- Discussion Week 5 -

 

- Friday the 5th of May -

- History VS. Truth - 

 

If you check the history timeline of Japan, I should say the "official" timeline, or possibly the "public" history of Japan, you'll find that the first emperor of Japan took the throne in 660 BCE. Also, you'll find that officially, some female empresses are not officially counted amongst the list of emperors that have ruled Japan.

Even if you check the "list of emperors of Japan" page on wikipedia, you find that most of them are listed with "Traditional Dates"(this means they aren't the real dates)

This fits nicely with Japan's current traditional views and policies, but is it really the truth?

Well if we were to check the remains and other physical evidence we find from historical periods of Japan's history, we find that some of the true history and the national history don't agree with each other.

 

This is not really  a big problem, but the question I want to ask you is: Should the true history be more important than a good narrative(story) that "fits"?

If the history of Japan were to change to the true history, do you think that would be an issue? (if it would, why?)

 

List of emperors of Japan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Emperors_of_Japan

Let's talk about that.

 - Discussion Week 4 -

 

- Friday the 28th of April -

- Why do foreigners face discrimination in Japan when it comes to official matters - 

 

I am a New Zealander.

I am not Japanese.

What this means is that when I try to rent an apartment, buy a house, get a loan, or even just stay in Japan, I have extra procedures to go through because I'm foreign.

The chances of me getting a loan approved are lower in Japan because I'm foreign.

There is a chance that owners of apartment buildings/houses/etc. don't want foreigners in their building.

When I enter Japan I am given an "alien card" which I have to carry with me everywhere by law. Other forms of I.D. are not a sufficient replacement.

 

Why do foreigners receive such discrimination in Japan?

Do you think these points are just rare cases?

If they're not rare cases do you think they are too strict on foreigners?

If they're not too strict, do you think other countries would benefit from similar discrimination against new foreigners?

 

 

Let's talk about that.

 - Discussion Week 3 -

 

- Friday the 21st of April -

- Should Halal Meat Be Outlawed - 

 

If you don't know the manner in which Halal meat is butchered, please look it up.

It's a barbaric practice which causes immense suffering for the animal that is being slaughtered.

 

My questions this week are short:

Should Halal meat/butchery be outlawed?

Or should it be allowed under cultural/religious rights?

 

Let's talk about that.