Why Japan’s Mainstream Media Can’t Be Trusted To Report Objectively On TEPCO (東京電力）

When the earthquake struck Japan on March 11th and knocked out TEPCO’s Fukushima nuclear reactor, setting off a chain reaction of disasters–TEPCO’s chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata was nowhere to be found.  Where was he? He was on a tour of China with members of some of Japan’s largest media outlets–and TEPCO was footing the bill. On [...]

Nuclear Ginza: Japan’s secret at-risk labor force and the Fukushima disaster

Back in 1995, the UK’s Channel 4 produced a 30-minute documentary on Japan’s nuclear industry and how they use disadvantaged people, including burakumin and other day laborers, to do manual labor inside their power plants. And by inside, I mean inside. Some were forced to work right next to the room where the core was [...]

Sumo Wrestlers Fixed Matches, But Who Gave The Orders?

Japanese police sources are saying that there is evidence sumo wrestlers contacted each other via cell-phone to fix sumo matches in advance.  AFP has an excellent piece on the recent developments. AP also has a substantial follow-up piece posted as well. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Organized Crime Control Division has been aware of contacts, [...]

Yakuza Not Leaving The Construction Industry With A Whimper But A Bang

Yakuza are not happy being forced out of the construction industry in Japan and are responding with destructive criticism. The Tokyo City Government is expected to pass an organized crime exclusionary ordinance （暴力団排除条例) this year which will make paying off the yakuza (指定暴力団）a crime, and will also allow the police to release the names of companies that do business with the yakuza. Seven prefectures already have similar laws on the books.

Upcoming Event: Polaris Project seminar

Jake will be giving a talk about the law-enforcement side of fighting human trafficking at Polaris Project’s monthly seminar series, “You Know Human Trafficking?” Date: Saturday, September 25 from 7-9pm Location: JICA Chikyu Hiroba Seminar Room 301 (Map) (One-minute walk from Exit 3, Hiroo Station, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) Admission: 1,000 yen, 500 yen for [...]