In Japan, a recent survey was conducted for students on their behavior about learning English. The results of the survey indicated that students have contradictory attitude towards learning English. Although a lot of students thought English is important for them to get a job, only a few of them are willing to take jobs requiring English. The surveyors find this disappointing. However, it is also possible that the students do not necessarily think that learning English is the only way to land on their dream jobs. Excellent English communication skills have become a universal work requirement all over the world, but not a requirement to reach success.

Every seventh of July, Japan celebrates one of their famous festivals known as “Tanabata”, the Star Festival. It is known to have originated from China’s “Qixi Festival”. It was first introduced in Japan during in 755 A.D. by Empress Koken, the 48th monarch of Japan. The Japanese fully embraced Tanabata Festival and its story during the early Edo period. Tanabata is a story of two lovers, Hikoboshi and Orihime, who were only allowed to see each other once a year as a punishment given to them by the heaven god for neglecting their duties after marrying each other. Today, Japan’s streets are in vibrant displays with people writing their wishes on strips of paper known as “Tanzaku”. They hang these strips of paper on bamboo trees with hopes that their wishes will come true. In some traditions, these bamboo trees are set afloat on a river and/or burned once the festival is over.

Majority of world historians considers Alexander the Great as the greatest explorer and military leader of all time. He has greatly influenced the world during his time in less than two decades. At a young age, Alexander was educated by a famous philosopher, Aristotle. After the death of his father, he ruled his father’s kingdom at age twenty. He then expanded his father’s armies, innovated new battle techniques, and led them in conquering the Persian Empire. His conquests led him to victories not just in Persian territories, but as well as in Syria, in Egypt, and in Asia Minor. He introduced Greek culture to people of these territories the same way Aristotle taught him. Because of his successful expeditions, the Greek civilization was as one of the greatest civilization in history.