Hi, ladies!!
Plum, thank you for your reminder of the next meeting on September 27.
I am now happy to hear you’ve recovered your health. You have always been a phoenix that encourages me to make efforts more. In fact, the article quiz frightened me, because I’ve had a hard time with the article homework for a long time, and still now my struggle continues…
I’ll write the next issue: Is Japan’s declining birthrate a nationwide crisis?
The tendency of a lower birthrate in Japan cannot be halted for a long time. A lot of measures are expected to increase the number. However, smaller number of birth has some good points from the different point of view.
First, some people think it will harm economic productivity due to declining labor force. But it can be a good opportunity to rethink the current way of work. Under the company policy, employees tend to work hard without taking an adequate day off. It is important for us to create more effective work style such as flextime or introducing women power.
Second, it is reasonable for this matured society to have fewer children than our forebears. Still, the government doesn’t form enough budgets to raise children as a human resource. Improving conditions for child rearing is crucial despite of the number of children.
Third, young men and women often hesitate to have their child, not because of the economic surroundings, but because the lack of confidence to the nation. The former government still had a wasteful spending, while our pension system was almost abandoned. If the government can provide a sense of security through their policy, they might change their stance.
With these days’ economic downturn, we can think more innovative way of life to the future world.
...See you later!
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Hi, ladies!!!
I am very sorry to hear that Cherry was frightened to see the quiz that I listed yesterday.
Just relax and try to enjoy article quizzes, Cherry. If the article homework is not so enjoyable, leave it for a while. You can try it again when you have enough energy to try it.
On Sunday, I am going to talk about some article aspects of the Oxford English handout. Actually, some segments of the handout are extremely hard to understand. (Post-modern writing style, according to a friend of mine.) You are not supposed to read it before coming to the meeting. So, don’t worry about the handout. Just come to my house on Sunday and listen to my talk, and you will get some idea.
English is just a means of communication. Try to use it whenever you have a chance.
Hope you will not be frightened again to see this quiz.
The story is about Prince William and his involvement in charity work. It’s from BEL.
Have a lovely evening, my precious friends. Night night…
Royal charity action role
Summary
23 September 2009
Prince William has been speaking for the first time about his charitable work. The Prince is patron of 12 organisations. He says he wants to be more than just a royal 'ornament'.
Reporter: Peter Hunt
Report
This is part of Prince William's solution to (1) age-old royal challenge - what to do as a future king while you wait to fulfil your destiny. As well as pursuing his military career, William has been encouraging (2) charities he's patron of to work together. This has led, for example, to the mountain rescue service taking some young homeless people from (3) charity, Centrepoint, up (4) Cumbrian mountain to improve their self-confidence. Prince William says he's trying to make (5) difference.
Prince William: 'I think there's a time and a place for being an ornament. You know, shaking hands and being at (6) engagement and showing support in that way. But I think there's an awful lot more from actually doing (7) stuff, and this is an example of what I just want to actually be more involved in, doing (8) slightly different angle on it.'
Prince William and Prince Harry are also setting up (9) charitable foundation so they can give grants to (10) organisations they support.
Peter Hunt, BBC News
Answers:
1. an
2. the
3. the
4. a
5. a
6. an
7. ---
8. a
9. a
10. ---
an age-old royal challenge
a very old problem or puzzle for people in the royal family
being at an engagement
attending a public function
actually doing stuff
being actively involved, participating (rather than just being an observer)
Hi, Cherry!
I read your argument about the Japanese declining birthrate. You said that the small birthrate has some good points, viewed from another angle. You stated three reasons.
1. It can be a good opportunity to rethink the current way of work. Given today’s advanced robotized technology, companies could easily slim down workers. They don’t need so many working population as the past.
2. Smaller budget for raising children is better for the government. Their educational environment will be far better comparing the children’s in the past. Each child could get a bigger pie. Good!
3. I can’t understand your third reason as a good point. Of course, nobody doesn’t now trust the nation’s pension system and is worrying about their future. This is the reason why couples don’t want to have their children. It doesn’t mean a good point. Japan now has a lot of problems including sluggish economy and fluctuating security system. It is said that the poorer the house hold, the more children there are in it. As Sanga mentioned, having fewer children may a way to escape from the poverty and go to prosperity. Good!
Thank you Cherry, I enjoyed your argument and I have a chance to rack my brains.
Good night everybody. See you soon.
Hello, Cherry and my precious friends!
Cherry, Cosmos, Alice and Plum, thank you for your interesting articles I greatly enjoyed reading.
Thank you for inviting me to the seminar Plum is going to give on Sunday. I’m looking forward to seeing you after a long interval.
By the way, did you listen to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s speech at the UN security Council?
As his wife, Miyuki praised him, he did a good job. His pronunciation was good and accurate. He made no mistakes about reading.
However, his way of giving a presentation seemed to just read out the paper. I can understand he might be a little nervous but hopefully, I wish he could have read it with putting more stress on some important words.
On the whole, I like his speech because he put much emphasis on creating a nuclear weapons-free world and observing Japan’s three principles against nuclear weapons, not possessing, producing, and allowing nuclear weapons to the country.
It was good for him that his speech attracted great attention from the local media in New York.
Hoping to see you soon!!
Hi Cherry and my precious friends,
It was another very hot day today. I feel very tired because of the heat and humidity.
I’m glad Plum has completely recovered now and thank you for informing about the lecture. I’m looking forward to attending it and seeing you.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama made his diplomatic debut in the U.S. and was highly regarded. He said he managed to do his best although he was unaccustomed to the work. I think he showed Japan’s politics was about to change as a new Japanese leader. He also said he could build the good relationship with U.S President Barack Obama through the bilateral meeting. It might be true, but it was the only first step, I think. The more important step, discussing details and problems between two countries and other countries, will lie in his ability of execution. I hope he will work hard for the nation domestically and internationally and not end up with just his own ideals.
Have a lovely night, my precious friends.
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