Rides

So far this year I have been putting in more time on training rides. Hopefully, I will be able to compete in a few races this year. Had to give up on the Mt. Fuji hill climb race as it was too much trouble to travel there by train and then race. There are many more chances to race if I get the time. Have to lay off the bike for a few days as am coming close to overdoing it. Am in the Build 1 phase of training for anyone who is familiar with cycling or other endurance sports and training.

Koizumi to Officially Visit Yasukuni again

He is doing it for the seemingly growing right-wing support in Japan. (See http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_17-5-2005_pg4_4 , and his support among Japanese http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&id=321703.) He said he cannot understand why anyone would object to visiting the resting place of war dead. That would be true if some of the dead were not convicted war criminals. But, we must remember that many Japanese tend to view those convicted---Tojo et.al.---as victims of so-called "victor's justice" who had to give their lives so that allied forces could take some revenge on the poor Japanese.

Again, imagine the German prime minister visiting Hitler's grave and claiming he was just paying his respects to the war dead.

It has been some time

since I posted, and a lot has happened. China had a period of protests over Japan's misleading school texts in which the Japanese once again tried to minimize their WW2 war crimes and atrocities in China. Many Westerners used the occasion to hone their Japanapologist skills to rationalize Japan's war conduct. (More info on some reasons that Japan's words of regret aren't believable to many in Asia at http://japanfocus.org/ and specifically http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=279 and from a German journalist's perspective at http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=278 . For info on how Japanese treated its POWs and how little most Japanese know of the subject, see http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=276. For an simple, but uncomfortable comparison of the actions of the U.S. in its treatment of prisoners taken in the "War on Terrorism" and what was called a war crime during the Tokyo trials see http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=277. Naturally, the latter in no way excuses the Japanese, but certainly raises serious questions about our recent and current practices.)

The Chinese government obviously inflamed public opinion about Japan, but if Japan had ever shown any real contrition for its past conduct, it would be harder for the public to be manipulated (assuming the Chinese gov't allowed such information to reach the public).

The Chinese are pretty much right in assuming that Japan isn't truly sorry for what they did in WW2. If you watch Japanese TV, you can often see programs---weekly in fact---about the war. However, although they may occasionally show atrocities committed by Japan's Nazi allies, you won't see much if anything about Japan's. What is shown are attacks on Japanese cities, interviews with people who survived them, and sometimes interviews with ex-soldiers about the suffering they endured. Watching them, it becomes obvious that the Japanese consider themselves victims of the war more than victimizers. In fact, this is the impression you are left with when talking to most about WW2. They will mutter something about Japan doing some vague bad things somewhere, but then switch it to the bandwagon fallacy of "everybody does it," or that they were "caused" to go to war (the US cut off oil and other materials because of Japanese actions in China).

The IHT--International Herald Tribune carried an article the other day about Japanese and Indian relations. One way that India was trying to woo Japan was to emphasize that it was the only nation to vote to acquit the Japanese in the Tokyo War Crime trials. Now if Japan were truly contrite about its past, why would this be attractive to them? Can you imagine a country trying to woo Germany by claiming that they supported the Nazis during the Nuremburg trials?

Shintaro Ishihara, a well-known racist, bigot, and governor of Tokyo used to deny that there was any Nanjing Massacre at all, claiming it to be "Chinese lies." He has modified that somewhat to quibble over that exact number of deaths in Nanjing. He and other Japanese politicians pay no penalty for statements in support of Japanese WW2 actions, or for racist statements pertaining to Koreans or Chinese. In fact, like Ol' Blinky Ishihara, they are reelected. Reelected by the Japanese public. One has to wonder where the regret for WW2 is among the Japanese. (Read about Ol' Blinky Ishihara here http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=067.)

Bear season was in during this time. Saw a few hunters...only wish I could have joined them. Oops...politically incorrect for some. 

Notice the unusually blue lake 

Shizuoka again 

Autumn in Shizuoka mountains 

Knife control hits Japan

Everyone "knows" that Japan is "the safest country" in the universe. Of course, this is said to be partly because of strict gun control laws. Only the police, licensed hunters, the yakuza, and a select few privileged folks may possess a firearm. (Handguns basically outlawed except for the police and the yakuza.)

Unfortunately, there has been a series of murders recently using what must be assault knives. (Swords are also tightly controlled. Sorry, the samurai is long dead.) These are large kitchen knives apparently designed for only one purpose---to slice and stab. One wonders what an ordinary citizen needs with one. You can slice your sushi with a small knife. Well, finally a town has come to its senses and started a "registration" program for buyers of knives which are 15cm or more in length. One must provide his/her name, address, and the reason for purchasing a knife. It is about time we had sensible knife laws in this country. This should immediately reduce stabbing in Japan. As soon as someone about to commit murder tells them he needs one to kill people, the Japanese police will...will...never mind. They won't do anything until the murder occurs. Well, maybe the intended victim can be notified and she can flee for her life. Or, the potential killer would be forced to buy a 14.99 cm knife or smaller, with which he could not kill nor injure anything.

Thank goodness Japan is not like the U.S. where citizens have the right to own guns or even swords!!! If only the U.S. would follow Japan, outlaw guns except for a privileged few (and the Mafia and other organized crime groups), then get the knives. Then, the U.S. will be the "safest country" like Japan. It is so simple.

More state supported racism in Japan

Old news, but an interesting article of how the Japanese government signed the UN Convention on Racial Discrimination in 1995 and then continues to ignore or condon, or as below, even enforce racist policies.
See http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=176

Blinky Ishihara, the bigot imbecile's recent comment on

the case involving the woman of Korean descent being denied promotion by the Supreme Court (as I wrote about earlier congratulations to all Japapologists):

"Ms. Chong .... adding that when Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro spoke about the case, he made the issue of nationality especially explicit: "He said something like, 'What if a decision about the life or death of a critically ill patient has to be made. How can we trust a foreign nurse?' That made me very angry, considering that it would not even be my decision, it would be a doctor's." (http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=214)

Isn't it strange that when some rightwing neonazi nutcase makes such a racist, ignorant comment in Europe, the world jumps all over them. When it occurs---nearly daily---in Japan, there is not even a stir from the US, or Canada, or Britain, or Europe. Is it because we don't expect much from the Japanese anyway? Remember, the citizens of Tokyo overwhelmingly elected this idiot twice even though he has been known for this type of thoughts, writing, and comments for decades. They are utimately responsible. We must assume that he reflects the will of the majority. The Japanese should be held to the same standards as the rest of the modern world, and we need to stop making excuses for, and apologizing for them. Bigots and racists are bigots and racists. Period.

Look here for more on Japan's treatment for those of Korean descent. http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=208

Latest NHK TV history revisionist scandal

It has been all over the news over the last few months that NHK, the government controlled public TV station in Japan, censored a documentary about Japan's war crimes in WW2, particularly its abuse of so-called comfort women. (mainly Korean women forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese Imperial army. The Asahi Shimbun newspaper broke the story in which NHK executives went to two of the far right apologists for Japanese war time aggression and atrocities (one of whom is the grandson of a Class A war criminal) and basically groveled before these 2 thugs to get instructions on how to proceed.

There is nothing new here, no surprises. The only surprise would be if it were not true. But nearly every night, NHK broadcasts horse manure attacking the Asahi Shimbun and demanding to know why Asahi has not apologized. Short answer---no need to apologize for the truth. The question is, why doesn't NHK apologize and stop doing this type of thing? Answer, the rightist nutwing of the LDP would never allow it. Many Japanese refuse to pay the mandatory fee to NHK because of this type of activity. Have yet to meet anyone, Japanese or not who actually believes the NHK/LDP lies. Link to full discussion here: http://hnn.us/articles/9954.html

Yokohama Bay

Bay area at night 

Yokohama Bay sunrise 

Yokohama sunrise from the 69th floor of the Landmark tower, the tallest building in Japan 

Sunrise over Yokohama Bay 

Congratulations to all Japanapologists

Earlier this week, the Japanese Supreme Court ruled that a woman born in Japan of a Japanese mother and a father of Korean descent could not take an exam for a government department promotion because only Japanese citizens can hold position of authority in the Japanese government. The court ruled that despite lower court rulings, the equal protection clause of the constitution didn't apply here. (See http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=214) Wouldn't a person born in Japan automatically be a Japanese citizen, especially if one parent was a citizen? No, not in Japan. Anyway, Japaneseness is determined by blood. You see, the Japanese are a separate race from other people in Asia. Evidence? Sorry, you just don't understand Japan. You are a foreigner, a (baka) gaijin. It is impossible to understand Japan unless you are of "pure" Japanese blood.

So let's have more groveling apologies for Japanese bigotry from their foreign asskissers. I am sure all this can be explained away as due to Japan's "uniquely unique" culture. There is no racism in Japan, even the Japanese government says so.

Big earthquake

Probably known to anyone who watches the news, but there was a big earthquake in Niigata prefecture last night at about 6. At least 16 killed, hundreds injured. We felt it in Yokohama. I was with a student when it hit. Not only was it strong--about 4 on the Japanese scale in Tokyo/Yokohama---but what was unusual was that it lasted so long. It had to be over 30 seconds. Then a few minutes later, another similar one hit.

Since that time there have been numerous aftershocks in Niigata. A disasterous year so far with the severe typhoon damage, the bear problems, and now, earthquakes.

The Tama River between Tokyo prefecture and Kawasaki prefecture.

Bike path along the Tama River-a bit narrower here than most parts.

Octber 14, 2004. On a 55 mile ride along the Tama River seperating Tokyo and Kawasaki.