My opinion of this week(360):

Proverb for life

Since the test version of Murayama　English Conversation Club  started,
Michio Ueda, one of a leader of the club, has begun introducing a series
of English proverb in our mailing list both in English and Japanese. 
In connection with this, I decided to put English proverb in English ML 
together with some simple illustrations so that those will be some good
materials to learn English.

It's not easy work as a matter of fact. But it is a good lesson both for
English and Japanese and is very enjoyable by itself. In addition to 
those introduced by Ueda-san, I try to select some other simpler or easier
proverbs to start with. In order to put an illustration for each proverb, 
some kind of highly abstract proverbs are not to be selected at this 
first stage. This selection process is time consuming but very informative.  

I know many Japanese proverbs, of course.  What do you say them in English?
What are English version for them? Meanwhile, I know some English proverbs,
too. What are Japanese version for them?  Since they are used as learning
materials, I study them carefully again by checking both English Japanese
and Japanese English dictionaries. It's a good learning  by itself.

There are many proverbs the meaning of which are similar each other. 
In the other hand, there are some proverbs that the meaning is just contrast
each other. For an example: "Time and tide wait for no man" is one way. And
"Slow and steady wins the race" is another way. Both is true as a matter of
fact. In all respect, this is the overall review of all lessons for life.

Putting a certain simple illustration for each proverb is another good 
aspect for this learning process. You must use another side of brain or 
thought to describe the meaning of each proverb by illustration. I used a
famous Aesop's fables of hare and tortoise to describe the proverb mentioned
above : "Slow and steady wins the race". Most illustration is really simple
and childish when you see the one presented. But the process to prepare
such illustration is very valuable as far as my observation is concerned. 

I don't know how long this will last, but I will try to continue as 
long as possible so that I can cover most of good proverbs to learn,
There is a Japanese proverb which says "Keizoku ha chikaranari". The
literal translation of it is :"Doing things continuously becomes a power."
I am looking for an English version of proverb for it right now, I would
be much obliged if some one would let me know it. 

In summary, I would like to put one of my good word to live by. "Where there
is a will, there is a way."

2004/3/6
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion of this week(361):

Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan helps Kanebo

I am surprised to read the news that IRCJ (Industrial Revitalization 
Corporation of Japan) decided to help not only Cosmetic Division
but also the whole concern by putting over 366 billion yen. 

Kanebo is now in serious financial difficulties. Kanebo was trying to
sell their cosmetic business to Kao Corporation and two company
were about to sign the agreement. About two weeks ago, the news
reported that the negotiation did not succeed at the last stage.
There was a strong opposition to sell the cosmetic business to Kao
by the labor union. The union might have a great concern about 
layoff and other restructuring scheme to be conducted by new 
management. Another opposition was from cosmetic division of 
Kanebo itself. There was a strong voice in the inside of Kanebo
saying that corporate culture is different each other between
two firms and quality of goods and service of two cosmetic 
business is entirely different. 

So what? I was quite amazed to read the story. What are management
and labor union of Kanebo talking about? They failed in managing
their business after all. Some big restructuring including layoff
and change of corporate culture are necessary to vitalize the firm.

It is reported that Kao tried to invest 440 billion yen to buy
Kanebo Cosmetic business. They were sure that such big investment
would pay off due to a number of synergistic effect by their 
present products line and new Kanebo lines. I guess that it was 
a  quite professional view and a plan. 
 
But Kanebo denied the plan at the last stage and went for IRCJ for
help. IRCJ decided to provide financial support to the whole 
corporation without making enough financial assessment of the firm
in such a short period of time. Is this process right? I have some
great concern about this process.

Needless to say, 366 billion yen provided by IRCJ is public fund
i.e tax paid by people of Japan. Prime Minister Koizumi keeps 
stressing the importance of privatization of business structure 
of this country cutting out many public intervention.  But what's
about this? 

I wonder if such a new born public organization as IRCJ is capable
enough to assess such difficult and competitive business as cosmetics.
Are they really going to make better works than Kao? I doubt it.

2004/3/13
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion of this week(362):

Naoko Takahashi failed to go to Athens

Naoko Takahashi, the gold medallist of marathon  at Sydney Olympics
in 2000, was not selected to coming Athens Olympic in August this
year. Japan Field and Truck Events Association selected Reiko Tosa
as the third runner for Athens , who had become the winner for
marathon race held recently in  Nagoya. Her race record was
better than that of Takahashi in race in Tokyo held in last 
fall. Takahashi could not win in that game and became second
place.   

All mass media reported sensationally this news Monday this week.
Asahi Newspaper, the largest newspaper, reported this fact not
only in sport page, but also in editorial and their top page
column. The news was such a big concern for people in this country
at any rate.

General reaction of various mass media to this decision by
Japan Field and Truck Events Association was mostly affirmative.
They selected Yuko Arimori, a blond metal winner of Barcelona
Olympic for Atlanta Olympic, although her race record at that
time was inferior to those of another candidates. The Association
put more emphasis on the past performance rather than the 
then records in order to make decision. 

Their decision not to select Takahashi at this time was obviously
quite different from that in the past. They emphasized more on the
present record and performance as selection criteria. 
 
It is obvious that the Association tried to avoid a lot of 
criticism for their selection process as in the past. They 
changed their stance at this time. Although there still raised many 
criticism against this decision , reaction of mass media and of
general public were mostly affirmative and I personally support
the change of stance of the Association. 

After Tokyo International Race, Naoko Takahashi and her coach Koike
decided to wait for the result of two following races in Osaka and
in Nagoya without participating in them. They might have expected
that her past performance would be highly considered for the 
selection provided that her race record in Tokyo was inferior
to those to be established by some other candidates in Osaka and
Nagoya. They might regret that Takahahi should have participated
in any one of those races to compete after Tokyo International.

The decision must have been a big shock for Takahashi. But her
press interview held after the decision was very pleasant and fresh.
She did not say any complaint of any sort. People gave her a good 
clap and I did it myself watching her interviews in TV.

2004/3/20
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion of this week(363):

THOU SHALT NOT KILL

Israel killed Sheik Ahmed Yasshin, the creator and the top leader 
of Hamas by rocket attack. They said they had done it for they 
could not stop the attack from Hamas anymore unless they did so.
What a barbarism it is!

UN Security Counsel tried to make a resolution to accuse Israel but
it was turn down due to veto power by US. US said it is not fair 
to blame Israel only on this issue, although they have some great
concern about the conduct made by Israel at this time. 

Is US right? They have already killed thousands of people since 
they started the Iraq war without cause. How can they join to
pass the resolution? 

The UN resolution will not only try to accuse Israel but also try
to stop vicious cycle of killing each other at present. Such
terrible deed by Israel must be stopped first by all means.

Such terror attacks by each sides are not stopping without any
brakes and being escalated not only in Israel Palestine conflicts
but also in Iraq and all other conflicts in the world. Demon hate
of each others is underway.

I happened to watch the movie "Ten Commandment" rent at the rental
shop recently. I knew the story itself for I saw it before once
or twice. The main purpose was to learn English while enjoying 
various spectacular scene. I was impressed again with the scene 
that Moses got revelation of God at Mt.Sinai. The ten commandment
were etched on the stone plate one by one by God. 

One of the ten commandment is: "You shall not kill " (THOU SHALT 
NOT KILL) . God ordered men to keep it together with nine other
commandment. God says that any men who will not keep the 
commandment will be perished by God.

I am neither of Christian nor Islam nor any kind of religion.But
I believe myself the ten commandment is right. I just wonder why
two religions that  share the common prophet such as Moses are
not learning from this great commandment. 

In the movie, all mankind who do not follow it  were perished. 
I guess the same thing will happen in this world sooner or later. 

2004/3/27
Tadashi HAYASE