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Japanese victims of forced sterilization under the previous eugenic protection law move the Court

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 30 May 2024, Thursday | Vol.1 No. 94
Japanese victims of forced sterilization under the previous eugenic protection law move the Court
On 29 May, plaintiffs of a series of cases have been filed against the Government of Japan regarding forced sterilization operations conducted under the now-defunct Eugenic protection law. They spoke about their agony in the Supreme Court hearing and have claimed compensation from the government for their disabilities. In the hearing, Hanako Nomura remembered how she was forcefully sterilized without being informed about it after she delivered her daughter, who died shortly after. A similar anecdote was shared by an 81-year-old Saburo Kita who was sterilized at the age of 14 and could not have children. He said: “My life has been derailed, and I have been tormented for 67 years.” He also urged the court to write a ruling that would bring relief to the victims. According to a 2023 Parliament report: “2500 individuals with mental or intellectual disabilities including children as young as 09 years old were subjected to forced sterilization.” The court is expected to give its verdict in the summer. (Karin Kaneko, “Victims of forced sterilization speak of their suffering at Supreme Court,” The Japan Times, 29 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 29 May 2024, Wednesday | Vol.1 No. 93
Japanese Lawmakers discuss reforms in political party funding
On 28 May, the ruling and opposition parties in Japan started full-fledged discussions for the revision of the law regarding political funding. This comes a week after the parliamentary debates, which failed to bring in consensus regarding party funding. Both sides have decided to accelerate the discussions before the current parliamentary session ends and they also aim to get the approval in the lower house of the parliament. However, there have been contentions among the lawmakers on issues mainly on the handling of corporate donations and fundraising done by the parties. There remains a lack of clarity on whether the parties can draft a bill that would accommodate all parties. The Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Hiroshi Kajiyama said: “I believe this is the biggest task for the LDP in this session”. The LDP is holding a firm stand on keeping the mandatory reporting threshold for fundraising party tickets at 100,000 Yen, reducing it from the current 200,000 Yen. The LDP’s insistence on having that limit has caused a rift in the ruling coalition, hinting it to submit the bill without the support of the Komeito, its coalition partner of 25 years. In the proposal submitted by the LDP, the party would provide rough reports on the use of funds only under certain conditions. There have also been parties in the opposition that submitted the proposal to completely abolish all fundraising parties from 2026. (Gabriele Ninivaggi, “Japan's parties ramp up reform discussions as clock ticks for legal revision,” The Japan Times, 28 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 23 May 2024, Thursday | Vol.1 No. 88
Trilateral summit to be held between South Korea, Japan and China after four years
On 23 May, The Straits Times reported on the upcoming trilateral meeting between South Korea, China and Japan for the first time in four years. The meeting is scheduled to be held from 26-27 May in Seoul. Before the trilateral meeting South President Yoon-Suk-yeol will engage with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang separately. The trilateral meeting is aimed at adopting joint statements on economy and trade. The history of the meeting goes back to 2008 when all three countries decided to meet every year, the initiative was disrupted by bilateral feuds and the pandemic. (“South Korea, China, Japan to hold first summit in 4 years on May 26-27,” The Straits Times, 23 May 2024)

Japan lodges protest against Chinese envoy’s remarks on Taiwan
On 22 May, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said it had lodged protests against the Chinese envoy’s comment on Taiwan. The protests come after the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo, Wu Jianghao, said on 20 May that the Japanese people would be dragged into the fire if they took part in forces plotting to support Taiwan’s independence and “split China.” Hayashi also stated Japan’s stance on Taiwan and the need for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Japan’s strong support for the island country against the Chinese envoy’s remarks. (“Chinese ambassador’s comment relating to Taiwan ‘extremely inappropriate’, Japan says,” The Straits Times, 22 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 22 May 2024, Wednesday | Vol.1 No. 87
Japan’s new whaling mothership, Kangei Maru departs for its maiden hunt
On 21 May, Japan launched its new 9,300-tonne vessel, Kangei Maru, for its whaling operations. The launch comes as the Japanese government defends it, saying that it's an integral part of Japanese culture. Ryosuke Oba said the ship contains an in-house processing facility where the meat is processed before refrigeration. Japan was criticized for exploiting a loophole in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on commercial whaling that allows scientific hunts of whales, leading to its pullout in 2019. It is one of the three countries undertaking whaling operations in its own waters alongside Norway and Iceland. Japan has hunted whales for protein for centuries and continued post World War 2. Hideki Tokoro, President of the whaling company, said that the Kangei maru would not venture into the Antarctic for commercial whaling. (“Japan’s new whaling mothership sets sail on first hunt,” The Straits Times, 21 May 2024) 

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 21 May 2024, Tuesday | Vol.1 No. 86
Chinese embassies in South Korea and Japan rebuke lawmakers visiting Taiwan for the Presidential inauguration
On 21 May, the Chinese embassy in South Korea and Japan expressed strong opposition to South Korean and Japanese lawmakers from visiting Taiwan to celebrate the inauguration ceremony of the newly sworn-in President. The embassy stated that this visit counters China-South Korea’s strategic relationship and their cooperative partnership. The Japanese embassy also said the move affects the Sino-Japan relations. They also urged Japan to refrain from joining in with the US and to avoid disrupting peace in the Taiwan Strait.  Prior to this Chinese Foreign Minister warned that “Anyone who attempts to challenge the one-China principle will end in failure.” The relations between China- South Korea/Japan have increasingly turned sour as they pivot towards Taiwan. (“China rebukes South Korea, Japan lawmakers visiting Taiwan,” Reuters, 21 May 2024)

South Korean National Security Act restricts access to North Korean “propaganda”
On 20 May, the South Korean media regulatory body the National Security Act informed that they are banning access to a propaganda video by the North Koreans. The video idolized the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un as the “friendly father,” and a great leader of the country. The act blocked access to the official North Korean government website and guided the media to restrict and limit exposure to the efforts of Pyongyang. The regulatory body said: “The video is typical content linked to psychological warfare against South Korea, as it was posted on a channel operated to connect with the outside world and mainly focused on unilaterally idolising and glorifying Kim.” (“South Korea bans viral North Korea propaganda video praising Kim Jong Un,” Reuters, 20 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 14 May 2024, Tuesday | Vol.1 No. 81
Japan plans to set up a technology research center similar to the US
On 14 May, Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced its plans to set up a technology research center to develop application-based technologies such as AI to boost private-sector cooperation. Japan wants to emulate this model similar to the US. The center aims to conduct research on AI and image recognition technology, as well as submarine detection capabilities for subatomic particles and electromagnetic waves. The plan is to involve the participation of the private sector and subsidize the project without any penalties. The ministry plans to model the center in line with institutions such as the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Defense Innovation Unit. The center is seen as a way to develop new technologies and civilian applications in defense technologies during peacetime. Japan considers the research center plan as a means to boost its SDF to compete against China’s PLA. (Shinnosuke Nagatomi, “Japan to launch U.S.-inspired defense R&D center with eye on AI,” Nikkei Asia, 14 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 06 May 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 74
Children’s population aged 14 and below drops to 14.01 million in Japan
On 04 May, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication data, the population of children aged 14 years or younger severely dropped to 14.01 million in Japan. This comes as the percentage of children in Japan’s total population decreased to 11.3 per cent. The record-level population decline in Japan is leading the country to a severe demographic crisis. Japan’s total population has fallen since 2010, leading to chronic labour shortages. The Ministry also mentions that the declining birth rate will affect Japan's overall population replacement rate. (“Japan’s children population drops to a new record low, weighs on growth,” The Straits Times, 04 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 03 May 2024, Friday | Vol.1 No. 72
Joe Biden calls Japan and India “Xenophobic” comparing it to Russia and China
On 03 May, the Associated Press reported on US President Joe Biden’s statements calling Japan and India “Xenophobic” claiming that they do not welcome immigrants and comparing them to other adversaries Russia and China. He made these remarks at his campaign fundraising event where he said that the upcoming US elections are about freedom and democracy and that their economy was growing because “of you and many others,” addressing his Asian American audience. Biden said: “Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” and “Look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they’re xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants.” It is immigrants that make us strong and not a joke said Biden. (Seung Min Kim, “President Joe Biden calls Japan and India ‘xenophobic’ nations that do not welcome immigrants,” Associated Press, 03 May 2024)