On October 29, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that La Niña has developed and is expected to last into next year, affecting temperatures, precipitation and storm patterns in many parts of the world.
On November 10, Japan Meteorological Agency (press release) announced that La Niña has been continuing since the summer.
In the first place... What is La Niña?
La Niña means "girl" in Spanish, a phenomenon in which sea surface temperatures are lower than normal from the vicinity of the date line in the Pacific Equatorial region to the South American coast, and the condition lasts for about a year.
La Niña is thought to have various effects on the weather in Japan. It tends to be extremely hot in summer and cold in winter.
"Rittou" is one of the calendars based on the movement of the sun called twenty-four seasons, and represents the beginning of winter.
Twenty-four seasons were registered as UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.
Just like "Rittou", there are "Rissyun", "Rikka", and "Rissyuu", which represent the beginning of the season, and together these four days are called "Shiryuu", all of which represent the beginning of the season.
In addition, the day before "Shiryuu" is "Setsubun". Therefore, "Setsubun" is held four times a year.
It has been believed for a long time that "there is a disaster in Setsubun", so it is said that it is a happy thing to be able to safely celebrate the day of "Shiryuu".
In China, there is a proverb called "Lìdōng bǔ dōng, bǔ zuǐ kōng". It means that it is the best way to weather the cold winter by eating the harvested one in "Rittou" season.
Because it is the season when the difference of the temperature becomes easy to lose the physical condition which is intense, let's take care of the meal and get in shape, isn't it?
Not to mention the COVID-19 countermeasures, we have to be especially careful this year, such as cold measures and influenza measures at the turn of the season.
October 31st is the last day of the year for the Celtic people.
So, there is a New Year's celebration (Samhain Festival) on November 1st.
Samhain, the god of death, gathers all the dead on the night before a New Year’s Day.
And it is said that Samhain brings disaster to the people as the souls of the dead go home and the demons and witches come.
Demons and witches come to bring disaster to people, so people disguise themses as demons and witches to prevent them from being thought of as human beings.
It is said that this is the beginning of Halloween.
The Celtic people were originally equestrant in Central Asia and moved to Europe in the bc period and spread their influence throughout Europe. However, after losing the battle with Caesar, the first emperor of the ancient Roman Empire, it gradually weakened its power.
Today, Celtic culture has been passed down to Ireland and Scotland in a way that was closer to that time. The Celtic people are proud, cheerful, and have nurtured deeply resounding music, poetry, art and literature. Celtic culture is well known in the world of art such as movies (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings) and music (Enya).
When I looked into it, there were a lot of descriptions and various theories about Halloween. If you are interested, please take a deep look.
まだまだ調べてみると、ハロウィンについての記述や諸説がたくさんありました。もし、興味があれば、深く調べてみてください。
では、おやすみなさい。
「Trick or Treat！(お菓子をくれないといたずらするよ)(-ω-)/」
Today is …
Good evening. I'll spell it in English for the first time in a long time.
Today is coming to an end soon ….
Today, Saturday, October 17th, is "International Day for the Eradication of Poverty" established by the United Nations in 1992.
Eradication of poverty is one of the most important issues for human.
The number of people living in poverty in the world has decreased by less than half from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 821 million in 2019, but many people have yet to live their minimum human life.
More than 800 million people around the world live on less than 1 dollar 25 cents a day, and many people don't have enough food, don’t use clean drinking water. Sanitation facilities are not available.
In China and India, millions of people have been out of poverty due to the rapid growth of the economy. However, the proportion of people living in poverty may rise as new threats are caused by climate change, conflict, and food crisis in the future,
Kenya, where I lived for two years from 2000 to 2002, is one of the poorest areas. Especially in rural areas, there were no electricity and running water, and not enough supplies to live on.
Children's work is to draw water from a nearby river every morning.
Children who want to go to school can’t go, because of no money.
Children can't wear shoes, and they wear the same tattered clothes every day, because of no money.
Children can’t go to hospital, because of no money.
In order to get a small amount of money, children also do dirty hard jobs.
In addition, there were harsh life in Kenya that is unthinkable in Japan.
Why does the poverty problem occur?
How can we solve the poverty problem?
Last month, a 35-minute documentary video was uploaded to the United Nations website.
Good evening.
From August 30th last week to September 5th yesterday, it was Disaster Prevention Week.
1982, it was established that a week, including "Disaster Prevention Day" on September 1, would be "Disaster Prevention Week."
"Disaster Prevention Day" on September 1st is a day to review disaster preparedness and is derived from the Great Kanto Earthquake that occurred on September 1, 1923. September 1st is also the time when there are many typhoons.
"Disaster Prevention Day" was established in 1960 as a day to review preparations not only for earthquakes but also for natural disasters, including typhoons.
The first thing to prepare for a disaster is to raise the awareness of each individual and prepare for it.
In the event of a disaster, no immediate rescue will come. Because of a disaster, rescue may not come. Individuals and families have to spend a certain amount of time.
Common preparations include emergency food, water, and simple toilets. Let's prepare these stockpiles for at least three days and seven days if possible.
Typhoon No. 10 is about to pass through the Kyushu region. We need to think about what would happen if a typhoon of the same magnitude came to Osaka. I want you to think of it as your own thing.
Now that the world is convenient, if we search on the Internet, we can get information about disaster countermeasures immediately. We have to make sure that we don't get fooled by that information, but I want you to be able to make the right decisions and respond to them.
The disaster prevention week ended yesterday, but the disaster is not over. There is a possibility that I will wake up when I fall asleep tonight. I want you to be careful enough and spend it.
So, let’s have a good night.
“Clearly, you can see by now that I have beautiful brown skin, but take a look at your hand and whatever shade it is, it is beautiful, as well.” “God did not make one type of tree, or flower, or fish, or horse, or grass, or rock. How dare you ask him to make one type of human that looks just like you.” “I’m not talking to just Caucasian people. I am talking to everyone. White, Black, Japanese, Chinese, red, brown - no one is superior to the other.”
On August 23, a man was shot seven times by a police officer from close range in Wisconsin, USA. The above words are part of what the mother of the man who was shot said at the press conference.
In the United States, there have been several incidents of police officers this year that have become racial discrimination issues. Along with this, demonstrations and riots have occurred in various parts of the United States, and many victims have also been caused.
I don't know the details of what happened before or after the incident happened, so I'll stop describing the incident.
However, I wanted everyone to think about the words of the mother.
It is said that there are more than 8 million kinds of creatures on the earth where we live. Each has different characteristics.
Of course, even in the same human race, each person has its own personality, and there is no exactly the same human being. I think it's a message that teaches us the importance of recognizing each other's individuality.
Even if you know that discrimination is not allowed, I want you to think about why such an incident happens.
The other day, Naomi Osaka, a tennis player, said, "I was a black woman before I was an athlete. There are more important things than having people watch tennis."
I hope this will be an opportunity to take an interest in what is happening in today's world and seriously consider what is right and what is behind the problem of discrimination.
Hello. This is Head teacher writing, I hope to be able to provide some seasonal topics in English for the second semester. If you have time, please read it.
By the way, from August 23rd to September 6th today, it will be "Syo-syo" on the calendar.
It was "Rissyu" until yesterday.
“Rissyu” means autumn stands, it enters autumn on the calendar, and it is sure to become cool little by little. But now, unfortunately, the heat is too severe, so there is no sign of autumn at all. It’s still a hot day, isn't it?
There is a meaning to settle down in "Syo", and it seems to be the time when severe heat eases, and coolness can be felt in the morning and evening. However, it is this time of year that the heat returns when it is called "Syusyo", and the fatigue of summer comes out easily.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to sudden changes in climate and weather because there are a lot of sudden evening rains, and the occurrence of typhoons becomes more often.
It seems that the dangerous heat will continue.
Please check out the "Future Weather Outlook (Japan Meteorological Agency website)".
Please watch out for changes in temperature and weather, and love yourself.
Sunday, August 2, 8:30 p.m..
"Kibou", the largest international space station in human history, passes about 400km above Japan. If there is no blocking cloud, we can watch "Kibou" in Osaka.
The space station seems to be moving slowly and fast enough to approach the zenith, starting at the brightest, such as the star.
The International Space Station, which is as bright as a -2-star, is easy to find anywhere and can be easily watched in parks or verandas.
Why don't you watch "Kibou" for the future?
I wishes for the future of Fukono Junior High School, and will watch the international space station "Kibou".
24 July 2020 Olympic Stadium.
Athletes from all over the world should be here alongside sixty thousand spectators, gazing up at the Olympic flame. Suddenly, everything changed.
The future that we took for granted transformed, overnight, into something completely different.
I understand what that’s like, because I experienced the same thing when I had a life-threatening illness. Meeting people. Walking outside. Using my entire body to swim in the pool. These simple pleasures are all so precious, yet before my illness I took them for granted.
The other athletes who lost Tokyo 2020 must feel the same. The goal they’d been working toward suddenly disappeared. For an Olympic or Paralympic level athlete, the training is extremely demanding and the mental pressure is intense. There are days when you want to run away from it all. But when all of that suddenly disappears, you truly appreciate how much it meant to you and how much you loved the sport. That’s what happened to me.
Imagine the world in a year: a world where the curtain is set to rise on the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Right now, athletes around the world are looking to that future, pushing themselves to the limit. No effort, no matter how small, is ever wasted. The confidence that sports inspires, the human connections it helps us make are truly irreplaceable.
One last thing. Sports is not just about the athletes. Sports show us the importance of solidarity. I never want to forget that. I want to remember my gratitude and respect for all those who contribute to their society as I take my next step. As an athlete, as a person.
TOKYO 2020 +1
Hope fuels the flame.
For the athletes, Tokyo’s preparations will be the utmost.
IKEE Rikako, swimmer.
Yesterday, July 18th was the birthday of Nelson Mandela, who won the Nobel Peace Prize and became the first Democratically Elected President in South Africa, and was designated by the United Nations on Nelson Mandela International Day.
He was born on July 18, 1918 in a rural village called Mbezo in Eastern Cape Province.
He has been fighting racism as an anti-apartheid activist for 67 years. In 1952, he founded the first black law firm in South Africa. However, although he was initially non-violent, the African National Congress had to carry weapons, and Mr. Mandela, who led the organization, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison in 1964 for treason.
In the 1980s, anti-apartheid voices began, and South Africa began to move toward the elimination of apartheid in 1989. Mr Mandela was released in 1990. In 1991, President DeKlerk declared the abolition of apartheid policies.
In 1994, a presidential election was held by all races, including those who had not been able to participate in the election, and Mr. Mandela was elected. He led the country as president for five years until 1999. He ended his life at the age of 95 while being watched by his family at his home in Johannesburg in 2013, but his achievements continue to be admired and respected all over the world.
The spirit and beliefs that fought for peace are still inherited.
Mr. Mandela devoted 67 years of his 95-year-old life to the struggle for freedom and peace in South Africa for human rights and social justice.
Mr. Mandela said, "It's up to you whether we can make the world a better place for all."
In honor of his life's achievements, the United Nations and the Nelson Mandela Foundation called on people around the world to provide social service for someone, just for 67 minutes on July 18.
The world is facing a variety of problems now, but why don't you take action for someone, even if it's just a small matter for the "67" minutes of July 18?
Finally, I would like to introduce one message left by Mr. Mandela. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Good morning, Now the morning of July 12th.
Yesterday, July 11th was World Population Day.
33 years ago, the world's population exceeded 5 billion on July 11, 1987, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) established it in 1989 to get people interested in global population issues.
According to the United Nations, the world population was about 1.6 billion in the 20th century about 100 years ago, so the population has tripled in 90 years. And then, the population has continued to grow, exceeding 7 billion in 2011.
Of course, when the population increases, the resources consumed also increase. The world's population is expected to reach 10 billion by 2055, and it is said that it will need five earths to keep a standard life for all people. Of course, the earth is one, there is a possibility that there will be further poverty problems and resource disputes.
In addition, resource consumption is causing climate change, and 68% of the world's population is expected to live in cities by 2050, so how to manage growing cities will have a significant impact on the global environment and resources in the future. It is necessary for society as a whole to firmly implement initiatives such as climate change countermeasures and environmental protection in response to population growth.
On the other hand, Population in Japan is about 128 million in 2010, but due to the declining birthrate and aging population, the population will decline and fall below 90 million by 2100.
The total amount of tax paid will be reduced for the population decreases, and it will affect social welfare. And if the number of worker will decrease, the consumption will decrease, and the economy will shrink. Especially in Japan, because the population of young people is small and the population of the elderly is large, it is worried that the burden on young people will be very large.
There are many things that need to be done now, such as measures to prevent COVID-19, but there are also many things that need to be done now to protect the earth, protect the countries of the world, and Japan of the future.
I hope that students will become adults with the ability to discern the movement of society and to survive the future world.
Good morning. It's Sunday, July 5th.
Students, are you studying for the test?
On holidays before the test, I would like you to study at least five hours (1 subject 1 hour or more) if possible.
Every year, the number of students who have heat stroke increases rapidly from the rainy season to the beginning of October.
Heat stroke is expected to develop only outdoors with high temperatures, but heat stroke can develop on cloudy days, indoors, when sleeping at night, or in a room.
In addition, this summer, unlike before, it is important to take heat stroke prevention behavior after taking "new lifestyle" as COVID-19 infection prevention.
I think that there are a lot of students who have lost physical strength because the school was closed for a long time and it was waiting at home.
Let's think carefully and act about what should I do in order not to have heat stroke without thinking "I am all right".
We have posted "Points of Heat Stroke Prevention Behavior" on the board of the nurse's office of Fukono Junior High School. Be sure to check.
In addition, it is important to deal with heat stroke as soon as possible if you feel the signs of it.
I would like to introduce “A junior high school essay contest” organized by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).
Why don’t you write down about your thoughts and actions when you think about relationship between the world and yourself?
Of course, even if you do not have overseas experience, it is OK to write about global issues (global warming, weather disasters, conflicts seen on TV programs, etc.) that you felt in Japan.
I believe that if you have your thoughts about various issues in Japan and the international community as "something relevant to you," it will enrich your life and lead to making the world better.
And if you put it into words, it may become a force to move the world, like Severn Cullis Suzuki.
Exactly 20 years ago, I was working as a math teacher at a local school, as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Kenya, Africa, for two years from 2000 to 2002.
In Kenya, I experienced many things I could never do in Japan.
For example, in Japan, we turn on the faucet, we can get water. we can flush the water in the toilet.
However, in Kenya where I lived, I went to the river to draw water every morning. If it rains, put a bucket in front of the house to save the water.
These waters are used for daily life, such as washing, showering, eating and so on. There is no water to flush in the toilet. I never forget my experience at that time.
I have talked to students about my experiences in Kenya at the school where I worked. Some students are interested in foreign countries, and a few of them are active in foreign countries. In the future, I hope that there will be students from Fukono Junior High School who will be interested in foreign countries. I would like to talk about many other things in Kenya.
If you want to write your thoughts in an essay, Please feel free to talk to me. “the head teacher H”.
保護者の皆様へ
