Clergyman's

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.
- Debito Arudou

WaiWai was an essential guide to Japanese attitudes and editorial directives.
- Debito Arudou

Too many Japanese believe that they can say whatever they like in Japanese , as though Japanese is some secret code.
- Debito Arudou

Too many Japanese believe that they can say whatever they like in Japanese , as though Japanese is some secret code.
- Debito Arudou

Too many Japanese believe that they can say whatever they like in Japanese , as though Japanese is some secret code.
- Debito Arudou

Too many Japanese believe that they can say whatever they like in Japanese , as though Japanese is some secret code.
- Debito Arudou

me naturalization is just an obvious extension of what somebody in my position would desire anyway — the right to vote and to legally participate in society the same as any other citizen. I am already as entrenched as any other citizen: I have a house and land with a debt of a quarter-million dollars; with a thirty-year loan I really cannot leave Japan… Moreover, naturalization has knock-on benefits that suit a person with my personality. It will enable me to stand on my rights with renewed vigor — because I will indeed have more rights, as well as a firmer ground to demand even more . And — dare I say it? — I would be able to participate in politics as a candidate if I so choose).
- Debito Arudou

me naturalization is just an obvious extension of what somebody in my position would desire anyway — the right to vote and to legally participate in society the same as any other citizen. I am already as entrenched as any other citizen: I have a house and land with a debt of a quarter-million dollars; with a thirty-year loan I really cannot leave Japan… Moreover, naturalization has knock-on benefits that suit a person with my personality. It will enable me to stand on my rights with renewed vigor — because I will indeed have more rights, as well as a firmer ground to demand even more . And — dare I say it? — I would be able to participate in politics as a candidate if I so choose).
- Debito Arudou

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.
- Debito Arudou

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.
- Debito Arudou