English Newsletter by Komaba Students https://www.komabatimes.com/

Content University Life …………………… page 1 Perspectives …………………… page 12 Exploring Japan ………………… page 20 Komaba Writers’ Studio x Pensado … page 24 Creative Komaba ……………… page 29

27 Articles // April 2020 // Issue 9

UNIVERSITY LIFE The Good, the Bad, and PEAK: How I Discovered the Secret to University Life Through Movie Magic By: Paul Namkoong

There wasn’t a single moment when I that the originals became unrecognizable, was - didn’t think about it. all the more appealing: tracted to movies because of how different the method of production was. Everything in my life had led up to this opportu- Spending 50 hours on creating a tiny, 3-minute nity. I followed what I saw on TV and the news. advertisement for our fledgling PEAK program From the short experience I’ve had working on I picked out the targets, staked them out, and turned out to be one of the most life-changing set, I remember getting hypnotized by the team- planned out all of the enthralling details. It didn’t experiences I’ve ever had. work and organization of each individual contrib- come easy, to play god over whom I took and utor. I once saw them as nobodies, mere scroll- whom I spared. But I fell in love with the power it Film is murder, and I am its (terrible) executioner. ing words upon scrolling words in an endless gifted me. I closed my eyes and envisioned what stream of movie credits. But when I saw the key would slip out of their lips, the unnatural move- I like shooting movies. I like watching them. I’ll grip coordinate with the cinematographer, who ments they would make under my gaze. Many - will see, and many will learn. and label it art. The moment that made me fall tose-intolerant director’s chair, who had to rush in love with creating movies, however, was very to the bathroom after an intern gave her yogurt Then I did it. It was even better than I expected. (out of all the foods to give to a lactose-intolerant But the time I spent after, cutting and dicing so PEAK promotion. That’s not saying that I didn’t person), I couldn’t help but fall in love.

The “magic of cinema”, or any other term you want to assign it, came to me not on the screen, but from what lay just behind it. You never for a second consider or appreciate the hundreds of people who collaborate in unison to make the moving art that you consume; it’s almost as

So when I was asked to make this promotion, I panicked. How could someone who likes movies for their invisible teamwork possibly make a lik- able movie with an invisible team? I had doubts about both the PEAK ad and PEAK itself. Howev- on school and how to seize opportunities.

for the production, I thought I would lack content.

I planned to feature two students in our class and showcase their hobbies and dreams. The usual university promotion. I only kept the main club activities in mind when I looked over my list of friends to choose from. Oh, she does tea ceremo- -

continued on next page UNIVERSITY LIFE

Free-Style,Free-Style, Feminism, Feminism, and Focus: and Focus: I wanted to paint a picture of PEAK that, in Conversationin Conversation with Riho with Sato, Riho Editor-in-Chief Sato, Editor-in-Chief of UmeeT of UmeeT frankly, didn’t feature a lot of PEAK. By: AlexineBy: Castillo Alexine Yap, Castillo Riho Yap, Sato Riho Sato I was worried that the people I covered wouldn’t make for enough entertaining members are really good people and very self- The Trials and Tribulations of Trimming aware. Their reaction to the speech was way Riho is really fond of her fellow UmeeT team insert copious amounts of horrible nar- more than I expected, and in response to my members, and when asked about any challenges article, they never said I was too sensitive.” she has faced when running an online student Getting to know the subjects better, on One male UmeeT member who was present at any. “It’s not really a busy job,” she says. “Also, a the other hand, helped me to see these the actual speech, and who emailed her about lot of Todai students bring their ideas to UmeeT, it, later sent her a LINE message to thank her and especially before Komaba-sai” (the annual the interviews: for sharing her article. Riho was impressed that student festival held around late November every he even went as far as following up and cor- year at Komaba campus). What she does find recting his initial text because he realised his word choice was not politically correct. She was The questions might’ve been basic, but happy that people “were also trying to be on the “I’ve been writing articles for over 3 years now, the answers were anything but. Fol- minorities’ side”, willingly aiming to raise their and I still run into this problem,” she says, lowing them around raucous meetings own awareness of the issues, and choosing to lamenting how she sometimes “loses direction” for the most esoteric of clubs, football be more sensitive about women’s issues at the when writing. She especially laments having had games attended by middle-aged Jap- university. to cut down certain parts of her interview with anese obaasans who didn’t know the Professor Ueno Chizuko, since she had to meet rules, and packed river-lantern festivals Her favourite part about writing? “I love the the word count. Ultimately, however, it helps with with evil lanterns that sprinted down- readers’ reactions the most.” Citing her other clarifying the direction of her article. “Lots of top- stream and away from us, helped me to favourite article she’s written, in which she inter- ics come out when interviewing, and the article understand how liberating PEAK actually viewed the official student organisation for so- itself, which was in Japanese, had to be within was. My worries quickly shifted to cut- called ronin (entrance exam retakers) at UTokyo, a 10,000-character limit, but the memo from the ting down months of video into a final UmeeT is not a newspaper-style publication like amongst many feminist scholars whom Riho Riho noted how “cool” it was that she got such interview was 20,000 characters!” She exclaims. draft that ran for less than four minutes. the Todai Shimbun, they pump out articles quite follows and deeply respects. She was amazed positive feedback. In fact, a freshman who had “Interviewing is fun, but picking out the important Riho Sato, a third-year student in the Area frequently: about 4 or 5 times a month. Before, by the encouraging comments that they left on retaken the UTokyo entrance exam and eventu- statements is always hard.” Like my misunderstanding of people on Studies department majoring in Chinese Poli- they even published at least once daily, back her article, which was a breath of fresh air from ally passed even reached out to her, which, to tics, is the current Editor-in-Chief of UmeeT, an when “their focus was quantity, not quality”, so her previous experiences with sexism at UTokyo. Riho, was “heartwarming”. Despite that, Riho seems to enjoy the challenge. university life. Maybe my anger came online web media publication organised by UTo- as to amass more readers. They’re also connect- According to Riho, sexism is the biggest problem “I elaborate on the give-and-take aspect of in- from some cognitive dissonance be- kyo students, which she joined in her freshman ed with biscUiT she has encountered at university: “I really like Student feedback to her article with Professor terviewing. I try as much as I can to dig out what tween this program and my American year. At the time of the interview, Riho had been studying, and I have a lot of friends here, even Ueno Chizuko was equally encouraging: “The the interviewee wants to say, and what I want the college fantasies, with their dreamy lec- involved with UmeeT for three years. I had the they often share resources and information. happiest thing was when some of my female readers to understand,” she says, highlighting ture halls and jungles of student clubs. honour to hear about those years and learn from been the only problem.” friends gave their reactions.” She says that one the importance of the interviewer’s role in medi- Riho’s myriad inspiring, informative experiences Marketing a Nascent Student Publication of her friends even cried when she was reading ating between the reader and the interviewee. Producing the PEAK video helped me to in developing, marketing and editing a student Despite being a relatively new student publica- The biggest issue about sexism at UTokyo, to the article. “They told me they were encouraged break my assumption that PEAK limited publication. - Riho, is that “you can’t really talk about it, be- by it.” “You’ve got to establish a personal relationship my chances, when it was the complete cause nobody would understand.” She also between yourself, your reader, and your inter- opposite that was true. The opportunity By Students, for Students well-known student publications on campus, confesses that she initially disliked her university Finally, to her, the whole process is therapeutic. viewee.” that I managed to carve out made me According to Riho, the UmeeT philosophy is “to perhaps second only to the Todai Shimbun. In experience because some people in a freshman “Being able to put what I’ve been feeling for realize the hidden boon of a program as introduce interesting topics and interesting peo- fact, Riho was involved in producing a class were still using homophobic terms as years into words is healing, but to know that The Importance of Collaboration young as ours: if you’re missing some- ple to UTokyo students and also to people out- of NY-style tweets which kickstarted the begin- jokes. However, she believes that despite all her people were on my side, and to get support from Riho says that she intends to focus more on her thing, go and make it yourself. An outlet side of campus”. Their tone is refreshingly casual ning of UmeeT’s popularity: they interviewed previous distressing experiences, she was still people close to me, was even more healing.” graduation thesis and job-hunting soon, and is to make movies? A student publication? and laid-back, and a quick browse through the students, and their friends then retweeted their able to write the article “because society has beginning to let the newer, younger students Some class hoodies? It’s all out there for homepage, revealing their most recent articles, posts, thus allowing people to find out more changed, and the university in turn has changed Free-style, but focused take the rein of the publication. As for changing you to seize, and nobody else. shows an eclectic and exciting range of topics: about the publication. a little bit.” Despite UmeeT’s casual style and free choice UmeeT’s format, she thinks that its current form from a samurai club on campus, to a digital re- of topics, Riho emphasised the importance of as an online media platform is powerful: “I’ve The great college programs are the construction of (Shuri Castle), to a card Though Riho stated that the series of tweets Nevertheless, she also thinks that a deliberate having a goal and structure prior to conducting seen what online articles can do,” she says, cit- cumulative result of continuous genera- game made by Todai students, and even to love was not exactly her cup of tea, she could not change of environment probably also helped: an interview or writing an article. “You have to ing the success of their viral articles. However, tions of students: they came in and built advice on campus. deny that it gave them a lot of visibility on social “Possibly it’s also because I changed the people clarify your philosophy because you always she hopes that UmeeT can collaborate with oth- the things they desperately wanted but media, particularly on Twitter, and inevitably I was hanging out with.” need a guideline for yourself when writing,” she er student-run publications, like biscUiT, more For Riho, it is important to write about what she launched the publication in the public conscious- stressed. “As for interviews, they’re the most intimately. had interest in but had no clue whom is interested in, and judging from UmeeT’s con- ness of UTokyo students. Since then, they have - to share it with, and pushed for change tent, it seems that her fellow writers and editors had many other popular articles, including an even wanted to transfer to a more internation- “Female students especially should help each and growth in institutions that may have think the same way. “I like listening to the stories interview with Professor Ueno Chizuko that Riho al and liberal university like ICU (International other, considering how we’re such a small com- once looked as small and rigid as ours. of people I’m interested in,” Riho says. “And be- herself conducted. munity in Japan and in UTokyo. We don’t yet I’m now excited to take part in building cause I choose the interviewees, their stories are around me!” She recounts, laughing. “But writing She adds, “With your interviewee, you need to have a reliable platform to talk about our own our program from the ground up. Call it always interesting to me.” The same goes for her Fighting for Feminism at UTokyo about feminism really healed [my relationship develop a reliable relationship to try to get as experiences as female students and thoughts on overoptimism, but as I once said, life is fellow UmeeT members’ writing, whose articles, Riho cites her interview with Professor Ueno much information as possible. It’s not just a con- more exciting when the cheese doesn’t she says, she also loves to read. Chizuko as one of two of her absolute favourite to contribute to the university and its students a to leave such a place for current and future stu- have holes; you have all that unsullied articles that she has ever written for UmeeT. little bit more.” as well as exercising “basic human relationship dents here.” space to dig and claw and search for According to Riho, UmeeT’s management team She’d “always been interested” in writing about skills: you don’t just talk about yourself.” What’s ______the gold within the cheese. consists of only 4 or 5 members, with flexible feminism, and particularly speaking out against Writing and Healing extremely important, she says, is “to show your- membership to allow for members to focus on the (many) sexism issues on campus, starting It seems that getting involved with UmeeT, self as the person who’s interested in the inter- 1 recent statistics from UTokyo indicate that So go stake out and murder your uni- their other circles or job-hunting. Even though with the notoriously egregious male-to-female which allowed Riho to help ameliorate biases at viewee.” But in order to get there, she empha- amongst undergraduates, there are 11, 290 they do not meet too frequently (citing the logis- ratio1, which Professor Ueno Chizuko addressed UTokyo, was in turn helpful in improving her ex- sises the importance of having a goal in mind. “It males enrolled compared to 2, 734 females, cheese gold in PEAK. Hopefully, along tical challenges of transport for a team made up in her (in)famous commencement speech. perience at the university. When she started dis- feels safer to have a structure.” thus making for a 4:1 ratio. Source: “Enrolment”, of Komaba and Hongo students), they’re backed cussing Professor Ueno Chizuko’s speech with in , University of Tokyo https:// metaphor for this concept than I did. by many UTokyo student writers who contrib- The article eventually became one of UmeeT’s a UmeeT co-member, she had full trust that they www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/about/enrollment.html ute consistently to the publication. And though most popular articles, and even went viral “weren’t going to dismiss me: my fellow UmeeT dig in, build up your logic.”

2 3 UNIVERSITY LIFE How I Went From JLPT N5 to N1 in Under a Year: 5 College-Friendly Tips By: Jay Ha group called “FICS”. I had a common interest in This is a great way to learn the language as you use the most is Twitter. I started using Twitter when classical music and instruments with the people can really enjoy the learning process. I joined the extracurricular activities to get closer to catch the language quickly. I started off by I met in orchestra, while the members of FICS to the people I met in the clubs. I can assure you watching movies with subtitles, reading short were willing to make a Korean friend. Spending 3. Take classes taught in Japanese that a number of April-entry students in Todai tweets online, and taking English-conducted over 10 hours a week with Japanese friends When you realise that you are good enough to tweet a lot. Their tweets are mostly light daily talks courses with Japanese students. step by step, I obviously played a significant role in terms of carry out a daily conversation in Japanese, try of one or two lines, so there is zero pressure trying challenged myself while trying not to give myself language improvement, and these experiences joining some classes targeted for the April-entry to read them. If it comes to JLPT readings or class allowed me to pick up several expressions that I students. I started out by taking a course, “De- kanji 4 starting to write short sentences on my own couldn’t learn from classes and textbooks. sign Thinking”, taught by a British professor. The and complicated grammar compositions. Twitter Twitter account, and taking Japanese-conducted course was conducted basically in English, but was a good way to start to enjoy reading in Japa- courses which allowed for assessments in Eng- 2. Watch Japanese TV shows and movies; most of the students there were Japanese, so it lish. Surely, the learning methods vary for every Listen to J-pop gave me a chance to get to know more Japanese single individual, but what I considered important To improve my listening skills, I started by watch- students. When it was not about the class, we in their daily lives through their tweets, and also was to enjoy and not to stress out too much on ing any Japanese movies I could find on Netflix talked in Japanese, and after seeing myself being learn the latest school gossip and drama. learning the language. with Korean or English subtitles. When I liked a able to understand most of the conversation, I ______certain movie, I watched it again with Japanese 5. Go to school (outside of school) subtitles, and if I liked it a lot, I would watch it further motivated to continue to study it. Before coming to university, I used to go to cram 1 One of the Japanese syllabaries or kana mean- again with no subtitles. I could understand the school a lot, utilizing the holidays to get better ing “simple syllabary”. Usually used for native storyline as I watched it before, which allowed This term, I decided to take two domestic stu- grades at school. And I thought, why not apply Japanese words. me to concentrate more on the actors’ use of lan- this to learning Japanese? When you don’t use 2 One of the Japanese syllabaries or kana mean- guage. While watching a lot of TV series and mov- ing “fragmentary syllabary”. Usually used for ies, I started to like certain actors and directors, want that to happen. Thus, I registered to a Jap- 3 foreign loan words, emphasis, and other pur- When I first came to Japan last September, I 1. Join a circle or bukatsu and, thus, I ended up watching more and more. final essay in English, whereas the filmmaking anese language school in Korea for a month, poses. could barely write hiragana1 and could not even (extra-curricular activities) One of my favourite Japanese actors is called course is a thematic, pass-fail course. Thus, I which made my language skills improve a lot as a 3 Intensive clubs on campus, which usually de- read katakana2. After a year and 2 months living What helped me a lot with my Japanese were the Masaki Suda, who is also a popular J-pop singer. decided to take them, knowing that the language result. While I also have to focus on other cours- mand more regular and consistent commitment in Tokyo, I now take classes conducted in Japa- extra-curricular clubs that I joined at the begin- I started listening to his songs while studying the es during the semester, I could focus solely on or attendance, as compared to circles, which nese and fortunately passed my JLPT N1 exam. ning of 2019. As a PEAK student, I was always lyrics; I learnt some poetic expressions and the having a lot of fun in those courses and I am learning the language during the holidays. I could tend to be less demanding regarding attendance. Here are some free, actually-helpful methods I around people who could speak English, but thinking about taking even more. come back to school next term with improved 4 used to learn the Japanese language over the what I needed to do was step away from the lan- while enjoying Japanese pop culture. Trying to si- Japanese, which also allowed me to take more The system of adopted Chinese characters past year: guage entirely. I joined two groups – the UTokyo multaneously read through the lyrics while listen- 4. Twitter domestic students’ courses and to communicate used in the Japanese language, meaning “Han orchestra and a student-led cultural exchange ing to the song hastened my reading speed, too. The social media platform that UTokyo students better with my Japanese friends in my bukatsu. characters”.

The Annual “Miss” & “Mr.” Contest Is Sexist and It Needs to Go. Here’s Why. By: Yuka “Miss” & “Mr.” contests are not unusual sights voting to choose Misses and Misters for each how it enforces and even praises existing gender or not, or who I was going to get married to. “girl who gets angry over nothing”. comfortable for everyone. And that is why I have, on campus festivals in Japan. Currently, around campus. UTokyo is not an exception, and it has norms. Below is the English version of what I and continuously will, criticise the “Miss” & “Mr.” 80 organisations from different universities that been held almost every year since 1997. This wrote on the statement that I handed out during However, when I came back to Japan and en- What is missing from this university, in my opin- contest at this university. hold “Miss” & “Mr.” contests are registered to year, as a freshman at this university, I decided Komaba-sai 2019. tered Keio University, this naïve perception of the ion, is a shared perspective to criticise gender “Miss Colle”, a website that allows quick online to start a protest against this event, critiquing world collapsed completely. Sexual harassment norms and oppres- suddenly became an everyday reality, and I was s i o n . A m o m e n t expected to play the role of a “freshman girl” to think about the Why is the “Miss” & “Mr.” Contest held and so on. And when women argue against it, who would praise whatever older male students meaning of enforc- every year? Is it because it’s fun for every- they will be oppressed by narratives like “don’t the stage as a “pair”, with the triumphant said. Thanks to the repeated debate on sexism ing “what seems one? At least we don’t find the contest “Miss” wearing a wedding dress. This also that I had heard in high school, which I managed normal” on other amusing at all. The contest bases itself sends the message that we are expected to to ignore at that time, I realised that what I was people. Of course, innocently on the norms that restrain and “Miss” and “Mr.” contests are a representation be heterosexual, wanting to get married. facing was sexism, and soon learned how to use there are many peo- abuse us on a daily basis, aiming to decide of the oppressions existing today. Finalists are ple fighting against judged based on their appearance throughout The reason why we focus especially on this this culture, but their the process. Furthermore, meeting the wish- event and the “gender norms” it enforces After a year of Kamen-Ronin (studying for the voices are not heard. “Women (meaning people who are treated es of the audience, who also contribute to the is because these gender norms have been university entrance exam even though you al- as women)”, are evaluated by a standard reproduction of the norms, is a big factor for created as a result of a huge asymmetry ready belong to one), I entered the University Let’s face it. This of how “beautiful” they are on a daily basis. the result of the vote. The norms that Miss and within society. The “majority”, who com- of Tokyo knowing I was a feminist. To my eyes, u n i v e r s i t y h a s a We often hear remarks like “who is cute” Mr. contests compel to people do not solely mand more social power, has decided, in the situation here was even worse than the one culture that is pre- and “who is ugly”, and constantly encounter their favour, about the way in which the at Keio University. I was speechless looking at dominantly male, messages that order women to “be aware contests, “Miss” and “Mr.”, is based on the “minority” has to behave. We hope to stop classrooms full of male students and professors, cisgender and heter- of their appearance”. This applies not only short-sighted understanding that it is possible “Miss” & “Mr.” contests from being held, despite knowing the gender ratio before entering osexual. People who to appearance but to behaviour as well. to classify every individual into two categories. and to break down the norms that the con- the university. Many of the students graduated are not male, cisgen- Messages such as “be humble”, “be naive” When the result of the contest is announced, the test bases itself on. from boys’ schools and seem to have an idealis- der or heterosexual tic and unrealistic image of “cute girls”, which I are ignored, judged, and despised. As The paragraphs might give you the impression university. Spending my adolescent time abroad expected me to perform less, no-one valued my during , an unofficial orientation a member of this that I am a hardcore feminist who has been at international schools where sexual harassment opinion less, and no one objectified me based camp in which freshmen are expected to par- society, we need to against sexism ever since I can remember. How- was not in any way accepted, I was protected, on my gender. At the same time, I was a sexist ticipate, no one was there to stand with me. rethink the ways in ever, that is not the case. I was not interested in and was unable to understand why feminism myself, somehow believing that my happiness Instead, I got cold stares from my classmates for which we can cre- feminism, or worse, an anti-feminist until I entered was even needed. As far as I remember, no one entirely depended on whether I could get married ate a space that is

4 5 UNIVERSITY LIFE Against All Odds: An Oral History of PEAK’s Komaba-Sai A roundtable talk by Ricky Negishi, Minghao Xu, and Eriko Yamada in 2019. no Fried Banana! (laugh) However, it didn’t work thing since no other booths were basically si- E: Thank you. I think I’m proud of PEAK as a out for us because in the second meeting held lent? (laugh) community. I feel very fulfilled and grateful for by the Komaba-sai committee, they told us we everyone who came and shouldered the load could only sell one main food item. Sometimes R: You know, things go wrong on the day. You together so that we got to represent our amazing the rules can be a bit confusing especially when gotta innovate and work out the kinks. I think community. There was one YouTuber who came we were not made aware of them in the very be- that’s the beauty of it. to interview our booth. At the end of the inter- ginning. view, they said something like, “Wow! This booth M: And that got us sales! It also made the whole can speak any language!” I was quite moved E: I think there’s a discrepancy between some of experience a lot more fun and showed the by that. In a way, it shows that we really ARE an the rules and how they are applied. For example, school our PEAK spirit, pun intended. amazing community. on the set-up day, we waited until the time on the manual they gave us to pick up the equip- E: I think the message was duly delivered. And M: For me, I’m most proud of being part of the ment. When we got there, we found out that it was not only people in the university, or what process from the beginning through the end. some booths in our group had already claimed we call the “Todai community,” but we’d like to You don’t get to work on projects like this often. their equipment. I guess it really depends on ex- believe we are doing our part to connect people It’s the people, the obstacles, the laughter, the perience at the end of the day. regardless of where they come from. all-nighters, the hugs, the music, the dancing, The students: the handshakes, the heating patches, the glow PEAK QUESTION EXAMPLE: M: This one guy who was born in China but grew sticks, the food, and ultimately the love we have Ricky: Third year ES 1 student. In charge of the Which of the following is NOT a student club a lot of things through the committee because up in Japan and was working at the booth across for one another that made every moment some- PEAK 2 booth for Komaba-sai 3 in the year of 2018. or organization founded by PEAK students? I thought that was the thing we were supposed from ours came every morning for a and thing we’ll treasure for life. 4 Eriko: Second year JEA student. In charge of A) Bi to do. At least the manual made it sound so. we actually got to talk quite a lot. In the end, we ______PEAK booth in the year of 2019. B) D. P. Theater at Komaba exchanged contacts. I’d like to think that through 1 Minghao: Second year JEA student. Worked C) Komaba Times through the committee, so we switched to the Komaba-sai, I got to build relationships with ES: The Environmental Sciences program in wholesale supermarket called Hanamasa. people I would not be able to meet otherwise. PEAK. alongside Eriko for PEAK booth in the year of 2019. D) All of the above are founded 2 by PEAK students. PEAK: Programs in English at Komaba. The The talk: R: Oh yeah, last year when we bought the po- R: Since PEAK is centered at Komaba, I wanted tatoes and oil, we also opted for Hanamasa. It to open a booth specifically at Komaba-sai. I University of Tokyo. M: Why tornado potato last year? R: Last year, we did encounter some problems. was just considerably cheaper and easier for us think the fact that we continued the booth this 3 UTokyo has two school festivals: The May festi- One is that I had zero funds to begin with. And without the paperwork. year in itself is a legacy that I like to think I cre- val at Hongo Campus and Komaba-sai at Kom- R: There were a lot of restrictions on the food so, we held a fundraiser by selling PEAK themed ated, and I hope through Komaba-sai and all the aba campus. items. For example, you can’t use dairy products T-shirts. We also simply asked for donations, M: Besides the rules, I think another factor we events leading up to it, we can encourage inter- 4 or cut ingredients at the booth due to health which would not be possible if the PEAK com- didn’t take into consideration was the rain. It just actions within and between year groups. JEA: The Japan in East Asia Program in PEAK. concerns. Out of all the options, tornado potato munity wasn’t as strong as it was. seemed to work best as a base to add flavors only stopped midway through the last day. In a E: Speaking of legacy, I think E: One of the most stressful things in organizing E: We also intentionally tried to be more sensitive selling fried food itself is a I think this year’s (Chinese churros) is the whole thing was the expectation to earn to cultural appropriation with the menu this year. the hard work and everyone who weathered with legacy I deliberately tried to also similar since you can customize it with other money. I didn’t realize that was our main goal. At We avoided using country names in our menu if us all the way through. continue. (laugh) I felt that toppings. since our senpai started with yen from last Komaba-sai, and not that it took so R: I felt last year we got a really bad location, so I fried food, I didn’t want to Last year I was trying to have fun and get the much hard work to get! So, when I was planning, but decided to take them out because when we was actually surprised when you chose the same suddenly switch gears and PEAK community to get out and about. So, a lot of I planned to the scale of the budget we had and think about what we are trying to represent, we location. If I could do it again, I would choose do something entirely new. people did come to our booth. I hope people, both did not plan to save any money because we feel it is hard for us to attach a country to a kind somewhere more to the center where there is a So instead, we built upon within and outside the university, got to know a wanted to advertise PEAK as much as possible, of food and say, “this is it,” while it might not be what we did before. little more about PEAK. I know this year you guys which created some problems during planning. the case. And I guess it can be hard for custom- had PEAK quizzes, right? How did that go? ers to grasp such nuanced aspects of cultural Regardless, I do like to think we’ve achieved By the way, I do want to let M: prejudice, so we thought the best solution was something quite remarkable. A lot of upperclass- whoever is going to work on E: I think the questions served the purpose of Chinese Plain Flavor, Thai Syrup, Chocolate and to not have the country names when they are not men have moved out of the dorm and they don’t the next Komaba-sai know letting people know more about PEAK. I think Sugar Frosting, and Parmesan and Oregano. duly deserved. - this: the actual experience people also enjoyed answering them and it add- ing out and sharing the space together, people will be a lot better after the ed some fun to the ordering process. Plus, you M: One thing we also did was to avoid making do get to bond with each other even if many are stressful preparation that get a discount if you answered correctly. research, we found people in Cambodia, Thai- the PEAK booth too much of a “Chinese” or does drag on. Once you land, and many oth- “Asian” one. We also wanted to be inclusive and meet people and have peo- er East and South- not exclude a large chunk of the community. E: Going off Ricky, one thing we realized was ple doing this together as a east Asian cultures Thus, I came up with the idea of selling snacks that using Facebook or other social media plat- group, it’s much more fun. also eat , handpicked by PEAK students from their home forms for advertisement is not enough. It works So please look forward to hence the second countries. I always believe that diversity works a lot better when we do it face-to-face. Even for the actual experience. Don’t best when it is an organic process for everyone. people who know each other, I guess spending lose hope because there will about scholars the- time together helps create bonds. be people helping you. orizing that E: I do think selling the snacks is a good idea in inspired churros, so terms of inclusivity, but one problem was that R: Last year, PEAK professors also came and M: Finally, what are you we have the third when we were advertising, many people were helped at one point or another, be it buying guys most proud of? option, which is ba- confused about what we were selling. We were T-shirts or stopping by and purchasing the pota- sically doing saying that we had Chinese Churros, and then toes. Professor Woodward was really heartened R: I’m actually really proud in the churro style. that we had snacks, and that we also had the by the fact that we got a booth going as a group. of Eriko for stepping up The final option is quizzes. Sometimes it did feel like our booth had It was quite moving that both students and facul- and continuing the booth! actually the most too much information. ty can and do get involved in the process. Komaba-sai really is a won- popular flavor from derful experience when all last year’s potatoes, M: It could’ve been worse! (laugh) In the very E: This year, it’s really funny how we just started is said and done. So, I really which we took as a beginning, we had this idea of selling a few more singing naturally. There was always someone do hope it continues and “PEAK legacy.” fried food items alongside . I even mes- with a speaker, and there was always someone becomes a tradition for the PEAK community. Tornado potato saged an upperclassman on how to make Filipi- willing to sing or dance. Maybe this is a PEAK

6 7 UNIVERSITY LIFE InterningInterning at the OECD: at the inOECD: Conversation in Conversation with Lauren with S. Lauren Power, S. 2nd Power, year 2nd M.A. year (GSP) M.A. Student (GSP) Student By: AlexineBy: Castillo Alexine Yap, Castillo Lauren Yap, S. Lauren Power S. Power

Interview with Lauren S. Power, second year I work in the Executive Directorate, and my work The study of expatriates is connected with stud- M.A. student in the Global Society Program is 80% projects and research, and 20% admin- ying highly-skilled employees as a global supply We are entitled to 2.5 days leave for every month (GSP), specializing in Advanced Social and istrative support. It is a good mix to have the ad- chain of human mobility, which is why my intern- worked at the OECD. Also, you can opt for tele- International Studies. min support because if I had no such interaction, ship and research work in the OECD’s Human working which, for me, has been especially help- I might just sit at my desk doing research and Resource Management Division was a great fit ful during of France’s current strikes. not speak to anyone most of the day. for me. About Lauren Lauren’s research is based on original compara- There are comprehensive internal initiatives going Tell us a little more about what it’s like on right now in my division, so it was a perfect It’s an incredibly enriching experience for any- to work at the OECD! Any perks of time for me to join. Data-collection on a major one, and rewarding from a personal standpoint working there? she was accepted to present her own research at project had just completed, so I joined in time for because, in addition to getting the chance to ex- 3 international academic conferences in , data analysis and visualisation, presentations, - perience another culture and see some gorgeous Tokyo, and Rome. She has also served as a com- and report-drafting on a large-scale. I was able to nity organisations that make it really easy to feel sights, I became very close with fellow interns mittee member for 2 other academic conferences. leverage my own experience and research back- connected if you want to get to know your fel- and other colleagues. I have not had one day She will speak at the European Sociological Asso- ground to support to the team. It is really special low workmates better. For instance, there is the when I’ve had to eat lunch alone. Everyone has ciation Midterm Conference in April 2020. to be given a space in which to express your Interns’ Circle, which is an active group where been really welcoming and kind. own analytical views, as an intern, especially at members attend after-work drinks and lunches Lauren agreed to an interview with UTokyo about an organization like the OECD. It is even possible together. There are always so many different Professionally, the benefits are huge – you get her OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-oper- that, if you perform well and bring value to your events and activities going on… guest speakers, exposed to a working style and an environment ation and Development) internship experience in projects, your internship might transition into a wellness initiatives, a gym in-house, yoga class, that’s literally world-class and at the forefront of a Paris. She approached us because she wants to consultancy, temporary position, or an offer to pilates, cultural workshops, book clubs, and free spread the word and encourage other students or low-cost language classes held on-site. There for building real skills and professional compe- to apply. Requirements to become an OECD can continue your work. So, any aspiring interns is also a Staff Association with more events. tencies, even for those who have no intention to should know that, if they come to work at the Moreover, intern events happen on and off the enter academia or continue working at an IO. the working languages are English and French. OECD, they can expect to learn and grow a lot! OECD campuses regularly. The OECD holds dai- ly conferences with world leaders and thought That being said, do you have any ad- The internship is open to people currently en- leaders, and as an intern you can sometimes get What led you to focus on your area of vice for anyone hesitating to apply? rolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree permission to join these! In my case, my Supervi- specialisation? program, although many interns are current ing to be so long or complicated. Every time I orative. Candidates should be well-rounded and sor has been generous… she’s always given me Maybe you are worried that you can’t get in, or graduate students. The duration of an internship passed one screening, I thought, “Ok, that’s that have good social skills, like teamwork or leader- I was born in the U.S. and had my childhood permission to join the events I want to join, as that you don’t belong there. But don’t let such is a 2-6 months and it is a full-time job. Some- last thing”, but it turns out it wasn’t! It was a little ship experience. The OECD really values people there. I’ve lived abroad in London, Singapore, long as I submit my work on time! worries stop you. If you don’t apply, you certainly times, some overtime might be required. For an concerning to have so many screenings, but I who can work well with a team. When you apply, Japan (twice), and now Paris. I haven’t lived in cannot get in. Don’t put awesome opportunities internship at an International Organization (IO), kept telling myself that if I had another test to the U.S. for over 10 years, so I have been feeling Oh, and the OECD is a gorgeous place to work! like this up on a pedestal… be confident and according to Lauren, it also pays relatively well! pass, it meant that I was still in the running. Lat- your own research background or that you feel kind of distant from that culture. I have become It is a world-class facility with open-concert grab them!! er, I found out that’s the process everyone has to passionate about, but try to keep an open mind more connected with expatriate culture through living outside of my origin country, and my ex- spaces and gardens. OECD campuses have a What was your approach as a mas- go through to enter the OECD. about what sort of work the OECD might suggest Any advice about liaising with and periences have driven my research interests. In lot of green initiatives too, so you can feel good ter’s student? for you too. getting permission from UTokyo? particular, I want to understand why there are about being environmentally friendly at work. such differences between the way expatriate Interns are provided with work laptops and our Anyone who has tried to apply for an internship This seems like an amazing opportu- at UTokyo. I wanted to undertake that so that I Each internship is completely different and communities interact and integrate with their outside of Japan will know that UTokyo’s school nity for international students. could be ready for an internship or have time for depends on where in the organization you are host country societies and what causes these us make sure we have everything we need to be vacations do not align with most international placed. The OECD departments, called Directo- Absolutely! International students have so much able to focus on our work outputs. I usually buy opportunities. We have our big holiday in Febru- did not have to take a leave of absence to do my to offer on these metrics. To be able to move the issues of government immigration policy, mi- my lunches onsite and eat with colleagues at our ary and March, with only about 6 weeks of va- OECD internship. focuses on education and skills, and ENV focus- abroad, be on your own, and commit to an inter- gration, recruitment and employment practices, beautiful canteen or cafeteria. cation in late summer. Many summer internship es on environmental issues), so you should try to national program, you have to be adaptable and and social structures. opportunities want interns in June and July, so it What’s your advice for balancing be- tailor your application to the research and past know how to think quickly and make connections your schedule. tween academic work and a full-time works associated with your target Directorate. with a new community quickly; you’re already internship? being tested on a lot of skills that organisations like the OECD desire. The OECD can be a little more flexible in its Just have foresight and plan ahead! Front-load Can you tell us more about the as- intake because of its rolling recruitment policy. sessment? your schedule to make sure you can do what you More broadly, even as an international student Also, you should not hesitate to talk with your need to do, as well as what you want to do, to The OECD is trying to recruit top talent, but also at UTokyo, if you come from Asia, you can rep- administrators and advisors about your wish to graduate in good standing and on time. cares about diverse perspectives. They try to resent that diversity of perspective in a region try a professional internship. The earlier you do, screen applicants to see if they have enough the more support they might be able to give. There are admin procedures that are required in Can you tell us a little more about skills and experience that they can bring to the you can bring that voice in. It was surprising to advance that you must allow plenty of time for, OECD’s recruitment process? teams and projects. They value adaptability and me to be around so many people who had never quick learning. been to Asia before or who had only visited on and you must take responsibility for your own OECD used to do only biyearly batches, but vacation once or twice. visa applications to France, as well as your own now they recruit on a rolling basis. That means When you apply, you can choose what kinds of apartment search, etc. The OECD does provide that you can submit your application at any time subjects you are interested in and which fields some guidance on these things, but it is ultimate- Tell us more about your experiences throughout the year. It is a 4-6 month-long re- you already have experience in. The recruiters try ly up to you. So, it is better to prepare yourself. as an intern! - to build a bridge between your interests and the ings to pass. I had to apply first and answer Maybe many people have a preconception of an In my case, my UTokyo administrators, my screening questions. Then, I did a video interview role. The OECD has many specialized areas or “intern” as someone who just makes photocop- professors, and my department were all so sup- and took a written test. After passing all that, I Directorates, and you should have some experi- portive in finding a way to allow me to remain did a 45-minute panel interview over the phone ence and technical competencies to be able to the OECD. Interns are definitely working right enrolled and earn credits (so I can graduate contribute to the areas you indicate interest in. on time), while also doing this internship for 6 responsibilities, substantial workloads, and they months. You have a chance to be an ambassa- dor for UTokyo in Paris and an advocate of the How did you prepare for the process? They also want to make sure you’re the kind of are expected to bring their own knowledge and person who’ll fit into the culture of the OECD, skills to the table, and leverage those in their de- OECD in Japan! It is a win-win for everyone! I I actually had no idea that the process was go- which is actually super friendly and very collab- liverables. hope more UTokyo students will apply!

8 9 UNIVERSITY LIFE What can I do about climate change in Tokyo? Turns out, a whole lot! It’s Time for Some Veggie Talk in Komaba By: Amishi Agrawal By: Avalon Akashi ry. If you’ve been to the combo section you’ll know you can select four dishes in addition to seaweed soup and rice, one of which is a small omelet covered by a ketchup-looking sauce. One day, I took a closer look at the ingredients label and saw a chicken pictogram, which I initially interpreted to mean that the egg came from the my hopes by saying, “[The chicken] is probably in the sauce on top?” -

I remember when every option in the cafeteria One evening, while I was contemplating all of was an option for me. I never snuck a peek at the this, I happened upon my professor, a veteran pictograms of cows and chickens on the ingre- vegetarian of 30 years. Over his vegetable curry, dient labels. The only criteria for choosing meals we discussed the future of a vegetarian-friendly was 1) being cheap and 2) tasting good. I always cafeteria. He pointed out that improvements can could simply follow them on Facebook and join to collectively understanding climate science told people that there was lots of fried meat in be made easily through simple substitutions. going to hear from 15 speakers or organisations, the next protest, or join the team and help design and organising our university’s delegation to the cafeteria, but little did I know that meat or Take the curry, with its small chunks of beef - and plan what comes next! COP every year, their list of activities is endless! seafood was present in almost every dish. How I swimming around in the sauce. “Why not make came to know this was by going vegetarian last it into a meat-free curry with meat toppings at an - Spiral Club: as Chris Clayton, who works with the Wakupro July. extra cost?” (My friend later brought up the point speakers, their video message was warm and lov- Foundation and wants to organise a simulative that many Japanese curries use meat in their - - learning event for the SDGs in Tokyo, or Mahi I have not been alone in facing the challenges of 4 teresting – some of us are high schoolers, others nity from Japan, they give people from all walks Patki, who has extensive experience on tackling cafeteria dining: vegetarian and other-tarian ex- solution.) With “” now appearing on of life space to talk about the environment. They the issue of plastic consumption within edu- change students seem to be in bigger numbers store shelves, why not buy a vegetarian replace- 5 - publish articles on anything and everything under cational institutions and would be an exciting this semester than ever before. Two pescetarian ment for the katsuobushi in dashi ? The point is the sun, such as zero waste, circular economies, partner to work with for something similar within USTEP students mentioned that they hardly ever that we don’t need to create a new menu if we and individual stories. They organise workshops, UTokyo! All of these clubs and individuals are eat in the cafeteria. Hopefully I never tire of the can integrate vegetarianism into the existing one. events, cooking parties, book exchanges, and buzzing with energy and joining or working with first floor’s vegetable curry, because then I will would also love to organise an event around any them would be the experience of a lifetime. have exhausted my only real option. - When I brought up these points to Co-op, I didn’t idea that you might have. Also, they are easily the expect change to be easy nor fast. But as early What you just read was the beginning of an ex- group you will have the most fun with! The cafeteria is full of hidden traps for vegetar- as this April, students in Komaba may be walking citing journey, one that started on the morning of SO WHAT COMES NEXT? What can I do? ians. I stopped eating all noodles because of For some reason, Hongo’s cafeteria has greater - 1 11th December, 2019 at the biggest conference Global Alliance of Universities on Climate: I In case you found any initiative/individual even dashi, the base broth made from kombu and hospitality towards its vegetarian students. Take, etarian students (and indeed, for all students). 2 COP25 was overcome with a strong feeling of pride when remotely interesting to you, send me an email at katsuobushi . After a period of disbelief with oc- for example, the creamy soy-based sauce and As my friend put it, “Vegetarian food is for every- and one that needs your involvement for what [email protected]. It doesn’t have to casional denial, I also had to accept that many vegetable udon that has not worked its way into one.” And it seems that I, other students, and the is to come next. Lilian Ono and I hosted a ses- - be formal, and I will just connect you to the right innocent-looking vegetable dishes, well, are not Komaba. Also, bright yellow signs in the buffet Co-op have decided that the time for veggie talk sion at the Japanese government’s pavilion titled vegetarian after all. I had turned a blind eye to clearly label potato, eggplant, and tofu dishes in Komaba is here. “Youth in Japan in Action” which featured 15 the idea that research must be socially engaged longer process of information sharing and collab- their ingredient labels for months, never suspect- “vegetarian.” Meanwhile, Komaba once seemed ______diverse students and youth organisations from and introduced us to another intriguing organi- oration; if you’re aware of other initiatives work- ing that mackerel and chicken might inhabit my to be progressing with soy meat , 1 Japan. We organised this session because our ing on climate change related goals, or could spinach. which was the result of a collaboration between kelp 2 passion for climate action makes us cross paths Climate, which consists of 12 universities, includ- feature an article such as this in your publication/ Co-op and the student organization “Table for 3 ing our own, from 6 continents and encourages on your social media handle/on your website, Two - UT”. Unfortunately, it turned out to be 4 - collaboration and research among many other do contact me. I also want to launch a website the curry section, where you get two curries and a short-term item and disappeared from the vegetable soup stock 3 5 avenues. Emma introduced us to Climate Action to consolidate information about the plethora naan , the staff told me that I could not swap shelves after two weeks (I will be waiting for its broth or fish stock used as base for many many individuals who understand the urgency of Japan of ingenious civil society initiatives in Japan for one of the chicken curries with vegetable cur- return.) soups in Japanese cuisine climate change, and would join some initiative if that aims to support grassroots climate activists climate change. We will need all kinds of collab- it matched their interests and skills. We want to and make research more accessible and Jelena connect these two sides; by unifying our voices works with the National Institute for Environ- individuals willing to find out about and reach mental Studies achieve a lot. Our voices won’t just add to each Japan which also organises annual public sym- of the project sounds slightly appealing to you, other, but will amplify our collective impact. This posiums in Kyoto and Tokyo. email me. Your email does not have to be serious No Youth No Japan: This group from Tokyo thoughts, and we will see how it goes from there. The stories of some of the youth organisa- alone has 150,000 followers, and their goal is to tions in Japan connect the youth in Japan with the climate cri- As a final message, I will say that one of the sis. Their vision includes transitioning to renew- most heart-warming aspects of the youth climate Fridays for Future Japan: Starting with the able energy and increasing political discussions movements is our genuine desire to impact cli- elephant in the room, we were all surprised by and understanding of climate change. By work- mate change. This means that we are not in it for the media attention this issue has, or for the - to adding critical content to public opinion and money. We are not just open to the possibility of reach a wide audience! collaboration, but are more than willing and eager easily the most recognisable youth organisation. to do so. So with our new spring semester start- But in Japan, their first strike in February 2019 Students and Clubs within UTokyo: A number ing soon, if you believe you’ve found your calling attracted only 12 people. The journey since then with any of these organisations, send me an email has been slow and steady, and now they have are currently underway in UTokyo. There are at and jump on board. All hands are needed and over 2000 supporters. One clear aim of FFF Ja- welcome on deck; we are all in the same boat pan is to garner the attention of the public for cli- First Access, SUS+, and Echo. From providing anyway. Working together is our best bet, and we mate change. When it comes to FFF Japan, you solar lanterns to children studying in rural Africa, hope that this article plants the seeds for just that.

10 11 PERSPECTIVES Sexism in the Age of the “Shining Woman” By: Emi Yasuda that developed my understanding of how, in a pated when the next students to speak, class- versity you attend is a major factor in aggressive country that claims to support women’s empow- mates from both Japan and abroad, agreed with corporate recruitment processes. to him or his company. He had my resumé, and erment, sexism remains deeply rooted. we discussed internships, but that night at the of women’s roles, they agreed with TMU’s policy, bar told me everything I needed to know about Last summer’s admissions scandal sparked asserting that accepting more female doctors hand from the UTokyo name. Pushing beyond where his interests truly lay. widespread condemnation, but in a Komaba would be unfair to hardworking men. I felt alone my usual introversion, I tried to “work the room.” classroom less than thirty minutes from TMU it- in my outrage, and a growing understanding of Exchanging meishi (business cards) with new Above all else, this experience left me with a self, I could scarcely hear these cries of outrage. why Japan ranks 110th of 147 countries for gen- contacts, I kept in mind the smattering of Jap- profound sense of powerlessness. I knew that I During a lecture on Japanese politics, my profes- der equality 3. anese business etiquette I crammed before was deliberately misled, and that there was little I attending. Nervous but prepared, I found myself could meaningfully do about it. I shouted into the Accustomed to the left-leaning attitudes of stu- The TMU scandal underscores the hollowness in conversation with an executive from one of Twitter void and gave my friends an earful, but at dents at my Canadian home university, I expect- of Shinzo Abe’s “womenomics” policy, which Japan’s biggest companies, who told me about the end of the day, I had to pick myself up and ed little debate: Someone would condemn TMU, strives to make Japan a “society where women new internship opportunities. Impressed with continue on as though nothing happened. But the rest of us would offer words of agreement, shine.” The sexist admissions standards that the UTokyo logo on my business card, just one that encounter ripped away my trusting naïveté. and the lecture would quickly move forward. shocked the world did not shock Japanese week later, I found myself in a state-of-the-art How could I trust opportunities, when elusive “in- women, who, for over a decade, suspected a ternships” cloak malintent? How could I accept Contrary to my expectations, the first student double-standard in medical school admissions. the mentorship of any man, knowing that for him, to speak argued in favor of the policy. He stat- However, the Japanese government investiga- gave me brochures and pamphlets, explained business may purely be a pretense? ed that medicine is an ill-suited profession for tion that finally uncovered this policy stemmed his company’s mission, and took an interest in women, whose primary duty amid Japan’s de- not from suspicions regarding the elite school’s my resumé and portfolio. I walked away from the While inappropriate and sexist treatment is far mographic crisis, is motherhood. He argued that disproportionately male enrollment, but instead, impromptu interview hopeful and eager for the from an exclusively Japanese phenomenon, this women inevitably leave medicine for child-rear- from an admissions bribery case involving a pol- internship opportunities we discussed. ing, exacerbating Japan’s labor shortage, and itician’s son. In spite of the Abe administration’s struggle to empower women. For Japan to truly placing an unfair burden on male doctors. As he expressed goal of increasing women’s workforce Just days later, my job hunt picked up speed become “a society in which all women shine,” it spoke, my hand shot up in disbelief at someone participation, women’s voices evidently remain when the executive extended me an invitation to must listen to the voices of all Japanese women, my own age expressing such antiquated ideas unheard. While action from the bottom-up is es- a private business networking event. I couldn’t from those with experiences like mine, to those of a woman’s place in society. I disputed his sential for social progress, the government also believe my luck as I spent the evening exchang- who spent years suspicious of unfair admissions thoughts on women’s maternal duties, stating holds a responsibility to foster an environment ing meishi and making several trips past a table practices. Institutional gatekeepers and preda- that limiting women’s access to a medical ca- in which change is possible. If the Abe admin- of hors d’oeuvre. Once the venue closed down, tory businessmen are alive and well, but women reer is a counterproductive solution to the labor istration’s “womenomics” policy moved beyond the man suggested we head to a bar. While back know that the system is rigged against them. shortage. At the root of the issue is not that - - Now, it’s time for people to listen. cessible childcare, it could catalyze the equality stood post-workday drinking to be a mainstay of ______that they are pushed out of the profession after it purportedly desires. Japanese business culture. I agreed in the hopes becoming mothers and face barriers to resuming 1 A tenth school was accused of unfair admis- their career after maternity leave. I addressed the For my classmates at UTokyo, perhaps the TMU me the internship we discussed. But not long sions practices, but did not admit to wrongdo- scandal hit too close to home. In an era where after sitting down, our conversation veered out- ing. “Japan medical schools ‘rigged women’s In the sticky heat of early August, I sat in front of - a culture of overwork and the severe shortage of women’s university enrollment is rising above side of business territory. After a few drinks, the results,’ , 14 December 2018, https:// the TV, watching the flash of press conference male applicants’ entrance exam scores to keep childcare providers in Japan. men in many countries, 77% of UTokyo under- man, older than my father, began making sexual www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46568975. lights. On the screen was a familiar image: cor- women’s enrollment below 30%. Amidst vocal graduates are men. This skewed ratio is readily advances. My stomach churned as his clammy 2 - porate men bowing deeply, their faces parallel condemnation, nine more Japanese medical After speaking, I felt shaken. Coming from a apparent when class lets out, and women are hands moved from the glass to my body, and he kyo Medical University. to the table in front of them. In Japan, this is schools confessed to their own unfair admis- school where few people consider themselves few and far between on the crowded campus suggested we head to a hotel. I rushed onto the 3 Aizawa, Yuko. “Gender equality in Japan re- the procedure of public disgrace. Last summer, sions processes.1 These revelations and their conservative, I was unaccustomed to defending walkways. Regardless of the cause of women’s subway home, feeling deeply betrayed and mis- mains bottom.” . December an investigation uncovered sexist admissions aftermath dominated headlines as I began my lack of representation at Japan’s highest-ranking led. This man gave me every reason to believe 26, 2018. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ processes at one of Japan’s most prestigious year as an exchange student at the University I made the strongest points, though perhaps too university, these statistics bode poorly for wom- that his interests in me were business-related, nhknewsline/backstories/gendergap/. institutions, Tokyo Medical University (TMU). For of Tokyo (UTokyo)2. They foretold experiences passionately. This self-assurance quickly dissi- en’s careers in Japan, where the name of the uni- but I left cursing my own naïveté. I felt foolish for

The Games After the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Rethinking Media Coverage of Para-sports in Japan By: Sayumi Take

- in Japan remains long and tough. left sharp comments such as “The chances of inspiration from hardworking disabled people?”, pics marked history with a record number of commercial broadcasting services featuring underline the fact that the means of spreading 390,000 participants. Japanese people’s interest One of the biggest obstacles lies in the fact that the Paralympics are extremely low” and “The understanding of para-sports and disabled peo- people have few opportunities to learn about pa- Paralympics are just another exciting material for ple must be chosen carefully. whether this means that in Japan, para-sports is ra-sports. Usually, the only chance people have the media to fuss about”. widely acknowledged and deeply understood, or of knowing the rules and fun of para-sports is if It is delightful news that the 2020 Games are to take it a step further, a society where disabled they actively attend events held for this purpose. Another reality revealed by the research results expected to be one of the most exciting tourna- and non-disabled people live as equals is fully Moreover, media coverage of para-sports other was the disabled people’s strong resistance to ments in history. However, the Japanese people “inspiration porn”. “Inspiration porn”, a phrase should bear in mind that this is not just a once- results mentioned earlier introduces comments coined by journalist Stella Young, refers to the in-a-lifetime entertainment, but a one-and-only Studies on Paralympic broadcasts have been by disabled people, such as “The media should situation in which society objectifies disabled chance to rethink media coverage of para-sports conducted by the NHK Broadcasting Culture also broadcast para-sports tournaments other and thus establish a society where disabled and Research Institute over the past two years, and than the Paralympics” and “How many people people. Comments such as “Paralympians non-disabled people live in harmony as true the results show that the road to fostering an ac- should be portrayed just like any other ‘ordi- equals. curate, widespread understanding of para-sports about the Paralympic broadcasts, respondents nary’ athlete”, and “Who has the right to gain

12 13 PERSPECTIVES Darkest Day: The Oct 6, 1976 Massacre In Bangkok, By: Pongadisorn Jamerbsin, Motoki Luxmiwattana [Content warning: It was October 6, 1976. Bangkok, Thailand. So, it land.” Among these college students, 548 are The most comprehensive source (and the main about this massacre in one online archive. It is graphic descriptions of violence] was clear to them what needed to be done. - source I relied on for this article) can be found managed by Chulalongkorn University Professor TIME magazine calls it the darkest day in Thai- umentation of October 6.” Puangthong Pawakapan. Unfortunately, it is cur- “The past 40 years, there’s no single day that land’s living memory. To this day, no perpetrators About 15,000 right-wing extremists gathered massacre. It is an attempt to gather all the evi- rently available only in Thai. I didn’t think about October 6. I was a sec- have been brought to justice yet. It took until the near . The military, now The 18 students held in custody, including dence, records, memoirs, writings, and research ond-year student, here at Thammasat University. year 2000 before a small monument was allowed reassured by the people rallying behind them, Thongchai, were released two years later among During a demonstration I was always in charge at the university. It is not taught in Thai schools deployed the police: Normal cops. The Thai agreements of impunity for all parties on October of the speakers on the stage. We are part of the FBI. The Thai SWAT. The Thai riot police. Border 6 for the sake of national reconciliation. And un- movement that brought down the dictatorship in der the condition that he never takes part in any 1973.” Since absolute monarchy ended in a bloodless even the infamous border patrol paratrooper political activities again. revolution in 1932, Thailand has been ruled most police, trained by the CIA in irregular warfare, It was October 5, 2016. Professor Thongchai of the time by military dictators for decades until who had done black ops in Laos, special forces, Thongchai went back to school and devoted the Winichakul was then a well-respected expert on the students took to the streets and drove them police officers only in name. They were armed rest of his life to understanding what had hap- Thai nationalism teaching at the University of out in 1973. Trying to regain power, they called with pistols, shotguns, semi-automatic rifles, pened on that fateful day. Wisconsin-Madison. He was interviewed by the upon extremist right-wing organizations they BBC. established. Having previously controlled the bulletproof vests and helmets. The paratrooper Unfortunately, Thailand never learnt from that education and conscription system, they had also brought heavy weap- day. In 1992, the Crackdown oc- “The stage is [sic] made up of two levels of a big pool of indoctrinated individuals to easily ons: grenade launchers and mortars, and even a curred, and in 2010, there was the Savage May drums. I hid behind the drums, I keep talking for, call upon and radicalize. They mobilized them to I have no idea for how long, maybe an hour or physically assault the left-wing, and many ac- destroying bunkers or tanks. the 2014 coup in March 2019, in which the coup so. People know, remember what I say because I tivists got beaten up. A few were assassinated. leader won, but it was widely seen as an unfair keep saying the same thing over and over…” They are the , the Nawaphon, and The police and the right-wing mob blocked all election. the Red Gaurs groups. As Professor Puangthong the exits. Police boats guarded the river. Then At this point he was overcome by a violent epi- R. Pawakapan wrote in her book, “The Central at 5:30 AM they started shelling the campus sode of PTSD. Recovering quickly, he continued, Role of Thailand’s Internal Security Operations with grenade launchers and mortars. They then that day, which he has been working on for more with moist eyes. Command in the Post-Counter-insurgency Peri- moved to the university fence and sprayed than a decade. It will be published in March od”: “It is generally understood that the Thai mil- the campus with automatic fire. Thousands of 2020. The title of the book is: “Moments of Si- “Begging the police to stop. We are unarmed. - - lence: The Unforgetting of the October 6, 1976, Please stop shooting, we are unarmed. Please Massacre in Bangkok”. stop shooting, we are unarmed. Maybe a hun- facilitator of the organization and indoctrination methodically shelled the classrooms one by one. ______A Brief Timeline of Thailand’s Contemporary History dred times. I don’t know what else to say. I saw campaign towards the radical right-wing”. They also threw frag grenades for good measure. By Gun Wongpraserdkul, Independent Scholar people lie down on the ground, near that build- The right-wing mob followed their lead and went Further Reading ing, I didn’t know, I didn’t realize until later that During such turbulent times, the exiled dictators in and beat up the students. Some of the right- https://thediplomat.com/2016/10/commemorat- 1932 : June 24. The Siamese Revolution of country. At least 77 died. some of them were killed. I thought that they tried to enter Thailand as monks. The students wing mob also had pistols. Some photos show ing-the-thammasat-university-massacre-in-thailand/ 1932 by the Khana Ratsadon (People’s 1976 : The Oct 6, 1976 Massacre, paramil- just, lie [sic] down.” and labor unions took to the streets again. The the right-wing mob violently attacking students Very concise summary of the key points of the Party), end of absolute monarchy and itary forces and right-wing groups right-wing mobs swiftly organized a counter-pro- even after they were taken into custody. incident in a video. the start of democracy in Thailand. attacked protestors in Thamma- test and two protestors were lynched. Students 1933 : The Boworadet Rebellion, a coun- sat University, 46 to 530 died. The In Chris Baker and Professor Pasuk Phongpai- at Thammasat University staged a play to com- A few students had handguns just in case, but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1uvvsENsfw ter-revolution. 17 died in armed skir- military justified the attack as a chit’s “A History of Thailand”, survivors said it is memorate this event. According to “Documen- they stood no chance. Only two police officers , BBC interview. The BBC mishes. preemptive strike against commu- more than 100. According to the digital archive tation of October 6,” the army-run radio station died. interview mentioned in the text. nist insurrection and justified their “Documentation of October 6”, a project coor- and 260 affiliated civilian stations said that the 1938 - 1944 : Field Marshal Plaek Phibun- coup d’état as protection from com- dinated by Professor Puangthong Pawakapan, students were not protesting against the exiled The paratrooper border patrol police were also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlGzZy83rz4 songkhram became prime minister. munist threat. dictators, but committing lèse-majesté (defaming trained in psychological warfare, US-style. They - Ruled as an authoritarian, fascist bodies claimed it was 530. 3,094 students were the sovereign) and were stockpiling weapons to drove wooden stakes into corpses as if exor- hand and took Pulitzer Prize-winning photos. dictator emulating Mussolini and the 1977 : October 20, . arrested, 18 were held in custody for two years prepare for a communist takeover, citing a photo cising some “evil communist spirit”. They made Japanese military government. 1991 : February 23, . while they were court-martialed for communism of the mock-lynching in the Bangkok Post. The funeral pyres. They violated a female corpse http://www.khaosodenglish.com/poli- 1945: World War II ended and a brief period 1992 : May 17 to 19, the Black May Crack- and 11 other charges, including Thongchai. newspaper Dao Siam published an article de- with a wooden pole. Two or three students were tics/2016/10/05/oct-6-massacre-photographer/ of revival of democratic rule began. down. Anti-government protesters scribing the students gathering in Thammasat as The journalist’s memoir. 1947 : November 8, , an era of were fired upon by the military. At committing lèse-majesté and communist sedition began, which least 52 died. using that photo. Into the night the military radio Of note is the gleeful nature of the whole opera- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na1Xb- would last for 26 years (1947-1973). 2006 : September 19 . and affiliated stations urged citizens to gather tion. Footage exists, of them smoking and shoot- mGQL4k During this period some coups erupt- 2010 : March to May, Cruel April or Savage near the university to bring the students to jus- ing, of the right-wing mob smiling and cheering Full interview of the journalist mentioned above. ed between different factions of the May Crackdowns, or the 2010 Thai tice. Krisadang Nutcharut, a survivor, told the as they whack a lynched corpse with a folded military in power struggles. Khaosod English: “The call was to come out and metal chair. https://indianexpress.com/article/world/world- Military Crackdown. Anti-govern- 1948 : April 6, . kill students.” news/thailand-6-october-1976-massacre-anni- ment protestors of the United Front for Later that day, the military overthrew the dem- versary-lynching-photo-3064629/ 1951 : November 29, . Democracy Against Dictatorship were As part of their basic education, they were indoc- ocratically-elected government. They used A recent article about the incident, in-depth. 1957 : October 16, Coup d’état. Field Mar- attacked by the military, at least 87 trinated with the idea that the Thai royal family this event to justify their actions, claiming the shal came to power. died. was sacrosanct. They were later radicalized and students had an armory of weapons of war and http://www.khaosodenglish.com/poli- The supported dictators 2014 : May 2014 . organized into right-wing groups by the ISOC, were preparing for a communist revolution and tics/2016/10/05/will-remember-survivors-re- 2014 –2019: Military dictatorship. and were taught anti-communist ideology, since, regicide. Books were burnt. Political parties out- count-1976-massacre-40-years-later/ communism. for them, communists kill royal families, and an- lawed. Freedoms suppressed. In-depth accounts by survivors. 2019: March 24, elections widely seen as un- 1958 : October 20, . fair. Coup leader won. a communist. This later top-down radicalization As a result, more than 3,000 college students https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/unforgetta- 1971 : November 17, . and organization by the state, accompanied by fled to the jungles to join the Communist Party ble-unrememberable-the-thammasat-massa- 1973 : October 8 to 15, Protests demanding Thailand has already experienced 11 coups the “red scare” of that time was the main reason of Thailand, as is inscribed on the memorial cre-in-thailand/#_ftnref10 a constitution escalated into anti-gov- . Since the end of absolute monarchy in they became violent and what set them apart plaque at Thammasat University. At its peak, the Detailed personal account of a survivor. ernment, anti-military dictator pro- 1932, Thailand has only experienced 33 total from other Thais. To them, the mock-lynching of years of democratic rule, which is just 38 someone (allegedly) looking like the crown prince war would result in an average of 1,000 dead per https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1976/ made things worse, and the military percent of the time since the end of absolute meant that the students wanted to destroy year during the bloodiest two years, according oct/07/fromthearchive monarchy. Thailand. A famous monk said something to the to Baker and Phongpaichit’s “A History of Thai- Newspaper article from that day.

14 15 PERSPECTIVES Cambodia: The Bittersweet Smile of Khmer By: Mudi Wang taller than a dwarf, somehow took away all the It was when I walked On the iron grating of a cell, I discovered a 1 thoughts in my mind. The sole thing that pos- through a dark tunnel Plumeria flower, already withered, possibly put 23 sessed me at that moment was pure apprecia- in the ruins of Beng there by some visitor for grief delivering. I gazed “The tion, of their life-likeness and stateliness. Benign Mealea that I realized at it, and saw in it the withered dreams of tens of Smile of Khmer” and merciful, the countless smiles of Avalokite- what the nightmare of thousands of people, whose lives were so fragile shvara were in every direction I turned my eyes blood-covered faces and ephemeral in a time of terror, like flowers to. In a shower of the 7 A.M. sunlight, the scene mirrored. dropped to the ground by a malign thunderstorm. brought about a spiritual, almost religious, ca- 6 A.M. – four hours tharsis. after waking up from my nightmare. The tem- After leaving Bayon, I saw a series of mind-bend- ple complex of Beng ing sights in the other temples of Angkor: nature Mealea, one of the in- going wild at the jungle temple Ta Prohm (where spirations of Miyazaki the movie “Tomb Raider” was shot) as the roots H a y a o ’s c e l e b r a t e d of giant banyans grew into the stone bricks, devouring the temple complex; wide-eyed Gre- the Sky” (天空の城ラピュタ), cian-style columns at the ruins of Preah Khan, normally does not see where the “holy sword” of the Khmer Empire many visitors at so early was said to be kept; perfectly symmetrical corri- a time. dors in Baphuon, seeming to lead visitors into a myth… but none of these sights were as equally In a high-spirited mood breathtaking as the sight at Bayon. for an Indiana Jones adventure, I was sauntering in the expansive ruins without set routes. The second I entered a random tunnel, though, the gaiety somehow vanished out of a sudden. It was pitch-black in the tunnel. Twitters of birds faded away. What frightened me was how familiar and nerve-rack- ing the surrounding tenebrosity was. A leather-covered notebook was placed on the It was not long before I realized that the inde- table of one exhibition room, on the pages of scribable horror stemmed not from any experi- which visitors could write their comments for ence in Beng Mealea or other temples of Angkor. what they had seen. I took a deep breath before I It stemmed from a visit, just before departing grabbed the pen. There was a lot to write about, for Siem Reap, to somewhere dark, narrow and but eventually I wrote down only one sentence. “Before today, I never knew it was on the iron That “somewhere” was in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Once a prison and tor- The framed photograph of the Plumeria is still on ture centre, today it is called the Tuol Sleng my desk. Genocide Museum. ______ The venue was formerly the S-21 Prison under the regime5, in power from 1975 1 Avalokiteshvara: the bodhisattva of infinite to 1979, transformed from a secondary school. compassion and mercy in Buddhism. Japa- More than 17,000 prisoners were interrogated, nese: Kannon. Chinese: Guanyin. Encyclopedia tortured and executed in the prison; in early In one of the rooms, I saw countless black-and- Britannica, 2019. 1977, S-21 claimed an average of 100 victims white photographs of prisoners, number-boards 2 Jayavarman VII: born c.1120/25 – died c. 1220,

a day (Lonely Planet, 2019). Between 1975 and on their chest and numbness in their eyes. one of the most forceful and productive kings 1978, some 20,000 prisoners – including women, It was those faces, as I realized in the tunnel of of the Khmer (Cambodian) empire of Angkor children and infants - were taken to the killing Beng Mealea a few days after my visit to the (reigning 1181-c. 1220). Expanded the empire S-21, that were projected onto my nightmare. to its greatest territorial extent. Builder of Ang- buried in mass graves (Lonely Planet, 2019). It kor Wat, Bayon and numerous other temples of A Day with Nothing Nightmare-Provoking, I opened my eyes wide and found my forehead Angkor. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019. wet with cold sweat. It was 2 A.M. in Siem Reap, only Fascination 3 Khmer Empire (802 CE - 1431 CE): a powerful and out of the hotel room I could see it was All packed at 4 A.M., I was being (how astonish- state in Southeast Asia formed by people of the dark out. In my dream were countless smiling ing!) an early bird that day, for a time-consuming The ubiquitous absurdity surrounding the S-21 same name. Covered much of today’s Cam- faces of Avalokiteshvara, stone-carved, titanic, tour of the temples of Angkor, starting from the prison is frightening. One regulation set by 4 bodia, Thailand, Laos and southern Vietnam at just like those benign faces that I saw in Bayon; world-famous Angkor Wat . Disturbed by the the interrogators reads, “While getting lashes its peak. Capital city: Angkor. Ancient History only, those in my dream were covered by dirt noisy groups, though, I spent barely an hour or electrification you must not cry at all.” The Encyclopedia, 2013. and blood, everywhere cut and bruised. They inside Angkor Wat before returning to the rented exhibited photographs reveal that most of the 4 car and heading for Bayon. It was a few minutes prison guards and interrogators were teenagers, Angkor Wat: 12th century temple complex built past 7 A.M. when I arrived; the temple was in even young children. The greatest absurdity yet by king Suryavarman II (reigned 1113-c. 1150). unbelievable tranquility. Climbing the stairs and lies in the juxtaposition of the ephemerality of World’s largest religious structure, covers 160 Yet why did such a nightmare occur to me? I wandering through the corridors, with scarcely the Khmer Rouge rule and the scale of its terror. hectares, and marks the high point of Khmer closed my eyes tight, attempting to reconstruct a soul around, I felt as if I were exploring a laby- Under the Khmer Rouge regime, at least 1.5 architecture. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019. an image of the previous day in my brain. But it rinth in a game of “Assassin’s Creed”. million Cambodians were killed and the country’s 5 Khmer Rouge: a radical communist movement was by all means a buoyant day at the temples professional and technical class exterminated that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 after of Angkor, some of the most majestic heritage When I glimpsed down from a high platform, I (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019). winning power through a guerrilla war. Encyclo- sites of human civilization. saw Those stone- pedia Britannica, 2019. carved faces, compared to which I was no

16 17 PERSPECTIVES Learning to Write My Name I am large, I contain multitudes By: Erika Yamauchi By: Alexine Castillo Yap ______We grew up just half an hour away from each decline as the consequence of its apparent lack It turns out, I cared about other, in places equally deserving of the label “the of religion, an attitude that would appall me if I causes, who never missed a chance to yell at Do I contradict myself? societal expectations. A 2 middle of nowhere.” But when it came to poli- heard it today. I was further repulsed by the ka- politicians on the screen. Meanwhile, desperate Very well then I contradict myself, lot. tics, he told me quite adamantly, “I can’t think waii mannerisms and fashion choices of some to communicate, I found myself memorizing a (I am large, I contain multitudes.) the same way as you. I’m not .” We both Japanese women. I felt that their behavior con- beginner’s textbook of Japanese vocabulary One of the most intriguing, came from communities that voted conservative stituted self-infantilization, undermining feminist and writing. As I put pen to paper, my 3 not to mention personally for every election in waking memory. As kids, we victories for all women. This observation, in the hovered over my shoulder, correcting stroke ______relatable, concepts in spent a summer together at the same Christian context of reports on gender inequality in Japan, order and character proportions. After learning sociology that I learned in led me to blame Japanese women for their own katakana, I began to write my name. My grand- “Ice Queen”. “Dragon Lady”. “Too serious”. freshman year was role subjugation. I further internalized the Western parents were aghast. A name as Japanese as my “Stone-hearted”. “Cold (+ the very rude pejora- conflict. Dictionary.com amalgam of factors suggesting a perspective own, Yamauchi, they told me, should never be tive that starts with the letter B).” These are just defines it as “emotional radically different from his own. In an identity and saw the focus on otakus, lolita, and Japan’s written in katakana. Promptly they brought out a few of the (admittedly resting on the more pal- conflict arising when legal child porn, not as outliers, but as represent- the calligraphy set, and I learned how to write my atable end of the spectrum) names and descrip- competing demands are sexuality on personal politics is often empha- ative of Japanese culture as a whole. full name, 山内恵梨香 tors I’ve been called behind my back, both by made on an individual in

sized by people on both sides of the ideological time, in the kanji I never knew were chosen when spectrum. But in spite of being a minority, a be- So, when my Japanese grandparents invited me I was born. me speak outside of a classroom or work-related multiple social roles.” Cer- lief in equality for all people, including those like to stay with them the summer after my senior tainly, nobody is a stranger to this concept; we all ter to her. At the same time, were she to adopt myself, was not embedded in my genetic code. My grandparents’ willingness to share their world know me better, eventually. On the other, farther have multiple social roles that we feel pressured no. I already had plans: working at Baskin Rob- with me began the unraveling of my prejudices. end of the spectrum are the people whom I’ve As an undergraduate student, I’ve been taught I saw that embedded in my ideas of Japan were known quite well for some time now and under- course of less than a single day. And as someone would then eventually be accused of not being how the principle of equality functions in a di- thrift shops for band t-shirts. But as it turns out, blatant falsehoods that devalued a group of stand me to be the opposite of whatever being currently juggling academics, extra-curriculars, serious enough, perhaps of being stupid, as well. verse world. Avoiding the deterministic assump- when the grandparents you haven’t seen in over people, which I came to recognize, I was a part an “Ice Queen”, “Dragon Lady”, or whatever and part-time jobs, on top of trying to keep a so- It’s a lose-lose situation. It gets really confusing, tion that history moves linearly toward justice, my a decade ask you to visit, no isn’t a socially ac- of. While one trip away could not eradicate a life- other pejorative, entails. In fact, I’d probably be tiring, and disorienting, and I don’t even know professors have described the transnational de- ceptable answer. I soon arrived in Japan with a time of misconceptions, the experience sparked accused by some of them of the other extreme friends and family from back home or abroad, I where I fall in the “cold-sensitive” spectrum any- velopment of a belief in the equality of all human a long process of questioning my beliefs, both end of the spectrum: overly sensitive, emotional, feel like the concept is especially relevant to me. more, even though as a human being of course I beings. Amongst factors driving this movement, my friends, I’d been blessed with the graduation about Japan and about myself. I saw that it was capricious, unpredictable, and what have you. I have to perform multiple roles and duties almost would exhibit both traits. they suggest, is the advocacy of people who trip of a lifetime. But I struggled to feel grateful, possible to expand my self-concept to recognize daily, sometimes to the point of confusion about experience injustice. The reasoning behind this for being in Japan meant acknowledging the my Japanese heritage, without mitigating my In my freshman year of university, I once acci- who or what I really am. argument is self-evident, that people who face heritage I preferred to suppress. Beneath the American identity. dentally overheard someone call me the afore- injustice will naturally advocate against it. But thin shield of my prejudices was a deep shame mentioned “cold-plus-the-very-rude-pejorative- Have all of that, plus the name-calling, and then particularly troubling time last semester I found when we are taught that the world is just, learning for knowing nothing of either Japanese language This ongoing confrontation with internalized prej- that-starts-with-the-letter-B” around lunchtime. slap on a huge dollop of “expectations of how solace in his work after being introduced to his to recognize injustice, even against oneself, is a or culture. Feeling comfortable in this ignorance udice is why I reject the idea that as a minority Not even 2 hours later, I was being accused of women should act, think, and feel,” and you get poetry by my American Literature professor. “I was easier when I could convince myself that the in multiple respects, I am naturally imbued with being “over-emotional and sensitive” by another a recipe for a potential meltdown. am large, I contain multitudes,” he writes in his began not on a picket line, but in my own mind, things I didn’t know about Japan weren’t worth progressive ideas of equality. Surely, many peo- person. That evening, a friend then told me that famous “Song of Myself”. What a refreshing, lib- confronting the prejudices I held against myself. knowing anyway. ple are already cognizant of this reality or recog- everyone thought I came off as “too-serious” Just the other day I had to really try to bite my erating thought: to be able to develop multiplic- nize that racism is capable of existing in minority and unfriendly, because I was too focused on my tongue when I heard a professor say, “Women ities and allow them to co-exist within oneself, Growing up in small-town , I “didn’t see Under the 40-degree heat of the summer sun, my communities. But my message is for my friend, schoolwork. will save the world, because of their inherently and be at peace with that. color,” including my own. My mother was a re- pretenses of superiority quickly faded. My grand- who felt that his privilege precluded him from caring nature.” Obviously a million thoughts were cent Japanese immigrant, and my American-born parents and I crammed like sardines into their being able to see the world in a different light. In short, just another day of existing as a woman running through my head: My being an ostensible “Ice Queen” on the one father was sansei (third-generation Japanese). one-room apartment. We communicated through in this world, I suppose. hand, and purportedly also “overly sensitive” But through my eyes, Asia was an abstraction, a pocket-sized English-Japanese dictionary and on the other are, I believe, extreme, if not unfair, as exotic to me as it was to my white peers. I an elaborate system of hand gestures. I expect- a moral compass that is perfectly aligned. Living You’d think that after having attended a co-ed labels on me. I can’t exactly blame people for wasn’t a poster-child for non-assimilationist “sal- ed them to berate me for my lack of Japanese my life has forced me to expand my perspective school, an all-girls’ school and then an inter- wanting to categorise others into neat boxes, ad bowl” multiculturalism, but rather, the type of knowledge, but instead, they became patient to one in which I have value, but this process is national school abroad, I’d have already gone especially when we all have so many roles our- person for which the word “banana” was invent- teachers. We pored through old photo albums, one that everybody is capable of. through enough name-calling (in multiple lan- selves to manage, and perhaps it’s just human ed. Japanese was just the language my mother and I learned that our family descended from a ______guages too, at that) to have grown thick-skinned I contemplated either walking out of the class - spoke on the phone, and the tongue my father long line of fishermen. While cooking breakfast enough not to be hurt by whatever name-calling or debating with him on the spot, but decided plex beings into manageable categories existing never learned. Traditions, meanwhile, were like with my ,1 she taught me that dashi 2 1 Grandmother still occurs past high school 1. I suppose anyone against it when I realised I was, at the end of within dichotomies and binaries. But I’d also like the calligraphy set in the basement, undusted is the key to good miso soup. The TV was on 2 A common Japanese cooking stock who’s been through some kind of schooling with the day, the student in this situation, and should to problematise that, especially because, at the and untouched. twenty-four seven, and I soon found out that 3 Grandfather a bunch of other tween-/teenaged peers have keep my mouth shut. But it also dawned on me end of the day, these labels do hurt. I need to

been subjected to some form of mean-spirited that I was probably also just using that as an ex- realise that these labels are nothing but others’ Far-removed from my heritage, I felt like your av- name-calling (and have probably taken part in not-so-accurate perceptions of who I am and, as erage, all-American girl-next-door. I never faced some name-calling themselves). Luckily, you nev- Lady”/whatever version of the b-word to my fel- has been proven, highly changeable since they racist bullying, making it easy for me to feel at er really get to hear all the names, and it’s prob- depend on how a person knows me, and thus do home in the land I cut my teeth on. But as the ably for the best, for your own sanity’s sake. But enough potential friends and partners because only non-white kid in my grade for every year of of that, if the name-calling from freshman year my K-8 education, there was a natural curiosity do hear always manage to be some of the most isn’t proof enough. In the meantime, I’ll stay being your ice queen about where I came from. In good faith, hurtful, and the ones that stick with you the most. dragon lady who also happens to like fluffy friends asked if I could translate their names, or What’s discomfiting is this scares or turns things. tell them about China. Their inability to correctly Going into university, I thought I didn’t really care ______remember my ethnicity made little difference to anymore about petty things like name-calling, women to be both career-oriented and family-ori- me. To both myself and my friends, China and mostly because I also thought I had also already ented at the same time are overwhelming, not to 1 In my senior year of high school, my friends and stopped caring about what other people thought mention expose an unfair double standard since I formulated a theory that peak meanness oc- of me. If I wanted to stay home all day and just men aren’t seen or expected to be the same curs around 15 years old, after which point all As I got older, my innocent lack of knowledge do my schoolwork, why should anyone care? way. If a man is career- or goal-oriented at the the really bad names have already been used, transformed into an outright rejection of my herit- Conversely, if all I wanted was to go out and meet expense of his personal life, people would ad- age. I wanted nothing to do with Japan. Through new people, I should be allowed to. All in a day’s mire him and see him as a role model, whereas again, because nothing could possibly ever be the Western media, I learned to think of Japan as work, right? I’m an independent woman, it’s the if a woman did the same thing, they would revile as bad as what your Year 9 crush called you a dying country, a place where niche sexual sub- 21st century and I’m allowed to do whatever and her and, as has been done to me, call her an in- when you were 14. cultures thrived while the birth rate plummeted. be whomever I want, who even cares about soci- 2 Still do. I’m working on it. Smug in my Christian superiority, I saw Japan’s etal expectations? (Cue “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo.) knowing who she really is and what values mat-

18 19 EXPLORING JAPAN 3 Must-Eat Cuisines in Komaba What’s the weather in Tokyo? By: Zhiyun Du By: Alyssa Castillo Yap ● Hishidaya: One of the things I was disproportionately anx- On the other hand, I also realised that Tokyoites control? Then, like a candle on a birthday cake ious for when I stepped into the admissions in- are as indifferent to earthquakes as I was to being blown out for a wish, I realised with a blink The most famous restaurant in Komaba is, for terview for PEAK was the possibility of any ques- storms. So, what bothered me wasn’t the shock of an eye that Tokyo inspired me precisely be- sure, Hishidaya. factors of news coverage or the advanced nat- cause it lives in this eternal love-hate relationship about the four seasons. That is to say, despite ural disaster information systems in Japan (like with pathetic fallacy. “Will it rain today? Will it be It’s been introduced on TV programs, discussed studying the names, chronology and images of the sirens and loudspeakers in most neighbour- cloudy? Or sunny? Cold, warm or sweltering? I among students, and even recommended by the common four seasons prior to my interview, hoods, warning everyone of the coming disas- am not the one to tell, but, I will adapt.” In Tokyo, professors in lectures. Every lunch or dinner I found myself paralysed in the middle of a fan- ter). Instead, considering the obsession with I found a strange kind of living and looking back, time, if you walk along the Komaba Shouten-Kai cy Hanoi hotel, feeling as if all the nerves in my checking forecasts that I had so far observed in road, it would be unusual not to see a long line body were maniacally failing to shoot the right Tokyo, what really bothered me was the culture to familiarize myself with the forecasts because waiting outside the small restaurant, each person signals. I realised two minutes before the inter- of believing that we could predict, prepare for, we are only really “out of control” as much as we leaning to have a peek on the daily menu written view, blood pumping in my ears, how unaware I and perfectly adapt to changes in the weather. I allow ourselves to be. on a blackboard. was of such a basic fact. I hadn’t known weather outside the semantic field of “sun”, “rain” and Tokyo taught me four seasons as opposed to just The menu is reasonably-priced: for around “degrees Celsius”. The gears in my brain were Sitting in my dorm room in Komaba during Ty- hot or rainy days. Reality really struck me down ￥1300, you can enjoy the teishoku1 set that sur- racing. Summer follows which season? Is winter phoon Hagibis, I noticed how much I longed prises almost every first-time visitor. In the set, in December? Or was it spring? I never even had for the days where no matter the weather, I was used to be fictitious, single-digit temperatures. along with the main dish, rice and miso soup, my unfazed. I didn’t mind the chaos. In fact, I sought Cavite City to Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo: I was favourite is the small plate of pickled vegetables, degrees, give or take, from the 30 degrees Celsi- for the old thrill of 8-year-old me, clueless as to bothered by the drastic and crippling gap between the most refreshing appetizer you can imagine. whether or not today was the day our roof was Compared to the most popular dish, grilled pork going to fly off to Manila. I had never sought improvidence, childish cluelessness turned into with ginger, I personally prefer the set of stir-fried In the first three months of living in Tokyo as a reports online or forecasts on tiny screens to maguro2 with scallion the most. The maguro is dictate how my day, week or month was going to this world, some people might never know what it packed with flavor and very chewy, combined me to observe how regularly Tokyoites checked go. This is why I began to dislike my life in Tokyo means to live beyond the temperatures of life that perfectly with the scallions that are zesty yet not the weather forecast on their phones, in the knowing they have been acclimated to. I may not under- overpowering. trains, from the television channels, on smart how my moods, activities, food or conversations stand the technical jargon surrounding weather, watches and so forth. This behaviour, to me, would be dictated beforehand by AccuWeather but that’s not what this weather-craze is about, is The restaurant always fills up quickly, and the seemed as if there was always a new storm reports. So, this past year, I concluded that I was it? In the end, I still ask myself if I’ll ever adapt as service doesn’t really match the quality of the coming or a heat wave approaching when it was bothered by what we quite fondly call “pathetic well as the Tokyoites do. meals, but it would be nice to snag a table and simply a slight fluctuation in the numerical de- fallacy” 1 enjoy a filling dinner with your friends. (Watch ______grees of temperature that fuelled the eagerness beauty to this term, and I thought the obsession or obsessive habit of the Tokyo busy bees to with pathetic fallacy manifested itself in Tokyo’s 1 According to literarydevices.net, pathetic falla- check the weather. This is an observation which relationship with weather. I thought: “You can’t up outside for a seat!) at the time, I considered to have really adversely control your life via the forecasts, Tokyo!” Where gives human emotions to inanimate objects of is the thrill of human life if we’re looking to live nature; for example, referring to weather fea- as if we are the non-living elements beyond our Growing up in the Philip- ● ● Tiramisu Homemade: Le Ressort: pines and Vietnam, I never found any use to look at the weather forecast. I would only check the weather updates if I knew there was a tropical storm ahead. For instance, un- less wind speeds would g o b e y o n d 1 5 0 k p h , I would find it no use to equip myself with an um- brella or to wear special attire for the day. To me, walking knee-deep in the floods was occasional, and ankle-deep entirely expected. So, at first, I Everytime I pass this bakery, the smell of croissants from the window al- thought it was just due to the fact that Tokyo was one with chocolate chips embedded inside. Though a little bit pricey, a much more developed sandwiches there are also excellent choices for lunch. city with well-estab- lished drainage systems Other than the above three, there are many great restaurants and shops that floods never came. hidden in the street corners of Komaba. There is a tiny café which I cherish Hence, with the recent When talking about tiramisu, you may imagine something mushy and sac- as my own secret garden and am not willing to divulge here in fear of letting Typhoon Hagibis, I sin- too many people know. So, if you are a gourmand, or just want to kill some cerely thought that the an- Tiramisu Homemade is anything but! free time, tap the restaurant label on your Google Maps app while wandering nouncements were blown the streets next time; there may be some concealed delicacies waiting to be out of proportion. That is, The marshmallow-y cream has a smooth texture, and forms a great bal- discovered by you. I honestly saw no need for ance with the cocoa powder on the top. The delicious taste progresses ______such stressful announce- from bittersweet to purely sweet to tart. Bonus point: after having the ments or precautions to desert, you can also bring the small glass container home as a gift. Bonus 1 set meal have been made when the bonus point, just next to Tiramisu Homemade, there is another dessert 2 winds did not even cause 3 3 shop, IL Bignè, that sells great gougères . for my windows to dance!

20 21 EXPLORING JAPAN Today: Clear Skies. Tomorrow: Snowing By: Choi Jiwoong guys also singing along to the song. “ the intricate, twinkly guitar work and irregular distorted fuzz, all contained within short bursts of Something drew me to these four Americans out with age. He had put on some weight and iPhone 3G with a cracked screen. The grey walls ” they time signatures of maths rock. 2 minute-tracks, leave no breathing space. who had nothing to do with me, whose lives looked like he should be picking up his kids from screech in unison, “ were incomparable to mine. I was a chubby, daycare. Ross was a woman now and went by concert, but there is no stage. Instead, there’s a Galm’s guttural and whiny voice crying out his By the time I started listening to Snowing, they Willow. Nate had a cool moustache. JR looked single rug for the drums on the cement ground, ” It looked like the most fun thing in rambling, run-on lyrics, far outside any semblance had already been broken up for two years. tasted beer was when my dad let me have a sip pretty much the same. As for me, I had more than where the crowd and the performing act huddle the world. of a verse-chorus-verse structure, about manic while eating outside with the family and I thought football to worry about now. I’d had my fair share under the only lightbulb in this dinky basement. episodes, break-ups, and drinking too much1, is it was gross. The biggest worries on my mind of dragging people down, and I loved beer. Cans of IPAs precariously dangle over amps as About ten years ago, I spent the prime of my impossible to decipher among the backdrop of were maths and how Manchester United was pubescent adolescence posting on weird online feedback and crashing of the instruments. This doing under Moyes. But I thought maybe one This would be the second music concert I ever try not to get cut on cymbals. Guitar headstocks message boards with other fine, fellow-minded serves no problem for the fans, however. In the day, I would relate to these songs about wasting attended. My first was Taylor Swift’s RED Tour swing a little too close to heads. Arms latch onto individuals, arguing about who listened to more culminating climax of “Important Things (Specter college years away, drinking in the basement of stop in Singapore in 2014... I think I’m going to the pipes along the ceiling, wrapped around pil- obscure bands and best understood cool and Magic)”, a girl actually pushes Galm away from a “Slovak Center”, dragging everyone else down, like this one a lot more. lars and each other, constantly threatening to fall smart black-and-white movies. It was the best of the mic so as not to ruin the special moment of a ______into and swallow up the band. times; it was the worst of times. Out of this curi- hundred-or-so drunk and lonely losers screaming even looked forward to it. ous little pastime arose a band that I didn’t actu- “” All 1 “Melissa, I f*cked up. I won’t cut my arms At the center is the singer: his t-shirt has ripped ally have to pretend to like: a group of four Miller the while, Ross and Nate twinkle away on their So when I learned that for some unknown reason, off / that won’t keep me warm at night” from at the shoulder of his skinny frame quite some Lite-chugging, bathroom-crying, drunk-driving nearly a decade after their breakup, they would the song “So I Shotgunned A Beer And Went time ago. With his weapon of choice, a bass gui- youths from who called themselves the music while still holding everything together be reuniting for one last tour all the way across Back To Bed” on their first album serves as a Snowing. Led by John Galm, they played a mix in blistering rhythm. The sheer speed and intensi- follow-up of sorts to his previous declaration especially since his job is to sing into the mic, of Midwest Revival, 4th Wave Emo, Emotive ty of the music as it skips and jumps at random, 2 subway stations away from my place, I was which at the moment is occupied by five other Hardcore, and “hardcore ” music with from clean-toned melodies to monstrous walls of shocked. Glam’s hair had somewhat straightened Fake” from their earlier released EP.

7 Do’s and Don’ts of Beating Creative Block in Tokyo By: Alexine Castillo Yap 1 Steinberg, Hannah, et al. I am currently the not-so-proud owner of a fan- vicious cycle of self-defeating thought, and that are in this city, not to mention other countless They say it’s like chasing an unrequited love10: British Journal cy-schmancy, B4-size Winsor and Newton wa- you and your watercolour pad are barred from lesser-known art galleries and exhibits, many of App Store, you can find tons of free apps that the odds are stacked against you, there’s no of Sports Medicine. Vol. 31, pp. 245-245. 1997. tercolour pad from Tokyu Hands that’s still flat reaching your true potential: you as an artist, which are free. And let’s not forget Tokyo’s artsy can help you relax. guarantee of success, and it could very well end 2 and uncurled from not having any watercolour your watercolour pad as an art supply (and not a neighbourhoods, with their revolutionary fashion, in agonising failure. All the while, you’re going to Ramocki, Stephen P. grace its cream-white 270g/m2 pages. I received dining tool). music scenes, dance halls, and all the impossibly 5) Try something new. have to put in all the work yourself, and before Physical Educator, Vol. it from some friends for my birthday last year, photogenic spots (sights bemoaned in Harajuku Check out a music genre that you’ve never tried, you know it, you could have wasted all of your 59, No. 1, pp. 8-17. 2002. and I wish I could tell you that I’ve done more for gentrifying the neighbourhood but cherished visit the cafe that you’ve always said you want- turpentine, carmine, Prussian blue and phthalo 3 Gondola, Joan C. than just stare at it and wait for a painting to actually not that difficult to dislodge creative in Harajuku for, well, gentrifying the neighbour- ed to check out, try out the always-ignored-for- into a monstrous creation that stares back at you magically transpire in the 14 months that have block. I am battling it as I type this article, so hood 9). If you live in Tokyo, you have basically no your-favorite menu item, visit a part of the city only to mock you. But you tried! Here’s a gold Journal of Social Behavior and passed since. I am loath to admit that I have don’t think that I’m some kind of maestro in excuse to be uninspired! Get out there with an that you haven’t been to before. There’s always star for Making An Attempt. Personality, Vol. 2, Issue 2, pp 275. 1987. done not just that (clearly having failed at trans- overcoming it. However, the fact that I’ve written empty notebook and take notes from your fellow something new to try whether or not you even 4 Blanchette, David M., et al. ferring magic psychic powers onto the paper), this much so far probably counts for something. Tokyoites. Around these parts, there’s always live in Tokyo, and that includes things you might But it’s always worth a shot because it could also - but also that the only other time I used the Here are 7 ways that I managed to beat creative something to be inspired by. be taking for granted and thus don’t even think very well end in success. Somehow as creators Creativity Research Journal, sketchbook was as an impromptu dinner place- block in the time that I’ve been living here: of as something new. A few more ideas: Watch we still manage, time and time again, to work our Volume 17, Issue 2-3, pp. 257-264. 2011. mat. For delivery food, too, no less. 3) DON’T Compare your work to others’. - magic onto these blank sheets despite the innu- 5 Oppezzo, Marily & Schwartz, Daniel L. 1) Get moving. A former US President spilled some serious truth ed to you 10 months ago. Download a new wall- merable failures we encounter along the way. So, what happened? For over a year, I chalked If you’re not already regularly involved in some tea when he said that “Comparison is the thief of paper. Switch up your route to campus or work. Journal of Ex- it up to artist’s block. More broadly, creative kind of sport or activity that requires you to joy.” While taking inspiration from others’ works Check out your playlist on Spotify. That’s probably why they also say that artists are perimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and block, or the dreaded experience that anyone sweat or stretch or lose your breath, then do so! is important, it shouldn’t make you feel like your Hang out with a new crowd. Just make sure it’s a lot like scientists (STEM majors please don’t kill Cognition, Vol. 40, No. 4, 1142–1152. 2014. who ever tried to do anything creative has faced: Go jogging, hiking, swimming (check out the own work is inadequate. Balance is key, and I’ve something that you haven’t done or experienced me for this bad analogy). I don’t remember what 6 community swimming pools around your neigh- found that as soon as I start comparing rather exactly they meant by that, but I think it’s reas- Colzato, Lorenza S., et al. The impact of remotely good or skillful. It’s hard enough to than being inspired, it’s time to stop and reas- out of a change of scenery! suring to know that scientists, much like artists, - turn nothing into something, and even harder to at Komabano Park!), hit the gym, join a yoga/ sess. Comparison makes me feel unfairly bad also don’t really know what to expect half the Frontiers in Human Neuro- ensure that this “something” is something you martial arts/dance class, or just walk outside. about myself and my work. Go at it at your own 6) DON’T Be afraid of failure. science, 02 December 2013 | https://doi. actually like. Creative block prevents you from I won’t pretend to be your doctor, but nobody pace, and be content with the work you can pro- Where would we be if everyone gave up just just going for it, despite the lack of guarantee of org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00824 starting, for fear of creating something you hate. would argue that the lack of circulation that duce! Nobody else can do you like you do. because they messed up once or didn’t achieve a desirable outcome. The process that helped 7 Donnegan, Kathleen, et al. - It ensures that you never take a step beyond this comes with sitting at a desk for hours on end in - true sedentary-lifestyle fashion does anything for 4) DON’T Be too hard on yourself. in boring-land, and with decisively fewer “Star Journal of Cogni- one’s innovative or artistic capabilities. (Scien- No overworking! Overworking is CANCELLED. Wars” prequels (a win for humanity). If you mess in that variable with that other one, or that one, tive Enhancement, Vol, 2, no 193. 2018. tists1 overwhelmingly 2 agree 3 that 4 exercise 5 im- When you feel your best, you will do your best, up, that’s okay. Just pick up your pencil, paint- ad infinitum 8 Román, Pedro Ángel Latorre, et al. proves 6 your 7 creativity 8.) And if that still doesn’t so make sure to take care of your physical and brush, and start again. The world’s not going to with the process that resulted in Arundhati Roy’s - convince you to get moving... mental health. I don’t mean to sound like your end just because you messed up some anatomy Booker Prize-winning “The God of Small Things”, Creativity Research Journal, Vol. 30, mom, but sometimes we have to be reminded or smeared up the background or unwittingly and with the process that eventually helped Vin- Issue 3, pp. 310-315. 2018. 2) Immerse yourself in other creative to eat healthy food and get enough sleep! And spilled ink over your canvas. The beautiful thing cent Van Gogh conjure up the “The Starry Night” 9 work around the city. don’t be afraid to: say no to things that will only about art is that you can always try again! (so good that it’s been copied just about a million Namkoong, Paul. Tokyo is one of the world’s greatest art capitals. tire you out, split up your work into manageable times by painters in numerous Saigon art streets). 2019. (Shout-out!) Say what you want about this city, but if you tell 7) DO. Artists of all kinds over the centuries took the 10 And all too often chasing an unrequited love me that you’re not creatively inspired by it, I’d To borrow Nike’s slogan, . Now. It’s as decisive step to courageously tackle those blank could be exactly what is needed to catalyse visual art, you can just do some quick warm-up simple as that. sheets despite whatever failures preceded them, the creative process. Some of us just happen exploring enough (or Googling hard enough). I exercises or little sketches here and there until and the world is so much better for it. So go to be unfortunate enough to be far more ac- can’t even count how many art museums there you feel ready to take on a bigger project. Also, The creative process is decadent and depraved. shoot your shot, and good luck! quainted with this phenomenon than others.

22 23 KOMABAKOMABA W WRITERS’RITERS’ STUDIO STUDIO X XP ENSADOPENSADO Sexism Towards Victimized Women The Reality of Restrictions on Women in the Name of Protection By: Jimin Park

“women should not walk alone at night.” Howev- were assigned. As a result, these roles impact has been encroaching in patriarchal societies er, they are nothing more than myths. our behavior and beliefs towards others. Males are generally socialized to be more dominant world. Nonetheless, it is proven that just a little According to the 2001 British Crime Survey, and initiate sexual interactions, while women are bit of education on false beliefs can change socialized to be more passive. Therefore, sex conservative thoughts and unconscious sexism. they know. About 8% of rapes were committed role socialization provides the explanation for Therefore, education about sexual violence, sex- by strangers, while 45% of rapes reported to why men are sexually aggressive and why the ism, and victim-blaming is the key to preventing the survey were committed by offenders who act of sexual violence is normalized within soci- further sexual violence and further victimization. were partners of the victims at the time of the ety. Beliefs in traditional gender role stereotypes, ______incident. Also, the highest proportion of sexual and sexism have resulted in negative rape victim assaults were committed by “acquaintances” perception. Thus, victims of sexual violence are References which comprises 28% of the reported sexual as- the victims of the injustice of our society. Sexism Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. saults. This research proves that sexual violence plays a big role in victim-blaming. Hostile Sexism (2018). Sexual violence: Definitions. Retrieved is often committed by someone close to the is a prejudice that women should be punished May 15, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/ victims. Almost three-quarters of rape incidents for going against traditional sexual roles. In this reported involved physical force or violence and case, a woman who wears provocative clothes Donat, P. L., & D’Emilio, J. (1992). A feminist over a third resulted in physical injury. In addi- or drinks too much will be responded with a form redefinition of rape and sexual assault: Histor- tion, 46% of sexual assaults involved the use of of hostile sexism. Benevolent Sexism claims that ical foundations and change. Journal of Social physical force, 14% resulting in physical injury. women who are traditionally feminine should be Issues, 48, 9-22. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1992. Myhill & Allen suggest that violent threats were rewarded. Therefore, a woman who goes against tb01154.x present in 75% of rape incidents and 46% of such expectations may no longer be considered sexual assaults. As seen from the research, it is worthy of protection by men. Victim-blaming is obvious that the victims were threatened, which a result of high hostile and benevolent sexism sexual assault peer education program on men’s is probably the reason why the victims failed that (Grubb & Turner, 2012). Instead of policing wom- belief in rape myths. Retrieved June 13, 2018, resistance, or even try to resist. en’s behavior, educating people about sexual from https://link.springer.com/ violence and victim-blaming is much more ef- Furthermore, 74% of incidents involving partners fective at preventing sexual violence and further Grubb, A., & Turner, E. (2012). Attribution of happened in the victim’s own home and 16% at victimization. For example, one study showed blame in rape cases: A review of the impact - that after an hour of education on sexual assault, of rape myth acceptance, gender role con- tims were raped in their homes. This fact refers men were less likely to believe wrong myths formity and substance use on victim blaming. to that keeping women from going outside is not about rape or consider being sexually forceful Aggression and Violent Behavior, 17, 443-452. a real solution to sexual violence, because it is (Foubert & Marriott, 1997). Also, conservative doi:10.1016/j.avb.2012.06.002 often committed in their homes (Myhill & Allen, views on women and victims of sexual violence 2002). must be rethought and reeducated in order to Myhill, A., & Allen, J. (2002). Rape and sexual eliminate blaming on victim, who need care and assault of women: The extent and nature of the Sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, nature of sexual violence and victim-blaming and for his actions since he was considered uncon- The “What Were You Wearing?” exhibition that - and sexual abuse, refers to a sexual act com- the real prevention of them. Certain restrictions trollable. In addition, society’s perception of the started at the University of Arkansas in 2014, vention of sexual violence is reeducating facts mitted against someone without that person’s on women in the name of preventing sexual vio- victim also changed. Also, female nature became which has spread to universities worldwide, dis- about sexual violence and stopping further vic- Rawlinson, K. (2017, March 10). Judge accused freely-given consent (Centers for Disease Control lence is a way to oppress women’s freedom and sexualized, therefore female victims were viewed plays the clothing the survivors were wearing at tim-blaming. of victim-blaming in comments on rape case. rights because such restrictions are based on as if they contributed to their own victimization the time of their assault. This exhibition debunks The Guardian. Retrieved from www.theguardian. could be of any gender, but in many cases, men the premise that victimized women are the cause (Donat & D’Emilio, 1992). By examining the ex- the myth that victims could have prevented the Conclusion com/society/2017/mar/10/judge- are the offenders and women are the victims. ample of the United States, it is clear that wom- assault if they had worn clothes that are less re- There have been negative perspectives towards accused-of-victim-blaming-during-sentencing- About 35 percent of women worldwide have ex- en’s choices and decisions about their lives and - women in general but particularly female victims comments-in-case perienced sexual violence and about 120 million Conservative views on victimized bodies were highly restricted, and their dignity kini, a boy’s shirt, a sun dress, and a T-shirt and of sexual violence. Although gender equality is girls worldwide have experienced forced sexual women was ignored. jeans, inferring that victims’ outfits are not the considered justice in today’s societies, conserva- - acts (UN Women, 2017). However, patriarchal so- In patriarchal societies, there have been discrim- cause of sexual violence. Therefore, this refutes olence against women. Retrieved May 15, 2018, cieties restrict women to behave in certain ways inatory perspectives towards women, as if they Even though gender equality is now considered claims that women need to be more cautious the victims. From such perspectives, restrictions from http://www.unwomen.org/ in order to prevent sexual violence, rather than were inferior to men. Especially, the society’s as justice and women’s rights have improved with what they wear in order to prevent sexual - view towards victimized women in sexual vio- compared to past centuries, sexism towards violence. are not effective prevention to sexual violence. Vagianos, A. (2017, September 15). Art exhibit ers. For example, there are claims that women lence was even crueler. For example, in the US, women still exist which leads to victim-blam- However, such myths that put responsibility on powerfully answers the question ‘what were you should not wear short dresses and walk around during the British colonial era, the rape of a virgin ing, especially when the victim is a woman. For True way of preventing sexual vio- women are debunked by statistics and other ev- wearing?’ Huffington Post. Retrieved June 13, late at night because they might be targeted for was considered a crime against her father, rath- example, Judge Lindsey Kushner QC has been lence and victim-blaming idence. It is also proven that the actual cause of sex crimes. er than a crime against the victim herself. Also, criticized for commenting that women need to Throughout history, men and women have been sexual violence and victim-blaming comes from when a sex crime occurred, women had to be protect themselves against the threat of being socialized differently, as different gender roles sexist perspectives of the society. Sexism that This argument may seem plausible because it dependent on the courts and community, which involved in sexual assault while drunk. The cam- seems as if it is trying to protect possible victims consisted of men. Therefore a woman had to paign group ‘End Violence Against Women’ con- of sexual violence; however, such a perspective comply with male standards for her behavior by demned that such comments blame the victims may lead to shaming on women when they are proving non-consent through verbal and physical for rape and remove responsibility from the male victimized, as if they are the ones responsible for resistance. If she could not prove non-consent, the crime. This paper focuses on how perspec- she was punished for assault. In the 19th centu- social stereotypes and negativities on victimized tives which claim that women should be more ry, women were praised for their purity, therefore women lead to victim-blaming and to rape itself. careful and take responsibility for oneself are a woman who got involved in sexual intercourse Addressing problems of victim-blaming would be Every year, the Komaba Writers’ Studio supports first year stu- actually oppressing rather than protecting them. even against her will was considered to be a dents’ English academic writing in the College of Arts & Sciences’ some of the most pressing issues that UTokyo students are most Firstly, the paper examines the conservative “fallen” woman and was blamed for the man’s wear or how they drink until the morning. ALESA (Active Learning of English for Students of the Arts) pro- concerned with. For more information about ALESA or the other view towards victimized women and how it still crime and socially criticized as a result of the gramme under the Center for Global Communication Strategies. Active English language classes, please visit http://ale.c.u-tokyo. Is it really the victim’s fault? attack. In the 20th century, the psychological The best works that year are featured in the annual ALESA pub- ac.jp/ale_web/index.php. analyses the factors of being the victim of sexual approach to sexual crime started, but most the- Because of such negative perspectives, myths lication, Pensado. We chose two of our favourite works from the violence and whether victims should really deal on sexual violence exist, such as “most sexu- with responsibility. Lastly, this essay states the al violence are committed by strangers,” and

24 25 KOMABA WRITERS’ STUDIO x PENSADO Did the Incorporation of National Universities Improve Their Academic Level? By: Mai Tamura Introduction resulting from this scheme. Lastly, it concludes agement methods of private sectors. Third, each (MEXT, 2017). This has suppressed universities’ failed to rationalize their governance, it could be form should be reviewed. To keep the academic In 2004, the Japanese government carried out a by suggesting the necessity of the reform review president was in charge of personnel manage- management despite their efforts in improving claimed that some NUCs achieved the initial aim level of Japanese universities, the government big reform on universities’ governance. Accord- and the governmental support for the NUCs now ment based on non-civil servant style in which - of the reform. According to some data which use should take some measures which will relieve ingly, public universities, which were a part of the facing managerial problems. enue. There has been an actual case where variables representing decision-making power in financial restrictions. Furthermore, greater aca- national government and were directly operated accomplishments. Lastly, NUCs accepted eval- a number of professors have presented their a board of directors and president leadership as demic self-governance should be given to NUCs by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, The aims and the contents of the Na- uations from third parties, which were reflected concerns to the Japanese government. More indicators of NUC governance (Akai & Nakamu- by changing MEXT evaluation methods or pro- Science, and Technology) transformed into so- tional University Corporation Act in resource distribution among universities. That specifically, the Japan Association of National ra, 2009), some NUCs whose presidents exercise moting projects in collaboration with academia, called National University Corporations (NUCs), The 2004 incorporation of national universities is is, each NUC has to submit an annual report to Universities claimed in documents on budget greater leadership could succeed in achieving industry, and the government which might facili- and the autonomy is left at the discretion of uni- said to be a turning point in Japanese education- MEXT its progress in terms of achieving the goals requests that reducing the operation costs led the intended goal of acquiring independence. tate innovative research. versity presidents (Hanada, 2013). MEXT report- al history in that it reflected the policy changes of its medium term (6-year) plan (Kaneko, 2009). to a decrease in the number of full-time faculty ______ed that the reform brought desirable effects in aiming at the new public management. In this Therefore, according to Christensen (2011), a members, or young teachers in order to cut the section, this paper will explain the initial aims researcher of university governance: cost of labor. As a result, it has become harder the presidents exercise their leadership, the less References progress (2017). On the other hand, the reform is and the contents of the reform. Although the pro- for young researchers to be employed in national the degree of dependence on operations costs Akai, N. [ 赤井伸郎], & Nakamura, E. [ 中村悦広]. opposed primarily by the Japanese Association posal of incorporation itself was seen just after universities. Moreover, it also created the serious provided by the government there is. Moreo- (2009). Kokuritudaigaku no naibugabanansu to of National Universities and the National Union the establishment of imperial universities in Meiji - ver, they suggested that greater command of daigakuunnei [ 国立大学の内部ガバナンスと大学運営 ]. of Higher Education Staff (2017). They claimed era, actual changes had been restricted to slight ties on campus. A considerable number of facili- presidents decreases labor costs and education Research Institute of Economy, Trade & Industry. that, for the majority of NUCs, the reform caused budget restructuring (Yonezawa & Shimmi, 2015). ties established in the 1970s are in want of repair expenses per student; on the other hand, it financial difficulty and downsizing in university bodies like boards and councils (p. 131). because they are likely to trigger accidents, de- increases research expenses per teacher (Akai Amano, I. [ 天野郁夫]. (2004). Kokuritudaigaku control over quality of education, which Wester- crease international competitive power in terms & Nakamura, 2009). However, in spite of these houjinka no yukue. [ 国立大学法人化のゆくえ ]. Tokyo, heijden, a senior research associate at the Center were carried out during the Koizumi administra- of conducting innovative research, and lead to positive effects of the reform, there are clear Japan: Toushinndou [ 東信堂 ]. for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS) tion, the idea was raised again that universities Results of the reform: negative aspects; the reform has created a kind of the University of Twente, called “academic should be incorporated in order to make oper- - a consequence (Yamagiwa, 2017). of ‘survival-of-the-fittest’ system. According to Christensen, T. (2011). Japanese university re- self-governance” (2018, p. 210). These problems ations more efficient and to catch up with top ernance perspectives Christensen (2011): form: Hybridity in governance and management. bring up the question whether the reform has global academic standards in highly competitive Although 14 years have passed since that reform, Secondly, in terms of competitive funds, NUCs Higher Education Policy, 24, 127-142. helped improve the academic level of Japanese environments generated by globalization (Mok, the results seem to contradict the initial aims have difficulty collecting such funds. Science - national universities in today’s highly competitive 2010). The idea was considered to conform with represented above; many NUCs have problems research subsidies which contribute to generate - Hanada, S. [ 花田真吾]. (2013). Japan’s higher world. international trends called new public manage- in both finance and academic self-governance. new industry is lacking. Although the number education incorporation policy: A comparative ment in which the public sector should adopt the From the financial aspect, a survey conducted of applications for the subsidy is increasing, analysis of three stages of national university This paper sheds light on the relationship be- managerial method of the private sector and the in 2006 to analyze some of the consequences of the acceptance rate is decreasing during these governance. Journals of Higher Education Policy tween the policy and university autonomy. It will market mechanism in order to enhance their ad- - 5 years. As a result, fund sufficiency of some and Management, 35, 537-552. argue that the outcome of the reform has been - contradictory to the initial aim; not only are the jden, 2018). Based on new public management, 2011). First, this paper shows the problems In addition, some NUCs cannot cooperate with Kaneko, M. [ 金子元久]. (2009). Incorporation of universities now struggling more with budget the incorporation brought four changes related regarding operation costs which represented companies because they fail to propose applica- (p. 132) national universities in Japan design, implemen- gathering from private sectors, but the universi- to university autonomy. 47.7% of the total revenue of all the national uni- tions based on long-term plans. Thus, only few ties are also having to lean towards the MEXT’s versities (Oba, 2007). Other data indicate that only the major NUCs Review, 10, 59-67. First, each university was transformed from a part collect more than 60% of the external resourc- the research money into. These situations may of the governmental organization to a corpora- According to data from the Japan Association of Next, from the academic self-governance point es, and the circumstances in other local NUCs Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science result in a decrease of their academic power. tion. This enabled NUCs to operate independent- National Universities, operation costs have been of view, it could be argued that the reform under- became worse, forced to make efforts only to and Technology. (2017). Kokuritudaigaku hou- This paper will first examine the initial aim of ly as autonomous public institutions. Second, reduced 10 % within 10 years after the 2004 in- mines NUCs’ autonomy. This was something of survive (Oba, 2007). As a result, NUCs failed to jinnka gono genjyou to kadai ni tsuite [ 国立大学法 - NUCs realized top management because they corporation (2017). Figure 1 shows 1.241 million a paradox considering that the priority objective 人化後の現状と課題について ]. Retrieved June 9, 2018, cial and “academic self-governance” problems adopted a board system and introduced man- in 2004 was reduced to 1.158 million in 2010 of the reform was to increase universities’ auton- 2 (MEXT, 2017), the number of journals published from http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/hou- omy. Nevertheless, NUCs have been robbed of by NUCs has decreased. Therefore, it could be jin/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2010/07/21/1295896_1. their planning and policy functions because each pdf NUC must submit an annual report to MEXT limited. after the reform; NUCs have to accept inspec- Mok, K. H. (2010). When state centralism meets tions and conform to the goals suggested by the Conclusion neo-liberalism: Managing university governance ministry’s evaluation committee (Christensen, Though the reform in 2004 was aimed to en- change in Singapore and Malaysia. Higher Edu- 2011). For example, when MEXT required public hance universities’ international competitiveness, cation, 60, 419-440. comments of NUCs in order to decide the distri- the result has seemed to be the opposite, given bution of special budgets, 85% of them submit- the recent situation of Japanese public universi- Oba, J. [ 大場淳 ]. (2007). Incorporation of national ted comments relating to MEXT (Amano, 2004). ties. Research competitiveness appears to have - This means each of the top NUCs indicated their deteriorated after the reform (MEXT, 2017). This ucation, 27, 291-303. teachers to make comments in ways that will decline was certainly caused by financial and conform to the preference of MEXT. academic self-governance problems. In other Westerheijden, D. F. (2018). University govern- ance in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands For these reasons, current circumstances in ma- improving the quality of research institutions or and Japan: Autonomy and shared governance jor NUCs regarding research funds are too unsta- collecting research funds on account of budget after new public management reforms. Nagoya ble to survive in today’s highly competitive world. deficits. Moreover, NUCs are more susceptible Koutou Kyouiku Kenkyu [ 名古屋高等教育研究 ], 18, They are not able to collect sufficient funds for to MEXT preference because MEXT imposes 199-221. improving the quality of their institutions such a mid-term report on them. It is true that a few as faculty members and facilities, and for doing NUCs in the metropolitan area have received Yamagiwa, J. [ 山極寿一 ]. (2017). Yosann youbou various research. What is more, the intensified the benefits of the reform. If we consider other kannrennshiryo. [ 予算要望資料 ]. The Japan Asso- - indicators which measure the extent of the NUCs ciation of National Universities, Retrieved from vented free academic self-governance of NUCs, management, we cannot clearly say the reform http://www.janu.jp/news/files/20170809-wnew- which might lead to restricted environments for was a failure. To explore this problem further, it giren2.pdf research. might be required to examine the problem in a wider context. However, it is clear that overall the Yonezawa, A.[ 米澤彰純 ]., & Shimmi, Y. [ 新見有紀子 ]. The effects of financial and academ- current situation regarding university governance (2015). Transformation of university governance ic self-governance problems on re- is problematic as the majority of the NUCs are through internationalization: Challenges for top search competitiveness forced to restrict the range of research. Consid- universities and government policies in Japan. Although the majority of the NUCs certainly - Higher Education, 70(2), 173-186. Image credit: 徐

26 27 image!"#$%!&'()

28

by V'(!L5+ illustration *'$+!,-'()

./$!0++(!-'%1%()!(2-!324!'(!52#46

K O M A B A 75+!8491!1+(!:%(#1+9!-'9!(215%()6!.!$%$(/1!+;+(!(21%<+!%16!.!$%$(/1!+;+(!(21%<+!1+(! -52=+!:%(#1+9!5'$!)2(+!>'91!91'($%()!2#19%$+!%(!15+!<2=$6!7+(!:%(#1+9?!-5'1/9!15'1@

75+!(+A1!1+(!:%(#1+9?!122?!-'9!(215%()!'1!'==6!.(!3'<1?!%1!-'9!>420'0=B!.!-52!-'9!:%9C 1'D+(!'($!5'$!<2:+!2#1!12!-'%1!'1!E>:!%(91+'$!23!EFEG>:6!75'1/9!4%)51?!-+!>420'0=B! 5'$!')4++$!12!:++1!'1!EFEG>:!%(91+'$!23!E>:6!H9!>+2>=+!$26!.1!-'9!:B!3'#=1?!92!92! 91#>%$6!H(B-'B?!15'1!-'9!(215%()!'1!'==?!1226!I215%()!'1!'==6

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

N241B!:%(#1+96!&5+(!.!-'9!%(!5%)5!9<522=!-+!5'$!1-+(1B!:%(#1+!>+4%2$9?!'($!92!15+! 95241+91!<='99+9!='91+$!1-2!>+4%2$9F!3241B!:%(#1+96!.!<2#=$!5';+!5'$!'!-52=+!0%2=2)B! <='99!0B!(2-6!75+!14+($B!O2D+!(2-'$'B9!%9!15'1!%(91+'$!23!=+'4(%()!#9+3#=?!'>>=%<'0=+! 15%()9!%(!5%)5!9<522=?!B2#!=+'4(!15'1!P15+!:%12<52($4%'!%9!15+!>2-+452#9+!23!15+!<+==Q6! ,#56

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illustration *'$+!,-'() U(+!52#46!L1%==!-'%1%()6 by V'(!L5+ Sausages illustration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eef 0%1!0B!0%1?!>%+<+!0B!>%+<+ %!914%()!92:+!23!B2#4!-24$9!%(12!:%(+ by V'(!L5+ '($!#($+491'($!B2#!0+11+4 illustration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by K54%1%!"+51' O

!I%52()2!"#$%&'$()*)+'#'$ ,-./$0-.$1%&'$()*)+'#'$2)+34)3'51 &24$9!3'%=6 Theater &5+(+;+4!.!9++!'!>='B?!.!<'(/1!5+=>!0#1!3++=!15+!#4)+!12!-4%1+!92:+15%()!'02#1!%16! M+!%1!'!)+(+4'=!<2::+(1!2(!15+!>42$#<1%2(!'($!+=+:+(19!23!%1?!24!4#:%('1%2(! 2(!15+:+9!'($!%$+'9!15'1!15+!>='B!12#<5+9?!15+4+!%9!'=-'B9!15%9!9>2(1'(+%1B!324! PO2%(%()!15+!<2(;+49'1%2(Q!24!P0+%()!>'41!23!15+!9124B6Q![%11=+!0B!=%11=+?!./;+!'=92! )42-(!'<<#912:+$!12!^'#(1%()!:B!9'))B!0')!23!LH7!-24$96!PM=%91+4%()=B!;'=C %'(1`Q!P.(<'($+9<+(1!'($!9<%(1%=='1%()`Q!75+!324:!<'==9!324!%1?!.!4+#==!S#21+9!B2#!-2#=$!8($!2(!:'%=+49!23! by "%()5'2!_# #><2:%()!>42$#<1%2(96!W+1?!:24+!2R+(!15'(!(21?!15+4+!'4+!3++=%()9!324!-5%<5! image "%()5'2!_# .!<'(/1!8($!-24$9!24!5';+!(2!<=#+!-5+4+!.!<'(!0+)%(!12!$+9<4%0+6!\;+(!15+!'=C :%)51B!"+44%':!&+091+4!a2==+)%'1+!K%<1%2('4B!<'(/1!)%;+!:+!'!5%(16!b4'$#'=C =B?!.!8($!:B9+=3!0+%()!=+$!12!15+!-24$!P%(+]'0=+6Q!P.(+]'0=B!0+'#1%3#=?Q!P%(+]'0=B! :2;%()?Q!P%(+]'0=B!04%==%'(1Q!'($!92!324156!.1!>'%(19!'!>%<1#4+!23!15+!%(%1%'=!4+'

['TB!-4%1+4?!.!D(2-6!L1%==?!.!<'(/1!5+=>!0#1!:'4;+=!'1!15+!%(+]'0=+!0+'#1B!23!P%(+3C

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

W+1!.!3++=!15+4+/9!92:+15%()!:24+!>4232#($!15'(!+:21%2(96!"'(B!1%:+9!.!3++=! :B!=%3+!%9!324+;+4!<5'()+$!0B!:B!15+'1+4C)2%()!+A>+4%+(<+6!.!9'-!15+!8('=!>+4C 324:'(<+!23!15+!4+<+(1!M42'$-'B!4+;%;'=!23!75+!a2=24!Y#4>=+!0+324+!.!$+>'41C +$!324!b5'('?!9+11%()!:B!3221!2(!15+!H34%<'(!<2(1%(+(1!324!15+!8491!1%:+6!.!-'9?! '($!91%==!':?!5'#(1+$!0B!15+!952-6!75%9!2(+!=%(+!12#<5+$!:B!92#=!Z!P%1/9!=%D+! 0='#4+?!92!52(+91!'02#1! 2#4!5#:'(%1B!%(!15+9+!9%:>=+!-24$96!.1!:%)51!0+!15+!9124B1+==%()?!15+!91')+<4'R?! 15+!=%;+!>+4324:'(<+?!24!15+!$+$%<'1%2(!342:!15+!91')+!'($!15+!'#$%+(<+?!0#1!.! 5'$!'!4+=%)%2#9!+A>+4%+(<+!15'1!$'B?!'(!+A>+4%+(<+!15'1!<2(1%(#+9!12!%(9>%4+!:+! 12!0+!3'%153#=!'($!14#+!12!:B9+=3!'($!>+2>=+!'42#($!:+6

continued p. 35 UTokyo Global Go $%&D2)#%"#%&'#"06%&',.)#D/%.%(#"'%4#./)#JKZ?#'%&-3>##L/)#./)4)(#"%'#./)#JKZ?#'%&-3#=)')# S6)'<#<)0'*#./)#V%#V2%702#])-.')#0.#L/)#^-,6)'(,.<#%"#L%C<%#/%23(#0#_/%.%#]%-.)(.#%D)-#.%#022#^-,6)'(,.<#%"#L%C<%#(.&3)-.(#0.#022#2)6)2(>#W%'#./,(#,((&)*#=)#D,$C)3#0# UTokyo Global Go >#W%'#4%')#,-"%'40.,%-#%-#./)#V%#V2%702#_/%.%#]%-.)(.*#$/)$C#%&.H#/..D(H``===>&5.%C<%>0$>;D`034`,-7%&-3`)-`2,")5,-.)'0$.5)6)-.(>/.42 !"#$%&'()*#+%,-+#.%#./)#./)0.)'#,(#0#1-0-$,02#0-3#.,4)5$%-(&4,-+#,-6)(.4)-.*#

7&.#896)#$%4)#.%#')02,:)#./0.#,.#3)40-3(#0#2%.#4%')#"'%4#./)#0&3,)-$)#./0-#;&(.# 4%-)<#0-3#0#")=#/%&'(>#8#%-$)#=0,.)3#,-#./)#$0-$)220.,%-#2,-)#"'%4#?#,-#./)# Season Ginkgo of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

L/,(#,(#0#$%44&-,.<>#O/0.)6)'#<%&'#'%2)#,(*#<%(C)#,.#/0DD)->#S6)'<%-)# ,(#7%-3)3#7<#(/0',-+#./)#/&40-#)TD)',)-$)#,-#%-)#=0<#%'#0-%./)'>#L/)#,-5 .)'0$.,%-#,(#%@)-#=,./%&.#=%'3(U#(%4).,4)(#;&(.#0#(4,2)>#B).#,.#,(#')(%&-3,-+#

0-3#D%=)'"&2>#!-)#%"#./)#D20<(#8#02=0<(#+%#70$C#.%#,(#N-+)2(#,-#N4)',$0H#N# !"#$%"&'"()*+%* V0<#W0-.0(,0#%-#A0.,%-02#L/)4)(#7<#L%-<#X&(/-)'>#L/)#D20<#$%-(,(.(#%"#.=%# D0'.(*#(D0--,-+#-)0'2<#Y#/%&'(#,-#.%.02>#8#(0=#,.#%-#0#.=%5D0'.#30<>#L/)#1'(.#D0'.# (.0'.)3#0.#Z#D4*#0-3#=/)-#./)#()$%-3#D0'.#)-3)3#,.#=0(#02')03<#0DD'%0$/,-+# ZZ>#L/)')#=0(#0#203<#,-#/)'#"%'.,)(#(,..,-+#-)T.#.%#4)>#G/)#=0(#02(%#()),-+#7%./#

D0'.(>#O/)-#./)#$&'.0,-#$2%()3#0-3#D)%D2)#=)')#')03<#.%#+%*#%&'#)<)(#4).>#O)# 7%./#(4,2)3>#S6)-#,"#=)#4,+/.#-)6)'#4)).#0+0,-*#=)#7%./#C-%=#./0.#(%4)%-)# =0(#./)')#"%'#<%�-3#=)-.#./'%&+/#./)#;%&'-)<#.%+)./)'>#O)#3%-9.#-))3#=%'3(# "%'#%&'#0DD')$,0.,%-U#./)#(4,2)#(0<(#)6)'<./,-+#02')03<>

O)#0')#(%$,02#0-,402(>#O)#<)0'-#"%'#./)#')02#$%--)$.,%-(>#N(#X&(/-)'#D&.(#,.*# P./)#(4022)(.#,-3,6,(,72)#/&40-#&-,.#,(#.=%#D)%D2)*#-%.#%-)U#%-)#,(#0#1$.,%->Q# 0-3#

8-#./)#./)0.)'*#=)#7&,23#0#$%44&-,.<>#L/'%&+/#./)#$%44&-,.<#=)#$%-"'%-.# ,%"-$.*/&01"23&44*'5 ./)#-0C)3#/&40-,.<#.%+)./)'*#D0,-#.%+)./)'*#/)02#.%+)./)'*#0-3#)6)-.&022<#+'%=# .%+)./)'>#L/)#$%44&-,.<#,(#2,C)#./)#"%&-.0,-#%"#[)./)(30*#=)#7',-+#D)%D2)#=)# 2%6)#0-3#70./)#&(#022#$2)0->#!&'#(D,',.(#',()>

N-3#./0.9(#(%4)./,-+#.'&2<#,-)M072)>#\ PhotoPhoto ContestContest curated by a&3,#O0-+

Ray of Hope A0.30-0,#X%3$/04%-(04D/0-# (D0$)*#%'#3%)(#./)#(D0$)#0M)$.#./)#4,-3R D20$)#7)$%4)(#/0&-.)3H#3%)(#./)#4,-3#0M)$.#./)# ,-(%-#0-3#G/,'2)<#b0$C(%-*#(/)#e&)(.,%-(#/%=#0# 0-3#./)#')03)'(>#N(#,-#./)#=%'C(#%"#S4,2<#g,$C 0-3#0-#0,'#%"#&-()..2)3-)((#,-#7%./#./)#$/0'0$.)'(# 0-3#/%=#./)<#0')#C)<#)2)4)-.(#,-#,-(.,22,-+#")0'# 4%.,"(#.%#3)1-)#./)#))',-)((#,-#V%./,$#2,.)'0.&')*# (D0$)(>#G/)#)TD2%')3#/%=#2%$0.,%-(#0')#&()3#0(# .)+/)0' L/)#)6)-.#%D)-)3#=,./# ./),'#)e&022<5.)'',"<,-+#=%'C(> a,$/0)2#h/<(*#0-3#E,'%#^(&30*#.%#(/0')#=,./#&(# ,-6,.)3#./'))#+&)(.(*#G040-./0#f0-30&*#_/>g*# E%''%'Q>#L%#1.#./)#E022%=))-5)(e&)#./)4)*#=)# ]04D&(# ,-#.*)/0"1)#2/34+ 2,(/520-+&0+)#0'.#$,'$2)#P ./)#-,+/.#%"#!$.%7)'#J?./*#JKZc*#^L%C<%9(#S-+ N(#0#(%47')#720$C#.,-.)3#./)#X%4070#(C<#%-# by Event 12th Hosts Its Circle Bi Art Met Art: HorrorWhen -0''0.)3> .',02#',+/.#0@)'#0-3#3%=-2%03#022#%"#./)#7%%C(#/)# ./0.#(&')2<#403)#&(#022#(,+-#&D#"%'#N&3,72)9(#"'))# "'))#"%'#()2"5)TD')((,%->#8.#=0(#0-#)TD)',)-$)# $%4)(#.%#$')0.,6)#$')0.,%-*#0-3#.%#2).#%&'()26)(# 022H#.%#')j)$.#%-#/%=#=)#022#()2"5$)-(%'#=/)-#,.# E)#./)-#$2%()3#/,(#(D))$/#=,./#0#4)((0+)#.%#&(# ,(#,-#"0$.#0#3)4%-#./0.#7',-+(#022#7&.#+%%3#2&$C> i#%-)#<%&#=%&23#-)6)'#=0-.#.%#)-$%&-.)'*#0(#/)# 2)D')$/0&-#=/%#0=0,.(#0.#./)#)-3#%"#./)#'0,-7%=# V%3Q>#E)#')03#&(#/,(#6)'(,%-#%"#./)#2)+)-3#%"#0# 4%-./2<#D%).'<#')03,-+#)6)-.*#Pg'&-C#_%).(#G))# .)22)'*#=/%#(/0')3#0#(.%'<#/)#/03#D')D0')3#"%'#0# A)T.#=0(# #b&2,)..)#G$/%22)'#F D')()-.,-+#/)'#0$03)4,$#=%'C#%-#V%./,$# 6$+$' 123-)%4'5-6& #.%#/%(.#,.(#ZJ./#.02C#)6)-.*#PN'.#d# Q#%D)-)3#./)#3%%'(#.%#./)# !"#$%&&#"'()*)+,-)' !"#$ *#0#6%,$)#0$.%'#0-3#(.%'< #/)03I %&#'#()*")+# 5 5 5 image event poster #N2)T,-)#]0(.,22%#B0D #b&2,)..)#G$/%22)'# image#N2)T,-)#]0(.,22%#B0D f0(.2<*#72"#'8&0/)#D')()-.)3#/)'#+'0D/,$#=%'C(#,-#X%-04,9(#/%''%'#+04)#()',)(#7&81'0"9&88>#PG,.#70$C#0-3# ')20T*Q#(/)#(0,3*#0(#(/)#%D)-)3#/)'#_%=)'_%,-.#D')()-.0.,%-#%-#/)'#=%'C#%-#7&81'0"9&88*#=/,$/#=0(#,-(D,')3#7<# ./)#124#:$;*<=>"?$@@1/"0-3#./)#G.)D/)-#X,-+#7%%C*")A1",&>0B#P8.#=%-9.#7)#($0'<*Q#(/)#(0,3>#E%=)6)'*#./)#6,(&02(# (/)#(/%=)3#=)')#)-%&+/#.%#7',-+#+%%()7&4D(#%-#.%D#%"#+%%()7&4D(>

L%#./)#0'.,(.9(#3)2,+/.*#./)#0&3,)-$)#')()472)3#0#D2&$C)3#j%$C#%"#+))()>

E)'#%./)'#=%'C(#(/%=)3#/)'#6)'(0.,2,.<#0(#0-#0'.,(.*#"'%4#,22&(.'0.,-+#.'03,-+#$0'3#+04)(#.%#3'0=,-+#40-+0># g)(D,.)#./)#60',).<#,-#/)'#0'.*#(/)#C)D.#0#"0-.0(.,$02#0-3#4<./,$#.%&$/#&-,e&)#.%#/)'#(.<2)> a0-<#./0-C(#.%#./)#+&)(.(#=/%#/06)#C,-32<#+,6)-#./),'#.,4)#.%#+,6)#(&$/#040:,-+#.02C(>#5

A Series of Creative Talks will be waiting for you in its next event “Chapter 13: Art + Superstition” in Spring 2020. (Come for a semester of good fortune!)