Mastermind magazine

American Base in Okinawa

What do you Think?

MASTER MIND

What Have You Been

Thinking about Japan?

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“To Infinity and Beyond” Buzz Lightyear 3

CONTENT 21 Talk Page

With Haruka Onsihi from 1Z about her summer camp in Okinawa :D

24 What do you Think?

From May to August national issues young people want to let their generation to know more about.

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Lyra Furuya

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Letter from the Editor

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Season Book Selection

OKINAWA What do you

of book to fulfill your year!

think of American base in Okinawa? Who is American?

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Smartphone

Yes or No? Some Okinawan

Is smartphone all that smart? Find what your friends thought about smartphone.

citizen think American bases in their city are‌ Our neighbors think American bases in Okinawa are‌

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-We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are- Anais Nin

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LETTER

TO THE

“D

EDITOR ear my lovely editor

It`s already November and it`s getting pretty cold ooh I miss the last summer`s hot and lovely sun with ice-cream…

Well, anyway! Right now my concern is about politics in Japan.

WE lov e japan

All news where going on about difficult issues in Okinawa`s American problem, new (political) party`s problem, and Fukushima`s environment effects.

Blame everything to Noda–prime minister, oh dear! Japan is full of problem. My lovely editor, please tell those problem`s reason why it can`t be solve easily in easy English so teens could understand and so that we can have some interests in our country.

”

Lots of love, Natsumi November 7th, 2012.

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PhotoJournal Journal Photo

Photography By Lyra Furuya

PIGGY BANK

Edited by Emi 7

HOBBY Season Book

Spring Fukubukuro by Kakuta Mitsuyo Spring is the season whereas young people find their youth. Fukubukuro tells us some short stories about relationship and new life for a beginning season of the new year.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Story narrated by teenage boy, Charlie who has a problem fitting in a new life of being an high school student. Later he met seniors that would change his school life, learning “of those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up”.

Autumn The Oldman and the Sea

By Earnest Hemmingway

Platina by Higashino Keigo

A short story about an old fisherman who had a DNA system, a system which should battle with a large marlin fish. He had no luck in prevent crime is facing a problem with fishing until one day he use all his energy to the “NOT FOUND” identity, who is infight with a big marlin fish. volved in murders crime.

A story about hardworking and a brave man The author, Higashino has created a story :) masterpiece approaching human mind and an ultimate mystery.

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Summer Sydney by Murakami Haruki Do you like Olympic ?

You may possibly think you had seen everything about Olympic just from the TV screen.

Find out the real Olympics behind your TV screen by reading this book!

TUGUMI by Yoshimoto Banana A story about a young woman who suffered from illness, Tsugumi; yet her character wasn`t fond by people. A good book about the bond between family to be read during summer break.

Winter

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

A cold feature but a warm romance bet-

A winter adventure along with a brave girl, ween Bella and Edward the vampire.

Lyra and his partner Pantalaimon.

The story of love and life survival, gives A fantasy yet adventurous story for all ages. you a thrill and warmth...

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Photography By

Photo Journal

Lyra Furuya

Edited by Emi 10

People are Talking About

SMARTPHONE Do you have a smartphone?

A

ccording to the Yomiuri Shinbun survey of “the usage of mobile phone” in 2011, 14% of 6 years old students to 18 years old had their own smartphone. Is smartphone all that “smart”?

“With smartphone we can stay in touch with people easily and use internet occasionally and this useful especially for an adult”, said 15 years old Senior High Student at Gyoshu.

“It`s

Have you ever felt a buzz from your phone but when you picked the phone, there wasn't any messages or call? We call that, phantom-vibration syndrome This might happen to everybody who often receive buzzes from mail, notification and call.

convenience”, added her girl friend who had

bought an iPhone 4S the latest one only just one day ago when I interviewed her. “It gives much information, but it also made us not to think about the information. It easy to get the information without feeling skeptical about it”.

Why students prefer to use smartphone? Not just smartphones are all touch screen, application such as games, videos, and photo editor are popular amongst teenagers. Most people I had interviewed answered they like the design of their new phone and it is a trend to have a smartphone, plus the internet is free (they only have to pay 7,000 yen per-month and can use the internet freely).

Most of them check their phone before they`re going to bed and right after school or when they`re bored.

Surprisingly, one girl answered she doesn`t want a smartphone and argued smartphone it`s just inconvenience tool for her. “A kind of people like me who can`t join the age flow think smartphone is uncomfortable to use. Most of them are touch and they`re vulnerable and I think I won`t feel safe using the smart phone”. So, What if smart phone doesn`t exist?

What if smart phone manipulating our mind?

Do you really need a smartphone?

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Edited by Emi

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Topic American Base in Okinawa

(Manami Goto)

I (Yuuki Hikida) Did you know? ▸

47,ooo bases remained in Japan

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More than half are based in Okinawa

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8,000 US marines will be relocated to Guam

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Japanese government to pay 60% of the cost

t is hard to decide whether the bases in Okinawa should be deport, or have them in our country. To choose whether I support American bases in Japan or not, I would agree to not having the bases in Okinawa prefecture. I`ve heard lot of problems caused by the militaries from the accident of their broken machines, disturbing noises of their machines especially from the sky when the planes were flying, young women abuse and other social problems. Government were trying to reduce the bases and this is a good thing for the citizens hence too many bases in Okinawa. On the other side, thinking about the economic situation and political situation, Japan should have the bases. Japan lose the war and they signed the security treaty of having no national militaries but to let American soldiers built their bases in Japan. This is for Japan`s safety and other Asian countries. Conflicts in East Asia (North Korea, South Korea, and China) also can be handled in ease.

Eventually, I would not support agreement to have the bases. This is a difficult problem, therefore we have to think from different point of views through this magazine. Let`s look on interview with Kazumi Onishi (Haruka`s mom) who had taught inside the area of American base in Japan.

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Photo Journal

Photography By Chrisela Elrika

Edited by Emi 15

Photography By

Photo Journal

Victoria.

A. Sarasvathi

GLĂœHWEIN

Edited by Emi

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Topic What do you think of the base?

Completely organized town. They had post office, supermarket, a fire station, everything.

What did the base look like?

Perfectly little America I heard you have to show passports when entering, do you think it is weird or awkward when entering?

No I don`t . It was the exciting moment when entering the base. ...I felt like getting away from Japan.

Okinawa`s map Marine force

What were they doing?

Air force

Almost my students were naval officers and navy men`s wives.

Officers were faithful to their duties. Some of navy men were on the ship to South East Asia area. Others were on to Iraq. Wives were waiting for their husband`s return. ...The base was not Japan, isolated and protected place. People had cozy daily life in there.

(Yokosuka Naval base)

Army

Interview and History of Okinawa

What do you think of the base?

I think the base already established their position in Japan. Reason why there are many bases in Japan is because Japan lost war with United States. Japan had promised to not use military any more, America will protects Japan with their military equal bases are not Japan`s but American`s.

琉球王国

Ryukyu

Kingdom

Since the era of “Kaizuka” (shell mound), people In Ryukyu started to hunt fish and gather their needs from woods. During the 10th century, they changed to agrarian* society and were divided into 3 rivalry, North mountain (sanhoku), Middle mountain (chuzan) and South mountain (sannan) during the 13~14th century. In mid 15th century, the Chuzan King, Syoushi unite the districts as Ryukyu Kingdom. Then he formed tribute with Min dynasty during the start of 15th century, trade with East and SouthEast Asia countries (prosper in trade system). However, they came up to change the trade system especially to decline the trade activity in the area of sea. 1609, Satsuma clan annexed Ryukyu Kingdom and formed tribute with Sin-dynasty (after Min dynasty). The clan used this chance to trade fine quality of raw silk and medicine through the tribute. In 1872, during Meiji period, Bakufu (shogunate government) put Ryukyu as a clan. Then Japan abolish every clan to change as a prefecture in 1879, Ryukyu changed their name to Okinawa prefecture. During the second World War, America landed on Okinawa and took control of the land. 100,000 Japanese injured and killed.

After the war, America took Japanese bases and made security treaty with Japan. Because of conflicts in China, Korea and Vietnam emphasizes Okinawa`s strategic importance to United States.

Agrarian*: relating to farmers or farming 17

Topic

Bit of History!

Who is American??

Chicago(Lyra Furuya) ▸

French and English men sailed across the Atlantic in the 1500s because of their interest in finding another route to Asia. They sought a Northwest passage.

▸

After the settlement of Sir Walter Raleigh on Roanoke Island (North Carolina), 1585 and 1587 English colonization was started in North America;

British were trying to control a new Empire in India because they began to lose control over their colonies in North America (NA).

As a result, colonists in NA see themselves as people separate from the British.

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They could gain more wealth by working on their own land so they have their own selfgovernment. Britain tried to control more over the colonists through taxation and colonists opposed the thought. British then closed the port of Boston to all shipping (Boston Tea Party) which made colonists protests resistances.

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Colonists struggle for independence, in July 4th 1776 they declared their independence from Britain. Their new idea of government intention is: “If government failed to protect people`s rights, then people had their right to abolish it”. Known as the democratic government.

Settlement for profit: The London Company built up their first colony in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia to find gold or other precious metals as like from other colonized land in Africa or Asia.

Unfortunately, they failed in finding gold and then started to producing tobacco.

Religious colonization: People in Europe saw America as a place where they could afford more money easily.

Clash of culture: Foreign presence in America (mostly European people) changed native people lifestyles enarmously, there were often conflict between America Indian and European over lands. Their population reduced because of diseases brought by settlers.

Tobacco

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farmlan

d

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Thomas Jefferson Memorial Statue

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Photography By Haruka Onishi

Summer in Okinawa

Edited by Emi

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Topic Yes or No e h t To

base?

Kadena Air base (Manami Goto)

People who live in;

OKINAWA

Other Prefecture

He said he felt scared when he was doing agricultural works and a plane went over his head and it was really close. He did not really say whether he agrees with the idea or not but he does have some fear toward it. (Man living in an Iejima island)

I have been to Okinawa and whenever I go, there`s always the base. It`s not Japan. When I saw Okinawa map, I was so surprised that most half of the land is covered with the base. They (government) should reduce the base by relocating them to other prefecture.

(Editor`s mother, Shizuoka)

If I think about the Okinawan people situation, it is better to not having the base. But thinking about our country protection, we need their protection from countries such as China and Korea. I don`t really know about the detail but like the accident happened yesterday (A young 12 years old girl violence by an American military), it is better to lose the base. Japan still may have good relations with countries (U.S, China and Korea) that`s the ideal though. (High School Boy, Shizuoka)

She said that she`s pretty used to the fact that planes like Osprays are flying in Okinawa. She didn`t tell whether she`s afraid or not. But she didn`t seem happy about it.

(A high school girl in Okinawa)

These reports by Haruka Onishi (note: “Some people weren`t comfortable to talk about this issue�, Haruka Onishi)

Interview by Emi Kubota 2012/11/19 20

Interview ASIAN YOUTh DEVELOPMENT With PROGRAM ka photography by Haruka herself

Haru hi Onis

So in Okinawa, did you talk about some issues maybe the environment in Okinawa or Asia?

(Saturday, 24 November) I interviewed my classmate who`d been to Okinawa to attend her first summer camp.

Oh, our main theme was “water�

Why did you want to attend the AYDPO camp?

Because I have interest in Asian countries, and the program was for people in Asia

Where was the camp held?

So you met many people from Asia, what`s the difference between Japan and other Asian countries. Their perspectives maybe?

Okinawa, I went to Tamagusuku and then we went to Tokashiki island, after that we went to Iejima for homestay. Then we went to Onna-village.

They were outgoing, and they really know about their own countries in detail. Some of them gave me a gift, a doll from their country and they explained where the doll made from.

Did you learn something from the camp?

What have you learned from the camp?

Last message for teenagers about this interview?

I think I learned something, it is important that no matter how sophisticated it is or big the idea is, it`s really important what you think about the others. If you don`t really know about anything (about them) it`s actually rude to the people because we did many group discussions.

I strongly recommend to you to join the camp and activities because those people (who went to the camp) are very selective and they have very strong opinions and have their own thinking. I think it is a very good opportunity to attend this camp.

(I found many different people with different culture though like one person, she did fast*) You mean teenagers have to be openminded?

I don`t think we have to be open-minded because I`m sure that some people want to keep themselves. But I think we have to have listen to others people mind.

Fast*: a period during which someone doesn`t eat, especially for religious reasons

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Photo Journal

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Photography by Chrisela Elrika

Edited by Emi 23

View

All sources written in these pages of “What do you think?” were taken from Asahi Shinbun, both morning page and evening page newspaper.

MAY Base explosion, Grandma struggles It`s been 40 years and 15 days since the return of Okinawa islands to Japan. 88 years old grandma, Nakasone-san is the owner of “Apricot Kitchen” restaurant which is located in front of the American military base. The restaurant was built or opened 30 years ago, but the land she owned from her grandpa is not been returned yet to her because the base is the land lent by her grandpa. The sound of helicopter buzzing, sounds from the military base disturbs her restaurant. But she said, “ I can`t say any things I hate toward people, I just have to struggle by myself”.

Okumura Satoshi “(基地爆音、おばぁ闘う)”. Asahi Shinbun 15 May 2012, morning final ed. Print.

Un-deepen argument Government still argue whether they have to increase the tax or stable it. Inside the committee meeting, they (representatives) kept arguing about violation of manifest and repetition of same arguments about Noda prime minister`s past behavior. Japan`s tax was 3% to 5% since April, 1997. After that year, there wasn't any argument about increasing the tax. But because of the aging society, they planned in reformation of taxing, “Increasing tax , taxation system 2 bill; the tax will be increased to 8% in April, 2014. 10% in October 2015. “ Itagaki Testuya “ (増税 2012, page 2. Print 24

深まらぬ議論)”. Asahi Shinbun 22 May

Photography by Haruka Onishi

Photo Journal

Shanghai

At Night‌ Edited by Emi 25

Photo Journal

Photography by Lyra Furuya & Haruka Onishi

Upturned

Shot!

Edited by Emi 26

VIEW Teacher want to let young people to know more about...

Conditions of young people your age in third world countries (the underdeveloped nations of the world, especially those with widespread poverty) as compared to what you experiences here in Japan.

For example, family values, making a living, social and political conditions in their own countries, their future (Math teacher)

How has action cause pollution that can affect not only our area but other countries as well. It is important to take care of the environment now as it will affect future generations. (Science teacher)

How unique Japan is when compared to other Asian countries and how similar Japan is in Asia. What and how Japan can contribute for the advancement of Asian community (IB coordinator)

Young Japanese nowadays are easy to lose their hopes and dreams, thinking that it is impossible even though they are trying hard in everything to do anything. They often self -criticism about their selves.

World is not always has good sides but it is also not always has bad sides. Therefore, what I`m trying to say is if we have no dream, life will be boring. (Homeroom Teacher) 27

View

July Osprey`s accidents, 58 cases in 5 years In the 5 years (2006~2011), the number of Osprey`s accident is 58 cases with 30 cases MV22 aircraft and 28 CV22 aircraft according to America Military`s documents. These cases were divided into 3 case; case A which only include number of people damaged, case B counts people having heavy damage or aftereffect and in case C counts light injured.

Most casualties they had were in case B and C, 5 to 50 thousands US dollars damages. This numbers happened in United States with this Osprey Machine. Okinawan people resistance arose as in US side military planned to deploy new model osprey machine in Okinawa.

Sonoyama Fumiaki “オスプレイ事故５８件”Asahi newspaper 20th July 2012, front page. Print

How judges judge the punishment penalty What divide the death penalty and penal servitude?

The reasons judges decision of penalty for suspects were made, They will looking back at previous examples or reasons of their decision for the suspects to punishment penalty and to make the examples as their base. If the suspects kill 1 person, 30% of them will be decide to death penalty and 80% of them who killed more than 3 persons.

Aoike Manabu “ 死刑選択の判断｢洗例と比較を」” Asahi Shinbun 24 July ,Front Page. Print

“Go Home” voices from sHore It starts because of the revival in power plant. The demo happened in 23rd July morning in Yamaguchi prefecture about the unloading osprey. Osprey crafts fall down a lot (the percentage of Osprey`s crashing is high) and government ignore, put off citizen`s opinions toward the osprey, means government unload the machines without citizens response.

Voices: “I don`t accept the ignorance to citizen by this country government. It irritates me if we don`t stand for ourselves. I want people in Osaka to know this “ 62 years old housewife.

“We cannot entrust government. If we want to change, we as Japan`s citizens have to know we must stood up” 66 years old opposition toward American helicopter base conference leader.

Yoshibumi Wakamiya “｢帰れ」船から岸から” Asahi Shinbun 23 July, Front Page. Print 28

Photo Journal

Photography By Maya Kubota

Mary had a little lamb‌.

Its fleece was white as snow

Edited by Emi 29

Photography By

Photo Journal

Victoria.

A. Sarasvathi

Christmas Tree in Celle Edited by Emi 30

View

August VOICES FROM DISTRICT ABOUT the increasing tax In Utsunomiya and Nagoya conference about the increasing of tax in the future, they worried about the crisis of deflation especially for districts factories and small business. Participants in Utsunomiya conference claimed if the deflation continue, many districts business will bankrupt (small factories for example) and there will be little payment for the workers. Meanwhile in Nagoya conference, they suggests Japan should decrease the number of public employee and member especially their personnel expansion. They also wanted government to heal and modified deflation in this country.

Ito Yuuka “消費税 怒る地方” Asahi Shinbun 2 August 2012, Page 6. Print

Opposite Party assault strategy Japan`s national assembly inside problem, opposite party ( 野党) argue about the ruling party conference. There are many Liberal party (自民党）inside House of Councilors (参議院）which cause disagreements toward the bill decision. Then they make a deal if House of Representatives (衆議院）disperse, they will agree with the decision of bill. In the middle of this argument, Senkaku island problem became the issue argument toward the House of Representatives.

The bill problem was about the deficit–covering to issuing the Yen and changes of election system because of too many members of Diet.

Yoshibumi Wakamiya “尖閣・竹島 攻める野党” Asahi Shinbun Sunday 19th August 2012 , page 3. Print

a Harmony through Economy?

FTA, Japan– China– South Korea decide to start free trade.

This is because the system has merits in each other sides.

They hope the territories problems won`t affecting their economies since China wants to increase the GDP and these problems are political issues Yoshibumi Wakamiya “経済通じ融和なるか” Asahi Shinbun 19 August 2012, Front Page. Print

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 | |

Write your opinion after reading this magazine`s facts and interview :)

| | |

DEAR EDITOR,

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Sincerely,

| | | Send your letter to: Neverland 000-0001. Fax: 0000-4444 32

| | |

Letter from the Editor

We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are– Anais In

Some of you might think why did I choose OKINAWA for the topic of this magazine. This was because the problems in Okinawa related with American bases weren`t solved for many years. Can you think of another problem that government hadn`t solve for many decades? This American bases in Okinawa prefecture and the opposing voices from the citizens for long time ago came into my mind, so I decided to write about it. Since the 3.11 big earthquake in Japan, people worried about the energy of nuclear power plant danger. Large amount of radiations spread to the ground, water and air, people became afraid of living in normal lives. From media such as Youtube, TV, twitter and so on, people from different prefectures were afraid of the radiations and opposed to received rubbles from Tohoku districts (because of the radiation!). But if you can think more wisely, those words and saying in medias are just facts. Media gives us the facts about what happened in our lives and we can`t just receive what they say directly. Why? Because medias show other people perspectives and we can`t take other person point of view to be our own view, obviously because they have their own so we have to make our own!

We can get information easily lately because of advanced technology such as, smartphone. Therefore, we have to be careful when choosing facts and use them as our evidence and then use to prove that our own thinking is true. Like a debate! What if nuclear power and American bases are gone in Japan? Have your brain debate about this using the facts! Good Luck :) -EMI KUBOTA-

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“Politics because a lot of people don`t go voting which shows that they weren`t interested in POLITICS ”

“ I think young people should know more about poor countries…”

“Young people should know more about how effective does nuclear power stations to our electricity costs. Our electricity was made mainly by nuclear power station and now some people are against to starts the power station…”

“...In Japan`s politics, there is a problem between the Democratic and Liberal party. Also about the tax and power plant…”

“… Issue about `OBESITY`. There are new data and many facts that were announced recently.

What is interesting, `Japanese OBESITY` is now often highlighted” 34

What facts or issues you want to let young Japanese people to know about?

“ I think Japanese history about WWII because young people really don`t know the fact about this war, they need to learn more about sad things that really happened in the WWII”

“

To take action by thinking more about others” 35

RESOURCES Page 8-9 ▸

Itoh Marina, Haruka Onishi, Lyra Furuya, Aya Omata, Natsumi Suganuma.

Personal Interview. 18th July 2012

Page 11 ▸

Haruka Onishi, Lyra Furuya. Personal Interview. 18th July 2012

▸

Natsumi Suganuma, Aya Omata, Angela Zhou. Personal Interview. 19th November 2012

▸

Tony Dokoupil. “Is The Onslaught Making Us Crazy?”. Newsweek.16th July 2012, page 22-27. Print

▸

“子供のスマートフォン使用実態調査”.Net and Digital. Yomiuri Shinbun Online, 16th December 2012. 27th May 2012

Page 14 ▸

“Profile: Japan`s Okinawa.” BBC News. One -Minute World News . 22nd September 2010. Web. 22 July 2012

Page 17 ▸

Kazumi Onishi. Question and Answer paper interview. 21st July 2012

▸

Itsumi Fumihiko, Sudou Kou, Takahashi Shin and other 45 professors “Atarashi Shakai; Rekishi Textbook ” Japan`s Ministry of Education. Tokyo Shobako Co., LTD, 2008 . Print

▸

“Profile: Japan`s Okinawa.” BBC News. One -Minute World News . 22nd September 2010. Web. 22 July 2012

Page 18 ▸

Holt, Rinehart, Winston. “World History; Continuity and Change” pages 435440 and 464-466. Austin, Texas: Hanes, 1986. Print

Pages 20 ▸

Haruka Onishi. Personal Interview. 4th September 2012

▸

Yuuki Sekimori, Yoko Kubota. Personal Interview. 11th September 2012

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Page 21 ▸

Haruka Onishi. Personal Interview. 24 November 2012

Page 27 ▸

Core Raffinan, Oshima, Nobuko Wendfeldt, Angelique Hiscox. Personal Interview. 3rd July 2012

Page 34-35 ▸

Haruka Onishi, Natsumi Suganuma, Lyra Furuya, Aya Omata, Angela Zhou, Yamada Ichiro. Personal Interview. 2nd July 2012

Note: All unnamed Pictures and Photos were taken from Microsoft Publisher 2010 or taken by the editor.

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Credits to; Mr. Craig Sutton・Haruka Onishi・Lyra Furuya ・Aya Omata・Natsumi Suganuma・ Kyousuke Someda・Ichiro Yamada・Maya Kubota・Mrs. Core Raffinan・Mrs. Wendfeldt・Ms. Angelique Hiscox・Mr. Oshima・ Mr. Martinez・Ms. Lindsay Rude・Kazumi Onishi・Chrisela

Elrika・Victoria

Audrey

Sarasvathi・Marina Itoh・Yuuki Sekimori・ Manami Goto・Yuuki Hikida・Hiroaki Kubota・Angela Zhou・Nana Takahashi ・Yoko Kubota and two Okinawan citizens interviewed by Haruka Onishi ,also readers :)

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Information is not Knowledge -ALBERT EINSTEIN-

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