Christmas Archives

December 2024
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Visible Minorities: Kamala Harris and Shorter US Elections

Could the Harris campaign be a case for a new playbook streamlining the wasteful American political process?

Visible Minorities: Positive Steps for Non-Japanese

This month’s column will offer my impressions about how much Japan has changed regarding the issues that have always been on my radar screen—society’s openness to newcomers. On that score, I have some positive developments to report.

Visible Minorities: Celebrating Christmas as a Compromise

A long-term Non-Japanese resident friend, married with a Japanese husband and adult kids, recently told me about a new development in their relationship: Christmas was no longer to be celebrated in their household.

US Passes Military Budget Greater Than Next Nine Countries Combined

The US House of Representatives passed a mammoth US$858 billion military spending bill, putting the US budget for weapons and war-making higher than the next nine countries combined. Also attached to the bill was unprecedented US taxpayer funding for Taiwan’s military.

Voices of Japan’s Stranded

Japan’s decision to exclude most foreigners, including many foreign residents, from entering or reentering the national borders during the Covid pandemic has had a human and reputational cost which the mainstream media has tended to either ignore or to downplay.

Visible Minorities: The Bright Side of Japan’s “Culture of No”

Surprise! Debito Arudou admires something about Japan! It’s time for a little “gaman” during the pandemic era.

Bread & Roses: Labor Law Takes Backwards Step in the Abe Era

Japan’s labor laws have made several several distinct steps forward since the Meiji Restoration of 1868, with workers gradually gaining a degree of protection from the exploitation of business owners and managers. However, the era of Shinzo Abe has been characterized not only by a failure to progress further, but by a distinct step backwards.