[Original by Hiroshi TANIYAMA, JVC’s President (August 23, 2016); Translated by Y. Nakamura] Modern war is protracted one Most of modern wars take the form of “anti-terrorism war”. An “anti-terrorism war” does not have a distinct front line of fight, and cannot always differentiate between a combatant and noncombatant. A characteristic of modern war is meant to be “a war fought among residents”. Consequently, civilians would be more liable to damages. Furthermore, it is very difficult to negotiate ending the war because the side of “terrorist” rarely has a chain of command like a state does. Therefore, the war is likely to be protracted. Learning from the case of Afghanistan…
WAR IN SOUTH SUDAN INTENSIFIED; IS IT RIGHT THAT SDF’S PKO KEEPS STATIONED?
[Original by Hiroshi TANIYAMA, JVC’s President (July 21, 2016); Translated by Y. Nakamura] Fierce battles happened in Juba, a capital of South Sudan, where Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were dispatched under United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). More than 270 persons have been killed in gun battles which started on the 7th of this month. It is said that the actual number of civilian casualties was more than that. It produced more than 40,000 refugees. Food shops were looted, and transportation of goods was stopped by inspection. They were worried about food shortage. Both opposing parties, president’s supporters and vice-president’s, issued an order of cease-fire. However, there is still some possibility…
The Security Laws Enforced; Japan becomes an assailant in conflicts
U.S. Army’s Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and residents, Afghanistan.
[Original by Hiroshi TANIYAMA, JVC’s President (March 29, 2016); Translated by Y. Nakamura] The Security Laws were enforced on March 29, 2016, which makes it possible to exercise the right of collective self-defense for defending foreign countries by force of arms, and to support foreign forces anywhere in the world. Until now, JVC had set up “NGO Hisen Net (NGO NO WAR NETWORK)” together with about seventy other NGOs and has been strongly opposed to the Security Laws as a NGO involved in international cooperation. Japan becomes an assailant in conflicts. A hope for peace is about to be lost from the world once more. The Self-Defense Forces of Japan…
Fukushima’s “reconstruction” is a long way from people’s peace and safety
[Original by Hiroshi TANIYAMA, JVC’s President (March 12, 2016); Translated by Y. Nakamura] Five years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Decontamination and other arrangements towards reconstruction have been making progress in Minami-soma, where we have been providing assistance since April, five years ago. Last month, the City of Fukushima announced its policy that they would lift the ban on living in the area of Odaka, located within the range of 20km from the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. At first, the reconstruction looks to be progressing satisfactorily. However, the division among the people of Fukushima, which was…
A lot of problems in “Kaketsuke-Keigo” by the Self-Defense Forces in South Sudan
[Original by Hiroshi TANIYAMA, JVC’s President (February 5, 2016); Translated by Y. Nakamura] President Taniyama joined JVC in 1986 and has conducted activities in many local sites overseas. About the current issues around the world that should not be ignored, he is speaking specifically from a viewpoint of a NGO for international cooperation, which is familiar with the reality overseas. (Hiroshi Taniyama, JVC’s president, had been assigned to reside in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Afghanistan for twelve years in total. Besides being the president of JVC, he is also the chairman of JANIC, one of the most influential NGO for international cooperation with the type of networking in Japan, and…