Notes:
・affluent（形）:　裕福な、富裕な;
・tragedy（名）:　悲劇、悲しい事件、惨事;
・predict（動）:　…を予言する、予測する;
・emerge（動）:　〈人が〉〔貧困・苦境から〕身を起こす、抜け出す;
・aim（動）:　…することを目指す、努力する;
********************
Japan has always been regarded as one of the great innovators of the world – think autos, steel, but especially electronics. Some have argued that in the last 10 years Japan has seen a trend away from innovating as people become more affluent and comfortable. But with the tragedy of the earthquake some are predicting that Japan may emerge even stronger, just as after the war. Perhaps an early demonstration of this is Sony’s prediction that it is aiming to become the second largest player in the popular tablet PC market segment behind Apple within one year.  (by Prof. Simon Smith)
********************

Notes：
pet peeve とりわけしゃくに障ること［物］;
detest …を憎む，ひどく嫌う;
campaigner（社会・政治などの）運動家;
obtrusive　押し付けがましい、しゃばる;
grab …を不意につかむ，ひっつかむ;
annoying（人を）いらいらさせる,うっとうしい;
Hear, hear！その通りだ，同感だ，賛成　(議会や会議で発言に対する同意を表す);
********************
If I were asked about my pet peeve of Japan I would probably have to admit that I detest the election period. This is a time when all the political campaigners drive around the neighbourhoods shouting their name and thanks. For me it is unnecessary and obtrusive. If I want to know their names I can check them out on the Internet rather than having 100 decibels thrown into my living room.
So I was pleased to hear that during the 2011 election a British man was arrested for grabbing a microphone from a politician at a train station and yelling about how Japanese elections are loud and annoying. Hear, hear!! (by Prof. Simon Smith )
********************