who were arrested in Yokohama today when they tried to break into a theater showing the dangerous, one-sided, "anti-Japanese" film, The Cove. The rightists hate one-sided movies, news programs, and so on. I pray that none were injured in the attempt to hide something that they haven't the courage to allow people to see.
Michael Moore is damned lucky he ain't making his type of movie about Japan, although he does not know that.
(Cannot find a link yet, the information is from TV news.)
9:16PM: AFP story here, but no information on arrests. Seems that folks want to see it for themselves before making up their minds, something the nutters apparently dread.
July 4, 830pm. I have found no reports on the arrests to link to in either Japanese or English. Makes me wonder if I misunderstood NHK. I listened to the English subchannel, not the Japanese so I hope I can at least still understand English.
Showing posts with label free speech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free speech. Show all posts
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
The rightwingers may have failed in their attempt to censor what people can see. Imagine how much nuttier this will drive that small, but noisy minority:
The cancellations [of the movie, The Cove in theaters around Japan] prompted a group of Japanese journalists, academics and film directors to sign a letter urging the theaters not to back down, saying the issue "underlines the weakness of freedom of speech in Japan."AP
Thank goodness that not all journalists think like Takeharu Watai. And thank goodness that folks who signed that letter (and those who support them) showed what a fool I was to write: Perhaps foreigners are less easily deterred by the threats of thugs.
The cancellations [of the movie, The Cove in theaters around Japan] prompted a group of Japanese journalists, academics and film directors to sign a letter urging the theaters not to back down, saying the issue "underlines the weakness of freedom of speech in Japan."AP
Thank goodness that not all journalists think like Takeharu Watai. And thank goodness that folks who signed that letter (and those who support them) showed what a fool I was to write: Perhaps foreigners are less easily deterred by the threats of thugs.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Censorship fails a little
Perhaps foreigners are less easily deterred by the threats of thugs.
The Cove will be shown online in Japan, according to Reuters. The first 2,000 viewers will be able to see it free. How will the loony-birds fight that?
I might have given it a pass until the nutjobs got going, but now I wanna see it too.
The Cove will be shown online in Japan, according to Reuters. The first 2,000 viewers will be able to see it free. How will the loony-birds fight that?
I might have given it a pass until the nutjobs got going, but now I wanna see it too.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Japanese university worries about classes!
In a stunning new development in Japanese higher education, a Japanese university---where most go for a four-year vacation before joining the drudgery of the salaryman life---has suddenly become concerned about its classes!
Tokyo's Meiji U. has pulled the plug on an on-campus screening of "The Cove" that was to have been followed by a Q and A with pic advisor and dolphin activist Ric O'Barry.
University officials said they feared Thursday's screening would interfere with classes. Variety
Perhaps students who might go to the screening and the following discussion would compare that to the content of the lecture they face should they for some reason actually attend a class. Or it might cause them to get too stimulated to sleep in said class.
Tokyo's Meiji U. has pulled the plug on an on-campus screening of "The Cove" that was to have been followed by a Q and A with pic advisor and dolphin activist Ric O'Barry.
University officials said they feared Thursday's screening would interfere with classes. Variety
Perhaps students who might go to the screening and the following discussion would compare that to the content of the lecture they face should they for some reason actually attend a class. Or it might cause them to get too stimulated to sleep in said class.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Freelance journalist Takeharu Watai has a problem
Ironically, on the day that Japan was awarded the number 3 spot on the Global Peace Index (previous post) based partly on "High levels of freedom of information," the controversy raised by the cancellation of the showing of The Cove made the Japan Times again.
In the report, it appears that at least one rightist wanted the movie to be shown. His opinion was countered by a defender of freedom, a man in a profession in which one would assume would demand "high levels of freedom of information," freelance journalist (meaning under/unemployed?) Takeharu Watai said:
freedom of expression should be observed in monitoring the government and other authorities, but he has a problem with inflicting freedom of expression on Taiji's fishermen, indirectly criticizing the movie crew's filming methods. Japan Times
One cannot properly respond to that without inflicting some rather vulgar freedom of expression on Watai's opinion.
In the report, it appears that at least one rightist wanted the movie to be shown. His opinion was countered by a defender of freedom, a man in a profession in which one would assume would demand "high levels of freedom of information," freelance journalist (meaning under/unemployed?) Takeharu Watai said:
freedom of expression should be observed in monitoring the government and other authorities, but he has a problem with inflicting freedom of expression on Taiji's fishermen, indirectly criticizing the movie crew's filming methods. Japan Times
One cannot properly respond to that without inflicting some rather vulgar freedom of expression on Watai's opinion.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Shocking. Simply shocking.
I can't believe it: Foreign Reporters covering G8 face harassment: media group. (Japan Times)
They don't even get free detention or meals at the Immigration facility; they gotta pay.
Some unpatriotic folks are complaining that this sort of action threatens free thought and expression in Japan as well as violates human rights. It's ok though, for the US has been doing somewhat similar things (or worse) in the name of security so that gives a free pass to others.
Related story here.
They don't even get free detention or meals at the Immigration facility; they gotta pay.
Some unpatriotic folks are complaining that this sort of action threatens free thought and expression in Japan as well as violates human rights. It's ok though, for the US has been doing somewhat similar things (or worse) in the name of security so that gives a free pass to others.
Related story here.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
The LDP and the thugs of the right
A woman takes the stage and says: "We are committed to rebuilding a proud Japan, where the prime minister can openly worship at Yasukuni. We will devote ourselves to speeding the day when the Emperor too can worship here."
As she rejoins the spectators and the familiar chords of "Kimigayo" groan from the speakers, two young protesters shout anti-Yasukuni slogans. The protesters are hauled away from the stage, beaten by ultra-rightists and chased from the shrine as an enraged old man repeatedly screams at them to "Go back to China." The two men, who are Japanese, are then arrested by the police.
That woman politician was of course Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Tomomi Inada, today widely seen as the main critical force against the movie [Yasukuni] and a leading historical revisionist....
"Politicians know that when they, say, make pronouncements about these issues that we will take action," says Yoshisada Takahashi, who heads a Tokyo-based ultra-nationalist group.
It goes on and on. Abe was a stooge of the right who became Prime Minister. Aso awaits his chance after the more moderate Fukuda. Of course not all of the return-to-the-past rightists are LDP members. Former LDP member and now Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara is another of the rightwing crowd and not only because he dislikes immigrants, women, and about everything else. (See the article to learn just a little more of Ishihara.)
David McNeill has a piece in the Japan Times about the "politicians who flirt with fascists" to attempt to stop the showing of the Li Ying documentary, Yasukuni. That attempt may be failing as at least 20 theaters have decided to show it in spite of the risks. Article here.
Li discusses the film and his reasons for making it here.
...It was a shock. It left me shaking. I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was standing on a battlefield. It was a shock to experience such a scene, here in Japan so many years after the war. That people still feel a sense of honor and pride toward such a scene, it's unthinkable...
Both articles provide a strong refutation of the 2002 Eugene A. Matthews article in the CFR below.
As she rejoins the spectators and the familiar chords of "Kimigayo" groan from the speakers, two young protesters shout anti-Yasukuni slogans. The protesters are hauled away from the stage, beaten by ultra-rightists and chased from the shrine as an enraged old man repeatedly screams at them to "Go back to China." The two men, who are Japanese, are then arrested by the police.
That woman politician was of course Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Tomomi Inada, today widely seen as the main critical force against the movie [Yasukuni] and a leading historical revisionist....
"Politicians know that when they, say, make pronouncements about these issues that we will take action," says Yoshisada Takahashi, who heads a Tokyo-based ultra-nationalist group.
It goes on and on. Abe was a stooge of the right who became Prime Minister. Aso awaits his chance after the more moderate Fukuda. Of course not all of the return-to-the-past rightists are LDP members. Former LDP member and now Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara is another of the rightwing crowd and not only because he dislikes immigrants, women, and about everything else. (See the article to learn just a little more of Ishihara.)
David McNeill has a piece in the Japan Times about the "politicians who flirt with fascists" to attempt to stop the showing of the Li Ying documentary, Yasukuni. That attempt may be failing as at least 20 theaters have decided to show it in spite of the risks. Article here.
Li discusses the film and his reasons for making it here.
...It was a shock. It left me shaking. I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was standing on a battlefield. It was a shock to experience such a scene, here in Japan so many years after the war. That people still feel a sense of honor and pride toward such a scene, it's unthinkable...
Both articles provide a strong refutation of the 2002 Eugene A. Matthews article in the CFR below.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
"Anti-Japan" Yasukuni film canceled.
Apparently, right-wing nutjobs were threatening theaters which planned to show the film. The nutjobs have a lot of power in this way in Japan. Recently, they were able stop a hotel from hosting an event by the teacher's union. They have been known to get radio talk shows "censored" and likely much more.
[A spokesman] said Humax canceled showings at one theater after callers threatened the company. He refused to detail the threats.
"I personally think the decision is regrettable. I don't think the movie is anti-Japanese,"...
Where are the police? Perhaps they consider the nutjobs actions free speech. They obviously don't take it seriously enough to take effective counter measures.
(Interesting story concerning this at Global Voices here---the translated comments are especially enlightening---and from Yahoo here.)
[A spokesman] said Humax canceled showings at one theater after callers threatened the company. He refused to detail the threats.
"I personally think the decision is regrettable. I don't think the movie is anti-Japanese,"...
Where are the police? Perhaps they consider the nutjobs actions free speech. They obviously don't take it seriously enough to take effective counter measures.
(Interesting story concerning this at Global Voices here---the translated comments are especially enlightening---and from Yahoo here.)
One of the arguments against this film is the use of tax money. Many believe that Japanese tax money should not be used for anything critical of Japan, apparently. This is a great argument: Japanese money should only support official government views--or official rightist views. The head of NHK recently suggested that NHK overseas programs only provide the views of the government, AKA propaganda. (Are you one of the few paying NHK monthly fees?)
Friday, March 21, 2008
No problem---it's for security
Americans and Japanese apparently aren't alone in shivering in their undies at the fear of terrorism. The official explanation of "security" reduces the trembling and with luck will prevent us from becoming so frightened as to soil our dainty underwear.
While this may be an example of incompetent law enforcement officers, taking photographs (and similar threatening behavior) can be a risky business nowadays.
While this may be an example of incompetent law enforcement officers, taking photographs (and similar threatening behavior) can be a risky business nowadays.
Friday, January 18, 2008
The beginning of the end of free speech online?
The government is here to help and protect us (well, not me since I am not Japanese, so who cares) yet again by regulating the Internet.
Where the report classifies the content of Web services, however, serious concerns arise. Under the title of "kozensei" ("content that has openness"), for example, a wide range of currently unregulated services become eligible for forced content correction or removal. Blogs, Web pages, and bulletin- board services such as popular Japanese forum 2-Channel all appear to fall in this group.
It's ok, it is for security. Besides other countries like China do it too, so nobody can criticize Japan.
Where the report classifies the content of Web services, however, serious concerns arise. Under the title of "kozensei" ("content that has openness"), for example, a wide range of currently unregulated services become eligible for forced content correction or removal. Blogs, Web pages, and bulletin- board services such as popular Japanese forum 2-Channel all appear to fall in this group.
[A Japanese blogger]: "This is a country where people have been detained for days just for distributing flyers," he says. "If citizens are robbed of their freedom on the Internet, then there is a risk that they will lose their capacity to make political choices." Full story here.
It's ok, it is for security. Besides other countries like China do it too, so nobody can criticize Japan.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Free speech in Japan
Fujiwara may be getting what he and the extreme rightwing hope for in Japan. A country without dissent. Sort of a follow the leader shut up and do/believe as you are told neo-bushido paradise.
As has been obvious to nearly anyone who has been living in Japan, or closely following what has been going on politically and socially over the last decade or so, Japan has been going further and further right. "Right" as in the sense of nationalism as opposed to patriotism, and retreating more and more from any responsibility for past actions. Some from the US who believe that the right in Japan has the same interests as conservatives in the US see this as a good thing. They ain't even similar.
It has always been especially difficult for those with views opposed to the mainstream in Japan to speak out. It has historically been even tougher for those who oppose nationalistic right wing groups. Pre-WW2, this could get one killed. Post WW2, it at least meant harassment by the thuggish nutjobs in sound trucks.
Last August, the Washington Post published an article by Steven Clemons titled: The Rise of Japan's Thought Police in which he describes some recent events in which the right wing has managed to stifle opposing views:
...In 2003, then-Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Hitoshi Tanaka discovered a time bomb in his home. He was targeted for allegedly being soft on North Korea. Afterward, conservative Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara contended in a speech that Tanaka "had it coming."...
and
...Right-wing activists threatened her [Sumiko Iwao] last February after she published an article suggesting that much of Japan is ready to endorse female succession in the imperial line; she issued a retraction and is now reportedly lying low....
He notes:
...I have spoken to dozens of Japan's top academics, journalists and government civil servants in the past few days; many of them pleaded with me not to disclose this or that incident because they feared violence and harassment from the right...(Clemons full article is HERE.)
So Japan has completely changed since WW2? All the ingredients that helped Japan enter into that war just suddenly disappeared. Perhaps nothing that has been going on means anything like similar scenarios did before the war. No doubt, the country, government, and people are different and have very different views.
Then again, Fujiwara's book in which he suggests that Japanese culture is superior to any other in history and that a good government would be one of elites who run the country by dictates based on the theory that they are somehow better and smarter than everyone else; and that people should have no rights at all except the right to complain was a top seller in Japan last year. (Fujiwara's fantasy may be too soft for the rightwing as they don't seem to acknowledge any right to complain.)
Perhaps none of this means anything and I am going wildly overboard here. After all Japan is a US ally and the US has no history of deluding itself about its superior culture/values/beliefs and going to war with another country in order to spread those ideals. So as long as Japan seems to toe the US line, all will be fine.
I found that article at ikjled.com, has a list of more articles from various sources describing the rightwing trend in Japan.
As has been obvious to nearly anyone who has been living in Japan, or closely following what has been going on politically and socially over the last decade or so, Japan has been going further and further right. "Right" as in the sense of nationalism as opposed to patriotism, and retreating more and more from any responsibility for past actions. Some from the US who believe that the right in Japan has the same interests as conservatives in the US see this as a good thing. They ain't even similar.
It has always been especially difficult for those with views opposed to the mainstream in Japan to speak out. It has historically been even tougher for those who oppose nationalistic right wing groups. Pre-WW2, this could get one killed. Post WW2, it at least meant harassment by the thuggish nutjobs in sound trucks.
Last August, the Washington Post published an article by Steven Clemons titled: The Rise of Japan's Thought Police in which he describes some recent events in which the right wing has managed to stifle opposing views:
...In 2003, then-Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Hitoshi Tanaka discovered a time bomb in his home. He was targeted for allegedly being soft on North Korea. Afterward, conservative Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara contended in a speech that Tanaka "had it coming."...
and
...Right-wing activists threatened her [Sumiko Iwao] last February after she published an article suggesting that much of Japan is ready to endorse female succession in the imperial line; she issued a retraction and is now reportedly lying low....
He notes:
...I have spoken to dozens of Japan's top academics, journalists and government civil servants in the past few days; many of them pleaded with me not to disclose this or that incident because they feared violence and harassment from the right...(Clemons full article is HERE.)
So Japan has completely changed since WW2? All the ingredients that helped Japan enter into that war just suddenly disappeared. Perhaps nothing that has been going on means anything like similar scenarios did before the war. No doubt, the country, government, and people are different and have very different views.
Then again, Fujiwara's book in which he suggests that Japanese culture is superior to any other in history and that a good government would be one of elites who run the country by dictates based on the theory that they are somehow better and smarter than everyone else; and that people should have no rights at all except the right to complain was a top seller in Japan last year. (Fujiwara's fantasy may be too soft for the rightwing as they don't seem to acknowledge any right to complain.)
Perhaps none of this means anything and I am going wildly overboard here. After all Japan is a US ally and the US has no history of deluding itself about its superior culture/values/beliefs and going to war with another country in order to spread those ideals. So as long as Japan seems to toe the US line, all will be fine.
I found that article at ikjled.com, has a list of more articles from various sources describing the rightwing trend in Japan.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Not all Japanese are going the way of
Abe, Ishihara, Aso, Fujiwara etc.
`I along with most Japanese are deeply embarrassed at the irresponsible statements of our Prime Minister and other officials. Prime Minister Abe is the grandson of a convicted War Criminal. The Foreign Minister Taro Aso, is the scion of Aso Cement a company that rose on the back of Korean slaves brought over from the peninsula.
It is time for someone to say `no` to this continued foolishness and to do something about the current impasse.`
(Takeshi) Maki, a well known Fashion Designer and Philanthropist is putting up 20 Million Dollars of his own funds to move forward the situation on the Korean Peninsula...
"I am 78 years old and am not afraid of anyone. I am embarrassed by the foolish attitude of my country and want to do something about it."
His one-page website is here
`I along with most Japanese are deeply embarrassed at the irresponsible statements of our Prime Minister and other officials. Prime Minister Abe is the grandson of a convicted War Criminal. The Foreign Minister Taro Aso, is the scion of Aso Cement a company that rose on the back of Korean slaves brought over from the peninsula.
It is time for someone to say `no` to this continued foolishness and to do something about the current impasse.`
(Takeshi) Maki, a well known Fashion Designer and Philanthropist is putting up 20 Million Dollars of his own funds to move forward the situation on the Korean Peninsula...
"I am 78 years old and am not afraid of anyone. I am embarrassed by the foolish attitude of my country and want to do something about it."
His one-page website is here
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Temporarily reinstated freedom of assembly in Tokyo
Shi(n)taro Ishihara's Tokyo government, the same one that requires teachers to stand and sing the WW2 era national anthem, recently denied a Korean group the right to demonstrate in Hibiya Park in Tokyo after rightwing nutjobs complained. Tokyo is supposedly worried that the nutjobs will cause trouble, so instead of providing a police force to help the rightwing thugs behave for once in history, they just withdrew permission for the event. Victory to the emperor worshiping military wannabes.
The Tokyo District Court threw out the governments attempt at repression of speech yesterday. However, it may only be temporary as Ishihara et al may appeal the decision to the Tokyo High Court. Story here.
The Tokyo District Court threw out the governments attempt at repression of speech yesterday. However, it may only be temporary as Ishihara et al may appeal the decision to the Tokyo High Court. Story here.
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