maiko-san

Recently I read an article in a newsmagazine by the name of Project Syndicate. The article is entitled "Opening Up Japan" written by an emeritus professor of International Political Economy at IMD, Switzerland, Jean-Pierre Lehmann. It's interesting to know that Japan is evaluated as a closed society from the Swiss viewpoint. First of all I'd like to give you summary of his key points. After that I'd like to talk you about my opinion concerning his article. According to the professoer, Japan's economy is the most closed among OECD countries. Foreign capital, foreign managers, intellectual are all absent. It's outrageout that  Japan Prime Ministers disobey Asian opinion by paying his respects to war criminals at the Yasukuni Shrine He attributes the closed nature of Japan society to its inferior knowledge about the world language, that is English. As a matter of fact Japan ranks above only North Korea in scores on the Test of English (TOEFL) His con

1. What is a Japanese presentation like? When you take a look at a Japanese presentation for the first time, you think that Japan is not Mecca for a professional presentation.For you don't know what to make of it. You'd be having a hard time to come to grips on what theme they are talking about. Furthermore it is not clear for whom the layout is given. The Japanese are fundamentally fond of flashy pink and orange colored slides. They want to make their presenation look charming. Even if they give a scientific presentation, the German audience would get sick and tired of watching Kitty-chan, Ninja and Micky Mouse hopping around and flying on the screen. Chances are the audience would  fall asleep soon. 2. The Japanese attitude toward the presentation During the presentation period various themes are discussed. They flood the meeting with exorbitant information via handouts, flyers and email. It is not an opportunity for them to make a  mutual decision about one topic.  They

Recently I received  a postcard from Osaka Public Safety Committee. It's about a renewal of my driver's license. I was told that I turn in my present driver's license to the police within the designated period namely between July.3 and September 3.  For I'll be 65 on the 3rd of August. I feel a little bit sad about it, because I'll join a group of senior citizens which accounts for 25%  of the whole population. Let me tell you a little bit more about instructions stipulated in the postcard. -I'm classified as a "good driver". All I need is to take part in a seminar that lasts only 30 minutes. -I need a photo and 3,100 Yen to get a new driver's license. -Photo size: 3 cm high and 2,4 cm wide I took into consideration disadvantages  and advantages of  having a driver's license. In the end I decided not to renew the driver's license. Reasons: -I have not owned a car for years. It is better that I use public transportation. -Chances

Last Thursday I dropped in a Comprehensive Care-Giving Support Center and talked with a Care Manager, Ms Minoo, about my sister who suffers from Alzheimer's. She explained to me about function of Caregiver Community in detail. Based on this conversation I drew  graphs and tables to straighten up my thoughts. Then I got the whole picture of a caregiver community comprising hospitals, patients, caregivers and Care Managers. Now I'd like you to briefly take a look at the copy I just distributed round you. Under the auspices of District Support Center in Tokyo, a caregiver company dispatches a caregiver to my sister once in a week. The caregiver cleans the bathroom, checks out food in the fridge and talks with my sister as a companion. Recently I received a letter from her. It seems my sister doesn't take a bath regularly. She eats the same foodstuff. Furthermore she seems to have trouble with her knees, as she walks slowly. As far as I'm concerned, I'm of the opn