At Japan's Government Revitalization Unit meeting in Novemer 2009, one congresswoman asked a bureaucrat emphasizing to pursue the top of the world is important: "Why do you want to be a No. 1? Why not No. 2?"
Well, everybody wants to be a number one. 5 HipHop (or R&B) musicians at least seem so.
"Number One" (Pharrell Williams feat. Kanye West)
"Number One" (R. Kelly feat. Keri Hilson)
"Numba 1 (Tide is High)" (Kardinal Offishal feat. Rihanna)
"Number One" (Chrisette Michele)
"Number One" (John Legend feat. Kanye West)
"No One" (Alicia Keys)
Oops, the last one is not No. 1 but No One! A mistake! :P
1/04/2011
Happy New Year
"In English 'Commencement' means graduation as well as a new start. This is not the end but a new beginning in our life."
I was so impressed that I still remember the statement our 12-year-old representative read at my elementary school graduation ceremony.
An end is just a new beginning, indeed. But, when it comes to a ceremonial event, cultural differences become very clear. Some countries value end more while others beginning.
Beginning looks more important in Japan. As one entering into every single life stage, the very first thing (s)he does is having a ceremony. Starting from kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school and college, there are always ceremonies to welcome new comers, celebrating to be "one family". Even when one first starts to work, there is a welcome ceremony by his (her) employer.
On the other hand, the U.S. has none such ceremony. When I started to study at a college in the U.S., there was no welcome ceremony but a mere orientation. It did not mean I was unwelcome. It's not that they are no Catholics who uphold ceremonial events. Americans seem to prefer casual style, but commencement is a huge event. All the families come together and celebrate a family member who graduates.
Also, Japanese newspapers (and/or magazines) publish special report on New Year's Day (the 1st issue of a new year) while American papers rather do so on the last issue of a year. The Economist, for instance, publishes special coverage on the last one every year. Well, the weekly newspaper is not genuinely American. Plus, arguably it also covers new year's first print since it's "double issue". But, my point is, it comes in the end of the previous year rather than the beginning of a new year.
Different holiday calendar might have some influence over such attitudes. Americans cerebrate Christmas. It's a holiday and many people take Christmas vacation. But, not so on New Year's Day. Japanese, on the other hand, have no Christmas holiday but 3 "mandatory" holidays from January 1st through 3rd. Generally, it starts from New Year's Eve or earlier. During the holidays people have family gatherings, shrine visits and New Year Sales (esp. "fuku-bukuro" (literally meaning lucky package, which has so many products in it with discount but in many cases you'll never know what's inside until you open it). Also, season's greeting is supposed to arrive by Christmas in the U.S. while Japan's on New Year's Day.
Perhaps Japan has been under "Lost Two Decades" because the government and business are obsessed too much with how to STOP deflation and recession. The country rather needs to focus on how to create a new economy by taking a big, bold step. Then, the Lost Decades become a history.
Happy New Year. Wish your new year becomes more exciting than 2010!!
I will work and study hard to make 2011 my "Commencement" year.
Not merely graduating from my MBA program in September 2011.
But also to make my dreams come true.
I was so impressed that I still remember the statement our 12-year-old representative read at my elementary school graduation ceremony.
An end is just a new beginning, indeed. But, when it comes to a ceremonial event, cultural differences become very clear. Some countries value end more while others beginning.
Beginning looks more important in Japan. As one entering into every single life stage, the very first thing (s)he does is having a ceremony. Starting from kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school and college, there are always ceremonies to welcome new comers, celebrating to be "one family". Even when one first starts to work, there is a welcome ceremony by his (her) employer.
On the other hand, the U.S. has none such ceremony. When I started to study at a college in the U.S., there was no welcome ceremony but a mere orientation. It did not mean I was unwelcome. It's not that they are no Catholics who uphold ceremonial events. Americans seem to prefer casual style, but commencement is a huge event. All the families come together and celebrate a family member who graduates.
Also, Japanese newspapers (and/or magazines) publish special report on New Year's Day (the 1st issue of a new year) while American papers rather do so on the last issue of a year. The Economist, for instance, publishes special coverage on the last one every year. Well, the weekly newspaper is not genuinely American. Plus, arguably it also covers new year's first print since it's "double issue". But, my point is, it comes in the end of the previous year rather than the beginning of a new year.
Different holiday calendar might have some influence over such attitudes. Americans cerebrate Christmas. It's a holiday and many people take Christmas vacation. But, not so on New Year's Day. Japanese, on the other hand, have no Christmas holiday but 3 "mandatory" holidays from January 1st through 3rd. Generally, it starts from New Year's Eve or earlier. During the holidays people have family gatherings, shrine visits and New Year Sales (esp. "fuku-bukuro" (literally meaning lucky package, which has so many products in it with discount but in many cases you'll never know what's inside until you open it). Also, season's greeting is supposed to arrive by Christmas in the U.S. while Japan's on New Year's Day.
Perhaps Japan has been under "Lost Two Decades" because the government and business are obsessed too much with how to STOP deflation and recession. The country rather needs to focus on how to create a new economy by taking a big, bold step. Then, the Lost Decades become a history.
Happy New Year. Wish your new year becomes more exciting than 2010!!
I will work and study hard to make 2011 my "Commencement" year.
Not merely graduating from my MBA program in September 2011.
But also to make my dreams come true.
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