Fragile Protection of Our Information by Companies
“We want to apologize for leaking your personal information…” This is the email message that I received from a Japanese company the other day. A couple of days ago, the company sent out an e-newsletter containing the email addresses of all recipients. The recipients were able to see the email addresses of others. Some showed full names and company email addresses, and my name was there. Continue reading…
August 22 2008 | Technology and Weekly Articles | No Comments »
Eating good food is one of the joys of living. Good food satisfies our appetite and makes us feel happy. Eating fine foods is a joy for many Japanese. Some Japanese go to Napoli to taste real Napoli pizza; others go to Okinawa to enjoy goya champuru (bitter gourd), a famous Okinawa cuisine.
Our attention has been grabbed by the recent indiscriminate murder cases in Akihabara and Hachioji in Tokyo because the criminals were temporary staff.
“I really want to work again, but all day care centres for children are full.” This is the dilemma that women face when they try to start work again after maternity breaks. “Isn’t it funny that day care centres are always full while the birth rate has been declining?” One young mom said.
Like in other countries, oil price increases have pushed up inflation in the Japanese economy. The price of every item has increased, including gasoline, food, and air surcharges. Checking my household account is the scariest of my daily routines, and it urges me to do something to manage my spending. Well, it looks as though I am not the only Japanese who thinks this way. The following explains how the Japanese cope with inflation:
“Japanese are polite.” This is what foreigners tell me when they visit Japan for the first time, and I agree at first. It amazes me how courteous the service is of companies and shops in Japan, especially since I have returned from overseas. For instance, early one morning when I visited a bank branch office, all of the bankers greeted me with a deep bow and said: “Ohayo Gozaimasu!” (Good morning). When I walked through the door I also heard a voice saying: “Arigato Gozaimashita” (Thank you very much) from somewhere in the ceiling. Everyone certainly seems to be polite, even machines. But, are they polite from the bottom of the heart?
Denshi-money (electric money or smart cards) makes our lives more convenient. With Edy, a rechargeable smart card, I can buy a lunch box and a snack bar at a convenience store. With Suica, a rechargeable smart card for trains and subways, I can take the subway without using a ticket machine. I can buy things and travel around even if I do not have enough cash in my wallet!