The Community Website
http://www.debito.org/TheCommunity
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Community Project: Japan's National Sports Festivals
The KOKUTAI PROJECT
Coordinator: Douglas Shukert
dshukert@yahoo.com
Posted to The Community December 12, 2002. Revised March 6, 2003.
UPDATES May 13, June 18, July
27, August 19, and Sept 9, 2003.
(click on date to page down)
Japan Times column on the Kokutai: "A
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD?: National Sports Festival bars gaijin, and amateur leagues
follow suit" (Sept 30, 2003)
My Personal Experience with accessibility in
Japanese sports
Author: Douglas Shukert (dshukert@yahoo.com)
(All views herein are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those
of The Community at large)
I first came to Japan in the summer of 1987. I had played ice hockey most of my life
and was lucky enough to get on a team in Yokohama. In America I am a mediocre Senior
A player, but in Japan, I am a superstar. In 1988 the team won the Kanagawa-ken championship,
qualified for the national tournament, and I got my first taste of discrimination.
In those days foreign players were not allowed in the Japan League (Japan's top league)
or in any national tournament. So when the team left for the nationals, I was left
behind in Yokohama. I fumed, walked off the team, staged a one-man protest, and wrote
letters to the International Ice Hockey Federation and the Japan Ice Hockey Federation.
At that time I did not fully appreciate what our team manager went through for me,
but somehow miraculously he got the rules changed so that two foreign players were
allowed on each team in the Japan League and in national tournaments. To me it was
still discrimination, but at least I was allowed to play.
In 1990 I moved to Salzburg, Austria and ran into the same kind of discrimination.
In Austria almost every league at every level is restricted to having two foreign
players per team. The problem in Austria was that it was easy for teams to recruit
outstanding players from Czech or Germany, pushing other residents like me into the
bowels of mediocre ice hockey. In other words I was forced to play in a league well
below my ability because of the fierce competition for the few available foreign
player spots.
I moved to Sendai in April of 1999 and hoped to continue my hobby of playing ice
hockey. Ice hockey in Miyagi is controlled by the Miyagi Ice Hockey Federation (MIHF).
Hockey for adults is split into two leagues, one league of 8 teams for serious players
and a second league of about 12 teams for women, the handicapped, people learning
how to skate, and foreigners. No foreigners were allowed in the top league. The winners
of the top league went on to represent Miyagi-ken in national tournaments and the
Kokutai (where foreigners are also not allowed); and therefore, there was no need
to allow foreigners into the league at all. So again I complained, wrote letters,
etc. and two things happened. First, I was banned from hockey in Miyagi (not formally
of course, because that would be more problematic) and second, foreigners were allowed
to play in the competitive league. Now, there is exactly one foreigner player in
that league, and he is there to show everyone that MIHF does not discriminate.
The Law on Human Rights
Japan signed the UN Declaration Against All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1995.
The law says that sports organizations cannot discriminate on the basis of "National
Origin." Does "National Origin" mean a foreigner, or does it mean
a Japanese Citizen who was a foreigner? The fine print says that the laws are only
applicable to people who have the right of citizenship. If the law against racial
discrimination is only applicable to Japanese Citizens, then it has no meaning, because
the equality of all Japanese is already guaranteed in Article 14 of the Constitution.
In Japan, human rights are granted by the Constitution. In America, human rights
are universal; that is, if you are born a human, then you have human rights. Laws
are only made to protect people's rights. The basic concept behind human rights is
that all people are equal, and their rights are equal. The only trouble occurs when
one person's rights clash with another's. Since all humans are equal, there is no
question that one's rights do not depend on one's nationality, country of residence,
salary, color or anything else.
Of the basic human rights, the three most commonly acccepted are: life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness. All other rights are just outcomes of these three.
Since no one understands the concept of the pursuit of happiness, I like to replace
it with the right of property or the right of ownership, in other words it is my
right to "own" things. When we talk about breaking the law, we are talking
about breaking other people's rights. If I steal money from someone, it is against
the law. Not because stealing is bad and the Bible says so, but because I have violated
someone's right of ownership (by taking something that belongs to him).
In the case of Japan's sports organizations, they are taking money in the form of
taxes from foreign residents and using that money to support sporting events that
those same foreign residents are not allowed to attend. It would be as if there were
a Christmas party at work, the cost of which was deducted from everyone's salary,
but only Japanese employees were allowed to attend. It is a violation of the foreigner's
right of ownership, and therefore, should be against the law.
Personally, I see absolutely no difference between banning foreigners from some private
sports club in Shinjuku and banning foreigners from the annual Kokutai. The only
difference that I can see is that in the case of the sports club, foreigners are
excluded before they pay. In the case of the Kokutai, foreigners pay (with taxes)
and then they are excluded.
To: communityinjapan@yahoogroups.com
From: Douglas Shukert <dshukert@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 13 May 2003 16:58:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [communityinjapan] Kokutai Update
I had a big day in court yesterday.
Just when I thought the judge was going to throw out my case, he surprised everyone
and all but demanded that Miyagi Ice Hockey Federation's (MIHF) president, Mr. Isawa,
appear in court and clarify all the discrepancies between depositions that Isawa
has filed with the court and the 104 pages of evidence that I presented last month.
Actually, since the judge cannot demand the appearance of a witness, after MIHF's
attorney refused to call Isawa, the judge asked me to do it. He even faxed me a copy
of the form I need to fill out to call a witness. Sometimes it pays to be a foreigner,
because I am sure that the same service would not be extended to a Japanese plaintiff.
The judge also made it very clear that if I did not have any questions for Isawa,
then the judges would ask a few. They even seem to be anxious, as they set the next
meeting for June 17. (The judges had wanted to meet on June 3, but there were too
many schedule conflicts.)
Anyway, it's a good sign. But as I tried to explain to the judge, just because Isawa
is put in the hot seat (so to speak) doesn't mean he will suddenly start telling
the truth. The most likely outcome is that Isawa will lie in court, we'll file for
perjury, and since perjury cases are rarely tried in Japan (according to my lawyer),
that will be the end of it.
There was another interesting outcome, Miyagi Ken admitted that even though foreigners
are not part of the "Kokumin" they are part of the "Kenmin".
Up till now, I thought that Miyagi would claim that since foreigners are not on the
"Juuminhyou" they are not legal residents and therefore cannot be considered
to be "Kenmin". But to my surprise, Miyagi did not try that argument. It
is an important point, because when the Kokutai was put on trial ten years ago in
Fukushima, the judge declared that the Kokutai was an event for the "Kokumin"
and the "Kenmin". In other words, if foreigners are "Kenmin"
and the Kokutai is for both "Kokumin" and "Kenmin" then the Kokutai
should be for foreigners, too.
The argument I am getting from Miyagi Ken is since the purpose of the Kokutai is
not racial discrimination, then the exclusion of foreigners cannot be considered
to be illegal. Anyone have any thoughts on this? (To me, it is kind of like involuntary
manslaughter, that is, they don't mean to do it, but it happens.)
Best regards from Sendai,
Douglas Shukert (dshukert@yahoo.com)
P.S. If anyone wants to have a mini rally at the upcoming fall Kokutai in Shizuoka,
I would be very happy to organize something. Because I will be there at any rate.
To: communityinjapan@yahoogroups.com
From: Douglas Shukert <dshukert@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 17:01:31 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Community] Kokutai Update
Kokutai Update 2003.6.19.2003
It's all over but the verdict. Miyagi Ice Hockey Federation's president, Heiichi
Isawa, presented testimony to Sendai's High Court on Tuesday, June 17 during the
final meeting in Sendai. The verdict will be delivered on July 25, and then it's
off to Tokyo and the Supreme Court. As we suspected, Isawa lied shamelessly, even
though I had tried hard to structure our questions so that he would not have to lie.
Several times he contradicted evidence that had already been presented. Several times
he even contradicted himself. He even mumbled something about being "under oath"
and therefore, could not tell a lie. I almost burst out laughing. But this leads
me to an interesting point. I do not know what Debito's experience is, but I have
been amazed at how the Japanese (who have a reputation of being honest and law-abiding)
lie like dogs in court. And yet, lawyers and judges take it all in as if it was standard
practice. I wonder if judges are experts at telling who lies and who doesn't, or
(as Isawa feebly tried to point out) they must believe everything a witness says
simply because he is under oath.
In my case with the police, not only have the police lied by creating an elaborate
fictional variation of the event, they have gone so far as to fabricate evidence
to back up their story. If the police are immoral enough to falsify evidence in a
civil case, what is there to prevent them from doing the same in a criminal case?
It's a pretty scary thought.
But, it's all under the bridge, now. The only thing left to do is wait for the verdict.
We made some good points and some not-so-good points. I would sure like to write
a critique of Isawa's testimony before the verdict, but I guess that will have to
wait for the Supreme Court. My feeling is that the court will decide that Isawa had
legitimate reasons for banning foreigners (e.g. keeping out overpowering Canadian
and Russian players in order to allow Japanese players to develop), and therefore,
banning foreign athletes cannot be considered "irrational discrimination"
and they will uphold the lower court's ruling. But I could be wrong.
By the way, did everyone order your 2003 Kokutai opening ceremony tickets? Sale ends
7/15. You can call Shizuoka Prefecture's office at 054-221-3683 or visit http://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/seibun/sb-06/profile/index.htm
I have not received mine yet. I imagine ticket requests from Sendai are being carefully
scrutinized. And any of you athletes out there who want to compete (Joel?), just
go down to your prefectural amateur sports association and ask for an application
form. I did yesterday. By law, they cannot refuse you on the basis of nationality.
Best regards from Sendai,
Douglas Shukert
To: communityinjapan@yahoogroups.com
From: Douglas Shukert <dshukert@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2003 17:04:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Community] Strike Two
Well, the verdict is in, and it is not pretty. Sendai's High Court upheld the district
courts decision in its entirety. Foreigners have no right to participate in sports
in Japan, the government can use our taxes for any purpose it desires and "reasonable"
discrimination of foreigners cannot be considered to be illegal. The reasoning being
the decision is as follows:
1. As many people on the list have already pointed out, since the average Japanese is not as capable in sports, it is unfair to expect them to compete against bigger, stronger and smarter foreigners.
2. As someone else on this list already pointed out, it is the sovereign right of kings, dictators and fascist governments to use people's taxes as they see fit. This includes using your taxes to support sporting events and organizations that you are not allowed to join. You may consider your taxes as "gratitude" for being allowed to live in this wonderful country with all its social benefits.
3. All laws in Japan are flexible. As someone else has already pointed out, even though Japan signed the Declaration Against All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1996, how faithfully that treaty is followed will be determined by the people and the courts.
So now it is up to Japan's Supreme Court to decide if I am allowed to play ice hockey
in Japan or not. It is hard to say where this trial went wrong. My feeling is that
it is just too much to chew in one bite. A lawsuit may not have been the best way
to attack this problem. Japanese courts do not necessarily follow law or logic. My
impression is that the verdict is decided first, and then the reasons. Judges may
be constrained by civil law #90, which states that decisions cannot be contrary to
society. Since the government and government organizations supposedly represent the
people, judges may be reluctant to make decisions against those government organizations.
I believe Debito is running into the same situation in his case against the city.
Someone on this list also suggested that the courts can be used by anyone. From my
experience, my advice is to avoid the courts as much as possible. Even if you are
successful, it is a long, expensive, frustrating process. And the social stigma attached
to being in court is not worth the effort.
Best regards from Sendai,
Douglas Shukert
To: communityinjapan@yahoogroups.com
From: Douglas Shukert <dshukert@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 21:04:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Community] Re: Kokutai Case
I just wanted to clear up a few points from a previous posting. Scott mentioned that
courts are not meant to force teams to befriend everyone. He also said something
about the use of taxes. I just have 2 points to make:
1) These teams, leagues, tournaments and sports associations are supported in part
by everyone's taxes. That is the main point of this case. In some cases (e.g. the
Kokutai, Kokutai qualification tournaments, the Miyagi Amateur Sports Association,
the Japan Ice Hockey Association, etc.) they are supported almost entirely by taxes.
I do not think that making me pay for something I am not allowed to participate in
is right.
The funny part is that independent teams (that is, teams that are not in part supported
by taxes) welcome everybody, because they need the revenue.
2) Teams cannot reject players for illegal reasons, i.e. because I am a "gaijin."
Both the UN Declaration Against Racial Discrimination and the Law for the Promotion
of Human Rights Awareness make it illegal for even individuals to practice or promote
racial discrimination. (But, of course, as we all know, "racial" discrimination
as defined by the Japanese does not exist in Japan.)
(snip)
Best regards,
Douglas Shukert
President of the Association to Abolish
Racial Discrimination in Sports, AARDS
To: communityinjapan@yahoogroups.com
From: Arudou Debito <debito@debito.org>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 09:14:40 +0900
Subject: Re: [Community] Ministry of Injustice
At 5:01 PM -0700 03.9.8, Douglas Shukert wrote:
> Last week I went to the District Attorney's office to
> file perjury charges against Detective Chiba for his
> false testimony on 2/13, 4/24 and 7/10 and against
> Miyagi Ice Hockey's president, Heiichi Isawa, for his
> false testimony in court on 6/17. I could have filed
> charges at police HQ, but since the police have failed
> in 1 1/2 years to do anything about the criminal
> charges I filed on 2001.4.5, I thought I would be
> smart this time and file directly with the DA.
> Well, the DA is even worse than police HQ, as the DA
> would not even register my complaint until they
> complete an "initial investigation." In other words
> there will not even be a record that I filed a
> complaint. The result is, here are 5 more Japanese
> criminals who will not appear on any criminal statistic report.
Douglas S, for what it's worth, I heartily commend you for your
follow-through on this issue. I bet they never expected you to go so far as
to file a complaint for perjury, and it's very good you did, even if it was
rejected. So file again.
Did you or your lawyers let the media know about this? That's what they're
for at a time like this. Now it's time for the media (and yourself) to keep
pressure up for a clarification of a timeframe for that "initial investigation".
Keep filing until you get that timeframe. Once you have an
approximate date, the clock starts running, and it's all grist for the mill
later when it becomes clear that they don't intend to keep their promises.
Clearly the DA is not going to cooperate with prosecuting one of their own.
But the fact you made that clear matters. Now make it as public as you can
by staying the course.
Think of the Otaru Onsen Racial
Discrimination Lawsuit, for example.
When I wrote my Sept
4 Statement for the Sapporo High Court, remember, there
was years of water under the bridge, and lots of evidence that the City of
Otaru did nothing, and even avoided doing something (to the point of even
excluding foreigners from their shingikai) about discrimination in their
jurisdiction. But the fact that we were completely refused any inputs into
the deliberation process is what may come back to bite Otaru in the end.
Maybe (and probably) not, but it's better than the alterative of not having
that evidence to cite.
Douglas S, don't let the frustration get you down. The stonewalling is
precisely what you must expose. It may even work in your favor if you can
get a media record of it. The more stonewalling there is, the more patterns
will emerge. And the more third parties will start studying what you're
doing. The Otaru Case is attracting a lot of academic attention, for
starters, and the media is referring to it all over again with the recent
discovery of a new Monbetsu onsen refusing foreigners. (Big news yesterday
morning in the papers and on the TV yesterday afternoon. Report
from me to
follow.)
You are doing the right thing, Douglas S. Keep it up. Arudou Debito in Sapporo
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