Tag Archives: Friday Food For Thought

Friday Food For Thought: Japan cautious as 6 of G7 back Chinese sanctions

In response to the appalling treatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, China by the Chinese government, the G7 have together issued a slew of hard-hitting sanctions – all except Japan. Oliver explores the fine balancing act of Sino-Japanese relations behind this decision.

Friday Food For Thought: More Tokyo 2021 gaffes and body-shaming in Japan

In the aftermath of Yoshiro Mori’s resignation as the head of the Olympics Committee for his derogatory comments on women, another senior head of the committee has rolled after creative chief Hiroshi Sasaki announced his resignation after suggesting plus-size comedian Naomi Watanabe could feature as an “Olympig”. It’s difficult to believe that after Mori’s blunderContinue reading “Friday Food For Thought: More Tokyo 2021 gaffes and body-shaming in Japan”

Friday Food For Thought: What is a ‘natural’ disaster?

Following the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, or ‘3/11’ as it is known colloquially, it is no wonder that the nature of disasters should be on our mind. In this Friday’s Food For Thought, Oliver asks what makes a disaster ‘natural’?

Friday Food For Thought: What is your heritage?

With this week’s Beyond Japan episode and my presentation at the Japan Foundation-BAJS Postgraduate workshop, a question has been recurring in my head: what is my heritage? Through my research, I have had to define Japanese heritage, using Japan Heritage as a sort of standard for its national heritage image. Have a look at theirContinue reading “Friday Food For Thought: What is your heritage?”

Friday Food For Thought: School Hair Policy & the Homogeneity Myth

On Tuesday, the Osaka district court ruled that a woman who was removed from her school roster in 2015 for refusing to dye her naturally brown her black is entitled to $3,100 compensation from the school. However, this is not on the grounds of being bullied by teaching staff for her hair colour, but forContinue reading “Friday Food For Thought: School Hair Policy & the Homogeneity Myth”

Friday Food for Thought: 3/11 10 Years On

Almost 10 years ago, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck off the coast of Tōhoku, the most powerful earthquake recorded in Japan and 4th most powerful in the world. While the earthquake directly caused little damage, the ensuing tsunami devastated the east coast, leading to a meltdown at the Fukushima power plant which prevented evacueesContinue reading “Friday Food for Thought: 3/11 10 Years On”

Friday Food For Thought: Japan’s response to COVID19

As those of us in the UK experience yet another lockdown in the struggle to flatten the curve of COVID amidst a desperate rollout of multiple vaccines, it can seem surreal to hear about the relative normality of life in Japan. After speaking with a friend from my undergraduate this weekend who is studying atContinue reading “Friday Food For Thought: Japan’s response to COVID19”