[Participant]

In the previous video, I was suprised to learn about Article 24. This was remarkably progressive for it's time. General Douglas MacArthur was known to have a very close relationship with his own mother. Therefore, I cannot help but think this might have had something to do with him approving this remarkable language. Nevertheless, this is just speculation on my part. Recognition of these rights seems to have been extended in the Equal Employment Opportunity Law of 1985. In 1972, the United States Senate forwarded the Equal Rights Ammendment to the states for ratification. Therefore, we cannot help but wonder if there was some casual connection between these two movements. The Equal Rights Ammendment was not ratified in the United States. In the meantime, and since then, it seems there has not been much enforcement of the EEOP in Japan. Again, I wonder if there ss a connection between both nations? In any case, I am wondering why a law like this would not go into effect. What is the reason for this dichotomy between theory, and practice? Ryan M.C. 

[Participant]

I thought this discussion was very interesting. Honestly, I had no idea the Women's Suffrage Movement had such deep roots in Japan. This would make for an interesting comparison, and contrast in AP World History. I'm wondering if you have any suggested materials, that could be adopted to a high school setting? In regards to the Seito: Blue Stockings, I thought the quote was very interesting: "In the beginning, woman was the sun." The Gospel of John begins by saying: "In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God)." This makes for an interesting comparison, and contrast (probably not fit for high school students)!I want to use a quote here, to illustrate my point. I apologize, but it comes from Wikipedia. But, I must give credit where it is due: '"Logocentrism" is a term coined by the German philosopher Ludwig Klages in the early 1900s. It refers to the tradition of Western science and philosophy that regards words and language as a fundamental expression of an external reality. It holds the logos as epistemologically superior and that there is an original, irreducible object which the logos represent. According to logocentrism, the logos is the ideal representation of the Platonic ideal."' End of quote. In the Late 1920's and 30's Ferdinand de Saussure noted many linguistoic systems are filled with binaries. For instance, male and female, light and darkness. I could go on, and on. The Blue Stockings recognized this 20 years before Saussure publicized this observation. In their quote, we see they subversively flip the binary privileging men in their culture, to women, grounding this in a foundational myth. At the same time, this makes for a similarity, and difference between east and west. So, it is sure to maintain a unique Japanese identity (in the midst of what was then a western dominated imperial world). I am just starting to learn more about Literary Theory. I might be wrong in regards to my analysis. So, I would appreciate any other thoughts on it! Ryan M.C. 

[Participant]

I thought this discussion was very interesting, especially that concerning the division between theory and practice in the Constitution. In regards to the "salami-slicing" of Article 9:1-2, I wonder if this has something to do with the rise of China as an economic powerhouse? My own guess is that this section in the Constitution will not be ammended, unless some major defensive action has been taken, and this also is deemed to require another preventative reaction. For instance, if a rogue nations missile caused devestation, some reaction being taken that would prevent this from happening again. In which case, the Constitution would immediately be altered, retroactively. I'm also wondering how history is taught in Japan, especially regarding atrocities done in World War II? There must be some difference in the high school curriculum, when compared with what is taught in college. If so, what does this portend for the future (especially in regards to the Constitution)? The Koenkai seems to be a very interesting institution. I am guessing it serves as a lobby, collecting local voices, and then consolidating them. This, then, allows the local "big-man" to negotiate with the local politician that serves in the Diet. If I am correct then these local institutions might be a sort of nexus, with the local "big-man" being a patron (for thosew who belong to his institution). This would also explain why power, encapsulated by a list of local names, is passed on to the next of kin. This reminds me of the way villages have preserved some level of local autonomy, within the context of a larger kingdom (in ancient history). However, I might be completely wrong in my analysis. I am just speculating by way of analogies (I have studied much more European Ancient, and Medieval History). The discussion over moving certain ministries to less populated regions, also interested me. While this will not stop the decline in birth-rate, it might slow down the depopulation of rural regions. In turn, this would maintain a circulation of capital around the nation for a longer time. Nevertheless, I think there might be a better way to do this. Japan is already known for having the most productive workforce in the world. In addition to this, many homes are abandoned in less populated regions. I am wondering if one solution would be to have certain workers move between different regions, depending on the season. This would make life more interesting, and also infuse different areas with much needed capital. Nonetheless, this will not reverse the decline in population. Because of this, my expectation is that Japan must adapt by becoming the world's leader in the development of automation and artificial intellegence, which will be specially formulated for manual labor (i.e. agriculture), then the service sector. In the meantime, they will also deploy a stipend in order to maintain rural workers who are out of a job (while allowing for retraining). Ryan M.C. 

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