* I got a ten page report of A4 size sheet from "M" company in U.S.A. It said they lowered the rating on Ford, GM, Dana and Delphi. They said it reflected the worsening of U.S. economy. However, for the U.S.A. auto industry, its excess production capacity has been said to be the most basic cause of troubles. Nevertheless, even though the"Big Three" decreased their capacity, "New Domestic" increased their capacity with the result that the total production capacity have been kept high. As there have been no progress in cutting the excess capacity, the Big 3 were obliged to sell the vehicles at cut prices not only at new vehicle market but also at used car market, The continuing deterioration in new and used car prices compressed margins for these three companies. Their good future cannot be foreseen soon.
The Wall Street Journal announced today a list of "The World's 100 Largest Public Companies 2002." The Wal-Mart Stores (U.S.) was outstanding as it was raised to No. 3 from No.6 in the previous year with the increase of sales by 14 percent and also of profits by six percent. Toyota is No. 22 (the same as in the previous year, the highest among Japanese), Honda No.69 (not ranked in the previous year) and Nissan is No. 87 (not ranked in the previous year.)
* The farewell service for one of my relatives was held at a temple "Y" where I visited after more than ten years. I was impressed by finding that the temple was renovated magnificently during the years. I acknowledged the religions are warmly protected in this country. I was invited to the luncheon meeting after the service held at a restaurant in Akasaka. It was a rare chance for all of attendants to have talks leisurely as everybody was so busy that it was almost impossible to get together on the other occasions. I show you some of our talks.
A widow of a university professor who died about ten years ago has made overseas trips frequently alone. Although she is older than me, she can carry a luggage weighing about thirty kg. She visited her son who stayed alone in a foreign country and worked for him as a house keeper. During her stay there, she joined music concerts, visited museums or libraries. She said that she learned English at NHK radio's "Learning English Program" after her husband's death and she can now speak well in English enough for making overseas trips alone. A lady who sat on the same table with the above mentioned old lady said she was learning English from the same NHK's program in order to talk with foreign visitors to her home. She installed radios at places within her home where she spends much time during a day such as kitchen. living room or bed room. The radios were pre-set for the program. Thus she could listen to the program repeatedly at any place within the home. She added the program teaches not only English itself but how to use the latest terminology. She said the results of these efforts were very helpful. Incidentally although I write my diary in English everyday, I found I could not speak in English when I met a guest from overseas because I have not had any could not have chance for speaking in English for more than a year. So I called an English conversation school and asked to have a private lesson. But the fee for it was very high and I gave up the idea recently. I will start to take a lesson from NHK radio's program since today.
The American Clubhouse Sandwich served at the Imperial Hotel's coffee shop is one of my favorite foods. Its ingredients are made of turkey. At almost all other shops in Tokyo, the sandwich which has ingredients of chicken or ham is served. I brought up a question why they do not serve turkey. A man said as Japanese is good with their hands, they can take out bones from chicken. But as American are not skillful so that they cannot take out bones from chicken. But from roasted turkey, they can pluck pieces of turkey meat from bones with hands. That is why they are using turkey, he said. The thanks giving day will come soon and many American will have roasted turkey on the day. For the Puritans who came to New England from Europe, the roasted turkey was a feast for them, I think.