Category: Translation

Ms. Sakai of Jinai Girls’ High School, wins the Minister of the Environment Award dragonfly painting contest.

【福井】トンボや、トンボのいる風景を題材に自然の大切さを表現する第35回「WE　LOVE　トンボ」絵画コンクール（朝日新聞社・朝日学生新聞社主催、文部科学省・環境省など後援、トンボ協賛）の高校生の部で、仁愛女子2年の酒井佑理子さん（17）=福井市=の水彩画「学校の帰り道、堤防で」が最高賞の大賞・環境大臣賞を受賞した。
[Fukui] At the 35th WE LOVE DRAGONFLIES contest held in the high school, the theme is Dragonflies, and scenery with dragonflies in it, with significant emphasis on expressing nature. (sponsored by Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Student Newspaper, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of the Environment, and dragonfly appreciated), Yuriko Sakai (17) = Fukui City = watercolor painting “On the way home from school, at the embankment” won the Minister of the Environment Award grand prize.

コンクールは、高知県四万十市の「トンボ王国」づくりに協賛し、トンボと自然を守る運動を全国に広げようと1986年から児童、生徒を対象に実施。最高賞は環境大臣賞と文部科学大臣賞で、今回は4471校から10万7367点の応募があった。
The competition has been held for children and students since 1986 to support the creation of the “Dragonfly Kingdom” in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, and to spread the movement to protect dragonflies and nature nationwide. The highest awards were the Minister of the Environment Award and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, and this time there were 107,376 entries from 4,471 schools.

受賞作は、夕方の堤防で人さし指を突き上げた女の子を、無数の赤トンボの目線から見下ろしている。「いつもは人が見上げるけど、逆に見たらこんな風景かなと想像して楽しく描きました」と酒井さん。薄い白色の強弱でトンボの羽の透明感と躍動感を表し、のり面の草木は実物の写真を撮って色彩の多様さや濃淡を研究したという。「でも、夕日に照らされた感じをもっと出したかった」とまだまだ不満そうだ。
The award-winning work shows countless dragonflies looking down on a girl in an evening embankment who has her index finger pointed up at them. “People always look up, but looking at it the other way around, I had fun painting and imagining.” says Sakai. The clarity of the pale white translucent dragonfly wings showing motion and the vegetation on the embankment gives it the feeling of an actual photograph so the painter actually appears to have studied the environment’s varied hues and shades. “But I wanted to express more illumination by the setting sun.” she said dissatisfied.

中学では吹奏楽部。好きなアニメや動物の絵を描いていたが、本格的に描き始めたのは高校の美術部に入ってから。今は美大への進学を目指して、週3回の部活動でデッサンに力を入れている。
In junior high school, the brass band club. I used to draw pictures of my favorite anime and animals, but I didn’t start drawing in earnest until after I joined the high school art club. Now, I’m aiming to go on to art school, and I’m focusing on drawing through club activities three times a week.

酒井さんは学校帰りによく、トンボが止まらないかと指を上げてみるという。「いつも止まらないけど、そんなことを考えている時間が好き」。受賞作には、いつまでもトンボが飛ぶ堤防であってほしいとの願いを込めており、「これからも動植物や虫の視点を意識して、自然と私たちを描いていきたい」と話している。（中田和宏）
When Ms. Sakai returns home from school, she often raises her finger to see if a dragonfly will stop. “They don’t always stop, but I like the time I spend thinking about it.” The award-winning work expresses my deep desire that dragonflies will always be flying in the embankment, “I will continue to draw naturally, keeping in mind the perspectives of animals, plants, and insects.” she says. (Kazuhiro Nakata)

SOURCE:(ORIGINAL BY 中田和宏 at 2020年12月22日 10時30分)
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASNDP6T0ZNDJPISC034.html
[One of my recently translated articles (for practice)]

There was not a major tsunami, but if the epicenter was a little shallower … “This time it was very close.” -Chairman of the investigation committee

福島県沖を震源に最大震度６強を観測した１３日夜の地震について、政府の地震調査委員会は１４日、臨時会を開き、陸側の岩板（プレート）の下に沈み込んだ海側の「太平洋プレート」内部で起きたと発表した。震源が約５５キロ・メートルと比較的深く、海底が大きく変形しなかったため、被害を伴う大きな津波は発生しなかった。
In response to the earthquake on the night of the 13th, which recorded a maximum seismic intensity of a little over 6 off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, the government’s Earthquake Research Committee held an extraordinary session on the 14th, and announced that the seaside that sank under the rock plate occurred within the “Pacific Plate”. The epicenter was relatively deep, at about 55 km, but the seafloor did not deform significantly, so there was no major tsunami that could have caused damage.

　震源は、東日本大震災の震源の南西約１１０キロ・メートルで、震災の余震域にあたる。同委員会によると、津波は宮城県・石巻港で２０センチ、仙台港や福島県相馬市などで１０センチを観測。今回の地震後、余震が５４回発生し、うち３回は震度３以上だった（１５日午前１０時現在）。
The epicenter was about 110 kilometers southwest of the epicenter of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which is in the aftershock area of that earthquake. According to the committee, a 20cm tsunami was detected at Ishinomaki Port in Miyagi Prefecture and a 10cm tsunami at the Sendai Port of Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture among other places. After the earthquake, there have been 54 aftershocks so far, with 3 of them having a seismic intensity of 3 or higher (as of 10:00 am on the 15th).

　気象庁は、地震発生から約１週間、最大震度６強程度の地震に注意するよう呼びかけている。同委員会の平田直なおし委員長（東京大名誉教授）は、「もう少し震源が浅く規模が大きければ、高い津波が発生した可能性がある。今回はぎりぎりだった。津波は３０センチの浸水でも大人が足を取られてしまう。沿岸に住む方は改めて津波に注意してほしい」と強調した。
The Japan Meteorological Agency warns that further earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 6 or higher may occur in its wake for the next week. “If the epicenter was a little shallower and larger, a high tsunami could have occurred. This time it was very close. Even a 30cm flood by a tsunami can sweep adults off their feet. I want those who live along the coast to be aware of a potential tsunami next time.” emphasized Naoshi Hirata, chairman of the committee (Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo)

　今回の地震では、激しい揺れが広い範囲で観測された。東北大の日野亮太教授（地震学）によると、このタイプの地震は、震源が深いため津波を伴いにくい一方、浅い地震に比べて揺れが広い範囲に及びやすいという。人が感じやすい「ガタガタ」とした小刻みな揺れが生じるのも特徴といい、日野教授は「今回の地震は震源が陸に近かったこともあり、震度が大きくなった」と話している。
In this most recent earthquake, violent shaking was felt over a wide area. According to Professor Ryota Hino (Seismology) of Tohoku University, this type of earthquake is less likely to be accompanied by a tsunami due to its deep epicenter, but it is more likely to tremor over a wider area than a shallow earthquake. It’s characterized by rattling with brief and repetitive shaking that is easy for people to feel. “The epicenter of this earthquake was close to the land, so the seismic intensity increased.” says Professor Hino

SOURCE: https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/science/20210215-OYT1T50012/
[One of my recently translated articles (for practice)]

In a VR game where you become an employee of “Ichiran”, can you follow the “15 second rule”?

2021年2月14日 23時37分
February 14, 2021 23:37

SOURCE: https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20210213001866.html?iref=pc_photo_gallery_prev

ラーメンチェーン「一蘭」が初監修したVR（仮想現実）ゲームが誕生した。「カウンターファイト　一蘭」で、VR用のヘッドセットを使って遊ぶ。
A VR (virtual reality) game supervised by the ramen chain “Ichiran” was born. Play with a VR headset in “Counter Fight Ichiran”.

　プレーヤーは従業員を体験。麺のおいしさのため決められた時間内に提供する「15秒の掟（おきて）」や、盛りつけの美しさなど一蘭らしいポイントで得点を競う。
Players experience what it’s like to be an employee. The noodles must be served within a set period of time to be considered delicious, and the “15-second rule” along with the elegance of how the food is arranged all determines how many points you earn.

　広報によると、普段は公開しない厨房（ちゅうぼう）もかなり忠実に再現。外国のファンの注目も集め、海外メディアの問い合わせもあるという。1480円。
According to a spokesman, the kitchen, while not normally open to the public, is reproduced fairly accurately. The game has attracted the attention of foreign fans, as well as inquiries from overseas media. 1480 yen. ($14.05)

SOURCE: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP2F73Q5P2FTIPE005.html
[One of my recently translated articles (for practice)]

“Slightly cold with a low-grade fever, recovered the next day” Pfizer vaccinated Japanese woman in the United States

米国では昨年１２月から、医療関係者や高齢者の新型コロナウイルスワクチン優先接種が始まっている。京都市出身で中西部ミシガン州に住む日本人女性（５７）が、医療関係者としてすでに２回の優先接種を終えた体験を語った。
In the United States, priority coronavirus vaccinations began December of last year for medical personnel and the elderly. A 57-year-old Japanese woman from Kyoto, who lives in Michigan in the Midwest, talked about her experience as a medical professional who had already completed two priority vaccinations.

　歯科医院の受付で働く女性は保健所のウェブサイトから申し込み、１月１４日と２月４日に米ファイザー製ワクチンの接種を受けた。地元消防署のガレージを使うドライブスルー方式で、会場到着から５分ほどで上腕部への接種が完了した。
A woman working at the reception desk of a dental clinic applied from the health center website and was vaccinated with a Pfizer vaccine on January 14th and February 4th. The inoculation to the upper arm was administered 5 minutes after arriving at the garage of a local fire department drive-through.

　「一気にプスッと刺す痛みは一瞬。でも副反応が出ないかどきどきした」
“At the moment of injection, there was a brief moment of pain. But I was more concerned about there being side effects. ”

　日本での予防接種は、斜めに浅く針を刺す皮下注射が一般的。しかし今回のワクチンは、皮下組織の下にある筋肉まで針をまっすぐに深く刺す筋肉注射で投与される。海外では多くのワクチンでこの方法が採用されているといい、女性も違和感は覚えなかった。
In Japan, vaccinations are generally done by subcutaneous injection with a shallow needle. However, this vaccine is administered by an intramuscular injection that pierces the muscle beneath the subcutaneous tissue. This method is used in many vaccines overseas, and women who’ve taken it have not felt uncomfortable.

　接種後は待機場所に車を移動し、１５分過ぎるのを待つ。急激なアレルギー反応が出るアナフィラキシーショックに備え、周囲を係員が巡回していた。
After inoculation, you drive to a waiting area and wait for 15 minutes. A staff member was patrolling the area in preparation for anyone who may experience an anaphylactic shock caused by a sudden allergic reaction.

　副反応としては腕に筋肉痛のような痛みがあった。２回目の接種後の夜、わずかに寒けと微熱を感じたが翌日には回復したという。
As for side reactions, some experience what feels like muscle pain in the arm. The night after the second vaccination, she experienced a slight case of chills and a slight fever, but she recovered the next day.

　同時に接種した米国人の同僚７人のうち、半数は発熱で解熱剤を服用した。職場では「副反応は心配だったがコロナに感染したくない」や、「接種したらマスクをしなくていいよね」といった会話を聞いた。ワクチンへの理解はひとそれぞれだと感じたという。
Of the seven American colleagues who were vaccinated at the same time, half took antipyretics due to fever. At work, I heard conversations such as “I was worried about side reactions, but I don’t want to get infected with corona” and “If I were to get the vaccination, it would be ok to then not wear a mask right?” She feels like everyone has a different understanding of the vaccine.

５０代以上の同僚は大半が接種済みか予約待ち。「接種しない考えの人は若手や妊娠中の数人。職場の４人にひとりほどで、思ったより少ない」と話す。
Most of her colleagues who are 50 or older have already been vaccinated or have a reservation for one. “Some young people and pregnant women are thinking about not getting the vaccination. Only bout one in four people in the workplace, which is less than I expected. ” she says.

　コロナの影響で女性は１年以上も帰国できず、高齢の母親にも会えていない。「接種が進み、米国も日本も、感染が収束に向かってくれたら」と話した。
Due to the influence of the Coronavirus, she has been unable to return home for more than a year and unable to visit her elderly mother. “I hope that vaccinations will progress so that the infection rate will come under control in both the United States and Japan.” she says.

　米国では人口の約１割の約３５８０万人が１回以上接種を終えたが、一般の人への接種はまだ始まっていない。供給の遅れが懸念される中、米政府は７月末までにほぼ全ての国民に、ファイザーと米モデルナ製のワクチンを供給するとの見通しを明らかにしている。（石川有紀）
In the United States, about 10% of the population, about 35.8 million people, have completed at least the first shot of the vaccination, but vaccinations to the general public have not yet begun. Amid concerns over supply delays, the US government forecasts almost all citizens can get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine by the end of July. (Yuki Ishikawa)

SOURCE: https://www.sankei.com/life/news/210213/lif2102130036-n1.html
[One of my recently translated articles (for practice)]