UN’s Mr Ban calls for all nations to face UN Human Rights Council scrutiny

Posted on March 10, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

UN News: Opening the seventh session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on March 5, 2008, called on its members to ensure that all nations are held equally accountable for the protection of rights as the new body begins its first-ever universal review of their performance.

“No country, however powerful, should escape scrutiny of its record, commitments and actions on human rights,” Mr. Ban said, hailing the start of the Universal Periodic Review, under which all UN Member States – at the rate of 48 a year – will be reviewed to assess whether they have fulfilled their human rights obligations.

「外国人との共生と治安の確保」フォーラム（警察大学校警察政策研究センター開催）

Posted on March 9, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

「外国人との共生と治安の確保」フォーラム：警察大学校警察政策研究センター開催、平成20年３月11日（火）午後１時00分〜午後６時00分。趣旨：「移民問題等に詳しい英・独の専門家を招へいして、これらの国における外国人の既存社会との共生と治安への影響等について講演をしていただくとともに、我が国の抱える課題について、研究者、実務家等も交えて議論をし、今後の外国人政策のあるべき姿についての道筋を照らすことを試みます。」

Rube Redfield on the GOJ banning use of dispatch teachers in J universities

Posted on March 9, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Here’s one loophole that has just been closed by the GOJ–about the use of “dispatch teachers” (haken sha’in) in the place of full-time workers in universities. This creates problems not only with professionality (essentially putting in “temp” workers in place of qualified professionals), but also with labor standards, as you get part-timers filling in for full-timers, saving money on salaries and social insurance (which the educational institution must pay half of for all full-timers). And with dispatch agencies (such as NOVA and Berlitz) getting involved in this racket, you get businesses creaming off the top as well–sending in disposable labor for a fraction of the cost of hiring anyone with job security and training. The economic incentives are clear. So clear they were abused. Now the GOJ has banned it. Bravo.

出版発表：「ニューカマー定住ハンドブック」新発売

Posted on March 8, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

「ニューカマー定住ハンドブック　日本で働き、暮らし、根付くために」（明石書店（株））は０８年３月１５日に発売です。明細（まえがき、書評、ブック・ツアー日程、目次）はこのブログで発表します。

IHT: GOJ to “govern influential, widely read news-related websites”. Like 2-Channel

Posted on March 8, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Hi Blog. Here’s another development in the pipeline: the regulation of Internet speech, to stop “illegal and harmful content”. Libel, sure. But you know it’s just not going to stop there. I have very mixed feelings about this issue. I am of course an advocate of freedom of speech. But I have also been the …

Debito.org Updates: First JUST BE CAUSE Japan Times Column, Journal of Int’l Health, NY Int’l Law Review

Posted on March 7, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Links to three new articles added to Debito.org’s regular website: My new Japan Times Column JUST BE CAUSE (March 4, 2008), article in the Journal of International Health, and an award-winning article written by Canon Pence on the Otaru Onsens Case etc. in the New York International Law Review.

NYT: Michelin rankings and the alleged inability for NJ to rate Japanese food

Posted on March 6, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

NYT: “But many Tokyoites grumbled that the guide gave high ratings to unremarkable restaurants, prompting wide speculation that the large number of stars was just a marketing ploy. “Anybody who knows restaurants in Tokyo knows that these stars are ridiculous,” said Toru Kenjo, president of Gentosha publishing house, whose men’s fashion magazine, Goethe, published a lengthy critique of the Tokyo guide last month. “Michelin has debased its brand. It won’t sell as well here in the future.” One chef, Toshiya Kadowaki, said his nouveau Japonais dishes, including a French-inspired rice with truffles, did not need a Gallic seal of approval. “Japanese food was created here, and only Japanese know it,” Mr. Kadowaki said in an interview. “How can a bunch of foreigners show up and tell us what is good or bad?”

PRESS RELEASE for Handbook for Newcomers, Migrants, and Immigrants

Posted on March 5, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

For the record… released March 4, 2008: ////////////////// PRESS RELEASE ////////////////// NEW BOOK “HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS TO JAPAN” ON SALE FROM MARCH 15, 2008 AUTHOR ARUDOU DEBITO’S NATIONWIDE BOOK TOUR MARCH 15 TO APRIL 1 ////////////// FREELY FORWARDABLE ////////////// Akashi Shoten Inc, Japan’s biggest human rights publisher, will sell “HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, …

DEBITO.ORG PODCAST FEBRUARY 26, 2008

Posted on March 5, 2008November 18, 2009 by Dr. Debito Arudou

In this edition of the Debito.org Podcast, Arudou Debito talks about his upcoming book, HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS, AND IMMIGRANTS TO JAPAN. Co-authored with Higuchi Akira and published by Akashi Shoten Inc., Debito tells us what’s in the book, what it’s trying to accomplish, and why he thinks you should consider buying it (Short answer= because it has lots of useful advice about how to secure your visa and job, how to start a business, what you should do if problems arise, how you can plan for your future, and how you can participate in Japan’s Civil Society; in other words, how to live better in Japan, from entry to death. Okay, maybe not such a short answer.)

Mainichi: Official figures for NJ visa overstayers drop again in 2007 (UPDATED)

Posted on March 4, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Mainichi: “Nearly 150,000 foreigners were illegally residing in Japan on expired visas as of the beginning of this year, the Justice Ministry said Friday. As of Jan. 1, there were 149,785 foreigners staying in Japan without valid visas, down 21,054 or 12.3 percent from the year earlier, according to the ministry’s Immigration Bureau.” Which means the GOJ is probably not going to make its goal of halving NJ overstayers by 2008. Also, a bit about fingerprinting’s catchnet, reported in Japanese, is not in the English version, wonder why.

毎日新聞: 不法残留外国人：年頭で１４万９７８５人　前年比２万人減

Posted on March 4, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

毎日：法務省入国管理局は２９日、不法残留する外国人が今年１月１日現在で１４万９７８５人で、前年より２万１０５４人（１２．３％）減ったと発表した。不法残留者は９３年の２９万８６４６人をピークに減り続けている。国別では▽韓国３万１７５８人▽中国２万５０５７人▽フィリピン２万４７４１人の順に多く、この３カ国で半数を超えている。

My new Japan Times Column, “JUST BE CAUSE”, starts tomorrow

Posted on March 3, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

My new Japan Times regular monthly column, “JUST BE CAUSE”, starts tomorrow (March 4, or March 5 in the provinces). Pick up a copy!

Interview (sound files) with Debito on KPIJ re activism, new book, the GOJ, and “The Japanese Way”

Posted on March 3, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

I had an interview a few days ago with Turner, webmaster of “Keeping Pace in Japan”, regarding topics such as activism, the Japanese Government, “The Japanese Way”, and upcoming sale of HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS, AND IMMIGRANTS. Link to his site for clickable sound files and audible answers. Structure of the interview as follows:

Quick Report on Okinawa Trip: AmerAsian School, Kina Shoukichi

Posted on March 2, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

A brief report (with photos) about my Feb 28-March 1 trip to Okinawa, visiting the AmerAsian School for international children who fall through Japan’s educational cracks. Also a bit about meeting musician, activist, and Dietmember Kina Shoukichi, Kadena, and Kokusai Doori. Have to get down there again soon and for longer to let impressions sink in better.

DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER MARCH 1, 2008

Posted on March 2, 2008April 26, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

IT’S THE TIME OF THE SEASON, AGAIN: FOREIGN CRIME IN THE NEWS
1) Kyodo says foreign crime down again in 2007, yet NPA wants further crackdown
2) Reuters: Study says Immigrants commit less crime (in California)
3) “Foreign crime” in reverse: The Miura Kazuyoshi Case
4) Aly Rustom compares treatment of NJ as crime suspect with crime victim
5) LA Times: Okinawa, alleged rape, and “outrage for show”

GOJ’S RECENT MOVES:
6) Terrie’s Take on Immigration’s looming crackdown on NJ residents’ whereabouts
7) Terrie’s Take on GOJ crackdown on dual nationality
8) MOFA Feb 12, 2008 Press Conference on language requirement for NJ Visas
9) ABC News (USA) finally breaks the story about Japan as haven for child abductions
10) Yomiuri: Govt to help NJ primary- and secondary-ed students learn Japanese

NJ COMMUNITY’S RECENT MOVES:
11) NUGW Tokyo Nambu “March in March” Mar 9, 2008 Shibuya
12) SAYUKI, Japan’s first Occidental NJ certified Geisha, offers special party rate to large groups of NJ clients
13) Interesting forthcoming book: “Another Japan is Possible”; citing Tony Laszlo of long-defunct “Issho Kikaku”

SPEAKING OF BOOKS…
14) Advance reviews and ordering details for forthcoming HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS, AND IMMIGRANTS, by Akira Higuchi and Arudou Debito (due out March 15)

and finally…
15) NEW JAPAN TIMES REGULAR MONTHLY COLUMN BY ARUDOU DEBITO:
“JUST BE CAUSE”, STARTS MARCH 4

Reuters: Study says Immigrants commit less crime (in California)

Posted on March 1, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Immigrants are far less likely than the average U.S.-born citizen to commit crime in California, the most populous state in the United States, according to a report issued late on Monday.

People born outside the United States make up about 35 percent of California’s adult population but account for about 17 percent of the adult prison population, the report by the Public Policy Institute of California showed.

Terrie’s Take on GOJ crackdown on dual nationality

Posted on February 28, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Terrie’s Take: “We end by saying that this is a crazy situation. On the one hand, we have a possible crack down on hundreds of thousands of people and a deliberate policy of alienating (pun intended) all these potential citizens. On the other hand, we have a government panel that advised back in December the government should spend up to JPY2.44trn (US$22bn) on measures to help counter the declining birth rate!

Since the number of people likely to lose their citizenship amounts to 5%-10% of the birth rate, we suggest that part of that JPY2.44trn outlay be spent on making a phone call to the Justice Ministry to prepare legislation allowing Japanese to do what many have practiced for generations — become law-abiding citizens of the countries of both of their parents.” Although Terrie’s Take this week (yet another excellent essay) concentrates more on J citizens abroad taking NJ citizenships, there is also good mention and argument about J children in international marriages and the pressures upon them to conform to single nationality. As Terrie rightfully points out, this is ludicrous in a country which needs citizens; it shouldn’t be taking this degree of trouble just to put people off possibly maintaining a J passport just in the name of some odd nationality purity. And dual nationality in itself would resolve many problems… I personally know several long-term NJ (and even some Zainichi) who would be happy to become Japanese citizens if it didn’t mean the sacrifice of one’s identity to having to choose. If you are a product of two cultures, why not have the legal status to back that up? Not half, but double. That’s what I would call the real Yokoso Japan.

ABC News (USA) finally breaks the story about Japan as haven for child abductions

Posted on February 27, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Here’s a magnificent article from ABC News (USA) about how Japan remains a haven for child abduction after a Japanese-NJ marriage breaks up. Long-overdue attention to one of Japan’s worst-kept secrets–how NJ have essentially no parental or custody rights in Japan, and how Japan refuses to take any measure to safeguard the access of both parents or the welfare of the child under the Hague Convention (which it refuses to sign). Article: “Not a single American child kidnapped to Japan has ever been returned to the United States through legal or diplomatic means, according to the State Department.”

Aly Rustom compares treatment of NJ as crime suspect with crime victim

Posted on February 26, 2008July 22, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

A crie du coeur from Aly Rustom, comparing the treatment of NJ as suspect and as victim of crime: “The most basic right- the right not to be murdered- and the most basic justice- punishing a killer, is denied to foreigners in Japan. The American military took some steps to try and avoid such instances in the future and the head of the armed forces in Japan bowed and apologized. For the murder of 3 young foreigners in Japan, cut down in their prime for absolutely no good reason, what have we got? We can’t even get justice for these people. Not even a conviction, let alone an apology. Is this a civilized government?”

“Foreign crime” in reverse: The Miura Kazuyoshi Case

Posted on February 26, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Of tangental interest to Debito.org is the case of Miura Kazuyoshi. Here is a person convicted of killing his wife in a lower Japanese court unusually vindicated by a higher court. Then he gets arrested in US territory (which avoids double jeopardy) for the same crime nearly 25 years later. Wouldn’t it be yet another black eye for the Japanese judiciary if the US convicts him instead? We won’t know for a little while (but it will take definitely less time than the Japanese judiciary; hey, it took Miura four years for his High Court verdict, and Asahara has been on trial for more than a decade now…) Is this guy the Japanese O.J. Simpson or what? Instead of using the race card, he uses the “foreign crime” card…

LA Times: Okinawa, alleged rape, and “outrage for show”

Posted on February 24, 2008June 5, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

LA Times: In light of recent allegations of an indecent assault, Japanese officials privately acknowledge that their recent criticisms of US military conduct in Okinawa are motivated, in part, by the need to assuage Okinawa public opinion, especially at a time when Washington and Tokyo are seeking to relocate a major Marine air base in the face of strong local opposition. “It’s all a performance,” said Kantoku Teruya, an Okinawa lawmaker in the upper house of Japan’s parliament.

Yomiuri: Govt to help NJ primary- and secondary-ed students learn Japanese

Posted on February 23, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Yomiuri: The Education, Science and Technology Ministry will launch a program to help the increasing number of foreign students at public primary, middle and high schools to acquire Japanese language skills. Currently, local governments handle Japanese language education for foreign students at public schools. The ministry plans to provide financial and other support to the local governments to employ part-time instructors, who are proficient both in Japanese and a foreign language, with the goal of enhancing students’ understanding in classes and Japanese lessons.

SAYUKI, Japan’s first Occidental NJ certified Geisha, offers special party rate to large groups of NJ clients

Posted on February 22, 2008June 9, 2015 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Hi All. SAYUKI, Japan’s first Occidental NJ certified Geisha, is offering special party rates to large groups of NJ clientele. This is a special deal, so if you’d like a glimpse into the Geisha artisan circles (and want to see what the cultural fuss is all about), book a group rate at a very special …

NUGW Tokyo Nambu “March in March” Mar 9, 2008 Shibuya

Posted on February 21, 2008May 9, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Hi Blog. Word from Louis Carlet on the annual labor union march to demonstrate that NJ workers have rights and needs too. And the will to petition for them. I’ve been to two of these before; they are excellent and well worth your time. Do consider attending. You’ll be convinced that Japan is in fact …

Terrie’s Take 456 on Immigration’s looming crackdown on NJ residents

Posted on February 19, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Terrie’s Take: “Over the last 2 years, there have been a number of legislatory submissions and trial PR balloons floated that indicate that the government is intending to significantly increase its control over foreigners living here. Given that many other countries also impose strict tracking and controls on foreign residents who are not migrants, this wouldn’t necessarily be such a bad thing providing that there was some upside offered such as by those other countries. In particular, Japan needs to make laws and apply the proper enforcement of UN human rights to foreign residents. Rights such as anti-discrimination, right to impartial justice, fair treatment of refugees, proper criminalization of human trafficking, and rights of children are all severely lacking. But these unfortunately don’t seem to be part of the agenda at this time.”

MOFA Feb 12, 2008 Press Conference on language requirement for NJ Visas

Posted on February 18, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

MOJ Press Conference Feb 12, 2008, with Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi, on Japanese Language requirement for NJ visas, and terrorism: “The Japanese Ministry of Justice already started to require bio ID when non-Japanese visitors enter Japan – you probably have gone through the same procedure, like fingerprinting or face photo. The idea of that initiative, of course, was to check the inflow of people so that any dubious potentially terrorist sort of people could not come into Japan. So that is more to do with preventing those people from entering Japan. But the linguistic part, the language initiative, is rather to incentivize people not only to come to Japan, but also to feel more relaxed in their working conditions and environment. The two initiatives are totally different from one another.” The Japan Foundation also stands to profiteer…

Advance reviews for forthcoming HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS, AND IMMIGRANTS, by Akira Higuchi and Arudou Debito

Posted on February 15, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Advance word about the forthcoming HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS, MIGRANTS, AND IMMIGRANTS TO JAPAN (Akashi Shoten, on sale March 15, 2008). Book cover, advance review, book tour schedule, and link to contents of the book on this blog entry.

DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 14, 2008

Posted on February 15, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

JUSTICE SERVED, JUSTICE DENIED

1) Moharekar Case: Parents raise questions about baby’s death to Sapporo’s Tenshi Hospital
2) Matthew Lacey Case: Fukuoka police dismiss NJ death by blow to the head as “dehydration” (Yomiuri & Japan Times)
3) Mainichi: Chinese Trainees wage successful back-wage lawsuit against strawberry farm
4) Sankei compares NJ computer operators with toxic Chinese gyouza
5) Update on Valentine Lawsuit High Court Appeal
6) Idubor Case: A conversation with Mrs Idubor about life in Japan, and letters from Mr Idubor from prison specially for Debito.org

ISSUES OF BORDERS AND EFFECTS OF FOREIGN INFLUX

7) Asahi on how the GOJ doesn’t recognize NJ schools for tax funding, and why they should
8) Kyodo on USG pressure on Japan to do more fingerprinting
9) “Japanese Only” sign in Tsukiji Fish Market
10) Japan Times on Tsukiji’s tamping down on tourism
11) Alex Kerr on being a “Yokoso Ambassador” for the GOJ
12) DPJ at odds with itself over NJ voting rights

SPEECHES, PODCASTS, TV SPOTS, AND A BOOK TOUR

13) Italian TV SKY TG 24 on the Sapporo Snow Festival… and racial discrimination in Japan
14) January 22, 2008 speech to Waseda’s Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration, podcast and soundfiles in full
15) HANDBOOK FOR NEWCOMERS on sale March 15, Japan Book Tour March 15 to April 1…

Moharekar Case: Parents raise questions about baby’s death to Sapporo’s Tenshi Hospital

Posted on February 13, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Two Indian doctorate researchers at Hokudai, Drs Moharekar, were to have a baby at Tenshi Hospital, Sapporo. However, in August 2007 the baby was stillborn, due to a long-undiagnosed congenital heart defect (which somehow escaped the notice of one doctor, but not another and a doctor back in India). Asking for an explanation, the Moharekars say the hospital said the hospital treated them badly, refused to listen to “complaints”, harassed them linguistically, did not avail them of their allegedly misdiagnosing doctor, and even charged them money to meet with the hospital director for an explanation. The Moharekars hope to get a fuller explanation in writing, so that “this kind of mental harassment and problems will not happen in future again with anybody” at Tenshi Hospital, Sapporo.

January 22, 2008 Waseda speech podcast downloadable in full

Posted on February 13, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Hi Blog. I spoke at Waseda University’s Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration (GIARI) on January 22, 2008. Speech topic here. I was joined by Kawakami Sonoko, of Amnesty International Japan, and Katsuma Yasushi, Associate Professor at Waseda specializing in international human rights. The sound files (two were podcasts) are available below in four parts. …

Mainichi: Chinese Trainees awarded big after taking exploitative strawberry farm to court

Posted on February 12, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Mainichi: “A group of strawberry farmers will have to pay a combined 30 million yen in unpaid and overtime wages, and reinstate five Chinese trainees who were unfairly dismissed after losing a class action suit brought against them by their employees.” Great precedent set against exploitation of NJ “guest labor”.

毎日：イチゴ農園が解決金３０００万円　栃木

Posted on February 12, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

毎日：栃木県のイチゴ農園が不作を理由に中国人技能実習生を解雇し、トラブルになっていた問題は、農家７軒が約３０００万円の解決金を実習生計１５人に支払うことで合意した。農家側は謝罪し、解雇を撤回した。

Italian TV SKY TG24 on Sapporo Yuki Matsuri… and racial discrimination in Japan

Posted on February 11, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Italian channel SKY TG24 interviewed me regarding the Otaru Lawsuit, racial discrimination, and life in Japan as a naturalized Japanese citizen, with the 59th Sapporo Snow Festival as a backdrop. Broadcast nationwide in Italy on February 9, 2008, transcript by Emanuele Granatello.

朝日：外国人研修生、ブローカー介在禁止に　法務省 MOJ: Brokers to be banned for NJ Trainees

Posted on February 10, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

朝日：外国人に日本の企業で知識や技術を身につけてもらう外国人研修・技能実習制度について、法務省は、受け入れ機関などに対して示している運用の指針を初めて改定する。制度は、安上がりな労働力の確保に利用されるなど、本来の狙いからかけ離れた運用が横行しているのが実情。このため、ブローカーを介在した受け入れを明確に禁止するなど改善を図る。

Next Valentine Lawsuit Hearing Feb 12, 2008 1:30PM

Posted on February 9, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Mr. Valentine, a Nigerian national, is defending himself against the Tokyo Metropolitan Government after a police beating incident which took place in Shinjuku almost 4 years ago. This is an appeal, as the District Court not only exonerated the NPA for refusing him medical treatment for his broken leg for the duration of his interrogation (which resulted him in becoming crippled for life), but also did so on such spurious grounds as ignoring expert medical testimony of the degree of injury, and dismissed testimony because it came from a black person. Come see his High Court appeal Tues Feb 12, 2008, 1:30PM.

バレンタイン氏の国賠訴訟控訴証人喚問２月１２日開催

Posted on February 9, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

２月１２日、裁判傍聴に来てください！ナイジェリア国籍のバレンタインさんは、新宿歌舞伎町で私服警察官に不当な暴力を振るわれ、障害が残るほどの怪我を負いました。バレンタインさんは東京都に対し国賠訴訟を起こしましたが、昨年３月「歌舞伎町黒人コミュニティーの仲間である同国人の証人証言を、そのまま信用することは到底できない。」などの理由により敗訴。また、東京警察病院は「受診カルテを紛失した」とし、初診の際のカルテを開示しませんでした…

Japan Today/Kyodo on US pressure re Japan’s NJ fingerprinting

Posted on February 8, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Kyodo: “A U.S. Homeland Security Department official voiced hope Tuesday that the Japanese government will start sometime in the future to take the fingerprints of all 10 fingers of each foreign visitor to step up accuracy of the screening system at immigration.” Why is the US so concerned about how other countries fingerprint, especially since Japan’s already doing far more biometric border control than average? Lobbying for Accenture?

Speaking of Tsukiji and tourism… Japan Times on new rules to limit tourists

Posted on February 7, 2008February 7, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Japan Times: “The Tsukiji Fish Market, one of the capital’s most popular and well-known tourist draws, adopted rules urging visitors to voluntarily “refrain from coming,” because of sanitation concerns and the disruptions they pose to the auction business…. The plan is to reduce — but not cut off — the number of onlookers. After being promoted in recent years as a tourist site, Tsukiji now finds itself the victim of its own success: So many visitors flock to the gigantic fish market each day that they are endangering its sanitation and interfering with business…”

“Japanese Only” sign in Tsukiji Fish Market

Posted on February 6, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Here’s a sign I received a couple of weeks ago (sans address) from a friend in the Kansai. “JAPANESE PeoPle ONLY” outside a Tsukiji restaurant, along with a litany (in Japanese) of what kind of food appreciation they expect from their customers. How urusai. Problem is, by just flat-out refusing NJ customers, the restaurant wound up insinuating that NJ cannot have this degree of food appreciation, or can follow the rules. My putting this sign up without calling the restaurant to confirm (heck, I didn’t know where it was, and asked for help) caused ruction in the blogosphere, when posters accused me of “covering up” information because I didn’t translate the Japanese on the sign (as if Japanese is some kind of secret code). They also somehow reasoned that the rules in Japanese somehow mitigated the blanket exclusion of NJ indicated in English (culture, foreigners are guests, yada yada yada). They tracked down the restaurant (ironically refusing to divulge its whereabouts to Debito.org, speaking of cover-ups), and wound up, they say, getting the sign down. Anyway, bravo. Let’s hope they’re this active towards the next exclusionary sign…

川崎いじめ訴訟で１００万円の賠償命令–Ethnically-diverse Japanese bullied in school wins lawsuit

Posted on February 5, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

朝日など：小学生時代のいじめが原因でＰＴＳＤ＝心的外傷後ストレス傷害になったとして生徒と両親がいじめた側に損害賠償を求めた裁判の判決で横浜地裁川崎支部はいじめた同級生の両親に１００万円の支払いを命じました。

産經：ギョーザだけじゃない？年金記録転記ミスは外国人のせい？

Posted on February 4, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

産經：「年金記録紛失問題で、オンラインシステムに未入力の「旧台帳」と呼ばれる手書き台帳記録約１４６６万件について、手書きデータをコンピューター入力用紙に転記する際に、中国人などの派遣労働者が漢字を読み間違い、誤記するトラブルが発生していたことが２９日、民主党の厚生労働・総務部門会議で明らかになった。」

Alex Kerr on being a “Yokoso Ambassador” for the GOJ

Posted on February 3, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Based upon the Japan Times article immediately below, Alex Kerr, author of DOGS AND DEMONS and famous social commentator, has been chosen as a GOJ tourism representative. The Community interest group questioned whether one of Japan’s fiercest social critics of devastating porkbarrel and GOJ excess had in some way “sold out”. Alex was kind enough to answer them specially for Debito.org…

Asahi Watashi no Shiten: Schools for NJ children deserve GOJ support

Posted on February 2, 2008June 6, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Asahi: Since most schools of [NJ] newcomers are not even recognized as kakushu gakko but are treated as “private juku,” they are not even eligible for subsidies from local governments.

Some local governments have eased authorization standards for kakushu gakko. But in Gunma, Saitama and other prefectures that apply strict standards for authorization, it is difficult for most schools for newcomers to meet the requirements. Many of them rent small factories that went out of business and split them into six to nine classrooms to give lessons. Such schools do not even have gymnasiums or schoolyards.

Japanese children are guaranteed free compulsory education at public elementary and junior high schools. Accredited private schools also receive generous government subsidies. However, when parents of foreign nationality enroll their children at foreign schools because they want them to learn the languages and cultures of their homelands, they are not eligible for public support measures.

Matthew Lacey Case: Fukuoka police dismiss NJ death by blow to the head as “dehydration” (Yomiuri & Japan Times)

Posted on February 1, 2008May 10, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Hi Blog. Here are two articles about a mysterious death of a NJ, found dead in his apartment 3 1/2 years ago, deemed not a product of foul play by Fukuoka police (with no autopsy performed). An autopsy overseas reveals the cause of death to be a blow to the head. The Japan Times took …

読売：検視は「病死」、解剖で「脳挫傷」判明…急死の米男性

Posted on February 1, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

読売：福岡市中央区の自宅マンションで２００４年、急死した米国男性の死因について、福岡県警中央署が側頭部にこぶがあったのに当初は司法解剖せず、検視だけで「病死」と判断し、遺族の要望による解剖で「頭部打撲による脳挫傷」と判明したことがわかった。解剖を受けて、県警は「転倒による事故死」と判断を変更。遺族は納得せず、解剖鑑定書などを見せた法医学者から「他殺の疑いがある」との回答も得て、３０日に県警本部を訪れて再捜査を求める。大相撲・時津風部屋の力士急死事件などでも問題となった検視・解剖のあり方がまた問われそうだ。

Mainichi: Wage dispute between Chinese Trainees and Tochigi strawberry farm

Posted on February 1, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

Mainichi: “A dispute has erupted between a group of Chinese apprentices and strawberry farms in Japan after one farm sacked a group of students and tried to force them to leave the country… The strawberry farms, located in the Tochigi Prefecture towns of Tsuga, Haga and Ninomiya, paid the apprentices only 500 yen an hour, which was below the prefecture’s minimum hourly wage of about 670 yen. The workers union is demanding that the unpaid wages be given to the students and that the five who were sacked be reinstated.”

毎日：イチゴ農家：中国人実習生と雇用めぐりトラブル

Posted on February 1, 2008April 23, 2008 by Dr. Debito Arudou

毎日：　栃木県都賀（つが）町のイチゴ農園「長苺（ちょうぼ）園」が昨年１２月、「不作で仕事がなくなった」との理由で中国人実習生５人を解雇し無りやり帰国させようとしたところ、「栃園（とちえん）会事業協同組合」（江田一之理事長）に加入する長苺園などイチゴ農家７軒（都賀、芳賀（はが）、二宮の３町）の実習生計１５人が逃げ出し、逆に、過去３年の未払い賃金として計約５２２５万円分の支払いを求めるトラブルになっている。