAYASE