Topics discussed in class

At the beginning of class, I introduced a few websites that I use to keep up with current events related to Japan:

• Newsonjapan.com
• Japan Probe
• Debito.org

I also talked a little bit about the usefulness of RSS and RSS readers like Google Reader.

After that, we discussed a variety of topics.  Among them were:

• Territorial issues with Russian, Korea, and China
• US bases in Okinawa
• The security agreement between Japan and the United States and the question of whether or not the U.S. supported Japan adequately during the territorial dispute between Japan and China last year
• The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
• Citizenship and stateless children
• The treatment of WWII and the occupation of Korea in Japanese textbooks

Japan and the military

Here are a few links to articles and web pages related to Japan and the military:

• Japan says 'open' to Eurofighter deal
• Noda to urge acceptance of Futenma plan / Pledges effort to persuade Okinawans
• DPJ must present state vision via constitutional debate

First Class

Here are some topics that have been in the news recently:

• Nuclear Power
• Japan faces crossroads for rebranding itself after Fukushima crisis
• Simulation shows core meltdown avoidable
• International Media Coverage About Honest Japanese People
• Thousands march against nuclear power in Tokyo
• Japan set to reduce nuclear reliance: minister
• Video: Right Wingers Cheer as Cops Arrest Anti-Nuclear Protester
• Japan and neighboring Asian countries
• China Marks 80th Anniversary of Japan's Invasion
• Chinese Patrol Boats Enter Japanese Territorial Waters
• SMAP bops in Beijing
• 6 Japanese swim to Taiwan to show quake gratitude
• Lee hints at visit to disputed isles
• Japan’s right-wing groups hold rallies vs. Korean pop culture
• Whaling
• Japan hunts 195 whales in northwest Pacific Ocean
• Beluga whale a bubble-blowing sensation at Shimane aquarium, Japan