Debito Arudou - The Japan Times

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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:

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jan 24, 2006

Can Japan absorb foreign influx?

When discussing the recent ethnic riots in France, The Economist newsmagazine ("Minority Reports," Nov. 10, 2005) posed an important question: How come some countries assimilate immigrants more peacefully than others?

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jan 3, 2006

Lawsuit-free land a myth

Japan is not renowned for its courtroom dramas. But occasionally a landmark ruling does make the front pages.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Nov 22, 2005

The 'IC you' card

People are still reeling from September's LDP landslide election, realizing that Koizumi can essentially legislate whatever he wants.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Oct 18, 2005

Ministry missive wrecks reception

Between Oct. 7-11, the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT), Japan's largest convocation of language educators, held its annual meeting in Shizuoka, a pleasant city between Tokyo and Osaka.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jun 28, 2005

Visa crackdown -- don't get burned

Last year The Japan Times ran an article entitled "Students pay price in visa crackdown" about Americans put through the wringer on minor infractions.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

May 24, 2005

Here comes the fear

Japan is following other developed countries in drafting antiterrorism laws.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Mar 8, 2005

Creating laws out of thin air

With terrorists striking fear into governments worldwide, Japan too is currently considering its own version of America's Patriot Act, to be passed in a year or two.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jan 4, 2005

Racism is bad business

The Community Page has commented at length on socially-sanctioned exclusionary practices in Japan. However, it has rarely touched upon their quantifiable, longer-term effects.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Nov 30, 2004

Get on their case

"I don't like black people! Shoo!"

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jul 27, 2004

You might have noticed the dragnet in Japan these days.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jun 29, 2004

With U.N. studies advising more immigration, and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's worldwide campaign for more foreign visitors, Japan is not doing itself any favors with its new legislation on visa overstays.

COMMUNITY / Issues

May 11, 2004

Kidnap crisis poses a new risk

When five Japanese were taken hostage in Iraq last month, huge public concern for their safe return quickly gave way to hostility and a campaign of vilification. A disastrous public appeal by the families of three of the hostages for the withdrawal of SDF troops from Iraq encouraged the government to take a tough line, and facilitated a media frenzy that sought to paint the hostages as reckless, naive and of dubious political affiliation.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Mar 30, 2004

Downloadable discrimination

There has been a lot of press recently not just on foreign crime (again), but on unethical methods of collecting data on foreigners.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jan 13, 2004

Forensic science fiction

We periodically hear from nationalists about Japan's distinctiveness -- how "Japaneseness" is a matter of "race" and "blood," not citizenship or culture. This is usually disregarded as mere unscientific sentiment from fringe elements.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jan 6, 2004

Freedom of speech

Consider this: You are a student in a Japanese J.H.S. Your native language may or may not be Japanese, but you are learning English as a second language like everyone else.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Nov 18, 2003

Unusual election full of promise

It may be difficult to take an interest in Japan's election last week, since many readers cannot vote. But results this time may be critically important for Japan's future as a democracy.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Oct 7, 2003

Time to come clean on foreign crime wave

For those who read and watch the Japanese press, these are scary times. Foreign crime is allegedly on the rise, members of the new Koizumi Cabinet are making clear policy statements against it, and the National Police Agency is ready for a new push.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Sep 30, 2003

A level playing field?

Sports are seen as a catalyst for international communication. Even the Olympic Games were established a century ago to promote world peace -- through people meeting and competing on level playing fields.

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Jul 8, 2003

Watching the detectives

There's something to be said about Japanese police attitudes towards foreigners.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Mar 4, 2003

Sealing the deal on public meetings

You might have heard recently about Tama-chan, a cute sea lion frequenting Yokohama rivers. He became so popular that the city threw him an unprecedented fish: an honorary Certificate of Residency ("juminhyo").

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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