More on nationality law and children born out of wedlock: Conservatives causing policy balk

Posted on November 30, 2008December 1, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. More on the debate on recognizing paternity and plugging loopholes in the nationality law — and how the conservatives are throwing up roadblocks in between houses of parliament… and blaming a “constituency” of blog messages for it. Arudou Debito in Iwate

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Nationality Law tweak lacks DNA test: critics

The Japan Times, November 27, 2008

By KAZUAKI NAGATA Staff writer

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20081127a1.html

With the revised Nationality Law expected to clear the Diet soon, some ruling party lawmakers are at the last minute claiming the amendment may spark problems, such as possibly creating a “black market” in false paternal recognition.

However, it seems too late in the day for them to block passage, because the revised bill cleared the Lower House last week and the Upper House Justice Committee is entering the last stage of deliberations and is expected to vote as early as next week.

The amendment will allow children born out of wedlock to Japanese men and foreign women to obtain Japanese nationality if the father acknowledges paternity after the birth.

The revision is in line with a Supreme Court ruling on June 4 that a provision of the law on the status of such children is unconstitutional, because it states the children can only receive Japanese nationality if the father admits paternity during the mother’s pregnancy, or if the couple get married before the child turns 20.

The government reportedly wants to swiftly pass the revision to correct this unconstitutional provision, but the opposing lawmakers claim the revision, which was brought to the Diet earlier this month, needs to be thoroughly discussed.

“If a law like this is misused, what will happen to the Japanese identity?” asked Takeo Hiranuma, a former trade minister widely considered a hardcore hawk, at an emergency meeting with 13 Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers last week to discuss issues arising from the revision.

Since the revision does not require any scientific evidence to prove a biological family link, many are now arguing that some kind of scientific proof, such as a DNA test, should be applied. Hiranuma criticized the revision for granting Japanese nationality without evidence, providing the father admits paternity.

It is rare for lawmakers to raise a bill’s technical problems after it has already been approved by both ruling parties and Cabinet members.

Many admitted it is their own fault that they did not become aware of the details of the revision until only recently, but claimed they were busy in the past few months preparing for the next general election, which, it had been widely assumed, would be held this fall.

One reason that made them act at this late stage was what they claim is the public questioning the amendment. Some lawmakers said there have been hundreds of comments written in their blogs, mostly warning of the potential problems the revision may bring.

“The comments will keep increasing and would go crazy if the revision clears the Diet,” said LDP Lower House member Toru Toida, who has been getting hundreds of comments in his blog.

If the revision clears the Diet, then “people would claim that the Diet is not doing a proper job,” Toida said.

The lawmakers’ concerns arose when the bill was scheduled to clear the Lower House on Nov. 18 after just three hours of deliberations.

On Nov. 17, Hiranuma and the other LDP lawmakers met and agreed more time was needed before a vote.

The revision cleared the Lower House as scheduled, but the group managed to attach an additional resolution submitted jointly by the ruling parties and from some of the opposition camp who have raised doubts about the revision.

The additional resolution contains four suggestions, including applying a scientific method to prove paternity.

The lawmakers opposed to the revision have also compared the revision with the cases of other countries. In a meeting last week, Hideki Makihara, an LDP Lower House member, pointed out the case of Germany, which revised its nationality law in 1998 and experienced the problem of false recognition, saying the situation is similar and Japan is likely to follow the same path.

But Yasuhiro Okuda, a Chuo University Law School professor, said the German and Japanese cases are not similar.

He pointed out that in Japan there are two checks before Japanese nationality is granted, as two separate documents must be submitted — one to recognize paternity and another to acquire nationality. In Germany, however, only a document of paternal recognition is required, he added.

This is a considerable difference, Okuda said, as applicants in Japan will have to go through various checks at legal affairs bureaus when they file to acquire nationality.

Therefore, the increase in false paternity recognition in Germany is not comparable with the case of Japan, where it would be difficult to forge all the necessary documents, Okuda said.

An official at the Justice Ministry also said the checks will be strict so it won’t be easy to forge the recognition.

Okuda also said that while the focus is being placed on false and fraudulent recognitions, the emphasis should instead be on the protection of true recognitions.

The Japan Times: Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008

ENDS

Kyodo: MOJ announces it snagged 846 NJ since reinstituting fingerprinting

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. One thing I’ll give the GOJ: They’re predictable when under pressure. After one year of fingerprinting NJ at the border in the name of anti-terrorism and anti-crime, the MOJ decided to announce the number of NJ they netted, no doubt to claim that all the effort and money was somehow worth it. Problem is, as Sendaiben pointed out when submitting this link, that there is no comparison with how many people get snagged on an annual basis even BEFORE fingerprinting was reinstituted.

To me that’s another predictability: you just know if the information was in the GOJ’s favor, they would have released it as well. But this glaring omission I bet means there’s not much statistical difference. Besides, the GOJ similarly congratulated themselves last year when announced their catch the first day after fingerprinting was instituted, even though the fine print revealed those NJ were snagged for funny passports, not fingerprints. And we’ll throw in data about visa overstayers (even though that’s unrelated to the fingerprinting, since fingerprinting is a border activity, and overstaying is something that happens after you cross the border) just because the media will swallow it and help the public make a mental association.

Likewise, there is no ultracentrifuging of the data below to see how many were done for passports or fingerprints again. And of course, predictably, the J media is not asking analytical questions of their own. The closest we get is the admission that the GOJ is collecting these fingerprints to submit to other governments. Which is probably the real intention of this, Japan’s “contribution to the war on terror”.

What a crock. Arudou Debito in Morioka

846 refused entry into Japan under revised immigration rule

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D94NKV182&show_article=1

TOKYO, Nov. 28 2008 (AP) – (Kyodo)—A total of 846 foreign nationals have been refused entry to Japan since the country began fingerprinting and photographing foreign nationals at airports and seaports nationwide in November last year, the Justice Ministry said Friday.

Most of the refusals were due to arriving passengers’ fingerprints matching those of people deported in the past while, in several cases, they matched those of wanted people, according to the ministry’s Immigration Bureau.

Of the total refused entry, 297 were South Korean, 155 Filipinos and 90 Chinese.

Some carried other people’s passports.

Under a revised immigration law enforced in November 2007 as part of an antiterrorism measure, foreign nationals aged over 16 are required to be fingerprinted and photographed.

The scanned fingerprints and other biometric data of those entering Japan are stored in a computer. Japanese investigative authorities can access the information and share it with foreign immigration authorities and governments.

It is believed the new rule not only blocks the reentry of deportees at airports and seaports but also discourages such attempts at reentry, ministry officials said.

The number of foreign nationals overstaying visas in Japan came to some 7,500 in the year that ended in October, down 35 percent year on year, according to the ministry.

ENDS

JALT TLT: James McCrostie on NJ job insecurity at Japan’s universities

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. Here’s a nice short 500-word summary of one issue I’ve been covering for more than ten years now: Academic Apartheid in Japan’s Universities. Reprinted with permission of the author. Arudou Debito in transit

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Behind the Music: An explanation of the university shuffle
James McCrostie
Published in the April 2007 issue of JALT’s The Language Teacher
in the Job Info Center column (p. 45 – 46).

Working at Japanese universities resembles musical chairs. Every year the music starts and instructors with expiring contracts run around looking for a new job. Most universities hiring foreigners full-time offer one-year contracts, renewable three or four times. Contrary to popular belief, universities don’t cap renewals at three or four because if a teacher works long enough they can’t be fired. Schools remain safe as long as they state the number of renewals and a few have contracts renewable up to ten years.

To most thinking people, forcing instructors to leave every few years appears short sighted. Yet, university and government officials have their own reasons for preferring term-limits.

Keeping costs down is one reason. The penny pinching began in December 1992 when Ministry of Education officials phoned all the national universities and warned them against keeping foreign teachers in the higher pay brackets. Schools soon sacked foreigners over the age of 50 (most had been promised a job until retirement), replaced them with teachers on capped contracts, and refused to hire anyone over the age of 35 or 40 (Hall, 1994). Yet, despite a 1997 law allowing universities to employ Japanese faculty on term-limited contracts, the use of capped contracts to economize, while increasing, remains largely limited to foreign staff (Arudou & McLaughlin, 2001).

Attitudes towards foreign teachers reveal the more important reason for the caps. University and Ministry of Education bureaucrats regard foreigners as models of foreign culture with expiry dates stamped on their foreheads rather than real teachers who have a long-term role to play. For example, Niigata University’s president admitted wanting foreigners “churning over constantly” (JPRI Staff, 1996). In an Asahi Shimbun editorial, Shinichiro Noriguchi, a University of Kitakyushu English professor, contends “native speakers who have lived in Japan for more than ten years tend to have adapted to the system and have become ineffective as teachers” (Noriguchi, 2006).

Ministry of Education officials justified firing older foreigners from national universities by arguing younger instructors would be better examples of American culture (Hall, 1998). Nearly a decade later, Ministry bureaucrats justified term-limits by contending they “encouraged the movement of teachers to other universities which was of benefit to both teachers and the universities” (Cleary, 2001). Exactly how they benefited anyone was left unsaid.

If nothing else such attitudes are at least consistent, changing little since the Meiji Era. Viewing foreigners as disposable goes back to the 1903 sacking of Lafcadio Hearn from what is now Tokyo University.

Are the caps discriminatory? While nearly every Japanese instructor receives tenure from the day they are hired and nearly every foreigner is shown the door after a few years the Supreme Court, with a little legal legerdemain, ruled that such hiring practices don’t violate the Labor Standards Law which applies only after someone has been hired (van Dresser, 2001).

Luckily, some universities do appreciate that employing foreigners permanently can benefit a school. So what’s a foreigner in search of job stability to do? Getting a doctorate couldn’t hurt but the key is Japanese fluency. According to activist Arudou Debito “you’ve simply got to understand what’s going on around you” (Arudou, personal communication). Then again, neither provided much protection during the purge of the 1990’s.

———————-
References

Arudou, D. and McLaughlin, J. (2001). Employment conditions in the university: Update autumn 2001. JALT Kitakyushu Presentation. Retrieved January 20, 2007 from https://www.debito.org/JALTninkisei112401.html

Cleary, F. (2001). Taking it to the Ministry of Education: Round three. Pale Journal. 7(1). Retrieved January 20, 2007 from https://www.debito.org/HELPSpring2001.html#kumamoto

Hall, I. (1994). Academic Apartheid at Japan’s National Universities. JPRI Working Paper No. 3. Retrieved January 21, 2007 from http://www.jpri.org/publications/workingpapers/wp3.html

Hall, I. (1998) Cartels of the Mind: Japan’s Intellectual Closed Shop. New York: W. W. Norton.

JPRI Staff. (1996). Foreign teachers in Japanese universities: An update.
JPRI Working Paper, 24. Retrieved January 20, 1997 from http://www.jpri.org/publications/workingpapers/wp24.html

Noriguchi, S. (2006). English education leaves much to be desired. Asahi Shimbun, Sep. 15, 2006. Retrieved January 20, 2007 from http://www.asahi.com/english/Heraldasahi/TKY200609150129.html

van Dresser, S. (2001). On the employment rights of repeatedly renewed contract workers. PALE Journal, 7(1). Retrieved January 20, 2007 from https://www.debito.org/HELPSpring2001.html#vandresser
ENDS

In Iwate this weekend, blog updated less often

Posted on November 28, 2008December 4, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. I’m in Iwate giving four speeches this weekend. I’m not sure how much time or internet access I will have, so there may be some delay in site updates and approving comments. Please bear with me. Thanks to everyone as always for reading and contributing to Debito.org. Arudou Debito in transit.

Britain’s “Gaijin Card” system comes online: UK Telegraph warns against potential foreign celebrity backlash

Posted on November 27, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. Compare and contrast the introduction of fingerprinting (moreover Gaijin Cards) for foreigners in the UK. At least high-profile Britons are protesting it, and the media (the conservative media, even) is giving them a voice. That’s more than can be said for Japan last year around November 20, when the J media suppressed the opinion of NJ residents and NGOs when fingerprinting was reintroduced. Still sad that these ID carding tendencies for foreigners only are spreading. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

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Celebrities like Madonna won’t come to Britain because of ID cards

Britain will suffer cultural and economic damage from the introduction of identity cards for foreigners, preventing stars such as Madonna staying in the UK, according to a group of academics and writers.

By Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor

Daily Telegraph, Last Updated: 8:20AM GMT 25 Nov 2008

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3512924/US-celebrities-like-Madonna-wont-come-to-Britain-because-of-ID-cards.html

Courtesy of Sendaiben

From today, anyone from outside the European Union who wants to live and work in the UK for more than six months will have to apply for a compulsory British ID card.

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, wants 90 per cent of foreign residents in Britain to have identity cards by 2014.

To get an ID card, people will have their faces scanned and will have to give 10 fingerprints.

Campaigners fear that this will put off celebrities like American singer Madonna from setting up home here and so damage the cultural life of the nation.

In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, a group including author Philip Pullman, musicians Neil Tennant and Brian Eno, campaigning QC Baroness Kennedy and comedians Mark Thomas and Lucy Porter, warn of the damage to Britain’s image abroad.

Footballers, such as Manchester City’s £32.5million Brazilian striker Robinho, would also have to carry ID cards if they came to the UK after today.

The letter says: “If this scheme is continued … fewer of the world’s leading performers in every field will choose to make their homes here than do now.

“Successful foreigners such as Robinho or Kevin Spacey, and the overseas students who subsidise our universities, have a lot of choice where they study or exercise their talents. Some will decide Britain has become too unfriendly.”

The group, which also Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti and singer Crispian Mills, also warns of a steep drop in fee income as foreigners decide that the UK is not a “friendly” country to come to study.

It warns: “If this scheme is continued it will lead to less fee-income and lower international status for our educational institutions.

“British students will have to pay higher tuition to make up, and will have less money to spend with local businesses. ‘ID cards for foreigners’ is not just a small-minded slogan – Britain will suffer culturally and economically.”

Last night Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat shadow home secretary, supported the concerns that British cultural life will lose out from the introduction of ID cards.

He said: “Foreign nationals continue to make an enormous contribution to British culture, from the Premier League to the performing arts.

“If these people choose to go elsewhere to places that won’t treat them like criminals, this country will be all the poorer for it.”

Speaking yesterday ahead of the first ID cards being issued, Miss Smith said: “In time identity cards for foreign nationals will replace paper documents and give employers a safe and secure way of checking a migrant’s right to work and study in the UK

“The Australian-style points system will ensure only those we need – and no more – can come here. It is also flexible, allowing us to raise or lower the bar according to the needs of business and taking population trends into account.”

ENDS

The killer of Scott Tucker, choked to death by a DJ in a Tokyo bar, gets suspended sentence.

Posted on November 26, 2008November 26, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

HI Blog. I made the case last May, in a special DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER on criminal justice and policing of NJ, that NJ get special (as in negative) treatment by courts and cops. An article I included from the Japan Times mentioned that a case of a NJ man killed in a bar “was likely to draw leniency” in criminal court. It did. The killer essentially got off last September. Here’s an article about it, from Charleston, WV. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

That special NEWSLETTER: https://www.debito.org/?p=1652

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No appeal in Japan murder of state man

The Charleston Gazette, September 20, 2008

By Gary Harki Staff writer

http://wvgazette.com/News/200809190765

Courtesy of Justin

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Prosecutors in Japan have decided not appeal the sentence in the murder conviction of a man placed on five years’ probation for murdering Charleston native and West Virginia University graduate Scott Tucker.

“Prosecutors decided not to even present the appeal,” said Kenneth Tucker II, Scott Tucker’s brother. “They said the witness’s testimony was strong enough not to appeal.”

Tucker’s wife and family had hoped prosecutors would appeal the sentencing in an attempt to get the man jail time. But prosecutors said Thursday they would not pursue an appeal before the two-week window to file ends on Monday.

On Sept. 8, Atsushi Watanabe, 29, was sentenced to three years in prison or five years’ probation for killing Scott Tucker. Under Japanese law, probation in murder cases can begin immediately so Watanabe will serve five years probation rather than three years in prison, David Yoshida, who attended the trial with Tucker’s wife, Yumiko Yamakazi, said previously.

Yamakazi is weighing her options in pursuing a civil case against Watanabe, Kenneth Tucker said.

“Unfortunately we just have to live with it and go on,” he said. “I know my brother was a Christian and I hope to see him again someday.”

Tucker, 47, had been drinking at a bar before going into Bullets, a club located beside his home in downtown Tokyo.

The club was known for its parties, noise and fights, and Tucker went there because he wanted the place to quiet down, according to witness statements.

At the time, officials with Tokyo police told Japan Today, an English-language newspaper, that Tucker appeared very drunk and acted violently toward customers, at times striking a boxer’s pose.

“With the help of alcohol he went down there to tell them,” said David Yoshida, who attended the trial with Yamakazi.

Yoshida, a Baptist missionary, served as an interpreter for Ken Tucker when he went to Japan after his brother died.

According to Yoshida and Yamakazi, witnesses told the court that Scott pushed a couple of people who fell on the floor and were not hurt.

Watanabe then kicked him in the groin and got Tucker in a chokehold, crushing his Adam’s apple.

In court, Watanabe said he felt his life was in danger. Watanabe is 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs 154 pounds. Scott was 5 feet, 9 inches and weighed 242 pounds.

The courtroom was flooded with supporters for Watanabe, Yoshida said.

Earlier this week, Tucker’s family sent a letter to Ichiro Fujisaki, Japan’s ambassador to the United States. They hope that he will look into the case.

“We do not understand how it is possible that the two detectives (Sergeant Abe and Megumi Akita, who assured us the evidence pointed to a deliberate and brutal murder), were not in court because they had been re-assigned or possibly promoted; nor do we understand the absence of the original prosecutor at the trial,” Kenneth Tucker wrote in the letter, provided to the Gazette. “We also don’t understand how our family’s concerns were not admitted into evidence during the court proceeding.”

The conviction rate for those accused of murder in Japan is 99.95 percent, Michael Griffith, an international criminal defense attorney who has handled many cases in Japan said previously.

Japanese police routinely hold suspects for 23 days without seeing a judge, Griffith said. During that time they can interrogate them daily, for as much as 12 hours at a time.

“The lawyers over there aren’t defense lawyers. I’d categorize them as sentencing experts,” Griffith said previously.

Once a case goes to sentencing, the convicted often get more lenient sentences than in the U.S., he said. People convicted for murder often get under 10 years, he said.

Reach Gary Harki at gha…@wvgazette.com or 348-5163.

DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 25, 2008

Posted on November 25, 2008November 25, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 25, 2008
Table of Contents:
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GOOD NEWS
1) LDP’s Kouno Taro submits J dual nationality proposal to Diet
… and a majority of respondents to a Debito.org survey want it to go even further
2) Asahi NP Op-Ed urges J to make education compulsory for NJ children too
3) Japan Times update on granting children of mixed J/NJ parentage citizenship
4) FYI: People working for American companies in Japan are covered by US Civil Rights Law

BAD SCIENCE, BETTER SCIENCE
5) Japan Times: PM Aso “stimulus plan” bribe taking flak, still unclear if NJ get handout
6) Ibaraki Pref Police put up new and improved public posters portraying NJ as coastal invaders
7) One year after Japan reinstitutes fingerprinting for NJ, a quick retrospective
8) Kyodo: SDF’s Tomogami revisionist history shows cosiness between J military and right-wing nationalists
9) Japan Times on GOJ’s new efforts to boost tourism to 20 million per annum
10) GOJ Survey says “53% fear public safety problem from increased NJ tourists, want policy measures”
11) Negative survey of NJ employers by J headhunting company “Careercross” to make “employers see their own bias”
12) Compare: Good survey of “non-Japanese citizens in Sapporo” by Sapporo City
13) Thoughtful essay in the Yomiuri on the word “Gaijin” by Mike Guest

BTW…
14) Speaking in Iwate next weekend: four speeches in E and J

… and finally…
15) Next Japan Times column December 2: Stray Thoughts on Obama’s Election
and how the Bush Admin has spoiled it for activists here in Japan

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By Arudou Debito, Sapporo, Japan (www.debito.org, debito@debito.org)
Freely Forwardable

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GOOD NEWS
1) LDP’s Kouno Taro submits J dual nationality proposal to Diet

LDP panel mulls easing law on dual citizenship
Mixed couples’ kids could have two nationalities
By MINORU MATSUTANI Staff writer
The Japan Times: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

Liberal Democratic Party member Taro Kono said Thursday he has submitted a proposal to an LDP panel he heads calling for the Nationality Law to be revised to allow offspring of mixed couples, one of whom being Japanese, to have more than one nationality

While the proposal allows for multiple nationalities, the government will not let Japanese hold nationalities of countries or regions that Japan does not recognize as nations, including North Korea.

Also under the proposal, foreigners would be able to obtain Japanese citizenship without giving up their original one. But the proposal does not say whether those who had had multiple nationalities and gave up one or more to retain their Japanese citizenship can regain other nationalities.

The proposal would also affect babies born in countries that grant nationality to those born there regardless of their parents’ nationalities, including the United States, Brazil and Australia.

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Thanks to Kouno Taro, LDP Dietmember, for submitting a proposal to the Diet, after a good think about dual nationality following the paradoxes of Japanese-born American citizens winning Nobel Prizes. Let’s hope the proposal goes somewhere. It’s about time the unnecessary identity sacrifices of enforced mononationality are resolved. There is no need in this day and age to force multicultural people to legally deny themselves the existence of international roots.
https://www.debito.org/?p=2008

Visit his website. He’s certainly taking a lot of nasty flak from anonymous Net xenophobes for this…
http://www.taro.org

… and a majority of respondents to a Debito.org survey want his proposal to go even further

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DEBITO.ORG POLL (NB: Hardly scientific, but anyway…)
LDP Dietmember Kouno Taro has proposed to the Diet that Japan allow Dual Nationality. Do you agree?

1) Should go farther. Anybody, including people who naturalize into Japan, even Zainichi with North Korean roots, should qualify for dual. (58%, 105 Votes)
2) Actually, I think Kouno Taro’s proposal with caveats (see blog entry) has it about right. (28%, 50 Votes)
3) No, dual nationality is a bad idea. Keep things as they are. (10%, 18 Votes)
4) Indifferent, don’t know, can’t say etc. (4%, 7 Votes)

Total Voters: 180, as of this sending
=================

Vote if you want yourself on any debito.org blog page

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2) Asahi NP Op-Ed urges J to make education compulsory for NJ children too

Asahi: So it seems obvious that a new clause must be added to the Fundamental Law of Education, for example, to ensure such children receive the education that is rightfully theirs.

If children of foreign nationality are legally obliged to receive compulsory education, local governments would have to check to ensure they have been enrolled in school.

The authorities would of course let guardians decide whether to enroll the children in international schools or Japanese public schools, but either way, they would have to ensure the children were actually attending school.

A revised system like this would also improve awareness among foreign residents about their children’s right to an education.

The government must tackle this problem seriously and implement measures to promote enrollment of foreign children in public or other schools.

Such steps might include providing subsidies to international schools, producing and distributing free Japanese-language learning textbooks and assigning Japanese-language teachers to teach Japanese as a second language to children of foreign nationality.

The future of these children is at stake. I strongly urge the government to make elementary and junior high school education compulsory for children of foreign nationality, too.
https://www.debito.org/?p=2061

==============================
COMMENT: Good. Keep it up. The more columns like these keeping the issue alive, the better. Previous one earlier this year here:
https://www.debito.org/?p=1020

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3) Japan Times update on granting children of mixed J/NJ parentage citizenship

Japan Times: Many observers of the Nationality Law have welcomed the government’s proposed revision approved Tuesday by the Cabinet that will soon allow hundreds of children born out of wedlock to Japanese men and foreign women to obtain Japanese nationality if the father recognizes paternity even after birth…

The scheduled amendment is in line with the June 4 Supreme Court ruling that a provision of the law on the status of children born out of wedlock was unconstitutional.

Today, the law still reads that a child born out of wedlock between a Japanese father and a foreign mother can get Japanese nationality only if the father admits paternity during the mother’s pregnancy, or if the couple get married before the child turns 20, but not after birth.

Thus, children whose fathers acknowledge paternity after their birth are not granted Japanese nationality, which the top court declared a violation of equal rights.

The proposed revision stipulates that children born out of wedlock whose fathers recognize paternity, regardless of the timing of the acknowledgment, can obtain Japanese citizenship.
https://www.debito.org/?p=1991

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4) FYI: People working for American companies in Japan are covered by US Civil Rights Law

For the Americans (and anyone else) working in US multinational companies: The US Equal Employment Opportunities law applies even in Japan, and if you are being treated unfairly (and that includes being given contract employment while Japanese get regular employment), you can bring a charge under US law and call for US labor commission mediation even in Japan. Fact is, people working for American multinational companies have double labor rights/civil rights protections both American and Japanese. And apparently the American government links to the civil rights authorities of other countries/unions like Canada and the EU. More on the USG EEOC site.

Further, HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS TO JAPAN has been helping people define their terms and anchor their arguments. Happy to hear.

FYI: People working for American companies in Japan are covered by US Civil Rights Law

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BAD SCIENCE, BETTER SCIENCE
5) Japan Times: PM Aso “stimulus plan” bribe taking flak, also still unclear if NJ get handout

Japan Times: Criticism for a planned 2 trillion cash handout program, formally decided by the government led by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on Wednesday, hasn’t ceased over the weekend, reviving the memory of the 1999 coupon program that cost 700 billion but had little benefit for the economy.

Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa, appearing on a TV news program Saturday, waved a 10,000 bill before the camera and argued that the government should not be scattering cash around among people with no strategic economic focus.

“The previous coupon handout program boosted the individual consumption portion of gross domestic product by only 0.1 percent. The Economic Planing Agency admitted that it had little economic effect,” Matsuzawa pointed out.

Dozens of governors and mayors similarly have called on the government to spend that amount of money, if ever it will, with a clear strategic focus.

“(The government ) will spend 2 trillion, which is equal to the budget of the Tottori Prefectural Government for five years. I cannot even visualize that amount of money,” Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai said Thursday.

Under the program announced by Prime Minister Taro Aso, the government plans to distribute 12,000 to every citizen, plus an additional 8,000 for each child 18 or younger and elderly person 65 or older. Whether foreigners will be covered has not been decided yet.
https://www.debito.org/?p=2065

========================
COMMENT: A great suggestion from a friend was that if they really want to stimulate the economy effectively and equitably, how about dropping the Consumption Tax (at 5%) to zero for one full month?

That way, anyone who spends money will get a tax rebate. And it will definitely stimulate consumption, since we had that month’s tax holiday from “temporary gasoline taxes” in April, and drivers rushed to the pumps to take advantage.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080501a2.html

A consumption tax holiday doesn’t involve high administration costs, registering people to get their rebate, or even separate consumers by nationality.

Is it so hard for people in government to come up with a wheeze as simple as this?

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6) Ibaraki Pref Police put up new and improved public posters portraying NJ as coastal invaders

The police and coast patrollers are out in force again in Ibaraki Prefecture, warning the public to be vigilant against “illegal entrants” (as in people who enter the country surreptitiously) and “illegal laborers”. Again, the title, “STOP THEM AT THE SHORES AND PROTECT”. Found on the wall at Tomobe Station in Mito, Ibaraki on Friday, October 24th, 2008.

Er, I dunno why Ibaraki Prefecture feels the need to do this. Again. It’s certainly not the prefecture with the longest coastline in Japan, nor does it have a huge number of NJ residents or entrants, compared to Tokyo, Gifu, Shizuoka, or Aichi (whose police have not used the same degree of “coastal invader” alarmism).

And you just gotta love the image of not only our subduing boys in blue armed with machine guns (I’m no expert in firepower, but that looks like an automatic weapon to me on his back), but also a military force in green at the bottom left disembarking from a transport like it’s D-Day.

This is, alas, not the first time Ibaraki Prefectural police have resorted to this rubric, or these kinds of posters. See last year’s version immediately following, although back then they were less armed and militarized. I guess the NJ invasion of Ibaraki Prefecture is proceeding apace. As always, your taxes at work. Including those of the NJ being portrayed.
https://www.debito.org/?p=2057

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7) One year after Japan reinstitutes fingerprinting for NJ, a quick retrospective

It’s already been a year since Japan reinstituted fingerprinting for most NJ on November 20, 2007. There are still concerns about its application, its efficacy, the sweetheart GOJ deal to quasi-American company Accenture to make these machines, the long lines at the border due to faulty machines, the lumping in of Permanent Residents with tourists, the official justifications in the name of preventing terrorism, infectious diseases, foreign crime, you name it.

Anyway, time for a brief retrospective:

Here’s an article from Maclean’s Magazine (Canada) from last March which I think puts it all pretty well. Also a letter from a friend who has a (Japanese) wife in the airline industry who gets caught in the NJ dragnet just because she doesn’t “look Japanese” enough for police in the airport.

The shockwaves and indignations were so palpable that people banded together to form FRANCA (Foreign Residents and Naturalized Citizens Association), a lobbying and interest group to represent the interests of the “Newcomer” immigrants to Japan.

There’s a whole heading on fingerprinting on this blog at
https://www.debito.org/?cat=33

but see two special issues of the DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER on the subject here
https://www.debito.org/?p=676
https://www.debito.org/?p=788

There’s also a special section on Debito.org for people to add their personal experiences with Immigration upon entering or returning to Japan, with 57 responses as of today. Any more?
https://www.debito.org/?p=2062

And I’m not the only one protesting, FYI:
Nov 20 NGO Public gathering: 1-year anniversary of the NJ fingerprinting program
https://www.debito.org/?p=2013

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8) Kyodo: SDF’s Tomogami revisionist history shows cosiness between J military and right-wing nationalists

Kyodo: Sacked air force chief Toshio Tamogami testified in parliament Tuesday over his controversial war essay but his unapologetic rhetoric only highlighted a large difference in perception with the government regarding Japan’s role in World War II.

His testimony also posed a question even among Self-Defense Forces officers about whether the 60-year-old former general was ever fit for the post of Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff and prompted politicians to have second thoughts about the effectiveness of their efforts to maintain civilian control of the defense forces

Revelations about Tamogami’s cozy links with a nationalist real estate businessman who organized the competition was also among topics taken up by the committee.

The essay contest was organized by hotel and condominium developer Apa Group and its head Toshio Motoya, a friend of Tamogami. Apa Group is also known for its support of hawkish former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

On top of that, an orchestrated submission of essays by ASDF personnel is also suspected.

Tamogami also denied in the parliamentary session that he received any inappropriate benefits from Motoya’s side and that he had played a role in the organized submission of essays.

But the ministry has found that in addition to Tamogami, 94 of the 235 essay submissions came from the ASDF.

Another senior official of the ministry questioned the fairness of the essay contest saying, “It must have been fixed.”
https://www.debito.org/?p=2004

=======================
I was asked for my opinion earlier this month in the Comments section of my blog. In brief, this is how I answered:

========================
— Tamogami was forced to resign. Good. He did not capitulate. Fine with me (it is his opinion). But the media I’ve seen so far skirts the issue. It’s not a matter of whether what he said was appropriate for his position within the SDF. It is an issue about whether what he says is historically accurate. (It is not.) And until these historical issues are finally laid to rest (through, as UN Rapporteur Doudou Diene suggested, a history book of the region written and approved by scholars from all countries involved), this is just going to keep happening again and again. Exorcising the elephant in the room, i.e. the ghost of Japan’s wartime past (particularly as to whether it was a war of aggression or liberation), must be done sooner or later. It is still not being done and debunked, and that means the SDF person can just use “freedom of speech” as his cloaking device and compare Japan to the DPRK (as he has done) and just gain sympathy for the Rightists. There. Debito
========================

Unfortunately, I don’t see any diversion from this path even as the debate, as Kyodo reports above, goes to the Diet. The debate has gone into issues of civilian control (meaning, to freedom-of-speechers on both sides of the political spectrum, mind control), and Tamogami is setting himself up to become a martyr to the right wing. Again, the tack should also include, is what he saying historically accurate? Again, it is not.

The honest study of the history of any country is going to reveal things that a nation is ashamed of, and one must include that as part of the national narrative. The Tamogamis, Obuchis, Abes, and Asos are just going to have to live with that. And part of the process is bringing historical fact of Japan’s conquering, Imperialist past into the debate.

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9) Japan Times on GOJ’s new efforts to boost tourism to 20 million per annum

The Japan Times runs an interview with Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Yoshiaki Honpo, who says that Japan’s ailing regional economies can be revitalized by tapping the sightseeing potential of growing Asian countries. He recommends easing visa restrictions, since NJ tourists spend 5 to 15 times more than Japanese tourists.

However, how about easing restrictions at the hotels themselves? According to an attendee of one of his speeches in Nagano, he will “leave alone” those 27% of hotels surveyed who do not want NJ tourists. Odd that a member of the administrative branch would recommend the nonenforcement of laws governing hotels in Japan.

Honpo seems to think economic pressure will resolve all. Even though it hasn’t in other similar situations, such as apartment rentals, and leaving exclusionary (and, in this case, illegal) rules in place have caused spillover into other business sectors, copycatting because they can. Humph.
https://www.debito.org/?p=2003

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10) GOJ Survey says “53% fear public safety problem from increased NJ tourists, want policy measures”

We have an interesting little quickie article here in Japanese, describing how 53% of respondents to a government survey “are worried about public safety, and want some policy measures taken” with the proposed increase of NJ tourism. Nice of the GOJ to anticipate public fear and public need for security measures against NJ. Some more leading questions, please? Hey, the NJ are fair game in GOJ surveys, it seems. See what I mean at
https://www.debito.org/?p=2067
Not to mention what’s covered next:

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11) Negative survey of NJ employers by J headhunting company “Careercross” to make “employers see their own bias”

Here is an interesting survey by J headhunting company “Careercross”. One read through it and it’s evident the loaded questions (for NJ employers of Japanese) are angling to expose apparent negative predispositions that foreigners evidently have towards their Japanese subordinates. Even a response back from the company itself justifying the survey is indicative, as if it’s going to teach the foreign bosses a lesson about themselves:

=================================

date: Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 1023 AM
subject: CareerCross survey

Thank you very much for contacting us on Friday and for taking part in our survey.

This survey is an important part in understanding the attitudes and perceptions of foreign employers as it applies to their Japanese hires. Actually the survey is, as you had pointed out, slightly on the negative side which we feel is important in getting straight answers about negative perceptions that a foreign boss may have. We do not think that a “fell good” survey would not bring out information of value.

Thank you again for participating in our survey.
Best regards,
Masayuki Saito
Director COO
C.C.Consulting K.K.
Tel: 03-5728-1861 Fax: 03-5728-1862
=================================

Put on your thinking caps, readers of Debito.org. What would you do if presented with a biased survey in order to use a J headhunting company? Read the full survey blogged here…
https://www.debito.org/?p=2007

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12) Compare: Good survey of “non-Japanese citizens in Sapporo” by Sapporo City

I mentioned yesterday about Careercross’s lousy survey of NJ employers, with loaded and leading questions galore about how NJ bosses apparently view their J subordinates. Contrast it with this thorough, culturally-sensitive (down to the phrasing of the questions) survey put out by the Sapporo City Government.

(They do these once or twice a decade; their last one was in 2001, and they completely rewrote this one in early 2008 after a lot of groundwork from other city offices and help from their NJ staff, they told me last month.)

Now this is how you do a survey. I’ve seen a lot of crappy ones over the years. (Government agencies seem to be incredibly inept at good social science. Consider this periodic survey from the PM Cabinet regarding human rights, where they offer rights for other humans (NJ) as optional, not required! Keeps incurring the wrath of the United Nations.) Not Sapporo. Other cities should take note of this and use it as their template.
https://www.debito.org/?p=2014

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13) Thoughtful essay in the Yomiuri on the word “Gaijin” by Mike Guest

Mike Guest: Why is it that even the less easily offended among us at certain times find the term “gaijin” (or even “gaikokujin”) awkward or irritating? I would like to offer a few linguistic answers to this question.

Words are never inherently rude or inappropriate in and of themselves but become marked as such through a failure to follow the norms of propriety. For example, it is perfectly acceptable to refer to Prof. Wilson as “Wilson” when simply discussing his theories with a colleague, or even when making a reference to him in a presentation where he is not present. But it would be very insulting to address him personally that way. Likewise, in the case of “gaijin” we should note if it is being used as a form of address or as a reference. One Japanese saying something like, “A lot of gaijin like this restaurant” to another can hardly be said to be pejorative (and in fact many non-Japanese too use “gaijin” in precisely this manneras it can be a very useful classifier), whereas addressing a non-Japanese as “Gaijin” very much violates the norms of forms of address and therefore marks it as rude or hostile.

We should also consider register. In official and formal situations, Japanese speakers use “gaikokujin” rather than “gaijin” for the same reason that they refer to “a person” not as “hito” but as “kata” and generally avoid using “kare” and “kanojo” (he and she). These words are not inherently impolite or pejorative but they do not meet the standards of distance required by a formal register of language. Using “gaijin” in such a situation would therefore mark it negatively…
https://www.debito.org/?p=2009

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BTW…
14) Speaking in Iwate next weekend: four speeches in E and J

Four speeches next weekend in Iwate. Do attend if you like. Speech with Japanese title is in Japanese. FYI, Debito

===================================
Fri Nov 28, 2008, Iwate University, Speech 2:45 -3:45PM, “Nihonjin to wa nan darou, Amerika-kei nihonjin kara mita kenkai”
also 6:20 to 7:50 PM, “What is Internationalization in 21st Century Japan?”

Sun Nov 30, 2008, Iwate JALT, CORRECTED TIME 1:30 TO 4:30 PM, “An Afternoon with Arudou Debito”,
Aiina, the Iwate prefectural public building near Morioka Station

Mon Dec 1, 2008, Iwate Prefectural University, 2:40-4:10PM, Kyoutsuu Kyougi Tou Classroom 101
“What is Internationalization in 21st Century Japan?”
===================================

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…and finally…

15) Next Japan Times column December 2: Stray Thoughts on Obama’s Election
and how the Bush Admin has spoiled it for activists here in Japan

Heads up! Get yourself a copy next week!

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That’s all for today. Thanks for reading, as always!

DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 25, 2008 ENDS

Yahoo News:　政府の世論調査：外国人客増、5割強が「不安」GOJ survey: More than 50% fear NJ tourist influx

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Morning blog. We have an interesting little quickie article here in Japanese, describing how 53% of respondents to a government survey “are worried about public safety, and want some policy measures taken” with the proposed increase of NJ tourism. Nice of the GOJ to anticipate public fear and public need for security measures against NJ. Some more leading questions, please? Hey, the NJ are fair game in GOJ surveys, it seems. See what I mean here, here, and here. Debito

外国人客増、5割強が「不安」＝「観光庁知らない」6割−政府世論調査
11月23日2時52分配信時事通信
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081122-00000121-jij-pol
Courtesy of Getchan and Dave Spector

　日本を訪れる外国人旅行客が増えることについて、5割強の人が治安面で不安に感じていることが政府の「観光立国と観光庁に関する世論調査」で22日、分かった。訪日外国人客（年間）は、2007年に過去最高の835万人を記録。政府は10年までに1000万人に増やすのを目標に誘致活動を進めているが、受け入れ態勢の整備とともに治安対策の強化も求められそうだ。

　調査結果では、外国人客が増えたと感じている人は8割。ただ、外国人客の増加について聞いた質問（複数回答）では、「治安面から不安で、何らかの対策が必要」と答えた人が最も多く53％。「地域社会でトラブルが多くなる」も27％いた。「国際交流が進む」は51％、「地域経済の活性化につながる」は40％だった。
ENDS

Asahi NP Op-Ed urges J to make education compulsory for NJ children too

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. Another column calling for the guaranteed education of NJ children. Good. Keep it up. The more of these, the better. Previous one earlier this year here. Debito in Sapporo

=======================================

POINT OF VIEW/ Takaaki Kato: Non-Japanese kids deserve an education, too

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN, 2008/11/20

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200811200044.html

Among non-Japanese families residing in Japan, there are too many that do not enroll their children in public or other schools here. Whatever their reasons, this is a serious problem. These children of foreign nationality, some of whom were born in Japan, are being deprived of their right to an education.

As a Japanese-language teacher at an elementary school, I find this situation distressing. Not only do these kids lose out, but so do their families and the community in general.

The Council for Cities of Non-Japanese Residents, which comprises representatives from municipal governments that have a high concentration of foreign residents, has made proposals to the national and prefectural governments on how best to educate the children of foreign nationality.

I believe the main reason many children of foreign nationality are not enrolled in school is because Japanese law does not oblige them to receive compulsory education.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology says that when such children apply for enrollment at public elementary and junior high schools, they are accepted free of charge and are thus guaranteed educational opportunities.

However, that doesn’t prevent their parents or guardians from failing to enroll them, the first main problem.

Some non-Japanese parents or guardians prefer to send their children to international schools, such as those for Brazilians living in Japan. That is fine.

But others who don’t send their children to international schools also do not apply for their children to enter the Japanese school system. In some cases, they have pulled their kids out of school to baby-sit younger siblings.

This brings us to a second problem. Even when school officials try to persuade guardians to enroll their children, they fail because there is no law requiring enrollment. The School Education Law is not clear on whether children of foreign nationality fall within the definition of “mandatory school-age pupils and students.”

Still, Article 26 of the Constitution states: “All people shall be obliged to ensure that all boys and girls under their protection receive ordinary education as provided for by law.”

But since foreign residents are not Japanese citizens, they are not obliged to ensure their children go to school. That seems to be the general interpretation.

Does this mean children of foreign nationality in Japan have no right to an education?

No, it does not.

Under the spirit of the Constitution, under internationally accepted universal human rights principles and under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Japan has ratified, every human being, regardless of nationality, has the right to a basic education.

Thus, a child’s right to an education means their parents or guardians are obliged to ensure they receive such schooling.

Therefore, foreign residents in Japan must be legally required to ensure the children under their care receive compulsory education.

So it seems obvious that a new clause must be added to the Fundamental Law of Education, for example, to ensure such children receive the education that is rightfully theirs.

If children of foreign nationality are legally obliged to receive compulsory education, local governments would have to check to ensure they have been enrolled in school.

A revised system like this would also improve awareness among foreign residents about their children’s right to an education.

The government must tackle this problem seriously and implement measures to promote enrollment of foreign children in public or other schools.

The future of these children is at stake. I strongly urge the government to make elementary and junior high school education compulsory for children of foreign nationality, too.

* * *

The author teaches international students at Imawatarikita Elementary School in Kani, Gifu Prefecture. (IHT/Asahi: November 20,2008)

Japan Times: PM Aso “stimulus plan” bribe taking flak, also still unclear if NJ get handout

Posted on November 23, 2008November 23, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. It’s getting clearer to me that PM Aso’s “economic stimulus package” of cash back to citizens is nothing more than a bribe to voters. Yes, to voters. Again, as the plan nears approval, it’s still unclear whether NJ residents also get any money. However, it’s pretty clear why this fence sitting: NJ can’t vote, so they don’t count. Even though they spend money like citizens, so they should count.

Thus this is not an economic stimulus package (which would naturally and unequivocally include everyone in Japan who spends money). It’s a political stimulus, to popularity polls for the LDP. Because as critics point out below, it’s unclear that it’ll have any economic effect at all. It didn’t before.

So let’s not fall for the guise of economics anymore. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

=====================================

Cash handout finding few fans

Local leaders say the economy needs a government stimulus plan with greater focus

By REIJI YOSHIDA, Staff writer

The Japan Times Monday, Nov. 17, 2008

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20081117a5.html

In 1999, the coalition government was bashed for what was dubbed “one of the silliest policy measures of the century.”

Is the current government ready to repeat that blunder as early as this year or early next year?

The answer is probably yes, according to numerous governors and mayors across the country as well as most commentators.

Criticism for a planned ¥2 trillion cash handout program, formally decided by the government led by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on Wednesday, hasn’t ceased over the weekend, reviving the memory of the 1999 coupon program that cost ¥700 billion but had little benefit for the economy.

Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa, appearing on a TV news program Saturday, waved a ¥10,000 bill before the camera and argued that the government should not be scattering cash around among people with no strategic economic focus.

Dozens of governors and mayors similarly have called on the government to spend that amount of money, if ever it will, with a clear strategic focus.

“(The government ) will spend ¥2 trillion, which is equal to the budget of the Tottori Prefectural Government for five years. I cannot even visualize that amount of money,” Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai said Thursday.

Under the program announced by Prime Minister Taro Aso, the government plans to distribute ¥12,000 to every citizen, plus an additional ¥8,000 for each child 18 or younger and elderly person 65 or older. Whether foreigners will be covered has not been decided yet.

The handouts are supposed to total ¥2 trillion, nearly three times as much as the notorious coupon program.

Analysts say the handouts are as unlikely as the 1999 coupons to spark a consumption boom, because people probably won’t spend much amid the global financial crisis and a looming rise in the unpopular consumption tax, which Aso said may be increased in three years.

Even government economists agree. Kaoru Yosano, economic and fiscal policy minister, revealed at a news conference Oct. 31. that the Cabinet Office estimated that doling out ¥2 trillion in cash will boost total GDP by only 0.1 percent.

What particularly astounded local government leaders was Aso’s decision to let municipalities decide whether to put an income cap on applicants so people making a lot of money would not be eligible.

Mayors worry about chaos at their municipal offices as thousands of people are expected to rush to apply for the handout in a short period of time, and local officials would have a giant task checking the annual income levels of applicants.

Norihisa Satake, mayor of Akita and head of the national association of mayors, argued that it’s simply impossible for city offices to handle all the clerical work.

“If 137,000 households (in Akita) come to City Hall over two weeks, about 10,000 people will come a day,” said Satake, adding the building only has parking for 400 automobiles.

The central government reportedly hopes to start handing out the cash after having a second supplementary budget enacted by the Diet in March.

But March is also the time when workers at municipal offices are extremely busy as the fiscal year ends later in the month.

“Even if we stop all the (other) work, we would not be able to handle (the applications). Do Diet members understand the reality of this?” Satake asked at a news conference in Akita last week, according to minutes of the conference posted on the city’s Web site.

ENDS

Speaking in Iwate next weekend: four speeches in E and J

Posted on November 22, 2008November 25, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. Four speeches next weekend in Iwate. Do attend if you like. Speech with Japanese title is in Japanese. FYI, Debito

===================================
REMAINING SPEECHES 2008

Fri Nov 28, 2008, Iwate University, Speech 2:45 -3:45PM, 「『日本人』とは何だろう – アメリカ系日本人から見た過去・現在・未来」 , also 6:20 to 7:50 PM, ”What is Internationalization in 21st Century Japan?” (CONFIRMED)
Sun Nov 30, 2008, Iwate JALT, CORRECTED TIME 1:30 TO 4:30PM, “An Afternoon with Arudou Debito”, Aiina, the Iwate prefectural public building near Morioka Stn (CONFIRMED)
Mon Dec 1, 2008, Iwate Prefectural University, 2:40-4:10PM, Kyoutsuu Kyougi Tou Classroom 101, “What is Internationalization in 21st Century Japan?” (CONFIRMED)

===================================

FYI: People working for American companies in Japan are covered by US Civil Rights Law

Posted on November 22, 2008November 22, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. Here’s a note on a subject that may help people working for American multinational companies. They have double labor rights/civil rights protections — both American and Japanese. And apparently the American government links to the civil rights authorities of other countries/unions like Canada and the EU. More on the EEOC site. Further, HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS, AND IMMIGRANTS has been helping people define their terms and anchor their arguments. Happy to hear. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

================================

Did you happen to know that U.S. civil rights law (equal employment opportunities, or EEO) applies to U.S. citizens working abroad for U.S. multinational companies?

http://www.eeoc.gov/abouteeo/overview_coverage.html

under: “Multinational Employers”

This is a heads up to the expat community. Very few know that if they are working for the Japanese sub of an American company, and feel they are being discriminated or not given equal opportunities (based on a U.S. understanding of what that is!), they can go to the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) in the US.

EEOC Charge mediation is confidential.

http://www.eeoc.gov/mediate/facts.html

Very few American-parent companies here tell their workers about the EEO coverage. Basically, Congress wrote the law to hold the American parent liable for the activities of the overseas company that it controls. So one possible remedy is filing an EEO complaint, which can be done over the internet. Employers are supposed to tell the employees about these coverages and remedies — it says so in the 1964 act.

One thing that should also be pointed out is that there is a statute of limitations on EEOC charges. Usually this is 300 days, but in some instances might only be 180 days. It isn’t clear, though, that if the company does not NOTIFY you of the coverage, whether these limitations would apply. So to be on the safe side, assume 180 days.

There is also a non-retaliation provision: Form 5 information page states:

NOTICE OF NON-RETALIATION REQUIREMENTS

“Please notify EEOC or state and local agency where you filed your charge if retaliation is taken against you or others who oppose discrimination or cooperate in any investigation or lawsuit concerning this charge. Under Section 704(a) of Title VII, . . . [etc.], it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against present or former employees or job applicants, for an employment agency to discriminate against anyone, or for a union to discriminate against its members or membership applicants, because they have opposed any practice made unlawful by the statutes, or because they have made a charge, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the laws . . . “

HANDBOOK has been very handy in explaining Japanese labor law, since it is not exactly the subject of substantial English-language literature in other countries or languages. In addition, letting people around Japan know about the EEO coverage, it helps anyone who is caught in a similar bind. Japanese labor law investigators don’t seem to be all that vigilant when it comes to foreigners — not only language barriers, but also a sense that the foreign person “really isn’t supposed to be here” in the first place.

ENDS

One year after Japan reinstitutes fingerprinting for NJ, a quick retrospective

Posted on November 21, 2008November 22, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. It’s already been a year since Japan reinstituted fingerprinting for most NJ (after abolishing it in 2000 due to what was deemed back then to be human rights concerns) on November 20, 2007.

There are still concerns about its application (a friend of mine who lived in Kobe actually LEFT Japan for good after more than a decade here, because he was so browned off about the unfulfilled promise of automatic gates at airports other than Narita; more later), its efficacy (we still don’t know many people were caught through fingerprints per se, as opposed to passport irregularities), the sweetheart GOJ deal to quasi-American company Accenture to make these machines, the long lines at the border due to faulty machines, the lumping in of Permanent Residents with tourists, the official justifications in the name of preventing terrorism, infectious diseases, and foreign crime, you name it.

There’s a whole heading on fingerprinting on this blog at
https://www.debito.org/?cat=33
but see special issues of the DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER on the subject here:
https://www.debito.org/?p=676 and https://www.debito.org/?p=788

There’s also a special section on Debito.org for people to add their personal experiences with Immigration upon entering or returning to Japan, with 57 responses as of today:
https://www.debito.org/?page_id=745

Anyway, time for a brief retrospective:

Here’s an article from Maclean’s Magazine (Canada) from last March which I think puts it all pretty well. Courtesy of Jon Dujmovich:

As for how people are being treated now that it’s been open season on NJ in the name of security, here’s an excerpt from a friend about how his wife (a Japanese) is being treated by police just because she doesn’t “look Japanese”:

I would like to relate to you an anecdote related to me by my wife concerning passport checks at Nagoya’s Centrair airport (at least, she didn’t indicate if she’d had the same experience at Kansai international airport or not). My wife has been an airline employee for quite some time, and started her current position as cabin crew for a major international carrier after a brief period of unemployment once the contract period for her previous position was completed. Her current working conditions are far from ideal, but she’s going to stick with it for the time being.

You have posted a number of entries on your blog about how NJ are regularly subjected to passport checks in major airports even after passing through immigrations. Apparently it also happens to my wife quite regularly.

As she works for an international carrier, there are crew members from various countries and regions (Philippines, Hong Kong, the U.S., etc.) in addition to the Japanese crew. For short stays, they are provided with a shore pass that allows them to enter Japan. My wife has told me that it is very common for the ever helpful security drones to accost her and demand “Shore pass!” in heavily accented English. I don’t know if they approach her because they think she doesn’t look “Japanese enough” (much to her perpetual consternation, a large number of people apparently tell her she looks Korean, and she’s not Zainichi), or because they see that her name plate is written in katakana (I am grateful that she took my name when we married, but it has caused some difficulties that I am sure you are familiar with), but they apparently don’t accept her statement that she is Japanese and make her show her passport anyway.

Now, of course, because she IS Japanese, not to mention typically tired after a flight, she is not at all inclined to raise a fuss about this. It’s certainly despicable, but nothing that I’m about to suggest filing a lawsuit over. Of course, if I even suggested something as straightforward as writing a letter of complaint to her, she I am sure that she would flat-out reject the idea on the grounds that it would be a bother (面倒くさい) and would cause too much trouble (迷惑をかける). But this makes it clear to me that it’s not just definitely foreign-looking people who are being targeted, it’s anyone that evinces even the slightest indication of the possibility of being a foreigner. Unless it’s a new(er? she never mentioned this happening at KIX when she was employed as crew for her previous job) policy to screen all airline employees regardless of the fact that they go through immigration just like everyone else.

Sorry to have taken so much of your time, but if you’ve bothered to read this far, thank you kindly. Feel free to use this anecdote on your blog and garner comments, although if so I’d appreciate it being scrubbed of any remotely personally identifying information.

As always, keep fighting the good fight, and I am always looking forward to reading the new entries and comments on your blog.

Thanks. Let’s get some more from Debito.org readers about their experiences and feelings of being fingerprinted. Comment away. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

Ibaraki Pref Police put up new and improved public posters portraying NJ as coastal invaders

Posted on November 20, 2008November 20, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. The police and coast patrollers are out in force again in Ibaraki Prefecture, warning the public to be vigilant against “illegal entrants” (as in people who enter the country surreptitiously) and “illegal laborers”. Again, the title, “STOP THEM AT THE SHORES AND PROTECT”.

Found on the wall at Tomobe Station in Mito, Ibaraki on Friday, October 24th, 2008. Comment follows.

This is, alas, not the first time Ibaraki Prefectural police have resorted to this rubric, or these kinds of posters. See last year’s version immediately following (more details on that here), although back then they were less armed and militarized. I guess the NJ invasion of Ibaraki Prefecture is proceeding apace.

As always, your taxes at work. Including those of the NJ being portrayed. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

Japan Times on GOJ’s new efforts to boost tourism to 20 million per annum

Posted on November 19, 2008November 19, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. I heard from Tyler Lynch that Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Mr Honpo gave a speech in Nagano recently, on how to more than double tourism to Japan to 20 million visitors per annum by 2020 (see article immediately following). One question during the Q&A was the recent poll indicating that 27% of hotels polled don’t want NJ tourists, for whatever reason (something not mentioned in the article below). What was the GOJ going to do about these coy lodgings, refusing people in violation of Japanese hotel laws? Well, according to Tyler, nothing. First the article, then Tyler’s report:

===============================

In tough economic times, tourism boss finds visitor boost a tall order

The Japan Times, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008

By TAKAHIRO FUKADA Staff writer

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?mode=getarticle&file=nn20081111f2.html

Courtesy of Tyler Lynch

Japan’s ailing regional economies can be revitalized by tapping the sightseeing potential of growing Asian countries, according to Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Yoshiaki Hompo.

Tall order: Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Yoshiaki Hompo is interviewed recently in Tokyo. YOSHIAKI MIURA PHOTO

China will be a vital market, and Hompo’s agency is now in talks with other government bodies to gradually ease rules for issuing visas to Chinese tourists, he said during a recent interview in Tokyo.

Hompo also said the Japanese are not exclusionist and boasted the country has a unique natural and cultural diversity.

The agency was launched last month as part of efforts to draw 20 million foreign tourists by 2020, far beyond the 8.4 million who visited last year.

“Because the nation’s population is declining, Japan as a whole is increasingly aware that it must vitalize its regions by expanding exchanges, and some municipalities are desperate,” the new agency chief said.

Hompo hopes that despite the yen’s recent appreciation, Chinese, South Koreans, Taiwanese and Singaporeans will boost travel to Japan in the future.

Those parts of Asia with high growth potential must be included in Japan’s economic growth strategy, he said. Sightseeing can be a crucial and effective way to serve these goals, he stressed.

Hompo said he is proud of Japan’s unique tourism resources.

“Japan has been taking in both Western and Oriental cultures in its own way, so we now have an extremely diverse culture,” Hompo boasted.

“We have diversity that even Europe and Asia do not possess. It is a distinguishable feature of Japanese tourism resources,” Hompo said.

To draw 20 million tourists, the agency said Japan will need to attract around 6 million from China, which is far more than the 900,000 who visited last year.

“We will not be able to achieve that if we do not ease visa” restrictions for travelers from China, Hompo said, adding, however, the government will ease them gradually.

Experts are recommending streamlining the visa process or offering exemptions in certain cases to attract more visitors.

While boasting attractive tourism resources, and ambitious goals, the surging yen and recent world economic turmoil have cast a dark shadow on the market, Hompo conceded.

In September, the number of foreign tourists to Japan fell almost 7 percent from a year earlier to 611,500. South Korean travelers plunged more than 20 percent to 159,500.

“We have to be ready for this situation possibly continuing,” Hompo said.

But he remains optimistic as he said many foreign tourists have been choosing Japan in recent years.

Hompo said the agency will accelerate coordination with other ministries on easing visa restrictions for Chinese tourists.

“Easing visa (restrictions) has apparently quick effects” in bringing in more foreign tourists, he said.

While some may argue that many Japanese are xenophobic, Hompo said Japan will welcome foreign tourists with hearty hospitality.

“I do not necessarily think (Japanese) are exclusive in general,” Hompo said. “I wonder if anywhere else has people with this abundant hospitable mentality.”

The agency is in charge of implementing measures to turn Japan into a more tourism-oriented nation. It promotes the Visit Japan campaign, which publicizes appeals overseas for people to visit Japan and take in its natural scenery, modern metropolises and traditional enclaves.

ENDS

============================

COMMENT: Here’s how Tyler reported (from a comment on Debito.org) about a speech Mr Honpo gave:

Tyler (平) Lynch Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

Debito-san,
Yesterday I attended a tourism symposium in Matsumoto (Nagano Pref.) Yoshiaki Hompo, the 長官 of the newly created Japan Tourism Agency, was the guest speaker, and he commented on this issue of 27% of ryokans not wanted foreign guests.

Hompo-san presented some impressive stats on Japan’s tourism and (declining) population trends. One important figure was how much tourist expenditure it would take to cover the economic loss of one resident: 24 Japanese tourists (76 if just day trippers) or just 5 tourists from overseas. The point is Japan’s economy needs “Inbound” tourists to keep the economy stable during its population loss. In 2003, ex-PM Koizumi declared the goal of 10 million foreign tourists per year by 2010. Seemed pretty ambitious with there only being 5,100,000 at the time, but ‘08 is on target for 9,150,000. (That target is now in danger due to the recent climb of the Japenese Yen.) As Koizumi’s goal will likely be achieved earlier than expected, the JTA is now considering a new goal of 20 million by 2010. That would mean 1 in every 6 宿泊者　(lodgers) would be a foreigner (compared with 1 in 14 in 2007).

Hompo-san then said he is often asked: “With that type of stat, are you just going to ignore the 27% of the ryokans that don’t want to accept foreigners?” You know what his reply was? “Yes, we are going to ignore them.” The reasoning was that the 1 in 6 won’t be spread evenly across all inns and hotels. The percentages will obviously be higher in Tokyo than the countryside. The inns in the 27% group tend to be in the countryside and tend to not want foreigner guests because they are not confident they can provide satisfactory service to them (c.f. Iegumo-san’s in-laws). Hompo-san indicated he would prefer to let such inns persist in their ignorance rather than forcing Inbounders on them, which would only create unpleasant experiences for both parties. As Japan’s population (and therefore their customer base) shrinks, then maybe the inns will wake up to the reality of needing to direct their omotenashi towards foreigners. Or maybe they’ll just keep on sleeping… (My editorializing, not his, but Hompo-san did say he would ほっとく the 27% in the hopes of avoiding them providing 忠太半端 service to foreign guests.)

=========================

DEBITO COMMENTS: So there you have it. The economic incentives are clear: 5 NJ tourists equals 24 J tourists (or 76 J day trippers) — meaning NJ tourists spend five to fifteen times more money than Japanese tourists. But Mr Honpo doesn’t seem to think that enforcing the Ryokan Gyouhou matters — the invisible hand of economic pressure will take care of everything, including discrimination against foreigners.

Maybe. But it’s still odd for a member of the administrative branch to argue that laws need not be enforced — that exclusionary hotels can just be ignored. As if “JAPANESE ONLY” rules at hotels will not encourage copycats in other business sectors to put up similar signs and rules. Moreover, economic incentives have not resolved other cases of exclusion, even when there are similar buyers’ markets in the apartment rental economy, where refusals of NJ are still commonplace. Harrumph.

Arudou Debito in Sapporo, another major tourist destination.

Compare: Good survey of “non-Japanese citizens in Sapporo” by City

Posted on November 18, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Hi Blog. I mentioned yesterday about Careercross’s lousy survey of NJ employers, with loaded and leading questions galore about how NJ bosses apparently view their J subordinates. Contrast it with this thorough, culturally-sensitive survey (down to the phrasing of the questions) put out by the Sapporo City Government. Courtesy of Olaf, who got surveyed (I didn’t, of course.)

They do these once or twice a decade; their last one was in 2001, and they completely rewrote the 2008 version after a lot of groundwork from other city offices and help from their NJ staff, the International Relations Department told me last month.

Now this is how you do a survey. I’ve seen a lot of crappy ones over the years. (Government agencies seem to be incredibly inept at good social science. Consider this periodic survey from even the PM Cabinet regarding human rights, where they offer rights for other humans (NJ) as optional, not required! Keeps incurring the wrath of the United Nations.) Not Sapporo. Other cities should take note of this and use it as a template. So should Careercross.

Survey in English (cover plus 19 pages), then Survey in Japanese (cover plus 19 pages):

Well done! Arudou Debito in Sapporo

Nov 20 NGO Public gathering: 1-year anniversary of the NJ fingerprinting program

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

———————————————————————–
Public gathering marking the 1-year anniversary of the new fingerprinting program

NGOs raise concerns about the government’s new plan to abolish the ‘Gaikokujin
Torokusho (alien registration card) ‘and to introduce a ‘Zairyu Kaado (resident card)’
and ‘Gaikokujin Daicho Seido (alien register system)
———————————————————————–

Date: Thursday, 20 November 2008
Time: 12:45 – 14:15
Venue: Conference room No.1,
Diet Members’ No. 2 Office Building of the Lower House
3 minutes walk from Kokkai Gijido Mae station or Nagatacho station of
Tokyo Metro
http://www.shugiin.go.jp/index.nsf/html/index_kokkaimap.htm
* Please collect a pass on 1st floor of the building
Admission: Free
Language: Japanese (If you wish to make a speech in English, we will interpret into
Japanese for you)

[Program]
– From the abolition of fingerprinting in 2002 to its re-introdution in 2007
– Review plan of the Immigration Control Law in 2009: Abolish the ‘Gaikokujin
Torokusho’and introduce a ‘Zairyu Kaado’ and ‘Gaikokujin Daicho Seido’
– Concerns raised by civil society: What would happen to those who are unable to
apply for a ‘Zairyu Kaado (resident card)’, such as overstayers, including asylum
seekers and children? We will examine issues of education and medical provision, etc..

Comments or appeals from participants are welcomed.

Organized by: Amnesty International Japan, Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan,
Network for Human Rights Legislation for Foreigners and Ethnic Minorities, National
Christian Liaison Conference to struggle with Issues of Alien Registration Law,

******************

The Ministry of Justice is currently pressing forward measures aiming at integrating
personal information of foreign residents in Japan. It is anticipated that a revised bill of
the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act will be discussed during the
ordinary diet session in 2009 to abolish the current ‘Gaikokujin Torokusho (alien
registration card)’ and introduce a ‘Zairyu Kaado (resident card)’ which will be issued
directly from the Ministry of Justice. However, we NGOs are concerned about that
once a ‘Zairyu Kaado’ is introduced, control over foreigners would be more tightened.
We particularly fear that the certain foreign residents such as overstayers may lose
access to most of basic public service including education and medical care by
excluding them from registering for the ‘Gaikokujin Daicho Seido’. Thus would make
these people more socially invisible.

At the public meeting, we will discuss the framework of the plan (abolishing the
‘Gaikokujin Torokusho’and introducing a ‘Zairyu Kaado’) and issues that might occur
when the new system is introduced. Also we again express our strong opposition
toward the obligation to provide the biological information.

******************
For further information:
Sonoko Kawakami
Amnesty International Japan
2-2-4Ｆ Kanda-NIshiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0054 JAPAN
TEL:+81-3-3518-6777 FAX:+81-3-3518-6778
http://www.amnesty.or.jp/

* The US government launched ‘the United States Visitor and Immigration Status
Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) in 2004. Japan was the second country that
introduced the similar program.

Sonoko Kawakami
Campaign Coordinator
Amnesty International Japan
2-2-4Ｆ Kanda-NIshiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-0054 JAPAN
TEL:+81-3-3518-6777 FAX:+81-3-3518-6778
E-mail:ksonoko AT amnesty.or.jp

janjan.jp: 河野太郎氏　2008/11/17付　国籍法の改正について

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

政治

http://www.news.janjan.jp/government/0811/0811160591/1.php

国籍法の改正について（ごまめの歯ぎしり）

河野太郎2008/11/17

国籍法の改正について、お問い合わせをいただいております。いろいろなご意見、ご質問、ありがとうございました。しかし残念ながら国籍法の改正に関して、事実と全く違うことに基づいた誹謗中傷や、看過できない人種差別的、外国人蔑視的なご意見などが寄せられています。

ごまめの歯ぎしりメールマガジン版
衆議院外務委員長河野太郎の国会日記　０８年１１月１４日号

　国籍法の改正について、お問い合わせをいただいております。

Ｑ．なぜ、河野さんは、この国籍法の改正案を国会に提出したのですか。

Ａ．なぜかインターネット上でそう言われているようですが、この国籍法の改正案は、議員が提出した法案ではありません。法務省が作成し、政府が閣議決定した内閣提出の法案です。私が提出したわけではありません。

　今年６月５日、最高裁判所大法廷で、国籍法第三条一項が違憲とされました。違憲判決の翌日から１０月９日までに９３件の国籍取得届が出されていますが、法務省はこれを全て留保している状況です。法務省は、この届けを受理するためには最高裁判決に沿った法改正が必要だと修正案を作成し、閣議決定を経て、内閣提出の国籍法改正案としてこの臨時国会に提出されています。

Ｑ．この法案の国会審議の見込みはどうなっていますか。

Ａ．この改正案は、衆議院では自民、公明、民主等各党が賛成し、来週にも衆議院を通過する見込みです。

Ｑ．最高裁が違憲だといっても、国籍法を改正する必要はないのではないですか。

Ａ．最高裁の違憲判決が出て、国籍法の第三条が違憲であるということが確定した時点で、認知届けが受理された子供の国籍取得届を却下することはできなくなります。

　そのため、法改正をして国籍届けを受理する必要があります。もしも、何らかの理由で法改正ができない場合は、そのまま届けを受理せざるをえなくなるかもしれず、法律的に安定しません。政府としては、そういう状況を避けなければなりません。

Ｑ．この改正案が成立すると日本国籍を取るために偽装認知しやすくなりませんか。外国人女性がホームレスにお金を渡して認知届を出させるだけで、子供が日本国籍を取ることができるようになったりしませんか。

Ａ．ホームレスにお金を渡して届けを出させればといえば、改正前のルールでも、お金を渡して認知届けと婚姻届を出させれば国籍が取れてしまうということになってしまいます。現実には、事情を聞いて認知届けを受け付けるかどうか審査をしていますので、単に誰かに頼んで届を出させただけではそれは認められません。

　この改正案が成立しても、認知届けを出せば簡単に日本国籍がとれるわけではありません。認知届けが真正なものかどうか、父親と母親を別々に呼んでの審査等がありますので、実態がない認知届けによる国籍取得が簡単にできるわけではありません。

Ｑ．偽装認知により国籍を得た後で、認知が偽装だということがわかったらその国籍はどうなりますか。

Ａ．認知が無効であれば、それに伴う国籍取得も無効になります。認知が偽装であったことがわかれば、国籍取得も無効になりますから、国籍はそもそも最初から与えられなかったことになります。

Ｑ．偽装認知による国籍取得の罰則が一年以下の懲役または二十万円以下の罰金というのは軽くないですか。

Ａ．偽装認知により国籍を不正に取得することに対する罰則は、まず認知届を市町村に出すことによって公正証書原本不実記載罪、法務局に国籍取得届を出すことによりこの改正で新設される罰則、子の戸籍を編成するために市町村に国籍取得届を出すことにより、公正証書原本不実記載罪に再び問われ、併合して七年六ヶ月以下の懲役または百二十万円以下の罰金になります。

Ｑ．審査があるといっても完璧ではないので、外国籍の女性の子供を認知する際にはＤＮＡ鑑定を必要とするべきではないですか。

Ａ．偽装認知を防ぐためには、ＤＮＡ鑑定も一つの方法だと思います。私が自民党の国籍プロジェクトチームに出した私案では、外国籍の女性の子供を認知するときはＤＮＡ鑑定を条件とすることを提案しています。

　ただし、ＤＮＡ鑑定を必須とすることには、自民党内でもいろいろな懸念も出されていますので、これからの検討課題です。

Ｑ．この国籍法の改正で、日本も二重国籍を認めることになるのですか。

Ａ．今回の国籍法の改正は、二重国籍とは全く関係ありません。

Ｑ．「二重国籍に関する座長私案」とはなんですか。

Ａ．現在の国籍法では、両親の国際結婚などで重国籍を持つ者が二十二歳になったときにどちらかの国籍を選択しなければならないという国籍法の規定があります。しかし、この規定が有名無実化しているという問題があります。現時点でおそらく六十万人以上の重国籍者が二十二歳での国籍選択をしていないという状況にあります。

　国籍選択を厳密に実施するか、重国籍を認めるのかという議論をこの一年続けてきましたが、重国籍を認めるとしたらどう認めるべきかという議論のたたき台を「座長私案」という形で出すことになりました。これをもとに今後、じっくりと重国籍に関する議論を進めていくことになります。

　いろいろなご意見、ご質問、ありがとうございました。

　これからも様々なご意見をお待ちしておりますが、残念ながらこの国籍法の改正に関して、事実と全く違うことに基づいた誹謗中傷や看過できない人種差別的、外国人蔑視的なコメントが数多く寄せられたこともあり、ブログのコメント欄を一時閉鎖しております。

　しばらくの間、ご意見は、http://www.taro.org/contact/　からお寄せ下さい。

メルマガバックナンバーはこちら（ブログ版）↓
http://www.taro.org/blog/
コメント歓迎します！

■発行：河野太郎
●購読申し込み・解除：http://www.taro.org/blog/
●関連ホームページ：http://www.taro.org/
●ご意見・お問い合わせ：http://www.taro.org/contact/

（当レポートに掲載された記事は、全文を掲載する場合に限り転載・再配布できます。）

Negative survey of NJ employers by J headhunting company “Careercross” to make “employers see their own bias”

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Debito Arudou, Ph.D.

mytest

Turning the keyboard over to member of The Community, about an issue recently uncovered:

===================================

Date: November 6, 2008 12:35:18 AM JST
From BCD at The Community

Community,

Below is a survey I just saw on Careercross.com, which, if you don’t know it, is a job placement site.

CareerCross provides information on bilingual employment in Japan for bilingual Japanese and English speakers, plus an invaluable resource for non-Japanese Living and Working in Japan.
http://www.careercross.com/

Maybe I’m just being overly sensitive or something, but something about these questions, targeted at foreign employers of Japanese seems wrong.

I can only imagine that if a similar survey were asked in any other country, where any racial group as asked to rate and compare another racial group, it would cause a hell of a fuss. Pick any two racial groups… the kinds of questions asked here seem to be in really poor judgment.

What do you guys think? Is there an unsavoury form of cultural insensitivity being displayed here or am I seeing something that isn’t there?

The questions are as follows:

1. How comfortable are you working with Japanese subordinates?
Comfortable
Somewhat comfortable
Neither comfortable, nor uncomfortable
Somewhat uncomfortable
Uncomfortable