Blog 14 Japan and the United States

The relationship between the United States and Japan is something that we have talked about extensively in this class. From such discussions we are aware that Japan was forced to demilitarize after World War II and has since been dependent on the United States for global protection. Recently this arrangement has been on the cusp of change, it looks like that change has finally arrived. In talks yesterday Japan and the United States met to discuss outlines that would allow Japan more Independence and creating their own form of defense.This new development the article states is due to the encroachment and fear of Korea felt by the leaders of the country and the people. Given the historical animosity Japan has toward the country of Korea, the reader can not help but wonder if the threat is credible or if the leaders are simply attempting to galvanize the country to accept this desire to arm up. As discussed in class this change is wanted not simply by some of the Japanese, but also by the United States who wish for a buffer state. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/27/politics/united-states-japan-defense-relationship/index.html

Blog 13 Pretty Nature in Japan

After writing intense posts for the semester up to this point, this one is lighter. This post is about Japan, which is appropriate given that we have just finished the last chapter about Japan. The chapter was about Japanese industrialization, which was at odds to the reverence the country has in regards to nature. Whether this is due to the small size of the country, Shinto roots within the culture or the geographical diversity. After reading the chapter I became curious to how the Japanese could industrialize so fiercely and yet be conscious of the environment? a feat that many countries have not been able to accomplish. This article includes some of the most beautiful places in Japan post aggressive industrialization. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/24/travel/gallery/most-beautiful-japan/index.html

Blog 12 Gender Equality in Asia

Earlier in the semester five women were jailed after National Women's Day for ironically protesting infringements on women's rights. The women at the time of the capture by police were staging a rally to bring attention to sexual harassment in the workplace and equal pay. Amid public and international pressure the women have been released. This is only slightly related to the current chapter we are reading, as it also shows (given the public pressure used in the national movements in India) and the international involvement in the Chinese revolutions that the public opinion as well as the international community's can be effective  in shaping the laws and ideals of a country. While the women were released as a show of good faith, they are not in anyway free. Upon release the women will be under house and tracked for a year, they will be liable to be called into question at anytime for any reason, and are at risk for being arrested again for public disturbances (Theses of course are past crimes). The five fighting feminists may have been released, but they are far from free and such heavy handed government involvement after the fact just continues to bring to light the oppression women have suffered in this area. Having read this article also brings to light how little the textbook focuses on the treatment of women within a historical context and how such experiences have shaped the country currently. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/14/asia/china-feminists-release-jiang/index.html

Blog Post 11 Religous and Cultural Divsions in Pakistan

Given that we are focusing on nationalism this week and the reading I have done in Cracking India. This particular article seemed exceptionally appropriate. The article shows the persecution that Christians living in Pakistan have had to endure, although people who consider themselves Christian are a minority in the dominantly Muslim country of Pakistan there have been violent acts protesting their right to worship. The internal divisions that is currently taking place in Pakistan can find their roots within the act of partition, that took place in 1940. This religious division within the country has not only sparked violence and protests it has also bled over into the political arena of the country creating deeper divisions and cultural divides.http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32212962

Blog 10 Free Speech in Singapore

Continuing with the theme from last week of freedom of expression and the chapters we have read this week on the harsh punishments that the colonialists exhibited on the native populations of Asia, this article posted by the New York Times seemed especially relevant. The article tells the story of a 16 year old boy who has been arrested by Singapore officials for criticizing the late founder Lee Kwan Yew. lee Kwan Yew was considered the founder of modern Singapore, the teenage boy questioned whether the ruler did indeed help his people or that the prosperity came at the cost of civil rights and liberties. Since his arrest his Youtube account has been switched to private and the authorities have justified their actions under the Harassment Act, which bans speech  with “deliberate intention of wounding the religious or racial feelings.”(BBC) the authorities have invoked their right to use this law by saying the teenager criticizing Christianity, given the specific remarks about the leader and the fact that his speech was made the day after his death it is not hard to suspect that the teenager was arrested for defacing the leader not the belief of Christianity.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/world/asia/singapore-arrests-teenager-over-video-critical-of-lee-kuan-yew.html?ref=asia&_r=0