
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Jan 6, 2020
by Debito Arudou
Of the issues non-Japanese had to deal with in the past year (and even the past decade), some were major news stories and some fell quietly into the cracks.
Of the issues non-Japanese had to deal with in the past year (and even the past decade), some were major news stories and some fell quietly into the cracks.
White supremacists and Japan: A love story
Far-right fanboys see in Japan an ethnostate that gets a free pass on the world stage, but it's a reputation that Japan needs to shake for its own good.
In 2017, Japan woke up to the issue of discrimination
The year saw a landmark human rights survey and action on hate speech and pensions — but conditions remain dire for foreign 'trainees' and other workers alike.
Japan doesn't need to criminalize hate speech
Considering constitutional issues and the risk of creating 'martyrs,' the current law strikes the right balance.
Tackling signs in Japan that you're not welcome
Some Japanese businesses post signs barring foreign people from entering. What can you do about it?
Time to act on insights from landmark survey of Japan's foreign residents
Government's attempt to understand the foreign experience of Japan produces valuable data despite some blind spots.
In case you missed them: a year of responses to Community stories, part 1
The first in a series of selections of unpublished letters about Community stories from the year just passed.
Media outside Japan must stop normalizing sumo as an ethno-sport
Foreign correspondents should not pander to stereotypes, passing overt racism off as "tradition" practiced by those mystical, hidebound, inscrutable Japanese.
JBC marks 100 columns and a million page views
Column has been shining a critical light on issues affecting Japan's foreign residents since 2008.
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.
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.
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.