コラム

共通テスト　英語リーディングをやってみた: 共通テスト英語リーディングをやってみた感想 大問1から3は短めのパラグラフを読んで3から4問選ぶ問題でしたが、フライングタクシーがトピックとして出てきていて最近の話題をネットで読んでいれば理解しやすいと感じました。難易度的には比較的容易でした。 大問4は書かれているエッセイからの問題でした。接続詞を入れたり、結論の文章を考えたりするのは普段からエッセイを書いていれば簡単にできるなと感じました。 大問5はメールのやり取りの問題でした。この手の問題は必ず出てきます。英語を実社会で使えるようにとの配慮からこのような形式になっているのでしょう。問題文を読みながら、どのような問題点があるのか分析しながら理解しておくと設問に早く答えられます。 大問6は物語になっていました。イベントを時系列に並べる問題が出ていましたが、これも必ず出ます。ただし、イベントが発生した順には書いていないので注意して読んでください。大問7は実際に英語でアカデミックな内容が理解できるかを問われていました。内容は生き物の睡眠パターンについてでしたが使われている単語が少々難しいと感じた受験生も多かったかも知れません。しかし大問7、8あたりは内容理解を問われているのでわかれば解答を選ぶのは難しくはありません。 これから共通テストに臨む高校生は普段から少し難しめの英語を読む、エッセイ形式で書くなどするようにしてください。語彙力を身につけるには長い時間がかかりますから一年時から早めに短い時間で構わないので覚えるようにしてください。

介護業界の未来: The situation of care-giving industry in Japan is getting worse. In 2025, the estimated number of elderly people with dementia is said to hit a record high of over seven million people. Medicare and nursing care are going to face serious challenges with the amount of workload caused by the increasing elderly population. Despite the greater demand for healthcare for the elderly, there lies labor shortages in caring homes. Care workers are often underpaid and forced to work over hours with limited paid leaves a year, which causes them to leave their jobs in search for better job opportunities. This means that more burden will be placed on those who remain in their workplaces. As more old people start using nursing care insurance, the insurance premium is also rising. In Japan, people with age 40 start paying for nursing care insurance premium. People who are 65 years old or older can start using nursing care services after being diagnosed and classified as “support required”. The thing is that people over 65 years old or older and yet healthy enough to live on their own have to pay a great amount of nursing care insurance premium from their meager pensions. Most of them have already retired, so they depend their income thoroughly on pensions. Although an amount of pensions varies from person to person, most elderly receive their pensions to barely meet their needs. So, rising insurance premium is a growing concern for many elderly people today. So now we know that there’s a labor shortage problem in nursing homes for the elderly. This occupation is not only financially rewarding but also physically challenging. Therefore, not many people apply for job openings in this fields. The government of Japan has decided to import labor force from Asia such as Nepal, Myanmar, and Indonesia in order to supply foreign laborers to caring industries. However, it is also true that many foreign workers find it difficult to continue working in Japan and return home after working for a few years. I think if we invite them to work, we have to take good care of them, too. I think we are failing to do so. Only if I had a better pay by working in the caring home, I would continue working for the elderly. But it doesn’t look like it. Future of Japan seems bleak with so many problems under growing aging population and declining birth rates. Policy makers must take further measures to address these issues so that next generations can live their lives fully satisfied.

知っておくと役立つ英語長文のトピックス: <h2>知っておくと役立つ英語長文のトピックス</h2> <div> </div><div>大学入試の英語長文というのは今の時事ネタを参考にして作られたり、そうした記事を引用して作成されていることが多々あります。そこで、これはぜひ知っておいても損はないというトピックスを受験生たちにお教えします。 </div><div> </div><div> 先ずは、よく出てくるトピックが地球温暖化問題です。global climate issueとかCOPなどの国際会議では温室効果ガス削減について話し合われてますよね。the reduction of greenhouse gas emissionsや各国の取り組みへのコミットメントの温度差なんかも実際にあります。クリーンエネルギー、代替エネルギー、alternative energyの重要性についても知っておきたいです。 人工知能、artificial intelligence, AIによる新たな産業革命の可能性についても非常に話題となっています。AIは、パターン化された作業をロボットが自律的に処理したり、自動車やドローンの自動運転を可能にしています。しかし、一方でAIによる弊害も伝えられています。AIによるフェイク映像が出回ることによる情報操作や人権侵害、著作権侵害の問題も言われていますし。さらにAIが人間の意思決定を手助けするのみならず人間を支配するような事態が起こらないか。戦争の道具としてのAI開発も大きな問題です。 次に、宇宙開発競争についても知っておきたいですね。これまで宇宙開発は莫大なコストがかかるため国家主導で行われてきましたが、近年では企業が中心となって宇宙旅行や小型衛星の打ち上げが行われようとしています。イーロン・マスクのスペースXなんか有名ですね。 最後にこれからの未来にAIとあいまって革新的な変化を世の中にもたらしそうなのが量子コンピュータのテクノロジーです。quantum computing 、クァンタムコンピュータの開発が世界で推し進められています。量子コンピュータは大規模なデータ処理の高速化を実現し短時間で複雑なルートを最適化します。交通システムの効率化、大規模予算の効果的な配分予測、流通における物資や人員の最適な配置、迅速なマーケティング、新薬開発などに応用されることが期待されています。 このようなトピックスの予備知識があるだけで読解が早く、また深く理解できます。なので、普段から英語のニュースを読む、聞くことを強くお勧めしますよ。</div>

新年あけましておめでとうございます: <h2>2025年、明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。</h2> ということで、この時期になると受験生はいよいよ受験間近の緊張感が漂って来ているかと思いますがいかがでしょうか？共通テストに限って言えば、残り1ヶ月を切ってると思います。そこで短期間で総得点を伸ばすために有効な勉強方法を紹介したいと思います。 1. 得意分野の勉強よりも苦手分野の勉強の配分を多くする。 2. 近年のテストの傾向を考えてある程度山をはる。 3. 他受験生が見落としがちな分野を意識して勉強する。 まず一つ目ですが、得意分野の科目を８0点取れるとして、８0から９0点に伸ばすのはかなり大変です。しかし、５0点から70点にするのであれば、それは比較的容易だと言えるでしょう。苦手な分野を勉強する事は辛いと感じるかもしれませんが、得点を上げるためには効果的だといえます。 次にテスト傾向を考えるということですが、大学受験生であれば赤本というのが出ていると思うので過去問だけを解くのではなく、解説や出題傾向などをしっかり把握しておいてください。 最後に、他の受験生が見落としがちな分野を意識して勉強するということですが、これは他の受験生と差をつけるためには有効な勉強方法です。例えば英語であれば受験英語特有のうまくじら構文なんてものがそれに該当するかと思います。A whale is no more a fish than a horse is. この文章がよくわからない、苦手だなと感じるのであれば、他の人も同様に苦手と感じているものです。 これらの方法参考にして、戦略を持って勉強に取り組むようにしてください。それでは、最後まで頑張ってください。健闘を祈ります。

My latest thoughts on jobs and life: My Latest Thoughts on Jobs and Life There are countless professions in the world, and among them, I chose to become a care worker for elderly people. In this essay, I want to share why I chose this path, what I think about it today, and my aspirations for the future. To provide some context, let me start with my background. In 2004, I graduated from a university in the United States with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. My first job was in desktop publishing at a small advertising company serving the Asian community in Orlando, Florida. At the time, my ultimate goal was to secure permanent residency in the U.S., and I devoted myself to the role for four years. However, I eventually came to terms with the reality that this dream was unattainable. Reluctantly, I decided to return to Japan in 2008. After returning, I married and immediately felt the need to secure stable employment. I applied for jobs that required English and computer skills and was eventually hired by a Tokyo-based company that organized business booths at convention centers. While this role allowed me to use my skills, I found the work burdensome and unfulfilling. After two years, I transitioned to a design and display company owned by Christians, hoping that the shared faith would create a positive and supportive work environment. However, over time, I struggled with the demands of the job. Despite working hard and contributing significantly to the company’s revenue, I couldn’t handle the frequent overnight shifts and relentless pressure to meet deadlines. The stress was overwhelming—I vividly remember moments during my commute when I felt tempted to escape it all by diving into the sea. This period forced me to reflect on my priorities. Was there a career that could provide both work-life balance and personal fulfillment? It was then that I learned about the growing demand for care workers for the elderly in Japan. Encouraged by government efforts to improve wages in this field, I decided to pursue this path. I completed the required certification while working full-time and began my career as a care worker. My first job in this field lasted over six years at a care facility in Chiba. Despite numerous challenges, the pay was comparable to my previous jobs, and I found the work more meaningful. However, after relocating to Saga, I was disheartened to find that wages for care workers in rural areas were significantly lower. To make ends meet, I took on multiple jobs, including part-time night shifts and English tutoring. This relentless schedule eventually took a toll on my health, and I was forced to scale back my workload. Today, I continue to work as a full-time care worker and part-time tutor. To supplement my income further, I began investing in U.S. stocks. Over the past four years, I’ve been able to double my assets, a milestone that has given me some breathing room. However, it has also made me reassess my goals and responsibilities. I now want to focus more on my family, including caring for my aging parents. Although they are still healthy, they foresee a time when I will take on a central role in managing the household and overseeing my mother’s inherited lands. While they have promised to compensate me for household expenses, I am concerned about the financial strain this responsibility may bring. I feel the need to increase my income further to ensure I can meet these challenges without worry. At my current care facility, I have gained the trust of my colleagues, and there is potential for promotion. However, I am skeptical that a promotion would bring the financial stability I seek. Additionally, I am growing weary of the emotional and physical challenges of caring for elderly patients, particularly those with dementia. While I strive to embody biblical values of kindness and service, I often question whether I have the patience and strength to continue in this role. Given these considerations, I have started exploring new opportunities. Manufacturing jobs, for example, offer significantly higher salaries and may provide the financial security I need. I have decided to resign from my current role by the end of the fiscal year and aim to secure a new job by early March, with plans to begin work in April. My ultimate goal is to establish a strong financial foundation through investments, with the aim of accumulating 100 million yen within five years. Once I achieve this milestone, I hope to dedicate myself to working alongside my pastors to reach out to others and share God’s love. I believe this is my true calling and purpose in life. Above all, I strive to seek God’s will and guidance. Life, no matter how wealthy, is meaningless without faith in Jesus. My journey is not just about financial success—it is about obedience to God’s plan and walking the path He has set for me.

The Fundamentals of Successful Investing: The Fundamentals of Successful Investing To succeed in investing, all it takes is owning the right stocks at a reasonable price, holding a significant number of shares, and keeping them until their market value is recognized. While this principle is straightforward, very few investors can execute it effectively. Staying Informed About Market Influences Successful investors remain attentive to news that impacts stock prices. Factors such as macroeconomic trends, investor sentiment, earnings reports, and newly launched products all play significant roles. While discovering stocks that multiply tenfold sounds exciting, investing heavily in still-growing companies carries substantial risk. For instance, newly listed stocks often appear promising, attracting many retail investors who rush to buy. However, such stocks frequently plummet within months, leaving investors with significant losses. To avoid such pitfalls, it’s crucial to examine companies’ financial records carefully. This is where accounting comes into play, allowing investors to analyze and predict a stock’s true value. While innovative technology and strong ideologies are attractive, investors must prioritize realism and financial stability. Timing the Market: Buy Low, Sell High Buying stocks when their prices are soaring might seem like the right move, but true profit lies in doing the opposite: buying when prices plunge. Despite understanding this concept, many investors fail to act on it because they fear purchasing stocks that might fall further. However, if careful analysis shows that a stock is undervalued based on the company’s financial health, this presents a prime buying opportunity. Over time, such stocks tend to recover and achieve greater growth. Successful investors recognize this and take calculated risks, guided by reason rather than fear. Choosing the Right Investment Style For those who prefer a simpler, less stressful approach, investing in index funds is a solid alternative. While the returns from index funds are generally lower than those from individual stocks, the risks are significantly minimized. Your choice of investment style should depend on how much risk you’re willing to take. In the long term, the risk of stock market investments tends to decline, particularly given the assumption that the U.S. economy will continue to grow steadily. For risk-averse investors, index funds offer a reliable way to build wealth over time. The Importance of Emotional Resilience Finally, maintaining a stable mentality is essential for successful investing. Stock prices are inherently volatile, and this fluctuation can cause emotional highs and lows for investors. You may experience moments of joy when prices rise and disappointment when they fall. To succeed, it’s vital to remain grounded in the principles of long-term investing: stocks generally grow in value over time. Having a steady job alongside your investments can provide the financial stability needed to weather market fluctuations and keep your emotions in check.<div></div><div> </div>

久しぶりのエッセイ: <div><div><div><div jslog="20277; u014N:xr6bB; 1:WyIjdGhyZWFkLWE6ci03NjczOTM0NjIxNTcwMDc3NTIwIl0.; 4:WyIjbXNnLWE6ci01NTYzNTM3NDgxOTUyOTQ1MDYxIixudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsMF0."><div><div>Should more be done to protect endangered species? 1. あなたの意見（賛成・反対） 2. 理由（例：生態系のバランス、倫理的な責任、人間の活動が与える影響など） 3. 具体的な例（例えば、特定の絶滅危惧種の保護活動の成功例や失敗例） 4. 結論 エッセイの形式 • イントロダクション：トピックについての概要とあなたの立場を述べる。 • 本論：2〜3の具体的な理由と例を挙げて、あなたの意見を支持する。 • 結論：エッセイをまとめ、再度意見を強調する。 In the wake of the Industrial Revolution and modernization, Japan has witnessed significant environmental destruction. This has led to the loss of habitats for many endangered species. It is clear that we, as human beings, are responsible for restoring their habitats, thereby ensuring their protection and preservation. There could be many reasons to protect endangered species. Failing to take appropriate action to protect them will lead to a decline in species, negatively impacting biodiversity. Therefore, maintaining ecological balance is essential for conservation efforts. Secondly, once endangered species become extinct, we have no way to bring them back. Gene editing and cloning technology cannot fully replicate the natural reproductive processes of these species. In addition, most endangered species are at risk of extinction not through natural selection, but due to human activity. As humans are directly responsible for their endangerment, it is our duty to take measures to protect them. Japanese wolves and Japanese otters are believed to have become extinct in the late 19th and in the early 20th century respectively in Japan because they lost their habitats due to the development of land and excessive hunting. In the late 20th century, the last Japanese crested ibis died on Sado Island in Niigata, which marked extinction of ibises in Japan. However, a pair of ibises was brought from China, and breeding efforts were carefully monitored. Today, the population of ibises is steadily growing and will continue to grow. The success of ibises’ reproduction primarily lies in human efforts, although it took many years of research and struggles. Had we cared for and protected such endangered species, we wouldn’t have had to worry about reproducing them from the closest relatives of extinct species. In conclusion, we must abandon the egocentric belief that the human race reigns supreme on this planet. Instead, we should learn more to live with surrounding nature in harmony while striking a balance between economic development and environmental protection.</div></div></div></div></div></div>

留学のためにやっておいた方がいいこと5選: <h2>留学をしたい人たちへ、留学のためにやっておいた方がいいこと5選</h2> 1. 留学をする動機を明確にしておく。 2. 語学はリスニングとスピーキング重視で事前に勉強しておく。 3. 挫折は必ず来ることを心得ておく。 4. 自分の殻に閉じこもらずコミュニケーションを楽しむ。 5. 帰国した後のビジョンを留学中に描いておく。 先ず第一に、留学する動機ですがただ留学したいでは途中に直面する困難に打ち負かされるかもしれません。私自身、高校時に交換留学で約一年アメリカに行きましたがただ、日本以外の国を見てみたいということしか考えていなかったため何度もホームシックになりました。英語を話せるようになりたい、外国人の友達を作りたい、大学で留学するための礎を築く、等明確な動機、目標を持つことをお勧めします。そうすれば、困難が訪れても乗り越える原動力になるでしょう。 二つ目に、行く前にリスニングとスピーキングを重点的に学んでおいてください。日本の語学教育ではリーディングばかりしているかと思いますが、聞き取れない、ただしく発音できないではコミュニケーションが取れません。留学期間に得られる経験が乏しくなってしまいます。また、挫折しホームシックになる可能性も高くなります。オンライン英会話や実際に海外滞在経験がある人から会話のための語学を学んでおく必要があります。 ３つ目は、挫折が必ず来るということを心に留めておいてください。長期間滞在するとなると異文化の適応に時間がかかります。いくら、準備をしてきてもうまくいかない事が最初は多いです。でも、努力して耐えていけば楽しくなる時がきます。自分の留学の目的、達成したいことを再度確認してください。自分を見失わないように心構えが必要なのです。 4つ目は、コミュニケーションを楽しむという事です。私自身が苦労したことですし、日本人は特に内向的なので苦労することでもあります。その人の性格もありますが、自分をどんどん出して、積極的に人と関わるようにしてください。そうする事でいろんな機会が与えられます。そういう人は語学の習得も間違いなく早くなります。 5つ目は、留学前でもいいし、最中に考えてもいいですが帰国したら留学した経験をどう生かしたいかビジョンをもってください。これが無いと、得た経験をうまく生かせずに終わってしまうことがあります。留学する人は今の時代でも稀です。グローバルな企業は語学に長け、国際的な視野を持っている人材を探していることでしょう。留学したことを自分の強みにして、自信を持ってセルフプロデュースしてください。また、帰国後は語学力が上がっていますから英検等の資格試験を受けて自分の語学力を証明できるようにしておきましょう。これが、大学受験や就職活動に役に立つことになります。 余談ですが、私はアメリカの大学を卒業した後さらに4年間アメリカで働きましたが、日本に帰る事になった時に、そもそも永住するつもりがあったため帰国してから何をしたい、どんな仕事がしたいというビジョンがなかったために内定した会社にとりあえず入社しました。しかし2年半で辞めて転職し、さらにまた転職して今は介護士をやっています。人の価値観は変わっていくものですが、帰国前にもっと具体的に考えて就職活動をしておけばよかったなと時々後悔します。留学を考えている学生さんたちは私の経験を糧にして実りある人生を歩んで欲しいなと願うばかりです。 Here are five things to do before, during, and after studying abroad: 1. Clarify your reasons for studying abroad. 2. Prioritize listening and speaking skills in language study beforehand. 3. Be prepared for inevitable setbacks. 4. Enjoy communicating and avoid retreating into your shell. 5. Envision your plans after returning home while studying abroad. First of all, you need a clear reason for studying abroad. If your only reason is a vague desire to go abroad, you might be overwhelmed by the difficulties you’ll encounter. Personally, I spent about a year in America on an exchange program during high school. However, since my only real reason for going was a vague wish to experience life outside of Japan, I experienced homesickness multiple times. It’s important to have a clear motivation and goal, like wanting to become fluent in English, make friends with foreigners, or lay the groundwork for studying abroad again in college. Having a clear purpose will provide you with the strength to overcome challenges when they arise. Second, make sure to focus on listening and speaking skills before going abroad. In Japan’s language education system, we mainly focus on reading, but if you can’t understand what people are saying or pronounce things correctly, you won’t be able to communicate effectively. This could result in a less fulfilling study abroad experience and increase your chances of feeling homesick. It’s essential to learn conversational language skills, whether through online English classes or by learning from people who have already spent time abroad. Third, keep in mind that setbacks are inevitable. When you’re staying abroad for a long period, it takes time to adapt to a different culture. No matter how much you’ve prepared, things are likely to go wrong at first. However, if you keep putting in effort and enduring the hard times, the fun moments will come. Take time to reassess your goals and purpose for studying abroad. It’s crucial to have the mental strength to stay true to yourself. Fourth, enjoy communicating. This is something I struggled with, and many Japanese people, being more introverted, often find it difficult as well. While personality plays a part, it’s important to put yourself out there and actively engage with others. Doing so will open up many opportunities, and those who are proactive in communication tend to acquire language skills faster. Fifth, whether before or during your study abroad experience, it’s important to have a vision of how you want to use what you’ve gained once you return home. Without this, you might fail to make the most of your experience. Even today, studying abroad is a rare opportunity, and global companies are looking for people who are proficient in languages and have an international perspective. Make your study abroad experience one of your strengths, and confidently promote yourself. Also, since your language skills will have improved after studying abroad, it’s a good idea to take proficiency exams like Eiken to certify your abilities. This will be useful for college applications and job hunting. As a side note, after graduating from college in the U.S., I worked there for four more years, but when I returned to Japan, I hadn’t thought about what I wanted to do or what kind of job I wanted, because I had originally intended to live abroad permanently. As a result, I took a job at a company just because they offered me a position. However, I quit after two and a half years, changed jobs, and then switched jobs again, and now I’m working as a caregiver. People’s values change over time, but I sometimes regret not thinking more concretely and preparing for my job search before returning home. I hope that students considering studying abroad can learn from my experience and lead a fulfilling life.

教育におけるemotional intelligenceの重要性について: <h2>Should schools focus more on developing emotional intelligence rather than academic skills? </h2> I agree that schools should focus more on developing emotional intelligence rather than academic skills. Advanced high schools that tend to prepare students for college entrance exams mainly focus on developing their academic skills. I feel advanced high schools somewhat overlook the importance of emotional intelligence over academic skills. What happens to some of the students in advanced schools is that when they fail to catch up with the pace of learning, they eventually drop out of school. In fact, advanced schools haven’t offered students the opportunities to learn emotional intelligence because students who fail to graduate are often a rare occurrence. It could help them continue to learn and ultimately graduate if they understood the importance of endurance, patience, and self-management, especially when motivated to face academic challenges. In deed, people can surmount challenges when they are driven by firm motivation and commitment based on unwavering purposes. Those who aren’t sure about their goals should be encouraged to recognize and understand their own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. Understanding who they are and what they want to be or do is a key approach to setting goals for their lives. Once students know their goals, they will be able to address their own problems. In conclusion, schools should help students develop emotional intelligence which is prerequisite to improving academic performance. In this way, students can proactively engage in learning and enhance their academic performance as well. In addition, this approach not only supports academic success but also prepares students for long-term personal and professional fulfillment.<div></div><div> </div><div>※エモーショナルインテリジェンスとは、自分自身や他人の感情を認識、理解、管理する能力のことです。 </div>

エッセイ書いてAIに添削させてみた: **Original:** Now that Japanese fertility rate is at its lowest level, population is rapidly declining, leading to economic downsize. As the economic power falls, Japan’s international presence won’t be as prominent as before. However, Japanese should continue to take an active role in world affairs for the benefit of the country. To do so, Japanese government should strengthen English education as a national policy to ensure that students can acquire practical language skills so that they can be influential in the international community In the future. In my arrogant opinion, Japanese people are unlike other Asian countries such as China and Korea, highly respected in the global community. It is because most Japanese people are polite, hospitable, and respectful to others as well as places they visit. For example, Japanese athletes never protest unfair judgments from referees in the international competitions, instead they refrain themselves from getting upset, sustain polite mannerisms, and never forget to respect opponents. On the other hand, when Chinese and Korean athletes cannot accept judgement, they protest so badly that they cry, yell and leave without shaking hands with opponents in a show of respect. Moreover, in restaurants, many foreigners are deeply impressed by waiters’ hospitality. They say how polite and kind they are. It is also famous that Japanese fans willingly clean up their surroundings in a soccer stadium after a match. Japanese people are modest (not showy) in personality, yet their craftsmanships are very much professional and high in quality. Japan’s exported goods are highly appreciated. This humble and dedicated nature is a kind of virtue that they have long inherited from their ancestors over generations. However, when looking at the world, this humble and modest characteristics of Japanese personality might give somewhat negative impressions on some foreigners. In the ever-competitive global realm, it is better to make one’s opinions known and approach people with own views. We need to understand that modesty is no longer a virtue outside of Japan. Instead, it could become an obstacle for us to achieve something great in overseas. In essence, acquiring language skills is a key to improving our communication skills. Successful communication skills will enable us to better persuade and negotiate with others. It will even let us engage in leadership roles in international organizations. Developing global human resource is going to be decisive factors to enhance global competitiveness. Therefore, Japanese government must address the challenges to foster students who could be influential in the world by providing practical English education. --- **Revised:** Now that the Japanese fertility rate is at its lowest level, the population is rapidly declining, leading to economic downsizing. As economic power falls, Japan’s international presence won’t be as prominent as before. However, Japanese people should continue to take an active role in world affairs for the benefit of the country. To do so, the Japanese government should strengthen English education as a national policy to ensure that students can acquire practical language skills so they can be influential in the international community in the future. In my opinion, Japanese people are, unlike those from other Asian countries such as China and Korea, highly respected in the global community. This is because most Japanese people are polite, hospitable, and respectful to others as well as to the places they visit. For example, Japanese athletes never protest unfair judgments from referees in international competitions. Instead, they refrain from getting upset, maintain polite mannerisms, and never forget to respect their opponents. On the other hand, when Chinese and Korean athletes cannot accept a judgment, they protest so badly that they cry, yell, and leave without shaking hands with their opponents in a show of respect. Moreover, in restaurants, many foreigners are deeply impressed by waiters’ hospitality, noting how polite and kind they are. It is also well-known that Japanese fans willingly clean up their surroundings in a soccer stadium after a match. Japanese people are modest in personality, yet their craftsmanship is highly professional and of high quality. Japan’s exported goods are highly appreciated. This humble and dedicated nature is a kind of virtue that they have long inherited from their ancestors over generations. However, when looking at the world, these humble and modest characteristics of the Japanese personality might give somewhat negative impressions to some foreigners. In the ever-competitive global realm, it is better to make one’s opinions known and approach people with one's own views. We need to understand that modesty is no longer a virtue outside of Japan. Instead, it could become an obstacle for us to achieve something great overseas. In essence, acquiring language skills is key to improving our communication skills. Successful communication skills will enable us to better persuade and negotiate with others. They will even let us engage in leadership roles in international organizations. Developing global human resources is going to be a decisive factor in enhancing global competitiveness. Therefore, the Japanese government must address the challenges of fostering students who can be influential in the world by providing practical English education. --- **Specific Corrections and Improvements:** 1. "economic downsize" to "economic downsizing" 2. "However, Japanese should continue" to "However, Japanese people should continue" 3. "Japanese government" to "the Japanese government" 4. "in the international community In the future" to "in the international community in the future" 5. "In my arrogant opinion" to "In my opinion" (removing "arrogant" for a more neutral tone) 6. "polite mannerisms, and never forget to respect opponents" to "polite mannerisms, and never forget to respect their opponents" 7. "leave without shaking hands with opponents in a show of respect" to "leave without shaking hands with their opponents in a show of respect" 8. "craftsmanships are very much professional and high in quality" to "craftsmanship is highly professional and of high quality" 9. "humble and modest characteristics of Japanese personality" to "humble and modest characteristics of the Japanese personality" 10. "own views" to "one's own views" 11. "Developing global human resource is going to be decisive factors" to "Developing global human resources is going to be a decisive factor" 12. "Japanese government" to "the Japanese government" ### 和訳 現在、日本の出生率は過去最低を記録しており、人口は急速に減少しています。その結果、経済規模は縮小し、経済力が低下することで、日本の国際的な存在感は以前ほど顕著ではなくなるでしょう。しかし、日本人は自国の利益のために、引き続き世界情勢に積極的に関与すべきです。そのためには、日本政府が国策として英語教育を強化し、学生が実践的な言語スキルを身につけることができるようにする必要があります。これにより、将来的に国際社会で影響力を持つことができるでしょう。 私の傲慢な意見では、日本人は中国や韓国のような他のアジア諸国とは異なり、世界的に高く評価されています。これは、日本人の多くが礼儀正しく、親切で、訪れる場所や人々に対して敬意を払うからです。例えば、日本のアスリートは国際大会で審判の不公平な判定に抗議することはなく、代わりに怒りを抑え、礼儀正しい態度を維持し、対戦相手への敬意を忘れません。一方で、中国や韓国のアスリートは判定を受け入れられない場合、激しく抗議し、泣いたり叫んだり、相手と握手せずに立ち去ることがあります。また、レストランでは、多くの外国人がウェイターの親切さに深く感動しています。彼らは礼儀正しく親切であると言います。また、日本のサッカーファンが試合後に自分たちの周囲を進んで清掃することも有名です。 日本人は控えめな性格ですが、その職人技は非常にプロフェッショナルで高品質です。日本の輸出品は高く評価されています。この謙虚で献身的な性質は、先祖から代々受け継がれてきた美徳です。 しかし、世界を見渡すと、日本人のこの謙虚で控えめな性格は、外国人に対してやや否定的な印象を与えるかもしれません。競争が激しいグローバルな世界では、自分の意見を明確にし、自分の考えを持って人々に接することが重要です。日本国外では、謙虚さはもはや美徳ではなく、むしろ海外で何かを達成するための障害となり得ることを理解する必要があります。 要するに、言語スキルを習得することは、コミュニケーションスキルの向上に不可欠です。成功したコミュニケーションスキルは、他人をより説得し、交渉する能力を向上させます。それは、国際機関でリーダーシップを発揮することさえ可能にします。国際的な競争力を高めるためには、グローバルな人材を育成することが決定的な要因となります。したがって、日本政府は、実践的な英語教育を提供することによって、世界で影響力を持つことができる学生を育成するという課題に取り組む必要があります。 ### 評価 この意見書は、日本の現在の課題とそれに対する提案を具体的に述べています。以下の点で評価できます： 1. **問題の明確な提示**：出生率の低下とそれによる経済力の低下という現実的な問題を明確に提示しています。 2. **国際的な視点**：日本が国際社会で影響力を持ち続けるための具体的な戦略（英語教育の強化）を提案しています。 3. **文化的な考察**：日本人の美徳とされる謙虚さが、グローバルな視点ではどのように捉えられるかを考察し、文化的な自己反省を促しています。 4. **具体例の使用**：スポーツや接客の例を使って、日本人の礼儀正しさや親切さを具体的に説明しています。 5. **提案の実用性**：英語教育を強化することが、実際にどのように国際社会での影響力につながるかを論理的に述べています。 ただし、意見の一部は他国との比較に基づいており、文化的な敏感さを考慮する必要があるかもしれません。全体として、提案は現実的であり、実行可能な戦略を提示しています。<div></div><div> </div>

The Importance of Mental Health: The importance on mental health awareness It is important to be aware of your mental health. The detrimental consequences of mental health will affect your body and mind. Some people suffer from sleeplessness, appetite loss, rapid weight decline, and so on. Additionally, it also affects one’s mental state. For example, some people suffer from anxiety, depression, and fears triggered by hallucinations, where individuals see or hear things that are not real. These symptoms don’t just suddenly appear; they are often the result of prolonged exposure to extreme stress. When stress level reaches a tipping point, like water overflowing from a cup, various symptoms start to emerge. It is said that those who are serious about their commitments tend to develop mental disorders more easily. In Japan, a lot of people experience stress from adjusting to new environment in school or the workplace. For some, making friends and coping with new relationships are challenging. They may also feel overwhelming stress from academic demands. Excessive expectations from parents can be another significant stress factor for children. To conclude, it is critical to be aware of mental health because it can greatly damage our overall well-being. If you find yourself often feeling depressed, anxious, or sleepless, it’s important to seek help from a psychiatrist. You will need a substantial amount of time to retrieve yourself. You may need to take a break from school or work for a period of time. Ensure you get enough sleep, avoid using a smartphone before going to bed because your brain needs rest, and consider medication if recommended by a health professional. Lastly, don’t rush to recover from your mental illness. Take your time to heal yourself with a careful plan before resuming your regular routine.

死刑は廃止すべきか？: Should the death penalty be banned in Japan? Criminals who committed vicious crimes must pay the ultimate price for their actions. However, the death penalty should not be an option since there are ethical, emotional and legal issues involved in the execution process. To begin with, execution in each case is usually conducted by several prison officers. Each executioner is assigned to press an individual button. No one knows which button is linked to process the execution command. The problem is that actual people are taking a life away. This is no different from an act of murder isn’t it? Thus, there lies an ethical problem in the death penalty. In addition, officers who are assigned to take part in this operation suffer greatly from an inexpressible sense of guilt, posing emotional as well as psychological concerns about the death penalty. Lastly, there is a risk of wrongful convictions in criminal cases where a suspect utterly denies his or her criminal activities. After the death penalty is declared in the Supreme Court, it is likely that the verdict will remain unchanged. What if a suspect was innocent, and that he was actually coerced into confessing a false statement by investigators? Considering the ethical dilemmas, emotional toll on executioners, and the risk of wrongful convictions, the death penalty should be banned in Japan. Life imprisonment offers a viable alternative that aligns with the principles of justice and humanity, allowing for both punishment and the possibility of redemption.

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