---

WELCOME NEW MEMBER!

TM Ota has registered to world headquarters. She can speak not only English but also Swedish. Let's expect to hear her experience.

Report of the 54th meeting;

Opening Thought by TM Kouno; "Positive thinking"

This week she used a taxi and encountered an interesting driver. His character was unique and made her laugh. At that time, she didn't want to work after the OBON holidays. But his talk made her mind changed to proceed ahead. She realized the effectiveness of positive thinking. As sometimes refered in Toastmasters Magazines, positive thinking help our life become better.

Table Topic session by TM Sato; "Intellectual Property Rights"

He brought pirate version tapes and CD-ROMs and told how we can get them in cheap prices. According to him, Bangkok is the best place to buy fake brand products and a pirated edition software.
Every software has intellectual property rights or copyrights and every products hold trade marks that no one can invade. They are reserved in that way. The original one has the patent. If we copy the original without notice to the developer, it'll be a violation of intellectual property rights.
One thinks it's illegal to import the fake brand product. The other pointed that if the products are with good quality, she doesn't hesitate to buy.
We've got confused among copyright, patent and trade marks. In the future meeting, kind member shall clear these terms.

Current Issue Session by TM Komata; "Hinomaru and Kimogayo Laws and other Laws"

Last week, a law officially recognize Hinomaru flag as the national flag and Kimogayo as the national anthem took effect. Also other several bill passed the diet; authorize wiretapping in organized crime investigations, to have each citizen numbered for administrative puopose, the U.S.-Japan defense cooperation guidelines bill, new agricultural basic laws, ...etc.
Q1; How do you think about Hinomaru and Kimogayo Laws?
- Kimigayo's verse is not logical. Somebody replaced the meaning.
- Hinomaru reminds me of the nationalism. If we proceed to that direction now, what will happen? We should think about again.
- I don't like the idea of legalize Kimigayo. Why now we have to decide it?
- Young generation are so Americanized; they are imitating America and take little attention for the Japanese tradition. If we legalized now, can we expect positive effects?
- Now, public is absense. The bills are passing when we don't know. There's no system to reflect our opinions. Public opinion is not agreed upon.
Q2; How do you think about a set of wiretapping bills? If you found yourself wiretapped, how do you think?
- It's not a good feeling. If that situation happens, we cannot believe other people.
- When the police investigates, the telecommunication companies has to help the police for facilities setting up and so on. According to the newspaper, the man working in those area said that he hasn't enough time to pursue this role.

Prepared Speech by TM Osaki; "Outdoor Activities"

TM Osaki went to the hiking tour to Mt. Shirahata.
It was a 1.5hours hike to go to the mountain top. She attended with her father who's already retired. For the elderly people, going outside and doing some exercise are good for their health both physically and mentally.
The tour guide was the old man who retired the forestry management office few years ago. He's now introducing the nature using his knowledge and past experience. Some retired people are seeking for things that he can enthusiastic about.
The guide asked the 5 year old girl of the attendance, "What do you want to be in the future?" "I want to be a most beautiful flower.", she replied. TM Osaki was astounded by her thought and decided to keep pure mind.

YOUR SPECIAL DATES AND ACHIEVEMENTS