Custody Battles in Japan

This article focuses on foreign men who marry Japanese women, have a child, and subsequently get a divorce. In Japan, about 80% of custody cases result in the mother winning custody of the child. Even in cases where the foreign parent wins the court case, the ruling is often not enforced. One person quoted in the article says that it's not that Japanese law favors Japanese parents, but that it favors "abductors."

These practices seem to violate the Hague convention, which supposed to prevent parents from bringing (or according to the legislation "abducting") their child to another country. According to the U.S. state department, Japan has a habit of not complying with the convention. Even when parents win subsequent court battles in Japanese courts, the police often do not act according to the article. This is because there are strict rules about not causing a child any psychological harm. Japan has defended its record, saying that the vast majority of Hague Convention cases have been settled.

The separate case of parents relocating a child within Japan is not covered by the Hague convention, and is also discussed in the article.

I think it's unfortunate that there is so much uncertainty and inconsistency regarding these laws. I don't know enough about international or Japanese law to have an opinion of these type of rules, but I was struck by how unofficial this process seemed to be. It must be very nerve-racking as a parent, given these circumstances.

Foreign Fathers

This article is about a topic that I had never thought about, but is actually quite serious and worrying. It talks about how in Japan when a man and woman get divorced 80% of the time the woman gets sole custody of the child, which means that the father rarely sees their child again. The article attributes this to the tough laws and patriarchal cultural norms of Japan.

However, the main focus of this article is foreign men becoming estranged from their children when their Japanese wives run away to Japan with their child. Although Japan has signed the Hague Convention, which is designed to prevent a parent from blocking access to a child by moving to another country, many foreign fathers have been unable to take successful legal action against their ex-wives to gain custody of their children. The Japanese legal system appears to favour continuity so the longer a child is separated by the kidnap parent, the greater the chance the kidnap parent has to retain their child. The Japanese government, however, claims that these sorts of events are the minority and that most cases have actually been successfully resolved.

Japanese law is quite ambiguous in its law with regards to child abductions in this context. The abduction is only a criminal offence if it is done by force and disrupts public order. E.g. A visual kidnap would be far more likely to be considered a crime as opposed to a mother boarding a plane with her children. Japanese family court judges also enjoy great discretion in their decisions and can reverse foreign custody, refuse any visitation, award only a few hours a year, or in place of visitation rights order just a few photos every year. However, Japanese civil law is notoriously weak with enforcement and lack police-like powers to facilitate civic judgements. 

Reference

https://amview.japan.usembassy.gov/en/divorce-law-in-japan/

Terrace House: LGBTQ

"‘Terrace House’ opens its doors to LGBTQ members in Japan"

A popular reality show, Terrace House, revolves around the concept of different Japanese individuals living with each other in a single house with the idea that the individuals will fall in love with each other or else leave by their own accord. 

With the prevalence of LGBTQ rights, especially with the Tokyo Olympics and the recent passage of a law that prohibits LGBTQ discrimination, the discussion around LGBTQ has become more pronounced than before. With this increased exposure, especially to the younger generation, seeing individuals who are LGBTQ in the media will not only encourage those who are LGBTQ to be proud of their identity but also familiarize people with them to show their humanity. 

The article highlights the positive response that the community has shown the new individuals in the Terrace House, but also shows the reluctance of older generations to accept LGBTQ and even the lack of support from the younger generations in same-sex marriage. The portrayal of these individuals in media will hopefully change the attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals in Japan, much like it has in many places around the world.

Canada Legalizes Weed

On October 18th, Canada legalized the recreational use of marijuana, prompting the Japanese government to respond by sending warnings that the use abroad can still be prosecuted. The criminal charges for possession of weed in Japan are incredibly strict: distribution can result in 10 years in prison and a 3 million yen fine and possession can result in a 5-year sentence and 2 million yen fine. Despite the harsh consequences, it’s still difficult to prosecute a Japanese person traveling abroad unless they are caught and deported. For those traveling to Japan, domestic laws apply; for instance, in 1980, Paul McCartney was caught with marijuana possession at the Narita airport and subsequently sent back to the US. According to the article, the number of marijuana-related crimes in Japan of those aged 14-19 has increased fivefold since 2013.

The different attitudes towards marijuana differ between western countries like the US and eastern countries like Japan. Many attribute this contrast to the Opium wars of the 19th century, where China was nearly destroyed by the rampant use of the drug. In addition, during the war, many Japanese soldiers became addicted to meth in response to the grueling conditions of war. Thus, Asian countries tend to be fearful of all drugs regardless of their effects. Even though some may criticize the strict rules, it has created a strong taboo against usage and drug-related crimes are extremely uncommon compared to Western standards.

The drug war in the US is highly controversial - some argue that criminals be prosecuted heavily while others claim that rehabilitation and lax rules will improve the situation. It’s a complex issue that I’d like to research more and see how different countries are approaching this problem.

Exciting Potential in E-Sports

The rise of e-sports has been one of the most interesting phenomenon over the last decade. With Japan opening the doors to Casinos over the next few years these Casino companies are planning to continue embracing e-sports.

Japan is looking to maintain the tourism boost they will get from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics via these resorts and these resorts are hoping to capture one of the last major markets without a developed gambling industry.

From my perspective what makes e-sports more exciting than other sports is the amount of content available for fans and how it is easy for someone to join in on the fun. Compared to traditional sports, e-sports usually only require the computers that most of us already own. You don’t need a local team to play with, instead you can plug into a global community instantly via the internet. This global community plays countless games every day and many of them are streamed live on platforms such as Twitch. With content and low-barrier to entry e-sports are becoming massively popular and fans have an easy time to connect with their favorite players.

The next step for e-sports is to have the same level of regard as traditional sports in the business world. Lately, e-sports has been readily embraced by major technology companies and more traditional companies, like the casino resorts in this article. Amazon acquired Twitch, Google has built YouTube Gaming, and I’m sure other competitors are on the way. Additionally traditional sport clubs in the United States, such as NBA teams have bought wholly or equity in e-sports clubs. With buy in from the content distributors (technology giants), talent developers (sports clubs), and the gambling business we will probably continue to see growth.

Japan is located right next to the e-sports capital of China and can hopefully capture a portion of this rapidly growing market.

Not Even an Heir

Japan to promote foreign takeover of heirless companies

Japan has some of the world's oldest businesses. The Guinness Book of World Records lists a hot spring hotel in Yamanashi as the oldest running hotel business in the world (started in 705) along with the world's oldest sake brewer and many other companies. Japan also contains half of the world's companies older than 200 years or shinise, a fact well explored in our Kyoto Artisans seminar. The longevity of these companies is linked with the concept of primogeniture in Japan: the eldest son of the family would have an obligation and the reward of receiving and running the company for the next generation. Creating such companies ensured the longevity of the name and the continuity of the brand. But modern views have begun shifting Japan's long tradition of loyalty in family businesses, because of the economic inviability of many traditional crafts, which are being less sought after, and a growing mindset towards choice within the culture. 

Such brand loyalty for Japan products have had benefits in that Japanese businesses have comparably lasted much longer than their Western counterparts. In fact, of the original Fortune 500 companies, listed in 1955, only 14 percent of these companies still exist today. But shifting times have pressured companies to begin adopting apprentices of the work who are more interested in the work and more talented in producing it as well. More than 90 percent of adopted individuals in Japan were adults and the infusion of new blood into the family business is believed to improve the business with new ideas. 

Despite this, the article suggests that not enough of the market exists where younger people want to become apprentices or succeed the existing business. To save the existing Japanese businesses and reduce the large economic impact of nearly 1.27 million companies, which constitutes a third of all Japanese businesses, the Ministry of Economy is encouraging these businesses to be acquired by European and U.S. businesses. With many owners entering advanced ages, like those in the wagyu business, Japan's companies with their long traditions of isolation and loyalty has struggled to compete with the continuously expanding global market.

Sources:

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-japan-has-more-old-businesses-than-any-other-developed-nation-2015-4

https://www.munich-business-school.de/insights/en/2017/family-business-japan/

https://slate.com/business/2014/10/worlds-oldest-companies-why-are-so-many-of-them-in-japan.html

Young Koreans Love Japanese Pop Culture

Japan’s praise of Yasukuni Shrine and its refusal to apologize for its wartime past have soured Korean and Japanese relationships. Furthermore, Koreans in Japan are treated as second class citizens and are practically excluded from voting due to family-based voting laws. In spite of this, some believe that relations can be eased through young Koreans’ obsession with Japanese pop culture.

Korea’s love for Japanese culture is evident. For instance, Author Kenichi Yamada states that two of the top selling books in Korean bookstores are written by Japanese authors. In addition, over 7.14 million Koreans visited Japan in 2017, second in number only to China and the number is expected to surpass China this year. One Japanese language teacher in Korea recounts that Japanese classes are becoming more and more popular among those in their 20s and 30s.

Although the article brings up a host of examples of Japanese interest, I don’t think that tensions between Korea and Japanese will ease anytime soon. Anti-Japanese sentiment runs deep in Korean families and teaching, which influences younger generations. Even though the WW2 generation is aging, it’s difficult to tell what younger Korean people think of their countries relationship with Japan without any surveys or data.

do elderly and disabled people in japan want robots to look after them

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Trade has announced a 20% increase in funding for companies that produce caregiver robots. The initiative is meant to address the projected lack of health care workers and Japan's aging population, though the author raises concerns about the quality of care that a robot can provide. I think the author did an interesting job of contrasting a future of Japan that is possible with one that is desirable. Although these technologies (which I happen to largely support) seem possible to invent, he seems skeptical that they will have a positive effect on people's lives. I think that health care is one of the most most personal areas in which we interface with technology. Perhaps, because of its aging population, Japan is being forced to think proactively about a new technological humanism. Though this kind of rhetoric exists in the United States, it doesn't seem quite as nuanced to me.

Ultimately, the author argues for greater consultation with users (elderly and disabled people ) when designing these care robots. This, I think, is the most important point in the article and one that I strongly agree with. These principles of participatory design and planning are now well respected in my studies of urban planning and architecture, but i'm not sure are yet common in technological ideation. I think people should have agency over the type of care that they receive.

Yasakuni Shrine

The Yasakuni Shrine is devoted to Japanese soldiers who died fighting in wars for their nation. This shrine has been a controversial topic since the end of World War Two since the shrine also honours 14 Japanese leaders who were convicted by the Allied Tribunal as war criminals. During the Second World War Japan had strong military presences in both Korea and China and massacred thousands of civilians during its imperial rule. Japanese militarism and aggression was responsible for horrendous atrocities like the Rape of Nanjing and Unit 731.

The Yasakuni shrine honours all Japanese war dead including soldiers that committed such heinous war crimes, and a visit by any Japanese prime minister always leads to tense relations between Japan and its neighbours. In 1985 the Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone visited the shrine to commemorate the Japanese war dead on the 40^th anniversary of their surrender. This visit was ill advised and it led to large anti-Japanese demonstrations in more than a dozen cities in China.

This article writes how current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sent a ritual offering to the shrine for its four day autumn festival. His offering was a Masakaki tree that is typical of Shinto rituals. This offering comes prior to Abe’s three-day visit to China in October 25^th where he will be meeting with President Xi to discuss ways of improving relations between the two nations. This ritual offering has caused anger in both China and South Korea with the Korean foreign ministry releasing the statement. “Our government urges the Japanese political leaders to strive for trust of neighbouring countries and the international community through humble introspection on the past and sincere self-reflection based on correct understanding of history.” If Japan truly wants to improve relations with its neighbours its political leaders must move away from honouring this shrine that is still a source of pain and hatred for many in the region.

References

Sino-Japanese Relations: Pragmatism and Passion Allen S. Whiting and Xin Jianfei

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-yasukuni/japanese-pm-abe-sends-ritual-offering-to-yasukuni-shrine-for-war-dead-idUSKBN1HS050

Women Sailors - by Raveen

Women Sailors

The article talks about Japan’s biggest warship, the Kaga, which has a tight knit group of women sailors that are combating age-old social norms that still prevail in the field where men outnumber women 10 to 1.

The Maritime Self Defense force needs more women to crew warships in order to combat China’s growing regional influence and the falling birth rate is increasing the demand for women sailors.

Currently Japan is aiming to increase the enrollment of women in the military from 6% to 9% by 2030, however this is still significantly lower than the US 15% and the British 10%. Discrimination is reportedly low in the Japanese navy however they have been several reports of sexual harassment. The MSDF is also considering removing an end to the women ban on submarine duty which would be a major victory for gender equality in the military.

The MSDF is trying to increase privacy for women on the vessels and to provide them with generally better facilities. However the lack of access to internet and SNS has made this job less attractive to young recruits.

Foreign Workers - by Raveen

Foreign Workers

This article mentions a topic that is very important and relevant to Japanese society and its economy. Japan is famous for having an extremely homogenous society and an aging population which has led to problems with labour supply. 

The government is now proposing a new visa system that allows for foreigners to receive work visas that essentially grant them permanent residency status. There are two tiers: one basic and one advanced, with the advanced tier allowing spouses and children to have residency as well. Foreigners with skills in industries that are low in supply like nursing and agriculture will be the industries where workers are brought to the country.

This is meant to supplement domestic labour and foreign workers will be paid the same and be given programs like language courses to help them adjust to Japanese society.

What issues will this cause to the homogenous Japanese society? Will the economy experience a greater level of productivity? Only time will tell.

Changing Japan's Recruiting Norms and Toyota's Autonomous Transportation Test

Japan's Business Chiefs to Scrap Recruiting Guideline

Japanese corporations have been bastions of innovation, but over the last decade they have been overshadowed by rising tigers in South Korea and China and explosive growth in the US’ Silicon Valley. The accelerating demographic challenges and resulting labor shortages does not bode well if Japan wants to regain the top spot it held strongly in the 80’s.

In a more globalized world, this means that Japanese companies need to become more competitive in the global market for attracting talent. Without the best talent (either developed in Japan or elsewhere) Japanese companies won’t be able to effectively challenge their new competitors.

The news that the recruiting precedents in Japan are planning to be shifted caught my eye. I’ve always found the life employment a practice that restricted both individuals and corporations. For the individual it is difficult to follow what you are passionate about and work on work that gets you excited and working hard. For companies they are so focused on growing talent internally that they won’t be agile enough to start new projects and hire the necessary outside talent to get those projects moving. While there are many positives to this practice, with regards to life stability, in a more and more competitive global economic landscape these traditions seem to hold back Japan more than it benefits them.

One student reacted to this news negatively because it would make the recruiting process more complicated and less focused on generalized skill. I don’t see this criticism as being very valid because Japanese college students should during their years in college strive to discover what excites them and identify the companies or opportunities that will help them work in those areas. Rather than depending on a big name company accepting you and following their instructions (almost as if a company is just another admission in the school elevator process), individuals should take more control over their career. I believe that if individuals are able to dream big, companies and economic results will equivalently achieve at that level.

Toyota partnership to Pilot Autonomous Vehicle Transportation System

Toyota’s plans to lunch a full fledge AV transportation system shows the promise that autonomous driving brings beyond allowing individuals to buy these cars. With AVs Toyota has clearly recognized that individual ownership of a car isn’t so much necessary. Uber and other ride sharing apps and cities with great public transit already show that if transportation is easily and affordably accessible in another way, then people won’t buy cars.

What is really exciting about these AV tests planned by Toyota is that they aren’t working on just training the AI for the cars, they are also testing how people will interact with such systems. What will the “public transit” of the future look like with AVs. With one-person mini cars picking people up from their door and taking them to bus stops for AV busses, we can begin to imagine how AVs can improve upon the existing transportation infrastructure.

The value of transportation is also discussed in this article. Transportation isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B, it is the means by which we connect with others and the community around us. If someone has no affordable or effective way to get out of their neighborhood, then their “world” is restricted to that area. The promise of AVs as more cost effective, efficient, and safe transportation replacement means they can bring the transportation and the community it brings with it to more and more people. In Japan this will be the elderly in rural areas, while in other parts of the world it could help alleviate an assortment of other issues, such as congestion or real-estate price booms.

While they are starting small, this Toyota test is unique from the AV tests in the United States by Google, GM, and others because it is trying to test an ecosystem for transportation and the others are limited to just solving the technical problem of self-driving cars.

Tsukiji Fish Market Closes

After nearly 83 years of operation, Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji fish market closed its doors on Saturday. The new facility, Toyosu wholesale market, is located in the Koto ward of Tokyo. The transition to the new location has been long awaited, delayed for two years due to contamination issues at Koto.

I was shocked after reading this article because Tsukiji has been always been one of the most iconic destinations in Tokyo. When I visited the market 10 years ago, I was amazed at the sheer number of fish and other seafood that sprawled across the market. Seeing people handle live octopus and sever the heads of fish right in front of me was quite a spectacle.

Of course, there were mixed reactions to such a move. Many government officials are optimistic about the new location, which is about twice as large and has more safety features. For instance, the Toyosu location is an enclosed structure, which allows for better internal temperature control and hygiene. Due to rising worries about Tsukiji’s fire resistance, contamination issues, and earthquake safety, it made sense to move to a more modern location. Officials are determined to build Toyusu’s brand to create a market that can live up to the reputation of Tsukiji. On the contrary, many long time workers at Tsukiji are worried the the move threatens their business. One man simply states that, “I have to start all over again.” It will take time for the workers to adapt to Toyosu, but the new location will create more sustainability for the next 100 years.

In terms of tourism, tourists will still be again to watch live auctions through a glass panel instead of direct access.

Companies Scrap Recruiting Guidelines

The issues of low workforce diversity and increasing labor shortages continue to plague Japan’s stagnant economy. Both the Japanese government and Japan’s big-business lobby, know as Keidanren, are desperately looking for solutions. In an effort to increase the labor pool in both number and diversity, Japanese companies are abolishing their recruiting guidelines after the class of 2021 graduates from college. The Keidanren, which consists of representatives from over 1000 companies, is leading this effort, but some of their companies are reluctant to change their old practices.

The Japanese recruiting schedule is incredibly strict, preventing many students, foreign workers, and older workers from ever joining the companies. Companies hold informational sessions in March of the students’ third year and conduct interviews in June of the students’ fourth year. The students are expected to start work in July following their June graduation. These strict guidelines create two large problems. First, it’s difficult for foreign workers to enter the workforce. Many foreign students are still adjusting to life in Japan, and the one-time-only recruiting schedule can be too fast paced. It’s widely accepted among American companies that workforce diversity increases productivity in the long run because it leads to more unique ideas and opinions. Second, this schedule results in an inefficient distribution of resources. Japanese companies have traditionally only looked to hire new graduates as generalists and then teach them the specifics of the job. This may work in some cases, but it’s difficult for a specialized worker, maybe 3 or 4 years out of college, to get a job, even if this person is more qualified. This is a stark contrast to how western companies find talent, and thus is an example of how Japanese companies are refusing to adapt to the modern world.

Strict recruiting guidelines is just one of the many reasons why the Japanese economy has stagnated. I personally believe that many of these reasons can be attributed to cultural reasons like how Japanese people have a tendency to honor tradition so much to the point that they cannot adapt. Although these business traditions worked during Japan’s post war economic rise, companies must critically examine if these traditions will continue to work in today’s fast-paced globalized world.

visas

Japan will implement a new visa program for highly skilled foreign workers in order to help address the country’s chronic labor shortages. If workers can pass certain exams, they will be granted residency for five years, and could extend this status indefinitely. Additionally, if they pass more tests, their families would also be eligible to live in Japan. One part of the article I found particularly interesting is that Japan is committed to providing cultural and linguistic support to these foreign workers, in order to better integrate them into Japanese society. I think this article provided an interesting comparison to the way immigration has traditionally happened in the United States. Although trends have been changing recently, immigrant to the United States were traditionally unskilled workers, whose children were the generation that ultimately assimilated to American culture. This program seems very different, in that it will be available only to highly skilled workers and it will immediately assist them in adapting to Japanese culture.

This program is also meant to only target certain industries which experience repeated struggles to meet the demands for workers. Over time, as the Japanese economy changes, the list of approved industries may train. Overall, this new political initiative seems like an effort to balance the need to improve the national economy without hurting the Japanese worker.

fish market

A new fish market, called Toyosu opened in Tokyo this week, replacing the famed Tsukiji market which had attracted locals and tourists for almost a century. Officials had been planning a new, more modern, and more hygienic market for several years, but recently health concerns had delayed its opening. The market was one of the most popular places in all of Tokyo, and the move has not been without controversy.

From my research, the reasons officials gave for moving the market seem a bit suspect. Although they claim that the old structure was unsanitary and potentially unsafe, moving it to the former location of a gas production plant seems potentially even more harmful. It took months to clean up the site and remove toxic chemicals in the ground. Several other articles have cited the high value of the real estate and the upcoming 2020 Olympics as real reasons that the market was moved. From my experience as an urban studies major and knowledge of the connection between the real estate market and local politics, this seems more plausible. I think it’s sad that the city pushed for the relocation of the market, especially against the will of the fishmongers, many of whom protested and demonstrated against the move. The article points out that the new facility is clean and state of the art, but detractors have called it sterile and overly organized, lacking the bustle and charm of the Tsukiji market. This story reminds me of the Kyoto University story we discussed two weeks ago. Instead of improving or renovating existing Tsukiji market, authorities seemed more interested in tearing down the market and relocating its vendors someplace else.