1. The Last Samurai (January 2004)

According to a movie columnist of the Mainichi, Americans have an inferiority complex because of their short history. They often repeatedly say that they respect a culture which has a long history and get the same feeling from it.

2. Dialects (February 2004, Revision January 2005)

America is a multiracial country where we can hear international English. They can freely communicate with native speakers of English. On the other hand, Japan has been believed to be a homogeneous nation. Nowadays no one believes it. It is wrong.

　　　

3. Out of this world (March 2004)

According to a movie columnist of the Asahi news paper, N.Akiyama, this film is a very valuable work depicting the preciousness of human life. Recent Hollywood movies show us the stereotypes of Japanese character,such as 'HARAKIRI', 'SAMURAI' and so on.

4. Marriage (April 2004, Revision February 2005)

The Asahi news paper dated July 19, 2004. featured 'Overcome the under dogs' and introduced a best-seller book 'Howling Bay of an Underdog' written by Junko Sakai, which is in the news. She describes a woman who is single ,over 30 years old and has no children. She is named a howling bay of an underdog.

5. Religion (June 2004,Revision February 2005)　

　In general Japan is said to be a Buddhist country or Shinto. Frankly speaking, I am not a Buddhist. I am a  polytheist. Japanese have got '800 million gods'. We call it  'Yao yorozu no kami' in Japanese. This thought is  incredible for Christian or Muslim people.

6. Personal Computer (August 2004)

　We cannot live with a PC. , and we cannot live without PC.The central idea of a personal computer is that we should be connected to almost everyone and everything at all times. The trouble is that if you inform your address and no one responds you are irrelevant,unloved or both. Anyone without a PC. will soon be classified as a crank or a member of the underclass.

7. An Identity Crisis (November 2004, Revision March 2005))

Japan is aiming to get a permanent seat on the UN. Security Council. Under this circumstance, Japan should establish a more international identify as the wider world. Since the Meiji restoration, Japan has drastically rushed to accept Western culture, mainly guided by Fukuzawa Yukichi who was a founder of Keio University. He advocated that Japan should go toward Europe rather than Asia (in Japanese "Datu-A, Nyuu-OH").

8. Bushonics (December 2004,Revision January 2005)

When I was studying English in San Francisco, I learned about 'Bushonics'. This is the dialect of President George W. Bush. The most striking features of 'Bushonics' are generally considered to be 'BAD' or 'UNGRAMMATICAL' by linguists and society at large.

　　　9. Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　Ｄａｎｃｅ（January 2005) 　　　　　

　　　　　　　　    　While staying in San Francisco in September 2004, I came　across to watch ' Japanese Dance' held by Nishizaki Midori.
 Frankly speaking, I have a prejudice against Japanese dance,because  it is boring. But this dance named Yaobikuni　is very exciting, dramatic and radical is matched with the Biwa. The Biwa is said to be an ancient stringed instrument brought from China to Japan about 1,500 years       ago and it became the instrument of 'storytelling' in Japan.      　　　　　　　  　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

    10. The invasion of American English ( February 2005, Revision March 2005)

    Regarding the invasion of American English into the King's  English, a member of the House of Commons,  Mr. Barns who belongs to  the Labor Union Party in UK. submitted the bill that English TV. should not  use American English. For example,the word 'Lift' should be used rather than 'Elevator'. The word 'Holiday, Film' should be                                       　　　  also used instead 'Vacation and Movie'.
 

    11. Korean culture boom in Japan( March 2005) 

 Korea is getting popular in Japan.Wecallit 'Hanryu-boom'.( It means the friendly flow to
 Korea.)
 Since the World Cup was held in Asia 4 years ago,the relationship between Japan and Korea favorably changed. Especially  due to Korean movie star ,Bae Yongjoon, 'Yon-Sama' who  is an idle of Japanese middle-aged ladies accelerated this boom.   

  12. Advancements in science( March 2005)  

   Have advancements in science have brought trouble oｒ happiness to  modern man ? In general, it is believed that  advancements in science have brought happiness to modern man.The  problem is how to make use of the advanced technology.

  13. EU. vs. Turkey ( April 2005, Revision September 2005)          

 The negotiation becoming a member of EU. between European Union and Turkey will start from October this year.         
The joining of Turkey causes a great dispute in Europe. Historically, French 
got an allergy against Turkey.French people used to say the culture becomes 
matured due to the communication of the different culture.

  14. Sino-Japanese Tensions (May 2005)   　　　　　

 The large-scale anti-Japanese demonstration in China was globally  reported. L..Jacobean, Senior Researcher at the Finish Institute Affairs says 
that unlike past rows, this is not just a passing phenomenon.   

   15. 'Horiemon' Shock ( January 2006)

     Recently, 'Horiemon' shock is noised about in newspapers.
     Mass media have reported the 'Livedoor' incident.
     I summarize main points and add some ideas.
     Also I would like to comment my opinions about it. 

    16. The clash of the civilization ( February 2006)
                                               

 Muhammand cartoons caused the violent protest from East-Asia to West Africa in about 40 countries.
Thousand of rampaging protesters ransacked a Christian neighborhood. The reason why is that Islam and Christian countries are lack of the conversation.

     17. Isaac B.Singer(1904-1991) (March 2006)

 I have been reading English novels in the original led by Professor Mr.Mikuni at Yokohama foreign colledge.
 He teaches us to read Nobel laureate Isaac B. Singer , W. Faulkner and Irwin Shaw, Bernard Malamud and so on.

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