Former “Court Poet” for the Kim Dynasty Reveals Truth about North Korea
Confessions of a Former ‘Court Poet’ to the Kim Dynasty”—(Bungei Shunju Ltd., Tokyo; October 2013)—by Jang Jin-sung, a North Korean defector, is a shocking revelation of the realities in the North.…
Facing a Chaotic World, Reflecting on Centuries-Old Wisdom of Prince Shotoku Would Benefit Japan
I find quite engaging the latest (November) issue of the Seiron monthly magazine—its 40th anniversary issue. Particularly intriguing is the first of a series of new columns by novelist Hideo Osabe,…
Japan Should Not Miss This Chance for New Policy on Collective Self-Defense
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will postpone until next spring a decision on whether to alter the government’s interpretation of the existing constitution to enable the nation to e…
Consumption Tax Hike: Prime Minister Abe’s Responsibility for Japan’s Future
Tokyo’s success in winning the bid for the 2020 Olympics makes us feel anew that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is indeed a man of good fortune. Although this good fortune reflects hard work and a so fa…
Does the Recent Supreme Court Decision on Inheritance for Illegitimate Children Suit Japanese Society?
In a controversial decision on September 4th, Japan’s Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a civil code provision denying full inheritance to children born out of wedlock. The court ruled that t…
