Short

Noboru Harada

Representative Director, Short Tennis Japan Association; 1977 Economics, 1979 Master of Economics, 2008 Master of Health Management, 2018 PhD in Health Management

I used to spend my days prioritizing results at the forefront of international finance. However, experiencing the social atmosphere at the Wimbledon Championships during a business trip prompted me to think about "true richness," which led to my current efforts in short tennis classes for seniors.

Originating in Sweden, short tennis can be enjoyed regardless of age or experience because it uses a compact court, light and short rackets, and slow-moving sponge balls. At the Graduate School of Health Management, where I enrolled after retirement, I learned the concept that "health is a means, and the important thing is improving quality of life." Based on this idea, I researched how short tennis has moderate exercise intensity and, if continued, has the effect of maintaining a positive mindset and social connections to enhance QOL. For seniors in particular, a playing environment with established social support is crucial.

On the ground, we continue our weekly activities with local seniors, paying close attention to health management. I will continue to convey the appeal of sports that goes beyond just winning or losing.

Yoshikazu Yagi

Director, Ageo Mental Clinic; 1999 Medicine

Sleep plays important roles such as physical and mental rest, cell repair, memory consolidation, and emotional processing. However, many people cut back on sleep, saying, "I'm too busy and don't have enough time!"

Short sleepers are individuals with a unique constitution who can feel fully rested with naturally short sleep durations (4 to 6 hours). The frequency is estimated at about 4 in 100,000 people, and while specific genes may be involved, the details remain unclear.

This phenomenon is an exception, and it is dangerous for the general public to imitate it. Chronic sleep deprivation is said to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, weakened immunity, depression, memory loss, and even death. Although there are individual differences, the recommended sleep time is 7 to 9 hours, and it is pointed out that many Japanese people fall into chronic sleep deprivation.

To maintain health, it is important to secure a sleep duration that suits you.

Yoshinobu Kudo

Secretary, Iwate Mita-kai; 2003 Policy Management

When people think of beef from Iwate, many might associate it with the famous marbled Maesawa beef, but we must not forget the lean beef of "Iwate Shorthorn Cattle."

The "Shorthorn (Japanese Shorthorn)" is the only "Wagyu" breed that originated from Northern Tohoku (parts of Iwate, Aomori, and Akita prefectures). There are about 7,000 head nationwide, and approximately 40% of them are raised in Iwate Prefecture, making this prefecture the top producer in Japan. Its roots, the "Nambu Cattle," were highly valued for farming and transport because they had short limbs, strong legs and hips, flat backs that were easy to load, and were obedient and resistant to poor diets. Although cattle are slower than horses, they could carry large loads and move steadily through rough mountain paths, and because they would "eat grass along the way," there was no trouble finding feed during the journey, making them very useful.

The share of Shorthorn cattle in the national beef cattle population is less than 0.5%. It is an extremely rare beef. Due to the aging population and lack of successors, the number of cattle produced continues to decrease, making domestic lean meat rarer every year. Please enjoy the moderate texture and flavor-packed taste of Iwate Shorthorn beef.

Yoshihiko Nakano

Associate Professor, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University

This year, many musical fans are likely looking forward to seeing "Les Misérables." The original work is a long novel by Victor Hugo. It is famous for the fact that you rarely meet anyone who has actually tackled the original because of its extreme length. However, it was different when it was published in 1862. It sold incredibly well from the very first day. This brings to mind the anecdote of the "world's shortest letter." It is said that Hugo, curious about the sales, wrote a letter with just "?" and the publisher replied with only "!" However, the actual letter has never been found. It seems the truth is that it was a fictional story based on a joke circulating at the time. The simple "?" from an author of epic novels is certainly dramatic, and it is understandable why the legend spread.

Incidentally, Hugo's birthday is February 26th. It is interesting that the author of "Les Mis" was born in the "shortest" month. However, such teasing would likely be unexpected for the man himself. The year he was born, 1802, was the era of the Revolutionary Calendar, where every month had 30 days. Ventôse (the month of wind) was not a short month at all.