New Comedy Series "Welcome to Sweden" Premieres in Sweden, U.S. to Follow

On 21 March, Sweden's channel TV4 premiered its first ever English-language television sitcom, Welcome to Sweden, with 1.7 million viewers tuning in. Welcome to Sweden tells the story of a New York accountant, Bruce Evans, who falls in love with a Swedish banker named Emma, and decides to follow her back to Sweden. Comedy ensues with Bruce's culture shock and his interactions with Emma's parents. 

Welcome to Sweden is the brainchild of Greg Poehler, the brother of Amy Poehler, who has turned his real life experiences into a new series. Poehler worked as a lawyer in New York City, but chose to follow his then girlfriend back to her native Sweden, providing him with a great idea for Swedish and English-speaking audiences. Teaming up with his sister, Greg created, executive produced, and is now starring in the show as Bruce. Welcome to Sweden stars famous American and Swedish actors: Amy Poehler, Patrick Duffy, Illeana Douglas, Lena Olin, and Claes Månsson. Will Ferrell is also set to guest star in the second episode of the season.  

While the show has already premiered in Sweden, NBC is set to air the show starting on 10 July. This is the first show of its kind to premiere in and involve two countries simultaneously. Welcome to Sweden is filmed in New York, Los Angeles, and Sweden and features both English and Swedish dialogue. Greg Poehler has said that "having the show broadcast in the US could only be a positive sign for Sweden and Swedes in general," implying that Welcome to Sweden can only boost Sweden's image in the US and can make the American public more receptive to Sweden's people and culture. The show can be further appreciated by the Swedish and Swedish-speaking population in the US, as well as the expat community in Sweden, giving each group a taste of home. Poehler also stated that the growing attention for the show is"…further validation that we made a show that people like and are responding to - both in Sweden and the US," which illustrates the power the media holds in intercultural exchange and cultural diplomacy.

http://www.thelocal.se/20140327/welcome-to-sweden-gets-us-premiere-date

http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/nbc-acquires-comedy-series-welcome-to-sweden-from-amy-and-greg-poehler-eone/

Japanese Cuisine Diplomacy: NHK World "Let's Cook Japanese"

     As I mentioned to “culinary diplomacy” in previous blog post discussing about Korean Diplomacy, cultural diplomacy about cultural food has been effective these days. Japanese food has been popular since there are a lot of Japanese restaurants that offer typical popular Japanese food such as Sushi and Ramen in the United States.

     However, there are few American people who know “real” “homemade” Japanese cuisine from my experience of living in the Untied States. As I mentioned just before, Ramen, Sushi, Teriyaki have been quite popular; however, Most Sushi offered in the Japanese restaurants in the United States are rolled-sushi, which is different from Sushi offered in Japan. Furthermore, Teriyaki foods are provided at not only Japanese restaurants but also non-Japanese restaurants such as Subway (there is teriyaki-chicken as your choice of meet), but these actually do not taste as teriyaki, and it is not easy to find real teriyaki, from my experience as one of Japanese people. Therefore, I would say real Japanese cuisine has not been popular yet, even though Japanese-like food have been very popular in the United States.

     NHK world, Japanese television station in the United States, launched radio program “Let’s cook Japanese” on its website. NHK world launches one recipe per week through radio, and audience can check archives of recipe in the past whenever you want. I was very surprised that there are recipes of many kinds of real homemade Japanese dishes such as Okonomi-yaki (Savoury pancake), Roll Kyabetsu (stuffed cabbage leaves) and Tori no kara-age (Japanese style fried chicken). Furthermore, a web page of each recipe put the explanation about the dish by describing why this dish is popular in Japan and origin and history of the dish. This radio project can significantly affects Japanese Cultural Diplomacy toward the world by allowing the world to know about real Japanese cultural food and its history.

     However, for a start, it is necessary that the public become interested in Japanese cuisine in order to use Japanese cuisine for effective cultural diplomacy. To make it successful, Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. can be medium of Japanese cuisine. Not only many kinds of events showing Japanese culture but also many stalls that sell Japanese food are at festival. People can get these foods at good price, so food stalls can be effective to make American people interested in Japanese cuisine. Then people can move on to the next stage to deeply understand Japanese food culture through NHK World “Let’s Cook Japanese.”

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/cooking/english/20120203.html

Are Switzerland's Anti-Immigration Policies Ruining Its Brand?

On 9 February, a referendum was held in Switzerland regarding the implementation of immigration quotas. By a close margin, 50.3% of the Swiss population voted to limit the number of immigrants allowed into the country, and therefore, break agreements with the European Union regarding free movement of EU citizens. Switzerland and the EU will now have to negotiate a new agreement, or cancel their agreement altogether, by 2017. As of the last 10 to 12 years, Switzerland has seen an average of 80,000 immigrants enter the country every year. Compare this with the previous range of  23,000 to 30,000 immigrants annually in the period 1972-2002. The Swiss government is looking to reduce the annual influx of foreigners by 60%.

This new policy would not be so bad, if not for implicit xenophobic motives. Switzerland's right wing party, the Swiss People's Party (SVP), has advocated for anti-immigration policies in order to preserve the Swiss identity, and to keep Switzerland "idyllic". SVP was also behind a massively racist poster campaign to discourage immigration, depicting "white sheep kicking black or yellow sheep out of the country and black crows pecking at Switzerland, like a piece of bread." Some accuse the SVP of manipulating the public and playing on implicit racial fears.

The SVP's meddling has major implications for Switzerland's relations with the European Union. The new quotas, as previously mentioned, go against the Swiss-EU agreement on the free movement of persons. This principle is key in the Bilateral Agreements I Framework between Switzerland and the EU, and because this aspect of the agreement is being violated, the EU will likely terminate the entire agreement. This bilateral agreement also sets up Switzerland's participation in EU research programs, free movement through overland transport, easier agricultural trade, as well as other free market and open border policies.

On an educational level, limiting immigration will impact student exchange. EU and Swiss students are able to move freely between states and attend universities without extra costs or visa requirements, particularly through the Erasmus program. Should agreements between the EU and the Swiss end, Swiss students will either incur the costs of studying abroad or will be limited in the higher education options available to them. In the business sphere, companies are preparing to pull out of Switzerland. The xenophobic reputation the Swiss are creating will directly impact other nations' desire to work with them. Combined with tense EU economic relations, the new immigration quotas will make Swiss-EU bilateral trade more difficult and economic development may stagnate.

It is entirely possible that the Swiss did not realize the effect these new quotas would have on Switzerland's economic and diplomatic relations. Internationally, people are beginning to see past the idyllic façade, the fancy watches, and chocolate. In an age when sensitivity to race is at an all-time high, the timing of these policies are disadvantageous. While many countries in Europe are dealing with racial tensions and immigration issues, having these problems publicized can only discourage positive public opinion. Unless the Swiss can do damage control, any hope for educational exchange, economic exchange, and general diplomatic relations with other states will be very difficult to accomplish.  

Articles used: 

• http://www.newsweek.com/switzerland-sudden-fear-immigrants-232430
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/student-reporter/switzerland-and-the-eu-th_b_5003363.html?view=print&comm_ref=false

Countries in Latin America still fighting

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/world/americas/venezuela-protests/index.html

With the abundance of resources, goods, and human labors, extractive policies, high prices, and government corruption is high throughout Latin America. What makes the government corrupt is not so much their policies, but their dismissal and repression of the community.

In Venezuela, 31 demonstrators have died and 420 are injured. The main grievances from the protesters are crime and high prices. This is similar to the pre-world cup protests in Brazil. President of Venezuela Nicholas Mudaro say that the protesters are the trouble-makers. He tweeted, "you clearly want confrontation more than you want peace."

From a public diplomacy perspective, shaming your citizens for trying to practice their democracy is not the best image to give off. He justifies his statements by implying that protestors in the U.S. would be confronted with police force too if they tried to overthrow the president. However, the president of the united states would publicly dismiss the grievances of his own citizens non-chalantly. President Maduro has shown the world that he is careless with his words and his people.

Since public diplomacy is a form of a manipulation and propaganda, Maduro could have at least pretended that he cared.

Obama delivers promises with conditions

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/politics/obama-iran/index.html?hpt=imi_c2

President Obama is offering concessions to Iran if they cut back on their nuclear weapons program, and he is making some huge promises. With much optimism, Obama believes that the U.S. can start a new path together.

After Tehran took on president Hassan Rouhani who gave hope to make Iran more accessible to the international community, things seemed to look better their relations with major power players.Obama seems to see this promise as a good time to improve relations with Iran. Although enthusiasm is admirable, pressure is not the way to go.

Obama makes a huge claim when he says the Iran will see huge economic mobilization. He states "... this year can help open up new possibilities and prosperity for the Iranian people for years to come." That includes more open trade, more jobs and "more opportunities for Iranian students". If Obama is going to revitalize an entire country, he should at least explain. Or else, this just looks manipulation and false promises.

With the slow progress on Iran's part, Obama knows that this will be difficult, but "he says he is ready to talk."

Flotus strives for understanding

While President Obama is in China handling matters such as discussing trade and human rights with Xi Jinping, the first lady accompanied him on a cultural exchange tour. She will be in China for three weeks to visit schools in Beijing and Changdu. In her visits, she will be telling students about the benefits of education, according to White House National Security advisor. Both Barack and Michelle are using public diplomacy to improve Sino-American relations.

The purpose of this trip is not to get the Chinese to agree with U.S. Foreign policy. The purpose of this trip is promote mutual understanding. "The more they understand the values of our first lady and the president, the better things will be for both countries." Say Rhodes. In other words, this trip will maintain and soothe the already shaky Sino-American relations. There is saying that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. With threats and bargaining being the vinegar, mutual understanding is definitely the honey.

During Mrs. Obama's site visits, she intends to tell students about the benefits of studying abroad and cultural exchanges. The U.S. and China already have the highest rates of foreign exchanges with each other, meaning there is no real need for an initiative to drive this upward. I think the Michelle's visits to school is more a signal to the Chinese government that the U.S. values Chinese students.

The Obama's advisor brought up a great point. With Michelle's mother and two daughters accompanying her accompanying the flotus, he says that "I [he] thinks that the Chinese will appreciate seeing three generations of family members visiting their country. 

Japan will Uphold Apology for "Comfort Women" in Korea: As Good Public Diplomacy or Not?

     On March 14^th, in Japanese Diet, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed that Japanese government would not revise a Landmark 1993 as “Kono statement” that confessed and apologized for forcing women, mainly Korean, to be sex slaves in history of World War II period. This was the first time that Mr. Abe’s government endorsed the apology for this problem.

     The Kono Statement of 1993 gave brief admission that the Japanese military played a significant role to require “comfort women” to serve as prostitutes for soldiers. In declaration by Mr. Abe on Friday, he showed great regret and sorrow in reaffirming the previous apology.

     From this, President Park Geun-hye of South Korea positively evaluated Mr. Abe’s action that uphold previous apology. President Park stated that it was glad to hear that Japanese attitude would not amend the apology. Till today, President Park has refused to have a summit talk with Japanese government about damaged comfort women in Korea. However, from Prime Minister Abe’s action that aimed to improve present relationship between Japan and Korea and persuaded Korea to have an opportunity to talk with Japanese, it is now predicted that Korea would accept to have a talk with Japan.

     However, Nihon Keizai Shimbun (literally Japan Economic Times Company) reported that Japanese government still keep its attitude to inspect the process of creating Kono Statement. In Korea, there are some voices that doubts whether Japan would water down the Kono Statement itself. Nihon Keizai Shimbun stated whether Korea accepts summit talk with Japan depends on Korean public opinion, and also stated that it is possible that Korea government would harden its attitude and summit talk would not be realized.

     Mr. Abe’s statement that Japanese government would uphold Kono Statement was the first step to improve tense relationship between Japan and Korea and also was the first step to conduct valuable Public Diplomacy between Japan and Korea. However, whether this action became successful or not depends on future action of both Japan and Korea.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/15/world/asia/japan-prime-minister-says-he-will-not-revise-1993-apology-to-wartime-prostitutes.html?_r=0

http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASGM15029_V10C14A3MM8000/?dg=1 (Written in Japanese)

http://guardianlv.com/2014/03/japan-war-sex-slaves-apology-upheld/

Accident of Tearing Books about Holocaust in Japan: Improving or Damaging Public Diplomacy?

     From January 2014, in Japan, there has been many incidents that more than 300 books including the book The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and other related books about Holocaust were torn by someone at several public libraries and bookstores in Tokyo.

     On February 27^th, Ruth Kahanoff, Ambassador of Israel to Japan was interviewed by Asahi Shimbun (one of Japanese newspaper companies), and she mentioned that she was very surprised and shocked by the fact that a big amount of books related to Holocaust were torn.

     She also answered to interview by emphasizing that she believes specific individuals or organization committed incidents so that this does not show whole tendency and attitude of Japan toward Holocaust. Moreover, she answered that Israeli embassy in Japan had received more than a thousand of letters that told encouragements, compassions and even apology from the Japanese public. From that, she told she felt very calm, and the result of this incident was the opposite to what offenders expected.

     In the afternoon on the same day, Israeli Embassy donated 300 books including Anne Frank’s book and other related books to Suginami-district in Tokyo city that had great loss.

     This action by Israeli Embassy can be the source for the good public diplomacy between Japan and Israel because this phenomenon shows that Israel immediately took action in order to help Japan to maintain educational resources about Holocaust, which can lead to keep Japanese people knowing and understanding what was happened in the Holocaust and how Anne felt at that time. This Israel’s action also can be good for public diplomacy because it shows that Israel immediately took action for restoring the difficulty that libraries and bookstores faced. With this action, Japanese reputation from the public toward Israel can be boosted.

     On the other hand, Rabi Abraham Cooper, the associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, stated that he felt the impact and strong anxiety about this accident. He stated that this incident dishonored the memory of Anne Frank who is the most popular person in 1.5 million Jewish children who were killed by Holocaust. From the fact that outbreak of incidents have been wide range in Tokyo, it is highly likely that this accident was committed by groups.

     Even though Israeli Embassy’s action can generate good public diplomacy between Japan and Israel, concerns about this accident from the world have still remained, and it is possible that reputation of Japan from the world would be diminished and Japan would be internationally criticized if this accident results in showing as if the disapproval of Anne Frank’s diary and Holocaust have existed as Japanese tendency.

http://www.cnn.co.jp/world/35044264.html (Written in Japanese) 

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG2W6K8GG2WUHBI055.html (Written in Japanese)