8 ms·

Japan now the Hades of free speech and investigative journalism

104 points by adregan 13y ago

rhizome 13y ago
You want my click? Don't insult me with your headlines & titles.
- PavlovsCat 13y ago
  Sadly, both title and headline seem to be fitting here: > "The law will punish journalists and whistleblowers who divulge government secrets with up to ten years in prison, and up to five years for those who “instigate leaks” (ask questions about state secrets)." That's as bad as it gets..
  - anoncowherd 13y ago
    > That's as bad as it gets.. North-Korea would beg to differ.
    - PavlovsCat 13y ago
      Then let me say it's very far from any desirable state.. there's always something worse, but that doesn't really help, does it. If all countries in the world were in equally deep shit, the fact that they'd be equal would hardly be sufficient consolation for them being in deep shit.
      - anoncowherd 13y ago
        >> there's always something worse, but that doesn't really help, does it No, it doesn't. It's really quite sad that the best the people of any nation can hope for, is that their government doesn't rape them too hard. The US is quite a police state already, but hey, at least it's not North-Korea.. yet. It could be in a few years though. Tyrannical regimes come and go, but that's just business as usual, especially as long as it "can't happen here".. It's almost as if mankind could do better than this.. It's almost as if something was wrong on a global scale.
        rhizome 13y ago
        It's really quite sad that the best the people of any nation can hope for, is that their government doesn't rape them too hard. The US is quite a police state already, but hey, at least it's not North-Korea. It's pretty interesting why we hear so much about NK but the rhetoric isn't nearly as harsh when hearing about the crazy societies in East Africa. Such flexible moralities at work here.
- Natsu 13y ago
  It's not as if the site will load when you do click on it, at least I've not seen anything of this article except a blank page.
ekianjo 13y ago
Abe is one of the worst politicians ever in Japan. Pushing Keynesians economics to the max, going on TV everyweek to show his face in variety programs, and controlling the media to ensure his Abenomics crap get good press, while pushing for an increase of VAT instead of reducing the absurbgovernment spending. Now this. This is about as low as you can get.
- coolandsmartrr 13y ago
  Being a Japanese citizen myself, I agree to your sentiments to some extent. Yes, he is very keen to satisfy media outlets and spread support for Abenomics. He has been jingoistic, using patriotic rhetoric to amass votes from nationalistic and conservative people alike. Yet, when it comes to leadership in Japan's political arena, there are hardly any viable candidates. I had high hopes for the former-ruling DPJ, which ended up as three years of abrupt administrations. Voters once believed that DPJ, with its emphasis on national welfare, can improve Japan, but switched back to LDP not because the former party appeared attractive, but merely because it is the least appalling party among the many. What Japanese voters appear to want is a stable regime while turning a blind eye to their increasing draconian policy that exploits the diplomatic fear against our East Asian neighbors. LDP is currently taking advantage of their most favorable term by passing many legislation to promote their conservative agenda. It would be overly simplified to remark that Abe is the worst politician. Stock market average soared since he returned as prime minister. Despite the heinous copyright agreements, the TPP ostensibly promotes free trade in other sectors such as agriculture. And we’re approaching the first anniversary of Abe’s leadership - and his regime still looks stable unlike the last months of Fukuda, Aso, Hatoyama, Kan, or Noda. (It would be fair to note that DPJ’s credibility crumbled partly due to the naturally-occured 3.11 earthquake.) To improve Japanese politics, as a nation we have to invest in the younger generation. Hone better leadership skills so that eventually when they too enter politics, they can influence their colleagues effectively. Make the youth more interested in politics so that whenever a horrible legislation like this act on secrecy appears, a massive portion of voters protest, not unlike when the US Congress tried to pass SOPA/PIPA. Clearly, Japanese politics doesn’t appear have a bright future as of now.
  - 13y ago
throwaway_yy2Di 13y ago
Thanks Obama! http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/12/05/in_japan_s_state_secrets_law_shades_of_red_white_and_blue http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/12/05/in_japa... "In Japan’s State Secrets Law, Shades of Red, White and Blue"
- e40 13y ago
  Either you are serious or this is snark. Either way, you get a downvote from me. If you are serious, I'm amazed what a grown person tries to pass for logical thoughts these days. If you are not, please give it a rest. This isn't reddit.
Pitarou 13y ago
Breaks my heart.
raverbashing 13y ago
Japan: stagnated growth, closed society and now their own Chernobyl sized problem A younger generation that won't have kids. A government without any sense of direction and how to improve things. Immigration is not only governmentaly discouraged, society is against it. Immigrating to the US is easier. It's not going to get better.
- cosx 13y ago
  HDI Projections 2010: Japan is 8th in the world 2015: Japan is now 5-7th in the world 2025: Japan is now 2nd in the world 2030: Japan is now 1st in the world Shut up you cunts.
  - raverbashing 13y ago
    "Projections" It's currently in n.10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Deve... And IDH doesn't tell the whole story.
    - cosx 13y ago
      Better than your "ill-informed delusional ramblings". I'd advise you talk about things that you understand, else the comment quality of this place is only going continue slipping. Not sure why this political piece is ranking so high here in the first place. Or has the site degenerated so much so quickly? (haven't checked HN for ages..)
      - raverbashing 13y ago
        > Better than your "ill-informed delusional ramblings". Then please provide sources. Japanese birth rates plunge to record low: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-07/japanese-birth-rate-plunges-record-low-death-rate-hits-record-high http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-07/japanese-birth-rate... http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/07/21/drastic-change-in-immigration-policy-off-the-japanese-election-agenda/ http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/07/21/drastic-change-in-im...
jb17 13y ago
Hades is not hell, and actually not such a bad place. It's where all people go when they die, and only a small part is for torturing bad people.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
- SimHacker 13y ago
  Hell itself isn't such a bad place, either. All the interesting people will be there.
- noarchy 13y ago
  And the HN Pedantry Patrol shows up, on schedule. Do we really deal with computers so much that we forget that human communications allow for a certain level of artistic license and flexibility?
- TrainedMonkey 13y ago
  Hades is a place without memories, colors, and will. You lose all of that when you cross Styx.
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
Groxx 13y ago
>... The current administration is slowly trying to create a country that has the ability to fight a war. I’ll continue to fight against this law, because it is the beginning of such a country. —Unemployed, 53, Yoriko W●●● That is a great reason to vote, and an interesting way to look at secrecy laws.

104 points by adregan 13y ago

rhizome 13y ago

You want my click? Don't insult me with your headlines & titles.

PavlovsCat 13y ago
Sadly, both title and headline seem to be fitting here: > "The law will punish journalists and whistleblowers who divulge government secrets with up to ten years in prison, and up to five years for those who “instigate leaks” (ask questions about state secrets)." That's as bad as it gets..
- anoncowherd 13y ago
  > That's as bad as it gets.. North-Korea would beg to differ.
  - PavlovsCat 13y ago
    Then let me say it's very far from any desirable state.. there's always something worse, but that doesn't really help, does it. If all countries in the world were in equally deep shit, the fact that they'd be equal would hardly be sufficient consolation for them being in deep shit.
    - anoncowherd 13y ago
      >> there's always something worse, but that doesn't really help, does it No, it doesn't. It's really quite sad that the best the people of any nation can hope for, is that their government doesn't rape them too hard. The US is quite a police state already, but hey, at least it's not North-Korea.. yet. It could be in a few years though. Tyrannical regimes come and go, but that's just business as usual, especially as long as it "can't happen here".. It's almost as if mankind could do better than this.. It's almost as if something was wrong on a global scale.
      - rhizome 13y ago
        It's really quite sad that the best the people of any nation can hope for, is that their government doesn't rape them too hard. The US is quite a police state already, but hey, at least it's not North-Korea. It's pretty interesting why we hear so much about NK but the rhetoric isn't nearly as harsh when hearing about the crazy societies in East Africa. Such flexible moralities at work here.
Natsu 13y ago
It's not as if the site will load when you do click on it, at least I've not seen anything of this article except a blank page.

ekianjo 13y ago

Abe is one of the worst politicians ever in Japan. Pushing Keynesians economics to the max, going on TV everyweek to show his face in variety programs, and controlling the media to ensure his Abenomics crap get good press, while pushing for an increase of VAT instead of reducing the absurbgovernment spending. Now this. This is about as low as you can get.

coolandsmartrr 13y ago
Being a Japanese citizen myself, I agree to your sentiments to some extent. Yes, he is very keen to satisfy media outlets and spread support for Abenomics. He has been jingoistic, using patriotic rhetoric to amass votes from nationalistic and conservative people alike. Yet, when it comes to leadership in Japan's political arena, there are hardly any viable candidates. I had high hopes for the former-ruling DPJ, which ended up as three years of abrupt administrations. Voters once believed that DPJ, with its emphasis on national welfare, can improve Japan, but switched back to LDP not because the former party appeared attractive, but merely because it is the least appalling party among the many. What Japanese voters appear to want is a stable regime while turning a blind eye to their increasing draconian policy that exploits the diplomatic fear against our East Asian neighbors. LDP is currently taking advantage of their most favorable term by passing many legislation to promote their conservative agenda. It would be overly simplified to remark that Abe is the worst politician. Stock market average soared since he returned as prime minister. Despite the heinous copyright agreements, the TPP ostensibly promotes free trade in other sectors such as agriculture. And we’re approaching the first anniversary of Abe’s leadership - and his regime still looks stable unlike the last months of Fukuda, Aso, Hatoyama, Kan, or Noda. (It would be fair to note that DPJ’s credibility crumbled partly due to the naturally-occured 3.11 earthquake.) To improve Japanese politics, as a nation we have to invest in the younger generation. Hone better leadership skills so that eventually when they too enter politics, they can influence their colleagues effectively. Make the youth more interested in politics so that whenever a horrible legislation like this act on secrecy appears, a massive portion of voters protest, not unlike when the US Congress tried to pass SOPA/PIPA. Clearly, Japanese politics doesn’t appear have a bright future as of now.
- 13y ago

throwaway_yy2Di 13y ago

Thanks Obama! http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/12/05/in_japan_s_state_secrets_law_shades_of_red_white_and_blue http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/12/05/in_japa... "In Japan’s State Secrets Law, Shades of Red, White and Blue"

e40 13y ago
Either you are serious or this is snark. Either way, you get a downvote from me. If you are serious, I'm amazed what a grown person tries to pass for logical thoughts these days. If you are not, please give it a rest. This isn't reddit.

Pitarou 13y ago

Breaks my heart.

raverbashing 13y ago

Japan: stagnated growth, closed society and now their own Chernobyl sized problem A younger generation that won't have kids. A government without any sense of direction and how to improve things. Immigration is not only governmentaly discouraged, society is against it. Immigrating to the US is easier. It's not going to get better.

cosx 13y ago
HDI Projections 2010: Japan is 8th in the world 2015: Japan is now 5-7th in the world 2025: Japan is now 2nd in the world 2030: Japan is now 1st in the world Shut up you cunts.
- raverbashing 13y ago
  "Projections" It's currently in n.10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Deve... And IDH doesn't tell the whole story.
  - cosx 13y ago
    Better than your "ill-informed delusional ramblings". I'd advise you talk about things that you understand, else the comment quality of this place is only going continue slipping. Not sure why this political piece is ranking so high here in the first place. Or has the site degenerated so much so quickly? (haven't checked HN for ages..)
    - raverbashing 13y ago
      > Better than your "ill-informed delusional ramblings". Then please provide sources. Japanese birth rates plunge to record low: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-07/japanese-birth-rate-plunges-record-low-death-rate-hits-record-high http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-07/japanese-birth-rate... http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/07/21/drastic-change-in-immigration-policy-off-the-japanese-election-agenda/ http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/07/21/drastic-change-in-im...

jb17 13y ago

Hades is not hell, and actually not such a bad place. It's where all people go when they die, and only a small part is for torturing bad people.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
SimHacker 13y ago
Hell itself isn't such a bad place, either. All the interesting people will be there.
noarchy 13y ago
And the HN Pedantry Patrol shows up, on schedule. Do we really deal with computers so much that we forget that human communications allow for a certain level of artistic license and flexibility?
TrainedMonkey 13y ago
Hades is a place without memories, colors, and will. You lose all of that when you cross Styx.

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

Groxx 13y ago

>... The current administration is slowly trying to create a country that has the ability to fight a war. I’ll continue to fight against this law, because it is the beginning of such a country. —Unemployed, 53, Yoriko W●●● That is a great reason to vote, and an interesting way to look at secrecy laws.