Koreans, foreign residents step up calls for local suffrage

Thursday 17th April, 03:34 AM JST

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Cos at 08:51 PM JST - 17th April

I don't think non-citizens should vote. A country is not a business, you don't vote "because you pay", you vote because you take a part of the responsability. But I definitely think Japan should allow dual citizenship and that all the "historical" zainichi should automatically get a Japanese citizenship (in addition to the other one they may have). The Special Resident Status should disappear. That was a post-war temporary arrangement, it shouldn't last forever and let Japan have a class of sub-citizens.

Many of you say : Japan laws is that way because of history. I agree, but the talk is about present and future. It's time to change. The old Japan is no longer. The new Japan needs to accept fully its migrants.
Pukey2 at 10:11 PM JST - 17th April

Tourists pay tax too (consumption tax). Does that give them the right to vote too?

And do tourists live in Japan? :p Oh dear, that response backfired, didn't it!

My guess as to why many Zainichi Koreans want to keep their Korean nationality is that perhaps they feel that, with Japanese citizenship, they will have to 'renounce' their Korean ethnicity too. In places like US and UK, you can be a citizen and also be proud to be black, Asian, etc, without any backlash. Perhaps if there was less discrimination towards Koreans (from the likes of some landlords and Ishihara Shintaro), then maybe more would consider naturalization (and keeping their Korean names). I'm sure times have changed, but in the old days, many switched to Jp citizenship out of fear of discrimination. Some children were even unaware of their parents' or grandparents' Korean (or Ainu) background.

What would be nice to see is Zainich Koreans taking up Jp citizenship, AND be able to feel proud about their Korean heritage, without any discrimination from others. Korean-Americans exist, don't they? I'm sure they're proud to be both American citizens and ethnic Koreans.
Speed at 10:50 PM JST - 17th April

Permanent Residents in the States cannot vote; if Japan allowed it, then it would be quite progressive. Zainichi Koreans can easily become citizens of Japan and Japan has stipulated that only Japanese nationals can vote. There`s nothing racist or unique about this policy.
sarcasm123 at 10:42 AM JST - 18th April

"And do tourists live in Japan? :p Oh dear, that response backfired, didn't it!"

Uh, notice how many here don't write "I want to vote because I live here", but "I want to vote because I pay taxes".

My response didn't backfire at all. My response pointed out that there is no connection at all between "paying taxes" and "being allowed to vote".
Hapa_musume at 06:28 PM JST - 18th April

Hope Japan never becomes as open as the USA. It'll lose it's culture, heritage and uniqueness.

Within 50 or so years, whatever folks thought was so great about America, would be gone. The victim of "multi-culturalism".

Both sides of my family were 20th century immigrants. Each learned English and adapted the culture of their new home. That will be in the past, as Americans become more hyphenated.

Japan doesn't need that slow death.
sincity at 07:13 PM JST - 18th April

What other country enfranchises non-citizens??

If you want to vote, naturalise.

Some of you people have heads softer than rotten oranges.

What they need to do is address the Zainichi Problem like adults, rather than like ostriches with their heads stuck somewhere.
Nessie at 12:53 AM JST - 19th April

What other country enfranchises non-citizens??

France. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Peeping_Tom at 01:14 AM JST - 19th April

France allows non-citizens to vote in municipal elections providing you're from another EU member state; try voting in France/UK/Germany/Italy and most of Europe if you're Japanese or American, the best you can hope for is a good kick in the old jacksie! Sorry, couldn't resist.
Hapa_musume at 02:30 AM JST - 19th April

My guess as to why many Zainichi Koreans want to keep their Korean nationality is that perhaps they feel that, with Japanese citizenship, they will have to 'renounce' their Korean ethnicity too.

If they want to be Koreans, Korea is waiting to accept them with open arms. No worries about discrimination and not being able to vote, let alone -- now -- having a decent living.

They're turning out to be like Blacks in the USA, using slavery and Jim Crow as an excuse for every wrong in their lives -- "My grandfather couldn't vote because of Jim Crow, it's what holding me back 50 years later! No justice, no peace!!" My mom couldn't even speak English well when coming to the USA, and had to work hard to gain her citizenship (as it was much more difficult back in the 50s, complete with a 150 year geneology requirement to weed out undesireables [yes, in the USA]!). She worked 2 jobs at time, raised 4 kids, and now retired with her home paid for. She didn't whine about the discrimination she faced both due to race AND gender -- she stepped around it.

And no, she doesn't vote, she was too damn busy making her life better -- not whining that life is so unfair.

Multi-culturalism is for wimps and whiners.
umbrella at 06:33 AM JST - 19th April

local voting for PRs will be allowed in the near future and it's only right. Those against, don't exercise your vote. Result, we are all happy.
Pukey2 at 08:57 AM JST - 19th April

Hapa Musume:

So I'm guessing you're of mixed race. When someone makes remarks about that or you're discriminated because of that, then you should just put up with it and shut up? You can do that, but don't expect others to. I'm not talking about what happened 50-100 years ago. I'm talking about NOW. And we still have people like Ishihara.

sacrasm123:

My response didn't backfire at all. My response pointed out that there is no connection at all between "paying taxes" and "being allowed to vote".

I know what you're trying to point out, but it was pretty stupid to use tourists as your example. Tourists do not work in Japan and so don't pay any tax on their income. I think the original poster was referring more to that, not to the consumption tax.
Himajin at 09:26 AM JST - 19th April

That is, because, as I'm sure you know, virtually anyone born in the U.S. is AUTOMATICALLY granted citizenship,

This is not universal immigration policy.

Great posts, Hiko.

Many people probably don't realize that zainichi are not kept from naturalization. They can naturalize but choose not to. Also, it is not just the zainichi but all foreigners who naturalize, who must give up their past citizenship when receiving Japanese citizenship. As for them being a 'subclass', note that they are exempt from fingerprinting at the airport, while other permanent residents are not.
Hapa_musume at 12:09 PM JST - 19th April

When someone makes remarks about that or you're discriminated because of that, then you should just put up with it and shut up? You can do that, but don't expect others to. I'm not talking about what happened 50-100 years ago. I'm talking about NOW. And we still have people like Ishihara.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

If they can't or won't blend into their host country, they have no reason to be a full member of that country.

A citizen also can't be loyal to 2 masters (I very much disagree with dual-citizenships, too).

I didn't give up my Japanese ancestry, but I consider myself American first. In return I'm not only a full citizen, I AM an American.

Basic Civics 101.
marilu at 09:25 AM JST - 21st April

Hapa has it right--about America becoming increasingly hyphenated. In the past, immigrants to the US learned English, and adapted to the American culture--they became Americans (just as my parents did). This does not mean completely throwing away the culture of our ancestors, but it does mean being an American FIRST. Nowadays, many of the newer immigrants refuse to adapt. Many even refuse to speak English. Now illegal aliens demand special special treatment. They don't even fear deportation. Japan should take note, or Japan will soon find itself in the same situation and risk losing its identity. I can't imagine moving to Japan and demanding the "right" to vote while choosing not to become a Japanese citizen. What an incredibly selfish position.
thedeath at 02:53 PM JST - 22nd April

i don't get why some want to vote in the country they don't really want to call home!