1. Should there berestrictions to freedom of speech in some cases?
Nowadays, freedom of speech has been a controversial issue in this information society because of the misinformation or disinformation on the Internet. Although the right is one of the most important basic human rights, It is necessary that proliferation of the disinformation be completely banned at least in the developed countries.
First, spreading the misinformation or disinformation is harmful to the society because our daily life is based on correct information. Especially in this information age, whether something is true or not is critically important. Without correct information, there could not be correct behavior.
Further, disinformation, being different from misinformation, is a kind of crime itself since it is intentionally delivered in spite of knowing that it is false. Even though it is revised correctly later, the first impression will not easily be disappeared. Disinformation could be a lethal weapon, which can exclude someone or a company from the society.
Lastly, restricting disinformation leads to reducing misinformation. Misinformation is mis-information, which means that misinformation itself is just a mistake. However, considering the huge impact of misinformation, it must be reduced as much as possible. Criminalizing disinformation would make people more careful about offering information.
In conclusion, there should be restrictions to freedom of speech in the case of disinformation. Proliferation of the disinformation should be totally limited because it is a lie. It is hoped that the world becomes more aware of the importance of pursuing the true information society. (240words)
2. Agree or disagree:A lack of women’s rights is a serious problem in Japan.
These days, it has been sometimes said that women’s rights are largely infringed in Japan. However, in my opinion, they have obtained the same rights as men in this country, which is a one of the most developed countries in this modern age.
First, in the educational system from elementary school to college, both genders are treated completely equal. They never feel sexually discriminated in any situation in school. Some teachers even say that girls seems to act more aggressively than boys.
Further, also in the business and political aspect, fundamental human rights are guaranteed under the constitution, and several laws to promote women’s right have been enacted for these fifty years. If there is something lacking about human rights, what lacks is not women’s rights but opportunities to exercise the human rights for everyone including men.
Lastly, in the family aspect, traditionally in Japan, women have more rights to decide what to do about their family than men. Their opinions count largely to buy a car, furniture, or some appliances. This can be said by watching the TV commercials, which are targeting at house wives.
In conclusion, I do not agree that a lack of women’s rights is a serious problem in Japan. Indeed, some people, including men and women, lacks the notion of human rights, but most people, who have had the Japanese education, respect them after all. (230 words)
3. Should rich peoplebe required to pay higher taxes?
Although some argue that wealthy people should pay more tax because they are rich, in my opinion, they should not be taxed more than ordinary people because they are rich. They also have the right to be treated fairly as long as they abide by the laws under this capitalist world.
First, taxation must be fair since fairness is vital to this democratic society. Without fairness, democracy could not survive into the 21st century in this world, where authoritarianism has been increasingly powerful. The rich are rich because they have been striving for success and succeeded, for which it is unfair to punish them by heavy tax.
Further, taxation heavily on the success will ruin the capitalism itself, which is based on individual initiative. Taxing the rich higher means to lose the initiative or to seek for another city or country to make efforts to make money. Consequently, the society left behind would be sluggish, resulting in ordinary people being in trouble financially.
Lastly, consumption tax is enough for the rich to fulfill their responsibility to pay an extra tax. The more expensive goods or service you purchase, the more you have to burden the consumption tax. Although the government has numerous tools for taxation, it should depend on indirect taxes more than direct taxes.
In conclusion, rich people should not be required to pay higher taxes. Historically speaking, capitalism is superior to socialism. Our future is up to economic growth. When capitalism lose its vitality, it will be the beginning of the end of the prosperity. (257)
4. Should Japan havemore lenient immigration policies?
People these days are more concerned about Japan’s aging society, and some insist that Japan have more lenient immigration policies to deal with the problem. However, the present immigration policy is enough to accept capable foreign workers, so more lenient policies are not necessary.
First, addressing the aging society and accepting immigrants are completely different issues. We have to learn the reality in Europe, where, as a German Chancellor once said, the policies to accept large number of immigrants have been unsuccessful. Japan must internally tackle the problem of the aging society.
Further, technological developments, such as AI or robots, could solve the labor shortage, additional foreign workers not being necessary in the future. Moreover, the remarkable medical advancement would help the elderly work until their 70s or more.
Lastly, Japan, which is as large as California State, might not need so much population increase. In fact, Japan had as many as about 30 million people during the Edo Period three centuries ago. Like northern Europe countries, around 50 million people might be suitable on these islands.
In conclusion, Japan need not have more lenient immigration policies. Understanding that Japan can do without superfluous immigrants makes people less concerned about its future. It is hoped that immigration policies will be considered from the perspective of immigration itself. (217 words)
5. Agree or disagree:The use of military force is sometimes justifiable.
Under the Japanese constitution, Japan has declared the renunciation of war, and some say that the use of military force is never justifiable. However, Japan itself has a military-like organization – Self Defense Force. In my opinion, this does signify that the use of the military must be justifiable in some situations.
First, every country has a right to defense its territories, its people, and their property. If your nation were to militarily attacked in the future for some reason, your country would have to protect itself militarily. Even preemptive strikes might be selected in a severe situation.
Further, since helping allies is a fundamental principle in order to be a ally, you ought to join the military action should one of the allies be attacked by another power. Being in the side line, claiming the pacifism, will be heavily criticized, and never be acclaimed as a pacifist nation.
Lastly, the world order might be kept only by force. Historically speaking, human beings have fought tremendous wars to protect themselves. A philosopher once said that we are the offspring of murderers after all, getting a little smarter and smarter to avoid unnecessary wars.
In conclusion, the time might come when you must fight with weapons to protect what you love, so the use of military force should be justifiable at times. It is required that the article 9 in the Japanese constitution be discussed under the conditions mentioned above. (238 words)
6. Do the benefits oftechnological improvements outweigh
any negative side effects?
It is true that humankind has been suffered from various problems related to developments of technology especially since the industrial revolution in 18th century. However, it can be said that the benefits of technological improvements have been outweighed any negative side effects, and will do so in the future.
First, from the health aspect, people have become more healthier and live longer than before. Not only children barely die from diseases in developed countries, but not a few elderly people are sill working in their 70s. The human race has never experienced such a situation before.
Further, culturally, it has become possible that people can live in a diversified societies in a various ways. In other words, they can enjoy their lives with mental satisfaction thanks to technologies, which have been creating numerous entertainments and leisure to enjoy them.
Lastly, financially speaking also, technology has made it possible to grow the economy faster and enough to feed 7.9 billion people on this planet now. Without the developments of technology, there could have been disastrous wars between even developed nations.
In conclusion, technological improvements evidently provide significant advantages, outweighing any negative side effects, which also technology can tackle with. It is hoped that humankind will survive this century and bring more prosperity into the next century, our grandchildren’s age. (218 words)
7. Can society eliminate itsdependence on fossil fuels such as oil and gas
in the near future?
People these days are more concerned about climate change, and reducing greenhouse gases, including CO2 produced mainly by burning fossil fuels, has become one of the top priorities to tackle with. However, eliminating using fossil fuels from this world is impossible because we are so dependent on them.
First, modern civilization has been built on steel and fossil fuels, electricity, which was mostly generated by fossil fuels, being joined after 20th century. Of course, we must strive for replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy as much as possible, but replacing completely is technologically impossible.
Further, Should it be technologically possible, it would be financially impossible. Humankind in this century has numerous problems to solve other than climate change. Elimination of starvation and poverty, which leads to correction of social disparity, should be the top financial priority.
Lastly, using fossil fuels is not so devastating as you feel. For example, new technology developed in Japan can make it cleaner to generate electricity with coal. The emission gas is so clean compared to the conventional plant that some call it carbon neutral. Such technology as making fossil fuels much cleaner should be more invested.
In conclusion, society can not and need not eliminate its dependence on fossil fuels such as oil and gas in the near future. Eliminating fossil fuels is not an end but just a means to pursue a better world. It is necessary that people not confound means with the end when discussing. (244 words)
8. Should the number ofweekly working hours be decreased?
People these days are more concerned about their own individual activities, and reducing the working hours has become one of the big issues in modern countries. It is necessary that the number of working hours be decreased personally, socially, and corporationally.
First, in this modern age, humans are living not for working but for enjoying themselves. Aside from those whose job itself is a sort of hobby, ordinary people need more leisure time to fulfill themselves in their lives. Don’t confound means with the end.
Further, vitalizing each individual leads to vitalizing the society, and vice versa. For example, three-day-working days per week and six-hour-working hours per day means working for 18 hours a week, which sounds very exciting and seems to bring something new.
Indeed, some might say that reducing the working hours will make companies less profitable. However, a famous research shows that reducing the hours surely increases the productivity. Moreover, it is the amount of consumption, not labor, that decides how much wealthy the individual or the society is.
In conclusion, to enjoy the consuming society, reducing the working hours is the magic policy. The number of weekly working hours should be decreased, and each individual could use the extra leisure time to do whatever he or she wants. (212 words)
9. Does the mass mediahave a negative effect on society?
These days, neutrality of the mass media is sometimes questioned. However, without them, democracy would be ruined because of the lack of proper information. The mass media have a positive effect more than a negative one.
First, Healthy journalism is prerequisite to maintain a democratic society. Everyone in a modern nation has a right to know what is happening in the society, and the relatively large entity to have the role of mediating information is called mass media.
Further, there must be at lease several mass media in order to diversify information sources and analyze the problem from different angles. Through that process, negative effects by some mass media can be lessened. Again, bolstering healthy democracy is the job of mass media.
Of course, every mass medium can not always be neutral. It might be impossible for anyone to maintain strict neutrality about anything. But the intention to be neutral is vital for the mass media, this being where collation of information comes in.
In conclusion, the mass media have a relatively positive effect on society. Collating information as well as diversifying information sources will give the mass media a trustworthy position. Under the current difficult circumstances in the world, the expectation for the role of mass media will getting much higher.
(212 words)
10. Agree or disagree:The value of a college education will continue to decrease as technology improves.
As the technology improves, the meaning of college education is being questioned. Although the conventional education system will be less attractive, college education will continue to be the center by college itself changing with the time.
First, college should adapt to the time, and can regain its value as always in the past. For example, the college starting to teach liberal arts in the medieval Europe has been changing its stance about what to teach without losing its traditional nature.
Further, as is often referred, “Man is a social animal,” which signifies that humankind needs interpersonal experience to mature mentally, perhaps also physically. As young students instinctively look for someone to interact, college will continue to provide a place for them to meet each other.
Of course, college that can not respond to change will not survive in the future. However, it is not only college but also other organizations that are to perish without response to change. Making use of technology, such as adopting online education broadly, college will reborn as a new entity to offer a new education.
In conclusion, I do not agree that the value of a college education continue to decrease as technology improves. On the contrary, its value will increase in the future by making the most use of technological achievements. (217 words)