The media in nominally democratic countries like Japan and the U.S. like to quote poliicians who talk about the lack of democracy in countries such as China or Burma. But the onus is on those who decry the lack of "democracy" in other countries to demonstrate their own commitment to it. Locking peace activists away for more than two months, as Japan has done in the case of … [Read more...] about Is Japan REALLY a democracy? Peace campaigners locked up for free speech
Archives for December 2005
Understanding the Anti-WTO Protests (from Japan Focus)
From APEC to WTO: trajectories of protest in Korea and East AsiaBy Jamie Doucette and Owen MillerAngry protests in Busan, South Korea during an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference there in November have alarmed Hong Kong police preparing for a mid-December World Trade Organization ministerial conference. Hong Kong police fear that the some of the groups … [Read more...] about Understanding the Anti-WTO Protests (from Japan Focus)
WTO meeting in Hong Kong: Our World is not for sale!
by Vandana ShivaThe WTO Ministerial at Hong Kong has already failed. For the corporate world it has failed because smaller, poorer developing countries are starting to have a say in outcomes of WTO negotiations. With the backing of peoples power on the streets they walked out of the Seattle and Cancun ministerial, exercising the highest power in democracy, the power to say … [Read more...] about WTO meeting in Hong Kong: Our World is not for sale!
Chinese/English Links:民間監察世貿聯盟/Hong Kong People’s Alliance on the WTO, more links
People's Action Week is the people's alternative to the World Trade Organization's 6th Ministerical Conference. Beginning on the 8th of December, and continuing until the end of the MC6, various local and international organizations have organized a wide range of workshops, seminars, and cultural events all focusing on the impact of the World Trade Organization on people. Keep … [Read more...] about Chinese/English Links:民間監察世貿聯盟/Hong Kong People’s Alliance on the WTO, more links
Is Europe Western?
by TAWADA Yoko...Several years ago a new law was passed in Japan decreeing that the Japanese flag was to be raised at every ceremony taking place at schools and universities in the country. It determined the exact size of the flag. Otherwise, some people could decide to raise a flag that was smaller than a postage stamp. The law insisted that the flag was to be raised in … [Read more...] about Is Europe Western?