Sea Kayak School

My son tried the Sea Kayak School for Beginners in the Odaiba Kaihin Beach Park by the Tokyo port authorities. I haven't got on. It's also the first time for my son. My son really enjoyed the sea kayak. As far as I saw, getting on a sea kayak on the peaceful sea looked easy.

Windows Vista SP2

I updated my pc to Vista SP2 2 days ago. It has not been changed so much. To start a windows application seems quicker than SP1 a bit. SP2 supports BD-R. I hope to use BD-R in order to back-up for my photo, video and music files, because the size of these files has been much larger.  I can only put these files for a few months into a DVD-R disc.

The Star Principle

Richard Koch wrote the good seller book "The 80/20 Principle". This book also tells how to make a money easily. However, the methods are very difficult to find an efficient area.

He tells main two principles for a successful business.

• Be the top leader in a niche business
  
• The niche business has to grow fast
  

He shows many cases on the two principles, but the principles is to understand easily, but it's so hard to achieve.

Working Problem in Japan

There are many problems of working in Japan. Mika Tsutsumi and Makoto Yuasa tell the problems comparing with the Unites States. They explain some people of the middle class and lower high class in the Unites States such as doctors, lawyers and accountants drop into the low class or quit their jobs because they can't pay their business insurance fees for lawsuits. They also predict the situations would be occured in Japan in the near future though the lower incomes and temporary workers are focued now in Japan. Only becoming a government employee will is best, won't it?

Word Origin

Thousands paperbacks are published in Japan, but allmost all paperbacks are not worth to buy or read, because the publishers publish too many paperbacks with easy understanding titles or contents. I spent only about 20 minutes to read the paperbacks. However, this book is worth to read  very much.
Takashi Waguri calls a hunter of word origins my himself. He has written series of word origins on a magazine. It's difficult to explain the origins of Japanese words in English. If you understand some Japanese, please read this book. I recommend strongly.

War in Heaven

The Japanese Government makes huge budget for the Space every fiscal year. The budgets have been spent for developing the rockets, satellite and joining into the ISS projects.
We should pay more for ecologies and green energies. My opinion could be a short range,  couldn't it? Mankinds have to go to the Space. However, GSP or BS-TV are very convenient. I've used some commercial services through the Space.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution

Thomas L. Friedman wrote the million seller book "The World Is Flat". He writes this new book that tells the earth is HOT (climate change), the world is FLAT (globalization) and the people are CROWDED (population issue). We've faced on this issue since 1973 when the first oil crisis was happened. However, I forget the issues soon. I want to live more comfortable, happier and cheaply though they will happen large crisis for my next generations. Geniuses will be born and the heros will help the earth and my next generations...
However, I threw away my own car 10 years ago. I and my family take public transportations. I change all lights at home to compact fluorescent lamps or LED. How do I do anything for the Earth and my next generations?

Ad.


The Author's Presentation: Part.1


Part.2


Part.3

Wife of "Ge-Ge-Ge"

Shigeru Mizuki is a famous comic writer in Japan. He usually draws comic on Japanese monsters "Youkai". His wife tells her life with Shigeru Mizuki. They had been poor for a long time since their marriage. However, the wife believed her husband. It seems old-fashioned, but it's the most brilliant part of life.
"Ge-Ge-Ge" means Shigeru. When he was a little child, he couldn't pronounced his name correctly. He pronounced "Ge-Ge-Ge".

The most famous his comic "Ge-Ge-Ge no Kitaro" in 1968

Historic Festival

My wife and kids went a local historic festival in the Kawasaki Public Museum. The Geisha Parade "Oiran-Dochu" was held. I wanted to see the parade, but I rook the lecture...

UK Education Systems

I took a lecture "UK Education Systems" on the International Understanding Class by the Kawasaki International Center. The speaker was a teacher in the Shirayuri University, who came from UK, of course. This class was very interesting. There are some prod & cons of every education system.

Overview

• In the UK, primary school ages 5-11; secondary school, ages 11-16 or 18.
• Children tested on reading, writing, & use of numbers when they start primary school, from age 5.
• National tests in English & maths at 7, 11 and 14; also in science at 11 and 14.
• National tests in English lang. & lit., maths, science and some others at age 16.
• Exams in 3-5 specialist subjects at 17 and 18

General Exams

• Ages 5, 7, 11, 14: Tests in core subjects
• Age 16: GCSEs
• Age 17: AS-levels
• Age 18: A2-levels

Change in Political Administrations

The Democratic Party has aimed to change in the political administrations in Japan. They have occpied the major in the Upper House in Japan already. Jiro Yamaguchi researched the current situations and history of the national elections and the political partiies in Japan. He insists to need change in the administarions in Japan. However, he also has some questions whether the Democratic Party has enough abilities to have the administrations. There are many politicians who want to stand in the spotlight, but there are much less silence forces under the floor in the Democratic Party than the Democrtic Liberal Party.
I don't still opt my next vote.

Athletic Festival

The Athletic Festival was held in my kids' school. It's fine and hot! My kids got in races and mass-dance. My son's team of the cavalry battle won against four teams!



I love the large ball game, but I had not done this ball game in my school.

Checkbook Politics in US

As the Amazon rating, Kensuke Karube, a corespondent in the Jiji Press, tells the mechanism of the money politics in the Unites States very well. I could understand the systematic and legal methodologies of the money politics in USA.
As you know, Lobbyists are very important and major positions in the politics. In addition, political action committee (PAC) is also very important to gather money.. It seems the Noukyo in Japan.
However, there are a large gap between Japan and US on thoughts of money in politics. It's not banned in USA, but the Japanese dislikes to support politicians with money...

Good Evaluations of Your Stuff Bring Better.

Kazunori Ueda , CEO of the Bandai Namco Group, tells his thoughts to work for a company. I agree with his thoughts completely. Especially, the balance between his work and home is very important. He worked hard until late night until middle of thirty's. However, when he became a manager, he left his office at 6pm every day. Sometimes, he works over time, but he leaves his office at 5pm next day. He continues this style after becoming the manager. He tells managers should get many things out of the office and take care of thier stuff and family.

IFRS for Beginners

IFRS is adopted by IASR. IFRS will be implied on listed companies in Japan in 2015. There are some opposites. They insist on proect the Japanese accounting policy because it depends on the Japanese culture. However, all money invests into companies in Japan comes from foreign countries. It must be necessary to standarize the accounting system. Actually, when I want to invest into other countries, it'd be hard to search a better company with a good financial condition.

The Logic of Strategic Negotiation

Hitoshi Tanaka is the negotiator in the Foreign Ministry in Japan. He achieved to held the meeting between Japan and N. Korea. He tells how to arrange his successful negotiations. It's important to find the negotiating points that both sides get different ot common profitable points. However, he's not sure whether his success points could be shared with his stakeholders. It's a difficult point.

The Tao of Warren Buffett Warren

Buffett gave the brilliant words to my investing or my life. I have to revise my strategy....

• You can't make a good deal with a bad person.
  
• It's easier to stay out of trouble than it is to get out of trouble.
  
• The market, like the Lord, helps those who help themselves. But unlike the Lord, the market does not forgive those who know not what they do.
  
• My idea of a group decision is to look in the mirror.
  
• The reaction of weak management to weak operations is often weak accounting.
  
• You can always juice sales by going down-market, but it's hard to go back upmarket.
  
• You have to think for yourself. It always amazes me how high-IQ people mindlessly imitate. I never get good ideas talking to other people.
  
• In looking for someone to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. But the most important is integrity because if they don't have that, the other two qualities, intelligence and energy, are going to kill you.
  
• Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
  
• A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.
  
• If you let yourself be undisciplined on the small things, you will probably be undisciplined on the large things as well.
  
• The fact that people are full of greed, fear, or folly is predictable. The sequence is not predictable.
  
• We also believe candor benefits us as managers. The CEO who misleads others in public may eventually mislead himself in private.
  
• What we learn from history is that people don't learn from history.
  

@Budokan

The greatest singers have played "at Budokan". Koji Wakui is the producer to make the legend of "At Budokan" in the world. The singer who has played "at Budokan" means "BIG" in the world.
I haven't been in Budokan though I've been in the Tokyo area for 18 years. why? It's an easy question. Because, I'm not a "BIG" audience. :)

Louvre Exhibition

My family went to the Louvre Exhibition of the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno because I've got a free ticket for stock holders. My daughter was interested in the famous paintings because she likes a painting class in school. When I arrived at 1pm, the waiting time was about 60 minutes to enter. There were so crowded, because the National Museum is much smaller than the Louvre...
The paintings are not only so great but also tells lifestyles at that time.
There are about 70 famous paintings which are rented from the Louvre. I've been in the Louvre, but I forget watching them because I had the trip 18 years ago and the Louvre is so large.

The Winners Manual For the Game of Life

Jim Tressel is one of the best head coach of the American College Football. He tells how to make the best team which is not only for an American football team but also any other kinds of teams.
I belonged to the college football team "Big Green" in the Hokkaido University. The American football told me many, many things and brought many, many things to me. If I had not belonged to the team, I might have lived worse.
Jim tells the important Big Ten Fundamentals to make the strong team.

1. Attitude
   
2. Discipline
   
3. Excellence
   
4. Faith and Belief
   
5. Work
   
6. Handling Adversity and Success
   
7. Love
   
8. Responsibility
   
9. Team
   
10. Hope
    

Tokyo City Walk

I joined into the Tokyo City Walk in May 2009 , which was hosted by Tokyo Metro. I walked from Ginza to Shin-Kiba.


View Tokyo City Walk in a larger map

English Pronounce for Japanese

Peter Barakan is a famous English broadcaster in Japan. He told how to pronounce English well with katakana letters. I have many experiences that people can't catch my English pronounces. I've practiced to pronounce for about 10 years but it's far from native English pronounces.
However, never give up!!

Methods to Improve English Comunications of Emmployees in Google Japan

I agree with their methods to improve the English communications. Almost all employees who were written on this book. They'd lived in any foreign countries until 30 years old. me, too.
However, they could get enough ability of English communications to work for Google. Everybody declared to put themselves into lives in English as much as possible.
The important points are

• Pronouncing consonants carefully and consciously.
  
• Memorizing 10,000 words ay least.
  
• Trying to listen fast and/or thickly accented English.
  
• Using English on business.
  
• Putting English into your 2nd official language
  
• Finding your interesting things with English. - I love MLB.
  
• Don't hesitate.
  
• Joining as many eevents in English as possible.
  
• Getting good phrases native English speakers use or write.
  

Making a Global Career

How do you plan your career in the global market? Eiji Wakiwaka is the president of BP Japan. He told how to make a global career from his biography. He said he worked as muach as he's natural except his Harvard period. He also told it's important to make a progress step by step. However, I imagine his length of stride must be wider than an average Japanese business person. My stride also have to be wider!

Ranking of Presidents

As you might imagine easily, the worst president is G.W. Bush on this book. The ranking would be "the older, the better". They've been legend already., and the private information of the older presidents could not be exposed. I memorize the presidents from Nixon.
My ranking is Reagan > Clinton > Ford = Carter > Bushes.

Where is Earnest Japanese?

Hideki Wada is a psychiatrist and a famous writer on education. He declares losing earnest is the main reson why the position of Japan in the world has been lower.
Actually, the Japanese business persons worked very hard until the buble economy. They always worked more than 15 hours a day, but they didn't have their family life. Everything of their life were contributed for thie companies. He addreesed the time would be true and the current Japan society is fault. The main reason is that the Japanese who is lower than average lost earnest because the education level had been easier by the government. Is that true?

Effective Interview

Shigeru Kajiwara is an professional interviewer. He tells his interview skills. The first important skill is to listen the real minds of interviewees. The real minds don't usually appaered on verbal forms.
However, he could pull out what the interviwee thinks. It's tough to get the skills, but he tells an easy way to find the real minds. If the interviewee speak a word twice or more, the world is often closed to the real minds. What the speaker say twice is the important keyword. Please be careful of the keywords!

Mother's Day

My wife wanted a piece of the "quil fait bon"'s cake. However, she didn't want to increase her weight, and so my family went swimming before eating.

• My wife and I selected tartet of the "Shiranui" oranges in Kumamoto.
  
• My son selected tiramisu of green tea.
  
• My daughter selected tartet of the "Benihoppe" strawberries in Shizuoka & teh "Koshihikari" rice.
  

WARFITING

The OOPA loop is very useful.

1. Observe: Searching enemies quickly
   
2. Orient: Analyzing situations quickly
   
3. Decide: Deciding quickly
   
4. Act: Do quickly

There are a lot of useful stuff on the Marines' ides in business.

Protect Incomes in the Financial Crisis

Takuro Morinaga is a famous critic, but his opinion doesn't usually seem practical. He also argues against teh finacial system which caused this critical recession and the social system in Japan which doesn't have effective resolutions or safety nets. He seems to write tese books or critic essays in order to protect his own position and his own income. I can't trust him.

A Short History of Nearly Everything

If you want to learn the Earth science words in English, I recommend this book. If you were non-native English speakers though you have some knowledge of Earth science, you could enjoy learning again.

How to Measure Anything

The Toyota Measurable and Visible Methods has been also popular in the Japanese business persons. Douglas H. Hubbard tells "How to Measure" which means to find the values of "intangible" in business. Many business persons don't sure of the values of intangible. Actually, threre are not even any persons to note their own to-do or issue list in the current office.
I can't believe it. How do they memorize their issues. I asked some of them why they don't have any to-do or issue lists. They always say there are no time to maintain the lists though it takes 20% of thier working time to do Internet surfing. I believe it's true that the performance of Japanese business persons are much 70% less than the US business persons.

Possibility of Journalism in Japan

One of the severest problems in Japan would be the quality of journalism. There are not good news shows or newspapers in Japan. I quitted to buy any Japanese newspapers, and I've bought online newspapers in USA. Japanese news shows are so bored because 90% of news are local and the contents are only information or critical comments. Japanese newspapers are very thin, which the newspapaers have only 10 pages for news or information. In addition, there are many many advertisements, but they're so expensive. The average monthly fares are about 40 US$. I pay only 90 US$ as the yearly fare for WSJ.com.
There are not any good journalisms, there are not any good democrats.
Toshio Hara tells many issues of Japanese journalisms. His opinion looks old-fashioned, but threre would be principles in his opinions.

Back from Okayama

My family was back from Okayama.
My son took some kinds of the Japanese bullet train "Shinkan-sen" at the Okayama Station.


700 Rail Star Type, 300 Type, 100 Type, N700 Type

Yes We Can

When did Japanese lose the great politicians? I'm looking forward to Japanese politicians as great as him, but we can't opt our prime minister directly in Japan because the Japanese system is the same as the Great Britain. However, it doesn't mean there has not been great politicains in the Great Britain, either. I also shout a slogan with confidence like "Yes We Can".
Garen Thomas told the overview of Barack Obama. He didn't grow up in the high society. I believe he would n't forget the spirits and circumstances of the ordinary people.

Memorial Ceremony

My family gathered at my parent's home in order to hold the 50th memorial ceremony, who were my uncles & aunts, brother, sister in law and nephews. It's a large ceremony.
I and my son called for a priest in the Ryojyo-ji Temple where was built about 1200 years ago. It's really an old temple.

R25: Most Successful Free Paper in Tokyo

As you might know "R25" which is the most popular free paper in Tokyo, I can't get R25 every week though there are many R25 shelves around Tokyo. Daisuke Fujii is the cheif officer for launching R25. He told points of view from current twenties. Twenties grow up with many information from many media. They're afraid of failures very much. They don't look to do best because they hedge aginst their failure in order to say "I don't mind. I didn't focus on this". I worry about Japanese juveniles' delicate mentality in the globalization.

Taguchi Udon

I like Udon Noodle. Especially, I love the Sanuki Style Udon. My favorite Udon shop is Taguchi in Okayama. The Tempura Udon is so nice. I haven't seen any greater Tenpura Udon than the Taguchi Tenpura Udon in my life. The soup and noodle are also very, very nice. Whenever I am back to my hometown, I always go to the shop. I really recommend the Taguchi Udon noodle.

The tenpura covers the udon bowl!

Niche Business in USA

There are many niche business in USA. Some successful niche business will be built usually in Japan.
I'm interested in some business on this book, I'm impressed with the rating business for teachers and doctors, the delivery service at midnight only. Please read this book if you find niche business in Japan. There are many idea!

Kyoto in the Leafy Month of May

I have never been in Kyoto of the leafy month of May. There is really so beautiful in this season, too. My family visited the Sanjyu-sangen-do temple, the Kiyomizu-dera temple, the Kodai-ji temple, the Yasaka shrine, the Maruyama park, the Chion-in temple, the Zenrin-ji temple, the Nanzan-ji temple and the Heian-jingu shrine on foot. We got on a bus for the Ginkaku-ji temple & the Tetsugaku-No-Michi path and the Kinkaku-ji temple.
My kids were really impressed with their first trip to Kyoto.


Kiyomizu-dera, Town, Kodaiji, Yasaka-jinjya, Kinkakuji, Bamboo, Ginkakuji and Tetsugaku-no-michi


Nanzan-ji Temple


View in a larger map
Route: Pink-Walking, Blue-Bus

Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West

Benazir Butto tried to reconcile between Islam and the West, but she was struck down by an assassin's bomber in 2007. The location and situation of Pakistan seems so difficult. The neighboring country is Afganistan.
I haven't read any books which Islamic women wrote. Butto went to the Harvard University and she knew the West very well. I'm not sure whether she was a typical islamic woman, but she seemed a very good interpreter with the Islamic society, however she's gone. It's much more difficult for women to become high-class persons in the Islamic societies.

Women On Top

There are less large companies which women owns in Japan. Actually, I haven't seen any senior women managers in some Japanese companies which I've worked. In addition, Japan is the 98th county of the percentage of women in the congress. It's worst in G8. However, Margaret Heffernan said there are less CEO or owners of the large global companies in USA and the world.
I don't have any idea how more women are efficient for societies because it'd be hard for me to adjust if my wife works. My both parents have work but both work at home. There are less situations.