2021/6/28(月) ZOOM

Hi everyone!

Here are minutes of the online meeting held on June 28.

SM Koizimi served as the Coordinator.

The attendees exchanged an update of interests. SM K. Narisawa said that he got the first shot against COVID-19 along with his wife on the same day and fortunately they had no particular side effects. And his wife, SM Yo. Narisawa, added information relevant to the issue, saying that they would put Pokari Sweat and fever reducing pills beside their beds just in case. SM K. Narisawa also added that he was a little afraid of needles although he was accustomed to giving blood samples for health checks.

SM Takahata talked about her experiences of watching the reaction videos in response to rather strong suggestions by SM K. Narisawa with her comments, saying that they were moving even though they were sad and she felt miserable. SM Yamazaki told of his experiences of watching one of the reaction videos, Kiminonawa, last year, saying that he gave up watching it halfway through. And he said his wonder about what percent people in general would begin to be into the video. SM K. Narisawa responded to it, saying that it sounds dull at the beginning of the story.

SM Eda said that he watched two different kinds of movies, a Vietnam war memorial and melodrama. Also he recommended the movie Mrs. Doubtfire. The film addresses themes of divorce, separation, and the effect they have on a family, he said.

SM Koizumi talked about his experience of attending the seminar for volunteers of the Tokyo Olympics, city cast. He said that his motto for serving hospitality at the event is to smile in response to a question from SM K. Narisawa, explaining that this was the resolution for volunteer work.

SM Yu. Narisawa shared his favorite mask with the attendees, saying that it is excellent for breathing in and out through the mask, though it is a little expensive.

SM Yamazaki gave an update about learning a new phrase, vision hacker, from his recent favorite of NHK BS1 Special, a documentary program. Various social movements with the aim of solving tough questions such as social and financial disparities by fundamental ways is largely driven by Generation Z (short for Gen Z). Gen Z people have grown up with digital and social technology, so they can easily interact with others including foreigners. With their high socialization skills, they are eager to change society using their social networks, he said.

When it comes to selection of companies, Gen Z people’s No.1 priority is whether companies have high standards of social responsibility. (Additional supplementary remarks by YAMAZAKI)

Table Topic Speeches

<How much money per month is enough for you to live comfortably?>_SM K Narisawa

The speaker talked about a specific amount of money, for example spending on daily necessities. From this, he said that he can live on a small amount of money. Also he said that he can’t live without YouTube and his wife! And with a laughter from the attendees, he said “What a light?”. In connection with the issue, SM Yamazaki asked a question to SM Takahata, asking if she could trust her husband living away from her, in China for several years, in terms of the management of money. She said “Yes!” because it is partially attributable to the fact that there are no pachinko facilities available in China.

< What is your most memorable summer vacation?>_SM Eda

The speaker talked about travelling to China with his wife to Tenjin. The highlight of the trip was an excursion to the Great Wall with a funny driver for a guide, he recalled. He said that the driver was like a race driver with superb maneuvering ability even on steep cliff roads, which was really thrilling. Regarding hotels, the couple stayed at hotels with different levels of amenity, Class B and Class A hotels, he recalled.

<The funniest amusement parks>_SM Yo. Narisawa

The speaker talked about her memories visiting a lot of amusement parks. Of them, Tokyo Disney Land is the most memorable because the family visited there with their kids. And several years ago, the family visited Universal Studios Japan in Osaka for the celebration of her husband’s retirement from regular worker. She also added her hope of visiting amusement parks with her future grandchild.

<Which is worse, failing or never trying? >_SM Koizumi

The speaker said that never trying is definitely worse. When he was young he was afraid of failing in things. However, his mindset has been changing to be positive as he gets older. SM K. Narisawa added his comments, saying that experience is the best teacher with conditions that administration is needed.

<What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day? >_SM Takahata

The speaker said that as she doesn’t have any jobs to do she sometimes, on rainy days in particular, is likely to be laid back, cutting corners and relying on ready-made foods. On such a day, she often enjoys conversations with her sisters over the phone. SM K. added the phrase of “How do you idle away?”

<What is the recent news that is most interesting? >_SM Yamazaki

The speaker raised another tough issue of how medical institutions, public health centers in particular, have been struggling with handling of the pandemic situations. NHK Special brought about an update of the situations in which TV cameras set inside the institutions have revealed a lot of things with the comments of the people involved including a lot of lessons they learned through the pandemic, he said. Also SM K. Narisawa and SM Yamazaki exchanged their views on the salary of educators as well as medical workers who are unreasonably underpaid.

Next meeting:

July 5 7:30-9:00 pm

Coordinator: SM Yamazaki

Reported by YAMAZAKI