Sports Day

Written by: adekun on 30 September, 2008 7:59 am - Filed under: blog — 1 Comment »

Not to be confused with Sports Day, a public holiday in October, schools have been hosting their sports day throughout September. The districts are already divided into communities with a leader to manage the many differing day to day aspects. These communities within the catchment area form the teams and people of all ages compete, regardless of their own ties to the school. (continue reading…)

Tags: japan

Ethnically homogeneous

Written by: adekun on 28 September, 2008 3:54 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »

It has been just four days since Taro Aso and his new cabinet have taken up the chalice. The new PM welcomed the USS George Washington, whilst the masses of protesters were welcomed by riot police. The newly appointed Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has already overstepped the mark and has stepped down.
In addition to stating “Japanese do not like foreigners” and that the country is “ethnically homogeneous”; the former minister for education described the Japan Teachers Union “as a cancer for Japan’s education system” and vowed to destroy the group. (continue reading…)

Tags: japan, news, politics

Rice harvest

Written by: adekun on 24 September, 2008 1:43 pm - Filed under: blog — 5 Comments »

Juggling people’s work commitments and the weather, meant it took a public holiday to harvest the rice. It was Autumnal Equinox Day and very overcast too. Shigeki-san had already harvested one of the smaller fields. This left the two large fields, one of which had a smaller adjoining counterpart. With a late morning start and the threat of rain, Shigeki spent most of the time at the controls. I was porter. (continue reading…)

Tags: garden, harvest, inekari, rice, weather

Taro Aso to be Japan’s latest PM

Written by: adekun on 22 September, 2008 3:37 pm - Filed under: blog — 4 Comments »

As expected the LDP have chosen ultra right wing/conservative/nationalist Taro Aso to lead them. He achieved two/thirds of the vote. Famous for his “one nation, one civilization, one language, one culture and one race.” speech and love of Manga, he is certain to become the next Prime Minister.
Why does the ruling party get to choose the Premier and not the public? It’s not just a one off in this case. (continue reading…)

Tags: japan, news, politics

Tree of Happiness Award

Written by: adekun on 20 September, 2008 7:19 am - Filed under: blog — 4 Comments »

Thank you to Top Veg for bestowing upon me the Tree of Happiness Award. It is my turn to choose six things that make me happy. As the entries have been a bit light on the garden that will be my focus:

• Spotting the first seedlings to emerge
• Finishing a harvest
• Eating and giving the produce
• Observing, experimenting
• Changing things around regularly
• Watching my wife do some weeding

(continue reading…)

Tags: garden

Tainted Rice

Written by: adekun on 19 September, 2008 1:39 pm - Filed under: blog — 3 Comments »

Recently stories have been surfacing over tainted rice that has ended up in the food chain. Unsurprisingly, this did not happen by accident, but in the name of profit (as is the custom). The rice is said to have been imported from China and Vietnam amongst others. Contaminated with pesticides and a toxic mould, the rice was destined for industrial use. Instead an increasing trail of hundreds of companies has emerged; covering brewing, food stuffs, the elderly and schoolchildren. (continue reading…)

Tags: news, politics, rice

Mischief

Written by: adekun on 11 September, 2008 4:44 pm - Filed under: blog — 6 Comments »

We have been enjoying the better weather. Kento has had a couple of trips further abroad. One of the less beneficial trips was to the waterfoul park; you have to pay to see them and I didn’t have more than a few coins! Instead, together we explored on the bike until one of us fell asleep.
For sometime now, the day usually begins with an eye poke around six o’clock. This follows hours of Ritsue’s backside brass section (an audible pregnancy ailment).
Kento can now fully undress himself, usually at the wrong moment. He puts in a good effort when trying to dress himself. His latest fashion is a pair of underwear worn as a toga.

Tags: kento