2022.3.3

     Today, we focused on the issue between Ukraine and Russia. It is a very timely and current topic, and I was able to learn new perspectives from Mr.Paterson's class. I had known what is going on, as I researched about it on the internet and watched it in the news but through writing it down on the whiteboard and organizing my thought, I noticed that it was completely biased to Ukraine.

     Firstly, I would briefly summarize what we learned. In Ukraine, half of the people are Ukrainian that speaks the Ukrainian language as a first language, and the other half are Russian, speaking the Russian language. It is completely different from the ethical balance in Japan. 

There is a conflict structure between Lubansk/ Donbas(mostly Russian) and Odesa where Ukrainians agree to Nazis live. Crimea is an area where 90% who live there are Russian and was given to Ukraine in 1953. I previously thought that Crimea used to be Ukraine's territory for hundreds of years ago so it was a shocking fact to know. After Crimea was conquered, Russia started to be isolated from international society. More countries including Ukraine that used to be part of the USSR started to join NATO and that connected to the current invasion.

     Secondly, I would mention my opinion on this issue. Japanese media is completely biased toward Ukraine and most Japanese people getting information from these media are taking the same position. I saw an article saying that one Japanese TV program was manipulated by using a video from a different war, saying that it is the video of Ukraine getting bombed by Russia. There is almost no opportunity to know Russia's claim. I agreed with Mr.Paterson when he said that it is not a discussion if one side is not allowed to talk. It is significant for people to learn both sides and decided their opinion.