This is my first time to read the Weekly and I am very impressed by the coverage of articles, and the excellent Japanese support at the bottom of the pages. Also I think your commemorative issue of the Obama inauguration should have been of great interest to everyone. You included an excellent collection of news and related articles.

I was interested in the articles about the Obama daughters and their mother on the Lifestyle page. The great interest in the family of the U.S. president is rare in the world; we never hear of the family of Japan's prime minister.

I also liked the photo on the back page showing Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, taking their first walk as president and first lady. Michelle looked really happy and relaxed. It is a candid shot of them. Very nice.

Coming-of-Age Day (the second Monday of January) is a kind of debutante ceremony in Japan. The article about the debutante ball in the United States (Jan. 17 issue) was full of surprises for me.?

The U.S. debutante's family paid a lot but we can't forget that many parents in Japan also pay for the coming-of-age ceremony, especially those with daughters, if they buy a kimono instead of renting one. Many young Japanese women are able to attend the ceremony wearing beautiful kimono with hair set by beauty salons. Even if the economy is not well, the hope of parents doesn't change.

The article about "monster parents" (Jan. 17 issue) was timely and understandably written. I am a parent of two children and will be careful not to become such a monstrous person. I agree with the article that teachers should stand firm and not yield to irrational demands or claims from parents. My children's school has a risk-management system and parents can consult with teachers other than their children's in case of trouble.

I look forward to reading more education articles.

The article about fresh produce sold directly from farmers to consumers (Feb. 7 issue) sounded very uplifting.

In my village, farmers from the region sell fresh produce once or twice a week on certain days. Many people prefer to buy directly from the farmers rather than from the supermarket, though the prices are sometimes a bit higher.

I prefer to buy things direct from farmers if possible as? I am sure of its freshness. Also, since packaging is avoided, I can help to reduce garbage and pollution.

However, there exists still the problem of chemicals. In the article the writer mentions this only at the very end and only randomly.

I often see farmers around my house spraying their onions and cabbages with pesticides, and a strong smell then lingers for quite a while afterward. To see and know this procedure makes me very reluctant to buy any of those vegetables, even if they are fresh. I do hope that the officials in charge keep a strict eye on how farmers cultivate their vegetables and fruit.

There are a few farmers who use natural methods but the temptation to use chemicals, which might produce better results at first sight, and the trend of sticking to old methods are obstructing the way to safe food.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 21, 2009
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