Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(1)Society

July, 2021

The NUFS Times
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

57 Takenoyama, Iwasakicho, Nissin, Aichi 470-0197 JapanThe 7th edition

Understanding Invisible Pain
How to respond to help mark users
By Natsumi YAMADA

According to a survey conductedby Aichi Prefecture in 2020, 64.9%
of Japanese citizens can recognize
the help mark and understand its
meaning. Representing a 31% increase since 2018, this figure is a
result of governmental awarenesscampaigns, street awarenessevents, and public posters on transportation. The help mark’s efficacy
relies on high awareness rates.
Gathering recognition from nearly
two thirds of the population, thehelp mark initiative should beachieving its goals and making public transportation easier for people
with invisible disabilities.
However, the remarks of help
mark users themselves tell a different story. Mr. Kazuki Kuraoka, who
has been voicing his opinions at theMainichi Shimbun Newspaper,
shared his experience using thehelp mark. “Since I began using thehelp mark in 2019, the number ofpeople who offer their seats on public transportation has visibly increased.” Mr. Kuraoka, who suffers
an internal disability, shared thisinformation. “Having said that,many people still pretend not to notice the help-mark.” People avert
their gaze, look at their phones, orclose their eyes to rest, even though
they may have seen the mark. One
bus driver ignored the help-mark,doubting that Mr. Kuraoka uses afree transportation pass for the disabled.

mind. Mr. Kuraoka is not pressuring people toimmediately
muster up thecourage to speak.
Rather, he suggests that people
begin by being
considerate, paying attention totheir actions, and reaching out if
and when they feel comfortable.

Top left: Help mark and disability
certificate (photo: provided by Mr.
Kuraoka)
Top right: Promotional poster by
Aichi pref.
Left: Mr. Kazuki Kuraoka (left) andwriterfocusing on our phone screens, wemiss the important emotional connections that bind humanity togethCurrent help mark guidelines
er. Perhaps, just for a few moments
claim that, when you see someone
when the train doors open andwith a help mark, you should:
close, we can look up and look
Mr. Kuraoka wants people to①Offer your seat.
help increase not only public recog- around. Doing so might create an②Provide emergency evacuation
nition, but also public understand- environment where people are more
support if needed.
sensitive to the existence of others③Be mindful of others by, for exam- ing regarding the help mark. “When
Unsure whether his experiencin need.
I look at the information posters
ple, speaking quietly.
es were unique, Mr. Kuraoka coninside the station and the stickers
It is true that the awareness oftacted a help mark user group,
However, Mr. Kuraoka has pro- inside the train, I feel that they only the help mark is increasing year by
where he learned that others werevided more detailed instructions. He ‘notify’ that the help mark exists,
year. This awareness is indispensaalso having similar experiences. “Isuggested, “You can try to talk to
but fail to help us ‘understand’ what ble. However society will be slow to
was astonished,” Mr. Kuraoka said, help-mark users, asking ‘Are you
the help mark actually does” hechange. But ultimately, once this“there is still a lot of work to do.”okay?’” While there are some users says. For example, the posters often change occurs, the taboo surroundThough he feels that more people
who prefer not to draw attention to lack concreteness, leaving weak im- ing disabilities will dissipate, so
are becoming aware of the mark,themselves, conversation mightpressions and impacts on passersby. that those who suffer in silence canreal-life experience tells a different help them become comfortable with The current advertisements do notreceive the care they require. Perstory.
communicating their health issues encourage action, but rather passiv- haps we can take some time out ofand joining help groups, instead ofity. “To combat this ignorant passiv- our day to consider those in needHelp-mark mannerisms
suffering in silence. Mr. Kuraoka
ity, I especially want the younger
and be considerate to those who
So how mindful should our soci- himself says that it is difficult togeneration to know more about the have less than us.
speak out when he is in bad shape. health mark,” Mr. Kuraoka shares,
ety be when dealing with the help
“I wish more people had the courage emphasizing that “young people aremark? When I see someone with ato reach out and ask those with the responsible for our future.”
help mark, I am not sure what to※Help Mark: In 2012, governdo. I am unsure whether some peo- help mark if they are okay.”ments created a mark that aids
Opening our hearts
ple only want help if they are inpeople with invisible disabilities.
Toward a greater understandThe mark informs people that atrouble, whether they want to conThe other day, when I boarded person may require extra assisingverse, or for everyone to remain quitance or consideration. This inthe train and looked around, mostet instead. Surely, many of us havecludes people who use prosthetic
people were mindlessly staring at
Admittedly, it takes a lot oflegs or artificial joints, internal
encountered similar issues, and the courage to reach out to someone.
their phones with sullen faces.
disorders or those who are in early
preferences of each help-mark user What if they dislike being appregnancy. One can receive theWith the rapid spread of infor- mark free of charge at a designatmay be unique. So, in public, what
proached? What if we make things
kind of assistance do help-mark us- worse and end up ruining their day? mation that accompanies the Inter- ed location in each municipality.
One can also receive though a legal
net, we have begun losing room in
ers really desire?
representative.
Such things always come to myour hearts. When we are too busy

(2) Society

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

July, 2021

Animal Welfare
Put Yourself in Cats’ Shoes-The need for empathy toward Japan’s stray catsBy Shota YAMAMOTO“Many cats now grow up on concrete tetrapods that line Okinawa’s
beaches. Due to the excess amountsof stray cats in certain port towns,
these cats may find themselves lostat sea in rough weather.” Ms. K,
who works to protect stray catsfrom undeserved slaughter, displacement, or dying on the roads,
provided this shocking information.
“We often see stray cats get run
over by cars. We also often find thedead, drowned bodies of cats around
Okinawa.” Ms. K’s assistant, whocame from Okinawa, continued. “In
addition,” “residents of Amami island suspect that stray cats are responsible for killing endemic Amami rabbits, leading them to in theslaughter many stray cats.”
To improve the dreadful statesof the stray cats in Okinawa, Ms. K
and her assistant staff have founded a cat protection society called“Alice,” often holding sessions tofind new owners for the stray catsfrom other protection facilities in
Okinawa, such as O-ami Refuge.
Fortunately, with many people
alone at home during COVID-19,
the demand for pet cats has increased, meaning that more catsunder Alice’s protection could findfoster parents. “I want people to beaware of the terrible situations thatstray cats in Okinawa are currently
facing, so that they are more willingto help out, and adopt a cat,” shared
Ms. K.

Top: An adoption the session by the cat protection society, Alice (photo provided by Alice)
Above: Photos from the Instagram of Alice
Below: Mačka, a stray cat adopted by Ms. Midori, it's the meaning of the cat in Croatian.

Midori, a lady who
recently adopted astray cat, suggests:“The problem is thatthe activities of individual people or facilities are not sufficient enough tosolve such a large
issue.” A large-scale
systematic approach
might be a better
solution. Aichi Animal Welfare Centre(AAWC), for instance, operates under the Aichi prefectural government.
To ease adoption,
the centre acts as amediator between
cat-protection facilities and foster families. It also engages
in treating straycats, encouraging
kindness to animals,
and educating people about adopting
new animals. Primarily, the centre
focuses on controlling stray cats in thestreet, claiming:“While finding foster
families is important, managing
the population ofcats in the streets isa fundamental stepthat can combat
Japan’s stray catcrisis.”In addition to
the AAWC, animal
rescue facilities also
help
cat
protection
centre’s find newvulnerable cats.
families
for
cats
in
need,
resulting
When we offer toinhigherrates
ofresponsible
adopthelp poor cats,ing.
Therescuefacilities
trytoedufeeding them orcatethepubliconpropermannerwelcoming themisms for dealing with stray cats.
into our house,
we must careful- One staff in the center said, “Public
institutions for pets need people toly think about
how our actions stop light heartedly feeding cats.
will not only af- And if, by chance, you do feed them,
fect the present, you have to make sure that you continue taking care of them until they
but also the future condition of pass away.” This way of thinking
that the centre has been promoting
Japan’s straycats.” This empa- is now called “lifelong-feeding” or
Of course, even if volunteer sothy and foresight “proper-feeding.”
cieties can prepare cats for adop– not just sympaMs. K always conducts intenof them. To prevent this issue, wetion, finding foster families is not
thy – is an important key to protect- sive surveys to those who came tomust ensure that we are ready tonecessarily the be-all-end-all soluing stray cats from our carelessness. her sessions to confirm that hosttake care of the cat until they die ortion to Japan’s stray cat problem.
families really can look after theirAdditionally, the “kawaisou” orMayumi Takasu, an avid cat protec- not. In addition, gaining the consent
new family member. This vigilance“cute” mindset towards cats, Mator who has picked up over 20 stray of families or neighbors is imcomes from her empathy for the fuportant before spontaneously invit- yumi tell us, can make it increascats from her yard, describes thisingly difficult to decrease the popu- ture of Japan’s stray cats, not fromreality. To be good owners, we have ing a new animal into one’s housemere sympathy. If people lack thislation of stray cats. Fukuneko-noto keep a lot in mind, even after let- hold.
empathy, they will abandon theirsato, who protects stray cats inting stray cats into our houses.
With adoption not being as sim- Aichi, noted that “Feeding the stray cats as soon as they became bored
While we might eagerly pick up cats ple a solution as one originally asor sick of having them. To unlock
cats just because they are cutebecause we want to take care of
the full potential of the public instisumes, Mrs. Mayumi alerted thatmakes the population rise. If you
them, we are not looking into thetutions combatting the stray cat“we must think much more intenwant to be able to feed them, you
future, or thinking about the incred- sively about the problems that strayalso have to give them a castration crisis, we must put ourselves inible amount of time and money
stray cats’ shoes.
cats are facing today. We have tooperation.”needed to feed them and take careput ourselves in the position of theOn the other hand, Ms. K alsomentioned that “Inadequate staff
and the difficulty of transportingcats from Okinawa make our activities quite hard.” Protecting cats andhosting adoption sessions is no simple work. In particular, the operations required for adoption, castration operations and disease treatments, make Alice’s work very costly. Volunteer societies, like Alice andFukuneko-no-sato, bear these costsby themselves. If they cannot fully
afford to pay, then some of the catsprotected by the facilities must return to their previous, dreadful
lives.

July, 2021

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(3)BusinessDistribution of WealthSewing an Ethical Economy

Combatting low consumer awareness of Fairtrade
By Utana MIZUNO

Helping small-scale farmers in developing countries, protecting local
communities, and combating environmental degradation, fair trade
makes for a more equitable global
economy. Before the fair trade system began, farmers had increasing
troubles receiving fair compensation. Now, the initiative helps farmers avoid issues regarding overwork, child labor and low wages. Bypurchasing fair trade products, we
can support farmers’ lives in developing countries and help the fairtrade initiative realize a more sustainable world.
Fairtrade also sets standards
for producing safe and high-quality
products. Avoiding the use of
agrichemicals, fair trade produce isboth eco-friendly and healthy. To
those who have negative reactions
to pesticides, fair trade products area healthy, organic alternative. The
fair trade initiative, in other words,
considers both the producer andconsumer throughout its productdevelopment process.
In an interview, Mr. Kouhei
Miyakawa, an FTNN (Fairtrade
Nagoya Network) representative
and associate professor at NUFS,
expressed that one of the major
problems affecting Fairtrade is poorawareness. Mr. Miyakawa’s concern
regarding fair trade comes from hisrole as a representative for FTNN.
FTNN seeks to popularize fair tradeand maintain Nagoya city’s status
as a “fair trade town.” The status
updates every 3 years, with newtowns dropping in and out each cycle. Current fair trade cities in Japan include Sapporo in Hokkaido,
Hamamatsu in Shizuoka, Zu in
Kanagawa, and more.

race. It is, indeed, importantfor consumers to have morechoices. Competition can also
encourage the fair trade initiative to further improve its
products and ethics. However,fair trade also distinguishes
from other labels, in that it is
not simply about “organic” and“ethical” products, but also an
equitable economy. The elisionof this important distinction in
the wake of our global ‘organic’craze would damage the local
communities that fair tradesupports.

cance of their meals. If children can
not only learn about, but also experience fair trade products, they canspread awareness to their family.
Bringing information home, students have the potential to createcross-generational awareness towards fair trade products.

A clerk at one of Nagoya’s local
fair trade shops shared that companies have been ordering fair trade
products as gifts to other businesses. Recently, a company had ordered Fairtrade products for
ochūgen, a customary mid-year gift
in Japan. This trend of gift-buying,
the clerk described, is the angle
Boosting Brand Awarenessfrom which organizations should
According to a 2019 survey
To increase awarenessadvertise fair trade products. Giftfrom FTFJ (Fairtrade Forum Jarates regarding fair trade, FTNN
Top: A clerk from who talked aboutpan), the awareness of fair trade is fair-trade coffee beans.
tries to maintain Nagoya’s status as giving creates a self-promoting spiral – both the company that sends
32.8%. Surveys of fair trade towns
a Fairtrade town and creates broand receives the gift become extell us that awareness rates rise to Middle: Organic cotton traditionallychures that promote the fair trade
dyed by Arimatsu-Shibori.
40 or 50% in metropolises. Indeed,
community. FTNN also introduces posed to the fair trade brand, increasing the likelihood and volume
fair trade awareness rates have
Above: Chocolate goods
new companies to fair trade prodof future sales.
greatly increased since the foundaucts in order to increase consumer
tion of Fairtrade Japan in 1993.
product exposure. Recently, because
The shop clerk succinctly capNonetheless, in comparison to theof COVID-19, they have developed
tured the unique experience of fair
United States’ 59% awareness rate, disappear from store shelves foran online store where consumers
trade in one sentence: “we can feelJapan’s 32.8% points towards a
periods at a time. Competing prod- can browse and buy the products
the warmth from Fairtrade prodlarge gap of untapped market poucts, however, are available yearonline.
ucts.” We can feel this warmth intential.
round. Fairtrade chocolate, for exthe careful and safe selection of
Potential to create crossample, begins making sales in Octo- generational awarenessharmful substances such as pestiReasons for lack of awarenessber, finishing by May or June. A
cides. We can feel it in the ethicalThe struggle to raise fair trade
Schools have become anotherlack of product, shelf space, andproduction processes, and the combrand awareness arises from a lackmeans of marketing for initiatives
seasonal limitations collectively
munities that we support with eachof supply. While the amount of fair
like FTNN. During fair trade
hamper the fair trade initiatives’purchase. As global citizens, thetrade coffee has increased, it still
month, which is May, FTNN collab- shop clerk explains, our duty exefforts to compete with big-nameremains small compared to the coforates with local schools to hostbrands and boost their own brandtends past the simple purchasing offee from large commercial farms.
lunches. The purpose of the lunch is fair trade products. Through raisingawareness.
This means that fair trade products
to teach children about fair trade.
awareness, we must pass on the
Recently, keywords such as
become lost in the shelves of superMany schools will succinctly introwarmth of fair trade to others. In“Organic”and “Ethical” have comemarkets, behind a sea of otherduce and explain school lunches
our communities, we must sew thebrands. Moreover, because they are into fashion, and “Fairtrade'' gradu- before students begin eating, soally finds itself buried in the global children can understand the signifi- warmth of an equitable and ethicalseasonal, fair trade products may
global economy.

(4) Minority

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

July, 2021

安宵宨宨宧宲宰季宲宩季宐室宵宵宬室宪宨

“A Chance”
Fighting for LGBTQ+ with Buddhism and SNS
By Shiori KASUGAI

Walking by the gates of Sai-

myouji, a temple in Kawagoe city,

Saitama pref, one might witness
two men, or two women, walking
hand in hand to a traditional Buddhist wedding. Available to samesex couples, these weddings mark ashift in Japan’s public attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. In
recent years, religious institutions
and social organizations, like Saimyouji temple, have been fighting
for a Japan where “same-sex marriage” is possible.
On March 17, 2021, the Sapporo district court judge ruled that “Itis unconstitutional to not legallypermit same-sex marriage.” Doingso, the court claims, violates Article
14 of the constitution, which promises “equality under the law.” This
long-awaited ruling has broughttears and shouts of joy to LGBTQ+
communities across the country.
The ruling from the Sapporo
court follows a six-year trend of“partnership systems.” Implemented by local governments, these systems grant same-sex couples certain
privileges that married couples enjoy, while also symbolically recognizing LGBTQ+ relationships. Since
Sapporo implemented this system
in 2017, more than 100 cities acrossJapan have followed suit.

Above: An LGBTQ+ couple who are active YouTubers
under the name “PIGLETS”. Wearing Black kimono’s person (left) is Nana-san and Momo-san.
left: A wedding ceremony in Saimyouji temple.
Photos: Provided by Saimyouji temple

As the only country in the G7 to
not have permitted same-sex marriage, Japan’s LGBTQ+ initiatives
are playing catch up with the rest of
the world. How are Japanese citizens advocating for LGBTQ+
rights?

SNS Movement
When it comes to social movements, nothing beats the ubiquitous
influence of social media.
PALETTALK, an organization that
discusses LGBTQ+ and feminist
issues online, uses SNS's potential
to fuel Japan's LGBTQ+ movement.
PALETTALK describes itself as creating "media that deciphers the haziness of sexuality through manga."
The combination of manga's visuallayout and SNS' connectivity allows
PALETTALK to distribute bite-size,
yet salient, panels of LGBTQ+ news
to Japanese society. Through thesepanels, the organization hopes toalter public sentiment regarding
LGBTQ+ people.

Buddhist Movement

Hence, Myoukan
does not mention
the law or constitution in his discussion of
LGBTQ+ weddings. Rather,
Myoukan takes
advantage of theseparation ofchurch and state, using it to help
sexual minorities enjoy a normal
life.

Uniting with the modern forceof social media, a traditional Buddhist temple, Saimyouji, has been
Myoukan found the inspiration
advocating for LGBTQ+ rights byto host LGBTQ+ weddings while
hosting wedding ceremonies forstudying Buddhism in India. "I was
same-sex couples. The chief priest of influenced by India's diversity," heSaimyouji, Senda Myoukan, began describes.
hosting same-sex weddings on May"In Japan, people like to con1st, 2020, the same day that Kawaformto the dominant train ofsaki city implemented its own partthought,
but in India, people accept
nership system.
diverse ideas and opinions." India's
Last year, two same-sex couples multinational diversity, in other
held Buddhist wedding ceremonies words, turned Saimyouji, a tradiat Saimyouji. The participants extional temple founded in the Kamapressed surprise that they could
kura period, into a temple that ishold a wedding at a temple. "We feel reinventing tradition.
overjoyed to have Buddhism recogPeople may think that hosting
nize our love,” shared one of thesame-sex
wedding ceremonies at
To spread awareness, PALEmarried couples.
Buddhist temples is revolutionary.
TALK also hosts discussion groups.
When deciding to host LGBTQ+ "However," Myoukan says,
Discussion helps people empathize
weddings,
Myoukan was not think- "Buddhist philosophy has been prewith the importance and gravity of
ing
about
the
recent ruling, orpared to host LGBTQ+ weddings for
LGBTQ+ struggles. Facilitating emjumping
throughlegal hoops. "Incenturies." Buddhism states thatpathy and social interaction, PALEJapan, we should care about the“All people are equal.” In other
TALK creates informed allies who
can further support sexual minori- separation of church and state," he words, no Buddhist scripture formaintains. "People must protect the bids same-sex marriage. Rather,ties.
right to the freedom of religion."
Buddhist teachings harmonize withdifferent ways of living. To show
their world-wide support for
LGBTQ+ communities, all ofJapan's Buddhist temples now
boast rainbow stickers.

A Chance"This is all about a chance,"
shares Myoukan, "The chance tocreate a better society. When theword 'LGBT' became popular in Japan, I realized that Buddhist temples can support living people. We
tend to think that temples are only
places for the deceased, but
LGBTQ+ wedding ceremonies are
one way that temples can improve
the lives of modern Japanese citizens."
PALETTALK recognized a similar chance. "People mindlessly use
SNS every day," claims the organization's CEO. Using publicity andadvertising on SNS, the CEO decided to share information about
LGBTQ+ issues. This was a chance.
A chance to turn mindless scrolling
into an educational experience, combating the ignorance that fuels
LGBTQ+ discrimination.
Myoukan claimed, “I hope the recent ruling will fuel the change for abetter system in Japan.” Thischange, however, will only happen if
citizens carry on the legacy of Saimyouji and PALETALK, taking advantage of the chance for equality
and love.

July, 2021

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(５) Subculture

Animation
Breathing Life into Drawing
Shaping the future of Japanese anime
By Tamaki SENO

Anime has been attracting a newwave of viewers during COVID-19.
Recently, Japanese anime such as
Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen
have been breaking the charts forbox office revenue. Demon Slayer
alone amassed 40 billion yen in box
office sales within 23 days of its release in April. The new quarantinelifestyle that accompanies COVID19 has translated into a mass ofviewers and money for Anime, anindustry that had been booming
even before the pandemic struck.
This boom of sales and revenue
has begun creating a new style ofanime, one that can afford to use
cutting-edge technology, attracting
people with vivid animation. Japanese anime is ascending to a newtier of quality and skill. I interviewed Kenichi Kutsuna to discuss
how Japanese anime will continue
to develop after COVID-19. Kutsuna has created original illustrations
for the recently released Jujutsu
Kaisen, and has also worked with
Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder ofStudio Ghibli.

Q: What is one message
that you want to sharewith other animators?
A: Please bring backanimation styles similar
to that of Studio Ghibli.
Old anime, like Studio
Ghibli, and late anime
are fundamentally different. The latest anime
is based on visualism,
which privileges visual
perception, and oldanime is based on pictorialism, which focuseson subject matter andcomposition. Many of
today's anime stimulate
the visual and auditory
senses – they emerge asbright, vivid splashes inthe entertainment industry, and then quickly disappear. But anime
as picturesque as Studio Ghibli’s Spirited
Away can move people
and stay in their hearts
for a long time.

When I create
anime, I create it with
passion, investing every
ounce of my being into
my work. I want animators to not
Above: A collage of popular anime.
and novelty, releasing enlightening, forget that drawing is alive, andinnovational anime into society.
that it can convey important mesCollage: by Tamaki SENO
Q: Have you noticed an increase indemand for the Anime industry?
Q: What do you keep in mind when sages. I want them to believe in the
power of drawings. This kind of anitors tend to work mechanically and you create an animation that exA: Yes. The demand for anime ismator will make works that lastpresses social issues?
focus on efficiency, I pay attention
increasing rapidly. COVID-19 has
forever.
resulted in a situation of especially to the life that exists in each illusA: I try to develop anime in such ahigh demand. Online video stream- tration. Indeed, animation requires way that its main message or social
ing services, like Netflix and Prime a huge number of drawings, so it is issue sticks in viewers’ minds. Rehard work. But I want people toVideo, have been taking off. Many
cently, animators have been focusknow that anime illustration is not ing more on attracting people visuanime are exclusively released on
only about grueling efficiency – it is ally, and less on impactfully conveythese sites, resulting in a higher
also exciting, and kinetic. A drawrate of paying viewers. (More thaning social messages to the world. To
ing is only a picture, but when a
40 titles have been exclusively resome viewers, who are attracted toleased on Netflix alone.) Animators drawing comes to completion, andthe intense battles and beautiful
gathers with other drawings, it
have more work on their hands
girls of anime, an emphasis on visumoves like it is alive. This is inspir- al effects makes sense. However,than they ever did before COVIDing.
19.
using animation styles that overwhelm people visually is not enoughQ:
Whatmessages
do
you
want
to
Q: How do you expect the demand
to intellectually rouse viewers’
share
with
Japan
and
the
world
for Japanese animation to change inminds. People will forget thethroughanime?
the future?
anime’s message the day after they Photo (Above): Kenichi KUTSUNA
A: First and foremost, I want to
A: I think that online streaming
watch it.
Kenichi Kutsuna: When he was ashare realizations and discoveries
services like Netflix will continue
In
order
to
conveysocialmescollege student, he created original
developing, making Japanese anime that will make the world a better
sages
that
leave
lasting
impressions
illustrations for famous anime inmore accessible to the globe. Also, I place. I think this is the minimumonviewers,
I
work
hard
to
camoucluding Fullmetal Alchemist andstandard we should expect of all
expect that viewers will demand
flage
and
disguisesocialthemesso
GOD GUARD. After this, he began
more variety from the Japanese in- anime creators.
that
they
are
recognizable,but
notsucceeding as an animator, animadustry. One of the reasons for JapaOne of the wonderful features
overwhelmingly
apparent.
Thistion director, and character designnese anime’s historical success is its of Japanese anime is that anime
way,
viewers
cannaturallypicker. His major works include Naruto
variety. Japanese anime has creat- creators can freely explore theirapartsocialthemeswithintheplot,
and Naruto Shippuden, Crayoned shows for adults and children
own personal aesthetic and share it while also enjoying the anime for its
Shin-chan, Mr. Osomatsu and Guralike, undercutting competition
with the world. Where American
entertainment
value.
Refusingtoren Lagan. In addition, he also crefrom companies like Disney, which animators are often constricted byspoon-feed
ideas
and
messagestoated illustrations for Hayao Miyacater only to children. As Japanese political propriety or religion, Japaviewers
forcesthem
toactivelyanazaki’s works, Bread Seeds and Prinanime grows in demand, the variety nese animators can develop their
lyze
what
they
watch.
This
activecess Tamago. As animation directorof work will naturally increase toown aesthetics and opinions freeengagement
fromviewersmakes
and character designer, he directed
retain new viewers.
from such restrictions. And foreign- the anime’s message difficult to for- the original video animation of Hori
Q: What do you keep in mind as an ers are attracted to this “freedom of get. In other words, to make anime -san to Miyamura-kun. He has also
intellect” in Japanese anime. It isanimator?
enjoyable and intellectually engag- been member of MARZA ANIMApartly why Japanese anime has es- ing, animators must avoid preachTION PLANET INC. since 2015
A: I always feel a movement in mytablished such unique visual
ing
to
their
audiences,seekingenand is an animation teacher at Nadrawings, as if they were a flipbook. presentations. In the future, creagagement
from
them
instead.
goya University of Art and Sciences.
This is my origin. Although anima- tors will continue to pursue beauty

(6) Special Contribution

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

July, 2021

Special Contribution

Redefining Forest Renewability

The fight for British Columbia’s old growth forests
By Jacob TEICHRIB

In August 2020, protesters set up
camp in British Columbia’s Fairy
Creek watershed. The protesters
began blocking access to the area
upon hearing that Teal-Jones, aCanadian timber harvesting andlumber manufacturing company,
had been building roads to accessthe site for logging. Protestors wereparticularly concerned about the oldgrowth trees in the Fairy Creek watershed. Generally referring to extremely old trees, old growth canrange anywhere from 140 to over
Left: Old growth trees in British Columbia. Image by Jakob
one thousand years old. The loss ofDulisseold growth is concerning because it
Above: Illustration of forest and mycorrhizal networks.
means the loss of the unique historCourtesy of NPR (National Public Radio).
ical, spiritual, and ecological value
associated with large trees. It also,
amongst other things, means thetain.” “The truth is,” Innes writes,
Dr. Simard shared her discovery
Canada’s old growth forests also
loss of unique structures and habi- “there has been no complete survey that trees communicate and support exists local and global populations
tats that support wildlife.
of old-growth in British Columbia.
each other through mycorrhizal net- that rely on Canada’s lumber. Ac… More reliable estimates of theworks, hundred-kilometre-longcording to the province of British
The protests in Ferry Creek
area of mature and old stands can
webs of mycelium that connect trees Columbia, around 200 000 hectares
watershed exploded in the media
be gained from the Provincial Siteand plant life beneath the forestof forest are harvested every year,
when, on April 1st, the B.C. SuProductivity Layer, but this also
floor. “Forests aren't simply collec27% of which comes from oldpreme Court issued an injunction
has serious shortcomings.”
tions of trees,” shares Dr. Simard,
growth. In a public statement, UBC
banning roadblocks in the area.
“they're complex systems with hubs Dean of Forestry, Dr. John Innes,
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Defining Renewability
and networks that overlap and con- claimed that “stopping that harvest(RCMP) began enforcing the court
nect trees and allow them to comimmediately would cause major
Insteadofdredging
throughinjunction on May 17th, arresting
municate, and they provide avenues hardship for many individuals, comdatasets,
anddiscrediting
claimsonhundreds of protesters. In retaliafor feedbacks and adaptation, andmunities, and companies.” Japan,tion, activists called for public sup- either side of the old-growth debate,this makes the forest resilient.” The which relies 60% on imports for its
letus
approach
the
issue
from
a
port on social media, and more pronetworked interdependency of forlumber supply, also needs Canada’s
testers flooded into the watershed. different angle: how the forestry
ests disrupts the traditional idea of forestry industry. In fact, due toindustry
defines
deforestation
andTheir efforts, alongside requests
forest renewability – forests are
strikes and other disturbances,from the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht, and renewability.
much more than disconnected colCanada has already failed to proHuu-ay-aht First Nations, led to the
In response to a 2014 reportlections of trees that can be cut
vide Japan with the lumber it promdeferral of old-growth harvesting in from the World Resource Institutedown and replanted without conse- ised under the Trans-Pacific Partthe Fairy Creek watershed and cen- (WRI), which listed Canada as secquence.
nership. Indeed, an abrupt halt totral Walbran areas, located in the
ond in terms of global tree coverold-growth logging could cause more
south-west side of British ColumWithin these networks, Dr.
loss, the Canadian Institute of Forproblems than it solves.
bia’s Vancouver Island.
Simard describes something called
estry (CIF) published a media reTo avoid shocking local andlease disputing the WRI’s definition hub trees, or “mother trees,” which
A Game of Numbershavethelargestnumberofconnecglobal
communities, we need to folof forest cover loss. In its report, the
tions
with
the
surrounding
forestlow
Dr.
Garry Merkel and Al GorThough the deferrals mark a
WRI had illustrated that wildfires
andpromoteforestgrowthbysharley’s
suggestion
for a transition pehard-fought win for protesters and and forestry contribute to 99% ofing
nutrients.
The
existence
of
these
riod
in
their
Old
Growth Strategy
certain First Nations tribes, it is atree loss across Canada. Of this,mothertrees,
which
tend
to
be
oldReview.
Referencing
this transition
miniscule victory in a vast battle
wildfires account for 59%, and forgrowth,
disrupts
thetraditional
period,
Dr.
Innes
says:
“That would
over British Columbia’s old growth estry for 40%. The CIF refuted theideaofforest-renewability.
“You
mean
continued
cuttingof oldforests. Government data estimates WRI’s suggestion that logging, and
see,”
Dr.
Simardexplains,“youcangrowth,
but
this
could
be
directed
that there exists around 13.7 milwildfires constitute deforestation,
take
out
one
or
two
hub
trees,
but
away
from
the
areas
most
in need oflion hectares of old growth forest in defining deforestation as the
there
comes
a
tipping
point,
becauseconservation,
potentiallyreducing
British Columbia. 10 million of“permanent removal of forest cover
hub trees are not unlike rivets in an (but not eliminating) the impacts.”
these hectares are either protected in an area, and the conversion ofor not economical to harvest, leavpreviously forested land to another airplane. You can take out one orOn the other hand, in a Q&A
two and the plane still flies, but you
ing 3.7 million open to harvest. Cov- use, such as agriculture or urban
with British Columbia Premier,take out one too many, or maybe
ering nearly two thousand hectares, development. Timber harvesting
John Horgan, Greg Rasmussen ofthat one holding on the wings, andthe Fairy Creek and Walbran defer- and natural disturbances such as
CBC asked: “The end game here israls represent a small fraction offire[s] … cause forest cover change, the whole system collapses.” Thisfor the halt of old growth logging inthis harvestable area.
but none of these changes constitute discovery disrupts the CIF’s asBritish Columbia; it’s a finite resumption that replanting completedeforestation, because the cover issource. What year will old growth
Current debate regarding oldly negates deforestation and its
renewed either by replanting or
logging end in British Columbia?”
growth harvesting questions thenatural generation.” In other words, risks. Harvesting can exert irreWhile a transition period is indeed
sustainability of British Columbia’s
deforestation does not apply to situ- versible damage on the mycorrhizal important for Canada and theharvesting rates and practices. The
ations where forest cover can natu- networks that are essential to forest globe, many recognize that there
debate has intensely exploded inregeneration, permanently altering
rally regenerate or be replanted.
must be an eventual cut off point
global media, descending into a
the condition and diversity of Britfor old growth logging. Ultimately,
back-and-forth game of conflicting
In contrast to the CIF’s claims, ish Columbia’s unique forests.
trees that range from 140 to overstatistics. In an address to the Uni- research by Dr. Suzanne Simard, a
1000 years old are not trees that weversity of British Columbia’s (UBC) forestry professor at the University Striking a Balancecan simply replant. Old growthforestry community, former Dean of of British Columbia, suggests that
Protesters are currently
gives lodging to centuries of ecologiForestry, John Innes, describes me- we cannot simply chalk down forest
fighting for a complete halt to oldcal, historical, and spiritual value,
dia coverage as having “a great deal -renewability to replanting and natgrowth logging in British Columbia. value that will only be lost as harof obfuscation, to the extent thatural generation. In her 2016 TED
However, behind the need to protect vesting continues.
the facts are quite difficult to ascer- talk, “How trees talk to each other,”July, 2021

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(7) Special Contribution

Special Contribution

Japan and Demographic Change
The invisible elephant in the room
By Michael HEALEY,
Professor Emeritus,
University of British Columbia

secure, more resilient to social andenvironmental shocks, and, hopefully, more equitable.

With a population of 7.9 billion,
the earth is seriously overpopulated(Fig.1). Ecological Footprint AnalyJapan has a low birth rate, and its sis (2) shows that the human populapopulation is declining. The govern- tion consumes each year the rement views this situation withsource productivity of 1.7 earths.
alarm, since the low birth rate will The presence of so many people delead to a smaller workforce and re- manding so much of the earth isduced tax revenues while numbers eroding its very capacity to supportof elderly who need pensions andhuman and other forms of life. Behealth care will grow, potentiallycause of human overconsumption,
overwhelming the economy. Efim
earth is experiencing its 6th great
Shilin and co-authors exploredextinction and is on a path toward
some potential consequences ofirreversible climate change. Yet,Japan's low birth rate in the Dehuman demands on the earth docember 2019 edition of the NUFS
not provide a good life for everyone.
Times.
Because of social and economic inequality, billions of humans experience only a subsistence existence.
To provide everyone living todaywith a Japanese standard of living
would require the productive capacity of 2.3 planet earths. Since extra
planet earths are not available
right now, the human populationmust be brought down to an abundance that does not overuse the annual production of earth. It is pasttime we implemented effective policies to achieve a sustainable population small enough that earth's
How many people can the earth
biocapacity is maintained yet large
support?
enough to foster productive socialand cultural diversity. To make thisJapan is not alone in experienc- transition smoothly and without
ing a low birth rate. Eighty-ninesevere social and economic disrupcountries have birth rates below
tion will require that governments
replacement, some even lower than adopt a socio-economicJapan. Birth rate is declining inenvironmental paradigm that priorvirtually all countries and global
itizes sustainability rather than
average birth rate is projected to
growth, and take bold corrective
fall below replacement before midaction.
century. Low birth rates frighten
But what sustainable populagovernments because they are alltion should be our goal, and how
locked into a paradigm of increasare we to achieve it? The fact thating population, increasing labour
scientists and philosophers haveforce, and increasing economic
debated these questions for centugrowth. This paradigm is unsusries without consensus demontainable but very difficult to breakstrates how difficult the questions
out of. Although the transition to aare. It has been politically simpler
smaller population will be disrupjust to let people make their own
tive and perhaps painful for some,decisions about procreation andthere are many positives that go
deal with problems as they arise.
with a smaller human population.
But this is the thinking that led to
An analysis by Ronald Lee and colall the problems of overpopulation
leagues (1) suggests that declining(over utilization of land and otherpopulation will not necessarily leadresources, food insecurity, famine,to economic decline. Most impandemic, global pollution, highportantly, if we make good decirate of species extinction, etc.) andsions about managing the decline,
now to the problems of population
the end result will be a population
decline. It is also worth noting thatand a planet that is healthier, more

Fig.1: Growth of the global (billions) and Japanese (millions) populations
since 1800. Also shown the global sustainable population (billions) based on
various sources.

overpopulation is a relatively recent
issue associated with and perhaps
driven by the industrial revolution.
In the centuries prior to the industrial revolution, human population
grew hardly at all. During thewhole of the Edo period in Japan,
for example, population was stable
at around 30 million. Since Japanwas closed to the outside world during the Edo period, 30 million was,presumably, the sustainable population Japan's internal resourcebase could support. Japan's population only began to grow with thereforms of the Meiji Restoration.

opting for lower birth rates on theirown, convincing women to havefewer children is not a problem inmost countries. Where birth rates
are still high, an emphasis on family planning, on ensuring that contraception is freely available, andon ensuring that girls and women
have access to education are probably sufficient.

Of more immediate concern forJapan will be dealing with theshort-term socio-economic consequences of a low birth rate. Prominent among these is the declining
labour force coupled with increasIt seems self-evident that a
ing numbers of elderly people. Jasustainable global human populapan is already implementing
tion should not exceed the biocapac- measures to adapt its economy andity of the earth. However, biocapac- its workforce to its changing demoity is consumed not only by eachgraphic reality – encouraging more
person satisfying his/her basic
women in the workforce; impleneeds, but also by his/her consump- menting greater flexibility in emtion of the incredible array of nonployment, including retention of
essential goods and services thatworkers past current retirement
define his/her lifestyle, and by theage; making greater use of AI andresource needs of non-human sperobotics. However, more and morecies (biodiversity). Defining the sus- vigorous adaptation in these andtainable human population atother areas is needed to ensure thatwhich we should aim, therefore,
Japan can sustain its economic
involves choices and trade-offs:
productivity as its workforce demore people consuming fewer reclines. Ultimately, as Japan apsources or high resource consumpproaches its sustainable population,
tion and fewer people; fewer people policies that will stabilize the popuand more space for nature and oth- lation will be needed. But Japaner species, or more people and lesshas decades to plan for this eventubiodiversity. These are difficult and ality and, for now, it should only
contentious decisions requiring acelebrate its low birth rate.
lot of public debate. It seems doubtful there would ever be a global conNotes:
sensus. In the short term, however, (1) Lee, Robert, et al. 2014. Is Low Fertility
because of overpopulation and high Really a Problem? Population Aging, Dependency, and Consumption. Science 346
consumption, getting population(6206): 229–234
and consumption down to a level(2) Global Footprint Network, https://that biocapacity can support is job
www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/
one. As women and families are
ecological-footprint/

(8) Community

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

July, 2021

A Modern Commitment for Happiness
Innovating Japan’s “kodomo-shokudō” in Covid-19
By Ayana HAGINOAs child poverty grows worse inJapan, kodomo-shokudō, cafeteriasthat provide impoverished children
with food, are gathering attention.
Kodomo-shokudō are community
centres where local residents andgovernments provide food tochildren for free or at very low
rates. Tsunasho and Honwakashokudō, two children's cafeterias
in Nagoya City, Aichi pref, once
provided meals for many people
before COVID-19. However, thepandemic has inhibited their ability
to work at full capacity, resulting in
new, innovational activities forfeeding low-income families.

now only opens its doors on
Wednesdays and Sundays.
Such struggles have reverberated across Aichi prefecture. The
Aichi Kodomo-Shokudō network
announced that about half of the
kodomo-shokudō have drasticallyreduced operations amidst COVID19, with most only opening once amonth. Honwaka-shokudō, a children’s cafeteria in Nagoya City,
Aichi has become one of these centres. The owner, a woman named
Toshiko Matsudo, opened the cafeteria in 2016, before many otherchildren's cafeterias.

Due to reduced operations, Mrs.
Toshiko has been implementing afood pantry system in place of a cafeteria, reserving food and distributing it to families in need. Mrs.
Mrs. Mayuko Nakamura firstToshiko has recorded the names offelt inspired to found Tsunasho, a
80 families on a delivery list. If
kodomo-shokudō (children’s
there are only children at home,theiractions.
cafeteria) in Nagoya City, during
volunteers will sometimes deliver
her long workdays at a children’s
The COVID-19
the food by car. This is one way thatshelter. An 18-year-old girl, Yumi
pandemic has
Japan’s kodomo-shokudō can makeYokoyama, had written a hopefulproved exceptionalthe most of restricted operation
message on the shelter’s
ly difficult for anhours during COVID-19.
blackboard: “I want to take a bath.
organization likeAnd I want a slumber party.” Mrs.
Tsunasho, which
Supporting our COVID-19 soldiers
Nakamura recognized the reality
relies heavily on
To combat the tough conditions ofbehind these simple and innocent
interpersonal conCOVID-19, Mrs. Nakamura plans towords – a reality of unmet needs
nection. Since parestablish Tsunasho as a social infraand exclusion from social
ticipants must adstructure, expanding its operations
interaction. After reading thishere to social disbeyond serving food. With suicide
message, Mrs. Nakamura resolved
tancing during
rates increasing during the panto improve the wellbeing and
COVID-19,
demic, she particularly wants to
Top: Volunteers distributing food inhappiness of Japan’s struggling
Tsunasho can no longer host buffets
Honwaka-shokudō, Nagoya city,
expand Tsunasho’s services to supchildren.
Aichi prefecture.
in its cafeteria. Alternatively,
port more women and children. To
Tsunasho has been offering lunch
Above: A candy store in Tsunasho,
It is estimated that about one
do so, Mrs. Nakamura has been colNagoya city, Aichi prefecture.
boxes and distributing them outside
in seven children in Japan are curlecting donations of books and toys.
of the centre to avoid overcrowding.
rently living in poverty. In reTsunasho employs a buffet system, In the spring, Tsunasho also held a
An important key to implesponse, at least 100 kodomowhere houseworkers prepare a vari- picnic event, where participants ate menting many of these plans, Mrs.
shokudō, including Tsunasho, have ety of dishes, allowing people to eat
their lunch boxes in a park. Indeed, Nakamura claims, is pushing theopened in Aichi prefecture over the as much as they need. Set at 100
these innovations have been indis- government to recognize Tsunasho
past three years. The centres have
yen for children and 500 for adults, pensable to keeping Tsunasho oper- as public housing: doing so opens
gained recognition as a safe refuge the entrance fee offers its buffet atfor local children. Behind each cen- an affordable price. Further, even if ational during the pandemic. How- the door for subsidized rent. If, inever, they also hamper the soft un- this way, Mrs. Nakamura can cut
tre resides an army of workers just the buffet runs out of food, Mrs.
derbelly of Tsunasho, which dethe operational costs of Tsunasho,
as passionate and open-hearted as
Nakamura quickly prepares more
pends
on
human
interaction–
ifshe can invest resources into estabMrs. Nakamura.
dishes to ensure that everyone can Mrs. Nakamura cannot personallylishing more kodomo-shokudō, supeat.
“I could not continue living
porting local students, and creating
connect with participants, it bewithout making the children
comes
increasingly
difficulttoprosafe refuges for struggling woman
Many of the people seeking
around me happy,” claims Mrs.
vide
support.
and children.
help from Tsunasho have invisible
Nakamura. It is this resolve thatstruggles that extend beyond povThe pandemic has also negaWhile COVID-19 has presented
has contributed to Tsunasho’s suc- erty and food. To address such
Tsunashowith many struggles,
tivelyinfluenced
thesupportcess as one of Japan’s many kodomo struggles, Mrs. Nakamura and her
Mrs.
Nakamura
possesses many
Tsunashoreceives
fromvolunteers-shokudō. The center has 13 staff,
staff must maintain high levels of
and
other
staff.
“Becauseof
COVIDhopes
and
plans
for the future of
11 of which are high school stuempathy. Mrs. Nakamura recalls a 19,” claims Mrs. Nakamura, “I can’t the centre. With fervor, Mrs. Nakadents. An average of 38 people arcase where an elementary school
ask for more assistance from house- mura promises something to herrive every day to receive food. The
student once stole snacks fromworkers.” Higher risks of infection
struggling community: “I always
staff support a variety of customers, Tsunasho. When the staff talked
look before I leap. And the next
mean
that
even
those
who
want
to
from children to adults. In addition with the child, they discovered that,time I leap, I know there will be a
support
Tsunashomay
beunabletoto washing dishes, talking with chil- in addition to a lack of food, thedoso.
Unabletofreelyinteractwith
web of support to help Tsunasho
dren, and distributing food, staff
child had also been suffering from
the
local
community,
evencurrent
succeed.” “What we need to rememwill sometimes provide daily essen- parental abuse. Instead of scolding
staff
has
experienced
setbacks,
reber” the owner tells us, “is not only
tials to adults living in cheap hous- the child for stealing, Mrs. Nakato receive, but to also give to othstricting
theirmovement
by
only
ing.
mura decided to comfort their pain travelling between Tsunasho, anders.” In the hands of passionate
by offering more snacks. This exem- work or school. COVID-19 reTsunasho relies on food donaleaders like Mrs. Nakamura, Aichi’s
plifies Tsunasho’s larger purpose:tions from the foodbank and thestrictions and a lack of staff have
kodomo-shokudō have a bright andempathizing and connecting with
community. Using these supplies,
vastly transformed Tsunasho where diverse future – but only if local
participants’ unique struggles to
Mrs. Nakamura is determined to
the lively community centre once
communities and governments stepunderstand the deeper story behind operated every day of the week, it
never let anyone go home hungry.
up to give their support.

Editor in Chief: Kazuhiko KOJIMA, Adviser: Hiroko TOKUMOTO, Adviser & Proofreader: Jacob TEICHRIB