I am at a point where I am starting to collect resources for my chapter in the Wikibook that our group will be creating and I came across this very interesting press release by Human Rights Watch. http://tinyurl.com/pvfe3s
It written by a Japanese National who is a consultant with the organization. He comments largely about how Japan is positioned to be a leader in Asia in the area of human rights, but it needs to continue working towards addressing human rights issues in Japan and to speak out more firmly against the human rights violations of other countries. The author also comments that Japan's greatest challenge to its human rights record is overcoming the atrocities during WWII. Examples of such atrocities are the Nanking Massacre, Unit 731, and the Japanese "comfort women".
I also added a few links that will help you explore these Japanese war crimes
http://tinyurl.com/rtn34
videos:
http://tinyurl.com/qyfn5e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAp8bSdE5MQ&feature=related
(warning: very graphic video on Unit 731 human experiments)
http://tinyurl.com/oz6n67
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Article 9: Why revise?
I have recently began exploring the issues surrounding the debate regarding the proposed revisions of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. What an interesting issue with broad implications for the people of Japan, their national pride and their political presence on the world stage.
Briefly, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution prohibits the use of force as a means of settling international disputes. It also prohibits Japan from maintaining an army, navy or air force. Japan does have a Self Defense Force which is not considered an army, navy or air force. They are seen as extensions of the national police force and are used primarily to maintain law and order within Japan. http://tinyurl.com/Article-9-debate
Since the late 1990s, there has been much debate over Article 9. Largely because as it is constructed today, it limits and/or prohibits Japan's involvement in multilateral military commitments overseas. The United States particularly has urged Japan to take a larger role in the war on terror, which Article 9 prohibits. Additionally, Japan has been urged by various human rights organizations to assume a larger role in addressing human rights violations like those occurring in Sri Lanka. http://tinyurl.com/qlm6e7
More broadly, Japan has been called on to support various UN Security Council efforts to combat terror and/or address various human rights issues around the world that today are forbidden by Article 9's prohibition of use of force to do so. Article 9 supporters would like to see revisions made that would allow for Japan's involvement in multilateral commitments with other UN member states. Article 9 revisions would also allow Japan to maintain and utilize the Self Defense Force to protect against those who would aggressively move against Japan.
I welcome your thoughts. What do you think?
Briefly, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution prohibits the use of force as a means of settling international disputes. It also prohibits Japan from maintaining an army, navy or air force. Japan does have a Self Defense Force which is not considered an army, navy or air force. They are seen as extensions of the national police force and are used primarily to maintain law and order within Japan. http://tinyurl.com/Article-9-debate
Since the late 1990s, there has been much debate over Article 9. Largely because as it is constructed today, it limits and/or prohibits Japan's involvement in multilateral military commitments overseas. The United States particularly has urged Japan to take a larger role in the war on terror, which Article 9 prohibits. Additionally, Japan has been urged by various human rights organizations to assume a larger role in addressing human rights violations like those occurring in Sri Lanka. http://tinyurl.com/qlm6e7
More broadly, Japan has been called on to support various UN Security Council efforts to combat terror and/or address various human rights issues around the world that today are forbidden by Article 9's prohibition of use of force to do so. Article 9 supporters would like to see revisions made that would allow for Japan's involvement in multilateral commitments with other UN member states. Article 9 revisions would also allow Japan to maintain and utilize the Self Defense Force to protect against those who would aggressively move against Japan.
I welcome your thoughts. What do you think?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Article 9: The Global Movement
As stated earlier, the debate over revising Article 9 is one that is near and dear to the people of Japan. However, it is also an issue that truly embodies the spirit of global peace. Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renounces war as a means of settling international disputes and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces in Japan.
Although the Japanese government is considering amending the Article to remove the restrictions on the use of its military, the spirit of Article 9 seems to have had a global impact on various international civil society and human rights organizations. Their is a growing international movement that seems to value Article 9 as an ideal for peace, disarmament and the preservation of human rights as evidenced in the gathering of religious leaders from around the globe in December 2007 at the Asia Inter-Religious Conference on Article 9 and Peace in Asia. http://tinyurl.com/qoeshn
At this conference the Japanese Government, those within the Japanese religious circles as well as religious leaders from around the world were called on to support the preservation of Article 9 and to advance its ideal of peace around the globe in a much broader context.
The most significant thing to remember about Article 9 is that it is truly a mechanism for peace aimed to restore and preserve peace.
Also, visit the following site for more background on the Global Article 9 movement.
http://tinyurl.com/ptq2zw
I welcome your thoughts here as well.
Although the Japanese government is considering amending the Article to remove the restrictions on the use of its military, the spirit of Article 9 seems to have had a global impact on various international civil society and human rights organizations. Their is a growing international movement that seems to value Article 9 as an ideal for peace, disarmament and the preservation of human rights as evidenced in the gathering of religious leaders from around the globe in December 2007 at the Asia Inter-Religious Conference on Article 9 and Peace in Asia. http://tinyurl.com/qoeshn
At this conference the Japanese Government, those within the Japanese religious circles as well as religious leaders from around the world were called on to support the preservation of Article 9 and to advance its ideal of peace around the globe in a much broader context.
The most significant thing to remember about Article 9 is that it is truly a mechanism for peace aimed to restore and preserve peace.
Also, visit the following site for more background on the Global Article 9 movement.
http://tinyurl.com/ptq2zw
I welcome your thoughts here as well.
Global Citizenship Clip #2
Here is another clip defining global citizenship.
This is a bit more eloquent as it is from a museum director in Northern California.
http://tinyurl.com/o88uyy
This is a bit more eloquent as it is from a museum director in Northern California.
http://tinyurl.com/o88uyy
Global Citizenship Clip
Here is an interest youtube clip asking various people to define global citizenship.
http://tinyurl.com/omccw2
http://tinyurl.com/omccw2
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Idea of Global Citizenship
As I have stated in the discussion area of the Webster Blackboard, I believe very much in the idea of "global citizenship". I believe that care and concern for the welfare of our brothers and sisters across the globe should be a primary issue for all of us.
The individual consciousness of citizens all over the world should be one that constantly works to include all members of the human family and that demonstrates (in meaningful ways) empathy, courage and compassion.
More than that, I believe that it is the responsibility of the nations of the world to multi-laterally work for world peace and the preservation of human rights everywhere.
On its face, global citizenship seems like a lofty ideal. However, I believe it to be a concept worthy of continued dialog and consideration.
There are many definitions and ideas about what being a "global citizen" really means.
I conducted a google search and found the following language:
"A Global Citizen is a person fully able to engage productively and effectively with the global academic, business, civic and cultural environments by possessing and demonstrating"
1. Excellent written and oral communication skills
2. The ability to work effectively in teams
3. A mastery of common business technology tools
4. The ability to analyze and solve complex problems
5. The sensitivity and skill necessary to succeed in a culturally diverse global environment
6. The flexibility to accept and initiate change
7. Solid leadership skills
8. Fluency in at least one language besides English
9. The level of cultural and aesthetic sophistication necessary for an understanding of and appreciation for the arts
10. High levels of moral reasoning "
Some food for thought...
The individual consciousness of citizens all over the world should be one that constantly works to include all members of the human family and that demonstrates (in meaningful ways) empathy, courage and compassion.
More than that, I believe that it is the responsibility of the nations of the world to multi-laterally work for world peace and the preservation of human rights everywhere.
On its face, global citizenship seems like a lofty ideal. However, I believe it to be a concept worthy of continued dialog and consideration.
There are many definitions and ideas about what being a "global citizen" really means.
I conducted a google search and found the following language:
"A Global Citizen is a person fully able to engage productively and effectively with the global academic, business, civic and cultural environments by possessing and demonstrating"
1. Excellent written and oral communication skills
2. The ability to work effectively in teams
3. A mastery of common business technology tools
4. The ability to analyze and solve complex problems
5. The sensitivity and skill necessary to succeed in a culturally diverse global environment
6. The flexibility to accept and initiate change
7. Solid leadership skills
8. Fluency in at least one language besides English
9. The level of cultural and aesthetic sophistication necessary for an understanding of and appreciation for the arts
10. High levels of moral reasoning "
Some food for thought...
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