School's new year start in April and most of the company's fisical year starts on April 1st.
Those who go to the oversea schools for studying abroard may lose one year behind because of the difference of terms.
I worked for a Japanse Agency in the United States for eleven years among seven years for the
joint venture company with Japanese and American.
After back to Japan I worked a dfferent joint venture company for four years in Japan.
At both of the companys, Japanese had majority, so I was in the position to have resposibilities
for both sides.
One of the paper work difficulties of the joint venture companies is this different start of the terms.
Shareholders meetings and various reports should be adjusted for both sides.
Starting on April 1st used be British rules I heard, but they do not use anymore.
Japanese succeeded the British ones but when they will change to global standard.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
"KANTEI" is a strange hobby
"KANTEI" of blades is one of the refined hobbies that Japanese has loved for many centuries.
This is to watch just a blade and judge the make of the age, place and name of the simth.
People gather to see several blades and write own judgement on a paper.
It is a kind of competition.
Regular Japanese sword' length is two feet without tang. On a tang there are some information of the simth name, place sometime the year carved.
When they do "KANTEI", they wrap the tang.
People who participate, sit on a line and watch blades one by one and write own judgements.
When they watch blades, they have a roll of paper on the mouth preventing to blow the breath on the blades. Moisture is not good for the blades. Of course never touch the blade by fingers.
The points they watch are the shape, thickness, curve, skin and patterns ot the hard portions.
Japanese has a history of swords for 2000 years and this game started in the 15th century.
Not only Samurai's class but also rich merchant and farmer's class people loved this game.
John Harris who used be one of my freinds is the American expert of Japanese swords.
This is to watch just a blade and judge the make of the age, place and name of the simth.
People gather to see several blades and write own judgement on a paper.
It is a kind of competition.
Regular Japanese sword' length is two feet without tang. On a tang there are some information of the simth name, place sometime the year carved.
When they do "KANTEI", they wrap the tang.
People who participate, sit on a line and watch blades one by one and write own judgements.
When they watch blades, they have a roll of paper on the mouth preventing to blow the breath on the blades. Moisture is not good for the blades. Of course never touch the blade by fingers.
The points they watch are the shape, thickness, curve, skin and patterns ot the hard portions.
Japanese has a history of swords for 2000 years and this game started in the 15th century.
Not only Samurai's class but also rich merchant and farmer's class people loved this game.
John Harris who used be one of my freinds is the American expert of Japanese swords.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Lawrence Block is not popular.
I llike mystery books.
I like American mysteries, even if it takes time to read I read in original English.
Because the one I like is not popular in Japan and many his works do not translated in Japnaese.
He has three characters for his series of works.
Matthew Scudder an ex NYPD cop, a non licenced ditective. Those are crime stroies. He was adicted alcohole but he is sobber now.
Bernie Phodenbarr is a Burglar who owns a used book store.
Keller is a hitman who looks regular guy but he is good as a hit man.
I read most of his works.
Even if I could not understand some points but I get his sence of humor and of course the plots.
I have never seen his works to be a movie. HBO might did one or two of his works. I do not know.
One of the reasons I like his mysteries, all of his story take place in New York City where I have spent ten years and he has New Yorker sence of humor.
I also read many other writers' such as Dean Koontz.
Most popular American writer in Japan is Steven King.
My most scared story of all the mystery books I read is his "Pet Cemeterry" , when I read the story, I have same composition of the family and moved to a new place.
Especially, my son was two years old.
When I go to American book stores, I ask the guy there "Where are "Rorense Brock"?"
They seems confused.
I like American mysteries, even if it takes time to read I read in original English.
Because the one I like is not popular in Japan and many his works do not translated in Japnaese.
He has three characters for his series of works.
Matthew Scudder an ex NYPD cop, a non licenced ditective. Those are crime stroies. He was adicted alcohole but he is sobber now.
Bernie Phodenbarr is a Burglar who owns a used book store.
Keller is a hitman who looks regular guy but he is good as a hit man.
I read most of his works.
Even if I could not understand some points but I get his sence of humor and of course the plots.
I have never seen his works to be a movie. HBO might did one or two of his works. I do not know.
One of the reasons I like his mysteries, all of his story take place in New York City where I have spent ten years and he has New Yorker sence of humor.
I also read many other writers' such as Dean Koontz.
Most popular American writer in Japan is Steven King.
My most scared story of all the mystery books I read is his "Pet Cemeterry" , when I read the story, I have same composition of the family and moved to a new place.
Especially, my son was two years old.
When I go to American book stores, I ask the guy there "Where are "Rorense Brock"?"
They seems confused.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Came to my mountain housse
I left Tokyo at 6:30 am and came to my mountain house at Fukushima prefecture which is north of Tokyo about 170 miles.
It took usually three hours.
The weathere is perfect today, not cold not warm, dry to open the house and clean.
I have a small Jeep with a 660cc engine, four wheals drive at the house.
It will be cold at night so I should prepare the fire woods for the stove.
This house used be a farm house but they stopped to do farming.
My father bought it 25 years ago.
My wife and daughters do not like here because the toilet is primitive.
I do hunting in Autum and fishing in Spring.
The fly fishing is not popular. The fish we catch is calle "IWANA" which is very wild.
Driving is not a problem but it cost $60- for the one way toll plus the fuel which is almost double ofthe Untited States.
It took usually three hours.
The weathere is perfect today, not cold not warm, dry to open the house and clean.
I have a small Jeep with a 660cc engine, four wheals drive at the house.
It will be cold at night so I should prepare the fire woods for the stove.
This house used be a farm house but they stopped to do farming.
My father bought it 25 years ago.
My wife and daughters do not like here because the toilet is primitive.
I do hunting in Autum and fishing in Spring.
The fly fishing is not popular. The fish we catch is calle "IWANA" which is very wild.
Driving is not a problem but it cost $60- for the one way toll plus the fuel which is almost double ofthe Untited States.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
After Japanese "Bubbble" had bursted.
I play golf twice a month wiht my wife. It costs $100 in week days for each including some meals.
We go to the course not far from the center of the city. It takes about one hour by driving and we pay the toll total about $40- which is not bad here.
The golf club is not a private nor public. It has a new kind of operartion. but it used be a very expensive private course.
Until 1990, about several years Japanese economy was "Bubble" period.
The prices of real estates, stock market average and all things were getting high every day.
For example to be a member of the golf club we go, we should pay the member fee about
US $300,000- (this was a life time fee and transferable) and for the one round play the guest who was with the member should pay $300- . Even a member should pay $100- for each play. A lunch was $30-.
It was ridiculous. After all in 1990 every thing bursted.
The golf course was bankrupted.
This was same not only golf courses but real estates, then ten years past.
In early 2000, the investers came from other countries mostly Americans and they started to buy everything at the bottom prices.
The golf course is now operated by an American company.
They did not invest much money, so they can manage it with very reasonable costs.
But behind this fact, someone lost a lot of money. Who are they?
I could not see their real faces.
We go to the course not far from the center of the city. It takes about one hour by driving and we pay the toll total about $40- which is not bad here.
The golf club is not a private nor public. It has a new kind of operartion. but it used be a very expensive private course.
Until 1990, about several years Japanese economy was "Bubble" period.
The prices of real estates, stock market average and all things were getting high every day.
For example to be a member of the golf club we go, we should pay the member fee about
US $300,000- (this was a life time fee and transferable) and for the one round play the guest who was with the member should pay $300- . Even a member should pay $100- for each play. A lunch was $30-.
It was ridiculous. After all in 1990 every thing bursted.
The golf course was bankrupted.
This was same not only golf courses but real estates, then ten years past.
In early 2000, the investers came from other countries mostly Americans and they started to buy everything at the bottom prices.
The golf course is now operated by an American company.
They did not invest much money, so they can manage it with very reasonable costs.
But behind this fact, someone lost a lot of money. Who are they?
I could not see their real faces.
Allied Prisoners of the War by Japanese.
During the WWII, in early 1942 at Pacific, there were about 300,000 Weatern prisoners of war
by Japnese.
Several years ago I have searched the document or some sources at Japanese side written about
the truth of the prisoners.
But I could find very little left in Japan, how many prisoners, where and what was the condition.
I asked some historian about the fact. She answered that Japanese officisales had distroried the
records intentionaly just after their surrender, on 15th and 16th of August in 1945.
There were many Japanese War Criminals ecesuted about the cruelty to the prisoners.
How many Allied prisoners were there?
Roughly, at the fall of Singapore, United Kingdom, British, Australian were surrendered, their
numbes were about 130,000. (Australian was 22,000 and one third of them died before the end of the war. )
At Pillipines, about 100,000 Americans had been as prisoners. And more at Hong Kong, Indonasia (Dutch), and Malay Peninsula.
So, I figured about 300,000 western prisoners were.
From many writings both sides, about 100,000 had been sent to mainland Japan.
About 100,000 were cought at the camps in Asia.
About 100,ooo died including 30,000 by the sanks of the boats which were topedos of the United States.
Those are the figures I have right now.
But I will try to find out the actual truth by any kind of this subject.
Afterall one million Pillpinos died during the war and half million Japnaese died in Phillipine.
The facts were vague.
source.
by Japnese.
Several years ago I have searched the document or some sources at Japanese side written about
the truth of the prisoners.
But I could find very little left in Japan, how many prisoners, where and what was the condition.
I asked some historian about the fact. She answered that Japanese officisales had distroried the
records intentionaly just after their surrender, on 15th and 16th of August in 1945.
There were many Japanese War Criminals ecesuted about the cruelty to the prisoners.
How many Allied prisoners were there?
Roughly, at the fall of Singapore, United Kingdom, British, Australian were surrendered, their
numbes were about 130,000. (Australian was 22,000 and one third of them died before the end of the war. )
At Pillipines, about 100,000 Americans had been as prisoners. And more at Hong Kong, Indonasia (Dutch), and Malay Peninsula.
So, I figured about 300,000 western prisoners were.
From many writings both sides, about 100,000 had been sent to mainland Japan.
About 100,000 were cought at the camps in Asia.
About 100,ooo died including 30,000 by the sanks of the boats which were topedos of the United States.
Those are the figures I have right now.
But I will try to find out the actual truth by any kind of this subject.
Afterall one million Pillpinos died during the war and half million Japnaese died in Phillipine.
The facts were vague.
source.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Tattoos are not allowed in public baths
Since many many years ago, tattoos on the body had been popular for the people who had special business in Japan.
The tattoos in Japan usually covers many portions of a body and it took several month to finish and cost a lot.
Of course the graphic arts and skills were important. They shoud ask to expensive tattooers.
There are several patterns of designs, combinations of flowers and animals.
For female there were more fancy designs.
GIs liked to have tattoos on their bodies during Korean and Veitnam wars at ports in Japan and China or other Aisian coutries. But most of them they took were spot kind of tatoos on .
In Japan at hot springs or golf courses there are public style baths.
In the movie "The Bridges at Tokori"1954, Lt Brubaker and his wife (Grace Kelly) were embarassed that while they were bathing, some othere family with girls got in the same place.
In a golf course's bath and shower room, there is a sign " No People with Tattoos please"
So recently the people who had tatoos go home after palying golf without having shower.
The special kind of business who have tatoo all over their back used be gamblers.
But many workers used have tattoos not any more.
The tattoos in Japan usually covers many portions of a body and it took several month to finish and cost a lot.
Of course the graphic arts and skills were important. They shoud ask to expensive tattooers.
There are several patterns of designs, combinations of flowers and animals.
For female there were more fancy designs.
GIs liked to have tattoos on their bodies during Korean and Veitnam wars at ports in Japan and China or other Aisian coutries. But most of them they took were spot kind of tatoos on .
In Japan at hot springs or golf courses there are public style baths.
In the movie "The Bridges at Tokori"1954, Lt Brubaker and his wife (Grace Kelly) were embarassed that while they were bathing, some othere family with girls got in the same place.
In a golf course's bath and shower room, there is a sign " No People with Tattoos please"
So recently the people who had tatoos go home after palying golf without having shower.
The special kind of business who have tatoo all over their back used be gamblers.
But many workers used have tattoos not any more.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
450 B-29s were down over Japan in 1944-45
The number of the B-29s which were lost during the bombing against Japan had been unknown.
Not many people were interested in it after the war.
The damage was great and the recovery was first priority in Japan. In the United State there would be new problems by communists one by one.
I tryed to figure out them at the Japanese Defence Agency Museum, counting the figures from the day by day records of the combats. They could not over count the results because many people watched the combats from the ground.
In late 1944, the Untied States Airforce operated the bombing to North Kyushu Industrial Area from the deep China.
Japanese Forces in China could inform to Ozuki Army Ariforce Base in Yamaguchi prefecture which defended western area of Japan. From Ozuki, twin engins "Toryu" night fighter which had a 37mm canon , semi automatic with only 15rounds , were waiting B-29 over northern Kyushu.
From the ground the searchlights were catching the American bombers.
This defence system was effective and the U.S. lost many plains during this period.
Recently I found the book by one of the Toryu pilots.
He is the one on Toryu downed 70 B-29s from Ozuki.
After the war he was back as a farmer and never told his stroy until recent.
The U.S. took pasific islands as bases of B-29 in 1945 and operated the flights from there against Japanese Metoropolitan industrial areas.
In daytime bobming the U.S. did not take high altitude to seek the accuracy.
Japanese single engine fighters could not clime to 30000feet but at low alltitude they fought
to crash themselves against B-29s.
Consequencely until the end of the war the U.S. AIR Forces had lost total 450 B-29s over the Japanese soil excluding which returned to the bases but be destroyed by crach landing.
It is a huger figure than I thought.
What did happend the crews? The U.S. should lost about 5000 crews.
I saw recently an American photographer's pictures of graves of the American crews who died
over Japan.
They were simple with a pole on it written " An American Flyer Sleeps Here".
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
Not many people were interested in it after the war.
The damage was great and the recovery was first priority in Japan. In the United State there would be new problems by communists one by one.
I tryed to figure out them at the Japanese Defence Agency Museum, counting the figures from the day by day records of the combats. They could not over count the results because many people watched the combats from the ground.
In late 1944, the Untied States Airforce operated the bombing to North Kyushu Industrial Area from the deep China.
Japanese Forces in China could inform to Ozuki Army Ariforce Base in Yamaguchi prefecture which defended western area of Japan. From Ozuki, twin engins "Toryu" night fighter which had a 37mm canon , semi automatic with only 15rounds , were waiting B-29 over northern Kyushu.
From the ground the searchlights were catching the American bombers.
This defence system was effective and the U.S. lost many plains during this period.
Recently I found the book by one of the Toryu pilots.
He is the one on Toryu downed 70 B-29s from Ozuki.
After the war he was back as a farmer and never told his stroy until recent.
The U.S. took pasific islands as bases of B-29 in 1945 and operated the flights from there against Japanese Metoropolitan industrial areas.
In daytime bobming the U.S. did not take high altitude to seek the accuracy.
Japanese single engine fighters could not clime to 30000feet but at low alltitude they fought
to crash themselves against B-29s.
Consequencely until the end of the war the U.S. AIR Forces had lost total 450 B-29s over the Japanese soil excluding which returned to the bases but be destroyed by crach landing.
It is a huger figure than I thought.
What did happend the crews? The U.S. should lost about 5000 crews.
I saw recently an American photographer's pictures of graves of the American crews who died
over Japan.
They were simple with a pole on it written " An American Flyer Sleeps Here".
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
Friday, March 23, 2007
China or India for Japan
Next several decades the relations between the United States and Japan will not change dramatically.
The United States, the Untited Kingdom and Japan will have same kind of political philosophies and will be no big change.
For Japan, the changes of two big countries in Asia that are China and India are her geart interests.
China has one hundred thirty million and India has one hudred million people.
The total populations of those two contries is one third of the world.
Both countries are growing with high speed and changing dramatically even they have some difficulties and problems inside the countries and with surrounding nations.
China is very close to Japan and Japanese invest a lot of money to China, that seems too much now.
About 15% of foreign investment to China is from Japan.
To India, Japan invests only one thirtyth of that of China. It is very small.
We have many people from India recently same as in the U.S. They are mostly Hi-Tec industry businessmen and women.
In Tokyo there is an " Indian Town" at the eastside of the town.
So the distance between two contries has been getting closer rapidly.
India had sent two elephants to Japan in 1946 or7.
I remember the ceremony as we went to see them for a school activities.
In Japanese zoos at that time there were no animals, because during the war they poisoned the
animals to prevent them escaping from the zoos by bombardments.
That was my first time to go to a zoo and see elephants.
One of the elephants, named "Indira"lived very long.
The United States, the Untited Kingdom and Japan will have same kind of political philosophies and will be no big change.
For Japan, the changes of two big countries in Asia that are China and India are her geart interests.
China has one hundred thirty million and India has one hudred million people.
The total populations of those two contries is one third of the world.
Both countries are growing with high speed and changing dramatically even they have some difficulties and problems inside the countries and with surrounding nations.
China is very close to Japan and Japanese invest a lot of money to China, that seems too much now.
About 15% of foreign investment to China is from Japan.
To India, Japan invests only one thirtyth of that of China. It is very small.
We have many people from India recently same as in the U.S. They are mostly Hi-Tec industry businessmen and women.
In Tokyo there is an " Indian Town" at the eastside of the town.
So the distance between two contries has been getting closer rapidly.
India had sent two elephants to Japan in 1946 or7.
I remember the ceremony as we went to see them for a school activities.
In Japanese zoos at that time there were no animals, because during the war they poisoned the
animals to prevent them escaping from the zoos by bombardments.
That was my first time to go to a zoo and see elephants.
One of the elephants, named "Indira"lived very long.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Guns Controls in Japan
I do hunting and have three shot guns and an air rifle. I do not have any rifle.
To hold guns, it is not permitted to just collect them. There are no collectors' license.
An antique gun, there is a paper each inspected and issued by the Cultual Agency.
The paper with a gun, showing its size, caliver and some charactaristics with gunsmith name.
When I want to sell it, it will go with the paper.
For regular guns, The National Safty Comittee, which operated by the police would issue the
license to an individual, investigateing one's background, criminal record, debt, family, drag
and paysho. Then they will do paper test ,practical test and shooting test needing doctors
diagnosis.
It is almost impossible for a new comer to get a Gun holder's license in Japan.
Handguns are not allowed anycase except military or police personels.
But Chinese boats came near to Japan and tranfered hundreds of surplus handguns to Japanese
smuggling boats several times.
Actually between Yakuza's (gang groups) conflict handguns are their weapons mostly.
If someone is prosecuted for an illegal possession of a gun, the penalty would be several years in prison this is almost same as a murder case.
To hold guns, it is not permitted to just collect them. There are no collectors' license.
An antique gun, there is a paper each inspected and issued by the Cultual Agency.
The paper with a gun, showing its size, caliver and some charactaristics with gunsmith name.
When I want to sell it, it will go with the paper.
For regular guns, The National Safty Comittee, which operated by the police would issue the
license to an individual, investigateing one's background, criminal record, debt, family, drag
and paysho. Then they will do paper test ,practical test and shooting test needing doctors
diagnosis.
It is almost impossible for a new comer to get a Gun holder's license in Japan.
Handguns are not allowed anycase except military or police personels.
But Chinese boats came near to Japan and tranfered hundreds of surplus handguns to Japanese
smuggling boats several times.
Actually between Yakuza's (gang groups) conflict handguns are their weapons mostly.
If someone is prosecuted for an illegal possession of a gun, the penalty would be several years in prison this is almost same as a murder case.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
My Italian Car and the Japanes Army Airforce in 1930's
I drive an Itarian car in Japan.
It is a small and sporty car with beautiful shape, color and interior.
Especially I like thick leathe seat. It is maual shift drive and there are two kinds of shifting systems.
One is a stick on the floor and the other is "plus and minus" buttons on the backside of a steering
handle. It runs well with an exiting motor roaring.
There is no dealership of this manifucture in the U.S. so you see only old models which were imported more than 15 years ago.
The other day the dealer in Japna send me a letter saying "Your car is better to change the timing belt of the engine. It costs about US$1200-." The mileage meter shows only 25000 miles (that is 40000km)
What? Regular cheap Japanese cars' timing belt last at least 100000km and it costs one third of
that Itarians'.
In 1935, Japanese Army Air Force imported 85 Fiat BR20 twin engines bombers from Italia.
The engine of the plane was A-80RC 14 cylinders,1000hp.
It looked very high performance plane.
Japanese Army Airforce used them during the conflict between USSR in 1941.
In 1937 ,Japanese Army developed their own twin engines bomber by Mitsubishi. After 1937,
85 Italian bombers were not used because theywere needed frequent parts changes and the war in Europe getting busy and there was less supply of the parts from Italy.
This is the same king of phenomenon except they have good supply of parts.
Now I understand why they do not sell their cars in the U.S. market. American consumeres
are more strit than European and Japanese.
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
It is a small and sporty car with beautiful shape, color and interior.
Especially I like thick leathe seat. It is maual shift drive and there are two kinds of shifting systems.
One is a stick on the floor and the other is "plus and minus" buttons on the backside of a steering
handle. It runs well with an exiting motor roaring.
There is no dealership of this manifucture in the U.S. so you see only old models which were imported more than 15 years ago.
The other day the dealer in Japna send me a letter saying "Your car is better to change the timing belt of the engine. It costs about US$1200-." The mileage meter shows only 25000 miles (that is 40000km)
What? Regular cheap Japanese cars' timing belt last at least 100000km and it costs one third of
that Itarians'.
In 1935, Japanese Army Air Force imported 85 Fiat BR20 twin engines bombers from Italia.
The engine of the plane was A-80RC 14 cylinders,1000hp.
It looked very high performance plane.
Japanese Army Airforce used them during the conflict between USSR in 1941.
In 1937 ,Japanese Army developed their own twin engines bomber by Mitsubishi. After 1937,
85 Italian bombers were not used because theywere needed frequent parts changes and the war in Europe getting busy and there was less supply of the parts from Italy.
This is the same king of phenomenon except they have good supply of parts.
Now I understand why they do not sell their cars in the U.S. market. American consumeres
are more strit than European and Japanese.
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Marilyn Monroe and Joe Demajio in Japan
In winter of 1954, when I came back from the school, my mother said "We will go to see Marilyn
Monroe. Get ready!".
I changed the clothing and we took a streetcar to Hibiya where at Imperial Hotel, Marilyn and Joe Demajio stayed for their honeymoon.
We waited with crowd. I donot remember how long we were there.
Then people around began huming.
We were aclose the street, the doors of the terrace opened a woman and a man appeared.
They were Mrilyn and Joe Demajio.
People were very happy to see them waveing hands.
I read later they stayed for a while in Japan and Marilyn went to Korea visiting the U.S. military
people there fighting with mostly Chinese at that time.
When I was president of an agency, Imperial Hotel was one of our clients.
I told the story to Mr. Kobayashi who is president of the hotel, then he went to the back office
and returned with an album. There were some pictures of Marilyn and Joe Demajio and among
them I found the one they waved hands from the terrace of the room.
There were a crowd outside but I could not identify where we were.
During their stay in Japan, Joe was busy for his appointments with Japanese baseball teams.
Monroe. Get ready!".
I changed the clothing and we took a streetcar to Hibiya where at Imperial Hotel, Marilyn and Joe Demajio stayed for their honeymoon.
We waited with crowd. I donot remember how long we were there.
Then people around began huming.
We were aclose the street, the doors of the terrace opened a woman and a man appeared.
They were Mrilyn and Joe Demajio.
People were very happy to see them waveing hands.
I read later they stayed for a while in Japan and Marilyn went to Korea visiting the U.S. military
people there fighting with mostly Chinese at that time.
When I was president of an agency, Imperial Hotel was one of our clients.
I told the story to Mr. Kobayashi who is president of the hotel, then he went to the back office
and returned with an album. There were some pictures of Marilyn and Joe Demajio and among
them I found the one they waved hands from the terrace of the room.
There were a crowd outside but I could not identify where we were.
During their stay in Japan, Joe was busy for his appointments with Japanese baseball teams.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Pre-War Baseball in Japan
The Baseball Game is one of the most popular sports in both countries, America and Japan.
Until 1934, Japanese had no professional baseball even at schools it was very popular
from the begining of the century.
Matutaro Shoriki who was the owner of one of three majour newspapers, made a team
"All Japan" and he invited the majour league selected members as "All Americans"
including Babe Ruth.
Babe Ruth was of course very popular player in Japan.
In 1934, they played several games all around the contry.
This is the start of Japanse professinal baseball. Shoriki named his team "Kyojin" that means Giants in Japanese.
In 1935, "Kyojin" went to the United States and played some exhibition games with major league teams.
Sawamura was one of the pitchers and it is said that an American scout approached him during his stay in the U.S.
Sawamura took Babe Ruth a strikeout in Japan.
He died in 1944 during the war. He boat was sunk by a U.S. submarine.
When the war started many professional players were mustered.
Sugiura was also a pitcher. He spent in China during the war.
After the war he said, even he had a long blank of playing, he was suprised himself that he could throw effective balls.
He tought about the background and found that he was selected for the company's hand grenade thrower and be trained. But he never joined the actual battle.
Many players did not come back.
After the war the baseball became most popular sports and an entertainment in Japan.
There have been many managers and players from the U.S. and Latin America came to Japan.
And about ten Japanese major league players are there.
Who is the first player from Japan be in "National Baseball of Hall of Fame"?
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
Until 1934, Japanese had no professional baseball even at schools it was very popular
from the begining of the century.
Matutaro Shoriki who was the owner of one of three majour newspapers, made a team
"All Japan" and he invited the majour league selected members as "All Americans"
including Babe Ruth.
Babe Ruth was of course very popular player in Japan.
In 1934, they played several games all around the contry.
This is the start of Japanse professinal baseball. Shoriki named his team "Kyojin" that means Giants in Japanese.
In 1935, "Kyojin" went to the United States and played some exhibition games with major league teams.
Sawamura was one of the pitchers and it is said that an American scout approached him during his stay in the U.S.
Sawamura took Babe Ruth a strikeout in Japan.
He died in 1944 during the war. He boat was sunk by a U.S. submarine.
When the war started many professional players were mustered.
Sugiura was also a pitcher. He spent in China during the war.
After the war he said, even he had a long blank of playing, he was suprised himself that he could throw effective balls.
He tought about the background and found that he was selected for the company's hand grenade thrower and be trained. But he never joined the actual battle.
Many players did not come back.
After the war the baseball became most popular sports and an entertainment in Japan.
There have been many managers and players from the U.S. and Latin America came to Japan.
And about ten Japanese major league players are there.
Who is the first player from Japan be in "National Baseball of Hall of Fame"?
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The day Douglas MacArhtur left Japan
It was spring of 1951.
My father was burning some twigs and trush to clearn our garden.
When I and my brother were around the fire, formations of U.S. milirary aircrafts passing over us with big roars of engines. It might be on Sunday because my father was at home.
The formations lasted at least half an hour, I believe.
I have never seen such many airplanes at the sky since then.
Some of them, smaller sigle engine planes were at low altitude. Bigger multi-engines planes were flying higher than them.
The roars of engines were tremled the glasses of the house.
A few minutes later, my father said " Oh, Douglas MacArthur is leaving from Japan."
The formations of planes were the parade for his farewell.
President Truman relieved MacArthur's command for the conflict of opinions about the Korean War policy, I knew latter.
There are two different evaluations what he did for the occupied Japan.
It is natural for historians. The new constitution had made Japan weak, non international contry, this is one.
But without his very strong leadership, the confusion after the war last longer and communists
influence effected us more.
He said "I shall returen." at the defeat of Phillipins but he never returned to Japan since then.
My father was burning some twigs and trush to clearn our garden.
When I and my brother were around the fire, formations of U.S. milirary aircrafts passing over us with big roars of engines. It might be on Sunday because my father was at home.
The formations lasted at least half an hour, I believe.
I have never seen such many airplanes at the sky since then.
Some of them, smaller sigle engine planes were at low altitude. Bigger multi-engines planes were flying higher than them.
The roars of engines were tremled the glasses of the house.
A few minutes later, my father said " Oh, Douglas MacArthur is leaving from Japan."
The formations of planes were the parade for his farewell.
President Truman relieved MacArthur's command for the conflict of opinions about the Korean War policy, I knew latter.
There are two different evaluations what he did for the occupied Japan.
It is natural for historians. The new constitution had made Japan weak, non international contry, this is one.
But without his very strong leadership, the confusion after the war last longer and communists
influence effected us more.
He said "I shall returen." at the defeat of Phillipins but he never returned to Japan since then.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
"Luxyry Items" in 1950's in Japan
When I walk some Flea Markets in U.S. I find many interestings things which we did not have in some era.
Such as Toys, to have toys in 1950's in Japan was luxyry. The ones we have mostly very simple and cheap stuff.
Fifty toy pistols in a box which my carpenter found behind the ceiling of my house in 1980's were hidden by my mother when I was ten years old. They are mostly made of tins.
(I keep them because some people want those stuff.)
In Japan, during the period from late 1930's to 1950's , there was a blnak of luxyry items.
They had no leeway to spend both an individual and the nation.
Golf clubs, watchs, electric model trains, cameras especially movie cameras and other sporting gears were mostly lack from Japanese history of culture.
American 50' were very rich they had everything.
But I found some of them marked "made in Japan" or "made in occupied Japan" even they have
some Amrican brand names. In Japan we did not have them.
To decorateing those lauxyry items which I brought back from flea markets , I feel I came back
to 50's and recover the "Luxyry".
My favourite item is a set of kid's cowboy gear, two heavy metal pistols with a leather belt and holsters,a deer skin vest and a silver star.
See, http://www/japaneseweapons.com
Such as Toys, to have toys in 1950's in Japan was luxyry. The ones we have mostly very simple and cheap stuff.
Fifty toy pistols in a box which my carpenter found behind the ceiling of my house in 1980's were hidden by my mother when I was ten years old. They are mostly made of tins.
(I keep them because some people want those stuff.)
In Japan, during the period from late 1930's to 1950's , there was a blnak of luxyry items.
They had no leeway to spend both an individual and the nation.
Golf clubs, watchs, electric model trains, cameras especially movie cameras and other sporting gears were mostly lack from Japanese history of culture.
American 50' were very rich they had everything.
But I found some of them marked "made in Japan" or "made in occupied Japan" even they have
some Amrican brand names. In Japan we did not have them.
To decorateing those lauxyry items which I brought back from flea markets , I feel I came back
to 50's and recover the "Luxyry".
My favourite item is a set of kid's cowboy gear, two heavy metal pistols with a leather belt and holsters,a deer skin vest and a silver star.
See, http://www/japaneseweapons.com
Friday, March 16, 2007
Resources and Technology
In Japan, there are very little resources available. As I wrote before the major resource on the islands is WATER .
Enegy is the first topic to consider when beginning any project.
To build a house, to buy a car or any home product, enegy consumption is the first priority.
Energy is also the first considaration for any manufacurer.
The automobile industry has been facing this vwey problem for at least last thirty years.
I bought the first model of Toyota Prius a hybrid car that operate on gasoline and electricity. This car wsa for the use in Japan during I was there.
( I stationed in U.S. but I needed a small car when I was back to Japan.)
The first model was adequate.
The performance was not very good on the highway; however the vehicle suprisingly consumed very litttle fuel.
My mother has a newer(second) model.
She bought it when she was 80 years old and she had the license plate (080 OLD)!
The newer Prius performs much better.
The war between the U.S. and Japan started in 1941. The Japanese's Goverment made the decision to go to the war because of the the United States Goverment's decision to shut down the oil supply to Japan.
Douglas MacArthur said to the U.S. Congress"Japan feared that of thoes supplies were cut off, there would go to 12 million people unoccupied in Japan. Their purpose therefore is going to war way laregely dictated by security" after he returned to U.S.
There is an old saying for Samurais' " Do not wait to die while you are setting there!"
The "New Samurais" of today who develope new technology are the same but rather than going to war when oil suppliers raise the price, they just find innovative ways of not using as much oil for the enegy, as seen in the classic case of the Toyota Prius.
(Thank you Craig!)
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
http://www.blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Enegy is the first topic to consider when beginning any project.
To build a house, to buy a car or any home product, enegy consumption is the first priority.
Energy is also the first considaration for any manufacurer.
The automobile industry has been facing this vwey problem for at least last thirty years.
I bought the first model of Toyota Prius a hybrid car that operate on gasoline and electricity. This car wsa for the use in Japan during I was there.
( I stationed in U.S. but I needed a small car when I was back to Japan.)
The first model was adequate.
The performance was not very good on the highway; however the vehicle suprisingly consumed very litttle fuel.
My mother has a newer(second) model.
She bought it when she was 80 years old and she had the license plate (080 OLD)!
The newer Prius performs much better.
The war between the U.S. and Japan started in 1941. The Japanese's Goverment made the decision to go to the war because of the the United States Goverment's decision to shut down the oil supply to Japan.
Douglas MacArthur said to the U.S. Congress"Japan feared that of thoes supplies were cut off, there would go to 12 million people unoccupied in Japan. Their purpose therefore is going to war way laregely dictated by security" after he returned to U.S.
There is an old saying for Samurais' " Do not wait to die while you are setting there!"
The "New Samurais" of today who develope new technology are the same but rather than going to war when oil suppliers raise the price, they just find innovative ways of not using as much oil for the enegy, as seen in the classic case of the Toyota Prius.
(Thank you Craig!)
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
http://www.blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Twelve O'clock High
Where I currently live, there were several important U.S. facilities, there were in operation during the occupation of Japan by the United States after WWII. There was the Army Headqurter buliding at Roppongi ,the"Stars and Strips"building and printing factory , and the U.S. Embassy building. This brought a lot of American workers and visitors.
Small movie theaters were around and soon after the Korean Wars started the district saw many American service men.
At one of these theaters, I saw "Twelve O'clock High ", staring Gregory Peck with my mother and brother.
The theater was a small pre-war building, and seats were very small and space between the seats was narrow.
Even if there were empty seats, I saw some Americans watching the films standing up, leanning on the walls or bending on the back low of the seats.
The film was exciting for even a boy like me.
.
My mother was always a great American Film Fan and even today she orders rental U.S.movies DVD' by internet.
She took us to see the film during the daytime and most of the people watching it were U.S. servicemen who were shift workers.
We are the only ones in the audience sitting in the seats, every one else was standing.
To me that was very interesting memory.
I knew the B-17 bomber was very high off the ground and the crews boarded from a down hatch underneath the belly of the plane ,being forward upward circling.
General Savage could not board this way, due to his high stress level.
To this day whenever I watch this film on Classic Channel, I can still remember the first time I saw this film and all the Americans watching it in that little theater leaning on the walls.
(C)
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com and http://www.blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Small movie theaters were around and soon after the Korean Wars started the district saw many American service men.
At one of these theaters, I saw "Twelve O'clock High ", staring Gregory Peck with my mother and brother.
The theater was a small pre-war building, and seats were very small and space between the seats was narrow.
Even if there were empty seats, I saw some Americans watching the films standing up, leanning on the walls or bending on the back low of the seats.
The film was exciting for even a boy like me.
.
My mother was always a great American Film Fan and even today she orders rental U.S.movies DVD' by internet.
She took us to see the film during the daytime and most of the people watching it were U.S. servicemen who were shift workers.
We are the only ones in the audience sitting in the seats, every one else was standing.
To me that was very interesting memory.
I knew the B-17 bomber was very high off the ground and the crews boarded from a down hatch underneath the belly of the plane ,being forward upward circling.
General Savage could not board this way, due to his high stress level.
To this day whenever I watch this film on Classic Channel, I can still remember the first time I saw this film and all the Americans watching it in that little theater leaning on the walls.
(C)
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com and http://www.blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Life Time Expectancy in Japan
In 1944 and 1945, the census in Japan showed a decrease in population due to the war.
After the war a baby boom occurred and in 1965-70's, there was a dramtic increase in the population by those who were born just after the war.
Last few years, however, has shown a lowere birth rate with the population remaining about the same level.
The life time expectancy of Japan is highest in the world, for femail is 85 and for mail is 80 years old. For anyone over the age of 50, one can expect to live another 30-35 years longer.
Every goverment policy and system such as the tax, wealfare, pension and other social infrastructures agencies much think about this factor.
Why do Japanese live so long?
I believe the key to this is a result of food conditions during the period between 1935-1950.
Their priority during this time was the industry not food productions.
In fact, after the the war in 1945 , there would have been more death if it was not ro the U.S. food program.
When I read about the food conditions of before the war(for Japan China Conflict in 1937)
during the war, and after the war(it was worse than before), Japanese citizens had very little to eat.
Most theie diets consisted of rice, millet, fish and vegetables. There was very little meat and dairy products.
The food style was very different from the American diet.
The Japanese elders , now in their 80's and 90's grew up during this period of time .
That may have kept them healthy. In Japan the top cause of the death is cancer, not heart desease.
During my time growing up, we are accustomed to the American diet and style of eating including " junk foods" and soft drinks which may have an effect on our bodies' health.
(C)
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
in English
After the war a baby boom occurred and in 1965-70's, there was a dramtic increase in the population by those who were born just after the war.
Last few years, however, has shown a lowere birth rate with the population remaining about the same level.
The life time expectancy of Japan is highest in the world, for femail is 85 and for mail is 80 years old. For anyone over the age of 50, one can expect to live another 30-35 years longer.
Every goverment policy and system such as the tax, wealfare, pension and other social infrastructures agencies much think about this factor.
Why do Japanese live so long?
I believe the key to this is a result of food conditions during the period between 1935-1950.
Their priority during this time was the industry not food productions.
In fact, after the the war in 1945 , there would have been more death if it was not ro the U.S. food program.
When I read about the food conditions of before the war(for Japan China Conflict in 1937)
during the war, and after the war(it was worse than before), Japanese citizens had very little to eat.
Most theie diets consisted of rice, millet, fish and vegetables. There was very little meat and dairy products.
The food style was very different from the American diet.
The Japanese elders , now in their 80's and 90's grew up during this period of time .
That may have kept them healthy. In Japan the top cause of the death is cancer, not heart desease.
During my time growing up, we are accustomed to the American diet and style of eating including " junk foods" and soft drinks which may have an effect on our bodies' health.
(C)
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
in English
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Mr. Yonezawa's story
Every city where had been drawm into the vortex of war seems to be same.
Tokyo is no different.
During the period of 1945-1950, the goverments' activitiy was slow to respond to the citizens.
Many kids a little bit older than me lived at stations, tunnels and other areas wherever they could refuge.
They had lost their families.
Mr. Yonezawa was one of them. He was about televe years old when he be an orphan.
He lost his entire family on March 10th during a bombardment at Tokyo.
He was in a contryside temple with most of his classmates when the bombing took place.
After the war, Yonezawa had no place to live and scraped a few yen as a shoeshine boy at Ginza.
I saw many GIs let thoes kids to shine their boots. GIs gave the boys sweets as a tip. The attitude of GIs were favorable to them.
One of Yonezawa's customers was Mr.Yoshida, the president of the agency I worked.
He offered Yonezawa a job as a tea service boy in the office.
Yoshida gave him a set of school uniform and payed him going to the night school. He slept in the office at night for a while.
He was intellligent men enought to do regular jobs later.
When I joined the agency in 1967, he was a grey haired, handsome gentlemen alway smiling with a nice family. He had already completed the night course and graduated some years before
I arrived.
He loved working and golfing and from his outlook, no one could have imagined his sad past.
Yonezawa retired some years ago still loves golfing with his wonderful wife.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
if you are interested in the history of Japanese weapons
Tokyo is no different.
During the period of 1945-1950, the goverments' activitiy was slow to respond to the citizens.
Many kids a little bit older than me lived at stations, tunnels and other areas wherever they could refuge.
They had lost their families.
Mr. Yonezawa was one of them. He was about televe years old when he be an orphan.
He lost his entire family on March 10th during a bombardment at Tokyo.
He was in a contryside temple with most of his classmates when the bombing took place.
After the war, Yonezawa had no place to live and scraped a few yen as a shoeshine boy at Ginza.
I saw many GIs let thoes kids to shine their boots. GIs gave the boys sweets as a tip. The attitude of GIs were favorable to them.
One of Yonezawa's customers was Mr.Yoshida, the president of the agency I worked.
He offered Yonezawa a job as a tea service boy in the office.
Yoshida gave him a set of school uniform and payed him going to the night school. He slept in the office at night for a while.
He was intellligent men enought to do regular jobs later.
When I joined the agency in 1967, he was a grey haired, handsome gentlemen alway smiling with a nice family. He had already completed the night course and graduated some years before
I arrived.
He loved working and golfing and from his outlook, no one could have imagined his sad past.
Yonezawa retired some years ago still loves golfing with his wonderful wife.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
if you are interested in the history of Japanese weapons
Monday, March 12, 2007
In The Morning Korean War Started
On the morning of June 25th, 1950, my family ; my fathere , mother , younger brother and I , were having our simple Japanese style breakfast.
As my dad opened the holded newspaper, he shouted "Another War Started, Communisit crossed the border to South Korea."
Mom was optimistic saying " There are American Forces in South Korea, they beat Japanese
so, even the communists are not their enemy."
My dad thought differently and said "Communists are different, they have already organized sympathizers in South Korea and Japan. He knew that at his working place there were unions involving many people.
My mother was also worried about her sisters' husband who was taken to Siberia by USSR .
His return was very late and almost the last person released.
As kids, we were awared that Japan became active soon after the start of the war.
Near my friends' house they made U.S. canteens. Near my house they built a play ground.
One of my fathers best friends at the medical school in pre-war Japan who was from Korea was missed during the war with his family and they never been found since then.
My father and his friends wrote letters to the officials after the war but to date , have never heard what happened.
Whenever I saw Robert Altman's "M☆A☆S☆H☆”, we are a little bit more serious.
See, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
There are some English and Photos for the various items.
As my dad opened the holded newspaper, he shouted "Another War Started, Communisit crossed the border to South Korea."
Mom was optimistic saying " There are American Forces in South Korea, they beat Japanese
so, even the communists are not their enemy."
My dad thought differently and said "Communists are different, they have already organized sympathizers in South Korea and Japan. He knew that at his working place there were unions involving many people.
My mother was also worried about her sisters' husband who was taken to Siberia by USSR .
His return was very late and almost the last person released.
As kids, we were awared that Japan became active soon after the start of the war.
Near my friends' house they made U.S. canteens. Near my house they built a play ground.
One of my fathers best friends at the medical school in pre-war Japan who was from Korea was missed during the war with his family and they never been found since then.
My father and his friends wrote letters to the officials after the war but to date , have never heard what happened.
Whenever I saw Robert Altman's "M☆A☆S☆H☆”, we are a little bit more serious.
See, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
There are some English and Photos for the various items.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Helen Adams Keller visited Japan three times
Whenever I visit to Northwest Alabama to see my friends, I think about Helen Adams Keller who was from that part of the United States.
Ms. Keller visited Japan in 1932, in 1948 and again in 1952.
Helen was born in 1880.
In 1932 when she was 52 years old, she visited Japan for the first time.
In1932, Imperil Japanese was like a sunrise.
At the that time , Japan kept a rather well relationship with China, but Japan was also in the process of expanding their power to the Northeast of China.
When Ms. Keller visited Japan for the second time in 1948.
The country was like she used be herself.
There was no way of communication and people did not know anything about the future.
What did she fell about that?
In the seventeen years, everything had changed.
There is a story.
Helen Keller stayed at two different hotels, Hakone and Nikko.
Two different hotels were built by same carpenter, with same material.
No one noticed.
However, Ms. Keller noticed and she asked "They smell the same. Is there any coincidence?"
The Japanese educational system for the kids like her has advanced greatly over the years.
It owed much her speechs she did pre-war and after war, what was her miracle.
Japanese feel her very close.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
Ms. Keller visited Japan in 1932, in 1948 and again in 1952.
Helen was born in 1880.
In 1932 when she was 52 years old, she visited Japan for the first time.
In1932, Imperil Japanese was like a sunrise.
At the that time , Japan kept a rather well relationship with China, but Japan was also in the process of expanding their power to the Northeast of China.
When Ms. Keller visited Japan for the second time in 1948.
The country was like she used be herself.
There was no way of communication and people did not know anything about the future.
What did she fell about that?
In the seventeen years, everything had changed.
There is a story.
Helen Keller stayed at two different hotels, Hakone and Nikko.
Two different hotels were built by same carpenter, with same material.
No one noticed.
However, Ms. Keller noticed and she asked "They smell the same. Is there any coincidence?"
The Japanese educational system for the kids like her has advanced greatly over the years.
It owed much her speechs she did pre-war and after war, what was her miracle.
Japanese feel her very close.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Tojo helped Jews
Hideki Tojo used be a general of the Japanse Army and as prime minister, led the country into war.
Leading the country into the war was a major mistake and consequently betrayed the Emperor and the people of Japan.
He was born in 1884 in Tokyo. His family was from Iwate where the load was against the Emperor's Meiji reartoration at the end. Those people experienced discrimination.
He garaduated the Imperial Army Academy (Japanese West Point).
He was ranked 42nd among 50 graduates.
He stayed at Swiss for a while as a military attache. That was before German's raise.
Referring to Hitler, Tojo was quoted as saying "Hitler was just a soldier, I used be a general. Do not treat me the same as him"
Tojo seemed that he did not understand what Hitler was doing completely.
The Nazis wanted to be Japanese to be very harsh against the Jews who escaped from Eastern Europe and Russia to Manchuria. As Commander of the Japanese Manchuria Froces "Kanto-gun" from 1937 to 1941, Tojo's policy towards the Jews was generous despite complaints from the Nazis.
He allows the Jews to cross the border from USSR to Manchuria and permited them to hold the political meetings about the conditions' of Jewish people living in Europe. (Rabi Marvin Tokeyer worte about the fact.)
After the war, however, Tojo was executied in 1948 as a war criminal.
His last words to Americans were "Let the Japanese to keep trusting Americans as the same as when they were defeated,
and be careful against Communist, in next several decades it would be a problem for Japanese(American).
Reading what has been written about Hideki Tojo, people would have some confusion. But everybody had two faces.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
Leading the country into the war was a major mistake and consequently betrayed the Emperor and the people of Japan.
He was born in 1884 in Tokyo. His family was from Iwate where the load was against the Emperor's Meiji reartoration at the end. Those people experienced discrimination.
He garaduated the Imperial Army Academy (Japanese West Point).
He was ranked 42nd among 50 graduates.
He stayed at Swiss for a while as a military attache. That was before German's raise.
Referring to Hitler, Tojo was quoted as saying "Hitler was just a soldier, I used be a general. Do not treat me the same as him"
Tojo seemed that he did not understand what Hitler was doing completely.
The Nazis wanted to be Japanese to be very harsh against the Jews who escaped from Eastern Europe and Russia to Manchuria. As Commander of the Japanese Manchuria Froces "Kanto-gun" from 1937 to 1941, Tojo's policy towards the Jews was generous despite complaints from the Nazis.
He allows the Jews to cross the border from USSR to Manchuria and permited them to hold the political meetings about the conditions' of Jewish people living in Europe. (Rabi Marvin Tokeyer worte about the fact.)
After the war, however, Tojo was executied in 1948 as a war criminal.
His last words to Americans were "Let the Japanese to keep trusting Americans as the same as when they were defeated,
and be careful against Communist, in next several decades it would be a problem for Japanese(American).
Reading what has been written about Hideki Tojo, people would have some confusion. But everybody had two faces.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
Friday, March 9, 2007
The morning when I reached to Tokyo
It was in early morning of December, 1948 when our family arriveed atTokyo Station.
It was dark and very isolated. But I did not feel coldness.
My uncle was there waiting for us.
After my uncle retured from Leite, he had already got a job teaching at a school,veterinary. (My father was for human and he was for animal.)
While we were standing to wait a streetcar coming, there was an tall American soldier or officer standing at the same place.
He asked if it was a right line that he wanted to go. My uncle learned a little English while
he was in a camp at Phillipins and his wife was a JapneseAmerican. He might say it was Ok.
They exchange some conversations and the American took a pack of tabacco from his pocket offering them and lighting them. The light of his lighter(must be a Zippo) was showed us his face and blue eyes.
When they were finishing somking, a streetcar came.
He helped us to carry our heaviest bag into the car.
I remember it very clearly even I was five years old and that he might be a guy they fought with.
It was only three years passed when they stopped the fighting and changed many people's directions of the lives in Japan.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japanseweapons some photos and English
It was dark and very isolated. But I did not feel coldness.
My uncle was there waiting for us.
After my uncle retured from Leite, he had already got a job teaching at a school,veterinary. (My father was for human and he was for animal.)
While we were standing to wait a streetcar coming, there was an tall American soldier or officer standing at the same place.
He asked if it was a right line that he wanted to go. My uncle learned a little English while
he was in a camp at Phillipins and his wife was a JapneseAmerican. He might say it was Ok.
They exchange some conversations and the American took a pack of tabacco from his pocket offering them and lighting them. The light of his lighter(must be a Zippo) was showed us his face and blue eyes.
When they were finishing somking, a streetcar came.
He helped us to carry our heaviest bag into the car.
I remember it very clearly even I was five years old and that he might be a guy they fought with.
It was only three years passed when they stopped the fighting and changed many people's directions of the lives in Japan.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japanseweapons some photos and English
What happened on March 10th in 1945 at Tokyo
On the night of March 10th in 1945, it was very windy and dry in Tokyo.
U.S. Airforce 300 B-29s attacked downtown area of Tokyo on that night at low altitude with napalm bombs.
There were mostly wooden small houses and it was not a rich peoples' area.
Consequencely, about one hundred thousands of civilians mostly children and women died.
It was said that many piles of bodies around and floating in rivers. It took several years to
buried them correctly.
There was no military damage by that bombing operation.
After the war my father who was a medical doctor returned from the war and he decided to work at Tokyo.
When I came to Tokyo for the first time in 1948 most of the city was left as burned down.
I remember clearly to go to the school straihtly on the burned area. There were no houses.
We lived in upper town and it was bombed in May of 1945.
Before that bombing ,U.S. Airforce had lost many B29s at in day time, high altitude operations so it was said that they wanted to do something easier.
Commandor Henkel did not agree the kind of bombing but his successor did.
Some years ago a Japnese reseacher asked me if General Henkel was OK after his objected the order and fired his position.
The official document said that he finished his career without any problem.
please visit, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons there are some photos and English
U.S. Airforce 300 B-29s attacked downtown area of Tokyo on that night at low altitude with napalm bombs.
There were mostly wooden small houses and it was not a rich peoples' area.
Consequencely, about one hundred thousands of civilians mostly children and women died.
It was said that many piles of bodies around and floating in rivers. It took several years to
buried them correctly.
There was no military damage by that bombing operation.
After the war my father who was a medical doctor returned from the war and he decided to work at Tokyo.
When I came to Tokyo for the first time in 1948 most of the city was left as burned down.
I remember clearly to go to the school straihtly on the burned area. There were no houses.
We lived in upper town and it was bombed in May of 1945.
Before that bombing ,U.S. Airforce had lost many B29s at in day time, high altitude operations so it was said that they wanted to do something easier.
Commandor Henkel did not agree the kind of bombing but his successor did.
Some years ago a Japnese reseacher asked me if General Henkel was OK after his objected the order and fired his position.
The official document said that he finished his career without any problem.
please visit, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons there are some photos and English
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Why so little Christians in Japan?
Only one percent of the Japanese population is Christians.
We have 450 years' history of Christianity.
Missionaries came to Japan in mid 16th century.
Late 16th century was the period they made success having Christians in Japan
It is said that Spanish missionaries went teaching to upper class of the people including several loads.
Loads sent boys' mission to Rome.
They built a large scale church.
We go to services twice or three times a month near by Methodist church which has a history of
90 years. There are 3-40 people gathered. Mostly senior people.
Chistianity is understandable for me than Buddhism which most of Japanese are.
From the beginning of 17th to mid 19th century for almost 250 years Japan closed the country and Chistianity was prohibited.
But there were so called Hidden Christians in mostly western part of Japan even during the period.
After Meiji restoration in 1868, there were many Christian schools established.
Many people learnd there.
But why so little Christians?
I believe "Shinto" is a different existance and Shinto is not the reason of this phenomenon.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons some photos and English
We have 450 years' history of Christianity.
Missionaries came to Japan in mid 16th century.
Late 16th century was the period they made success having Christians in Japan
It is said that Spanish missionaries went teaching to upper class of the people including several loads.
Loads sent boys' mission to Rome.
They built a large scale church.
We go to services twice or three times a month near by Methodist church which has a history of
90 years. There are 3-40 people gathered. Mostly senior people.
Chistianity is understandable for me than Buddhism which most of Japanese are.
From the beginning of 17th to mid 19th century for almost 250 years Japan closed the country and Chistianity was prohibited.
But there were so called Hidden Christians in mostly western part of Japan even during the period.
After Meiji restoration in 1868, there were many Christian schools established.
Many people learnd there.
But why so little Christians?
I believe "Shinto" is a different existance and Shinto is not the reason of this phenomenon.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons some photos and English
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Is America friendly?
After 911, Americans have been changing.
You may not aware of the phenomenon and of course general public have been same as before.
But the goverment, mass media.
Iraq war remind me when America was in Veitnam.
This time it seems worse because the fight caused by terrorizm and you cannot see the real
enemy.
U.S. Goverment changed many rules and adapts aggressive policies to even friendly people.
It seems they miss something real important and does irrelevant.
I am afraid that they are losing their friends, French, German and South Americans.
Even British and Japanese may keep the distance to America.
The other day I visited American Embassy at Tokyo, there was a long line in rain.
The employee should be busy but they are not tought to treat the visitors as guests.
If you lost the friends in the world, inside the country there may go something wrong.
This is a history.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jo/japaneseweapons
You may not aware of the phenomenon and of course general public have been same as before.
But the goverment, mass media.
Iraq war remind me when America was in Veitnam.
This time it seems worse because the fight caused by terrorizm and you cannot see the real
enemy.
U.S. Goverment changed many rules and adapts aggressive policies to even friendly people.
It seems they miss something real important and does irrelevant.
I am afraid that they are losing their friends, French, German and South Americans.
Even British and Japanese may keep the distance to America.
The other day I visited American Embassy at Tokyo, there was a long line in rain.
The employee should be busy but they are not tought to treat the visitors as guests.
If you lost the friends in the world, inside the country there may go something wrong.
This is a history.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jo/japaneseweapons
Monday, March 5, 2007
Water resources are Japanese Weapons
Japanese Islands have no lack of water.
Rain and Snow fall all year around. Especially in June and early July it is a rainy season except
Hokkaido, northern island which has same latitude as in New England states U.S.
Of course Southern Islands like Okinawa are attacked by many typhoon.
They leave disaster and plenty of water in mountains.
It depends on the landforms. In winter at Pasific side rather dry but oppsite side faceing Siberia
has a lot of snow. She does not have any desert.
I live in Tokyo. It is mild at same latitude as Atlanta or Los Angels. We have less snow and a few typhonn, no Tsunami because they opened the capital here 400 years ago considering these
conditions.
Unfortunately, she has less flat lands but mountains.
All the citis and industrial area are on flat lands.
Mountains are not polluted that is 70% of the total land.
When I walk in the mountains I do not carry a canteen. Between the locks there are little
fountains everywhere. Trees at mountains keep water.
And it is strange even we are not suffered by a lack of water, Japan makes various kinds of devices which make drinking water from used water or fresh water from sea water.
Also they make drills digging wells.
These devices are for export.
Japan, she does not have any resources like oil but water. Which will become more important?
No one see.
visit, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Rain and Snow fall all year around. Especially in June and early July it is a rainy season except
Hokkaido, northern island which has same latitude as in New England states U.S.
Of course Southern Islands like Okinawa are attacked by many typhoon.
They leave disaster and plenty of water in mountains.
It depends on the landforms. In winter at Pasific side rather dry but oppsite side faceing Siberia
has a lot of snow. She does not have any desert.
I live in Tokyo. It is mild at same latitude as Atlanta or Los Angels. We have less snow and a few typhonn, no Tsunami because they opened the capital here 400 years ago considering these
conditions.
Unfortunately, she has less flat lands but mountains.
All the citis and industrial area are on flat lands.
Mountains are not polluted that is 70% of the total land.
When I walk in the mountains I do not carry a canteen. Between the locks there are little
fountains everywhere. Trees at mountains keep water.
And it is strange even we are not suffered by a lack of water, Japan makes various kinds of devices which make drinking water from used water or fresh water from sea water.
Also they make drills digging wells.
These devices are for export.
Japan, she does not have any resources like oil but water. Which will become more important?
No one see.
visit, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Sunday, March 4, 2007
"Damn Times"
New York Times is a quality news paper, no doubt.
In mid 90's one day at New York, I found an article by Nicolas someone, a correspondent in Tokyo of the paper.
The article was about the Japanese invasion to Chaina in 1930's.
He had some his own premise. He did not had wide views such as complicated sutiations of the war loads, communists, a weak goverment and dossatisfactions of the people.
Just Japanese was bad. That was a main subject of the article and it was not new, just an article
as before.
I found some strange arrangement of a big photo that they used in the article.
That was a scene with a description of "Japanese Marching on the Long Wall."
I instantly found that they were not Japanese Army but someone made the photo from Chinese
War Lord scene. A combination Photo.
I called one of the Japanese consuls in New York.
He was very sincere person to solve the problem.
He went to New York Times office, and found many, many strange photos which were fixed in 1930's.
A kind of American propaganda tools. Those activities were done by many countries, German, Japanese but such ghosts still lived until 1990's in U.S.
It was a shock.
America is most fair country in the world and New York Times is one of the quality papers in the wolrd.
This is a true story. The cousul's name was Kawaguchi.
And I would like to add, NY Time was no "damn", they announced that they would destroy all that kind of photos.
See, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
In mid 90's one day at New York, I found an article by Nicolas someone, a correspondent in Tokyo of the paper.
The article was about the Japanese invasion to Chaina in 1930's.
He had some his own premise. He did not had wide views such as complicated sutiations of the war loads, communists, a weak goverment and dossatisfactions of the people.
Just Japanese was bad. That was a main subject of the article and it was not new, just an article
as before.
I found some strange arrangement of a big photo that they used in the article.
That was a scene with a description of "Japanese Marching on the Long Wall."
I instantly found that they were not Japanese Army but someone made the photo from Chinese
War Lord scene. A combination Photo.
I called one of the Japanese consuls in New York.
He was very sincere person to solve the problem.
He went to New York Times office, and found many, many strange photos which were fixed in 1930's.
A kind of American propaganda tools. Those activities were done by many countries, German, Japanese but such ghosts still lived until 1990's in U.S.
It was a shock.
America is most fair country in the world and New York Times is one of the quality papers in the wolrd.
This is a true story. The cousul's name was Kawaguchi.
And I would like to add, NY Time was no "damn", they announced that they would destroy all that kind of photos.
See, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
Saturday, March 3, 2007
A Strong Allergy for Nuclear Weapons in Japan
North Korea's test of a nuclear bomb was a strong shock for Japanese.
Japanese has rockets H2A which could convert to ICBM in a few month and also they have the technology to develop nculear weapons in six month.
But if general public knows that their goverment do so they would be strongly against them, mad and rioting.
The Nuclear Allergy of Japan could not be measurable by other contries.
Of course the reason is Japanese was attacked twice by Atomic bobms.
Hiroshima, there was a reason. The city had a lot of important military functions, such as a world largest rifle factory Toyo Kogyo (nowadays it is Ford Automobile factory.) and there were
large size supply centers with piers.
But why Nagasaki, it had been a Christian City since 16th century and while Chiristian baned for two centuries they sutvived and had no military facilities. US killed mostly Japanese Christians.
There was a camp for Duth prisoners of war on a hill, and many of them were killed also.
The B 29 might mistake the target.
In both cities about 330000 were killed.
Geographcally, Japanese Island are not easy to attack, she is long from north to south and from
east to west.
Harry S Truman thought from the reality of US Forces it should be shared the islands by USSR
if without using Nuclear Weapons and made the war end early.
Instead of a strong allergy of nuck. 50% of Japanese power is generated by nuclear plants.
So according to Al Goe Japan exhausts only 3.5% of CO2 of the world. It is 10% of US's.
See, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapns
(There are some in English and Photos.)
Japanese has rockets H2A which could convert to ICBM in a few month and also they have the technology to develop nculear weapons in six month.
But if general public knows that their goverment do so they would be strongly against them, mad and rioting.
The Nuclear Allergy of Japan could not be measurable by other contries.
Of course the reason is Japanese was attacked twice by Atomic bobms.
Hiroshima, there was a reason. The city had a lot of important military functions, such as a world largest rifle factory Toyo Kogyo (nowadays it is Ford Automobile factory.) and there were
large size supply centers with piers.
But why Nagasaki, it had been a Christian City since 16th century and while Chiristian baned for two centuries they sutvived and had no military facilities. US killed mostly Japanese Christians.
There was a camp for Duth prisoners of war on a hill, and many of them were killed also.
The B 29 might mistake the target.
In both cities about 330000 were killed.
Geographcally, Japanese Island are not easy to attack, she is long from north to south and from
east to west.
Harry S Truman thought from the reality of US Forces it should be shared the islands by USSR
if without using Nuclear Weapons and made the war end early.
Instead of a strong allergy of nuck. 50% of Japanese power is generated by nuclear plants.
So according to Al Goe Japan exhausts only 3.5% of CO2 of the world. It is 10% of US's.
See, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapns
(There are some in English and Photos.)
Friday, March 2, 2007
What a peaceful contry, Japna is!
The other day I saw the TV News that the American commander chief at Yokota Base near Tokyo metropolitan area spork in fluent Japanese asking the understanding the importantce of trainning which couses some noise of course to the people near the base.
He was very sincere attitude.
In last sixty years Japanese Miliraly Forces have never shot even one and never killed any.
This is astonishing reallity and Japanese almost forget about how the world is suffering the various strifes between countries, religions, tribes,race and even in the countries.
Human being has kille enough people in the history.
Especially in 20th century in the same coutry, people killed each other such as in USSR, China, Korea, Cambodia, Middle Eastencountries and African countries.
Japanese killed other nations's people at wars and be killed about three million people.
A half million people killed by bombardments to the cities including two nuclear attacks and another half million killed in Philippine islands. I never thought to visit Philippine fro relaxzation.
But after the War Era in 15th and 16th centuries, she had killed her own people very little.
At Meiji Restoration Civil Wars, about 10000. were killed it is far small number comparing US Civil War that killed 60000o.
see, http://japanseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japanseweapons
He was very sincere attitude.
In last sixty years Japanese Miliraly Forces have never shot even one and never killed any.
This is astonishing reallity and Japanese almost forget about how the world is suffering the various strifes between countries, religions, tribes,race and even in the countries.
Human being has kille enough people in the history.
Especially in 20th century in the same coutry, people killed each other such as in USSR, China, Korea, Cambodia, Middle Eastencountries and African countries.
Japanese killed other nations's people at wars and be killed about three million people.
A half million people killed by bombardments to the cities including two nuclear attacks and another half million killed in Philippine islands. I never thought to visit Philippine fro relaxzation.
But after the War Era in 15th and 16th centuries, she had killed her own people very little.
At Meiji Restoration Civil Wars, about 10000. were killed it is far small number comparing US Civil War that killed 60000o.
see, http://japanseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japanseweapons
the Allied Occupation of Japan in 1945
How many Allied Forces be killed after the occupation in Japan?
I believe none.
Japanese had accepted the defeat of the war and there was an order.
They destroied all their weapons and did not do any terrorist activities to the Allied Forces in Japan.
The occupied forces used the influence of the Emperor of Japan who admitted the defeat of the war and no more oppositions to his people. People had no doubt to obey it.
So, no Allied Forces were killed.
What is the difference between Iraq and sixty years ago's Japan?
Iraq peple are killing not only Allied Forces but their own people.
I have no idea about the conflicts of Islams and the antipathy agaist Jews and Christians.
The world is increasing complexity. That is a pity.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
I believe none.
Japanese had accepted the defeat of the war and there was an order.
They destroied all their weapons and did not do any terrorist activities to the Allied Forces in Japan.
The occupied forces used the influence of the Emperor of Japan who admitted the defeat of the war and no more oppositions to his people. People had no doubt to obey it.
So, no Allied Forces were killed.
What is the difference between Iraq and sixty years ago's Japan?
Iraq peple are killing not only Allied Forces but their own people.
I have no idea about the conflicts of Islams and the antipathy agaist Jews and Christians.
The world is increasing complexity. That is a pity.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Are they aristocracies?
The area I brought up and live in Tokyo is an international district.
They are many people from other countries living near my house. My next door, an three stories apartment there live three different people from overseas.
In front of my house is rented by a bussinessman works for investment company, a Scotich or
British.
I feel sometime they misunderstand their positions or their existence in this city.
Are they anistocracies?
There are not many Japanese who speak in English.
At Tokyo American Club, they talk each other about how they find good local employees in their firm loudly. When I listen to their words, I feel unpleasant.
They do not like a Japnese like me who point them what is wrong in this city.
For example one American businessmen who lived near my house drove from oppsite side of the one way every day and no one warned him that was wrong.
I did one day and it was dangerous for kids on bicycles.
He was mad.
I told him I would call the police because I had an evidence in my cellphone camera.
He shouted " Do it . Call fxxing police. They could do nothing!"
I did it and two tall policemen knocked his door. He became pale. Police asked me to interpretate.
Japanese is a genius to spoil the people from other countries.
They are too sweet to them.
But I am afraid in someday they become opposite.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
They are many people from other countries living near my house. My next door, an three stories apartment there live three different people from overseas.
In front of my house is rented by a bussinessman works for investment company, a Scotich or
British.
I feel sometime they misunderstand their positions or their existence in this city.
Are they anistocracies?
There are not many Japanese who speak in English.
At Tokyo American Club, they talk each other about how they find good local employees in their firm loudly. When I listen to their words, I feel unpleasant.
They do not like a Japnese like me who point them what is wrong in this city.
For example one American businessmen who lived near my house drove from oppsite side of the one way every day and no one warned him that was wrong.
I did one day and it was dangerous for kids on bicycles.
He was mad.
I told him I would call the police because I had an evidence in my cellphone camera.
He shouted " Do it . Call fxxing police. They could do nothing!"
I did it and two tall policemen knocked his door. He became pale. Police asked me to interpretate.
Japanese is a genius to spoil the people from other countries.
They are too sweet to them.
But I am afraid in someday they become opposite.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
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