Ryuichi Sakamoto to experiment with piano

 A Happy New Year!　This year, I'll try to study harder than last year!

This week, I read The Korea Times, which is Korean news paper, because I'm going to visit Seoul for sightseeing in a week! I read an article about Ryuichi Sakamoto.

The article is as follow:

The New Year kicks off with an array of star-studded events, including a much-awaited tour by Academy Award-winning artist Ryuichi Sakamoto on Sunday. The Seoul Arts Center recital marks the pianist-composer return to Korea for the first time in 10 years since 2001.

The prolific musician is known for critically acclaimed film scores and electronica experiments, new wave rock numbers as well as bossa nova and classical romanticism in the tradition of Debussy — but moreover infuses a distinct style that makes his pieces his very own, regardless of the genre.

Do you know Ryuichi Sakamoto? He is a Japanese musician. I’ll show his profile.

Sakamoto rose to international prominence through the group “Y.M.O” in the late 1970s (Eric Clapton famously sampled their music). Afterward as a solo artist he ventured into various musical styles, from working on synth-heavy collaborations with Korean media artist Nam-june Paik as well as Iggy Pop to Italian futurists and pop artists such as Dee Dee Brave, David Sylvian and Marco Prince.

In the 1990s he worked on the music for prominent filmmakers including Pedro Almodovar a Bernando Bertolucci. He also worked on bossa nova projects with the genre pioneer Antonio Carlos Jobim in Rio de Janeiro.He is famous for the music of “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”.

Of course I know him, but I don’t know that he is also famous in Korea. To hear the success of Japanese musician, I felt very happy. His music is nostalgic and beautiful, so I love it! Many people may think he mainly make serious music, but he produced a comedy music group, which member is the famous “owarai” group, “downtown”.

Another musician who flourishes in the world is Jo Hisaishi, I think. Do you know him? He is so famous for the music of Ghibli movies. Without his music, the movie would be boring one.

There are many Japanese who success in the world. For example, Hideki Matsui and Ichiro, baseball players are popular in America. Also, Yoji Yamamoto is a famous fashion maker. These days, Akira Suzuki, a professor of Hokkaido University won a Novel prize!

I want to success in the world following them!

I have a question. Who is famous Japanese in China?  I have no idea. Let's ask alf!

Lee Hyo-won. " Ryuichi Sakamoto to experiment with piano"

The Korea Times 4 Jan.2011:n pag. 5 Jan 2011

Can a pop opera bring Japanese animation to life?

This week, I read an article about Japanese anime culture! It is very fun for me to read newspaper of other news media. I tried reading CNN (North America).

The article is as follows:

For years movie theaters have been awash with adaptations from comic books (or "graphic novels" if you're over 25), but can the experience translate from the page to the stage?

Add to the mix an all-Japanese cast performing in Japanese scenes from Japanese manga comics and cartoons (known as anime) and it sounds like a challenge akin to the improbable quests often featured in the comics themselves.

However during the past three weeks "Japan Anime Live" has been touring Europe doing exactly that.

 I love manga comic books! Many people may think them as the books for kids. However, now there are many kinds of manga comic books for adults, for example, "Black Jack ni yoroshiku", which is the story of a doctor. Also, many adults read comic books for children. For instance, "ONE PIECE", which has in "shonen Jump" magazine, is very popular. I have not read the book, but most of my friends read it, and all of them said "I was impressed by ONE PIECE, you should read it!!"

 Now, not only Japanese people, but also foreigners love manga comic books and anime! I don't know how many people like anime, however it seems true that a lot of people are fascinated by them. I sometimes listen to the news about anime show in foreign country, but I don't know a lot. But, the article says "Japan Anime Live is more "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Circe du Soleil" than a normal theatrical experience." It is amazing!

By the way, according to the article," Recent rumors have spread that a Hollywood adaptation of 1988 animated Manga film "Akira" will be made, with an unlikely cast featuring of Morgan Freeman and "High School Musical" heartthrob Zac Efron."Fiore said "It can be possible, but in a Japanese way of treating and managing the stories. The American way is different, allow me to say, it's more like a mincer. Japanese take extreme care in protecting the stories, it's not just about money, its more about the story, it's more a long-term operation." I can understand Fiore's comment. When the original story is on manga comic books, producer and casts should not break the image of it, I think. This is because there are many funs of the book. Also, if a movie bases on manga comic books, sometimes funny episode and important episode are eliminated because of the time. I sometimes disappointed for this reason. I want to say one thing to Fiore. Unfortunately, sometimes Japanese can't make films based on manga comic books. For example, there is a comic books titled "Nana" written by Ai Yazawa. The movie based on the book was not so good on that point.

Dean Irvine. "Can a pop opera bring Japanese animation to life?"

CNN 12 Nov.2010:n pag.22 Dec 2010

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/11/japan.manga.show/index.html?iref=allsearch

Top Scores from Shanghai Stun Educators

These days, there is a lot of hot news including Wikileaks.

However, this week, I read an article titled “In P ISA Test, Top Scores from Shanghai　Stun Educators.

The article is as follows:

With China’s debut in international standardized testing, students in Shanghai have surprised experts by outscoring their counterparts in dozens of other countries, in reading as well as in math and science, according to the results of a respected exam.

About 5,100 15-year-olds in Shanghai were chosen as a representative cross-section of students in that city. In the United States, a similar number of students from across the country were selected as a representative sample for the test.

Experts noted the obvious difficulty of using a standardized test to compare countries and cities of vastly different sizes. Even so, they said the stellar academic performance of students in Shanghai was noteworthy, and another sign of China’s rapid modernization.

The results also appeared to reflect the culture of education there, including greater emphasis on teacher training and more time spent on studying rather than extracurricular activities like sports.

In math, the Shanghai students performed in a class by themselves, outperforming second-place Singapore, which has been seen as an educational superstar in recent years. The average math scores of American students put them below 30 other countries.

PISA scores are on a scale, with 500 as the average. Two-thirds of students in participating countries score between 400 and 600. On the math test last year, students in Shanghai scored 600, in Singapore 562, in Germany 513, and in the United States 487.

In reading, Shanghai students scored 556, ahead of second-place Korea with 539. The United States scored 500 and came in 17th, putting it on par with students in the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and several other countries.

In science, Shanghai students scored 575. In second place was Finland, where the average score was 554. The United States scored 502 — in 23rd place — with a performance indistinguishable from Poland, Ireland, Norway, France and several other countries.

I knew that Korea made much of education, but I was surprised at many Asian countries’ success in study. I imagined European and American are smarter than any others, so I feel very happy at this news.

Even Shanghai students got high score at all subjects, this does not mean Chinese educational level risen. However, this leads China make much of education.

By the way, Japanese students’ reading skill got rise. This news is happy for us! I am not good at reading (But I love reading books!). But many Japanese seem to study reading:) Come to think of it, what make Japanese reading skill rise? Teachers try new method? If there are students studying education in the class, I want to listen to them!

Sam Dillon. “Shanghai Test Scores Stun Educators”

New York Times 7 Dec.2010: n pag. 8 Dec.2010

Question for Big Film: It’s Not a Comedy?

December already came…!

This week, I read an article about movie. Because there are so many bad news in the world, for instance, North Korea problem, I wanted to read fun one.

The article is as follows:

The crowd at a midnight movie in Santa Monica about a week ago rocked with laughter as it took in the new theatrical trailer for the potential blockbuster “Cowboys & Aliens,” from Universal Pictures and DreamWorks.

In “Cowboys & Aliens” — which is directed by Jon Favreau, of “Iron Man” fame, and counts Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard among its producers — Universal and DreamWorks have one of next summer’s most highly anticipated movies.

But some people may be anticipating the wrong film.

Deceived by a title and a premise that many find inherently comic, potential viewers must now cope with a realization that Mr. Favreau wasn’t kidding when he told fans at the Comic-Con International convention last July that he planned to mix a “by-the-book, right-down-the-middle western” of the kind once made by Sergio Leone and John Ford, with really scary science fiction, like “Alien” or “Predator.”

“The concept of the movie sounds hilarious. Cowboys vs. Aliens,” a poster, Hitman21, wrote recently on Mmajunkie.com. But this viewer was one of many who went on to voice enthusiasm for the unexpectedly serious movie that appeared in the trailer.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest hits have defied expectations by crossing genres or striking a tone that not everyone was quick to accept. When Mr. Spielberg unveiled “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in 1981, for instance, the critic Pauline Kael, writing in The New Yorker, complained that its mash-up of clichés from the old potboilers was “so thrill-packed you don’t have time to breathe — or to enjoy yourself much, either.”

But “Cowboys & Aliens” may be caught in a web of false expectation that was partly woven from its own origins.

I like watching movie very much. When I have free time, I sometimes watch movie at home. However, I do not like big budget movie such as Harry Potter. This is because that kind of movie is using so much CG and gorgeous cast that content sometimes seems poor. For example, I saw “Alice in Wonderland” at Movie Theater. It is 3D movie, so it was funny at that point. However, the content is not fun. Original is better, I felt.

“Cowboys & alien” seems that kind of movie to me. The concept of it looks inconsistent. The title is like SF comedy, but the director said it is serious movie. .Today, no one thinks cowboys and alien as cool.  I think cowboys are too out of date.

 I want to see “Norwegian wood”, which does not use CG and image looks so beautiful, rather than “Cowboys & Alien”.

Michael Cieply. ”Question for a Big Film: It’s not a comedy?”

New York Times 29 Nov.2010 : n.pag 1 Dec.2010

Nissan Says Its Electric Leaf Gets Equivalent of 99 M.P.G

 

This week, I read an article about Nissan’s new car, Nissan Leaf. I have heard that cars made by Japanese company are popular in America, but I do not know so much. Therefore, this is a good opportunity to learn about it.

 The article is as follows:

The federal government has rated the Nissan Leaf, the battery-powered car scheduled to go on sale next month in five states, as getting the fuel equivalent of 99 miles a gallon, Nissan said Monday.

 The Environmental Protection Agency, which tests vehicles for emissions and fuel efficiency, has determined Leaf’s official range to be 73 miles on a fully charged battery, much less than the 100 miles previously claimed by Nissan.

Both figures will appear prominently on the Leaf’s window label, which shows the estimated yearly electricity cost as $561. The E.P.A. calculates annual fuel costs as $867 for the Toyota Prius hybrid and $1,669 for Chevrolet’s Malibu, which like the Leaf, is classified as a midsize car.

The E.P.A. puts vehicles through five tests to simulate varying driving conditions and levels of climate-control usage.

Because drivers cannot simply stop at a gas station and refuel, the Leaf’s range is expected to weigh heavily on shoppers’ minds. Adding to any confusion they might feel, the Leaf will have a second sticker from the Federal Trade Commission — it regulates advertising by alternative-fuel vehicles — displaying the car’s range as 96 to 110 miles.

In Japan, I think Toyota Prius is the most popular electronic car, despise there are many other hybrid car, for example, crown. This summer, I went Soen driving school. The car used at the school is prius! The school said “we are using prius!” as appeal.  Why many Japanese love prius? I think, this is because not only it is eco-friendly car, but also it is new, high technology, and cool car. I feel that Japanese think having prius as status. In addition, some people who use prius seem that they indicate they are considering environment.

At any rate, hybrid car is nice, I think. When I drive prius, I was surprised at the smoothness. Also, reading this article, I was surprised that hybrid car is progressing aggressively day by day. According to this article, yearly electronic cost of Leaf is $561! In addition to that, Leaf is very economical because lead gets equivalent of 99 mile per gallon.

However, there are some disadvantages. For example, electronic car does not make noise so much. This seems to be nice, but it is so small noise that people who are walking near the car do not notice when it comes close with them.

 Although there are advantages and disadvantages, electronic car is very attractive. I expect more and more variety of electronic cars are sold in the future.

Nick Bunkley.” Nissan Says Its Electric Leaf Gets Equivalent of 99 M.P.G”

New York Times 22 Nov.2010 :n.pag 24 Nov.2010

F.D.A. Panel Endorses a Drug to Treat Lupus

This week, I read an article about drug to treat lupus. I was interested in this article because I study pharmacy.

The article is as follows:

A federal advisory committee on Tuesday endorsed what could become the first drug approved in decades to treat lupus.

The advisory committee to the food and drug Administration recommended by a 13-2 vote that the drug, Benlysta, developed by human genome science, should be approved.

In reaching its decision, the committee weighed what some members characterized as only marginal efficacy of the drug with the desperate needs of patients with the disease.

About 30 patients, relatives of patients or patient advocates, some breaking into tears, described to the committee how lupus had devastated their lives or the lives or their loved one and implored the committee to recommend approval of the drug.

The F.D.A. is scheduled to decide on approval by Dec. 9. It usually, though not always, follows the recommendations of its advisory committees.

Benlysta, would be the first approved drug for Human Genome Sciences, a biotechnology company in Rockville, Md., that hunted for human genes in its database to discover the protein in the body that the drug inhibits. If approved, Benlysta would be one of the first drugs to result from the genomics revolution, which has largely failed so far to live up to its promise.

Analysts expect Benlysta, which will be marketed with help from GlaxoSmithKline, to achieve more than $1 billion in sales.

Before I entered into pharmaceutical faculty of Hokkaido University, I did not know how to develop drugs. However, I have much knowledge about drug, so I was interested in this article.

Today, it takes ten years to develop drug at least. First, researchers do screening, a computational technique used in drug discovery research. It takes about two years. Then, researchers survey the effect and safety of the ingredient using animals instead of human being. It takes some three years. Next, the new drug is used for human being.

Checking the new drug is safe, they wait the approval of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

The patients, especially who are suffering from the sick that have not definite treatment, will think that it takes so long time to discover the new drug. I thought so, too before studying drug. However, it takes much time for safety. Also, a lot of medicine had discovered, so it is very difficult to discover new drug.

 To discover new drug, we should make children interested in science and make many people study drug. In addition to that, we research the new field, genome because genome has not researched so much, so there are new substances.

Andrew Pollack. ”F.D.A Panel Endorses a Drug to Treat Lupus”

New York Times 16 Nov.2010 :n pag 17 Nov.2010

First Lady’s Dance Moves Woo Indian Crowds

This week, I read an article that Mrs. Obama visited India. The summary is as follows:

While President Obama is wooing India with promises of increased trade and United Nations clout, Mrs. Obama communicated with Indians, especially with children. The combination has been unexpected success. Before official three-day began on Saturday, the evaluation is lukewarm. However, Indian public and media become exuberant after the visit.

Mrs. Obama’ s relaxed manner and enthusiasm won her high prize.

Also, carefully planned event have enabled Mrs. Obama to interact casually with children, albeit scrum of photographer and reporters. She strongly advocated the importance of education, especially for girls. This is because as many as 60 percent of children live in poverty in India, overall literacy rates hover at 65 percent and female literacy rate are as low as 33 percent in some areas of the country. This time, she said “I didn’t grow up with a lot of money. I never even imagined being the first lady of the United States. But because I have an education, when the time came to this, I was ready.”

I did not know about Michael Obama well, so this was a good opportunity to learn of her human nature. When I read this article, I think she is very nice person.

She can understand people’s pain.

The first reason is that as she said, she is not so rich when she was a child. So, now she is the first lady, she knows the feeling of the public. Other first lady, for example, Carla Sarkozy, French first lady, is thought to be liberty. (She did not come to Japan when there was Shiretoko summit in Hokkaido!)  However, compared to other first ladies like Carla, Michael seems to takes matters earnestly. I believe that she thinks other people, especially children seriously, and she wants others to live happy life from the bottom of her heart.

The second reason is that she is an African American, so I think she had had many serious troubles so far. (I think to judge people from the color of the skin is stupid!)  However, Mrs. Obama got over the difficulties. Therefore, she is tough, and understand the feeling of hardness.

In addition to that as she makes much of education, I also think education is very important. Mrs. Obama said “I never even imagined being the first lady of United States. But, because I had an education, when the time came to this, I was ready.” Education helps people. For example, educated mothers can help their children when they are sick, but non-educated mothers can not help them. Therefore, education is thought to be significant.

 Reading this article, I can understand the job of first lady and Mrs. Obama. I decided to check the news of them from now on.

Heather Timmons. “First Lady’s Dance Moves Woo Indian Crowds”

New York Times 8 Nov. 2010 : n.pag 10 Nov. 2010