David Aldwinckle, MPIA '91, Interviewed in Asia Times
Overcoming the 'Japanese only' factor
01/12/2012
Victor Fic,
Asia Times
When US-born Dave Aldwinckle became a Japanese citizen named Arudou Debito in 2000, two Japanese officials told him that only now did he have human rights in Japan. Such prejudice galvanized him into becoming a crusader against anti-gaijin (foreigner) discrimination after braving death threats to him and his family. Is Arudou throwing the egg of morality and legality against the rock of ancient bias? In this exclusive interview with Asia Times Online contributor Victor Fic, he sees Japan turning inward.
Arudou Debito, 46, holds a BA in government from Cornell University and an MPIA (Master of Pacific International Affairs) with a Japan concentration from the University of California, San Diego. Since moving to Japan in the 1990s, Arudou has become a controversial figure due to lawsuits he launched against Yunohana Hot Spring and the Otaru municipal government in Hokkaido over alleged discrimination against gaijin (foreigners).
Click here to read the full interview.
Photo, Asia Times
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David Aldwinckle, MPIA '91, a naturalized Japanese citizen under the name Arudou Debito. He is a social activist in Japan. Click here to read his blog.
