A bit late, but here's a picture of the sakura-madness in Yoyogi park in early April
June 04, 2005
Japan vs North Korea --> in fiction
It is interesting to see how some things that happen in East Asia (economic, political, military whatever) get their own place in Japanese domestic society outside of politics. The research that I did on Japan and North Korea was mostly to show that the problems which exist between these countries seem to have grown past international politics and diplomacy and have taken up a firm place in domestic politics. In the case of the North Korean issue it is especially odd because domestic opinion focuses on very different issues than international consensus or what Japanese government policy would like to aim at.
[Oh, hang on... isn't this what happened with last week's EU referendum in the Netherlands also?]
Back to the North Korea story though. I'm the proud owner of several manga detailing the issues at stake; that is, manga showing a crazed Kim Jong Il heading for the red button as he sees US troops taking down Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad, while being entertained by his personal yorokobi-gumi [The yorokobi-gumi or 喜び組 is the name for Kim's personal entertainment squad, made up of pretty Korean girls]. It's a pretty funny read!
Recently a new novel was published which uses the North Korean threat as its main story line. I can't wait to get my hands on it, and actually have time to read it ;)
The book is called "Get Out of the Peninsula" or 半島を出よ（上＆下) and is written by well-known author Ryu Murakami. Most of the reviews on Amazon are raving about the book but I hope to get back to you about that when I've actually read it myself!
A recent LA Times article starts off with a description of the book:
I'm not sure of the political orientation of Murakami. However, considering this story and the way in which it makes use of negative popular opinion it wouldn't surprise me if he is of similar orientation of people such as Abe Shinzo and Ishihara Shintaro. Then again, he might just be using the emotional content of the issue to ensure himself a bestseller. [Speaking of which, can any Japanese readers point me to listings of bestsellers and so on? I have no clue where to find such information!]
I suppose that in a way it is good that literature is used to discuss issues that not only focus on purely Japanese things. Then again, this doesn't seem to be the best use of this topic either. The North Korean issue is far from resolved and by keeping up domestic opposition to finalize the abductions issue (through these kind of stories), resolution will only remain a far-off hope.
Maybe I'm reading too much into the book. I do think that Japanese domestic politics and the mass media which is fuelling the hysteria need to re-think what they should be devoting their attention to: abductions or nuclear weapons? Although I don't agree with many of the articles and opinions that say that North Korea could strike any time etc etc, I do think there is an explosive situation at hand which needs resolving...
[Oh, hang on... isn't this what happened with last week's EU referendum in the Netherlands also?]
Back to the North Korea story though. I'm the proud owner of several manga detailing the issues at stake; that is, manga showing a crazed Kim Jong Il heading for the red button as he sees US troops taking down Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad, while being entertained by his personal yorokobi-gumi [The yorokobi-gumi or 喜び組 is the name for Kim's personal entertainment squad, made up of pretty Korean girls]. It's a pretty funny read!
Recently a new novel was published which uses the North Korean threat as its main story line. I can't wait to get my hands on it, and actually have time to read it ;)
The book is called "Get Out of the Peninsula" or 半島を出よ（上＆下) and is written by well-known author Ryu Murakami. Most of the reviews on Amazon are raving about the book but I hope to get back to you about that when I've actually read it myself!
A recent LA Times article starts off with a description of the book:
One of the hottest-selling books here this spring is Ryu Murakami's "Get Out of the Peninsula," a novel set in 2010 that portrays a Japan in ruins, ravaged by economic and social collapse. Armies of homeless and unemployed have been cast adrift. Japan's alliance with America lies in tatters. Chinese and Indian criminal gangs run amok.
But Murakami's main villains are a group of North Korean commandos. On the opening day of the baseball season, they storm the Fukuoka Dome stadium on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. As incompetent Japanese politicians fail to act, more North Korean troops arrive, sealing Kyushu off from the rest of Japan.
In Japan these days, bad guys just don't come any more sinister than North Koreans.
I'm not sure of the political orientation of Murakami. However, considering this story and the way in which it makes use of negative popular opinion it wouldn't surprise me if he is of similar orientation of people such as Abe Shinzo and Ishihara Shintaro. Then again, he might just be using the emotional content of the issue to ensure himself a bestseller. [Speaking of which, can any Japanese readers point me to listings of bestsellers and so on? I have no clue where to find such information!]
I suppose that in a way it is good that literature is used to discuss issues that not only focus on purely Japanese things. Then again, this doesn't seem to be the best use of this topic either. The North Korean issue is far from resolved and by keeping up domestic opposition to finalize the abductions issue (through these kind of stories), resolution will only remain a far-off hope.
Maybe I'm reading too much into the book. I do think that Japanese domestic politics and the mass media which is fuelling the hysteria need to re-think what they should be devoting their attention to: abductions or nuclear weapons? Although I don't agree with many of the articles and opinions that say that North Korea could strike any time etc etc, I do think there is an explosive situation at hand which needs resolving...
June 02, 2005
Sino-Nippon conflict continues...
From Gen Kanai's weblog I tracked down the following article on cyberwar between Japan and China.
As some of you might know, I find the East Asian region incredibly interesting because of all these states trying to claim their place in the system. For an idea of what I've done, check the thesis in the link listings.
In any case, the above link is pretty interesting as it goes into a new kind of trouble between China and Japan. It seems that quite a few Japanese sites have been hacked by Chinese groups lately. Interesting to read how this animosity is expressed in different ways.
My current research on the region is on its way smoothly. I'm still discovering new things daily though about what China and Japan are up to to get their oil and gas.
An example: there seems to be a vague - pretty unrealistic, if you ask me - plan out there to construct a canal through Thailand to take pressure off the Strait of Malacca. Apparently this was a Chinese project from some time back, and I've now heard rumours about Japanese plans for this... This seems quite absurd though. If it will happen, it is another sign of almost despair on the part of these countries to get their hands on natural resources.
Other issues that come up a lot recently are the East China Sea exploration/development battle and the pipeline from Angarsk to Daqing, no to Nakhodka, no maybe back again to Daqing issue. There should be a bit of progress on the latter issue soon it seems, so I'm very curious what will happen. Russia doesn't seem to be too reliable lately...
Okay, a quick note on other stuff than my weekends. Bye!
As some of you might know, I find the East Asian region incredibly interesting because of all these states trying to claim their place in the system. For an idea of what I've done, check the thesis in the link listings.
In any case, the above link is pretty interesting as it goes into a new kind of trouble between China and Japan. It seems that quite a few Japanese sites have been hacked by Chinese groups lately. Interesting to read how this animosity is expressed in different ways.
My current research on the region is on its way smoothly. I'm still discovering new things daily though about what China and Japan are up to to get their oil and gas.
An example: there seems to be a vague - pretty unrealistic, if you ask me - plan out there to construct a canal through Thailand to take pressure off the Strait of Malacca. Apparently this was a Chinese project from some time back, and I've now heard rumours about Japanese plans for this... This seems quite absurd though. If it will happen, it is another sign of almost despair on the part of these countries to get their hands on natural resources.
Other issues that come up a lot recently are the East China Sea exploration/development battle and the pipeline from Angarsk to Daqing, no to Nakhodka, no maybe back again to Daqing issue. There should be a bit of progress on the latter issue soon it seems, so I'm very curious what will happen. Russia doesn't seem to be too reliable lately...
Okay, a quick note on other stuff than my weekends. Bye!
As expected....
So, what now? The end of the EU? Will they make us vote indefinitely until there's an 'aye'?
Volkskrant artikel (in Dutch)
and the BBC story
...
Volkskrant artikel (in Dutch)
and the BBC story
...
June 01, 2005
Ja of nee?
Goed, ik was niet van plan om hier blog-ruimte aan te spenderen, maar ik kan het niet laten.
Het is in elk geval jammer dat ik in de aanloop naar 1 juni in het buitenland ben. Waarom mis ik dit soort, toch redelijk belangrijke, politieke ontwikkelingen in Nederland toch altijd? Het verbaast me enorm dat er zoveel mensen tegen zullen stemmen bij het referendum over de EU grondwet vandaag - overigens een slechte naam, dit impliceert veel meer dan dat het eigenlijk is! Ik krijg de indruk dat velen tegen zullen stemmen om de verkeerde redenen, om zaken die helemaal niets met het verdrag te maken hebben. Ja, het is niet fijn dat het Nederland economisch gezien even niet voor de wind gaat, maar daar verandert een tegenstem echt niets aan. Ja, misschien wil je Turkije niet bij de EU hebben, maar ook daarover gaat het helemaal niet!
In mijn interpretatie betreft het hier veel bestuurlijke verbeteringen. En, voordat de EU verder wil uitbreiden denk ik dat het noodzakelijk is om eerst binnen de EU orde op zaken te stellen. Het verdrag waar Europa nu over stemt is een belangrijke stap in dat proces.
Ik zal niet alle argumenten voor (of tegen) afgaan, maar in elk geval een paar links:
# De Volkskrant geeft een duidelijke stemwijzer. Stellingen met uitleg wat de zgn. 'grondwet' daarover zegt.
# Een weergave van de mening van een mede-Tokyo-blogger Duidelijk, en ik kan niet anders zeggen dan dat ik het er helemaal mee eens ben.
# Voor een officiele kijk is er natuurlijk ook deze site met weerlegging van mythes, goede argumenten etc
Ik ben benieuwd wat het nieuws zal zijn als ik morgenochtend weer op kantoor kom! Ik hoop maar dat de zwevers op het laatste moment nog wat invloed kunnen hebben.
Het is in elk geval jammer dat ik in de aanloop naar 1 juni in het buitenland ben. Waarom mis ik dit soort, toch redelijk belangrijke, politieke ontwikkelingen in Nederland toch altijd? Het verbaast me enorm dat er zoveel mensen tegen zullen stemmen bij het referendum over de EU grondwet vandaag - overigens een slechte naam, dit impliceert veel meer dan dat het eigenlijk is! Ik krijg de indruk dat velen tegen zullen stemmen om de verkeerde redenen, om zaken die helemaal niets met het verdrag te maken hebben. Ja, het is niet fijn dat het Nederland economisch gezien even niet voor de wind gaat, maar daar verandert een tegenstem echt niets aan. Ja, misschien wil je Turkije niet bij de EU hebben, maar ook daarover gaat het helemaal niet!
In mijn interpretatie betreft het hier veel bestuurlijke verbeteringen. En, voordat de EU verder wil uitbreiden denk ik dat het noodzakelijk is om eerst binnen de EU orde op zaken te stellen. Het verdrag waar Europa nu over stemt is een belangrijke stap in dat proces.
Ik zal niet alle argumenten voor (of tegen) afgaan, maar in elk geval een paar links:
# De Volkskrant geeft een duidelijke stemwijzer. Stellingen met uitleg wat de zgn. 'grondwet' daarover zegt.
# Een weergave van de mening van een mede-Tokyo-blogger Duidelijk, en ik kan niet anders zeggen dan dat ik het er helemaal mee eens ben.
# Voor een officiele kijk is er natuurlijk ook deze site met weerlegging van mythes, goede argumenten etc
Ik ben benieuwd wat het nieuws zal zijn als ik morgenochtend weer op kantoor kom! Ik hoop maar dat de zwevers op het laatste moment nog wat invloed kunnen hebben.
May 29, 2005
Tokyo discoveries
The frustration of being in a new city for a relatively short time is exactly that: it's short!.
Not that I mind going back to the Netherlands in two months. Not at all, I can't wait. But, there are loads of cool people here as well, and I just keep discovering these really cool places here in Tokyo. It just feels as if I'm running out of time...
A few recent discoveries:
- Pecha Kucha Night, Nr. 23 -- A night of short presentations of artists in the Tokyo area of their work, at SuperDeLuxe Apparently this was not one of their best nights, but I still thought it was a lot of fun to see the very different presentations - from architecture, to www.culturedrone.com, to flowers! Interesting concepts, interesting audience and overall a pretty good night.
- Livehouses! Well, I knew those before but last week I was at a gig of Pierced, the band of flatmate Jeff. Very cool, well done guys!
- Beergardens! Again, a phenomenon I knew about before, but the season has started again. Last night we had a night of all-you-can-eat-and-drink on top of the Parco department store in Ikebukuro. Not bad, not bad at all. Obviously followed by the indispensable karaoke-session :)
And, this week I'll be going to see some Tokyo stand-up comedy in Shibuya. Very curious what that will be like.
One of the best things about being abroad is to be pulled out of the very comfortable life, circle of friends and so on of life as it is back home. Throughout the years (ouch... this makes me sound soooo old!) I've met so many people who are so different from the people that I would normally get a chance to meet.
In 'normal' life it can sometimes be so difficult to get out of the daily routine and go to places that you wouldn't normally think of going to. Here, in Tokyo - or anywhere outside of the safety of 'home', for that matter - you are forced to go to all those places that you don't know because so many things are new. Which makes life here interesting. Absolutely. And, it always reminds me that I really should make an effort to go out and discover new places again when I'm home again.
And, I guess that is also partly what people mean when they say that life abroad can be more interesting, more fascinating, more exciting than life at home.... Just to reassure the Dutch readers though, I'll be back before you even know it!
If someone out there could get me a job and a house, that is ;)
Not that I mind going back to the Netherlands in two months. Not at all, I can't wait. But, there are loads of cool people here as well, and I just keep discovering these really cool places here in Tokyo. It just feels as if I'm running out of time...
A few recent discoveries:
- Pecha Kucha Night, Nr. 23 -- A night of short presentations of artists in the Tokyo area of their work, at SuperDeLuxe Apparently this was not one of their best nights, but I still thought it was a lot of fun to see the very different presentations - from architecture, to www.culturedrone.com, to flowers! Interesting concepts, interesting audience and overall a pretty good night.
- Livehouses! Well, I knew those before but last week I was at a gig of Pierced, the band of flatmate Jeff. Very cool, well done guys!
- Beergardens! Again, a phenomenon I knew about before, but the season has started again. Last night we had a night of all-you-can-eat-and-drink on top of the Parco department store in Ikebukuro. Not bad, not bad at all. Obviously followed by the indispensable karaoke-session :)
And, this week I'll be going to see some Tokyo stand-up comedy in Shibuya. Very curious what that will be like.
One of the best things about being abroad is to be pulled out of the very comfortable life, circle of friends and so on of life as it is back home. Throughout the years (ouch... this makes me sound soooo old!) I've met so many people who are so different from the people that I would normally get a chance to meet.
In 'normal' life it can sometimes be so difficult to get out of the daily routine and go to places that you wouldn't normally think of going to. Here, in Tokyo - or anywhere outside of the safety of 'home', for that matter - you are forced to go to all those places that you don't know because so many things are new. Which makes life here interesting. Absolutely. And, it always reminds me that I really should make an effort to go out and discover new places again when I'm home again.
And, I guess that is also partly what people mean when they say that life abroad can be more interesting, more fascinating, more exciting than life at home.... Just to reassure the Dutch readers though, I'll be back before you even know it!
If someone out there could get me a job and a house, that is ;)
May 16, 2005
Sumo and more
I always seem to start writing here after a good weekend. Which is the occasion again this time. I vaguely remember saying I wouldn’t let this become a touristy blog, but actually discuss ‘serious’ issues. Hahaha. I can’t really find inspiration for intelligent attempts at a useful discussion. The more so because just about everything that I would want to write about is discussed elsewhere (see the blogroll for good sources to start with!)
In any case, the weekend! Aahh.. so nice (*^-^*)
A 3-day-one even, which made it better of course. To quickly recap, Friday was spent on farewell drinks for a colleague and birthday drinks for myself. (Thanks to all for the cards/presents/emails! You've spoiled me to bits!) Obviously followed by a visit to the pub, then to karaoke (懐かしい！A few novices but also a few karaoke-veterans with loads of forgotten Japanese songs!), and then clubbing to Muse. Good club, too bad about the lame music.
On Saturday a good friend from Osaka was in town. Very last minute chaotic planning but we got about 10 people together for food and drinks. Very cool, as always.
The plan for Sunday was for more food. Unfortunately, that plan fell, quite literally, in the water. The Thai Food Festival was on at Yoyogi Park which sounded great. Except for the fact that as soon as I got off the train at Harajuku the rain had slowly started, and by the time I had caught up with my friends it was thundering and pouring down with rain. Just about everyone got soaking wet, although the rush to get to a dry spot amongst tens/hundreds of other visitors was quite hilarious!
(And now for something slightly different, and the reason for writing)
To make up for the lack of cultural and traditional activities lately I figured I would put my Dutch free day to use and spend the afternoon at the Sumo! Had a great afternoon! The May tournament started last week, so the wrestlers are half way now. As always, the Mongolian wrestler Asashoryu is in the lead: undefeated so far (what is more, he is undefeated for the championship 4 times in a row now and going for the 12th championship overall!). Chiyotaikai is closely following though. Today’s bout was pretty spectacular.
Some quick comments:
* security at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena is stricter than at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry! Kind of odd. At the least. At METI I always get the impression that the guards remain too polite and only look into my bag without actually properly opening it. Basically, I could carry in anything and blow up part of Kasumigaseki... At Ryogoku they did actually look through my bag slightly more thoroughly. Apparently the nation’s sumo stars are more important than its economic policymakers?
* I had never realised quite how trendy sumo wrestlers dress! The kesho-mawashi (a kind of apron which the wrestlers wear for the opening ceremony) of Hakuho had blinking lights in it! So cool (*^-^*)
* while wandering about the arena, shopping for omiyage, and having my picture taken with some of the big guys, I noticed a wrestler with his wife: a tiny tiny Japanese girl. Some of these guys have superidol status in Japan (or well, among certain circles that is) and with that comes popularity among (certain circles of) women. I guess. I really don’t see the attraction. They have kids also...
* I absolutely love the whole theater and drama that goes on during these matches! You can’t quite imagine it when just watching this on tv in Europe but the crowd starts cheering and screaming when the new wrestlers come on to the doyo (the ring), the guys start stamping about, throwing salt, slapping legs etc. The last time they go back for the salt (just the preparations take double the time of the match itself!), it becomes clear why certain wrestlers are popular. Toki and Takamisakari got a pretty huge welcome. The reason partly/mostly being the show they put on before the fight itself. Incredibly funny to watch!
In any case, next time I go I’ll be sure to upgrade my seat! I had gotten the cheapest tickets available (at the very very top of the second floor), but the arena was pretty empty. So, after half an hour of wandering about I positioned myself comfortably at some tatami-mats on the first floor, awaiting to be kicked out. Which never happened. Yay. Next time I want the big bag of goodies that goes with the event.
{edit@17/5: A full review of the day's proceedings can be read here! I forgot about it, but like the article says, the bout between Kotonowaka and Aminishiki was pretty amazing: both wrestlers landed on their heads, looked pretty painful! Here's the picture. Good for Kotonowaka to win though.}
Oh, and, just so you guys don't get the wrong impression: I do actually also work! A quick rundown of the stuff I've been busy with:
- marketreports on IT (security/digital content), healthcare, bio-industry, biomass
- continuing research on East Asian energy security (it's time for some interviews and proper writing!)
- seminars on Japanese ODA, government procurement, WTO etc
- trade fairs on IT, fashion
etc etc.
See, I still do other stuff then just eating and drinking...
In any case, the weekend! Aahh.. so nice (*^-^*)
A 3-day-one even, which made it better of course. To quickly recap, Friday was spent on farewell drinks for a colleague and birthday drinks for myself. (Thanks to all for the cards/presents/emails! You've spoiled me to bits!) Obviously followed by a visit to the pub, then to karaoke (懐かしい！A few novices but also a few karaoke-veterans with loads of forgotten Japanese songs!), and then clubbing to Muse. Good club, too bad about the lame music.
On Saturday a good friend from Osaka was in town. Very last minute chaotic planning but we got about 10 people together for food and drinks. Very cool, as always.
The plan for Sunday was for more food. Unfortunately, that plan fell, quite literally, in the water. The Thai Food Festival was on at Yoyogi Park which sounded great. Except for the fact that as soon as I got off the train at Harajuku the rain had slowly started, and by the time I had caught up with my friends it was thundering and pouring down with rain. Just about everyone got soaking wet, although the rush to get to a dry spot amongst tens/hundreds of other visitors was quite hilarious!
(And now for something slightly different, and the reason for writing)
To make up for the lack of cultural and traditional activities lately I figured I would put my Dutch free day to use and spend the afternoon at the Sumo! Had a great afternoon! The May tournament started last week, so the wrestlers are half way now. As always, the Mongolian wrestler Asashoryu is in the lead: undefeated so far (what is more, he is undefeated for the championship 4 times in a row now and going for the 12th championship overall!). Chiyotaikai is closely following though. Today’s bout was pretty spectacular.
Some quick comments:
* security at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena is stricter than at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry! Kind of odd. At the least. At METI I always get the impression that the guards remain too polite and only look into my bag without actually properly opening it. Basically, I could carry in anything and blow up part of Kasumigaseki... At Ryogoku they did actually look through my bag slightly more thoroughly. Apparently the nation’s sumo stars are more important than its economic policymakers?
* I had never realised quite how trendy sumo wrestlers dress! The kesho-mawashi (a kind of apron which the wrestlers wear for the opening ceremony) of Hakuho had blinking lights in it! So cool (*^-^*)
* while wandering about the arena, shopping for omiyage, and having my picture taken with some of the big guys, I noticed a wrestler with his wife: a tiny tiny Japanese girl. Some of these guys have superidol status in Japan (or well, among certain circles that is) and with that comes popularity among (certain circles of) women. I guess. I really don’t see the attraction. They have kids also...
* I absolutely love the whole theater and drama that goes on during these matches! You can’t quite imagine it when just watching this on tv in Europe but the crowd starts cheering and screaming when the new wrestlers come on to the doyo (the ring), the guys start stamping about, throwing salt, slapping legs etc. The last time they go back for the salt (just the preparations take double the time of the match itself!), it becomes clear why certain wrestlers are popular. Toki and Takamisakari got a pretty huge welcome. The reason partly/mostly being the show they put on before the fight itself. Incredibly funny to watch!
In any case, next time I go I’ll be sure to upgrade my seat! I had gotten the cheapest tickets available (at the very very top of the second floor), but the arena was pretty empty. So, after half an hour of wandering about I positioned myself comfortably at some tatami-mats on the first floor, awaiting to be kicked out. Which never happened. Yay. Next time I want the big bag of goodies that goes with the event.
{edit@17/5: A full review of the day's proceedings can be read here! I forgot about it, but like the article says, the bout between Kotonowaka and Aminishiki was pretty amazing: both wrestlers landed on their heads, looked pretty painful! Here's the picture. Good for Kotonowaka to win though.}
Oh, and, just so you guys don't get the wrong impression: I do actually also work! A quick rundown of the stuff I've been busy with:
- marketreports on IT (security/digital content), healthcare, bio-industry, biomass
- continuing research on East Asian energy security (it's time for some interviews and proper writing!)
- seminars on Japanese ODA, government procurement, WTO etc
- trade fairs on IT, fashion
etc etc.
See, I still do other stuff then just eating and drinking...
May 12, 2005
About blogging...
Every day at work I start the day off with my fav newspaper cartoon: Fokke&Sukke.
To keep to the theme of blogging, here are some recent ones (in Dutch though...) - didn't catch 'em earlier as I spent most of last week out of the office and in Osaka, but the paper version just arrived at my desk :)
F&S zijn verwoede bloggers
F&S voelen zich weer helemaal 'toppie'
F&S bekijken de weblog van Carolien
F&S lossen sommige dingen liever F2F op
F&S reageren vol passie en expressie
Enjoy!
To keep to the theme of blogging, here are some recent ones (in Dutch though...) - didn't catch 'em earlier as I spent most of last week out of the office and in Osaka, but the paper version just arrived at my desk :)
F&S zijn verwoede bloggers
F&S voelen zich weer helemaal 'toppie'
F&S bekijken de weblog van Carolien
F&S lossen sommige dingen liever F2F op
F&S reageren vol passie en expressie
Enjoy!
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