WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. We started our Christmas and New Years in Portland we had a wonderful experience first meeting with our son Max's new family. Caitlin his wife and son Kenji Michael Miller our new grandson , Caitlins, mother father and sister. On December... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST by Hank Miller My dearly beloved brother Joseph Edward Miller Sr. of Gloucester City, departed this earth on November 24 , 2010. With faith in God, as sure as there is sunshine that follows the summer rain, so to there will be happiness to ease both grief... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. A frustrated North Korea is once again, this time lashing out with a deadly volley of artillery aimed at reminding rival South Korea -- and the world--that it will not be ignored. The barrage of shots fired Tuesday at a South Korean island laying within... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Japan typically digs in it' heels against outside customs. To win acceptance here such customs must first measure up to Japan's high standard of cultural attainment. Which means ... they gotta make money. Thus, through the years Japan has been trampled over by Western cows... Read more →
WEST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Here are some photo's of my uncle Joe Barron's banner displayed on Broadway in Gloucester City on Veterans Day. The people in the photo are my aunt Sally Miller my uncle Joe's sister, her daughter Cathy, her granddaughter and great granddaughter. Sue,... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Three rituals in one on November 15th celebrating children as they grow up new parents are naturaly pleased and relieved to have their new born arrive safe and sound, but the worries continue, till the age of three, and then on to five...it seems that... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Photo: Kelsey, Jammie Berhelst, (Caitlin's mother) and Rachjel Miller, Caitlin and baby Kenji Michael Miller. Max and Caitlin Miller are proud to announce the birth of their son, Kenji Michael Miller, born Thursday, October 14th, 2010. Time of birth 1:04 a.m.,... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. October 10 in most areas of Japan schools prefer to hold their sports day, but some areas hold this event in May. Around this time of the year sports festival are held in schools, but sometimes other places such as companies... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. In Dutch, Huis Ten Bosch, means "house in the woods." In Japan, it is a theme park with canals running through a spacious landscape surrounded by water and forest, with amusements, museums, shops of all kinds, restaurants, hotels and much more.... Read more →
Image via Wikipedia WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Moon viewing festival is usually held in the middle of September when the air is clear and the moon is at its most beautiful.This traditional custom is said to have originated from farmers religious observances to ensure a... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Great natural beauty, history and tradition, peaceful scenery, and the friendly local citizens. Okagaki is a town to make you feel happy, and right at home and only 20 minutes from our home. We have been going there since 1983. It’s... Read more →
Image via Wikipedia Related: The Bombing of Hiroshima WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. The Blast Center: At 11:02 a.m. August 9, 1945 Photo: The bombing of Nagasaki At 490 meters in midair above Urakami Catholic Cathedral located in central Nagasaki the bomb exploded. The death toll... Read more →
Image via Wikipedia WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. The blast center: Hiroshima City At 25 meters in midair southeast of Shima Hospital at 19 Saikumachi, Cho. The death toll after the explosion, 140,000 people perished. The death toll by the atomic blast at both Hiroshima and... Read more →
Image via Wikipedia WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. A series of events called "Oban" is centered on August 15th, when one greets one's ancestors upon their return home. Oban is a Buddhist festival held in mid summer when the Japanese people welcome and entertain their ancestor’s... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert gates has asked Tokyo to shoulder additional costs to transfer about 8,000 U.S.Marine from Okinawa to Guam, diplomatic sources from the two countries said Saturday. The increased amount is estimated to be at least tens of billions of Japanese yen, with... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Starting next fiscal year, all elementary schools will be required to introduce compulsory English lessons for fifth and sixth-graders. The scores of Japanese who take the test of English as a foreign language remain among the lowest in Asia, and thus their proficiency levels are... Read more →
Image via Wikipedia Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Tanabata Matsuri is the essence of summer and summer festivals. Held in Japan either July or August 7, other Asian countries such as China and Korea also hold Star festivals. The original form of Tanabata derives from Qi Xi, the Chinese Star... Read more →
Image via Wikipedia WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. A seasonal rain front swept through Okinawa in late May, marking the beginning of Japan's rainy season. Today is the first day of rainy season at our home in Kitakyushu, City, Japan. Photo Monsoon Clouds Presently in our... Read more →
related category When East Meets West WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama apologized Sunday for failing to keep his promise to move Futenma air base out of Okinawa, despite months of searching for an alternative. The administration's plan now is to shift U.S.... Read more →
related category When East Meets West WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. It seems Japan just can't let go of the recent reporting on Japanese TV about Yukio Hatoyama being the "biggest loser" at the recent nuclear summit because he asked for--but did not get--a one--on-one meeting... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Naha Okinawa Pref. April 1996 Japan, United States agree on Futenma base return within five years to seven years. December 1966 Japan, United States agree to build heliport off main Okinawa Island's east coast to move Futenma's heliport functions. Waters off Nago's Henoko area near... Read more →
By Hank Miller Jr. Just thought I would let you know I don't feel too sorry for BP. Also, there are pockets of oil still in the sand from the Valdez oil spill in the Gulf of Alaska, 21 years later. Fact Check denounced Rush's assertion that the area is now... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Sliding voter support over Futenma base, the U.S. Marine air station in Okinawa, have fanned talk that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama continues to be in hot water with the U.S. Government. I am writing this commentary just in case the newspapers... Read more →
Image via Wikipedia When East Meets West Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Japan is on high alert now-Code Pink I'm referring to the cherry blossom alert. The blushing blossoms carpet Japan from Southern Kyushu to Hokkaido. The cherry blossom report is broadcasts on the nightly news alongside the weather report.... Read more →
When East Meets West Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Note: It took me nearly a year to write this piece just after my father-in-laws death, It reminded me of what I remember seeing and experiencing when my father-in-laws Passed away on December 22nd 2004.Below is an event of things that... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. The Doll Festival, which is also called the Girls' Festival or Peach Festival, is observed and held on March 3rd.This festival to wish for the health, growth and happy marriages of young girls. Dolls in ancient costumes are displayed on tiers... Read more →
CATEGORY WHEN EAST MEETS WEST WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Spring came. Freddie, the leaf, was born on a branch of a tall tree. Hundreds of leaves were born on the tree and they were all friends. Together they danced in the cool breeze and played... Read more →
CATEGORY WHEN EAST MEETS WEST WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F.Miller Jr. Setsubun literally means the "division of seasons" and refers to the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar. Setsubun falls on February 3rd or 4th.On the evening of this day, people throw roasted beans or... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. During the Christmas and New Year holiday from December 19th, 2009 through to January 2nd, 2010 we spent a really great and exciting holiday in Hawaii visiting our son Lucas and his wife Raeanna She is from Guam in the Marianna chain, we enjoyed a... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Japan is very creative when it comes to presentation of food.Indeed, much time and effort goes into making food look good,you'll pay big bucks for it. Here are just some of the ways food is displayed in Japanese restaurants. Stuff in the windows: It starts... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Shichi-go-san is the name of a traditional festival in Japan which celebrates the growth of children at the ages of three,five,and seven. It takes place on the 15th of November each year,and it's common on this day for boys aged three and five and girls... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. October 10, Sports Day : It was added to the list of national holidays in Japan in 1966 to commemorate the 1964 Olympic Games.It was on October 10, 1964.That date was chosen because that was when the opening of the 18th Summer Olympic Games. The... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Respect for the Aged Day has just passed on September 21st, the international affairs ministry made public its information about the population in Japan. As of September 15,Japan's population stood at 127,56 million, down 120,000 from a year before. People aged 65 or older numbered... Read more →
Keeping it Plain, Simple and Brilliant The health care debate in America has had an interesting item mentioned again and again in recent weeks the Japanese health care system! Editorials and news reports have held up Japan as an example of good-quality health care service. While the background conditions in America... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Someone sent me this family photo of President Obama as a youngster along with a photo copy of a Indonesia registration certificate that I like to share with the readers of ClearysNoteBook. I lived and worked in Indonesia for Atlantic Richfield in the 1970's on... Read more →
Health Care in Japan Continued: Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. "Patients are treated too equally,"beds are occupied by less-urgent cases,and there are no penalties for those who overuse the system ." The government has largely been unable to reduce the length of hospital stays, which are four times as long... Read more →
Japan's Aging Population Sure to Strain the System Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Half a world away from the U.S. health care debate,Japan has a system that costs half as much and often achieves better medical results than its U.S. counterpart.It does so by banning insurance company profits, limiting doctor... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. A moon-viewing party is usually held in the middle of September when the air is clear and cool and the moon is most beautiful.This traditional custom is said to have originated from farmers religious observances to ensure a good harvest. People used to make offerings... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. …in addition to my commentary of this past week. Old New Name of Law----Alien registration Act. Immigration control and Refugee Act. Entity in Charge-Municipality in which residing. Immigration Bureau. Identification Card.-Alien Registration Card. Residence ("Zairyu") Card. Duration of Visa. - Typically three years. Typically five... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. I have obtained more information after quite a lot of research regarding foreign residency in Japan ,making it easier to keep tabs on foreigners who have overstayed their visas and who have been residing in Japan legally . The Japanese Lower and Upper House is... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. The Bon Festival in Japan,honoring the spirits of ancestors, has been observed since the 7th century. It was originally held from the 13th to the 15th of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, but today it is generally celebrated from the 13th to the... Read more →
Photo the Hiroshima Memorial Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. The Bombing of Hiroshima took place today August 6th, 1945 at 08:00 a.m. The following is a story called "A Mothers Lullaby." A big old tree stands by the side of a road near the city of Hiroshima.Through the years, it... Read more →
category WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Scientist and amateur stargazers on Japan's southwestern islands were mostly disappointed Wednesday after poor weather prevented them form witnessing a total eclipse of the sun. However, astronomers who were on Iwojima, and also here on Kyushu Island, about 1,350 Km... Read more →
Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. Tanabata Star festival is celebrated on July 7.According to the tale of Tanabata, once upon a time, there was a princess named Orihime (Weaving Princess).She was the daughter of Tenkou (Sky King) and wove beautiful cloth along the banks of the Amanogawa (River of Heaven:... Read more →
When East Meets West Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. A seasonal rain front swept through Okinawa in late May, marking the beginning of Japan's rainy season. Well today is the first day of rainy season in Kitakyushu City, our home town with very light rain forecast for today with very... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. The pressure builds. Feel it? I sure do. An annual tension that visits late each June and--for a day at least--smothers me with stress. The day? Why, the most anxious of the year--Fathers Day. What else ? The burden? Just who--if... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr. Over the past couple of years here in Japan aspects of Japanese life as seen from my point of view. My glasses aren't exactly rose-colored, but neither do I have the evil- eye. These are just some friendly peeks and pokes... Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr. Japan is presently on the highest level of alert now---Code Pink. I'm referring to the cherry blossom alert, of course as the blushing blossoms carpet Japan with pink all the way up the archipelago from Kyushu to Hokkaido. Full pink alert... Read more →
Keiko and Hank Miller celebrating Keiko's mother's birthday dinner at an exclusive Japanese hotel restaurant at the Royal Hotel at Gankai ocean side. Read more →
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. History, tradition, blue sea,and mountains. It was a perfect setting and relaxing experience indeed. For it was October 1980 and what a great place for a honeymoon. We had a most wonderful stay the weather was cool but not cold and... Read more →