06/09 How one Thai budget carrier keeps its flight attendants young and hot

It's all about marketing, not sexism, says Nok Air's colorful CEO

Read more: How one Thai budget carrier keeps its flight attendants young and hot | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/life/thai-budget-carrier-young-295067#ixzz1YrF0izYL

Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin said the airline's flight attendants are both beautiful and nice. (File photo)

“I get older, they stay the same age.” 

That of course is a classic line by Wooderson, Matthew McConaughey’s smooth-talking character in “Dazed and Confused,” referring to high school girls. But it could very well refer to Thailand’s flight attendants too. 

A report in today’s Bangkok Post looks at how budget carrier Nok Airlines is among a growing number of regional airlines that are only hiring young flight attendants on short contracts while replacing older cabin crew to rejuvenate brand image and appeal to passengers. 

According to the report, Nok Air said applicants should not be over the age of 25, while 24 is the maximum at Taiwan's EVA Air and Thai Smile Air, a regional subsidiary of Thai Airways set to start flying next year. 

"This has nothing to do with sexist attitudes, but rather marketing," said Patee Sarasin, Nok Air's chief executive, in the article. 

Nok reportedly gives its flight attendeants a three-year employment term, with three-year extensions on a case-by-case basis if they prove able to sustain their work standard and looks.

"Pretty girls who are not very nice due to maybe big egos and ugly ones who may have beautiful characters can become Nok Air cabin attendants," said Patee. "What we do is combine the best of the two -- beautiful girls with nice personalities.”

Pattee is known for his seemingly unfiltered comments. Following the election of Thailand’s first female prime minister in July, he raised eyebrows in Sydney by saying “compared to your prime minister, [Yingluck Shinawatra] is much better looking."

Click here to read the full Bangkok Post article, which also includes figures from Nok Air's recent recruitment drive. 

Tags: 

• flight attendants
 
• Nok Air
 
• Asian airlines
 
• Bangkok Post

Read more: How one Thai budget carrier keeps its flight attendants young and hot | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/life/thai-budget-carrier-young-295067#ixzz1YrF7YqEh

06/09 Japan-U.S. alliance must be rebuilt

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The inauguration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's Cabinet should lead to a halt in the erosion of Japan's diplomatic relations of recent years, which is essential for making the nation's voice better heard in the international community.

At a press conference held shortly after his appointment as prime minister, Noda stressed the need to achieve that goal, saying: "The Japan-U.S. relationship is a central pillar of our country's diplomatic and security policy at a time when the world is becoming more and more multipolar. [Bilateral relations] must be deepened and expanded."

Noda is an unknown quantity as prime minister. However, we hope he will steadfastly adhere to this fundamental principle in fulfilling his duties.

The Japan-U.S. alliance has long functioned as a public good to preserve peace and security in the Asia-Pacific basin. Many Asian countries share this perception. Unstable Japan-U.S. ties would harm relations between Japan and its Asian neighbors.

The nation's diplomatic environment has been increasingly unfavorable in recent years. The Noda administration was preceded by short-lived cabinets formed by five prime ministers. This has been compounded by the rise of China and some other newly emerging nations, a development that has undeniably resulted in a relative decline in Japan's national strength as the mainstay of its foreign relations.

===

Put U.S. ties on track

This is particularly evident in the turmoil and stagnation in the Japan-U.S. relationship due to a change of administration that took place two years ago. This paralysis can be attributed to former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's unskilled diplomacy, followed by an ill-conceived attempt by his successor, Naoto Kan, to put off bilateral issues.

With this in mind, the new prime minister must work to bring the nation's tattered external relations back on track, focusing first on shoring up its alliance with the United States.

Noda is scheduled to attend a number of meetings with the leaders of other nations, including a session of the U.N. General Assembly in late September. His diplomatic itinerary for November and beyond also includes a summit meeting of the Group of 20 nations and territories, the East Asia Summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

The prime minister must use these diplomatic opportunities to establish trust with U.S. President Barack Obama and other national leaders. Doing so is essential to defend our national interests.

He must also take specific actions to resolve pending issues facing Japan and the United States and not just follow the steps taken by his predecessors, Hatoyama and Kan, who both had only harped on "a deepening" of the bilateral alliance.

Washington has called on Tokyo to make "concrete progress" in settling the dispute over the transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture "within one year." Failure to do so could prompt the U.S. administration to drastically reconsider a plan to relocate U.S. marines in the prefecture to Guam.

Noda must do all he can to overcome the gridlock in the Futenma controversy through talks with leaders and residents in Okinawa Prefecture. This task requires the prime minister to join hands with Cabinet members related to the dispute--Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa and Tatsuo Kawabata, state minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs.

===

Promote talks with China

It is no less important for Noda to promote dialogue with China.

The collisions between a Chinese fishing boat and two Japanese vessels in waters off the Senkaku Islands in September last year strained bilateral ties. Although summit talks among Japan, China and South Korea have since taken place, Tokyo and Beijing remain caught in a standoff over natural gas field exploration in the East China Sea and other bilateral problems.

The prime minister should step up security talks between Japan and China while also increasing bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Living up to this responsibility is essential to realizing what is called a "strategically reciprocal relationship" between Tokyo and Beijing, instead of leaving the mutually avowed goal an empty slogan.

The Noda administration also must decide, as soon as possible, whether to send Self-Defense Forces personnel to South Sudan for a U.N. peacekeeping mission, another decision his predecessors put off.

We hope the Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties will agree to abandon the unreasonable practice established over the years of restricting visits to other countries by prime ministers and foreign ministers.

For years, opposition parties have insisted that attendance at Diet sessions by such political figures must take precedence over overseas travel on official business. The public does not even begin to understand why the country's national interests must be compromised because its prime minister and foreign minister are prevented from visiting other nations under what can only be described as a misguided rule meant to preserve "the authority of the Diet."

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 5, 2011)

(Sep. 6, 2011)

06/09 IN THE NEWS / Soprano to sing at 9/11 peace recital

Ryoichi Matsumoto / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

Maki Mori

Waiting for her turn during a May concert to help support areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, opera singer Maki Mori was circumspect.

"It isn't always positive living in this world. But I feel very strongly [about] and cherish music's role in reaching out to people during difficult times," she said.

Mori experienced the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on United States soil firsthand while she was rehearsing for an opera scheduled to be performed in Washington.

Immediately after the catastrophe, Mori was evacuated to a suburban area of the capital. Ultimately she had to perform in the opera three days later without proper rehearsals.

"I was worried whether it would really be okay to perform under such circumstances," she recalled.

Despite her concern, Mori's performance at the well-attended concert received rapturous applause.

Mori said this experience helped her realize music can help people to recover from distress.

The singer, 41, believes even when faced with a serious disaster, musicians will never be powerless. "Because we can pray for victims and convey the greatness of being alive through our music," she explained.

Mori will sing Mozart's Requiem and other works at her recital to be held at the Tokyo Opera City in Shinjuku, Tokyo, on Sunday.

Sept. 11 will also mark the six-month anniversary of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Mori says she will put her soul into the pieces she will sing at the concert.

"I'll be happy if I'm able to convey my thoughts [about the disaster] to the audience, and hope the performance transcends being enjoyable and beautiful," she said.

(Sep. 6, 2011)

05/09 余録：ＳＰＥＥＤＩ問題 - Gov't must learn lessons from nuclear crisis response to avoid repeating mistakes

A radiation expert says what has infuriated him most since crisis broke out at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant is that the government initially withheld data from the System for Prediction of Environmental Emergency Dose Information (SPEEDI), which predicted how radioactive substances would spread. His anger is understandable.

Clouds of radioactive substances drifted northwest as well as toward the Kanto area around Tokyo between March 15 and 16, and between March 20 and 22. There are many people who fled to areas that the clouds were drifting towards, and those who allowed their children to play outdoors without knowing how radioactive substances were spreading. It is difficult to imagine how people saying, "If I had only known about the projections ..." are feeling now.

A government map displaying radiation levels in the area around the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant.

As if to add insult to injury, it has turned out that projections made on March 11 of nuclear reactor core meltdowns were ignored by the Prime Minister's Office. It is surprising that the government has disclosed this fact at this stage, but its claim that it "never thought of utilizing the data because it is not based on confirmed facts" is also astounding. Exactly because facts cannot be immediately confirmed, the government should have protected residents of affected areas by making predictions. SPEEDI, as well as a system to predict meltdowns, exists for that very purpose.

The government is now paying the price for ignoring the projections of the widespread diffusion of radioactive substances. Numerous beef cows were contaminated with radiation through tainted feed, and so-called hot spots -- sites where radiation levels are far higher than the surrounding area -- have been discovered one after another. The government's acknowledgement, six months after the nuclear crisis began, that residents of highly contaminated areas cannot return home for decades also appears to be an "after-effect" of ignoring the diffusion predictions.

An experiment to decontaminate soil is conducted in Kawamata, Fukushima Prefecture, on Aug. 11. (Mainichi)

University of Tokyo professor Tatsuhiko Kodama has urged that an expert committee comprised of "fresh" members be set up to protect children and expecting mothers from radiation, and promote the decontamination of affected areas in an appropriate manner. Kodama places emphasis on "fresh" members because he fears that experts who have been involved in the past mistakes will only make excuses. His opinion is convincing, considering the government's response to the nuclear crisis.

Unfortunately, all the Diet members were directly or indirectly involved in the mistakes. Therefore, all politicians should confront the mistakes made in the days and weeks after the meltdowns. The new administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda must pay close attention to the crisis to see if any mistake is being made, and eliminate the causes of any potential mistake. ("Yoroku," a front-page column in the Mainichi Shimbun)

Click here for the original Japanese story

(Mainichi Japan) September 8, 2011

余録：ＳＰＥＥＤＩ問題

　福島第１原発の事故発生以来、一番腹立たしかったことは何か。研究者と話して意見が一致した。事故当初、放射性物質の拡散を予測する「ＳＰＥＥＤＩ」のデータを政府が非公開としたことだ▲放射性物質の雲は３月１５～１６日や２０～２２日ごろに北西方向や関東地方などに流れた。拡散を知らず雲が向かった地域に避難したり、子どもを外で遊ばせた人もいる。「予測さえ知っていれば」。そう思わずにいられない当事者の気持ちはいかばかりか▲追い打ちをかけるように炉心溶融の予測が放置されていたこともわかった。今ごろの公表に驚くが、「事実に基づくデータではないので活用に思い至らなかった」との釈明にもがく然とする。「事実」がわからないからこそ「予測」によって住民を守る。溶融予測も拡散予測もそのためのシステムではなかったのか▲大量の放射性物質の拡散から目を背けたツケは大きい。稲わらによる牛肉の汚染、今も続く新たなホットスポットの発見。半年近くたって「何十年も帰れない」という見通しが飛び出すのも、その「後遺症」と感じる▲「子どもと妊婦を守り、的確な除染を進めるために、清新な有識者による委員会を」。東大の児玉龍彦教授が訴えている。「清新」と断るのは、これまでの「失敗」に関与した人々は言い訳に陥りやすいから。政府の対応を見ると、その指摘にうなずかざるをえない▲残念ながら今の国会にこれまでの失敗に無関係な人はいない。だからこそ、過去の失敗から目を背けずに向き合う。現在進行中の失敗がないか目を光らせ、先手を打つ。そんな真摯（しんし）さと胆力が新政権に問われている。

英訳

毎日新聞　2011年9月5日　0時01分

04/09 Sharing the grief of losing a child / Women find comfort by talking to others with similar experiences

Akihiko Kano / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

In an effort to help provide psychological care to women who have lost their unborn or newborn child, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center in Yokohama offers a place where they can talk about and share the experience of losing a child.

"My mood varies from day to day, but I'm slowly getting over it," a 32-year-old woman from Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, told 17 other women who gathered at Kanagawa Kenmin Center, also in Yokohama, in June. Speaking slowly to the group, Wataboshi-no-kai (group of women who have lost children), she explained she gave birth to her first son in April 2010 at the medical center, but the boy had lung problems. The baby, who could not breathe on his own, died the following day.

The woman said she began to stay at home as much as possible as it was hard to see families with babies outside. If she happened to hear the voice of an infant at a restaurant, she quickly left. "I wondered why I was the only one suffering such sadness," she said.

In October last year, six months after her son's death, the woman joined a meeting of Wataboshi-no-kai. After introducing herself, she told about 20 women and their family members her true feelings.

She also listened to the stories of the other women who had lost children, including one who could not talk but speak for crying. "I realized I'm not the only one to suffer this terrible experience," she said. Since she was able to hold her son in her arms and spend some time with him, even for such a short period, she gradually developed a sense of gratitude. "He came into the world despite his illness. He was there, he had his life," she said.

"Talking about my feelings made me feel better than holding them in. I'll continue to live with my sorrow without trying to defeat it," she said.

According to statistics published by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, a fetus death after the 12th week of pregnancy is considered a stillbirth. The death of a baby in the first week after birth is called early neonatal mortality.

In 2010, more than 1 million babies were born in Japan. In the same year, about 27,000 stillbirths were reported and about 880 babies died in the first week after birth.

Fifteen percent of all pregnant women are believed to experience miscarriages, including stillbirth.

Wataboshi-no-kai was set up in 1997 by volunteers, including a nurse at the center's health and welfare counseling center, to help mothers who have lost a child. Last year, the workshop, held three times a year, was added as an official program of the medical center.

One unique aspect of the group is that no doctors take part in the sessions.

According to an official at the counseling center, this is to allow women to talk freely without having to worry about the feelings of the doctors.

A 35-year-old woman from Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of the participants. In May last year, she was told by her doctor that her 16-week-old baby's heart could not be heard by ultrasound. She had a stillbirth the following month.

She said every day since then has been hard, and she could not bear the sound of a baby crying. The turning point came when she joined the group in October last year.

"I usually can't talk about losing the baby. But here I can freely express myself. By listening to others with similar experiences, I feel better," she said.

Michiko Yamanaka, a doctor at St. Luke's International Hospital, is the editor of the book Akachan o Nakushita Josei e no Kango (Nursing for women who have lost their child), said being able to talk openly about their feelings with others who have had similar experiences helps women with their psychological recovery.

But such groups are only available in a few places.

Hiroshi Wada, the director of the Yodogawa Christian Hospital's center for perinatal mothers and children in Osaka, conducted a survey of 203 facilities, including those with comprehensive perinatal programs, last year. The survey, with a response rate of 63 percent, found 24 facilities, or 19 percent, introduced women who had lost a child to local self-help groups, while five facilities, or 4 percent, had their own support groups.

"The programs are effective [in supporting women], but the numbers are limited partly because the programs can place a great burden on medical institutions in terms of human resources, time or financial resources. Government-level assistance is required to lessen the burden on hospitals," Wada said.

(Sep. 4, 2011)

04/09 PROFILE OF NODA CABINET

The Yomiuri Shimbun

INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER, STATE MINISTER FOR OKINAWA AND NORTHERN TERRITORIES AFFAIRS

TATSUO KAWABATA

Kawabata, a former member of the now-defunct Democratic Socialist Party, entered politics after working as a technical engineer at Toray Industries, Inc. and an executive member of a labor union.

Having served as party secretary general and Diet affairs chief, he is considered adept in dealing with Diet affairs.

As education minister under a previous DPJ administration, he skillfully handled education policies, despite this not being his specialty. The free high school education program, one of the DPJ's pledges in the 2009 House of Representatives election, was put into force through his efforts.

However, some lawmakers describe him as a consensus-oriented politician who lacks individuality and the strength to impose his will on others.

(DPJ, group of former DSP members)

===

JUSTICE MINISTER

HIDEO HIRAOKA

Hiraoka is the second consecutive justice minister to come from the intraparty group led by former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, following his predecessor, Satsuki Eda.

He has served in such posts as counselor of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau and section chief of the former National Tax Administration Agency, now the National Tax Agency.

A lawyer, Hiraoka is considered an expert on legal and fiscal affairs.

An enthusiastic supporter of the current Constitution, Hiraoka is a representative of Liberal no Kai (association of liberal lawmakers), a group of junior and mid-ranking DPJ members.

However, some people regard him as "stubborn and inflexible."

(DPJ, Kan group)

===

FOREIGN MINISTER

KOICHIRO GEMBA

Gemba served concurrently as state minister for national policy and chairman of the DPJ's Policy Research Committee in the Kan administration, and made strenuous efforts in negotiations with the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito in reviewing his party's key policy goals.

However, he sometimes has been seen as vacillating between different opinions when faced with opposition from other party members, putting his decisiveness in question.

He attended the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, and is the son-in-law of former Fukushima Gov. Eisaku Sato.

Some lawmakers have begun gathering around Gemba, who is regarded as a next-generation leader in the party. This move may lead to the formation of a new group.

(DPJ)

===

FINANCE MINISTER

JUN AZUMI

A close ally of former DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada, Azumi supported him as chairman of the party's Diet Affairs Committee during the Kan administration.

Azumi's high-handed attitude toward bureaucrats is often described as arrogant. But many people were moved at a meeting of DPJ lawmakers immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake when Azumi wept as he called for action to help victims in disaster-stricken areas.

A former NHK reporter, Azumi is known to be highly assertive. However, some express concern about his talkative nature, saying that he tends to blow his own horn.

(DPJ)

===

EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MINISTER

MASAHARU NAKAGAWA

Nakagawa was formerly a member of the Mie Prefectural Assembly and worked for the Japan Foundation. He has gained the deep trust of former party Secretary General Katsuya Okada, who also was elected from a constituency in Mie Prefecture.

Having served as chairman of the DPJ's Foreign Relations and Security Research Committee, Nakagawa is known for his expertise in diplomatic affairs.

Nakagawa also has a deep knowledge of many other policy issues. He was in charge of education policies as a senior vice minister of the education ministry.

He is considered extremely trustworthy, though some other politicians wish he was more ambitious.

(DPJ)

===

HEALTH, LABOR AND WELFARE MINISTER

YOKO KOMIYAMA

Komiyama is one of the DPJ members who called for the creation of the child-rearing allowance system, a key pledge in the party's manifesto for the 2009 House of Representatives election.

A former commentator at NHK, Komiyama has made it her life's work to promote women's rights and assistance for child rearing.

A close aide to DPJ Policy Research Committee Chairman Seiji Maehara, Komiyama openly urged then party President Ichiro Ozawa to resign in 2009 over Ozawa's involvement in a politics-and-money scandal.

Komiyama has a good reputation for her clear-cut statements, but this has earned her enemies in the past.

(DPJ, Maehara group)

===

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES MINISTER

MICHIHIKO KANO

Elected to the House of Representatives 11 times, Kano has had a long political career. He held a number of cabinet posts as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, and was once seen as a promising candidate for prime minister. However, he bolted the LDP when the political world underwent a realignment and he suffered a number of hardships.

Last year, he was appointed agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, the first cabinet post he has held in 18 years. He displayed his political skills in agricultural reforms and has been rewarded by being reappointed to the post. The stability he seemed to offer prompted other party members to field him as a candidate in the latest DPJ presidential election.

He is nicknamed "tinplate underwear," a reference to his discreet statements and behavior from which "nothing leaks."

(DPJ, Kano group)

===

ECONOMY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER

YOSHIO HACHIRO

Hachiro was born into a farming family in Hokkaido, worked in an agricultural co-operative and then entered the world of politics as a member of the now-defunct Japan Socialist Party.

Though he claims to be an expert in agricultural policy, Hachiro's skills in economy and energy policies are uncertain.

When the DPJ was an opposition party, he served in such key party posts as chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee and chairman of the election campaign committee, and his skill in coordinating opinions was praised.

In September last year, he again became chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee, but resigned about four months later after failing to achieve anything worthwhile.

(DPJ, group of former JSP members)

===

LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND TOURISM MINISTER

TAKESHI MAEDA

At 73, Maeda is the oldest Cabinet member. He has experienced many setbacks in his political career, losing three consecutive elections for the House of Representatives, the House of Councillors and the governorship of Nara Prefecture.

Agreeing with the political reforms proposed by former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, Maeda left the Liberal Democratic Party in 1993.

In the DPJ's recent presidential election, Maeda supported Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano. Although he is a member of the Hata group, he also attends meetings of Kano's group.

Maeda used to be a bureaucrat at the former Construction Ministry. He will be tested as to whether he can exert his leadership without depending on his former colleagues.

(DPJ, upper house, Hata group)

===

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, STATE MINISTER FOR NUCLEAR CRISIS

GOSHI HOSONO

Hosono was appointed in June under the Kan administration as state minister in charge of handling the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. He has played a major role in addressing the crisis in cooperation with plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. since its outbreak.

Hosono has frequently visited Fukushima Prefecture to coordinate efforts to deal with the nuclear crisis and earned a reputation within the government as a man of action.

Hosono entered the world of national politics when he was 28, after serving as a researcher at a research organization.

Although he is said to be highly competent in his utilization of bureaucrats, some have found Hosono to be indecisive when his positions come under criticism.

(DPJ, Maehara group)

===

DEFENSE MINISTER

YASUO ICHIKAWA

As head of the DPJ's policy board in the House of Councillors, Ichikawa has played a role in having the opinions of upper house members reflected in DPJ policies.

He became an expert on agricultural policy when he was a bureaucrat in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.

Though he has expressed interest in diplomatic and defense issues, some lawmakers said his experience comes only as a senior member of relevant committees.

He fought many times with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori of the Liberal Democratic Party in the House of Representatives' Ishikawa Constituency No. 2, before switching parties and winning an upper house seat.

(DPJ, upper house, Ozawa group)

===

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY

OSAMU FUJIMURA

Fujimura was inspired to become a politician during his university days, as a result of volunteering to raise scholarship funds for children who had lost their parents in traffic accidents.

He has served as a senior vice minister for the Foreign Ministry and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, but his speciality is education policy.

When he was in the opposition camp, Fujimura was involved in managing Diet affairs and gained a reputation for adept behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Fujimura is considered to be Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's right-hand man.

He is calm and subdued, but many people have called for him to be more vocal.

(DPJ, Noda group)

===

NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN, STATE MINISTER FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND ABDUCTION ISSUE

KENJI YAMAOKA

Yamaoka became chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee immediately after the 2007 House of Councillors election, and his confrontational attitude toward the ruling Liberal Democratic Party at Diet sessions contributed greatly to the advent of DPJ-led government.

He proudly calls himself a strategist, but some have said he has a tendency to get caught in his own strategies. In 2008, when the DPJ was in the opposition bloc, Yamaoka was suspected of being involved in a pyramid scheme and the LDP set up a team to investigate his alleged involvement.

His third son, Tatsumaru, is a member of the House of Representatives, and his wife's father is renowned novelist Sohachi Yamaoka.

(DPJ, Ozawa group)

===

STATE MINISTER FOR POSTAL REFORM AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

SHOZABURO JIMI

Jimi has a doctorate in medicine and has taught at Harvard University as a lecturer.

Although he is not a specialist in financial administration, Jimi was reappointed to the post as the sole representative of the DPJ's coalition partner, People's New Party. He played the same role under the Kan administration.

Jimi has been tasked by PNP leader Shizuka Kamei to push postal reform-related bills through the Diet.

As deliberations on the bills are stalled in the House of Representatives, Jimi faces a tough challenge.

(PNP, upper house)

===

STATE MINISTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY, ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICY, AND TAX REFORM

MOTOHISA FURUKAWA

Furukawa is a former Finance Ministry bureaucrat known for his administrative abilities. Since he is an expert on the taxation system and fiscal policy, former Prime Minister Naoto Kan and former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku gave him key posts.

Though he is an able policymaker, he has been criticized for lacking communication skills and his inability to work effectively with the Diet as deputy chief cabinet secretary in the Kan administration.

He is also said to micromanage and be more bureaucratic than bureaucrats.

(DPJ, Maehara group)

===

STATE MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT REVITALIZATION AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM

RENHO

Renho has been reappointed as state minister for government revitalization two months after leaving the post. She is expected to be tested over her handling of the once highly heralded screenings of government projects and budgets. As the government failed to achieve much in previous screenings, public interest in them has waned.

Renho, who first became famous as a TV personality, outperforms other lawmakers with her arguments and questions in the Diet.

In the wake of the March 11 disaster, Renho led a national power conservation campaign and played a major role in publicizing government measures on many other occasions. While some people enjoy her flashy performance, it leaves other people cold.

(DPJ, upper house, Noda group)

===

STATE MINISTER FOR DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

TATSUO HIRANO

Hirano retained his post as disaster recovery minister. He was appointed to the post in July under the Kan Cabinet when he succeeded Ryu Matsumoto, who stepped down following a spate of gaffes.

In playing a key role in working out basic recovery and reconstruction policies, Hirano has been credited with regaining the trust of disaster victims.

Formerly a bureaucrat of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, he has built a reputation for competence in performing administrative tasks.

As Hirano is a midranking legislator among DPJ members, however, some lawmakers have pointed out he still falls short in reconciling conflicting opinions.

(DPJ, upper house)

===

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY

FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

TSUYOSHI SAITO

Saito, 66, previously served as acting chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee.

He graduated from Kanagawa University and was elected to a proportional representation seat in the House of Representatives from the Minami Kanto bloc.

(DPJ, Kan group)

HIROYUKI NAGAHAMA

Nagahama, 52, was senior vice health, labor and welfare minister and the DPJ's Finance Committee chairman.

A House of Representatives member from Chiba Constituency No. 1, he graduated from Waseda University.

(DPJ, upper house, Noda group)

FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS

MAKOTO TAKETOSHI

Taketoshi, 61, was administrative vice minister of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry and chief of the ministry's City and Regional Development Bureau.

He graduated from the University of Tokyo and joined the then Construction Ministry in 1972.

(Sep. 4, 2011)

03/09 N-plants must be restarted despite end to power curbs

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The government has decided to lift earlier than scheduled its requirement that large-lot electricity consumers reduce their usage by 15 percent from last summer's peak levels in areas serviced by Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Tohoku Electric Power Co.

The decision was based on the fact that the probability of a serious electricity shortage has become small. The mandatory restriction will end Sept. 9 in TEPCO's service areas, moved up from the initially planned Sept. 22, and was to be lifted Friday [Sept. 2] in places affected by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The latter areas are serviced by TEPCO and Tohoku Electric.

Waning summer heat, along with efforts by the public and private sectors to save electricity, has apparently served as a spur to end the restriction earlier than scheduled.

Starting July 1, the power usage restriction was imposed on large-lot users such as large factories and buildings, to deal with electricity shortages resulting from the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

Many companies made various efforts, such as operating plants on weekends instead of weekdays, to balance power saving with production. Electricity-saving movements spread throughout society, including ordinary households, which were asked to reduce their power use voluntarily.

People turned up the temperature settings on their air conditioners and turned off unnecessary lights. The spread of light-emitting diode bulbs and other power-saving devices also gained momentum.

===

Power saving successful

These efforts prevented planned blackouts like those implemented for a while after the March 11 disaster.

Based on this summer's experiences trying to save power, we should establish a lifestyle that does not waste electricity.

However, it is highly likely that power supply shortages will become serious again in winter, when electricity demand is expected to increase for heating and other purposes.

Since outgoing Prime Minister Naoto Kan has caused unnecessary confusion over nuclear power generation, there are no prospects at this moment for operations to resume at nuclear power plants suspended for regular inspections. If nothing is done, operations at all the nuclear power plants in the nation will be suspended by spring next year.

Prime Minister-elect Yoshihiko Noda said he would not carry over Kan's impromptu denuclearization policy, but pledged during the Democratic Party of Japan presidential race to restart operations at idle nuclear power plants if safety checks are completed. We expect Noda to exercise his leadership to bring this about.

===

Economic activities affected

Meanwhile, the latest power usage restriction has proved again that electricity shortages would badly constrain economic activities.

Many plants could not manufacture as many of their products as they wanted due to power-saving efforts, even though their orders had at last returned to pre-disaster levels after declining in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami. Production in the mining and manufacturing industries was steadily recovering since April but lost steam in July. This may have been caused by the start of power usage restrictions.

Observers said some companies are moving their production sites to other countries out of concern there will not be a stable power supply in Japan. We are concerned that the hollowing out of industries will accelerate and lead to fewer jobs.

TEPCO and other utilities made up for power shortages caused by the suspension of nuclear power plants with additional thermal power generation. But this costs 3 trillion yen a year. The extra costs will eventually lead to an increase in electricity charges.

Restarting idle nuclear power plants is necessary for the Japanese economy to fully recover from the damage caused by the disaster.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 2, 2011)

(Sep. 3, 2011)

02/09 Preparedness means not being surprised by disaster of any scale

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Sept. 1 is designated Disaster Prevention Day, because on that date in 1923 the Great Kanto Earthquake struck, leaving more than 100,000 people dead.

To coincide with this, disaster-management drills are being conducted in various parts of the country this week. According to data collected by the government, more than 510,000 people, including ordinary citizens, are expected to participate in such drills in Tokyo and 34 other prefectures on Sept. 1 alone.

Soon half a year will have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, which left more than 20,000 people dead or missing. Yet the road to post-disaster recovery and reconstruction remains treacherous.

In Fukushima Prefecture, where accidents occurred at a nuclear power plant, the state of disaster persists.

Nowhere in Japan, a country where natural disasters occur frequently, can be kept free of catastrophes such as earthquakes, tsunami and floods. We should learn from the latest disaster and bolster our preparedness for such events through disaster-management drills on this and other occasions.

===

Learning from experience

A disaster drill to be held by the central government will be based on a scenario in which a major earthquake occurs directly beneath the capital. Priorities will include confirming the safety of cabinet members and securing the means to transport relief goods to affected municipalities.

These and other points were chosen because in the wake of the March 11 quake and tsunami, emergency communication networks were cut and the transportation of relief goods was greatly delayed.

Meanwhile, local governments, including prefectural governments, plan to conduct their own practical drills.

The Osaka city government, which in past drills has emphasized the response to a major quake occurring directly under the city, will for the first time conduct a drill for evacuating primary and middle school students to the third or higher floors of school buildings in the event of tsunami.

In Kochi Prefecture, a prefecture-wide evacuation drill will be held in preparation for a possible Nankai earthquake. A record 44,000 residents are scheduled to participate.

Disaster-management drills at nuclear power plants are held every year on a particular day--separate from Disaster Prevention Day--in cooperation with the central and local governments.

But on Thursday, Chubu Electric Power Co. is conducting an independent on-site inspection at its Hamaoka nuclear power plant to check the facility's readiness to deal with major tsunami.

===

Utilities must take action

Other electric power companies decided not to conduct independent drills on Thursday, as they did not want their drills to coincide with those of local municipalities. Yet it is only reasonable for utilities to make efforts to boost their preparedness for a major earthquake or tsunami.

In any case, it is important that they not only conduct drills, but also analyze the results and take necessary action in response.

One area needing improvement is escape routes. In the Great East Japan Earthquake, having an escape route that was familiar and accessible made the difference between life and death for many people.

Conducting drills should be a chance to learn a thing or two about lessening the damage caused by natural disasters.

We should also learn from the wisdom of our ancestors. It may not be mere coincidence that old roads and rest towns located along the coast in Miyagi Prefecture escaped major tsunami damage.

It is said that the Japanese archipelago has entered a phase of full-fledged crustal activity. In many parts of the country, earthquakes are occurring constantly. It is feared that the Tonankai, Nankai and Tokai earthquakes may occur simultaneously, or that even larger quakes could strike.

If such an event does occur, there should be no damage that could be considered "beyond the scope of all predictions."

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 1, 2011)

(Sep. 2, 2011)

02/09 Fukushima students back to school, with dosimeters

The Yomiuri Shimbun

FUKUSHIMA--The second term of the academic year began Thursday at most primary and middle schools in Fukushima, about a week later than usual due to work to remove radioactive substances from school buildings and yards.

Sixty-three of the 72 primary and middle schools in Fukushima held ceremonies Thursday morning to mark the start of the second term.

During the ceremony at the city-run Fukushima No. 4 Primary School, principal Manabu Tanno said to students, "Please study hard in the safe school buildings, where the radiation level has decreased."

Sixth-grade student Kozue Sato, 12, gave a speech on behalf of the school's 177 students. "We want the new term to be full of smiles, " she said.

The Fukushima city education board has decided to distribute dosimeters to about 26,300 students in the city to help monitor and limit their exposure to radiation. At the city-run No. 4 Primary School, dosimeters were given to all students after the opening ceremony.

According to the education board, the city's schools delayed the start of the second term from Aug. 25 to Sept. 1 due to decontamination operations. The schools will shorten their winter recess by about a week to make up for lost study time.

(Sep. 2, 2011)

01/09 'Sát thủ tuổi teen phạm tội là do gia đình'

Vụ sát thủ tuổi teen Lê Văn Luyện hạ thủ cả nhà chủ tiệm vàng ở Bắc Giang, chém đứt lìa bàn tay em bé duy nhất sống sót, khiến nhiều chuyên gia tâm lý lật lại vấn đề tội phạm vị thành niên: "Do sự thiếu trách nhiệm trong giáo dục con cái của bố mẹ". 

> 12 giờ sinh tử với em bé ở tiệm vàng bị chém đứt tay/ Mất cảnh giác, nhà phố hay ở hẻm đều dễ bị trộm cướp

Lê Văn Luyện (chưa tròn 18 tuổi), hung thủ gây ra vụ thảm sát đẫm máu ở tiệm vàng tại Bắc Giang, khi bị bắt tại Lạng Sơn. Ảnh: X.A.

Hung thủ còn thiếu hơn một tháng nữa mới đầy 18 tuổi. Bố mẹ làm nghề bán thịt lợn ở đầu làng, là anh của 2 đứa em, Luyện bỏ học từ lâu và đi làm phụ hồ, được hàng xóm miêu tả là hiền lành.

Với vụ thảm sát gây chấn động, một mình Luyện phạm tội nhưng cả nhà phải liên đới chịu trách nhiệm vì hành vi bao che, không tố giác con trai: bố mẹ, anh họ, chú rể... 4 người bị bắt. Nhiều phụ huynh tỏ ra thông cảm với cha mẹ của Luyện, đặt mình vào vị trí làm cha làm mẹ cũng hành động tương tự: đã không tố giác con mà còn giúp chôn giấu vàng, phi tang quần áo đầy máu. Song không ít người nghiêm khắc hơn thì cho rằng mình sẽ có cách hành xử khác.

"Nhặt một đồng tiền của rơi cũng phải trả cho người làm mất. Còn ở đây, bố mẹ cậu ấy bỗng dưng thấy con giấu một đống vàng không phải là bất thường sao, lại còn đem chôn giấu thay cho nó", ông Tuấn - cha của hai đứa con ở quận 1, TP HCM, trách móc. Còn bà Lục, 78 tuổi, thì nói: "Cứ cho ban đầu bố mẹ cậu ấy không biết vụ án mạng nghiêm trọng nên bao che cho con; còn mấy hôm nay cả nước đều biết tội ác ghê sợ thế nào nên thay vì giấu thì gia đình phải trình báo cơ quan chức năng và khuyên con đầu thú".

Phân tích về khía cạnh tâm lý, một giảng viên đại học khoa tâm lý tại TP HCM bình luận: "Phản ứng bao che là diễn biến tâm lý thông thường của người làm cha làm mẹ. Nhưng chính cách thương con không đúng này đã hại cả nhà".

Dưới góc nhìn giáo dục, Thạc sĩ giáo dục Phạm Phúc Thịnh, chuyên viên tư vấn trung tâm Nhịp cầu hạnh phúc cho rằng, hiện nay khi mà hành vi bạo lực có thể xảy ra mọi nơi, mọi lúc, chính là báo động một nguy cơ lớn hơn đang dần hình thành trong giới trẻ ngày nay. Đó là sự coi thường trật tự kỷ cương xã hội, các em không biết “sợ” - đặc biệt là trẻ vị thành niên.

Thống kê của Cục Cảnh sát điều tra tội phạm về trật tự xã hội (Bộ Công an) cho thấy, thời gian gần đây số các vụ án mạng do trẻ vị thành niên thực hiện đang có chiều hướng gia tăng với hàng chục nghìn vụ mỗi năm. Tội phạm thường ở độ tuổi từ 16 đến 18 (60%), mồ côi lang thang hoặc cha mẹ ly dị, bỏ học sớm, bị kẻ xấu xúi giục cướp tài sản, giết người, buôn bán ma túy...

Như trường hợp của Luân (14 tuổi), sinh ra trong một gia đình nghèo, cha mẹ đều làm nông (huyện Vị Thủy, tỉnh Hậu Giang). Kinh tế khó khăn nhưng gia đình vẫn cố cho cậu đi học, song đến lớp 4 Luân đã nghỉ.

Một buổi trưa nhậu say về, Luân sang nhà láng giềng chơi. Thấy nhà chỉ có 2 bé gái (8 tuổi) đang chơi đùa mà vắng bóng người lớn, cậu đã dụ hai em ra vườn ổi để làm chuyện vợ chồng. Bị phát hiện và phải lãnh mức án 9 năm tù, Luân lúc này mới hối lỗi: “Con không biết hành vi của mình lại nghiêm trọng như vậy. Giờ con rất ân hận".

Đau khổ vì con phạm tội ngồi tù, gia đình của Luân còn nhục nhã bởi bà con lối xóm dèm pha. Cha mẹ cậu còn phải vay nợ mấy chục triệu đồng để bồi thường thiệt hại cho nạn nhân. "Tôi có lỗi khi không dành thời gian quan tâm giáo dục con đến nơi đến chốn nên cháu mới gây ra lỗi lầm lớn này", bố của Luân rưng rưng nước mắt nói.

Còn Phước (TP HCM) mới 15 tuổi, tức giận khi chứng kiến "người yêu" cãi nhau với Huấn (14 tuổi), nên đã dùng dao đâm chết thanh niên này. "Con thấy Tuyền (tên bạn gái) khóc nhưng không nói lý do. Con muốn bạn ấy nín nên bảo sẽ đánh Huấn", bị cáo trả lời trước vành móng ngựa và thừa nhận" không hề có cảm giác gì" khi giết người.

Chứng kiến cảnh đứa con trai duy nhất phải ngồi tù 10 năm vì tội giết người, bố của Phước rưng rưng nước mắt. Ông kể vợ chồng ly hôn từ hồi con trai còn nhỏ. Phước ở với mẹ và dượng, đến lúc mẹ chết thì về ở với bố. Tuy nhiên vì mải lo làm ăn kiếm sống nên ông Cương không có nhiều thời gian quan tâm đến con. "Bây giờ tôi đã thấy rất rõ trách nhiệm của mình", ông nói.

Chuyên gia tâm lý Phạm Phúc Thịnh cho rằng, sự thiếu trách nhiệm trong việc giáo dục con cái trong mỗi gia đình dẫn đến hành vi ứng xử bạo lực của trẻ vị thành niên. Vì nhiều lý do khác nhau, cha mẹ ly dị, mải mê kiếm tiền không dành thời gian cho con cái, gần như suốt ngày các em không hề gặp bố mẹ, đưa đón con cái đến trường hay lo cơm nước đều do một tay người giúp việc...

Theo dõi nhiều vụ án gần đây, đa phần cha mẹ của hung thủ đều tỏ ra "bất ngờ” trước hành vi phạm tội của con cái mình, thậm chí có người còn nói rằng con cái của họ là những đứa con ngoan trong nhà. "Yếu tố này nói lên sự lỏng lẻo trong quan hệ gia đình hiện nay", vị chuyên viên tâm lý nhìn nhận.

Vì thế ông nhắc lại vai trò của gia đình: "Chính là nơi nuôi dưỡng nhân cách cho trẻ biết sống và cách ứng xử trong xã hội, là nơi giáo dục cho các em những cảm nhận đầu tiên về quan hệ giữa con người với con người, giữa con người với thiên nhiên và giữa mỗi người với chính bản thân mình".

Cũng theo quan điểm của Thạc sĩ Phúc Thịnh, mức độ dã man của những hành động gây án trong giới trẻ hiện nay tăng dần một phần do trẻ học hỏi từ người lớn cũng như những gì nhìn thấy trong phim, ảnh bạo lực. Trong khi đó, các biện pháp xử lý tội phạm vị thành niên hiện nay chưa có tính răn đe hiệu quả, nên dẫn đến hiện tượng “lờn thuốc” trong suy nghĩ và hành động của các em.

Thi Ngoan

01/08 "Ông Gaddafi chỉ ra đi khi bị đồng đội phản bội"

Thứ Hai, 01/08/2011 09:56

(NLĐO) - Nhận định trên được Bộ trưởng Quốc phòng Anh Liam Fox đưa ra hôm 31-7.

Trong bối cảnh nhiều phía đang kêu gọi NATO xem xét lại chiến lược của họ trong cuộc chiến ở Bắc Phi này, ông Liam Fox khẳng định chìa khóa của vấn đề nằm ở chỗ liệu những bằng hữu thân cận trong nội bộ chính quyền của đại tá Gaddafi có nhận ra là người lãnh đạo của họ chỉ là “một kẻ thất bại”.

 

Đại tá Gaddafi 

 

Ông Liam Fox còn nhấn mạnh Anh sẽ tiếp tục tham gia vào chiến dịch không kích của NATO vào chính quyền của ông Gaddafi nhằm bảo vệ cho dân thường “đến chừng nào còn được yêu cầu”.

 

Trong mấy ngày qua, Anh đã có những động thái khá quyết liệt thể hiện rõ ràng quan điểm của mình đối với cuộc chiến tại Libya. Chính phủ nước này đã tuyên bố công nhận hội đồng điều hành lực lượng nổi dậy là đại diện duy nhất cho dân chúng Libya hôm 27-7, sau khi trục xuất tất cả các nhân viên còn lại ở sứ quán Libya trung thành với nhà lãnh đạo M. Gaddafi.

 

Tất nhiên quyết định này từ phía Anh bị chính quyền Gaddafi phản đối hoàn toàn.

 

Chỉ một ngày sau khi ngoại trưởng Anh William Hague thông báo quyết định nói trên trong nỗ lực gia tăng áp lực lên đại tá Gaddafi, tư lệnh quân nổi dậy, tướng Abdel Fattah Younes bị sát hại bởi các thành viên Lữ đoàn Obaida Ibn Jarrah, một nhóm Hồi giáo có liên quan mật thiết với quân nổi dậy.
 

Bộ trưởng Fox thừa nhận: Phe nổi dậy không thể giành được chiến thắng trong một cuộc chiến tranh lâu dài. Ông Fox cho rằng một sự đột phá thực sự trên chiến trường giờ đây nằm ngoài tầm tay của cả phe nổi dậy lẫn của Anh.

 

“Phe nổi dậy luôn luôn bộc lộ năng lực hạn chế trên chiến trường. Chìa khóa cho khủng hoảng ở Libya nằm ở chỗ liệu những đồng đội trung thành với đại tá Gaddafi có nhận ra rằng sẽ không còn trông cậy được gì từ nhà lãnh đạo này nữa bởi ông ta chỉ là một kẻ thất bại và sớm hay muộn ông ta cũng phải ra đi” - Bộ trưởng Quốc phòng Anh cho biết.

 

Trong một diễn biến liên quan Na Uy - một trong 8 quốc gia NATO tham gia chiến dịch oanh kích Libya hôm 31-7 tuyên bố sẽ rút khỏi chiến dịch quân sự tại Libya, bắt đầu từ ngày hôm nay 1-8.

Thu Hằng (Theo Daily Mail)

01/09 Nguoi buon gio: Đại Vệ Chí Dị - họ Cơ

2011/9/01 11:41

Nước Vệ có trăm họ, hơn 56 dân tộc anh em trải dài từ miền núi xuống miền biển.


Năm Tân Mão đời Vệ Kính Vương thứ nhất, triều nhà Sản thứ 66.


Tại kinh thành nước Vệ từ mùa Hạ đến đầu mùa Thu,dân chúng và trí sĩ nước Vệ tụ lại đến vài trăm người kéo nhau xuống đường phản đối nước Tề âm mưu xâm chiếm, thôn tính Vệ.


Tề Bá Vương nghe tin ấy, mới hội quần thần lại nói.


- Nay chư hầu phía Nam là Vệ có kẻ sinh lòng khác, không trị ngay  để lâu ngày sợ biến.


Nói rồi thảo chỉ dụ, cho người ngay đêm đi gấp sang Vệ gọi người nhà Sản sang báo cáo tình hình.


Nhà Sản nhận chỉ dụ, văn võ bá quan cúi đầu lạy tạ thiên triều ban chỉ, thắp hương, đốt trầm làm lễ mở dụ. Mở chỉ dụ thấy nói rằng việc để cho dân chúng tự ý tụ tập, tuần hành là thất sách. Cần phải cho người tinh thông sang Tề gấp để học hỏi thêm bí quyết. Kỳ thực là nhận lệnh mới. Nhà Sản họp bàn, sau chọn Phó đại soái Nguyễn Vượng đi chầu phương Bắc. Lựa gấp được ngày lành, Vượng sang Tề chầu kiến.


Tề Bá Vương quở trách Vượng.


- Vệ còn muốn làm chư hầu hưởng uy của Đại Tề ta không, nghĩ nước Vệ trăm họ, truyền thống lâu đời. Thương cái ấy mà không muốn nhập vào làm một huyện. Để riêng một cõi mà trị có được cái danh, thế mà có việc cỏn con cũng không giữ gìn được an ninh , trật tự. Phải để Đại Tề bận trăm công, nghìn việc vẫn phải để tâm. Nếu không được thì để nhập vào châu Quảng cho rồi.


Vượng nghe biến sắc mặt, cúi đầu dập trước sân rồng, không dám ngẩng đầu lên nhìn mặt thiên tử. Tề Bá Vương thấy thế, biết là có lòng e sợ, mới nguôi dạ nói rằng.


- Thôi việc đã thế, về làm cho chắc chắn, đừng để tái diễn nữa.


Vượng rối rít hứa hẹn liên hồi. Tề Bá Vương mới gọi lại gần ân cần hỏi .


-  Nước Vệ có trăm họ, việc thuyết phục bá tính đương nhiên là khó khăn, chỉ cần gom lại đổi thành vài ba họ lớn thì mới dễ dàng được.


Vượng vái dài tâu


- Xin đại vương chỉ cho những kẻ mông muội được thấy ý sáng thiên triều soi tỏ.


Tề Bá Vương nói


- Việc này đã làm rồi, không phải ngày một, ngày hai mà xong, muốn thông suốt hơn thì phải lập trạm liên lạc khẩn để còn nhận chỉ dụ, theo sát tình thế. Cụ thể thế nào đại thần Tề sẽ có người nói với người, giờ cứ nghỉ ngơi, thăm thú non xanh, nước biếc, phồn hoa của thiên triều mở mang con mắt.


Vượng cùng tùy tùng ăn chơi, tiệc hội mấy hôm, lúc sắp về, đại thần Vệ là Ngựa Trời gọi riêng Vượng vào phủ , kéo đến phòng riêng hỏi


- Nước Vệ có bao nhiêu họ


Vương thưa


- Nước Vệ cả thảy có gần trăm họ, những họ đông thì có Nguyễn, Lê, Trần, Hoàng, Phạm,Vũ..ít thì có Dương, Bùi, Mạc...


Ngựa Trời thở dài


- Nhiều họ thế, bảo sao không quản được, muốn quản được dân chúng, phải gom bá tính thành một vài họ lớn mới dễ trị, cái này thiên tử đã dặn ngươi, có hiểu được ý không?


Vượng lắc đầu, Ngựa Trời vẫy lại gần nói.


- Chỉ cần gom bá tính lại, đổi thành vài họ, như họ Khiếp, họ Nhược, họ Cơ là xã tắc yên lành. Những kẻ làm quan thì lấy họ Cơ. Những kẻ trí sĩ, nhân tài có hiểu biết cho mang họ Nhược, còn dân đen lấy họ Khiếp. Những kẻ nào không mang họ ấy, tất là bọn chứa mầm mống phản loạn. Phân định được như thế, xác định rõ đối tượng, kẻ thù mới dễ trị.


Vượng về nước, đem lời Tề chỉ bảo y nguyên lại cho triều nhà Sản.


Mùa Thu năm Tân Mão, nhà Sản cho công sai đi rà soát , uy hiếp ngày đêm mọi nhà. Kẻ nào cứng đầu không chịu đổi họ, này bị triệu lên phủ, mai trát gọi đến chỗ làm, trăm đường điêu đứng.


Hàng ngày công sai nhà Sản đi lùng sục giữa các phố phường, thấy quán xá, vườn hoa nào đông người là xộc tới hỏi danh tính. Kẻ nào họ Khiếp, họ Nhượcthì không sao, những kẻ mang họ khác đều bì bắt lên xe bát mã một đống về phủ trị tội.


Riêng họ Cơ là họ nhà quan, có dấu ấn riêng không bị xét hỏi. Họ này từ vua chúa nhà Sản đều dùng, như Cơ Nông Cường, Cơ Nguyễn Bạo, Cơ Nguyễn Kính, Cơ Nguyễn Vượng.....


Nước Vệ yên bình, ít họ thì yên, lắm họ thì loạn. Người Vệ không thích đa nguyên, đa họ là thế. Sau này nước Vệ có nhiều người thích dùng cả họ trên cho đầy đủ 

Họ Cơ Khiếp Nhược từ đó có trên đất Vệ.

前： Đại Vệ Chí Dị
次： Đoàn '' cựu biểu tình chống TQ'' viếng thăm đất lịch sử Đường Lâm

replyshare

11 Comments日付順   逆   スレッド形式

reply nguoigiaonline wrote 2011/09/01 11:51 nguoibuongio1972： Họ Cơ Khiếp Nhược từ đó có trên đất Vệ.  May, ba cái họ ấy vẫn chưa trùm khắp thay cho trăm họ đang có!

reply mitkite wrote 2011/09/01 14:13 Ới Allah :), xin bạo chúa Tề cho Vệ vịt thêm 1 họ Tu. Tu bia cho nó nhẹ nhàng, cười sảng khoái, thoải mái tâm hồn hơn 3 thứ kia :).

reply kieugiang wrote 2011/09/01 16:39 Nay nói đến tên vô lại ho Vũ tên Tông... Ngày trước vốn là kẻ xu nịnh, có khiếu cóp nhặt chữ nghiã, ghép lại thành vần, đọc lên nghe như ca dao, hò, vè... Vì giỏi nịnh hót, bưng bô cho các quan trên mà được phong cho lên hàng Phó giáo Sư - Tiến sĩ...Có nhiều nữ sến trong lúc lao động nặng nhọc, đem vài vần thơ của Tông ra ngân nga, xem chiều ngưỡng mộ lắm... Ngày nọ, cũng vì tánh xu nịnh bưng bô đánh chết không chừa của Vũ Tông... Y đăng đàn viết bài Bỉ Thử người biểu tình Yêu Nước... Y gọi họ là đám người Cả Quỷnh... Để cho bọn xấu kích động v/v... Xóm văn sĩ Quê Choa tức quá, bèn đăng hình ảnh Tông lên mặt báo... Thế là hàng vạn người xỉa xói, gọi hắn là : Quân mặt dày !... Còn các sến nương trước đây ái mộ hắn, nay nổi tam bành, vén Tượng lên vỗ bồm bộp mà chửi : Thằng Thộn, đồ mặt Lờ.... Thương thay, Vũ Tông gánh lấy bia miệng trăm năm...

Comment deleted at the request of the author.

reply buncuoiwa wrote 2011/09/01 22:52 Để quyết liệt giữ vững danh hiệu tự sướng(đỉnh cao trí tuệ) thì họ Cơ phải loạn luân mất thôi(đảm bảo nhất nguyên)!

reply viettran45 wrote 2011/09/02 00:05 Buon` cho dan nuoc VE,gap thang` phai? gio' lanh dao thi` tu` chet' toi' bi thuong danh` can' rang chiu thoi

reply becailam wrote 2011/09/02 11:33 Là một bước tiến mới trong vấn đề quản lý nhân khẩu kì này bọn "phản động" hết đường thoát, Nhà Sản tài ghê,nhân dân lại trở về thời kì mọi người hăng sai lao động nữa đây, phen này ai cũng có việc hết.

reply brandontle wrote 2011/09/02 13:05 Wow, anh Gio dung la kheo leo trong ach viet van. Kham phuc kham phuc

reply tiensigiay wrote 2011/09/03 02:57, 2011/09/03 05:55に編集されました Người buôn gió được sánh với Nguyễn Hữu Đang :) Oách thật http://www.pagewash.com/nph-index.cgi/000010A/uggc:/=2fjjj.qnapuvzivrg.vasb/nepuvirf/41766

reply hung11 wrote 2011/09/03 07:13 Cám ơn Người Buôn Gió, những bài viết của bạn rất hay rất ý nghĩa Nhưng có một điều hình như bạn có lầm lẫn về lịch sử, theo tôi biết thì những câu truyện bạn kể đều diễn ra vào những năm cuối của nhà SẢN nên phải phải nói là thời kỳ “HẬU SẢN” mới đúng mong bạn xem lại

reply art4artsake wrote 2011/09/03 07:20 em là dân đen họ Khiếp, phải cố kiếm anh chồng họ Cơ ... cho đời mau lên hương , sau này đẻ con đổi ra họ Phản .