Analysing Article: Only Immigrants Can Save Japan’ by Michael Hoffman Published in the Japan Times Online on 21st October 2012

Assessing the article's currency, this article was published a month back, which is relatively recent. The article is making a long term analysis as it referenced the need to welcome 10 million immigrants from now till 2050, hence the issue is valid because such a current and future issue will be monitored and reiterated in the news for the coming decades. Furthermore, there has been no major changes regarding foreign policies in Japan since the publication date and hence proves that timeliness is present. Under relevance, the article concerns about Japan's rapid decline in population and the need for Japan to open its doors for immigrants. There are pros and cons connected with inviting more foreigners but would it be a wise approach to just welcome immigrants for the sake of putting a brake to the accelerating population decline? And does it give a solution to those problem that Japan is facing such as stagnating economy or shifting away the reliance on nuclear energy? This is also relevant to us locally and many of the developed nations. In Singapore, foreign workforce policies are less tight compared to Japan, a sustainable supply in manpower is needed. The National Population and Talent Division stated this month that Singapore has little choice but to turn to foreign sources to fill the positions of construction labourers or healthcare sectors as they play a role in supporting Singaporean families. The question remains as to whether society in Japan is ready for it, because even immigrant nations like the US and Singapore is have never been entirely free from cultural friction. In analysing authority, the article is written by a regular contributor of The Japan Times, who is also a media columnist and author of the book ‘Big in Japan'. Established in 1897, The Japan Times is the only independent English language newspaper. It was only during World War Two that The Japan Times was used as an outlet for Imperial Japanese government as a propaganda tool. Mr Hidenori Sakanaka, major contributor of this article, is a former immigration bureau chief who spent 35 years urging Japan to bring in more immigrants. He wrote ‘immigrations Battle Diary', a book that details his own experiences and lays out a manifesto for the future of Japanese immigration policy. Overall, the article gives an insight of the issue from relevant authority of the issue. In evaluating accuracy, Mediacorp's Today published an article that might help to add reasons to Mr Sakanaka's assertion. It states the the direct relation to the ageing population and the increase in demand for foreign labour. Please see the attached Today's article. At the same time, within the article itself quotes declining population data from National Institute of Population and Social Policy Research which is a reliable authority. Additionally, they cited about Japan's failure in its mass-immigration program that welcomed Japanese-Brazilians in the 1980s, depicting that inviting Japan to multiculturalism would not work. The article mentions paradigm that conflicts to Sakanaka's notion. Such information offers a balanced perspective of the issue and therefore strengthens the reliability of the article. The purpose of the article is to examine about the possibilities that arises from welcoming immigrants by incorporating factual information from authorities, statistics and quotes. There are diversity of stakeholders presenting objective data and subjective solutions to the issue. The article offers both perspectives that supports and those against Sakanaka, therefore I feel that I have analysed a reliable article.

Young Goodman Brown: A Self-Portrait

Nathaniel Hawthorne was undeniably interested in the roles of his ancestors in the Salem Witch Trials.   Much of his literature combines the elements of Puritan thought with the deeper, often evil desires of the human psyche.   Young Goodman Brown’s nighttime journey in the story of the same name is an allegorical re-visitation to the madness of the Salem witch trials.   Through this story, Young Goodman Brown and his journey become universal symbols for all mankind.Hawthorne juxtaposed 19th Century religious thought with 16th Century Puritan thought in several of his works, including â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†, whose title character represents, as his name implies, every man.   Ã‚  The religious thought of both the centuries in question operated on fear, which ultimately leads several individuals, under the guise of overcoming or even conquering their fears, into the world of evil.To Hawthorne, Salem was â€Å"the center of the witchcraft delusion, in the witc hing times of 1692, and it shows the populace of Salem Village, those chief in authority as well as obscure young citizens like Brown, enticed by fiendish shapes into the frightful solitude of superstitious fear† (Abel 133).     Brown, like all others of his village, is conflicted between accepting this fear and conquering it.   Unfortunately, for most, this battle has unhappy consequences.  Ã‚   Brown, as a representative for all people, is generally naà ¯ve and accepting, and thus ill-equipped to handle the terrifying night in the forest (Fogle 15).   After all, it is in the best interest of the Puritan religious leaders to keep people constrained under fear rather than behave after the realization that all people sin.Several symbols equate Brown’s journey to the journey of every individual who struggles with the conflict between religion and self.  Ã‚   The first is the forest, as a symbol for the dark and evil place where people are tempted to go. Brown , himself, is drawn into the forest, an archetype for evil and the unknown, for the reason presented above, as an attempt to overcome the fear brought on by religious dogma.   It is in the forest that he is exposed to his utmost fears and where he realizes the shortcoming of humanity.This realization begins with the temptation of man by the devil.   This devil â€Å"seeks to lure the still reluctant goodman to a witch-meeting.   In the process he progressively undermines the young man’s faith in the institutions and the men whom he has heretofore revered† (Fogle 17).   In doing this, Brown loses his ability to operate in the society of man and lives as a sadly disillusioned, miserable creature. According to Levy, he â€Å"is Everyman.   The bargain he has struck with Satan is the universal one . . . (117).  Ã‚   Thus, most people can relate to this type of demonic bargaining which has become a universal theme in literature.Anther symbol which connects Brow n to any human being is his stringent belief in another human being or institution – this time Faith, which represents both.   She is described as wearing a cap with pink ribbons, which suggest girlishness and naivetà ©. In this way, she is just like every woman Abel calls these ribbons â€Å"a badge of feminine innocence† (Abel 130).   However, when Brown finds the ribbon in the woods, separated from his Faith (and faith), the symbolic meaning of the ribbons changes.   Here, they signify a loss of innocence.   Fogle explains that the pink of the ribbons becomes deepened into the color of blood and fire which represents faith’s demonic baptism into sin (Fogle 24).  The tie of temptation and women hails back to the book of Genesis, and the realization of Faith’s supposed fall precipitates Brown’s loss.   Levy calls the ribbon â€Å"the tangible evidence of Faith’s desertion† (117) which parallels some defining moment in wh ich many people lose their faith.   This personalizes the loss for Brown, as it is for all people.As Brown traverses the forest, he encounters other individuals.   One, who looks strikingly like Brown, accompanies him for a while.   While the reader understands that this man must be one of Brown’s ancestors, Brown himself is blind to the similarities.   This man takes on the role of companion and implies to Brown that his own ancestors made a similar journey, which Brown also disregards. Their encounter with Goody Cloyse is symbolic for two reasons. First, the encounter has Biblical implications and second, it represents another moment if disillusionment for Brown.   The staff is mentioned several times in the Bible.   In one story Aaron throws his staff at the feet of the evil Pharoah and it turned into a serpent.   The serpent represents evil.   When the companion throws is staff at the feet of Goody Cloyse, it also turns into a serpent, indicating her evil nature as well (Hale, 17).This distresses Brown, who does not understand why his Sunday School teacher would be in the midst of the evil forest.   â€Å"That old woman taught me my catechism† (Hawthorne 303). The catechism was really the only source of literature about pious living other than the Bible.   Brown probably learned all about the sins of the flesh from Goody Cloyse and ironically, she is here in the forest of evil.   Brown continues to encounter other religious officials in the forest which parallels the astonishment and sadness of any person who discovers a religious icon has behaved in a hypocritical manner.Ultimately, Brown loses his internal battle.   The realization that everyone he had revered was not what he had imagined them to be forces him to give in to the evil of the forest wholeheartedly.   He screams out, â€Å"Come witch, come wizard, come Indian powwow, come devil himself!   And here comes Goodman Brown.   You may as well fear him as he fear you!† (Hawthorne 306).   Of course, the story ends with ambiguity.   Did Brown really witness a devilish marriage?   Did Faith really submit to the altar of the devil?   The reader and Brown never really know the answer to these questions.Once Brown awakens, all evidence is gone.   He returns to his Faith, his elders and his life.   Faith is once again adorned in her pink ribbons, which â€Å"†¦ suggest, rather than symbolize something light and playful, consistent with her anxious simplicity at the beginning and the joyful, almost childish eagerness with which she greets Brown at the end† (Levy 124).   Brown’s journey has come full circle.   Unfortunately, the reality does not matter as much as Brown’s interpretation of the events that may or may not have been a dream.   He is unable to reconcile his original conceptions of the people in his life (or himself) with what he experienced on his journey.  Ã‚   Though his life with Faith continues, â€Å"†¦ his dying hour was gloom† (Hawthorne 310).Clearly, this parallels with the experiences of mankind.   Disillusionment is prevalent, and it can cause misery, sin and even death.   Loss of faith in an individual or in an institution is devastating.   Many times this loss marks the person for life, preventing them from enjoying what life has to offer.   Acceptance of sin and corruption is very hard to take, especially of a loved one or a firmly held belief.Hawthorne clearly adopted the idea that â€Å"unlovely demons were everywhere, in the sunshine as well as in the darkness, and that they were hidden in men’s hearts and stole into their most secret thoughts† (Abel 133). Young Goodman Brown is indicative of every good man’s battle with such demons.   As the story implies, this battle is more often lost than won, but most people are able to continue living their lives in spite of this acquiescence to evil.   Som e, though, such as Goodman Brown, are not able to do so.   According to Abel, â€Å"such a battle often led to an inner despair.   They were constantly tormented because of the possible convictions and judgments of their peers.   This battle intrigued Hawthorne and he sought out its presence in Puritan literature† (133).     Ã¢â‚¬Å"Young Goodman Brown† is the story of all people’s inner battles.   Some win; some lose.Works CitedAbel, Darrel.   The Moral Picturesque:   Studies in Hawthorne’s Fiction.   Indiana:   Purdue UP,1988.Fogle, Richard Harter.   Hawthorne’s Fiction:   The Light and the Dark.   Norman:   U ofOklahoma P, 1952Hale, John K.   â€Å"The Serpentine Staff in ‘Young Goodman Brown.’†Ã‚   Nathaniel   HawthorneReview   19   (Fall 1993):   17-18.Hawthorne,   Nathaniel.   â€Å"Young Goodman Brown.†Ã‚   Perrine’s Literature:   Structure Sound and   Ã‚   Sense.à ‚   9th Ed. Arp and Johnson Eds. Boston:   Thomson, 2006Levy, Leo B.   â€Å"The Problem of Faith in ‘Young Goodman Brown.’† Modern Critcial   Views:Nathaniel Hawthorne.   Ed. Harold Bloom.   New York:   Chelsea House, 1986.   115-126.

Research proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Research proposal - Essay Example It is generally believed that brands have personalities just as humans do. Brand personality is seen as a valuable factor in creating an attachment and bonding with the product in the same say as human create attachment and bonding. The similar measures of personality attributes and factors are used in the promotion of brands. Since it is commonly used by a wide variety of products, this research would aim to ascertain to what extent having a brand personality increases consumers’ brand loyalty. The definition of brand personality differs and so do the attributes that are applicable across different nations. Literature is available on how a brand owner could use brand personality as a way to build and maintain brands. Literature is also available on the packaging as a means of building brand personality. Brand image differs across goods and services. Very little literature is available on celebrity endorsement enhance the brand image and builds brand personality although it is often seen to be very effective. The researches conducted so far express the need that brand personality represents an extensive field for research. Celebrities like David Beckham are lending their names and the brand owners are capitalizing on this concept. It is essential to determine to what extent celebrity endorsement helps in creating brand image and establish the brand. To what extent is celebrity endorser important in building brand personality and how these influence consumers’ decisions? Because of the diverse literature available, it is important to understand how the consumer perceives the brand. The first questions deals with the different forms in which brand personality is communicated. This includes packaging, advertising, positioning etc. The Big Five personality traits that influence personality traits have to be studied in detail as authors have diverse opinion and priorities in this area. Again, these could

Internship report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Internship report - Essay Example Moreover, I leant that creation business relationship is an initial step for success and that the relationships need frequent evaluations. This was part of my job at Al-Ain Company. In addition to the responsibilities stated above. I was tasked to arrange meetings between the company and customers. This was aimed at creating good rapport and understanding between the company and potential partners. The company, Al-Ain is an Engineering and Contracting firm started in 1993 in Iraq. It started as Wady Al Ain Bureau after having some successful contracts in engineering and construction. Wady AL-Ain was certified as an engineering and contracting firm by the Planning Ministry of Iraq. Since inception, the company has been in action operations in Iraq and is responsible for many facilities and constructions in the country. Wady Al Ain has a clean reputation as a reliable contactor who can offer the terms of the contract beyond expectations. The company specializes in construction works, software engineering, network solution, telecommunication equipment and other technology solutions. The ability of the firm to deliver high quality solution has enabled it to earn partnerships with other firms in the industry and also from other related industries. Such firms include MÃ ¼hlbauer group and UTSCH AG (Wady Al-Ain n.d). In world where technology controls virtually everything, every company or organization needs up to date solutions. As an experienced company, Al-Ain seeks to enhance access to technology by businesses and government agencies. Its numerous services such as telecommunication enhances effective and quick communication through installation of satellite dishes, SIM cards, micro SIM cards and also bank cards to secure transactions. This has made the company an indispensable part of engineering and technology sector in Iraq. Other developments of the company include high security documents such as identity document and also data

Argos of Leadership and Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Argos of Leadership and Management - Essay Example Argos is a fully owned subsidiary of Home Retail Group, UK. Argos sells general merchandise and products for household consumption from about 700 stores in UK, online and also through telephone. In the previous financial year, sale of Argos amounted to ?4.3billion and had also employed about 33,000 people across the business (Argos, 2011). Multichannel sales have grown in recent years and represents about ?1.9bn or about 46% of the total sales of Argos. Sales through internet represented about 36% of sales and the remaining 10% through in store sale or by telephone. Argos is the second largest internet retailer operating in UK comprising of about 400 m websites visit during a year (Argos-a, 2011). Argos has adopted the differentiation strategy of Porters generic strategy as the stores of Argos act as a key component of the multichannel model which provides convenient pick up points for its customers. Also with latest technology like ‘voice put away’ which enables the sto res to chose the location of the stocks and thus maximize the utilization of space available from stockroom, the multichannel retailer aims to create a competitive advantage (Argos-b, 2011, p.14). Argos faces a stiff competition from Amazon, internet retailer and has been suffering from consumer downturn and also the likes and demands for Amazon and other competitors. As compared to price, Amazon products was rated cheaper than Argos and in an online survey it was revealed that electrical of Argos was ranked 20 with customer score of 62% as compared with Amazon of 88% (The Guardian, 2012). 2. Monitor the environment Organization tends to monitor the environment by many different ways as per the convenience and requirement by the company. Most of the organization conducts market research to analyze the environment and to know the strategies that its competitors have adopted to overcome the challenges in the competitive environment. Some does it through scenario planning, benchmarking and also through industrial publications. Argos multichannel retailers use the method of benchmarking in order to monitor the environment. Scenario planning has also formed an important part of Argos while dealing with the environment. Benchmarking is an important tool as it helps organisation to gather information about its competitors and the globe, highlights the area which are in need of improvement and set performance standards (Evans, Walters & Palmer, 2002, p. 19). According to Sara Weller the Managing Director of Argos have commented that Argos has set benchmark for the model of multichannel retail and because of its strategy the multichannel retail stores has been doing well than its competitors. The retail giant continues to focus on the customers and delivery as per their requirements. The firm has benchmarked profit before tax to about 60% less at about ?102million (News Reach, 2012). With respect to scenario planning, Argos has realised that the role of physical stores are changing and thus it needs to incorporate to the change in order to stay competitive. The mostly likely scenario is that retail stores will serve two purposes, as showroom and secondly as convenient transaction point. Thus Argos plans to segment their related estates. Some of the flagship stores would focus on the function of the showrooms and

The Scientific Method Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Scientific Method - Essay Example Used materials: I required three items to complete this research: 1. A notebook in which I recorded the results 2. Five 1.5 ounce Planter's NUT.rition bags 3. Five paper towels on which to place the contents of each bag Methods: Each bag of Planter's NUT.rition was poured out onto a paper towel, and the nuts sorted by type. The total number of nuts per bag and the number of each type were recorded in a notebook. Results and Analysis: The number of nuts per bag and the type are given in Table 1: Bag Number Peanuts Hazelnuts Pistachios Almonds Pecans Total Nuts 1 30 2 16 9 9 66 2 27 1 15 10 4 57 3 33 3 14 8 6 64 4 31 5 8 5 9 58 5 29 1 12 7 7 56 These results tell us that the proportions of types of nuts in a Planter's NUT.rition bag are not equal between bags. The proportions of each type of nut in the bag are given in Table 2: Bag Number Peanuts Hazelnuts Pistachios Almonds Pecans 1 0.45 0.03 0.24 0.14 0.14 2 0.47 0.02 0.26 0.18 0.07 3 0.51 0.05 0.23 0.13 0.09 4 0.53 0.08 0.14 0.09 0. 16 5 0.52 0.02 0.21 0.13 0.13 The biggest variation was seen in the pistachios (+/- 0.12) and the smallest difference was seen in the peanuts and hazelnuts (+/- 0.06). However, none of the bags showed similar proportions in all five types of nuts, even if proportions were similar between one or two types.

Asbestos hazards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Asbestos hazards - Essay Example The case of James Hardie Industries in Australia is a learning experience on how failure of the businesses to induce a mechanism of occupational health issues can remain critical to its operations. Occupational health hazards do exist in daily operations in most businesses. However, it remains the role of the managers and the health department to ensure that the staff and the target consumers are safe, during the process of conducting the sales as well as production. That is the reason the national department on safety does recommend that every business should have a safety program for its workers prior to kicking off its operations. Some of the business products are at the verge of posing long-term effects to the victims of the same. It, therefore, remains expensive to compensate the victims as long-term damage has already occurred in their system. Prevention is always better than cure. It is advantageous for a firm to come up with outlines of hazards prevention rather than coming u p with them when damage has already happened. Utilization of protective devices is also important especially in areas where various lethal gases or solids are at risk of coming into contact with the bodies of the victims.Deaths related to asbestos toxicity were on the increase. Everybody was aware that the firm was responsible for the effects. Mesothelioma was the main condition that the majority of people suffered from. More than 10000 deaths did occur in Australia due to the toxicity emanating from asbestos.