Look back to 2015 (3)

September 21, 2015
Time Bomb, a simple and excellent card game of suspicion

Some days ago, I played it again with my friends. It was very exciting time. Also, I could meet creator of this game.

September 24, 2015
Japanese military policy amended

This decision is historic. But most citizens look indifferent to the matter. We Japanese have been accustomed to long-lasting peace.


September 27, 2015
Volkswagen emission scandal

Volkswagen had to decide a drastic restructure of employees and resource for the restoration of its reputation. Its stock price looked overcame the bottom line. An attention must be paid to its movement.


October 18, 2015
Oscar Pistorius will be released in this month.

As predicted, South African Court granted bail to him. He will remain under house arrest while waiting for sentencing on the next April.

The New York Times: Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail Ahead of Sentencing


October 29, 2015
New York introduces taxation for guns?

National Riffle Association and relevant groups seem to be willing to fight with the regulatory agency. They sued Seattle as violating human rights.

Dairy Times: NRA, gun rights groups sue Seattle over taxes on guns and bullets

I do understand their opinion, but do not think equipping guns will make them happy.


November 14, 2015
Carnage at the Bataclan etc. in Paris

This incident may be the most tragic case in this year, I think. I also know there are many other terrors in the world. I sympathize the citizens in Paris, nonetheless.

By the way, Paris was also the center of a historic conference of world climate. It is another problem to be weighed.


November 27, 2015
Russian military jet was destroyed by Turkey

Russian state media said that the black box retrieved from the jet destroyed by Turkey was seriously damaged so that it has not been readable yet.

CNN: 'Black box' on downed jet damaged, Russian state media says

The black box is equipped in all airplanes and records the course of the plane automatically. Through the analysis of the black box, we can know why and how the plane fall down. The  damage of the black box makes it difficult for Russia to investigate the real situation at the time the jet was destroyed.


December 6, 2015
"The Archangel and the Song of Doom," A fascinating TRPG session

Now, I am planning to create another scenario of a TRPG. It is my pleasure.

Look back to 2015 (2)

In the mid of this year, I was very exhausted.

May 15, 2015
Cooperative computer gaming makes you prosocial

Recent years, attempts of utilizing computer games for the treatment of mental disorders became popular in some countries. I have heard about the game for depression and AD/HD. It is unsure this challenge will result in success. I hope the development of new treatment strategies.


May 17, 2015
Flight meals

Recently, I ate a flight meal produced by the Ore-no brand that is famous in Japan. It was very delicious.


May 20, 2015
Mental Disordered Offenders have become being well recognized in Japan

This is one of my research themes. I would like to write an academic article on this issue.


May 21, 2015
UK toward deflation

The situation in the UK remains unstable. The Bank of England seems to watch the situation calmly for a while. I am not sure the decision of BoE is successful.

HeraldScotland: UK crawls out of deflationary territory but BoE seen in no hurry on interest rates


June 9, 2015
The second chance

I am now struggling with another problem with me. It is fortunate that I can deal with my own flaw.


July 26, 2015
Can Bitcoin be an alternative in euro crisis?

The price of Bitcoin rose rapidly later in this year. But the currency is still unstable.


July 24, 2015
Nikkei buys Financial Times

Some readers of Nikkei are afraid that it will dominate Financial Times improperly. I am not worrying about it. Rather, I am concerned if Nikkei has enough money to maintain Financial Times for a long time.


August 1, 2015
Debris likely to be of the missing Malaysia aircraft was found

The debris found on Reunion island was identified as a part of the missing Flight 370. However, the search for the whole body is still ongoing. The true reason for falling is also in the mist.

Daily News: Search for Malaysia Airline Flight 370 to continue till June 2016


August 5, 2015
Solanezumab, challenge to Alzheimer's disease

I have no idea of the process of the clinical trial of Solanezumab. Eli Lilly is confirmative of its prospection.

The Street: Eli Lilly (LLY) Stock Price Target Raised at Leerink


August 28, 2015
The mystery of British-style curry

I found that a journalist had written about British-style curry in a journal. He identified the origin of British-style, to conclude that it declined soon after the invention. Thus, Japanese curry is the successor of old British-style curry.

Look back to 2015 (1)

In this year, there were many things to have remembered, both officially and personally.

January 8, 2015
Charlie Hebdo shooting case

After the incidence, Charlie Hebdo restarted the publishing. I am not sure its taste has been altered, but it seems to keep the stance mocking Islam and other ideologies, according to the media.

In my opinion, excessively aggressive expression ignites the fury of someone. We should be aware of the adverse influence of agitating public emotion. There is no doubt that the terror or violence is never justified even if after being inflicted a provoked, nonetheless.


January 14, 2015
Afternoon Tea in London

After returning the home, I have never enjoyed afternoon tea. There are many things to do other than tasting the tea. But I feel I need to have a precious time again at the cafe.


January 26, 2015
Anti-austerity won the election in Greece

After several conflicts, the economic status of Greece seems to be on the way to recovery. The jobless rate was decreased in youth. EU is going to decide to carry out the next bailout program. On the other hand, some reporters say the pessimistic prospect.


Friday, January 30, 2015
Skymark bankrupt

Finally, ANA Holdings won against Delta Airline in the competition to decide the way of restoring Skymark. It has been the main partner of Skymark, sending two directors into Skymark. Skymark's original idea that it should be the third party in the airline industry in Japan was collapsed. Nonetheless, it is fortunate for Skymark to survive this peril.


February 16, 2015
One-third of Londoners is teetotaller

I got drunk at Greece recently, leading to missing some fun. Since this incident, I have been a teetotaller. Alcohol is harmful rather than enjoyable for me.


March 27, 2015
German Airbus crashed in France

Germany seems to introduce random testing of pilots to examine whether they take alcohol or drugs. German pilots' union is opposing this policy.

Thanhnien: Germany plans spot drug tests on pilots after Germanwings crash

In my opinion, a regular medical check is necessary for some professionals, such as pilots, not to lead to a serious accident. It is problematic that it is impossible to detect seriously ill pilots and keep them away from the work. Letting them take a rest and proper treatment is essential for both themselves and the company. Some forcible ways are often inevitable, because some mental disorders get rid of our sound decision making. Of course, it should be strictly avoided that they are banned from the job for the diseases.


March 11, 2015
Too thin new Mac Book with Retina Display

I hesitated to buy Mac Book, and decided to choose the next Mac Book Air. I miss the release of the next Mac with a retina display.


March 10, 2015
US ambassador injured in South Korea

This incident did not result in the deterioration of the relationship between the US and Korea, fortunately. However, several factors interfered the complicated relationship between the US, Korea, and Japan. Very recently, Japan and Korea reached a historic agreement on the treatment regarding comfort women problem. I hope the mutual relationship will be more improved.


April 29, 2015
Brain Teaser in Apple

For unknown reasons, this entry became the most popular article in my blog. Many thanks to the readers.


April 24, 2015
Atomic power plant to restart in Japan

Recently, another power plant was permitted to restart by the court, which decline the counterclaim. Some plants will be prepared to generate the power in Japan.

Technically, atomic power plants are never completely safe during idling, although it costs many resources. So, it is not rational that most plants are hibernated. In my opinion, every power plants should be properly utilized, to wait for the development of plants using renewable energy. It will take several decades, I guess.

Sequels in December 2015

December 17, 2015
Discussion about two verdicts regarding women's rights in Japan

There are several opinions for these two verdicts. The government is going to amend the legislation about the term women are prohibited to remarry. But, shared sir name policy is still supported by many Japanese. I guess it will take another decade till Japan accept separate sir name style.


December 14, 2015
Consumption tax exemption determined in Japan

The government decided that newspaper should be also exempted to the consumption tax hike. Some people criticize it suggesting the media will be not able to keep the eye on politicians critically because they are benefited by this policy. I think the media can maintain their critical stance on the authority even if they are subjected to the exemption. But, newspaper will no longer survive in Japan, to begin with.


December 12, 2015

Trump leaves from Republican to ban Muslims?

Donald Trump is still continuing aggressive comments on the media. It is unsure whether he will be banned from Republican Party. I expect Americans to make a rational decision, even if there are something to be of value in Trump's thoughts.


December 10, 2015
Craig Wright is the creator of bitcoin?

It is now doubtful that Craig Wright is Satoshi Nakamoto. His history is covered with several uncertainty. Even if he is a liar, the true Nakamoto will not come out. It makes the identification more difficult.

Financial Times: Doubts grow over Craig S. Wright’s connection to Satoshi Nakamoto

The end of Christmas in Brunei

Christmas has been terminated, at least in Brunei.

The Sultan of Brunei introduced the ban on Christmas last year. Since this year, anyone celebrated Christmas publicly could face up to five years’ incarceration.

Independent: Brunei bans Christmas: Sultan warns those celebrating could face up to five years in jail

Most people in Brunel are Muslims. So, the government do not like to let citizens celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians are allowed to celebrate Christmas privately, but have to alert the authorities in advance.

In Japan, some people, mainly who have no partner, report “the notification of the end of Christmas” as a joke, because Christmas is deemed as a day to make love with the sweetheart. It is rather funny that most Japanese who are not a Christian celebrate Christmas. In contrast. The government of Brunei looks serious.

Muslims adhere strict religious commandments. It is understandable Muslims dislike Christmas. But, I wonder that the prohibition of celebrating Christmas is necessary to maintain Brunei.

In the 17th century, Japan government banned Christianity, fearing that its ideation of equality would oppose the hierarchical society of Japan. The banning had been continued for a couple of centuries. As a result, Japan was delayed in the development of modern industry.

Every thought has more or less exclusiveness. However, excluding too many things will lead to the decline.

Swedish case of children abuses by a daycare worker

In Sweden, a series of children abuse cases were revealed, recently.

A 40-year-old dare care worker had continued to abuse several toddlers sexually. He raped four children and assaulted 20 children, according to the media report. The victims were one to three-year-old.

HindustanTimes: Sweden: Daycare worker raped 24 toddlers, sent to jail

If the report is true, his act is obviously evil. Sexual assault is sometimes difficult to be proven because the defendants usually insist that the victim gave consent in advance. But, in the present cases, toddlers have no ability to consent.

Sweden has the strictest legislation in the world in identifying rape. Julian Assange was charged in Sweden for not using a skin during sexual intercourse. On the other hand, the maximum sentence for rape is limited to seven-and-a-half-years. It looks strange for Japanese. In Japan, the maximum sentence for rape is 20 years incarceration.

However, the longer sentence does not guarantee the prevention of recommitting. The defendant seems to have pedophilia. Proper treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of reoffending.

In Japan, I heard the news that a nurse in a kindergarten had physically abused toddlers for some months. The suspect said that she was very tired so that she was almost unconscious about what she had done. If her comment is true, there is something behind the incidents. She might have been depressed or exhausted due to the burden of labor. It is doubtful that harsh punishment has the power to alter her attitude, although children abuse is never permitted.

George Osborne on the Star Wars credit

George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the UK, was credited in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Independent: Star Wars: George Osborne criticised after being given The Force Awakens credit

Star Wars series is world famous films originated by George Lucas describing a Sci-Fi epic history of the galaxy. The series was terminated coincided with the release of the sixth film “The Revenge of Sith.” But, Walt Disney bought the right of production from Lucas, and the seventh episode came into launch recently.

I have not seen it, but have already bought a preserved ticket. I am not an exception of the people expecting the quality of this film.

Star Wars fans seemed to be surprised to find the name of Osborne in the end credits of the film. Indeed, Osborne committed 25m GBP of taxpayers’ money to support the film. It looks a great contribution. However, it is unusual that a politician’s name is credited. The name of Ed Vaizey, the minister for culture and the digital economy also appeared on the screen.

It is unsure whether they asked Disney to include their names on the credit. Osborne is well known as an enthusiastic fan of Star Wars.

In my opinion, it is not inappropriate for the publisher to list the name of politicians on the credit. The choice of the producer and relevant persons should be respected. On the other hand, the politician whose name was credited can be suspected to have committed some improper acts in the work, such as giving facilities with unlawful ways. Politicians should be fair to everyone. It seems very annoying that biased decision was suggested. If I were a politician, I would request the producer not to list my name as a contributor.

Some audiences booed the name of Osborne on the screen. Albeit he did contribute to the film, he is deemed as a dreadful cost cutter. I sympathize him.