Notes:
epic: 叙事詩的な
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When I see falling snow, I am reminded of one day last year. It was New Year’s Eve. After flying back from London to Osaka, I took the bus to Matsue. The journey was only supposed to take 4 hours but in the end it took 16 hours. The bus left Osaka at 2pm on December the 31st, and arrived in Matsue at 6am on the morning of January 1st! The reason for this epic journey was the heavy snow that fell on Matsue and the surrounding area causing bad traffic jams and delays everywhere. As well as welcoming in the New Year on the bus, I also watched Kohaku in my bus seat. Although at the time it was a terrible experience, it has now become a good memory!
(written by student Kakitani, edited by Prof. Simon Smith)
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Notes：
demonstrate〈事実・方法〉を（実例･実験などで）説明する，明示する;
innovative 革新的な;
identical 同一の，まったく同じ;
bob　短髪，ショートカット;
fringe 前髪;
swept (sweep)〈髪〉を整える,（後ろで）束ねる;

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Since the Fukushima Dai-Ichi was destroyed in the earthquake the Japanese government has asked for people to cut their energy consumption. In response to this many companies have demonstrated how it is possible to save energy with some very innovative ideas. One such company is the Tokyo-based construction firm Maeda, a Japanese company which has ordered all of its 2,700 employees to get identical hairstyles. The corporation asked men to have “short back-and-sides“ and for women have a “cute” bob with a longer fringe that can be swept to one side. Many people may ask how could this save energy? Before reading on please think of a reason.
According to the company, if people have short hair they won’t need to use their hair driers for long! The company also believes that their employees will use less water too. (by Prof. Simon Smith)
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