Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Mar 7, 2018
White supremacists and Japan: A love story
by Debito Arudou
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.
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Jan 3, 2018
In 2017, Japan woke up to the issue of discrimination
by Debito Arudou
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.
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Sep 20, 2017
Japan doesn't need to criminalize hate speech
by Shaun O'dwyer
Considering constitutional issues and the risk of creating 'martyrs,' the current law strikes the right balance.
National Jun 4, 2017
Tackling signs in Japan that you're not welcome
by Daisuke Kikuchi
Some Japanese businesses post signs barring foreign people from entering. What can you do about it?
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Apr 26, 2017
Time to act on insights from landmark survey of Japan's foreign residents
by Debito Arudou
Government's attempt to understand the foreign experience of Japan produces valuable data despite some blind spots.
Voices | COMMUNITY CHEST Feb 23, 2017
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The first in a series of selections of unpublished letters about Community stories from the year just passed.
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Feb 19, 2017
Media outside Japan must stop normalizing sumo as an ethno-sport
by Debito Arudou
Foreign correspondents should not pander to stereotypes, passing overt racism off as "tradition" practiced by those mystical, hidebound, inscrutable Japanese.
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Sep 4, 2016
JBC marks 100 columns and a million page views
by Debito Arudou
Column has been shining a critical light on issues affecting Japan's foreign residents since 2008.
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Jun 5, 2016
Japan's police still unfettered by the law, or the truth
by Debito Arudou
Repeat-offending Ibaraki police called to account for backsliding on the issue of hotel snooping.
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE May 1, 2016
Enjoy your life in Japan, for the moments
by Debito Arudou
After more than 30 years of studying Japan, I've learned to appreciate one thing people here do well: living in the moment.
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Jan 31, 2016
Osaka's move on hate speech should be just the first step
by Debito Arudou
Ordinance officially 'Japanizes' the naming and shaming of haters, which is at least a start.
Issues | JUST BE CAUSE Jan 3, 2016
Battles over history, the media and the message scar 2015
by Debito Arudou
A rundown of the top 10 human rights issues of the past year as they affected non-Japanese residents.