Hong Kong Solidarity on the Streets of London
StandwithHK, a Hong Kong solidarity organization, drove a digivan broadcasting live protest footage from Hong Kong through Central London
The $500 Grape
Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture has been developing the high-quality Ruby Roman Grapes for fourteen years. This year, a single bunch of grapes sold for 1.2 million yen, working out to almost US$500 for a single grape.
Carrie Lam Fails to Extinguish the Flame of Resistance
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam formally withdrew the controversial extradition bill last Wednesday, explaining in a five-minute television address that it was done “in order to fully allay public concerns.”
Bread & Roses: A Leftist Case Against Hate Speech Laws in Japan
Hating hate speech isn’t the same as agreeing that it should be regulated under the law.
Japan-South Korea Military Information Pact Terminated
A roundup of the most significant news stories from Japan reported in the first half of August 2019.
Palestinian Embroidery: Preserving the Roots of Palestinian Identity
Siham Abu Ghazaleh, head of the Palestinian Cultural Center Folklore Committee, organizes the exhibition of Palestinian embroidery, ceramics, and gourmet delicacies that takes place yearly in Kuwait. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the exhibition.
Support Hong Kong’s Fight for Democracy
Twelve weeks into pro-democracy demonstrations, Hong Kong is on the verge of a tipping point, and protesters are becoming increasingly desperate in the face of inaction by their government.
Osaka Reemerging as Japan’s Second Metropolis
Eclipsed for many decades by its much larger Tokyo rival, Osaka is reclaiming its former status as Japan’s second metropolis. The recent G20 Summit held in Osaka which briefly put the city’s name on the lips of a global audience was indicative of its rising prominence, and is not likely to be the last time in the coming years that it will become the focus of the world’s attention.
Why Are Japanese Millennials Voting Against Their Own Interests?
Since Shinzo Abe stormed back into power in December 2012, he and his Liberal Democratic Party have been able to count upon Japanese millennials as a steady and reliable support base. But the Liberal Democratic Party espouses stances on a variety of issues which run directly counter to millennials’ interests, hopes and beliefs.
Visible Minorities: Debito’s New Column for Shingetsu News Agency
I look forward to writing for a Shingetsu News Agency that challenges the stale conventions and speaks truth to power. The point is to increase the visibility of minorities, and to assist Japanese of goodwill in dismantling the systems that keep them disenfranchised.