AUTHORS ON ASIA David Leheny: Think Global, Fear Local: Sex, Violence and Anxiety in Contemporary Japan

In 1999, in response to international concern over sexual tourism to Southeast Asia, the Japanese Diet outlawed child prostitution and child pornography. These laws then became directed primarily at enjo kosai, or compensated dating between middle aged men and junior high school girls. In the wake of 9/11, the Japanese cabinet radically shifted counterterrorism policy towards more military solutions. Think Global, Fear Local: Sex, Violence, and Anxiety in Contemporary Japan, a new book by David Leheny, considers the relationship between these policies and examines the unintended consequences of attempts to enforce international norms at a national level. Dr. Leheny, Henry Wendt III ’55 Professor of East Asian Studies at Princeton University, will speak about the implications for Japan of the relationship between international security norms and expectations of the proper coercive role of governments.

Shigeo Hirano, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Columbia University will moderate.

Followed by a reception.

Tickets: $10/$8 Japan Society members, $5 seniors & students.  Purchase tickets online above or call the Box Office at (212) 715-1258.