Debito Arudou - The Japan Times

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Debito Arudou

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Debito Arudou

Debito is the Just Be Cause columnist for the Community Page and has been contributing to The Japan Times since 2002. Author of eight books, including "Handbook for Newcomers, Migrants and Immigrants" (2nd Ed.), "Japanese Only" and the novel "In Appropriate," his most recent work is "Embedded Racism: Japan's Visible Minorities and Racial Discrimination" (Lexington Books). He has been a naturalized Japanese citizen since 2000, and his daily blog and archive is at www.debito.org.

For Debito Arudou's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Jul 31, 2016

For Abe, it will always be about the Constitution

Nobody here on the Community page has weighed in on Japan's Upper House election last July 10, so JBC will have a go.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Jun 5, 2016

Japan's police still unfettered by the law, or the truth

Repeat-offending Ibaraki police called to account for backsliding on the issue of hotel snooping.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

May 1, 2016

Enjoy your life in Japan, for the moments

After more than 30 years of studying Japan, I've learned to appreciate one thing people here do well: living in the moment.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Jan 31, 2016

Osaka's move on hate speech should be just the first step

Ordinance officially 'Japanizes' the naming and shaming of haters, which is at least a start.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Jan 3, 2016

Battles over history, the media and the message scar 2015

A rundown of the top 10 human rights issues of the past year as they affected non-Japanese residents.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT

Dec 23, 2015

Much jaw-jaw about war-war: the year 2015 in quotes

The past year has seen a number of tugs-of-war, as conservatives promoted past glories and preservation of the status quo while liberals lobbied for unprecedented levels of tolerance.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Nov 1, 2015

Tackle embedded racism before it chokes Japan

Japan has a dire problem it must address immediately: its embedded racism.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues

Oct 4, 2015

Japan rightists' patient wait is over as conveyor belt of death shudders back to life

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Sep 6, 2015

Why Japan's right keeps leaving the left in the dust

The left keeps losing, and much of it is its own damned fault.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Aug 2, 2015

Claiming the right to be Japanese — and more

If Japan cannot get over the conceit of having to 'look Japanese' to be treated as one, then it cannot make 'new Japanese,' and the country will continue to sink into an insolvent economic abyss.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Jul 5, 2015

Media redraw battle lines in bid for global reach

Something significant happened in April that attracted only desultory press coverage, so let's give it some more.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues

May 31, 2015

U.S. greenlights Japan's march back to militarism

As I've often written, I'm a big proponent of the historical record — if for no other reason, so we can look back at the past and learn from our mistakes.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

May 3, 2015

Japan-U.S. effort to tell suicide pilots' stories dodges controversy, wins praise

JBC sits down for an interview with Dr. M.G. Sheftall of Shizuoka University about the kamikaze phenomenon and what makes this exhibition unique.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Apr 5, 2015

Viewed through a religious lens, Japan makes more sense

Ever noticed how Japan — and in particular, its ruling elite — keeps getting away with astonishing bigotry?

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Mar 4, 2015

U.S. author recounts 'lecture' he got about 'comfort women' from uninvited Japanese guests

The American historian whose book has been slammed by the Japanese government for its content on WWII sex slaves speaks out.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Feb 4, 2015

At age 50, seeing the writing on the wall

At half a century old, I only look forward — to see how much time is left before my clock runs out.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Jan 1, 2015

Hate, muzzle and poll: a top 10 of issues for 2014

A recap of the top 10 human-rights news events affecting non-Japanese (NJ) in Japan last year.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Dec 3, 2014

Time to burst your bubble and face reality

Facing the reality of their perpetual second-class caste status would force non-Japanese residents to admit that they traded their entire life for something that they ultimately found no stake in.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Nov 5, 2014

Does social change in Japan come from the top down or bottom up?

Should bad social habits be thrown out the second-floor window, or patiently cajoled down the stairs and out the front door? Discuss.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE

Oct 8, 2014

Biased pamphlet bodes ill for left-behind foreign parents outside Japan

A pamphlet about the Hague Convention provides valuable insights into the Foreign Ministry's slanted mind-set towards the child abduction issue.

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

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

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