Coming out swinging

A Chinese newspaper publishes some incendiary commentary on Japan.

中国:日本地図にきのこ雲　週刊紙に全面広告

毎日新聞　2014年07月08日　21時20分（最終更新　07月08日　21時35分）

　【北京・石原聖】中国重慶市の週刊紙「重慶青年報」が７月３日号で、「日本がまた戦争をしたがっている」との表題（英語と中国語）とともに、広島と長崎にきのこ雲が描かれた日本地図を掲載したことが８日明らかになった。

　紙面には「日本に対して友好的すぎたのではないか」とする論評も掲載。「戦争被害国の感情」を強調し、 集団的自衛権行使を容認した安倍晋三政権の閣議決定を批判した。「過去４０年間の対日政策は感情や行動の上で寛容過ぎた」とも主張した。同紙は共産党の青 年組織「中国共産主義青年団」（共青団）系の新聞で、地図は全面広告の形で掲載された。

http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20140709k0000m030088000c.html

China: Weekly newspaper displays mushroom clouds on map of Japan in full page advertisement

In the Chinese city of Chongqing, it was reported on the 8th that the weekly newspaper “Chongqing Youth Daily”’s July 3rd edition carried a map of Japan with mushroom clouds drawn over Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the headline “Japan wants to go to war again.”

On the page, a commentary saying “Have relations with Japan gotten too friendly?” was also carried.  Emphasizing the  “feelings of a country victimized by war”, it criticized the cabinet resolution of Shinzo Abe’s government approving the exercise of the right to collective self-defense.  It also asserted that, “On the grounds of feeling and action, there has been too much toleration in government policy towards Japan over the past 40 years.” The paper  is a newspaper published by the Communist Party’s youth organization “Chinese Communist Youth Organization” and the map was displayed as a full page advertisement.

Protesting Collective Defense or War

After many months off, I, Mogura, have been digging through the news and am back with a new translation for you.

集団的自衛権:首相官邸前で抗議デモ　数千人が参加

毎日新聞　2014年07月01日　21時19分（最終更新　07月01日　21時22分）

　東京・永田町の首相官邸前では、集団的自衛権の行使容認に反対する市民団体「戦争をさせない１０００人委員会」などの呼びかけで、抗議の集会やデモが続いた。 　参加者は時間がたつにつれて増加。閣議決定が迫った夕方には数千人が沿道に長い列を作り、太鼓を打ち鳴らしながら「集団的自衛権反対」「閣議決定今すぐやめろ」と声を上げ続けた。
　午後５時過ぎに閣議が始まると抗議は熱を帯び、同６時前に決定が伝えられると、参加者は「閣議決定撤回しろ」「あきらめないぞ」と絶叫。興奮した参加者が警察官と小競り合いになる場面も。
　「いてもたってもいられない」と午前中からデモに加わった東京都目黒区の主婦、竹内節子さん（７５） は、「自民党と公明党が密室で行使容認を決めてしまった。国民を愚弄（ぐろう）している」と憤った。戦時中に疎開を経験。「子や孫を戦場に駆り立てるの か。国民の声に耳を貸さない安倍政権に怒りを感じます」
　江戸川区の大学生、洞口朋子さん（２５）も「戦争をしない、武器を使わないと学校で習ったことが全部変わってしまう」と怒る。憲法の解釈変更は「でたらめ」とばっさり。「戦争に行くのは私たち若い世代」と危機感をあらわにした。【一條優太】

http://mainichi.jp/select/news/m20140702k0000m040117000c.html

Right to collective defense: Opposition demonstration in front of Prime Minister’s office has several thousand participants

In front of the Prime Minister’s office in Nagata-cho in Tokyo, an opposition gathering and demonstration occurred, called by citizen groups like “Committee of 1000 who won’t allow war” opposed to the approval of the exercise of the right to collective defense.

The number of participants grew as time passed.  As the evening of the cabinet resolution approached, several thousand people formed a line along the road and shouted “Down with the right to collective defense!” and “Stop this cabinet resolution!” while banging drums.

 When cabinet deliberations started after 5 pm, the opposition reached a fever pitch.  When the decision was delivered before 6 pm, the demonstrators shouted “Repeal this resolution!” and “We won’t give up!”  There were brief skirmishes between agitated participants and police as well.

“Even if it’s enacted, it can’t last,” said housewife Kotoko Takeuchi (75), a housewife from Meguro Ward in Tokyo who had been participating in the demonstration since the morning.  She said angrily that “the LDP and Komeito decided this behind closed doors.   They’re mocking the people.”   She had to evacuate during the war.  “Are we going to drive our children and grandchildren to war?  I’m angry with the Abe government that won’t listen to the voice of the people.”

Tomoko Horaguchi (25), a college student from Edogawa Ward, said angrily, “We shouldn’t go to war.  It will completely change what I learned in school about not using weapons.”  She said that the change of constitutional interpretation was clearly “nonsense.”  Her face showed a fear that “My generation are the ones who will go to war.”

Another misguided comment

Another Japanese politician says something obnoxious.  Where do these guys get off?

森元首相のフィギュア発言に反発　「ひどい」「かわいそう」

　ソチ五輪・フィギュアスケートの浅田真央選手について「大事なときには必ず転ぶ」などと森喜朗元首相が発言したことに対し、浅田選手の身近な人物からは２０日「ひどい」「かわいそう」などと反発する声が上がった。
　愛知県豊田市にある浅田選手行きつけの食堂の加藤節子さん（５７）は「悔しがっている本人を追い込むような言葉だ。森さんが滑ってみればいい」。
　浅田選手が小中学生時代によく訪れた名古屋市の定食屋の店主井上一夫さん（６７）も「人の心情を考えない発言だと思う。真央ちゃんには人の言うことは気にせず、自分の演技をしてほしい」と励ました。

http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nsp/sochi/article/71114

Opposition to former PM Mori’s figure skating comments – “Horrible” “Pathetic”

In response to former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori’s comments that Olympic figure skater Mao Asada “will definitely fall at a critical moment,” people close to Asada called those comments “Horrible” and “Pathetic” on the 20th.
 
At Asada’s favorite diner in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, Kotoko Kato (57) said  “Those are the words of a frustrated man.  Mori should try skating some time.”
 
Kazuo Inoue, the owner of another diner in Nagoya that Asada often visited in her elementary school days said “He said that not thinking about others’ feelings.  I hope that Mao will ignore what others say and do her own performance.”
 

 

Straight from the Olympics, another translated update!

Team Japan finally gets some hardware.

平野、平岡が銀と銅＝日本勢今大会初メダル－スノーボード男子〔五輪・スノーボード〕

　スノーボードは１１日、男子ハーフパイプ決勝が行われ、１５歳の平野歩夢（バートン）が２回目に ９３．５０点をマークして銀メダルを獲得した。冬季五輪で日本選手最年少のメダリストとなった。１８歳の平岡卓（フッド）は２回目に９２．２５点を出して 銅。今大会の日本代表で初のメダルとなった。

　２回目に９４．７５点を記録したユーリ・ポドラドチコフ（スイス）が金メダル。ショーン・ホワイト（米国）は９０．２５点にとどまり、４位で３連覇を逃した。　（時事）（2014/02/12-04:58）

Hirano, Hiraoka take gold and bronze – Team Japan’s first medals – Mens Snowboarding [Olympics – Snowboarding]
 
In snowboarding on the 11th, the men’s halfpipe competition concluded with 15 year old Ayumu Hirano (Button) taking the silver medal with 93.50 points on his second run.  He is the youngest Japanese athlete to ever medal in a winter Olympics.  18 year old Taku Hiraoka (Food) took bronze with a score of 92.25 on his second run.  These are the first medals for Team Japan at this Olympics.
With a 2nd run of 94.75 points, Yuri Podladtchikov (Switzerland) took the gold.  Shaun White (America) only earned 90.25 at 4th place, missing out on a 3rd consecutive victory.

Not quite going up in flames.

When you get mad enough about something, I guess maybe arson is the only way to go, at least if you were this guy…

靖国神社:韓国籍の男が侵入容疑 放 火目的か

靖国神社（東京都千代田区）に侵入したとして、 警視庁公安部は２３日、韓国籍のカン・ヨンミン容 疑者（２３）を建造物侵入容疑で現行犯逮捕したと 発表した。逮捕直前、可燃性のトルエンとみられる 液体入りのペットボトルを拝殿に投げており、放火 目的とみて調べる。 発表によると、逮捕容疑は２２日午後５時 ごろ靖国神社の敷地内に侵入したとしてい る。調べに対し「（敷地内に）入ったのは 間違いない」と認めている。 捜査関係者によると、同９時ごろ、巡回 中の職員が南門近くのトイレ裏にいたカン 容疑者を発見。同容疑者は拝殿付近まで逃 げ、リュックサックから取り出したペット ボトルを投げた後、職員に取り押さえられ た。リュック内にはライターもあった。 同容疑者は２１日に成田空港から入国。 東京都中央区のホテルに宿泊していた。

http://mainichi.jp/select/news/m20130924k0000m040036000c.html

Yasukuni Shrine: South Korean male citizen accused of breaking and entering with purpose of arson

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Safety Division announced on the 23 rd that Korean national Yon Min Kan (23) had been arrested in the act of illegally entering Yasukuni Shrine (Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward). Just prior to his arrest, he threw a liquid containing PET bottle of what appears to be highly flammable toluene on the main shrine, and a motive of arson is being investigated.

According to the announcement, at approximately 5 pm on the evening of the 22 nd , the suspect entered the premises of Yasukuni Shrine. According to the investigation, he admitted to entering the premises.

According to investigators, at around 9 pm, security guard out on patrol discovered Kan behind the restroom near the south gate. The suspect ran close to the main shrine, pulled out a PET bottle from his backpack, and threw it. He was then subdued by the guard. A lighter was found in the backpack.

The suspect arrived in Japan via Narita Airport on the 21 st . He was staying at a hotel in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward.

Yo, yogurt drinks cost more now

In a movement not perhaps shocking but at least against 22 years’ worth of practice, Yakult is going up in price. It still won’t set you back very much, $0.50 or so, but still. To add insult to injury, you’ll be paying more tax on it too, if Abe has his way. Is it time to take this to the streets?

ヤクルト、コスト増加を吸収できず 22年ぶり値上げ

2013/9/10 22:17

ヤクルト本社は10日、乳酸菌飲料「ヤク ルト」を11月４日に値上げすると発表し た。乳酸菌の量を３割増やし、標準的なヤ クルト１本（65ミリリットル）の希望小 売価格（税別）を現行の35円から５円 （14％）引き上げて40円にする。22年半 以上、価格が変わらず「物価の優等生」と もいわれたヤクルトだが、容器の原材料高 騰と円安でコストを吸収しきれなくなっ た。

国内では乳酸菌飲料や清涼飲料の価格競 争が激しい。宅配の販路を主力にするヤク ルトはスーパーなどでも値崩れしにくく、 これまでは価格を据え置いてきた。ただ、 中国など海外に事業を広げる中、「国内の 収益改善が大きな課題」（同社幹部）と なっていた。消費増税も控え、値上げを決 断した。

値上げの対象になるのは通常のヤクルト とカロリーを抑えた「カロリーハーフ」。 中身を変更し、商品名も「Ｎｅｗ （ニュー）ヤクルト」にする。売れ筋の５ 本パックは両商品ともに現行の175円か ら200円になる。同じ乳酸菌飲料のカルピ スは「コスト削減策を進めており、今のと ころ値上げの予定はない」としている。

10日の東京株式市場ではヤクルト本社の 株価が上昇。前日比310円（７％）高 の4625円で取引を終えた。ＳＭＢＣ日興証 券の沖平吉康アナリストは「値上げによる 販売数量減は限定的。営業利益を40億円強 押し上げそう」と分析する。市場では４月 に仏食品大手ダノンとの事業提携を解消し たことで「より株価を意識した経営にシフ トした」との見方も聞かれた。

http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD100QE_Q3A910C1TJ0000/

Yakult, unable to absorb cost increases, raises prices for first time in 22 years

Yakult Co. announced on the 10 th that the price of fermented milk drink “Yakult” would go up on 11/4. The volume of fermenting bacteria has increased 30% so the per unit price of one bottle of Yakult (65 ml) (including tax) will rise from the current 35 yen by 5 yen (14%) to 40 yen. Often called “an honor student of commodities prices,” Yakult hadn’t changed price in more than 22 years but with the sharp increase in the cost of the materials for the container and the cheap yen, it wasn’t able to absorb costs any more.

Domestic cost competition among fermented milk drinks and other cold drinks is fierce. Yakult, who’s main market is in home delivery, has had difficulty with price collapse in supermarkets and has held prices constant to date. It is in the middle of expanding operations in overseas markets like China, and “domestic revenue improvement has become a big challenge” (according to company managers). In preparing for the consumption tax increase, they decided on the price increase.

The price increase effects normal Yakult as well as low-calorie “Calorie-Half.” The contents will be changed, and the product name will be changed to “New Yakult.” The popular 5 pack of the same products will be raised from the current 175 yen to 200 yen. Regarding the fermented milk drink “Calpis,” it was explained that “Cost reduction measures are continuing and there is no plan to raise prices at present.”

On the 10 th , Yakult Co.’s stock price rose on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. From the previous day’s average price of 310 yen, it finished the day trading at 462.5 yen (7% increase). SMBC Nikko Securities analyst Yoshiyasu Okihira said, “The loss in sales due to the price increase will be limited. Operating income will probably increase by 4 billion yen.” In the market, it terminated joint operations with French food maker Danon and some have said that “this was a shift in management to focus on costs.”

No tuna for you!

Don’t be too disappointed, but there will be less baby tuna for you to eat next year, if the WCPFC has anything to say about it.

未成魚漁獲、１５％ 以上削減＝太平洋ク ロマグロで新ルール －国際機関

太平洋クロマグロの漁業ルールを決める 国際機関「中西部太平洋まぐろ類委員会」 （ＷＣＰＦＣ）の小委員会は５日、福岡市 で、メジマグロなど産卵能力を持つ前の未 成魚（３歳以下）の漁獲量を２０１４年に ０２～０４年の平均値から１５％以上削減 することを各国に求める新ルール案をまと め、閉幕した。

１２月のＷＣＰＦＣ年次会 合で新ルールを正式決定する。 産卵能力を持つ３歳すぎの親魚の資源量 は１０年に２万２６０６トンまで減少し た。過去最低だった１９８４年の１万８５ ０２トンを下回る事態を防ぐため、小委員 会はクロマグロの資源回復計画を１４年９ 月までに策定し、１５年から実行する方針 でも合意した。１４年の漁獲量削減につい ては計画策定までの経過措置と位置付け、 １５年からは削減をさらに厳しくする。

日本は資源回復計画づくりを主導し、資 源量が５万トン近くへ回復するまで漁獲規 制を集中的に強化する内容としたい考え だ。
（2013/09/05-17:03

http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g= eco_30&k=2013090500431

Catching immature fish, decrease by more than 15% - new rule for Pacific Bluefin Tuna from international organization

The international organization “Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission” (WCPFC) subcommittee submitted a new rule on the fishing of Pacific Bluefin Tuna on the 5 th in Fukuoka, that decreases the permitted catch of immature tuna (less than 3 years old) for 2014 by a more than 15% less than the average catch in 2002-2004, to each country and concluded its meeting. The new rule will be formally decided at the December annual meeting of the WCPFC.

The catch of mature fish over 3 years old in 2010 decreased to 22,606 tons. In order to avoid approaching the condition of the smallest catch on record of 18,502 tons in 1984, the subcommittee will establish a Bluefin tuna resource recovery plan by September 2014 and plan to implement from 2015. The 2014 catch reduction is a transitional measure until the plan can be implemented and the reductions in 2015 will be more severe.

Japan is leading in efforts to develop the resource recovery plan, contemplating a plan that focuses on strengthening restrictions on fishing until resource levels recover to around 50,000 tons.