The best part of Tea Talk at GEM is that it is free conversation in a friendly group atmosphere,but sometimes it helps to have a plan of what we are going to discuss.
Here is the plan for this month , but remember that depending on what the group wants,
it can always change.


THE SHAPE OF YOUR CITY
One of the best features of Kunitachi, apart from GEM of course, is its abundance of green
and (relative) quiet. But the city is changing and there are more and more high-rise apartment blocks being built. What do you think about this? Is it ruining the city? Is it a necessary evil? Or is it simply a part of the city modernising?

NATIONALISM OR JUST NATIONAL PRIDE?
Every April in Japan we see demonstrations against the use of the Hinomaru and Kimigayo in school graduation ceremonies. However, at the recent Sydney Olympics, these two things became an important national symbol for Japan, and we heard very little protest. What do you think about the flag and the anthem as symbols of Japan? Why are they acceptable sometimes and not at other times?

HOW CAN WE HAVE PEACE?
Early this month, virtual war broke out between Palestine and Israel, despite attempts to achieve peace. What do you think about this problem? What does it mean for Japan? What do you think are the most important issues in resolving world conflicts? Is there something we can do as individuals, living in Tokyo?

THE AMERICAN ELECTION
With only three days until the American Presidential election, we will discuss the campaign so far and the implications of the results. Who do you think will win? Why? And what are the differences between elections in Japan and in America?

ADOPTION AND JAPANESE FAMILIES
In many other developed countries, there are well-organised adoption systems for couples who cannot have children. However, such a system does not exist in Japan? Why not? What are Japanese attitudes towards to raising children? And what about questions such as surrogate motherhood?

ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTES
We are approaching the end-of-year party season in Japan, which means alcohol consumption will go way up. What kind of social meaning does alcohol have in Japan? Do you have to drink when out with a group? We can also discuss issues such as vending machines selling alcohol and cigarettes, which is something uniquely Japanese.

WHERE IS JAPAN?
As an attempt to wrap-up our months' discussion, we can talk about the question of Japan's place in the world. In politics, society and family issues, Japan has unique ideas and concepts. Is it a unique individual? Or does Japan belong with the West, or with Asia?

NO CONFIDENCE
Last month the newspapers were full of rumours about a rebellion from key LDP politicians Kato and Yamazaki. But when the no-confidence motion against PM Mori came up, they both backed down. Why? And how did this make you feel? Further, Nonaka now says that the vote does not mean Mori has the support of the people. How do you feel having such an unpopular leader?

YOUR LAST THREE YEARS ON EARTH
Imagine that you have been told that you in three years, your heart will stop and your life will end. Up until then, you will be healthy, and will be able to do anything you want. What would you do? How would you spend your last three years on earth?

2000 - THE YEAR THAT WAS
Do you remember the Y2K problem? It seems like ancient news now, but it was just one year ago that the whole world was worried about what would happen in the Year 2000. Well, 2000 has come and just about gone. Today, we can discuss the most important things that happened in that year, both in terms of the world and our individual lives. What was special to you about 2000? What would you like to remember? What would you like to forget? And what do think will happen as we head into a new year, a new century and a new millennium? What will the 21st century be like?

RELIGION AND TRADITION
How did you celebrate the New Year? The Christmas/New Year period is one when all over the world, people who don't usually attend church do so, or people who normally consider themselves non-religious make it a point to visit a temple. How can we explain these sudden outbursts of religion? Is it wrong to be "religious for a day" or is it a god thing to keep such a tradition going regardless? Is there a difference between being religious and going to a temple on New Year's Day?

CELEBRATION OF A NATION
On January 1 1901, Australia was transformed from a collection of separate states to a federation with a national constitution. On the first of January this year we celebrated 100 years of being a nation amid discussion in the media that the idea of a nation is becoming too old-fashioned. Do you think that in the age of the information technology revolution it is now meaningless to celebrate nationality? Is the nation-state irrelevant? Does it matter if you are Japanese or not?

TECHNO-PETS
Early last December Sony began delivering its new AIBO pet robot after accepting Internet orders from November. The new AIBO is even more advanced than the old, and according to the company, it
"includes a program that AIBO more sociable, software that makes it play "paper-scissors-stone" and other games and a program that makes it celebrate its owner's birthday".
Is this a good example of technology at work, or do you think it is just a sign that some people have very sad lives? Did you have a pet growing up, or do you have one now? What do you think are the advantages and disadvatages of owning animals? Would you be interested in AIBO?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
According to the Japan Times, there are restaurants in Shibuya, which serve traditional elementary school kyushoku, complete with the same cutlery and plates used in schools, to remind people of the good old school days. The restaurants are proving to be very popular, though perhaps not for the quality of food served. One customer was quoted as saying "When I see those noodles on the same plates I used in school, it makes my heart pound with excitement".
One aspect of Japanese culture that many non-Japanese people are surprised at is the importance of food as a cultural and social icon. While many countries have food as an important part of culture, it seems that in Japan this is especially so, with certain foods being necessary for certain occasions, celebrations, ceremonies, even seasons. Why is food so important in Japan? What does it mean to you? Would New Year be incomplete without osechi-ryori? And most importantly, would you go out for kyushoku with friends?

HEROES
In history, and in today’s society, there are always individual people who are recognised for doing great things. Who do you admire most in the world? And why do you admire them? Have you ever felt let down by someone you respect? Do you think it is a good idea to have a “hero” or a role model, or do you think that it is better to simply be your own person?

THE WORLD
The 21st century is only a month old, but it has been a very busy month in terms of international affairs, for example:*Violence and fighting continued between Israel and Palestine,
*There was a huge earthquake in San Salvador,
*President Estrada of the Philippines was forced to resign,
*The USA has a new president,
*And in Japan, there has been ANOTHER scandal in politics, this time involving Nukaga Fukushiro and his dealings with the KSD insurance company. 
These are just some examples, but can you think of some others? What do you think have been the biggest events in the world so far this year, and what do you think of them? What are the most important issues for you?

ON THE SIDE
American politician Jesse Jackson has admitted to having a child from an affair while he was Spiritual Advisor to Bill Clinton during the Lewinsky affair. This has caused anger in America ? what do you think the reaction would be in Japan? What is the general attitude to extra-marital affairs in Japan, and do you think they are common amongst politicians?

SPORT AND EXERCISE
Do you like sport? If so, what kind, and if not, why not? How often do you play or watch sport? Do you think it is an important part of life? What about exercise? Is there a difference between “sport” and “exercise”? 
Recently Russian tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov and America’s Lindsay Davenport have said that professional tennis players do not earn enough money because golfers earn a lot more in comparison. What do you think? Are sports stars paid too much or too little? Should sport be an “industry”?

The Economy
In August last year, confidence in the Japanese economy was growing and the Japanese central bank raised official cash rates. However, this week the same bank made the surprise move of cutting the official interest rate in response to the slowing American and world economy, after the Nikkei index crashed to a record low. What do you think about Japan’s economic future? Is the country heading towards another “burst bubble?” How did you feel and what did you experience when the bubble burst after the prosperous 1980s? Do you think that a slowing American economy means that Japan will suffer too? What should Japan do to make its economy more stable? 

Going to the Movies
Hollywood is buzzing at the moment with gossip and predictions about the Academy Awards for the best movies of the year. What do you think were the best, or worst, movies of the year? What and who are your all-time favourite movies, actors and actresses? Do you think movies are just for entertainment, or are they a medium for more important social and cultural messages? And if you were to make a movie about yourself, who would star as you?

Ocean Tragedy
On February 27, a group of American military personnel arrived in Japan to officially apologise for the Ehime Maru tragedy. Do you think the offers from the USA are sufficient or is it a case of too little, too late? Is Japan over the shock of the accident? Do you think there is a danger that the same thing could occur, perhaps in Japanese waters, and does this raise the issue of the continuing US military presence in Japan?

Books, Books, Books
Reading is one the cheapest forms of entertainment, but in modern society most people seem too busy to read for pleasure. If you had more spare time, would you like to read more? What kind of novels do you like to read, and what are your favourite books and authors? Do you think it is acceptable for kids to read manga and magazines, or should we be encouraging them to read books instead?

Science Freaks
The 21st century has already seen some significant scientific advances, such as the long-awaited creation of the human gene map, as well as lots of controversy, especially over the issue of human cloning. What do you think about this? What do you think about another controversial scientific issue, that of genetically manipulated food? What other scientific discoveries so you think have been important, and what direction do you think science will take in the future? More generally, what do you think the word “science” means, and what impact can it have on our lives? 

CHINA AND THE USA
There was a major international relations incident last month when a US spy plane was intercepted over Chinese waters by Chinese fighter planes. Now, the US soldiers have been allowed to go home but US-China relations have been damaged severely. Who do you think was at fault? Do you think the USA should have been flying in Chinese airspace? What kind of media coverage did this get in Japan? What does it mean for Japan? And how do you think President Bush handled the incident?
And for a complete change of subject.
Have you ever been in love?
Do you think there is such a thing as theperfect partner?
Where do most Japanese people meet their partners?
Do you think that love is the same for all people, or is it influenced by nationality?

 FOOTBLL MANIA
 Early in April, 47 people were killed during a stampede at a top soccer game in South Africa. Why do you think people get so passionate about sport? Do you think that Japan needs to be careful when it hosts the football World Cup next year? Are you interested in the World Cup? What kind of image of Japan do you want the world to see? And do you think that football will be able to bring Japan and South Korea closer together?

STUDYING JAPAN
At my university (in Australia) there are about 20 people interested in doing further research in Japanese Studies for their graduation thesis. Some of the topics students are interested in include: -Property rights for divorced women in Japan -Nuclear power and energy policy in Japan -Japans decision to bomb Darwin, Australia in during World War 2 -Japanese Language Acquisition for English speakers -Images of female high school students in Japan -Rights for disabled people in Japan -The relationship between religion, politics and class in modern Japan -The social role of manga Are you surprised by these kinds of topics? Do you think they are interesting? What sorts of things would you expect foreign people to be researching about Japan? And what would you like people to be researching about Japan?

A NEW BABY AND A NEW PM
It is quite an exciting time in Japan with Princess Masako pregnant and the election of a new Prime Minister, Koizumi Junichiro. In Australia, press coverage of the Imperial pregnancy focussed comments by some Japanese people and newspapers that the birth would lead the way to economic recovery and general good-feeling across the country. Do you think this is really what it means, or was the media mistaken? What does the pregnancy mean to you? Are you excited about it?And how do you feel about the new PM? Do you think it will be more of the same, or will Koizumi be able to fulfill his promise to destroy factions within the LDP? What do you think of his policies, such as economic reform, his plan to visit Yasukuni Shrine or his ideas on Japanese history textbooks in high schools? And what about his haircut?

DEMOCRACY OR TERRORISM?
In Quebec in late April, there were over 20 000 people protesting against a conference to plan a free-trading bloc in the Americas. They tore down a fence, and police attacked them with tear gas and rubber bullets, with some people seriously injured. On May 1st, there are huge demonstrations against globalisation planned all over the world as part of traditional May Day activities. Do you think activities such as these represent a democratic way for people to make a point, or do you think it is just terrorism? Is it OK to use violence for some causes, or is it better to make a point peacefully through parliament?

NEW FACES
April in Japan is the time for new graduates to start working, and must be a stressful time for all those used to the relaxed lifestyle that is university in Japan. Did you have many new faces in your workplace? How did they go? What kind of things do companies do to help new people settle in? Do you remember your first day at work? How did you feel, and how did it turn out?

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
On March 31, Universal Studios opened in Osaka, and it has been claimed that the theme park will bring millions of yen to Osaka, as it will attract tourists. One article in the Japan Times says that Universal Studios will probably fail because it doesn’t have the same attraction as Tokyo Disneyland, which remains extremely popular. Would you go to Osaka just to go to Universal Studios? If not, what reason would a tourist have for going to Osaka? What about Tokyo Disneyland? Do you go there? What do you think about its recent extensions? Do you think Japan needs more big, American theme parks, or does it have enough? 

PEARL HARBOUR
The film “Pearl Harbour” has been topping the box office in America, and in Australia when it opened on June 7. Is it already showing in Japan? Have you been to see it? Do you think you would like to go and see it? What has been the reaction in Japan? Do you think that it is a good idea to make such films, for the purpose of education, or does it just re-open old wounds?
On the subject of international relations, Japan’s foreign minister Tanaka Makiko caused some controversy when she told Australia’s foreign minister Alexander Downer that Japan opposed America’s new missile defence system. What do you think of her comments? How close should Japan and the USA be in terms of defence policies?

MURDER IN NEPA
The people of Nepal were shocked early this month when the King, Queen and seven other members of the royal family were murdered, and then the suspected murderer also died. How did you feel when you heard the news? Were you surprised? What affect do you think this will have on democracy in Nepal? Of course, with such tight security systems, it would probably be very unlikely that such a thing would happen to the royal family in England, or Japan, but if it did, what kind of reaction would you expect? Do you think attitudes to the royal family are changing? How do you see them?

ENJOU KOUSAI
Enjou kousai gets a lot of attention in contemporary Japanese studies, especially in Western countries. But a big problem we face when talking about it is “how do we say it in English?” There have been some suggestions, such as “sponsored dating” or “assisted relationships”, but these terms don’t really mean anything to most people. How would you translate enjou kousai into English? Why do you think people have so much trouble understanding the concept? Is it uniquely Japanese? If so, why?

THE WORLD AS IT IS
If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following:
There would be: 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and South, and 8 Africans. 52 would be female, 48 would be male, 70 would be non-white and 30 would be white. 70 would be non-Christian, 30 would be Christian, 89 would be heterosexual and 11 would be homosexual. 6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States. 80 would live in substandard housing, 70 would be unable to read, 50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would have a university education and 1 would own a computer. 
Do these figures surprise you? What would you have guessed? How do they make you feel about the world we live in? 

THE OKINAWA SITUATION
Recently there has been a lot of controversy surrounding a US Air Force Sergeant accused of raping an Okinawan woman. It was a topic of discussion between Koizumi Junichiro and George W. Bush at their recent summit, but still, nothing has happened. Japan is calling for the man to be handed over to Japanese authorities, but the USA has been slow to respond. What do you think should happen in cases like this? How much do you think it damages US-Japan relations? What do you think about Okinawa Governor Inamine’s calls to reduce the number of troops in Okinawa? 

BEAT THE HEAT
As tsuyuuends, life in Japan gets hotter and hotter, and more humid. How do you cope in the heat? Do you have any special tricks? Do you think air-conditioning at home and work is necessary, or can you live without it? What about summer foods? Some nutritionists warn against eating too many cold foods or drinking too much cold liquid, as it can cool the body down too much. They suggest that eating hot foods to stimulate perspiration is the best way to stay on top of the heat. Do you think this is true? Does eating hot, spicy foods like kimchi or curry really cool you down? What do you like to eat during summer?

SPACE EXPLORATION
Last week, NASA’s Hubble Telescope relayed some of the clearest images we have ever seen of Mars, in which even features as small as 16 kilometres across can be distinguished. The United States and Europe plan to land three probes on the planet in about 2 1/2 years, and in the meantime, a NASA spacecraft heading to Mars is on track to land there in October. What do you think about space exploration? Is it an important pursuit for governments, and do you think Japan should be doing more in the field? Or, given that the latest NASA expedition is expected to cost around $300 million, do you think the money would be better spent elsewhere? And do you think that human beings are alone in the galaxy, or are there other forms of life out there to be discovered? 

VIRTUAL LEARNING
The Internet has transformed our lives in many ways, and education is no exception. In many countries, information technology is given the greatest amount of funding in schools, and there is more being invested in the establishment of “virtual” universities and graduate schools by governments and private organizations alike. What is the situation regarding computer access in schools and universities in Japan? How useful do you think the Internet is as a learning tool? Do you think it is possible to teach students via the Internet, or do you think that nothing can replace a teacher in classroom? Is too much attention being given to information technology at the expense of other resources?

Swimming Sensation
The FINA World Swimming Championships were held in Fukuoka last month, and attracted worldwide attention. Particularly, Australia’s Ian Thorpe, who won 6 gold medals, was often in the spotlight. Why do you think Ian Thorpe is so popular in Japan? Who were the other popular swimmers? How do you think Japan’s swimmers went? Did hosting the World Championships make you wish the Olympics were to be held in Japan? And what did you think about all the problems Seiko had with timing in the event?

Current Affairs Wrap-up
It has been a busy few weeks in politics. Last month, Tanaka Makiko danced with and pretended to kiss US Secretary of Sate Colin Powell as part of a performance at the ASEAN conference, leading diplomat Mizutani Makoto was fired for using over $81 000 of government money for his own purposes and there was an election in the Upper House? What do you think about these issues? Do you think the election was a good test of Koizumi’s popularity, or do you think that the LDP is the same regardless of who is leading? How do you think other countries view Japan now?
And in other news, what do you think about the shocking collapsed bridge accident in Akashi? Do you think it was the fault of the event organisers, the people on the bridge, or just a tragic accident? How do you think we should prevent such accidents in the future?

Friendship
To you, what defines a good friend? What are the most important qualities? Do you have a best friend, or just several good friends? Do you think there should be limits on who can be a friend, for example, should you be friends with your boss (or you English teacher)? What kinds of things do you rely on friends for, and how do they rely on you? And if you had a problem with a good friend, what do you think is the best way to bring it up?

Consumer Society
Everyday we are all exposed to enormous amounts of advertising ? in newspapers, on the radio, on TV, on the train and on the streets. Does this advertising affect you, or do you think you have become immune to it? What do you think are the most effective ways of advertising? Has a piece of advertising ever convinced you to buy something that you don’t really want? What about shops themselves? Most shops use music, special promotions and effective product placement to encourage people to spend money. Do you take any notice of this while shopping, and is there anything which you think makes you spend more money, or less?

The Aftermath
Now that the initial shock of the attacks on America has died down, what do you think the effects of the terrorism have been? Has it impacted on your daily life in any way? In Australia, for example, thousands of people have lost their jobs because the tourism industry has slowed down dramatically. What has been the result in Japan? How long do you think it will take to really get over the crisis, or do you think the world never will?
Also, what do you think of plans to deploy the SDF overseas and allow the forces to use heavy firearms to support the United State’s actions against the Taliban?

Japan Bashing
Japan Bashing was a catch-phrase in the 1980s, but a new book published this month by two American academics and a professor from Hitotsubashi University argues that it is still going on. The authors say that the US government treats Japan like a special case, and should actually treat it like any other country, or Japan Bashing will never stop. Do you think Japan is treated differently in world affairs? Do you feel that there is still a lot of Japan Bashing? Is it something that influences you, or do you think it only counts in the world of business and economics?

Mad Cow Disease
The first case of Mad Cow Disease in Asia showed up in Japan last month. Were you surprised at this breaking out in Japan? How do you think it happened? The domestic production of livestock was banned in early October, but those in the livestock industry have criticised the ban, saying it will lead to financial ruin. At the same time, the LDP is asking that the Japanese case not be compared with the British case. Whose interests are more important here, do you think? And if the ban is removed, will you buy Japanese beef again? 

Classroom Chaos
A recent study showed that 30 percent of all Japanese elementary school classes are in a state of chaos ? with the teacher having little or no control over the students. Why do you think things have gotten so bad? What is different about elementary schools today, and elementary schools when you were a student? What do you think should be done about the problem? And is it a government problem, or one for the parents and community?

THE FUTURE OF CARS
The 32nd Annual Tokyo Motor Show is currently being held at Makuhari Messe. Have you been, or are you going, or do you even want to go?
The theme of the Motor Show is “Open the Door ? the Automobile’s Bright Future”. What do you think the future of the automobile is? What are some of the advances that have been made in recent years? What would you like to see in cars of the future? What do you think is the best feature of a car ? speed, safety or being environmentally friendly?
In Australia (and perhaps the UK and the USA?), buying a first car is a big step for a young person, and it brings a great deal of independence. How about in Japan? Is there any social importance attached to buying your first car? Do cars give young people freedom in Japan? If you had a choice, would you prefer to get around by car, or by public transport?

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE
“Change” is an important concept when talking about Japanese history. Many Japanese and American scholars disagree on how much Japan changed after the war, and how it stayed the same. From what you know about Japanese history, what do you think about the differences and similarities between pre-war and post-war Japan? Did people’s everyday lives change dramatically?
Going further back, historian Shiba Ryotaro argues that pre-Tokugawa Japan is so different from contemporary Japan that it is like “a different country”. What do you think about this? If it is so different, then what are the roots of contemporary Japan? Why is modern-day Japan like it is?

A BAD DAY AT WORK
The workplace is a place where people are expected to be as professional as possible. Sometimes, however, this is difficult. When stress levels rise, people often take out their anger verbally on others. Have you ever had any bad experiences with irate people at work? How did you deal with it? It might be interesting to compare experiences in Japanese companies, and foreign companies. 
How do you control your emotions at work? Do you think a work environment brings out the best, or the worst in people? 

THE FUTURE OF JAPANESE
Influential Japanese anthropologist Umesao Tadao has argued that kanji is a huge barrier to the Japanese language becoming an international language. He suggests that Chinese and Japanese are fundamentally different languages, and that Japanese would have been better off without kanji at all. What do you think? Further, Umesao argues that in the information age, it is impossible for Japanese to survive unless it is all written in romaji ? no kanji or no kana. Would you like Japanese to be romaji only? Do you think more foreign people would want to learn Japanese if they didn’t have to learn kanji?

A HAPPY NEW YEAR?
According to the news, this year the number of people who visited shrines for New Year was the lowest for the past ten years? Why do you think this was the case? Does this surprise you? How would you describe the general mood of people, either in your own household, in your town or in the whole of Japan, over the holiday period?　What kind of year do you think 2002 will be, and what do you hope to achieve?

JAPAN IN ASIA
In 2001, several issues such as Prime Minister Koizumi’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine and the approval of revised history textbooks strained relations between Japan and many countries in South East Asian.  In early January this year, Koizumi spent 7 days in various South East Asian countries, in an attempt to build better bilateral and multilateral relations. Do you think his trip was worthwhile? How do you think Japan should best seek to improve relations? Do you think that South East Asia is an important region for Japan, or should more attention be given to North Asia, or America, or Europe? 

A TAX ON TOURISM?
In a recent survey by the World Tourism Organisation, Japan ranked 36^th in terms of the number of tourists who visit annually, 4 places below Korea. Similarly, Tokyo attracts far fewer tourists than most other capital cities in the rest of the world.  Why do you think the numbers are so low? Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro has proposed a tax on hotel rooms in Tokyo, with the revenue raised to be used to more aggressively market Tokyo as a tourist destination in overseas countries. Do you agree with the tax? If Ishihara wants more tourists to come, do you think a hotel tax is the right answer? If it were up to you, how would you market Japan as a tourist destination? What parts of the country and the culture do you think appeal the most?

“Security” at what price?
Firstly, the big news of this week ? what do you think about the sacking of Tanaka Makiko? Were you surprised?
 Do you think this will impact on the role of female politicians in Japan, or is it simply to do with Tanaka’s personality,
regardless of gender? Do you think it will make Prime Minister any less popular?
And if you have time to discuss this…
Since the events of September 11, the United States has coordinated a global search for suspected terrorists. 
One result of this has been the controversial “Camp X-ray” at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and another has been US
criticism of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for not arresting more suspected terrorists. This sentiment
was made even stronger in President Bush’s State of the Nation Address of January 30, 2002. Do you think this kind of crackdown is justified? Do you think it is fair that the detainees in Cuba are not subject to the Geneva Convention
on prisoners of war? Which do you think is more important ? security, or human rights?

What’s in a name?
It was recently revealed that the Snow Brand Food Company falsely marketed beef as being from Japan when it
was actually from overseas. One industry source said that “Giving fake information on the place of origin for
beef is no surprise”.  Do you think this is a surprise, or is it to be expected? How does it make you feel in the
wake of the mad cow disease scare? Should manufacturers be held more responsible for claims they make? And
in more general terms, how effective do you think consumer protection in Japan is? Should it be a government
responsibility, or something which consumers take into their own hands?

Breaking the silence on Domestic Violence
Late last year, Japan became the last industrialised country to enact legislation aimed at preventing domestic violence
and protecting its victims. Since October 2001, when the law came into effect, complaints of domestic violence have
jumped from 50% to 1500 per month. Does this surprise you? Do you think Japan was too slow in enacting the
legislation? Why do think it took so long?
Looking at the problem from a different aspect, this issue was reported in the Los Angeles Times under the
heading “Battery behind the Shoji Screen”. The author argued that Japan has a long history of being a
male-dominated society and that domestic violence today was linked to the tradition of samurai being able to
treat their wives however they wanted ? as long as it was “behind the shoji screen”, it was nobody else’s
business. Do you think this is true, or is this a case of journalistic sensationalism? 

Under Supervision
In the midst of a very competitive market situation, coffee chain Dotour announced plans to introduce cameras into
110 stores by autumn, 2002. The purpose of the cameras is to keep track of product presentation and the staff
members’ treatment of customers. Do you think this is a good idea, or does it impose too much on the freedom of
both customers and staff? What is the general situation with security cameras in Japan? Are there cameras keeping
track of busy city areas, such as Shinjuku or Shibuya? If not, do you think there should be?

Beached Whales
When 85 whales beached themselves on a beach in Ibaraki-ken on February 25, the Japan Times newspaper was quick to note the rescue effort made by volunteers, who succeeded in getting 32 back to the ocean. In The Australian, a major daily broadsheet (in Australia, obviously) however, the story was treated with sarcasm ? the journalist noting that “the whales had picked the worst possible country in which to beach themselves”, and reported an interview with a local who said “Of course, I’m going to take one home for dinner”. The focus was turned to Japan’s whaling policies. A similar line was run in the New York Times. Do you think this kind of reporting is fair? What do you think about the kind of international attention Japan gets for its whaling policy, and the practice of eating whale?

Mob Shooting
What do you think about the assassination of Yakuza gang leader Ishizuku Takashi, who was shot while under police guard on February 25 at ICU hospital? Does it surprise you that such a thing can happen in a supposedly secure environment? What do you think of the influence of the yakuza on Japanese society in general? Where do you think their presence is most obvious? Some foreign journalists have written about yakuza members being at the centre of Japan’s keiretsu organisations. Do you think this is true, or just journalistic sensationalism?

Population Problems
Japan’s aging society has been well publicised in both Japanese and foreign media, but what kind of concrete effects do you think the changing structure of Japan will have on your life? What kind of policies would like to see put in place to manage the consequences of an aging society? Do you think that increasing immigration is a good way to balance the population?
Former Bank of Japan worker Nukaga Makoto has argued that Japan is in great danger not only because of the problems such as pension payments and how to care for the elderly, but more basically because Japan cannot sustain a smaller population. He writes that Japan’s economy will decline even further if the population declines. What do you think of this?  Would you prefer a Japan with fewer people, or do you think efforts need to be made to increase the population?
For a review of Nukaga’s book, please see:
http://www.asahi.com/english/culture/K2002022200711.html

ODA in Central Asia
Japan has been the largest donor of foreign aid to the countries of Central Asia for some years, but the events of September 11 have made turned this aid-giving into an important strategic question. America has made deals with the governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to use their military bases in return for large cash payments and investment. America has also established bases in countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Kazakstan, which indicates that the government is not just fighting terrorism organisations in Afghanistan or Pakistan, but also separatists in China and Russia. As a long-time donor, do you think Japan has an opportunity or a responsibility to influence the American presence in Central Asia? What do you think Japan should do? Should Japan take active steps to intervene in the American actions, or help America achieve its goals? 

English for Americans
The state of Iowa in the US is pushing to be the 27th American State where English is the official language. As a country, the United States does not have an official language. However, with increasing numbers of migrants, some fear that English will decline as a language in the USA as languages such as Spanish become more prominent. They also fear that America’s unity and world leadership could come under threat. What do you think about these fears? Can you imagine such a problem in Japan? Do you think most foreign people living in Japan speak sufficient Japanese, or should they learn more? And how much do you think a language unites people?

Relaxed Education?
Students starting school in public schools this April will find themselves facing fewer school days, 30% less “academic content” and more time spent on “general studies” than before. The effort to bring about a more comfortable learning environment is part of he Ministry of Education’s bid to combat truancy, “classroom breakdown” and bullying, as well as the general levels of stress schoolchildren are placed under. However, the plan has faced criticism from many in Japan, from parents to educationalists. Parents have argued that the education system will not become less competitive, and that they will be forced to spend more on private schools or juku. Educationalists argue that academic standards will fall to unreasonable levels. What is your opinion? Do you think the government’s plan is a good one? If you have children at school, what kind of difference do you think it will make for them? Do you think that the pressure schoolchildren are placed under makes them stronger? Do you think that public schools in Japan face the danger of losing students because of the plan? And if you don’t think the plan will achieve its goals, then how do you think problems such as truancy, bullying and “classroom breakdown” should be dealt with?
And if you get sick of talking about school, what did you think about the 2002 Academy Awards, which saw black American actors take out the major awards for the first time? Do you think this was an important step forward? What were your best and worst movies for the year?

Construction, Corruption and Politics
The Japanese media has been busy lately, chasing after questionable politicians such as Kato Koichi, Suzuki Muneo, and Tsujimoto Kiyomi. This is particularly disturbing because Kato was seen as a future leader of the LDP, and Japan, before the election of Prime Minister Koizumi. Are these scandals some kind of coincidence, or some kind of extraordinary development in Japanese politics, or do you just think that these three were unlucky to be caught for doing things that are being done by others all the time? What do incidents such as these do for the morale of Japanese people, and their impressions of their leaders? Do you think the incidents will be trouble for Prime Minister Koizumi, who, according to a survey in the Asahi newspaper on April 2, has more enemies than friends in the Diet? Also, because the LDP is usually linked to political scandals, are you any more surprised by the resignation of Tsujimoto, from the SDP? Do you think the problems within the LDP are present within all the political parties in Japan?

Crisis in the Middle East
In early April, Japan’s new foreign minister Kawaguchi Yoriko sent her special envoy, Shigeta Hiroshi, to Israel in an attempt to stop the violence and put the peace process back on track. The move comes in the wake of a particularly violent month, which saw increased numbers of suicide bombers, including one girl aged just 16. Right now, America’s policy is under attack from former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, who argues that the Bush administration is not doing enough to help. What do you think Japan can do to help in the Middle East? Should Japan play along America’s lines, or be more outspoken? 

Living Abroad
I’m sure you would all agree that the chance to spend time studying and living in a foreign country is a great opportunity not just to develop language skills, but also for personal development. But a quick look at the literature on the topic of “study abroad” reveals that this might not always be the case. Several authors, Japanese and non-Japanese, have written on this topic, and seem to argue that spending time overseas can create all kinds of problems for Japanese people. It has been argued, for example, that in Japan, moreso than in other countries, it is difficult for people to progress along the career path if they disrupt it with time abroad, and that some company workers almost feel like traitors if they have to spend time away from the home office. For students, it is said that university education gained abroad is not valued as highly as that gained in Japan, and that study abroad brings little academic merit. Children who grow up overseas have been known to speak bad English when back at home because of pressure to fit in, and one author argues that the “homogenous” nature of Japanese society makes it undesirable to talk about experiences one has had overseas in front of friends, for fear of boasting. What do you think about these ideas? Do you think the authors are right, or are the exaggerating? Do you think they are basing their arguments on out-dated views of Japanese society? Or do you think they are right? Does the nature of Japanese society make it difficult to follow a “different path?” If you have lived or studied in another country, what do you think the impacts and outcomes of that experience were? And if you haven’t had such a chance, do you wish you had?

Golden Week
Golden Week in Japan, especially in Tokyo, is famous for traffic-jams and long queues for the shinkansen. 
How did you spend Golden Week this year? Did you go away somewhere, or did you stay home? Was it relaxing? 
Was it boring? Was it too crowded on the trains? What kind of factors influence your decision as to what to do for Golden Week? What would be your dream way to spend Golden Week? Is Golden Week your favourite holiday period, or do you prefer New Year, or summer?

Football Fever
It’s only 20 days until the start of the World Cup! Are you excited yet? Are you going to see any of the games? 
Are you proud of Japan and Korea’s efforts in organising the World Cup? 
Media coverage has not been shy to report all kinds of problems with the upcoming tournament, including slow ticket sales. Why do you think there is a lack of interest in the World Cup? There have also been reports of many rokyan and minshuku in places like Niigata refusing to accept foreign guests. Do you think this is being discriminatory, or do you think it is justified, especially given the reputation of “soccer hooligans”? What kind of impact do you think the World Cup will have on Japan, in terms the popularity of soccer in the country, as well as its relations with Korea and it’s image in the rest of the world?

Phone Rage
Mobile phone technology in Japan is improving at an amazing rate, and Japan has some of the smallest, lightest, most advanced mobile phones in the world. All this technology means that mobiles are easier to use, and that it’s easier to become dependent on them because of the range of things they can do. But do you think there is a downside to mobile phones? Do you have one, and has it changed your life in a good or a bad way? Do you think the use of mobile phones has changed society, for example, in terms of the way people relate to each other? 
It has been over a year since I was in Tokyo, but at that time, it seemed that most people were sick of others talking on mobiles in trains, constantly sending messages, and running into others on the street while writing e-mail. What is the situation like today? Is it getting better or worse? Has people’s mobile phone etiquette improved? Do you think too many people use their phones on trains? Or do you think it is acceptable to use phones wherever you happen to be?

No more soy?
A recent article in the Asahi Shimbun reported that the amount of soy sauce consumed by Japanese people has been falling since the 1970s. There are several explanations for this ? people, especially young people, eat out more often, people have become concerned about salt intake, and in general, food habits in Japan are changing. Can you see evidence of this trend? Do you still use soy sauce often in cooking (or eating!)? Have your food habits changed over the years? How different is the food that you eat compared to what your parents ate? One Japanese Home Economist said in the article that young people do not use soy sauce because they don’t know how to cook Japanese food properly, and that this could mean that Japan loses many of its traditional foods. Do you agree with this view? 

The Heat is On
Do you like summer? While hot weather means that we can go to the beach, or just spend more time outdoors, as the temperature rises in Japan, so does the humidity, and everyday life can become very uncomfortable. How do you cope with the heat and the humidity? Do you have any special “home remedies” or strategies to keep cool? What kind of foods do you eat to stay healthy? And what is your favourite way to spend the hot months of summer?

Asylum Seekers in China
The story of North Korean asylum seekers who were arrested at the Japanese embassy in China made international headlines. What do you think about this issue? Do you think the Chinese authorities were too harsh in their treatment, or were they acting in the best interests of Japan? How important do you think this issue is for Japan? Do you think that Japan faces the risk of being overcome by refugees from North Korea? Do you think Japan is doing a good job in dealing with asylum seekers, or should the government be tougher ? or more generous? How do you think Japanese society would cope with increased numbers of foreign people?

Teaching the teachers
The Ministry of Education, Sport, Science and Culture has announced a plan to retrain English teachers in government schools across Japan. The reason for this is that out of 21 Asian countries, Japan consistently ranks last in terms of English ability. If you were in charge of retraining the teachers, what would you tell them? How should they teach? What is the best way to help students improve their English? What do you think the teachers have been doing wrong (or right) until now?

It’s just a ball game
Now that the World Cup is over, what did you think about it? Were you pleased with the performance of the Japanese team? Who do you think was the best player? How about the Korean team? A lot of the news coverage in Australia reported that Korea was far more affected by ‘soccer fever’ than Japan ? do you think this is true? Do you think this is because the Korean team went one round further? How about the behaviour of the fans from other countries? Do you think there were any problems? Do you think the fear of ‘football hooligans’ was unfounded? And finally, do you think hosting the World Cup will see soccer replace baseball as the most popular sport in Japan?
Oh, and what was the story with Ronaldo’s hair???

Tension in Korea
The excitement of the World Cup was jarred by the gun battle at sea between patrol ships from North Korea and South Korea. This has led to both countries increasing their defences and readiness for further battles. How does this make you feel? Are you worried about what is going on with Japan’s neighbours? Do you think it is possible that once again, war could break out on the Korean peninsular? The situation between the two Koreas was looking very positive after Kim Dae-Jung visited Pyongyang, and the two nations competed together at the 2000 Olympics. What do you think has gone wrong?

Corporate Scandals
The American market has suffered over the past two or three months because of revelations that some major US corporations have been “fixing the books”, or claiming false profits. President Bush has made a series of speeches demanding that corporate America be more honest and truthful, but Wall Street continues to fall as confidence has been ruined. Markets in Europe and Australia have fallen too. How is the Stock Market in Japan coping? Are you worried about decline? Do you think that corporate mis-information is a problem in Japan? Why do you think it has become a problem in America? Can you think of any ways to discourage these kinds of dishonest practices?

Deadly Diets
According to Asahi Shimbun, a total of 158 people across Japan have suffered serious health problems because of taking ‘traditional’ Chinese medicines in order to lost weight. Of this number, 4 women have died (2 from Tokyo) and 53 have been admitted to hospital. A 60-year old woman from Morioka city died in February this year of liver failure ? she had been taking up to 8 different herbal weight-loss medications. Already some of these products have been banned in China, but are still available over the internet in Japan. Do you think that these kind of weight-loss medications are safe to use? Do you think that Chinese herbal remedies can be trusted? Do you think they should be banned in Japan, or do you think it is just irresponsible use of these products that leads to health problems? And why do you think this has become such a big issue in Japan? Is there a lot of social pressure to be thin? Where does this pressure come from? Do you think it affects men in the same way it affects women?

Summer Vacation
How has your summer been? Have you suffering from the heat in Tokyo, or have you had the chance to get away to somewhere cooler? Where are the most popular spots for a summer holiday? And what is your best childhood memory of a summer holiday? Has overseas travel been popular with Japanese people this summer? After the events of September 11 in the USA, many people were reluctant to travel anywhere on planes. Do you think this has changed now? Has the travel industry recovered? Or are people still as cautious as they were at the end of last year?

Sexual Harassment
 A professor at Hitotsubashi University has had his salary cut by 10% for three months and an assistant professor has been given a warning after being found guilt of sexually harassing female students at a farewell party after class. Three female students made complaints against the two teachers. Former Hitotsubashi student, now governor of Tokyo Ishihara Shintaro has said that the punishments were unnecessary, saying that “What used to be seen as just a “joke” is now called sexual harassment”. What do you think about this? Have laws dealing with sexual harassment gone too far? Are they ruining what used to be seen simply as good relations between people? Or are they not strict enough? Do you think the punishments of the two teachers were sufficient, or did they not go far enough? What would be a more appropriate punishment? And where do you think we can draw the line between a “joke” and “sexual harassment”?

Smoked Out
Japan’s anti-smoking laws are still relatively relaxed when compared to other countries, as it is still legal to smoke in so-called ‘smoking sections’ in restaurants and cafes. But it is certainly becoming harder and harder for Japanese smokers to light up inside. As a result, the streets are becoming crowded with people who simply have no where else to smoke, and there have been a number of injuries to people who have been burnt as a smoker rushes past. In response to this, the Minshuto is introducing a law into the Diet calling for a ban on smoking while walking in public, and a fine of 10 000 yen. Do you think this is excessive, or is it a good idea? Have you ever been injured by a smoker? Are you a smoker yourself? Do you think there is enough space in Tokyo’s cities to smoke, given the restrictions on smoking inside? Do you think cracking down on smoking in public will encourage people to stop smoking? 

Remembering S11
It is almost exactly one year since hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Centre towers in New York and the Pentagon. Can you remember what you were doing when you heard the news? How did you react? How did your friends and family react?
One year on, what do you think have been the long-term effects of the attacks? Do you think the world has really changed? Have you changed? If so, in what ways? Do you think the world is any closer to resolving the issues that led to the attacks in the first place? And what do you think is the best way to commemorate the anniversary?

The World Environment
August 2002 saw some unusual and dangerous weather conditions ? floods throughout China, Korea and Europe, and severe drought in Australia and New Zealand. Do you think these kind of weather patterns are just a freak of nature, or do you think they are the result of human activity impacting upon the environment?
Also in August, the World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Johannesburg. What kind of issues do you think were important, or should have been important, for Japan? Is your everyday-life affected by environmental issues? What kind of steps do you take to help the environment? Do you think people in general do enough, or is being environmentally-friendly an unreasonable burden in these busy times?

Vending Machine Mania
A new machine is causing a stir in Washington ? it’s a larger-than-usual vending machine, selling much more than cold drinks. The vending machine, over 2 metres wide, sells everything from DVDs and popcorn to sandwiches and toothpaste. Washington’s citizens have been intrigued by the machine, with as many people posing for photos in front of it as there are people using it to buy things. But in Japan, vending machines are far from rare, and for some time now, they have been selling a lot more just drinks. Why do you think there are so many vending machines in Japan ? so many more than other countries? Do you get surprised when visitors to Japan comment on the number and diversity of vending machines? Do you think life without them would be inconvenient? How often do you buy things from vending machines? And what sort of things do you buy? According to the New York Times, one Washington resident said that vending machines are “dehumanizing technology”. Do you agree? Would you prefer to buy something from a shop?

Someone to Look Up To…
Do you have a hero, or is there someone special who you look to for inspiration? If so, who is it, and why do they mean so much to you? If not, is that because you don’t want one, or just because you haven’t found them yet? Is it a good thing to have someone to look up to, or do you think it is more important to be your own person and inspire yourself? 
How important do you think the role of extraordinary individuals is in history? Do you think that people make events, or do events make people? Who are some important people in Japanese history, and why do you think they are so special? If not for them, how would Japan be different today?

Meeting with Kim Jong-Il
When Prime Minister Koizumi went to Pyongyang last month, he took his own bento for lunch so he didn’t have to eat with the North Korean leader, and before he met with Kim, he learned that 8 of the 13 Japanese people kidnapped by North Korea were dead. What did you think of this meeting? Do you think it solved anything between the two countries? Were you surprised to learn that the 8 had been killed? Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro has suggested that Japan go to war with North Korea - what do you think is the best way to deal with North Korea from now on?

Marriage in Autumn
The temperatures are dropping and the leaves are turning red ? so what is your favourite part of autumn? What are the best foods to eat in autumn, and where are the best places to go on the weekend? There is a saying in Japanese that couples who get married in autumn are less likely to get divorced. Where does this saying come from? Do you think it is true? If so, why is that?

War on Iraq
US President George W Bush is seeking support to start a war with Iraq in order to oust President Saddam Hussein. Britain’s Tony Blair has given Bush strong support, but he faces opposition from countries such as France and Germany. Why do you think the US is so determined to wage war? Do you think it is linked to the terrorist attacks on New York? Do you support action against Iraq? If not, what do you think would be the best way to ease tension in the Middle East? What do you think Japan’s role in this international conflict should be?

The Right to Vote?
On November 10, residents of Matsuoka in Fukui Prefecture will vote on whether to merge with either the neighbouring towns of Eiheji or Fukui. In that election, foreign residents with permanent residency will be able to cast votes. In a similar case, residents of Iwaki, a small town in Akita Prefecture, voted last month to merge with Honjo, a larger town to the south. In that election, people aged 18 and 19 years old were allowed to vote. 
These two separate elections raise many questions ? who do you think should have the right to vote? Should foreigners with permanent residency be able to vote in all elections? Is 20 a good age to start voting, or should young people start to vote sooner? If the voting age was lowered, do you think more young people would be interested in politics and social issues? How much do you value the right to vote? 

A Royal Death
How did you feel about the death of Prince Takamado? Did you visit his grave when it was opened to the public on December 2? What kind of public profile did the Prince have? Are you generally interested in the lives of the Royal Family? According to the Japan Times, the funeral, tomb and grounds expenses will cost 190 million yen. Do you think this represents a large amount? Do you think it is too much, or not enough? 

Christmas is coming
It’s just four days to Christmas! What, if anything, are you planning to do for Christmas? Do you give, or receive Christmas presents? Do you think Japanese people’s attitudes towards Christmas are changing at all? Do you think it is becoming more important, or do you think it will remain a largely commercial event?

The year that was
2002 is coming to an end very soon. What kind of year was it for you? What are your best memories from this year? What are your worst memories? What important things happened this year - in your life, in Japan and in the world? Do you think there are any lessons we should learn from 2002? 

Media and War
In late December 2002, a Japanese battleship was sent to the Indian Ocean to provide back-up support to the US in its “war against terror”. 
Thousands of demonstrators gathered at Yokosuka Port to protest the ship’s dispatch. However, the next day, most media outlets focussed
on the small group who had gathered to give the ship their support. Why do you think the media tried to emphasise support for the dispatch, rather than
opposition to it? Do you think the media actively attempts to influence public opinion? If so, in what ways? How do important do you think the media
will be in the coming months as tensions with North Koreaand Iraq intensify? Can you see any major differences in the ways various media outlets
report such stories? For example, are reports from the Asahi Newspaper different from the Mainichi? What about NHK news and the news on Fuji TV?

Translation Trauma
“The TwoTowers”, the second in trilogy of JR Tolkien films, has quickly become a box-office record breaker all over the world. However, in
Japan, there has been controversy over the quality of the translation provided in the subtitles. The director Peter Jackson even fired the film’s
subtitle translator, Toda Natsuko. Have you seen the movie? If so, how accurate do you think the subtitles were? 
What about other movies you have seen ? are you generally satisfied with the quality of translations provided? What do you think would be the
hardest thing about producing subtitles for a movie? In what ways would translating a movie be different from translating a book or a newspaper
article?

The State of the Union
US President George W Bush gave his “State of the Union” address on January 29 2003, and called upon citizens of Americato brace for war with Iraq. While the United Nations Security Council is yet to give its approval to any attack on Iraq, it seems likely that war will break out in the near future. How do you feel about this? Do you think that Iraq poses a danger to the United States, and to Japan? Do you think that Saddam Hussein has links with Osama bin Laden and the September 11 terrorist attacks? If you don’t agree with the war, what do you think would be an alternative solution? What kind of role should Japan play in a war with Iraq? Do you think the issues with North Korea are more important for Japan at this time?

Bank Tax Ruled Illegal
On January 30, the Tokyo High Court ruled that Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro’s controversial bank tax is illegal, ordering the government to return 162.87 billion yen in tax collected from 17 banks since 2000. Why do you think this kind of tax is illegal? Do you support the tax? Do you think it is an effective way to target the top money-earners, or has it just been a way for Ishihara to gain popularity? Do you think that individuals pay too much tax? What about businesses and small businesses? How do you think the tax burden should be shared in Japan? 

Hay fever season
This year is predicted to be particularly bad one for sufferers of hay fever, or kafunshoin Tokyo, particularly in the Hachioji area. Do you, or does anyone in your family, suffer from hay fever? How does it affect your life? Have you discovered any good strategies for dealing with the symptoms? 

You are watching NHK Tokyo
On February 1, 50 years ago, television came to Japanwith those exact words, spoken by Shimura Seijun. At the time, there were less than 1000 sets in the country, but 50 years later, television has revolutionised entertainment and the spread of information. What do you think have been the most important impacts of television? Do you think it has dramatically changed the way people think and act? Can you think of some important historical events that you viewed on television? How much is television a part of your daily life? What kind of problems do you think are associated with a television society?

Early Sakura
Japan’s meteorological forecasters are predicting that the sakura in most of Japan will bloom between 2 and 8 days earlier than average this year, as March is expected to be unseasonably warm. Are you looking forward to the sakura blooming? Will the early arrival cause any problems? What are your plans for this years’ hanami? How important to you is hanami and sakura? Do you always take time to view the sakura, or are you too busy? Do you think that hanami is an important Japanese cultural institution?

Refugee Issues
In response to international pressure, the Cabinet approved a Ministry of Justice bill to ease Japan’s tight refugee laws. The new bill allows for asylum seekers to gain temporary residency in Japanwhile their claims are being processed and extends the period in which asylum seekers can apply for refugee status from 60 days to 6 months. However, the Bill has been criticised by some Japanese lawyers and by Amnesty International for not going far enough and for not providing enough appeal options for asylum seekers. What do you think Japan’s stance on refugees should be? Do you think Japan should admit more, or less? How do you think refugee status should be determined? What do you think the effects of the upcoming war on Iraq will be for the international refugee situation, and do you think Japanand the rest of the world will be able to deal with it?

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