"Rape of Nanking" on Big Screen

A documentary film based on Iris Chang's book, Rape of Nanking(Nanjing) is near completion, and the financer, Ted Leonsis reveals his motivation to make this film in a Washington Post story.

Mr. Leonsis, a vice chairman of American Online(AOL), made billions during the merger of AOL with Time Warner in 2001, was always fascinated by the success of Steve Spielburg's Schindler's List. He spent 2 million dollars to made this documentary in a test drive for investing in film market. (read Leonsis's blog(Ted's Take) here)

Regarding the story of Rape of Nanking, "It's got Germany. It's got Japan. It's got an invasion that had terrible consequences to the Chinese people, and it's a story that hasn't been told," side Mr. Leonsis. He added that it's also a story that common people became heroes and did great good.

In 1937, when Japanese emperor army invaded Nanjing, an estimated 300,000 Chinese were killed. Westerners in the city created a safe zone that protected 250,000 Chinese from the Japanese army. The story's chief hero is a German businessman named John Rabe, who referred by Iris Chang in her book as "Oskar Schindler of China".

CCTV, China Central Television, has paid "significant" advance for broadcast rights for the film. Because next year will mark the 60th anniversary of "Rape of Nanjing".

The movie is scheduled to be showing at the Sundance Film Festival in January, 2007.

Double Whammy: Poor and Old in Japan

Nothing is more bitter than getting old with half empty pocket, espcially if you live in Japan, where the average life span for men is 87, and for women even longer, and whose enough, living in Tokyo, where the cost of living is the highest in the world.

Washington Post article tackles the problem, one Japanese men featured is Kakizaki, who lives on $625 dollars a month in Tokyo.

Mr. Kakizaki, 73 years old, told to the reporter, "I can't afford transportation, film for my camera or the photo-developing fees for such trips any more. the photso care all I have left. I can barely afford to fee myself now."

Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi's pension reform has reduced the government checks Mr. Kakizaki received every month, from $826 to $625.

Tanigaki: go Beyond Yasukuni

Japan's race for the next Prime Minister to succeed Mr. Junicho Koizumi is officially heating up. Finance Minister Tanigaki(谷垣禎一) declared his candidacy today. Mr. Tanigaki certainly aims for supporters of former cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda who last week suddenly declared not to join the race.

In a press briefing to separate himself from Koizumi and leading contender for the job, current cabinet secretary Shinzo Abe, Tanigaki said, he will not go to Yaskuni if elected to be the Prime Minister.(私が総理になりましたときは靖国参拝を控えたいと、このように思っております)

Another candidate，Foreign Minster Taro Aso is said to join the race on August 2nd, and Aso's stance over Yasukuni is closer to Koizumi and Abe.

Beyond Yasukuni, can Japanese next prime minister deliver?

Beijing Wedding looks for Western

The year of 2006 means a lot for Chinese young people who are thinking to marry, as two lunar months fall on the same year, which is rare but it also means luck for Chinese.

No surprisingly, many young couples are taking wedding photos and planning ceremonies. Ranging from $350 to $750 for a set of photos, and the wedding ceremony can easily go over $5,000, about 1 year salary for average beijingese.

Certainly there is also famous Beijing Bicycle, which is perfect for wedding, too. Look at the couple, they looks they are the coolest couple ridding on the decorded bicycle (hopefully they didn't have to ride a long distance, standing on it seemed not safe, either)

OOps, Guess what, the beautiful bride, Fan Xiaoping didn't fall from the bike, However, the groom, a PHD student in Beijing University, Jiang Yang had to pay a fine for blocking traffic, becuase his entourage, a total of 25 bikes, ride inside the motor lines instead of bike lines.

Yamazaki: Japan and China relationship "so bad"

Senior Advisor to Koizumi and former vice president of Japan's ruling LDP, Taku Yamazaki is visiting Washington DC today.

At a speech at Heritage foundation, Mr. Yamazaki said, Sino-Japan relationship is so bad that even in facing such serious crisis of North Korea's missiles launch, it is impossible for top leaders of China and Japan to talk to each other.

Regarding to Yasukuni issue, Mr. Yamazaki argued that the issue is very complicated; even Japan's emperors (Showa and Heisei) have been visit there for nearly three decades. (since 1978 when Class A war criminals were added to be worshiped at the shrine.)

To resolve the Yasukuni issue, one possibility is for the Shrine management to volunteer to split the enshrinement of the War criminals. Another one is to set up another memorial service facility.

Mr. Yamazaki also criticizes the statement that Japan's using North Korea issue to rearm its self-defense troops. He cited that Japan's defense expense has been cut for the past several years in a row.

You can take a look at event materials here.

China Japan News Roundup

Will Japan use North Korea's missile threat as a excuse to develop its own nuclear weapon capability? Xinhua's article, translated from International Herald, answers the question.

China became the third largest food donor in the year of 2005, the same time that China stops receiving foods aids from the World Food Program. (NY Times)

Chibana(知花,), Miss Universe Runner Up

Miss Japan Kurara Chibana won the first runner up in 2006 Miss Universe pageant held in Los Angles, and Chibana also won best custome. Miss Japan won Miss Universe title back in 1959.

Chibana is also a blogger, her blog has photos of this pageant competition, including her journal in Los Angles. If you undersatnd Japanese language, her blog worths checking out.

Miss China joined the Miss Universe pageant for the first time in 2002, and Zuoling (see photo at left), a 19 year old student, won that year's second runner up.

Monkey: Pissed off

Caption this:

Hints: the original caption says that on July 20th, in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, China, a monkey circus owner got one of his employees very angry, so...

Why Showa Emperor stopped Yasukuni visits since 1978?

Why Japanese Showa Emperor , Emperor Hirohito (裕仁天皇）(1901-1989) stopped Yasukuni visits since 1978? His sudden decision to stop and never came to Yasukuni again in his remaining years has provoked all kinds of guesses, However, this secrete was revealed by a memo of his secretary that was made public today.

In the memo, emperor Hirohito expressed his unhappiness towards Yasukuni Shrine's decision to put Class A criminals of World War II into the worship hall. Before that decision, only Class B and Class C war criminals were worshiped in Yasukuni Shrine. According to the memo, Emperor Hirohito said, “that’s why I didn’t go to (the Yasukuni) since (the decision), that’s my thought.”「だから私はあれ以来、参拝していない」「それが私の心だ

The memo also disclosed that the Emperor criticized the Yasukuni’s top that made the decision, he couldn’t understand why the person made the decision.「松平の子の今の宮司がどう考えたのか。易々と―」

The memo is not only stirring up a hot debate among Japanese politicians in deciding who will be next prime minister, it certainly will also draw international attention to this hotly debated issue. China promptly made a statement, urging Japan to solve the Yasukuni issue.

All eyes on Koizumi, 8/15/06

Just as I mentioned on 7/13, "July is not August, when August 15^th, the date that Japan declares to be defeated in 1945, weather Mr. Koizumi will visit Yasukuni or not will draw a line for his legacy." Xinhua has a special analysis on Koizumi's possiblilty of visiting the Yasukuni shrine.

Author of the article, Feng Zhaokui, a scholar of Institue of Japan studies, China's Social Science Academy, descibed Koizumi as irrational, lack of strategy, a gambler, and China shouldn't take Koizumi seriously. "中国不以小泉为对手，是因为小泉不是个有战略头脑的政治家，说得白一点，就是此人缺乏思想，水平太差，只不过是一个政治玩家或赌家."

This article sounds like a warning bell to Koizumi, the message is "don't play fire." It also serves as a signal to Japan, before the election of a new Prime Minister in Sepember, that China will not get along with any future leaders who are going to visit the Yasukuni Shrine.

Does the tone sound familiar? In 1996, before Taiwan was going to elect a new president, China shot missiles into the sea. The result...

Chinese economy is ike the weather

Today's DC is the first Code Red day for this summer, tempture is forcasted to reach 100 degree, and most of the U.S. is no better.

Today, China's economy dats shows that for the first part of the year, the economy grows at 11.3%, way above the targeted rate of below 10%. It is obvious that soft landing is not working, and Chinese economy is overheating.

Want to take a curry bath?

JSL for Chinese students

JSL(Japanese as Second Language) for Chinese students?

Back at my college years in China, at early 1990s, Japanese language, along with French and Germany, were handily picked as 2nd language for language students. The reason, Japan is being China's next door neighbor, and there were more Japanese exchange students studying in China than other courtiers except Hong Kong or Taiwan.

However, since then, everything has changed. Good, old Sino-Japan friendship is long gone, as a recent survey indicates, 70% of Chinese and Japanese dislike each other. Besides, Chinese language has gained worldwide popularity thanks to China's ever growing economy, and Americans and Europeans flood to China. Not Surprisingly, Japanese language is losing its usual attractiveness among Chinese students.

However, to improve understanding and ties between Japan and China, solid language training is vital. That's why Tokyo Broadcasting System, a TV network in Tokyo signs contacts with China Media University. TBS will train Chinese journalist, and Chinese students will have Japanese as a second language.

I hope there is a day when Chinese students will choose Japanese as Second language without conditions.

Bush and Hu: Cold or Hot?

At G-8 summit, President Bush and Hu Jintao held a joint press briefing. The difference between the two is obvious.

Bush thanks Hu for supporting the UN resolution on North Korea, and also acknowledges that economic and trade are still biggest issues for Sino-US relations." I want to thank you very much for our continued dialogue on bilateral issues. We spent a lot of time on economics and trade.

Hu, on the other side, wants US keep handsoff on unidentified issues. Presidnet Hu said, "At the same time, we also believe that we need to respect and properly address each other's concerns and properly handle the sensitive issues in the bilateral relationship, so that we can continue to move forward this relationship."

Curry What?

Welcome to Funny Friday! However, Not sure if you call it a fun.

Hakone is located near Mt Fuji, in Shizuoka, Japan. Hakone is wellknown for snow crowned Mt Fuji, surrended by five lakes and hot springs. Soaking in hot spring is Japan's national lesure game. In my previous post, there are new relaxing methods for overstressed Japanese, such as sand baths, etc. However, Onsen (hot spring) is still the most popular relaxing way.

This summer, a new hot spring bath debuts in Hakone-Curry Bath. It is credited for speeding up sweating and getting rid of fat, not suprisingly it is popular among young women.

It is said, to offset the smell of curry, basil essence is added to the bathing water. (TBS)

Koizumi quits visiting Yasukuni?

From July 13^th, Yasukuni Shrine starts annual festival called Mitama Matsuri, and Mr. Koizumi has been donated a lantern to this festival ever since he became Prime Minster five years ago. However, visitors found no lanterns bearing his name this year.

Did Mr. Koizumi decide not to visit Yasukuni any more? Or because in order for Japan to pass the UN resolution to sanction North Korea, Tokyo needs China, the timing is just too sensitive?

According to a TBS report, 小泉首相、「靖国」議連を退会, the reason given by Koizumi’s office is that he has quit “Yasukuni Giren” (a group of Japan’s house members who visit Yasukuni Shrine).

July is not August, when August 15^th, the date that Japan declares to be defeated in 1945, weather Mr. Koizumi will visit Yasukuni or not will draw a line for his legacy.

US gov PCs hacked by Chinese?

U.S. State Department publicly recognizes that some of computers inside its Washington DC building have been broke in, especially the computers inside the beaure of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, a section of dealing China, Japan and Koreas.

A washington Post article also reports that, The Pentagon warned earlier this year that China's army is emphasizing hacking as an offensive weapon. It cited Chinese military exercises in 2005 that included hacking "primarily in first strikes against enemy networks."

The breakin also affected many U.S. diplomats, who had to change their passwords, and unable to access their online banking system for a period of time.

Bush on SinoJapan Ties: Up to your guys

At a roundtable interview with foreign media, right before G-8 summit to be held in St. Petersburg in Russia, President Bush sat down and answered questions from print media(newspapers) journalists from Japan, Italy and other G-8 member countries.

When asked by Japanese Journalist, Masaomi, "Do you worry about it(worsening Sino-Japan relations)?", here is Mr. Bush's answer,

"Well, I would hope it would improve, is the best way to put it -- hope it would improve. I think it's an important relationship. And I can't make it improve. That's up to the parties to make it improve. I can say, I hope it improves to both parties, which I'm more than willing to do. " (White House online)

It is SHOCKING to me that Bush said, "I can't make it improve", As one of the clost friend to Mr. Koizumi, and US being the biggest trade partner to both China and Japan, the Bush administration takes a hands-off policy to such "an important relationship"(admitted by Bush himself).

There are certainly many things Mr. Bush can and should do, such as raise concerns to Koizumi about worsening SinoJapan ties, etc. As Kurt Campbell, a CSIS scholar suggested, Mr. Bush should at least raised the concern to Koizumi, that is the way close friends talk to each other.

All eyes on Mr. Wu Dawei(武大伟）

China criticizes Japan overreacting over North Korea's missiles launch. A new spokeswoman for China's Foreign Affairs department, Jiang Yu said, if the UN resolution drifted by Japan and submitted by Japan, along with the U.S., UK, be adopted, "it will intensify contradictions and increase tension".（reuters)

Is Japan overreacting? The answer is right in the hands of Chinese delegates to North Korea, if Pyongyang was persuaded by the Chinese, stopped any further missiles launch, and returned to the six party talk tables, Yes, Japan seems to be overreacting. However, if the result is not like that and China's influence over North Korea proved to be indeed limited, Japan will justify its strong stance.

In the next few days, all eyes lie on Mr. Wu Dawei, Chinese ambassador now is in Pyongyang.

Sino-Japan:from Competition to Confrontation?

Today marks a very unusual day in Sino-Japan relatons. From years later we look back, today may be the first public display of new change in Sino-Japan relations, from cooperaton in late 1980s and early 90s to competition in late 90s to today's confrontation.

It is the issue of North Korea that Beijing and Tokyo speak publicly about their dissatisfication over each other. China ambassador to UN, Mr. Wang Guangya said, China opposes Japan’s proposal of a UN resolution to put sanction over North Korea. Japan's leading candidate for next Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe said, Japan has the right to strike a foreign missile base if the country is under imminent threat of attack.

Japan obviously is disappointed by China's leaning towards North Korea, and also China's seemingly non existing influence over North Korea. Beijing, on the other hand, seems to feel being betrayed by North Korea and being squazzed by Japan.

Everyone is crossing fingers over China's six party talks negotiator, Ambassador Wu Dawei, who is in Pyingyong in persuding Kim JungIl in returning to the table, otherwise, not only North Korea faces a setback, China may have to make more efforts to retrive its influence and soft powers in Asia Pacific region.

China Japan news roundup

Japan is determined to push a vote on a UN resolution to condemn North Korea, following the Pingyong's Fourth of July 7 missiles launch. The resolution faces oppositions from China and Russia, but Japan persists in its push for a legally binding resolution. (Reuters)

China and Japan finished a two day negotiation over Gas reserve in the East China Sea, without a result. however, two sides agree to negotiate further more to solve the controvacial issue. (Asahi Shimbun)

Second blackmail was sent to Mr. Shinzo Abe, secretary of cabinet. Inside the envelop was a knife and letter, Do not go to pay visit to Yasukuni Shrine, is the message. It seemed the mail came from Hong Kong. (Yomiuri Shimbun)

China is getting lonely

While Japan, with the U.S., UK and France are proposing a UN resolution to condemn North Korea, after it launches missiles, China's proposal for a UN presidential statement was rejected.(Asahi Shimbun)

No one is more disappointed by China's soft stance towards North Korea than Japan, whose territory is under direct threat under the missiles, and Japan-N.K relations are not only bad, but has been confrontational, according to a TBS interview with a North Korea top diplomat.

As I wrote in the previous post, North Korea issue is increasingly a headache for Beijing and Tokyo besides Yasukuni.

Do I have to start a Blog called, Beyond North Korea?

Yasukuni+N.Korea: SinoJapan's Double Whammy

North Korea's Missiles did stir up a wave around the world, but it also fans up a new wave of Japan's already worsened feeling towards China.

Japan, along with the U.S. and UK, submitted a UN resolution to condemn North Korea, it is obvious that Japan is the one who did the most of the work, drifting, negotiating, etc. However, China, along with Russia, prefer a UN Presidential Statement, a non legally binding one instead of a resolution. Beijing also calls for calm in dealing the issue.

China's attitude is in a great contradiction to Japan's swift actions. Tokyo put out economic sanctions against North Korean ships and officials, and drifted and submitted a UN resolution on the same day of the missiles launch.

Tokyo certainly didn't hide their dissatisfactions toward China. Cabinet Seceretary Shinzo Abe, the leading candidate to succeed Prime Minister Koizumi this Sepember,, said in a press briefing, "間違ってもこのような事を行う北朝鮮に対してシンパシーを持っていると疑われるようなことがあってはならないのではないだろうかと"(Even it maybe wrong It is no doubt that you cannot show any sympathy towards North Korea)."

Considering already over 7o% of Japanese dislike China, and how emotional the missiles issue provoked to Japanese people, I am not sure how China's dealing North Korea will further negatively affect relations with Japan, However, I am sure that Japan will be closely watch China's actions, and will take note.

Who's afrid of North Korea?

In a previous post, Who's not afraid of North Korea, I wrote that China has a certain leverage over Pingyong. However, from today's Missle launch, it seems to Japan and the U.S. that Beijing's influence is waning, if not gone completely yet.

North Korea's missle testing seemed to have caught China offguard, Xinhua news agency had to cite Japanese media accounts to report the news. As a host of six party talks, people wonder how long China can still use its power to urge North Korea to play a responsible role?

Read More

• China
• Japan
• North
• Korea

Rocket Booms, Back fires

I came back from the Independence holiday, and found reports of every media that there are seven missles launched by North Korea. To Americans who just enjoyed Independence Day fireworks, the Seven Missles, Not one, not two, but Seven, certainly qualified as a Rockt Boom.

However, unlike the fireworks, North Korea's Rocket booms also back fires. Japan, US are pissed off, even South Korea and China voiced out dissafications, even more worse is that South Korean people, who also has sympathy towards the North, and has been impatient about North Korea's not doing enough, will certainly more angry about this missles launch boom.

Read More

• china
• japan
• northkorea

Cultural difference or indifference?

When Japan's PM Koizumi and US President Bush held a joint press availability, they took two questions from each side, both Japanese journalists asked about issues such as North Korea, Iran and US-Japan relations, American media asked nothing but Guantanamo, raised by the day’s ruling by US supreme court that Bush is overusing presidential power in setting up military tribunals for Gitmo prisoners.

Does American media different or indifferent?

When Mr. Koizmi sang Elvis tunes, "I want you, I need you, I love you" at Jungle Room in the Graceland, and American media couldn’t stop playing his clips again and again, you can take a look at the 2 minutes clip here and here. the message is this, “He doesn’t speak English, but he sings English songs”. Obviously, Japanese media thought this is something that is ironic. Even Japan’s secretary of Cabinet, Mr. Shinzo Abe had to defend Koizumi at a press briefing. (TBS news)

Does American media different or indifferent?