Welcome to JBC's annual countdown of the top human-rights events as they affected non-Japanese (NJ) in Japan. Last year was more complex, as issues that once targeted NJ specifically now affect everyone in general. But here, in ascending order, are six major events and five "bubble-unders" of 2013 for your consideration:

11. Marutei Tsurunen, Japan's first foreign-born Diet member of European descent, loses his seat (see "Ol' blue eyes isn't back: Tsurunen's tale offers lessons in microcosm for DPJ," JBC, Aug. 5).

10. Donald Richie, one of the last of the first postwar generation of NJ commentators on Japan, dies aged 88.