Osaka – Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 5, the last day of Golden Week long holiday, is Children's Day in Japan. The national holiday is an occasion for Japanese families to celebrate the well-being of their children. May 5 was traditionally a festival for boys known as Tango no Sekku. However, this changed in 1948 when it became a day of celebration for all children.
1. What are the traditional customs associated with the day?
1) Flying carp streamers
On this day, families often fly carp streamers outside their homes to represent strength and success, and flying carp streamers are seen in many sight seeing spots. For example, tens of carp streamers are set to fly above/across the river of Oboke-Koboke in Tokushima Prefecture, which is well known for enjoyment of riding a boat down the river.
2) Dolls of famous heroes
Some families also display samurai warrior dolls of famous heroes inside their homes. The dolls symbolize strength.
Originally Japanese dolls were not children's toys to play with. In ancient times, dolls were used as effigies to rid people of misfortune and disease. It was only after the Edo period that they were made for the appreciation of annual events such as Hina Matsuri, the Girls' Festival, explained in the previous article Will Doll’s Festival Celebration Be Passed On?, and Tango No Sekku, the Boys' Festival.
After the Meiji period, dolls made of celluloid and rubber were introduced from Western countries. Barbie dolls became very popular in Japan at the end of the 60's.
Foreigners (non-Japanese people) may consider geisha dolls or those of women in kimonos to be typical Japanese dolls. They are generally quite expensive because each part of the dolls is made by hand and silk is used for their kimonos. Their faces must be painted by master craftsmen.
3) Kabuto hats
Kabuto hats, symbolize strength, similarly to dolls of famous heroes. Kabuto is a kind of helmet put on by samurai warriors. Kabuto hats are made with almost zero cost and with ease using with large paper (sometimes newspapers) by Origami methodology.
4) Bathing with iris leaves in water
Other customs associated with the day include bathing with iris leaves in the water for good health and well-being. Very often, long iris leaves are tied around the heads of boys while bathing. The origin of this custom is not clear. However, the iris leaves is called “Sobu” which is homonym of game/match/competition, and it is possible that this is the origin of the custom.
5) Rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves
The other customs associated with the day is eating rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves called kashiwamochi. This custom is originally eating chimaki, rice cakes without azuki bean inside, wrapped completely in bamboo leaf, similarly in a way samurai warriors used to take their food out. Eating kashiwamochi, which is more popular kind of rice cakes with azuki red bean inside, became the popular custom, replacing eating chimaki.
6) Measuring height
To see how children are growing with well-being, parents used to measure how tall their children are on this day by marking on a pillar inside their house. They could see the growth by comparing with the mark of the previous years. With annual health checkup at school today and there is no need to measure, this custom is no longer popular.
2. How are custom performed today?
It is quite prominent that like other traditional customs, the above customs are actually performed by less family today, which is a pity. For example, the author wanted to take photo of flying carp streamers and post it as well with this blog article because she did see a few around her house until a few years ago but she found none this year. (The photos posted are of free online photos.)
To the author, the customs has more importance and meaning with low birth rate, a serious social issue in Japan. I fact, it was announced May 4 that number of children has been on the decrease 29 consecutive years. It is quite possible that one reason that above customs are performed less today is the fact that there are few households now that have children.
It is under such circumstance that a special documentary TV programme went on the air on May 3, about a well-being of a family with 3 boys and 5 girls living in an island of Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan. Since 1 boy and 1 girl had already left home to go on studying in senior high school and university in mainland, so the programme was mainly about the remaining 6 children. Nevertheless, the message of the programme was quite clear; wishing and encouraging people to raise as many healthy, well-being children as possible.
2010年5月5日水曜日
2010年3月20日土曜日
Is Decentralized GW Long Holiday Good?
Osaka – Saturday, March 20, 2010
March 22, Spring Equinox Day, is National Holiday in Japan and therefore today is the start of our extended weekend. The next National Holiday/long holiday is Golden Week Holiday in May. Japanese government is planning to decentralize Golden Week Long Holiday, usually set May 3 – 5 (with April 29 as a National Holiday, weekend and strategic office shut down, some companies make a long holiday of April 29 – May), but most Japanese citizens seem to be against the idea, according to a recent TV news in Japan. In this article, the author would like to explain the objective and overview of the government’s plan and introduce different views of the citizens from different standpoint.
1. What is the objective/background of the plan?
The government came up with the plan as an action plan of the fourth field of focus of the growth strategy, which is tourism and local community, mentioned in the previous article How Japan's Growth Strategy Shoud Be? They believe that this plan would improve tourism to boost the economy, and make Japan a Tourism-Oriented Country.
2. What is the plan?
The plan is to decentralize Golden Week long holiday usually set May 3 (Mon) – 5 (Wed). With weekend, this would make 5 day holiday. They plan to divide Japan into 5 regions, and set GW holiday of each region separately, in different week. For example, GW long holiday for region 1 is May 3 (Mon) – 5 (Wed), region 2 is May 10 (Mon) – 12 (Wed), and so forth.
GW long holiday in good climate is one of the best seasons of the year to going on a vacation and sightseeing, and a result, GW holiday is notorious for crowdedness. With the plan, the government believes that people going to on a vacation and sightseeing will not be concentrated in a particular period but will be dispersed meaning less crowdedness. They believe this would encourage more people to go on holiday and sightseeing on accumulated basis, leading to greater consumer spending in total.
3. How each segment Japanese citizens view the plan?
When the broadcasting company asked 200 citizens whether they are in favour or against the play, only 58 people answered that they are in favour and the remaining 132 answered that they are against the plan.
According to the interviews conducted to major segments, the result was the same. Although sightseeing and accommodation industry segment are mostly in favour, other segments are against the plan.
1) Sightseeing spots and hotels are mostly in favour.
Major and popular sightseeing spots and hotels are in favour. This is because they believe that decentralization of the long holiday meaning less crowdedness would attract more tourists in total and therefore would be a big advantage for their business.
However, minor, less popular sightseeing spots and hotels are against the plan. This is because tourists that would visit them to avoid crowdedness of the popular sightseeing spots and hotels would not need to avoid the crowdedness, so they may well be attracted to popular places and hotels. And therefore, they believe that the plan would have negative impact on their business.
Travel agencies and souvenior shop owners are in favour, for the same reason with major and popular sightseeing spots and hotels.
2) Companies are mostly against.
Companies are mostly against the plan, whether they are operating nationwide or locally.
Companies operating nationwide are strongly against the plan. This is because one branch of a region would be off when all other branches in other regions are operating, and this would cause many problems, especially in logistics and (online) accounting.
Quite a few companies operating locally (exclusively in one region) are also against the plan. This is because the influence they have from the market and business partners operating in other regions of different GW holiday would cause many problems to their operation.
A food company making and supplying lunch to schools insist that they would not be able to obtain necessary ingredients. This means they would not be able to operate smoothly, therefore, they would not be able to meet their customer needs and thus give negative impact on their business.
A fish wholesaler insists that the plan would decrease their business opportunity. This is because its means no business if their market (Tokyo, Osaka etc.) is closed when they are operating.
Other factories are against because decentralized long holiday makes them difficult for them to set their own holiday, i.e. the time to shut their plant down, for the same reason.
3) Households and individuals are mostly against.
Individuals and households are against the plan, excluding a few.
Although a female in 20s are in favour, because sightseeing spots and hotels would not be so crowded, another female is against because she would not be able to go on a holiday, sightseeing or do other things with her parents. This is because her parents and she lives apart in different regions of different GW holiday timing.
A family living together was strongly against the plan for the same reason. Location of the father’s workplace, children’s school and their house happen to be of different timing of the GW holiday so the family would not be able to enjoy holiday together.
4) Education industry is against.
Education industry is against the plan because they feel the plan would have negative effect on children. The representative interviewed did not specify reason in detail; however, he may well be thinking of possible cases such as of the household mentioned above.
4. How does the government view to the reaction of the citizen?
When the broadcasting company reporter briefly explained the above views of the citizens, the government representative replied that the concept of the plan is boosting tourism to make Japan a Tourism-Oriented Country.
The objective and concept is fully understandable and it is indeed one way of boosting the economy; however, it is a question whether this plan really is a good solution to achieve the goal. What do you think?
March 22, Spring Equinox Day, is National Holiday in Japan and therefore today is the start of our extended weekend. The next National Holiday/long holiday is Golden Week Holiday in May. Japanese government is planning to decentralize Golden Week Long Holiday, usually set May 3 – 5 (with April 29 as a National Holiday, weekend and strategic office shut down, some companies make a long holiday of April 29 – May), but most Japanese citizens seem to be against the idea, according to a recent TV news in Japan. In this article, the author would like to explain the objective and overview of the government’s plan and introduce different views of the citizens from different standpoint.
1. What is the objective/background of the plan?
The government came up with the plan as an action plan of the fourth field of focus of the growth strategy, which is tourism and local community, mentioned in the previous article How Japan's Growth Strategy Shoud Be? They believe that this plan would improve tourism to boost the economy, and make Japan a Tourism-Oriented Country.
2. What is the plan?
The plan is to decentralize Golden Week long holiday usually set May 3 (Mon) – 5 (Wed). With weekend, this would make 5 day holiday. They plan to divide Japan into 5 regions, and set GW holiday of each region separately, in different week. For example, GW long holiday for region 1 is May 3 (Mon) – 5 (Wed), region 2 is May 10 (Mon) – 12 (Wed), and so forth.
GW long holiday in good climate is one of the best seasons of the year to going on a vacation and sightseeing, and a result, GW holiday is notorious for crowdedness. With the plan, the government believes that people going to on a vacation and sightseeing will not be concentrated in a particular period but will be dispersed meaning less crowdedness. They believe this would encourage more people to go on holiday and sightseeing on accumulated basis, leading to greater consumer spending in total.
3. How each segment Japanese citizens view the plan?
When the broadcasting company asked 200 citizens whether they are in favour or against the play, only 58 people answered that they are in favour and the remaining 132 answered that they are against the plan.
According to the interviews conducted to major segments, the result was the same. Although sightseeing and accommodation industry segment are mostly in favour, other segments are against the plan.
1) Sightseeing spots and hotels are mostly in favour.
Major and popular sightseeing spots and hotels are in favour. This is because they believe that decentralization of the long holiday meaning less crowdedness would attract more tourists in total and therefore would be a big advantage for their business.
However, minor, less popular sightseeing spots and hotels are against the plan. This is because tourists that would visit them to avoid crowdedness of the popular sightseeing spots and hotels would not need to avoid the crowdedness, so they may well be attracted to popular places and hotels. And therefore, they believe that the plan would have negative impact on their business.
Travel agencies and souvenior shop owners are in favour, for the same reason with major and popular sightseeing spots and hotels.
2) Companies are mostly against.
Companies are mostly against the plan, whether they are operating nationwide or locally.
Companies operating nationwide are strongly against the plan. This is because one branch of a region would be off when all other branches in other regions are operating, and this would cause many problems, especially in logistics and (online) accounting.
Quite a few companies operating locally (exclusively in one region) are also against the plan. This is because the influence they have from the market and business partners operating in other regions of different GW holiday would cause many problems to their operation.
A food company making and supplying lunch to schools insist that they would not be able to obtain necessary ingredients. This means they would not be able to operate smoothly, therefore, they would not be able to meet their customer needs and thus give negative impact on their business.
A fish wholesaler insists that the plan would decrease their business opportunity. This is because its means no business if their market (Tokyo, Osaka etc.) is closed when they are operating.
Other factories are against because decentralized long holiday makes them difficult for them to set their own holiday, i.e. the time to shut their plant down, for the same reason.
3) Households and individuals are mostly against.
Individuals and households are against the plan, excluding a few.
Although a female in 20s are in favour, because sightseeing spots and hotels would not be so crowded, another female is against because she would not be able to go on a holiday, sightseeing or do other things with her parents. This is because her parents and she lives apart in different regions of different GW holiday timing.
A family living together was strongly against the plan for the same reason. Location of the father’s workplace, children’s school and their house happen to be of different timing of the GW holiday so the family would not be able to enjoy holiday together.
4) Education industry is against.
Education industry is against the plan because they feel the plan would have negative effect on children. The representative interviewed did not specify reason in detail; however, he may well be thinking of possible cases such as of the household mentioned above.
4. How does the government view to the reaction of the citizen?
When the broadcasting company reporter briefly explained the above views of the citizens, the government representative replied that the concept of the plan is boosting tourism to make Japan a Tourism-Oriented Country.
The objective and concept is fully understandable and it is indeed one way of boosting the economy; however, it is a question whether this plan really is a good solution to achieve the goal. What do you think?
2010年1月11日月曜日
What Does It Mean To Join Adult Society?
Monday, January 11, 2010 – Osaka, Japan
Taking opportunity of celebrating Japan’s national holiday of “Coming-of-Age Day” today, the second Monday of January, the author would like to discuss joining adult society.
January 15th used to be Coming-of-Age Day which honors young people who have reached the age of 20 as new members of adult society, and ceremonies are held nationwide by local governments. And to make people easier to attend ceremonies in their hometown the date was changed to second Monday of January. In some cases ceremonies are held on different day such as Saturday January 9 to encourage people including those working in service sectors (i.e. likely to be working on the national holiday) to participate the ceremony.
The event often doubles as a great occasion to catch up with old friends. Many women celebrate by wearing elegant long-sleeved kimono, while a majority of male attendees are dressed in suits. Traditionally, government officials and other distinguished guests give speeches at the ceremony. However, many organizers are now reviewing the event program to make it more appealing to new adults. Some local governments now allow young people to organize the ceremony by themselves, while others hold a concert or a party instead of a ceremony. The Coming-of-Age ceremonies nationwide are usually reported in TV news but it is sad to see a few participants ill-behave from over excitement.
People who have reached the age of 20 are celebrated as joining new members of adult society because it is at the age of 20 that under the Japanese law, enacted after World War II as a part of the Constitution of Japan, people are legally have right and responsibility as adults.
- 16 years old: Can get married with the approval from parents. Can start to drive motor bicycles.
- 18 years old: Can get married with agreement among the new couple. Can start to drive a car.
- 20 years old: Can start drinking and voting. The Juvenile Act is no longer applied.
The Constitution of Japan was enacted based on the situation at the time of post World War II, and due to change in situation, some people say that age of joining adult society should be made younger (e.g. 18 years old) whereas some others say that it should be made older.
Some people insist lowering the age of joining adult society because it has been noted that in recent years violent crimes such as serious wounding and murder are being committed by persons of younger and younger, in some cases prominently abusing the Juvenile Act. Under the current Juvenile Act, name of the criminal under 20 years old is not disclosed and he/she will not be punished. For this reason, some people insist that the age of joining adult society should be lowered so that such criminals would be legally responsible for their crime and get punished.
Some other people insist lowering the age of joining adult society to 18 years old from financial and voting reasons. Although majorities of people studying at universities and colleges unlike post World War II, there are some who do start working at 18 years old upon graduation from high school, meaning they become financially independent and start paying taxes. However, it is until they become 20 years old that they have right to vote, i.e. responsibility and right is not balanced, which is the reason why some other people insist making the age of joining adult society 18 years old.
Financial and voting is also the reason for some other people insist making older. This is because many people study at college and university and do not start working until 22 or older, and in Japan because parents pay for all school fees etc. they are still financially dependent on their parents at 20 years old.
Adult is someone who is financially and mentally independent. Defining the age of people becoming financially independent case by case, and defining the age of people becoming mentally independent is even more case by case and is almost impossible. Moreover, revision of law requires accountability and vast amount of procedures and therefore it is unlikely that the law will be revised. What can be said is that all citizens should obey the law, and become independent at an appropriate age to redeem his/her responsibilities while having given appropriate rights, regardless of at what age he/she becomes financially independent.
Taking opportunity of celebrating Japan’s national holiday of “Coming-of-Age Day” today, the second Monday of January, the author would like to discuss joining adult society.
January 15th used to be Coming-of-Age Day which honors young people who have reached the age of 20 as new members of adult society, and ceremonies are held nationwide by local governments. And to make people easier to attend ceremonies in their hometown the date was changed to second Monday of January. In some cases ceremonies are held on different day such as Saturday January 9 to encourage people including those working in service sectors (i.e. likely to be working on the national holiday) to participate the ceremony.
The event often doubles as a great occasion to catch up with old friends. Many women celebrate by wearing elegant long-sleeved kimono, while a majority of male attendees are dressed in suits. Traditionally, government officials and other distinguished guests give speeches at the ceremony. However, many organizers are now reviewing the event program to make it more appealing to new adults. Some local governments now allow young people to organize the ceremony by themselves, while others hold a concert or a party instead of a ceremony. The Coming-of-Age ceremonies nationwide are usually reported in TV news but it is sad to see a few participants ill-behave from over excitement.
People who have reached the age of 20 are celebrated as joining new members of adult society because it is at the age of 20 that under the Japanese law, enacted after World War II as a part of the Constitution of Japan, people are legally have right and responsibility as adults.
- 16 years old: Can get married with the approval from parents. Can start to drive motor bicycles.
- 18 years old: Can get married with agreement among the new couple. Can start to drive a car.
- 20 years old: Can start drinking and voting. The Juvenile Act is no longer applied.
The Constitution of Japan was enacted based on the situation at the time of post World War II, and due to change in situation, some people say that age of joining adult society should be made younger (e.g. 18 years old) whereas some others say that it should be made older.
Some people insist lowering the age of joining adult society because it has been noted that in recent years violent crimes such as serious wounding and murder are being committed by persons of younger and younger, in some cases prominently abusing the Juvenile Act. Under the current Juvenile Act, name of the criminal under 20 years old is not disclosed and he/she will not be punished. For this reason, some people insist that the age of joining adult society should be lowered so that such criminals would be legally responsible for their crime and get punished.
Some other people insist lowering the age of joining adult society to 18 years old from financial and voting reasons. Although majorities of people studying at universities and colleges unlike post World War II, there are some who do start working at 18 years old upon graduation from high school, meaning they become financially independent and start paying taxes. However, it is until they become 20 years old that they have right to vote, i.e. responsibility and right is not balanced, which is the reason why some other people insist making the age of joining adult society 18 years old.
Financial and voting is also the reason for some other people insist making older. This is because many people study at college and university and do not start working until 22 or older, and in Japan because parents pay for all school fees etc. they are still financially dependent on their parents at 20 years old.
Adult is someone who is financially and mentally independent. Defining the age of people becoming financially independent case by case, and defining the age of people becoming mentally independent is even more case by case and is almost impossible. Moreover, revision of law requires accountability and vast amount of procedures and therefore it is unlikely that the law will be revised. What can be said is that all citizens should obey the law, and become independent at an appropriate age to redeem his/her responsibilities while having given appropriate rights, regardless of at what age he/she becomes financially independent.
2009年10月12日月曜日
Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Sports on National Sports Day
October 12, 2009 – Osaka, Japan
The second Monday of October is National Sports Day/Health-Sports Day in Japan. Its purpose is to promote health and well-being through sports, and this is the day for sports and to foster a sound mind and body. The day was originally celebrated on October 10th, the day that is most likely to be sunny at this time of the year according to statistical research result, to commemorate the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In 2000, it was changed to the second Monday of October by a new law, and for this year, it is today, October 12. This is one of the background for Japan (Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo) announcing its candidacy to host Olympic game, and today it was reported by mass media that Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two prefectures that are the sites of nuclear bombing in World War II, are planning to announce their joint-candidacy for 2020 Olympics.
Around this time of the year sports festival is held in schools, sometime in other places such as companies. Sports festival, a whole day event, had really been a big event for the school, community and society. For example, whole family joins the school sports festival and enjoy, and parents take so many photos and videos of their children. There used to be a TV programme of it in which TV stars participated in the festival.
Usually participants are divided into 2 groups/teams of red and white to compete, and variety of games are played at the festival, some are common worldwide such as 100m sprint race, relay race and tug of war, and some other are rather Japan unique. The rather Japan unique ones are as below:-
- “Tamaire” (ball games): During a defined time, participants throw beanbags of their team colour into their team’s basket as many as they can like basket players shoot.
- Obstacle race: Participants compete the speed of going through obstacles such as going over balance beam, running under mats etc.
- Mock cavalry battle: Participants, usually boys of around 11 years old, get into teams and compete for battle.
- Three-legged race: Two people make a team. A leg of each is tied to make three legs and teams have a face of usually 100 metres.
- “Pan-kui-kyoso” Eating bread race: Bread is tied with a rope which is hung, and participants take a big bite to the bread and race to the goal with the bread.
- Centipede race: About 10 participants make a team. Their right and left foot are tied to a board (something like a ski), and the teams walk as quickly as possible toward the goal. Teamwork really counts!
- “Karimono-kyoso” borrowing race: Participants race to pick a card which states something (e.g. girl with red skirt) that he/she is asked to borrow from people present at the festival and take it/that person to the goal as quickly as possible.
In addition, there is team work gymnastics. Children practice this hard for the festival under the guidance from their teachers and on the day, they perform this to show their efforts to their family. And there is also cheering group that liven up the festival. The group is led by a cheering leader, usually a male, and they also practice a lot for the festival.
National Sports Day is also the timing in which body strength of citizens will be focused. Every year Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture execute a survey of body strength including stamina and agility. Approximately 70,000 citizens of age 6-75 are parametric model and the survey will be held May-October, whose results are analyze according to age groups and reported on the National Sports Day. According to the result reported today via mass media, the overall result for children started to improve although it had been on the declined since 1985 and therefore had been an issue. An expert, a member of the analysis team, commented that it is probably the result of step-by-step efforts of schools of increasing opportunities for exercise and sports. On the other hand, results for adults were mixture. Female of age 20-30 deteriorated but male and female of age 40+ and 65+ improved. The overall trend of body strength level is concluded that both male and female increase from 6 years old, and male reach the peak around 17 years old and female around 14 years old; however for grip strength, male reach the peak 30-34 years old and female 40-44 years old.
The survey result and analysis clarified that regular exercise and participating in sports highly contribute to maintaining high level of body strength; however, people in 20s are doing less exercises and enjoying sports compared to 15 and 30 years ago and their body strength level has dropped. Possible reasons for this include the fact that people in their 20s grew up playing indoors, with gaming, Internet and comics, too busy with their work and has insufficient time to regularly enjoy exercise and sports, and so forth. It might well need “fundamental” measures and actions to change and improve this trend and it would take time for tangible results to come out.
The second Monday of October is National Sports Day/Health-Sports Day in Japan. Its purpose is to promote health and well-being through sports, and this is the day for sports and to foster a sound mind and body. The day was originally celebrated on October 10th, the day that is most likely to be sunny at this time of the year according to statistical research result, to commemorate the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In 2000, it was changed to the second Monday of October by a new law, and for this year, it is today, October 12. This is one of the background for Japan (Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo) announcing its candidacy to host Olympic game, and today it was reported by mass media that Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two prefectures that are the sites of nuclear bombing in World War II, are planning to announce their joint-candidacy for 2020 Olympics.
Around this time of the year sports festival is held in schools, sometime in other places such as companies. Sports festival, a whole day event, had really been a big event for the school, community and society. For example, whole family joins the school sports festival and enjoy, and parents take so many photos and videos of their children. There used to be a TV programme of it in which TV stars participated in the festival.
Usually participants are divided into 2 groups/teams of red and white to compete, and variety of games are played at the festival, some are common worldwide such as 100m sprint race, relay race and tug of war, and some other are rather Japan unique. The rather Japan unique ones are as below:-
- “Tamaire” (ball games): During a defined time, participants throw beanbags of their team colour into their team’s basket as many as they can like basket players shoot.
- Obstacle race: Participants compete the speed of going through obstacles such as going over balance beam, running under mats etc.
- Mock cavalry battle: Participants, usually boys of around 11 years old, get into teams and compete for battle.
- Three-legged race: Two people make a team. A leg of each is tied to make three legs and teams have a face of usually 100 metres.
- “Pan-kui-kyoso” Eating bread race: Bread is tied with a rope which is hung, and participants take a big bite to the bread and race to the goal with the bread.
- Centipede race: About 10 participants make a team. Their right and left foot are tied to a board (something like a ski), and the teams walk as quickly as possible toward the goal. Teamwork really counts!
- “Karimono-kyoso” borrowing race: Participants race to pick a card which states something (e.g. girl with red skirt) that he/she is asked to borrow from people present at the festival and take it/that person to the goal as quickly as possible.
In addition, there is team work gymnastics. Children practice this hard for the festival under the guidance from their teachers and on the day, they perform this to show their efforts to their family. And there is also cheering group that liven up the festival. The group is led by a cheering leader, usually a male, and they also practice a lot for the festival.
National Sports Day is also the timing in which body strength of citizens will be focused. Every year Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture execute a survey of body strength including stamina and agility. Approximately 70,000 citizens of age 6-75 are parametric model and the survey will be held May-October, whose results are analyze according to age groups and reported on the National Sports Day. According to the result reported today via mass media, the overall result for children started to improve although it had been on the declined since 1985 and therefore had been an issue. An expert, a member of the analysis team, commented that it is probably the result of step-by-step efforts of schools of increasing opportunities for exercise and sports. On the other hand, results for adults were mixture. Female of age 20-30 deteriorated but male and female of age 40+ and 65+ improved. The overall trend of body strength level is concluded that both male and female increase from 6 years old, and male reach the peak around 17 years old and female around 14 years old; however for grip strength, male reach the peak 30-34 years old and female 40-44 years old.
The survey result and analysis clarified that regular exercise and participating in sports highly contribute to maintaining high level of body strength; however, people in 20s are doing less exercises and enjoying sports compared to 15 and 30 years ago and their body strength level has dropped. Possible reasons for this include the fact that people in their 20s grew up playing indoors, with gaming, Internet and comics, too busy with their work and has insufficient time to regularly enjoy exercise and sports, and so forth. It might well need “fundamental” measures and actions to change and improve this trend and it would take time for tangible results to come out.
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