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)

China's Ethnic Challenge

On the night of Saturday, March 1st, 8 attackers entered the Kunming Railway Station located in southwestern China. The assailants were dressed entirely in black clothing and wore masks. They carried with them long knives that they then proceeded to use to slash their way through the crowds of the train station. When the dust finally cleared, 29 innocent people laid dead with another 143 people injured. Police shot down 4 of the attackers during the rampage. The remaining 4 perpetrators were later arrested.

It is now known that the assailants were all from the Xinjiang region of China. However, Chinese officials were reluctant to release this information at first for fear of ethnic retaliation. The Xinjiang region is home to the Uighur population, one of China's many ethnic minorities. This area has seen its fair share of conflicts between the Uighurs and ethnic majority Han Chinese. Many Uighurs in the Xinjiang region have been calling for independence for years in order to escape religious persecution from the Chinese government. As a secular society, the Chinese government has tightly restricted the Uighurs' practice of Islam. While before these complaints were grumbled about in communities, the tensions are beginning to manifest themselves in a more violent form.

 In 2009, Uighurs charged through the streets of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, killing roughly 200 people. The Han Chinese in the area retaliated by attacking the Uighurs in turn. Attacks like this have been prevalent throughout the region for the past few years. However, the attack at the Kunming Railway Station was far from Xinjiang, a trend that appears to be growing. Just last year there was a smaller attack in Beijing, the nation's capital, where a burning car was driven into a crowd at Tiananmen Square, killing two tourists and the three passengers inside. While the Chinese government claims to be cracking down on the unrest in the Xinjiang region, these recent attacks would say otherwise.

 In order to bring peace to the Xinjiang region, the Chinese government has imposed even tighter restrictions on religious practices. This has seemed to have the opposite effect of escalating tensions between the Uighurs and Han Chinese even further. Instead of focusing on solving these ethnic problems, the Chinese government in light of the Kunming attack criticized foreign media for not calling the incident an act of terror. Finally, the United Nations Security Council obliged by issuing this statement: “The members of the Security Council extended their deepest sympathy and condolence to the victims and their families suffered from such most heinous terrorist attack, as well as to the people and the government of the People’s Republic of China.” It is interesting that the Chinese government would want to highlight such a tragic event. However, now that the attack has been deemed an act of terrorism, any action that the government to crack down on Uighurs in the Xinjiang region will seem legitimate.

Articles used:
 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/world/asia/china.html?ref=asia&_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/asia/han-uighur-relations-china.html?ref=asia&_r=0
http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/u-n-security-council-condemns-terrorist-attack-in-kunming/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=world&_r=0&_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/world/asia/chinese-officials-seek-to-shift-attention-from-rampage.html?ref=asia

TOMODACHI Initiative led by the United States and Japan

     In reaction to the tragic earthquake in Tohoku region in Japan in March 11^th, 2011, TOMODACHI Initiative was established for supporting for Japan’s recovery from the earthquake, and also for cultivating Japanese and American leaders in the next generation through cultural and educational leadership programs.

     As a history of TOMODACHI Initiative, after the earthquake occurred, the United States military and Japan Self-Defense Force worked together for supporting Tohoku regions. Through this cooperation, the United States and Japan established TOMODACHI Initiative. The United States Government and the U.S.-Japan Council has taken the lead of TOMODACHI Initiative.

     TOMODACHI’s goal is to build “TOMODACHI generation” of Japanese and American youths who are engaged in invigorating and reinforcing the U.S.-Japan relationships and who are grateful to each other’s country and culture. For achieving this visions, TOMODACHI Initiative focuses on creating relationships in individuals, communities and businesses. It aims to increase the number of Japanese and American students who study in each country in order to grow their cultural awareness by many kinds through program covering academics, languages, cultures and sports.

     For instance, from Del Norte High School in California, 6 students and 6 stuff members visited Japan for a tour of Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture, as the TOMODACHI-Del Norte high school 2014 Delegation to Rikuzentakata in February. This visiting has originated from the day that students of Del North high school found a crushed boat by Tsunami was drifted to the shores of Crescent City in California and desired to get this boat back to the original owner in Japan. They spent 2 days at high school in Rikuzentakata, met students there and showed the boat that were elaborately cleaned by American students.

     This is one of the activities of TOMODACHI Initiatives, but I argue that this project will definitely be effective in conducting public diplomacy between the United States and Japan. This TOMODACHI project appeals students of both the United States and Japan in order to let them know about each other’s current situations, cultures and businesses. There are some other programs such as scholar programs, exchange and home staying programs, and Earthquake-damage relieving programs. 

     Moreover, in these programs, students in the United States and Japan can directly engage in activity and deeply know about each other, which can significantly appeal to the public and their opinions.  Furthermore, TOMODACHI programs such as language programs and exchanging programs can also be great soft power if participants are positively attracted by those programs. Not only TOMODACHI program directly helps both the United States and Japan conduct public diplomacy but also creates soft power for fulfilling powerful public diplomacy between 2 countries.

http://usjapantomodachi.org/
http://usjapantomodachi.org/about-us/
http://usjapantomodachi.org/programs-activities/del-norte-delegation/

Are Sweden's Education and Visa Policies Damaging Its PD Efforts?

It is widely known that Sweden, among its Scandinavian counterparts, provides tuition-free higher education to its citizens and to EU/EEA citizens. Before 2011, however, Sweden provided free education to foreign students from around the world seeking bachelor's and master's degrees. Non-EU students can now expect to pay SEK 80,000 to 140,000 ($12,350 to $21,613) for tuition alone, not counting travel and living expenses. This can total to about SEK 250,000 or $44,000, a lot of money for some international students who are seeking higher education. 

Since introducing fees, Swedish universities have struggled to attract foreign students. Before 2011, Sweden had nearly 8,000 international students in their last year of university at various institutions. Since then, enrollment for non-EU nationals has decreased by 80% or 1,600 students. Some Swedish universities offer stipends for master's students from non-EU countries, though these stipends are only able to cover about 60 students out of an average 5,000 applicants.

Another problem for international students is Sweden's visa policy. If a student is studying for less than three months, depending on their country of origin, they will need a visa. If the student is staying for longer than three months, the student will need a residence permit that lasts for up to one year. Should a student need to stay for longer than one year or one school year, the residence permit will have to be renewed. EU citizens do not need to obtain these documents, as they only need to register with the Swedish Migration Board to alert the government of their presence.

While these seem like relatively normal procedures, these documents cause potential problems for students who want to stay in the country after graduation. Once these documents expire, the student is given only ten days to leave the country. About 76% of  international students want to stay in Sweden and find jobs, but only 17% are actually able to find employment. It is actually more common for international students to find jobs with Swedish companies outside of Sweden. Graduation is now a frantic search for jobs if a student wants to remain in Sweden.

Critics argue that Sweden's visa policies are too strict and need to be reformed. There is also criticism that "…Sweden needs better links between education and industry," to encourage more foreign involvement and foreign take-away. Tobias Krantz, the Head of Education at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise cites the reason for imposing tuition fees as "large numbers of non-paying students distorted the education market." He also added that "overseas students should look to Sweden because they want to benefit from a high level of education, not because the university entrance is free of charge."

While benefiting from a Swedish education is the ideal, Swedish institutions are damaging PD efforts to bring students over to learn about Sweden and its culture. Without free tuition or wide availability of stipends, foreign students are losing incentive to come to Sweden. This, in turn, hurts Sweden by pushing away highly-skilled or highly-trainable students and future employees, as Sweden is facing an aging population and a skills shortage. Tight restrictions on student visas and residence permits encourages the out-flow of talented students who may bring Swedish ideas back to their home country, but who actually want to stay and contribute to the local economy. While it is important to spread Sweden's message and ideals abroad, these education and visa policies can contribute to a negative view of how Sweden treats youth, spoiling their brand among a new generation of students.   

       

Full Article: http://www.thelocal.se/20140303/fees-and-work-visas-weigh-on-swedens-foreign-students

Japanese " Sport for Tomorrow" Program for 2020 Tokyo Olympics

     In addition to what I argued about Japanese public diplomacy with 2020 Tokyo Olympics and possible anxiety with Olympics because of Fukushima disaster in 2011 in previous post, I would like to introduce one of the strategies that Japan used for winning competition to be the host country. Also, that strategy can be great soft power that significantly affects public diplomacy.

     At the final presentation for IOC to determine the hosting country in Buenos Aires, Japanese Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan would conduct special program for developing sports in the world called “Sport for Tomorrow” program, which is conducted as international strategic bilateral enterprise. Japanese international volunteering organization, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will cooperate in this program.

     This “Sport for Tomorrow” program aims to help developing countries maintain environments to play sports. One of the examples is supporting developing countries to draw up school physical education curriculum. This program also corresponds to each country’s needs by constructing International Cooperating Consortium. Moreover, it contains program to provide instruments and to construct schools in developing countries. “Sport for Tomorrow” program also promotes “the Olympic Movement around the globe, the creation of an international sports academy based in Japan, and additional support for WADA’s global anti-doping efforts.”

     This effort to declare that Japan is the country that promote playing sports and supporting Olympics and athletes can be effective for Japanese public diplomacy because reputation of Japan will be growing up if this program can actually help developing countries to improve school physical education as the program progress in the future. “Sport for Tomorrow” program can be influential as Japanese soft power because Japan can positively affect other countries in bilateral relationship and also can get attraction to Japan from them. Actually, after the Prime Minister Abe’s final presentation that mentioned this program in Buenos Aires, Japan could win the competition, which proved this program is attractive.

     Of course there are many other factors that can be Japanese soft power. As “Cool Tokyo” Ambassador Christel Takigawa mentioned in her presentation in Buenos Aires, tourism attraction will be attracting people who visit Japan because of great hospitality, safety and significant punctuality of public transportation. These factors can be Japanese soft power that influences those who will come to Tokyo in 2020 when Olympic is held. Moreover, this “Sport for Tomorrow” program will be direct influence on other countries over the world as soft power that can straightly attract them by supporting to promote sports and physical education in bilateral relationship.

Original article:

https://www.sportsfeatures.com/olympicsnews/story/50456/tokyo-2020-launches-new-sport-for-tomorrow-program

Other articles:

http://www.mext.go.jp/component/b_menu/other/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2013/08/30/1339149_01.pdf (written in Japanese)

http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2013/09/07/olympic_candidate_tokyo_presentation_n_3886260.html#slide=2869649 (written in Japanese)

http://research.php.co.jp/blog/kaneko/2013/09/10.php (written in Japanese)

Gay Rights: A global social norm, or an individual state responsibility?

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, recently signed the harsh Anti-Gay bill that punishes homosexual acts for up to life in prison. People who may not be homosexual, but promote, advocate, counsel, or defend homosexuals will also be punished. This bill was introduced in 2009 when President Museveni was not always clear on his stance. At first he thought that homosexuality was a sickness that needed to be treated, not put into prison. "He backtracked this month and said he'd sign it [the bill] because scientists had determined that there is no gene for homosexuality and that it is merely a choice to embrace abnormal behavior.

The original bill contained the death penalty for homosexual acts. However, the U.K and other European nations threatened to breech foreign aid. Museveni believes that homosexuality can be "unlearned" and tough bills like this will the way to go about it.

With the U.S.  being Uganda's largest donors, President Obama warned that U.S.-Ugandan ties will be affected by the signing of this bill. However, Museveni was not backing down stating that he does not care what the West has to say about this bill. He adamantly says, "We have been disappointed for a long time by the conduct of the West, the way you conduct yourselves there...now you say 'you must also live like us' -- that's where we say no."Museveni assures journalist that if the West no longer wants to support Uganda, that Uganda will thrive on its on with other partners. 

President Museveni does make a good point. Museveni states that what the West is doing is "social imperialism...'to impose social values of one group on our society.'" Why is it that the West is able to impose values on developing countries? This is because when a country is a provider and a host for another country, there is a sense of dependance from developing country to developed. With that said, providing foreign developmental aid should not be based on a countries social policies. It is not ethical to leave a country impoverished because they have a different set of laws, or do not promote democracy through Western or American eyes. 

With the gay rights movement spreading, there is a thin line between natural righst and social norms. The problem with providing LGBT rights for all countries is the possibility that you are imposing an evolving social norm on another group of people. Can we really be mad at Museveni for displaying the autonomy of his country? He is taking a firm stance against the west, which will further improve his credibility for the future.

The lesson that can be learned from this is that countries can gain more credibilty by not doing what everyone else in the international system is doing.