Most people don't even know where it is, but it is probably the keystone to Japan's future as a peaceful, prosperous country where everything works and quality of living is reasonably good for almost everyone. Or, Japan can follow the US down the slippery slope of militarism to become an environmental and moral junkyard. Henoko, on Okinawa Island, has been tossed to the military machine like a bone to a rabid dog: take this! stay away from the rest of us!
Here is what The Japan Times Online reports about the people's reaction to the Henoko deal:
Thousands march on Henoko base site
by Jon Mitchell
Special To The Japan Times
Aug 23, 2014
NAGO, OKINAWA PREF. – More than 3,500 demonstrators marched to U.S. Marine Corps Camp Schwab in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, on Saturday in the largest show of anger to date against the new American base being built off Henoko Bay to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in crowded Ginowan further southwest.
Lining the road four deep for 700 meters and crowding the hillsides, the protesters chanted “Stop construction” and “Save the Bay” after assembling in the morning. Some came from as far as Hokkaido, many with their children in tow.
Okinawan legislators and peace campaign leaders gave impassioned speeches against what they called Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s re-militarization of Japan and railed at the perceived discrimination of Okinawans.
The largest welcome was given to anti-base Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine, who was re-elected in January on a strong anti-military platform. Wearing a cape decorated with multicolored dugong, the endangered mammal threatened by the project, he greeted the crowd in Okinawan.
Inamine likened the situation on Okinawa to World War II, when more than a quarter of the civilian population died, saying that this time, the island was not under attack by the U.S. military, but by the Japanese government.
“We all need to work together to save Henoko Bay,” he said. “You can all help. We’ll never give up.”
2014年8月24日日曜日
2014年7月7日月曜日
Down the slippery slope!
What does the world really want to buy from Japan? What makes the consumer heart go pitty-pat? What does everyone wish they could bring back from Japan? I'll bet you didn't say missile parts.
Japan doesn't need to join the military-industrial complex to make a living. So why are they doing this? Today's top story in The Japan Times online:
First arms export set for approval under new rules: Nikkei report
AFP-JIJI
Jul 6, 2014
Japan is set to approve its first arms export following the relaxation of a self-imposed ban as the nation seeks to boost its global military and economic stature, a report said Sunday.
Japan doesn't need to join the military-industrial complex to make a living. So why are they doing this? Today's top story in The Japan Times online:
First arms export set for approval under new rules: Nikkei report
AFP-JIJI
Jul 6, 2014
Japan is set to approve its first arms export following the relaxation of a self-imposed ban as the nation seeks to boost its global military and economic stature, a report said Sunday.
2014年6月28日土曜日
Some More Thoughts on Japan's Peace Constitution
There is an excellent commentary in today's Japan Times online, from a gentleman in Kansas. I know we are not in Kansas, but this article makes good sense. Here's a sample:
Turning to the rule of law, the primary principle at the foundation of the rule of law is that no person or agency is above the law. Its very essence is the idea that there is one set of laws to which every person and entity is subject, and which is applied equally to all. Thus, not only is the government subject to the law, but government power must be exercised through and in accordance with the law, and not through the use of discretion or arbitrary fiat.
A further and important aspect of the rule of law is that the law must be generally accessible and intelligible, meaning that laws are sufficiently clear, precise and predictable.
Laws must also be susceptible to change, but only in accordance with established mechanisms, and in conformity with democratic principles.
So: (1) No one, not even (make that especially) the Prime Minister, is above the law. (2) There is a legally-prescribed mechanism for change, and it is not arbitrary fiat. (3) Being "clear", "precise" and "predictable" is important.
To see the complete article, go to http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/06/27/commentary/japan-commentary/reinterpreting-article-9-endangers-japans-rule-of-law/#.U64BtbmKAiQ
Turning to the rule of law, the primary principle at the foundation of the rule of law is that no person or agency is above the law. Its very essence is the idea that there is one set of laws to which every person and entity is subject, and which is applied equally to all. Thus, not only is the government subject to the law, but government power must be exercised through and in accordance with the law, and not through the use of discretion or arbitrary fiat.
A further and important aspect of the rule of law is that the law must be generally accessible and intelligible, meaning that laws are sufficiently clear, precise and predictable.
Laws must also be susceptible to change, but only in accordance with established mechanisms, and in conformity with democratic principles.
So: (1) No one, not even (make that especially) the Prime Minister, is above the law. (2) There is a legally-prescribed mechanism for change, and it is not arbitrary fiat. (3) Being "clear", "precise" and "predictable" is important.
To see the complete article, go to http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/06/27/commentary/japan-commentary/reinterpreting-article-9-endangers-japans-rule-of-law/#.U64BtbmKAiQ
2014年6月23日月曜日
Caution: Democracy at Work
When most of the nations of the world (with a few notable exceptions) have not started a war in decades, there are those who are ready to say, "This is what world peace looks like." Japan is probably the only one among the non-war-starting nations to actually have a clause in the Constitution that prohibits war. Most of us want to keep it that way.
What happens when the people want one thing and the Prime Minister (not elected by popular vote, by the way)wants something else? We will soon find out.
Here's what the Japan Times reports about popular opinion vs the Prime Minister:
55% now opposed to Abe’s collective self-defense push, survey says
Kyodo, JIJI
Jun 22, 2014
Public opposition to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s bid to overturn the ban on collective self-defense jumped to 55.4 percent from 48.1 percent last month, according to the latest survey.
In a nationwide telephone poll conducted by Kyodo News over the weekend, 57.7 percent of respondents said they are also against the Abe administration’s methods, which involve reinterpreting — rather than formally amending — the war-renouncing Constitution, while just 29.6 percent expressed support.
The survey also revealed that 62.1 percent of respondents were concerned the scope of Japan’s exercise of collective self-defense would expand once the ban is removed, and 74.1 percent said the ruling LDP-led coalition should not set a time frame to end discussions on the issue.
What happens when the people want one thing and the Prime Minister (not elected by popular vote, by the way)wants something else? We will soon find out.
Here's what the Japan Times reports about popular opinion vs the Prime Minister:
55% now opposed to Abe’s collective self-defense push, survey says
Kyodo, JIJI
Jun 22, 2014
Public opposition to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s bid to overturn the ban on collective self-defense jumped to 55.4 percent from 48.1 percent last month, according to the latest survey.
In a nationwide telephone poll conducted by Kyodo News over the weekend, 57.7 percent of respondents said they are also against the Abe administration’s methods, which involve reinterpreting — rather than formally amending — the war-renouncing Constitution, while just 29.6 percent expressed support.
The survey also revealed that 62.1 percent of respondents were concerned the scope of Japan’s exercise of collective self-defense would expand once the ban is removed, and 74.1 percent said the ruling LDP-led coalition should not set a time frame to end discussions on the issue.
2014年5月19日月曜日
A Word from an Okinawa Princess
If you go to the promontory called "Manza-mo", before you can look out over the sea, before you notice the jewel-like colors of the water and the fish-shaped rocks jutting above the waves, you will see a poem carved into a rock. The poem goes: "Be still, and watch the colors change, at peace forever, 'til all the fish turn into stone."
Be still.
Read the poem again.
Let the tide turn toward peace, again and forever.
Be still.
Read the poem again.
Let the tide turn toward peace, again and forever.
2014年3月19日水曜日
Doing the Right Thing About Agent Orange
A first! Even though the government still denies that this could happen, the courts ruled that the veteran Marine's testimony made sense and that the evidence backed up his claim. This is a step toward doing the right thing by those who serve their country.
From the Japan Times online edition:
Ailing U.S. veteran wins payout over Agent Orange exposure in Okinawa
by Jon Mitchell
Special To The Japan Times
Mar 17, 2014
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has granted compensation to another former service member for exposure to Agent Orange while stationed on Okinawa during the Vietnam War era. Dated October 2013, the award was made to a retired marine corps driver suffering from prostate cancer that, the presiding judge ruled, had been triggered by his transportation and usage of the toxic defoliant on the island between 1967 and 1968.
The decision to grant the claim comes in spite of repeated Pentagon denials that Agent Orange was ever present in Okinawa.
According to the ruling of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), the unnamed marine alleges he came into contact with Agent Orange while transporting it in barrels and rubber bladders between U.S. military ports at Naha and White Beach — a navy installation on the island’s east coast — and a warehouse on Kadena Air Base. He also claims to have sprayed the defoliant in the Northern Training Area, in the Yanbaru jungles, to keep back foliage and reduce the risk of forest fires.
The former marine was able to identify the barrels he helped to transport as the infamous Vietnam War defoliant due to the tell-tale orange stripes painted around their middles.
The retired service member had first applied for compensation in 2004 but his claim was initially rejected. Following appeals by the veteran, Judge Mary Ellen Larkin ruled in his favor last October, stating, “While neither the service department nor DOD confirms the presence of Agent Orange on Okinawa during 1967 and 1968, the veteran offers a highly credible, consistent account that he was directly exposed thereto during those years while performing his assigned military duties.”
From the Japan Times online edition:
Ailing U.S. veteran wins payout over Agent Orange exposure in Okinawa
by Jon Mitchell
Special To The Japan Times
Mar 17, 2014
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has granted compensation to another former service member for exposure to Agent Orange while stationed on Okinawa during the Vietnam War era. Dated October 2013, the award was made to a retired marine corps driver suffering from prostate cancer that, the presiding judge ruled, had been triggered by his transportation and usage of the toxic defoliant on the island between 1967 and 1968.
The decision to grant the claim comes in spite of repeated Pentagon denials that Agent Orange was ever present in Okinawa.
According to the ruling of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), the unnamed marine alleges he came into contact with Agent Orange while transporting it in barrels and rubber bladders between U.S. military ports at Naha and White Beach — a navy installation on the island’s east coast — and a warehouse on Kadena Air Base. He also claims to have sprayed the defoliant in the Northern Training Area, in the Yanbaru jungles, to keep back foliage and reduce the risk of forest fires.
The former marine was able to identify the barrels he helped to transport as the infamous Vietnam War defoliant due to the tell-tale orange stripes painted around their middles.
The retired service member had first applied for compensation in 2004 but his claim was initially rejected. Following appeals by the veteran, Judge Mary Ellen Larkin ruled in his favor last October, stating, “While neither the service department nor DOD confirms the presence of Agent Orange on Okinawa during 1967 and 1968, the veteran offers a highly credible, consistent account that he was directly exposed thereto during those years while performing his assigned military duties.”
2014年3月16日日曜日
A survey of the communities directly involved in nuclear power generation shows that people are overwhelmingly AGAINST restarts. Here's what The Japan Times online has to say about this:
The Fukushima tragedy justifies nuclear skepticism
by Jeff Kingston
Mar 15, 2014
The findings of a Kyodo survey conducted in February this year reveal a stunning level of reluctance to restart Japan’s nuclear reactors in the host cities, towns and prefectures that stand to gain from revving them back up.
The nation’s 48 viable reactors are generating no electricity at present — and no local subsidies as long as they are idled. However, the spigot of financial inducements would open up again if the local governments in question were to green-light reactor restarts.
Despite this lure, though, only 13 out of the 135 villages, towns, cities and 21 prefectures situated within 30 km of a nuclear power plant responded to the survey saying they would unconditionally approve bringing local reactors back online if the Nuclear Regulation Authority vouched for their safety; another 24 would do so only if certain other conditions were met. It is a stunning rebuke that less than 10 percent of those authorities are keen to sign up for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s nuclear renaissance despite all the foregone benefits. It’s not what one would expect given the high subsidy-addiction that afflicts these hosting communities.
(for the full story, go to The Japan Times online)
The Fukushima tragedy justifies nuclear skepticism
by Jeff Kingston
Mar 15, 2014
The findings of a Kyodo survey conducted in February this year reveal a stunning level of reluctance to restart Japan’s nuclear reactors in the host cities, towns and prefectures that stand to gain from revving them back up.
The nation’s 48 viable reactors are generating no electricity at present — and no local subsidies as long as they are idled. However, the spigot of financial inducements would open up again if the local governments in question were to green-light reactor restarts.
Despite this lure, though, only 13 out of the 135 villages, towns, cities and 21 prefectures situated within 30 km of a nuclear power plant responded to the survey saying they would unconditionally approve bringing local reactors back online if the Nuclear Regulation Authority vouched for their safety; another 24 would do so only if certain other conditions were met. It is a stunning rebuke that less than 10 percent of those authorities are keen to sign up for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s nuclear renaissance despite all the foregone benefits. It’s not what one would expect given the high subsidy-addiction that afflicts these hosting communities.
(for the full story, go to The Japan Times online)
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