Creating calm in children's minds

07/06/27

SUMMARY

Bullying, pressure to compete with peers on studying, or other interpersonal issues, there are many things to make kids feel stressed. According to a 2006 survey by the Benesse Educational Research and Development Center, around 60% of elementary, highschool students felt "irritated". Meanwhile, there is now slow-but-stesdy momentum among educators and parents to let children wind down using such common tools as yoga and massage after school. Through yoga lessons, students can get their time just to relax and forget about 'all that' for a second, and focus on themselves and learn how to relax. In "kids massage" lessons, children learn how to give each other massages and this physical touch makes them realize how tender and affectionate they must be to the other person.

By TOMOKO OTAKE

07/06/19

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fs20070619a3.html

Both Sides Say Project Is Pivotal Issue for Brazil

11 June, 2007

SUMARRY

In Rondonia, state of Brazil that has been deforested at the highest rate in Amazon, a proposal to build an $11 billion hydroelectric project has set off a controversy. Proponents for the project say that large public works projects includes the dams will create jobs and stimulates an economic growth that lead to a development of the country. On the other side, those who against the project concern about damage to the rain forest and excessive increase of migration that might come to look for jobs. Although they are in opposite possition, advocates on both side insist that their way is the best for the future of Brazil.

By LARRY ROHTER

Published: June 11, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/11/world/americas/11amazon.html

Buying Time

5 June, 2007

SUMMARY

For a 55-years-old Tokyo man, 34-year-old Filipino donated his kidney two years ago was a matter of life and death. Like that donor, most of donors are poverty-stricken and they sell their organs in order to earn money to survive or keep their family. Japan has the law stipulates that live donors can only give their organs to family members and there is a serious shortage of organs. So Japanese renal disease patients are increasingly seeking help overseas, mostly in Agian countries for all that they risk violating a Japanese law that bans them from purchasing organs, not just in Japan but anywhere abroad. Critics say the debate must be framed not just in terms of efforts to make more organs lawfully available for patients, but also in terms of the global fight against poverty.

BY HIROSHI ISHIZUKA AND AYA KIMURA THE ASAHI SHIMBUN 06/05/2007
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200706050101.html