28/06 VOX POPULI: Columbo hangs up his rumpled trench coat

Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of the vernacular Asahi Shimbun.
2011/06/28

In one episode of the popular U.S. television crime fiction series "Columbo," the murderer gets away scot-free.

She is a former movie star who kills her husband in order to make a screen comeback. But she has an incurable brain disease and does not remember committing the crime. Her close friend, a film director, knows she has only a few months to live. He falsely confesses to the crime to protect her. Lieutenant Columbo chides him for his misplaced gallantry, but heeds his plea to let her live her remaining months in peace.

Peter Falk, who played the bumbling but brilliant Columbo, died on June 23 at age 83. His passing prompted a flood of memories. Some episodes were touching, like the one mentioned above, while others mesmerized me with Columbo's expert demolitions of criminals' most carefully crafted alibis.

Falk reportedly suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his final years. But fans will always remember him as the iconic police detective he played.

He was a civil servant pushing 30 when he landed the TV contract that would define his career and started playing Columbo, which seemed a natural fit for him, after he was 40. He needed no makeup to portray the disheveled character, with his signature stubble and unkempt mop of hair. In his autobiography, Falk said his beat-up vintage car, rumpled trench coat and the face he was born with were all he needed to play the role.

Just as nobody in Japan could ever imagine anyone but the late Kiyoshi Atsumi (1928-1996) in the title role of the Tora-san movie series, only Falk could be Columbo, and the Japanese-dubbed version had to have actor Asao Koike (1931-1985) doing Columbo's voice.

The series guest-starred big Hollywood stars playing rich, successful individuals turning to murder under unavoidable--and sometimes tragic--circumstances.

Aside from the spellbinding pitting of wits between Columbo and the criminals, I also secretly enjoyed the glimpses I got of how America's upper classes lived. I believe Columbo made for a perfect "guide" because of Falk's endearing personality.

On one occasion, Falk reportedly described Columbo as an "ass-backwards Sherlock Holmes." The success of the Columbo series spawned a whole array of what one might call "ass-backwards Columbo" detective dramas around the world.

In my mind's eye, I can almost see Falk disappearing into a sea of fog now, rowing a boat and perhaps whistling contentedly.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 26

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

26/06 EDITORIAL: Business community lacking a sense of 'enterprise'

2011/06/26

Rakuten Inc., operator of Japan's leading online shopping mall, has submitted a notice of withdrawal to Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), the nation's most powerful business lobby.

Rakuten says it decided to leave the body because of clear differences of opinion over such issues as the future of Japan's electric power industry.

Rakuten President and Chairman Hiroshi Mikitani is a go-getting entrepreneur who has nurtured the dot.com startup he founded into one of the nation's most successful Internet companies.

Mikitani has made some controversial moves, including his bid to merge with Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. by accumulating a major stake in the TV broadcaster.

However, unlike Takafumi Horie, the disgraced former president of Web portal operator Livedoor Co., who was known for his nonconformist attitude and contempt for the traditional management style, Mikitani has been in the good books of older business leaders.

It appears that even this down-to-earth businessman has found the Japanese business community of today to be something he has no time for.

Indeed, Keidanren's response to the Great East Japan Earthquake has been ruefully slow and weak.

While it has been vocal in expressing its grievances and criticisms against the government led by the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, the organization's own proposals and actions related to the disaster have shown little creativity or originality.

In particular, Keidanren has failed to make any significant contribution to the efforts to deal with the nuclear disaster or to the debate on ideas to reform the electric power industry, such as separating power generation from transmission and distribution.

Keidanren Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of Sumitomo Chemical Co., has made a series of remarks that support the status quo and serve the interests of the power industry.

Electric utilities have been acting as the unchallenged leader in the Japanese business community in terms of both financial and political power.

Protected by their regional monopolies and stable, highly regulated electricity rates, these companies have been good customers for other industries. They are willing to buy products and services at the asked prices.

Some business leaders in other sectors admit that it is difficult for them to openly criticize the electric power industry or propose power market reforms.

It is ridiculous if such self-restraint on the part of other members of Japan Inc. in criticizing the electric power industry is hampering efforts for change in this important sector.

The March 11 disaster and the nuclear crisis it triggered have drastically changed the business environment for electric utilities.

The possibility of a serious power shortage is a big source of worry for the Japanese economy as a whole.

But emerging new trends, such as a shift toward renewable energy sources, efforts to create a more efficient and transparent power supply system and demand-side reforms for higher energy efficiency and power conservation, offer many great business opportunities.

In the West, a bevy of new businesses have come into being in these areas.

In Japan as well, there are some notable moves by individual companies. Softbank Corp., for instance, has joined hands with more than 30 local governments to promote the use of renewable energy. Panasonic Corp. has unveiled a plan to build a "smart city," a community of houses powered by green energy technologies, while Sharp Corp. has embarked on operating solar power plants.

A nation's economy derives its vitality from businesses and individuals who find opportunities in changes, make quick and timely moves based on innovative thinking and technology, and create new values.

Such economic vitality is one of the crucial factors for Japan's recovery and reconstruction from the calamity.

The English word "enterprise" means both a business organization and willingness to engage in daring or difficult action.

If the business community, a collection of enterprises, has lost its enterprising spirit and is hindering the nation's economic regeneration, it cannot hope to win the hearts of Mikitani or any other ambitious entrepreneurs.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 25

26/06 VOX POPULI: Government sugarcoats dangerous reality of nuclear power plants

Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of the vernacular Asahi Shimbun.
2011/06/26

The year 1986 was a veritable annus horribilis for science and technology. The U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff in January. Then came the Chernobyl meltdown in April.

Back then, the probability of a Space Shuttle failure was believed to be 1-in-100,000. That meant just one failure in 300 years of daily launches.

This "safety myth" was debunked by the Rogers Commission, a presidential commission tasked with investigating the Challenger disaster. Richard Feynman (1918-1988), a Nobel laureate physicist and one of the best-known members of the commission, likened the risk inherent in shuttle launches to Russian roulette--a dangerous gamble in which the player closes his eyes to "inconvenient truth."

In Japan, the probability of a nuclear accident was said to be "1-in-5 billion, comparable to being hit by a meteor." I'd say this was more lie than myth.

An accident did occur at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. But even though the situation has yet to be brought under control, economy minister Banri Kaieda has declared other plants safe and called for them to resume operations.

Does anyone really believe him?

The economy ministry is a party involved in the accident. Kaieda may be likened to a bankrupt person offering security for someone taking out a loan.

Now that conventional safety measures have proved useless, how could anyone talk so casually about safety?

In Saga Prefecture, a meeting was slated for June 25 to explain to citizens about the resumption of operations at the Genkai nuclear power plant. But as I understand it, only a few citizens, selected by the central government, were allowed to attend. This format tells us a lot about how the government goes about its business. It certainly doesn't get my vote.

Feynman battled cancer while he investigated the Challenger disaster. In his report, titled "Personal Observations on the Reliability of the Shuttle." he concluded, "For successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
He was a scientist with conscience, and I will always remember his words.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 25

* * *
Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

26/06 VOX POPULI: Government sugarcoats dangerous reality of nuclear power plants

Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of the vernacular Asahi Shimbun.
2011/06/26

The year 1986 was a veritable annus horribilis for science and technology. The U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff in January. Then came the Chernobyl meltdown in April.

Back then, the probability of a Space Shuttle failure was believed to be 1-in-100,000. That meant just one failure in 300 years of daily launches.

This "safety myth" was debunked by the Rogers Commission, a presidential commission tasked with investigating the Challenger disaster. Richard Feynman (1918-1988), a Nobel laureate physicist and one of the best-known members of the commission, likened the risk inherent in shuttle launches to Russian roulette--a dangerous gamble in which the player closes his eyes to "inconvenient truth."

In Japan, the probability of a nuclear accident was said to be "1-in-5 billion, comparable to being hit by a meteor." I'd say this was more lie than myth.

An accident did occur at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. But even though the situation has yet to be brought under control, economy minister Banri Kaieda has declared other plants safe and called for them to resume operations.

Does anyone really believe him?

The economy ministry is a party involved in the accident. Kaieda may be likened to a bankrupt person offering security for someone taking out a loan.

Now that conventional safety measures have proved useless, how could anyone talk so casually about safety?

In Saga Prefecture, a meeting was slated for June 25 to explain to citizens about the resumption of operations at the Genkai nuclear power plant. But as I understand it, only a few citizens, selected by the central government, were allowed to attend. This format tells us a lot about how the government goes about its business. It certainly doesn't get my vote.

Feynman battled cancer while he investigated the Challenger disaster. In his report, titled "Personal Observations on the Reliability of the Shuttle." he concluded, "For successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
He was a scientist with conscience, and I will always remember his words.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 25


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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

26/06 編集手帳 - 悪法は二度と作らぬ、の誓いと受け取った

６月２６日付

　＜らい予防法による被害者の名誉回復及び追悼の碑＞と刻まれている。先週、厚生労働省前で催された除幕式を見て、予防法廃止に尽力した今は亡き２人のことを考えた◆京都帝大医学部助教授だった小笠原登氏。ハンセン病は感染力が微弱で治癒可能だとして、予防法による患者の強制隔離や、子孫を断つ断種手術などをやめよと主張した。が、１９４１年の学会で「地球を四角だと言うに等しい」と糾弾され葬られる◆大学で小笠原氏に師事した大谷藤郎氏。旧厚生省に医系技官として入り、療養所患者の待遇改善を進めた。退官後は、根本解決を目指して、予防法廃止の必要性を学会などで主張した。師弟の志は半世紀を経て、９６年の予防法廃止につながった◆「法が患者を蔑視・差別する根拠としてまかり通ってきた。正しくないだけでなく、加害行為であり、社会的、人道的に決して許されるべきものではなかった」。大谷氏の『らい予防法廃止の歴史』（勁草書房）にある◆当時の厚相は菅直人氏。除幕式で、菅首相は「二度と過ちを繰り返さない」と語った。悪法は二度と作らぬ、の誓いと受け取った。

（2011年6月26日01時32分  読売新聞）

27/06 世界遺産を持つ誇りと責任

2011/6/27付

　平泉（岩手県平泉町）と小笠原諸島（東京都小笠原村）が国連教育科学文化機関（ユネスコ）の世界遺産に登録されることが決まった。

　登録をきっかけにして観光客を集め地域の活性化を図りたいという声は大きい。それは当然だろうが、世界遺産とはそもそも、全人類の財産として後世に残すにあたいすると国際的に認めるという趣旨で選ばれるものだ。誇りに思うと同時に保全にも十分気を配り、責任をもって次の世代に伝えたい。

　中尊寺金色堂などで知られる平泉は仏教の浄土思想を現世の空間に表現したとして、文化遺産に登録される。一方、「東洋のガラパゴス」とも呼ばれる小笠原諸島は、大陸と一度も陸続きになったことがないことから、ここにしかいない固有の動植物が多いことが評価され、自然遺産に登録される。

　二つを加え、日本の文化遺産は12件、自然遺産は４件になる。

　世界遺産になると、期待できるのは観光への波及効果だ。とくに平泉は東日本大震災の影響で、ことしの大型連休の観光客が昨年より８割も減った。文化遺産への登録は復興への励みにもなろうし、古来東北に高い水準の文化があったことをあらためて知る契機にもなるだろう。

　ただ、過去に登録された地域では、ゴミや車が増えて環境に悪影響を与えたり、登録後に急増した観光客数がしばらくすると減ってしまったりという例がみられる。一時の流行ではなく魅力をどうアピールしていくか。他方で、環境を守るための対策はどうするか。そうした点に知恵を絞らねばならないし、訪れる人にも自覚と協力が必要だろう。

　小笠原諸島では野生化したネコやヤギ、トカゲなど生態系を脅かす外来種の駆除が喫緊の課題だ。登録後も、豊かな自然を守る試みが停滞するようなことがあってはならない。

　日本はつぎに富士山や鎌倉（神奈川県）の文化遺産登録を目指している。ただ、世界遺産はすでに900を超え、ユネスコは数をあまり増やさない方針をとっている。平泉も一度落選し、今回は再挑戦だった。

　世界に向け、テーマの独自性や希少性を分かりやすく説明するための戦略が、より重要になっている。

26/06 余録：「何という悲しい時代を迎えたことでしょう」という書き出しで…

　「何という悲しい時代を迎えたことでしょう」という書き出しで始まる小冊子を妻の友人で、３児の母親が自宅に持ってきてくれた。「まだまに」こと「まだ、まにあうのなら」（地湧社）だ▲小欄で以前紹介した「もしドラ」こと「もし高校野球の女子マネージャーがドラッカーの『マネジメント』を読んだら」の約２７０万部には及ばないものの、８７年の発売以来５０万部を超えるロングセラーを続けている▲原発推進の愚かさをつづった「まだまに」はチェルノブイリ原発事故の翌年、出版社に届いた母親からの手紙をまとめた。福島原発事故後、英語版などを収録した増補版を緊急増刷したところ、「脱原発」のバイブルとして再び読まれ始めているという▲関西では、電力会社の社長が節電要請の行脚に出かけた。停止中の原発を再稼働したくても地元自治体の同意が得られない中、大阪や滋賀の知事から「脱原発」や「卒原発」を求められても「国策」である原子力事業の是非を一民間企業が判断するわけにはいかない▲私たちは賠償金が数兆円とも試算される福島原発事故を体験して、原子力事業は、いったん事故が起きれば会社の存在さえも危うくするものであることを知った。抱えるリスクとコストの巨大さが明確になった今、マネジメントの神様なら何と言うだろう▲温室効果ガスを排出しないことを理由に「クリーンエネルギー」として、もてはやされた原子力だ。電力会社社長になり代わって、事故後の逆風を国に訴える手紙をしたためるとしたら、書き出しはこれしかない。「何という悲しい時代を迎えたことでしょう」

• 余録：「原発事故」
• 新卒採用：９割が「計画通り」　毎日新聞再調査
• 福島第１原発：ベント前、保安院などに拡散予測通知…東電
• 福島第１原発：淡水化装置の正常作動　浄化本格化にめど
• 福島第１原発：緩和初日は１０人が防護服なしで一時帰宅

毎日新聞　2011年6月26日　東京朝刊