1.3 Hague Convention

Currently, the Japanese government only allows one parent to have custody of children after getting divorced. There have been a number of problems for the non-custodial parents gaining access to the their children because Japan has not joined The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction yet.

I found a similar article about Japan's plan to join the convention in the Japan Times website.
Title: Japan to join Heugue child-custody treaty in '11
URL: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100815a1.html

In the article in Japan Today, Prime Minister Naoto Kan will relay Japan's policy on the problem between parents at the summit in late May in Deauville, France. The Hague Convention sets out the ways to protect children in failed international marriages. Some people are worried that it can create more dangerous situation for children of abusive parents.

The Japan Times shows that the government will develop the law in line with The Hague Convention. The government also judged that it is necessary to resolve pressure from the USA and several European countries to join The Hague Convention as soon as possible. There are differences in the legal systems between Japan and other signatory nations to treat children of divorced parents. Because the situation is so complicated, the Japanese government has not determined when to join the convention yet.

I think that it will take a long time to join the Hague Convention. Some people criticize the convention saying that it is responsible for creating disadvantages for Japanese parents after getting divorced with non-Japanese, because abusive parents will be able to commit violent actions to their children. I do not think that Japan can join the convention, because I think that it takes a long time to revise the laws relating to family life. Some members of the Diet object to joining the convention because of the disadvantages for Japanese parents who take their children back to Japan.

3. Hague Convention

Please visit the following Website and read the article about
Japan to announce plan in May to join Hague convention on child abductions (click here)

Please respond to the article by stating your opinion, and why you think so.

Responses should include the reasoning behind your response...

Please make sure to include one more source on the same issue...

What to do?
1. Briefly summarize article/issue.
2. State opinion.
3. Explain why you think so.
4. Give some examples/anecdotes/quotes etc...
5. Give a concluding statement.

3.2 TBS drama 'Jin' to be broadcast in 80 countries

Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) broadcasted season two of the popular Japanese time-travel drama “Jin”. According to the article, 80 countries around the world have bought it. A brain surgeon named Jin Minakata suddenly passes out at a hospital and is transported back to Edo period. He is struggling to find a way back to the present time while he treats various kinds of people who have injuries and suffer from diseases without access to the latest medical equipment. This drama will broadcast in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and some African countries.

I have enjoyed watching season one of this drama. It is very exciting and it is easy to comprehend the story, because even if you don't understand the medical words which the actors in this drama say, you can see the explanatory notes of the words in the subtitles. I'm glad that this Japanese drama will be broadcasted all over the world, and I believe that Jin deserves recognition. I haven't started watching season two yet and I am looking forward to it.

2.2 "TBS drama 'Jin' to be broadcast in 80 countries"

The popular Japanese time-travel drama "Jin" has been bought by as many as 80 countries around the world. Jin (Takao Osawa, 43, as a brain surgeon in the drama) was transported back in time to the Edo period. He must continue to survive and he must try to find a way back to the present. According to TBS, it has had a surprisingly strong effect on the world and broadcasting in general abroad, even before the series has finished its run in Japan.

I have never seen a Japanese historical drama since coming to Japan. It is very difficult to understand Japanese history because there are too many kanji, place names, people's names. However, this time I'm interested in why Jin was suddenly transported back to the Edo period and what kind of relationships modern surgeons have with samurai. I think people can be attracted to this unique idea that is contained only in Japanese dramas.

1.2 TBS Drama 'Jin' to be broadcast in 80 countries

Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. announced that the rights to broadcast Season Two of the popular drama "Jin" (sterring Takao Osawa as Jin Minakata) have been bought by 80 countries around the world. Season One of the drama obtained high acclaim at the international TV trade fair in Cannes, France. Season Two of this drama will be broadcasted in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and some African countries. According to TBS, it is unusual for Japanese dramas to be broadcasted abroad before the series has finished in Japan.


I agree with the comment from TBS that it is unusual. Usually, Japanese dramas are broadcasted after they have finished their run in Japan. For example, "Karei-naru Ichizoku" (2007, starring Takuya Kimura) was broadcasted in Taiwan a month after finishing in Japan. However, "Jin" will be seen around the world before it has even finished in Japan. I wonder why that is?

2. "TBS drama 'Jin' to be broadcast in 80 countries"

Please visit the following Website and read the article about
"TBS drama 'Jin' to be broadcast in 80 countries" (click here)

Please respond to the article by stating your opinion, and why you think so.

Responses should include the reasoning behind your response...

YouTube Video: Watch the video on YouTube (click here)

What to do?
1. Summarize article/issue.
2. State opinion.
3. Explain why you think so.
4. Give some examples/anecdotes/quotes etc...
5. Give a concluding statement.

You can also access the resources at:
Japan Today article
http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/tbs-drama-jin-to-be-broadcast-in-80-countries

YouTube Video

3.1.Red Cross Donations

Since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami occured, the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Central Community Chest of Japan have received donations. The total amount has reached 115.4 billion yen. The article stated that it is not the duty of the central government to decide how to distribute the funds and that they should devise some sort of guidelines to enable the quick distribution of money. However, it is difficult to distribute the donated money in a fair manner, because it is impossible to determine the extent of the damage and the numbers of fatalities are growing day by day.

I recently watched a TV news program, which said that the Japanese Red Cross Society has already received vast amounts of money. These have been changed into payment vouchers. However, it will take a long time to handle the distribution of these vouchers because they isn't enough staff. I saw some video that showed workers struggling to deal with the situation. I can't believe that there aren't enough people to deal with the situation. The Japanese government should be more thoughtful and serious about providing enough staff to deal with the number of vouchers being issued.

2.1 Red Cross Donation

The donations received by the Japanese Red Cross Society by the March 11 for earthquake and tsunami stood at 115.4 billion yen. Softbank Corporation President Masayoshi Son will donate 10 billion yen. The central government of Japan is discussing how to distribute the funds in a fair manner.

I was impressed from Mr. Son's donation. However, the central government has not decided to distribute donated money yet. It has already been about a month from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. I think it has taken too much time to distribute the funds and donations.

People in a stricken area have been sheltering from tsunami. They are still suffering because they do not have enough food, water, gasoline, electricity. I'm worried about the victims' safety in the aftershocks following March 11th. I hope that government takes measures to help the victims quickly.

1.1 Red Cross Donations

The article from the Japan Times tells that there is no agreement on allocating the donated 115.4 billion yen yet. Softbank Corporation President Masayoshi Son will donate 10 billion yen to support relief efforts. He will also donate all of the money he earns from 2011 until his retirement as the Softbank Group President to support children. Mr. Yoshihiro Katayama says that the government would like to devise guidelines to enable the speedy distribution. The You Tube video tells that the CEO of the American Red Cross Ann Wright requests people to donate money and it will be used for construction of supplies, even for toiletries to support people living in the area: there is no water, and no electricity. She also says that small activities can make a big difference.

I already know that a lot of TV stations and radio stations in Japan are requesting us for relief donations. Therefore, I can respect Mr. Son for his donation to support the children. I would like the Japanese Government and the Japanese Red Cross Society to discuss with the governors of the prefectures in the Tohoku District about how to use money for reconstruction and support. I think that Miyagi Prefecture needs the most donated money to do because it was damaged the most as we know. However, I can understand that Mr. Katayama's comment that it will take a long time to finish any reconstruction, and Ms. Wright's comment for small contributions. I believe that more people can survive by receiving food and bottles of water from donated money.

1. Red Cross Donations

Please visit the following Website and read the article about
"Quake donations total Y115.4 bil but no agreement yet on allocating it" (click here)

Please respond to the article by stating your opinion, and why you think so.

Responses should include the reasoning behind your response...

YouTube Video: Watch the video on YouTube (click here)
What to do?
1. Summarize article/issue.
2. State opinion.
3. Explain why you think so.
4. Give some examples/anecdotes/quotes etc...
5. Give a concluding statement.

You can also access the resources at:
Japan Today article
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/quake-relief-donations-total-y115-4-bil
YouTube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AplYVotmUg