Hello All. Am pretty fried getting prepared for next week’s speeches, so will keep this short in lieu of a real newsletter.<\/p>\n
Just finished roughing out my powerpoint presentation and my handout for the Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Japan (FCCJ) speech on Monday on Racial Discrimination in Japan, with UN’s Special Rapporteur Doudou Diene. Download details below Only two more to really get ready for. Details as follows:<\/p>\n
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ MON FEB 26 NOON TUES FEB 27 7PM WEDS FEB 28<\/b> Speech 7:30-9;30 PM for Roppongi Bar Association FRI MARCH 2 Afternoon interview TransPacific Radio Was planning to attend and maybe speak at the NUGW March in March, but they pushed it down a week to March 11. Not going to be in Tokyo then, rats. But here’s the info on it anyway: Gotta sleep. Here are the writeups from the sponsors: Arudou Debito in Sapporo<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n SPEECH WRITEUPS:<\/b><\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB OF JAPAN PRESENTS: Description: In a speech at the FCCJ he suggested Japan introduce new legislation to combat discrimination. Has anything changed since then? How has Japan reacted to the fast-growing “multicultural dawn”? There are already 2 million foreign residents officially registered and some reports say that for Japan to survive, it must look to what was once — and to many still is — unthinkable: mass immigration.<\/p>\n Judging from a recent event, not much has changed. A couple of weeks ago, many convenience stores and bookstores were selling a magazine by Eichi Publishing called “Gaijin Hanzai Ura Fairu,” which contained what many considered racist content.<\/p>\n We contacted the editor and the publisher of the magazine, but while the editor believed discussion was necessary, his proposed appearance at the club was vetoed by the publisher.<\/p>\n While the magazine has sold out — and apparently became a collector’s item — the issue is still there. Is Japan a racist country? Is Japanese “racism” somehow “different”?<\/p>\n We will hear from Doudou Diene, who is back in Japan on a lecture tour hosted by the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, and the Centre for Asia Pacific Partnership (CAPP) of Osaka University of Economics and Law. He will be joined by human rights and anti-discrimination campaigner Debito Arudou.<\/p>\n FCCJ members and their guests please reserve in advance: at the Front Desk (3211-3161) or online. \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP 78 TOKYO PRESENTS Arudou Debito will be talking on the subject “2-Channel BBS and Freedom of Speech” at the Kanda Koen Kuminkan. Note that under the terms of use of this venue, the meeting is technically open to Amnesty members and their guests only.<\/p>\n 2-Channel is the world’s largest Internet Bulletin Board (BBS). After losing several lawsuits for libel, 2ch’s administrator, Nishimura Hiroyuki, has made headlines for his refusal to acknowledge any legal problem or follow any court rulings. Arudou, plaintiff in one successful lawsuit against 2ch, will discuss what happened in his case, and what Nishimura’s actions mean vis-a-vis freedom of speech in this era of instantaneous, anonymous electronic media.<\/p>\n More information on the case at https:\/\/www.debito.org\/2channelsojou.html<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSUN FEB 25 Attending Amnesty International Group 78 Film Night in Shimokitazawa.
\nSee http:\/\/www.aig78.org\/<\/a> for what’s playing.
\nAnyone want to join me for a beer?<\/p>\n
\nLuncheon at FCCJ with UN Special Rapporteur Doudou Diene
\n“Racial Discrimination in Japan: Is Anything Changing?”<\/b>
\nSee http:\/\/www.fccj.or.jp\/~fccjyod2\/node\/1945<\/a>
\nDownload rough powerpoint presentation at
\nhttps:\/\/www.debito.org\/fccj022607.ppt<\/a>
\nDownload press handout of what I will be submitting to Dr Diene at
\nhttps:\/\/www.debito.org\/dienefccjhandout022607.doc<\/a>
\nWriteup on event included below.<\/p>\n
\nSpeech for Amnesty International Group 78
\n“2 Channel and Freedom of Speech” Kanda Koen Kuminkan<\/b>
\nSee http:\/\/www.aig78.org\/<\/a>
\nWriteup on event included below.<\/p>\n
\nSpeech 1:30-3PM at New International School. Grades 8 & 9, 1 hour
\nhttp:\/\/newinternationalschool.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\n“Foreign Residents and the Japanese Legal System”. More information at
\nhttp:\/\/www.rbalaw.org\/meetingsevents.asp<\/a>
\nWriteup on event included below.<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.transpacificradio.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/nambufwc.org\/march-in-march\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\n“Racism In Japan – Is Anything Changing?”
\nTime: 2007 Feb 26 12:00 – 14:00
\nProfessional Luncheon<\/b>
\nLanguage:
\nThe speech and Q & A will be in English.<\/p>\n
\nTwo years ago Doudou Diene, a UN special rapporteur on racism and xenophobia, submitted a report in which he said that racism in Japan is deep and profound, and that government did not recognize the depth of the problem.<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.fccj.or.jp\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\n2-Channel BBS and Freedom of Speech
\n7PM Kanda Koen Kuminkan, Kanda, Tokyo<\/b><\/p>\n