Discussion topics

Saving "woman hand" with art

The 11th-century Japanese writer Sei Shōnagon’s Pillow Book was written using kana, a Japanese script mainly used by women for nearly a millennium to write literature, arrange secret assignations and express themselves freely within the confines of court life. Women in medieval Japan were discouraged from studying kanji, so they began using kana instead, which transcribe words phonetically. 

A standardisation programme at the beginning of the 20th century saw 90% of the 550 characters used in kana die out. But these forgotten characters are now being kept alive by the artist and master of Japanese calligraphy Kaoru Akagawa, who became fascinated with them after deciphering letters from her grandmother.

Akagawa uses the forgotten kana in a style of calligraphy called kana shodo. “When people talk about Japanese calligraphy, they normally mean kanji shodo,” Akagawa explains, “a style imported from China, practiced by samurais and monks.” Kana shodo, on the other hand, uses a script which was known by the 10th century as onnade, or “woman hand”, which became “the backbone of a female-dominated literary culture”. Sei Shōnagon’s contemporary, Murasaki Shikibu, wrote her masterpiece, The Tale of Genji—often called the world’s first novel—using kana.

Discussion: 
Why do you think women in medieval Japan were discouraged from learning kanji? Do Homework
"Woman hand", besides being the literal translation of "onnade", is a very poetic phrase. Describe the images it brings to your mind. Do Homework
Many old languages and writing systems are dying out in today's globalising world. Some people are making great efforts to keep them alive. Do you think it's worth it, or should we just let the languages die if almost no one uses them anymore? Do Homework

LINE a hit in Japan

LINE is the most popular social media platform in Japan followed by Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. When comparing the Monthly Active Users (MAU) of these 5 social media platforms, LINE is obviously the most dominant in the Japanese market in 2019.

LINE’s penetration rate is surprisingly high. Actually, it is higher than the smartphone penetration rate in Japan. This is because there are also many non-smartphone users who access LINE from a computer or tablet device. LINE has 80 million MAU compared to the nation’s 70 million smartphone users.

LINE is also a pioneer of virtual stickers for its messaging app. The virtual stickers are one of LINE’s core services that generates a decent portion of its revenue. Stickers are created by LINE, amateur creators, and companies with each using stickers as one of their marketing tools.

Discussion: 
Why is LINE so popular in Japan? Do Homework
LINE attracts more female than male users, and more older than younger users. Why do you think that is? Do Homework
How can LINE increase its market share in global markets like the U.S.? Do Homework

Time-free zone

The 350 residents of Sommarøy are declaring the small Norwegian island the world’s first time-free zone.

“All over the world, people are characterised by stress and depression,” Kjell Ove Hveding, the leader of the campaign, said. “In many cases, this can be linked to the feeling of being trapped by the clock. We will be a time-free zone where everyone can live their lives to the fullest. Our goal is to provide full flexibility, 24/7. If you want to cut the lawn at 4am, then you can do it.” 

Sommarøy spends November to January in darkness, but in summer, residents know that when the sun rises on 18 May, it will not set again until 26 July. “Here we enjoy every minute of the midnight sun, and yes, a coffee with friends on the beach at 2am is a normal thing.”

Visitors to Sommarøy have reportedly embraced the idea enthusiastically, with some abandoning their watches and attaching them to a bridge leading to the island.

Discussion: 
Would you like to live in a time-free zone? Why or why not? Do Homework
The article says, "Stress and depression... can be linked to the feeling of being trapped by the clock." Do you agree? Do Homework
Imagine a day that lasts for 2 months. How would you spend it? Do Homework

Japan's demographic changes

Japan is internationalisingand this process is rapidly accelerating. The driving force is demographic change. Japan’s population is ageing rapidly and shrinking. Add in other factors, including never-before-seen levels of foreign tourism, plus massive preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, and the result is a nation that desperately needs more workers to fill jobs. 

Japan has been aware of this approaching demographic crisis for decades, but because successive governments have been reluctant to take major steps, the problem has become more urgent. 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to bring in more foreign, low-wage workers. But his proposal to accept hundreds of thousands of people to fill blue-collar jobs by 2025 is highly controversial in a nation that has traditionally shunned immigration.

Discussion: 
What effects will this internationalisation have on Japan? Do Homework
Why were previous governments reluctant to take steps to avoid this crisis? Do Homework
What are the advantages and disadvantages of immigration for a host country? Do Homework

The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage

An ancient pilgrimage trail winds through the mountains of Japan’s Kii Peninsula, a densely forested region south of Osaka and Kyoto. It is the Kumano Kodo, a sacred passage of immense natural beauty that has been in use since the 10th century. There are early recorded visits to this region by Emperor Uda (907) and Emperor Kazan (986 and 987) but the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage became more broadly popular in the 11th century. 

The pilgrimage centers around the Three Grand Shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. With steep inclines, long stretches of trail without a place to rest, and venomous snakes, it is not a hike for the faint-hearted. Early pilgrims did the arduous trek in crude wooden or straw sandals and kimonos. Many perished on the journey and along the trail are countless Jizo statues dedicated to those who died on the pilgrimage. 

In 2004, this region was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, becoming one of only two pilgrimage trails in the world to earn that distinction. Spain’s Camino de Santiago is the other.

Discussion: 
Describe what it would be like to hike a long, steep mountain path in straw sandals and a kimono. Be as specific as possible. Do Homework
What is a pilgrimage? Why do people go on them? Do Homework
Discuss the word "sacred". Do Homework

Art crosses borders between people

The California-based architects Virginia San Fratello and Ronald Rael have transformed a stretch of the border fence between Mexico and the U.S. into an international playground. The pair installed three hot pink seesaws between the slats of the fence where Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, abuts Sunland Park, New Mexico, allowing people on both sides of the increasingly militarized border to play together.

In an Instagram post, Rael said, “The wall became a literal fulcrum for U.S.-Mexico relations, and children and adults were connected in meaningful ways on both sides with the recognition that the actions that take place on one side have a direct consequence on the other side.” He added, “The joy that was shared this day on both sides is something that will stay with me forever.”

[See Ronald Rael's Instagram post here.] 

Discussion: 
How does this article make you feel? Do Homework
What other borders are there between people, both literal and figurative? Do Homework
How can art help save our world? Do Homework

Exploring lunar pole jointly

Japan and India have decided to join forces in the race to discover water on the moon, with the two countries planning to try to land an unmanned rover on the moon’s south pole as early as fiscal 2023.

Frozen water is believed to exist inside craters and other areas of the moon’s poles where sunlight does not reach. The countries plan to use the rover to excavate in such areas and discover water on the moon for the first time. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have already held meetings on the project.

Japan will be in charge of launching the rocket and developing a lunar rover, while India will develop a lander for the mission. The rover will explore an area 500 meters square to try to detect water using onboard analysis equipment.

Discussion: 
What do you think about space exploration—is it beneficial for humanity, or is it a waste of money? Why? Do Homework
Do you think sending joint missions are more beneficial than missions led by a single country? Do Homework
Which other countries would benefit from joint missions? (For instance, perhaps China could team up with another country.) Do Homework

Taking a stand against high heels

A social media campaign against dress codes and expectations that women wear high heels at work has gone viral in Japan, with thousands joining the #KuToo movementa pun based on the Japanese words for shoe (kutsu) and pain (kutsuu). Nearly 20,000 women have signed the movement's online petition so far, demanding the government ban companies from requiring female employees to wear high heels on the job.

Yumi Ishikawa, a 32-year-old actress and freelance writer, launched the campaign after tweeting about being forced to wear high heels for a part-time job. “After work, everyone changes into sneakers or flats,” she wrote in the petition, adding that high heels can cause bunions, blisters and strain the lower back. “It’s hard to move, you can’t run and your feet hurt. All because of manners.”

While Japanese companies may not explicitly require female employees to wear high heels, many women do so because of tradition and social expectations. In decades past, businessmen were expected to wear neckties too, but that has changed since the government started a “cool biz” campaign in 2005 to encourage companies to turn down air-conditioners and reduce electricity use.

“It would be great if the country had a similar kind of campaign about high heels,” said Ishikawa.

Discussion: 
Do you think dress codes are good or bad? Do you think they are equal for men and women? Do Homework
Does social media help to reduce discrimination? Think of some examples. Do Homework
"KuToo" is a pun or play-on-words. Can you think of any other English puns or jokes that use on plays-on-words? Do Homework

Rugby requires beer

When hosting an international rugby tournament and welcoming thirsty fans from around the world, the last thing you want to do is run out of beer.

That’s the message from Rugby World Cup bosses to Japanese hosts as they gear up for the global showcase that kicks off on September 20.

Rugby bosses have warned host cities about running out of ale, using anecdotes such as when Australian and Irish fans drank the city of Adelaide dry, forcing emergency supplies to be brought in from surrounding areas.

Around two million litres of beer were downed at stadiums and nearby areas during the 2015 Rugby World Cup with rugby fans having a reputation for outdrinking their football counterparts.

Discussion: 
Is this a realistic fear? Do Homework
What is your favorite drink, and what would you do if it ran out? Do Homework
Do you think people in your country drink too much beer or other forms of alcohol? Do Homework

Tattooed bathers welcome

Thousands of hot springs in Japan are rethinking their long-standing ban on tattooed bathers, as the country prepares for the arrival of an estimated 400,000 fans for this autumn’s Rugby World Cup.

Visitors are accustomed to warnings to cover up their body ink while they are in Japan, where tattoos are traditionally associated with membership of yakuza crime syndicates.

But the expectation that a large number of visiting fans with tattoos will want to soak in the restorative waters of Japan’s numerous hot springs has led some operators to relax their restrictions.

Tourism officials near Sapporo, which will host England v Tonga, said they would leave individual hot spring owners to decide whether to admit tattooed bathers.

Some establishments will provide stickers to conceal smaller tattoos while others will designate certain times of the day as “tattoo-friendly”.

Discussion: 
How do people in your country generally feel about tattoos? Do Homework
Is public opinion regarding tatoos changing? Do Homework
What is your personal reaction to people with tattoos? Do Homework
Would you ever consider having a tattoo? Do Homework

Fast Fashion: Is it worth the cost?

It comes in red, mustard and black, in sizes 6 up to 16; the Boohoo minidress is, according to the online retailer, "perfect for transitioning from day to play". It is not so much the styling and colour, but the price of the £5 dress which attracts thousands of the thriving retailer's U.K. customers to buy it.

The £5 dress epitomises a fast fashion industry that pumps hundreds of new collections onto the market in a short time at pocket money prices. On average, such dresses and other products are discarded by consumers after five weeks. 

But behind the price tag, there is an environmental and social cost not contained on the label of such products. The textile industry creates more CO² a year than international aviation and shipping combined. It also creates chemical and plastic pollution—as much as 35% of micro-plastics found in the ocean come from synthetic clothing, not to mention the scrapped clothing piling up in landfills. 

There is also the question of working conditions in the clothing factories. Research into the fashion industry in Leicester found employees working in appalling conditions, with no employment contracts, earning £3 an hour on average. 

Carol Kane, the co-founder of Boohoo, said the £5 dress was a "loss leader" drawing people to the website.

Discussion: 
The article asks, if the consumer is not paying the real price of the dress, who or what is? Do Homework
Is fashion something that you value personally? How much do you value it? Do Homework
Would you consider buying from ethical clothing companies even though they tend to be more expensive? Why or why not? Do Homework

Send your name to Mars

It’s that time of the year again, when NASA gives you the opportunity to “ship” your name to another celestial body. This time, the destination is Mars, and the shipping service is NASA’s future Mars 2020 rover.

If you send in your name sometime before September 30, 2019, NASA engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will etch it onto a silicon chip with an electron beam, and then the rover will carry it on its journey. The names are going to be pretty teeny, though—about one-thousandth the width of a human hair. That’s small enough so that more than a million names can be included on a single chip as big as a dime. 

NASA has provided this opportunity for members of the public before, when it landed the InSight lander on Mars in 2018 or when it sent the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to the asteroid Bennu. And just like any seasoned traveler, you’ll get a boarding pass and “frequent flyer” miles.

Discussion: 
It doesn't cost anything to send in your name, so NASA doesn't make any money from this. What is the purpose of this campaign, then? Do Homework
If you had 140 million frequent flier miles (225 million km), where would you go? Who would you take with you? Do Homework
Humans tend to be fascinated with life on other planets. Do you agree? Why? Do Homework

First Japanese in NBA

On June 20, Rui Hachimura became the first Japanese player selected in the opening round of the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft when the Washington Wizards chose him as the ninth pick.

The 21-year-old played three seasons at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington State, USA, before declaring for the draft. “It is crazy. It is unreal. It means a lot to me, my family, and my whole country. I am so thankful,” said Hachimura. He commented on the pin badge he was wearing showing the Japanese flag: “For Japan, this gives it a chance for exposure, to be seen from the outside world. I thought that I had a duty to showcase my country.”

He is theoretically the second Japanese to be drafted in the NBA, after Yasutaka Okayama, who was selected as the 171st pick in 1981 by the Golden State Warriors. However, Okayama never played in the league, making this a historic moment for Hachimura.

Discussion: 
Do you think sports is a uniting force, or a dividing one? Do Homework
Hashimura is half Beninese. What effect—if any—do you think that has on Japanese people's reactions? Do Homework
If you could become a professional athlete, what sport would you choose and why? Do Homework

High heels at work

Men jam their feet into high-heeled shoes and walk back and forth, some falteringly, others with unlikely confidence. Some women watch, gauging the men’s reactions while sympathizing with each other’s stories about wearing the torturous items masquerading as fashion.

They were all participants in a recent event in Tokyo held to highlight the plight of women forced to wear heels in the workplace, in an extension of the #KuToo online movement. Organizers of the event gave the men stilettos with 5-centimeter-high heels and asked them to quite literally walk in a woman’s shoes. The experience allowed the men to understand the discomfort and inconvenience that come from walking with one’s heels raised.

Yumi Ishikawa, creator of the #KuToo movement, began a petition earlier this year which now has over 30,000 signatures, calling on the government to tell companies to ban rules enforcing the wearing of heels. However, labor minister Takumi Nemoto has indicated that he will not support a drive to ban such dress codes. “It’s generally accepted by society that [wearing high heels] is necessary and reasonable in workplaces,” he said.

Discussion: 
What do you think about labor minister Takumi Nemoto's comment? Do Homework
Have you heard the idiom, "walk a mile in his/her shoes"? What does it mean? Do Homework
What unspoken message does clothing convey? Do Homework

Tourists cause headaches in Japan

Until recently, Japan didn’t have much of an influx of foreign tourists. Now, it does, and with that comes problems.

For much of the 20th and 21st century, foreign tourism in Japan didn’t really exist. Now, with the rise of Japan’s neighbors in Asia, the country has seen an influx of travelers like never before. In 2018, a record number of 32 million foreign tourists visited Japan, with over fifty percent from mainland China and South Korea. In comparison, less than 5 million foreign tourists visited in 2001. In 1970 there were only 854,000.

This sudden spike has caused growing pains, such as overcrowding and hotel shortages, and conflicts caused by cultural differences over things like smoking and garbage.

However, foreign tourists also spent a record $40.1 billion in Japan last year, which is four times the amount spent in 2012. As TV host Beat Takeshi said, “It’s a matter of do we pick money or do we pick culture?” According to Takeshi, he felt as though allowing lots of visitors will chip away at the culture. “I feel like, wouldn’t it be okay if Japanese were poor?”

Discussion: 
How would you answer Beat Takeshi's question, do we pick money or do we pick culture? Do Homework
Are money and culture mutually exclusive? Do Homework
Have you ever caused a problem as a tourist yourself? What happened? Do Homework
Why do human beings like to travel? Do Homework

20-year-old speaks 19 languages

At the age of 20, Montreal linguistics student Georges Awaad can already speak 19 different languages, most of which he taught himself through internet videos, music and conversation with friends. “I’m a very auditory person, so I try to expose myself as much as possible to the language, by listening to music, videos, films if I find them, and by listening to conversations and having them with friends,” he says.

He also speaks Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, Hebrew, Romanian, Swedish, Georgian, Armenian, Cantonese, Korean, Esperanto, and Dutch. Despite his achievement, Awaad doesn’t believe he has any exceptional skills when it comes to learning languages. His secret, he says, is that he finds it fun.

 Awaad says that “learning a new language can open your mind and heart to so many other people around the world and new cultures. You can understand the world so much better and on a much deeper level."

Discussion: 
Georges Awaad is very auditory. How about you—what is your learning style? Do Homework
Do you agree that learning a language helps you understand the culture better? Do Homework
Should regional languages be preserved? Or would we understand each other better if we all spoke the same language? Do Homework

Student sues school over hair color

Japan has a reputation as being a society that demands conformity: All college graduates seeking jobs should wear dark suits to job interviews, women are expected to cover their mouths when laughing, and many schools require students to wear the same uniforms, shoes and have haircuts that meet school regulations.

In Osaka Prefecture, an 18-year-old girl is suing her public school for mental anguish and other damages. She alleges she was forced to repeatedly dye her naturally brown hair the standard Japanese black, suffering mental and physical damage as a result.

She was asked to dye her brown hair black every one or two weeks. From the second term she was ordered to dye her hair every four days. The effects of the repeated dying on her hair were damage to her scalp and hair, rashes and mental anguish.

Discussion: 
What rules did your school have about personal appearance? Do Homework
In general, what might the educational benefits be of having students wear uniforms and adhere to rules about their appearance? Do Homework
Discuss your ideas about conformity vs. individuality. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each? Do Homework

Manhole covers are works of art

The Japanese have made the ordinary extraordinary, turning black metal manhole covers into well-rounded works of art. Colorful designs adorn the lids to the sewers in towns across Japan, inspiring flocks of fans, called "manholers," to engage in manhole tourism.

Hideto Yamada works for Hinode Suido, the largest manhole manufacturer in Japan. They produce about 200 a day. “I think we have changed the image of manholes," Yamada said. "People from around the world think Japanese manhole covers are cool."

There are now 6,000 different designs spread around the country. Nearly every city and town in Japan has its very own design, usually based on its claim to fame. Osaka has its castle; Kobe, its zoo. Of course, Fuji has its mountain.  

"Japanese manholes reflect the Japanese mentality," said Yamada. "Even if it costs more, we want to make something beautiful."  

Discussion: 
What makes people so interested in painted manhole covers? Do Homework
Hideto Yamada says, "Japanese manholes reflect the Japanese mentality." Do you agree? Why or why not? Do Homework
What is art, anyway? Do Homework

Fukushima recovery

Workers at the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have begun removing fuel rods from a storage pool near one of the three reactors that suffered meltdowns eight years ago. The measure marks a milestone in efforts to decommission the plant, although the more critical removal of melted fuel from inside three damaged reactors will prove far more difficult.

The operation to remove the fuel rods will take two years. Workers are remotely operating a crane to raise the fuel from a storage rack in the pool and place it into a protective cask. The whole process occurs underwater to prevent radiation leaks. The entire decommissioning work is expected to take at least 40 years.

Okuma, one of two towns that host the nuclear plant, has partially lifted its evacuation order. But as of mid-April, only 367 people, or 3.5% of Okuma’s pre-disaster population of 10,341, have registered as residents.

Discussion: 
Japan is prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. How do you think this affects Japanese culture and character? Do Homework
Given the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, how do you feel about using nuclear power? Why? Do Homework
Global warming studies suggest that natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons are becoming more frequent and more intense. If global warming continues, what do you predict life will be like 20 years from now? 50 years? Is there any way we can stop global warming from increasing? Do Homework

Agreement between India and Japan

Right after returning from the three-day trip to China, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed the Indian leader Narendra Modi to his vacation home at the foot of Mount Fuji.

They agreed on resuming a currency swap accord to the tune of $75 billion and more than ¥300 billion in yen loans to finance India’s infrastructure projects including a high-speed railway using Japan’s Shinkansen system.

The key for Japan-India relations going forward will be whether the two countries can elevate their ties to new stages on the basis of their latest agreements, instead of as a counterweight to China’s rise. Abe hailed Japan-India ties as having “the largest potential for development for any bilateral relationship anywhere in the world.”

Whether the two countries can realize that potential will be tested from now.

Discussion: 
This is the largest bilateral currency swap in the world. What do you understand by a "currency swap accord"? Can you explain why it's done? Do Homework
Will the growing India-Japan relations affect Chinese dominance in the Asian market? Do Homework
What is your view on international agreements? Do we need more of them? Do Homework