Debito Arudou Quotes
born 1965 Japan
Debito Arudou (有道 出人 Arudō Debito; born David Christopher Aldwinckle in 1965) is a naturalized Japanese citizen who is a teacher, author and activist.
Also known as: Arudo Debito, Arudou Debito, Arudō Debito, Debito Arudo, Debito Arudō, Arudoudebito Sugawara
Random Debito Arudou quote
5 quotes
WaiWai was an essential guide to Japanese attitudes and editorial directives.
Too many Japanese believe that they can say whatever they like in Japanese ('that statement was for a domestic audience' is very often an excuse for gaffes), as though Japanese is some secret code."
Other people have called me a "human rights" activist. I don't mind the label, but I don't think I'd go so far. It puts me on par with other extraordinary activists. I'm just an average guy with a bigger mouth than average.
Truth be told, having two passports in Japan is not necessarily a problem. If one lived a quiet life, one could conceivably keep renewing a non-Japanese passport ad infinitum. The USG permits dual citizenship and doesn't go out of its way to tell other governments about the nationalities of their citizens. However, as you know, I don't live a quiet life.
Starting from 1993 in Otaru, Hokkaidō, and now running unchecked throughout Japan, signs saying 'Japanese Only' have gone up, making an unspoken undercurrent of fear of the outsider into clear, present, and brazen exclusionism — following the best traditions of segregation and apartheid.