mytest
twitter: arudoudebito
Hi Blog. Just to let you know, I’m leaving the keyboard starting August 28, heading south for a couple of weeks. I’ll be touring movie SOUR STRAWBERRIES between Okayama, Yokohama, and Tokyo and giving speeches. So I probably won’t be able to update the blog and approve comments more than once a day for the next couple of weeks. FYI. Debito
Here’s the schedule:
===================================
UPCOMING SPEECHES 2009
Hosting screenings of SOUR STRAWBERRIES: A documentary directed by Tilman Koenig and Daniel Kremers of Leipzig, Germany, anywhere in Japan in late August-Early September 2009. Please contact Debito at debito@debito.org to arrange a screening.
========= WHAT THE MOVIE IS ABOUT =========
The documentary “Sour Strawberries – Japan’s hidden guest workers” was shot in March 2008 by a German-Japanese film crew in Tokyo. The movie shows migrants fighting for their rights as workers and citizens. The persons concerned are always at the centre of interest. While describing their situation, they are the protagonists of the movie. Contains interviews with NJ workers on their treatment, with input from people like migration expert Dr Gabriele Vogt, Dietmember Kouno Taro, Keidanren policymaker Inoue Hiroshi, labor rights leader Torii Ippei, Dietmember Tsurunen Marutei, and activist Arudou Debito, who gives us an animated tour of “Japanese Only” signs in Kabukicho.
More information and stills from the movie at
https://www.debito.org/SOURSTRAWBERRIESpromo.pdf
A three-minute promo of the movie at
http://www.vimeo.com/2276295
If you can’t make the screenings but would like to order the movie directly from the directors, go to
http://www.cinemabstruso.de/strawberries/main.html
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL SCREENINGS WILL HAVE A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION OF 500 YEN PER PERSON. (The directors went to great time and expense to create this documentary; let’s do what we can to compensate them.) Debito will also have copies of the DVD available for purchase for 1500 yen.
SCHEDULE OF SCREENINGS:
- OKAYAMA: Sunday August 30, 2009, 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Okayama International Center (CONFIRMED) SPECIAL GUEST: DIRECTOR DANIEL KREMERS
- TOKYO SHIBUYA: Thursday September 10, 2009, evening, The Pink Cow restaurant, for Amnesty International AITEN (CONFIRMED) SPECIAL GUEST: DIRECTOR DANIEL KREMERS
- TOKYO AKIHABARA: Friday September 11, 2009, 7PM, Second Harvest Japan (CONFIRMED) SPECIAL GUEST: DIRECTOR DANIEL KREMERS
- YOKOHAMA: Saturday September 12, 2009, 3-6PM for group “Drinking Liberally” at The Hub bar in Hiyoshi, Yokohama (CONFIRMED): Directions: Hiyoshi is on the Tokyu Toyoko line about 25 minutes out of Shibuya. Besides from Shibuya, Hiyoshi can also be reached from/connected to from Ebisu (Hibiya line), Meguro (Meguro line – continuation of the Namboku and Mita subway lines terminates at Hiyoshi) and Oimachi (Oimachi line connecting at Oookurayama to the Meguro line). The Hub is a 2 minute walk from the Hiyoshi station. Map here. Facebook entry here. SPECIAL GUEST: DIRECTOR DANIEL KREMERS
May I add that I have seen the movie, and it is excellent. We have sold out of three press runs of the DVD, and will be selling more at the venue.
If you can’t make the screenings but would like to order the movie directly from the directors, go to
http://www.cinemabstruso.de/strawberries/main.html
ENDS
9 comments on “Starting tour screening SOUR STRAWBERRIES (Okayama, Tokyo, Yokohama, perhaps Nagoya) Aug 30-Sept 14, blog updated less often”
you cant make it down to osaka to see Mr.James?
The preview in the above link mentions the sign, which says “Japanese Only,” by “Tokyo Bohan Kenzen Kyoryokukai,” aka the Tokyo Crime Prevention and Health Association. The video calls it an “official organization,” but I googled that name, and discovered that it’s a name of a soapland union (for those who don’t know what it is, it’s basically a sexual service facility, like a brothal. Search for more details).
I guess that explains why crime and health are bundled together!
I’m hoping the documentary goes into detail about this, because from the above preview I got the impression that it was something a lot more mainstream.
Here’s their website, by the way:
http://www.ztk.jp/members/tokyo.html
you must come to nagoya too!will be a pleasure to all south american community enjoy sour strawberries too!sorry my english,hope you understand!thanks
If you’re screening in or around Nagoya can you let us know, I’d love to go along (if I can make it from Hamamatsu).
BTW, so far Mr. James is missing from the windows of the Hiyoshi Golden Arches…
I look forward to seeing this documentary in Hiyoshi.
Cheers.
John
HEY DEBITO!!!
Long time no talk that there buddy ol’ pal 😉
Hey, can you tell me more specifically on where the documentary will be shown in Akiba?
thanks
— Follow the link to Second Harvest Japan!
On a related note:
“Numerous foreign trainees forced to work under harsh conditions in Japan”, The Mainichi Daily News, August 30
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090829p2a00m0na019000c.html
“The Justice Ministry has confirmed that a record 452 companies and other organizations that accepted foreign trainees were involved in illegal practices last year. About 60 percent of them involve violations of labor-related laws, including unpaid wages and overtime allowances.”
i’m really happy when i read this:
02/09/2009 – 07:30
The amnesty law has already put 11 thousand immigrants living illegally in BrazilFabiana Uchinaka
UOL News
In Sao Paulo
Freedom to start a new stage of life. It was with this feeling that the Portuguese immigrant daughter of Angolan Yendi Steam stepped down from the Federal Police in downtown Sao Paulo. There she won the amnesty, the documents and also the right to attend college, work within the law and no longer afraid of having to go to a hospital.
Two months after the Brazilian government signed the law that granted amnesty to illegal immigrants, more than 11 thousand people have been charged. And the forecast is that 70 thousand foreigners to benefit by 30 December. Amnesty celebrate winning document and narrate their stories
Illegal immigrants in Brazil can reach to 300 thousand
“When they stamped my finger in the document there felt like hugging the staff. It is a document to normal people, but people make much difference and it feels very good,” says Yendi. (See full testimonial video on the side)
In Sao Paulo, a city that has the largest number of illegal and therefore where there is greater demand, more than 2,000 Peruvians effected for amnesty, according to the Federal Police. They are the group that sought to benefit, followed by China (1819), Bolivia (1644) and Paraguay (1555).
The carpenter Henry Baldi came from Cochabamba, Bolivia, and has lived three years in Brazil. For him, the amnesty means the end of the fear of being extradited. “It is very difficult. You become susceptible, only looking back to see if there is a police officer or someone who can get you and kick you out here,” he explains.
“You end up the same as the Brazilians. A portfolio of registered and respect people, I think the main thing. There are a lot of prejudice,” added the Chilean Vivian Paola, who came to Brazil with his parents when he was 12 and since living without documents.Number of foreigners who sought amnesties (nationalities)
Peru 2,094 Syria 70
China 1,819 Senegal 66
Bolivia 1,644 Ecuador 65
Paraguay 1,555 Britain 63
South Korea 640 Germany 58
Portugal 342 Japan 36
Lebanon 321 Venezuela 31
Chile 259 Switzerland 30
Angola 232 Rep. Congo 27
Nigeria 188 Cape Verde 24
Italy 181 Guyana 22
Colombia 134 Netherlands 21
U.S. 110 Cameroon 20
Argentina 102 Egypt 20
Cuba 102 Morocco 17
Spain 95 Bangladesh 16
Guinea-Bissau 86 Canada 16
Uruguay 84 Iran 15
France 76 Jordan 15
TOTAL = 11,010
Source: Federal Police (until 26.08.2009)
The new law applies to immigrants who entered the country until February 1, 2009, both for those who arrived legally, but stayed for longer than the period granted an entry visa, and for those who crossed the border clandestinely.
The goal is to bring the settlement to ensure the legality and citizenship for these people, who live in poor conditions, are victims of human trafficking and often end up in forced labor or degrading treatment, without any assistance.
With the benefit they are entitled, for example, the identity documents and license, work, public health and free education. The documents allow settled immigrants have bank accounts, access to credit and can start a business.
Moreover, the Brazilian government announced the measure as a way of scoring position before the latest controversy involving Brazilian immigrants mistreated and detained abroad.
This is the fourth time that Brazil grants the benefit to foreigners already living in the country – there have been amnesties in 1980, 1988 and the last in 1998, almost 40 thousand people were legalized.
How to proceed
The foreigner has until December 30 to petition for temporary residence, which is valid for two years without any sanction is imposed or a fine levied because of their illegal. Typically, only the alien receives a visa when home with a Brazilian, has a Brazilian child or when parents have Brazilians.
Those interested in settlement should go to a federal police station, as for the removal of passport, provide proof of entry into the country (or, for immigrants, a document certifying that the person lives in Brazil, such as medical documents, proof of rent, etc..), and a statement that does not respond to criminal prosecution or that has not been criminally convicted in Brazil or abroad. Amnesty: procedures
1. Login with the application for temporary residence to 31/12/2009 Federal Police
2. Provide proof of entry
the country (or, for immigrants, a document attesting that the person lives in Brazil)
3. A statement that does not respond to criminal prosecution or that
has not been convicted criminally, in Brazil or abroad
4. Pay the fee for shipment of the Identity of Foreign (U.S. $ 31.05) and
the registration fee (U.S. $ 64.68)
For those who are in Sao Paulo, the service can be scheduled at the site of PF (www.policiafederal.gov.br).
The fee for shipment of the Identity of Alien (CIS) will be R $ 31.05 and the registration fee will be R $ 64.58.
Three months before the expiration of provisional registration, the alien may apply for the permanent visa, in accordance with regulations to be set by the government. To do this, you must also prove lawful profession or employment, sufficient assets to maintain them and their families, absence of tax debts or criminal record and have left the country for more than 90 consecutive days during the period of temporary residence.
— I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do with this information. Please make that clearer.
I was thinking this can be usefull in studies of comparisons of immigration politics adopted by many countries, including Japan! but feel free to delete if you think the information is irrelevant! thanks