Saturday, August 30, 2014

"Do not harm people, Buddhists here say."

Early this year in spring at the prime minister Cherry Blossom party that I was covering for my news, I remember a Japanese official of Abe's administration explaining me that the main Abe's priority is economy. He repeated 3 times "economy, economy, economy." He then asked me to help (?) and to convey the message to my foreign media audience (OK) So I did, but we saw the bad numbers coming out with the economy lately.

Now I would like to answer him, too. What about a better policy and a better communication that does not provoke/inflame/sacrifice/despair the people, here and outside? Or am I wrong, a disoriented watcher, added to the fact that as a foreign journalist I am naturally an "agent d'influence" paid by Beijing, Seoul, Pyongyang, Wall Street, Mickey Mouse and Astérix.

Sure Japan is in a better situation compared to many others in the world, so why to risk what is at stake, and that is perspective, sound strategy and reason?

Do not harm people, Buddhists here say.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Tepco to pay US $ 470.805 damages over Fukushima nuclear evacuee's suicide

The number of suicides in Fukushima Prefecture linked to 3/11 is higher than elsewhere, most likely because of the nuclear disaster, according to the Cabinet Office.


It is the first case and it opens the gate of Courts to other cases: The Fukushima District Court ordered Tokyo Electric Power Co. to pay 49 million yen ($471,600) in compensation to the family of a woman who committed suicide by setting herself ablaze after being forced to evacuate her home.

She burned herself to death at age 58 after she was forced to evacuate her home due to the nuclear crisis. Watanabe's husband and three other relatives have sought 91 million yen.

Presiding Judge Naoyuki Shiomi said Watanabe's mental anguish was "huge," citing the despair she felt in the face of an uncertain future as an evacuee and the fact that she chose to die in a place where she was born and raised

The judge also said Tepco should have been able to "foresee" that displaced residents, subject to stress, might commit suicide in the event of a nuclear accident. It is the first ruling in a lawsuit in which compensation has been sought from the utility over a suicide linked to the disaster that caused serious radiation contamination. Through an out-of-court settlement, Tepco has previously agreed to pay damages to a different suicide case involving a farmer. Tepco said it will study the content of the ruling and respond to it "sincerely."

The plaintiffs have said Watanabe's mental state deteriorated because she was not able to foresee when she could return home and the chicken farm where the couple worked had closed in June. During the trial, Tepco admitted the nuclear accident had placed a severe psychological burden on Watanabe. But the utility also said other factors could have affected her, noting she had trouble sleeping before the accident and was on medication. The ruling said Watanabe was "likely to have fallen into a state of depression" because she had a tough time as an evacuee, losing ties with the local community as well as her job.

Never have I seen such anger of the civil society since March 11 2011 Tohoku earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accident.

EoQ : http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140826p2g00m0dm064000c.html

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

How to wear a Yukata with style in 日本橋 Nihombashi, Tokyo?

These days in 日本橋 Nihombashi, you can see a lot of young couples or the usual 3 girl friends groups, strolling around in a "My Yukata summer plan afternoon shopping and gazing at the Nihombashi Grands Magasins" in the historic glamorous old town of central Tokyo.


Young women (suddenly acting traditional Japanese, with a little bit of timidity and appreciation of the cultural heritage) are seen walking close but not too close to their boyfriends wearing Yukata, it is in fashion. http://www.nihonbashi-tokyo.jp/enjoy/feature/201308/


This scorching summer sun is an opportunity to appreciate how refreshing it is actually to wear a Yukata ( I tried) http://www.nihonbashi-tokyo.jp/en/index.html

Thing is young people do not necessarily know how to fix it. Especially how to firmly fix the Obi. How to wear a Yukata with style? http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001499690