My opinion this week(186)

Participation by citizen for court judgment

 "Jurisdiction System Reform Council agreed to present the plan to
the Government that would introduce a new jurisdiction system
such as jury or council. Jury system is that jurymen elected
at random from ordinal citizens decide whether a defendant is 
guilty or not guilty by vote. " --Nikkei Newspaper 9/27 P1

 We often see such scene of jury court in American TV dorama or
movies. The most interesting part of such diorama is that prosecutors
and lawyers debate the issue in front of juries at a court. The
final judgment as to guilty or not guilty is decided by vote of
juries for a judge of the court.

 Our court system is entirely different from that in US and some
other countries. The most significant point for the new system
that is going to be introduced in the future is the court decision
is participated by general citizens. 

 This is very meaningful indeed. We usually do not pay much interest
in matters concerned with court judgment. But needless to say,
that is very important area , too. I basically agree with the
new movement at this time. What is your opinion on this?

2000/10/7
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion this week(187):

Slobodan Milosevic

 Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has finally resigned. He announced
at news conference that he would resign in accordance with the result of 
the general election. But practocally speaking, he was forced to do it by
massive protests ,general strikes and so on. There was an extraordinary 
display of peoples' power to materialize the change.

 It was an example of difficulty to gain democracy  from such autocratic
political system. Peoples' strong determination to make change of politics
and to establish democracy had made it possible. That was not attained
even by a heavy aerial bombing condcuted by NATO a year ago.

 We all people of the world sincerely admire people of Yugoslav about
such achievement and hope that they will be able to build  a real 
democratic country as soon as possible.

 The international world should offer all possible aids to the people of
Yugoslav for them to build a democratic and peaceful society in the years
to come.

2000/10/14
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion this week (188)

Balance sheet of Japan Inc.

 The government's liabilities exceeded its assets by as much as 776.5 
trillion yen at the end of March 1999 according to the country's 
first-ever national balance sheet released by the Finance Ministry recently.

 The size of future pension obligations was calculated under three different
methods. As a result liabilities in excess of assets add up to 132.5 trillion 
yen 269.8 trillion yen or 776.5 trillion yen depending on the pension figure
to be paid in the future.

 Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told a recent news conference that although
the balance sheet is designed to illustrate Japan's fiscal situation it could 
be misleading to make a simple comparison with negative net worth at a company. 
We understand it of course. It is very difficult to calculate total assets
and liabilities in the country. But they can show all background data and
premise how to get those numbers. 

 One more critical defects of their calculation is that they did not 
include any of assets and liabilities of local governments. It does not 
make sense. In any business world, it now common practice to consolidate
all numbers of a parent company and of all subsidiaries to know the
real condition of the total entity. 

 How can we really know that from this balance sheet? The one 
announced at this time is not appreciated at all in that respect.

 It is true that Japan is still in such a serious financial situation
any way. The Government keeps saying that now is the time to recover 
economic recession rather than financial reform. But how soon will they
start undertaking financial reform which is very necessary to save the 
country from such a dangerous situation.

2000/10/21
Tadashi HAYASE

My opinion this week(189):

YOUME TOWN

 One and half year ago, a big shopping center named YOUME Town opened at
the outskirt of Takamatsu City. The center is very popular and crowded with
people all the time. I sometimes visit there at weekend and the all 7,000
parking lot is filled up any time.

 There is a big shopping arcade in downtown Takamatsu City which is the
biggest in size in Japan. Several big departments and super markets are also
in the city but most of those shops are not running so well due to the fact
that a great number of shopping people are absorbed by YOUME TOWN. 

 The reasons why YOUME TOWN became so popular are rather obvious:

 ・It is easy to access and to park compared with the above  downtown shops.

 ・There are so many good specialty goods stores in this shopping  center.

 ・Many amusement and recreational facilities as well as sporting facilities 
   and cultural schools are available. A whole family can enjoy together in
   along with shopping.

 ・Most public services such as post office, banks, etc. are  available.

 It seems that this place has nothing to do with economic recession at all. 
The name of the center is very good anyway. YOUME TOWN means "Town of You and
Me". Another meaning is "Town of Dream".

 It is a good example that presents how retailers run business successfully
in such time of recession.

2000/10/28
Tadashi HAYASE