Month: October 2016

Japan’s political parties not on some page on abdication

Summary

The government hopes to build cross-party consensus on the possible abdication of the emperor before Diet of the next year session as the ruling and opposition parties is different on how extensive debate on the issue should be in Japan. Shinzo Abe who is Prime Minister believes it is necessary to consider the views of lawmakers. In the other hand, the Diet has never deliberated on laws pertaining to the Imperial system. The government is reluctant to make permanent changes to Imperial House Law, however a lot of opposition parties consider a provision for abdication to be a hurried response. Plans have already emerged to include language on a continued consideration of comprehensive changes to the system in the legislation draft in a nod to opposition parties.

Opinion
The Imperial system in present circumstances is not what imperial cannot abdicate until he dies. That is to say, if the Diet is for the intention of imperial, it needs to revise the Imperial Household Law. However, it is a permanent law, so if the Diet agrees with a rule of an abdication while alive, it is possible that a state of Imperial Household and a succession to be Imperial Throne are confused. After this, The diet should think over the Imperial system and if it changes the Imperial Household Law, it takes responsibility and continue the management of Imperial system.

Calais migrants:France begins to clear ‘Jungle’ camp

Summary
More than 1200 police and officials in France have started a plan to clear the “Jungle” camp in Calais. At least 7000 people has been living in the camp in unclean conditions. Some coaches carry migrants to refugee centers across France. But some migrants will refuse to go because they want to get to the UK. The UK has started to accept some of around 1300 unaccompanied children from the camp. There are two reasons that migrants want to go to the UK. One is that many migrants believe that it is easier to find jobs in the UK. Another is that many of them can speak English but cannot speak European languages.

Opinion
I hadn’t known that there is the “Jungle” migrant camp in France until I read this article. In my image to France, France is the elegant and urbanized country. This problem is not close to me, so it is out of reality for me. But if I were in the situations of migrants in Calais, I wouldn’t want to go too. Because I want to choose an option which has a better prospect of finding jobs and I am afraid of being taken to a country where I cannot get through what I say to its people. Any person has human rights. For every person’s happy life, we have to protect human rights. I think so.

Disaster-hit Fukushima Could Host Olympic Events

Summary

In 2020, Olympic events might be take place in Fukushima where is the place huge earthquake and tsunami was occurred in 2011. The Prime Minister Shinzo Abe chose the place because he wanted to send a message of confidence  and hope to the disaster victims. Also, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike who wants to cut the cost of Olympics agrees with the idea. If Fukushima become Olympic venue, some of baseball and softball games would be held there. However, the venues for the rowing and canoe sprint events are not decided yet. So Koike has ideas to move the events outside of Tokyo, even South Korea is one of the options.

Opinion

I don’t mind doing Olympics outside of Tokyo in 2020 because Tokyo is really small city. Although Tokyo is small city, it has the largest population in the world which is about 13 million people. So other prefectures such as Kanagawa and Fukushima should help out doing Olympics. However, I disagree with the idea doing Olympics in South Korea because I think Tokyo Olympics should not held in other country. One of the reason the Olympic games are held is to show the culture of the venue. People can learn the climate, fashion, architecture, and geographical features by watching the games. However, if South Korea  host some games, Japan will lost some opportunities to show their cultures.

A “smooth, constructive, orderly” Brexit

Theresa May, UK prime minister, is heading to Brussels for her first EU summit to continue the argument over the government’s Brexit strategy. She desires “smooth, constructive, orderly” Brexit. Once Article 50 to launch Brexit talks, two years of formal negotiations will begin. Properly, the summit is not focused on the UK’s withdrawal, but the subject is still likely to loom large. Mrs May says that “hard work and goodwill” is needed on both sides to secure a smooth UK departure from the EU. Besides, she will stress that Brexit should work for the UK as well as the EU and reiterate that the UK is not “turning its back on Europe” by leaving. Donald Tusk, European Council president, said that the EU would not compromise on its insistence that freedom of movement will be a condition for Britain’s access to the single market.

I am opposed to Brexit because the disintegration of the world order will start war. Before the World War Ⅱ began, Japan, Germany and Italy seceded from the League of Nations and the existing world stability broke down. There is no doubt that a statesman should place priority on the national interest, but the world order is very important for their own country, too. I think that the UK should fully discuss this issue and, if possible, the EU should obstruct the Brexit. Then the countries around the world should cooperate with the UK and EU to solve this problem.

Calais migrants: France begins to clear ‘Jungle’ camp

Summary

There is a migrants camp in Calais. It has been housing at least 7000 people, 1300 unaccompanied children in squalid condition. So it is called ‘Jungle’. Many migrants want to go to the UK, because they can find work in the UK and they speak English but they can not speak a European language. Some of them will leave for various parts of France and given the opportunity to claim asylum. Others who could not do it may face deportation. Then, France have begun an operation to clear migrant camp. Some migrants will leave the camp one after another, so parts of the camp were emptying quickly.

Opinion

This ‘Jungle’ migrants camp should be dismantled as soon as possible because its condition is the worst. France government have begun an operation, of course it is a good way to solve this problem but I am not in full accord with it. Some people who were recognized as refugee will be able to go to the safe and comfortable place but I think a reality which others may be deported from the country is terrible. France government should support all people in the migrants camp, but I think it might be hard.

Abe to offer ￥5 billion in loans in talks with Philippine leader Duterte

1)Summary
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offers ￥５　billion in loans when he meets with Philippine president. This support is aimed at facilitating agriculture development in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao-Duterte’s hometown. Dutere stayed in China last week and said Philippine will separate from the U.S. and agreed to practice self-restraint in the South China Sea and hold regular discussions on a bilateral basis in addressing maritime issues.
Japan, a close U.S. ally and the Philippine’s largest trading partner, is seeking to cement ties to the Southeast Asian nation with the agriculture assistance.
Someone said Abe needs to play a mediator and has to walk a tightrope because Duterte will draw a public rebuke from the mercurial leader.

2)Opinion
I did not understand why Abe offered it to the country that is coming harsh criticism for the policy when I read this article. However now I think there must be profit for our country.If my idea is different, Abe should refuse the offer because Japan does not have much money. I am afraid we will be heavy burdened. I do not agree with Duterte’s remarks that disregard a human rights but I know Philippine needs our support so this is difficult and serious problem for Japan.

Warning Concerning Brexit against the UK Government

Summary

Nick Clegg who is the former Deputy Prime Minister in the UK has claimed that “hard Brexit” would make the food prices higher. Some products have already been raised their prices because of a fall in the value of pound. “Hard Brexit” means that the UK leaves the European single market and limit immigration and conversely, “soft Brexit” is to remain as a member of the single market instead of conceding free movement of persons. Mr.Clegg asserts that the government has no other choice but to take “soft Brexit” to keep food price hikes in check.

Opinion

Firstly, I think “soft Brexit” is better because it is such an eclectic plan, but I should focus on the point that there is also a difference between “hard Brexit” and “soft Brexit” from the viewpoint of restriction migrants.

In practice, there were about 70,000 cases in which immigrants were involved for three months in Germany. On the other hand, as this article says, control over migration is related to workforce shortages. That is to say, the immigration issue concerns all the people living in the country deeply. Therefore I think that the UK government ought to decide carefully whether or not to leave the European single market.

Can you say Dterte is a Good Politician?

Philippine President Rodrigo Dterte’s vitriol against the United States took another caustic words. Duterte’s latest remarks came just as the US and Philippines started joint miilitary exercises, but perhaps they may be for the last time because “I serve notice to you now that this will be the last joint military exercise with US,” he said. On Tuesday, he said he’s willing tie cut ties with the US in favor of Russia and China. Duterte thinks Respect is important, but he had harsh words for the US President and the European Union.

Dterte is called “Trump of Philippine” and his harsh words have became the focus of public attention all over the world, but it is said that  the percentage of supporting Dterte is about 90 percent in his country. Indeed he looks like crazy politician, but his policy has achieved a certain level success. For example, the crime rate in Manila, the metropolis of Philippin is decreasing after Dterte became to the President. However I can not approve him, because his policy is depend on his own power, not on law or on lawful power. The people of philippine have to think about that to be a real civilized country in Asia.

North Korea: US says it detected failed missile test

summary

North Korea has conducted an unsuccessful test launch of an intermediate ballistic missile called the Musudan missile which can cover South Korea, Japan and the US territory of Guam. The concern have been arising because North Korean carried out missile test which failed but had wide range at least six times this year. Tension has become high between North Korea and US, South Korea whose troops were exercising together targeting North Korea’s nuclear facilities and leadership.

opinion

We are not sure whether North Korea will louch thr practical missile or not, but Japan has not only the possibility of being attacked by that anytime but also the responsibility of protecting Japan by ourselves even if US troops stay in Japan. In this respect, I think few Japanese are concerned about this fact and government is passive and relys on US too much. Because it’s unclear wherther or not US will still be what it is after the president election, we have to carry out crisis management and make efforts to survive in this tense circumstance. It is true that it is still questionable to alter Japanese constitution or to have troops, but I think we have to give once-over to our style and way as soon as possible.

Hillary Clinton’s Golden State ATM

Summary

Hilary Clinton, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, hosted an extravagant fundraiser in California, raising over $4 million. Clinton’s Golden State fundraisers raised a stunning $100 million total, making California Clinton’s most remunerative state. Clinton has put a lot of effort into fundraising, excelling at bringing in money at top-dollar fundraising events, as opposed to past Democratic nominees, who have gained both funding and momentum through small-dollar donations. Clinton’s campaign manager surmises that Clinton will spend less time fundraising at the tail end of her campaign run, instead relying on online donations, which peaked in number after her debates with Republican candidate Trump. Clinton also relies on original assets, with a base of $68 million prior to her campaign fundraising runs.

My opinion

I am personally interested in the US presidential election but I have never focused on the money they use to run campaign. I think Hilary Clinton is smart enough to collect money in the best way at fastest. As fundraising, she also get more and more people support her through the event. There are many kinds of ways to collect money nowadays, but at the same time that needs candidates to be smarter to think  about the strategy for collecting money. I will pay more attention to the presidential election with new point of view which is fundraising.