REVIEW: Howl's Moving Castle

By Yuki SAWADA

Famous Japanese cartoon producer Hayao Miyazakiﾕs new film will be released on Saturday, November 20th. It is called ﾒHowlﾕs Moving Castleﾓ. It had a successful showing at the Venice Film Festival.

Miyazakiﾕs last movie, ﾒSpirited Awayﾓ, attracted an audience of 23,400,000 worldwide. It was the biggest hit ever recorded in Japanese movie history. So there are many fans who are looking forward to "Howl's Moving Castle".

The story of ﾒ Howlﾕs Moving Castleﾓ was written by Diana Wynne Jones. It is about a girl called Sophie who was turned into an old woman by the Witch of the West. She lives with a man called Howl in his magic castle. It is a fantasy.

Takuya Kimura, 32, band member of the Japanese group, SMAP, will play the role of Howl and Chieko Baisho, 62, will play Sophie. Akihiro Miwa, 68, who also starred in "Spirited Away" will be the voice of the Witch of the West.

OPINION: Thoughts On The Recent Niigata Earthquake

By Mana KATO

I was at home, watching normal TV programs when a newsflash came onto the screen telling us about an earthquake. At first I wasn't surprised because earthquakes are common in Japan. But when I heard that the earthquake registed at level 6, I realised it was a big earthquake, with many after-shocks.

I was surprised and shocked. It is hard to secure life-lines when many buildings and the land are destroyed, so people's suffering continue after the disaster. Many groups are collecting donations to raise money to help the victims. We have collection boxes around the school. Please give generously to help those who have suffered from a terrible disaster.

NEWS: Mr Moyer Takes Questions From The Junior High School Students

By Yasuo YUMOTO

Students from Nagoya international Junior High School took the opportunity to ask Canadaian guest speaker, Mr Norman Moyer, questions after his lecture on "International Understanding" on Octorber 30th.

First grade student, Anna Maruyama asked Mr Moyer what he thought when he first arrived in Japan. Mr Moyer said: "There were so many people living together in big cities, I wondered where are the open spaces? People told me to visit the mountains. I was also impressed by the curiosity and politeness of the people I have met and many people were very kind."

In answer to Kurimi Matsukawa, a second grade student, who asked from the Canadian government point of view, what should Japan reform? Mr Moyer said: "It is a big question but the possibility of more openess in society would be good." He said that Canada has used many creative ways to allow people to come in the country and partipate.

Another second grade student, Kana Nagase, asked him what do you think is the most important thing to have peace in the world? Mr Moyer said: "One of the most important things we can do is to have young people travel and interact with each other and speak of many different things. If we see we are all facing the same issues maybe we will find ways to work together to find a solution."

First grade student,Shoko Domoto,she aksed him what he would change about Japan to make it a better place?

NEWS: Canadian Guest Speaker Visits The Junior High School

By Taichi NAGAO

On October 30th Mr Norman Moyer, from the Department of Canadian Heritage, made a speech about "International Understanding" for the Junior High School students, parents and special guests in the school atrium.

In his speech, Mr Moyer talked about Canada and the Canadian people. He said: "We found out (from market research carried out in Japan) that many people don't know much about Canada. Most people think of it as a big, cold country with wonderful natural wildlife. But that is not the whole story."

Mr Moyer is involved with preparing the Canadian pavillion for EXPO 2005.
EXPO is a big festival with the purpose to tell people that we need to be more aware about the environment. And it will be held in Aichi prefecture from May 25 to September 25, 2005.

He is hoping that many people will have a chance to learn more about Canada, its people and the way of life. At the pavillion, they will be trilingual Canadians who can speak English, French and Japanese. There will be a show about the real lives of six different Canadian people. There will also be eight cyber-connection stations linking Nagoya to museums and public places in different cities in Canada, giving people in Japan and Canada a chance to talk to each other online.

The story about the six Canadians will include a story about a marine biologist, an actress, an Inuit Canadian, a landscape architect who was born in China but moved to Canada as a child with her family, a vice-president of an oil company and a Somalian who moved to Canada and has a television programme for young people.

What will draw the crowds, are the "technojins". The name comes from 'technology' and the Japanese character for person, Jin(?). Basically, Technojins are half human and half computer. Visitors to the Canada pavillion will have a chance to interact with them.

NEWS: Up-coming School Trips

by Miyuki ASAI, Ryoko GOTO, Erika BAN and Yui FUKAHORI

On November 12th we will have some special school events.

Many third year students will have university entrance exams soon, so they will play ball games at school. The boys are going to play soccer and the girls are going to play vollyball.

The first and second year students will go on excursions. The second year students are going to go to a fresh water fish aquarium in Gifu prefecture. And the first year students are going to hike at Kyu-Nakasendo. Nakasendo is one of the ancient roads from Edo era. The trail they will take is between Gifu and Nagano.

School excursions are not only fun, they are also a great way to make memories.