Japanese Surgeon's Daily Life

Yamaguchi Tour (May 31st to June 2nd)

　　I went on a trip to Yamaguchi Prefecture from May 31st to June 2nd. Yamaguchi Prefecture lies on the opposite side of Ehime Prefecture across the Seto Inland Sea. I'm afraid that most foreign people wouldn't know Yamaguchi Prefecture and I put together a map on which my route was written. One thing, I left Matsuyama Sightseeing Port by ferry boat, and stayed in the cabin overnight, where my GPS receiver couldn't pick up data from the satellite. So, the route from the real starting point to Kokura Port, during which time I was in the cabin, was dropped. The picture shows scooters being locked on the ferry boat.

No Lunch

　　There's a physician who is still working as the administrative director of St. Luke's International Hospital at the advanced age of 101! The majority of Japanese people would know about him. Not only his achievements but also his way of life interests a lot of people. I'm one of his fans. He is great as a human being and as a physician. A few years ago, a TV program featured him and I learned about his diet; one slice of bread with jam and a cup of coffee for breakfast, two cookies and a cup of milk for lunch, and a normal portion of dinner. He can seemingly work energetically on such a small diet. When I saw him on TV, I thought that metabolism differs with age. However, I wanted to experience his diet and decided to cut back on total calorie in-take by skipping lunch which I started doing on Mar. 13th.
　　Two and a half months has passed since then. I'll write about the differences I've noticed. I feel hungry for a short time in the afternoon, but I have noticed some favorable points. My body weight has decreased by approximately 2 kg, though it is still far from my ideal weight. I now have additional time at noon which was previously used for lunch, and furthermore, the drowsiness after lunch has disappeared. This diet might be suitable for me. I'm going to continue it for at least another 6 months.

(Vocabulary)
learn 　(フォーマル) [他]〈情報・知らせなど〉を知る, 聞く
learn of/about sth  ＜…＞を知る
diet [C,U] 日常の食物, 食生活, 食事
intake 《常に単数形で》(飲食物などの) 摂取量
Try to reduce your intake of fat.  脂肪の摂取量を減らす努力をしなさい．

Rainbow

　　The pictures show the rainbow which I saw this morning on the way to work. It's the first time I've seen such a beautiful and complete rainbow in my life. The most part of the rainbow was above the sea and nothing concealed any part of it. Then I couldn't pass the scene and pulled over my car to have a short break and take pictures.
　　Ehime Prefecture in which my hometown is located got into the rainy season yesterday. During this season, it's a rare chance to see a blue sky. This morning, it was a little cloudy and I didn't hope to see such a beautiful rainbow. My commuting route is full of changes of views from urban streets via mountainous district to the seaside. The instant I got through the forest, I found a beautiful rainbow starting to be formed on the sea called Iyonada. As I drove the car, the formation of the rainbow gradually developed and completed really beautifully. I couldn't help stopping my car.

Altitude Training

　　Three months have passed since I determined to join next year's Ehime Marathon last February, seeing the runners pass the finish line of the race. I could have lost 3 kilograms of weight for the past 3 months, but I didn't run more than 10 kilometers. I had to increase the amount of the exercise.
　　Then a friend invited me to go jogging in a highland area, in which the traffic wasn't heavy and the temperature was comfortable. The plan was to run a distance of 15 kilometers in the countryside and within 2 hours for me. I put "Altitude Training" as the topic of this entry, but it is considerably exaggerated. It was chosen just for sparse traffic and cool weather. The result? Miserable. I realized that I had to run and run.

Replacement

　　The other day I wrote about my PC in my office which had got broken on May 11th. Since then, I was wondering what PC would be best for the replacement. I usually don't use softwares stressful to the cpu like video editing tools or games, and so the PC wasn't required for high performance. Eventually I chose one from the group which was second only to the group which has the most powerful ability. Naturally it was reasonably priced.
　　The next issue was about the platform. I was going to choose Windows 8 without a second thought, because it was at the cutting edge. However, considering the peripheral devices I have, I couldn't help giving up Windows 8. Most devices weren't compatible with Windows 8. Updating all those devices would cost a lot. After all, I adopted Windows 7. I wrote before about one of the devices in this blog. (link)
　　By the way, the manufacturer's support of Windows XP apparently will end next April. I think of the replacement of the whole system of my domestic PC on Windows XP. At that time, the platform would be the newest, Windows 8, updating all the outdated devices.

PC Down

　　In the morning on May 11th, my PC in my office went dead abruptly. It never started up. I tried some remedies, but it never came up. I ended up giving up repairing it and ordered a new one from a pc shop.
　　I have two PCs with the same setting as each other, one in my home and one in my office. Additionally, the data is stored in both PCs and on the internet. So, the damage was the least and it was lucky. The replacement should have been done easily and promptly.
　　However, the point was what platform would be adopted. The platform of both PCs was Windows XP, whose technical support was announced to be ended the other day. It means that I should choose Windows Vista or later versions like Windows 7 or 8. What should I do?

(Vocabulary from the comments)
inherent 〈性質・要素などが〉本来備わっている, 固有の, 付きものの
inherent in  problems that are inherent in the system  そのシステムに固有の問題

Oriental Machu Picchu

　　I'm going to tell you about one of the tourist destinations located deep in the forest in my prefecture. It's a cultural and industrial heritage which recently earned the nickname of "Oriental" Machu Picchu. This spot closely resembles Machu Picchu, which is the name of the ruins of an ancient Inca city in southern Peru, as you all know.
　　Four hundred years ago, three thousand people, at its most prosperous period, lived there, engaging in mining copper in the present Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. Copper dug out from the mine had been the resources for remarkable development of Japan after World War Two, but now the mine is closed and the area didn't have a proper name but the simple name of the place, "Tohnaru". However, once someone named it as Oriental Machu Picchu, things changed. The spot became well-known and popular.
　　I visited the site with my wife. It was in a sequestered region. Without preliminary information on the ruins, you would be so astonished to see it like the explorer, Hiram Bingham III, who found Machu Picchu in 1911. Incidentally, Indiana Jones is supposedly modelled on him. Like Indiana(!), in the midst of the dense forest, we found traces of a kindergarten, a clinic and a theater for performing arts. They barely revealed their past existences.

(Vocabulary)
Machu Picchu　マチュピチュ〔ペルー南部にあるインカ帝国の都市遺跡〕
earn 　[他] (当然の)〈名声・地位など〉を得る,〈尊敬・称賛など〉を受ける
I think you've earned a rest! そろそろ休んだらどうだい！
earn sb sth  ＜人＞に＜尊敬・称賛など＞をもたらす
His hard work earned him the respect of his co-workers. 彼は勤勉な働きぶりで同僚の尊敬を集めた．
dense 〈植物・葉などが〉密生した,〈人口が〉密集した
areas of dense vegetation  植物が生い茂っている地域
dense forest/jungle/undergrowth  うっそうとした森林［ジャングル，下草］

Boys' Festival

　　The fifth of May is traditionally known as Tango no Sekku. It's a day to pray for the healthy growth of boys. In households across Japan, parents display suits of armour and dolls modelled after legendary warriors, wishing that their sons will be strong. There are some other customs related to Tango no Sekku. You might see several "koinobori" carp-shaped streamers flapping in the breeze. Or, you might eat "kashiwamochi" rice cake, which is stuffed with sweet bean paste and wrapped in "kashiwa" oak leaves, and is steamed to give the "mochi" a nice leafy aroma.
　　To my regret, I didn't have any boys so I haven't celebrate this day, but I have put "shobu" sweet flags in the bath sometimes. It became a good toy for my daughters in the bath. When steeped in hot water, sweet flags give off a strong scent, and this is believed to have the power to ward off evil and prevent disease. The Japanese have always used seasonal plants as part of their lives in an attempt to harness the power of nature. Now, all my daughters have moved out, but I still put "shobu" in the bath, recalling their childhood.
　　By the way, an interesting wordplay of "shobu" exists, with the meaning of martial spirit and the "shobu" in the bath representing swords. The Japanese seem to love that kind of symbolism and wordplay. I'll post the link to pictures of "shobu".

Asagiriko Lake Marathon

　　Asagiriko Lake Marathon took place today and I joined the category for the 10km road race. It was the first time for me to run more than 100 meters in the last 30 years, so it was epoch-making stuff in my life. The lake is located an hour's drive south of my hometown and the route was arranged around Asagiriko Lake. The route was surrounded by serene rural scenes which was a nice place for relaxing and feeling the nature.
　　Lots of people were registered to run in the event, as you can see in the first picture. There were about 2800 runners and this event is undoubtedly one of the biggest events for this tiny village. The start of the half marathon was coming and the runners moved to the starting point.
　　My friends and I were going to join the 10km road race, which started 30 minutes after the start of the half marathon. We took pictures of ourselves during the 30 minutes which was given for people to see the start of the half marathon. The man wearing number 1428 in the picture is me.
　　I finished the 10km road race keeping the pace as previously scheduled. Generally speaking, the record was not good, but I found it very satisfying. I'll try other races and complete a full marathon some day.

(Vocabulary from comments)
applaud  ［正式］…を賞賛する（praise）；…を支持する（support）
I ～ your decision to quit smoking.  よく禁煙を決意しましたね
We ～ed him for his courage to attack the difficulty.  我々はその困難と戦う彼の勇気を賞賛した.
sideline 〈負傷などが〉〈選手〉を試合に出場できなくする; 〈病気・状況などが〉〈人〉に仕事をできなくする
Plantar Fasciitis  足底筋膜炎
nagging  〈痛み・悩みなどが〉しつこい, 絶えずつきまとう; 〈声・親などが〉口うるさい, いつも小言を言う
a ～ cough  （なかなか治らない）長引く咳
a ～ doubt   つきまとって離れない疑念
have a ～ pain in one's arm  慢性的に腕が痛む.

A Letter to Lions Club International President

Lions Clubs International President
Mr. Wayne A. Madden & To Whom It May Concern

　　I'm a member of Matsuyama Chuo Lions Club (District 336-A, 1R3Z). I read "A Message From Our President" in LION MAGAZINE IN JAPAN April 2013, Vol.55 No.10., in which your statement was translated into Japanese. Your message surprised and deeply disappointed me. I immediately ordered your original statement from the head office in Japan and made sure of the words like "strafing of enemy", "cruelly tortured". I put your message on the net. Your "Madden column for March" literally maddened me. I have a few questions.
　　Are "strafing by Japan" or "cruelly tortured by Japan" historically correct? If you have some evidence, please have it forwarded. Where? and When? I'll check it.
　　In TIME MAGAZINE, Asian version, Dec. 20th 2010, p.52, there was a list of "The Best Books of 2010". The highest one in the nonfiction category was "Unbroken" written by Laura Hillenbrand. I thumbed through the summary of the story. He seemed to have eaten sparingly but survived until the end of the war. He must have been taken into custody so close to the end of the war. It's naturally ironic.
　　Japan had foolishly kept the Geneva Convention throughout the Great East Asian War, while the Allied forces treated prisoners cruelly. It is an unanswerable fact. Strafing sailors evacuated on the sea from their military vessels is the Allied forces's way of fighting, not Japan's way. Do you know about Bushido, the soul of Japan? Presumably I don't need to write about the Atomic Bombs or the one-night bombing on Tokyo, which killed no less than 100,000 ordinary people.
　　However, there could be some exceptions. The protagonist of "Unbroken" might be such an exception or an exceptional person who lacked emotional sensitivity and couldn't feel grateful from those who offered something from the extreme shortage of their food.
　　I'd like to emphasize that your message is far different from the general historical facts. You believe a popular novel without questioning it. Additionally, do you think your message is appropriate for the LION MAGAZINE, which is delivered around the world? If you want to know about strafing, read the following pieces which I wrote in January. It contains accurate figures. Rebuttal is always welcome, though I'm not good at English.

http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-1.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-2.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-3.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-4.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-5.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-6.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-7.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-8.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-9.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-10.html
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/01/battleships-prince-of-wales-and-yamato-11.html


Bushido, the soul of Japan and Chivalry;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLdX2ngSepY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbHIC_CLDhk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcwX93oi1CE

Mr. Xxxxx Yyyyy M.D. Ph.D
General Surgeon
Matsuyama Japan


ライオンズクラブ国際会長
ウェイン　Ａ　マッデン　様


　私は３３６－Ａ地区１Ｒ３Ｚ松山中央ライオンズクラブに所属しています。日本語版ライオン誌４月号に掲載されたあなたのメッセージを拝読致しました。その内容に驚き、かつひどく落胆し、すぐにオリジナルを取り寄せ英文を確認し、その中に「敵の機銃掃射」、「残酷な拷問」という文言を確認しました。私の読んだ文書を念のためネット上にＵＰしておきます。いくつか質問させて頂きます。

　まず、あなたの書かれた海上で助けを求める水兵に対する機銃掃射、捕虜に対する残酷な拷問は歴史的な事実でしょうか？もし何か根拠をお持ちなら、お示しください。当方で確認致します。いつ、どの海域での話ですか？

　Ｔｉｍｅ誌アジア版平成２２年１２月２０日号の５２頁に「The Best Books　of　2010」という記事のノンフィクション分野のリストがあります。その第一位は、Laura　Hillenbrand氏著、「Unbroken」です。サマリーをざっと読んだだけですが、主人公は戦争中、日本軍の捕虜となり、殴られ、絶食させられたが終戦まで生き延びたそうです。絶食させられて終戦まで生き延びたのですからよほど終戦真近に捕虜となったのでしょう。もちろんこれは皮肉です。

　日本軍がジュネーブ条約をバカ正直に守って捕虜を扱った一方で、米国軍をはじめ連合軍は投降した日本軍兵士に対して数々の虐待を行っています。海に逃れた水兵を機銃掃射するというのは米軍がやることであって、日本軍は絶対にしていないはずです。日本軍は全戦域において武士道を忠実に守っています。２個の原爆や一晩で一般人１０万人を殺した東京爆撃を例に挙げるまでもないでしょう。

　勿論、例外はあり得ます。そして、Unbrokenの主人公も偶然そのような例外的人物であったのか、乏しい資材の中で精一杯捕虜のために日本軍兵士が提供した処遇を素直に受け止めることのできない例外的人物であったのかもしれません。

　ただ、一般的な歴史的事実とは異なるという点、売るために書かれる本を鵜呑みにしている点、ライオン誌にふさわしいものなのか、意見を聞きたい。世界中のライオンズクラブに送られるメッセージがこれだとしたら、看過しがたいことです。

　機銃掃射がどういうものか、下記にまとめています。正確な数値、記録に基づいて書いています。反論があれば受けたいと思います。英語は余り得意ではありませんが。