Last pleas for death row Briton Akmal Shaikh

Akmal Shaikh, a British man, who was pronounced death penalty for smuggling heroin in China , is now facing execution, although the Prime minister of the UK has appealed many times to prevent him from being executed. So, his two cousins have arrived there and they are trying to deliver his plea to President Hu Jintao. However, according to the correspondent of BBC, the situation is now "very desperate". And other article from Searchina, I read in Japanese, says that about 86% people in China agree with his execution and many people associates this matter with the Opium War in 1840. Comparing with other advanced countries, I think the death penalty for smuggling drug is too severe, but unfortunately the British will have to accept the sentence, I think, because it is the row in China and British people or government cannot intervene in the affair of another country. Of course, Chinese court must make an effort to demonstrate the fact, and at least they have to start investigating again or start retrial, if there is a strong questionable point or a possibility of his being innocent. BBC article shows that 1,718 people were executed in 2007, but I think the decision of a death penalty must be made carefully.

News from BBS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8431478.stm

http://news.searchina.ne.jp/disp.cgi?y=2009&d=1225&f=national_1225_019.shtml

Michael Schumacher close to Mercedes deal, say Ferrari

The article says that Michael Schumacher , 7 time world champion of Formula One, may return to the competition, although the possibility of this information is not entirely believable. As one of the F1 fans, I will welcome his comeback because I have always been looking forward to seeing his race since this summer when he took back his decision to return because of a neck injury. He is 41 years old, but these days, there are many middle-aged athletes in the world who are continuing to succeed. Baseball is a good example. Randy Johnson, who is the present greatest pitcher in MLB, is now 46 years old. And Jamie Moyer, a pitcher who won 12 games in 2009, is 47 years old. Thanks to the resent advances of medical care and training, the career of athletes have become much longer and longer. So we can enjoy seeing them in a game or a race for a longer time, and sometimes it moves us. As for Schumacher, I will have to admire him, if he really decide to comeback because I think returning to the competition at the risk is admirable challenge as an athlete.


The News from c.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8420601.stm

Major fire at Russia arms depot

Although President Barack Obama is now in Japan, there is no interesting news for me today, so I chose thissChinese people display on new year by the lunar calender, and it also seems like a scene of movie such as Godzilla. Unfortunately, it is reported that at least two people were killed, but I think the fatality may have increased if people near there could not evacuate to a shelter. Anyway, this news will not be able to be known to me, unless I check the BBC news site. I think Seeing BBC website makes us easy to know many kinds of news all over the world, although today there is no good article and nothing to write.

News from BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8359359.stm

Toyota withdraws from Formula 1

Although the latter half of the season was not so strong, Jenson Button in Brown GP won a world championship of Formula 1 in 2009. It was his first time to be a champion, so I think it is a good subject. However, now there were some bad subjects about this world. Last year, Honda pulled out from the sports, and this year, BMW decided to withdrawn. In addition, recently Bridgestone which is Japanese big tyre firm also decided to withdrawn in 2010 and even the world largest car manufacturer Toyota said good-bye to F1. Toyota have took part in the race for 8 years, but in the end, they could not be on the top of the podium. It is certain that world severe economic situation had a big effect on these decisions, so I think that we have to accept these pity decisions. Battling in the F1 costs much money and the team which lose the battle have to pull out.... I think its competition is much severer than normal business situations.

from BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8341602.stm

Elections test US voters' mood

In the US, many people notice the next poles to choose governors in
New Jersey and Virginia because it can be a first test for the Democrats after president Obama was in position. Obama's popularity was too high and he was too much expected when he was elected, so I think now is the hardest time for him and his party. They must not drive people to despair, and on the other hand, Republicans have to regain. (Same thing can be said in recent political situation in Japan.) Some people say these are just local races and there's 18,000 lifetimes between now and next November when mid-term ballots will be held. Of course it is true, and local results may not be the same as the result of whole country because America is large and opinions are different. However I think now is the most important time for Obama presidency, so they have to take a grip on themselves and try to turn the table on Republicans in local races.

article from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8338663.stm

Officials seize cocaine submarine

I think this news might be unbelievable for Japanese because the scale is very large, although every year there are many illegal drug traffics in japan, of course. The article said that Guatemalan and US authorities have seized a makeshift submarine which loaded with cocaine with a US street value of $200m (£120m). Drug cartels often uses the submarine-like vessels in order to make it difficult to be detected, and they sink them after use...... I think it shows that drug traffic is a lucrative job because if not, they don't want to throw away the vessels in vain. Many illegal cartels run a big risk to get much money from selling drugs like cocaine, so we have to destroy these traffic at first. If we can do that, we might weaken the gang or mafia. Therefore a crackdown against a illegal drug traffic should take priority over arresting each person abusing drug. I think that is one of the most important thing that the police have to do.


News from BBC : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8321677.stm

To want to enjoy freedom without friction is like trying to go for a swim without getting wet.

The freedom of expression for art and many kinds of criticisms against it are inseparable, because there is just a fine line between obscene or violent elements and stimulus which is necessary for art, I think. Japanese famous writer Ryu Murakami's novel "Almost Transparent Blue" (1979) which depicted drug abusing, violent and sex is a good example. When this novel was selected as the winner of Akutagawa Prize, some people said this had a novelty and this was really artistic, but others said it was just daring and was not artistic. (By the way, I myself think the novel is a masterpiece.) I think it is very difficult for us to decide whether it is art or not. Therefore there have always been friction and criticism against art. However, I already wrote it in previous blog, we have to protect right for the freedom of expression for art. One of the main purpose of art is to depict the truth or reality, so censorship should not prevent it. And I agree with the statement in the video saying that art always needs incentive. I hope the freedom of expression is NOT an impossible dream.

Freedom of expression

About art, there were many cases that the freedom of expression was invaded. For instance, the case of Lawrence's novel "Lady Chatterley's Lover" is well-known in Japan. In 1957, the translator of the book and a president of the publisher was accused of publishing obscene novel, and as a result, both of them were judged guilty. However, it may sound strange, the book was not judged obscene in England. I think it is difficult to decide whether literature or picture is against a law or not, because separating art from some kinds of sexual elements is impossible. In myopinion, one of the main purposes of art is to express the truth or fact, and of cause sexual element too is fact in our lives. So we must stand up for the right of freedom of expression and support art in order the artists to search after their purpose.

South Africa threatens 'war' over Semenya

The 18 year-old African world champion, who won 800m in Berlin, is not female or male... It is incredible to me that she turned out to have an intersex status! Reportedly, South African officials are very angry at this 'humiliation', and they said that they have to protect her. These days I think it is difficult to draw a clear line between man and women because there are some people who have some kind of sexual characteristics or have an opposite sexual orientation. However, we have to draw a clear line at least in sports competitions, although some people may object to and say it is just a discrimination or humiliation. I think it is really needed for fair competition. I don't know the details about the news and I can't assert that this case is not discrimination against her, but In my personal opinion, leaking her medical information, which is not an official one, is rather a big problem. Medical information (the result of the tests) is of course a confidential thing, so media should not have got it and showed it. I think Australian media had to respect her human right and report only doubtless and correct materials.

from BBS news http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/8249948.stm

Japan election campaign begins

"The day has come to change the history of Japan," Yukio Hatoyama, who is a leader of Democratic Party, said on a campaign tour in Osaka. I think the Democratic Party will surely defeat the Liberal Democratic Party by a great margin in this general election. These days the mass media has reported day after day that a change of power will be happened for the first time in fifteen years. Since 1955, the LDP has been in power for more than 50 years, except a short break in 1993 through 1994, and 22 prime ministers from that party have been in position. Comparing with the UK or the United States, I think it is almost abnormal as a democratic government. So all voters in Japan should contemplate and poll for a party which you think can change Japan. I myself think that the DP can, although there are a few anxious elements in their manifesto such as a vagueness of the explanation of how to pay for the plans of social security. Anyway, the change of power will be happened soon. It is ironic that Mr.Hatoyama, whose grandfather was a prime minister and established the Liberal Democratic Party in 1955, is about to defeat it.

News from BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8206472.stm

Pakistan Taliban chief 'not dead'

I think it is certain that America has bogged down in this war for a long time . Many Japanese people now don't care, but the severe battle against Taliban continues in the Middle East. A few days ago the death of Baitullah Mehsud, who was a leader of Taliban, was reported, but Taliban side said that he was not killed in a US drone attack and is still alive. Because both sides did not show the evidence, so it may just be their propaganda. I don't know how to destroy Taliban and capture "murderous thugs" as soon as possible. It is a very difficult matter. But, In my opinion, continuing this battle is need just because ordinary people must be free from the danger of suicide bomb attacks and other terrorism.

From BBC NEWS http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8191105.stm

Schumacher would consider return

Now many fans of Formula One all over the world may be waiting for Ferrari's decision. Last week, Ferrari's Brazilian driver Felipe Massa fractured his skull in the race accident. And it is also reported that he was injured in his eye. So, he will not be able to drive in the race for the rest of the year and Ferrari need to find a team-mate for Kimi Raikkonen (He is also Ferrari driver, and he was a world champion in 2007) right away. Many driver have a possibility to be a Ferrari Driver. For example, Felnando Alonso, who is a two-time world champion, David Coulthard, who was a British star driver, and Ferrari's test driver Badoer and Gene. But I think most people want Michael Schumacher to be back to F1 race because he was the strongest in the history. I myself, would like to see him again, but at once, I also think that it is good for him not to come back to the race. That is because the expectation to his win is too high for that 40 year-old man. I think it is too tough for him, even though he became a world champion 7 times and won 91 races in the past.

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8172310.stm

Censorships

I always associate the word "Censorship" with some kind of horrible things that was done in the feudal times or under the control of American occupation forces. However, some kind of bad censorships still remain in other countries such as China. In China, criticising the communist party or communism is severely banned and if you write some criticism down on the intranet, it will be deleted in a few minutes by the government. Moreover the websites which support the Independence of Tibet and which have a relation with Tibetan Buddhism are also inspected. I could not believe it at first. I think these are disturbing the right for freedom of expression , religion and thought which all human must have equally. We should protest against this outrage that Chinese government is doing now. I think that is what we have to do from outside of China.

About Virtual Violence

Today, there are many kinds of violent computer games and violent movies. Many adults refer to bad effects of these virtual violence and criticize them very severely. However, In my opinion, violent scene itself is not so important to decide whether it is harmful or not. I think the most important thing is not a rank of violence but a theme of game or movie. For instance, Steven Spielberg's famous movie " Saving Private Ryan", which depicted the Second World War, had so many cruel violence scenes, but many people admired the movie. It was a big hit all over the world and wan five Oscars in 1998. That's because the main theme of this movie was, in short, "NO War". I think expressing an objection against violence by showing violent scenes is one of the important way for movie directors. So, a theme of movie or game must be taken into consideration to set a better standard for virtual violence.

About virtual world

These days many people are very much into the virtual world like "Second Life". In this world, you can do anything as you do in real life. For instance, you can use special currency, you can buy something, you can work and you can even get married. And surprisingly, you can also change the original currency "Linden dollar" into real money. It is almost incredible to me.
However, I am a little anxious about people who are too addicted to it. That's because there are some kind of crazy people who escape from real life and don't live in real world. I don't want to be. I believe real life is much more important and much more exiting than life in a computer screen.

Formula 1 : Jenson Button won the Monaco GP !!

I'm a fan of F1, and this year, I feel much surprised at Jenson Button's nice performance.
Last week he won Monaco GP and now he is championship leader, leaving the other far behind.
He have spent very hard time for about 8 years. When he debuted on Formula 1, everybody said that he will be a world champion soon. However, contrary to all expectation, he couldn't won a race for years due to his driving mistakes and unfortunate mechanical troubles. Many commentator criticised him. Moreover, the most serious trouble happened in this off-season.
His team HONDA suddenly withdrawn from F1 race and he faced a crisis of being fired. Fortunately, old HONDA team was born again as a new team "Brown GP", which took over many staff and facilities from HONDA. And now he already won 5 races! He is showing his real worth in this season. So I feel happy, but, on the other hand, I think he is too strong ! I hope new good rival will appear.

Privacy of TV personalities : "FRIDAY" affair

In 1986, Japanese very popular comedian Beat Takeshi and his pupils , so called "Takeshi Gundan" , attacked office of Kodansya which is Japanese famous publisher. As a result, Takesi and his 11 pupils are all arrested on suspicion of injuring, trespass, property damage. The reason drove him to this crime is because he was angry that his girlfriend had been interviewed so persistently and rudely by journalist of magazine "FRIDAY".
This is maybe one of the best-known affair that displayed the conflict between the right of privacy and freedom of expression. Famous TV personalities are always limited their privacy, so I think protecting their right and fighting against excessive invasion of privacy is important, but of course violence must not be used.

I 'd like to visit foreign countres !!

I have never been to go abroad, so I wold like to visit foreign countries like UK, France or China. These countries have their own histories. For instance, Britain was once called as "British empire" and held one-quarter of the world's population, and covered a quarter of Earth's total land area. That is unbelievable for us Japanese and very very interesting to me. How did UK expand their territory all over the world ? How was the relationship with Japan or Russia ? France has also their great history, and has many places to visit such as Louvre museum
or the Versailles Palace. And China has long history too.
I would like to visit such countries to enjoy and also want to rediscover the good points or bad points of Japan.

Prenuptial Agreement

Today's topic is Prenuptial Agreement.
At first I didn't agree with it. But now I think this is pretty difficult matter for me to decide whether it is good or not because the more information I got , the more oppinions I saw that prenuptial agreement is so realistic and there is no illegal point.
However, as a result of my considering, I end up disagreeing to prenuptial agreement. I follow my first feering that prepareing for divorce before get married is strange. In terms of law, it is certain that there are many merits, but no matter how many good point there are, it is psychologically inconprehensive for me after all. I hope love is blind.