Upcoming Events
November 8:
Seung Hyok Lee will participate in the 11th Canada - Korea Forum in Ottawa as a panelist in the working session on “Canada - Korea Partnership s as Constructive Powers,” hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
November 14:
Professor Yoichiro Sato (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University) will be invited as a guest speaker at the East Asian Studies, Renison University College, University of Waterloo, for a presentation titled “The Rise of China and its Implications for Japan.”
The event is co-sponsored by the Keiko and Charles Belair Centre for East Asian Studies and the JFI.
Recent Events
August 20-21:
The Suntory Foundation’s project “Reexamining Japan in Global Context” co-hosted its third forum with the JFI at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, University of Waterloo. Professors Naoto Nonaka (Gakushuin University) and Benjamin Nyblade (UBC) presented on Japanese and Canadian party politics. View the forum reports and videos.
October 3:
Professor Akihiro Iwashita (Hokkaido University) made a presentation “Japan’s Border Challenges: The Northern Territories, Takeshima and Senkaku” as a guest speaker at the East Asian Studies, Renison University College, University of Waterloo. The event was co-sponsored by the Keiko and Charles Belair Centre for East Asian Studies and the JFI.
October 4-6:
The Japan Studies Association of Canada (JSAC) hosted its 2013 annual conference titled “Japan on the Edge” at the University of Saskatchewan.
The event was organized by Carin Holroyd, who co-hosted with Ken Coates. Several JFI members presented and/or attended.
David Welch was the keynote speaker on, “How Dangerous are East Asia’s Territorial Disputes?”, which was co-sponsored by the CIC and by the University of Saskatchewan Department of Political Studies.
November 1:
The Suntory Foundation’s project “Reexamining Japan in Global Context” held Part 2 of its first forum on “Energy” at Keio University, with guest speaker Cho-oon Khong, Chief Political Analyst, Shell Strategy and Scenarios Team. A full report will be available in due course.
Recent Publication
Lieutenant General (ret.) Noboru Yamaguchi (National Defense Academy of Japan) and Colonel Nozomu Yoshitomi (Chief of Strategy/Concept Division, Ground Research and Development Command, Ground Self Defense Forces) contributed to a policy report titled “Enhancing Trilateral Disaster Preparedness and Relief Cooperation between Japan, U.S., and Australia,” published by Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS).
Japan Watch
The Japan Times (October 26, 2013): “Get Koizumi: Nuclear village goes on offensive”
The latest Japan Times article on Japan’s nuclear policy highlights the extent to which the issue has been further politicized with the involvement of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. For some time, he has been vocal in his opposition to nuclear power and the argument for greater reliance on and investment in renewable energy.
Koizumi’s “change of heart” concerning the issue - he had supported nuclear power as a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker - has understandably attracted media attention.
His trips to Finland and Germany, and a broadcasted lecture in China, have once again highlighted the politicized nature of nuclear policy in Japanese politics and society. As the article rightly points out, the responses to Koizumi’s new media blitz shows a deeply - entrenched and clearly - divided ideological cleavage within Japan on the issue.
Politicians opposed to the LDP and numerous civil activist groups, some of which are linked to opposition parties, are happy to have this high-profile politician from the other side joining their cause. The LDP and certain media (the article points to Yomiuri Shimbun) that back nuclear power, on the other hand, have tried everything from ignoring to down playing and criticizing Koizumi as “irresponsible.”
As the recent duel between Koizumi and Yomiuri Shimbun editorial demonstrates, both sides’ claim that they make “logical” assertions and rebuttals while the other side’s intention is political does not contribute to a healthy debate.
There are numerous discussions among experts and other qualified individuals and groups currently discussing the feasibility of nuclear power in Japan; taking such an objective and rational approach is what is needed — not further politicisation — when the stake s are sohigh for the future of Japan.
