CNN 2012-01-10

 Might not be its official currency, but the United Kingdom is affected¹ by the euro, because so many other countries in the European Union rely on it. 2011, not a good year for the euro or for Europe financially. Huge debt problems for several countries caused shock waves across the continent. Is 2012 going to be any better? Matthew Chance has our preview.

 

If fireworks were a measure of a country`s prospects<sup>2</sup>, 2012 might be Britain`s year. The spectacular New Year`s display over the river Thames was meant to set the tone to usher³ in the year that London hosts the Olympics, and Queen Elizabeth celebrates her diamond jubilee⁴.

 

But even the prime minister acknowledges 2012 won`t be all parties and sparkles.

 

Of course, I know there will be many people watching this who are worried about what else the year might bring. There are fears about jobs and paying the bills. The search for work has become difficult, particularly for young people. And rising prices have hit household budgets. I get that.

 

Plagued by financial crisis, spiraling debt and the threat of renewed recession, many Europeans aren`t sorry to see the back of 2011. Celebrations in Paris were euphoric. But President Nicolas Sarkozy`s new year message was less than optimistic. Trailing in opinion polls, ahead of an election battle this year, he did his best to encourage his compatriots.

 

With what is happening in the world, 2012 will be a year of risks and dangers, but also possibilities full of hope if we know how to meet the challenges, full of dangers if we stand still.

 

Well, the global financial crisis is just that: global. People all over the world are hoping for better economic times in 2012. In Japan, where Shintoism and Buddhism⁵ are the dominant⁶ religions, many people are turning to their faith in an effort to help their own finances and their country`s economy. Kyung Lah has the details on this.

 

At the Condom Yo Jing (ph) Shrine⁷ in the heart of Tokyo`s business district, the Japanese believe the gods will grace New Year`s pilgrims with prosperity. Perhaps that`s why thousands are here in these tough economic times to offer a heavenly token and to pray -- and pray hard.

 

There are so many people waiting to get in that the line is spilling out into the street. You have to step through a gate to get to the main shrine area. And it`s only then that you see exactly how many people are here. About 70,000 people will visit the shrine today -- this first week of the new year, about half a million people, all praying for an economically prosperous 2012.

 

In line, I meet Guillaume Sakuma, who isn`t here for his personal finances, but his country`s.

 

It was not a nice year last year because of the earthquake and then followed by a European crisis and then so on. So hopefully we`ll have a better year this year.

 

An optimistic note struck on the year`s opening day of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, surging on positive global news out of Germany and China. Japan`s prime minister was more downbeat. Facing a host of economic challenges in 2012 after the disasters of 2011, Noda quoted Winston Churchill.

 

Never, never, never, never give up.

 

The tide will turn around, he says, as long as we don`t give up.

 

Are you thinking more about the global economy or about the Japanese economy?

 

"I`m worried about both," says Akiko Matsubara, because Europe affects Japan." She adds that this year will continue to be rough.

 

It`s complicated. I know. It`s not going to be answered by just our prayers.

 

But thousands of prayers can`t hurt. While it seems that so much of the global economy is out of our control, maybe, just maybe, a Higher Power is listening--- Kyung Lah, CNN, Tokyo

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

3 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。

4 jubilee   

n.周年纪念；欢乐

参考例句：

• They had a big jubilee to celebrate the victory.他们举行盛大的周年纪念活动以祝贺胜利。
• Every Jubilee,to take the opposite case,has served a function.反过来说，历次君主巡幸，都曾起到某种作用。

5 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

6 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

7 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。