“I want Japan to ask for forgiveness.” Ching-lin Yuen, testimony at the Women’s International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan’s Military Sexual Slavery, 2000. Yuen was among 64 women from 8 countries who came to Tokyo to testify about their experiences as former “comfort women.” The judges in this citizens’ tribunal found Emperor Hirohito guilty of responsibility for sexually … [Read more...] about Confronting South Korea’s censored discourse on ‘comfort women’
Five Okinawan Views on the Nago Mayoral Election of February 2018: Implications for Japanese Democracy
Introduction: Nago City (Population: 61,000) in northern Okinawa held its election for mayor on 4 February 2018. The incumbent, Inamine Susumu, stalwart of the anti-Henoko base movement bidding for a third term in office (following victory in 2010 and 2014) was defeated 20,389 to 16,921 by Toguchi Taketoyo, backed by the ruling national Liberal-Democratic Party and its … [Read more...] about Five Okinawan Views on the Nago Mayoral Election of February 2018: Implications for Japanese Democracy
The Constitution, Human Rights and Pluralism in Japan: Alternative Visions of Constitutions Past and Future
Recent moves by the Abe administration to change the Japanese constitution may result in the most fundamental change to Japanese political life since the 1940s. Although there has been widespread debate on the possible revision of Article 9 – the constitution’s Peace Clause – other profound implications of the push for constitutional change have received scant attention. This … [Read more...] about The Constitution, Human Rights and Pluralism in Japan: Alternative Visions of Constitutions Past and Future
A special appeal from the editor for a cat with serious heart issues
TokyoProgressive has been presenting news and commentary in English and occasionally Japanese for more than 20 years. In order to pay for expenses related to hosting (including the free websites we provide to progressives and educators), we have long asked for donations, but the reality is that only 2-3 people have contributed a maximum of 200 U.S. dollars in those 20 … [Read more...] about A special appeal from the editor for a cat with serious heart issues
From Japan Focus
Japan Focus has been providing incisive commentary and research on many issues relating to Japan. Some of the most recent include: “Save the Town”: Insolvable Dilemmas of Fukushima’s “Return Policy” (“町残し”: 福島帰還政策の解決不可能なジレンマ) The Mayor of Namie, Fukushima is interviewed. From Nanjing to Okinawa – Two Massacres, Two Commanders Satoko Norimatsu reminds us of the … [Read more...] about From Japan Focus