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Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park
Source: Google photo
Bears encroaching on our living quarters
This summer, the abnormal heat wave and unexpected bear attacks have been the headlines. We did not know that bears are active in summer. Are they? Bears hibernate in the autumn to conserve energy to survive adverse weather conditions or lack of food. Bears are supposed to be in the deep mountains. However, bears have recently appeared in the suburbs of Tokyo.
What's truly alarming is the fact that bears are encroaching into our living spaces, such as junior high schools, golf grounds, parks, and orchards, in search of food. Their presence in these areas, where we go about our daily lives, is a cause for concern and has left many of us feeling uneasy.
According to the stats by the Environmental Agency, 55 cases of human attack occurred from April to July, and one case caused death in August. These incidents, where humans were the victims, have stirred up a wave of empathy and concern among the public.
The municipal governments were obliged to exterminate some bears that killed people. After that, they received several calls complaining about the extermination. Some say, "Don't kill," from the people who protect animals. Others say, "Exterminate them."
The conflicting opinions stem from a variety of factors, including concerns for animal welfare, fear for public safety, and the need to protect local wildlife. Some staff members received abuse and personal attacks over the phone for several hours. The municipal staff must have struggled to cope with the opposite opinions.
Aug.11: The summer heat has subsided for a couple of days, but heavy rain has hit Kyushu Island, causing numerous delays in bullet trains in western Japan. August is the time to remember two tragic events for the Japanese: the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima/Nagasaki and the JAL plane crash, which caused the most significant tragedy in history.
＊＊＊ ＊＊＊ ＊＊＊ ＊＊＊
I was impressed by the speech by Mr. Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture. Here's the excerpts from the speech:
“⋯(omit) We are aware that the prosperity we are enjoying today is fragile, as the international situation shifts from one based on the rule of law and diplomacy to a world ruled by overt violence.
Given this situation, some people argue that the importance of nuclear deterrence is growing. ---- Certainly, the concept of deterrence may be necessary to prevent the outbreak of wars, but there are limitations. Since the Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece, deterrence supported by the balance of power has been broken repeatedly. This is because it is ultimately a psychological construct or an idea that exists only in our minds. Unlike universal laws such as law of universal gravitation, deterrence is not an undeniable truth but a fiction.
Deterrence has been broken by over-confident leaders, extreme egoism, pressure from an agitated populace, and widespread misunderstandings or misconceptions. As Japan started the Pacific War despite its overwhelming disadvantage in the balance of power, human beings do not always make rational decisions, which is a fundamental assumption of deterrence theory, especially nuclear deterrence theory.
In fact, nuclear deterrence has not been safely sustained over the past 80 years, but has, at times, been on the brink of collapse. Historical records reveal several instances where the risk of nuclear catastrophe was averted only because of intentional breaches of protocol and the refusal to launch a nuclear missile.
⋮ (omit)
Should nuclear deterrence fail someday, as suggested by historical evidence, and should nuclear war occur, it would be impossible to save the human race and the earth from irreparable devastation.
What is the meaning of national security if it protects only the concept of the nation but has the possibility to lead to an irrecoverable end for its land and people?
Deterrence does not simply refer to a balance of military power, but it also encompasses broader elements such as soft power and diplomacy. To ensure the sustainability of humanity even if deterrence fails, we must eliminate nuclear weapons as a component of deterrence.
Reportedly, more than 14 trillion yen is spent annually to maintain nuclear deterrence. What we must do now is to invest just one-tenth of this amount into resources and knowledge to build a new security system without nuclear weapons.
Nuclear abolition is not a far-off lodestar shining in the sky. ⋯ We must pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons. It is a tangible, realistic goal within our reach, the failure of which could mean death. ⋯(omit) Lastly, Hiroshima Pref. will never stop its efforts towards nuclear abolition.”
(Source: Hiroshima Prefecture website, Chugoku Newspaper Contents Services)
Aomori Nebuta Festival
VID20250802191759.mp4
At the end of July, I had the unique opportunity to join a tea ceremony hosted by Otonami, a provider of diverse Japanese cultural experiences. The setting was an authentic tea house in Minami Aoyama, known as Sokkon. The ambiance was serene, with the soothing notes of jazz piano music filling the air.
First, a host served hot water with Japanese basil in a small teacup to appreciate the flavor, which changes according to the season. That made us feel at ease. Then the main sweet (Hasu mochi - sweet red bean paste covered with sticky rice) was served.
Then we moved to a tea room to enjoy Matcha tea. Two candles were lit, casting a dark ambiance in the small space. A host, dressed in a kimono, entered the room and graciously prepared tea for us. After serving the tea, she explained the tea cups, the name of the tea, and a hanging scroll.
After appreciating Matcha tea, we returned to the room to enjoy our kaiseki lunch. Ichiju-sansai is a traditional Japanese meal consisting of rice, one soup, and three side dishes. The menu changes according to the season. We learned how to open and place the lid of the soup cup and where to put chopsticks, which signal the server when the meal is finished. Sake was served during the meal. Finally, a host served the burnt rice in hot water. In Japan, we eat burnt rice. The concept of taking good care of scorched rice originated from Zen Buddhism. It was tasty, and we are satisfied with the simple yet delicious and healthy cuisine.
Ultimately, the host explained the words written on the hanging scroll. He described the menu and the manner of the tea ceremony. He said, “Please enjoy the tea ceremony, like a party.” Yes. We certainly enjoyed the occasion because we learned about manners and enjoyed the meal in an authentic, yet casual atmosphere.
Menu:
Rice & Miso soup
Hassun – Seafood and vegetables on a tray
Japanese pickles
Appetizer dishes – flatfish, seaweed, basil,
Sake
Shimmered dish - A slice of sweetfish, white gourd, okura, ginger
Grilled dish – salt-grilled pike fish, Japanese ginger
Sorched rice and Japanese pickles (Cucumber & radish)
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