On 2006/05/18, at 1:04, Yoshie Furuhashi wrote:
> BTW, Jean-Christophe, ally yourself with the JCP also, and once you
> get your voting rights, be sure to vote for them:
:) I took Akahata daily for 2~3 years, and I still get the Sunday
edition but I never got invited to any local meetings even though I
asked. Also, one of the first things I did when I came here was
calling them and ask if I could join, but I was told that foreigners
could not join the JPC (maybe other parties as well, I did not check).
Besides, the separation between "permanent" and "non-permanent" does not make much sense since we all pay taxes whatever our status is. Also "non-permanency" is a status that does not really reflect the actual situation of foreigners. I have been here for 10 years but visa quirks and immigration office arbitrary decisions make it look like I have been here only about 4 years (when it comes to count the years to see if I can apply for a permanent visa...)
The day a party propose voting right for people who are on any non- temporary visa (ie equivalent to tourist or short term business) and how have been in Japan for a relatively long period of time (maybe something like more than 3 years), I'd consider them serious about the issue.
But it is true I have been "out" of "local politics" for a few years now, so maybe it is time to get my act together again... I'll keep the list posted...
Jean-Christophe