The Japan Australia News / December 2012

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The Japan Australia News December 2012

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AUSTRALIA NEWS

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RQ

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PC

zakka box

$7.50

RQW

zakka box

Tel. 9227 6338

[email protected]

http://rqwomen.net/andamondara

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The Japan Australia News December 2012 JAPAN NEWS

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PADI

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ROTHVALE VINEYARD &

WINERY

1997

1800

1974

Tyrrell's

Max Patton

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Unwooded

2009 Semillon .....................................20

2011 Verdelho ....................................20

2011 Reserve Chardonnay..................25

2008 OBR Chardonnay ......................25

2011 Luke's Shiraz .............................25

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ..................25

2008 OBR Shiraz................................25

The Hunter Habit

Rothvale

Rothvale Creek

POOLE'S ROCK

COCKFIGHTER'S GHOST

1988

1994

Mr. David Clarke

Maurice O'Shea

1956

Maurice O'Shea 20

2011 10

2009 Pinot Chardonnay Sparkling

(Orange) ..............................................25

2010 Semillon (Hunter Valley) ..........20

2008 Pinot Gris (Victoria) ..................20

2006 Riesling (Clare Valley) ..............20

2012 Sauvignon Blanc (Adelaide Hills)

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2006 Shiraz (McLaren Vale) ..............20

English-Japanese conversation exchange in the city WA

JET JETAA ( )

* WA is held from 5:30pm on Thursday every two weeks in the function room at 43 Below. A gold coin donation is encouraged to pay for food!

*Date : December 13 2012

Time: from 5:30pm(you don't have to be there on time!)Venue: 43 Below (corner of Hay & Barrack)

* Inquiries

Nick

Tel: 0408-083-131 / [email protected]+ only ; photo ID required

MSD

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MSD !?

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Part 81

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by Wallaby You

This month we feature the White Vita Lotion & Clear White Serum from i-Whites additive-free range of cosmetics.

Since moving to Australia, this writer, bothered by a dullness to her skin, has started using a dark one-tone foundation. On top of that, the repercussions of sunburn during her younger years have begun to reveal themselves in the form of blemishes. Exposed every day now to the unrelenting Australian UV spectrum, she had almost given up on her skin. Almost. Thankfully, now she has found an ideal range of cosmetic products suited to her living environment and, whats more, made by Japanese.

i-White cosmetics were developed by a Japanese resident of Sydney who wanted to ensure that she herself had products that she was able to use in the long term, and with peace of mind. As such, they contain carefully selected ingredients and are entirely free from damaging synthetic colourings and fragrances, parabens and mineral oils.

The White Vita Lotion is characterised

by its viscosity and the soothing aroma of lavender oil. From the moment you rub it on, you will be keenly aware of it steadily permeating your skin. The Clear White Serum, used in combination, will leave your palms clinging to your skin, imparting a rich sensation and leaving you with taut pores and soft skin the next morning.

While it might be a little extravagant, this writer uses both these products all the way to the nape of her neck (which is, after all, where ones age is most obvious). Wrinkles there, as well as blemishes below her right eye, had bothered her, but have now started to gradually fade.

We dont want to use cosmetics that, while effective, may also present risks. But at the same time, its not enough just to be gentle on the skin. Address both these concerns by giving i-Whites additive-free cosmetics a try!

White Vita Lotion 150ml $48Clear White Serum 30ml $80www.i-white.net

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150ml $48 30ml $80www.i-white.net

i-Whitei-White White Vita Lotion

Clear White Serum

Information from NetRICOH

OitaMen can be misinterpreted, being shy and untalkative, but many are in fact very kind. They shouldnt be taken on appearances alone. They are earnest and very slow to break a promise.Women are straight-laced, methodical and a little reserved. They dont like to stand out or butt in. This can make them appear unfriendly, but in fact they are very kind. They are fl exible, active, and tougher than they look.

MiyazakiComing from a bountiful environment and a temperate climate, where they have not had to worry too much about work, men tend to be laid-back. They are certainly moderate, unaffected and good-natured,

not to mention honest and sincere.Women are

strong-willed and hate to lose. They are dependable

and active in all respects. They also tend to be cheerful, generous and full of life.

KagoshimaMen tend to

be shy but compassionate. They can be stuck

with conservative, patriarchal ways of thinking, and defer to their elders. By

the same token, older or more experienced people do tend to

look out for those junior to them.Women are often straight-laced and

reserved, but their outward calmness belies a strong will. They can be more fl exible than their men.

OkinawaIn Okinawa, men come from a tradition of a tightly-bound patriarchal family line, so they have a strong sense of community and very close interpersonal relationships. They can be quite conscious of differences in linguistic expression, and so can come off a little gruff or blunt.While their men can be all about the place, women are traditionally hard workers. They are generous and dont get too hung up on details. They tend to be optimistic, perhaps because they have the longest average lifespans in Japan!

KumamotoMen can be a little provincial, stubborn, unaccommodating and, surprisingly, timid. They do have tempestuous temperaments, being impatient and impassioned. This emotional nature epitomises the so-called Kyushu lad.

They are fiercely competitive and very conscious of shame and saving face.Women have traditionally been perseverant, reliable types, but more recently

more of them are proudly independent, likely in response to long-standing patriarchal systems.

Like their men, they a re s tubborn and

passionate.

NagasakiNagasaki has drawn residents from all over Japan to work in its foreign trade, coal mining and naval industries. As such, its men tend to be open-minded and interested in new things. They are not reticent to approach strangers and dont get bogged down in formalities and social rules.Nagasaki is unusual in Japan for the beautifully-sculpted features of many of its

women. As easy-going as their male counterparts are, those women are

vivacious and cheerful in all respects. They are broad-minded and unaffected.

SagaMen are stubborn, single-minded and methodical, often

unaccommodatingly so. However, they are fairly easy to get along with due to their adaptability. At their worst, they are misers. By the same token, they detest

ostentation.Women are more cheerful than their male counterparts. They dont necessarily jump out at you, but, consistently with the apocryphal image of the Saga beauty, many are dazzlingly attractive. They can seem placid but are very reliable, as well as being extremely patient.

i-White additive-free cosmetics: White Vita Lotion & Clear White Serum

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IN J

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We often talk about national traits: characteristics that seem to be shared by the people of a certain country, perhaps rooted in its history, natural environment and culture. Australians, for example, are said to be cheerful and friendly; Japanese to be polite; Americans to be proud; and Germans to be philosophical.Japan has an area only a twentieth that of Australia, but a population six times greater. Even in those circumstances, some consider each of Japans 47 prefectures to have its own set of traits peculiar to those that have grown up there.For example, men from Kumamoto Prefecture are said to be genuine, with a strong sense of justice. Once they have set their minds on something, they are stubbornly

persistent and not open to compromise. Their counterparts from Kagoshima Prefecture are seen as gallant and brave, not worrying about vested interests. Those raised in Aichi Prefecture have a reputation for remaining unruf ed, with a vigorous sense of independence and individuality.None of this, of course, is the result of academic analysis of any kind. For the most part, it is public misconception or simple stereotyping. People come in all shapes and sizes, whatever the demographic.Be that as it may, in Japan there are a number of generally accepted prefectural traits, both positive and negative. This month we continue our feature on those traits, focusing on 17 southern prefectures.

TottoriMen are sincere and

steady, but can tend to be uninspiring and insular. In the

west they are born salesmen, with a keen eye for money matters.Women are straight-laced and perseverant hard-working types, although cheerful and active. In the west they are generous yet tough.

Different strokes for different folks: Japans peculiar prefectural traits Part 3

FukuokaMen love liquor, festivals and shooting the breeze. Many yearn to stand out from the crowed and are suckers for novelty. They are uncontrolled

spenders and can fall prey to the lure of gambling.Many women are attractively

well-proportioned, carrying on the tradition of the Hakata

beauty. They are strong-willed, perhaps because they have had to look after their homes while their

men have been hooked on drinking and partying. They are fashion-conscious.

KochiMen have long been considered stereotypically stubborn, uncompromising and unwilling to

bow to authority. However, their single-mindedness can make them easy to deal with. They are profl igate in their spending, particularly when it comes to food

and drink.Women, on the other hand, have traditionally been seen as archetypal tomboys, with well-defi ned characters and vivacity. They have pleasant dispositions but can be lacking in patience. They enjoy a drink even more than

their men!

EhimeMen are cheerful, honest and unaffectedly kind and compassionate. Their characters can differ from region to region, however. In the east they are hard-working and perseverant, like the Tokushima merchants of old. In central Ehime they are bookish. In the south they are merry and unruffl ed, like their Kochi

neighbours.Women in the east are cheerful and sociable, with a real vitality. In central Ehime they are easy-going, affable big-sister types that dont get bogged down

on details. In the south they are generous and passionate.

KagawaMen are often seen to be selfi sh, shrewd and street-smart, but it would be more accurate to say that they are careful, rational thinkers. They can be tight with their money but are chatty and approachable.Women are pragmatists with good economic nous. As such, they are very reliable. Womens education has long fl ourished in Kagawa, so they are also proactive and independent in all affairs.

TokushimaTokushima has long-standing, strong links with Osaka and has produced many players in the dye and timber industries. As you might expect, then, its men are mercantile types, who can tend to use unanticipated monetary windfalls to take risks on further profi t.Women are hard-working and active. They have a good sense for money but can be strong-willed and somewhat affected.

HiroshimaMen are suckers for novelty. They are proactive when it comes to work and play, but can be a little loose when it comes to money, sometimes even cutting back on daily expenses to cater for their gambling urges! They are quick to get fi red up but often just as quick to cool down.Women are stubborn and dogged. Once they have set their minds to something, they have the fortitude to stick it through to the end. They are generous with their money and easy to get along with, being vivacious and straight-talking.

YamaguchiIn a word, men are conservative. They tend to be reverential to their elders and given over to a chauvinistic patriarchal world view (if not as much so as in the past). They love their politics, as evidenced by the many Prime Ministers from Yamaguchi. They also have a strong territorialism.Women are compassionate and kind, as well as being cheerful, social and active. They are generous with their money and trend-conscious, so can seem to be fashion victims, but are actually very reliable.

ShimaneIn Izumo, men tend to be conservative and slow to open up. In Iwami, they are positive and optimistic, perhaps due to the tradition of seasonal labour. All over they are

cheerful and unaffected.Women in Izumo are straight-

laced and reserved. Being circumspect in all matters, they are not swayed by

fashion. In Iwami they are typically approachable and

active. They are tougher than they may seem.

OkayamaMen tend to be calm, intellectual, theoretical rationalists. Perhaps infl uenced by Osaka, they are careful with their money, preferring to pay in cash rather than on credit. They are also resistant to changing fashions.Women are straight-laced and perseverant hard-working types. They tend to be more cheerful than their male counterparts, although they are similarly frugal, decrying profl igacy.

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W.A. Visitor Centre 55 William St, Perth W.A. 6000 1300 361 351

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship 836 Wellington Street, West Perth 13 18 81

Australian Taxation Office 45 Francis St., Northbridge W.A. 6003 13 28 61

Embassy of Japan, Canberra (02) 6273 3244 www.au.emb-japan.go.jp

The Consulate-General of Japan in W.A. U22 / Level 2, 111 Colin St West Perth (08) 9480 1800 www.perth.au.emb-japan.go.jp

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Emergency Calls 000 Fire ( Police ( Ambulance (

Gas13 13 52

Water 13 13 75

Electricity 13 13 51

Directory Assistance 12 23 12 25

Telephone Faults 13 22 03 13 29 99 018 018 111 11 00 12 21 Taxis 13 13 30 13 10 08

Yellow Pages

The articles that the Japan Australia News prints are correct at the time of printing but please note that there is a possibility that information may change after printing. In regard to advertisements and articles written by contributors outside of the Japan Australia News, the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Japan Australia News. Reproduction without permission of any article, photograph or illustration printed in the Japan Australia News is strictly prohibited. It is a condition of advertising in the Japan Australia News that the advertisement does not breach the Commonwealth Trade Practices Act (1974) or Copyright Act (1968), or the Western Australian Sale of Goods Act (1895) or Fair Trading Act (1987). However, please note that the Japan Australia News does not guarantee the absence of breaches or the reliability of advertisements, nor does it accept responsibility for such breaches.

1974 1987

1895 1987

Publisher TakayukiTAKAHASHI

Translator LeonieRaeSTICKLAND

NickJOHN

Published by

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WA 6017 AustraliaTEL :1300 551 246

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Ive finally experienced Halloween in Japan. Roppongi, to be exact, Tokyos renown nightlife district.

Unlike Australia, Halloween is a big deal in Tokyo - especially in areas heavily populated with foreigners, like Roppongi.

It was amazing. On Saturday night there were thousands of party-goers all dressed up and having a great time along Roppongis main street- drinking beer and vodka, dancing, talking, walking through the traffi c and taking photos. I suddenly realised - no ones fi ghting. Youd never see that in Australia.

Of course there are still fights and brawls among drunk Japanese people but usually they

are cheerful drunks - not aggressive.

This made me realize how violence is truly ingrained in Australias drinking culture. We couldnt allow drinking and parties in the street - because come 1am - it would erupt into brawls - both men and women. Drugs are also to blame. And it makes me really sad.

Walking through the throngs of witches, ghouls and pirates, my mind flashed back to Australia day, which in Perth has become so controlled, you can only drink alcohol in a certain place between certain t imes. No

Confused, Bemusedin TokyoFormer television reporter turned Tokyo gaijin, Tiffany Wertheimer, shares her latest observations and thoughts on the city that is full of surprises.

by Tiffany Wertheimer

Youd never see that in Australia

wonder Western Australia is known as the nanny state.

On Roppongis main street, Gaien Higashi Dori, - the police presence was subtle and even the bouncers were having a good time. Two burly looking blokes guarding the door to one nightclub were dressed as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. As I gained enough courage to lift my camera up and take a photo, they posed! Youd never see that in Australia.

Halloween is one of the biggest nights of the year for businesses in Roppongi, which stay open all night to cash in on the inebriated revellers having the time of their lives on cheap convenience store beer. As far as I could see, they hadnt even hired extra security. Youd never see that in Australia.

We went into a corner store to buy some beer (as if youd fi nd that in Australia) where the party-goers waited patiently in the line, cradling their Smirnoffs and Asahi, chatting to each other about their elaborate costumes.

Roppongi is often slated as one of the more dangerous and sleazy areas in Tokyo because

of its nightlife and underworld characters. And of course, just like any entertainment district, you must be careful and look after your friends. I wouldnt say the mood was family friendly - but everyone was so happy and the street felt safe.

Even as we were walking home at 5am, carefully treading over puddles of what I can only assume was vomit, the atmosphere was still friendly. In Northbridge, youd be stepping over puddles of blood and crossing the street to avoid a brawl.

Realistically though, Roppongi isnt a true reflection of Japan. This became clear the next day while talking to a Japanese person about my all night Halloween celebration. He commented Yes, but Roppongi is not normal.

All the same, I wish we could see it in Australia.

Twitter: TiffWertheimer9takemetotokyo.wordpress.com

Drinking, dancing and parties in the street. Youd never see that in Australia. But in Tokyo, its normal - and goes off without a hitch.

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2005 JET CIR

Tegan's "Nandeyanen" in Perth Part87TeganChubb 87

H.I.S.

JR

JR

It has been such a long time now since I moved back to continue on life in Perth, that I hardly even remember the last time that I was in Japan. I remember saying to loved ones when I left that Id be back one day to meet up again, but the reality is that time has

not come, and the years keep on ticking on by. Im sure Japanese people living in Perth will understand when I say that it really is just quite far away, and it seems a waste to go all that distance just for a short time. But then again, its so hard to take a long holiday to go, so recently we fi nally took the plunge and decided to visit for just two short weeks.

First of all it has been so long since I have booked fl ight tickets, so I decided to go with what I know and headed back to HIS for help. Luckily the offi ce is quite near to my work which made it convenient to pop by. As usual they provided plenty of good advice and book the airline ticket with no fuss, for which I was very thankful! They also supplied me with my very fi rst JR Rail Pass! As I have always entered Japan on a working visa of some sort, Ive never been able to have one. But as a tourist it is such a good deal, so we purchased ours for 7 days and received our all-you-can-ride train passes.

OK so we were ready for Japan , bu t there was one slight hitch. For some reason,

[email protected]

OK

all the flights from Perth to Japan seem to be overnight. I hate overnight flights, so I generally elect to have a stopover for a night or two to break up the trip. This time we were flying Cathay Pacific, so decided to have a two-day sightseeing stopover in Hong Kong!

As our first time in Hong Kong, first impressions were along the lines of small, crowded and busy. I guess most places you travel from Perth will generally be that way, but it really is a hectic place! I have heard that it is the third most crowded country in the world, and can believe that. People are rushing about the place so quickly, that I am sure that

us tourists were really in their way Land seems so scarce, that people were gathering in the open spaces underneath tall buildings. It is such an odd sight having come from Perth, where as soon as most people fi nish work it is time to head home!

I guess our lifestyles depend so heavily on where we live. Perhaps if someone from Hong Kong were to come live in Perth, they would probably fi nd it excessively dull!

Come to think of it, Hong Kong reminded me a little of Osaka. People in Hong Kong seem to be full of energy and vitality, enjoy selling things, and love their food. These areas are so similar to a lot of Osakans. Like a type of Osaka, but not, kind of place. It was fun just to wander around the big city.

But I did feel sorry for some unfortunately couples we spotted in a park a little way out from the city centre. While we were there, we enjoyed apparently good weather, however I still found it quite humid and hot. Even so, there were three couples out and about all dressed up having wedding photo shoots. Despite the heat, the women were in big white dresses and walking around the park. I even felt sorry for the poor grooms in their suits. I think Hong Kong is certainly somewhere I would need air conditioning to get dressed up like that! They were all sweaty and looked so cooked like pork buns!

But we did do a lot more in Hong Kong than just feeling sorry for couples. There is a lot for tourists to see and do, and we really enjoyed our time there. My favourite was the Symphony of Lights laser show that is held around the harbor. Many of the huge buildings surrounding Hong Kong Harbour have lasers and flash their building lights in time to a music track, to incredible effect! It really is quite a sight for a small-town Perth girl like me. I recommend a visit to Hong Kong to everyone!

With that part of our trip complete, next stop is back to Japan for the fi rst time in fi ve years for me I look forward to seeing how things have changed since I have left and just how much of my neglected Japanese I can actually still remember??

Im inviting comment from readers of JA NEWS to let me know directly what you think. You can contact me on [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Columnist and freelance writer Teru GAMO has published 16 books in such varied genres as politics, comparative culture, history and travel. He currently contributes a culture and current affairs column to a daily newspaper, Chiba Nippo.

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A regular feature by Teru GAMOEnglish adaption by Leonie Stickland

ability to speak another language simply by passive listening. Among these, a packaged course which has as its promotional character a certain 'Mr I,' a champion professional golfer, is growing apace. The materials themselves already have a history of 20 to 30 years, but since that golfer has come onto the scene, business has been expanding dramatically, along with said golfer's achievements.

This is not surprising, given that being able to speak foreign languages adds greatly to the arsenal of professional sports people who compete in many different overseas countr ies , as in the abovementioned examples.

All of them put in considerable effort, however. In interviews, former professional tennis player Ai Sugiyama has shared numerous anecdotes about her struggles, and the pro golfer Ai Miyazato, also, has blogged that she never ceases striving daily to hone her language skills. Even in the case of 'Mr I' mentioned above, there is no doubt that he works similarly hard.

The claim made by companies selling language-learning materials is that babies learn language just by hearing it, then later speak it themselves, and so if people follow the same logic in becoming able to speak foreign languages, it will be painless. The purchase of language-learning materials, lured by such honeyed catch-phrases, leads to the large-scale production of failed language-learners, and, by extension, to hordes of people who are 'allergic' to foreign languages.

While it might be impertinent of me to suggest the following to readers living outside Japan, the mastery of foreign languages comes about through determined repetitive practice, by always enunciating the words aloud, and placing oneself in an environment where one can engage in conversation. I also think it is indispensable to increase one's vocabulary.

One of Kawashima's ways of learning Dutch, for example, was to watch Dutch videos with subtitles, and then to tackle them again without the subtitles, and to do this repeatedly. Of course, he used other audio-visual study materials at the same time. The secret, after all, is repetitive practice.

Not long ago, one foreign-languages school rubbed the willingness of serious learners the wrong way with its greedy business practices. Even now, one often hears tell of students who paid hundreds of thousands of yen in advance class fees, yet hardly learned anything of lasting value.

It is human nature to go for what is easy, but it is truly a troublesome phenomenon.

Japanese people have the image of being poor at learning foreign languages. Look at the way Korean singers and actors seem to pick up Japanese in no time, and people from China and South-East Asia, too, master everyday conversation in another language at several times our speed! There are some Japanese, though, who have boldly taken up the challenge of a foreign language and have achieved complete competence in it.

First on the list is the former professional soccer player, Hidetoshi Nakata. Mere months after joining a team in Italy, he responded in Italian to interview questions, dumbfounding us Japanese who have trouble with other tongues. The same can be said for goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, a member of the Japanese national team who now plays for Standard Lige in Belgium. Having learned not only English, but also other languages such as Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and French, he apparently facilitated communication among the other players, including the coach. When he initially joined a Belgian club, Lierse, he used English and Dutch in his introductory speech and interviews, Dutch being one of Belgium's official languages.

In Kawashima's case, his dream since early secondary school days had been to make the giant leap of going abroad as a professional soccer player, and so he equipped himself for the future by learning Italian and Portuguese in addition to English. And now, most fortunately, he can converse in Italian with Alberto Zaccheroni, coach of the Japanese national team, a skill which in my mind sets him apart from ordinary athletes, and especially from those Japanese baseballers who have played for years in the American major league, but who still need an interpreter. I would like to ask them, 'What do you guys think you are doing?!'

K a w a s h i m a c a n h o l d h i s o w n i n everyday conversation in English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, and has said he is currently studying Dutch and French. He is a reassuring presence to me, as I struggle along with my study of three languages.

That same Kawashima runs the Global Athlete Project, whose mission is reportedly to support Japan's top athletes in efforts to equip themselves with communication skills in foreign languages and continue their activities on the world stage.

No-sweat study materials prolonging the aversion to foreign languages

One person who has won my admiration lately is the model and actress Norika Fujiwara. Previously, she appeared in the national broadcaster NHK's 'Chinese by television' course, and I was astonished not only at her speedy progress, but also at her beautiful pronunciation. My reason for singling her out is that I personally have been a viewer of this programme for some ten years, and have seen all manner of celebrities taking up the challenge. If Norika goes on to master Chinese at this rate, she might very well get offers from the Chinese movie world.

There is something to do with the learning of foreign languages that worries me, however, namely the intense advertising offensives waged by companies selling study materials of the type which promise the

A Bird's-Eye View of Japan

No. 79 Lamenting the present state of foreign-language learning

79

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In the longitudinal study documentary, 56 Up, 14 adults in their fifties reflected on their lives and a recurring theme was how they can leave the world a better place. It was also about the resilience and inner strength required to make this happen and how people who go through difficult times get up again. These lessons apply equally to individuals, companies and society as a whole.

At the IMF and World Bank Annual Meeting, the themes of resilience and flexibility were at the heart of every discussion. Not only do we need to restore growth now, but we also need to have the capability to get up again should we as individuals or communities get into trouble. It is about building confidence and foundations for the future, as well as ensuring that programs for improvement actually deliver their outcomes. It is easy for us who are employed to take our jobs for granted, or be so hemmed in by our job deadlines that we have no time to think about what we can do to build a community with more sustainable growth. For those looking for a way into the workforce, a partner or mentor who can help them navigate through the pitfalls of the business world, and a helping hand that can pull them up when they are down could mean the

difference between hope and despair. A good job can change a persons life, and the right jobs can transform entire societies. Governments need to move jobs to center stage to promote prosperity and fight poverty, says World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. "It's critical that governments work well with the private sector, which accounts for 90 percent of all jobs. Therefore, we need to find the best ways to help small firms and farms grow. Jobs equal hope. Jobs equal peace. Jobs can make fragile countries become stable."

Today the youth unemployment rate in Spain is 53%. Eurostat estimates there are 25 million unemployed men and women in the EU. In Japan, more than 100,000 new university graduates had not secured full-time employment as of May 2012.

According to the World Bank, there are 1.6 billion people working for a wage or a salary, and 1.5 billion people working in farming or in self-employment. So not only is labour market growth and reform important, but also having an environment which supports small businesses.The Ethiopian Government has encouraged small business to tender for public housing

Resilience and Flexibility:projects. Housing itself is labour intensive, and even more so where small businesses are awarded these tenders, as they tend to be more labour intensive. Many of these small businesses grow to be bigger businesses, so the government is getting a highly leveraged return on its investment on the employment front. The challenge of finding work is not restricted to developing countries. President Obama in his re-election speech specifically mentioned the importance of jobs and innovation, urging America to be a country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow, as well as ensuring that We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions. The future is not only about sustainable growth, but one that is inclusive and allows everyone to participate in making a better tomorrow. For many countries trying to escape the middle income trap, innovation in services or technology, combined with a willing and flexible finance market, is critical. Terrie Lloyd, the head of the Ohio Development Office in Tokyo, as well as an IT entrepreneur and the founder of Metropolis, dispels the myth that the Japanese, compared to Americans are only good at Kaizen, or continuous improvement, rather than innovation. The recent Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to two scientists, one of whom was Shinya Yamanaka, a professor at Kyoto University specializing in stem cell research.

Japan established the first tooth bank in the world using stem cells. You can implant and grow back new teeth; I mean actual teeth, even if you are in your forties. Terrie Lloyd knows this company, which uses an unique freezing technology, and doesnt damage the stem cells. They are working now on freezing eyeballs, livers, and all kinds of other applications. So

you will be able to get transplants on demand. It is not cryogenics, which damage the product, but high grade freezing. It sounds like science fiction, but it is real. It should be noted that both innovation and incremental research (Kaizen) were important in bringing this technology to fruition, not just one in isolation. On the other hand, many innovators find it hard to bring their products to market due to the inability to source finance. Ohio, previously a rust state economy with an uncompetitive manufacturing industry, shows us a way forward in how we can transform and embrace opportunities in the global information and services market place. Since 2002, the Government funded Ohio Third Frontier has created, capitalized or attracted more than 500 companies and has created an $6.6 billion economic impact, a 900% return on investment, as well as 80,000 jobs. Ohios unemployment rate is now well below the US average, and is a centre of excellence for a number of industries from biotechnology to renewable energy. Japantourist also aims to be part of the solution by building connections and communities between every city, town and village in Japan and the rest of the world. It has started an internship and mentorship program to empower graduates and people of all ages to be cultural and tourism ambassadors for Japan, while gaining valuable and demonstrable work experience which will be a stepping stone in building their own business or securing a valuable role in the new information and services economy.

by Bonson Lam

SPECIAL REPORT

Japantourist Mentorship Offer. Japantourist is giving JA NEWS readers an opportunity under the mentorship program. This offer is over six months and will build your communication and marketing skills in a real life environment. The schedule is flexible to suit your lifestyle and location. Just like us on https://www.facebook.com/JapanTouristKyoto for further details. Japantourist.jp was born after the tsunami last year to revive Japanese tourism. It has over two thousand in depth local reviews, covering everything from Alpha Slim wellbeing hotels to Ozu Yasujiro.

Photos are courtesy of the World Bank and the IMF

The IMF and World BankAnnual Meeting in Tokyo

President of the World Bank at Annual Meeting

Meeting with Crown Prince of Japan

International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Christine Lagarde

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Onomichi and Shikoku IslandExperiencing roots of Japan Part 1

Lise Saxton

Fresh FruitBlessed by the mountains and the sunshine, fruit in this part of Japan is worth mentioning. Citrus is abundant in the area with Onomichi being the place where the fi rst lemon was cultivated in Japan. Fruit stalls line the roadside and are overfl owing with sweet, ripe fruit. Figs are highly produced and are some of the best ever tasted, if you are lucky they may be available for tasting at one of the fruit stalls.

FoodEach meal in Japan is presented with intricate detail and pride, a testament to the culture of the people and their honor in looking after guests. The experience of eating in Onomichi and Shikoku is essential when absorbing the culture and traditions of the region. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are an activity in themselves, with dainty ceramic bowls lled with tempting treats. Be sure to allow plenty of time to admire the beauty and care taken to make each meal memorable. Similar dishes are seen throughout the country with each region putting on their own little twist to make it special.

Hiroshima OkonomiyakiOkonomiyaki is a popular Japanese-style pancake. The Hiroshima version is traditional in Onomichi and unique to the area. The Okonomiyaki restaurant has an animated atmosphere with the chef preparing the dishes on a teppanyaki-style plate for all to watch in astonishment. Steam and noise fi ll the room as the magic of the dish comes together. He starts with a pancake batter and then tops with cabbage, bacon, egg noodles, lotus root, squid, chicken and gizzard. The ingredients pile high on the pancake and are then steamed under a metal lid. Chef then ads spices and sauce before fl ipping and squashing with his specially designed paddle. When the dish is cooked it is brushed with a sticky, sweet sauce ready to be eaten. Okonomiyaki is scrumptious, fi lling and cheap, a must try when in the area.

Tokushima RamenWest West River Station is the site for white water rafting on the Yoshino River but yet, it also contains one of the best noodle houses in Japan. People travel from all over the country to indulge in the ramen at Nishiri Restaurant near Koboke. Ramen is a popular noodle dish available everywhere, with each region having their own special style. Tokushima Ramen is the perfect meal to ravage after an invigorating ride along the river.

Ramen is considered Japans soul food and is rarely made in the home as the preparation of the soup is quite labour intensive. The ramen at Nishiri is based on a stock made with bacon bones, vegetables and soy sauce. Egg noodles are added to a bowl and the soup is poured over the top with, tender pork strips delicately placed on the noodles with a choice of raw or slow-cooked egg to add a creamy texture. Freshly sliced spring onions are placed on top before the meal is ready to eat. This dish is wholesome and warms your insides like a meal made by mum.

Soba NoodlesTraveling through the picturesque mountains to meet the delightful women at Okuiya Menme Jyuku soba noodle making school, is a special and humbling experience while visiting Shikoku Island. We are greeted by the welcoming faces of a group of ladies keen to show off their soba noodle making skills. First the buckwheat is milled between two grindstones and the remains are sifted to leave the buckwheat fl our. Water is simply added to the fl our and stirred with enormous chopsticks until the acquired texture is achieved, (apparently a little plain fl our is added for the westerners to

More informationhttp://www.west-west.comhttp://www.ononavi.jphttp://www.tourismshikoku.org

Cooperation: Organization for Promotion of Tourism in Shikoku

Onomichi Okonomiyaki

Chef making Onomichi Okonomiyaki

Fresh picked mandarines

Fruit stall figs!

Sliced soba noodles

Soba noodle lunch

Tokushima Ramen

make the dough easier to knead). The dough is kneaded gently for quite a while until it becomes smooth, it is then rolled repeatedly before becoming thin enough to be wrapped around the pin and rolled repeatedly again.

While under the careful eye of the soba experts, we are instructed to fold the dough over four times then slice thinly. The noodles are boiled briefl y then rinsed and added to a pre-prepared soy based broth. When moving to the dining room we are offered an immaculately presented meal to accompany our noodles. Made on the premises, the meal of rice, fried tofu, roasted potatoes, tempura, fresh fruit, pickles and of course the noodles, made for one of the best meals experienced while in Japan.

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News Photos from JAPAN

IWAKISalmon in Fukushima riverA salmon jumps in a river in a former no-entry zone in Naraha, Fukushima Prefecture, on Oct. 24, 2012, as the sh was heading upstream for breeding. Salmon released as fry before the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident have begun to return from the sea to rivers.

ISHINOMAKI"Manga" museum reopens after tsunamiIshinomori Mangattan Museum, a museum featuring the Masked Rider series and other works of the late cartoonist Shotaro Ishinomori, reopens in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on Nov. 17, 2012, after closing for about 20 months since the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

KORIYAMAYear of the SnakeSnake papier-mache folk crafts are made at a workshop in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, on Nov. 21, 2012, ahead of the Year of the Snake in 2013.

SATSUMASENDAIFPS-5 radarCORRECTING SPELLING OF ISLAND'S NAME File photo taken on Oct. 23, 2012, shows FPS-5, a ground-based radar system capable of monitoring missiles, dubbed the Gamera radar, at Air Self-Defense Force base on Shimokoshiki Island, Kagoshima Prefecture.

Source : Kyodo News

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Source: Kyodo News

INDEXcheck it out! ............................................P 14

Confused, Bemused in Tokyo ...............P 22

Tegan's "Nandeyanen" in Perth ............P 23

A Bird's-Eye View of Japan ...................P 24

Special Report ........................................P 25

Experiencing roots of Japan .................P 26

News Photos from JAPAN .....................P 27

IN JAPANP14&15

Different strokes for different folks: Japans peculiar prefectural traits Part 3

Autumn leaves on Lake Chuzenji peninsulaNIKKO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 26, 2012, shows autumn leaves on a boot-like peninsula in Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture.

Documents

The Japan Australia News / December 2012