Japanese? American?

What does it mean to be Japanese? What does it mean to be American?

The United States of America is multiracial, multiethnic, and multicultural, compose of a white majority, and a number of minority groups. The distinctions are relatively clear here in the US. There are biological, physical, social, cultural, and other distinctions.

Most people believe that Japan is a homogeneous country. Japan is anything but a homogeneous country. Japan's minorities include Ainus, Okinawans/Ryukyuans, Burakumins (outcasts), Zainichi Koreans, Brazilians of Japanese descent, and much more. The Japanese minority issue stems from Japan's national identity.

Despite public discourse and powerful activism, racism in the US is still a major problem. In Japan, minority issues are largely ignored by the society and the state. They are not taught in schools, discrimination is prevalent, and the government enforce policies that make lives difficult for minorities. How serious is the minority issue in Japan? in the US? How important is national identity? nationality? ethnicity?

What defines Japanese? What defines American?

This is just one of the many things we will be talking about this summer at the 60th JASC......

--
This semester I am taking Professor Christopher D. Scott's class titled "Race and Ethnicity in Japan". Professor Scott specializes in Zainichi Koreans (Koreans residing in Japan). He is also very knowledgeable about Japanese history, politics, literature, film, gender issues, and more. I am already looking forward to discussing minority issues in the 60th JASC, and, of course, hearing what the Minority Roundtable will be presenting in the final forum at Boston!

* I don't lead the minority RT, I'm just very interested in the issue! :)

Because it's good to stay informed...

MOFA: Speech by Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs

Arc of Freedom and Prosperity: Japan's Expanding Diplomatic Horizons

Today I am going to be speaking on the topics of "value oriented diplomacy" and the "arc of freedom and prosperity." Both of these are new bases for our foreign policy and new expressions at that, but I very much hope that you remember these two phrases when you leave here today.

The basis of Japan's foreign policy is to strengthen the Japan-US alliance, as well as a strengthening of our relationships with our neighboring countries, such as China, ROK, and Russia. Now, this is, of course, not in need of being repeated here. What I would like to tell you today is that beyond that, we are aiming to add a new pillar upon which our policy will revolve.

First of all there is "value oriented diplomacy," which involves placing emphasis on the "universal values" such as democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and the market economy as we advance our diplomatic endeavors.

And second, there are the successfully budding democracies that line the outer rim of the Eurasian continent, forming an arc. Here Japan wants to design an "arc of freedom and prosperity". Indeed, I believe that we must create just such an arc...

Rest of speech found here:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/aso/speech0611.html

January Doldrums

If this blog appears sparsely populated at the moment, it is only because January is an odd mix of frantic and lethargic for all of us, and neither quite inspires an enthusiasm for blogging. I am in the midst of exams, after which I'm going home to bone up for the LSAT. Aya is adjusting to her life in beautiful Seville. And Josh is undertaking a series of social events, of which I only remember "casino" and "champagne" (I'm reminded of "Bond. James Bond").


This might all translate into exciting blog entries in the future. In the meanwhile, I share with you all a picture from a recent JASC 59 reunion in Tokyo. Let it inspire envy and nostalgia.

In Defense of Texas

I feel that Texas has an undeservedly bad rap. I'm not saying that Texas is a money-bush or something equally awesome. It's just that people think it's really, really awful. To wit: I was at my professor's, feeling full of nerves and trying to impress Her Highness. Her guests ask me where I'm from, and when I reply "Texas", they start laughing! When I failed to join in their laughter ("Yeah, you're right, it IS funny that I'm from the ass-end of America!"), they reluctantly stopped.

I'm very fond of Texas, though. I like the overabundance of Ford F-150s on the road. I like the generous cordiality that is so very much a part of the place. And I like that the "In Texas, we like it BIG" joke refers to everything from steaks to anatomical parts. The list goes on. More specifically, however, the Texas landscape can be breathtaking.

Over winter break, we packed ourselves up into an SUV and went down to Big Bend National Park, perched on Texas' southwestern border with Mexico. And this is what we saw:


I felt oddly inspired. It's difficult to feel unhappy or deeply burdened in a place that exited long before me and will continue to be here, unchanged, long after. Encounters with nature on a grand scale always leave me with a diminished sense of self-importance.


On this glorious camping trip, I also:

1) slept in a tent in below-freezing weather. My god I haven't gone to sleep whimpering and full of tears since I was sixteen, when my life was powered by teenage angst.

2) called 911 because we were followed by an aggressive man, who kept up an utterly unnecessary commentary on his ability to "kick ass" as he tailed us in his truck. A breathtakingly frightful span of time later, we lost him. I was gratified to note that he had a California license plate. Not Texan, then.

3) drove for hours and hours on a road that doesn't end. Kerouac, you crazy drug fiend, I get you.