Busy with making your living? Then, stop and check the followings.
What if you're given only 24 hours to death? This controversial comic book describes the society where the government picks one out of 1,000 people to death at random. Such death sentence is legalized to educate people to respect the value of life. Sounds horrible, isn't it? But, as reading "イキガミ" ("ikigami", the sub-title is "the Ultimate Limit"), you'll see a different aspect. I think we're just too stupid to realize the truth: "life is short."
What is the most precious memory in your life? What if you can take only one memory for the afterlife? If you're not sure, watch "Wonderful Life" (or "After Life" in English) (1998). Sorry, I wanna explain the movie more, but I barely remember the story since I watched it a long time ago. Still, it's a good movie!
If the above two seems too serious, then laugh and cry by reading "椿山課長の7日間" ("Mr. Tsubakiyama's 7 days") by Jiro Asada. This is one of the best books I read last year. The novel became a movie last year as well. I haven't watched yet, though.
7 days mean a grace period after the death. If you have a good excuse, you can go back to this world. But, given the body of somebody else, you're identification is kept confidential. Given 7 days, you might be able to wrap up your life.
Unless 24 hours or 7 days is enough, live hard happily not to regret.
6/17/2007
76 (nana-roku) sedai
A couple of years ago, "76 (nana-roku) sedai" was a frequently quoted word among Japanese media. Literally, it means 1976 generation. They were born around 1976, and are successful entrepreneurs of IT business.
The two books I've been reading lately reminded me of the word. I was impressed (and a little shocked) how young the authors are and what they have achieved.
One is "ハーバードMBA留学記" (Studying at Harvard Business School) by Daisuke Iwase. Having earning a distinctive honor at the school, he's launched a new insurance business in Japan.
The other is "産業再生機構 事業再生の実務 第I巻" (Turnaround Business by the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan Vol.I). The book is compiled by scores of authors whose ages weren't specified in the book, but according to the introductions of authors, at least 8 out of 45 in total are my generation, I suppose. Reportedly, the IRCJ, founded in April 2003, successfully finished its mission last June, handling 41 turnaround deals (incl. Daiei and Kanebo) and accumulating the profit of over 30 billion yen.
Myself is another "76 sedai", by the way.
虎者死留皮 人者死留名
Can I live like the old Chinese saying?
The two books I've been reading lately reminded me of the word. I was impressed (and a little shocked) how young the authors are and what they have achieved.
One is "ハーバードMBA留学記" (Studying at Harvard Business School) by Daisuke Iwase. Having earning a distinctive honor at the school, he's launched a new insurance business in Japan.
The other is "産業再生機構 事業再生の実務 第I巻" (Turnaround Business by the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan Vol.I). The book is compiled by scores of authors whose ages weren't specified in the book, but according to the introductions of authors, at least 8 out of 45 in total are my generation, I suppose. Reportedly, the IRCJ, founded in April 2003, successfully finished its mission last June, handling 41 turnaround deals (incl. Daiei and Kanebo) and accumulating the profit of over 30 billion yen.
Myself is another "76 sedai", by the way.
虎者死留皮 人者死留名
Can I live like the old Chinese saying?
5/31/2007
5/28/2007
African Festa
If you live in Tokyo, experience Africa once a year!
African Festa is held at the Hibiya Park, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the African embassies. There are many embassy and NGO booths. You can not only buy some African accessories and foods, but also meet African people (and some strange Japanese) living around Tokyo.
If you missed last weekend's, then see you next year!
http://www.africanfesta.com/
(Sorry, it's only in Japanese. I wonder why this website has no English pages.)
African Festa is held at the Hibiya Park, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the African embassies. There are many embassy and NGO booths. You can not only buy some African accessories and foods, but also meet African people (and some strange Japanese) living around Tokyo.
If you missed last weekend's, then see you next year!
http://www.africanfesta.com/
(Sorry, it's only in Japanese. I wonder why this website has no English pages.)
5/27/2007
Hop Step JUMP
Jump is:
1. a favorite weekly manga (comic) magazine during my teenage
2. a favorite song during my 20s (the Van Halen's song was released in 1984, though)
3. a favorite Korean "comic martial arts performance" for now (I watched the performance in Seoul last April, and love it! Couldn't stop roaring with laughter)
If you wanna watch the performance (the last JUMP), check this out:
http://www.hijump.co.kr/
By the way, it is playing in Japan now.
http://www.jumpjump.jp/
1. a favorite weekly manga (comic) magazine during my teenage
2. a favorite song during my 20s (the Van Halen's song was released in 1984, though)
3. a favorite Korean "comic martial arts performance" for now (I watched the performance in Seoul last April, and love it! Couldn't stop roaring with laughter)
If you wanna watch the performance (the last JUMP), check this out:
http://www.hijump.co.kr/
By the way, it is playing in Japan now.
http://www.jumpjump.jp/
5/22/2007
5/21/2007
Cool Biz
CoolBiz is starting soon in Japan. This is the only Japanese government policy I've ever appreciated. The policy has freed businessmen from tying a necktie during Tokyo's mist-sauna-like summer. Hallelujah!
And some real "cool" (or freezing) biz are getting hot here in Tokyo.
A new frappuccino, Azuki Frappuccino, is coming soon at Starbucks.
I'm not a big fan of frappuccino series. My favorite is today's coffee (hot or ice). This is my conclusion from a 7-year Starbucks "worship". My stomach is not "macho" enough (because I'm a Virgo?!) to handle an espresso shot included in Caffè Latte, Caffè Mocha, Cappuccino, Caramel Macchiato and so forth. What is worse, I have lactose intolerance! Plus, I can't drink Soy Latte either. Seems like I have some allergy to it. Albeit such limitations, I still love Starbucks. According to my wife, I don't love Starbucks but myself at Starbucks. Whatever.
Anyways, I only wonder... if the new frappucino is better than Korea's 팥빙수, shaved ice with sweet condensed milk syrup, azuki beans, jelly, rice cake and fruits. Maybe not. That's my bet. If I have to choose Starbucks' frappuccino, Cold Stone's ice cream or 팥빙수, I definitely pick the last. Cold Stone people I met in the States were so nice, though. When I first (and last) visited the store, an employee gave me every single tea spoon scoop for tasting almost all the ice cream. So, I had enough even before ordering. One of sweetest treats I've ever had.
By the way, when is Starbucks America's Orange Crème Frappuccino and Orange Mocha coming to Japan? I also wanna try them. Perhaps only once.
And some real "cool" (or freezing) biz are getting hot here in Tokyo.
A new frappuccino, Azuki Frappuccino, is coming soon at Starbucks.
I'm not a big fan of frappuccino series. My favorite is today's coffee (hot or ice). This is my conclusion from a 7-year Starbucks "worship". My stomach is not "macho" enough (because I'm a Virgo?!) to handle an espresso shot included in Caffè Latte, Caffè Mocha, Cappuccino, Caramel Macchiato and so forth. What is worse, I have lactose intolerance! Plus, I can't drink Soy Latte either. Seems like I have some allergy to it. Albeit such limitations, I still love Starbucks. According to my wife, I don't love Starbucks but myself at Starbucks. Whatever.
Anyways, I only wonder... if the new frappucino is better than Korea's 팥빙수, shaved ice with sweet condensed milk syrup, azuki beans, jelly, rice cake and fruits. Maybe not. That's my bet. If I have to choose Starbucks' frappuccino, Cold Stone's ice cream or 팥빙수, I definitely pick the last. Cold Stone people I met in the States were so nice, though. When I first (and last) visited the store, an employee gave me every single tea spoon scoop for tasting almost all the ice cream. So, I had enough even before ordering. One of sweetest treats I've ever had.
By the way, when is Starbucks America's Orange Crème Frappuccino and Orange Mocha coming to Japan? I also wanna try them. Perhaps only once.
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