Latest news with #Hinomaru
Asahi Shimbun
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
EDITORIAL: Xenophobia in society must not be allowed to rear its ugly head
The Hinomaru flag is hoisted during campaign speeches for the Upper House election. (The Asahi Shimbun) A memorable scene from the movie 'Civil War' released prior to the 2024 U.S. presidential election has a soldier pointing a gun toward citizens and asking, 'What kind of American are you?' The movie takes place in the United States of the near future where fighting breaks out among fragmented parts of its society. Decisions about life and death are based on not only whether one is an American, but also depending on the kind of American one is. Such a reality that cannot be completely written off as preposterous fiction might also arise in Japan. In a future where fragmentation and discrimination are repeated by placing priority on 'us' and distinguishing based on nationality and birth, what kind of Japanese will remain? SPREAD OF FEAR-MONGERING RUMORS Parties that are strongly calling for strengthening restrictions on foreigners and limiting their rights appear to have momentum in the Upper House election campaign. In the Lower House election held last autumn, one of the main points of contention was over securing foreign workers so there has been a surprising change in course. Not only the Sanseito party and the Conservative Party of Japan, but even the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and opposition Democratic Party for the People and Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) have included such planks in their campaign platforms. During campaign speeches, the head of a political party has made such comments as, 'It is frightening when blacks and Muslims gather at night and drink alcohol and cause a commotion' or 'They attack Japanese and steal their things.' While the party leaders claim they are only asking that foreigners obey rules and that they are not being discriminatory, such arguments are xenophobic ones that foment misunderstanding and prejudice based on a few events. One prevalent explanation is that the wealth of Japanese is being robbed by foreigners enjoying a free ride on taxes and social security. Sanseito has argued that its call for 'Japanese first' means raising the wages of Japanese. The party emphasizes that the cause of poverty and low wages is the flood of foreigners into the nation and has called for halting public assistance payments. The DPP has repeatedly called for using taxes paid by Japanese on policies for Japanese. Such an argument could lead to the misunderstanding that foreigners pay no taxes, including the consumption tax. A joint statement issued by more than 200 nongovernmental organizations said it was a 'baseless rumor' that foreigners receive special privileges. The LDP campaign plank to eliminate all illegal foreigners appears to be an attempt to regain votes that have gone elsewhere. The government claims that the public holds concerns and a sense of unfairness due to crimes and obnoxious behavior on the part of some foreigners and is planning to establish an organization to serve as a command post to deal with foreigners. But the crime rate among foreigners living in Japan over the past decade or so has remained unchanged. We are concerned that statements that easily link nationality with crimes will create an atmosphere that allows for discrimination. REASON FOR BLAMING 3% OF POPULATION How many foreigners do we encounter every day from morning until night at convenience stores, train stations, schools and the workplace? As of the end of 2024, there were about 3.76 million foreigners living in Japan. The number has been increasing ever since then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his second stint in office changed course in allowing in foreign workers. But even so, the ratio of foreigners in Japan is only 3 percent. In sectors suffering from a major personnel shortage, such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction and elderly care, operations would not be possible without foreigners. One of the most important tasks for Japanese universities is attracting outstanding foreign researchers. But from about the time of the asset-inflated economy of the Heisei Era (1989-2019), when foreigners of Japanese descent supported construction sites and factories, teaching them the Japanese language and social customs has, in principle, been left up to the private sector or local governments. The language barrier has made it difficult for many foreigners to become acclimated with the local community and many children are unable to keep up with attending school. Japan has yet to pass a human rights basic law that clearly spells out the rights of foreigners and bans discrimination against them. It is only to be expected that problems emerge in systems that were created on the precondition that they would be used only by Japanese. In reviewing the system to allow foreigners to convert their driving licenses to Japanese ones, there is a pressing need for a fair framework and passage of laws. Even if friction should arise in local communities due to differences in customs and communication difficulties, discussions should not be avoided but it will be important to create rules that everyone can be persuaded about. At the root of the issue is the stance that has been held by the government for many years. It has viewed foreigners as a convenient labor force to augment personnel shortages and has continued to avoid treating them as human beings. It is the job of politicians to create a structure that accepts as members of the same society those who work and live together alongside us. OTHER MINORITIES COULD BECOME THE NEXT TARGET Anger over real wages that do not increase as well as rising consumer prices, worries about a future with a falling birthrate and graying of the population and pent up dissatisfaction is often directed at those groups in a weaker position than ourselves. In the past, there have been attempts to gain support by focusing on that dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction over the 1929 Great Depression led to the birth of the Nazi party in Germany and accelerated military actions in Japan. Such trends are obvious in more recent developments, such as the election of U.S. President Donald Trump and the birth of right-wing governments in Europe. Arguments that quickly lead to support during elections take away the opportunity for calm debate and easily lead to the wavering of the principle of equality under the law that is the foundation of democracy. What will we gain and what will we lose? If we allow discrimination against foreigners because we consider ourselves Japanese, other minorities could end up becoming future targets. For example, the party that calls for placing priority on Japanese has criticized the gender equality program as wrong, blaming working women for the low birthrate. That party has also called for patients in terminal care to pay their own way for life extending treatment to reduce medical expenses. In a society where discrimination is allowed, there is no telling when one may find oneself on the side of those being discriminated against. We must think about what kind of society we want to create while holding that recognition. We stand at a crossroads this summer. --The Asahi Shimbun, July 13
Japan Forward
04-06-2025
- Health
- Japan Forward
Rehabilitation in Ukraine Gets a Boost from Japanese Robotics
このページを 日本語 で読む As the outcome of the war between Ukraine and Russia remains uncertain, a new initiative has begun to support wounded Ukrainians using Japanese medical technology. The effort involves helping individuals with brain injuries from bombings or gunfire relearn how to walk using a lightweight robotic walking aid. Professor Emeritus Rui Yuge of Hiroshima University and his team developed the device. In Ukraine, many doctors are among those conscripted. Strained by staff shortages, this "Hinomaru medical technology" is making a vital contribution to the medical system. At one of Ukraine's largest rehabilitation centers in Lviv, a 31-year-old man slowly made his way down a corridor, gripping a cane in his right hand. He had been shot at close range by a Russian soldier and suffered a severe trauma to the right side of his head. The injury left the left side of his body paralyzed and confined him to a wheelchair. But on this day, something remarkable happened. Within ten minutes, his pace quickened, and he was soon walking without the cane. Strapped to his left ankle was a lightweight robotic device called a RE-Gait. Jointly developed by Dr Rui Yuge and a team at Waseda University, the RE-Gait walking assist robot uses a motor to support ankle movement, helping users regain independent mobility. Made from carbon fiber, it weighs just one kilogram. "We designed it to be both effective and as light as possible," Yuge said. The RE-Gait device can be customized via tablet to match each patient's unique gait. This makes it suitable for a wide range of conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and knee osteoarthritis. It supports natural foot movement, such as lifting the toes and landing on the heel, while helping the brain relearn proper walking mechanics. This reduces abnormal patterns and promotes functional recovery. Dr Rui Yuge, Professor Emeritus at Hiroshima University (right), stands with Ukrainian physician Liubov Koloshynska (©Sankei by Nobuhiko Yamaguchi). Since its domestic launch in 2016, Japanese medical institutions have used RE-Gait in more than 1,000 cases across. "When patients use RE-Gait for rehabilitation several times a week, they gradually develop a proper walking form," says Dr Yuge. His decision to support war-torn Ukraine, under Russian invasion since February 2022, was partly shaped by his personal experience. Around 25 years ago, Yuge studied abroad in Canada. It was an experience that deepened his appreciation for international cooperation and cross-border medical support. "I received a scholarship to study abroad, and it was Ukrainians at the university who supported me during that time," Dr Yuge recalled. "When I saw what was happening in Ukraine after the invasion, I felt compelled to give back using the technology I've developed." Together with a Georgian neurosurgeon and an international NGO, he began exploring ways to provide direct support. In April 2025, he donated two RE-Gait units to the rehabilitation center in Lviv. "We've already received feedback that many patients are using the device," he said. "It's easy to use, and it delivers results quickly." Before the donation, Ukrainian physician Liubov Koloshynska traveled to Japan to receive training on the device. She explained that patients from other destroyed medical facilities had been relocated to their center, leading to a severe staffing shortage. Technologies like RE-Gait, she added, have been an enormous help in managing the increased demand. With conflicts affecting people worldwide, Dr Yuge hopes this initiative can go further. "I want to expand this support beyond Ukraine, working in partnership with governments and other organizations," he said. Author: Nobuhiko Yamaguchi, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
The Mainichi
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Japan golfer who started at 29 heading for Deaflympics
OSAKA -- A golfer with hearing difficulties representing Japan in the upcoming Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics international games saw his life turned around when he started playing the sport completely by chance. Nobuyuki Fuchi was 29 when he was invited one day by his colleague at Himeji City Hall, who had also been his junior high school classmate, to go golfing after one of the original players canceled at the last minute. The now 48-year-old had never played golf before, thinking that it was a "rich people's sport." Fuchi mainly paid attention to the wild animals he encountered on the course that day -- deer, squirrels and rabbits. The turning point, however, came three months later, when he was invited again to play golf by the same former classmate. "You suck. Where do you think you're aiming?" Fuchi heard the colleague's half-joking insult loud and clear through his hearing aid. This sparked Fuchi's competitive nature. After that day, his life began to revolve around golf -- going to a driving range on weekdays after work and inviting his wife to play rounds together on days off, hoping the sport would become a shared hobby. Fuchi never received any coaching, but studied the sport by watching professional golfers on TV when tournaments were aired. "I just followed (professional players') examples," he reflects. Hearing disabilities an 'advantage' in the world of golf Fuchi began having difficulty hearing at the age of 5. Due to the side effects of medication he took, he developed severe hearing loss. He now can only hear faintly, even if someone shouts loudly right next to his ear, and lives with the help of hearing aid. He also reads people's lips to understand what they're saying. He attended regular schools growing up, and from junior high through university, played table tennis in school clubs. There were times Fuchi was bullied because of his hearing disabilities, but he never let it get him down, thinking, "This is just part of who I am." In the world of golf, he even considers having difficulty hearing a kind of "advantage." Because Fuchi can't hear the sound of the ball being hit, it's harder for him to judge the feel of the shot. However, since golf is a sport that requires deep concentration in silence, many golfers dislike even the slightest noise from their surroundings, and he says the inability to hear allows him to immerse himself in his own world. Grateful to know his passion Fuchi's encounter with deaf golf came four years ago. Learning that the Deaflympics would be held in Tokyo, Fuchi became interested, thinking, "Maybe I can carry the Hinomaru (Japanese flag) myself." But at the time, he didn't know how one could participate in such an event. Then, out of the blue, he received a direct message on his social media account: "If you're interested in deaf golf, how about giving it a try?" It was from someone affiliated with the Japan Deaf Golf Association who had seen him enjoying golf on social media. Fuchi became an association-designated athlete and went on to place eighth at the World Deaf Golf Championships held in Australia in August 2024. The following month, he came in second in the Japan Deaf Golf Championship, securing his spot in the Deaflympics in November this year. When he told the former classmate and colleague who first got him into golf about his Deaflympics selection, they quipped, "That's thanks to me." Fuchi no longer feels the need to prove himself -- instead, he's grateful to that friend for introducing him to the sport he is so passionate about. When he started playing 20 years ago, Fuchi never imagined competing in the Deaflympics, but he is beginning to embrace his role as a representative of Japan. "Compared to the Olympics and Paralympics, the Deaflympics are much less known. I want people to know that there's a competition where athletes with hearing impairments gather. My goal is to place in the top eight." With that determination, Fuchi looks forward to the tournament.
