I really enjoy reading the Weekly every week. I think that some articles require technical knowledge, but others are easy to read. For example, "Simple stroll in a forest proved to reduce stress" (June 21 issue) was an intersting and easy topic for me. I used to go hiking in the mountains. I think that walking in the woods is good for physical and mental health. Getting close to nature reduces stress a lot.

I am also interested in a meeting for Weekly readers that Ms. Mieko Okabe mentioned in the Aug. 16 issue. As I'm not satisfied with ordinary English clubs or schools, if I have a chance, I would like to join a meeting or a reading club of the Weekly. It would be more worthwhile.

Editor's note: If other readers have similar interests related to the "Weekly," please let us know via the contact information below.

I read the article on daylight saving time (Aug. 9 issue) and I would like to write about some disadvantages of DST in Japan.

First, it is difficult for us to change our lifestyle because we have become accustomed to staying awake until midnight. At school and at the office, we also cannot concentrate on work early in the morning. Moreover, in cities, entertainment industries, such as bars, pachinko parlors, Internet cafes, convenience stores, etc., are thriving. To make opening hours shorter will threaten their profits.

Second, at offices, employers will still force their employees to work overtime so that their companies can weather fierce competition. So workers need to work as usual, following their bosses. As a result, they won't have leeway to enjoy their time after work. It is difficult for the government to make each company reduce working hours because in democratic countries, companies have freedom to decide their policies.

Third, sleeping disorder is a serious problem. Having more spare time at night is a good thing to reduce stress on a daily basis. However, lack of sleep will lead to mistakes or failures at school or work. Productivity will be lower. A recent study shows lack of sleep triggers obesity, our formidable enemy.

For these three reasons, I disagree with introducing DST in Japan.

I must respond to Michal Trunec of the Czech Republic who recently wrote in these pages that Japan should shy away from hyperindustrialization. Of course, he comes from a nation that has only recently embraced the capitalist and consumptive way of life. But his letter seems to suggest a lack of understanding of what makes Japan tick.

Not all cultures develop into ones where shorter workweeks and public holidays are the only goals in life — which seems to be the European trend of the last few years — and I do feel that Mr. Trunec judged Japanese work ethics with a purely European mind-set. That is the biggest mistake he makes — because you cannot suggest a society should do what you think it should do because it probably doesn't think the same.

Japan has its problems, as does every society. The environment, ways to cut consumer waste, how to preserve traditional ways of life are issues for Japan as they are for China, Europe and elsewhere.

Perhaps, instead of just hammering away with rhetoric, it's best to bring a few new suggestions to the table on dealing with these problems.

The Japan Times Weekly: September 6, 2008
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