Category Archives: Opinion

President Obama and Understanding Japan

“Don’t use ‘sure,’” my regional manager advised me. “Use, ‘I understand.’”

Once upon a time, the regional manager at my former employer paid her monthly visit to our branch. Her goal this time was to try to improve struggling relations between my direct superior and me. Apparently, one of the problems was how I was answering the managers’ directives. “Japanese like, ‘understand.’ Do you understand?”

“Yes” I lied. Now, nearly two years later, I think I finally do understand.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House, April 28, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo (source)

U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House, April 28, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo (source)

This week, for the first time, a sitting American President will visit one of the two Japanese cities obliterated by an atomic bomb. President Obama arrives in Japan on Wednesday for a meeting of the G7 nations, and the White House announced Hiroshima will be on the itinerary shortly thereafter. The President plans to pay respects at Hiroshima’s peace memorial and deliver remarks.

The news mentions ‘critics.’ There don’t seem to be any big names coming down on the president – yet. They needn’t hold their breath. President Obama is making the right decision, and he will be welcomed in Hiroshima as he was long awaited: with an incredible grace and patience unique to the Japanese people.

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Lessons from Traveling Alone

Recently I traveled alone to the island nation of Taiwan.

Me pointing at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

Me pointing at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

In beginning my solo adventure I remembered posts from my former Japan sidekick Rob Milchling’s blog, where he often spoke about traveling, often alone. He has taken many solitary trips around the East Asian region and beyond. I never actually read most of his posts about traveling, perhaps out of jealousy that he was blogposting faster and more efficiently than me, but I assumed these entries’ existence meant I had many lessons to learn on my own upcoming trip.  I was right.

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One at a Time

I wanted to title this essay “How my Crude, Cynical, Obtuse, Straight Japanese Friend Gives me Hope about the Future of LGBT Rights in Japan,” but in the spirit of progress, this message sent by text to a friend (with a more colorful word after “one”) seemed more fitting.

With the arrival of marriage equality in the United States, perhaps the moment is timely to talk about the gay rights movement in Japan, or lack thereof.

Pride Month Celebrations began in 2010 in Japan.

Pride Month Celebrations began in 2010 in Japan. Source

Well, it exists.  But it’s in its infancy.

While they don’t experience the open persecution seen in Russia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, LGBT people in Japan are locked in the prison of strict social customs. Most gay men in Japan seem to either be foreigners or partially to completely in the closet, which is why I’ve had to change their names in this post. They probably have a long way to go in an isolated, patriarchal society where older people hold all the keys over a submissive youth.

But the tide will turn, and I know that because of Yuu Koyama.

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I Hate Fall and You Should Too

“Greg, are you serious?”

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

“The weather is so great!”

“Are you trolling us right now?”

“The foliage is so beautiful!”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Pumpkin flavored beer! Football! The leaves!”

“You say you’re from Boston…”

I’ve heard enough.  I’ve been called crazy, tasteless, stupid, depressed, and I’ve been questioned on my authenticity as a New Englander.  I get it, I have few allies on this one.  But though I am an island, I know it is the promised land.  You’re all wrong on this.

I hate Fall, and you all should too.

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How to Observe D-Day in Japan

This will be a short note.  I apologize to my millions of loyal fans, for whom I’m currently working on a new full-size entry about a recent evening in Osaka.  But I thought, living in a country virtually demolished by the victorious forces in World War II, I could leave a note on the 70th anniversary of that war’s most pivotal moment.

The year after D-Day was a historical period of extreme cultural exchange, perhaps not seen since First Encounter 450 years earlier.  Within weeks, the French farmers and villagers of Northern France, celebrating their liberation, were tasting Coca Cola, trying bubble gum, playing baseball and listening to American music for the first time.

Fast forward to today.  I work in Kyoto, Japan, the ancient capital of Japan and perhaps its most culturally valued, historically preserved city.

IMG_3420Walking through Kyoto, one sees a Burger King dominating the city center, a Starbucks filled with youth, two or three McDonalds’ every square mile, Disney movies filling the theaters, “New York” Pizza stands, Facebook users, Instagrammers, even Japanese apps are named in English, the word “vintage” everywhere, English signs everywhere (and I really, really mean everywhere), etc. etc.  Irrelevant but ironic is the widespread Japanese glorification of white people with blonde hair.

We’ve brought America to every nation on Earth, and it began on the beaches of Normandy 70 years ago.  I’m not sure how to feel about how far it’s come, but cheers to those who got the ball rolling, at high cost, and for the best reasons.  USA number one.

-Greg