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The A-Bomb Dome is undergoing a health check-up. In 1989, the structure was given a major structural overhaul in order to maintain it in its present ruined state. Since then, the Dome, which is a World Heritage site, has been checked every three years. The third check-up will last till the middle of March and will involve a thorough examination of the brickwork, the cement and the steel girders supporting the ruin. On February 8, when work began, six employees of a local firm of building consultants went round the structure checking the brickwork and mortar with 50-cm-long steel hammers. A city official explained that, since the Dome was a symbol of peace known all over the world, it was very important to check the structure.
A committee has been formed to oversee the moving of the monument to Korean A-Bomb victims into the Peace Memorial Park. At present the monument stands in Sakai-machi, just outside the Peace Park and its location has been a major bone of contention between Hiroshima City and Korean residents & human rights groups. The committee is composed of 56 Korean residents and Japanese members and one of its major activities will be to raise the \15 million required to move the monument. The target is to have the monument installed inside the Peace Park in time for the memorial ceremony for Korean victims on August 5.
Pocket Monster (or Pokemon), the popular cartoon character, now has his own jet plane. ANA has adorned one of its Boeing aircraft with characters from the series. On February 1 the plane arrived at Hiroshima Airport on a flight from Tokyo and later left on a flight to Naha, Okinawa. Until 27 February, the plane will operate on some flights between Okinawa and Tokyo, and its schedule will involve an evening call at Hiroshima on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The proprietors of the ski slopes in the northern part of the prefecture had more cause to be glad on February 13, when yet more snow was deposited on the area. The slopes were crowded with young people and families and by 3 pm, there were long lines of skiers waiting for ski lifts at Yawata Kogen 191. About 4,000 skiers visited the slope, some coming from Kyushu. Geihoku-cho, where the ski slope is located, received 49 cm of fresh snow. However, other parts of the Chugoku region, such as Daisen in Tottori Prefecture, received much more.
サーガル Saagaru, which means ocean in Hindi, is the name of a restaurant in Itsukaichi Chuo. As its Indian name might suggest, the restaurant specialises in curry dishes, of which there is a large variety. The curries come in 8 different strengths, ranging from 'very very hot' to 'okosama [child] mild'. Among the popular dishes is the Barbecue Set (at \1,400), which offers in addition to meat, a vegetable curry and nan. The restaurant is situated almost directly behind Hiroden Rakurakuen Station. Tel. (082) 921-9339.
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「原爆ドームがドック入り」
原爆ドームが健全度調査を受けている。ドームは１９８９年、遺跡の現状維持のため、大がかりな点検整備工事をした。それ以降、今では世界遺産となっている原爆ドームは、３年ごとに検査を受けてきた。３回目の調査は３月中旬までに終わる予定で、建物が壊れないよう支えているレンガやセメント、鉄骨の検査が行われる予定。作業が始まった８日には、地元の建設コンサルタントの社員６人が、長さ５０センチの鉄製ハンマーを使って、レンガやモルタルを見て回った。市の職員は「原爆ドームは世界中に知られる平和のシンボルなので、建物を検査することは非常に重要だ」と話した。
「記念碑の移設」
韓国人原爆犠牲者慰霊碑を平和公園内に移すための委員会が発足した。この慰霊碑は今、平和公園のすぐ外の堺町にあり、この場所が在日韓国人や人権保護団体と広島市との間で論点となっていた。委員会は在日韓国人や日本人計５６人で構成され、主な活動の一つとして、記念碑の移設に１５００万円の募金を募る。８月５日の韓国人被爆者の慰霊祭までに記念碑を移設することが目標。
「翼のモンスター」
人気アニメのキャラクター、ポケットモンスターがジェット機に登場した。ＡＮＡはこのキャラクターをボーイング１機に描いた。１日、この飛行機は東京から広島空港に着陸し、沖縄の那覇に向けて旅立った。この飛行機は、２７日までに東京と沖縄の間を飛行し、火曜日と土曜日の夕方には広島空港にも来る。
「また雪が」
県北のスキー場経営者らは、１３日にまた雪が降り、喜んだ。スキー場は若者や家族連れでにぎわい、八幡高原１９１には午後３時までリフト待ちの長い列ができた。九州などからも含めて、約４０００人が訪れた。スキー場がある芸北町の積雪は４９センチだったが、鳥取県の大山などはもっと多かった。
