2018年（平成30年）4月28日（土） 週刊NY生活 SHUKAN NEW YORK SEIKATSU [English Edition］ (22)

Letter From of spring in Tsugaru, and after a long Tsugaru shamisen piece, the theme NEW YORKERS changed to summer in Tokyo. Sukeroku Taiko played matsuri and Natto - Not-totally nidan-uchi taiko styles, and the Everyone's Favorite sound of vigorous taiko playing THE echoed in the assembly hall as they Masuo Ichida JAPAN VOICE performed a dazzling rendition of Japanese Tokyo Ondo. They also performed cuisine is a COOL JAPAN from New Yorkers’ Viewpoints Yagibushi and wore masks such as favorite of the Okame Hyottoko masks portray- m a n y Minbuza Performs ing the humorous side of Japanese A m e r i c a n s . commoners. B e t w e e n Celebrates Suzuki, who is from Yamagata , 25-Year Anniversary Prefecture, began dancing when she and , was six years old. After moving to the healthy aspects and huge The Minbuza 25-year Tokyo, she worked as a dance variety of Japanese food anniversary performance, “Festival instructor at Victor Music Industry. makes it understandable why. of Japan: Drums + Dance” was held In 1983 she came to America, and in One dish, however, is notori- on April 14 at the Abrons Arts 1992 she started Minbuza, where she ously disliked by many, if not Center. introduced Japanese culture at events most, non-Japanese people. Katsuhiro Chiba, who plays like the Thanksgiving Parade. Survey after survey, natto is Tsugaru shamisen and performs “We’ve been supported by a great chosen as Americans' most Tsugaru hand dancing, and Tokyo’s number of people these 25 years. hated Japanese food. drum group Sukeroku Taiko were We’ve had participation from won- What exactly is natto? invited to the stage as guests in a derful artists and were able to put on Natto is soybeans fermented compilation of folk song and dance a fun performance,” she said with a with Bacillus subtillis, which that Minbuza’ s leader Momo smile on her face while surrounded is basically a bacterium Suzuki has been cultivating in by fans. Mayor Mine from the city of Karatsu (right) gave his speech at the United America for a quarter of a century. found in soil and the human Nations. President Kajiki of the IFA also attended the conference. (Ryoichi Miura/Translated by Sara gastrointestinal tract. Natto The show started with a scene Welch) is primarily a breakfast food, eaten atop rice and mixed with Mine, Mayor of Karatsu, and karashi (Japanese ). It is espe- Gives Speech at the U.N. Over cially popular in the eastern regions of Japan like Tohoku, Conservation Efforts of Nijino Matsubara Kanto and Hokkaido. Because of natto's strong smell and taste, Tatsuro Mine, the mayor of Karatsu, by Flowers and Arts” was chosen. In order especially its almost slimy Saga prefecture, gave a speech at the to continue developing the project, texture, it is difficult for United Nations about the conservation Toshimi Kajiki, president of the many to consume. efforts of Nijino Matsubara related to the International Flower Association who is Many Japanese say that Millenium Development Goals and working with the United Nations non-gov- when mixed with raw egg and Sustainable Development Goals, estab- ernmental organization OCCAM, invited eaten with rice, the dish is a lished in 2000 and 2015 respectively. He the mayor of Karatsu to the OCCAM-host- perfectly nutritious meal and explained that in order to preserve the ed “Infopoverty World Conference.” covers all nutritional needs. natural environment of Nijino This was so that the mayor could Momo Suzuki shares a big smile on stage The bacterium is especially Matsubara, a pine forest of five kilome- appeal to United Nations representatives during the 25th-anniversary performance. healthy for the digestive sys- ters in length and 500 meters in width, about his efforts in environmental conser- tem because of its probiotic all citizens have contributed to a variety vation. Accompanying the mayor from Nations), Kenichi Sannabe (First value. Legend marks the cre- of cleaning activities. He also stated that Karatsu were the city’ s Director of Secretary, Permanent Mission of ation of natto in the early the city has been using Facebook and Tourism Masao Nishiyama and City Japan to the United Nations), Vice 11th century by soldiers who Instagram to spread awareness about Secretarial Manager Tatsuya Hirata. https://www.yomiuri-info.jp/daily_yomiuri/nys/ Chairman Tagashira of the United accidentally produced it by their conservation efforts. And by men- On the day before the the United Nations Japanese Staff Association, forgetting about their soy- tioning the Karatsu Kunchi, a festival Nations Conference, the Karatsu Mayor New York Representative Ricardo Chairperson Lindsey Emiko bean lunches for a few days. that takes place in Karatsu that was des- Welcoming Party and PR Exhibit were de Guimarães Pinto, Chief Jeffery Akutagawa of the New York Friends Natto may be an acquired ignated as a UNESCO Intangible held in the United Nations Dining Room, of the United Nations Public of RINRI, the Japanese local media taste, so if you've had it Cultural Heritage last year, he intro- co-hosted by the ‘Hana to Utsuwa Project’ Relations Department, Hajime and representatives from a travel before and didn't like it, try duced the United Nations to the rich cul- and OCCAM. The wife of United Nations Kishimori (Counsellor, Permanent agency all attended. (Ryoichi it again a few more times. It ture of Karatsu. Ambassador Toshiya Hoshino, UNESCO Mission of Japan to the United Miura/Translated by Yudai Kaneda) is incredibly healthy and low The gist of this speech is as follows: To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of THE JAPAN VOICE is the English Edition of SHUKAN NY SEIKATSU in fat. Enjoy! NEW YORK SEIKATSU PRESS, INC., 71 W 47 St, Suite 307, New York, NY 10036 USA (Masuo Ichida is an artist liv- Japan’s accession to the United Nations, Editor in Chief: Ryoichi Miura, Associate Editor: Ashley Matarama, Editor: Kaoru Komi ing in New York City.) a project titled, “Peace Alliance Linked Advertise Here! Contact 212-213-6069 [email protected]

Advertisement ●Focusing historical issue from the overseas point of view chapter 8 “Kono Statement” Spoiled National Interest After returning home from his official visit to that in many cases they were recruited gies and remorse,” then everybody took this mitted on June 20th. According to this official South Korea, Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa against their own will, through coaxing, statement as admission of guilt by the report, the Government of Japan was exchanging instructed its cabinet a full investigation on the coercion, etc., and at times, administra- Government of Japan. International reporters views with the Government of South Korea. The comfort women, and Japan’s response to the tive/military personnel directly took part in took this statement meaning that the Government South Korean side requested persistently the use issue. On August 4 of the following year 1993, the recruitments. They lived in misery at of Japan recruited coercively young women and of words which would imply “coerciveness” in then-the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yohei Kono, comfort stations under a coercive atmos- forced them to be sexual partners for its soldiers. the recruitment stage. The Government of Japan made a statement now called “Kono Statement.” phere. (skip a paragraph below) Especially so, as Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono, resisted to the request, but decided to use some Principal parts of the Statement are shown below: Undeniably, this was an act with the during the Q/A session subsequent to his state- words which could be interpreted as “coercive The Government of Japan has been con- involvement of the military authorities of ment, admitted verbally the existence of coercive recruitment.” The Government of Japan mistak- ducting a study on the issue of wartime the days, that severely injured the honor and recruitment by Japanese officials. Whenever we enly believed the assertion from the Korean side comfort women since December 1991. I dignity of many women. The Government state in the United States that the Government of that once such words were in, the Government of wish to announce the findings as a result of of Japan would like to take this opportunity Japan did not recruit comfort women coercively, South Korea would never complain about the that study. once again to extend its sincere apology and nor were they “sex-slaves, ” the response is issue of comfort women in the future. As a result of the study which indicates remorse for all those women, irrespective of always that the Government of Japan has already The honor of Japan has been hurt seriously by that comfort stations were operated in exten- place of origin, who suffered immeasurable admitted these points in the “Kono Statement.” this lack of prudence in diplomacy. However, the sive areas for long periods, it is apparent pain and incurable physical and psychologi- However, the Government study on which this Government of Japan has not learned enough that there existed a great number of comfort cal wounds as comfort women. (The rest Statement should be based revealed that there from this critical mistake. This kind of action women. Comfort stations were operated in skipped) (Underlines by author) was no document that supported coercive recruit- which evades a temporary issue leads to serious response to the request of the military This Kono Statement contains several ment. Then, why did the Government of Japan long-term implications. At the time of Japan- authorities of the day. The then Japanese ambiguous expressions. There is no wonder if admitted crime in the “Kono Statement”? It took South Korea Agreement of 2015, Japan apolo- military was, directly or indirectly, involved “the Government of Japan was directly involved 22 years until the truth has been revealed. gized and paid money. These actions are certain- in the establishment and management of in the establishment of comfort stations, comfort On February 20th, 2014, Mr. Hiroshi Yamada, ly taken by observers as solid evidence of crimes comfort stations and the transfers of comfort women were recruited against their own will, M. P. inquired Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the committed by Japan. women. The recruitment of comfort women with direct involvement of the Budget Committee meeting, the background in Koichi Mera, Ph. D. was conducted mainly by private recruiters administrative/military personnel, and they were which the “Kono Statement” was made, and Mr. President, GAHT-US Corporation who acted in response to the request of the under a coercive atmosphere, and, in addition, the Abe promised a study. A study team, composed military. The Government study revealed Government of Japan extends its sincere apolo- of experts, was appointed and its report was sub-

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