Into The Final Stretch
Soro-Soro Sayonara 2001
"Ohhh, flat out like a lizard drinking!"
Sorry??? Well, that's how I'm inclined to describe the weeks leading up
to the New Years period in Japan. While some may even pick up on the 'subtle'
irony of such an expression, I suspect others are little confused. For
those unfamiliar with this Australian colloquialism, it could be said in
plain English as "very busy". While busy it is sure to be this
month, let's take a glimpse at what could be in stall for you during the
final march to 2002.
Usually from around mid-December the bonenkai, "forget-the-year"
parties, kick off, at which workmates, classmates, and friends gather to
recall the ups-and-downs of the past year and cement ties. On average most
people attend at least 2 or 3 bonenkai parties, although there is really
no limit to the number you can go to. Either way, you are bound to find
yourself in the company of people in varying degrees of intoxication. Avoid
crowded subways and potential sidewalk painters!
If you've been out and about in Kyoto of late you could not have missed
the ubiquitous Christmas decorations and displays that adorn the city streets.
Visit any of the department stores and you usually find decked-out trees
and Christmas carols (often in English) blaring from PA systems. However,
for all the fervor with which Christmas is celebrated, it is mainly a secular
event, and perhaps better equated with Valentine's Day: an exchange of
gifts and a romantic dinner between couples.
After the excitement and bonding of bonenkai, for many foreigners the
arrival of Christmas can sometimes be a difficult and lonely time of the
year. It is no surprise then that many make a speedy exodus overseas, and
for the Southerners (talking hemispheres, not Americans), the warm weather
no doubt provides an added incentive.
For folks choosing to remain in Japan over Christmas and New Years,
there are of course many things to do and devour to quell any feelings
of homesickness. Food is always a good place to start. Not that I'm suggesting
Kentucky Fried Chicken is likely to be your first port of call, however,
on Chrismas Eve expect to see a long line into every KFC chain, where there
are always special Christmas chicken dishes. In fact most restaurants prepare
a special Christmas dinner menu, and there is always Chrissy cake to be
had for desert.
Generally
when I think of Christmas cake I tend to think of fruit cake, but in Japan
the wider selection of delicious Christmas cakes can make the decision
a difficult one. It seems many Japanese people have developed a penchant
for strawberry short cake topped with Christmas decorations. Taste testing
recommended.
As the end of the year draws near Japanese workplaces and schools enter
a flurry of activity. Workers are intent on tidying up any unfinished business,
and organizing cluttered offices. And spare a thought for Japanese school
students who are faced with the daunting task of osoji, the "big
cleanup", and looming report cards. In most public schools the cleaning
of classrooms and corridors is routinely done by students. Prior to winter
vacation, floors are scrubbed, blackboards washed, and windows shined.
While vacuum cleaners are used in homes, at school, all the cleaning is
done with broom and dustpan and mops made from used towels (zokin).
On the last day of school, the students gather in their homerooms and wait
for their report cards to be handed out. Oh, don't you just love those
school days?!
While in the West it is common to send Christmas cards, in Japan it
is traditional to send negajo or New Year's cards (literally postcards).
Once only written by hand, nowadays more and more people design their own
on computer, while others also send nengajo emails. Based on the zodiac
signs in Chinese astrology, the animal representing the coming year (in
this case the horse) is used to decorate the cards. If posted by December
24th they are assured of delivery on New Year's morning (which is preferable),
although increasingly people end up writing most of their nengajo after
their vacation begins or in the new year. Best to start early.
Joya no kane is the New Year's Eve ceremony where the bells
of Buddhist temples all over Japan are tolled 108 times. With each tolling
of the bell it is believed that one of the 108 earthly desires (sins) from
which we suffer - greed, anger, hatred, etc. is driven away. Each ringing
of the bell takes away some of the impurity and ugliness of the passing
year, cleansing people in readiness for the New Year. In Kyoto, Chion-in
Temple draws zillions of visitors every New Year's Eve before midnight
to watch the tolling of one of the largest bells in the world, weighing
around a hefty 74 tons (you just hope it's properly secured!). When the
ceremony begins, the atmosphere of New Year's Eve changes completely, from
bustle and excitement to quietude and solemnity. The mood in which people
greet the New Year is quite different from the extravagant celebrations
with toasts and firecrackers that are common in the West.
Wherever and however you decide to spend your Christmas and New Years,
may you have a safe, happy, and memorable time. By the way, did you keep
this years' New Year's resolution? As I thought, back to the drawing board
hey.
T. Grey
Revolutionary Industries Kyoto
Yushin Precision Equipment Co. Ltd
Try to imagine a large factory. Inside is an assembly line where 'hardened
workers' are busy producing and processing various plastic products. They
are very efficient, defects are few and far between, and yet there are
no breaks to rest or to slip outside for a cigarette. Not possible you
say? Well, let me explain. There is no human presence here, that is, beyond
those in charge of the machines and robots that perform these duties, capable
of working around the clock, 24/7. Such a scene is in fact a fast approaching
reality, as robots will eventually lead to total a
utomation
of most production industries. Robots have already become an indispensable
link in the production-chain of the plastic molding industry.
While once it may have been the common plastic bucket that first came
to mind when you thought of things plastic, these days, plastic products
are everywhere we look. Plastic is used in our household appliances, information
technology equipment, automotive parts, medical instruments and other highly
technical equipment.
What do we mean when we say "plastics"? Plastics or 'petro-chemical
products' can be generally classified into two groups: thermal and thermoset.
The former becomes malleable when heated, while the latter hardens when
heated. About two-thirds of today's molded products are made using thermal
plastics for the ease and low cost of production. Injection molding is
a type of molding that takes advantage of thermal plastic's characteristics.
Plastic that has been melted at high temperatures is injected into a mold
and cooled to form the molded product. Robots are then used not only to
take the molded products out of the mold, but also to transfer them to
subsequent processes and stock them in containers or cardboard boxes for
shipping. These robots are called "take-out robots".
The history of the take-out robot is the history of the rationalization
of the plastic molding industry. Local Kyoto company, Yushin Precision
Equipment Co., Ltd., has been a manufacturer of labor-saving automated
equipment since it was founded in Higashiyama, Kyoto, in 1971. Yushin soon
established a reputation for its high quality products with a series of
swing-type take-out robots. At that time, the need for automation in the
plastics molding plant was growing as demand for plastic molded products
grew and as the industry entered a period of high growth with a shortage
of labor. However, when demand for take-out robots to do more than simply
remove products from molds increased, "multi-function" and "high-speed"
became keywords as the company worked to develop robots that met manufacturers
expanded list of needs. As business picked up during the mid-1980's Yushin
moved its headquarters and factory to the Fushimi area in the south of
Kyoto and further expanded domestic branches. The 1990's also saw expansion
into international waters, with branch offices set up in Thailand, China
and Korea among other countries.
Nowadays, Yushin's take-out robots play a vital part in manufacturing
a diverse range of plastic products. From optical disc products such as
CDs and DVDs to cellular phones, Yushin equipment facilitates stable and
continuous operation of assembly lines as well as subsequent processes.
In short, wherever you find plastic products being molded, you are likely
to find Yushin machines are an active part of that field.
It is a matter of course that a robot is a man made machine and a tool
used to work in place of man. In general, robots are used to speed up work
processes and allow for cheaper and more efficient production. While some
people may be concerned that robots will one day put them out of a job,
we must not forget that many robots do what humans cannot do, and also
free us from various dangerous jobs. This means more people can devote
themselves to less menial and more imaginative work.
Creativity and innovation are the trademarks of Yushin. Of course "effort"
and "persistence" are also needed to overcome challenges and
expand technological and engineering frontiers. "If you're presented
with a single challenge, come back with at least ten answers", is
what Chief Executive Officer KOTANI Susumu tells his employees. Not that
the tenth proposal is necessarily going to be the best, but the effort
that goes into coming up with all of those possibilities is the key to
success. That kind of persistence is invaluable to the process of engineering
development asserts Mr Kotani, who oversees the technical side of the company.
As vice-president, his wife Mayumi Kotani, controls the management and
administrative side. The husband and wife team has achieved a unique balance
over company affairs.
The current vice-president did not have any intention to work for her
husband's company when she married him. Mayumi began dancing lessons from
early childhood and went on to make a professional name for herself at
the Fujima School of Japanese dancing. When she got married there was an
understanding that she would continue dancing. "My background and
skills were in dance, I had no special skills in business", she explained.
Yet despite this, once the decision was made to enter the company, Mrs
Kotani worked hard to learn the ropes, and together with her husband, help
the company expand. Although she was busy developing the sharp business
acumen that has played an important part in the continued development and
success of Yushin, Mrs Kotani has never once lost her enthusiasm for Japanese
dancing. She made time outside of work to continue dancing despite juggling
a busy life as both mother and wife. Now Mrs Kotani can proudly say she
has achieved professionalism in not only dancing, but also business.
After visiting Yushin and interviewing the vice-president, it is clear
that an open and positive approach combined with persistence is the driving
force behind achieving success, be it for a company or an individual. The
next time you listen to music on your CD player maybe you'll momentarily
dwell on Yushin's role in bringing you this easy listening pleasure, well,
that is unless you're into heavy metal!
A. Tara
Water-World Series:
Swimming Pools
Do you like to swim? Swimming is a great way to keep fit and healthy
over the cold winter period. There are several indoor swimming pools in
and around Kyoto that do not require you to become a club member to use
their facilities. All you need to take is your swimming costume, swimming
cap, and pay the admission fee at the front desk. Some spa resorts located
in the area also have swimming pools. Be it for your daily training or
just to relax, please check below to find out the nearest swimming facility
to you.
Peare Kyoto (ぺアーレ京都)
Admission: \1,000
Open: 10:00-20:30 (Mon.-Fri.), 10:00-17:00 (Sat. Sun. Holidays)
Access: 3 minutes walk from subway Imadegawa (今出川) sta. or 1 minutes
walk from city bus
stop Kamigyo-Kuyakusho mae (上京区役所前)
Holiday: 29 Dec.- 3 Jan.
Inquiries: 075-431-1123
Healthpia 21 （ヘルスピア 21）
Admission: \900 for swimming pool only, \1,100 for pool and training room
Open: 9:30-21:00 (Mon.-Fri.), 9:30-16:30 (Sat. Sun. Holidays)
Access: 8 minutes walk from Kintetsu Toji (東寺) sta. or 3 minutes walk
from city bus stop
Kujo-Omiya. (九条大宮)
Holiday: Mondays, 27 Dec.- 5 Jan.
Inquiries: 075-662-1300
Kyoto Terrsa （京都テルサフィットネスセンター）
Admission: \1,500 for 2 hours, surcharge \400 per 30 minutes.
Open: 10:00-21:00 (Mon.-Fri.), 10:00-19:00 (Sat. Sun. Holidays)
Access: 5 minutes walk from Subway Kujo（九条）sta. or 10 minutes walk
from JR. Kyoto sta.（京都駅）
Holiday: Wednesday, 29 Dec.-3 Jan.
Inquiries: 075-692-3400
Racto Sports Plaza （ラクトスポーツプラザ）
Admission: \900 for 3 hours, surcharge is \200 per 30min.
Open: 9:30-22:00 (Mon.-Sat.)
9:30-19:00 (Sun. Holiday)
Access: Subway Yamashina (山科駅) sta. 5F Yamashina Racto building
Holiday: 28 Dec.-3 Jan.
Inquiries: 075-501-3377
Fushimi Minatoko-en Sogo Taikukan （伏見港公園総合体育館）
Admission: \600 for 3 hours.
Open: 9:30-12:30, 13:30-16:30,
17:30-20:30
Access: 5 minutes walk from Keihan Chushojima (中書島) sta.
Holiday: 27 Dec.-4 Jan.
Inquiries: 075-611-7081
Muko-Shimin Onsui Pool （向日市民温水プール）
Admission: \600.
Open: 9:30-12:30, 13:30-16:30, 17:30-20:30
Access:10 minutes walk from Hankyu Nishi-Mukou (西向日) sta.
Holiday: Thursday, The fourth Monday, 28 Dec.- 4 Jan.
Inquiries: 075-931-5277
Tanabe Koen Onsui Pool （田辺公園温水プール）
Admission: \500 for people living or working in Kyo-Tanabe city.
\1,000 for others
Open: 9:30-21:20 (Mon.-Fri.), 9:30-16:30 (Sat, .Sun Holidays)
Access: 20 minutes walk from JR. Kyo-Tanabe (京田辺) sta. or Kintetsu
Shintanabe (新田辺) sta.
Holiday: Wednesday
Inquiries: 0774-65-3113
Qua House Iwataki (Spa Resort) （クアハウス岩滝）
Admission: \1,500
Open: 10:00-21:00
Access: 10 minutes by car from KTR.Amano-Hashidate （天橋立）sta.
Holiday: 31 Dec.
Inquiries: 0772-46-3500
Springs Hiyoshi (Spa Resort) （スプリング日吉）
Admission: \600 (Mon.-Fri), \700 (Sat. Sun. Holidays)
Open: 10:00-21:00
Access: 8 minutes from JR San-in honsen Hiyoshi (日吉) sta. by bus bound
Hiyoshi Dam（日吉ダム）
Get off at Hiyoshi Onsen, a shuttle bus takes you to the facility.
Holiday: Wednesday.
Inquiries: 0771-72-1526
Green Park Omoide-no-mori (Spa Resort) （グリーンパーク想い出の森）
Admission: \600
Open: 10:00-20:30
Access: 30 minutes from JR Kosei-line Adogawa (安曇川) sta. by Ko-jaku
bus. Get off at Kutsuki-Gakko mae
(朽木学校前)
Holiday: Monday, 26 Dec-29 Dec.
Inquiries: 0740-38-2770
K. Kimura