Yu Darvish is always a popular subject for Japan’s media.

Yu Darvish makes his mark on and off the field

By Jim Armstrong

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northlondon at 12:18 PM JST - 17th April

Quoting Chris Isaak lyrics on JT ? And I had such a cool 'mental' image of you up until then.
keech2 at 12:35 PM JST - 17th April

In the swituations of international marriage, the children,usually, have to choose a nationality at a certain age. This is what Yu did. He could legally use his Japanese passport or, if he had one, his Iranian passport until the age of 20 when he decided to accept full Japanese citizenship. Not a problem. Rjd, what about Asashoryu? Do you believe that he would have been so vilified by the media if he was a full-blooded Japanese wrestler? People made more of a fuss over his lie than of the stablemaster and the three wrestlers who appear to have beaten someone to death? northlondon, those are not Chris Isaak lyrics. They are Cole Porter lyrics.
northlondon at 12:40 PM JST - 17th April

keech,

Not a problem ? How would you feel if you had a mother from one country and a father from another and you were told that at the age of 20 you had to choose one passport and one of those countries to live in. Not a problem ?
redacted at 12:57 PM JST - 17th April

"How would you feel if you had a mother from one country and a father from another and you were told that at the age of 20 you had to choose one passport and one of those countries to live in."

No brainer on this one. Iran is a hellhole. Young Mr Darvish hit the jackpot. He was born here, not there, has Japanese citizenship and can, if he chooses, one day ply his trade in America where he'll make more than entire Iranian villages ever will. He, his wife, his parents, his in-laws, his kids, his grandkids and their kids are set.
keech2 at 01:00 PM JST - 17th April

Northlondon,

I was stating that from a immigration/naturalization situation that it was not a problem. From a personal view, I imagine it would be quite difficult. However, considering the fact that Darvish has grown up in Japan and has only visited his father's homeland two or three times, I believe that his choice may not have been so difficult for him. I do like the fact that he is using his earnings to help those less fortunate then himself.
northlondon at 03:02 PM JST - 17th April

redacted,

As my mother is Iranian, and although I am not a huge fan of the current Islamic republic (more of a Shah fan myself) and I myself am British, I'll respond without any of that emotional stuff attached.

I imagine you're one of those people who didn't bother with the education thing at school. You know, why have any interest in world history when you can drink cans of brew in front of the tv all week.

You should lay off too much of that CNN/ BBC hype as well. There are some beautiful towns and villages in Iran. Plus the food, plus the history. Iran is a hellhole ? Compared to where ? Compton LA ? Downtown Washington DC ? South London ? Toxteth Liverpool ?

The argument redacted, was about why Darvish had to go through that nationality choice thing. No-one is talking about making money here.
USNinJapan2 at 11:11 AM JST - 18th April

I have parents of differing nationalities and from distinct cultures and was raised bi-culturally, but I just can't imagine having two nationalities. Just don't understand how someone can have allegiance to multiple countries/governments.
Zer00 at 06:03 PM JST - 18th April

He should shave those armpits! Must be getting really stinky after the game! Not that it would keep too many J-women off him :D
BigDudeGSO at 10:51 PM JST - 18th April

As my mother is Iranian, and although I am not a huge fan of the current Islamic republic (more of a Shah fan myself) and I myself am British, I'll respond without any of that emotional stuff attached.

I imagine you're one of those people who didn't bother with the education thing at school. You know, why have any interest in world history when you can drink cans of brew in front of the tv all week.

You should lay off too much of that CNN/ BBC hype as well. There are some beautiful towns and villages in Iran. Plus the food, plus the history. Iran is a hellhole ? Compared to where ? Compton LA ? Downtown Washington DC ? South London ? Toxteth Liverpool ?

The argument redacted, was about why Darvish had to go through that nationality choice thing. No-one is talking about making money here.
spudman at 02:01 AM JST - 19th April

usninjapan can you love two kids at the same time? same with countries.
northlondon at 02:33 AM JST - 19th April

spudman,

You rekindled my faith in posters on this site. Thank you. I will argue for loving both of your parents cultures and I will argue against that right-wing immigration law that forces young adults to choose one passport and one nationality.
USNinJapan2 at 08:57 AM JST - 19th April

spudman

Yes naturally I can love two children. But I don't believe that's the same as having two nationalities. Loving your own children or two cultures you grew up with is one thing. Claiming citizenship and pledging allegiance to more than one country is another. How would you feel about a member of the military or a leader in government who also holds a second nationality? I believe it's a conflict of interest, as do many governments around the world. I'm all for someone who embodies multiple cultures and backgrounds, but I have a problem with someone who claims multiple nationalities.
cleo at 10:08 AM JST - 19th April

The strong emotional link a person has with country A doesn't suddenly vanish overnight because he acquires (or already holds) the nationality of country B.

If I or my kids were to join the Japanese military (not very likely, I grant you) there's no way we would be ready to say, invade the UK, regardless of the colours of our passports. The same goes for the 'pure' Japanese side of the family - should they be stripped of their Japanese nationality because they have strong emotional ties with another country? Should every 'mixed' marriage be stripped of its nationality?

Or should governments just get with the programme and acknowledge that people do have multiple allegiances, then get on with dealing with it in a practical way?
spudman at 10:38 AM JST - 19th April

USNinJapan2 "I have a problem with someone who claims multiple nationalities." well thats your problem but I have no problem with it. Re your military case: how about excusing oneself due to conflict of interest? Happens all the time in lawyer circles.
GW at 10:06 AM JST - 28th April

USinjpn

surely if all these companies can be "global citizens" that REAL people shud also be abe to as well, yr line of thinking simply doesnt fit the reality or more & more people each day, as Cleo says surely we can find ways to accomodate this type of thing rather than trying to bury it