Japanese Surgeon's Daily Life

Malaysian Airlines Jet Crashes in Ukraine

　　The crash of MH17, Malaysian Airline Boeing 777, was really shocking and now it is said to be shot down by a surface-to-air missile. I held a short silence to the passengers and crew here in my rural hospital. The conflict in Ukraine has cost hundreds of lives who have nothing to do with it.
　　I sometimes wonder what was wrong with Ukraine. It has been known as 'the breadbasket of the USSR' and also a strategically important region. I recalled that Ukraine had nuclear weapons when it was a member of the USSR. Didn't Putin fear the Ukrainian nuclear weapons on depriving it of Crimea? This inquiry has long been in my mind and recently was solved.
　　After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine had a deal with three countries; the U.S., Russia, and Britain in 1994. In return for abandoning its nuclear weapons, Ukraine could have been supported, when it was invaded. Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma firmly shook hands with Clinton, Yeltsin, and Major in Bucharest. Naturally, this pact is still valid at the present.
　　However, no country dispatched forces for the rescue of Ukraine. Even the UN couldn't take any measures due to the veto of Russia. East Timor, Kosovo, South Ossetia, South Sudan, Crimea,,,. International laws are flexibly and self-righteously in other words utilized by western superpowers every time. I'd like to show doubt to the UN's significance of existence.

(Vocabulary)
breadbasket 穀倉地帯

Comment from Shiroi_Tora:

I agree with you, partially.  The UN has never had significance.  If we are to remain sovereign nations in control of our future...we must ensure it never does.  Promises are only for the mollification of fools.  What matters is what the balance is for potential gain, and for whom, at the moment of conflict.  It is not right...it is historical fact.  It is also not merely the Western World.  If times are not so bad, and if the cost is not so high, promises are kept to keep up the illusion of solidarity in hopes of future gains.  In times of great high prices to be paid...alliances polarize in line with projected needs.  Alliances dissolve as needs switch polarity.

Promises are what kept Russia out of Germany's way while it trounced, what is now, Eastern Europe...until Germany thought it could turn on Russia.  Promises are what kept England from responding to Hitler when he took Czechoslovakia and then Poland.  Promises are what kept the Jewish people mollified, even as they were being marked for death.  Promises are the tools of con men.  Their marks are the fools who put credence in promises.

The greatest indicator of a person's future actions is his past actions and inactions.  Even these are not sure.  Everyone has a price for which he will promise something.  Everyone has a price he is unwilling to pay to keep his promise.  This is human nature.  How can it be different for nations?

I do not condone this...however, it is reality.  It has always been reality, in all nations, Western or Eastern.  Promises are only kept when the price is not too high.  There have been exceptions to this if you don't look too closely.  However, there is always a more pressing need to keep an alliance in the face of seeming altruism...a larger picture of the future which takes precedence.  Just as former enemies become allies easily, especially in the face of a common enemy, they can just as easily become enemies again if their needs become polarized.

It is basic tribalism.  The only bond which seems to hold is if separate tribes become one in thought...in heart and mind.  When this happens, they become, essentially, one tribe.  When they intermingle freely, trade freely, become interdependent...reliant upon one another, not just militarily, but socially...when they think of each other as part of the same tribe or family...that is when they operate as one...and so, when promises are not needed.  It is when actions prior to any need are foreseen and prepared for.  Especially when their economies are interlinked, that is more of a guarantee than any promise.  When one falls, the other is also endangered.  Just out of survival, the other nation must respond.  This is an implied promise in action...and the only one which can stand against future needs polarizing since they will have the same needs at the same time.  That is why in business, there are escrow accounts.  That is a guarantee against default.  People shouldn't have to rely on trust.  Smart people don't depend on it.  They find a way to guarantee it.

-----------------
Prices for keeping promises, toribalism in the face of a common enemy, I understood.  Smart people....  Exactly! I picked several words up for my vocabulary, as usual. thanks a lot!


(Vocabulary from comments)
mollify〈人〉をなだめる, 慰める = placate = pacify
mollification  なだめる［慰める］こと
solidarity  団結, 結束, 連帯
polarity [C,U](フォーマル) (意見・思想などの) 正反対, 両極端
polarized [他] …を両極に分ける, 二極化させる; [自] 正反対に分かれる, 二極化する
polarization 二極化, 二分化
trounce〈競争相手・相手チームなど〉に大勝する, を大差で破る
credence 信用, 信頼
lend/add credence to sth ＜話・理論など＞に信用［信頼］を与える, の信憑性を高める
give credence to sth ＜話・理論など＞を信じる, 受け入れる
gain credence 信用を得る, 受け入れられる
condone …を大目に見る, 許す, 容赦する
tribalism 部族主義;(共通の仕事・宗教などに基づく) 集団意識, 同族意識
intermingle [自] 混ざる, 混ざり合う
foresee …を予見する, 予想する
I don't foresee any problems. この先問題があるとは思えない．
foresee that  …と予見する
interlink [自] 密接に関連し合う, 結びついている
in escrow〈金・財産が〉第三者に預託されて

Blue Ribbon

　　There are several blue ribbon movements in the world. However, the blue ribbon I mean here is the symbol of the cause to bring all the Japanese abductees back from North Korea. The present Abe administration is addressing this issue passionately. Before him, Japan couldn't tackle this issue in full blast due to Korean operatives in the Japanese Administration itself. Lots of people in Japan want to see all of them getting off the plane from North Korea.
　　There are several types of blue ribbon and I bought three of the newest ones, which have a clip and require no piercing of the clothes. As you see below, I attached them on my uniform of the Lions Club and my office. They symbolize my wish for the return of all Japanese abductees from North Korea. Japan's prime minister, Abe, and other politicians always wear it as well.

(Vocabulary)
tackle 難題などに取り組む, 対処する
tackle a problem/an issue　問題に取り組む
operative〈米〉工作員

Atago, DDG-177

　　One of the six destroyers equipped with the Aegis Combat System, Atago, came into Matsuyama harbor, my hometown. An acquaintance who works in the defense association, which cares for veterans, invited me to the private view of the destroyer prior to the public display. I asked several questions to the crew who guided us in the vessel and his answers were all interesting.
　　I've thought that it's the fundamental structure for every ship that the broadside around the ship is open to outside. I've seen on TV programs that cruise passengers jog or are lying on deckchairs on the broadside. In the case of the recent destroyers, however, the broadside is closed and I've assumed that it's for the prevention of the sea water from coming into the ship. I knew it was wrong today. When the situation reached combat, the outside of the destroyer seems to become like in a microwave oven due to the radar waves. It is harmful for human beings and the crew are supposed to stay in the cabins. The arms set outside are all remote-controlled from the CIC, the Combat Information Center. Searching and detecting the enemies by the naked eye seemingly has already become the past way of fighting.
　　I joined the welcoming party held in the evening. My seat was adjacent to the captain's. The other side was the chief engineer. I was fairly tense, but enjoyed talking with them.

(Vocabulary)
broadside (新聞などの) 痛烈な批判; (軍艦の) 一斉砲撃; 船べり
reach 〈特定の段階・年齢・状態など〉に達する
reach a point/level/stage  程度［水準，段階］に達する
chief engineer 機関長
tense 〈状況・雰囲気などが〉緊迫した, 張りつめた;〈人・表情などが〉緊張した, 張りつめた

Potsdam, Auschwitz and Yalta

　　I've been planning a trip with my second daughter to Europe this fall. She will graduate from a grad school next spring and this fall would be the last opportunity to make a trip with her. All in all in Japan, after getting a job, it will not be easy for newcomers to take a vacation as long as and anytime they like.
　　I've been to southern Germany three times, a total of three weeks and I'd like to visit the northern part of Germany next time. I have many places I want to visit, and I chose the Second World War related places this time, like Potsdam, the ruins of the Berlin Wall, Auschwitz in Poland and Yalta in Ukraine. The moving distance in the EU would be longer than before and the cost of the trip would be also high. I have to minimize the cost of hotels and meals. My second daughter can speak German. She is handy and essential on the trip. Naturally, I know about the political upset in Ukraine. I really hope that their issues will be settled in the best way. If not, I'll visit the Polish historic city of Cracow not Yalta, which I think is like Kyoto in Japan, and learn about Polish history in one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites.
　　The last issue is to save money and take a vacation from my boss because my hospital hasn't enough human resources.

(Vocabulary)
the Potsdam Declaration ポツダム宣言《1945》
Auschwitz アウシュビッツ《ポーランド南西部の工業都市；同市郊外にはナチスのユダヤ人強制収容所があった》
the Yalta Conference ヤルタ会談
Cracow  クラクフ 〔ポーランド南部のビスワ川沿いにある古都。１１世紀から１６世紀まではポーランド王国の首都だった。旧市街は世界遺産に指定されている。〕

Disappearance of MH370

　　On March 8th, the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370) made global headlines. I knew the news in the early morning of that day from the breaking news of CNN. I was eating something at that time, and my hands and mouth had stopped listening to the news.
　　I was surprised from two points. One is the aircraft material itself which had disappeared. It was a Boeing 777-200, which I often get on from my hometown to Tokyo. This type of aircraft had rarely had mechanical problems and has carried credibility from its initial installation. Additionally, it was not from a third-world nation. It must have been well maintained with suitable and genuine parts. Another point was the time when the plane disappeared. It was during the cruising, which is said to be the most stable and secure time out of the whole flight time.
　　The announcement of CNN is always earlier than Japan's domestic media and the website of the CNN has been shown on my PC screen both in my house and my office since the occurrence.
　　This morning, its breaking news says, "All lives lost". It would be the knife-stabbing like comment for the bereaved. The spokesperson said that the possible area of the crash is the South Indian Ocean and it's fairly deep and it's difficult to determine the cause of the crash. It's a really regrettable result.

(Vocabulary)
third-world nation  第三世界の国
have many mechanical problems 　機材トラブルが多発する

Weird Signs

　　After the 2011's catastrophic disaster in eastern Japan, every place in Japan dealt with strengthening the resilience of the land. In the Nagahama area in Ozu City, in which my office is located, is also one of those places. The city authorities made the banks higher and raised up the position of the iconic bridge of Nagahama, Akabashi, along with the banks. I heard of its completion and I went and saw it during lunch break today.
　　To no one's surprise now, there were some weird signs on the bridge, one of which is shown below. It is for bicycle riders and must be noticeable from moving bicycles. However, what do you think about the legibility of this sign. The Chinese and Korean signs shouldn't be written here, because it makes the visibility worse and at the same time it's impolite to people from other countries but China and Korea. It's the response to the immigrants', mainly from China and Korea, urge to display their words and phrases in Japanese society. However, Japanese and English are enough on such roadsigns.
　　Now, in Japan, more and more people began hating Chinese and Koreans due to their selfish behaviour. What became of this cause of exclusion of Koreans and Chinese in Japan?

(Vocabulary)
deal with sb/sth ＜…＞に対処［対応］する
Don't worry, I'll deal with this. 大丈夫ですよ．私が対処しますから．
resilience 立ち直る力, 回復力;(ゴムなどの) 弾力性 [同意] flexibility
noticeable〈影響・違い・変化などが〉目立つ, 目をみはらせる, 際立った, 著しい
legibility（筆跡などの）読みやすさ.
readability (本・雑誌などの) おもしろさ, わかりやすさ; 読みやすさ, 可読性
visibility 目につきやすいこと, 視認性
act on the public urge to  ～せよという一般人の要求に迎合する
adjust one's opinions and behavior to please  （人）に迎合する

Discussion about Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan

　　I had my fair share of disappointment with the U.S.' newly assigned Ambassador to Japan, Ms. Caroline Kennedy.
　　Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, made a surprise visit to Yasukuni Shrine, the equivalent of Arlington National Cemetery in the U.S., on Dec. 26th last year. More than 80% of people in Japan approved of his visit. However, Ms. Kennedy announced her remark, "The U.S. is disappointed!" Does she have credentials as an ambassador? Who accused someone of visiting Arlington National Cemetery?
　　Five to ten years ago, former prime minister, Jun'ichiro Koizumi, visited Yasukuni Shrine 6 times while in office, but the Bush Administration issued no statement about it. I think the relationship between both countries has changed remarkably in these several years. Ms. Kennedy's word, "disappoint" will do the U.S. no good in the eyes of East Asia. The U.S. seems to be left in an awkward spot from which they can't back out. Mr. Abe will visit the shrine again and again. What will the U.S. do or say then? The statement from the U.S. Embassy is a faux pas of the diplomatic policy of the U.S.
　　According to the newspaper, the governor of Wakayama Prefecture, in which Taiji town is located, sharply criticized her remarks about dolphin fishing in Japan. She mentioned that dolphin fishing was inhuman on twitter. The governor insisted that we have lived depriving cattle, pigs, or other animals of their lives. Should the lives of dolphins be distinguished from their lives? Food culture is different between the U.S. and Japan. Unless the global shortage of some kinds of creatures is the concern, it's the wisdom of civilization to acknowledge other countries' traditions and positions. She has yet to acquire collective wisdom about Japan, or maybe she is arrogant.
　　Today, I heard that her close relative, environmental lawyer Robert F Kennedy Jr., is making efforts to support She Shepherd and its fugitive founder Paul Watson. It might be one of the reasons for her remark. Anyway, it was ridiculous.
　　By the way, I have another lens through which I see the present situation. Yasukuni Shrine is also the place for commemoration of our ancestors' great achievements for putting an end to brutal colonial policies of superpowers. Japan fought under the international laws, but the opponents didn't. These facts are being revealed year by year and this is what the U.S. actually fears. The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on innocent civilians. They burnt numerous citizens and houses by indiscriminate bombings on over 200 cities in Japan. The U.N. is controlled by those victor countries, i.e. the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, France, and China, though I don't know why China is there, because China isn't a victor country. Anyway, this system is also ridiculous. I really hope the visit of Mr. Shinzo Abe to Yasukuni Shrine will be the breakthrough to the correction of the present understanding of history.

http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2013/02/15/robert-f-kennedy-jr-inspires-attendees-at-sea-shepherds-national-press-club-briefing-on-monday-1488

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/sea-shepherd-takes-battle-to-top-us-court/story-fn3dxix6-1226575863804

http://japandailypress.com/tag/robert-f-kennedy/

(Vocabulary)
your (fair) share of sth （かなり）大きな＜…＞
She has had her fair share of disappointment.　彼女はかなり大きな失望を感じている．
credentials 　《複数扱い》 (資格・能力について) 信用を保証するもの, 実績, 業績
her credentials as a financial expert  金融のエキスパートとしての彼女の実績
credentials 《複数扱い》 (イベントなどの) 入場許可証, 関係者証明バッジ
I showed my press credentials at the door. 入り口で報道関係者の入場許可証を見せた．
can't back out / be left in an awkward spot  引っ込みがつかない
back out 約束などを取り消す, 手を引く
back out of sth  ＜取引など＞から手を引く, から撤退する
faux pas 無作法, エチケット違反
victor country / victorious nation  戦勝国

(Vocabulary from comments)
like-minded  同じ考え［目的・意見・好み・趣味］を持った、志を同じくする、同士の、同好の、うまの合う
non-thinker    a person whose decision making shows an complete absence of common sense and or intelligence, but shows an abundance of ignorance and stupidity; people who are unemployed but actively try to have children, thats an example non-thinker
handout 〔会議・講習会・授業などで配布する〕資料、サンプル、プリント; 新聞発表= press release; ビラ、折り畳み広告; 施し、施し物、お恵み◆乞食への
sheeple  従順で自分の意見がなく大勢に従う人々◆【語源】sheep + people
parental figure: (psychology) A person who represents essential but not necessarily ideal attributes of a father or mother and who is the object of the attitudes and responses of an individual in a parent-child relationship.
become a parental figure to the patient 患者にとって親のような存在になる
hard line 〔政治の〕強硬（派）路線
overriding  決定的な、最も重要な、最重要の、最優先の、主要な、最有力の、ダントツの
skewed 〔事実・価値などが〕曲げられた、歪められた、歪曲された
talking head 〔テレビ・映画などの画面に現れる〕語り手の顔

Comment From Shiroi_Tora (from the U.S.)

Please don't think that Caroline Kennedy speaks for the majority of U.S. citizens.  We have a very liberal socialistic media which supports like minded non-thinkers.  What your prime minister did was completely appropriate.  He is honoring the brave soldiers who had to fight...and ultimately die.  The same is for all countries.  Believe me...most Americans are disappointed with most of our politicians...especially when they do, or say, incredibly stupid things.  Caroline Kennedy was appointed by the party in power...not by the people.  She lobbied for our present president (Obama - the lowest rated President in our history...and for good reason).  She was rewarded with this assignment...and because of her name.  There is no good reason as to why she is there.

I say again...America understands the honoring of the fallen warrior.  It is not a political statement...it is the very least the leaders of a nation can do for all those of whom had died in a war for their nation...and for all of the survivors who lost a son, a brother, a husband...or a loved one.  We, as Americans, wouldn't respect anyone who demanded their soldiers face possible death...and would then not honor them.

Most Americans, like most people of all nations, are so concerned with making a living for their families that larger concerns often escape us.  We make up the silent majority.  Most of us understand life...because we had to work for a living.  We have common sense.  Most conservatives in the U.S. are the ones with experience in life.  Liberals are made up of the very young with no life experience...the very rich with no true life experience...the lazy who look for the promised government handouts...and sheeple...the ones who are simply looking for someone to do their thinking for them, so they may live life stress free (a parental figure).

Liberals are socialists at heart.  Caroline Kennedy is a hard line liberal.
Our president is a disaster...as are his appointees.

Whenever a discussion of world politics had come about with the various people I had known throughout life...anytime the Japanese were mentioned, nothing negative was said.  The overriding thoughts of Americans of the Japanese (outside of the skewed views of the talking heads in the media) was pretty much the same...a beautiful country, a beautiful culture, and an intelligent, hard working, and highly organized people.

When people think of the word honor...and its deep meaning...the Japanese people are usually on the top of the list.

Most know nothing of the politics, but they do understand that a people cannot be judged by a war.  We understand that the decisions are made by the few, and must be followed by the many.

Most are not concerned by the eating of whales or dolphins...unless, as you have pointed out...they are hunted to endangerment.  We understand that those who kill...are subject to be killed (Whales and Dolphins eat life to sustain themselves...so may we).  It really is not a concern to most of us - except when it is used as a political tool of those in the media (who are controlled by a liberal elite...the ones who constantly attempt to tell others what to think instead of giving all of the known facts so we may draw our own conclusions).

Again, the American people are not disappointed with your Prime Minister or with Japan.  We are embarrassed and disappointed in our representatives...both foreign and domestic.

......

Thanks, Really Thanks! (KUMO)

Nuclear Hazard

　　Everyone knows about the crisis of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan, triggered by the tsunami in the wake of the huge earthquake, which occurred in 2011. Fortunately, there were no nuclear-related casualties except for two killed by the tsunami itself. The other day, as I was reading the detailed report about what had been happening in the plant at that time, I found that I had not learned the remedies for radiation damage, even though I have acquired lots of techniques for emergencies. Moreover, my office is located within 30km from the Ikata nuclear plant.
　　A seminar, sponsored by the government, was held today for doctors, paramedics, nurses, and other medical personnel. It was about first-aid procedures for people suffering from radiation damage. As you see in the following pictures, on the assumption of an actual accident, I had to wear the surgical suit and perform remedies on a human dummy. The lectures were really useful. This type of accident must not happen, but a stitch in time saves nine. The preparation is essential.
　　One more thing I wanted to emphasize. When the reactor was severely jolted, it instantly and successfully stopped, as it was designed. The station blackout was due to a loss of power caused by the tsunami, even though the battery was set at an altitude of 10 meters, i.e. the tsunami was beyond the scope of assumption. The reactor itself was proved to be safe against a magnitude 7 earthquake.

(Vocabulary)
nuclear hazard 原子力災害
on the assumption that  …という仮定［想定］のもとに
scope  範囲, 領域
We need to define the scope of the investigation.  調査の範囲を明確にする必要がある．
in scope   範囲は
His efforts were too limited in scope to have an effect. 彼の努力は範囲を限定しすぎていたために効果を上げることができなかった．
beyond/outside the scope of sth ＜…＞の範囲外で
The matter falls outside the scope of this inquiry. その件はこの調査の範囲外だ．

To Japan

　　I had something that I wanted to do in Munich Airport since before the departure from Japan. It was to visit Airbräu, the brewery set up in Munich Airport and enjoy the beer just brewed, but I didn't want to go far away alone from the tour members at the same time. I was a transit passenger and wasn't permitted to go out of the airport. I'll do it next time. Munich, along with Frankfurt, has a direct flight from Japan and is very handy as the hub. I was sure to revisit the airport. While wandering in the airport, I found a stall that served Japanese ramen and I tried one. It was nice and a real Japanese ramen.
　　I'll show you two in-flight meals of ANA. They were delicious and I ordered some bottles of wine. How much wine did I drink during the trip? I enjoyed every one of them. This trip was really nice. The last but one picture was shot from my seat. Could you tell where it was? It is Khabarovsk in Russia and the Amur River, judging from its distinguishing terrain. Covered with snow, it looked cold below and the scenery reminded me of cruel Siberian detention by the USSR. I wondered how many innocent Japanese soldiers were buried around the area?
　　All of us came back to Japan without major problems. Every one of us enjoyed the travel in Germany and Italy. Thank you for everything we got, specially in Freiburg. I hope I will see people in Freiburg again next Spring in my hometown, Matsuyama City. I know some Freiburgites follow these trip memos. Feel free to write me about what you want to see or try in my city in advance. Spring is the best season to come to my city. Cherry blossoms as well as Matsuyama Citizens will welcome you!

(Vocabulary)
Khabarovsk  ハバロフスク
Amur River  アムール川　支那名：黒竜江Hēilóngjiāng
distinguishing  特徴的な, 目立った, 際立った
detain ［正式］〈人〉を引き留める, 待たせる, 手間取らせる（delay）
detention ［正式］引き留め, 阻止；遅延.

Japanese Garden

　　We visited the Japanese Garden next after 10 minutes' walk from the ökostation through the park of late autumn. I'll show you several pictures below. The first one is the entrance of the garden. You'll see the flags of both cities of Freiburg and Matsuyama. Additionally, there was the logo of Matsuyama City on the ground. I was grateful for a favor from citizens of Freiburg. The entrance closely resembled the gates of Matsuyama Castle. Just after stepping in the garden, I found the stone monument on which "肝胆相照" in Tokio Nakamura's original handwriting was carved. For your information, he was the mayor of Matsuyama City when the sister city treaty was signed 25 years ago. If this Japanese phrase could be translated literally into English, let each other see to the liver and gallbladder. That is to say, say what you think without pulling your punches and be good friends. I admired that he chose this phrase as the words on the monument which stood there.
　　The present mayor of Matsuyama City was formerly a popular announcer of the local broadcasting company. He was well known and some people wanted to take pictures with him. I don't have permission to upload pictures from them, but it would be no problem. The last picture shows me and my daughter. Do you see that I wore a blue pin to express my opposition to the kidnapping by DPRK (North Korea)?

(Vocabulary)
in sb's original handwriting （人）の直筆の
original 《[名]の前でのみ》自筆の, 原画の, 真作の
not pull any punches (informal)  (反対・非難などで) 手かげんしない, 遠慮せずに述べる

Matsuyama Garrison

　　I joined an annual event of the Matsuyama Garrison of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) today. The inside of the garrison was open to the public and lots of goods related with the JGSDF were sold at the event. It was one of the PR activities of JGSDF. I wanted to see the inside of the garrison and first of all, I was eager to get on the tank. In order to get on the tank, I had to get a numbered ticket as soon as the gate was opened because it was the most popular activity at the event. However, I didn't know that and I was too late to reach the ticket counter. Then, to the sound of cheers, the JGSDF and assumed invaders performed a mimic battle using blank ammunition. It was really impressive. I have no words to describe how big the sound was.
　　What impressed me most in the garrison is the tidiness of things. I've never seen other country's military garrison, but I felt that it implies the strength of the JGSDF.
　　I dropped in at the outdoor tea ceremony and outdoor stalls run by young SDF personnel and SDF support persons. I talked with several young SDF personnel in the stalls. Their attitude was really invigorating and it made me happy.

(Vocabulary)
garrison  (都市・要塞などの) 守備隊, 駐屯軍; 駐屯地
numbered ticket  整理券
to the sound of　～の音を聞きながら、～の音と共に
blank ammunition/blank shot  空砲
live ammunition  実弾
mimic battle/warfare; mock battle  模擬戦
invigorating  元気づける, すがすがしい
The weather was cool and invigorating.   空気はひんやりしていて爽快だった．

　
　
　
　

Tokushima Air Station

　　I visited Tokushima Air Station of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, 3 hours from my hometown by bus, with a group of veterans of the Japan Self-defense Force. The weather was clear and ideal for demonstration flights. Several kinds of choppers, a US-2 rescue flying-boat, a P3C antisubmarine patrol aircraft, and others were displayed.
　　There were lots of amazing things and what most impressed me was the movement of the AH-1 antitank helicopter. If once someone was targeted by them, he would never flee from them. Even John James Rambo, played by Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, would never conceal himself.
　　I was also permitted to get into the air traffic control room, where staff members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces were actually controlling not only military planes but also civilian planes. I learned that Tokushima Airport was used as both a commercial and military airport. I compared the actual radar screen just in front of me with the screen of an Android application of the Flightradar24 Pro on my smartphone. It was fun.

(Vocabulary)
rescue flying-boat  救難飛行艇
civil aircraft, civilian airplane　《航空》 民間機
commercial airport  民間機専用空港

Texas Daddy

　　An Italian American had been attracting my interest for the past three years. I happened to find his motion picture on YouTube while seeking for information on Sea Shepherd to handle it in my blog. I don't remember exactly when, but I was profoundly impressed with his straightforward way of talking. He wasn't a big name then, but who was he? He didn't seem to be a political figure and was nothing but just one of the ordinary people in the U.S. After a while, I knew about his enthusiastic supporters in Japan and also his website, with which I immediately linked my blog. Naturally, I started checking his motion pictures on a regular basis. What he said was always clear and wholly understandable. His name is Tony Marano, also known as Texas Daddy or Propaganda Buster in Japan.
　　One day, I learned about his visit to Japan. I juggled my schedule and flew to Tokyo to attend his welcome party. First of all I, along with him and his supporters, visited Yasukuni Shrine. Then I attended the party and enjoyed chatting with him and folks at the party.
　　The next day, Sept. 23rd was my 55th birthday. What I had done first on the day was jogging around the Imperial Palace. This route was getting popular year by year and I was eager to run. I was happy to talk with Texas Daddy the previous night, and starting with this jogging my 55th year was also great.

(Vocabulary)
juggle (曲芸などで) ジャグリングする;
[他] 〈時間・仕事など〉 をやりくりする
It's hard trying to juggle a job, kids, and housework.  仕事，育児，家事を全部うまくやりくりするのはたいへんだ．
juggle sth with sth  ＜…＞と＜…＞の両立を図る
[他] 〈日程・予定など〉 を調整する, 変更する

Typical Scenes

　　In the history of Japan, there was a 265 years of peaceful time span, called the "Edo era". The government then was called the Edo Shogunate. The shogunate strictly limited international trade i.e. with only the Netherlands, via only Dejima, a small area in Nagasaki, which is known today as a victim city of the U.S.'s atomic bomb. The shogunate got global information through the Netherlands on one hand and stopped harmful people and Christianity from coming into Japan on the other hand.
　　Edo, which is today called Tokyo, had a population of a million and was the biggest city in the world. The security was incredibly good and the number of policemen was only twelve! Consequently, numerous cultural assets were born and developed into more sophisticated ones. Stage theater like Kabuki, Bunraku, Noh, lots of art crafts like ukiyo-e paintings, sculptures and cultural items like the tea ceremony, amusement trips, and so on. Was there any country in which a woman could enjoy a trip alone in this era? Practical education like arithmetics, writing and reading were offered even to ordinary people. A sense of morality was highly prized at the same time.
　　Around the same time in the world, numerous native Indians were slaughtered on the American Continent. In Europe lots of wars broke out. Many African and Asian countries were being turned into colonies of the European superpowers. The national isolation policy was really nice at least in this era.
　　However, the 19th century saw a rapid rise of seeing foreign ships around Japan. Threatened by their overwhelming military power, Japan had to enter into unfair treaties with the superpowers. These various incidents drove people in Japan to conduct the Meiji Restoration. What do you think was the driving power to proceed to the Meiji Restoration? It's my personal opinion, but it is the higher education.
　　After 40 years of struggling, during which Japan had to experience wars against China and Russia, Japan finally revised the unfair treaties and moreover built an alliance with Great Britain, which was the most powerful nation in the world at that time.
　　Also after the Greater East Asian war, Japan was restored from its complete devastation. Japan owes much of its current prosperity to education. I evoked such a feeling seeing the following picture, which shows two classes in 1945 and 2011.

(Vocabulary)
closed-door policy / national isolation policy  鎖国政策
turn into
1 turn into something ＜…＞になる, 変化する
These growths could turn into cancer. これらの腫瘍(しゅよう)はがんに変化するかもしれない．
2 turn sb/sth into sth ＜…＞を＜…＞に変える
Stein turned the garage into an artist's studio. スタインは車庫をアトリエに改造した．
3 turn into sth (魔法で) ＜…＞に変わる
4 turn sb/sth into sth (魔法で) ＜…＞を＜…＞に変える
5 days turned into weeks/months turned into years etc.  数日が数週間になり［数か月が数年になり］
enter into sth
1 enter into an agreement/a contract  契約を結ぶ
2 ＜問題など＞に取りかかる enter into discussions/negotiations  議論[交渉]に入る
3 ＜考慮・判断など＞に影響を及ぼす
Money didn't enter into my decision to leave the company. 会社を辞めたことと金銭的なことは関係なかった．
enter into the picture  考慮の対象となる
4 enter into the spirit of sth  (さほど関心がなくても) ＜試合・パーティーなど＞の気分に浸る
owe sth to sth  ＜成果・成功など＞は＜…＞のおかげである
The island owes much of its current prosperity to tourism. その島が今日繁栄しているのは主に観光のおかげだ．

Zero Fighter

　　I had another purpose in this trip to Tokyo. It was a visit to Tokorozawa Aviation Museum, which exhibits several planes of historic importance.
　　Now in the museum, a zero fighter went on display for a limited time until Aug. 31st. It was captured by the Allied Forces during the Greater East Asian War and has been preserved by them with great care. It's a single zero fighter that can fly even now. The museum borrowed it for the exhibition. My father-in-law frequently told me about Japan's fighters and bombers, when he was alive. The maintenance of them was his task on an isolated island in the military field in the southern Pacific Ocean. I was really eager to see it.
　　The zero fighter in the room looked like taking on the pride of the Japanese Imperial Navy. Japan strived to avoid using force for the settlement of international issues until the last minute. Lots of people believe that Japan started the last war, but it's wrong. Who would want to wage war on superpowers whose industrial products are ten times bigger. Japan, however, had to fight the Allied Forces against its will. The zero fighter was designed and produced with the cutting-edge technology at that time to survive the war.
　　The other day, a Buddha statue stolen from Tsushima island near Kyushu in Japan was found in South Korea. The owner expected that it would be returned to him soon, but the Korean court handed down a verdict that the statue had been crafted in Korea several hundred years ago and so the statue should be kept in Korea. What do you think of that? Incredible! What would become of Greek or Egyptian historical items such as carved statues, ancient mummies and so on preserved in British and French museums. I wondered if Korea might not return the fighter plane to the U.S.

(Vocabulary)
Tokorozawa Aviation Museum 所沢航空発祥記念館
on display  展示［陳列］されて
put sth on display  ＜…＞を展示する
go on display  展示される
hand sth down
＜伝統・技術など＞を後世に伝える, ＜財産・家業など＞を残す
＜衣服・おもちゃなど＞をお下がりとしてあげる
hand down a decision/verdict/ruling  〈裁判所などが〉 判決［評決，裁定］を下す

Imperial Rescript

　　It's really comfortable to have a coffee break in the early hours in the grounds of the shrine. Amid a scorching summer, only this time slot is acceptable. I'm terrible with summer. Anyway, it became noisy outside the shrine. Many riot policemen gathered in a few lines in a strict manner guarding the entrance of the shrine. Their existence wasn't in harmony with the solemnity of Yasukuni shrine. The unrest was due to Korean and Chinese people. I horribly resented them causing a commotion.
　　Then I visited the National Archives of Japan to see the special display of the imperial rescript to end the Greater East Asian War. On Aug. 15th in 1945, this rescript travelled on the radio not only across Japan but to overseas military personnel. By it all the Japanese people completely stopped fighting except for the fight against the northern territory's Russian invasion. In the display, you can see several drafts with various remarks and corrections. I'll show you the original writing below.
　　What was then in the mind of what you call the Emperor of Japan, Tennoh, though "Emperor" isn't a proper word for Tennoh. I saw some melancholy in those drafts. I'd like to write about the moment when the government decided to stop fighting someday. You'll be amazed to know it and at the same time understand why the Japanese people promptly accepted the defeat and obeyed the disarmament.

(Vocabulary)
time slot  時間帯、時間割
in harmony with sth  (外観について) ＜…＞と調和して
solemnity [U] 厳粛さ, 荘厳さ
unrest (社会的な) 不安, 不穏な状態
resent (sb) doing sth （＜人＞が）＜…＞することに憤慨する
cause a commotion 騒ぎを起こす
National Archives of Japan 国立公文書館
rescript 布告、法令、勅令、勅語
imperial rescript 詔勅
Imperial Rescript on Education 《the ～》〔1890年の日本の〕教育に関する勅語、教育勅語

http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2008/08/aug-15th-war-en.html

http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2009/08/german-and-engl.html

Yasukuni Shrine

　　I'll write a piece about Yasukuni Shrine, the Shinto style shrine. Japanese troops stopped fighting in the Greater East Asian War on Aug. 15th in 1945 at least on the face of it. Since then the day, Aug. 15th, has been recognized as the day the war ended. On this day every year, lots of Japanese people visit Shinto shrines designated as places of worship for those who died not only in the last war, but various wars before it. Those shrines are called Gokoku Jinja, literally meaning "protect Japan", which spread throughout Japan. The iconic one is Yasukuni Shrine.
　　I had been thinking of buying a new suitcase by November, which wasn't sold in my hometown, and went to Tokyo on Aug. 15th. It was for the visit to Yasukuni Shrine that I had chosen this day. People in Japan calmly recall how the wars are cruel and pray for peace in the world on this day. Only two nations in Asia, China and Korea, criticize us, insisting that the Japanese want to wage war, but they miss the whole point. In front of me, lots of Chinese, Korean and their followers got together and seriously affected the peaceful and serene atmosphere in the grounds of the shrine. I will never forgive them. I tried to take some snapshots, but a riot policeman stopped me, saying that I might become their target and should not take pictures. I followed his advice.

(Vocabulary)
miss the whole point　（発言・認識などが）的外れだ

Tendency of Japanese Way of Thinking

　　Firstly, look at the cap shown in the following picture. It was delivered to me from a friend who had attended the exercises of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, which was open to the public. Civilians who had been luckily selected in a draw were invited onto the military vessels. He got on board the destroyer DD-114 Suzunami, the name of which is printed on the front of the cap. I had stepped on board a destroyer DD-228 Yuubetsu once, but it was moored. In his case, Suzunami was deployed along with other military vessels. It would have been a spectacular scene.
　　After the Greater East Asian War, we Japanese have been educated by the rule written by Allied Forces. We were infused with Western-oriented ways of looking at history. It was favorable to the U.S. Despite lots of the Allied Forces' breaches of international law such as indiscriminate bombings - more than 100,000 civilians were killed in one night in Tokyo in March 1945, more than 300,000 in Hiroshima by a single atomic bomb -, law-abiding Japan has been accused. Lots of young Japanese people have been educated to believe the evil of Japan and programmed to hate Japan. However, thanks to the recent violence of China and South Korea, ordinary people in Japan began to notice the distorted history. The activity of Japan's Self-defence Force started to attract people's attention. Japan is considerably changing now.

(Vocabulary)
in a draw くじで
Western-oriented ways of looking at history  欧米中心史観
breachs [C,U] (法律・規則・約束などの) 違反, 不履行, 侵害

Destroyer DD-114 Suzunami


DD-228 Yuubetsu

http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2006/08/japan-self-defe.html

Korean Delusive Act

To the citizens of Glendale City, California

Are you sane?　Or victims of Korean fabrication?

http://youtu.be/ggQaYD37Jm4

 

グレンデール市の市民の皆さんへ

あなた方は正気ですか？　それとも朝鮮人の嘘の被害者ですか？

To City Councilman Frank Quintero, and the members of the City Council of Glendale:

 

 

Dear Mr. Frank Quintero and To whom it may concern

I've heard that you have a plan of building a monument of comfort women. If you are aware of photogaraphic or documented evidence of forced comfort women, please have it forwarded to me so that I may examine it. Please read the top entry of my blog: http://kumo.typepad.jp/ and http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2013/06/comfort-women-in-korea.html

Sincerely

(My name) M.D. Ph.D
General Surgeon
http://kumo.typepad.jp/

Staff Response: The City of Glendale received your message regarding the “Korean Comfort Women” issue. First, we would like to thank you for expressing your views on the topic. Second, we would like to give further clarification on the topic as it relates to our City and our 193,000 diverse residents.

We here in the City of Glendale are proud of our broad ethnic and cultural base, and seek to find cohesiveness for all those who choose to live here. For many years, the City of Glendale has maintained a strong relationship with other cities outside of the United States through our Sister City Program. Glendale currently has seven Sister Cities around the world (two in Mexico, one in Armenia, two in South Korea, and one in Japan).

In conjunction with the Sister City Program, the City of Glendale has been approached by representatives of the local Korean community seeking the approval for a memorial at a location designated for displays and monuments dedicated to our Sister Cities. To be clear, this is not a dedicated area of land exclusively for a Korean Comfort Women monument, but rather, this plot will be open and available for all of our sister cities to erect monuments of their own.

I hope this helps answers some of your questions and concerns. Thank you again for your correspondence.

(Vocabulary from comments)
as to sth
1 ＜…＞に関して, について
He kept everyone guessing as to his real intentions.  彼の本当の意図についてみんなあれこれ考えさせられた．
2 (話題を切りだして) ＜…＞に関しては, については
As to my plans for the future, I don't have any.  将来の計画といっても何もありません．
succinct [形](ほめて) 簡明な, 簡潔な
a succinct answer 簡明な答え
--------------------------------------------
enchanting  魅惑的な
The mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small.
いろいろ調べた結果、"天網恢々（てんもうかいかい）粗（そ）にして漏らさず" としている辞書を見つけたが、？。原文を読むだけで意味は自明ですね。