In Japan, I hear a lot of ideas about world peace. All of these ideas seem to be a bit "out there" and not realistic at all. It's an important issue but people seem to not be very educated on what's going on in the world, simplify issues, and look at them through rose-colored glasses. (Yes, I'm also aware that this happens in the States, too.)

This excerpt is taken from an article written on the 9th grade speech contest winner in Japan. (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20061126TDY02006.htm)

In her speech, which opens with her enthusiasm for the "Harry Potter" books, she said the books have been translated into 62 languages, and spoke about how she started thinking about the people who cannot read the fascinating novels. "I think they cannot read them because they are suffering from starvation, diseases and poverty caused by wars. So they cannot have the opportunity to escape into the magical world of Harry...This is something very hard to believe for us living peacefully in Japan."

Believing that "world peace means a world where everyone can read Harry Potter," Miyamoto explained about her research on the topic and her experience at a UNICEF fund-raising event, and concluded that individual help, though each may be small, can save many lives around the world.