日本と海外における教育の未来

日本と海外における教育の未来

by Kevin R. Burns

イギリスのサマーヒルのような学校について読んだときと同じように、TED.comでケンロビンソン氏と 初めて話をしたことでも、私は奮い立たされました。そして、ウマが合う教師たちと私の考えを共有しました。 私はとても創造的だったのですが、学校中の生徒にうんざりしていました。私のIQテストのスコアは高く、 私の恩師も私に話しかけるのが好きでしたが、私は学ぶことを押しつけていたこと気づき、しばしば不快な思いをしていました。 私は自分のプロジェクトを行いたかったのです

日本と海外における教育の未来

Anti-Nuclear Power Protests Continue in Tokyo

TOKYO -- Protesters held mass demonstrations against nuclear power across Japan on Saturday, the three-month anniversary of the powerful earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 23,000 people and triggered one of the world's worst nuclear disasters.


More Stories about Life in Japan



Streets in parts of Tokyo were completely jammed with thousands of chanting protesters, paralyzing sections of the city. Some marchers called for the country's nuclear plants to be shut down immediately and for stricter radiation tests by the government.

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The Reality in Tohoku is Worse

Tohoku, Japan

"The Reality in Tohoku is Worse."--stated Hiroko Takeshima recently after she got back from
Tohoku.

Takeshima went up north to volunteer during Golden Week.   She helped to clear debris from
one of the towns devastated by the Tsunami.   She hails from Tohoko but lives in Kanto now.

She related that things in Tohoku are not like they appear on the news.   You often don`t see the details on the 6 o`clock news.

For example one volunteer spent a day digging a car out from the rubble.   He retrieved the body hoping to give relief to the relatives.    The body was intact except the fingers had been cut off.    Her hand was hanging out the window of the vehicle.

Tsunami`s don`t usually cut off fingers.    But people do.

Someone had beaten them to the punch and taken the unfortunate lady`s rings.   Takeshima related that these are some of the stories you don`t hear on NHK.

For more stories about Living in Japan 


Cases of theft have actually increased in Fukushima Prefecture, up 207 cases after the earthquake and Tsunami.   Cases of other crime are down across the board, for example: violent crime, and rape.

A journalist I know reports police numbers have been bolstered in Tohoku due to increased looting and now more about this in Japanese:

福島、侵入盗４割増６９５件…原発周辺狙われる

読売新聞 6月10日(金)1時37分配信

今年５月までの３か月間に福島県内で発生した侵入盗被害が、昨年の同時期より約４割増の６９５件に上ったことが警察庁のまとめでわかった。   Read More

FBC - Foreign Buyer`s Club Going Strong

TOKYO —

When American Chuck Grafft and his wife Kelly started a co-op in the late 1980s to import items that they and their friends in the foreign community missed most from home (bagels, breakfast cereal and peanut butter), they probably had no idea that more than 20 years later, their business would be booming, offering more than 40,000 items to thousands of families ordering several thousand items every week.
Japan Today hears more from Grafft about his success story.
Why did you start the Foreign Buyers’ Club?
Kelly and I started the FBC to help those of us in the community who missed things from home. It was like a hobby for the first few years. We took two years to get set up and get approval to import items.
How has business been so far this year?
Fairly steady. We have about the same number of orders but less items per order.

Read More

The City of Angels, Bangkok, Thailand

The City of Angels, Bangkok, Thailand





Another perk of living in Japan, is making our income in a very high currency, then traveling to
exotic locales throughout Asia.


My brother Wayne talks about Bangkok and what is is like:

Introducing a city invites superlatives, especially when that city is Bangkok. It seems that every travel guide must impress its readers with the most grandiose and arcane aspects of the metropolis into which they are about to dive. But chances are that, for most, Bangkok`s reputation has prededed its reality. So it would be wise of those reading these wordsm who are about to plnge into the maze of Bangkok`s whirl, to review their preconceptions.

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Many Drown in Japan each summer

 Learn what to look for!

 

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

The new captain jumped from the deck, fully dressed, and sprinted through the water. A former lifeguard, he kept his eyes on his victim as he headed straight for the couple swimming between their anchored sportfisher and the beach. “I think he thinks you’re drowning,” the husband said to his wife. They had been splashing each other and she had screamed but now they were just standing, neck-deep on the sand bar. “We’re fine, what is he doing?” she asked, a little annoyed. “We’re fine!” the husband yelled, waving him off, but his captain kept swimming hard. ”Move!” he barked as he sprinted between the stunned owners. Directly behind them, not ten feet away, their nine-year-old daughter was drowning. Safely above the surface in the arms of the captain, she burst into tears, “Daddy!”

How did this captain know – from fifty feet away – what the father couldn’t recognize from just ten? Drowning is not the violent, splashing, call for help that most people expect. The captain was trained to recognize drowning by experts and years of experience. The father, on the other hand, had learned what drowning looks like by watching television. If you spend time on or near the water (hint: that’s all of us) then you should make sure that you and your crew knows what to look for whenever people enter the water. Until she cried a tearful, “Daddy,” she hadn’t made a sound. As a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer, I wasn’t surprised at all by this story. Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event. The waving, splashing, and yelling that dramatic conditioning (television) prepares us to look for, is rarely seen in real life.

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Dealing with Fallout

What to eat and what not to eat?

I`ve probably “erred” on the side of caution or even paranoia on this one, and it hasn`t been because of my health but I have been concerned about what my rapidly growing children eat. How can I keep them safe?

The government, local and national has been saying things are safe?

I guess my problem has been I haven`t heard the message. I didn`t really trust them.

However maybe I have to; and in fact maybe they are trustworthy in the case of food safety anyway.

So many politicians disappoint it seems, so it is natural to lose trust in them.

About food though, I think the Japanese government is doing a good job. And if they fail or if the local government fails to inform, NHK or some fifth estate media
source fills in.   Read More:

Have back problems in Japan

What to do about them? Where to turn?


(Pictured, Japanese actress Yuki Uchida)


Back Problem in Japan, Have you put your back out while living in Japan? It is
not fun, no matter where you do it! I know, I have done it countless times now.

I first put out my back at age 34. My friend Doug commented I guess you are
getting old. He meant well but I was not amused at the time. Now that I have no
doubt that I am old, I understand he was trying to be helpful. I guess I
shouldn`t have put him into the full pretzel! Just the half-pretzel would have
sufficed!
Read More:

Japan`s Earthquake Warning System

No other country in the world has one!

Is there any way to know there will be an earthquake in advance?

Yes. The earthquake early warning system operated by the Meteorological Agency provides advance warning of earthquakes.

According to the agency, the nationwide system is unique to Japan. But it only gives people seconds, not days, to prepare.

When an earthquake hits, two kinds of waves travel underground, first the P-waves and then the S-waves. When the agency detects P-waves, a warning is sent immediately, before the S-waves, which people actually feel, arrive.

People can receive the warnings on mobile phones operated by NTT DoCoMo Inc., Softbank Mobile Corp. and KDDI's au, or through TV or radio broadcasts.

But according to the Meteorological Agency, there is as little as only 10 seconds between the warning and when the tremors arrive. Close to the epicenter, the quake arrives faster than the warning.

The Meteorological Agency updates its technology to improve the system every time it encounters problems. For example, the system didn't function properly after the March 11 quake because big quakes occurred too frequently. The agency is now working on solving this issue, according to its Seismological and Volcanological Department.

Read more

Accusing the Innocent, one tragedy of Japan

I have heard of a few cases like this.  There was a Keio student who too, I believe was innocent.
The Keio teachers (my friends) who new this young man, knew him to be a very good student and a good person.  They had known him through 6 years of jr/sr high school.    I think the people that know you well, have a good rapport with what you are, and are not capable of.   



This young man was accused of groping late at night by a young woman.  He was grabbed by the
train line attendants then grilled by the police.   He too was released.    And according to the
Japan Today article that follows this implies innocence though the police will not tell you that.
They should, it is their job.



The Keio student unfortunately, was traumatized by this young woman and the police and jumped from a Kanagawa building four days later.  What a tragedy!    And what a waste.

Japan is wasting her youth on events like these.   A youth that is becoming a all too small minority as it is.    She needs to do away with the guilty until proven innocent model.   It doesn`t work.
How do you prove you are innocent when it is your word (only) against the accuser and the police.

 Some people really are innocent, but it is difficult to prove.  I think the innocent until guilty
model of justice, while not perfect, works much better.   The police have less power and I believe
fewer go to prison because of it.


Japan Today Story Follows:

TOKYO —

Shortly before midnight on Dec 10, 2009, a 25-year-old university worker named Shinsuke Harada was making his way through Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station on his way home. Suddenly a young woman cried out, “He touched me!”

The woman’s male companion grabbed Harada, apparently roughed him up a bit, and hauled him over to a station employee. Station officials brought in the police. After some seven hours of questioning, Harada was released. Dazed and humiliated, Harada took a subway to Waseda Station and jumped in front of a moving train.

On Jan 29, 2010, Tokyo Metro police processed the case as “chikan” – groping – and passed the documentation on to prosecutors, who quietly laid the matter to rest in view of Harada’s death.
On April 26 of this year, Harada’s mother filed a civil damages suit against the city of Tokyo, on the grounds that police got prosecutors involved even though they knew that Harada was innocent, causing his family to suffer social disgrace.

Read More

If Hamaoka is potentially deadly, what about all the other nuclear reactors?

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TOKYO —

Toyo University geologist Mitsuhisa Watanabe has a startling revelation for Sunday Mainichi (May 29) and its readers – startling at least to those who think nuclear energy is serious business and should be treated (if at all) with respect.


If Hamaoka is hit by an earthquake-tsunami event approaching in scale the one that in Fukushima Prefecture is making nonsense of decades of blithe official assurances that nuclear power is safe – and seismologists rate at 87 percent the chance of a major quake occurring near Hamaoka within the next 30 years – Tokyo itself, the heart and lungs of Japan, would suffer what much of Tohoku is now suffering.


“Let history judge,” said Kan, implicitly elevating his decision to a historic level. Sunday Mainichi is not impressed. The nation’s entire nuclear industry, it claims, was built with astonishing recklessness. Closing one plant is, in the contemptuous words of former Tohoku University seismologist Masakazu Otake, “haphazard lip service, a kind of blood offering to the gods, a political performance.”

Read More

The Mayor who saved his town from the Tsunami

FUDAI —

In the rubble of Japan’s northeast coast, one small village stands as tall as ever after the tsunami. No homes were swept away. In fact, they barely got wet.
  
Fudai is the village that survived—thanks to a huge wall once deemed a mayor’s expensive folly and now vindicated as the community’s salvation.
  
The 3,000 residents living between mountains behind a cove owe their lives to a late leader who saw the devastation of an earlier tsunami and made it the priority of his four-decade tenure to defend his people from the next one.
  
His 15.5-meter floodgate between mountainsides took a dozen years to build and meant spending more than 3.56 billion yen.
  
“It cost a lot of money. But without it, Fudai would have disappeared,” said seaweed fisherman Satoshi Kaneko, 55, whose business has been ruined but who is happy to have his family and home intact.
  
The gate project was criticized as wasteful in the 1970s. But the gate and an equally high seawall behind the community’s adjacent fishing port protected Fudai from the waves that obliterated so many other towns.  Read More

南足柄市の放射線 何が安全で、何が危険なのか

南足柄市の放射線　何が安全で、何が危険なのか？

南足柄市の住民皆、子供たちの安全を維持したいでしょう。
南足柄市加藤市長、何が安全なのでしょうか？

加藤市長、選挙での勝利おめでとうございます。さて、今こそ任務をこなすときです。
事をゆっくり進めている場合ではありません。南足柄産のお茶の放射線量に関するニュースが
NHKで報告されるのを待つべきではないのです。市長が先導するべきです。
あなたが市長なのですから、先導するのは当然です。
放射能がないかどうか、何をテストしたのでしょうか。食べ物は安全でしょうか。水は安全でしょうか。

Read More

Smiths Schools of English in Japan, an opportunity?

Smiths Schools of English sells school franchises in Japan. Some teachers buy, build then

school or schools.

I think just being associated with a man like Mr. Smith, a man obviously with a lot of chutzpah and entrepreneurial spirit, is a great thing. A lot of that rubs off, if you learn as much as you can from people with their own business. Unfortunately few think like this. Most people think of a job - getting a job, keeping a job or looking for another job.  Read More

A Lot of Hot Water, but Not Much Is Being Used to Produce Electricity

YANAIZU, Japan — As visitors to any of Japan’s thousands of hot springs know, this country is sitting on a lot of very hot water. 

Related:

• Japan’s Nuclear Future in the Balance (May 10, 2011)

A blog about energy and the environment.

Go to Blog »

 

Continued, 

So far, though, little of it has been harnessed to produce energy. There are only 18 geothermal power plants in the country, and together they account for only 0.3 percent of Japan’s electricity production.
But some say that with Japan’s reliance on nuclear power plants coming into question, the country should harness more of its geothermal natural resource to provide clean, renewable energy.

Read More

Sony confirms personal info theft of all 77 million network users

Kyodo

WASHINGTON — Sony Corp. has informed a U.S. congressional panel that personal information related to all 77 million users of its online services was stolen during a recent data breach involving its popular PlayStation gaming systems.

In a written response dated Tuesday to a question paper from the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee, Sony said, "The criminal intruders stole personal information from all of the approximately 77 million PlayStation Network and Qriocity service accounts."

Sony had earlier said an unauthorized person may have obtained the personal information, including names, addresses, e-mail addresses, birthdates and passwords, from the 77 million accounts by unlawfully accessing the systems.

Read More

Could Fukushima provide catalyst for Japanese youth to reach criticality?

TOKYO —

Calls to protest bring thousands, the conventional press is shunned and rogue academics suddenly find people are willing to listen—it would be going too far to say Japan was joining the “Arab Spring,” but the nuclear crisis has shown there are limits to youth apathy in this country.
The 20 years since the bubble burst have at times seemed like an experiment to make a population as lethargic and hopeless as possible and then observe the decline. But there was always a twist that made things different than the malaise of a Tunisia or an Egypt: decent living standards. A roof over one’s head and food on the table are virtually guaranteed, and almost everyone has enough for a trendy wardrobe, a PlayStation and a night of oblivion in an izakaya once or twice a week. If you are satisfied with that, you don’t even have to work very hard for it.  Read More

On Being Politically Correct

Reprint of Old Article


On Being Politically Correct     The great movement to be politically correct has helped lead us to mediocrity.  Writers, professors,
doctors and others live in fear of offending the wrong person.  Professors are hauled in front of university
boards having to defend something they may or may not have said in a given lecture.  Doctors must be
very careful about the way they examine patients and do disease preventing research.
The intimate nature of being a doctor sometimes causing doubt and misunderstanding.
  I am not saying that all are innocent.  There are people out there doing
terrible things and they must be punished. However, it has gone to far.  The new McCarthyism is a reality.
   In the realm of writing, I can no longer rave about the beauty of Japanese women, without coming under
some scrutiny from my readers.  Poets have long raved about the beauty of many things including men and women,
but it seems one can no longer do this, without having to defend the act. Why not?  I can rave about the beauty of a flower
and that is okay, why not women? Are women not beautiful? How can this possibly be offensive?  I do believe that
outer beauty is skin deep, and we all have a lot of inner beauty too. To be politically correct, one must deny the existence
of the former.  Why not acknowledge it, while also stating that personality is the most important thing.  If you want to
rave about the beauty of men do it.  I will be happy in knowing that I am not a physical object nor a sexual one.
I am simply me and there is more to me than my physical appearance.  I feel that this anger over raving about
physical beauty, primarily comes from those who are not very confident about their own inner beauty and strengths.
It is a comment about them in other words.
  One friend with more experience at living than I, said that this movement to be politically correct is simply a furthering
of the women's liberation movement--a step too far.  I agree with this argument.  Women's lib was a necessary protest
movement, and great strides were made, but now it is getting ugly.  One woman at Simon Fraser University in Canada
decided that she wanted one of the coaches at the university, and she was willing to do almost anything to get him.
After being repeatedly rejected she accused him of sexual harassment.  Due to her physical beauty, she was believed.
Us men are animals you know. This SFU coach hired himself a good lawyer, held some press conferences and took to battle.
Proving himself innocent and hounded by a horny young woman.  He had been fired over the allegations.  I will repeat that: he was fired over
allegations--nothing had been proven. That is the problem too.   Doctors, teachers and other professionals can be destroyed
simply by irresponsible and erroneous allegations.
  The final chapter of this SFU story had the woman in disgrace but unpunished, the Dean of the
university lost his job for firing the coach in the first place.  The coach was finally vindicated and got back to teaching
and trying to win championships.  This whole movement has gone to far, and would make a great comedy if it were not so
tragic and stressful for so many people.
  No I say rave about the beauty of men, women or flowers.  Don't let any narrow minded person tell you otherwise. If they do,
you have to ask them what axe they have to grind?  What are they bitter about?  Acknowledge beauty, don't be afraid to tell
someone they are beautiful in whatever way they are. I do draw the line at bosses telling their employees they are very attractive;
the same goes for teachers telling students.  But in general, let's stop with this nonsense of believing that it is morally wrong.
 
Recognize that the real beauty comes from inside, and this should
be acknowledged too.  All of us are beautiful, and physical beauty really is only skin deep.

Kevin R. Burns

A Japanese Robot

X- Japan performs, "Tears"

X Japan, one of my favorite Japanese bands performs, "TEARS"

Learning English or Teaching it in Japan? ボキャブラリーを教えるためのゲーム

ボキャブラリーを教えるためのゲーム

by Lyanne Thomas


新しい単語を学ぶのは退屈できついと言っているのは誰ですか。 退屈な暗記法は実用的で楽しい方法ではありませんが、子供は何千もの単語を学ぶ必要があります。 それゆえに教師は絵の中にボキャブラリーゲームを加えるなど効果的で楽しい学び方を考えなくてはいけません。 教えるためには、ボキャブラリーゲームティーチャーズを使うといいでしょう。 ボキャブラリーを楽しく学べる方法をいくつか紹介します。  Read More

How to sell everything, move to Japan, and keep a U.S. address

How to sell everything, move to Japan, and keep a U.S. address

Posted by Steve in Expat Tips, Life in Japan You’ve decided to let go and move overseas. It’s time to sell as much as you can, if not everything! I sold stuff at a flea market, in the newspaper, using Craigslist, and on eBay, and I had a garage sale. I donated some household items and clothing, and the rest of my stuff I just gave away for free. These methods helped me get rid of everything I owned in the U.S.
But what about staying in contact with your home country? You know… a phone number, voice mail, and a mailing address? Sure you can use your parents address or another family members address and this would be the most affordable way, but sometimes it feels good not to have to rely on anybody to get things done. Here are some steps on how to make it happen on your own terms.

1. Get a new address first using a 3rd party service. You could use the service Mailboxes Etc, but it’s not convenient. I recommend an online service such as Earth Class Mail. They’ll email you, scan your mail, even forward things to you. It’s important to do this first because once you decide where you’ll be getting your mail you need to get a notarized copy of USPS Form 1583 to authorize the service to receive mail on your behalf. Get this done at a notary or your local bank. But watch those fee totals! You’ll be paying a monthly fee + scanning fees + mail forwarding fees. Last year I spent a more than $1200 USD on this service. This year I’m estimated to spend about $800.

Read More

Obama, America you are Blessed with a Good Man as President

Obama, America you are Blessed with a Good Man as President

Does it really matter if his documents were forged or otherwise not legal when he was a baby?
If indeed that happened?   He is one of your better presidents in many, many years.   Plus by
stirring up the controversy you are hurting the relationship between caucasians and African
Americans.  

Even if Obama`s documents have some discrepencies, grant him instrant citizenship.  He is
president after all and a good one.  Then be done with it.  We would love to have him as our
prime minister in Canada, and I would love to have him lead Japan out of her morass.  

Anyway, I was sent this by a friend.   This seems to suggest that the birth certificate documents
are somehow lacking.

'13 Assassins' Director Takashi Miike Goes Old School

13 Assassins" is easily one of the best movies to come out of Japan in a while and the best action flick to come out so far this year. Unlike the anodyne action sequences of such recent sword fighting fare as "Sucker Punch," this movie wasn’t created in a computer; the violence in this film feels real and raw. Unlike the spastic battle scenes in "Battle: Los Angeles," this film doesn't feel like the cameraman was being chased by a bear. Instead "13 Assassins" has the sweep and grandeur of an old-school Akira Kurosawa samurai movie -- only with more blood. A lot more blood.  Read More

Making Music Japanese Style

Nuclear Boy

Nuclear Boy, subtitled in English

Japan Based Zenlock wins Prestigious Award

Zenlok Corporation Wins Prestigious "Red Herring Global 100" Award

Feb 1, 2011 2:00:00 AM

Tokyo, Feb 1, 2011 - (JCN Newswire) - Japan based security venture, Zenlok Corporation was awarded the Red Herring Global 100 Award for its innovation and leadership last week in Santa Monica, California, where Red Herring announced its Global 100 award in recognition of the leading private companies from North America, Europe, and Asia, celebrating these startups' innovations and technologies across their respective industries.
Zenlok Corporation, founded in 2007 by well known Tokyo entrepreneur, Amir Ayalon, is a leader in providing security solutions that protect data in transit and during storage.

Read More

Are Japanese people hard-wired to hoard?

Are Japanese people hard-wired to hoard?

March 15th, 2011 by Philip Brasor & Masako Tsubuku

Last week’s earthquake and tsunami has engendered a nationwide run on retailers that has alarmed the authorities. Even in Hiroshima, which was totally unaffected by either catastrophe and isn’t in a related earthquake zone, people are said to be stripping store shelves of batteries. Renho, the Democratic Party of Japan superstar who heads the consumer affairs ministry, blasted the mentality that has led to this behavior, saying that she could understand why people might want to buy batteries and portable cookers and even bicycles, but “natto and chicken”? She stressed that it causes shortages of much needed supplies to the afflicted areas and used the word kaishime to describe these actions, which means to “corner the market,” except that she isn’t talking about companies, but individual consumers. In that regard it seems an imprecise term, but the negative connotation is what’s important.

Read More

Fukushima - "In for a Long Battle" - Kan

Asia Pacific Hockey League

The Asia Pacific Hockey League was created to raise the level of ice hockey across Asia by providing a framework for development through a combination or regularly scheduled games and specific hockey training. The games will be played in tournament format in events scheduled across Asia.    Learn more about the Hockey Summit and the APHL

Tips On Buying Japanese Clothes Online

Tips On Buying Japanese Clothes Online
 by: Brian Russman

If you have ever seen a kimono in movies or maybe even in real life, you probably think it is a colorful dress (at least if we talk about women traditional clothes) with long sleeves and various patterns. There is surprisingly little details on what Japanese traditional clothes really are despite the fact we have access to seemingly everything we could only think of. We can easily buy whatever dress we want from the comfort of our homes, but when it comes to kimonos we often find ourselves scratching our heads in confusion. What is a real kimono? Where to buy quality Japanese clothes online?

First of all, the word "kimono" means "clothes" in Japanese and has two sub-categories - so-called “yofuku” and “wafuk”u. The first literally means "western clothes" and represents what we are all used to putting on ourselves, while the latter is what we all call "kimono" or, literally, "Japanese clothes". And there are many types of them.

Let us take “furisode” as an example first. A furisode is exactly what you have in mind when you imagine a kimono for women. The name means "long sleeves" and it is distinguishing feature is, as you could already guess, long sleeves and colorful patterns. They are not particularly cheap. The price can go up all the way to several thousand dollars, and even an ordinary one will cost several hundreds at least. Unlike other Japanese traditional clothes, they are quite difficult to put on and take care of, which is why they are worn only on special occasions like the Coming of Age ceremony.

There are also casual kimonos, like jimbeis for men or yukatas that can be worn by both sexes. Both jimbeis and yukatas are very comfortable and light, suitable for wearing every day, and significantly cheaper than their more luxurious dress discussed above. If you absolutely need a kimono, but a furisode is too much of an investment, a jimbei or yukata are your choice. Besides, just as with other Japanese traditional clothes, not many will be able to tell the difference.

The list of clothes could really go on and on, but I do not mean to bore anyone. Rather than discussing the types of Japanese traditional clothes, let me answer one more common question: where to buy a good kimono? It shouldn't come as a surprise that most of what you can buy outside the motherland of kimonos is a low quality fake that are likely to fall apart after the very first laundry. Fortunately, with emergence of the Internet, the world shrank so much, that borders, both geographical and cultural, are not so distinct anymore.

If you are on short terms with the Japanese language, you obviously should not have any problems at all. If not, I can recommend Japanese clothes online. You can learn more about different types of kimonos and traditional accessories there and find links to reliable and trusted importers from Japan as well as instructions on how to make the purchase of your dream. Not a bad deal, huh?

About The Author
For more information on Japanese clothes online visit http://jimbei.com

The Potential of Solar Energy

Jeremy Leggett, solar energy industry expert, believes that the solar energy industry will grow dramatically. Solar power is cheap and sustainable renewable energy source, whether it’s solar panels for your home or a big investment in solar energy for your business.



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Disappearing Biodiversity in Awase, Japan

Over half of Awase have been claimed to industry, but it's a profound failure. The remaining area is for beach and resort developments. But the environment has changed drastically, affecting the local fishermen.

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小田原警察 小田原で外国人を呼び止める

小田原警察　小田原で外国人を呼び止める
 
小田原市、南足柄市（松田町）の警察はとても小さな町の人です。
町は成長しているのですが、他の国の人たちと触れ合う経験ははごくわずかしかありません。
地方の警察の人にとって、日本人以外の人は映画やテレビで見るものなのです。英語を話す人でさえ、です。
控えめに言いますが、私たちについて彼らは騙されやすいのです。おそらく何人かは外国人がむしろ脅していると
思い、それに対処するために厳しい雰囲気を放つのです。
 
地方に住む外国人集団は反抗的で危険、このようなスタンスは道理にかなっているかもしれません。
許容性がゼロになってしまえば、犯罪がはびこっていたニューヨークのようになってしまいます。
 
しかしながら、小田原市は沿岸にある平和な場所です。たくさんの外国人がここで生活し、家族と安心して
過ごしています。
 
地方の警察も、私たちのことについて学ぶ時期ではないでしょうか。 
 
小田原警察は最近、市内で歩いていた私のアメリカ人の友達を呼び止めたそうです。
１人の女性は犬と散歩をしていて呼び止められ、立ち止まりました。
警察は彼女に外国人登録証明書（外国人身分証明書）を見せるように言いました。
彼女が証明書を差し出すと、警察はそれを奪い、彼女の詳細を書きとめたそうです。
 
他の２人の友達も同じく呼び止められ、身分証明書を見せるよう言われました。
警察は彼らの詳細も書きとめたそうです。
 
日本の市民に、ここまではしないですよね。現在、私たちは犬を連れて歩いていても警察に呼び止められるのです。
 
小田原市鴨宮で、自転車に乗った警察が私を捕まえようとしました。おそらく彼は
私が逃げると思ってその手段に出たのでしょう。彼は明らかに何かの理由があって私を疑っていました。
私はこの地区のアパートや家にパンフレット（私が経営する英会話スクールの広告）を配っていただけなのです。
これが正式に不法だといわれる間は、警察は通常この犯罪で悩まされないでしょう。
日本人のピザ宅配スタッフや、他の会社でも行っていることなのです。
小田原警察に呼び止められている人を見たことがありません。
 
他にも、パンフレットを郵便箱に入れているときに２人の警察が私についてきたことがありました。
私は止まりませんでしたが、自転車に乗った警察が私の心を乱しました。
彼が歩いている間、通行人にベルを鳴らしているとは思わなかったのです。
 
小田原はもっと国際的になるべきだと断言します。オーストラリアやカリフォルニア州のチューラビスタの
警官は、勇敢に関係を持ちます。また、インターナショナルラウンジをオープンしています。
 
ここで生活をし、家族と共に暮らしている市民は敵ではない、と地方警察に言いたいです。
私たちはゲストでもありません。ここは私たちの地域なのです！
 
 
  

Damn!...I think I been mutated!!!

I think I been mutated!!!!

by Kevin R. Burns

20,20,20 - 4 hours ago,... I think I bin mutated!!!

But my wife thinks its a real improvement, from when - we dated!!!

Just get me to the airport on a cargo plane

Hurry hurry hurry before I GLOW in vain!

I can`t control my fingers I can`t control my brain

Oh no no no no!!!!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhh24BB84e4&w=480&h=390]

Read More!!!!

Dr. Andrew Weil on Connecting With Japan

Connecting with Japan
Published: 3/30/2011

Today's Q&A:
Are Home Medical Tests Worthwhile?

Related:
Heart Health

The devastating earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan on March 11 has already killed thousands of people, and the full effects have yet to play out. The long-term damage to human health from radiation leaks at the Fukishima nuclear power plants will take years, perhaps decades, to manifest.

I feel this tragedy deeply. Since my first visit to Japan as a teenager in 1959, I have felt a powerful connection to its culture, aesthetics and people. In the years since, I have been back more times than I can recall. As much as I enjoy the vibrant cacophony of modern, urban Japan, I am particularly drawn to its venues of timeless serenity.  Read More

Synchronicity and all that Stuff

Synchronicity and all that Stuff

by Kevin R Burns                     
(Kanagawa, Japan)           

" I'm convinced God put me here to accomplish a certain number of things;
right now, I'm so far behind I'll never die."

--Petya Lowe, Circle of Light


Synchronicity and all that Stuff

"Everything in this universe is part of an uninterrupted sequence of events."

--Mamoru Mohri, Japanese  astronaut                                              

Tokyo, Japan
Japanese astronaut Mamoru Mohri, feels that in the borderless era we live in now, the acceptance of cultural diversity and globalization is very important. "Once people take a broader , more long-term view of the things going on around them, it can give them a totally new perspective on life," said Mohri according to a press report.    Read More

Are we Spirit & Live Forever?

Are We Spirit & Live Forever

by Kevin R Burns
(Kanagawa, Japan)

Or When We Die, Do the Little Buggies Eat Us?

"Hello, I'd like to connect with my higher self."
"Is this a collect call sir?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'll put you through now."............
I'm sorry sir, your higher self will
accept the charges."

"The story of my life!"

--Kevin Burns


Are We Spirit & Live Forever?
Or When We Die, Do the Little Buggies Eat Us?

This is my current life question. James Redfield in the Celestine Prophecy alludes to the
fact that we don't need to figure out the answers, rather we need to figure out our current life question. The above is mine. What's yours? If you can figure out the question Redfield observes, the answer will come.

Read More

FBC – Aid to People and Pets in Tohoku‏

FBC – Aid to People and Pets in Tohoku‏

Many of our members are asking us for ways to help and how they can get certain items. Here’s the short, simple version with the latest info, but please see our website for more details on each item:

How to help others- 3 ways
Second Harvest and CRASH - Send money and aid directly to these two organizations.
AID4OTHERS – Use this coupon code to send your items directly to those affected by the earthquake.
Help Animals Too! – We’ve set up a way to help animals who have been affected by the earthquake as well. Please see our website for more info.

How we can help you and your family:
FBC Express/Food and Fun From Home - Emergency Backpacks, Lanterns (for blackouts), Batteries- direct from the US in a week.

Deli - Face Masks, Food for now, Other emergency relief items - delivery in about a week.

General Store - Water, Toilet Paper, Canned Goods and Stock Up Supplies - takes about a month, but great to stock up. Shoko's recommendations

Madi's Remailing Service - Air shipped direct from the US – The things you really need and want, but can’t find here. Order from almost anywhere and have Madi’s Remailing Service ship your items.

Also, we’ve just added a special General Store order this week to help process all the AID4OTHERS orders, so please feel free to order by this Friday (April 1st) to get your order on the next boat!

If you'd like to help us spread the word about these aid programs: forward this to a friend or us on Facebook.

You are receiving our monthly newsletter because you signed up at The Foreign Buyers' Club FBCでお買い物、登録をされた方にこのメールを配信しております。 Our mailing address is: The Foreign Buyers' Club 5-15-3F Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku Kobe, Hyogo 658-0032

On the Future of the Whole World

Though I agree that we need to start thinking about what kind of alternative forms of power we are going to use not just in Japan, but worldwide. I don`t think now is the time to debate this in Japan. We need to deal with first things first, which is getting the people up north houses and safe, and fixing the reactors or burying them if that is what is needed.

Most importantly we need to stay positive that we can get all of the above done in a timely manner. It is still winter up north and will be cold for a few months more.

Read More

American Weight Lifting Champion helps Earthquake Victims up North

Japan Earth Quake
Japan Earth Quake - American Weightlifting Champion helps Victims of 9.0 Earthquake

Chiba,Japan

Two time Kanagawa weight lifting champion; Ukiah, California native Chris Zanella, now calls Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa in Japan home.

The big, affable Californian, survived a hit and run accident in Odawara`s Tomizu area aboutfour months ago, he took just a Friday off of work, didn`t tell his boss about the accident, even though he was very banged up, then taught his students at Kevin`s English School the following Monday, where he has taught children to adults for the past four years. Probably if asked about why he would teach so soon after being hit by car, he would probably just shrug it off.

Read More

Playing Games in Kanagawa - Camp Zama Game Days

JIGG is Japan`s International Gamers Guild, 20 years old and going strong. JIGG has been
bringing boardgame players, roleplayers, card game lovers and wargame players together since
1991. Free membership. Get in the game!

Don`t give up your hobby if you come to live in Japan!


Camp Zama, Kanagawa
What is going on? Just ask the unstoppable James Keller! Camp Zama game days have been one of the consistent mainstays of JIGG. Plus going to Camp Zama is like going to the USA for the day. Yards, and yards of grass, trees and flowers, plus games of all kinds in a large room with many games. I plan on going with Bruce at some point.
Contact James if interested: - Email James: ngolmo at gmail.com

On Teaching English in Japan

How do you teach English in Japan?

What are the first steps you should take?

YOUR Stories Your best, worst, strangest and funniest teaching experiences!

How much are the salaries in Japan?

Oikawa san of Keio, keeps us mindful of some important aspects of teaching

Professor John F. Fanselow of Columbia University Teachers College, observes that what you think is happening in the classroom may not be what is happening at all

Jobs in Japan for Americans, the unique American situation

How do you learn Japanese for free or cheaply?

Conrad Matsumoto enlightens us with his "almost no prep activities"

How do you teach young children?

Chris Weber gives us his hard won advice on teaching English to Japanese

David Martin of EFL Press talks about how to be an Effective EFL teacher

Should you teach on the JET Program?

How do you teach English online?

Devanshe Chauhan explains classroom management for newbies

What are the Japanese people like?

What should I know about working visas?

What are the big schools like?

Thomas Anderson weighs in on how he teaches university students

Follow Us at Facebook or Yahoo Groups

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Please Donate to Help Japan

The fickle media is all ready deserting Japan for other if it bleeds it leads stories.
the biggest disaster in Japanese history continues and we need your help!


Imagine America losing her west coast. This is essentially what has happened for a much smaller and less populous nation. This disaster
is unprecedented in Japanese history.

The Latest News from Japan

Why Work in Japan

Why Work in Japan?

By Chase Crawford

Even if you don't live and work in Japan, it's easy to fall in love with the country. Anyone who encounters its rich, enduring culture and history as well as its modern innovative society can't help but want to learn more.

There are many means to learn about Japanese ways. You can always read books or study a formal course. These days, you also have the easy option to just go online and take your fill. There are tons of websites that offer information about the country and its people. There are also countless communities that let you interact with Japanese friends or fellow enthusiasts.

Today's technology has certainly made it easier to immerse oneself in a different culture. Undeniably though, nothing beats actually having to live and work in Japan. This still is the best way to embrace an environment that is completely different from yours. It's easy to do this if you have a lot of money but living there can prove prohibitive to cash-strapped enthusiasts. The only other alternative is to apply for a job.

Getting a job is advantageous not just because you get to earn to support your potentially costly stay. It will also work well for you because it is one good way to legitimize your stay in the country. With a company to sponsor you, it's fairly a straightforward to get a working visa.

Clearly, finding Japan work is a far better way to get exposed to the place's culture and society than learning through online and offline means. In most cases, working can put you in a better position to get a genuine experience than if you just came as a tourist. As a worker, you live and breathe right in the thick of Japanese life.

There is one more reason why finding a job is best. While earning, you can actually experience the same level of enjoyment that tourists do. This is particularly true if you are involved in summer or winter resort operations. Of course, you are expected to work hard while on duty but you can spend your free time from Japan work enjoying the sun and sand of Okinawa or the fine powder of Nagano. There's just no better deal than this.

Before you decide to take this option, keep in mind that working in a different environment requires some adjustment. This is even if you are a great fan of the place. You may have to adjust for example to the notion of living in shared accommodations and in bathing in a communal shower area. Take note too that some work places are in remote areas and may not be easily accessible to night entertainment or activities. If you are used to the hustle and bustle of night life in your home city, you may have to look for alternative activities while working in a far away Japanese location.

It definitely is a great idea to find work in Japan. You get fun, compensation and education all in one. You might want to try checking your options online now. There are several sites that can facilitate your search for a good job placement.

Want To Find Out More About Work In Japan?
Visit http://www.boobooski.com For More Information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chase_Crawford


http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Work-in-Japan?&id=4376211

Relief Efforts for Tohoku Region

To all jobsinjapan.com users,

We would like to invite jobsinjapan.com users to join us at a fundraising event this Saturday in Shinjuku for relief efforts in the Tohoku region. We will be joining Kokusaika's international friendship party in the banquet room of the Nishi Shinjuku Hotel.

One half of all guest admissions from jobsinajapan.com users will be donated to earthquake relief. We are also encouraging each guest to bring one dry/canned food item or other useful item from. We will have some boxes ready at the event and mail them that night by takyubin to Reverend Ken Joseph's Nihon Kinkyu Enjotai in Sendai, which has requested items to be sent. Anything that might be in your apartment and unused that you think might be useful would be welcome. See a list of requested items at the bottom.

Even if you are unable to attend please read the information about Nihon Kinkyu Enjotai, and consider sending them a package separate. They are requesting that people send things.

Please e-mail me for reservations. Tel. 03-3281-4303 for any questions on the events. (During the event 090-1847-5075). See Kokusaika's Web site http://www.internationalparty.com for the full March schedule.

------------

Event: Shinjuku International Friendship Party
Date: Mar. 26 (Sat.)
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm
Attendance: Approx. 150 people
Location: Nishi Shinjuku Hotel 9F banquet room, 7-14-14 Nishi Shinjuku-ku
Admission: Ladies Y3,000, Men Y3,500 w/e-mail res. by Fri.(+Y500 going directly)
Drinks: Open bar from 6:30-9:00 with bottled beer (Ebisu, Asahi & Kirin Stout), wine, cocktails and soft drinks. (bar closes at 9:00p.m.)
Food: Large English-style carvery with roast beef/pork, gravy, shephard's pie, veggies, cheeses, breads, fruit, homemade ice cream + pies & a large cake from Kyle's Good Finds Bakery.
Dress: Casual

------------

One half of each guest admission from jobsinjapan.com will be donated to the Japan Emergency Team (Nihon Kinkyu Enjotai). This group has been providing emergency assistance in Japan since 1975 and is run by the Reverend Ken Joseph and his son, the Reverend Ken Joseph, Jr. who are very well known and highly respected in Tokyo, and who have been very active in the international community in Japan since 1951.

There are so many people who really want to do something to help, but the problem has been where to send things and how.

I spoke to Reverend Joseph several times on the telephone this week. He's been in Sendai with a relief team since the 2nd day preparing meals and delivering relief with his team working out of and in coordination with the Sendai city hall. Tonight on the telephone he said things are still chaotic. His team is still serving meals, which aren't enough, and that they need lots of supplies.

Some items that were specifically requested are:

Canned, dry and instant foods, rice powdered milk, coffee, tea, cream, bottled water, electric water pots, sleeping bags, tents, used laptop computers and active wireless internet devices and airline mileage (for volunteers to move back and forth), 20 liter metal gasoline cans, disaster relief vehicles.

If each guest brought just one item to the event on Saturday, we could mail several large boxes that night from the nearby convenience store. If you are not able to attend the party, please consider putting a package together and mailing it to the address below. Reverend Joseph said that they will be in Sendai for six months and can use supplies whenever they arrive. He said volunteers who can go to Sendai even for a few days are also greatly needed, including people to take care of their laptops and answer e-mail and the phones. Reverend Joseph explained to me on the phone there are two types of people who are helping: those who are "doing" and those who are "organizing." He said his team has been incredibly busy cooking and delivering meals that there has been little time to answer e-mails and take care of backend gathering of supplies and funds. Thus, I wanted to help a little with the organizing part via our weekly announcement by letting people know where they can send !
help to.

The address to mail items to is:
Nihon Kinkyu Enjotai
c/o Sendai City Hall
3-7-1 Kokubun-cho
Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken 980-8671
Tel. 0570-000-911 or 090-3080-6711 or 090-7170-4769
e-mail: team@jhelp.com (responses may be delayed)
See their Web site for information on cash donations which are also greatly needed: http://www.jhelp.com

You can also find more information about the Reverend Ken Joseph and his 60 years of work in Japan at http://www.kennyjoseph.com.

If the volume of items collected on Saturday is large enough and if there were any volunteers who wanted to go I might consider driving our van to Sendai on after the event on Saturday night. In any case we will make sure all the collected items are delivered along with our own cash donation of one half the admission from each guest from jobsinjapan.com.

Regards,

John

Earthquake - I thought I was going to die!

Earthquake - I thought I was going to die!


Yokohama, Kanagawa,   March 11th, 2011


I thought i was going to die.  The building I was in was shaking much too much and I was on the third floor.  I had met friends for lunch in Yokahama, and then went shopping afterwards.   Usually the quakes here last a few seconds, usually 30 seconds is the longest.  One minute is really long. 

Read More:

Why Not To Freak Out About Radiation From Japan

Why Not To Freak Out About Radiation From Japan

By: Adviser

March 17, 2011

---

While heroic workers battle the threat of nuclear meltdown in Japan, a different kind of fallout seems to threaten the peace of those of us in the US. As fears that radioactive particles will float across the ocean and strike the United States escalate, we seem to be paying less attention to the tragic loss of life and peace in Japan and more on how this might hurt us right here at home.
Some of my friends are fleeing the west coast in search of safe haven further east. Others are dosing up on potassium iodide in an attempt to protect themselves (as evidenced by those who are stockpiling potassium iodide in spite of the advice of health officials who are telling us to chill out). Still more are just plain freaking out. I’ve gotten at least a dozen cautionary emails just today from people who are encouraging me to be afraid.  Read More

The Public Transit System in Japan

After we talked about the awards that had been bestowed on our public transit  system, I  read an email from Alain Soucy who shared some fascinating info on Japanese mass transit.

 

Here is the email in its entirety:

"The Japanese built their  first bullet  train in 1960. In 2010, the Tokyo train system accumulated 17 seconds delay. Not bad when  you consider the size of the population.
 The bus drivers in Japan do not  have pony tails; they do not stop at Mc Donald's for a coffee. No sir, they wear a uniform with white gloves and a hat.
The bus transmission is manual, the drivers are never on strike.They have a small microphone close to the mouth which they use to welcome every passenger. All buses have air conditioning. Every stop is announced via digital display screen and you can actually get  change on the bus.
 The subway stations have washrooms and elevators. Retired people provide information to travellers; you can spot them by the armband they  wear.
It  is a life experience to use the transit system in Japan."

--From CJAD Talk Radio Montreal

News from The Pink Cow

Howdy Cowfolks,

> This has been an extremely difficult time for all of us in Japan and
> our families. Especially the people in the North hit by the tsunami.
> The Pink Cow is opened and continuing to try to bring some normalcy
> back. We also want to give people a way to help where they can. We have
> a quake relief fund donation box set up so we are asking everyone who
> comes in for one of our, usually free, events to please find it and put
> in what you can.
>
> Also, a lot of people are very scared and there is misinformation being
> continually being repeated the media, adding lots of extra stress to an
> already horrendous situation. This is a very informative article about
> the physics and design of the Fukushima nuclear plant. Please read if
> you are feeling scared, it may help.
>
> http://www.businessinsider.com/japan-reactors-pose-no-risk-2011-3#ixzz1GYAeAp1Q
>
> And here is a ustreamed Geiger counter so you can see the levels near
> Tokyo. 10-20cmps is normal. The sooner we can get things moving again,
> the sooner we can help the people who are really suffering.
>
> http://www.ustream.tv/channel/geiger-counter-tokyo
>
> Mooooo.....
> The Herd
>
> Wed., March 16th – Vegan Night
> Vegan Club:
> Calling all vegetarian friends (or non-vegetarians who like good food
> and meeting new people)! The Tokyo Vegan Meetup group is holding their
> monthly dinner once a month. To reserve, please go to:
> http://vegan.meetup.com/389/ . Join us
> for a delicious and healthy meal and meet a diverse and lively group of
> food and animal lovers! If you are curious, vegan = no meat, no fish,
> no egg, no dairy. Bring your friends!!
>
> Dinner at 7:30PM - all you can eat buffet menu ¥2,800 (drinks separate)
> For maps and more info please check www.thepinkcow.com
>
>
> Thurs. March 17th – "PREMIUM"
> Hip Hop, Life & Culture
>
> Open 17:30 ~ 23:30 Close
> (Every 1st & 3rd Thursday)
>
> Great food
> Funky fresh beats
> Hip Hop Culture Films
> Open b-boy area
> Entrance only 500円
>
> Twice a month we meet up and have delicious food & drinks,
> international hip hop film screenings, with major & independent live
> performances, live art showcases, beat maker showcases, networking
> discussions, and cross promotions. This is a gathering for local &
> international artists, fans, and businesses in hip hop who want to stay
> in touch with the streets around the world.
>
> @PINK COW
> Villa Moderuna B1, 1-3-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku Tokyo, 150-0002
> 03-3406-5597
> From 7pm, 500yen entry
>
> Fri. March 18th – Yo-Yo Black followed by Live Open Mic Comedy/Variety
> World Champion Yo-Yo Performer!
> Yo-Yo Bar:
> Why don't you play Yo-Yo?
> This event is for people who wanna hang out and try a different type of
> Entertainment, a little like a Darts Bar but with yo-yos.
> Yes, this is Yo-Yo Bar.
>
> World Yo-Yo Champion Black will tech you how to play Yo-Yo.
> (Yo-Yo Black is great! So fun to watch!)
>
> Wow, it's a free lesson!
> Of course tip from your heart are always welcome ;)
> From 7pm – No Charge!
>
> Sat. Feb. 19th – Body Works Fashion Special
> A night of Art, the Body & Sensuality
> All things that touch on how Art intermingles with the Body as a
> uniquely human experience. Sensuality explored through sounds, sights,
> smells & tastes. All types of artists will be exploring their own
> interpretations of body/art/sensuality and sharing their ideas, works
> and performances. Everyone welcome to participate, all different
> expressions welcome so mail us to join!
>
> Special Featured Guests:
> We will be introducing new Tokyo fashion brand:
> New東International京Women
> Rolling out the first designs with a fashion show and artist Jesse
> Franklin launching the line by painting the inaugural dress!
> Our New International Women fashion brand is designed to push the limit
> of choice & style. Designed for women by women. NIW incorporates art
> and style with the freedom of personalized choice for your own body
> shape and size so you can feel your most confident & comfortable for
> any occasion. Women are not cookie cutter one size fits all, we make
> clothes that respect that.
> niw@thepinkcow.com
> NIW fashion show
> Jesse Franklin – Live Painting
> Roy "Fudworks" Daley 3D Art demo
> Geoff Hash – Live Music (after 8pm)
> N@n@ & Alice – Burlesque Dance & keyboards
> And much more!
>
> if you want to perform or join the mix with your talents email us at
> art@thepinkcow.com
> from 7pm – No entry charge
>
> Sun., March. 20th - Japanese Lounge Night!
> This is a night to celebrate Japanese traditional music (usually Koto,
> Shamisen & Shakuhachi plus more) and experiment mixing it with modern
> western music. Everyone and all instruments and guests welcome to join
> or just watch! Come join us to enjoy and learn and experience more
> about Japanese instruments in a fun, relaxed way. We are happy to have
> music fans, anyone interested in Japanese/English language and Japanese
> culture, those who love to wear a Kimono but need a place to go in
> it...that means you, your friends and family. Meet new people and enjoy
> great food and drinks! It's also a open mic event, please bring your
> talent if to perform with our instruments!
>
> If you're interested in performing, please let us know!
> JLN page on Kumiya's: http://shamisen-sensei.com/jln.aspx
>
>
> You must log in but we also have a group page on mixi.
> http://mixi.jp/view_community.pl?id=4425492
>
> Would you like to sneak peek at the event on online video?
> http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1841806
>
>
> Hosted by: Kumiya- Shamisen (Hosozao. Hauta, Kouta & Ming-yo) Sensei of
> Shamisen lesson for beginners and tourists in both Japanese and
> English. http://shamisen-sensei.com
> >
> Plus lots of special guests and performers joining the fun with
> workshops & jam session!
>
> From 7pm - NO CHARGE! Come early for dinner and the best seats!
>
> ***If you do not want to receive our cowmailers please just reply with an
> unsubscribe in the subject area, although we milk it for all it's worth we
> don't want to bug anyone!
>
> 3月16日（水）
> Vegan ナイト
> Vegan Club:
> ベジタリアンの友達をみんな呼ぼう！（ベジタリアンじゃなくても、おいしいもの好きで友達の輪を広げたい人も！）Tokyo Vegan Meetup
> Groupは毎月第一木曜日に食事会を開いています。ご予約は以下にてどうぞ。＜http://vegan.meetup.com/389/＞
> 美食と動物をこよなく愛す仲間と一緒においしくヘルシーなディナーはいかが？ちなみに『vegan』とは肉、魚、卵、乳製品の一切を食べないベジタリアンのことです。
> --------------------------------------
> 19:30 ～
> 食べ放題ビュッフェディナー料金：￥2,800（ドリンク別）
>
> 3月17日（木）
> "PREMIUM"
> ヒップホップ、ライフ＆カルチャー
> 第一と第三木曜日。月に２回、美味しい料理とドリンクと共に、メジャー／インディペンデント・アーティスト、ビートメイカーによるライブ・パフォーマンス、クリエイターによるアート・パフォーマンスに加え、国際的ヒップホップ映画の上映、ネットワーキング会議、クロス・プロモーションなどを企画しています。これは、ローカル／インターナショナルなアーティスト、ファン、ビジネス関係者など、ヒップホップにおいて、世界のストリートと繋がりたいと考えている人々のためのパーティです。
> 参加を希望されるダンサー、Dj、Mc、作品を披露されたい映像や写真関係のアーティストの方是非ご連絡をお待ちしております！毎月2回のイヴェント"PREMIUM"。3月より開始致します！
> --------------------------------------
> 19:00 ～
> 料金：￥500
>
> 3月18日（金）
> Yo-yo Black　& ライブ
> ヨーヨーバー：
> ヨーヨーしない？
> このイベントはちょっと新しい事を楽しんでみたい人のためのエンターテインメント。ダーツバーのヨーヨー版みたいな。そう、ヨーヨーバー。
> ヨーヨー世界チャンプのBlackが特別にテクを伝授。見るだけでも楽しいよ！
> フリーレッスンだって！　もちろん心からのチップはウェルカム　；）
> --------------------------------------
> 19:00 ～
> フリーエントランス
>
> 3月19日（土）
> Body Works Fashion スペシャル!
> アートと体がコンセプトの夜
> http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144969155524386
> アートと身体の融合が生み出すありとあらゆるユニークな体験。
> 聴覚、視覚、臭覚、そして味覚を通して探る官能。あらゆるタイプのアーティストが自分なりの解釈で「体・アート・肉体感覚」を表現。誰でも参加できます。メールでお問い合わせ下さい。
> スペシャルフィーチャーゲスト：
> 新しい東京ファッションブランドを紹介　『New東International京Women』
> デビュー作品をアーティスト「Jesse Franklin」を迎えてドレスにペインティングを施すファッションショーで公開！
> 選択とスタイルの限界を少し押し広げるデザインを提案する　ファッションブランド　New International
> Women。アートとスタイルを融合させた　NIW
> のコンセプトは、あらゆる場面において自分に一番自信が持てて気持ちの良いサイズと形の服を自由に選択できること。誰でも着られるワンサイズの服なんて女性は望んでいない。NIWの服はそんな希望を現実のものにします。niw@thepinkcow.com
> ライブ音楽
> ライブペイント
> ボディーペイント
> フォトショー
> などなど！
> パフォーマンスや特技を披露したい方はこちらまでメールを：art@thepinkcow.com
> --------------------------------------
> 19:00 ～
> フリーエントランス
>
> 3月20日（日）
> ジャパニーズ ラウンジ ナイト！
> 堅苦しいと思われる和楽器の音楽と楽しさをかなりリラックスした環境で紹介する月イチ、エントランスフリーのイベント。
> 自分が今どこの国にいるか分からなくなるようなおもしろい場所で、ステージを見ると着物を着て、和楽器を奏でる人達が…しかも話しているのは英語。
> 日本文化に興味のある外国出身の方や実際に和楽器を習っている各国の生徒さん、もちろん音楽好き、英語で話したい、機会がないだけで着物でのお出かけ先を探している人、おいしいお酒や多国籍なフードを楽しみたいゲストやパフォーマーの集まっているイベントです。
> 飛び入り参加も大歓迎♪日本の伝統楽器と一緒に弾きたい方は是非楽器を持ってきてくださいね！
>
> 渋谷ピンクカウthe Pink Cowhttp://www.thepinkcow.com/
> (携帯からも見れる地図 http://gmap.jp/shop-912.html?&uid=197621
> )
>
> 出演者の久美弥のサイト内のイベントページ: http://shamisen-sensei.com/jln.aspx
> 日経ＢＰネット内のイベントへのインタビュー記事
> http://www.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/column/20090630/163977/?P=4
> ミクシイにコミュニティーもあります
> http://mixi.jp/view_community.pl?id=4425492
> 先にイベントの様子を見てみたい方はこのオンラインビデオで！http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1841806
> ホスト：
> 久美弥（細棹三味線）http ://shamisen-sensei.com
>
> 端唄、小唄、民謡。英語と日本語での初心者やツーリスト向けの三味線の先生
> --------------------------------------
> 19:00 ～
> フリーエントランス
>
>
> ***カウメールの配信停止をご希望の方はメールの「件名」欄にunsubscribe』と書き
> 込んだメールを送信してください。***

Canadians in Japan

Canadians in Japan

Citizens needing assistance can:

• call the embassy at 011-81-3-5412-6200;
• call the emergency operations centre in Ottawa collect at 613-944-2471 or 613-996-8885;
• email sos@international.gc.ca.

Japan Nuclear Update - British Embassy

Japan Nuclear Update - British Embassy
I have just returned from a conference call held at the British Embassy in Tokyo. The call was concerning the nuclear issue in Japan. The chief spokesman was Sir. John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, and he was joined by a number of qualified nuclear experts based in the UK. Their assessment of the current situation in Japan is as follows:   * In case of a 'reasonable worst case scenario' (defined as total meltdown of one reactor with subsequent radioactive explosion) an exclusion zone of 30 miles (50km) would be the maximum required to avoid affecting peoples' health. Even in a worse situation (loss of two or more reactors) it is unlikely that the damage would be significantly more than that caused by the loss of a single reactor.   * The current 20km exclusion zone is appropriate for the levels of radiation/risk currently experienced, and if the pouring of sea water can be maintained to cool the reactors, the likelihood of a major incident should be avoided. A further large quake with tsunami could lead to the suspension of the current cooling operations, leading to the above scenario.   * The bottom line is that these experts do not see there being a possibility of a health problem for residents in Tokyo. The radiation levels would need to be hundreds of times higher than current to cause the possibility for health issues, and that, in their opinion, is not going to happen (they were talking minimum levels affecting pregnant women and children - for normal adults the levels would need to be much higher still).   * The experts do not consider the wind direction to be material. They say Tokyo is too far away to be materially affected.   * If the pouring of water can be maintained the situation should be much improved after ten days, as the reactors' cores cool down.   * Information being provided by Japanese authorities is being independently monitored by a number of organizations and is deemed to be accurate, as far as measures of radioactivity levels are concerned.   * This is a very different situation from Chernobyl, where the reactor went into meltdown and the encasement, which exploded, was left to burn for weeks without any control. Even with Chernobyl, an exclusion zone of 30 miles would have been adequate to protect human health. The problem was that most people became sick from eating contaminated food, crops, milk and water in the region for years afterward, as no attempt was made to measure radioactivity levels in the food supply at that time or warn people of the dangers. The secrecy over the Chernobyl explosion is in contrast to the very public coverage of the Fukushima crisis.   * The Head of the British School asked if the school should remain closed. The answer was there is no need to close the school due to fears of radiation. There may well be other reasons - structural damage or possible new quakes - but the radiation fear is not supported by scientific measures, even for children.   * Regarding Iodine supplementation, the experts said this was only necessary for those who had inhaled quantities of radiation (those in the exclusion zone or workers on the site) or through consumption of contaminated food/water supplies. Long term consumption of iodine is, in any case, not healthy.   The discussion was surprisingly frank and to the point. The conclusion of the experts is that the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami, as well as the subsequent aftershocks, was much more of an issue than the fear of radiation sickness from the nuclear plants.   Let's hope the experts are right!See More
By: Paul Atkinson    http://www.facebook.com/notes/paul-atkinson/japan-nuclear-update-british-embassy/10150111611771235

Rolling Power Blackouts

Monday, March 15, 2011
Group 1: 15:20～19:00
Group 2: 18:20～22:00
Group 3: 6:20～10:00
Group 4: 9:20～13:00
Group 5: 12:20～16:00
About 3 hours of blackout may occur
Monday, March 14, 2011
Group 1: (6:20-10:00, 16:50-20:30)
Group 2: (9:20-13:00, 18:20-22:00)
Group 3: (12:20-16:00)
Group 4: (13:50-19:00)
Group 5: (15:20-19:00)
About 3 hours of blackout may occur

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*If your address belongs to multiple groups, please wait for the official announcement from TEPCO.
*We try to update with the latest annoucement, but please refer to the TEPCO web-site for the accurate and latest information.
*This search system is experimentally developped by an individual volunteer. Please refer to the TEPCO web-site for the accurate and latest information.
*If TEPCO announces an official search system, please use it instead.

The Nuclear Meltdown Threat in Japan

"Now, where does that leave us? My assessment:

• The plant is safe now and will stay safe.
• Japan is looking at an INES Level 4 Accident: Nuclear accident with local consequences. That is bad for the company that owns the plant, but not for anyone else.
• Some radiation was released when the pressure vessel was vented. All radioactive isotopes from the activated steam have gone (decayed). A very small amount of Cesium was released, as well as Iodine. If you were sitting on top of the plants’ chimney when they were venting, you should probably give up smoking to return to your former life expectancy. The Cesium and Iodine isotopes were carried out to the sea and will never be seen again."

This post is by Dr Josef Oehmen, a research scientist at MIT, in BostonRead More