Costa Rica Declares a Ministry of Peace

While Japan continues to campaign for a Ministry for Peace [See: http://ministryofpeace.jp/english/index.html] , Costa Rica has become the third country in the world to form one. See announcement below.

----------------------- Original Message -----------------------
From: Peter Prontzos <pprontzos@langara.bc.ca>
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:20:25 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: COSTA RICA DECLARES A MINISTER OF PEACE
----

PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY


The Costa Rica Congress has passed the Bill creating the Ministry of Justice and
Peace and becomes the third country to have such a Minister. The others are
Nepal and the small Pacific island nation of the Solomon Islands. The Nepalese
Minister of Peace and Reconstruction will speak at the Global Alliance Summit
for Ministries and Departments of Peace in Costa Rica, September 17-21, 2009,
and, of course, we anticipate that the new Costa Rica minister will speak also.

Congratulations are due to Rita Marie Johnson and her team at the Rasur
Foundation, the principal NGO voice for a Minister of Peace, who worked for 3
years on this project. She has particularly noted that holding the Global
Alliance Summit in CR accelerated and added impetus to the passing of this Bill.
The Global Alliance has shown its ability to assist in moving forward our
objective to create ministers of peace in all nations.

In Japan, where the 3rd Summit was held in September 2007, that Summit assisted
in the further strengthening of the threatened Article 9 in the Japanese
Constitution, the article that prevents Japan from acting as a belligerent
against any other nation and renounces war as a vehicle of resolving conflict.
To date, despite considerable pressure from the US and the wishes of the
conservative parties in Japan, Article 9 remains intact as a model clause for
every nation's constitution.

Please circulate this good news widely and consider joining our strong Canadian
delegation of 9 delegates to date to the Costa Rica Summit.

In peace,
Saul

Saul Arbess, Co-chair
Canadian Department of Peace Initiative(CDPI)
saul.arbess@departmentofpeace.ca
www.departmentofpeace.ca
250-383-5878

Departures [Okuribito] (2008)

Departures [Okuribito] (2008) won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In his review of Departures, Bret Fetzer says,

Departures is surely the gentlest, sweetest movie about death that you will ever see. ... Though it starts out quietly and even seems slight, it gradually builds in emotional power, layer by layer, until scene after scene at the end is richly moving. Particularly affecting is the performance of Kimiko Yo, the secretary of the company, who harbors a troubling secret. A few moments of overt symbolism push the movie from compassion to sentimentality--but every time Departures seems to have lost its footing, a scene follows that strikes all the right notes so deftly it resonates like a bell. A truly marvelous movie. [Source: Amazon.com, 2009]

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---

• Movie Website: http://www.departures-themovie.com/
  
• Synopsis from RottenTomatoes.com: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10010675-departures/
  

Teaching for Compassion

Children Full of Life is an award-winning CBC documentary about a fourth-grade class in Kanazawa, northwest of Tokyo. The teacher, Toshiro Kanamori, aims to have students learn to live and practice compassion. By building trust, reflecting and writing honestly about their feelings, and sharing and discussing these feelings with classmates, the students develop a genuine caring for their classmates.

Countdown to Decision: To Eliminate or To Proliferate

Steven Leeper, Chairman of The Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, addressed the Webster University "Global Issues: Japan" class (June 9, 2009). He explained:

"... we are at a crucial juncture right now, such that the human family will probably decide ... [in May 2010 at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference], whether we will get rid of nuclear weapons, or let everybody have them..."

[click on image below to play video]Steven Leeper, Director,
Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation
Addressing: Webster University Class, "Global Issues: Japan"
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, June 9, 2009

Testimony of a Japanese Soldier in China

Ichiro Koyama is now 88 years old. He was drafted into the Japanese Imperial Army at age 20, and was stationed in Qingtao and Jinan (Shandong Province), China. Koyama tells his story as one in a series of interviews among World War II witnesses published by The Japan Times to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the end of the War. The article (See: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090409w1.html) includes the video below:

Queen Noor: Are We Approaching a Nuclear Tipping Point?

In an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” (July 5, 2009) Queen Noor of Jordan explained that we may be on a path toward a "nuclear proliferation tipping point" from which we may not be able to pull back. See http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/05/queen-noor-we-are-approaching-a-nuclear-tipping-point/

Obama On "The Gravest Threat to Humanity"

At the conclusion of meetings between Presidents Obama (USA) and Medvedev (Russia), the leaders made a joint statement pledging to work together on nuclear disarmament (April 1, 2009). Obama declared that nuclear weapons "... continues to be the gravest threat to humanity."

In the video clip below from MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" (April 1, 2009), Queen Noor of Jordan applauds the joint statement and explains the work of Global Zero, the international campaign to eliminate all nuclear weapons.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

• Video Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30002781#30002781

Related Articles and Videos:

• Global Zero Website: http://www.globalzero.org/
  
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/30002781#30002781
  
• http://www.ploughshares.org/news-analysis/news/queen-noor-promotes-global-zero
  

Update: US-Japan Nuclear Umbrella Talks

The Japan Times (July 19, 2009) reports that the United States and Japan have agreed to conduct official discussion regarding the so-called nuclear umbrella and other security deterrence measures. This agreement was reached in a meeting that included Kurt Campbell, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs and his Japanese counterparts in the Foreign and Defense ministries on Saturday.

• For details, see: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090719a1.html.
• For related information, see: http://globalissuesjapan.blogspot.com/2009/07/us-japan-to-discuss-us-nuclear-umbrella.html

Solar Eclipse Reenacts Japan's Sun Goddess Cosmology

The longest total eclipse of the sun in the 21st century will occur over parts of Asia (including Okinawa, Japan) on July 22, 2009. The event can be seen as a re-enactment of an ancient Japanese cosmological story involving the Sun Goddess and her brother the Storm God. For details, see: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090712x1.html

Secret Nuclear Treaty Documents Revealed

The Japan Times reports (Sunday, July 12, 2009) that Japan's Foreign Ministry has kept the English-language version of a secret 1960 treaty with the United States government which covers the handling of U.S. nuclear weapons in Japan. The Japanese government continues to maintain that such a treaty does not exist. For details, see: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090712a1.html.

Press Conference & Open Letter to Emperor & Empress

Peace Philosophy Centre (Vancouver, BC, CANADA) was one of several groups of Canadians which held a joint Press Conference Thursday (July 9, 2009) to welcome to the Japanese Emperor and Empress’s visit to Canada. In an open letter to the Emperor and Empress, the groups appeal to them to continue their efforts to bring healing and justice to the victims of atrocities committed by Japan before and during the Asia-Pacific War, and for their support to keep Article 9 intact in the spirit of peace. For more information, see:

• Peace Philosophy Centre blog posting
  
• Photo Album
• Eiji Yoshikawa webpage
  
• Tokyo Shinbun article (Japanese)

Japan to Discuss Nuclear Issues with USA & China

The Japan Times reports (July 9, 2009) that the U.S. and Japan will hold official talks later this month on security issues including the U.S. nuclear umbrella, which is a topic that is usually excluded from such talks. For the full story, see: http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/us-japan-to-hold-official-talks-on-nuclear-umbrella

Japan will also hold official talks with China starting Thursday to seek ways to "denuclearize" North Korea. For the full story, see: http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/chinese-japanese-top-nuclear-envoys-to-hold-talks

Media Alert: Press Conference (July 9 2009)

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: Press Conference regarding an OPEN LETTER to the Japanese Emperor and Empress issued by multi-ethnic organizations

WHEN: July 9, 2009 (Thursday) at 10:30 am

WHERE: Ovans Room, G/F, BC Teachers’ Federation Building, 550 – West 6th Avenue, Vancouver

Representatives of the multi-ethnic organizations to speak at the press conference:

• Thekla Lit, Co-chair of Canada ALPHA (Association for Learning & Preserving the History of WWII in Asia)
• Satoko Norimatsu, Founding Director of Peace Philosophy Centre
• Tatsuo Kage, Member of Human Rights Committee, Japanese Canadian Citizens Association
• Dr. Marlene Le Gates, Acting President of Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Vancouver
• Fernando P. Salanga, President of Philippine War Veterans & Ex-servicemen Society of BC
• Jane Ordinario, Chairperson of Migrante-BC
• Kevin Sung, Director of Korean Drama Club Hanuree
  

MEDIA CONTACT PERSONS: Thekla Lit (604-313-6000) or Satoko Norimatsu (604-619-5627)

BACKGROUNDER:

Representatives of groups of Canadians that make up the rich diversity of this country: Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and European extend their warm welcome to the Japanese Emperor and Empress’s visit to Canada. At the same time, they appeal to the Emperor for his continued efforts to bring healing and justice to the victims of atrocities committed by Japan before and during the Asia-Pacific War, and for his support of the endeavours to keep Article 9 intact in the spirit of peace.

---

See also: http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/07/press-conference-regarding-open-letter.html

バンクーバーのいくつかの平和団体・アジア系団体とともに、カナダ訪問中の天
皇皇后陛下への公開書簡についての記者会見を７月９日（木）午前１０時半に開
催します。詳細は添付をご覧ください。書簡は記者会見で発表し、その後公開い
たします。

99 Luftballoons (Karaoke)

NOTE: The private video below requires login to YouTube for playback.

RECORDED: June 6, 2009, Kyoto, Japan
WHO: Webster University and Ritsumeikan students and faculty

Sayonara Anata (Karaoke)

NOTE: The private video below requires login to YouTube for playback.

Recorded: June 6, 2009 Kyoto, Japan.
Images of the old Honshu-Hokkaido ferry have been edited into the video clip.

Report on PrepCom & Outlook for 2010 NPT Review Conference

Rebecca Johnson, executive director of the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy, has published an article in Arms Control Today, reviewing the third Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meeting for the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, held May 4-15, 2009 in New York. The article, titled "Enhanced Prospects for 2010: An Analysis of the Third PrepCom and the Outlook for the 2010 NPT Review Conference," summarizes the negotiations and results of the Third PrepCom. The PreCom raised hopes for a productive 2010 Conference (scheduled for May 3-28, 2010), but also highlighed the enormous political and diplomatic work required in the next year to achieve agreements that will result in advancing the nonproliferation agenda and in creating a foundation for moving toward a world free of nuclear weapons. The article is available at: http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2009_6/Johnson

In his discussion with the Webster University class "Global Issues: Japan" (June 9, 2009), Steven Leeper (Chairman, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation), referred to the 2010 NPT Review Conference as a milestone for knowing whether or not the world will choose to work toward a nuclear weapon-free world. Leeper asserts that if it does not choose that path, then other nations will develop nuclear weapons within a few years, and "it will only be a matter of time before they are used."

Ring bells for Peace

APPEAL FOR PEACE BELL PROJECT
commemorating the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Everyone is invited to ring bells at the exact moment of the Hiroshima bombing (8:15AM on August 6th, Japan) and the Nagasaki bombing (11:02AM on August 9th, Japan).

Or you can ring bells in your time zone at 8:15AM on August 6th for Hiroshima and 11:02AM on August 9th for Nagasaki.

Support a World Without Nuclear Weapons for our Children and All Future Generations.

Upon informing us of your plans we will include your participation on our website www.universalpeaceday.com
Please e-mail us at: univpeaceday@aol.com

No Nuke Network Hiroshima

No Nuke Network Hiroshima is a study group of students from 9 junior high and high schools in Hiroshima. They include students from:

• Hiroshima Jogakuin High School
  
• Notre Dame High School (Hiroshima)
• Motomachi High School
• Hiroshima Students Peace Seminar, a peace education circle comprised of high schools students; and
  
• junior writers for “Peace Seeds,” a children’s newspaper produced by teens in Hiroshima.

According to a report in the Hiroshima Peace Center News (July 1, 2009), the group has launched a campaign to encourage U.S. President Barack Obama to visit Hiroshima. They met with Professor Hiroshi Oshima, a professor of Hiroshima Shudo University to learn more about Mr. Obama and the American view of nuclear weapons. This study session helped the group consider specific actions they could take in their campaign.

The study group is an example of young students practicing "global citizenship" through peace literacy activities.

6 Japanese Parliamentarians Work for A-Bomb Monument and Museum in Washington, D.C.

Hiroshima Peace Media Center is an institute within Chuogoku Newspaper, which is widely read in the Chugoku Region (Western end of Honshu Island) of Japan. Their "Peace News" covers a wide range of topics from nuclear abolition to peace education. One piece of bright news that I found recently is:

Japanese parliamentarians seek to establish A-bomb museum in Washington, D.C.

The "NPT Promotion Committee" that consists of 6 parliamentarians from different parties, plans to unveil a monument to "express the hope of eliminating nuclear weapons" in next May, when the NPT Review Conference takes place. Also some time in the next year, they aim to open "a permanent museum to convey the consequences of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

Peter van den Dungen, who leads the International Network of Museums for Peace, said during the 6th International Conference of Museums for Peace conference in Hiroshima in October 2009, that he would like to see A-bomb museums in the capital cities of all the nuclear-possessing countries. This move initiated by a group of Japanese parliamentarians will be a great start.

According to Chugoku Newspaper, the six members of the "NPT Promotion Committee" are:

Minoru Terada, LDP (House of Representatives,) 寺田稔（自民、衆院広島５区）
Tsutomu Tomioka, LDP (House of Representatives) 富岡勉（自民、衆院比例九州＝長崎１区）
Hideo Hiraoka, DPJ (House of Representatives) 平岡秀夫（民主、衆院山口２区）
Kenzo Fujisue, DPJ (House of Councilors) 藤末健三（民主、参院比例）
Nobuto Hosaka, SDP(House of Representative) 保坂展人（社民、衆院比例東京）
Akira Kasai, JCP (House of Representative) 笠井亮（共産、比例東京）

LDP=Liberal Democratic Party; DPJ=Democratic Party of Japan; SDJ=Social Democratic Party of Japan; JCP=Japan Communist Party)

Where are the women? I should make an inquiry :)

Satoko

Class Interview with Yumi Kikuchi

Yumi Kikuchi described her development as an environmentalist, peace activist and media educator in this video clip when the Webster University class, "Global Issues: Japan" visited with her in Tokyo on June 2, 2009:

For more information on Yumi Kikuchi, see: http://globalissuesjapan.blogspot.com/2009/05/resources-on-yumi-kikuchi.html

HumanRights.com

The International Foundation for Human Rights sponsors a website, http://www.humanrights.com which includes videos and other information resources on the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. You may order a a free DVD and information package at the above website, or by email info@humanrights.com or telephone +1.323.661.1144 or fax +1.323.661.1194.

Former POW at Aso Mining comes to Japan

Ex-Australian POW, son of Scottish POW disappointed at no apology from Aso over wartime labor

http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/ex-australian-pow-son-of-scottish-pow-disappointed-at-no-apology-from-aso-over-wartime-labor

I remember Yukihisa Fujita talked about this initiative during our meeting on June 2nd. Major Japanese media does not seem to be reporting this event.

Lawmaker takes 9/11 doubts global

The Japan Times [June 17, 2008] reports on Diet member Yukihisa Fujita's efforts to bring the doubts about the official account of the Sept. 11 2001 events to global attention. See: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20080617zg.html

The book Seeking 9/11 Truth at Japan's Parliament—Can Obama Really Change the United States? co-authored by Fujita and others including Yumi Kikuchi is described on wikipedia. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeking_9/11_Truth_at_Japan's_Parliament

The "Global Issues: Japan" class met with Mr. Fujita and Ms. Kikuchi on June 2, 2009 at Fujita's Tokyo office.

Photo Albums by Satoko

Three photo albums for the course "Global Issues: Japan" are posted on the course. For links to these albums, CLICK HERE , then follow the path: INTL 5600 - W2 S2 2009 Global Issues in Japan > Discussions > › D 10 Photos & Videos > Photo Albums by Satoko

Please note that a Webster University username and password is required to access the above link. These photos are for your enjoyment and not for publishing or sharing in public space like Internet. Please contact Satoko if you want to use any of these photos for anything.

Upper house adopts resolution for nuclear-free world

Upper house adopts resolution for nuclear-free world
Wednesday 17th June, 10:31 AM JST
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/upper-house-adopts-resolution-for-nuclear-free-world

TOKYO - Japan’s House of Councillors unanimously adopted a resolution in a plenary session Wednesday recommending the government strengthen itsefforts toward eliminating nuclear arms in the world. This follows the previous day’s endorsement of a similar resolution on the part of theHouse of Representatives. Parliamentary endorsement of these resolutions was prompted by U.S. President Barack Obama’s call in April for a nuclear-free world and then by North Korea’s nuclear test May 25. The upper house resolution says Japan, as the only country attacked with atomic bombs, has spearheaded an antinuclear movement and ‘‘has the responsibility tofurther step up the campaign.’’

Satoko Norimatsu

Photo Album: Global Issues Japan

A photo album for the "Global Issues: Japan" has been posted on the course. For links to these album, CLICK HERE , then follow the path: INTL 5600 - W2 S2 2009 Global Issues in Japan > Discussions > D 10 Photos & Videos > Photo Album: Global Issues Japan by Roy Tamashiro

Please note that a Webster University username and password is required to access the above link. These photos are for your enjoyment and not for publishing or sharing on the Internet.

Paper Hands Presentation in Hiroshima

As Ambassador-Delegates for the Global Art Project for Peace (USA), Webster University students present a packet of Paper Hands to The Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. June 9, 2009 at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Peace Philosophy Centre's Recent Posts

The following recent posts on Peace Philosophy Centre's blog may be of interest to you. Please feel free to forward.

• Japanese MP's apology to victims of Pingdingshan Massacre:
  http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/06/survivor-of-pingdingshan-massacre.html
  (English, Chinese and Japanese)
  

• The survivor replies: (in Chinese and Japanese, with English summary ) http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/06/survivor-of-pingdingshan-massacre.html

• The President of Japan's National Defense University apologizes for Japan's war-time aggression (in Chinese with English translation)
  http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/06/president-of-japanese-defence.html

• Canadian Writer Joy Kogawa's speech in Toronto that refers to Japan's aggression (In English with Chinese translation)
  http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/06/joy-kogawas-speech-for-article-9-event.html

• Report of the first Article 9 Event in Toronto (in English) http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/06/chikako-nagayamas-article-in-nikkei.html

Many thanks to Arc Han who did all the translation between Chinese and English.

In peace,

Satoko

Paper Hands For Peace Presentation

Chugoku Shinbun (Hiroshima, Japan) reported (June 10, 2009 edition) on the Paper Hands for Peace Presentation at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Webster University students reported on their distribution of these Paper Hands in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, and presented some of the paper hands to Mr. Steven Leeper, Chairman of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation.

[click on photo to enlarge]

The article was reprinted on the web by Hiroshima Peace Media Center. See below:

• Click here for English version
  
• Click here for Japanese version

Below is image of the original article published in Chugoku Shinbun:

Obamajority

News to share -

Hiroshima launches 'Obamajority' campaign for world without nukes
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/hiroshima-launches-obamajority-campaign-for-world-without-nukes

By the way, I highly recommend www.japantoday.com for news about Japan.

Also, www.japanfocus.org for articles and journals on Japan-related issues. You can search by keywords and authors. You can sign up so they send you a weekly update.

Back to Hiroshima/Nagasaki, here is the website of Mayors for Peace.
http://www.mayorsforpeace.org/english/index.html

Check if your city is a member, and talk to your mayor if it isn't. The site also has rich resources on anti-nuclear movement. The Hiroshima/Nagasaki Protocol, which Steve Leeper was talking about, is there too.

Here is Miyoko Matsubara's story. We met her and heard her testimonial in Hiroshima.
http://www.wagingpeace.org/articles/1999/00/00_matsubara_spirit-hiroshima.htm

Video: Paper Hands for Peace Presentations

Webster University students in the course "Global Issues: Japan" were Peace Ambassadors for the Global Art Project as they visited Universities, Museums and other organizations in their travel through Japan in June 2009.

Resources to share

Some students expressed interest in visiting WAM, Women's Active Museum, the museum in Tokyo (near Peace Boat) that is dedicated to supporting victims of military sex slavery.

Information in English, hours and maps are at:
http://www.wam-peace.org/english/

They may not have a lot of information in English, so if you are going, let me know then I might be able to arrange somebody to greet you and answer your questions in English.

Some expressed interest in the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Tour of Ritsumeikan University and AU (American University).

Here are links.
American University Nuclear Studies Institute
http://american.edu/cas/history/institutes/nuclear-studies.cfm

Peace Philosophy Centre's blog
http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/04/invitation-to-canadian-students-to-join.html

If you are interested in participating in this program, for which you can get credit through American University, let me know.

See these articles to learn more about the U.S. decision to drop the bombs and about the crew of Enola Gay, including Paul Tibbetts and Robert Lewis whom we talked about with Koko yesterday.

Defending the Indefensible: A Meditation on the Life of Hiroshima Pilot Paul Tibbets, Jr.
http://www.japanfocus.org/-Peter_J_-Kuznick/2642

The Decision to Risk the Future: Harry Truman, the Atomic Bomb and the Apocalyptic Narrative
http://www.japanfocus.org/-Peter_J_-Kuznick/2479

For information on "White Light, Black Rain" by Steven Okazaki,
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/whitelightblackrain/

It will be a very special day at Hiroshima tomorrow.

Satoko

Koko Kondo

Koko Kondo, author of "Hiroshima - 60 Years of Memory" is a Hiroshima hibakusha and a daughter of Rev. Kiyoshi Tanimoto, one of the six survivors interviewed in John Hersey's "Hiroshima."

We are extremely fortunate today to have her visit us at our hotel.

Unfortunately her book is in Japanese. I found the following information about Koko.

http://www.humiliationstudies.org/documents/evelin/KokoKondo.pdf

http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1060469.html

Google "Koko Kondo" and you will get more information. And please do read John Hersey's "Hiroshima" if you haven't had a chance. It is the first book that allowed U.S. citizens to learn the human effects of the bomb. It is regarded as a classic textbook of Hiroshima and is used by many teachers as a textbook at schools. It is easily found at the university and local libraries.

Satoko

President of Defense University of Japan apologizes to China

Makoto Iokibe, President of Defense University in Japan admitted the Japanese war against China was one of aggression, apologized, and stressed on the importance of Chinese and Japanese youth exchange. Iokie's statement is very little reported in Japan and I got information that he has been under right-wingers' attacks. My Chinese colleague Arc Zhen Han translated the Chinese report into English.

http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/06/president-of-japanese-defence.html

This still needs to be edited but I wanted to share with you first.

Satoko

APA Hotel Group Sponsors Revisionist History

The APA Horikawadori Hotel, in Kyoto [where the class is staying, June 4-7], is a member of the APA Hotel group that promotes a revisionist view of history. In each hotel room, there is a book titled The Shocking Truth About Modern History, a collection of essays from a contest sponsored by the APA Hotel Group. One of the essays is by former Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Toshio Tamogami, who was fired from his post after his connections with nationalists like the APA chain, and former Prime Minister Abe were revealed. See: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20081120f1.html

How do you feel about patronizing a hotel that advances these views?

Oka Masaharu Peace Museum

In Nagasaki little museum called the Oka Masaharu Peace Museum. The museum aims to: "... to reveal the reality of aggression by Japanese army;" to highlight the irresponsible attitude of the Japanese government, and to demand its honest apologies and proper compensation to victims.
The exhibits depict the war crimes, atrocities, massacres, etc. committed by the Japanese military.

A tribute on behalf of The Global Art Project for Peace was presented to Dr. Yasunori Takazane (Director) on May 27, 2009.

• Photos: http://eagle.webster.edu/global/2009_05_27_Nagasaki/
• Museum homepage (English): http://www.d3.dion.ne.jp/~okakinen/English/indexE.htm
• Museum homepage (Japanese): http://www.d3.dion.ne.jp/~okakinen/
  

Article 9 Event in Toronto

Hello,

On May 15, we organized the first Article 9 event in Toronto. Here are the information and its report.

http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/search/label/Article%209http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2009/05/toronto-event.html

I look forward to meeting everyone in Japan.

Satoko

WHO | Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)

The World Heath Organization (WHO) maintains a website, "Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)" providing information and worldwide news updates on the Influenza A(H1N1) situation. For details, see: http://www.who.int/csr/en/

British Ask Prime Minister Aso for Apologies

Japan Today reports (May 21 2009) from London that British campaigners are calling on Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan to apologize and offer compensation to the families of British men who were forced to work at a mine owned by Aso’s father during World War II. For the full story, see: http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/relatives-of-aso-mines-british-laborers-demand-apology-and-compensation

Quarantine Inspections at Japan's Airports to End

The Japan Times reports (May 20 2009) that the health inspections on airplanes arriving from North America to identify people infected with the H1N1 virus will be terminated by the end of this week. For details see:

• http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090520a1.html
• http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hAaiTF1vU9D2n-_yTxtg_WF0yfcg
  

Touring Japan as "Global Citizens"

This video is a young student's take on touring Japan as a "global citizen." The meaning is expressed in via visuals (slides) and music background only. An explanation (text) of the meaning of global citizenship is left to the viewer's imagination.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=972vL819dtU

Business / Visiting Cards

Business cards or visiting cards (Meishi) are important in Japan. The web sites below give guidelines for creating business cards for use in Japan, and for exchanging business cards:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2227.html
• http://www.ehow.com/how_2149803_exchange-business-cards-japan.html
• http://www.japanese-business-cards.com/etiket.html
  
• http://www.bookmice.net/darkchilde/japan/jcards.html
• http://www.spidacom.co.uk/cards.htm

Video (in Japanese) from YouTube.com:

New H1N1 Cases in West Japan

On May 18, 2009, various sources report that at least 32 new cases of individuals infected with the influenza A (H1N1) virus were identified in Kobe and Osaka. This has prompted the closing of schools and the canceling of community activities in the area.
For details, see

• http://www.todayonline.com/articles/320480.asp
• http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/429972/1/.html
• http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/429928/1/.html
  
• http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-05/17/content_7784637.htm
  

Travel Insurance

There is a risk of being delayed, detained or quarantined upon arrival in Japan due to the Japanese Government policies in response to the new influenza A (H1N1) virus outbreak. If you came in close contact with someone who was infected or were infected yourself, you could be detained and quarantined for 7-10 days at a medical facility near the airport.

Class members may wish to consider purchasing trip insurance to cover losses such associated with risks like this. Go to http://www.squaremouth.com/ for more information. You may purchase trip insurance from various insurers directly from this website.

Please note that the information above is provided only to inform you of the current situation, which is subject to change. This is not an endorsement of the vendor named, nor is it a recommendation to purchase insurance.

CDC: H1N1 (Swine Flu)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides updated information about the novel influenza A (H1N1), also known as "swine flu" on the following website:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ The information includes statistics on the cases in the U.S.A., background information on the virus, what you can do to stay healthy, and guidelines and advice for various sectors.

H1N1 Information from U.S. State Department and Government of Japan

The following U.S. State Department web sites provide information about traveling to/in Japan. It includes recent bulletins about Japan's policies regarding the H1N1 flu outbreak; as well as useful information on entry and exit; safety and security; and health concerns.

• http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1148.html
• http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-swine-flu.html
• Possible International Travel Delays Due to Novel H1N1 Flu Screening Procedures
  

The Government of Japan has issued the document "Screening of Arriving International Air Passengers for H1N1 Flu" which details the procedures followed. See page 4 of the following document:

• http://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/kenkou/kekkaku-kansenshou04/pdf/09-e02.pdf
  

HealthMap: Global Disease Alert Map

The HealthMap: Global Disease Alert Map combines a database of worldwide alerts for swine flu (H1N1) and an their locations on a world map. See: http://healthmap.org/swineflu Click on the county name in the left panel to see the alerts for each county.

First Case of 'New-Flu' in Japan

The Associated Press reports (May 9 2009) on the first case of the "new flu" in Japan. Three Japanese males, including a high school teacher and two of his students, returning from a high school trip to Canada were confirmed to have been infected with the new flu.

For the full article, see: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D982C11G1&show_article=1

Comparing the U.S. and Japanese Financial Crises: "The Lost Decade"

In July 2008, Money Morning published an article, "The Lost Decade: How the U.S. Financial Crisis Resembles Japan’s Ten Years of Misery - And How to Play it" a 2-part story by Executive Editor William Patalon III. The author describes the parallels between Japan's economic collapse of the 1990s and the looming U.S. economic crises (in mid 2008), when many experts were fearful that the U.S. version of the "Lost Decade" that was looming would be much worse.

• Part I -- See: http://www.moneymorning.com/2008/07/17/the-lost-decade/
• Part II-- See: http://www.moneymorning.com/2008/07/18/lost-decade/

Book Resources on "The Lost Decade"

Callen T. and Ostry, J. (Eds.) (2003). Japan's Lost Decade: Policies for Economic Revival; International Monetary Fund.

Koo, R. C. (2009) The Holy Grail of Macroeconomics: Lessons from Japan's Great Recession. Wiley

Saxonhouse, G. and Stern, R. (2004) Japan's Lost Decade: Origins, Consequences and Prospects for Recovery (World Economy Special Issues); Wiley-Blackwell

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Resources on Yumi Kikuchi

Journalist, author, environmentalist, and activist Yumi Kikuchi will be a guest lecturer for the Global Issues: Japan course on June 3, 2009 in Tokyo. Here are some resources on Yumi Kikuchi:

• きくちゆみのブログ http://kikuchiyumi.blogspot.com
• 911真相究明国際会議　http://2nd911.globalpeace.jp/
• 平和省プロジェクト　http://ministryofpeace.jp
• 平和の書店　http://ministryofpeace.jp/bookstore/bookstore-menu.html
• 東京平和映画祭　http://www.peacefilm.net
• 911ボーイングを探せ http://www.wa3w.com/911
• テロリストは誰? http://www.wa3w.com
• 911の嘘をくずせ ルース・チェンジ http://www.wa3w.com/LC2J/
• グローバルピースキャンペーン http://globalpeace.jp
• グローバルピースキャンペーン・ストア http://store.globalpeace.jp
• Harmonics Lifeセンター http://harmonicslife.net
• Global Peace Campaign (English) http://english.globalpeace.jp
• Yumi's English Blog http://yumikikuchi.blogspot.com

American Passengers and Crew Detained in Tokyo

NBC News and MSNBC reports that 37 passengers and two flight attendants on an American Airlines Flight 169 (from Los Angeles to Tokyo) were detained overnight at Narita Airport near Tokyo, Japan because of concerns about swine flu. For details, see: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30564215/

A video report is available: CLICK HERE.

Resources: Global Citizenship

Books:

• Schattle, H. (2008) The practices of global citizenship. Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield Pub.
• Noddings, N. (2005) Educating citizens for global awareness; developed in association with the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century. New York: Teachers College Press.
• Abdi, A.A. and Shultz, L. (2008) Educating for human rights and global citizenship. Albany: State University of New York Press.
  

Web Resources:

• Webster University (2009). About Webster: Mission and Values. Web page available at http://www.webster.edu/about/mission.shtml
  

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Tokyo Sonata (2008) and Article 9 debate

Tokyo Sonata (2008) [PG-13] directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa is a story of a contemporary Japanese family. When the father, Ryuhei Sasaki, loses his job, he tries to save face by pretending to go to work every day. The movie is a poignant story of the breakdown and redemption of the modern Japanese family.

There is a small reference to the Article 9 debate throughout Japan in the movie. It is not in the dialogue, but rather on a television news program shown in the background.

• Description and movie trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/tokyosonata/
• IMDB Listing: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0938341/
• UK Distributers Website: http://www.tokyosonata.co.uk/
• San Francisco Chronicle Review
  

Japan aids Myanmar cyclone victims

UN-HABITAT announced that the Japanese government will contribute US$4 million to assist victims of cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. For details, see:
http://www.unchs.org/content.asp?cid=6368&catid=48&typeid=6&subMenuId=0

World Military Expenditures

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)’s 2008 Year Book, world military expenditures for 2007 was $1.2 trillion. The USA’s military spending was highest in the world, accounting for 45 per cent of the world total, followed by the UK, China, France and Japan, with 4–5 per cent each. See:

• http://yearbook2008.sipri.org/05
  

• http://www.globalissues.org/article/75/world-military-spending#WorldMilitarySpending

War Crimes Trials: Japan

The Tokyo War Crimes following World War II led to 25 guilty verdicts as well as the execution of seven Japanese. Today the controversy about these war crimes continue.

• See the following Inter Press Service article for details: http://www.globalissues.org/news/2009/03/25/1022
  
  
• Dudden, Alexis (2008) Troubled Apologies Among Japan, Korea, and the United States. New York: Columbia University Press. http://cup.columbia.edu/book/978-0-231-14176-5/troubled-apologies-among-japan-korea-and-the-united-states
  

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Article 9 Event in Toronto

WHAT: Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution: Bringing Peace into Today's World

WHEN: May 15, 2009; 6:30 - 9:30 PM

WHERE:

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) (Room Number TBA)
252 Bloor Street West (St. George Subway)
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON M5S 1V6
CANADA

MORE INFORMATION: CLICK HERE

Resources: General (Culture, History, Literature, Language)

Video

• The Human Condition With Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Chikage Awashima. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi, from a script by Kobayashi and Zenzo Matsuyama, from a novel by Junpei Gomigawa. 587 minutes.
  
  
• Breaking barriers [videorecording] : foreign companies that succeed in Japan / NHK Enterprises ; producer, Shigeru Nakate ; director, Dina Silver. Falls Church, VA : Landmark FIlms, c1987. [Available for checkout at Webster University Library]
  
  
• Doubles [videorecording] : Japan and America's intercultural children / produced and directed by Regge Life. [Hohokus, NJ : Doubles Film Library], c1995. [Available for checkout at Webster University Library]
  
  
• Families of Japan [videorecording] / Arden Media Resources ; produced and written by Eleanor Betting; [S.l.] : Master Communications, c2005 [Available for checkout at Webster University Library]
  
  
• I Spy (1965) [9 episodes filmed in Japan] [Available for checkout at Webster University Library]
  

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

A continually updated list of resources for the "Global Issues: Japan" course will be posted on the instructors' blog: http://GlobalIssuesJapan.blogspot.com as well as on the student initiated course blogs:

• Resources: General (Culture, History, Literature, Language)
• Resources: Human Rights
• Resources: Global Citizenship
  
• Resources: Global Economics
• Resources: Militarism / Pacifism
  
• Resources: Global Sustainability
• Resources: Travel in Japan

Resources: Travel in Japan

Web Resources:

• Japan Rail Pass Information: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html
• Tokyo Subway Guide: http://www.tokyo-subway.net/english/index.html
  
• Train schedules in Japan: http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Resources: Global Sustainability

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Resources: Global Economy & Politics

Books

• Omae, Kenichi. (1990) The borderless world : power and strategy in the interlinked economy. New York : HarperBusiness. [Available at Webster University Libraries]
  
• Ohmae, Kenichi. (1995) The End of the Nation State: The Rise of Regional Economies. London: Harper Collins.
• Sueuchi, Keiko. (2002) Revisiting the Japanese Policy Process in a Globalizing World: The State Affected by Societal Conditions. In The New Japanese Political Economy: The Reform from the Above, edited by Minoru Nakano. Fuccechio: European Academic Press.

Articles

• Sasaki, M. (2004) Globalization and National Identity in Japan, International Journal of Japanese Sociology, 13 (1), 69 – 87
• Vogel, David, and Robert A. Kagan. (2004) Introduction: National Regulations in a Global Economy. In Dynamics of Regulatory Change: How Globalization Affects National Regulatory Politics, edited by David Vogel, and Robert A. Kagan. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Videos

• Globalisation [videorecording] / produced and directed by Brian Davies. Princeton, NJ : Films for the Humanities & Sciences, c1997. [Available at Webster University Libraries]

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Resources: Human Rights

Chan-Tiberghien, Jennifer. Gender and Human Rights Politics in Japan: Global Norms and Domestic Networks. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2004

Neary, Ian. Human Rights in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. London: Routledge, 2002.

Seraphim, Franziska. War Memory and Social Politics in Japan, 1945-2005. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 2008

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Resources: Militarism & Pacifism

Books and Articles

Cunningham, P.J. (2005) Japan’s Revisionist History, Los Angeles Times, April 11, 2005, p. B-11. Available at http://articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/11/opinion/oe-cunningham11

Hirata, K. (2007, Feb) "Questioning Pacifism: Collective Identity and Security Policy in Japan" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association 48th Annual Convention, Hilton Chicago, CHICAGO, IL, USA Online Retrieved from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p181561_index.html

Matthews, E. (2003) Japan's New Nationalism. Foreign Affairs, 82 (6, Nov-Dec), 74-90.

Rosenbluth, F., Saito, J., and Zinn, A. (2007) Japan's New Nationalism: The International and Domestic Politics of an Assertive Foreign Policy, Japan World, (January) Available at: http://research.yale.edu/eastasianstudies/japanworld/rosenbluth.pdf

Takada, K. (2008) “Article 9 and the Peace Movement” in Another Japan is Possible: New Social Movements and Global Citizenship Education, edited by J. Chan. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 158-161.

Chan, J. (Editor) (2008).Another Japan is Possible: New Social Movements and Global Citizenship Education, edited Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press

Yamamoto, M. (2004) Grassroots Pacifism in Post-War Japan: The Rebirth of a Nation Sheffield Centre for Japanese Studies / Routledgecurzon

Yamane, K. (Editor) (2008) Museums for Peace Worldwide. Kyoto: The Organizing Committee of the Sixth International Conference of Museums for Peace.

Videos

• PBS (2008). Japan’s about face: The military’s shifting role in post-war society. [video recording] Available at: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/japans-about-face/introduction/746/
• Junkerman, John. (Director) (2005) Japan's Peace Constitution (Japanese title: Eiga Nihon-koku Kempo) [video recording] http://www.cine.co.jp/kenpo/english.html
  

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See also: Resources: Books, Articles and Videos

Travel Course: "Global Issues:Japan"

The course "Global Issues in Japan" (3 credits) is a combination online + short term international travel course sponsored by Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri, USA). The course focuses on issues such as human rights, pacifism and militarism, sustainability, globalization in business and commerce, and education.

• FOR WHOM:
  Undergraduate or graduate students, alumni or professionals
  
• WHEN:
  Online dates: May 4 - July 3, 2009;
  On-Location (Japan) dates: June 1-10, 2009
  

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For resources on the topic Global Issues: Japan, please see: http://globalissuesjapan.blogspot.com/2009/03/resources-books-articles-and-videos.html