Category: Uncategorized

Tsai Ing-wen Sworn in as First Female President of Taiwan

Summary
Tsai Ing-wen was elected as the new president of Taiwan, becoming the first female leader of this country. Ms. Tsai who seems like a modest though decisive leader led the Democratic Progressive Party which has a policy to become independent of China to a landslide win in elections in January. In her inaugural speech, she called on Taiwan and Beijing to set aside the baggage of history and engage in positive dialogue for the benefit of the people on both sides.

Opinion
The fact that there are a few countries which have or had a female leader all over the world. According to a survey, the proportion of women in management positions in Japan is about 12% and the number of it is much lower than the other advanced countries. But in Japan, a new law concerning the promotion of female employees has enforced since April 1st, 2016. I expect this law to create an opportunity to raise public awareness of gender equality. There are the rights and the abilities to manage a company or govern a country not only for men but also for women. I strongly feel that the inauguration of the president in Taiwan inspires us to decrease differences between men and women.

 

Philippines: Duterte vows to bring back death penalty

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said he want to return the death penalty. He said it would strengthen penalties for organized crime. He Built a reputation fighting crime. But he said something contentious lot such as he would kill thousands of criminals without trial.

Death penalty system has a lot of controversy. There are many people who favor the death penalty because of reduction of crime. Also too many people who oppose the death penalty. I think Death penalty have very dangerous risks like misjudgment of the death penalty.

I thought why he want to bring back the death penalty. Recently his approval ratings are low because of financial difficulties. So maybe his main purpose is strengthen his approval rating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okinawa base impose curfew on US troops after woman’s death

Summary:
According to the article, we know that Kenneth Shinzato, a US military was arrested on 19 May, but has not yet been charged. Kenneth Shinzato was accused killing a woman in Okinawa by police, and abandoning her body. Because of this affair, the US military base on Japan’s island of Okinawa has imposed a midnight curfew and a ban on alcohol. Killing people in Okinawa is not first happened. In 1995, the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa, and in 2013, two US sailors placed guilty to the rape of a Japanese woman in Okinawa. By those unfortunate things, many Okinawans want US military base to remove altogether.

Personal Opinion
I agree with the idea of removing US military base altogether, and I think Japanese should change the no.9 of the constitution. As far as I am concerned. I think the only reason that Japan needs US military is protection, so, if Japanese can protect their territory from their enemy, legally, there is no need US military to stay Okinawa. As common sense, citizens should protect their territory, but, Japan is different, since US military is protecting Japan, and I think it is unreasonable. Thus, I agree Japanese should change the no.9 of the constitution. And, it will help to solve the problem which happened on Okinawa.

30 killed in Peru election day accidents

Summary

At least 30 people were killed April 11 Sunday in traffic accidents across Peru, which was holding local elections nationwide. There are the three scenes of the accidents mainly. Firstly, it is the city of Bolognesi. 18 people were killed and 11 people were injured. Secondly, the scene of accident is central Huanuco. Five people were killed. Finally, seven policeman were killed in the northern city of Trujillo. There are two factor happening these accident. One is that voting is mandatory in Peru. Another is lax traffic enforcement. 

My opinion 

When I saw this article firstly, I didn’t image this situation. Firstly, I was surprised that voting is mandatory. In Japan, voting is not mandatory but right. So, Japan has the problem that people don’t vote. I think Japan should try to make vote mandatory for low voting rate. By the way, a classmate said that these accident were plots of candidate. However, I don’t think so. It is reason why 30 people death don’t influence election mostly. So, I think these accidents are caused by Peruvian society. Especially, lax traffic enforcement is the serious problem. This problem increase road accident when no election, too. Peru should improve traffic condition and this is the best way decreasing road accident.

Venezuela crisis Maduro’s state of emergency ‘constitutional’

Summary

Venezuela is at an economic crisis and the current situation, for example the shortage of electric power, is bad.

The president of the country, Mr Maduro decleared a state of emergency for 60 days.He said the reason was that the business elite of boycotting and the U.S. are conspiring to overthrow his government.

The decree gives him extra powers including the right to impose tougher security measures.

This is not allowed in constitutional.

In spite of the opposition-controlled parliament rejected it, the supreme court upheld this decree.

Furthermore the opposition handed the petition to hold a referendum for removing Mr.Maduro from power.1.85m people signed it but vice-president has ruled out the possibility of referendum.

Opinion

I wii express my opinion. First of all democracy in Venezuela is wavering. Constitutional is basically unshakable because it is an important norm for rule and authority. The government must not change its contents easily. When our prime minister Shinzou Abe tried to change the constitutional, many people rejected and it was a social problem. I think the president does not understand democracy. And what is worth in Venezuela he supreme court is manipulated by him. One of the function of a supreme court is to stop a violent of the government.

The petition followed a right procedure so I wish a referendum would be held accurately.

Democracy in Venezuela will get better.

 

Brazil political crisis: Rousseff impeachment to proceed after anulment decision rversed

Summary

I read an article about Brazilian politics. It content is political crisis that Ms Rousseff who is Brasilian president impeachment to proceed after annulment decision reversed.  She was doubted whether she get a bribe. She was brought to trial at the Supreme Court.  She would be forced to stand down for 180 days.  The court decided guilt for her.

Opinion

My opinion is that she made the bad thing. It is natural that she is punished. The case operates Rio Olympic. Brazil has to hold the Olympics without presidents. That’s very difficult because arrangements will change. Brazil has no time when I’m having trouble.

The case that it likes this Brazilian politics case was happened in Japan. Mr Masuzoe who is governor of Tokyo used money that the pay for the people. Mr Masuzoe think that the money is necessity for political activity.  Surely money is necessary for politics. However it is bad thing to offend the law. Then this situation is similar the Brasilian case.  Japan will hold Tokyo Olympic in 2020.  Mr Masuzoe lead this Olympic, so Mr Masuzoe has to excuse about that case.

I think the Japanese isn’t supposed to ignore this Brazilian case from such thing. How does Brazil have to hold Olympics? We should notice this case.

I learn about difference meaning, bribe and bribery. Bribe is to remit the money. Bribery is to give action.

Bolivian President Evo Morales says Chile base is a threat

Summary
Chile established a military base close to border with Bolivia. According to the international rule, less than 50km prohibits setting of the base from the shared frontiers. Bolivian President Evo Morales complained the base is only 15km away from the border. In past, Chile invaded Bolivia in 19th century and Bolivia has been landlocked country ever since. So Bolivia wants Silala river as asouce of water but Chile wants the Silala river, too. Both countries have been at loggerheads for long years over access to the waters of Silala river. Now Chile is in favorable position by construction of this base. Chilean foreign ministry said, ” The base isn`t a militally installation but a equipment to stop attacks, robberies and drug trafficking coming from Bolivia.”

Opinion
I really think that Chile performed a very careless act if the construction of this base is not military purpose. As Chile invaded Bolivia in past, it is natural for Bolivian to feel uncomfotable and threat. Such an act lays the souce of fight and hardly excusable. I belive each country must behave more carefully.

Uganda bans media coverage of election result protests

Summary

In Uganda, Yowei Museveni has been president for 30 years.  There was re-election vote on February, and opposition protest against election, Forum for Democratic Change(FDC) has called for a “defiance campaign” against him. But the government says if media support their protest against president, they will lose their license. More, a court ruled “defiance campaign” against the election result was illegal.

Media organizations was not allowed to live interview with opposition members or show their activity.

Opinion

In my opinion, media have to stand in the middle of government and civilians, or media cannot send not-filtered fact to civilian.

Especially election is the most important thing in government, I think.

But in case government banned media like this article, civilians has no way to know about government. If civilians cannot get the information about government, the country keeps being dictatorship.

To be honest, I don’t know if they civilians prefer to be democracy or dictatorship , but at least they should have chance to think about their government.

In Japan, at least we can get some information from media, though they may be filtered.

When I think about if we have no way to know what government is doing, I get so scared.

Eight policeman in Egypt have been shot dead on the outskirts of the Cairo.

Summary

Eight policeman in Egypt have been shot dead on the outskirts of the Cairo. Their white police van was ambushed by four gunman in a truck. They sprayed the vehicle with bullets. They are militants affiliated to so-called Islamic State. The insurgent like this have recently conducted hit-and-run attacks on police in Cairo and been behind small-scale bombings in the city. Killing so many policeman near Cairo is a worrying escalation

opinion

Recently, The current situation in the Middle East is controversial. Many journalists including Japanese were killed by terrorist like ISIS. I think Japan can bridge the relationship between the countries which are confronting each other. Indeed, It is important to fight with terrorists and suppress them. However, the fight brings damages and  victims among citizens and then it cannot solve problems fundamentally. In order to stabilize the current situation in the Middle east, each countries should cooperate even partially because this situation and terrorist are strongly related to religious conflicts which is reason why terrorists want to fight and spread their territory and destruct heritage sites between each countries such as Saudi and Iraq. These countries are connected to powerful nation like Russia and U.S. which intensify conflicts because of interests around petroleum. In this sense, Japan takes neutral position to countries like Saudi and Iraq relatively so Japan can bridge the good relationships between these countries. I think it leads to the stabilization of the domestic situation of each country to have good relationships in the Middle East and we can exterminate terrorism.

Kenya building collapse

Summary

ln Kenya, on February 29th, happend collapses of buildings and at least 42 people were died. Many of houses are substandard or built on unsafe grounds. On that day, the six-storey building collapsed. According to a local Military Police, it was built less than 5m from a river, when it should have been at least 30m away. The National Construction Authority said it had marked the buildings as unfit for habitation, but that the local government had failed to follow up to national government. In Nairobi, a lot of people live in low-income areas or slums. So, housing is in high demand, but unscrupulous developers often bypass regulations. They are need to improve rules and ways of constructions.

 

Opinion

What can Japan do for Kenya? I think Japan should send people to Kenya, and help to build new houses. But, not only sending people but also teaching ways of buildings to people there. In Japan, earthquakes often occurs. So, Japan has a lot of advanced skills of resistant buildings. And  it is effective that raising funds and send clothes and food. The local government should follow up the saying of the national government to protect people safe. If do so, the local government may be able to get the subsidy from the national government. The standard of living of  people in Kenya will raise.