Japan 1)Unveils Extra Spending Package

Broadcast: Jan 31 2003

 

Japan's jobless rate stands at a post-war high of 5.5 percent for December, rising from 5.3 percent in November.

Labor¹ Minister Chikara Sakaguchi said the jobless condition reflects the current ²⁾fragile economy. He said there is a need to create measures to deal with it.

The situation is expected to get worse as the government pushes its reform agenda to clean up the banking² industry and create a more competitive business sector³.

In order to bring more jobs on line, the Japanese parliament approved a $25 billion spending package. Half the funds will go for public works projects and the rest for so-called "safety-net measures" to help small business owners who hire the jobless.

Some economists⁴ have criticized the package, saying that spending alone cannot solve Japan's problems - which include deflation and a weak stock market.

Still, some Japanese companies are managing to thrive. Sony posted a record profit in the third quarter of the year to more than $1 billion. That is nearly double from the same period last year.

The electronics and entertainment giant partly attributes its healthy performance to a string of box office hits, including the movie, Spider-Man. Strong sales in its video game businesses also helped. However, Sony officials warn weak consumer spending in the United States could weigh on full year earnings⁵.

Amy Bickers⁶ VOA news, Tokyo.

1)     Unveil[Qn5veil]vt. 使公诸于众, 揭开, 揭幕

2)     fragile[5frAdVail]adj. 易碎的, 脆弱的

 

1 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

2 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

3 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

4 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

6 bickers   

v.争吵( bicker的第三人称单数 )；口角；（水等）作潺潺声；闪烁

参考例句：