This week in Japan
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Top news stories in Japan for the week of July 22, 2019
Japan likely to remove S. Korea from preferential treatment list
Tensions between South Korean and Japan further escalated this week when Japan announced that it is considering taking Korea off of its preferential treatment list. Also known as the white list, South Korea was placed on this list in 2004, which allows certain countries preferential arrangements to purchase products that can be used for military purposes. The Japanese government is set to make the their final decision on August 2. If the cabinet follows through with this threat, Korea will be the first country ever to be removed from the white list.
To read more, here are some useful links:
Nissan to cut 12,500 jobs worldwide
Nissan announced that it will be cutting 12,500 jobs worldwide – about 10% of their global workforce as profits this quarter dropped a staggering 99% compared to the same time last year. 12,500 jobs will be eliminated from loss making factories in countries like Indonesia and Spain by 2023 (or the end of fiscal 2022). Management and structural problems within the company have been exacerbated by the surprise arrest of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn last last year. There is a lot of pressure to restructure the company and revamp old car models. A spokesman for Nissan said that they company had over expanded under the former chairman.
To read more, here are some useful links:
56% of population oppose constitutional amendment
After the upper house election, Kyodo News conducted a survey about Abe's determination to amend Japan's pacifist constitution. The results of the survey showed that 56% of respondents were against the amendment of the constitution under Abe's government, only 32.2 % expressed support. Abe failed to secure a two-thirds majority of constitutional amendment supporters in the Upper House election last week which leaves his ability to amend the constitution uncertain.
To read more, here are some useful links:
Federal government lags behind Municipal governments in efforts against hate speech
In 2016 the Japanese government enacted an anti-hate speech law; since then municipal and local governments have spearheaded efforts to counter hate speech against minorities, while the federal governments efforts have lagged behind. Despite the actions of local governments, many are of the opinion that support from the federal government is required in order to do more. However, Kawasaki City is leading the charge by introducing an ordinance that outlines criminal penalties for discrimination - one of the first municipalities to outline clear repercussions agains discriminatory behaviour in Japan.
To read more here are some useful links:
And to understand more about racism in Japan here is an article on Izanau about racism in Japan: Is Japan Racist?
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