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November 22, 2024
 

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Debito Arudou

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Debito Arudou
Debito is the Just Be Cause columnist for the Community Page and has been contributing to The Japan Times since 2002. Author of eight books, including "Handbook for Newcomers, Migrants and Immigrants" (2nd Ed.), "Japanese Only" and the novel "In Appropriate," his most recent work is "Embedded Racism: Japan's Visible Minorities and Racial Discrimination" (Lexington Books). He has been a naturalized Japanese citizen since 2000, and his daily blog and archive is at www.debito.org.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jul 31, 2016
For Abe, it will always be about the Constitution
Nobody here on the Community page has weighed in on Japan's Upper House election last July 10, so JBC will have a go.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jun 5, 2016
Japan's police still unfettered by the law, or the truth
Repeat-offending Ibaraki police called to account for backsliding on the issue of hotel snooping.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
May 1, 2016
Enjoy your life in Japan, for the moments
After more than 30 years of studying Japan, I've learned to appreciate one thing people here do well: living in the moment.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jan 31, 2016
Osaka's move on hate speech should be just the first step
Ordinance officially 'Japanizes' the naming and shaming of haters, which is at least a start.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jan 3, 2016
Battles over history, the media and the message scar 2015
A rundown of the top 10 human rights issues of the past year as they affected non-Japanese residents.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Dec 23, 2015
Much jaw-jaw about war-war: the year 2015 in quotes
The past year has seen a number of tugs-of-war, as conservatives promoted past glories and preservation of the status quo while liberals lobbied for unprecedented levels of tolerance.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Nov 1, 2015
Tackle embedded racism before it chokes Japan
Japan has a dire problem it must address immediately: its embedded racism.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues
Oct 4, 2015
Japan rightists' patient wait is over as conveyor belt of death shudders back to life
He's done it.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Sep 6, 2015
Why Japan's right keeps leaving the left in the dust
The left keeps losing, and much of it is its own damned fault.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Aug 2, 2015
Claiming the right to be Japanese — and more
If Japan cannot get over the conceit of having to 'look Japanese' to be treated as one, then it cannot make 'new Japanese,' and the country will continue to sink into an insolvent economic abyss.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jul 5, 2015
Media redraw battle lines in bid for global reach
Something significant happened in April that attracted only desultory press coverage, so let's give it some more.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues
May 31, 2015
U.S. greenlights Japan's march back to militarism
As I've often written, I'm a big proponent of the historical record — if for no other reason, so we can look back at the past and learn from our mistakes.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
May 3, 2015
Japan-U.S. effort to tell suicide pilots' stories dodges controversy, wins praise
JBC sits down for an interview with Dr. M.G. Sheftall of Shizuoka University about the kamikaze phenomenon and what makes this exhibition unique.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Apr 5, 2015
Viewed through a religious lens, Japan makes more sense
Ever noticed how Japan — and in particular, its ruling elite — keeps getting away with astonishing bigotry?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Mar 4, 2015
U.S. author recounts 'lecture' he got about 'comfort women' from uninvited Japanese guests
The American historian whose book has been slammed by the Japanese government for its content on WWII sex slaves speaks out.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Feb 4, 2015
At age 50, seeing the writing on the wall
At half a century old, I only look forward — to see how much time is left before my clock runs out.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jan 1, 2015
Hate, muzzle and poll: a top 10 of issues for 2014
A recap of the top 10 human-rights news events affecting non-Japanese (NJ) in Japan last year.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Dec 3, 2014
Time to burst your bubble and face reality
Facing the reality of their perpetual second-class caste status would force non-Japanese residents to admit that they traded their entire life for something that they ultimately found no stake in.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Nov 5, 2014
Does social change in Japan come from the top down or bottom up?
Should bad social habits be thrown out the second-floor window, or patiently cajoled down the stairs and out the front door? Discuss.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Oct 8, 2014
Biased pamphlet bodes ill for left-behind foreign parents outside Japan
A pamphlet about the Hague Convention provides valuable insights into the Foreign Ministry's slanted mind-set towards the child abduction issue.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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