Because I live in Hiroshima, I was interested in the article "Nation mourns Hiroshima's atomic bombing." The mayor of Hiroshima, Tadatoshi Akiba, has been campaigning for the abolition of nuclear weapons at conferences throughout the world.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would abide by Japan's pacifist Constitution and the nation's non-nuclear policy at the peace memorial ceremony. It seems, however, every prime minister pledges to do this only when they are in Hiroshima. I hope in the future he will make similar pledges when he is in other cities such as Tokyo.

The editorial ("A sumo champion is rebuked" in the Aug. 11 issue) makes me skeptical of the writer's sporting expertise. In my experience, one can still participate in relatively low-contact sports like soccer even with injuries if its is just for fun. Asashoryu was playing in a charity soccer game, which is not nearly as painful an activity as a sumo match.

There is something with the whole Asashoryu scandal that the Japanese media do not seem to grasp: If Asashoryu had children, would he be prevented from kicking a soccer ball around with his kids? It seems the sumo association and Japanese media expect Asashoryu to confine himself to a couch and not lift a finger, following his claim of injuries to prove that he really can't participate in a sumo tournament. This mentality is ridiculous.

I was filled with disgust watching the morning news programs report on Asashoryu's mental state after being suspended. The reaction from the talking heads was that Asashoryu was acting like a child.

I've always wanted to know where our food came from. That's why the headline of the article, "Do you know where your food came from?" from the Commentary page in the Weekly July 28 issue grabbed my attention.

The whole issue of food safety has shown us how products are made from many materials from different countries so we cannot easily figure out where our food came from.

After reading a comment by professor Frances Harbour on how she found it difficult to go without Chinese merchandise, I realized I was also wearing, eating and buying all sorts of products made in China.

I recognize that China is an important country for Japan, United States and other countries. Both Japanese and U.S. governments need to take measures against bad products made in China, and give the country good advice at the same time. The Chinese government should create strict regulations for bad companies, and continue cracking down on shady inspectors.

One story that stood out for me was "Suicide rate high despite economic recovery" from the June 9 issue. An increasing number of Japanese companies implement high-pressure achievement-based pay systems. Although that may contribute to economic recovery, it is a pity to realize that the number of people suffering depression or committing suicide is increasing.

The Japan Times Weekly: October 6, 2007
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