Journal 5: Culture and Japan's News

Journal: American Culture and Story

In mapping my culture’s dimensions, I was not surprised by where the United States lies in terms of relative dominance and control (Bennett). American values also emphasize optimism and a focus on the self (Storti & Hofstede) For the most part, I myself find that I do not necessarily match up with some of these values. For example, I think of myself as very cooperation-oriented, and I am usually very indirect when it comes to discussing hot-button issues (Schmult). However, I align myself to many individualistic ideals and would consider myself to be vey action-oriented. Such ideals have been influenced by my cultural context and my own family.   

Of the many stories circulating in my family, one in particular stands out that helps me to make sense of the world. Not only that, but it helps me to understand the need for taking risks and doing what I think is right.

During the early 1900’s, just before World War I, my great grandfather, John Olah, decided to leave his village of Satu Mare in Romania to immigrate to the United States. He could see that tensions in Europe were on the rise, and he and members of his family did not want to be caught in the crossfire of a potential war. Travel between countries was extremely difficult in the region so, as he traveled, he made the excuse that he was going to visit a family grave in the next town over. Armed with his belongings and a bouquet of flowers, my great grandfather boarded train after train to reach Greece. He boarded a ship and reached Ellis Island where he was granted United States citizenship. He eventually moved to the Aurora area where he met my great grandmother, Valeria, another Romanian immigrant whom had left Europe with her family.

The two of them made the most out of the American dream. They quickly learned English and made sure that their children were fluent; they rarely spoke Romanian with them, as they believed this would help their kids to be able to communicate and excel. They were very dedicated to their new country, a trait that my grandfather held to for his entire life. To show his dedication to the United States, he (along with some of his cousins), enlisted in the army. My grandfather went on to be a corporal in the United States Army Air Corps where he operated radar technology, which was highly classified information at the time. My great grandfather served as an air raid marshal for the city of Aurora and would patrol the streets during drills.

It is this family history that helps me to understand the need to take risks. Had my great grandfather remained in Romania during the World Wars, there is a good chance that he, along with his family, would have died. His courage to leave his home and the life he knew to travel to a place with an entirely different culture and language inspires me to this day. His attitude is also very much a testament to American cultural values, specifically that individuals have the ability to control what might affect them and that planning for the future is important (Kohls).         

Blog: Japan and News

This week, the Japanese media has reported on a number of topics on both and national and international level. Among these topics, North Korea dominates much of the recent media coverage.

One of the major topics discussed in Japan is the treaty signed between North and South Korea. Media outlets in Japan recognize that, in the wake of this shift, “North Korea needs guarantees from America and South Korea if denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a genuine goal”. There is an understanding there that the “cooperation of South Korea is instrumental in paving the way for genuine political and economic ties between both Korea’s”. There is also a call to the United States to recognize the inevitable connection between the countries, but to also be wary.

Other outlets have been reporting on an upcoming summit in Tokyo at which South Korea, China and Japan will discuss the political and diplomatic events involving North Korea. The May 9 summit will bring together the South's President Moon Jae-in, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqian. Because all three of the neighbors are politically tied to North Korea and to the United States, there is a fear that, especially South Korea and Japan, could be potential targets of aggression from either North Korea, or from China. Specifically, South Korea and Japan are wary and concerned about North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile technology. Additionally, both North and South Korea have shaky relations with Japan, especially after “Japan's imperialist 1910-45 occupation of the peninsula and the issue of "comfort women" in the South”.

Another issue, one that has not been covered in detail in the United States, is a lawsuit being filed by the Warmbier family against North Korea on behalf of their son, Otto. While the lawsuit may prove largely symbolic, it has been filed at a time in which US-North Korean relations are at their most delicate, especially with upcoming plans for the two leaders to meet face-to-face. The lawsuit, at its core, “contends that North Korea is liable for Warmbier’s wrongful death — describing it as ‘extrajudicial killing’ — and calls for a judgment for both ‘economic and non-economic compensatory damages’ to his parents”.

Shifting to the Middle East, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Benjamin Netanyahu recently met in Jerusalem to discuss ways in which the countries could cooperate regarding economy and cybersecurity. Abe also discussed the Middle East peace and Japan’s commitment to helping resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to Japanese officials, Abe “supports a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the final status of Jerusalem to be settled through negotiations between the concerned parties”. Japan is also seeking to boost cybersecurity cooperation with Israel in response to the coming 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics and the need for increased security and updated technology.

With Japan’s steady rise to international power since the 1950’s it is important that the country take the necessary steps towards forming and maintaining key relationships in major regions of the world.