Ri Kuk-Chol and Sarah Deschamps

Modern Tokyo Times

Throughout Japan major fashion brands like Forever 21, H&M and Zara continue to attract much attention because all three companies are highly desired by hip fashion lovers. The above three brands provide a lovely edge to fashion and in many surveys done by Modern Tokyo Times in Tokyo they were well represented when it came to popularity. Also, their respective price mechanisms alongside providing adorable products, is a real winner and the same applies to churning out new goods based on short cycles.

Mixxo (E. Land Group) from South Korea entered the Japanese market in late March 2013. Production and sales are closely woven by adopting a powerful in-house system which is extremely comprehensive. Flexibility is also essential based on changing trends and the different climatic seasons. Therefore, Mixxo, Forever 21, H&M and Zara focus heavily on responding quickly and producing an abundant flow of new fashion products in order to maintain their respective rich vitality.

The power of fast-fashion in Tokyo can be seen by H&M and others entering the crème de la crème of fashion districts in this high octane city. Ginza in the past was firmly connected to exclusive boutiques and exquisite products. However, fast-fashion companies like H&M have entered the market of Ginza easily because of the nature of this company and its mass appeal. Of course, Ginza and the Yurakucho area are still known for exclusive brands but now the fast-fashion angle is altering the dynamics of Ginza. Likewise, H&M also responds naturally to the environment that it is located. In this sense, the changing dynamics also impacts on the styles and products of this powerful brand.

Forever 21, H&M and Zara can be found throughout Japan because each company can relate to the internal dynamics of international nations. This enables all three brands to strengthen new concepts internally – while being open to respective market conditions and designs – which appeal to their respective client base. Mixxo is a latecomer to the Japanese fashion market and while this company will have its own way of thinking and provide fresh new ideas; it is also true to say that they can learn much from Forever 21, H&M and Zara.

Mixxo opened its first outlet in late March 2013 in Yokohama and clearly the K-pop wave meant that a nice touch was provided by After School (Afterschool). This applies to the original opening day on March 22 in the Sogo Department Store in vibrant Yokohama, whereby group members became saleswomen during the start of this new venture for Mixxo in Japan.

It is hoped that Mixxo will gradually expand in Japan because the South Korean fashion angle is powerful from the fashion angle by itself whereby a new freshness emerges. Also, from a cultural point of view, it is essential that Japanese and Korean nationals among the younger generation feel the strong cultures of both nations in the areas of fashion, music, movies, dramas, anime – and a host of other areas – in order to breakdown the political barriers.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to both main writers

https://www.facebook.com/MIXXO.KR Mixxo on Facebook

Modern Tokyo Times images related to street fashion in Tokyo

After School (Afterschool) image by ACROFAN

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Hiroshi Saito and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

China and Japan continue to play cat and mouse over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu territory which neither can claim based on history. Japan had no qualms in recognizing Kosovo under Albanian rule despite this land being blessed with ancient Orthodox Christian architecture. Meanwhile, China can’t say too much because the majority of Tibetans on a whole will not agree with being ruled by distant Beijing. Therefore, the glaring hypocrisy over a region which belonged to ancient Ryukyu (Okinawa) appears to have bypassed the historical nerve centers of Beijing and Tokyo.

Shinzo Abe who is the Prime Minister of Japan used forceful words in denouncing the latest incursion according to the worldview of Tokyo. Abe stated that Japan would “expel by force” any attempted landing by China in relation to the disputed area which Taiwan also claims. However, if China’s military did land then would the cat be Japanese or American or both – or would no cats exist?

After all, it is difficult to believe that Japan would desire to become embroiled militarily with China and clearly America doesn’t desire a limited conflict because the consequences would be too alarming to think about. In this sense, then you have “three mice sitting around” without any “real cat” being able to dictate to either side. Indeed, one mouse might even decide to remain neutral given the size of the potential economic, political and geopolitical ramifications. Therefore, the leader of Japan should be more diplomatic with his words because China may just test the water to find out how Japan would “expel by force.”

In history many minor disputes have ignited events that couldn’t be contained and clearly a military clash isn’t in the interest of America, China and Japan. It would be best to agree on a joint initiative whereby all sides agreed to refrain from military manoeuvers within a certain demarcation area. Also, the United States should notify both nations that nationalist rhetoric from either side isn’t warranted. Not only this, but given the volatility of the Korean peninsula then it is in the interest of both parties to reach a genuine accommodation.

Abe also should not be making such statements during such a sensitive period with regards to 168 lawmakers visiting the Yasukuni war shrine. After all, Japanese politicians fully understand that this reality will continue to hinder relations with regional nations like China and South Korea. Therefore, the timing of Abe’s comments was not productive towards restoring greater understanding between China and Japan.

Likewise, South Korea is extremely annoyed once more by the Yasukuni war shrine visit. In a sense, it appears that this merry-go-round is leading to hostility just for the sake of it because each year negative repercussions happen without any conclusion insight. The Emperor of Japan remains much more dignified because he refuses to pray at this shrine because clearly the Emperor understands the real ulterior motives behind all the symbolism.

Abe also shouldn’t be playing all his cards verbally. This applies to stating that “We would take decisive action against any attempt to enter territorial waters and to land…We would never allow…It would be natural for us to expel by force if (the Chinese) were to make a landing.”

In a similar vein the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, commented that “It is extremely deplorable and unacceptable that Chinese government ships are repeatedly entering Japanese territorial waters.”

Secretly, political elites in America must be pulling their hair out because China is a powerful factor in reigning in North Korea. Therefore, with recent strange comments coming out of Pyongyang then Washington is looking to Beijing to reduce the tension. Surely the leader of Japan understands this therefore why is Abe using such language during a very delicate period surrounding the Korean peninsula?

China during parts of last year also manipulated nationalism with the consequences being anti-Japanese demonstrations. It is time for both nations to stop using rhetoric because a solution needs to be found. After all, you clearly don’t have any cat insight instead different mice ramp up the pressure from time to time. However, one day these mice might create a cat by overstepping the mark and if this happens then what?

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Tomoko Hara and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The Agora Gallery is holding three current art exhibitions whereby domestic and international artists are on show. Each exhibition appeals to three different themes which flow through the diversity of the Agora Gallery. Therefore, if individuals adore contemporary art through the lenses of many angles, then the current exhibitions which run until April 16 will be richly rewarding.

If you view (http://www.agora-gallery.com/) the user friendly website of the Agora Gallery then clearly you are witnessing a delightful contemporary fine art gallery. Agora Gallery became fully establish in 1984 and since this period endless new exhibitions have promoted national and international artists. Naturally, being based in New York, then innovation flows throughout the veins of the Agora Gallery. O

On their website it is stated that the “Agora Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery established in 1984, dedicated to the promotion of national and international artists, providing original fine art to established and emerging collectors and catering to special events in support of fine art organizations that foster social awareness and promote environmental issues. The gallery is also the publisher of ARTisSpectrum Magazine and the sponsor of ARTmine.Com.”

The exhibition titled East Meets West: An Exhibition of Fine Arts from Asia; provides a very strong Japanese angle apart from Jenyshin who was born in South Korea. Artists on show in this exhibition apply to Susumu Hasegawa, Kenji Inoue, Yasuyuki Ito, Jenyshin, Noriko Kinouchi, Takashi Kogawa, MIKIKO and Masakazu Tatebayashi. Therefore, you have a very intriguing list of artists which provide their own unique angles to art, whereby different backgrounds and influences flow within their own respective dynamics.

MIKIKO provides a wealth of different themes and ideas which can be seen through her adorable art. The Agora Gallery comments about MIKIKO that “Japanese artist MIKIKO explores the complexity of female archetypes in oil on canvas with meticulous accuracy and supple grace. Whether poised in domestic interior space, flanked by nature-based imagery or caught in the nurturing dance of mother and child, her magnanimous female subjects – lovers, mothers, fairies, gypsies and queen bees – bear powerful symbolic and mystical properties.”

Noriko Kinouchi expresses her ideas in a very creative way which touches people inside. On the Agora Gallery website its states that “Japanese artist Noriko Kinouchi is a pioneer in the digital art world. She creates works of art that are rich in color, deep in meaning, and playfully thoughtful. The result is images that are immediately engaging to her audience. Kinouchi is focused on precision and perfection, and she consistently produces work with a high level of craftsmanship.”

Susumu Hasegawa, Kenji Inoue, Yasuyuki Ito, Jenyshin, Takashi Kogawa and Masakazu Tatebayashi, all provide intriguing angles to their respect art work just like the two artists selected above. Jenyshin states that “I love to express my feelings through color.” Agora Gallery continues by stating that “The colors in her paintings range from subtle blacks and grays to intense reds and yellows. Her subject material covers an equally broad territory, moving from contemplative portraits to exuberant abstractions.” 

Masakazu Tatebayashi states that “Having found my style means that the artworks I create can convey my ideas directly, with a clarity and appeal and power that I simply never found any other way.” He continues by stating that “The forms that I choose, the ways in which I work, all unite to allow me to express the feelings of a person – and of every person.”

The artist Kenji Inoue provides his own style whereby different emotions and thought patterns will flow naturally from viewing each individual artist in this thrilling art exhibition. Agora Gallery comments about Kenji Inoue that his “compelling canvases explore otherworldly terrains that merge the realms of the human imagination with the familiar landscapes of emotive expression. He brings together color, line, and form in new ways to construct these fantastical worlds, combining elements of the surreal and the abstract to create vistas breathtaking in scope yet infused with a weightiness of meaning that is left to the viewer to discover and interpret.”

Yasuyuki Ito certainly highlights the enormous differences within each individual artists and this applies to the color schemes and array of ideas on show. Therefore, the Agora Gallery states that the “eye-popping oil paintings are feats of formal balance: in color, line and space, each work manages to fill the senses while retaining an innocent simplicity of form. Ito’s images — palm trees blowing in an island breeze, a candy-colored mandala, a highly stylized river made up of interlocking blue rectangles — are lively in their exuberance, but reach deeply in symbolic significance. Soaring birds, roads winding into the distance, and details of flower petals all work with Ito’s underlying theme of creative freedom and what he calls “original beauty.” 

Susumu Hasegawa according to the Agora Gallery “has created an extraordinary body of work. Shape and color materialize the foundation of his thought. Using photography, acrylic and ink, Hasegawa renders a bounty of colorful forms and words, only to tear or cut them apart in order to revive them as collage compositions. The results are extraordinary. At first we may see a mishmash of paper, but exploring deeper we find a hidden logic and subtle beauty.”  He currently resides in Kyoto therefore contemplation and deep thinking within simplicity, despite the professional nature of his art, may be influenced by the rich culture of this amazing city?

The final individual to highlight in this intriguing and delightful exhibition is Takashi Kogawa. He expresses that he was influenced by Picasso, Matisse and Mondrian. Takashi Kogawa states that “Mondrian in particular had a strong impact on me – the beauty to be found in the balance he achieves with line and color is truly an inspiration. I developed this idea in my own work, building up a picture through the use of unstable lines, circles and color plane. I then allow each viewer to interpret my work freely, bringing their own ideas and background to the process.”

If individuals adore art then the three current exhibitions at the Agora Gallery will appeal greatly. This is based on the diverse nature of the themes and artists on show. Also, the reason for focusing on the East Meets West: An Exhibition of Fine Arts from Asia is based on the Japanese angle in relation to Modern Tokyo Times. However, the other two exhibitions provide their own unique angles and clearly the three current exhibitions bless each other. All three exhibitions run until April 16.

All the images in this article belong to the Agora Gallery.

Agora Gallery information

http://www.agora-gallery.com/ Agora Gallery website

http://agoraartgalleryblog.com/ Agora Gallery blog

https://www.facebook.com/AgoraGalleryNY Agora Gallery on Facebook

http://www.artisspectrum.com/ ARTisSpectrum

https://twitter.com/Agora_Gallery Agora Gallery on Twitter

http://www.youtube.com/user/AgoraGallery Agora Gallery on youtube

http://www.agora-gallery.com/galleryinfo/chelsea_location_information.aspx Map

Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6pm
530 West 25th Street, New York, NY

PLEASE CHECK THE LINKS BELOW ABOUT ALL THE ARTISTS IN THIS ARTICLE

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/susumu_hasegawa.aspx

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/kenji_inoue.aspx

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/yasuyuki_ito.aspx

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/jenyshin.aspx

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/noriko_kinouchi.aspx

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/mikiko.aspx

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/masakazu_tatebayashi.aspx

http://www.art-mine.com/artistpage/takashi_kogawa.aspx

Modern Tokyo Times

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Kanako Itamae and Sarah Deschamps

Modern Tokyo Times　

Kpopsicle (http://kpopsicle.com) is an amazing online fashion store which caters for stylish ladies who want to connect with the vibes of South Korea, America and Japan. Of course, the styles of these buzzing nations appeal internationally and this is the beauty of Kpopsicle. Therefore, this online fashion company provides stunning female fashion products all year round.

The Kpopsicle website is user-friendly and is updated regularly in order to connect with their client base and to highlight the latest trends hitting the streets of Seoul, Tokyo, New York and other vibrant cities. Also, images of items are extremely clear and taken from different angles in order that viewers can get a real feel about the product being viewed.

On the Kpopsicle website this company states that “We focus on stylish and trendy designs” and this is clearly true. Immediately on entering the website ladies will find an abundance of images and products to search. True to the words of Kpopsicle it is clear that this adorable online fashion company does focus on stylish and trendy designs which will appeal to ladies all over the world.

The models at Kpopsicle are extremely stylish and always highlight the lovely fabrics being used. Also, the color schemes and care of each product is more than noticeable. This means that not only is the Kpopsicle website user-friendly but more important everything seems so natural because the styles appeal greatly. Therefore, you have a lovely online fashion store whereby individuals can buy stunning products at the click of a button once studying the products from different angles on the Kpopsicle website.

International fashion styles hitting the streets of South Korea, Japan and the United States can be felt within the fashion on show. Of course Kpopsicle appeals to trendy female fashion lovers all over the world irrespective of nation. This is the beauty of Kpopsicle because they understand the latest trends and how to relate to fashion lovers.

In recent years the K-pop music angle keeps on growing therefore South Korean culture is in vogue and gaining more international headlines. This is rightly so because Korean culture is blessed with an amazing history. True to the nature of this country you have a culture which is rich in history but which is also ultra modern. Therefore, South Korean culture is ultra modern, vibrant, sophisticated and is connecting internationally. Not surprisingly, the fashion angle of South Korean fashion is also growing in strength because of all the above factors.

Kpopsicle fashion focuses on many different styles which relate to the modern fashion scene. This means that you can feel the latest trends running throughout the K-pop music scene through the fashion products that they sell. Kpopsicle fashion also focuses on elegance, sophisticated looks, streetwise fashion and a plethora of styles which are hitting the streets of major cities throughout South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Indeed, in Tokyo you can envisage the Kpopsicle fashion angle easily when you walk around fashionable districts like Harajuku, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and other amazing places in Tokyo. This is the beauty of Kpopsicle and this applies to the “instant connection” which can be felt when viewing their website.

The vibrant nature of K-pop with amazing groups and soloists like Girls’ Generation, BoA, Kan Mi Youn, T-ara, Kara, Orange Caramel, Sistar, G.Na, After School, A-Pink and a plethora of others can be felt within the fashion angle of Kpopsicle. Therefore, if you adore female fashion and the “Korean Cool” angle then Kpopsicle fashion will appeal to you.

Kpopsicle simply means style and vibrancy which connects easily within the complexity of international fashion. The reason Kpopsicle can connect easily with international fashion is because this online company understands the current trends hitting major international cities. Therefore, with a click of a button on your computer you have an adorable fashion company to view and then buy amazing and beautiful products.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to both main writers

http://kpopsicle.com Kpopsicle

ALL IMAGES BELONG TO KPOPSICLE

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Joachim de Villiers and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

North Korea is once more being deemed to be involved in international brinkmanship according to reports that stress that this nation successfully carried out a nuclear test underground. This will be the third nuclear underground test in total. Therefore, this reality highlights the need to forge a genuine dialogue between all vested parties rather than sabre rattling. After all, the one reality which emanates from the elites in Pyongyang is that they refuse to bow down to international pressure, irrespective of the rights and wrongs of their actions.

Of course, the point of view coming from North Korea is that this nation is acting defensively. Also, political elites within the military of North Korea know full well that no nuclear power in history was ever attacked by major military powers. Not only this, if you focus on the reality of Northeast Asia then clearly the issue is much more complex.

The nuclear dynamic of Northeast Asia is a reality because America (with military bases in several nations throughout the region), China, North Korea, and the Russian Federation, are all nuclear powers. America may not belong to Northeast Asia in geographic terms but clearly the “nuclear umbrella” belongs to its allies in Japan and South Korea respectively, irrespective of what politicians say. Also, the American military bases in Japan and South Korea are aimed at “alleged enemies” and from the point of view of Pyongyang this means that North Korea faces a combined threat. In this sense, the two non-nuclear power nations of Japan and South Korea are involved in the “nuclear theatre by stealth” because of their respective policies towards America.

This reality isn’t blaming either Japan or South Korea but it highlights the fact that you have two opposing camps when it comes to North Korea. China is seen to be more sympathetic towards North Korea even if the “nuclear angle” worries the elites in Beijing. Similarly, it is clear that China will put limitations on its “friendship” towards North Korea and this applies to unwarranted military posturing. The Russian Federation is much more of an “honest broker” because this nation does not favor any side directly. Instead, political leaders in the Russian Federation want to contain all negative forces and to lay the foundation for greater economic, political and energy activity between all nations throughout Northeast Asia.

KCNA (http://www.kcna.co.jp/), North Korean media agency, stated before the third nuclear underground test that “The South Korean “Ministry of Defense” recently called for “developing concrete, substantial and definite strategy” to cope with the “the North’s potential nuclear threat” and declared that the conception of “pre-emptive attack” would be included in the “strategy of nuclear deterrence against the north” to be worked out with the U.S.”

“Jong Sung Jo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, blustered in case of “any sign of the North’s nuclear strike,” the South Korean military would “mount a pre-emptive attack on it even though it might lead to a war.”

The same article also pointed out that “The South Korean regime has stepped up the development and deployment of ballistic missiles with a firing range of 800km capable of striking the entire region of the DPRK (North Korea) as well as the deployment of Aegis destroyers ship-to-ground cruise missile with a firing range of 500km and a long-range air-to-ground missile for fighters.”

Japan should not only be raising important questions towards the posture of North Korea but also challenge South Korea for its statements aimed at North Korea. It should be remembered that recently South Korea made extremely hostile comments aimed at Japan over the territorial dispute. Japan therefore should take an even-handed approach to both parties on the Korean peninsula. After all, a protracted military war between both North Korea and South Korea would also threaten Japan if America became involved. Therefore, it is essential that the Abe government in Japan puts the people of this nation first rather than taking sides and antagonizing relations between Japan and North Korea.

In fairness to America, it is clear that Washington is trying to dampen the territorial dispute between China and Japan. This is based on many important factors related to the need to prevent a major conflict between regional powers. Also, the economic linkage of America, China and Japan is a reality therefore these three powerful economic powers have a genuine mutual interest in preserving the status quo. Indeed, the military constraints which are enshrined in the Constitution of Japan also suits Beijing. After all, this means that China can modernize its military capability without the fear of Japan responding to the same degree thereby avoiding a military arms race.

Therefore, for Japan it is clear that the recent territorial postures of China and South Korea have been much more negative than the posture of North Korea towards Japan. Given this reality, the new Abe government should not openly become involved in sabre rattling towards North Korea. Of course, Japan will rightly condemn the underground nuclear test by North Korea because nobody knows the full consequences of this development in the long-term. However, Japan must remain firmly focused on preserving its territorial integrity and focusing on revitalizing the economy.

President Obama of America rebuked the underground nuclear test by North Korea. Obama stated that “North Korea announced today that it conducted a third nuclear test. This is a highly provocative act that, following its December 12 ballistic missile launch, undermines regional stability, violates North Korea’s obligations under numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, contravenes its commitments under the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks, and increases the risk of proliferation. North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs constitute a threat to U.S. national security and to international peace and security. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and steadfast in our defense commitments to allies in the region.”

“These provocations do not make North Korea more secure. Far from achieving its stated goal of becoming a strong and prosperous nation, North Korea has instead increasingly isolated and impoverished its people through its ill-advised pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”

“The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants further swift and credible action by the international community. The United States will also continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies. We will strengthen close coordination with allies and partners and work with our Six-Party partners, the United Nations Security Council, and other UN member states to pursue firm action.”

Overall, it is essential for Japan to adopt a “quietist policy” because current tensions over territorial disputes with China and South Korea respectively, points to the need to focus on these issues. North Korea is the “regional bogeyman” but military elites in this nation are focused on the political and military postures of America and South Korea.  Therefore, Japan can afford to “slip under the radar” despite being rightly concerned about developments in North Korea by rebuking the recent test in a more mild manor. After all, sabre rattling against North Korea doesn’t work and it is better to bring this nation in “from the cold” and into the “economic light” rather than military confrontation.

If South Korea and North Korea can’t avoid confrontation then this issue is internal and outside the remit of Japan. Of course, America will more than likely become embroiled in any clash between both Korea’s but for people residing in Japan – and with the nuclear cloud hanging over any possible clash – then clearly it is in the interest of Japan to remain at a distance. In the past both Korea’s have vamped up the military angle but nothing really amounted to much for many decades. Therefore, it is hoped that China and the Russian Federation can bring a semblance of normality to procedures in order to reduce the sabre rattling, irrespective of where the sabre rattling is emanating from.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Jibril Khoury and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The conflicts in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kashmir, Kosovo, Libya and in other parts of the mainly Islamic world, or where you have Muslim and non-Muslim fault-lines, appears to have one binding factor. This applies to Western backed support for Islamists alongside using proxy outside nations to fulfill geopolitical ambitions. On top of this are powerful factors in the mainly Muslim world in nations like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar and other Gulf nation states which have either shared interests, or which encourage America, France and the United Kingdom to do their bidding – or to work collectively in order to spread Islamism.

In all the above mentioned places you will have a host of various factors and each conflict will be seen differently through the prism of different ideas. Syria is currently facing this shared attack between powerful dominant Sunni Muslim nations and hostile Western nations including America, France and the United Kingdom. However, the one binding factor is that in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kashmir, Kosovo, Libya and now Syria; is that outside nations instigated the delicate internal mechanisms in order to unleash Islamism, terrorism and attacks against the ruling power mechanisms.

It mattered not if Hindus were cleansed in Kashmir or Alawites are being hanged and beheaded in Syria. Likewise, it matters not one jot if international terrorism is united in order to do the bidding of Washington, Riyadh, London, Ankara, Paris, Doha and other nations involved in the terrorist and destabilization rat-lines.

Prem Shankar Jha, The Hindu newspaper in India, comments about the shared dualities of Kashmir and Syria. He states that “But while nearly everyone wanted a change, almost no one wanted it at the cost of a violent disruption of their lives. In neither case, therefore, was the state the first to resort to violence: On the contrary, both insurgencies had to be stoked, so the first to pick up the gun were the insurgents. In Syria this was done by Salafi/Takfiri Islamists who crossed the border from Jordan in March 2011 and holed up in the Omari mosque in Dera’a before launching targeted provocations, and attacks on police stations and government offices.”

It is important to note that Kashmir and Syria were destabilized by Islamists using Pakistan and Jordan respectively. In the case of Syria, it is difficult to believe that America, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom intelligence agencies weren’t involved in the chain of events which took place in March 2011 in Syria. After all, Jordan is within the collective remit of all the above named nations. Similarly, in Kashmir it is clear that Pakistan stoked up the crisis and like usual the angle of America, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia pops up again.

Prem Shankar Jha also comments that another parallel with Kashmir “…is the intervention of hostile foreign powers bent on converting a domestic upsurge demanding political empowerment into a movement for secession or regime change. In Kashmir, Pakistan did this by disarming the JKLF cadres still in training in Muzaffarabad in 1990 and creating the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In Syria, Turkey and Qatar are funneling money and battle hardened jihadis to start a sectarian war that will overwhelm the state.”

“Last and most important, like New Delhi, Damascus has been trying to prevent civil war by offering the insurgents the alternative of the ballot box. Mr. Assad began, on his own, by lifting all controls on the Internet in January 2011. Over the next six months, he first tried to negotiate peace with the Sunni zealots in Dera’a by sacking the governor and releasing 260 prisoners and 16 clerics, and promising to repeal the Emergency Laws and the ban on political parties that had been in place for 48 years. He fulfilled his first promise five days ahead of schedule on April 20 and his second three months later in July.”

However, while nations like the Russian Federation, Brazil, Iran, and others, supported a political solution to the crisis in Syria it is clear that the enemies of Syria upped the ante and began many terrorist rat-lines. Therefore, Turkey became a major player because the Erdogan government sensed an opportunity to install a compliant Sunni Muslim dominated Sharia state. The same applies to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other nations in the Gulf.

In Bosnia it was reported that over 8,000 international jihadists entered this nation in order to do the bidding of Washington, London, Riyadh, Tehran and Ankara. Turkey was once more dreaming about its historical legacy and Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states were enticed by creating majority Muslim states in Europe. In Bosnia the Serbs were facing the might of NATO, international jihadists and the involvement of many hostile nations. America even allowed Iran to fly aircraft into the Balkans in order to support Islamist factions within the Bosnian Muslim forces. It somehow escaped the world that Yugoslavia was trying to preserve the mosaic of various different ethnic and religious groups while outside nations supported religious sectarianism and nationalism. Naturally, this in time spearheaded Serbian nationalism but just like Syria it was outside nations which began to carve up Yugoslavia.

Kosovo and Libya followed the same model because Libyan rebels and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) sprung up from virtually nothing. Likewise, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) which is an amalgamation of many various factions came from nothing overnight. Yet clearly the speed of Islamist forces in Bosnia, developing a powerful Croatian military unit, the growth of the rebels in Libya, the rise of the KLA in Kosovo and the overnight creation of the FSA in Syria were well orchestrated – just like what happened in Kashmir when Pakistan was given the green light to create mayhem against democratic India.

The Council on Foreign Relations states that “Militancy in the disputed region of Kashmir has been major fuel for discord between India and Pakistan since the 1980s. Attacks in the region began to increase in scale and intensity following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, when foreign insurgents flooded the region to join the Afghan Mujahadeen. The majority Muslim region has its own local militant groups, but experts believe most of the recent Kashmir and Kashmir-based terrorism has been the work of foreign Islamists who seek to claim the region for Pakistan. A spate of Islamist cross-border attacks into Indian-held territory, the December 2001 storming of the Indian parliament in New Delhi, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks have all reinforced Kashmir’s standing as the significant bone of contention between India and Pakistan. Both states have nuclear weapons, making Kashmir one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints.”

Prem Shankar Jha in another article about the crisis in Syria in the early period of April 2011, states that “the U.S. has been fully aware of the presence of al-Qaeda in the so-called Free Syrian Army since April 20, 2011 when Jihadis captured a truck (or Armoured Personnel Carrier) near Dera’a, and killed all the 18 or 20 soldiers it was carrying not by shooting them but by cutting their throats in the approved Islamic manner. A few days later, the U.S. ambassador in Syria, Robert Ford, called some of his colleagues in Damascus, including the Indian ambassador, and told them that al-Qaeda had arrived in Syria.”

“April 20, however, was only the beginning. All through the summer and autumn of 2011, and throughout 2012, videos posted by the rebels themselves showed that the armed opposition in Syria has been sliding inexorably into the hands of radical Islamists. Thousands of foreign fighters have poured into Syria from Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, and places as far apart as Pakistan and Chechnya. Syrian television broadcast interviews with numerous young men captured in Homs and elsewhere, who gave graphic descriptions of how they had been recruited by al-Qaeda to fight for Islam against a heretical regime in Syria. The rebels themselves have posted YouTube videos showing them executing captured Syrian soldiers and civilians in the approved manner.”

“But the Obama administration has steadfastly chosen to believe that the jihadis make up only ‘a tiny fraction’ of the Free Syrian Army, and has continued to provide FSA with logistical support, that is, satellite-based information about Syrian troop and VIP movements, and look the other way while Qatar and Saudi Arabia have provided it with guns and mounted pick-up trucks, mortars and RPGs.”

Ironically, the main stumbling block for America is not supporting the Islamist sectarian side which includes Al-Qaeda, but it is history and the need to manipulate the media. After all, Al-Qaeda and the Saudi Arabia angle involving September 11 is clearly obvious and also in Libya this year several American personnel were killed by similar Islamist forces. Therefore, it is very difficult for the Obama administration to be seen to be working hand in hand with the same forces which killed thousands of American troops in Iraq, did September 11 and killed Americans in Libya. Likewise, American troops are being killed in Afghanistan by Islamist factions including the Taliban. This means that media manipulation and covert operations by America, France and the United Kingdom must be very delicate in order to achieve their collective goal of overthrowing the government of Bashar al-Assad.

In modern day Syria it is clear that the FSA and various Islamist factions working within the FSA or individually – have been, and continue to be, involved in horrendous massacres. Indeed, some Islamists are even teaching children to behead captured Syrian soldiers and then they circulate their evil crimes against humanity. The silence of the international community when terrorist attacks are killing civilians is shaming all the nations and media agencies which are siding with the objectives of Ankara, Doha, London, Paris, Riyadh and Washington.

The Syrian armed forces continue to remain loyal to the Syrian government and people of this nation. Therefore, despite all the barbaric realities being installed against this nation the military have somehow managed to preserve all major cities from being taken over by the FSA and various Islamist factions. However, outside nations which are hostile to Syria are still supporting sectarian, international jihadists and sedition against this nation. Indeed, it is clear that outside nations are intent on upping the ante despite the daily terrorist attacks, beheading individuals and hanging people openly in order to install terror in the hearts of Syrians.

Turning back to an earlier Modern Tokyo Times article about Bosnia it was stated that “The Bill Clinton administration gave the “green light” for international Islamists to enter Bosnia and Kosovo. In time this would manifest itself with the brutal September 11 attacks against America and other international terrorist attacks like Madrid. Bill Clinton isn’t the only American leader to “support international terrorism from a distance” but clearly it is no coincidence that conflict in Libya, and now in Syria, bare all the same hallmarks of “a marriage of convenience.” This certainly leads to the suspicion that the Clinton family – this time Hillary Clinton along with the “dark shadows” of people like Zbigniew Brzezinski – are following the same ratlines in Syria which have been used in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Libya.”

Further down in the same article it was stated that “The bottom line is simple. September 11, and the ratlines that did this, were the same individuals who were fighting on the same side of America in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo – Simply put, no Bosnian Orthodox Christians and communists in Afghanistan did September 11. On the contrary, individuals involved in September 11 were on the same side in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo – yet this question remains unanswered. Likewise, no accountability! Put frankly, without past American administrations supporting Islamic terrorist ratlines either covertly or by doing nothing to stem the flow of Islamists, then September 11 would never have materialized.”

“It is dangerous therefore to see America once more moving in the same direction related to Syria. The Clinton family connection and the shadows of people like Zbigniew Brzezinski are very troubling because the same modus operandi is happening once more against the people of Syria. Therefore, the lessons learnt from September 11 have been lost and individuals within the chain that enabled this tragic event to happen have escaped their past deeds.”

Overall, Syria needs real support from friendly nations in order to stop the usual collusion between Islamists, Western powers and nations like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and several Gulf nations, from destroying an independent nation state. After all, look at modern day Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya because various factions exist and terrorism is a daily reality in Afghanistan and Iraq. Similarly, look at the reality for Hindu minorities in Kashmir and Orthodox Christian minorities in Kosovo because both can’t freely move around these entities. This means that it is imperative to stop the usual “failed domino system” from destroying secular Syria.

http://www.sana-syria.com/eng/22/2012/12/20/458223.htm

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2012/07/12/bosnia-connection-bill-clinton-and-islamist-ratlines-in-bosnia-assisted-september-11/

http://www.cfr.org/kashmir/kashmir-militant-extremists/p9135

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

In many Western institutions, art museums, elitist circles, educational establishments and in many media outlets, it appears that you have “a reverse Talibanization” based on misinformation. This applies to “manipulating history” and modern realities within parts of the Islamic world where minorities are fighting for survival. In order to pander to the political correct and cultural relativists, it appears that any manipulation of reality is fair game. Of course, the Muslim world is very diverse therefore each nation, history, cultural background and other important factors will be different and generalization is very dangerous. Yet clearly the history of the Indian subcontinent and the reality of modern day Pakistan shouldn’t be brushed under the carpet. After all, while non-Muslim minorities have survived in the Levant and become part and parcel of modern day Lebanon and Syria; this can’t be stated about Buddhism and Hinduism which is the main theme of this article when related to Pakistan.

Last year an article was published about a museum exhibition called the“Museum exhibit highlights Pakistan’s Buddhist roots.”  This article was written by Emanuella Grinberg and published on CNN and the headline appealed greatly. However, it soon became apparent that it was little more than a propaganda stunt and written by an individual who clearly understands little about the history of the Indian subcontinent.

Sadly, Melissa Chiu also followed the same theme because the Museum Director at New York’s Asia Society also made baseless comments. Given this reality, her comments appeared to be based on political correctness and whitewashing the ongoing persecution of minorities in Pakistan, which clearly should have been outside her remit. Therefore, sometimes it is best to say nothing rather than enter into the realm of fantasy.

It matters not if Melissa Chiu desired this or if it was based on cultural sensitivities – or if because of other factors. The end result is that her comments distort reality by using clever language which places Pakistan within ancient culture. Yet clearly this is false and goes beyond any logical conclusions because it is abundantly clear that the nation of Pakistan isn’t ancient.

Also, in modern day Pakistan radical Sunni Islamists and parts of mainstream society often victimize Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and other minority Muslim groups, including the Shia and Ahmaddiya. Discrimination doesn’t just belong to aspects of society within Pakistan but more alarmingly many areas are state sanctioned. For example, in Pakistan, Muslims and non-Muslims can be charged with blasphemy which could lead to the death sentence. Equally alarming, many Christian and Hindu women have been kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam but the legal system and police do little to stop this tragic reality.

Therefore, what religious pluralism and what Pakistan history are Emanuella Grinberg and Melissa Chiu talking about?  Pakistan is a relatively new nation and since the creation of this country the Hindu and Sikh populations went into sharp decline. Indeed, even today you have ongoing Sunni Islamization and countless massacres have been done against Shia Muslims. Including taking Shia Muslims of buses and killing them based on their Shia identity.

It is true that the land of modern day Pakistan was at the crossroads of cultural influences but this happened under “mother India.” Hindus in India welcomed religious minorities fleeing Islamic persecution in Persia (Iran) because Zoroastrians fled to “mother India” in large numbers. However, constant Islamic invasions of “mother India” meant that Islamization would take place in parts of a more advanced Hindu civilization which welcomed religious pluralism – note Syriac Christians, Zoroastrians, Jains, Buddhists and other faiths which thrived within Hindu civilization.

Yet since the creation of Pakistan it is clear that many aspects of Hindu civilization and the Hindu faith have been crushed.  This applies to Hindus fleeing Pakistan, greater marginalization and the destruction and neglect of Hindu architecture and temples.  Therefore, while the Muslim population in India remains constant, the Hindu population in Pakistan and Bangladesh in such a short period of time is in crisis and even today persecution and discrimination is part and parcel of the fabric of life.

In truth, the Hindus of Pakistan are sharing the same fate which befell the Buddhists of Afghanistan. Given this reality, then one day virtually nothing will be left of Hindu civilization apart from minor images in museums in modern day Pakistan. Similarly, very small Hindu communities may survive but this will apply to the margins of society.

Melissa Chiu comments that “When we think of Pakistan, Americans might associate it with the place where Osama bin Laden was captured, with terrorism and natural disasters…..But actually, it has a much longer history that dates back to an ancient culture that gives us a sense of a pluralistic tradition that was all about tolerance.”

Wrong, Pakistan does not have a long history but “mother India” of course does have a long deep history and it is one of the finest civilizations in the world.  The Hindu civilization faced stagnation and being reduced in size because of Islamic invasions and then British colonialism. However, since independence India is once more emerging and this nation is now a rising power.

Alternatively, since the creation of Pakistan the religious minorities and society on a whole is being Islamized. Therefore, mainstream Sunni Muslims, Ahmadiyya Muslims, the Shia, non-Muslim minorities and liberals within society are all on the back foot.  Also, for Ahmadiyya Muslims they are treated like second-class citizens in their own land despite not desiring to hurt anyone.

Ironically, Ahmadiyya Muslims and Shia Muslims are not being killed in India because of their religion. Yet, in Pakistan many members from both communities have been killed in recent times. When brave Sunni Muslim voices speak out against institutional discrimination, then they are also attacked by Islamists and this also applies to being killed.

Therefore, Melissa Chiu is using language delicately because Pakistan is a new nation and the “much longer history that dates back to an ancient culture” does not bare a relationship with aligning this with Pakistan. From an educational point of view this is very misleading irrespective if no intent. This reality means ancient history should be put under “mother India” when it comes to talking about the foundations of the old world in this part of the world.

Following on from this it is clear that the “pluralistic tradition” is nothing to do with Pakistan. On the contrary, it was part and parcel of Hindu civilization because “mother India” gave protection to many old faiths which were fleeing persecution – or which flourished internally because of Hindu religious pluralism. Today the old Buddhist and Hindu world in Pakistan is little more than “a modern day museum.”

Emanuella Grinberg then states “At its height, Gandhara encompassed present-day Peshawar in northwest Pakistan and parts of eastern Afghanistan, the Hindu Kush, and northwest India, making it a major center of trade, commerce and the development of arts and education. Pakistan may be 95% Muslim today, but Buddhism flourished in Gandhara between the 2nd century B.C. and 10th century A.D., giving rise to a distinct style of Buddhist visual art.”

This information is educational but look what is left out.  How did Afghanistan and modern day Pakistan become 99% Muslim and 95% Muslim respectively?  The factors will be based on multiple reasons but ignoring Islamic jihad, dhimmitude, jizya, forced conversions, pogroms, destruction of Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian and Jain places of worship – is a lot to leave out.

Emanuella Grinberg also crosses the line when in her article she gives the quote that “…the exhibit also demonstrates Pakistan’s dedication to preserving its multicultural heritage, Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations said.”

UN Amabassador for Pakistan, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, comments that “Buddha represents a human being whose ethereal qualities were so magnified by his enormous wisdom that his values of himself, which were espoused by Gandhi and so many others, became his contributions to mankind.”

Of course, nobody doubts the sincerity of Abdullah Hussain Haroon and clearly many people in Pakistan do genuinely support a more tolerant society.  Also, individuals like Abdullah Hussain Haroon want to preserve past history and protect civilizations which were very rich. However, the reality is much more complex than this and ongoing Islamization is a reality in this country. Indeed, even Sufi shrines have been attacked in recent times in Pakistan.

The BBC stated “In recent years kidnapping for ransom and armed robberies have multiplied in the area and Hindus have increasingly been the focus of attacks….Many pay protection money regularly to local gangs or influential figures. But in spite of this they are still targeted.”

The Hindu American Foundation stated (Washington, D.C. (June 15, 2006)) that “The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) bemoaned the destruction of the last Hindu temple in Lahore, Pakistan. At the time of the partition of India in 1947 Lahore was known as one of the centers of culture and cosmopolitanism. Soon thereafter its great artists, musicians, and its Hindu and Sikh populations either moved voluntarily out of that city or were driven out by the fundamentalist Muslim forces that have shaped the country since then. “The last stroke in making Lahore totally Muslim is the demolition of the only remaining Hindu temple in the city”, said Ramesh Rao, member of the HAF Executive Council.”

“A private developer was allowed to demolish the ‘Krishna Mandir’ at Wachhoowali, Rang Mahal, and construct a commercial building in its place. Government officials, in charge of protecting minority interests, were involved in the machinations that led to the destruction of the last Hindu temple in Lahore. The Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB), the government body maintaining properties of minorities, especially Hindus and Sikhs, was said to have concealed facts from the municipal board chairman about the nature of the building. This is not the first time the EPTB has permitted the demolition of a temple. It was only last year that the Vehari temple in Punjab was razed for the construction of a commercial building.”

“These acts of connivance of local authorities in the destruction of non-Muslim religious symbols and in harassing minority groups are in the established tradition of driving minorities out of Pakistan. The Hindu population in Pakistan, which was between 15 and 24 percent in 1947, at the time of partition of India, has now been reduced to less than two percent. “While we applaud the condemnation by several opposition members of the National Assembly like Pakistan People’s Party, and Pakistan Muslim League-N, we realize that the political, social, and religious dynamic in Pakistan allows such attacks on minorities and minority institutions with impunity,” said Dr. Mihir Meghani, President of HAF. “Unless there is worldwide condemnation of this act of destruction, and arrest and imprisonment of officials involved in the matter, there is no hope for minorities in Pakistan.” 

Therefore, the author, the ambassador and the museum director in the CNN article can state platitudes about the showing of Buddhist history.  However, Hindu and Sikhs are becoming “real museums” without having “a museum” to show the reality of Pakistan since partition.

The pluralism of past history is nothing to do with Pakistan because past pluralism was based on Hindu civilization and the Indian subcontinent.  Given this, it is deplorable that at a time when minorities face so much persecution and injustice in modern day Pakistan; that an article written by a CNN correspondent is whitewashing past history and the modern day reality of Pakistan.

The author instead comes up with allowing the following comment in her article which states that “...the exhibit also demonstrates Pakistan’s dedication to preserving its multicultural heritage.”

This could not be further from the truth because much of Pakistan’s past Hindu and Buddhist heritage is under attack.  Also, never mind heritage, the Hindu population since the creation of Pakistan is in clear free-fall percentage wise and institutional discrimination is widespread.

Maybe the author believes it is fine to have a museum which distorts reality and then to make political capital out of the misfortune of past history, whereby Buddhists suffered so greatly at the hands of Islamic rule.  Also, the past eradication of Buddhism after several Islamic conquests is not just history. After all, since the creation of Pakistan it is clear that Hindu civilization and the Hindu population faces the same Sunni Islamization processes. This applies to violence, persecution and institutional discrimination.

Also, why does the author allow the following comment: “This was one of the great periods of the world of fundamental equity, of human rights and so many other important principles, which are important to Pakistan and the United States today….”

When does a state sanctioned policy for supporting the death penalty for blasphemy against Mohammed become “important principles?”  Also, how does the ongoing Islamization of Pakistan become turned into“...the exhibit also demonstrates Pakistan’s dedication to preserving its multicultural heritage.”

I am sure that many Hindus will be alarmed by how ancient Hindu civilization and pluralism is being used in the same paragraph to denote Pakistan. Therefore, the article by Emanuella Grinberg is very misleading and near the end it sounds like a propaganda piece.  It should be equally astonishing that a major agency would allow such a shallow and distorted history to be allowed to be published and manipulated. However, articles like this can be found regularly and this is the real issue – on the one hand the Taliban want to turn Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan into “Islamic year zero – yet, articles like this, are also doing their own internal Talibanization by re-writing history and distorting the reality of modern day Pakistan.

Of course, the Christian world, Muslim world, Pagan world, Buddhist world, and so forth, are extremely varied. Therefore, in the Levant many Christian communities survived alongside various different Muslim groups. However, unlike the Levant it is clear that the history of the Indian subcontinent is very different. Also, during such a short history of modern day Pakistan many minorities like Hindus and Sikhs are in free fall because of institutional discrimination and persecution.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/08/21/pakistan.gandhara.art/index.html?hpt=hp_mid 

http://www.hafsite.org/media/pr/temple-destruction-lahore-pakistan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6367773.stm

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Hiroshi Saito and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The continent of Europe witnessed countless convulsions throughout the twentieth century but despite the recent economic downturn, the European Union (EU) remains to be a powerful bridge which can eradicate past enmities. Of course the EU is much more complex than the “petty nationalist angle” which continues to blight Northeast Asia. After all, the EU is based on democracy, social issues, economics, business functions, human rights and a whole array of areas. Yet in Northeast Asia nations can play the nationalist card at the drop of a hat, Therefore, with 2012 reaching the years end, it is clear that many issues continue to blight this region and that on the whole the year was squandered in the area of geopolitics.

In 2009 the political convulsions sweeping Japan ushered in a major breakthrough from the usual stranglehold of politics under the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The Lower House elections of 2009 ushered in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). With this major political swing within the body politic of Japan, the DPJ promised to develop powerful relations with regional nations in Northeast Asia.

Moving the clock to December 2012 and it would appear that this dream remains unfulfilled. After all, the specter of “petty nationalism” in China and South Korea towards Japan is a grim reminder that the shared space remains divided because of history and political manipulation. The United States which is a staunch ally of Japan and South Korea must be perplexed by the current rift between Japan and South Korea.

It appears that the government of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is bent on taking stronger action towards South Korea rather than China. This may be based on certain political dynamics in China related to internal issues whereby any rhetoric is often aimed at domestic issues. On the surface it may appear that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) takes a tough stand from time to time towards Japan but underneath the CCP　wants to enhance and increase powerful forces between both nations. This applies most notably to the economic field, currency related issues, maintaining a balance of order and other important areas.

The negative geopolitical dynamics of South Korea are overtly focused on issues related to North Korea and Japan. Of course many powerful positives exist between Japan and South Korea. For example in the field of economics and other important areas related to the role of America within Northeast Asia. Also, in recent times the South Korean cultural angle proved to be very powerful within Japan. This applies to South Korean film stars, Korean pop music (K-Pop), tourism, Korean dramas and other important areas. However, all this can be destroyed in a moment of “petty nationalism” whereby political leaders abuse their power based on self interests.

Sadly, President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea is playing the “self interest” game because his visit to Dokdo/Takeshima islets, and other outbursts against Japan, appear unrelated to his past favorable comments aimed at this country. It could be that the recent political changes in North Korea have cast a shadow within his government and that he also wants to play the nationalist card for internal political motives. It is also possible that Lee Myung-bak is irked by Japan and North Korea tentatively taking positive initial steps to break the current political impasse between both nations.

Japan fully understands that for China the bigger picture is not Japan but is America. This notably applies to the Obama administration putting a stronger emphasis on containing China geopolitically while maintaining powerful economic forces between both nations. China is also more concerned about relations with India because of border issues and the complex Pakistan geopolitical minefield between all three nations. Therefore, while Japan looms large in China in the area of economics the same doesn’t apply to military and other important areas apart from the angle of American bases in Japan. Even this angle is not so negative for China because while America remains vital for Japan’s security it also means that Japan is contained in the military arena.

Given this, Japan appears to be more focused on taking a firmer stance towards South Korea. In an article published in the Asahi Shimbum (link at the bottom of this article) it was stated that “On Aug. 17, the government decided to propose to South Korea jointly submitting a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the territorial dispute related to the Takeshima islands. That day, Noda told reporters, “I hope South Korea will appear before the court.” He later criticized Lee’s remarks and actions over the past days as regrettable and also sent a letter to Lee informing him of Japan’s ICJ proposal.”

Prime Minister Noda also commented about the current crisis with China with regards to the territorial issue. He stated that “It is very regrettable that they encroached on Japanese territorial waters and landed on Uotsurishima island…I want to handle issues related to national sovereignty with unwavering resolve, even at the risk of my political future.”

Therefore, the ongoing distrust in Northeast Asia remains and clearly fences need to be made which are permanent in order for the forces of “petty nationalism” to be defeated. The ongoing crisis in Northeast Asia is also a firm reminder that the region is stuck in a time warp because of past history which can be turned on and off to suit political leaders. Until all three nations forge a policy to solve the territorial issues and other factors related to the past, then little will change. After all, the same issues keep on propping up when internal domestic issues need to be hidden by “petty nationalism.”

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201208180049

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The shadow of North Korea hangs over northeast Asia and it is easy for America, Japan, and South Korea, to blame this nation for countless ills.  However, just like a battered child which is abused and humiliated; then one day the child may become hostile in adult life and turn inward in order to protect itself.  This may not fit the pattern of North Korea completely. Yet history is woven into many societies and it can unleash powerful internal mechanisms when outside nations enforce brute force against the indigenous people.

This article is not about exonerating North Korea or justifying the political system of this nation.  Nor is it about anti-Americanism or seeing reality through a different prism in order to rebuke one side.  Instead the purpose of this article is to show some balance and to focus on internal factors within the body politic of North Korea.

It is abundantly clear that the President of South Korea, Lee Myung-Bak, is more hostile towards North Korea than other recent leaders of this nation.  At the same time, North Korea is the perennial whipping boy when Japan seeks a scapegoat. Therefore, the “quietist” nature of Japan’s foreign policy is thrown out of the window when it comes to North Korea. America also raises the nuclear issue and totalitarianism in order to lambast North Korea. However, the same America is the only nation to use nuclear weapons and allies like France, Israel, and the United Kingdom, are all nuclear powers.

Also, given the military dynamics of China and India then why isn’t the nuclear issue  pointed at these nations? The stark reality is that America and the Russian Federation have enormous nuclear stockpiles.  Despite this, North Korea is rebuked for trying to join the nuclear club but surely Pakistan is more unstable? This notably applies to radical Sunni Islamic forces which are potent and growing in parts of Pakistan.

The human rights issue also does not wash because whatever North Korea is; then Saudi Arabia is the same but with even more draconian laws which govern women.  Therefore, while President Obama was seen bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia, the same leader uses political language against North Korea and ignores the reality of both nations. Obviously, Saudi Arabia is deemed to be an important oil and energy ally; while the other nation, North Korea, is seen to be a rogue state but in many ways Saudi Arabia is more of a threat than isolationist North Korea.

After all, September 11 was made in Saudi Arabia but terrorists from North Korea are not to be found and the same applies to exporting terrorism by various means and ratlines.  Also, the nation of Saudi Arabia and countless organizations within this country are exporting their version of totalitarianism via radical Salafi Islam to many corners of the world.

Another important thing to focus on – is  why did North Korea turn to nuclear weapons?  After all, nuclear weapons will not protect central forces in this nation from an internal uprising.

The simple truth is that American led invasions in Vietnam and Iraq, alongside interventionist policies against Serbia, Libya, Syria and countless other nations; all happened because these nations did not have a nuclear arsenal.  This fact is abundantly clear because you have never had a war between two nuclear powers and given the limited resources of North Korea; then the nuclear factor is a defensive mechanism. After all, look what happened to Libya and the nuclear policies of this nation and what the end result was when this area was abandoned.

Again, this article is not about vindicating North Korea but it is factual that the United States military is based in Japan and South Korea and in countless other nations.  Therefore, North Korea feels suffocated, isolated, and under constant siege from nations which seek the demise of central forces in this nation.

Obviously, America will justify all military bases throughout the region and claim that it is needed in order to prevent a future war on the Korean peninsula.  However, America would feel uncomfortable if North Korea had military bases in Canada and Mexico.  Therefore, irrespective of the rights and wrongs of this reality; in the eyes of North Korea it is seen to be hostile and unwarranted.

North Korean leaders will also point out that their nation is independent because you have no foreign based military forces in this nation.  However, Japan and South Korea rely heavily on America. This reality means that the independence of both nations is weak because their respective foreign policies need to consider America and the whims of Washington.

North Korea appears to view foreign policy within the reality of history and when did Agent Orange become democratic?  After all, the war in Vietnam witnessed the reality of a democratic nation using chemicals in order to impose its global view on an independent nation.

Democracy is also turned on and off within government circles in America, France, the United Kingdom and within all major economic powers.  After all, they all trade and support the government of Saudi Arabia. Given this reality, the pick and mix nature of “Western morals” is not very complex because it is based on self interests.

Since the creation of North Korea which happened because of the reality of what Japan did during the early twentieth century and until the endof World War Two; then did North Korea invade anyone? Also, turning to history, then why is South Korea so proud and passionate about its nationalistic fervor?

In an earlier article about this topic I comment that “The first President of South Korea, President Syngman-Rhee, 1948-1960, was pro-America, despotic, and used pro-Japanese collaborators in order to control South Korea via an “iron fist.” He and the American government abided by the same ex-leaders who had sided with Japan against their own people. Therefore, the new leaders of South Korea had helped the Japanese in their anti-Korean policies.”

“The next strong leader of South Korea to emerge, after the short leadership of Yun Bo-seon, was that of Park Chung-hee (President 1963-1979). Park had a Japanese name (Takaki Masao) and he clearly did well under the Japanese colonial system. For he went to the Japanese Manchurian military academy and Park once more adopted another Japanese name, this time he was called Okamoto Minoru. Park continued to prosper during the invasion of China by Japan.”

“After all, he became a lieutenant and fought for the Imperial Japanese Army, however, it is not fully known if he led imperial troops against native Koreans. However, he was involved in the fighting in Manchuria and many Korean communists had supported China in its struggle against Japan.”

“However,　Kim Il-sung, the first leader of North Korea, who was Prime Minister between 1948-1972 and President from 1972-1994, had fought against Japanese imperialism. Therefore, unlike South Korean leaders or high officials, Korean nationalism and independence had been kept alive by North Korean leaders.”

The founding father of North Korea, Kim Il-Sung, who was known as the “Great Leader,” had risked everything in order to defeat Japanese imperialism. This is in stark contrast to the future leaders of South Korea which were mainly lackeys of Japanese imperialism but who somehow survived this brutal reality after World War Two.

Kim Il-Sung had been raised in a Protestant Christian family and his maternal grandfather was a Christian pastor.  Many Christians were more anti-Japanese rather than the Buddhist leadership which was seen to be overtly compliant towards imperial Japan. However, the future leader of North Korea would view religion to be an “imperialist tool.”

It was Kim who fought alongside other various anti-Japanese guerrilla groups in northern China therefore this nation would look on him with fondness because of this reality.  This fact means that the founding father of North Korea had fought against Japanese imperialism. Yet the political history of South Korea is tainted by compliant Koreans who supported policies against their own culture and nation during the Japanese colonial period.

Also, if we look at the political dynamics in Asia then is North Korea so unique?  After all, the nations of China, Iran, Laos, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and others; are all governed by either the same one party state, long term ruler, imposition of an Islamic state or by the same monarch.

Focusing on the reality of past history, then it could be argued that North Korea is a victim of outside forces which intruded on the Korean peninsula.  The Hermit Kingdom was based on feudalism prior to Japanese imperialism. This reality means that the future North Korea was built on the ashes of Japanese imperialism and the power mechanisms of the Cold War. Millions of people have died on the Korean peninsula because of the shortcomings of outside forces.  Therefore, from the North Korean point of view it was their leaders which fought against external powers and not the leaders of South Korea.  Currently this view is still held today in North Korea because of the armed forces of America being stationed in South Korea. Given this reality, it means that the leaders of North Korea find it difficult to trust South Korea because it is difficult to forgive “your brother” when the brother colluded with outside forces.

Therefore, irrespective if you are opposed to North Korea and hate the political system of this nation; it is important to see the world “through their eyes.”  The political system in North Korea can be lambasted for not allowing freedom and other factors but the history of this nation is very complex and it is based on outside nations meddling.

This article may seem to be “apologist” but this is not the purpose. On the contrary, it is meant to add a different dimension to the daily anti-North Korea mass media in Japan and in other nations which have vested interests.  It should be remembered that Koreans have suffered at the hands of others throughout the twentieth century. Therefore, the current stalemate will never move forward and this reality means that a new way needs to be found.

The people of North Korea are being held to ransom by their own national government but much of this is based on past history and because of policy mistakes by hostile forces.  Therefore, the wall which was built will not break unless “a real sunshine policy is implemented.”

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The two-party system in America which maintains the endless power mechanisms century after century, finds it difficult to support a world based on special interests. Instead, irrespective if a Democratic government or Republican government, it is one endless system based on the containment of perceived threats. Therefore, President Obama is following on from George W. Bush with regards to the missile defense system. Given this reality, it is once more apparent that politicians in Washington care little about a world based on mutual respect, special interests, understanding the geopolitics of other major powers, and so forth.

According to America and NATO the missile defense system is aimed at protecting nations from Iran and North Korea. This is clearly manipulating reality because how is North Korea a threat to mainland America and NATO members?  After all, which nation and military alliance invades other nations and controls vast military resources? Yes, of course this applies to America and NATO. However, in the world of “reality” and “unreality,” political leaders in Washington just have to keep on pressing ahead with their power mechanisms along with NATO.

Iran could not even defeat Iraq during the brutal war between both nations (1980-1988). Also, which nations did Iran and North Korea invade in the last 50 years? Of course, the situation on the Korean peninsula is delicate but the status quo is maintained because of many factors. Indeed, if North Korea collapsed then this would highlight the “sham” of the real objectives of America in northeast Asia. After all, the bigger picture for America is containing China and the Russian Federation.

Therefore, ironically, the status quo on the Korean peninsula isn’t such a bad thing for America. If North Korea did collapse, then what would be the reasons behind the continuing presence of American forces in Japan and South Korea? Japan, on the other hand, is concerned about nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea and the ongoing militarization of the armed forces of China.

Japan also is beset with territorial disputes with China, the Russian Federation, South Korea, and Taiwan. However, Japan and Taiwan have very good relations and the economic angle between China and Japan is continuing to strengthen. Despite this, Japan is rightly concerned about the militarization of China. Also, many other regional nations which share territorial disputes with China feel the same. Therefore, it is essential for Japan to build-up stronger relations with India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other nations. At the same time, Japan also needs to develop stronger ties with China providing this is reciprocal.

Turning back to the proposed missile defense system by America and NATO, it is clear that this is raising tensions with Moscow. However, political leaders in Moscow are not interested in “a new Cold War” because the Russian Federation wants to see a world based on greater understanding. This applies to respecting the changing nature of the power dynamics of the twenty-first century and respecting international law.

The economic power of nations who belong to the BRICS group (Brazil, China, India, the Russian Federation, and South Africa) is extremely high. President Hu Jintao of China commented about the BRICS group that“These countries form an important part of common development of the world, which is conducive to a more balanced world economy, more reasonable international relations, more effective global governance and more durable world peace…..It is consistent with the trend of times characterized by peace, development and co-operation, and fully conducive to building a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity.”

Nations which comprise of the BRICS group don’t have a military angle like NATO but these countries want to see a world whereby greater international transparency emerges. The United States have invaded or supported proxies since World War Two in Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, East Timor, El Salvador, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Libya, North Korea/South Korea (Korean War), Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan/Bangladesh (West Pakistan/East Pakistan war), Panama, Philippines, Syria, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia. The list could have included others but clearly the point is that tens of millions of people have been killed by America’s direct involvement in these conflicts or because of America supporting proxy armies to do its bidding.

Clearly, the world was complex during the Cold War because America and the Soviet Union had no qualms about abusing power mechanisms. Also, in some conflicts America may have had good intentions where the political angle wasn’t the real motive but these are few and far. It also must be stated that other powers have been involved in supporting bloodshed and brutal dictators have also killed untold numbers. However, for political leaders in Washington it is clear that no continent is beyond their meddling and so-called special interests.

NATO for its part is firmly based on the northern hemisphere and of special interests are the Russian Federation, China, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans. Central Asia is an area where America and NATO can reach into the underbelly of China and the Russian Federation therefore this area is of major strategic importance. However, the Russian Federation doesn’t desire to have such hostilities with political leaders in Washington but the encroachment of NATO, despite the demise of the Cold War, is clear evidence that Moscow is deemed with suspicion.

Therefore, Obama’s support of the missile defense system may be “the final nail in the coffin” for Moscow because clearly North Korea and Iran isn’t the issue. Anatoly Serdyukov, Russian Defense Minister, stated that talks with Washington and NATO over the defense missile system were “close to a dead end.”

Gen Nikolai Makarov, the Russian defense staff, stated that “A decision to use destructive force pre-emptively will be taken if the situation worsens.” Therefore, once more political leaders in Washington are creating tensions rather than understanding the genuine concerns of other nations. Gen Nikolai Makarov also made it clear that if a European shield came into fruition then Moscow would increase its warheads to be even more destructive. However, this crisis shouldn’t even be on the map and the same applies to NATO expansion despite the demise of the Soviet Union.

Turning back to Japan, a nation which is helping the international community greatly by its economic support of major institutions, for example the United Nations and International Monetary Fund; it is vital that political leaders in Tokyo don’t become embroiled in America’s containment policies of the Russian Federation. After all, Japan and the Russian Federation have much to offer each other. This applies to high technology and major investments from Japan – and from the side of the Russian Federation, it applies to energy pipelines and other natural resources. Therefore, it is essential that both Moscow and Tokyo move closer together because leaders in the Russian Federation don’t have any ill will towards Northeast Asia.

Indeed, if relations began to blossom between Japan and the Russian Federation, then this would strengthen both nations throughout this very strategic region. Japan’s main concerns internationally are China and North Korea. Domestically it applies to energy related issues　and implementing a diverse energy policy. Therefore, political leaders in Moscow could wield their influence on China in order to strengthen ties between Japan and China. At the same time, the special relationship between America and Japan should co-exist but within a framework of greater parity for Japan. This would be a win-win situation for Japan because it would create greater stability for the people of Northeast Asia.

It is essential that political leaders in Moscow remain firm and seek to create greater international mechanisms which prevent the ongoing containment policies of Washington and NATO. China, the Russian Federation, Iran, and other nations, within the containment policies of Washington, have American forces within a close proximity of their respective nations. How would Americans feel if these nations did the same and developed bases in Canada and Mexico – and then developed a new defense missile system in the backyard of America – would Americans welcome this?

Political leaders in Moscow and Beijing want more honesty and neither nation is interested in creating tensions with Washington. On the contrary, both nations are seeking greater economic, political, and cultural ties with nations internationally. It is time for political leaders in Washington to escape their ongoing “Cold War mentality” and interventionist policies, which often backfire and cause even more chaos.

Meanwhile for Japan it is essential to maintain its special relationship with America but based on greater parity. At the same time, Japan must develop a greater strategy to overcome territorial disputes with regional nations and to strengthen relations with the Russian Federation. This will help Japan greatly to develop a more diverse energy policy and increase its dealings with China.

The American people for decades have given vast sums to charity projects throughout the world and done so much to help in the area of greater cultural understanding. It is about time that political leaders in Washington followed suit, in order to strengthen international systems which can respond to major events. If change doesn’t occur then more American soldiers will die based on policies which are not related to protecting America. Also, “a new Cold War” will emerge based on the geopolitics of nations which feel threatened by the expansion of America and NATO.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Kanako Itamae and Sarah Deschamps

Modern Tokyo Times

China just held the East Asia fashion show in Beijing and the venue was given extra importance because of the current status of Japan and China relations. Indeed, tensions have also increased between Japan and South Korea because of similar issues related to territory and ownership. Therefore, the East Asia fashion show was a timely reminder that outside of the political realm you have enormous sanity.

Junko Koshino, a Japanese fashion designer, commented that “Politics and culture are essentially different…We will go down together if we remain affected by political fallout.”

This statement may be a little over dramatic because while trade and cordial ties are obviously important between the three nations involved in the East Asia fashion show. It is also factual that each nation is blessed with a diverse trading angle and in times of crisis each respective nation will respond by implementing diversification. Of course, hiccups will occur on the way and this isn’t desired but clearly the sentiments behind the statement by Junko Koshino were deeply appreciated.

China is “the new kid on the block” when it comes to fashion because of past constraints by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Yet since the economic reforms of Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997) under his leadership, then China began to open up in the economic arena. Following on from this came the loosening of outside influence because greater openness became the norm and a new China emerged.

Therefore, not only did the domestic nature of fashion in China change but also with each passing year more and more international boutiques desire to enter the vast market of this nation. In South Korea K-pop (Korean pop music) is making waves both regionally and internationally. Not surprisingly, the fashion angle is also starting to blossom outside of South Korea because of the growing awareness of culture from this nation. This isn’t surprising because Korean culture is extremely rich.

Japan, of course, is internationally famous for fashion and this applies to various angles. For example, from elegant and refined fashion designers to kawaii (cute) culture and many subcultures within major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Likewise, the quality of Japanese fashion is extremely elegant and the fabrics used are of the highest when it comes to high-end fashion in this nation. One only needs to visit trendy fashion districts like Aoyama, Ginza, Harajuku, Ikebukuro, Omotesando, Shibuya, Yurakucho, and many other parts of Tokyo, to understand the power of fashion within this country.

The East Asia fashion show didn’t disappoint because Beijing pulled out all the stops in order to make it a great success. Exquisite designs and the richness of culture were clearly visible because China, Japan and South Korea are blessed with fabulous designers. Also, areas like Confucius values are shared easily between all these nations despite the impact of modernity and new influences which have entered each nation.

Zhang Zhifeng from China and Chang Kwang-hyo from South Korea also echoed the sentiments of Junko Koshino. Therefore, these three amazing fashion designers, and other important individuals who participated in this fashion show; highlighted the need to build new bridges in order to overcome political obstacles.

Lee Jay Walker gave guidance to the two main writers

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Ri Kuk-Chol and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Japan and North Korea have had a frosty relationship for far too long and it is hoped that officials from both nations will have laid the foundation stone for genuinely turning the corner. Of course, expectations are not too high because of countless stumbling blocks on both sides. However, if officials from Japan and North Korea can overcome genuine concerns and at least start to “walk together,” even if not in complete unison, then this will be positive.

North Korea must understand that negative relations with Japan only serve the enemies of Pyongyang. Likewise, political leaders in Tokyo have recently witnessed the “nationalist switch” in China and South Korea respectively. Therefore, it is clear in Tokyo that the only “trusted friend” in the region is Taiwan. Yet if the “Chinese economic bandwagon” one day swallows this island economically, then even this solace may be taken away.

The Russian Federation is also a central nation in the geopolitical reality of Northeast Asia and throughout other parts of Asia. After all, political elites in Moscow fully understand the geopolitical importance of Central Asia and developing strong ties with China and India respectively. At the same time the geopolitical importance of Mongolia is fully understood in the Russian Federation. Therefore, Japan should overcome its petty nationalist tendencies towards this major power and seek a solution to the disputed areas, which continue to hinder a powerful friendship based on mutual trust.

Turning back to events covering the talks today between officials from Japan and North Korea, it is obvious that both nations need to “break their respective chains.” The new political leader in North Korea can show the world that he is open to sweeping geopolitical changes alongside supporting genuine economic reforms with the help of China. Given this reality, Kim Jong-un can genuinely try to reach the masses based on the similar motives of Deng Xiaoping in China when he came to power.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Osamu Fujimura, stated prior to the meeting that “The abduction issue will be included as a matter of course.” Likewise, Koichiro Gemba, Foreign Minister of Japan, spoke in a similar vein when he stated that “We’d like to ask the North Korean side to positively work on pending issues between the two countries including the abduction issue.”

However, despite the seriousness of this issue it is clear that political leaders in Tokyo must move towards a more broad approach. Surely, other more important issues like the nuclear angle, geopolitical concerns, testing military hardware and building economic bridges must outweigh the continuing stumbling blocks. Once other developments move forward then naturally North Korea will be more forthcoming.

Japan must understand that millions of Koreans died defending Korean nationalism from Japanese imperialism and then against American aggression during the Korean War. After the brutal Korean War the United States then supported successive authoritarian governments in South Korea before the onset of democracy in this nation. It is too easy to point the finger at North Korea but the reality is that all nations have their own histories and outside forces led to a siege mentality in Pyongyang – but this siege mentality was not based on whims but on hard facts related to history.

Japan and North Korea need to forgo the historical and political obstacles in order to radically alter the situation. Osamu Fujimura stated that “We have been working based on the principle of settling the unfortunate past and on restoring normal relations.”

The new leader of North Korea showed sincerity by allowing a group of nationals from Japan to reclaim loved ones who died because of the tragic events of World War Two. Sadao Masaki, who is part of this group, commented that “Things have proceeded to a stage that is beyond what we had even hoped for. We are extremely grateful.”

In another article by Modern Tokyo Times about relations between Japan and North Korea, it was stated that “Some analysts are indicating that North Korea is reaching out because of current tensions between Japan and other regional nations based on territorial issues. For example harsh comments have been made by the leader of South Korea towards Japan in recent times. However, this is too cynical because the new leader of North Korea must be judged on what happens during his leadership.”

Analysts in Japan and North Korea are eagerly awaiting the outcome and clearly major powers throughout the region will be watching events closely. It is only hoped that political leaders in Japan and North Korea will move forward by showing sincerity and mutual respect.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com