"THE
COMMUNITY"
on THE SHIGA PREFECTURE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CASE
1994-2002
(Japanese here {Ԑꭱj
NB: Although we here at The Community were
not responsible for bringing this issue to the fore (other groups, such as NIBRA, were), we feel it is important that this case be documented
and accessible, such as on The Community Site, as an example of how activist groups
pushing social issues into the public eye can result in meaningful resolution, even
social change. FYI.
UPDATE
SHIGA-KEN GOVERNOR ORDERS REVISION
OF PREFECTURAL HOUSING POLICY
(Made public July 16, 2002)
Hello All. Got some pretty good news.
I wrote you a couple of days ago about Shiga Prefecture and its rule that only people
with Japanese language ability may apply for prefecturally-run housing. This despite
the fact that foreign residents pay prefectural taxes too.
Well, according to the Mainichi Shinbun, Osaka, July 11, morning edition, page 28,
the Governor of Shiga-ken has officially ordered a revision to this policy.
Got the text of the article directly from the Mainichi Osaka Honbu this morning.
News this good shouldn't be buried in a local choukan. The article in Japanese follows,
with my translation below:
SHIGA-KEN GOV ORDERS REVISION OF PREF HOUSING
APPLICATION PROCEDURES WHICH EXCLUDE NIKKEIJIN
(Mainichi Shinbun, July 11, 2002, Osaka Morning Edition, page 28)
Addressing the problem of Shiga Prefecture excluding Nikkei Brazilian applicants
for prefecturally-run housing because of their lack of Japanese, Governor KUNIMATSU
Yoshitsugu announced on the afternoon of July 10 that there would be a review of
prefectural standards vis-a-vis Japanese language ability and applications.
This will open a path for Nikkei Brazilian workers, who live in fear of corporate
restructuring when residing in company dormitories, to secure more stable lives.
At a regular press conference, Governor Kunimatsu stated, "(Having seen the
Mainichi article, July 10 evening edition), I have confirmed this situation with
the people in charge. They said that 'there are problems with neighboring residents',
but I ordered them to review (mi naosu) this situation again."
At Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Lucia Okumura (42), a nisei Nikkei Brazilian who
opens volunteer language classes and other support activities for foreign prefectural
residents, said, "A review is obvious, and it's about time. I hope that they
will grasp the real situation and create an environment which will include non-Japanese."
WORD FROM ACTIVIST GROUPS
(This is how Arudou Debito heard about the second Mainichi article)
I personally wrote a letter or support to the the group protesting in Shiga-ken,
the NIHON BRAZIL YOU-I NET (NIBRA), and got an answer back on Saturday.
/////////////////////////////////////
From: "NIBRA" <brazil@nifty.com>
To: "Arudou Debito" <debito@debito.org>
Subject: Re: VFŐԤcZΔѶOl
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 22:46:29 +0900
[ѭʭۭӭB
ԞA{ԐeXgݭ魢A
EÛ筀Aul{Ԑʭǭ魢vvϭ
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Takashi Matsui, NIBRA
{uŰWѭ[ʭlbgiNIBRAFNIHON BRAZIL YOU-I NETj
E[Ѫ@brazil@nifty.com
HP http://homepage1.nifty.com/brasil
(TRANSLATION FROM DEBITO: Thanks for your mail. Officials don't actually test
anyone's Japanese at the counter. But if the official thinks, "this person can't
do much Japanese", then they refuse the application, or if they think they can
then they accept. Either way, we will not accept this type of discrmination, and
I think it is necessary from now on to say "this won't do" openly, and
from the eyes of people with foreign nationalities.)
/////////////////////////////////////
Just a brief word, as you can see. But it's nice to touch base.
From another group of activists I received the following:
/////////////////////////////////////
Arudou Debito l
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(QUICK TRANSLATION FROM DEBITO:
I got word from one of my friends. As follows:
"Thanks for your important article.
"Thanks to your quick protest actions, the Shiga-Ken Governor has stated in
the July 11 Mainichi Shinbun (Osaka HQ publication) that the language requirement
for prefectural apartments will be dropped. "
I haven't seen the article myself, but unless it is clear who is responsible for
this problem, or until those responsible for this problem hav been punished, similar
discrimination will keep occurring again and again.
I have already demanded in writing from the Shiga Governor that those made responsible
be punished and that education in human rights be directed towards the staff.)
TRANSLATION ENDS
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================================================
http://www12.mainichi.co.jp/news/search-news/855286/8ea089ea8ca7-0-1.html
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================================================
ENDS
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FAX: 077-528-4835
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ŐԤL@webmaster@pref.shiga.jp
HP: http://www.pref.shiga.jp
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==================================================
From: "NIBRA" <brazil@nifty.com>
To: "Arudou Debito" <debito@debito.org>
Subject: Re: VFŐԤcZΔѶOl
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 22:46:29 +0900
[ѭʭۭӭB
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Takashi Matsui, NIBRA
{uŰWѭ[ʭlbgiNIBRAFNIHON BRAZIL YOU-I NETj
E[Ѫ@brazil@nifty.com
HP http://homepage1.nifty.com/brasil
==================================================
ȭAۭܭlcmխ]B㜭Vڬ㟭B
==================================================
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==================================================
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http://www.debito.org