America Tells Japan How To Govern Okinawa

In 2006 the the Japanese government then controlled by the Liberal Democratic Party reached an agreement with the United States over the relocation of the Marine Corp Air Station at Futenma. A majority of Okinawans oppose the relocation of the air station any where within the Prefecture. Preferring that its operations be moved to Guam. When the Democratic Party of Japan won the August 2009 general election one of the main tenants of their platform was the relocation of the Futenma air station preferably to a location outside of Okinawa. Since that election Japan's new ruling party has sought to find a better solution to the air bases relocation one which doesn't impact the people of Okinawa. The United States government has instead of trying to find an equatable solution has instead made clear its their way or the highway.

On Sunday the city of Nago held a mayoral election which was won by Susumu Inamine who opposes the bases relocation from its present location at Ginowan to Nago where a new air field would be constructed by creating a large landfill which would destroy a large portion of pristine coast line.

Why is it only in America that elections have consequences? Why aren't the people of Okinawa allowed to have voice in the relocation process? As they are the ones most effected by the presence of United States Marines on their land. What gives the United States the right to dictate Japans' domestic policy especially in a case which by their actions impacts are large civilian population? If these same actions had been attempted in the U.S. it self would the federal government so easily dismiss the concerns of its own citizens? Of course not.
Because this something that the U.S. wants and it doesn't effect any voters they have little or no concern about the feelings or wish's for the people their policies will profoundly impact because they can't vote in U.S. elections.

Ichiro Ozawa Meets The Cops

Ichiro Ozawa Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Japan met with Japanese investigators today concerning a land deal in Tokyo for which 3 of his former aids have been arrested. The meeting was voluntary after a week of assailing the Tokyo Public Prosecutors office for even investigating the purchase of the land for which investigators cannot ascertain where the money came from.

Several members of Japan's Diet have asked that Ichiro Ozawa and his three former aids appear before the Diet as voluntary witness's so that they could questioned about the land deal. Its to bad that the Japanese Parliament doesn't have the wherewithal to compel these men to testify given the questionable nature of the land deal.
Unlike the United States House of Representatives which has the Statutory Right to Investigate not only the Federal Government and members of both Houses of Congress, independent regulatory agencies and any business or corporation which falls under government regulation.

Sadly none of Japans political leaders will ever grow a spine and actually propose such a radial idea. After all confrontation must be avoided and the nations leaders shouldn't be forced to adhere to such trivial things such as the nations constitution and laws.

Ichiro Ozawa is a Crook and a Liar

Ichiro Ozawa is the the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Japan since January of 2009 his campaign finance organization have been under investigation for hiding the purchase of land in Tokyo which was used to construct a dormitory for staff members in the employ of the Democratic Party. Prosecutors also allege that he controlled the bidding process for public works projects in Northern Japan. With Nishimatsu Construction being the main recipient of his largess.

Prosecutors applied more pressure this past weekend on Ozawa.

Over the weekend, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was shaken by the arrest of three current and former aides to Ichiro Ozawa, the party's number-two leader and top political tactician.

The three, who include a member of parliament, were charged with falsifying DPJ fundraising reports in connection with the purchase of land in Tokyo

According to the charging sheet Prosecutors believe that the money which supposedly came from Ozawa's own funds was laundered through so many different accounts that its almost impossible to trace where the money originated from. The three former aides are accused of falsifying records by hiding the purchase of the land nor reporting it as being part of Ozawa's campaign financial activities.

Ichiro Ozawa should make one of those Richard Nixon "I'm Not A Crook" speech's and I'm sure everyone will believe he is as pure as the driven snow. Reality of course suggests nothing of the sort will take place and even if Ozawa is tried and convicted he will never spend one day in an orange jumpsuit at the Gray Bar Hotel.

Google China and Censorship

Last week Google revealed that its search engine and gmail service had been subjected to a n attack by hackers emanating from within China. The attack was centered on sites and e-mail accounts of Human Rights Activists. Google informed the Chinese government that it would no longer censor its search engine Google.cn and was considering ending its operations in China which had been operating for only 4 years.

The official response is just beyond ironic
China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said in prepared remarks last week: "I want to stress that China's Internet is open. The Chinese Government encourages the development of (the) Internet and endeavors to create a sound environment for the healthy development of (the) Internet. Hacking in whatever form is prohibited by law in China."

Chinas security services severely restrict what online users are allowed to view. Including negative news about China, news sites such as the BBC, information about human rights, information about the Tienanmen protests in the spring of 1989 and that is only a small sample of what is censored. Last year China tried to force computer makers to install internet filtering software which they refused to do. And, after pressure from Washington and major business groups the Chinese government backed down. The problems of dealing with Chinas oppressive laws has led to problems for U.S. based companies such as Yahoo. Later that year, it came to light that the Sunnyvale company handed over e-mail content from journalist Shi Tao to Chinese authorities, providing information that would lead to his 10-year prison sentence. Reporters Without Borders, human rights groups and members of Congress denounced the act.

Back in the early 80's under pressure from university students and Human Rights groups major international corporations began leaving South Africa because of its Apartheid Laws
Today's corporations are more interested in the bottom line and continued profit growth than in Human Rights issues. Why else would they continue to operate in countries such as China where repression and Human Rights violations are just part of the contract when dealing with the Devil.

North Korea Wants Peace Isn't That Nice

North Korea issued a statement on Monday about wanting to improve relations with the United United States by replacing the Armistice which ended the Korean War with a (Are you ready for it?) permanent Peace Treaty between the two nations. Given that North Korea has made similar pronouncements in the past which have resulted in absolutely nothing but further diplomatic recriminations between the two governments. With that history what could possibly make the North believe conditions have changed and the U.S. will just drop the conditions plainly stated over the last 6 years before any agreement can be reached.
As per usual the North wants what it always ask's for. Diplomatic Recognition, Economic Ties, An end to the sanctions, and a return to Six Party Talks without having to give up its nuclear weapons program.

North Korea is the biggest treat to stability and security in Northeast Asia and has an appalling Human Rights record which is another obstacle towards improving relations not only with the United States but a majority of the countries in the region.

North Korea wants peace only on their terms. Which means everybody except them must compromise on the relevant issues blocking an agreement.
Next week North Korea will treating to invade South Korea and the week after that who knows.

Tamil's Making A Deal With The Devil?

On January 6 it was reported that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would back former army General Sarath Fonseka who led the armies final assault on the Tamil Tigers. The title is not far from the truth considering that General Fonseka is Sinhalese and a nationalist. Originally from India the southern state of Tamil-Nadu they were brought by the British to Sri Lanka 150 years ago. Tamils are Hindu while the majority Sinhalese are Buddhist.

The Tamil's life on Sri Lanka has been one of struggle and hardship. Overtime the government has used the law to keep the Tamil people in a sub-servant role having banned the use of their language, cultural and art.

Given these facts one would ask the question: Why would the(TNA)back a presidential candidate who following government policy wouldn't allow civilians trapped in the conflict zone to escape: Rounded up 200,000 Tamil's placed them in camps that resembled prisons and wouldn't allow them to leave: Finally there is video from January 2009 which shows summary executions by the Sri Lankan army.

People say that enemies can reconcile and they have like South Africa through the Truth Commission or America and Vietnam over time. But given the Tamils place within Sri Lanka is it prudent to back a candidate whose life and beliefs are in complete conflict with yours.

Around Asia January 7

Ya! A School For Bone Heads

Determined to produce a strong field of candidates for upcoming Upper House and local elections, the Democratic Party of Japan is running schools to teach would-be politicians the finer points of the political process.

The party hopes a number of "political schools" it has established around the country can produce graduates capable of running for office.

Though the party won a majority in the Aug. 30 Lower House election, the DPJ is still short of politicians at the local level. It remains an opposition party in many local assemblies.

Thus, securing a pool of candidates for the unified local elections in spring 2011, as well as for the Upper House election next summer, is a priority for the party.

Who Aspire To Be Elected Bone Heads

Its All About Me

When the five funky girls of popular group 4 Minute shout, "Every little thing about me becomes a hot issue. I'm always hot, hot, hot," they're singing more than a song, says Kim Rando.

"They're representing a change in South Korea," the consumer studies professor at Seoul National University and renowned local trend expert said in an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday.

He explained that the self-loving lyrics chanted by many of today's rising stars are a small piece of a bigger indication that modesty is no longer a virtue among Koreans.

Especially When I say It

Smile

“I have a wife who is more beautiful than that girl. All I can say is that I am innocent,” said an agitated-looking captain of I-League Champions, Okolie Odafa.
This is what Odafa blurted out before he got into the hotel elevator.
It was a different Odafa from the time he entered the hotel in Kolkata on Wednesday.
So, whose fault was it? This could well have been the refrain of mediapersons there.
“Only in India. You will find it only in India,” Odafa said with a sarcastic smile. “Had it been my country, I would have known how to deal with these things.”

Your Scummy Self Is On TV

The Lie That Is Japan's Whaling Research

Each winter Japan's whaling fleet sails for the Southern Ocean for the purpose of "Cetacean Research" when the real means is to harvest whales for the purpose of monetary gain. Also each winter environmental groups like Greenpeace and Sea Shepard set sail to protest the lie that is Japan's whaling research. Yes, there have been confrontations with inexcusable acts perpetrated by both sides. Today it was taken beyond mere stupidity when a Japanese ship acting as security sunk a boat belonging to the group Sea Shepard.

Japanese whalers have sliced in half a high-tech anti-whaling boat in a dramatic escalation of the annual battle between the whaling fleet and environmental activists

The $1.5 million, 79 foot long 'stealth' boat Ady Gil sank after the attack in Southern Ocean but its six man cew was rescued uninjured, said Captain Paul Watson, founder of the radical environmental group Sea Shepherd.

Captain Watson said the Ady Gil, a light weight vessel that resembles Batman's spacecraft more than a conventional boat, was idling in waters near Commonwealth Bay in the Antarctic when it was suddenly rammed by the Japanese ship Shonan Maru, which was providing security to Japan's whaling fleet.

Because a majority of Japanese people don't eat whale the meat is given away for use in school lunches

Acid Attacks In Bangladesh

Like many nations in Asia Bangladesh has deeply entrenched idea of mens and womens place in society. Men clearly being on top while women are just as clearly placed at the bottom. Because of this disparity male children are naturally highly prized while daughters are seen as a burden on the family. Further working against women is that most of the cultures and societies in which the reside are ultra conservative. So, any interaction especially with any male be it a relative, neighbor or stranger may be seen as dishonoring the family can lead to retribution from the family of the aggrieved party. Including her own family. One of the methods used for satisfying the need to regain ones honor in Bangladesh is through the throwing of acid onto the face of the person one believes brought them dishonor.

Acid is the weapon of choice because of its ready availability as it is used in the manufacture of jewelry which is a common profession in Bangladesh and of course it so easily disfigures its victims.

Another child was attacked by her father because she was born a girl. Several years later, her father has been released from prison, and reconciled with her mother. But their child continues to live at the Acid Survivors Foundation because neither parent wants to take home their horribly scarred female child.

DHAKA - A law to curb violence against women in the form of acid being thrown at them has been approved in Bangladesh, which has witnessed 132 incidents of this kind since January.


The legislation, Acid Control (Amendment) Bill, 2009, aims to establish “strict government control on the use of acid materials and curb acid related crimes”, it was announced Monday after approval was given by the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

One of the biggest forms of hypocrisy is that countries like Bangladesh have signed the Universal Declaration On Human Rights yet one half of that countries population is not treated humanly.

Attacks In Pakistan

For years the American government has pressured Pakistan's government to attack the Taliban and other militants who have taken refuge in the Northwest Frontier Provence which borders Afghanistan. Over the last 10 years Pakistan's army engagement of these militants has been erratic. There have been full scale attacks, full scale retreats and peace treaties all of which have led to nothing. In February of 2009 the Pakistani government reached agreement with the Taliban operating in the Swat valley to institute Sharia Law in exchange for ceasing operations. That lasted until May after repeated treaty violations by the Taliban. Pakistan faces two problems of its own making: One the creation of the Taliban by the Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI) Two: The dispute over Kashmir with India.
ISI has in the past fully supported the Taliban with money, training and arms. Western intelligence services believe that many within the Service have allied themselves with the Taliban. Because of this it has been difficult for Pakistan's military and police to maintain any semblance of civil order. The emergence of the Taliban as regional power is just the continuation of a governance problem that has existed since the partition of India in 1947 which created Pakistan. At that time the central government decided that the Northwest Frontier Provence along with North and South Waziristan would be semi-autonomous regions effectively placing them outside of government control.
Kashmir is Pakistan's other problem. Kashmir at the time of partition was considered an independent principality giving its ruler the 2 options become part of either Pakistan or India or become an independent nation. Kashmir's ruler at the time didn't make an immediate decision. It was assumed that if Kashmir didn't become an independent nation it would be absorbed by Pakistan. Without a timely resolution of Kashmir status Pakistan started a guerilla war to "encourage" the Maharajah to make the correct decision. Instead the Maharajah turned to the British for assistance and Kashmir would not remain a single entity but be divided among three nations India, Pakistan and China. In the ensuing years Pakistan and India have fought two wars and have numerous small unit engagements all over who controls Kashmir. Pakistan hasn't helped its self much in this area either as the ISI helped to create and train militants who have battled India for control of Kashmir. Because of this there is little trust between the two nations which have large portions of there armed forces stationed on the Line of Control
With most of its forces facing India and unwilling to reposition them for the fight against the Taliban Pakistan is faced with a problem it is unable to resolve. Either the government in Islamabad comes to some agreement with India over Kashmir allowing its forces to be moved from the Line of Control or it continues down the path it has chosen move against the Taliban and other foreign fighters on the Afghan border and then withdrawal thereby allowing the problem to fester and further embolden the Taliban and its allies.