Icelanders flee country's woes and seek work abroad

Icelanders flee country's woes and seek work abroad

7 hours 39 mins ago
AFP Svanborg Sigmarsdottir

* Print Story

After Iceland's sudden economic meltdown last year saw many employees lose their jobs as well as their savings, leaving the country to start over is now an option few are ruling out.

"I really don't care where I'll go. I've had job interviews in America and Scotland and I've applied for jobs in Malaysia and Dubai," Audur Nanna Baldvinsdottir, a 30-year-old former marketing director of Geysir Green Energy, a geothermal energy investment company, told AFP.

Baldvinsdottir is just one of the many young and well-educated Icelanders who has no qualms about leaving her native country after losing her job in November in the aftermath of the economic crisis.

The prosperous North Atlantic nation of just 320,000 people saw its once booming banks collapse in October due to the global credit crunch, forcing the government to step as the economy and currency tumbled.

Many Icelandic companies began announcing lay-offs almost immediately.

In October, as news emerged that Iceland was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, unemployment was just 1.9 percent, according to the Icelandic Directorate of Labour.

By December, that figure had risen to 4.8 percent, the highest level since 1997. It was expected to climb further to 6.9 percent by the end of January and the finance ministry expects unemployment this year to average 7.8 percent before rising to 8.6 percent in 2010.

Lara Omarsdottir is a former journalist in her late thirties and a mother of five. She was laid off in October, just two days after her husband lost his job.

"The first thing we did was to sit down with the kids and explain to them that money will be tight for a while. On the upside, we will be at home when they get back from school," she said.

Omarsdottir went through a spell of unemployment after the Internet bubble burst in 2002 and decided to use that experience to help her through the crisis this time around.

She started a blog with advice on how to deal with the recession. Her tips became so popular that in December she toured the country giving lectures.

"The people who came were so grateful. Maybe because I just tried to be sincere. People are so shy about not having money to buy milk or pay the electricity bill. It's not something you're supposed to talk about but there are so many of us who have experienced this," she said.

In addition to the stigma, people are burdened with worry.

"It doesn't change anything to worry. You have to let go as well. Act silly and dance in your living room. Sing along to the radio. It is difficult to be depressed when you are singing," she said with a smile.

She knows that come June, she and her husband will have to have founds jobs if they are going to meet their payments on their mortgage and other loans.

"We know how much we can spend each week and we know that come June, we will start getting into trouble," she said.

If their job prospects do not improve by then, they, like Baldvinsdottir, are also considering moving abroad.

"It will probably be Norway or Denmark, somewhere where we can speak the language," she said.

They are not the only ones thinking along those lines. Shipping companies have noticed the rising interest in moving abroad.

"There are a lot of calls and people asking about shipping their household articles, especially to the Nordic countries," the director of Eimskip shipping line told daily Morgunbladid recently.

Even though unemployment is high, it is not impossible to find work.

Einar Olason, a photographer in his fifties out of work since early 2007, was either turned down or received no replies to 158 applications last year.

"Most of those were jobs I really didn't want but I applied because it was better than being unemployed. Hanging about the house doing nothing is no joke."

Einar said he broke down many times during those two years, saying the rejection was sometimes "too much."

Two of his four children live and work in Denmark, and in December the plan was to emigrate. "I had a job offer in Denmark," he said.

But in December, that all changed. He was encouraged to apply for a job and the same day he talked to AFP, he got a positive reply.

"I couldn't believe it at first," he said.

"I broke down and cried a little. Before I cried because of the rejection but these were tears of joy. It is an incredible feeling."

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Libya eyes nationalisation of oil firms: Kadhafi

Yesterday, 12:16 pm
AFP

* Print Story

Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi said Tripoli could nationalise foreign oil firms operating in the country unless prices rise to 100 dollars a barrel, the state news agency JANA reported on Saturday.

"There have been calls for the nationalisation of the oil and gas industry," he said at a dinner on Friday night for visiting King Juan Carlos of Spain.

"We hope this will not happen. We hope oil prices will rise to a reasonable level," he said. "A price which stabilises at around 100 dollars ... is a reasonable target price."

Libyan newspapers have been calling for the sector to be nationalised to enable Tripoli to hold more sway over production levels and on how to react to price falls.

Nationalisation was "a legitimate right" and would allow Libya "to control the oil industry without foreign participation," said Kadhafi.

But the Libyan leader, whose country currently produces 1.7 million barrels a day (mbd), gave assurances that no rash decision would be taken.

"In the past, decisions on nationalisation have been taken unilaterally and rapidly ... But today I don't think that (Libya's) executive bodies would take any such sudden decision," he said.

"There must be a compromise with the foreign partner."

The nationalisation calls have raised fears among foreign oil companies but been seen by many observers as a means to apply pressure on international operators to cut output as prices slide.

Libya is the African continent's third-largest oil producer after Nigeria and Angola, and it has estimated reserves of 42 billion barrels.

On Friday, New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, rose 2.80 dollars a barrel from its closing price the previous day to 46.47 dollars.

The higher prices underscored adherence to production cutbacks by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, industry analysts said.

Since September, the cartel has cut a total of 4.2 mbd from its production to moderate the fall in crude prices, which have plummeted by about 100 dollars per barrel since their record high of 147.50 dollars in July.

Libya, however, earlier this week ruled out the possibility of a new cut in its own output.

"We have already reduced our production sufficiently, even going beyond the cut in our quota demanded by OPEC. We would not envisage a new reduction," said Libya's OPEC representative, Shukri Ghanem.

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債券売買高、６年ぶり減少　08年７％減

　先物取引を除くベースの2008年の債券売買高が、前年比で6年ぶりに減少に転じた。米大手証券破綻に端を発する金融危機で、円滑に決済できないリスクが意識され取引を手控える動きが広まった。09年度は4年ぶりに市場で発行される国債は増える。安定消化に向けきめ細かな国債管理政策運営が求められそうだ。

　日本証券業協会の統計によると、08年の債券売買高は1京1288兆円（京は兆の1万倍）と前年比7％減少した。米リーマン・ブラザーズが破綻し、金融危機が加速した9月以降に取引が細った。

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世界新車販売、09年は14％減の5500万台　ゴーン日産社長見通し

　日産自動車のカルロス・ゴーン社長は25日、サウジアラビアの首都リヤドで開かれた経済関係の会合で、2009年の世界の新車販売台数は、08年比 14％減の5500万台に落ち込むとの見通しを示した。また、ピーク水準である07年レベル（6900万台）に回復するには7年以上かかるとの認識も示した。

　ゴーン社長は「我々は金融危機の最初の犠牲者」と指摘。世界の金融機関が自動車ローンを引き締めているため、09年の新車販売台数は前年比9％減の08年よりさらに落ち込むと予測した。

　ゴーン社長は「この不況は長引く」と語り、11年までは新車販売台数が上昇に転じないとの見通しを明らかにした。危機的な状況が続く中、「業界再編が加速することは疑いの余地がない」と述べ、今後数カ月以内にＭ＆Ａ（合併・買収）が起こりうるとの考えも示した。

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主要素材、値下がり拡大　石化２年ぶり化繊は７年ぶり下落

　景気悪化の影響で主要素材の値下がりが拡大してきた。原油や鉄鋼原料といった資源価格急落をきっかけに昨秋から鋼材などが下がったのに続いて、石油化学製品がほぼ2年ぶり、化学繊維が7年ぶりに下落に転じた。世界的な需要急減による供給過剰感を背景に買い手企業が値下げ要求を強めている。素材安は消費者物価を下押しするとともに、素材各社の収益を一段と圧迫しそうだ。

　住宅の水道管や壁紙などに使う塩化ビニール樹脂は昨年8月から高値が続いていたが、最大手の大洋塩ビ（東京・港）などが今月から出荷価格を引き下げ、 14％値下がりした。ポリエチレン樹脂は食品包装材向けが13％下落。液晶保護フィルムや自動車のガソリンタンク向けなどは2月にも下がる見通しだ。 (07:00)

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ベネッセ、老人ホームの開設を倍増　09年度は20施設に

　ベネッセコーポレーションは老人ホームの開設を加速する。2009年度は前年度比2倍の約20施設を開業する。高齢化などを背景に入居者が増えており、都市部を中心に新規施設を設置して需要を取り込む。

　首都圏や関西のほか愛知県で、介護付き有料老人ホームや住宅型有料老人ホームを新設。ベネッセの介護子会社、ベネッセスタイルケア（東京・渋谷、小林仁社長）が運営などを手がける。

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自主営業の京品ホテルで強制執行　元従業員らを立ち退かせ

　昨年10月に廃業を決めた東京都港区の老舗ホテル「京品ホテル」で元従業員らが自主営業を続けていた問題で、東京地裁は25日、建物の明け渡しを命じた仮処分決定に基づき、元従業員らをホテルから立ち退かせる強制執行をした。

　元従業員や支援する労組関係者は同日未明から集まって強制執行に備えた。到着した地裁の執行官が元従業員らに立ち退きを求めたが拒否されたため、午前9 時半ごろ警視庁の機動隊員らが元従業員らをホテル前から排除。シュプレヒコールが上がり騒然とする中、執行官がホテルに入り、強制執行を完了した。 (20:47)

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ゲリラ豪雨：精度最大１６倍、新レーダー　国交省、大都市圏に設置へ

　国土交通省は「ゲリラ豪雨」対策として０９年度、従来より最大１６倍の精度で雨量を観測できる気象レーダー「１０バンドレーダー」を東京や名古屋、大阪の３大都市圏などに配備する。昨年、神戸市の都賀川や東京都豊島区のマンホールなどで、急な増水による水害や水難事故が相次いだため。約１０基を設置し、１０年夏からの稼働を目指す。

　同レーダーは、３大都市圏と、昨年７月に豪雨で浅野川がはんらんした金沢市周辺に設置し、整備費は約３０億円。半径約６０キロの範囲でカバーする。雨粒などに反射して返ってくる電波から、雨の降っている地域や強さを２５０～５００メートル四方ごとに把握し、局地的な大雨や集中豪雨を詳細に監視する。現在、国交省が全国に設置している２６基のレーダーでは１キロ四方ごとしかとらえられなかったが、細かく地域をとらえられることになり、精度が４～１６倍に向上するという。また、観測データの更新も、これまでの５分間隔から１分間隔に短縮し、インターネットや携帯電話のサイトで公開する。

　一方、気象庁も全国２０カ所の気象レーダーの観測間隔をこれまでの１０分から５分に短縮し、積乱雲の発生をとらえやすいドップラーレーダーを１１基から１６基に増やすことにしている。

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化学物質過敏症：「家具で発症」　男性と販売店側和解－－大阪高裁

　組み立て式の木材部品で作った家具で化学物質過敏症になったとして、奈良県生駒市の３０代の男性が、販売したホームセンターなどを相手に治療費など約２７００万円を求めた訴訟があり、ホームセンター側が２００万円を支払うことで、大阪高裁で和解が成立した。【大島秀利】

　０３年の建築基準法改正で化学物質の使用規制が設けられたが、家具類などには課せられておらず、注目されていた。

　訴えによると、男性は０４年４月、木材部品を購入し、自分で組み立てて机として使い始めたが、５月に突然、じんましんが出た。さらにその後、関節部の皮膚が裂けるなどし、倦怠（けんたい）感などさまざまな症状も表れた。１２月に机を撤去すると病状は好転し、男性は０５年２月、化学物質過敏症と診断された。

　購入８カ月後の木材のサンプルをホームセンター側が調査した結果について、専門家は、室内の換気によっては化学物質のホルムアルデヒドやアセトアルデヒドの濃度が国の指針値を超えていた可能性がある、と指摘していた。

　男性は０６年に大阪地裁に提訴し、１審は敗訴したが、主治医や専門医は家具との関係が疑われると強く指摘。控訴審では高裁が和解を勧告し、ホームセンターや木材の納入業者など計４社が５０万円ずつ支払うことで昨年１２月、和解が成立した。

　ホームセンターは「訴訟の長期化を避けるため和解に応じた」と話している。

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元親方の初公判は来月１２日 時津風部屋、有罪の兄弟子も出廷

　大相撲時津風部屋の序ノ口力士、時太山＝当時（１７）、本名斉藤俊さん＝の暴行死事件で、傷害致死罪で起訴された元親方の山本順一被告（５８）の公判前整理手続きが２２日、名古屋地裁（芦沢政治裁判長）であり、初公判の期日が２月１２日に決まった。

　地裁によると、争点は一連の暴行と死亡との因果関係、山本被告に違法性の認識があったかどうか－などに絞られた。山本被告とともに傷害致死罪で起訴され、執行猶予付きの有罪判決が確定した兄弟子３人も証人として出廷する予定。

　審理は計１１回で、４月１４日に検察側が論告求刑、弁護側が最終弁論をそれぞれ行い、結審する予定。判決期日は決まっていない。

　昨年１２月１８日の兄弟子３人の判決公判で、名古屋地裁は一連の暴行は山本被告の指示だったと認定している。

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大麻事件で解雇の若ノ鵬に退職金支給、約５８０万円　

　大麻事件で解雇された元幕内若ノ鵬（本名＝ガグロエフ・ソスラン）（２０）に対し、相撲協会は約５８０万円の養老金（退職金）を支給した。

　現行の規定では不祥事で解雇となった力士についても、請求があれば支払いを拒めないため、顧問弁護士と相談の上、理事会で承認し、２３日に支払われた。

　元若ノ鵬の代理人は「給与の後払い的性格が強い」と主張している。

　若ノ鵬は、この金でロシアに帰国する。

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米格闘技団体から元若ノ鵬にオファー

　大麻取締法違反の疑いで逮捕（起訴猶予）され、日本相撲協会から解雇されたロシア出身の元幕内若ノ鵬（２０）＝本名ガグロエフ・ソスラン＝が、米国の総合格闘技団体からの参戦要請を断っていたことが２４日、分かった。元若ノ鵬と交流のある出版プロデューサー・高須基仁氏（５９）が明かした。

　高須氏は昨年９月、元若ノ鵬が間垣部屋に謝罪した際に同行するなど関係のある人物。高須氏によると、米団体側から元若ノ鵬側への“橋渡し役”を求められ、昨年１２月末に連絡があったという。「契約金１万５０００ドル（約１３３万円）、試合ごとにファイトマネーを定める」という内容を元若ノ鵬の代理人を務める宮田眞弁護士に通達したが、今月に入って宮田氏から断りの連絡があったという。

　早期の格闘技転向はなくなったが、高須氏は元若ノ鵬について「一度、国（ロシア）に戻って出直し、米国なら米国でやっていけばいいと思う。まだ現役を辞めたばかりなんだし」と語った。

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Medvedev and Japan PM discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in energy sphere

24.01.2009, 12.56

MOSCOW, January 24 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso had a telephone conversation to discuss “practical issues of bilateral cooperation, including in the fuel and energy sphere,” the Kremlin press service reported.

“The successful realization of joint energy projects of regional importance in Russia’s Far East was described as an example of successful interaction of business and the state,” a report of the Kremlin press service says. “Both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensity of Russian-Japanese meetings at different levels, and in this connection, a plan of contacts for the near perspective was discussed.”

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Twenty Su-25 Frogfoots on the Way
24.01.2009 Source: URL: http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/107006-frogfootssukh-0

The Russian Air Force will receive around 20 modernized Su-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft and new MiG-29SMT Fulcrum fighters in 2009. Su-25 aircraft has been in service with the Russian Air Force for over 25 years. The Su-25 Frogfoot is a single-seat, twin-engine combat aircraft developed by the Sukhoi to provide close air support for ground troops.

"About 10 modernized Su-25 attack aircraft and over 10 MiG-29SMT fighters will be delivered to the Air Force in 2009," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said.

In 1999, Russia began to upgrade part of its aging Su-25 fleet. The Air Force received the first 6 modernized Su-25SM planes in December 2006. Russia will keep a modernized version of its Su-25 attack aircraft in service with the Air Force until 2020.

The MiG-29SMT is a recent modification of the MiG-29 multirole frontline fighter. The aircraft features a longer flight range due to the extra capacity of its integral fuel tanks and the installation of an in-flight refueling system (similar to that of the MiG-29SD), among other enhancements.

Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is in charge of arms procurement, said that Russia's fifth-generation fighter is to be commissioned for the Air Force no later than 2015.

Mary BARNCASTLE

PRAVDA.Ru

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Russian church names three candidates to elect new patriarch
19:06 | 25/ 01/ 2009

MOSCOW, January 25 (RIA Novosti) - The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church announced on Sunday a shortlist of three candidates to elect a new leader following the death of Patriarch Alexy II last year.

Patriarch Alexy II, who led the revival of Orthodoxy in the country after the demise of communism, died of heart failure at the age of 79 in December 2008. Kirill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, was chosen by the Holy Synod as interim patriarch.

The shortlist includes Metropolitans Kirill, Kliment and Filaret.

Senior members of the Russian Orthodox Church met at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on Sunday to draw up the shortlist. A full Church Council, including lay people, will then gather on January 27-28 to elect one of the three candidates as Alexy II's successor.

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Gazprom hopes to sign gas contracts with Ukraine for 20-30 years
12:25 | 25/ 01/ 2009

MOSCOW, January 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russian energy giant Gazprom hopes to sign gas supply contracts with Ukraine for 20-30 years to ensure stable gas transit to Europe, Gazprom Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev said on Sunday.

Gazprom and Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz signed on Monday a long-awaited contract on gas supplies to Ukraine for 2009-2019, following a dispute which saw gas deliveries to Europe cut off. The EU called the situation "incredible and unacceptable." Russian gas started flowing into Europe again on Tuesday.

"We can think of a longer period of 20-30 years similar to other contracts [with other gas consumers]," Medvedev said in an interview with Rossiya TV channel.

Under the current price agreement for Russian gas, Ukraine will pay $450 per 1,000 cubic meters with a 20% discount agreed between Moscow and Kiev for 2009. The price is expected to go down later in the year to reflect a fall in world oil prices. Last year Ukraine paid $179.5. The transit tariff paid by Russia remains unchanged for 2009.

Medvedev expressed the confidence that the contracts signed between Gazprom and Naftogaz in Moscow would not be revised.

Russia suspended supplies to Ukraine on January 1 after the former Soviet neighbors failed to reach an agreement on a new gas contract for 2009. A week later, Gazprom cut off gas deliveries to the European Union, saying Ukraine was stealing gas intended for EU consumers.

Gazprom resumed supplies to Europe on January 20 following the signing of a new contract with Naftogaz on Russian gas supplies to Ukraine for 2009-2019.

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Turkey possible winner in Russia-Ukraine gas dispute- expert
17:46 | 24/ 01/ 2009

KIEV, January 24 (RIA Novosti) - A Ukrainian energy expert said Russia came out on top in the recent gas dispute with Ukraine but believes that Turkey could prove to be the outright winner as the EU seeks alternative gas routes.

Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom and Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz signed on Monday a long-awaited contract on gas supplies to Ukraine following a dispute which saw gas deliveries to Europe cut off. The EU called the situation "incredible and unacceptable" and said EU companies could sue Russia and Ukraine if supplies were not restored.

"Today's tactical advantage could actually result in a loss of Russia's strategic national interests. Indeed let's see what conclusions Europe makes," Alexander Narbut, an independent Ukrainian energy expert, said on Friday at an energy round-table in Ukraine.

Narbut said that he believes the real winner could turn out to be Turkey, "Soon we'll find out whether the Nabucco project moves from the dormant phase to the more active," and in any case, he added, the current circumstances mean that Turkey may receive not only economic but geopolitical priority.

The Nabucco pipeline project is being touted as the best option for reducing Europe's dependence on Russian gas. The pipeline is expected to link energy-rich Central Asia to Europe through Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria and has been tentatively scheduled to begin in 2010.

However, some energy observers say the pipeline, which will cost an estimated $7-8 billion, could hit difficulties if Turkmenistan, a major gas producer in Central Asia, refuses to support the project.

Moscow is also developing alternative transit routes with construction of the Nord Stream pipeline, a joint project with Germany to pump gas from Siberia to Europe under the Baltic Sea, and the South Stream pipe which will bring gas to the Balkans and onto Europe.

Narbut was scathing about the role played by Ukrainian politicians in the gas row and said that the political infighting could cost the country dearly in the future, "The president [Viktor Yushchenko] and premier [Yulia Tymoshenko] didn't try at these negotiations even to call a truce, or it might have worked out differently."

Under the current price agreement for Russian gas Ukraine will pay $450 per 1,000 cubic meters with a 20% discount agreed between Moscow and Kiev for 2009. Last year Ukraine paid $179.5. The transit tariff paid by Russia remains unchanged.

Narbut said the new gas deal proves that there is "little understanding of how much it could cost the Ukrainian economy. The losses for Ukraine at the lowest annual transit rate are $3.5 billion."

"The fact that the gas transport system will remain in Ukrainian hands means nothing. We understand that at such a pricing level for gas Ukrainian industry will lose its competitiveness, not to mention the other consequences of this failure," the Ukrainian energy expert said.

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元若ノ鵬が訴え取り下げ　相撲協会は退職金支払いへ

2009年1月24日14時23分

　大麻問題による解雇処分の撤回を求めて、日本相撲協会を相手に提訴していた元幕内若ノ鵬のガグロエフ・ソスラン氏（２０）が、訴えを取り下げたことが２４日、分かった。東京地裁の勧めなどに従った。元若ノ鵬は解雇を受け入れ、日本相撲協会が一般企業の退職金に当たる養老金を支払う内容で合意した。

　金額は明らかになっていないが、協会の規定で計算すると５２３万円となる。

　元若ノ鵬は昨年８月、大麻取締法違反容疑で逮捕＝後に不起訴（起訴猶予）＝され、協会から解雇処分を受けた。元若ノ鵬は同じ内容の仮処分も申し立て、却下されていた。

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村上春樹さんにエルサレム賞

2009年1月24日

　イスラエル最高の文学賞、エルサレム賞の０９年受賞者に作家の村上春樹さんが決まった。受賞選定委員長が編集長を務めるイスラエルの有力紙ハアレツは２１日付で、受賞理由について「日本文化と現代西欧文化とのユニークなつながりを描くなど、西側で最も人気がある日本人作家。読むのはやさしいが、理解するのはむずかしい」と伝えた。

　イスラエル各紙は、村上さんが来月の授賞式に出席すると報じている。（エルサレム）

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烏骨鶏はモーツァルト好き？　卵大きく、演歌は逆効果

2009年1月24日 12時07分

　烏骨鶏（うこっけい）はクラシックがお好き？　約３５０羽の烏骨鶏を飼育する菅山一さん（６６）＝高松市西山崎町が、音楽で産卵を促進する取り組みを進めている。演歌は逆効果だったが、クラシック音楽の特にモーツァルトで成功。卵の数は増え、大きくなった。

　音楽を取り入れたのは約１年半前。演歌を聴かせ牛を飼育している人をテレビで見たのがきっかけだった。早速スピーカーを設置して演歌をかけると、鶏舎は大騒ぎ。２日ほどで産卵しなくなる烏骨鶏もいたという。

　そこでいろいろなクラシック音楽を試し、たどり着いたのがモーツァルト。動きがゆったりして落ち着き、あまり鳴かなくなった。鶏舎の近くにいても烏骨鶏を飼っていると分からないほど静かだ。

　リラックス効果からか、通常は１週間に１個程度しか産まない烏骨鶏の産卵頻度が約２割増え、大きさも２－３割程度大きくなった。老鶏はほとんどが“復活”して産卵するようになったという。

　「癒やし系の曲がいいのかな」と菅山さん。卵は１個１００円。問い合わせは自宅にはがきで。

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トヨタ、拡大一辺倒主義を反省　世界基本計画破棄（1/2ページ）

2009年1月22日3時2分

　トヨタ自動車は商品展開や販売・生産計画の指針となっている世界基本計画「グローバルマスタープラン」を実質的に破棄する方針を明らかにした。拡大偏重主義に走り、現在の苦境を招いた元凶と判断した。社長に内定した豊田章男副社長が中心となって、６月までに地域ごとの販売動向や顧客の要望を踏まえた商品計画をつくり、改める。

　グローバルマスタープランは、５年先までの商品ごとの販売・生産台数を記した計画。０２年に登場した。

　海外展開を積極的に進めるにあたり、社員や部品メーカーに大まかな拡大計画を示した方がよいとの判断で作成した。だが、そこで示された数値を必達目標と受け止める社員が増加。全社的に「プランを重視するあまり、仕事の進め方が計画達成のために向かい、販売や生産の現場の声を聞く姿勢が薄れる」（トヨタ幹部）状況が生まれた。

　工場建設や人材配置の方針も、同計画の数値を出発点に決められるようになり、拡大偏重主義に走った。米国の信用バブルに崩壊の兆しが見え始めた０７年４月に、米・ミシシッピ工場を着工してしまったのはその典型例だ。同工場は現在、販売回復が見込めなくなり操業のめどが立たない状況に追い込まれている。

　金融危機をきっかけに深刻な販売不振が起きると、必達主義は生産にブレーキをかけるのを遅らせる原因になり、０９年３月期決算が戦後初の営業赤字に転落する見通しになるなど、現在の危機的状況をつくってしまった、とトヨタは分析している。

　新計画は「マーケットビジョン」と名付け、１５年を目標に北米や欧州、中国、日本など地域の特性に合わせて、顧客や地域に求められる車種構成を十分考えて定める。

　例えば、車の急増に伴い環境問題が深刻化している新興国では、製造コストがかさみ利幅が小さくても、環境対応のタクシーの導入を進める考え。高齢化が進む先進国では高齢者や障害者が使いやすい福祉車両を充実させる。目標が独り歩きした従来計画の問題点を改めるため、顧客の声が届きやすい商品企画部門を中心につくる。