Monday, March 31, 2014

Transfer

It was my very last day to go to my present workplace.


I didn't do well in Brass Band Club, but club members gave me a message card to show their appreciation to me.


Thank you so much!! (^o^)




Spending only half a year in the school, I could make a lot of good memories.


I found myself in a lucky situation that a lot of good, kind and respectable students and teachers were all around me.


I'll never forget the experience.




This is the scene from my favorite place in the school.



I miss Ton-Ryu beside the school.






As you've known, I'll be transferred to another high school in April.


Therefore, I'll be admitted officially a teacher of Saitama Prefecture.


I need to pay much more attention to any kinds of activities because of high-responsible place in society.


Probably this blog and other social network services will not be uploaded so often ever after.


Very sorry for all my readers, but please understand me.


If you really want to improve your English abilities, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me by all possible means.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Empty Stadium

There were no cheers of the Urawa Reds fans and no sighs of Shimizu S-Pulse fans when Genki Haraguchi equalized at the Sunday's drawn game.


It was the very first time for J-League to carry out a football game in an empty stadium last Sunday at Saitama Stadium, which is the 63,700-capacity World Cup venue.






Urawa Reds were forced to host a game behind closed doors as punishment for a discriminatory banner bearing the words "Japanese Only," written in English and hung over an entrance to the stands at a game on March 8th.


In a brief ceremony before the game, team captain Yuki Abe delivered a speech in front of teammates to pledge to stamp out racism, be it discrimination against race, skin color, gender, language or religion or backgrounds, and will not tolerate any discriminatory or insulting language or behavior.





I feel very sad to see such a quiet game.


This is the lesson that we must not make the same mistake.


What is the most important is our sense of love for football and Urawa Reds.


Now we all the supporters and players must remind that sense take proper actions.





Let's get together on April 6th to fill the stadium with red!! \(^o^)/

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Red Card to Any Discrimination

Urawa Reds have been ordered to play their next home game in an empty Saitama Stadium in an unprecedented punishment after fans hoisted a "Japanese Only" banner.


Following today's sanction, the club also has banned their supporters from displaying signs and banners of any kind in all competitions for the foreseeable future.


As one of Urawa Reds fans, I'm so embarrassed by the incident.


There is no room for argument.


The biggest problem is the mood of the present team.


The club welcomed shallow players while they broke off with many consistent players, the number of fans who likes such people increased recently, and that mood finally generated these crazy supporters.


Not only the fans concerned but also the club itself has a responsibility in that point.


Although J-League made a decision, this is not a true solution to prevent supporter's troubles.


Supporters of Urawa Reds has a history of dark side many times in the past.


It is necessary to change not from outside but inside the club and supporters.




Somebody may plan to go to the stadium on March 23 to cheer for the team.


I think it's not a good idea.


We should refrain from hot supporting for a while.


I dream someday we Urawa Reds fans will gather in the stadium hand in hand with any kinds of people.


Only the genuine united team can be a champion, and I believe Urawa Reds will be one in the future.



Tuesday, March 11, 2014

3 Years On From 3.11

Three years have passed since Japan was hit by a massive earthquake, devastating tsunami and nuclear crisis. 


Most of Japanese people offered a silent prayer for the victims and the missing at 2:46 p.m., when the magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred, forcing the evacuation in the ensuing chaotic days. 







How do you feel about these three years? 


Quick or slow? 


Time flies for me. 


I remember clearly what happened on that day. 


People living in the disaster-struck communities have still been struggling to come to terms with the loss of so many lives and properties, and many remain in temporary residences. 


Also, many people have been grappling with the radioactive contamination at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. 


Reconstructions are absolutely slow, aren't they? 


What we can do is so limited, but it is really important to stop and think about what happened on March 11th in 2011, see how the reconstruction is going on, and share the idea that there should never be the same kind of disaster ever after. 


It's time to remind "KIZUNA" again. 





At the end, I'd like to share "Just Can't Get Enough" by the Black Eyed Peas. 


I can't listen to this song without remembering not only the catastrophe we experienced but also the ensuing a lot of support from all around the world. 


The music video was filmed just a week before 3.11. 


Don't miss the messages at the beginning and end of the video. 



Monday, March 10, 2014

Urawa Reds Home Opener 2014

Urawa Reds' home opener was held yesterday, but that poor game made all fans feel so chilly. 


I raised my voice in fight song from the northern seat. 




In spite of Urawa Reds' endeavor that they shot 17 times, Yohei Toyoda, who is Japan's striker, headed in the 9th minute giving Sagan Tosu 1-0 win. 


The cause of failure is quite the same as they had in the last season: Players didn't move at all when they received passing from the teammate, and opponents could easily intercepted the passing because they blocked Urawa players all together in two or three lines. 


Although it was a droopy defeat, I'm excited to feel that new season has come. 





Also, in the other side of the pitch, a controversial banner was put on an entrance gate. 



"JAPANESE ONLY" -- maybe it was a kind of tongue-in-cheek, but it could be construed as racist. 


I'm sure football has no borders and we should kick out any discrimination. 


I feel both angry against the banner and very embarrassed as one of the Urawa Reds fans. 





What a disappointed Saturday night... 

Sunday, March 02, 2014

J-League 2014 has begun

J-League 2014 has begun, and Urawa Reds has had a great start with 1-0 win against Gamba Osaka yesterday at the rainy Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium.





Starting members are almost the same as last year except the goalkeeper.





Tomoaki Makino struck in the 43rd minute, which gave Urawa Reds the very first goal of this season.


He soon thanked the captain Yuki Abe, who made a good shot to assist Makino's goal.





Genki Haraguchi showed a barnstorming performance with the special number 9, which made me feel a little strange.


I hope he'll grow up quickly to be called Mr. Reds.




And the new goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa also played well.


I'm sure the combination between the goalkeeper and defenders is getting better and better.





I can't wait the next weekend to see Urawa Reds home opener!! \(^o^)/