Japanese Speak Out Forum on Google

A mailing list forum called "Japanese Speak Out" (JpnSO) group on Google has been set up. The primary purpose of this forum is to speak out Japanese legitimate opinions in English to the world. 

Japanese have a cultural trait of unassertiveness, whereby Japanese have been greatly misunderstood in the world. We avoid conflict because assertiveness is required to resolve a conflict between two persons or more. Since we don't want to be assertive, naturally conflict is avoided by many Japanese.

Just because of this cultural trait of being unassertive, Japanese failed to confront false or fabricated stories during the past war time in East Asia. Anti-Japan critics have thought that Japanese have accepted fabricated stories as facts because Japanese didn't argue back to them for fear of getting involved in a conflicting situation.

The members of this forum are different. We are very assertive. We have determined to speak out Japanese legitimate opinions in English to the world so as to have many people in the world understand Japan and Japanese correctly.

Anyone can't be a member of this forum. Those who want to join this forum must understand the following simple regulations.

1) A few moderators (called the "moderators" collectively), appointed, may invite members to the forum.
2) A member is limited to pro-Japan, and his or her nationality thereof is not questioned.
3) A member shall not use cursing, swearing or four letter words.
4) If a member has an objection on a post by another member, the member shall not accuse the personality of the other member, but shall pay attention only to the content of the message posted by the other member.
5) If an argument becomes intense without control, the moderator may give a warning to such a member to behave. If the member does not follow the guidance by the moderators, the member may be asked to leave the forum.

I hope that all members here understand the purpose clearly and speak out our own opinions in English to have many people understand Japan and Japanese in the world correctly through effacing misunderstandings.