2010, a a sad beginnig for Finland's international image

It's not that long from the previous incidents, the school shootings, that painted some dark irremovable stains to Finland's international image as a country loaded with guns. Now, only a day before year 2010, we had to witness it once again! Here in Japan Yumiko, her family and I got to know about it in a shocking way. Let me just quickly explain how it happened.

After seeing the end-of-year musical, eating long soba, and wishing a very happy new year for everyone the year changed. It was all terrific. We were still watching TV just like most Japanese at their homes. There was the first news of 2010, starting at 0:00. And well, you may guess what was the first news of year 2010 in Japan about?! In Finland, 5 killed in a shooting in Helsinki area. It is absurd, in fact unbelievable to hear about it here in Japan at the 1st day the year on the very first minute!

Probably about 90% of the Japanese people probably saw the news. One can imagine what kind of picture of Finland will be burned deeper in to peoples minds, and not only those of Japanese. It probably doesn't have much notion or help but let me just say that the suspected shooter was a male from Kosovo and apparently he possessed an unregistered gun.

Despite this incident, may this year be enjoyable for everyone. There's always place for improvement, only a faint hope for better times might not do.

This is very saddening.
More at CNN:
(http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/31/finland.shooting.shopping.mall/index.html).