Jake Adelstein - The Japan Times

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Jake Adelstein

For Jake Adelstein's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Feb 28, 2015

The candy, the whip and freedom of press in Japan

We are familiar with the carrot-and-stick approach in the West, but the phrase in Japan is "ame to muchi" — literally, the candy and the whip.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Jan 31, 2015

Crime and punishment: Abe's Mideast crisis

In general, crime prevention is a good thing — it helps stop crime. By punishing people for minor transgressions, you stop them from committing larger misdemeanors and discourage crime overall. If the principle is applied blindly, however, it can produce some awkward results.

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Jan 3, 2015

The biggest terrorism threat in Japan

Remember how the government said Japan needed a state secrets law to protect it from acts of terrorism?

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT

Dec 22, 2014

Jeers, apologies and silence: Japan's 2014 in quotes

First of all, we're sorry. Everybody is sorry. This was the year that everyone apologized and everyone was sorry about something. The Asahi Shimbun was sorry so many times (even when maybe they shouldn't have been) that we're omitting them from the list. There's not enough space.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Dec 6, 2014

Obscenity arrest may be hiding dirty politics

What constitutes obscenity in Japan? The term, both legally and morally, has different meanings in Japanese, just as it does in English. In a strictly legal sense, the Japanese word for obscenity, waisetsu, refers to something that maliciously stimulates sexual desire in an inappropriate and immoral manner.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA

Nov 10, 2014

36,000 don't want 'pick-up artist' Julien Blanc to drop in on Japan

A petition signed by over 36,000 people opposing Julien Blanc's entry into Japan has been submitted to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, claiming that he is a criminal and shouldn't be allowed into the country.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA

Nov 5, 2014

Let's ensure no happy returns to Japan for this vile 'dating coach'

After bragging on a YouTube video about degrading assaults on women in Tokyo, Blanc says he's coming back.

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Nov 1, 2014

The uncomfortable truth about 'comfort women'

Question: How did you view those people (that you infected with bubonic plague and dissected while still alive)? Didn't you have any feelings of pity?

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Oct 4, 2014

Yakuza do what Abe Cabinet pick can't

In most countries, police officers and criminals are supposed to be on opposite sides of the law, especially the higher up the chain of command you go, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe doesn't appear to think this is necessary.

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Sep 6, 2014

Save ourselves ... cos nobody else can

Sometimes when you want to do something right, you have to do it yourself.

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Aug 2, 2014

The v-word doesn't always mean victory

If you are easily offended, please don't read this column because it's about obscenity laws in Japan and that in itself may be obscene. If my editor will let me, we'll even put up a possibly obscene image! (Don't worry, I won't — Ed.)

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Jul 5, 2014

Figuring out the science behind research whaling

Japan has a unique concept of science that doesn't seem to be accepted in the Western world. Both the esteemed academic journal Nature and the International Court of Justice have essentially handed down rulings over the past year that question the standards of research in Japan.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

May 31, 2014

Anti-stalking laws 'are a dead end'

On May 8, the National Police Agency gathered police officers from all over the country to declare a war on stalking. This gathering was even held before members of the all-girl pop group AKB48 were attacked by a man with a saw at a handshaking event. (It's still unclear whether the assailant was stalking the girls or not.)

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

May 3, 2014

Telephone fraud: ‘Hello, is it me you’re looking for?’

For young sociopathic entrepreneurs in Japan, the best way to get rich quick is by learning to say the following three lines convincingly:

JAPAN

Apr 5, 2014

Host clubs: a hotbed of human trafficking

The Japanese host. You can see them on the streets of Tokyo's Kabukicho: the dapper thin men with colored, blown-dry hair, fake suntans, snazzy suits and charming smiles, chatting up passing females and trying to get them to come and have drinks. They've been the subject of documentaries, television series and popular manga such as "Shinjuku Swan."

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Mar 1, 2014

Japan finds bitcoins can bite back, too

Tokyo has once again become the center of a world-wobbling virtual financial crisis. Let me emphasize the word virtual. That's because the world's best-known and perhaps largest exchange of the virtual currency known as bitcoin — Mt. Gox, located in Tokyo's Shibuya district — appeared to have all but collapsed last week.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Feb 1, 2014

War against stalkers broadens its aims

If you would, dear reader, please take a moment of your time today and let Prime Minister Shinzo Abe know that you'd like him to treat Japan's stalking problem seriously. Let him know that you'd like the Diet to make real laws that would protect the women who are subject to harassment, humiliation, injury and even death by men who chase them.

JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Jan 4, 2014

Here's eyeing Japan 2014 — warts an' all

"To know the future, look at the past," is a familiar Buddhist aphorism. However, it's also said that a prophet isn't honored in his hometown — which is why I live in Tokyo. As we ride into the Year of the Horse, I thought I'd canter awhile through times to come and report back on what I found. My apologies if some predictions are rather dire and dark; if you're easily offended, you're sure to be fuming by the time you finish. So: Off we go . . .

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 25, 2013

First lady scrutinizes blackballing of beauty queen

Ikumi Yoshimatsu's pursuit of stalking charges against powerful talent agency executives Genichi Taniguchi draws the attention of first lady Akie Abe.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 11, 2013

Celebrity stands up to talent agency 'stalker'

Miss International, Ikuu00admi You00adshiu00admau00adtsu, files criminal and civil charges against one of Japan's most powerful talent agencies' executives for stalking her and attempting to ruin her career.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.

The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces

By Stephen Mansfield

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

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