990518kougi

He also demonstrated a brand-new PR video titled "Challenge to the 21st century" (right.) A hit-train "Forest of Yufuin (right)" carries about 20 % of the visitors to Yufuin. An excellent design of the train is one of major factors to attract the passengers. Some of the trains like Sonic and Tsubame got Japan Blue Ribbon award and Brunei prize as well. Recently a train started to serve under the name of Seabold - a Dutch doctor name who contributed in creating modern Japan in Meiji era. This is the first trial in Japan to put a name of a person on a train. "Environment friendly" trains with less carbon dioxide discharging are under developing as well. Another challenge is to make full use of the location of Kyushu island which is close to Asian countries. We will list stocks on the stock market in 2001, expecting the vitality of young members; he stressed.

May 18: Open course of Beppu college (part 1): JR Kyushu by Mie
I attended an open course of Beppu junior college nearby. We receive a list of the open course every year and we sometimes attend some courses in it. The first term of the year features its program: "Local society and enterprises" for part 1 with a variety of lecturers from member enterprises of Oita Committee for Economic Development, and "Arts in the spiritual times" for part 2 with speakers from local art society.
	The weather forecast says we will have rain today for the first time in two weeks. On the way to Beppu junior college campus, we passed a municipal historical museum built on the ruin of Bungo Branch Shrine. Wheat is already grown gold in the field.
After crossing a local railroad station of Bungo Kokubu, we headed north (left.) Mt. Takasaki is visible in the distance, and Oita Medical College on the right. We soon arrived the campus (right.) The area is called campus zone.
	The entrance of Beppu college junior department. The buildings are beautiful.
Today's course will be held in No. 101 class room in the beautiful main building. Many young students are enjoying the college life. A group of girl is singing a song of "Titanic" at the balcony , when I turned my camera, they looked like a little bit surprised, but soon made a pose with her arms open wide. To be young is beautiful, indeed.
	The receptionists sit in the hall for the attendants from outside of the college. I got a permission of taking pictures from Mr. Endo(right.)
Part 1: "Going with the local society" by Mr. Masumi Eto, president of Oita branch of Japan Railroad Kyushu Co., Ltd.
	In large 101 class room, we hear the lecture together with the students of Economical course. Most outside attendants are of senior people, as the lecture is held in weekday afternoon.
Mr. Yokoyama, a dean of Economical course, introduced the lecturer Mr. Masumi Eto. He was born in Kumamoto, entered former Japan National Railway which was dissolved into seven private companies eleven years ago, and now president of Oita branch of JR Kyushu. His lecture was very easy to understand, using the blackboard. "The formal name of our company is Japan Railway Kyushu. The Chinese character we use for 'iron' is an old style. The left-hand portion of the character is 'gold' as you know. Look the right-hand portion, it means 'arrow', not 'lose' - a popular style. This is because we intended not to 'lose money', but to make money as quickly as a flying arrow."
He presents: In 1987, former Japan National Railway was divided into seven private companies, meaning the railway business couldn't enjoy monopolism anymore, and was exposed directly to free competition. What was requested to us as a mandatory is to pay back the huge debt of the former monopolism to nation by restructuring the company. Upon the basic concept of "Close ties with local communities", we have been developing many transportation services such as introducing new trains, increasing the number of train connection, improvement of schedule, speed-ups and others. In JR Oita branch, we have constructed six new stations for the convenience of the customers. Beppu College station boast of the largest but two number of passengers ,1800 a day.
He also demonstrated a brand-new PR video titled "Challenge to the 21st century" (right.) A hit-train "Forest of Yufuin (right)" carries about 20 % of the visitors to Yufuin. An excellent design of the train is one of major factors to attract the passengers. Some of the trains like Sonic and Tsubame got Japan Blue Ribbon award and Brunei prize as well. Recently a train started to serve under the name of Seabold - a Dutch doctor name who contributed in creating modern Japan in Meiji era. This is the first trial in Japan to put a name of a person on a train. "Environment friendly" trains with less carbon dioxide discharging are under developing as well. Another challenge is to make full use of the location of Kyushu island which is close to Asian countries. We will list stocks on the stock market in 2001, expecting the vitality of young members; he stressed.
	He concludes: "What are the most important things in railroad business are safety and punctuality. I strongly hope you not to get involved in accidents in a railroad crossing." The students put their report in a box and left the class room. I waite for part 2 lecture.