Fidel Castro’s death and the relationship with the US

Fidel Castro, the former Cuban President, was dead at the age of 90.

He was recognized as a revolutionist. He defeated the previous Cuban government which had kept a close relationship with the US. And he reconstructed Cuba as a socialist state. He had been the President for nearly a half century.

The Atlantic: Reactions to Fidel Castro's Death: Live Coverage

Cuba and the US had been in a tense relationship since Fidel seated the leader of Cuba. On the other hand, he was very friendly to Japan. He often admired the accomplishment of Japanese athletes in Major League. Some Japanese are fond of visiting Cuba because Cuban government permits Japanese tourists to enter Cuba without a visa.

In recent years, thanks to Obama administration’s effort, the international relationship between Cuba and the US is becoming closer. In 2015, Obama and Fidel met each other officially, which was 59 years after the previous meeting.

My past entry: US and Cuba is approaching

However, Donald Trump seems to identify Cuba and Fidel as an enemy. He mentioned Fidel as a brutal dictator, as Obama said as a singular figure. Trump said that the death of Fidel would make Cuban people free from suppression.

Hindustan Times: Obama calls Castro ‘singular figure’, Trump says he was a ‘brutal dictator’

It is not sure how Trump will deal with Cuba. Some American people consider that Obama’s foreign policy was too coward and just for making a legacy. Considering that many Republicans still do not like to normalize the tie with Cuba, the relationship between the two nations will be deteriorated, I am afraid. It is consistent with Trump’s policy for the solitude of the US.

The Guardian: Fidel Castro death: Donald Trump hopes for a free Cuba – as it happened

Not only for Americans but also Cuban people, the rise of Trump and the fall of Fidel will have a great impact. I hope it will be beneficial for them.

Jigsaw puzzle

Recently, I bought a jigsaw puzzle for killing time.

I had only a couple of experiences of completing a jigsaw puzzle. I remember I achieved a puzzle composed of 400 pieces. It was a tough work in my memory. However, I am over 40-year-old. So, I decided to challenge a 1000 pieces puzzle.

Amazon.com: Ceaco Thomas Kinkade - Sunset on Lamplight Lane Puzzle (1000 Piece)

The picture printed on the pieces was drew by Thomas Kinkade. He created several works including Disney characters. I was fascinated in his beautiful drawing. Repairing his picture would be an exciting attempt, I convinced.

First, the frame should be completed.

After then, some specific pieces were fixed with ease.

But it was time-consuming to complete this work. It took over a week.

Finally, I got it!

Now, I am wondering how to treat this complete puzzle. I can stabilize the puzzle with a glue. But I have no space to display it in my room. I have to consider it.

Is Santa lie acceptable?

Do you believe Santa Clause is delivering toys to children on the Christmas Eve? Of course not. So, why do you tell a lie to your kids?

It is a question which is old, but still hard to reply. Indeed, many parents seem to trick their kids to make them believe the existence of Santa Clause, although it is obvious one day the children will know that they had been deceived by the parents for a long time.

Christopher Boyle and Kathy McKay suggest that it is because parents would like to become children accepted to believe the fantasy. According to them, Santa lie is not a white lie, but merely a selfish trick.

International Business Times: A wonderful lie - Here's why telling kids Santa is real is not such a good idea

In the article published in Lancet Psychiatry, they take a warning that such a lie can do damage on their children’s mind later in their life. Unfortunately, I cannot read the whole article now. Therefore, I do not know how they justified their hypothesis.

Lancet Psychiatry: A wonderful lie

But I am doubtful that their opinion was properly constructed through a scientific process. The influence of an experience in later life is quite difficult to be proven. In this case, I should conduct a longitudinal cohort study whose subjects are at least hundreds of children in each group, of which guys having told, or untold, about Santa by their parents, are participated. It is an absurdly large study protocol.

In Japan, Santa fantasy is also popular albeit not so many Japanese are Christians. I think some parents are eager to trick their children because other families do the same. They tend to think their child will be bullied if their he or she is the only one in the class who does not believe Santa. Such an idea is particular in Japan, in my sense. I am curious how European people feel about it.

And in my opinion, telling about Santa is neither beneficial nor harmful to children. Sooner or later, children learn the fact that, every people make a lie, and their parents are no exception.

Trump dismisses NASA's research of climate change

Donald Trump, the President-elect, seems to abolish the division of NASA  which is investigating the climate change. According to Trump, NASA should focus on investigating outer planets, and climate change is a subject to be addressed by other organizations.

The Guardian: Trump to scrap Nasa climate research in crackdown on ‘politicized science’

His comment sounds rational at a glance. However, he also said that climate change was a hoax created by Chinese. It is absolute nonsense. Indeed, the cause of recent climate change is hard to be proven. Nonetheless, there is rich evidence suggesting the influence of the modern human activities on global warming during decades.

As I wrote before, climate change is a very complicated issue. It will take more than a century to prove the effect of current attempts for reducing greenhouse gasses. Nobody who is responsible for it will survive when the outcome becomes apparent. In addition, the climate is typical public goods. Thus, if only the US is eager to address the sustainability of the current environment, the benefit of the US' endeavor will be spread all over the world. Therefore, there is no incentive for the US alone to invest the maintenance of the environment.

My past entry: Climate is a public goods

For these reasons, a populist politician like Trump has no motivation at all to contribute to preventing the climate change. It is obvious that Trump is attracted by an exciting project such as deep space investigation than climate change.

In my opinion, regardless of the level of his business skills, Trump is unfamiliar to scientific sense. The US Scientists will suffer from opposition by politicians for some years, I am afraid.

Historic cold wave strikes Japan

Today, it snowed in Tokyo.

It is for the first time in this year. Moreover, we seldom encounter snow in November in Japan. Today's weather is a very rare phenomenon, according to the authority. The reason of the snow and cold weather is considered to be a gigantic cold wave.

In 2014, we experienced some heavy snowy days, referring my past entries. In 2015 winter, I was in London, and never saw snow.

My past entry: Heavy snow

My past entry: Cold day

My past entry: Great snow strikes Chiba

Recently, we frequently see the report mentioning the abnormal weather. It may suggest global climate change is progressing. In this year, we encountered some big earthquakes as well. We should prepare for adverse occasions.

Pregnancy at an old age protect you from dementia?

Pregnancy is an issue of great importance for most women. Despite older women become likely to be pregnant in many developed countries, the risks around pregnancy becomes higher in older women in general.

In addition to the risk for babies, it was said that expecting mothers in older ages were likely to have troubles with pregnancy. It is empirically true. However, recently, an interesting study was published suggesting a paradoxical result.

According to this study, women who had had a child after their 35-year-old were likely to maintain better cognitive function. This study is the first one to investigated the correlation between age at last pregnancy and the mother’s cognitive function after menopause.

Independent: Women who have children later in life age better, study finds

Unfortunately, this study is a cross-sectional one. Thus, causal relationship between pregnancy in older age and good cognitive function in later life remain unknown despite the positive correlation among them. It is possible that this study suggests that only healthy and energetic women can get pregnant after 35-year-old.

On the other hand, it is interesting that use of the contraceptive pill brought better cognitive function according to this study. There seem some beneficial effects on cognition in hormonergic change during pregnancy.

Some other factors have been proven regarding the relationship between women’s health risks and the history of pregnancy. Though these facts hardly influence our decision to become pregnant, we would like to be aware of them to some extent.

Japanese Self-Defense Force rises at battlefield

Japanese troop of Self-Defense Force (SDF) went to South Sudan to join the UN peacekeepers.

It is for the first time for Japanese army to go abroad for the military purpose since the World War II.

The Straits Times: Japanese troops land in South Sudan for first overseas combat mission since World War II

First of all, there is broad discussion regarding calling SDF as "army," because the Constitution of Japan says Japan has abolished the possession of any kind of armies for combat use. But internationally SDF is recognized as an army, and its equipment is superior to many other official troops.

So far, SDF has participated in peacekeeping operations. But its role was limited to aiding the official force of foreign countries, without proceeding into a battlefield. Nowadays, however, it is difficult to distinguish battlefields from other areas. And it was irrational SDF cannot take a counter against the enemy when members see that allies are attacked in front of them.

Therefore, Japanese government intended to give the right of collective self-defence. If collective self-defence is approved, SDF can interfere the enemy when allies are threatened. Through latest some years, the government achieved the amendment of relevant legislation to authorize the use of the military power of SDF.

My past entry: Japan has right of collective self-defense

My past entry: Japanese military policy amended

I believe this idea is correct. Some people are afraid that Japan would begin an intrusive war again. At present, it is nonsense, I think. Most Japanese still have strongly negative emotion to the war. Also, Japan has no power, resource, or money to threaten foreign nations. In addition, SDF is a highly sophisticated organization that it is extremely difficult for any persons to compromise it.

Of course, supervising the activity of SDF and any other military action for maintaining civilian control is indispensable. It should be deliberately examined whether peacekeeping operations by the UN, the US, and other big nations are really beneficial for local citizens. Nowadays, no one knows how to make a peaceful world, unfortunately.