LOBBYING THE SAPPORO CITY ASSEMBLY FOR AN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE (CHINJOU), SPRING 2004
Date: Wed, 26 May 2004
Subject: A few quick updates
//////////////////////////////////////
1) OLAF ADDRESSES SAPPORO CITY ASSEMBLY RE ANTIDISCRIM ORDINANCE
2) JAPANESE CATHOLIC ASSOCIATIONS SUBMIT ANTIDISCRIM DRAFT LAW
TO DIET
3) TAHARA SOICHIRO IN SAPPORO FORUM IS QUESTIONED ON HOKKAIDO
DISCRIM
//////////////////////////////////////
1) OLAF ADDRESSES SAPPORO CITY ASSEMBLY RE ANTIDISCRIM ORDINANCE
Olaf Karthaus (olaf@debito.org) last Thursday,
May 20, addressed the
Sapporo City Assembly (General Affairs Committee, or Soumu Iinkai)
concerning the Anti-Racial Discrimination ordinance we submitted last
February. He's been too busy to write up a report, so let me tell
you what he told me over the phone shortly afterwards:
The public hearing debated the merits and necessity of the proposal
for a whole ninety minutes, with Olaf making a five-minute statement
and then answering questions from assemblymembers. Had he ever been
discriminated against within the Sapporo environs? (Not personally,
but he knew people who had been refused apartments, say.) Is this
ordinance really necessary? (Yes, for there are more than a dozen
exclusionary signs up in Susukino, Sapporo's party district.) Unnun.
Assemblymembers from the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshutou) were
very sympathetic ("We need to make the laws clear so that
administrators can clearly enforce anti-discriminatory regulations,"
etc.), while the conservative Liberal Democrats (Jimintou) were
noncommittal. The bureaucrats questioned argued for the status quo,
as usual. The meeting ruled to continue deliberating on the proposal
(which means it's been buried).
Olaf and I have decided to lobby Minshutou members for sponsorship of
the ordinance (making the "chinjou" into a "seigan", which must
be
debated on the full assembly floor, not just in committee). I have
also contacted the office of the Sapporo mayor for an appointment
next month (will probably get a flunkey, but here's hoping. Mayor
Ueda is a prominent progressive). Preliminary feedback suggests
Minshutou is chary of full sponsorship in case the bill gets formally
and permanently defeated in the Assembly. I am willing to take that
risk--for it demonstrates intent to the whole world, including the
United Nations, ahem, if Sapporo actually turns it down. More to
come.
Referential links:
The text of the submitted ordinance in English and Japanese, with updates:
http://www.debito.org/ hokkaidochinjou2004.html
Exclusionary signs in Sapporo and nationwide:
http://www.debito.org/ roguesgallery.html
//////////////////////////////////////
2) JAPANESE CATHOLIC ASSOCIATIONS SUBMIT ANTIDISCRIM DRAFT LAW
TO DIET
I spoke at a national ecumenical meeting of Christian groups in Tokyo
last Thursday and Friday. (They do a lot of human rights activities,
natch. I'm agnostic, for the record.) They have spent years
drafting (and more than six years afterwards debating and holding
rallies) on the "Basic Law for Foreign Residents" (an excellent
proposal, which I support wholeheartedly). I went down to crack the
whip and tell them to submit it to local and national assemblies. I
think they knew I was coming... <g>, for the Upper and Lower House of
the Diet now has petitions (seigan) sponsored by Diet Members on
their website as of last week:
Referential links:
The text of the Basic Law, in Japanese:
http://www.ksyc.jp/gaikikyou/
Seigan record in the more powerful Lower House:
http ://www.shugiin.go.jp/itdb_seigan.nsf/html/seigan/1590492.htm
In the Upper House:
http:/ /www.sangiin.go.jp/japanese/joho1/seigan/current/652.htm
I stressed in my speech the need for submissions at the local
assembly level (to put our eggs in many baskets), information sites
in English and Korean (their information pamphlets already have
translations of the law in these languages, but even after six years
they haven't made them accessible on the Internet!), and told them
that they have to start thinking like journalists--think of the peg
behind the story and sell it to the press. My favorite idea was to
suggest to their press contacts that they create a weekly column on
"Kokusaika" and devote regular space to how foreigners are also
contributing to Japanese society (as opposed to the Asahi Shinbun
last April, which ran a series on what kind of crimes foreigners
create--as if being foreign was a cause). Time to use the media to
get out the word properly, with more balance.
//////////////////////////////////////
3) TAHARA SOICHIRO IN SAPPORO FORUM IS QUESTIONED ON HOKKAIDO
DISCRIMINATION
Tahara is Japan's most prominent social critic and roundtable debate
coordinator, asking the hardball questions that the Japanese public
often wish to be asked. Last night, May 25, he chaired a symposium
sponsored by the Asahi Shinbun on Hokkaido's economic future, with
panelists from the head of the Hokkaido Management Association (Takei
Masanao), a Professor Emeritus from Tokyo University (Tsukio Yoshio),
and a computer entrepreneur, formerly of Microsoft (Naruke Makoto).
I went along to see what kind of person Tahara is (for all his
journalistic prowess, he certainly misread the Ana Bortz Court
Decision--see my book JAPANESE ONLY, pp 133-4
<http://www.debito.org/ japaneseonly.html>)
outside of the television.
I was impressed. Not onlywas he his usual engaging yet hardball
self (this was hands-down the most interesting Japanese roundtable
I've ever attended--not least because Tahara stopped waffle and
maintained a thread in the dialog), but he even opened the full
auditorium up for questions (much to the surprise and discomfort of
the hosts).
Guess who was first up with a question.
One of the topics raised was how to revitalize Hokkaido's economy
through tourism, particularly foreign. I asked how they expected to
be good hosts when there are "Japanese Only" signs all around
Hokkaido.
The reaction was interesting. Tahara did not even know there were
any signs, and asked me for more details. Tsukio jumped in with a
two-sentence summary about how foreigners had been refused due to
"differing customs" and said that Japan's tourist agencies should
work on resolving that. Next question.
Demonstrated to me how far off the radar screen this issue is for the
elites, and how others would rather talk about more pressing things,
such as a shinkansen link from the mainland, improved cuisine and
service in hotels, Hokkaido brand recognition, and more open
information from the bureaucrats and the mass media. Ah well. Still
does not deter me from raising the issue and asking the questions.
//////////////////////////////////////
All for now. Thanks for reading! Arudou Debito in Sapporo
http://www.debito.org
debito@debito.org
------------- -----------------------------
Thought which occurred to me while watching Mel Gibson's PASSION OF
THE CHRIST with Olaf last week:
"Interesting to me how symbols of pain
Have come to be seen as sacred, not profane."
ENDS
FOLLOW-UP REPORT ONE
RESULTS OF LOBBYING SAPPORO CITY ASSEMBLY
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004
Subject: 6/25 Lobbying Sapporo Assembly for anti-discrim law
(Press Release June 23, 2004, freely forwardable)
Hello All. Thanks to Olaf's visit to the Sapporo City Assembly last
May 20 to make the case for an antiracial discrimination ordinance, we got a
foot in the door for a lobbying effort this Friday. Details as
follows. Arudou Debito in Sapporo
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
LOBBYING SAPPORO CITY ASSEMBLY
MEETING ASSEMBLYMAN MR HATASE (DPJ, Minshutou)
OLAF KARTHAUS AND ARUDOU DEBITO
FRIDAY JUNE 25, 4:30-5:30 PM
Minshuto Office in Sapporo City Hall, 17F
(Interested parties pls assemble here at 4:15 PM)
Sapporo, Chuo-ku, Kita 1, Nishi 1
Topic: Discuss drafting, seigan sponsorship, and ratification of
local ordinance to ban racial discrimination in the city of Sapporo.
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Why Mr Hatase? He expressed the most interest in the bill last May,
and has granted us a full-hour audience. This is more than the
Sapporo Mayor's office has done (they never returned calls). We will
put a toe into the water, show people we are serious, and then do
more lobbying later (with less positively-inclined pols) when we have
time.
Referential links:
Top page for the Assembly members (in Japanese) with information about
party affiliation, committees, private address and telephone number is here
http:// www.city.sapporo.jp/gikai/vol3/06aiueo.htm
The text of the submitted ordinance in English and Japanese, with updates:
http://www.debito.org/ hokkaidochinjou2004.html
Exclusionary signs in Sapporo and nationwide:
http:// www.debito.org/roguesgallery.html
ENDS
FOLLOW-UP REPORT TWO
RESULTS OF LOBBYING SAPPORO CITY ASSEMBLY
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004
Subject: Lobbying Sapporo City, plus Kofu and Muneo
Hi Everyone. A few quick updates:
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
1) PRELIM REPORT: LOBBYING THE SAPPORO ASSEMBLY JUNE 25
2) MUNEO'S DASTARDS DESCEND UPON SAPPORO
3) KOFU ONSEN PROTESTS NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, DENIES DISCRIMINATION
///////////////////////////////////////////////// /////
1) PRELIM REPORT: LOBBYING THE SAPPORO ASSEMBLY JUNE 25
Olaf and I lobbied the Sapporo Assembly last Friday concerning the
"Ordinance on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination"
(<http:// www.debito.org/hokkaidochinjou2004.html#e>)
we submitted
last March, making an appointment with one very
positively-predisposed giin (assemblyperson), a Mr Hatase. However,
a number of miracles happened:
a) A reporter friend contacted me and introduced me to another
friendly giin, a Ms Kobayashi (who even phoned us specially to
squeeze us in before the Hatase meeting),
b) Not one, but three giin (a Mr Fujiwara and a Ms Miyake, all of
ruling party Minshuto) attended the meeting with their secretaries.
c) They gave us a whole hour to make our case.
d) A Hokkaido Shinbun reporter was in attendance. See full-color
article which appeared on Sunday at
<http://www.debito.org/ doshin062704.jpg>
(or page down to the bottom of this website's Japanese section)
In sum, what transpired was a very positive meeting with all four
giin acknowledging the need for legislation, and a bit of
strategizing on next steps (meeting the Sapporo Mayor, and all the
other parties to make our case and try to get them on board, to avoid
partisanism). Will work more on this issue later on in the year, and
keep you posted.
Sapporo City Giin profiles in Japanese at
http:// www.city.sapporo.jp/gikai/vol3/06aiueo.htm
//////////////////// //////////////////////////////////
2) MUNEO'S DASTARDS DESCEND UPON SAPPORO
I was in Odori Park in downtown Sapporo last weekend when who should
drop by but Suzuki Muneo, probably the most corrupt politician one
will ever meet nowadays.
Muneo? He's famous for sucking tax money for his own porkbarrel
projects and laundering it through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
(see what I mean through a Japan Today essay I wrote in February
2002, at <http://
www.debito.org/japantodaycolumns16-18.html#18>), and
holds the record for the longest incarceration and interrogation
(more than a year) on corruption charges for a sitting Dietmember in
Japanese history.
But guess what. He's running for reelection. (For overseas
readers--it's campaign time for Upper-House Elections). And not in
his old stomping grounds near Nemuro, Eastern Hokkaido, but in
Sapporo proper.
This Sunday, his sound-truck was well-timed and placed--so that the
rare perfect summer weekend day in Sapporo could carry his words to
the most ears in Sapporo's most central park. He gave a standard
(but nonetheless breathtakingly brilliant in its bare-faced lying)
speech about how much money he's going to bring up here for all the
unemployed, how he's going to do his best for everyone, etc--but in
his uninimitably inspiring voice uttering his utter conviction in his
own single-minded ambitiousness.
Peron would have applauded. So did a lot of the audience (assuming
they were not all "sakura", or planted people to alter the mood). I
wasn't going to fall for it, so made sure to get in a few catcalls:
"Don't deny the existence of the Ainu!" "Build me a Muneo House too!"
It didn't catch--Muneo is loud and breathless. When he got down from
his soundtruck and started working the crowd (along with his tall
Congolese minion, Mr Muluaka, whose Japanese visa Muneo secured
despite having an expired passport), I made sure to keep a distance
(in case whatever he has might be catching).
Still, whenever I saw a camera was turing in my general direction, I
showed some media that not everyone in the crowd was in awe. I kept
my middle finger aloft and prominently displayed.
Muneo saw it. He gave me a second look, then a nod. And then a
thumbs up! Our eyes held for a second, and we smiled and nodded at
each other across the divide.
Well handled. The guy is a consummate pro.
Now let's see if Muneo wins a seat. If he does (and it is entirely
possible--there are plenty of suckers falling for famous people
pressing the flesh and begging for reinforcement of power--think
Imelda Marcos), it will be Hokkaido's shame.
Also, for your viewing pleasure, a (crappy, sorry) keitai photo of
him on his soundtruck:
http://www.debito.org/ muneo040628.jpg
(AFTERMATH: Muneo lost the election, easily. He came in a distant fourth, thank
goodness. But some places, like Nemuro and Kushiro, devoted more votes to him than
nearly all other candidates combined. If he escapes prison, he knows where to run
next...)
////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////
3) KOFU ONSEN PROTESTS ARTICLE, DENIES DISCRIMINATION
I wrote a few days ago how Isawa Land near Kofu, Yamanashi
Prefecture, had "no overstayers, nobody allowed in who cannot speak
Japanese" rules and signs in place. An article in the local paper
got the signs down, which is a good start. Article at:
http://www.debito.org/ sannichi061004.jpg
However, a reliable source has indicated that the management has
since lodged a complaint with the newspaper (which is apparently
going to apologize) for calling their practices discriminatory. "We
are not discriminating," they claim.
Okay, so they're breaking the law, then. As I said before, according
to the Hotel Management Law (Ryokan Gyouhou, Article 5, see
<http:// list.room.ne.jp/~lawtext/1948L138.html#5>
in Japanese), a
lodging establishment cannot turn away lodgers unless there is a
health issue involving contagious disease, a clear and present
endangerment of public morals, or because all rooms are full. Visa
status or language ability are inapplicable.
Readers are welcome to clarify matters or make their feelings heard
directly to Isawa Kenko Land (Yamanashi-ken Higashi Yatsushiro-gun
Isawa-chou Matsumoto 868, ph 055-263-7111). Ask for Mr Onodera, Asst
Manager. Tell 'em I referred ya.
Full background on the issue in two languages at:
http://www.debito.org/ kofuexclusions.html
/////////////////////////////////////////// ///////////
I think that's enough for one day. Over and out. Thanks for reading!
Arudou Debito
Sapporo
June 28, 2004
ENDS
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004
０４年６月２５日付
差別撤廃請願化運 動
札幌市議会畑瀬議員と会合
（プレス・リリ ース 転送歓迎）
================================
人種差別撤廃 請願化運動
札幌市議会議員畑瀬氏は
カートハウス・オラフ と 有道 出 人と会合
６月２５日（金）午後４：３０から５：３０
取材歓迎
（４ ：１５ 札幌市役所１７階 民主党事務所前で集合）
======================= =========
皆様おはようございます。有道 出人（あるどう でびと） です。突然です
みませんが、きのう札幌市議会議員の秘書からご連絡いただき ました。今週金
曜日、畑瀬 幸二 （はたせ こうじ））議員（白石区、民主 党）と１時間程
度会合させていただきます。
トピックス：
０４年３月２０日に市議会に提出した「人種差別撤廃条例を要求する陳情
書 」の結果、５月２０日に総務委員会で公聴会が開かれ、カートハウスさんが
意 見陳述をしました（５月２５日発効したレポートはこのメールの下半で
す）。 継続審査のままとなったが、前向きな議員もいて、これから請願のスポ
ンサー をいただくために「ロビー運動」を開催します。
当日は畑瀬議員と話し てサウンドします。その後、後日（日程未定、私たち
が時間がある時に）他の 議員と話したいと思います。５週間前に上田市長と会
合する打ち合わせをした が（011-211-2162、行政部総務課 沖田様）、秘書か
ら返事をいただきません でした。これから頑張りたいと思います。宜しくお願
い致します。カートハウ ス・オラフ(olaf@debito.org)
と 有道 出人（debito@debito.org）
参 照のリンク先：
札幌市議会議員の連絡先
http:// www.city.sapporo.jp/gikai/vol3/06aiueo.htm
２００４年２月に４市議会 と道議会に提出した差別撤廃陳情と条例のテキスト：
http://www.debito.org/ hokkaidochinjou2004.html
全国的に「外国人お断り」看板を掲げる店舗の 写真等：
http://www.debito.org/ roguesgallery.html
（５月２６日送信されたレポートの抜粋）
//////////////////////////////////////////
>１）人種差別撤廃条例に ついて札幌市議会総務委員会に意見陳述の結果
>
> 先週、５月２０ 日、午前１０時から１１時３０分まで、友人カートハウス
>・ オラフは札幌 市議会総務委員に、「なぜ私たちが２月に提出した『人種差
>別撤 廃条例』 が必要なのか」との意見陳述をしました。私は東京に出張中だ
>ったの で欠 席だったが、カートハウスさんからの報告をリレーします：
>
> 彼 が５分間スピーチをして、市議会議員に質問されました。「札幌市内で
>差 別されたことがある？」（答え：「私はないが、アパート賃貸が断られた
> 友達 が多し、すすきので数カ所で「外国人お断り」の看板が未だにある。）
& gt;など。 民主党議員は法制化にとって賛成の傾きだった気がしました（特に、
>「差別撤 廃するために、ルールと指令がはっきりされないと行政官はどうしようもな
い」と）。自民党議員ははっきりしなかったが、問われた公務員 は
>制定の反論 が多く相変わらず「ステータズ・クオ」の賛成論を提出しま し
>た。「継続審 査」の状態にとどまりました。
>
> しか し、これからカートハウスと私はそれぞれの賛成する議員にロビーイ
>ン グ （議員に声をかけて法制化に対して賛成するように説得する運動）をし
>ま す。私も上田市長にも６月下旬に会合を予約しようとしました
>（211-2162 、行政部総務課 沖田様から日程の返事待ち）。後程またアップ
>デートを します。
>//////////////////////////////////////////
ENDS
