Digital Commons Network^™

Landmark Ruling On Whaling From The International Court Of Justice, Mark P. Simmonds

Mark P. Simmonds, OBE

On 31 March 2014, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Japan’s whaling activities in Antarctica did not comply with Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), which permits whaling for scientific purposes. Copious and confusing media commentary followed the decision. This included seemingly conflicting reports from within Japan, which initially indicated whole-hearted compliance with the ruling, which required this whaling to cease, but later suggested that implementation by Japan might be limited to a brief halt followed by a launch of a new Antarctic ‘research’ programme including lethal take.

Japan's Distribution Challenge: Lessons From Abroad, Paul J. Scalise

Paul J. Scalise

No abstract provided.

From Undemocratic To Democratic Civil Society: Japan's Volunteer Fire Departments, Mary Alice Haddad

Mary Alice Haddad

How do undemocratic civic organizations become compatible with democratic civil society? How do local organizations merge older patriarchal, hierarchical values and practices with newer more egalitarian, democratic ones? This article tells the story of how volunteer fire departments have done this in Japan. Their transformation from centralized war instrument of an authoritarian regime to local community safety organization of a full-fledged democracy did not happen overnight. A slow process of demographic and value changes helped the organization adjust to more democratic social values and practices. The way in which this organization made the transition offers important lessons for emerging democracies …

Envisioning A New East Asia: Some Concrete Steps Japan Can Take For Peace And Reconciliation, Tatsushi Arai

Tatsushi Arai

This is a policy proposal submitted to Japanese policymakers and opinion leaders concerned with the sustained controversy over the Yasukuni shrine and other issues related to the future of Japanese international relations with its neighboring countries in the Asia Pacific. Based on the insights into psychoanalysis and trauma healing, the paper explores how to use and transform historical symbols and discourses to facilitate long-term reconciliation.

Modernizing Small Manufacturers In Japan: The Role Of Local Public Technology Centers, Philip Shapira

Philip Shapira