Ainu Fight for Own Culture

Japan’s new government improves relations with Japan’s Ainu, the country’s indigenous inhabitants. Al Jazeera reports.

Al Jazeera • Wednesday February 24, 2010 • Society • comment

Down and Out in Osaka Part 1

Last December Al Jazeera English broadcast a documentary about homeless in Osaka, an issue that I have also been covering since 1995. The Al Jazeera announcer mistakenly claims that the issue is ignored by Japanese media—it is more that the issue is barely known abroad. This is therefore a good introduction into an issue that has plagued Japanese society for many generations. Christian social activist Toyohiko Kagawa already fought the problem as early as the 1920s.

Kjeld Duits • Monday July 6, 2009 • Society • Add Comment

Down and Out in Osaka Part 2

Last December Al Jazeera English broadcast a documentary about homeless in Osaka, an issue that I have also been covering since 1995. The Al Jazeera announcer mistakenly claims that the issue is ignored by Japanese media—it is more that the issue is barely known abroad. This is therefore a good introduction into an issue that has plagued Japanese society for many generations. Christian social activist Toyohiko Kagawa already fought the problem as early as the 1920s.

Kjeld Duits • Monday July 6, 2009 • Society • Add Comment

Rest in Peace Japanese?

The AFP reports that Japanese students “rush for English-language education,” which would be a dramatic reversal of the trend of the past few years among young people to show less interest in foreign countries and cultures. The article features ridiculous quotes by novelist Minae Mizumura.

Continue to Read...

Kjeld Duits • Friday July 3, 2009 • Society • Add Comment [1]

Companies Causing a Wave of Change in Japanese Agriculture

Amid growing concern about food safety and the nation’s low food self-sufficiency ratio, agriculture has recently attracted a lot of attention in Japan. Here we would like to give an overview of the current situation of the nation’s food supply and agriculture, and outline some new trends and future prospects. The increasing interest in agriculture centers around three major issues: the low percentage of food self-sufficiency, the deterioration of farming communities, and food safety concerns.

Continue to Read...

Kjeld Duits • Tuesday June 23, 2009 • Society • Add Comment [1]

Dolphin Hunts on the Big Screen

The Cove is a new documentary about the dolphin hunts in Taiji. Read the synopsis:

Kjeld Duits • Wednesday June 17, 2009 • Society • Add Comment

Japanese Reaction to Flu Was Way Too Sensational

I wrote an article about the Japanese reaction to the H1N1 Flu for Dutch media. Hereby an English translation.

Continue to Read...

Kjeld Duits • Saturday June 13, 2009 • Society • Add Comment

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• »