The manga "Paman" (Perman) by Fujiko F. Fujio (1933-1996) was turned into an anime series and has since been rebroadcast many times. Many people would remember the story, in which a timid boy, wearing a mask and a cape given to him by an alien, transforms himself into a flying hero.
The story is set in Tokyo but there was also a Paman in Osaka Prefecture. I remember feeling cheerful each time the Osaka Paman appeared on the TV screen during my childhood. This Paman was nicknamed "Pa-yan," [as "yan" is a common sound in the Osaka dialect].
There is a word that is somewhat similar to "Pa-yan," although not the same, as both words with certain regional characteristics have a humorous sound. Although there is a difference between the "ya" and "a" sounds at their ends, each time I only hear this word, I remember "Pa-yan" and it always makes me feel happy. The word is "Chibanian."
It was reported that a stratum section from time immemorial found in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, was officially recognized at an international academic meeting in South Korea. As of yesterday, the geological era of about 120,000 to 770,000 years ago is now called Chibanian. As there was a fear of the word going up in smoke due to opposition from some people, the adoption of the name might add greatly to the joy of the research team.
I hear this stratum reveals the switching of the north and south magnetic fields of the Earth. Chibanian, which has a friendly and familiar sound, is a curious word in which scientific depth can be seen.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
