Jan 15

We met at the nearest shopping center of us. She was one of my referees of me when I won a scholarship from a Japanese foundation, Grew-Bancroft, and she has worked for me since I joined my previous residence after I left my home. We have kept in touch during the fall semester, so it is natural for us to meet in person.

At the table, we mainly talked about our shared interest: spiritual abuse from the parents. Because of the publication of the guideline for Spiritual and close sorts of Child Abuse by the government, we discussed my current academic interest and college life in general. Both of us appreciate the guideline since it will help those suffering spiritual abuse. Still, we are worried about the lack of experts who can deal with these irregular types of abuses.

Also, while I am worrying about the politicization of the argument about the “Unification Church” and spiritual abuse, she accepted its politicization because she believes it is the best and fastest way to rescue those who are suffering.

When it comes to political standpoints of us, I feel I am a little bit conservative left while she seems liberal of liberal. Because of that, she is wholeheartedly working to advocate for children’s rights. I also wish to expand children’s rights, but I don’t feel the current Japanese situation is healthy. Japanese ruling and opposition parties seem to depend on one-sided information and purge one religious corporation. Although the “Unification Church” has deceived many people through spiritual sales and illegal preaching, it is one of the certified religious corporations in Japan. I think I should respect it while enforcing the law against its illegal behaviors.

Because of this kind of thought, I decided to read right-wing magazines and seek what Japanese right wings are thinking about this problem. When I told this plan for her, she was interested in that and said please teach me when you find something interesting.

It was only dinner, so that we couldn’t talk much. But I think I found some interesting different perspectives from her. In this short but prolific conversation, I decided to focus on the interest for this problem based on right/left wings.