Key Asian Ally Watches Nov. Election and Worries

Key Asian Ally Watches Nov. Election and Worries

By Mieko Yamamoto

Millennial Influx correspondent

TOKYO — A key Asian ally holds its breath. As election results stall, Japan awaits the fate of U.S. and Japan relations that hang in balance.

Although the Japanese government refrained from actively commenting on the election, they’re keeping a close eye on the presidential race. Japan with its close ties to the U.S. continues to monitor the outcome and its potential implications for future directions.

While some would suggest that the U.S.-Japan relationship will stay strong no matter who wins the election, Foreign Policy believes otherwise. They believe that neither option is great for Japan, bringing about a share of worries. Trump’s victory will bring about risks regarding U.S. military presence in Japan. On the other hand, a Biden administration will bring about questions regarding foreign policy. In addition, there are doubts surrounding the topic of recreating close ties between the U.S. President and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

“Lesser of Two Evils”

According to The Japan Times, one might argue that Trump is the lesser of two evils. With former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump’s close ties would encourage better teamwork. On a different note, the market regards Trump as a favorable factor. But, Biden’s economic plan seems to also contribute to a surge in stock prices. Whoever wins, the stock market is likely to react positively.

The outcome of the election will have a vast impact on the entire world. Japan as a key Asian ally is currently in a state of uncertainty and unrest.

NHK interviewed Professor Fujiwara Kiichi, an expert on International Politics at the University of Tokyo, in order to analyze the current election.

President Trump claimed unsubstantiated victory and even says he will go to the Supreme Court to end vote counting. However, Professor Fujiwara stated there is no concrete evidence of fraud that was being conducted. Ballots are still being counted.

Professor Fujiwara continued,

“It does make sense however, because early mailed in ballots was expected to represent more democratic votes than republicans so if cut off, it would certainly benefit the President.”

Furthermore, Ebara Miki, NHK’s Chief International Correspondent shared her thoughts. She found it difficult to believe this was happening in a country that champions itself as founded on democracy.

A Divided America

From countries outside the U.S., this is the most gritty presidential election in decades. Nevertheless, this election doesn’t seem to concern issues that have immediate dire consequences internationally.

Countries outside the U.S. are seeing this election instead as a divided America. In its fight to decide what kind of nation they will be moving forward, the close race itself is symbolic of America’s deep divide.

President Trump represents the half that puts America first, pushing to oust illegal immigrants and focuses on the economy of public health. Biden’s half fights for diversity, insurance to cover those of low-income families, and cooperation with the international community.

Regardless of the outcome, Japan is curious to know how these two sides will come together as one nation.

Homeschooler in the Real World

Emma Folts, a sophomore at Wheaton College, shares her experience about her transition into college and how homeschool has both helped and hindered her.
How has your homeschool experience benefitted you, especially in your transition into college?
I think the one thing that homeschooling did that was really helpful as I entered college was that it taught me time management. As a homeschooler I had the same freedom as a college student has to put things off during the day and go see a friend instead. Since I had that experience, I knew the cost of that.
Also, personal responsibility and accountability with assignments. I feel like a lot of the other students had more expectations for gentler grading and that the professor would give them retakes or extensions, but that wasn’t something that ever happened to me in school. That learning curve wasn’t added because I never had it the other way. I think another thing was that because I was homeschooled, I was familiar with the format of teaching and then studying on my own.
Did you see any issues with your transition socially?
I think that homeschooling had two ramifications for me socially. One was helpful, one was hurtful.
It was really helpful because as a homeschooler, I had spent a lot of time realizing and developing who I was as a person and learning to recognize people who were being themselves, and those were the people I sought out as friends. Friendship as a homeschooler takes a lot more investment. I knew I was choosier with my friends which made me a lot less anxious and a lot more content.
The only real negative impact of the social bit was that I was really used to getting to choose the time I got to spend with people. As a homeschooler I spent a lot of time with people, but that time was controlled by me. As a college student, I found that you can’t really control the time you spend with people and alone time is not really available. Learning to deal with that was a lot harder than anticipated.
Any last comments on homeschool and how it has affected your college experience?
I think homeschooling is really helpful, however it does take a slightly increased amount of advocacy with your peers when you’re entering into college. I think a lot of people come in with certain assumptions about homeschool, especially students. You’re going to get a lot of, ‘oh my gosh, you don’t seem like a homeschooled person!’ [You can’t] take that too personally and explain your experience so that friends can understand it’s an important piece of you, though it might not look like the homeschooling that they’ve seen.
My encouragement to anyone who is a homeschooler transitioning into college is to realize the benefit that you have having been homeschooled, and to realize that the bit of advocacy and explaining that you need to do with your peers is totally normal and that it’s not a big deal. Once they understand your experience, it’s not something I’ve experienced being looked down on for.