sunshine!
Here is more good news about solar power, boosting the economy, and meeting electrical energy needs:
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012
Former airport to be huge solar plant
Kyodo
KAGOSHIMA — The municipal government of Makurazaki, Kagoshima Prefecture, said Tuesday it will build a huge solar power plant after demolishing a local airport in March.
The 12.9-hectare plant is planned to begin generating power in March 2014 with 53,000 solar cell panels. It will be run by a company that will be formed by Orix Corp. and Kyudenko Corp., city officials said.
Annual energy production will total 9.8 million kwh, equivalent to the consumption of 2,740 households, and the energy will be sold to Kyushu Electric Power Co., it said. The joint firm will pay ¥85 million a year to the city government for the lease of the land.
Makurazaki Airport opened in 1991 as Japan's first commuter airport, but after passenger and cargo flights were suspended in 2003, it has been used primarily as a base for rescue helicopters.
"Although the airport has put strains on local finances, the mega solar plant construction will bring about new development to spur the local economy," Mayor Tadashi Kamisono told a news conference.
2012年11月28日水曜日
2012年10月26日金曜日
Loose Cannon Alert
Shortly before another earthquake rattled the coast devastated by last year's monster quake, Tokyo's governor--the man who single-handedly created the Senkaku Island/China/Korea/Taipei problem--called a press conference: he was quitting his job as governor of Tokyo. He had a new calling to answer. He felt called upon to establish his own political party, to allow him to perform on the national stage.
If you like Japanese history, you are surely aware of the Meiji Era, when statesmen of great ability rallied their talents to re-create Japan. This is not the Meiji Era. It is the age of politicians creating their own fan clubs and calling them political parties.
It was as if yesterday's earthquake were shaking up Japan and reminding us, hey! You need to rethink your priorities! Does anyone really think yet setting up another mini-political party is a serious priority?
Meanwhile, Mr. Ishihara's resignation has been accepted and the vacated job can be expected to go to the deputy governor, Mr. Naoki INOSE. In Mr. Inose's previous career as a non-fiction writer, he established a reputation as an idea man. Let's see how he does in his new incarnation as Tokyo governor.
If you like Japanese history, you are surely aware of the Meiji Era, when statesmen of great ability rallied their talents to re-create Japan. This is not the Meiji Era. It is the age of politicians creating their own fan clubs and calling them political parties.
It was as if yesterday's earthquake were shaking up Japan and reminding us, hey! You need to rethink your priorities! Does anyone really think yet setting up another mini-political party is a serious priority?
Meanwhile, Mr. Ishihara's resignation has been accepted and the vacated job can be expected to go to the deputy governor, Mr. Naoki INOSE. In Mr. Inose's previous career as a non-fiction writer, he established a reputation as an idea man. Let's see how he does in his new incarnation as Tokyo governor.
2012年10月21日日曜日
Welcome to the 21st Century
This was such a stupid idea to begin with, aren't you glad it's cancelled? As if wars in the 21st century were really carried out by hordes of uniformed men splashing through the waves to capture a big, lonely rock. By cancelling, the US will have more money to throw at other military adventures, and Japan might possibly consider spending a little more on cleaning up after last year's earthquake.
Just sayin...
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012
Japan, U.S. abandon drill to 'retake' isle
Jiji
Japan and the U.S. have decided to cancel a joint drill in which their forces would "recapture" a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture, according to informed sources.
Tokyo and Washington were considering holding the drill on uninhabited Irisuna Island as part of joint military exercises slated for November.
The drill, however, would worsen the backlash from Beijing, which has reacted harshly to Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.
A government source said the decision to skip the Irisuna recapturing drill "reflects the opinion of the prime minister's office."
Another reason was opposition from residents on Okinawa Island, about 60 km away, where sentiment against U.S. bases has flared up following allegations that a Japanese woman was raped by U.S. sailors Tuesday.
In light of these factors, the Defense Ministry found it difficult to proceed with the exercise, although it is considering substitute drills, the sources said.
Just sayin...
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012
Japan, U.S. abandon drill to 'retake' isle
Jiji
Japan and the U.S. have decided to cancel a joint drill in which their forces would "recapture" a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture, according to informed sources.
Tokyo and Washington were considering holding the drill on uninhabited Irisuna Island as part of joint military exercises slated for November.
The drill, however, would worsen the backlash from Beijing, which has reacted harshly to Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.
A government source said the decision to skip the Irisuna recapturing drill "reflects the opinion of the prime minister's office."
Another reason was opposition from residents on Okinawa Island, about 60 km away, where sentiment against U.S. bases has flared up following allegations that a Japanese woman was raped by U.S. sailors Tuesday.
In light of these factors, the Defense Ministry found it difficult to proceed with the exercise, although it is considering substitute drills, the sources said.
2012年10月20日土曜日
Sorry, but this isn't really a solution
What time do you usually call it a day and stay in for the night on a weekday? Would you be terribly inconvenienced if you had to be home before 11 PM?
Right.
So, is this really a curfew or is it just fancy words pretending to sound important?
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012
U.S. forces hit with curfew over rape
By AYAKO MIE
Staff writer
Following the arrests this week of two sailors in the alleged rape of a woman in Okinawa, the U.S. military vowed Friday to impose preventative steps, including a curfew and retraining programs.
The measures were announced at a joint news conference held by U.S. Ambassador John V. Roos and Lt. Gen Salvatore Angelella, the commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, at the embassy in Tokyo.
Angelella said the curfew — 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. — would start immediately and cover all U.S. military personnel in Japan, including those on temporary assignment or who are transiting to another country. The duration of the curfew is open-ended.
People in Japan--especially in Okinawa--would feel a whole lot safer if the US military would just pack up their dangerous toys and undisciplined troops and go home.
Right.
So, is this really a curfew or is it just fancy words pretending to sound important?
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012
U.S. forces hit with curfew over rape
By AYAKO MIE
Staff writer
Following the arrests this week of two sailors in the alleged rape of a woman in Okinawa, the U.S. military vowed Friday to impose preventative steps, including a curfew and retraining programs.
The measures were announced at a joint news conference held by U.S. Ambassador John V. Roos and Lt. Gen Salvatore Angelella, the commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, at the embassy in Tokyo.
Angelella said the curfew — 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. — would start immediately and cover all U.S. military personnel in Japan, including those on temporary assignment or who are transiting to another country. The duration of the curfew is open-ended.
People in Japan--especially in Okinawa--would feel a whole lot safer if the US military would just pack up their dangerous toys and undisciplined troops and go home.
2012年10月18日木曜日
Still Occupied 67 Years after the War?
Okinawans demand closure of U.S. bases
Kyodo
NAHA, Okinawa Pref. — Okinawans expressed anger Wednesday over the alleged rape of a local woman by U.S. sailors, an incident that came hot on the heels of another alleged sexual assault involving a marine in the prefecture.
Calls to remove all U.S. bases from Okinawa swelled in response to the rape allegations, with Miyoko Ashimine, head of a local group dealing with gender issues, demanding their immediate closure.
"With Ospreys in the sky and weapons on land, where can local residents walk (in safety)?" asked Ashimine, referring to the U.S. Marine Corps' recent deployment of tilt-rotor MV-22 Ospreys to the Futenma air station on Okinawa Island despite safety concerns.
The chairman of Okinawa's prefectural assembly, Masaharu Kina, said local residents have suffered since the end of World War II because of the presence of U.S. bases.
"The United States says it will enforce strict discipline every time there is an incident, but that won't resolve anything," Kina said.
"The U.S. forces seem to view Okinawa as their colony or occupied territory," said Hiroshi Ashitomi, 66, who took part in sit-in demonstrations against the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma farther north on Okinawa Island.
"Women's rights were trampled on again because the (U.S.) bases are here," Ashitomi said. "Okinawa's anger has built up to the point where we will accept nothing less than the immediate shutdown of all the facilities."
Kyodo
NAHA, Okinawa Pref. — Okinawans expressed anger Wednesday over the alleged rape of a local woman by U.S. sailors, an incident that came hot on the heels of another alleged sexual assault involving a marine in the prefecture.
Calls to remove all U.S. bases from Okinawa swelled in response to the rape allegations, with Miyoko Ashimine, head of a local group dealing with gender issues, demanding their immediate closure.
"With Ospreys in the sky and weapons on land, where can local residents walk (in safety)?" asked Ashimine, referring to the U.S. Marine Corps' recent deployment of tilt-rotor MV-22 Ospreys to the Futenma air station on Okinawa Island despite safety concerns.
The chairman of Okinawa's prefectural assembly, Masaharu Kina, said local residents have suffered since the end of World War II because of the presence of U.S. bases.
"The United States says it will enforce strict discipline every time there is an incident, but that won't resolve anything," Kina said.
"The U.S. forces seem to view Okinawa as their colony or occupied territory," said Hiroshi Ashitomi, 66, who took part in sit-in demonstrations against the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma farther north on Okinawa Island.
"Women's rights were trampled on again because the (U.S.) bases are here," Ashitomi said. "Okinawa's anger has built up to the point where we will accept nothing less than the immediate shutdown of all the facilities."
2012年9月30日日曜日
Author of IQ84 has something else to say
Sunday, Sep. 30, 2012
Murakami calls for cool heads amid Senkakus flareup
AFP-Jiji
Haruki Murakami, one of the world's foremost novelists, has waded into the Senkakus sovereignty row, warning of the peril of politicians peddling the "cheap liquor" of nationalism.
His intervention Friday came as Beijing launched a blistering attack on Tokyo at a U.N. session in New York, accusing Japan of theft as the dispute over the Japanese-controlled islet group intensified.
The author of "1Q84," who has a large following in China, called for cool heads to prevail.
Writing in the liberal-leaning Asahi Shimbun, Murakami, who has been tipped as a future Nobel laureate, said territorial disagreements are bound to occur because of the unfortunate system of dividing the world into countries with national borders.
"When a territorial issue ceases to be a practical matter and enters the realm of 'national emotions,' it creates a dangerous situation with no exit," Murakami said.
"It is like cheap liquor: Cheap liquor gets you drunk after only a few shots and makes you hysterical. It makes you speak loudly and act rudely. . . . But after your drunken rampage you are left with nothing but an awful headache the next morning.
"We must be careful about politicians and polemicists who lavish us with this cheap liquor and fan this kind of rampage."
2012年9月21日金曜日
How would you feel?
A reckless driver impulsively tries to pass another vehicle on a narrow road, veering into the opposite lane and killing the teenage driver whose car he smashes into. One stupid move by an impatient 25-year-old vs one life ended for an innocent 19-year-old.
What happens next?
In the old days (last year), the 25-year-old guilty driver would be spirited away by his very powerful employer--the US armed forces--leaving the family of the 19-year-old with nothing but their grief. This time, the guilty driver had to go to court, where it was decided that the life of the boy--whose life was abruptly terminated at age 19--was worth 18 months of the other guy's time. That's all??? The guilty man argued that 18 months out of his life was too much to spend.
This is the first time ever to see even a slight nod to the civil rights of the Okinawan people whose land has been taken over by foreign armed forces.
(There is a longer story about this in The Japan Times Online)
Friday, Sep. 21, 2012
Civilian U.S. base worker loses appeal in fatal Okinawa hit-and-run
AFP-Jiji
The Fukuoka High Court on Thursday upheld the prison term of an American who was working for the U.S. Air Force during a fatal car crash that killed a teenager in Okinawa, marking the first time a domestic court has incarcerated a U.S. civilian base employee.
What happens next?
In the old days (last year), the 25-year-old guilty driver would be spirited away by his very powerful employer--the US armed forces--leaving the family of the 19-year-old with nothing but their grief. This time, the guilty driver had to go to court, where it was decided that the life of the boy--whose life was abruptly terminated at age 19--was worth 18 months of the other guy's time. That's all??? The guilty man argued that 18 months out of his life was too much to spend.
This is the first time ever to see even a slight nod to the civil rights of the Okinawan people whose land has been taken over by foreign armed forces.
(There is a longer story about this in The Japan Times Online)
Friday, Sep. 21, 2012
Civilian U.S. base worker loses appeal in fatal Okinawa hit-and-run
AFP-Jiji
The Fukuoka High Court on Thursday upheld the prison term of an American who was working for the U.S. Air Force during a fatal car crash that killed a teenager in Okinawa, marking the first time a domestic court has incarcerated a U.S. civilian base employee.
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