Kumamoto city government gave permission to Jikei Hospital to create the nation's first baby hatch, called Stork’s Cradle, at which parents who cannot care for infants can leave them anonymously. A small door was installed in a wall of the hospital, opening up an incubator where babies can be placed. Sensors alert nurses who can immediately attend to the baby. Jikei Hospital said it has set up a hotline for consultations and would immediately contact the authorities and police, when an infant is left at the hatch. Mr. Koyama, the mayor said that the hatch would help save babies' lives, and does not violate the law. “Our only concern is that the number of abandoned babies may increase,” the mayor said. “It will save the lives of babies, but it might encourage people to relinquish their responsibility to raise children.”
Source: Yomiuri News, 2007-05-02
Monday, June 25, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
No Way!
"In their ever continuing effort to re-educate the world about the wholesome nutritional value of their produce, McDonalds [has] taken a step forward in Japan and applied a clever bit of technology to bring the nutritional label into the 21st century.
They clearly have nothing to hide here and will gladly tell you the nutritional information of the cheeseburger you are eating as long as you have your cell phone to hand. Luckily since this is Japan, everyone has their phone to hand, and with a quick scan of the burger wrapping they can connect via the handset and read the online information about the food they are eating.
Each burger now comes equipped with its own QR Code printed on the wrapper, a barcode-like symbol which when scanned with the camera of your cell phone, navigates you to an online site where you can see the amount of calories and fat you are consuming.
This is a good way to utilize a technology which has become almost common place in Japan and it provides a great means for the McDonalds corporation to keep their information up to date without having to do costly printing runs. It is also a nice little marketing tool bringing consumers online to re-enforce their brand image and to promote the ‘healthy’ aspects of their produce."
They clearly have nothing to hide here and will gladly tell you the nutritional information of the cheeseburger you are eating as long as you have your cell phone to hand. Luckily since this is Japan, everyone has their phone to hand, and with a quick scan of the burger wrapping they can connect via the handset and read the online information about the food they are eating.
Each burger now comes equipped with its own QR Code printed on the wrapper, a barcode-like symbol which when scanned with the camera of your cell phone, navigates you to an online site where you can see the amount of calories and fat you are consuming.
This is a good way to utilize a technology which has become almost common place in Japan and it provides a great means for the McDonalds corporation to keep their information up to date without having to do costly printing runs. It is also a nice little marketing tool bringing consumers online to re-enforce their brand image and to promote the ‘healthy’ aspects of their produce."
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
interview
I will be driving to Anderson, Indiana on June 29th to interview for the SAM position in Japan. I've been in contact with the young woman who is currently serving in the position and have been encouraged by our emails. While I am in Anderson, I will get to meet a woman who has been serving in Japan with her husband with the Church of God for over 20 years. I'm curious to get to know the insider's point of view of missions with this denomination that I grew up going to but seldom heard about. I wonder why that was?
If everything continues to be positive on my side and their side, I could be leaving for Japan very soon! There's a lot to do between now and August to make it happen...
If everything continues to be positive on my side and their side, I could be leaving for Japan very soon! There's a lot to do between now and August to make it happen...
Monday, June 11, 2007
a new thing
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
God is doing a new thing in my heart. He's putting a new song in my mouth. I turn my face to the sun, close my eyes, and thank God for the way He has sustained me through the wasteland.
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