The Oct. 18 issue featured articles on American gray wolves and Sri Lankan elephants. These two animals, among many others, are losing their natural habitats due to the spread of human activity and, with that, are having to cope with scarcity of food resources as well. Taking that into account, is it right to blame them, or kill them, for raiding crops and attacking livestock in search of food? I don't think so.

In the article about the American wolves, first, the U.S. authorities allowed the hunting of the animals until near extinction; then, they became protected, and when their numbers rose to a "reasonable" level, it was time for open season again! It makes you wonder what is the real purpose of the protection program … to protect the wolves or to keep providing game for the hunters?

As for the elephants of Sri Lanka, turning them into a tourist attraction might help the local economy, but it will also open paths leading to the exploitation and to the end of freedom for these animals. We can already witness this kind of thing happening to elephants in other countries.

Either way, what makes me sad is that it's always the animals that end up suffering.

I enjoyed reading the article "Currywurst: German hero hits the silver screen" in the Sept. 27 issue. Curried sausage is one of my favorite foods and whenever I've visited Germany, I enjoyed eating the popular snack. I assume I am one of the consumers who gobble up 10 a year. What attracts me most about the German culinary specialty is that every meat shop has its own homemade sausage. When I feel a bit hungry, I can never resist the tempting scent coming from a meat shop. Germans are a kind of people who want to get everything settled once and for all, but I wonder if they can settle the dispute as to who invented the delicacy.

I also feel regret to know that Yasuko Kubo's "Notes from Germany" has finished. Ever since she started writing in July last year, I have enjoyed reading her column. She closely examined German society from a woman's viewpoint and gently criticized the Japanese society in a satirical way. Through her articles, I could think of patriotism. I am looking forward to reading her articles again.

I am very glad to know that Katsura Kaishi made it in New York (Oct. 18 issue). I've listened to rakugo at theaters as well as on CDs. I love rakugo so much that recentnly I have come to read and listen to it in English. I even tried to translate several short funny stories into English. I know rakugo lovers and rakugo storytellers are making efforts to spread rakugo abroad. I want more and more people to become interested in rakugo in English.

One of my favorite corners in the Weekly is the Readers' Voice. There are various opinions about previous articles that I've read. While I read them, I sometimes nod deeply, or even if I have a different opinion, others' different points impress me. And what's more, I can learn many useful expressions for describing my opinion from them.

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 1, 2008
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