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Japan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Foreign residents closely follow Japan's election and party pledges
As Japan's foreign population continues to rise both in terms of quantity and diversity, one of the talking points during Sunday's election was how the country should deal with the increase of international residents. While foreign nationals do not have the right to vote unless they naturalize, as residents they contribute to the economy, pay taxes and raise families in Japan. As electoral results could impact their lives, The Japan Times asked several foreign residents to weigh in. Interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity. Mark Williams (55) United States, resident of Japan since 2006 If I could vote myself, I'd want to see stronger enforcement of labor laws. I've been lucky, but I know people in other companies who are stuck in that culture where you can't leave until your boss does. That needs to change — for both Japanese people and foreigners alike. The cost of living is another big one. There are so many middlemen in the distribution process here that it drives up prices unnecessarily. Streamlining that could make a real difference. I have definitely noticed a shift in attitude (regarding foreigners), especially online. However, if I'm being honest, I've experienced far worse back home in the U.S. than I ever have here. There are people who've always held discriminatory views — now they just feel more free to voice them. It's not that there are more people who think this way, just more who are willing to say it out loud. When people say negative things about foreigners online, my wife or daughter will sometimes point it out to me. I might not have noticed otherwise, because I'm not glued to the TV or reading comments all the time. Day-to-day, I've only ever had positive experiences with people in Japan. My coworkers have always treated me well. I've never felt unwelcome in my workplace. I judge people based on how they treat me directly — not based on what's said online or in anonymous comments. Alexander Howell-Jackson (27) United Kingdom, resident of Japan for three years Anti-foreigner sentiment has definitely been rising. You can see it with parties like Sanseito. But it mirrors what's happening in the rest of the world. When the economy's stagnant and prices go up, people look for someone to blame and often that ends up being foreigners. Most Japanese people have never had a meaningful interaction with a foreigner. That leaves a vacuum for media narratives to shape their views. It's funny to see the 'foreigners are taking our jobs' narrative appear here too. Japan has a labor shortage and a shrinking population — there are so many unfilled jobs. There's no way to tell a tourist apart from a foreign resident, so we all get lumped together. Even if I've lived here for years, I get judged by what a tourist did last week. It's frustrating — when tourists don't know the rules, we all pay the price. It's not like we have 'foreign resident' stamped on our forehead with a visa type. That's not to say everyone is falling victim to this rhetoric. Online, the most racist people are the most vocal. Just because you see those kinds of comments doesn't mean everyone thinks like that. Simon Henderson (40) Australia, resident of Japan for three years I've been following the election very closely. It feels like a pivotal moment for Japan. There's a very real possibility of a political shift, which makes this election particularly significant. Foreign nationals contribute substantially to Japan's wellbeing, including through taxes. Yet we're still excluded from voting and often from political discourse entirely. Many of us have deep roots here. We work, we pay taxes, we raise families. But without the right to vote, we remain politically invisible. It's disappointing to see major parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party, echo xenophobic rhetoric rather than challenging it. Instead of framing foreign nationals as threats, Japan's political leaders should recognize the benefits of a more diverse society. Japan isn't alone in this shift. We're seeing nationalism rise worldwide — but that's no excuse for inaction here. Japan has internationalized a lot over the past decade, but its political institutions haven't kept pace with that change. If I could vote, I'd want to back candidates that understand Japan's future depends on inclusion — not fear. Climate change is also a top concern for me. I'd also support parties pushing for human rights reforms and more generous refugee policies. Additionally, it's contradictory that 18-year-olds can vote but can't run for the Upper House until they're 30 (unlike Australia, where the minimum age to run for office is 18). That sends a clear message: young people don't belong in politics. If Japan wants to improve voter turnout and engagement, especially among youth, it needs to reform its outdated candidacy laws. Maximo Arozarena (39) Mexico, resident of Japan for seven years On the surface, (the rhetoric regarding foreign nationals) doesn't always sound that bad — but for people who understand the context, it's a little bit worrying. I'm not super alarmed personally, because I've seen this kind of thing everywhere — in the U.S., even back in Mexico. But that doesn't mean it's harmless. It's part of a global trend that worries me. I think the election last October, where the LDP took a big hit, felt more significant. But this one matters too, especially because of Sanseito gaining ground and how that will shift the tone going forward. There's a lot of stress around the economy — the yen being weak, interest rates, even the ripple effects from tariffs and the U.S. elections. It's all adding to this general anxiety, and you can feel that in the conversations people are having. If I could vote, I'd back (a candidate advocating for) more progressive social policies — equal rights, gay marriage — but also economic strategies that go beyond short-term fixes. I know it's idealistic, but that's what I'd hope for. For example, tourism is critical for Japan's economy now, but the way it's handled isn't sustainable. Locals are frustrated with overtourism, and as someone working in the industry, I feel that frustration too. We need better planning — something that supports the economy without overwhelming communities. Right now, it just feels like we're improvising. One good thing I've seen in recent elections is that Japanese people seem more and more politically engaged. Hopefully, that leads to something positive, and not just empty rhetoric.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Loro Piana Joins Growing List Of Luxury Brands Tied To Worker Abuse
New York, 4/27/2023: Loro Piana high end clothing store in Meatpacking District of Manhattan. An Italian court has placed the renowned luxury cashmere brand Loro Piana under judicial administration for a year after an investigation uncovered worker abuse and exploitation in its supply chain. The Court of Milan found that the company 'culpably failed' to oversee its suppliers in order to pursue higher profits and cited a wider, systemic pattern of employing subcontractors that violate fair labor practices. Loro Piana is the fifth luxury brand – and the second LVMH-owned brand after Dior – to be found in violation of Italian labor laws since the country began cracking down on subcontracting practices commonly used throughout the industry. Other brands that the court determined have allowed illegal and unethical labor conditions to persist throughout their supply chain include Giorgio Armani, Valentino and handbag company Alviero Martini. This is not just a stain on the reputations of the brands involved but a threat to the entire luxury industry. Bain estimates that about 50% of global luxury goods production is carried out by thousands of small manufacturers in Italy. 'Allegations of worker abuse can have a profoundly negative impact on the reputation of a high-end fashion brand,' said Stephen Hahn, chief reputation and strategy officer at RepTrak, a corporate reputation management firm. 'Perceptions of workplace is one of the seven key drivers of reputation within the consumer discretionary industry and is especially important to luxury goods,' he continued. Allegations Of Mistreatment The investigation carried out by the Carabinieri police labor protection unit began in May after a worker reported being physically assaulted by his employer, a workshop – more accurately described as a 'sweatshop' – that produced Loro Piana men's jackets. The company has since been shut down. Investigators found workers were forced to work up to 90 hours a week, seven days a week and made less than $5 per hour. They also slept in the factory in illegally built rooms. Further investigation found ten workers were employed illegally, seven of whom were undocumented immigrants from China. Complicating the investigation was the fact that Loro Piana didn't contract directly with the offending company but went through two front companies that had no actual manufacturing capability. The front companies subcontracted to several different firms, all of which were rounded up in the investigation. Loro Piana, not parent company LVMH, issued a statement to Fox Business, clarifying that it had not been made aware of the subcontractor relationships. The company emphasized that under both legal and contractual obligations, the company should have been informed of the arrangements. 'Loro Piana firmly condemns any illegal practices and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding human rights and compliance with all applicable regulations throughout its supply chain,' the company stated. 'Loro Piana is committed to ensuring that all its suppliers comply with the Maison's highest quality and ethical standards in line with its Code of Conduct. In this perspective, Loro Piana has been constantly reviewing and will continue to strengthen its control and audit activities.' However, it appears alleged unethical dealings have been going on for some time, even after many of Italy's fashion brands signed an accord to fight worker exploitation in May. The owner of the subcontractor said the company has been producing between 6,000 and 7,000 men's jackets per year at prices between €118 and €128 ($137 to $149) depending upon the number ordered. Loro Piana cashmere jackets sell for more than $4,000, though the company stated: 'The reported cost figures are not representative of the amounts paid by Loro Piana to its supplier nor do they consider the full value of all the elements, including, among others, raw materials and fabrics.' Tangled Web Milan-based visiting international marketing professor at Università Cattolica, Alessandro Balossini Volpe, explained that the luxury fashion supply chain is an increasingly complex network involving multiple manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and numerous contractors and subcontractors, making it increasingly difficult to keep track of. Added to that, the fashion industry is highly volatile with a growing demand for speed in deliveries, constantly revolving collections and diversification of product offerings. 'The luxury fashion manufacturing supply chain in Italy is notoriously fragmented,' he explained, with a majority of suppliers being family-run businesses with ten or fewer employees. 'Over the last several years, they have been under constant pressure on prices and shrinking volumes, which has put many small players out of business. As a consequence, if a brand has an increasing turnover of suppliers, control over them gets increasingly difficult,' he said, adding 'We have a situation of unprecedented complexity in the management of the supply chain.' Tip Of The Iceberg? Balossini Volpe believes that a majority of luxury businesses and brands follow responsible business practices and have been rigorously trying to manage their supply chains. However, 'I am also convinced that more than a few players, including some big names, have been chasing profits at all costs, sometimes turning their eyes away from disreputable situations that they could have fixed or changed.' He suggested that the five luxury brands implicated in unethical supply chain practices are not isolated occurrences, but rather the tip of the iceberg in a deeper, systematic failure within the fashion industry. 'All of the luxury fashion brands could fall under suspicion of collectively engaging in unethical and unsustainable business practices,' he warned. 'It would mean questioning not only the tangible, intrinsic value of the products, but also their intangible value that includes their credibility and integrity,' he concluded. See also:
Bloomberg
11-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Amazon Interfered in Canadian Union Efforts, Labor Board Rules
Inc. mounted a 'lengthy and pervasive anti-union campaign' at a warehouse in western Canada and hired an excessive number of workers to dilute support for a union, according to a Canadian labor board. The British Columbia Labour Relations Board found that Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services ULC violated provincial labor laws by interfering in organization efforts at a facility in Delta, south of Vancouver. The board green-lit the union on Friday through remedial certification — a move reserved for situations where an employer's actions make a fair vote unlikely.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vietnamese-American salon owners are suing California after having their lives ‘turned upside down overnight'
A new federal lawsuit is targeting California's labor rules, and the state's Vietnamese-American nail technicians are at the center of the fight. Filed at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Santa Ana, the lawsuit argues that a 2020 law, Assembly Bill 5, stripped nail technicians of their right to work as independent contractors, which violates the 14th Amendment's promise of equal protection. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it The change has shaken up an industry with many immigrant employees from Vietnam. That industry also generates about $3 billion a year, according to the Pro Nails Association. Representative of Little Saigon, California Assemblyman Tri Ta (R-Westminster), confirmed fear and frustration are flooding his office, and it's impossible to ignore. "Their lives have turned upside down overnight," Ta said at a news conference. "It is not just unfair, it is discrimination." While some are critical of the law, which has turned their livelihoods upside down, labor advocates argue it's a step toward ensuring a workforce that is often overlooked and underpaid, earns fair, stable wages. In 2019, California passed Assembly Bill 5, a law that redefined how companies classify workers. The law stemmed from a 2018 Supreme Court ruling against Dynamex Operations West, which had misclassified delivery drivers as independent contractors to cut costs. The assembly bill established ground rules for who can be an independent contractor. Under the new law, workers must meet three conditions to be classified as contractors. These include working independently, performing tasks outside the company's core business and offering their services to other clients. If not, they must be treated as employees, with protections including minimum wage, overtime pay, workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. For nail salon owners, this shift isn't in their favor. An Tran, who owns two Happy Nails & Spa franchises, is taking the state to court, arguing the rules impede how salons operate day-to-day. Turning contractors into full-time employees means higher payroll costs, higher insurance and tighter margins for owners, who also deal with overhead costs such as rent and supplies. "We don't have customers all the time. That's going to cost us a lot more to pay them for the downtime when they don't have any customers," Tran told the LA Times. Read more: You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to . In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how This fight is also about community. Many Vietnamese refugees turned to nail salons in the late 1970s as a way to rebuild their lives in America. Decades later, that legacy endures. More than 82% of California nail technicians are Vietnamese, and about 85% are women, according to the lawsuit. 'Vietnamese American manicurists have faced blatant discrimination under California's labor laws, stripped of the same rights and freedoms afforded to others in their industry,' Scott Wellman, attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a statement to KTLA 5. 'If the State of California refuses to fix this injustice, we are prepared to hold them accountable in federal court.' Worker advocates add that the lawsuit highlights deeper issues of exploitation across the industry. A UCLA Labor Center report found nearly 80% of nail salon workers earn pay at or below two-thirds of the median full-time wage, more than double the national low-wage rate for all workers. Beyond low wages, many salons are reportedly concerned about health and safety conditions as well. Former nail technician Pabitra Dash confirmed those risks firsthand. She and her husband struggled with miscarriages while she was working in the salon industry. Once she quit, she was finally able to carry her baby to term. While her doctor never pinned the miscarriages on the chemicals she used at her job, Dash said she and her husband felt relieved they had a child after she left. '(My doctor) said, 'It's really good for your health and your baby,'' Dash told NBC News. Stoicism has been the response of many workers, who are worried that speaking up could cost them shifts or even their jobs. The federal lawsuit has turned nail salons into the latest flashpoint in California's struggle to balance gig work with fair labor protections. Salon owners fear that stricter rules might make it harder to keep their doors open, while many technicians quietly worry they'll lose their employee rights. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Vogue
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Atsuko Okatsuka Is Here to Make Friends
Right. Or you need an earthquake or something—everyone will get really close. I always say that a common enemy doesn't have to be a person. It could be Mother Nature. It could be a long line. Your grandmother raised you, and she figures so prominently in your content that she's become a celebrity herself. I do get along with the elderly more. Kids and I butt heads a lot. They don't like me. I've met so many babies with my haircut, and they're like, Why does this baby get to walk around? Why does she get her own seat on an airplane? And I'm like, You have no idea. You have so many things ahead of you. Every rule, every law is for you. You are the future. People would email me asking to get my grandma in their films, because they needed a Taiwanese or Asian grandma. It was, like, 12-hour shoot days for a SAG [Screen Actors Guild union] production. There are rules for children for SAG. They can only work certain hours and they have to have a teacher on set. So I was like, surely there are labor rules for seniors there. There isn't. They're just considered 18 and older, so they'd be able to work my grandma the whole 12 hours without rest. I'm finding out that with elders, there isn't anything protecting them. In an article for Tokyo Weekender, you said you feel like you have a sixth sense about culture. Do you feel like it's nurture or nature that's made you such a keen observer? It's probably both. You do have to be curious about other people and how they live and think. I was born in Taiwan and then moved to Japan, and then I was moved to America abruptly. Not my choice, any of these things. So I had to adapt quickly and be able to read people. The first language I really heard in America was Spanish, because of my classmates. And then I had Russians in my class, a classmate from Turkey. I had to learn where that was. The Russian kids didn't speak English, and I didn't either, so we were like, Do we come up with a third language? Do we use our physicality? I'm a very physical performer. I use my eyes a lot. Sometimes I make a noise instead of a word. I think all of that developed from me trying to connect with all kinds of people from all kinds of places.
