“Power of Diversity and Pride of Democracy”

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“Power of Diversity and Pride of Democracy” 2018年(平成30年)11月24日(土) 週刊NY生活 SHUKAN NEW YORK SEIKATSU [English Edition] (10) THE JAPAN VOICE COOL JAPAN from New Yorkers’ Viewpoints “Power of Diversity and The Diary of Anne Frank Fruchterman’s beautiful voice and Pride of Democracy” acting finesse expressed a remarkable on Innovative Stage with range of emotions: an average day in New Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki a girl’s life, the fear of being discov- Impact of Animated Space ered by the Gestapo, the terror of the Criticizes Governments at N.Y.U. prospect of concentration camps and Opera Pomme Rouge presented a the desire to be a part of a better novel production of The Diary of future. Projection Designer Yuriko Anne Frank from November 1 to 4 at Katori’s 2,000 animations made a the Producers Club Theater in great impact on this production. All Midtown. the words of the show were projected The General Director of this com- in the animation, designed as if the pany, Anna Etsuko Tsuri, directed audience were watching Anne write this monodrama as a magical fusion the diary throughout the entire per- of animation and opera with her cut- formance, creating a true people’s ting-edge ideas. Music Director opera. Ishmael Wallace’s live accompani- (Article by Kaoru Komi/Photo and back up the construction of a new base oppose it. I do not demand the imme- ment and lead soprano Kate Translated by Opera Pomme Rouge) at Henoko, Nago City. Now I am the diate closure of all American bases as new governor, and the Japanese media a political issue; I oppose a further because it is not an action for a law- United States that uses it are the is watching out for what sort of steps burden on Okinawans due to the con- abiding nation to take. The govern- parties involved. Where can we could be taken to stop this new base struction at Heneko. We support the ment even applies the exception deliver the voice of Okinawans? construction. I wish that the citizens of United States-Japan Security clause of the law to enforce Okinawa How can Okinawans define what Japan and the United States take this as Arrangement. This is our dilemma; to have another American base. The democracy should be? How can we New Okinawa Prefectural a guideline for their future actions, not the government presses that dilemma, United States is the other party Okinawans realize our desire to Governor Denny Tamaki made his just seeking a solution in Okinawa.” taking it for granted. If Japan is a involved. Okinawa Prefecture wishes share the dignity of democracy with first visit to the United States since He further mentioned, “This conflict is democratic nation, Japan should face to hold a tripartite meeting among the United States? Dignity is very his election on October 4, 2018 (he not an ideological argument from the this dilemma and make efforts to Japan, the United States and Okinawa. precious. The government should visited the United States on three viewpoint of anti-American sentiment resolve it between the government and The United States simply treats the seriously meet with Okinawa. It occasions when he was a congress- or anti-bases. We simply do not need the people regarding the American issue as irrelevant to them, saying that would be like opening the pandora’s man between 2009 and 2018) and another base; that is the real voice of it is an internal affair of Japan. If box of Asian security if Okinawa is gave a speech at N.Y.U. (New York Okinawans living there.” He detailed Okinawa complains to the United neglected. As a prefectural gover- University) on November 11 under the current issue of the new base con- States, it is conveyed to the Japanese nor, I strongly urge the United the title, “Power of Diversity and struction at Henoko, Okinawa. The gist government, and the Japanese govern- States to respect the voice of the ment cuts off Okinawa under the people living in the Okinawan com- Pride of Democracy.” In front of of his speech is as follows: https://www.yomiuri-info.jp/daily_yomiuri/nys/ Okinawan residents in America and “ The present population of Japan-United States Status of Forces munity. Japan is one of the most American citizens, he criticized the Okinawa Prefecture is 1,450,000. It base issue. As long as Okinawa has Agreement. The base issue is then important allies for the United Japanese government in enforcing enjoys a strong economy mainly with this dilemma, Okinawans say that it is erased as if there were no voice of the States. But, the United States is tak- its policy to build a new American its tourist industry that rivals that of impossible to solve the democracy people. No politician either in Japan ing a stance to kick out democracy military base at Henoko District in Hawaii. The base-related income is just issue of Japan without solving the or the United States listens to the from Okinawa. Security is not an Nago City, Okinawa. 4.5% of the total prefectural income. issue of Okinawa. On August 31, voice of Okinawans concerning the ideological issue; it is a matter of He decided to make a speech in Although the area of Okinawa is only Okinawa Prefecture cancelled the issue of the American military base. reality.” the highly diversified city of New 0.6% of the total area of Japan, 70.3% landfill work approval for a new base Under these circumstances, how can (Article and Photograph by Ryoichi York in order to discuss the power of the exclusive American military at Henoko. The government then nul- Okinawans raise their voices? Both Miura/Translated by Kunio of diversity and democracy in bases in Japan are concentrated there. lified the cancelling under the Japan that builds the base and the Shimura) Okinawa. In his speech, he stated, Despite its overwhelming concentra- Administrative Appeal Act. It means THE JAPAN VOICE is the English Edition of SHUKAN NY SEIKATSU “Okinawa has been struggling with tion, the Japanese government is trying that the government exercised its NEW YORK SEIKATSU PRESS, INC., 71 W 47 St, Suite 307, New York, NY 10036 USA the American military base issue for to force a new base construction at authority as a private entity, twisting Editor in Chief: Ryoichi Miura, Associate Editor: Ashley Matarama, Editor: Kaoru Komi 73 years after the War. We cannot Henoko. 60 to 70% of Okinawans the law. I am critical about this, Advertise Here! Contact 212-213-6069 [email protected] Advertisement ●Focusing historical issue from the overseas point of view chapter 22 73 Years After World War II, Two Billion Yen Paid by the Japanese Government The Japanese government paid one revealed their firm resolve not to remove the mayor in October 2018 after the Mayoral though the ways of handling this matter by billion yen twice to the government of South statue. Consul General Chiba also visited the election. the Japanese government were awkward, the Korea as a reparation for the former “Comfort Mayor of Los Angeles with some Japanese On August 15 and 17 of this year Korean government shamelessly distorts and Women.” However, the Korean government scholars and explained that the story of 2018, the Human Rights Committee of the fabricates the facts of “Comfort Women” on keeps condemning the Japanese government “Comfort Women” is completely fabricated. United Nations decided to take up such sub- the international stage and keeps asking for and saying that Japan has never officially In order to promote good relations, Consul- jects as “Ainu,” “Okinawa,” “Koreans who indemnity. apologized or paid any reparations to former General Chiba made arrangements to invite a live in Japan” and “Comfort Women.” The On September 22, 2017, the “Comfort Women.” The Korean government garden architect from Japan for repair work at representatives of the Japanese Government “Coalition of Justice for Comfort Women” furthermore has appealed to the Human the Japanese Garden in Los Angeles. In April headed by Masato Otaka, Director General of commemorated the first anniversary of the Rights Committee of the United Nations and 2018, Consul General Chiba co-hosted a the Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of statue. Some members insisted that the pur- allowed former “Comfort Women” to talk “Cherry Blossom Festival” along with the Foreign Affairs, explained the present status pose of this ceremony is to remember those Mayor of Los Angeles. Thus, he has been try- of those subjects, and he received fairly good women who were forced to be sexual slaves about their experience at the meetings of the ing to promote good relations between Japan comments from the members of the commit- by the Japanese military. This is good evi- Human Rights Committee of the United and the City of Los Angeles, but it seemed to tee about each subject, except for “Comfort dence that those who are urging to build the Nations. All of them who appeared at the be difficult to persuade the Council members Women.” Some members of the Committee statue of “Comfort Women” are completely meetings of the Human Rights Committee to remove the “Comfort Women” statue. insisted that the issue of “Comfort Women” ignorant about the history of Asian countries. insisted that their experience was almost On December 13, 2017, Osaka City still has to be examined further. There is The statue, which has been approved by the comparable to the “Holocaust.” Furthermore, had decided to dissolve its Sister City rela- much evidence that the story of “Comfort San Francisco City Council, was built at St. on July 30th of this year, a ceremony was tionship with the City of San Francisco.
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