| 人権擁護法案Japanese opinion newpaper articles | |
| The Future of Japan may be in Jeopardy | |
| "In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then, they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew... Then they came for the Catholics. I didn't speak up then because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up..." |
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| It is a distressing fact that Japan may now be traversing into a wrong direction. The passage of a new law will practically change not only the way of life in Japan but also every citizen’s perspective of the state of human liberties in contemporary Japanese society. More alarming is the fact that there seems an information blackout on this subject. As only about 5% of the Japanese population may be aware of it, it is likely that foreigners do not even know at all. This lack of information is largely attributable to mass media’s uniquely deafening silence, lending the impression that publication of this matter is forbidden. Being very vital in information dissemination, controlling and silencing the media is the ultimate goal of the government. A measure which spells not only danger but incalculable damage to fundamental human liberties will be surreptitiously passed into legislation before the National Diet. Despite vigorous opposition by some intelligent congressmen, (Takeo Hiranuma) this measure may finally be enacted into law. And this is mainly because this vital information has been kept from the scrutiny of public opinion. According to this piece of legislation, Japanese people would have lost the inherent right and freedom of expression. The concrete manifestation of this would be the creation of what is called the “Protecting Human Rights Association” which is designed to be a super body from whose authorization the exercise of the right of expression would seem to emanate. This body would be supreme than the three pillars of democratic governance like the executive, legislature and judiciary. This body will be outside of the organization of the Ministry of Justice. This body, composed of 20,000 Japanese and foreign volunteers informs and acts in liaison with the authorities, to report any unfavorable expression on any forbidden subject like the issues on Korea and discrimination. Anybody who expresses any form of dissent in any forum or medium, even through the internet, may be subjected to summary arrest without need of a court order, as required in regular cases. Worse, even without court warrants, searches and seizures may be effected on any house, persons and things. It is indeed distressing that after working hard to establish a strong and prosperous nation after the Second World War, the Japanese people now find themselves imprisoned by a socially inflicted grip on their human liberties. Japan is sadly facing a regime of fascism and dictatorship, ironically, in a contemporary world where human rights and liberties take precedence in the hierarchy of values. The fact that media has been silenced on this matter adds more cruelty to this turmoil. Being surely to create political scandal of unimaginable proportion, the passage of this law has been secretly craving its way in the halls of the National Diet. On 19 June 2005, there was a meeting in Hibiya Public Hall organized by politicians opposed to this legislative measure, seeking to muster public support for their opposition. Unfortunately, Liberal Democratic Party cannot get enough seats in the National Diet without the vote of the Komei Party which is an extreme Buddhism cult comprised of members mostly from the lower strata of society, the uneducated, Korean residents, and the like. 2005 July 5th Exxxx |
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| Opinion about above article by Francois Coppee1below 2 | |
| Francois Copee version | |
| It is a distressing fact that Japan may now be traversing into a wrong direction. Bad style, bad opening. Why use the word “traversing”? (unnecessary dribble) ? just say “traveling”, or better yet “headed”. Or better still, just delete it and try again. Also, if you are describing a “fact”, then don`t use the word “may”. It`s like saying “it`s a fact that Koizumi may develop acute otafuku disease this very evening”. The passage of a new law will practically change not only the way of life in Japan but also every citizen’s perspective of the state of human liberties in contemporary Japanese society. “Practically”? Delete that. What is the “way of life” in Japan, and how will it change? NEED INFO. What does the “perspective” have to do with anything? Having read the rest of the article, I can tell you that it doesn`t tie into to overall argument (not that there was much of an argument to begin with…). This first paragraph does not relate to the rest of the article. It is totally incoherent and illogical. This is what happens when your article has NO THESIS. Suggestion: go to a generic community college, take English 101 and try again… More alarming is the fact that there seems an information blackout on this subject. As only about 5% of the Japanese population may be aware of it, it is likely that foreigners do not even know at all. This lack of information is largely attributable to mass media’s uniquely deafening silence, lending the impression that publication of this matter is forbidden. Being very vital in information dissemination, controlling and silencing the media is the ultimate goal of the government. Lose the pretentious wordy language. It doesn`t impress real (scholarly) writers and just confuses/irritates the audience. JUST CUT THE B.S. AND SAY WHAT YOU MEAN!!! Again, if something is a “fact”, it doesn`t “seem” ? it just “is”. “Information blackout”, “uniquely deafening silence”, “lending the impression that”, “information dissemination”, and “ultimate goal of the government” are all examples of substituting thesaurus-generated filler words for actual substance. Mere fluff, devoid of any thoughtful meaning. Delete it all; it is truly painful to have to plow through such pretentious rubbish. Furthermore the childish grammar, the sentence-fragments-3-feet-up-my-bleeding-arse, the laughable adverb usage (like this gem: “uniquely deafening”…), pretentious wordy style, and the complete lack of A POINT all make this a paragraph to forget. Delete. Next. A measure which spells not only danger but incalculable damage to fundamental human liberties will be surreptitiously passed into legislation before the National Diet. Despite vigorous opposition by some intelligent congressmen, (Takeo Hiranuma) this measure may finally be enacted into law. And this is mainly because this vital information has been kept from the scrutiny of public opinion. Don`t make unwarranted claims in the absolute: “incalculable”? Surely not. Just tell us exactly what sort of damage will be done. Don`t try to con us with you so-called “incalculabilities”. Or do you not know? If you must make such a claim, at least back it up with evidence of some sort. Or did you expect me to just “take your word”? As for “intelligent congressmen”, explain it more. Is that intended as an oxymoron, or what? Give facts not opinions. Again, what is “this vital information?” You haven`t made it clear in any way. Ambiguity will not cut it (this isn`t poetry afterall). According to this piece of legislation, Japanese people would have lost the inherent right and freedom of expression. If it`s inherent, then how can it be lost? It`s like saying the devil was inherently evil, but isn`t anymore. Illogical. Also check your tenses. The concrete manifestation of this would be the creation of what is called the “Protecting Human Rights Association” which is designed to be a super body from whose authorization the exercise of the right of expression would seem to emanate. Too wordy! Having an esthetic style is one thing, but this is ridiculous. Seriously, what were you trying to communicate there? Figure it our first and then write it! Don`t waste our time trying to sound “sophist”. We aren`t impressed, nor are we amused. Any more jargon and we will fast become nauseous and on the verge of rancorous vomiting. Such wasted words are maggots in the bread of life. This body would be supreme than the three pillars of democratic governance like the executive, legislature and judiciary. This body will be outside of the organization of the Ministry of Justice. Oh, it would be “supreme than” would it? First learn about the comparative form of adjectives. Next learn what a preposition is. Compare and contrast. Then proceed to correct this miserably incorrect grammar. “Executive” and “judiciary” are adjectives. “Legislature” is a noun. BE CONSISTENT! This body, composed of 20,000 Japanese and foreign volunteers informs and acts in liaison with the authorities, to report any unfavorable expression on any forbidden subject like the issues on Korea and discrimination. Anybody who expresses any form of dissent in any forum or medium, even through the internet, may be subjected to summary arrest without need of a court order, as required in regular cases. Worse, even without court warrants, searches and seizures may be effected on any house, persons and things. Jajajajaja ? I thought you were a lawyer… Ever heard of citations? GIVE EVIDENCE. What if we don`t believe a word of anything you just said? Could you blame us? You`ve given us nothing more than your opinion, based on dubious heresay. Convince us with hard facts or go home. While you`re at it give up trying to be a writer. Oh wait, that`s right ? I forgot you`re a “lawyer”... Seriously. It is indeed distressing that after working hard to establish a strong and prosperous nation after the Second World War, the Japanese people now find themselves imprisoned by a socially inflicted grip on their human liberties. Japan is sadly facing a regime of fascism and dictatorship, ironically, in a contemporary world where human rights and liberties take precedence in the hierarchy of values. Japan is unlikely to become “Fascist”, unless they learn to speak Italian. To avoid such cliches, try a better word like “totalitarian”. There is no such thing as a “socially inflicted grip” on “human liberties”, unless you mean to say people are enslaving themselves. It is imposed on society by the government, not by itself. Care to explain just what this so-called “hierarchy of values” is? I really don`t get it, and I doubt I`d care to if it`s coming from you. Why use the word “hierarchy”? How about “ziggurat”? It would be equally as absurd and meaningless, but at least somehow more exotic... The fact that media has been silenced on this matter adds more cruelty to this turmoil. Being surely to create political scandal of unimaginable proportion, the passage of this law has been secretly craving its way in the halls of the National Diet. I highly recommend this paragraph be added to. There is potential here, but it needs some polishing. Cohesion and unity could be tightened up, and the choice of words could be a bit more thoughtful. On the whole, a great effort, but needs just a bit of tweaking before it can really take off.. On 19 June 2005, there was a meeting in Hibiya Public Hall organized by politicians opposed to this legislative measure, seeking to muster public support for their opposition. Unfortunately, Liberal Democratic Party cannot get enough seats in the National Diet without the vote of the Komei Party which is an extreme Buddhism cult comprised of members mostly from the lower strata of society, the uneducated, Korean residents, and the like. Just ask the Komei-sans to read this article and watch them drop like flies. They`ll convert to apolitical masturbatory secularism faster than you can say “kim-chi”. Next time just get the uneducated Koreans to proof-read this shit for you. I`ve totally lost my will to live, thank you very much. If you need me, I`ll be playing pachinko in Kabukicho, trying to forget the excruciating literary pain I`ve just had to endure… Francois Coppee |
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| Japanese 人権擁護法案 |