I mourn the loss of jazz pianist Hank Jones reported in the May 22 issue.

Somethin' Else, the landmark jazz album in which he performed, reminds me of the happy times when I first started listening to jazz. Jones' music on the album impressed me with its sensitivity and gentleness. I'm especially interested in bebop jazz, so I'm very sorry that one of the world's greatest bebop musicians has passed away.

With regards to the article "Are thicker textbooks the answer" (May 15 issue) I would say no. In my opinion, the deterioration of academic performance comes from the overemphasis on memorization of factoids and underestimation of the importance of allowing students to make their own assessment.

In my junior high school days in Tokyo, I would spend hours cramming for history exams, memorizing dates, events and key figures. Certainly, that may have made me look smart and knowledgeable.

However, when I moved to an American high school, none of that pleased my teacher. Analyzing and evaluating the significance of events was the core purpose of the subject. Students had to submit papers on such topics as "the responsibility of Hitler for the outbreak of the Second World War," instead of filling in blanks, which is a common testing method in Japan.

Comparing the two education styles, the latter enabled me to study with greater enthusiasm.

Moreover, it built and strengthened my thinking ability. So, it does not matter if textbooks are thicker or thinner.

The article in the May 22 issue about adoption shows that not everything about it is positive.

I have always regarded adoption as a beneficial deed to society and even more so to the persons involved. Mature adults who decide to adopt a child must have a special measure of unselfish love, I thought.

Therefore, I was very surprised to read that some "parents" have returned their adopted child for the simple reason that he didn't turn out as they had hoped or expected.

I can't help comparing this kind of dealing with children ? adopting and then returning the child if he doesn't fit into a certain pattern ? with the trading of merchandise.

I wonder whether such incidents are only a lack of responsibility and shallowness of a few individuals or whether they reflect a growing trend in our society where technology and automation threaten to erode human relations together with human feelings, especially love? I hope the former applies.

After reading the article "Many voices urge kids to eat healthier" in the May 1 issue, I realized we must reconsider our diet. As working mothers are busy they tend to use frozen food or pre-cooked dishes from supermarkets. Just boiling vegetables and adding vinegar is cheaper and healthier.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 5, 2010
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