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UME-UME
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PROFESSIONALEDITION,EDITION,NOVEMBEROCTOBER 20182018

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the hunger rate would decrease, leading to On the other hand, if you
be sold Thisat a cheaper
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freshrealizing Sustainable Development Goal 2: although your ﬂour willNagano.
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NaganoHowever,and“Zero Hunger.”
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Ethicalcategorymark‘Planned
Production’The ‘Planned Production’ mechanism emphasized that advanced countries must
Saizeriya is a restaurant chain in Japan
known for its low prices. For example, you makes produce cheaper by using long-term cooperate with developing countries in ordercan eat pasta for just 400 yen. There are contracts. Therefore, the price is constant, to tackle the problem.
good reasons why the chain offers food at whether farmers have a bumper harvest
learnedin canthe makeprevious year. and mindset regarding trips
MEXT.
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w s p a p e r w a s (SGH) by ora poorTheone.
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Kawasaki, Rurino Doi, Hitomi Nakazawa
individualinterests, gather Prefecture for field work on
resourcesforward
who canin Ochanomizu
University
the succeed
same amountsof farm products
dishesthrough a systemcalled ‘Planned
and Nina Miyazaki
information
ourselves, and page 4. The articles coverin a globalized
world. As
an ofSenior HighFor
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is in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. Geography” as well as “Tankyu third year, we compile the topics, such as SNS and genderindividual Tankyu I activities issues, to school activities.
As many cultured people lived I” and “Tankyu II” classes.
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here in the modern era, it was
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million peoplen 1 in9– more thanin 9 ofthe world population –do not get enoughto eatOne in three
women of childbearing age suﬀer
from anaemia

million children
under 5 are too
small for their age
due to insuﬃcientdiets

Climate variability
and extremes
are among key driversof hunger

New ZealandUndernourishment is deﬁned as the condition in which an individual’s habitual food consumption is insuﬃcient to provide the amount of dietary energy
required to maintain a normal, active, healthy life. The indicator is reported as the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU), which is an estimate of the

PREVALENCE OF
UNDERNOURISHMENT
IN THE TOTAL POPULATION(PERCENT) IN 2015 -17<5%

5 -14,9%15-24,9%25-34,9%VerylowModerately
low

Moderately
high

High

35%
and
over

percentage of individuals in the total population that are in a condition of undernourishment. To reduce the inﬂuence of possible estimation errors in some of
the underlying parameters, national estimates are reported as a three-year moving average.

Source: FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2018. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018.
Building climate resilience for food security and nutrition. Rome, FAO.

Further information is available at www.wfp.org/content/2018-state-food-security-and-nutrition-world-soﬁ-report© 2018 World Food Programme

NOTICE TO READERSNOTICE TO READERS

Very
high

Missing or
insuﬃcient data

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this map does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WFP concerning the legal or constitutional status of any
country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers.
*

A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

**

Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan The ﬁnal status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.

***

Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined.

2

UME-UME TIMESNOVEMBER 2018

DOMESTIC ISSUES

Hands-on Efforts Seek to Boost Japanese ForestsT

here have been various reports thesedays on the destruction of forests
around the world. Japan has its own
issues surrounding forests.
In Japan these days, an increasing
number of forests have not been trimmed,
and as a result have become dilapidated. The
two major reasons are a decline in demandfor domestic timber and a decrease in thenumber of forestry employees. If there are
too many trees, they work against each otherand do not flourish. To protect the functionsof forests and increase demand for domestic
timber, such timber must be used. However,domestic timber is inferior to foreign types
because of its price.
To overcome this problem, a company
called “Yumekodo” is trying to use domestic
timber in a new way. The company islocated in Owase, which is famous for the
local timber Owasehinoki. Ito Masashi, thehead of the company, has worked on various
projects related to domestic timber, such asa “World Heritage bath” and a “100 thanksbath.”
An entire tree registered by the United
Nations as a World Heritage is used for theformer. It is floated on the bath directly, andusers can enjoy its smell and touch. The

latter is a project for older people. Children
write messages on the circular-shaped
domestic timber and float it on the hot water.
One of the goals is to spread awarenessof the advantages of domestic timber andincrease its use.
Students of Ochanomizu University
Senior High School were impressed by
Owase’s projects. They believe that having
young people understand Japanese forests issignificant. Moreover, they thought touching
timber directly is the most effective way tounderstand the good points.
To use domestic timber and to haveyoung people become aware of it, they heldan event called “Let’s make coasters madewith domestic timber.” The timber they used
was 20 years old and was processed in the
shape of a circle. Ten elementary and juniorhigh school students took part in the eventand completed their unique coasters withwater-based ink pens, spray and adhesivetape.
While the children were drawing, they
touched the coasters repeatedly and smelled
them. Almost all of the children said thatthey liked timber’s warmth and smell. They
also became interested in domestic timber
through the project.

Photo by Chieno Kurokawa

Children paint on coasters made with domestic
timber.

The Ochanomizu students who planned
this activity said, “This project is not only forusing domestic timber, but also for making
people interested in it.” In their opinion,
spreading this project leads to raising theawareness of younger generations about
the issue and the sustainability of Japanese
forestry. Running this project regularly is no
doubt a key to resolving the problem.
By Shiori Akira, Shiori Umino, Chisato
Urushibara, Yukako Ogino, Sei Horiuchi and
Rinka Yamaguchi

A Stadium Friendly to the Physically Challenged

In recent years, theimportance of ‘barrierfree’ has become widely
known. However, when it comesto recreation, people who arephysically challenged still havedifficulties.
According to a public opinion
poll by the Cabinet Office in2017, 83% of people thoughtthat physically challenged
people faced discrimination andprejudice. On the other hand, asurvey conducted by the sameagency in 2015 indicated what
people expect from the 2020
Olympics and Paralympics themost is ‘improving understandingof physically challenged people.’
These surveys showed theimportance of making better
societies for everyone throughthe sports activities.
Four students at Ochanomizu
University Senior High School
focused on the structure ofstadiums to improve theirusability. They devised a completely new structure of sports

Credit: Rio Isobuchi

A 3D model of the new stadium

stadium for wheelchair users.
They chose such users as thetarget because the number ofwheelchair seats in a stadium
was laid down in the guidelines
for a barrier-free policy in2020 by the Japanese Olympic
Committee.
First, the students conducted
research on the original
condition of stadiums in Japan.

After that, they created a 3Dmodel of the new stadium,using the software “Minecraft,”which is a game for making
architecture by placing blocks.
At some stadiums, wheelchairusers face three problems. First,
gates become crowded becausesuch users and other people
share the same ones. Second,
wheelchair users have to takesteep aisles to reach the seats.
Finally, there are few means forthem to go upstairs safely. The
new stadium (picture) designedby the students would resolvethese problems. It has an area
for wheelchair users and has fullflat seats that widen the visual
angle. If wheelchair seats are
situated on a steep incline, it isdifficult to reach them, and thus
the students designed flat seatson flat ground.
The students also suggested
installing a lift for wheelchairson the left side from theentrance. The machine, similar toa ski lift, lifts the person sitting
on a wheelchair. It moves more
slowly only when wheelchairusers get on and get off.
The students will continue to
conduct this research aiming at
putting the idea into practice.
By Hikaru Endo, Sae Sumida,
Haruka Nojima and Natsumi
Noda

NOVEMBER 2018

UME-UME TIMES

3

SOCIAL ISSUES

Raising the Bar for LGBTQ+ RecognitionThese days, you might
often hear the words‘gender’ and ‘LGBTQ+’.
The latter, which stands for
lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans­
gender and queer, or sexual
minority, refers to a group whose
sexual identity, orientation andpractice differ from the majority
or the surrounding society.
Sexual identity is how one thinksof one’s sexuality, regardlessof physical features or social
roles. This is strongly related tosexual orientation, which is what
gender you are attracted to.
The movements of recog­
nizing the diversity of sexuality
and approving the rights ofsexual minorities are becoming
increasingly active. According
to the distribution map made by
the International Lesbian Gay,
Bisexual, Trans and Intersex
Association, 24 countries—for
example, the Netherlands andSouth Africa—have legalizedsame­sex marriage. On the other
hand, it is illegal in 76 countries,
including 13 that impose thedeath penalty.
In Japan, LGBTQ+ couples’
rights are not protected by the law.
Sexual minorities are sufferingfrom thoughtless discriminationand prejudice in society.

Official website of the International Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association

There are LGBTQ+ issues
in the educational field as well.
Generally, in Japanese schools,
students must wear their uniforms
according to their inborn
sexuality. Not only students, butalso teachers, do not have enoughknowledge of sexual minorities.
Owing to the lack of knowledge,
sexual minorities are living indifficult circumstances. Under
extreme stress, some of them
are absenting themselves forextended periods of time or evendropping out from school.
In 2015, a university student
committed suicide after having
been outcast from his friends
because he was a gay.

It is obvious that achieving
a comfortable society for all
sexualities is an urgent matter.
Members of the research project
team at Ochanomizu Univer­sity Senior High School saythat local governments should
approach the issue from legal
and educational standpoints.
They said that each local govern­
ment should start by offering“Same­sex partner certificates,”as Shibuya Ward has done since2015, since it would be easierand faster to guarantee sexual
minorities’ rights, comparedwith changing the national law.
To raise awareness ofsexual minorities among young

people, they also suggested
an educational policy, such aschanges in school facilities.
According to them, choices
in uniform between skirts andtrousers, and unisex toilets,should be provided to allstudents.
In March 2018, four outof eight textbook publishers
mentioned sexual minorities in
the moral­studies textbooks to
be used at junior high schoolfrom 2019.
“We think physical education
and biology textbooks should
also mention sexual diversity, sothat children have a better under­
standing of sexual minorities,”
one of the members said. “Thenit would be easier for them toaccept, or express their sexuality,
when they grow up and establish
their sexual identities.”
All human beings aredifferent and have the right toexpress what and who they
love. By accepting differences
and cultivating a deeper under­
standing of sexual minorities, allpeople can live comfortably insociety.
By Mana Akita, Maria Kai,
Moe Kamigochi and Rei Kamiya

Flex Systems Essential for Work–Life Balance
The number of non­regular
workers is increasing year by
year, as seen in the graph atright. On the other hand, thewage gap between regular
workers and non­regular
workers remains wide. The rateof pay non­regular workers
receive is about 70 percent thatof regular workers. Comparedwith regular workers, non­regular workers have lower
incomes and lower chancesof receiving social benefits
such as insurance and pension.
Nevertheless, some people haveno choice but to work non­regularly because they are toobusy to take 9-to-5 jobs.
To resolve the issue, Japanesecompany Cyboze has introduced

Fluctuation in the Number of(million)  Regular Workers and Non-regular Workers
60
50
40

2,028
817

30
20
10

3,452

3,483

1989 1999 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2017

Yuka Araia "Selection Personal System”
whereby workers can select theirown working style from nine
patterns regardless of office hours
or place. The system enables
workers to start at the officein the afternoon or to work at
home, allowing for adjustments
to individual working situations,such as nursing, childcare andeven schoolwork or side jobs.
In the near future, an increas­

ing number of people will haveto balance working and taking
care of their children or parents.
This is mainly as a result of theserious situations of the aging
population and chronically low
birthrate.
To address these dire situa­
tions, Japanese companies
would have to take drastic
measures. It is thus essential
to introduce a new flexible
working pattern. If people are
not bound by working time andplace, not only workers, butalso companies can reap the
benefits.
By Yuka Arai, Mayuko Ichiki,
Mao Okamura and Ayaka Saito

4

UME-UME TIMESNOVEMBER 2018

REGIONS

Lost Dreams: Himeyuri Girls in Wartime Okinawa

S

eventy-three years ago,
222 female students and
18 teachers were assigned
to the Okinawa Army Hospital
as members of a nursing unit
called Himeyuri Student Corps
as the Battle of Okinawa started
in March 1945. Although they
served devotedly, more than 200
were ultimately killed.
About 100 years ago, twohigh schools in Okinawa were
established―The Okinawa Female
Normal School and The Okinawa
First Girls’ School. People called
these schools “Himeyuri.” For
those who had just passed difficult
entrance exams, a delightful andpromising school life was waiting.
At the “kizome ceremony,”
senior students made and gave thefirst-year students new clothes.
They held other unique events
such as a ‘beauty contest’ in their
dormitory. However, after the startof the long-lasting war, the army
gradually affected their education.
English classes were abolished,
and the students’ uniforms werechanged to monpe, or working
pants for women. On March 23,

1945, the United States forces
began landing operations in
Okinawa. The students and theteachers were assigned to thehospital as nursing personnel. They
were forced to undertake extremely
difficult duties, such as nursing
wounded soldiers, drawing waterand carrying food. They evenremoved maggots from the woundsof soldiers and buried the corpses.
The students sometimes
assisted with surgical operations.
Since there was no anesthetic
during the war, the woundedsoldiers screamed in pain andthe students had to hold them
down. Moreover, they were
exposed to the danger of amilitary attack when they went
outside. At first, many of themscreamed at the sight of blood,
but then came to feel “nothing,”
even when confronted with thedeath of a friend.
Suddenly, the girls were told
to leave the hospital on June
18 because the Japanese army
issued a deactivation order. They
had to run through the battlefieldsurrounded by the U.S. Army.

Photo by Hikaru Endo

The Tower of Himeyuri

Some of them were killed bybombings and some committed
suicide with hand grenades. The
number of victims amounted tomore than 200.
The third-year students at
Ochanomizu University SeniorHigh School learned about the
Himeyuri Student Corps at the
Himeyuri Peace Museum in
April 2018, where photos of the
Himeyuri girls during peacetime
are displayed. Also displayed arevarious toiletries and stationery

that belonged to the students.
Had it not been for the war,
the girls could have led delightfulschool lives. War completelychanges how people think,causing them to disregard life,
which is the very thing people
should always respect. We, theJapanese, shall never forget this.
By Akiko Kamigaito, Aiko
Shioda, Honoka Shibata, Miko
Tanaka and Mayo Yamazaki

Bunkyo Ward, the Heart of ‘Kokoro” by Soseki

2
3

Gokukuji
StationMyougadani
StationKorakuen 1
StationCredit: Lynn Takahashi“Anyone without spiritual
aspirations is a fool.”This sentence comes from
“Kokoro,” a novel written by
Soseki Natsume, one of the most
famous authors in Japan.
“Kokoro” is the story of aman called Sensei, which means‘teacher’ in Japanese, and his
agonies over friendship andlove. This article will introduce
you to Bunkyo Ward, the very

area where the story took place.
First, Masago slope (Map: 1)
is the slope where Sensei walked
around in the story. Now, it isnear Korakuen station, where we
can enjoy a modern panoramicview. Meanwhile you can feelthe richness of nature from theprotected camphor tree on top of
the slope.
Second, Denzu-in temple(Map: 2) is the traditional temple

that Sensei lived close to. As canbe seen from some events such as
the “Bunkyo, Japanese morningglory and ground cherry fair” heldat the temple every year, the site is
loved by local people. In addition,
as the temple was rebuilt in 2010,
you can see the wonderful newgate and precincts. These sites
draw all kinds of people who visit
Bunkyo Ward.
Last but not least is Zoushigaya Cemetery (Map: 3),
where the grave of K., anothercharacter in the novel, is said tobe located. It is so quiet that you
may forget you are in the middleof the city. In the cemetery many
people of culture, including
Soseki Natsume, rest in peace.
These are only a few of the
fascinating points of Bunkyo
Ward. There are many other great
ones. For those who are unfamiliar
with this area and interested inculture and history, this wonderful

town will welcome you with theatmosphere of “Kokoro.”
By Kotomi Ochiai, Shizuka
Kasai, Hinoki Sakai, Lynn Taka­hashi and Haruka Nobuoka
UME-UME TIMES
Published by a group of 39 studentsof Ochanomizu University SeniorHigh School, a national high school in
Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, in cooperation
with the not-for-profit Global Education
Information Center (GEIC) and The
Japan News.
Publisher: Ochanomizu University
Senior High School
Project Supervisor: Takayuki
Tsukui
Project Coordinator:
Editor: An Yokota
Assistant Editors: Eika Okada, Ima
Sugihara, Hikaru Hoshina and Sora
Yamamoto
Contributing Editors:
Staff Writers: An Yokota, Eika
Okada, Ima Sugihara, Hikaru Hoshina
and Sora Yamamoto
Contact: 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo
Ward, Tokyo, Japan 112-0012
URL: http://www.fz.ocha.ac.jp/fk/