Rui Hachimura Is Ready to Make History for Japan in the N.B.A.

The New York Times  (article)
Rui Hachimura Is Ready to Make History for Japan in the N.B.A.
Summary
Super historical news has come to Japan. Japanese people are small thus selecting N.B.A was impossible, though, this time, Rui Hachimura became the first Japanese player ever selected. Hs is 6.8 feet tall, that means over 2 meters!!  The interviewer tells us that not only he is tall but also he is very very talented player and have a great jumping power.

There must be many Japanese people who don’t have an interest in basketball, who don’t know a lot of black and half-Japanese, and, I don’t want to say, who don’t know that there is discrimination in Japan.

Writing about that makes me a little bit sad, though, I saw his Japanese pride by putting a pin on his suits and with overcoming those, he, Rui Hachimura,  must be a more great player. Japan and the World are cheering for him.

Motoko Rich : Naomi Osaka, a New Governor and Me

The New York Times  (article)
Naomi Osaka, a New Governor and Me
Is Japan becoming more welcoming to mixed-race people?
Summary
I sometimes read articles that the writer Motoko Rich writes because she often introduces her articles on Twitter.
Why I chose this is that people answered "Yes" to the question of whether Japan is becoming more welcoming to mixed-race people, or not.

I was really happy because I thought that Japanese people became able to welcome them, in the article, the writer felt that Japanese had the same way of thinking, it’s important that you are in Japanese side, and they pointed at foreigner as “Gaijin”, though.

This time, Japanese people look welcoming Ms.Osaka and Tamaki who are half, and the writer’s children feel being welcomed more than before.

However, I've realized that this is the New York Times newspaper thus almost readers must not be Japanese, the newspaper must be written for readers become happy at least and probably, and on Twitter, comments were not written by Japanese.

Furthermore, the title is the question: "Is Japan becoming more welcoming to mixed-race people?"
In the article, the writer has a question: She has wondered whether Japanese attitudes toward identity are slowly starting to accommodate with mixed heritages.
And then what works for the writer is “double”.

It means that the answer is not “Yes”.
It’s just increased numbers of half in Japan and it’s only celebrated the champion or winner. After all, Japanese people haven’t still realized their attitudes.

P.S. l have something that l really want to tell you here.
It’s difficult to see the problem of identities in the world and even America. I think that this article must have more important thoughts.
Those are that Black American tennis player couldn't win against Asian and the media can't focus on the true problem of Okinawa.
This was the sad article, in fact.

Words in this story
half /noun/ either of two equal or corresponding parts into which something is or can be divided.
contort /verb/  twist, bend out of shape,
instinctively /adv/ involuntarily

Bill Gates : What Are the Biggest Problems Facing Us in the 21stCentury?

The New York Times (article)
What Are the Biggest Problems Facing Us in the 21st Century?
Summary
What a luxurious article it is!
This is a book review that Bill Gates wrote and that book is "21 LESSONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" that Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari published in September 2018 and I think that I really want to read.

In this article, Bill Gates tells us that it's no criticism to say that Harari hasn't produced a satisfying answer yet, though, reading and thinking should be continued and it's worth.

I really think so. Now, our world has the great internet and people think that problems must solve soon, they can know all, and they can see all soon. However, We have to know that that is just a little part. It forces only bad aspects or good aspects and we are always worrying about something.

Probably, the answer that our worry is stopped is getting to know ourselves better and seeing how we contribute to suffering in our lives.

It'll be important to change ourselves. The world must be changing more than we think. Enjoy reading, working, and living!

Words in this story
resist /verb/ bear, withstand, stand, endure
resilience /noun/ power of recovery
outrage /noun/ violence, force,
herd /noun/ drove, flock, pack, fold, group, collection
prediction /noun/ estimation
predispose /verb/ make someone liable or inclined to a specified attitude, action, or condition. tendency

DAVID DeSTENO : The Only Way to Keep Your Resolutions

 
The New York Times
DAVID DeSTENO : The Only Way to Keep Your Resolutions  (article)
Summary
I found a good article to read on New Year's day.
It's because we know that resolution means a promise to yourself to do or to not do something and we often decide it on New Year's day but I don't know that the way to keep our resolution is only one.

This is not willpower, not perseverance, and not endeavor also.
We try to use willpower, perseverance, and endeavor, thus we couldn't resist temptations but we feel stress.
We need a power like we don't normally calculate what's to be gained by helping someone else but we just feel what we should.

This is an emotion of gratitude, compassion and an authentic sense of pride. (not hubris)  It pushes us to behave in ways that show self-control naturally.
Trying to help others leads us to helping our own future selves, to waiting for future rewards willingly, and to increasing perseverance on difficult tasks.
Grateful, warm and justifiably confident draw others. It doesn't make us lonely also.
To Keep appreciating and being appreciated must lead you to achievements with pride.
I do my work hard, and continue studying English with appreciating the value of my life.

Words in this story
flagellate /verb/  flog, whip, beat
gratitude /noun/  gratefulness, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation
grateful /adj/ thankful, appreciative
appreciate /verb/ value, treasure, admire, respect

Recognizing What They Had, 20 Years Too Late

The New York Times

Recognizing What They Had, 20 Years Too Late (transcript)

My views

I think that all people have what they could tell or ask important things to an important person. Probably, we couldn't notice that it's important, even if someone advised it to us. We always think that our decisions are right at that time.

I think that all things that happened to us is inevitable but it's not by chance.

What you couldn't tell him is the reason that you remember him and it reminds you of him.

I recognize that what you’ve had is beautiful 20 years.

Words in this story

eavesdropping /

cushiony /

interpret /verb/ explain the meaning of (information, words, or actions).

Hugh Hefner, Who Built the Playboy Empire and Embodied It, Dies at 91

The New York Times MEDIA

Hugh Hefner, Who Built the Playboy Empire and Embodied It, Dies at 91 (article)

Summary

Just he, Hugh Hefner, had been a playboy. He became himself a playboy, he showed a new lifestyle and he created its culture also.  It can say that he had built one of the Empire.

I was sorry that I didn't know who he was completely when I found this news. When I saw the pictures, I wondered who he was and he looked older though he was surrounded by a lot of pretty girls dressed in a bunny costume that I would like to try someday.

Then his video really attracted me.

He was the man who created Playboy magazine which everyone has heard at least one time. It was the first magazine which was kind of sensual for men in the world. However, he created not only Playboy magazine but also clothing, jewelry, opened clubs, resorts, and casinos. He and his business sometimes experienced failure but they were reviled many times, he sometimes handed over his position of the top to his son or daughter. However, he returned and continued to spread the brand of "Playboy".

Now, everyone recognize the brand of  "Playboy" and they would remember it definitely when they see bunny girls.

I think that their criticism against him is their adoration for his business, his lifestyle and himself. However, it might also say that just his timing was perfect and the generation let him win.

Then one Empire ends, but it does not die.

He sleeps on forever next to Marilyn Monroe.

He was also the man who bought the right that was a nude calendar photograph of her Marilyn Monroe.

His life that anyone could never walk was great.

Words in this article

embody /verb/ be an expression of or give a tangible or visible form to (an idea, quality, or feeling).  

incarnate / (especially of a deity or spirit) embodied in flesh; in human form.

Motives of North Korea ‘s Leader Baffle Americans and Allies

The New York times

Motives of North Korea ‘s Leader Baffle Americans and Allies (article)

Summary

I have a question. Can North Korea stop nuclear testing what if North Korea gets the respect that it's said that they want the best?

Last Sunday, North Korea’s underground nuclear test was done again and on Monday, its army fired ballistic missiles also.

Probably, many people didn't think that they’re done frequently. It's because it's dangerous and it's needed a lot of money.

However, those don't seem to be related, even people in North Koria are struggling.

Self-preservation, unclear narcissism and a deep desire to preserve the family business are said to be done the test.

Keeping nuclear weapons is engendering fear and loyalty in the country's populace for the Kim regime. This seems to be his politics.

Then it turns out that North Korea's nuclear technology is highly advancing, it’ll has the capability to directly hit the United States.  

According to the article, Mr. Kim wants American troops to withdraw from the peninsula and wants the United States not to station tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea. He hopes that North Korea is treated like Pakistan or India also.

Now, nine nation of the world still has nuclear weapons and Pakistan and India are included.

However, this is not only the problem for the countries which have nuclear weapons.

Words in this story

baffle /verb/   confuse, perplex, puzzle, bewilder, mystify

reluctance / regret,  unwillingness

engender /  induce, provoke, give rise

ballistic / of or relating to projectiles or their flight.

arsenal / warehouse,  weapons, weaponry, arms

Nine nations are the United States, Russia, France, England, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.

North Korean Nuclear Test Draws U.S. Warning of ‘Massive MilitaryResponse’

　　　　　　　　

The New York times

North Korean Nuclear Test Draws U.S. Warning of ‘Massive Military Response’ (article)

Summary

Last Sunday, North Korea’s underground nuclear test was done again and on Monday, its army fired a ballistic missile also. Those tests to complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community, but the blast was more powerful than the bombs that were dropped on Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World war 2. It killed over 100,000 people instantly.

I learned from the article.

The status of the world s involved in this problem.

Examples of this are the cold war of North Korea and South Korea, 1) the relationship of North Korea and The United States, 2) the relationship of the United States with China, Russia, South Korea and Japan also,3) and even Japan and South Korea. 4)

If the missiles hit one country, many people will be killed. However, its neighboring country suggested no new action, the country expressed strong condemnation of the test, though. The reason will not be close to America.  

Surely, Korth Korea's threat deserves to be met with a massive military response.  

However, countries around it can cooperate to stop the tests, can't they?

Words in this story

destructive / causing great and irreparable harm or damage.

intimidated / frighten, menace, threat, be timid

disregard / ignore, take no notice of, pay no attention

President Obama’s Farewell Address "Yes we did."

The New York Times

President Obama’s Farewell Address: Full Video and Text (article)

This is the speech of Barack Obama's farewell. President's term of office which is eight years is going to end on January 20th, 2017.
I thought about the term of Japanese prime ministers, their politics and Japanese country while reading the article. In Japan, almost all the prime ministers resign or someone force them to resign the post before the expiration of the term of office. They only want to sit down the chair of the prime minister. They work to just get its chair but they don't think about Japanese country. It's a reason not only that we Japanese people can vote only a party but we can't choose the leader of its party. The leader becomes our Japanese prime minister. Almost all people seek their own benefits from someone who will be a prime minister. And then, other people don't go to the election.
So what I thought about one more thing while reading it, is about Japan and The United States are the same democratic countries. In the speech, Obama says that that's what he wants to focus on that night is the state of their democracy. It requires a basic sense of solidarity.  People are all in together when they rise or fall as one. It includes fear, depressing, corruption and blame. Politics is a battle of ideas.
However, people have to embrace the joyous task that they have been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. This is the country which is the United States of America. Not other people do but you do. The politics, the democracy and country need you.
I think that like Japan, it's not democracy that people think that someone would do but it'd be for getting benefits or sticking one position, and give up quickly.
Obama says that it has been the honor of his life, to serve his country's people. He won't stop it.
In the democratic country, people believe as a result that future is in good hands and they progress with their strong creed that they are Americans.
This is a great thing that we create our country ourselves. Yes we can.

Words in this article
expiration /ekspəˈrāSHən/ termination
solidarity /  unanimity, unity, like-mindedness, agreement
corrupt /  dishonest, rot, decay, go bad
creed / faith, belief
altruistic /  showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish. selfless.
patriotic / having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.

Shinzo Abe at Pearl Harbor: ‘Rest in Peace, Precious Souls of the Fallen’

                              

The New York Times
Shinzo Abe at Pearl Harbor: ‘Rest in Peace, Precious Souls of the Fallen’(script)
Summary
On  May 2016, President Obama visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, where the United States first dropped an atomic bomb in Japan nearly 75 years ago. As an American president, he was the first person who visited there.
On December 27, 2016, the prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe stood there at Pearl Harbor, wherein after the war, Japanese minister had never visited but this is the place where the Imperial Japanese soldiers went into attack first.
The attack led to the United States'entry into The World War II. I want people in the world to think that the two events can create the power of reconciliation. And then I think that the most important thing is that we Japanese people's attitudes have to make this word "reconciliation"  better. When we think and talk about The World War II and Hiroshima, we have to admit what happened at Pearl Harbor more. We have to give precious souls of the fallen rest in peace. We must never repeat the horrors of war again. We continue to remember them but we continue our efforts.

The Japan Times News
Full text of President Obama’s speech at Pearl Harbor (article)

The New York times
Text of President Obama’s Speech in Hiroshima, Japan 

Words in this article
inscribed /  carve, write, engrave, write or carve (words or symbols) on something, especially as a formal or permanent record.
tolerance / patience, endurance, the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
the fallen / soldiers who have died in a war

President Obama’s Speech in Hiroshima, Japan

The New York times
Text of President Obama’s Speech in Hiroshima, Japan
Summary
President Obama spoke on Friday at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, where the United States first dropped an atomic bomb on Japan nearly 71 years ago. In a moment, many ordinary people died there. People who experienced its bomb also almost died, but Hiroshima always teaches us war. Our responsibility is that we remember it and promise peace.
This is the most important place for our peace. Every person hopes for peace from Hiroshima.