politics

Restoration Party member ousted over Korean prostitution remarks

71 Comments
By Mari Yamaguchi

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I can imagine Nishimura's source of such info, late night drunk session with Yaks. But it would be tough to cite that.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It was not diplomatic for any politician to say. No excuse here, however there is some truth in it. US has been busting Korean prostitutions for years and it has been a cat/mouse race-never ending. You can google many sites on this issue, FYI.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday that it raided two organizations in California that have smuggled hundreds of Korean women into the U.S. and helped them find jobs as prostitutes, arresting 45 and putting over 150 female sex workers into custody.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

The Restoration Party has so far not condemned Hashimoto. Government officials have avoided making comments on his remarks on the grounds that he is the leader of an opposition party.

logic unheard of.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Morons ....The people of Japan need to force retirement onto both of these idiots before they both make this situation already worse than it is. They are the exact type of idiots that show and question whether Japan truly learned from its mistakes of ww2

14 ( +17 / -3 )

"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder if you are a fool, than to open it and remove all their doubts."

Someone tell this ancient piece of wisdom to Hashimoto & Co. plz. They desperately need it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

We have learned of the past mistakes. Those are: 1.-Dont invade other people 2.-Dont rape other people But we have accepted lies from other countries. If they want to talk crap about 731 and comfort women we are experts.

-21 ( +2 / -23 )

Sorry whaat??!!

How Hashimoto can have the nerve to suggest that anyone else quit over their racist comments is beyond me. Its the black pot and the kettle thing taken to extremes.

Hashimoto is the one who is setting the example for his party members by his consistent racism, bigotry, and general stupidity. If anyone should be ousted, it is him.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Hashimoto is the one who is setting the example for his party members by his consistent racism, bigotry, and general stupidity.

Example of his racism would be?

-20 ( +3 / -23 )

The uproar over Hashimoto’s comments, and Nishimura’s predicament, typify the difficulties Japanese politicians can create for themselves when commenting on sensitive topics without considering how those outside their own circles might react.

The understatement of the year, and typical for Japanese politicians of all parties and not just limited to Ishin-no-kai either!

Like face-palm time here....

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Example of his racism would be?

On this I have to agree. So far it seems he hasn't made an overt comments nor statements that would suggest he is racist, however his mentor and co-leader of the party is very much the racist.

I would say it's just a matter of time before Hashimoto manages to step into this one too.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Upgrayedd

Example of his racism would be?

Well.. suggesting that the rape and exploitation of other countries women are a "necessary evil" for the comfort of the Japanese soldiers seems pretty damn racist to me. It is enforcing the idea that Japanese are superior to other Asian countries.

Sexist too. You can add that to the list above. After bigotry and before general stupidity.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

It is well-known that men in military service will frequent brothels or call upon the services of prostitutes--the legendary French Foreign Legion supposedly had on-base 'services' for its men--so what? The point is not that men might turn to prostitutes for a bit of stress release; it is the outright questioning of the whole 'comfort women' issue and the suggestion that sex crimes can be reduced by allowing men in service some time in a brothel, that strike me as both offensive and naive. So, we can combat rape by encouraging a weekly visit to a brothel? No, rape is a crime. A sick one, and one that is used as fantasy material in Japanese pornography--which if I had it my way, would be made illegal, no questions asked. Rape is not a fantasy, and the desire to do it is a sickness.

How about education instead? These men can spend as much as they want on prostitutes; I'm not judging that. However, the urge to rape, or thinking it might be 'fun' as a fantasy fulfilment, requires a visit to a doctor

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Ridiculous. Japanese politicians are idiots. This what happens when high chair tyrants become leaders.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Well.. suggesting that the rape and exploitation of other countries women are a "necessary evil" for the comfort of the Japanese soldiers seems pretty damn racist to me. It is enforcing the idea that Japanese are superior to other Asian countries.

He said that a prostitution system was necessary. He never said that rape or sexual slavery was necessary. And since it's well known that thousands of Japanese women took part in the comfort women system it's not a good example of Hashimoto's supposed racism.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Double standards. They'll expel one of the rank and file but not the top man. They are rotten from top to bottom. This minor party of toytown rightwingers have already damaged Japan's international reputation. Time for the public to voice their opinion and let the world know these idiots are more about destruction than restoration.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Well this is all interesting as a man is talking his own truth about things and then the politicians and powers to be can not handle it, which is always the case when someone goes off the beaten path. Some of what Hashimoto said is true and the reason is that it is bitter and as I have learned that the truth is bitter. There are many Korean girls engaged in prostitution, but no one wants to hear it. yes it is bitter. It is cool to at least see someone speak their own mind even though Hashimoto is one crazy nut. He does have guts and I prefer someone speaking their mind then one who hides their true intentions. We live in a world where people want to hear nice sweet stories. Many people are racist or sexist and usually they hide but Hashimoto is telling it the way he sees it and that is so cool and especially for a Japanese too. I bet the Japanese politicians in the opposition party of his are running frantic and the DLP is out drinking celebrating. No body really cares except for their own gain. Truth is bitter.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

He also angered the U.S. by suggesting that American troops based in southern Japan should patronize legal adult entertainment establishments to reduce sex crime there.

Assuming that Americans are the ones mainly responsible for said crimes........ Whats wrong with wanting to reduce sex crimes?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Hashimoto's big mouth is not considered to be ousted. Maybe he is a very dusguised agent of DPJ to destroy Ishin-o-Kai? Ishihara, be careful. You will lose your political career now. Abe's LDP will increase more votes. Women folks in Japan will all abandon Ishin-no-kai.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Why doesn't this party just call itself "We are jealous of Korea's Success Party", or maybe just the "Ultimate Deflection Party"? Would be fitting either way. Not to worry, though, this guy will form his own little party with two or three people and seek to make a coalition with Hashimoto's little baby.

Upggrayed: "Example of his racism would be?"

Seriously? Well, perhaps the thought that there isn't any, for starters.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

kichigai!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Japan as a nation claims they've already apologized for the very things they deny and then openly says it was great idea to do it... although it never happened and they've already apologized for it of course. Is it any wonder that this historical issue hasn't been resolved with Japan and her neighbors? Even Hilary Clinton and the US has started to step into this discussion.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

GlobalWatcher: Which US Attorney's Office? Write name. What kind of immigration Visa? Write details. I am sending your comment to an appropriate office. in State of California and Washington DC as soon as you write here.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Poor man is being crucified by who said half dozen harsh truths about . Oh god this is the hypocrisy we live now.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Hashimoto's big mouth is not considered to be ousted. Maybe he is a very dusguised agent of DPJ to destroy Ishin-o-Kai? Ishihara, be careful. You will lose your political career now. Abe's LDP will increase more votes. Women folks in Japan will all abandon Ishin-no-kai.

He is the (co)leader. Why would he be ousted? This could be the work of Hashimoto actually, to take the pressure off of himself. But, it looks like Nishimura has a history of saying stupid things and getting fired.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Anyway, Nishimura's rant was so bad that most of the news programs on TV wouldn't even show what he said.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

These guys will never get it, will they?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"typify the difficulties Japanese politicians can create for themselves when commenting on sensitive topics without considering how those outside their own circles might react."

A really sad commentary on how many of these people continue to live in their own little world. And that's why they usually screw up when thrust into the national spotlight.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Although this man has been a trouble maker (he has made so many gaffes before), as Upggrayed said, it is true that Hashimoto's comment was translated or understood maliciously.

Honestly speaking, what Nishimura said was not so wrong. I myself have seen that kind of women talked to men in Japanese with a certain accent near my local station in the night. Believe me, it is a peaceful small town station, and I have not seen such a seen before even late at night.

Just to make things interesting, lots of Koreans posted that they agree with what Nishimura said. I saw this through the translation link of Korean BB.

US and Australia have the same problem, aren't they? I really want Koreans to stop using Japanese names such as Mayumi, Yoko, etc., at the massage parlors named Tokyo, Yokohama, or Kyoto, in the countries abroad.

Just stop telling us "I am Zapanese !! "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fON8yBHAx_I

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

Why hasn't Hashimoto been ousted as well? He's supposed to be one of 'the leaders', which makes his statements that much worse.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Assuming that Americans are the ones mainly responsible for said crimes........ Whats wrong with wanting to reduce sex crimes?

First off, rape is more often than not about power, not sex. So providing brothels wouldn't necessarily reduce sex crimes. Have soaplands, delivery health, and the like stopped rape in Japan? Absolutely not. It's still a massive problem.

Second, why do you think Japan is a major destination for human trafficking? Where do you think those victims end up? Forced prostitution.

Third, it's blatantly misogynist, because it suggests that women are nothing more than objects for men to vent their sexual frustrations. Instead, we need to stop brushing this kind of thinking as "boys will be boys" and that includes changing the horribly sexist culture that exists within the military. If you can't find a consensual sexual partner, then you were born with two hands—pick one.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@kiyoshiMukai Also, don't try to eliminate their local language in place of yours. It isn't appreciated.

That said, I believe Japan was only idolizing Britain, essentially wanting to do all the things awesome Britain did. They sadly chose to do it in a more barbaric way, and also in the age of photography, so there's evidence of what they did, whereas Britain somehow has fooled us into thinking they were tea-sipping gentlemen as they subjugated half the world.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

5 Good Bad

globalwatcherMay. 18, 2013 - 07:16AM JST wrote

It was not diplomatic for any politician to say. No excuse here, however there is some truth in it. US has been busting Korean prostitutions for years and it has been a cat/mouse race-never ending. You can google many sites on this issue, FYI.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday that it raided two organizations in California that have smuggled hundreds of Korean women into the U.S. and helped them find jobs as prostitutes, arresting 45 and putting over 150 female sex workers into custody.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' This is a lie, I found. It is illegal in Calif. to be a prostitutes. In some counties in Nevada, prostitution is legal but usually blond died hair American girls with pimps for several girls. We have a powerful US Senator Reid and so it is easy to verify stories like above. Korean and other Asian people come here are usually University students outdoing American students,

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

I suppose it is a good thing that these outspoken right-wing nationalist twits only belong to the one political party. Let's hope their irrational and improper comments and opinions are restricted to their party alone and not shared by the other political parties. The world has been laughing at the stupidity of Japanese politics and politicians for over a decade because of the PM's revolving door and the all so frequent punch ups that occurred during the nineties, but now they have hit a new high with this bunch of whackos! If it wasn't so serious, the last two decades of Japanese politics would make an excellent comedy movie.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

you're doing japan proud buddy boy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hashimoto, who continues to insist that other countries also commonly impressed women into military brothels during World War II and that Japan is being unfairly singled out

I don't think this article is giving a correct assessment of his strategy. His strategy is to "admit" that Japanese troops engaged with prostitutes. (Repentance achieved). Then to assert that prostitution is what the complaints are about. (Well, we all know it is a shady trade). Then he points out prostitution is not unique to Japan. (Checkmate).

As far as I know he has never admitted that any women were "impressed" into brothels, nor accused others of doing the same.

The facts matter.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well.. suggesting that the rape and exploitation of other countries women are a "necessary evil" for the comfort of the Japanese soldiers seems pretty damn racist to me.

Do you even know the meaning of the word "race" or "racist" vs the meaning of the word "nationality"?

If all the women who were being discussed by Hashimoto were Caucasian or Black, I might agree with you depending upon the situation. However Korean's and Japanese are for the most part of the SAME race. I would think that it goes without saying that certainly their cultures and languages are different but you seem not to understand the difference when you call him a racist.

His mentor Ishihara is racist, that is well documented, Hashimoto may very well be one as well, but so far he hasn't made "racist" comments YET. (I do say give him time though)

Japanese is not a race! It's a nationality. You seem to be confusing the two and misinterpreting the meaning of the word.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Now I am waiting for this latest idiocy to make the international news. Morons like Hashimoto and Nishimura are doing a good job destroying the good-will that Japan internationally enjoys in the tangle with its nationalistic neighbours.

Good job Nishimura.... not.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Even if it is true, it's no surprise that an ethnic minority so discriminated against - politically, socially and economically - has to turn to the 'water trade'. They may be left with little choice. So if Nishimura wants to point the finger at Koreans in the sex trade, it's people like him who are to blame in the first place.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Korean women who are in debt with finance firms are often recruited by Korean brokers and sent to Japan (e.g. around Kinshicho, Tokyo) to work for a "delihel" or fashion-health massage parlor. They have no choice to quit the job until they pay back their debt. It seems not much has changed since pre-war era. Sex slavery still continues.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It seems he is giving the other Asians a countries a rallying point against Japan. The Asian countries are not exactly friendly with each other but if they have a common enemy, they may become friendly with each other as they unite against Japan. These things need to be thought about before idiots go blowing their hot air all over the place. This party needs to learn the old proverb, "It is better to be silent and thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt."

1 ( +2 / -1 )

After reading some of the comments left on this board, I can understand why the Koreans are so pissed at the Japanese.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

these outspoken right-wing nationalist twits only belong to the one political party.

No. The problem is they don't. Abe and his buddies have just said similar horrors (OK, never such an accumulation in one single week). The country would really need a renewal of the political world and in all parties, there should be many more women, and also "ethnic Koreans".

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A majority of the comments left on this board by the CRAZIES can be summed up as such-

The practice of comfort women or sexual slavery is justified because the Korean women in Japan and US are prostitutes

The CRAZIES are a disgrace to Japan -- SHAME ON YOU!!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Honestly speaking, what Nishimura said was not so wrong.

Maybe what he said was not wrong, but the way he said it was extremely inappropriate. He sounded like he was on a drunken rant. Also, to come up with something like that shows he has the mindset of a 5 year-old.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Do you even know the meaning of the word "race" or "racist"

Race: (noun 2) A group of persons related by common descent or heredity. A population so related. (www.dictionary.com)

Yep, he's a racist.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The Restoration Party should also asked for Toru Hashimoto retraction and resignation as well.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Virgo: "Although this man has been a trouble maker (he has made so many gaffes before), as Upggrayed said, it is true that Hashimoto's comment was translated or understood maliciously."

Oh, BS! Every time a Japanese politicians screws up and says something stupid, they claim it has been 'misunderstood' or 'not translated correctly', but when you look at the Japanese text it's clear that it was not mistranslated or misunderstood at all. And if he was misunderstood, why did he vent against the US in DEFENSE of what he said, going so far as to repeat his previous statements?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

globalwatcherMay. 18, 2013 - 07:16AM JST wrote

It was not diplomatic for any politician to say. No excuse here, however there is some truth in it. US has been busting Korean prostitutions for years and it has been a cat/mouse race-never ending. You can google many sites on this issue, FYI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday that it raided two organizations in California that have smuggled hundreds of Korean women into the U.S. and helped them find jobs as prostitutes, arresting 45 and putting over 150 female sex workers into custody.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' This is a lie

Toshjiko, sorry to tell you that is not a lie. US has been working hard trying to get rid of Korean prostitution rings.

Korean prostitution in the US is out of control

Good luck on your research on this subject. Thanks.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

I am going to make this short and sweet and to the point. Do you have any idea how Americans would react to any proposal using legal prostitution in Japan for GI's? Let's just say heads would roll and that is probably putting it lightly. High ranking military officials in US that have been accused of adultery are career ending. You better hope you aren't accused of rape and sent to prison.

Many in the US consider that worse then murder even among inmates This is an insult to anyone who has worn a uniform. Not saying there aren't bad apples out there. Yet to put the entire military under this perception is insulting and disgraceful. Furthermore I remember a time during the Vietnam War when troops came home, it wasn't a warm welcome. People called them baby killers, rapist, murders. Even though most of these men were only doing their jobs and were good people.

Then you wonder why twice as many vets committed suicide then died in the war. Vets suffer just as much as anyone else. Anyone who doesn't believe that has never lived with one. Then some idiots on here say they should use these services as though there is nothing wrong with the idea. Japan clearly has no idea how much this is frowned upon.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

i think abe and hashimoto are in a race to see who can be the bigger doofus

and such is the face of jp's 'elite' leading the country

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Omg, i never knew someone in the right mind to say such things.

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Race: (noun 2) A group of persons related by common descent or heredity. A population so related. (www.dictionary.com) Yep, he's a racist.

You do realize, wait maybe you don't because you wrote this here, Japanese and Korean are related by common descent and heredity,

So you are calling Hashimoto a racist against his own race. Interesting concept.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why doesn't this party just call itself "We are jealous of Korea's Success Party"

(1) Because it wouldn't be true. Japan is the world's 3rd largest economy and South Korea is 15th (source: Wikipedia)

(2) Because they are scumbags, regardless of Korea's economic standing.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@smithinjapan

If you understand Japanese, you should know that Hashimot never said it was necessary to rape or force the girls to become comfort women. He said prostitution system was necessary for soldiers at that time in order to avoid rapes of local girls by soldiers. He never said it was a good thing to do such a thing, but if using brothels was wrong in WWII, that only Japan is being blamed is not fair, because other nations did the same.

I'm not going to defend him, because his saying was rude, withouth considering women's rights, ignoring poor girls lives, and his attitude was not appropriate as a mayor or politician. He would surely spend tough time as a politician after this, but he should take the responsibility for what he said.

Still, because there is no clear evidence that Japanese army forced the girls to become comfort women (so concluded by GHQ), and over 60% of them were Japanese, it is true that Japanese people are beginning to think why only Japan has been blamed. If utilising brothels was a war crime, there are many other nations that should be blamed as well.

Especially, see what Korean soldiers did in Vietnam. They raped girls and killed at leaset 9,000 non-combatants. Although running brothels during WWII was not illegal, rape and killing innocent people are always crimes. You know what Korean General said to this. "It could not be helped. Because it was the war." Disgusting comment, isn't it? Then how could Koreans blame Japan? I heard communist China did the same, that they used the girls who had helped the Nationalist Government.

And what was done in the occupied Japan: http://zeroempty000.blogspot.jp/2006/12/comfort-women-in-japan-under-occupation_27.html

Japanese used to be naive and easily be upset when criticized by China or Korea. But we are now feeling enough is enough, because we know by now what our grandfathers and fathers did, and what they did NOT do, thanks to internet. Then, why our ansestors only are being called rapists? It is not fair at all.

We will see how our joker, Hashimoto will move next. He will meet with Korean so-called comfort women next week. They said they will come with firm evidence that they were forced. If we don't like Hashimoto's move, we will just slough the card.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I have heard the same sentiment expressed by Japanese people I know.

I think that poverty, or economics are the major determinant of engagement in prostitution, but there are also cultural factors. Some cultures view selling ones sex as worse than others.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Nishimura has raised various hooplas in the past.

includes Hashimoto....? So this should not be a news to publicize what they are saying!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Virgo98 The question remains, does he allow his wife to be forced into prostitution? They were never forced into prostitution and General Headquarters agrees. Do you believe everything that people make up? The fact is that they were forced into prostitution or there would never be an uproar. The whole thing of comfort women is a politically way of saying forced prostitution. Get your head on straight and actually read what Japan did in the war. This fool Hashimoto and his cohorts are destroying all credibility of the good Japanese people. Most of Japan would like to say that they are beyond this and have changed but the root in many of the men here have not changed, they still think women are just for their sexual pleasure and thus there are all the men who think it is normal to go to sex bars and have sex with many women. It is disgraceful to the women whom they have married. Vote me down but I believe in honoring and respecting the wife that you married. Old fashioned? Yes but the good old fashioned that respects the wife as the not only a partner but the one you love. There is no use for "comfort women" not for a real man.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

toshikoMay. 19, 2013 - 12:25AM JST

One more thing. In USA. the first job to prosecute is the job of Prosecution, Not Attorney's office. There is no Green Card to prostitution in USA.

toshiko

Please tell me your example, so I can respond it accordingly, thanks.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Kent Mcgraw

After all you have not raised any clear evidence of coercion. Have you noticed that? If not, I don't see any point to start argument. Verbal testimony shall never be a firm evidence.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Korean women who are in debt with finance firms are often recruited by Korean brokers and sent to Japan (e.g. around Kinshicho, Tokyo) to work for a "delihel" or fashion-health massage parlor. They have no choice to quit the job until they pay back their debt. It seems not much has changed since pre-war era. Sex slavery still continues.

And this is what Hashimoto stated last August as well. Does Korea want to continuously deal with the ghosts of the past or deal with their current problem which is the current sex trafficking sexual slavery overseas?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Globalwatcher: One more example: Because our prosecutor decided no to prosecute a cop who killed a diabetic coma suffering in his car that was between 2 police ars and co.uld not moved, the prosecutors' office are invetigated by /////federal office now. 6 shots by one officer while other officers just tried to get this fguy out. There are too many in Las Vegas. I am not going to write about 75 case in a week here, So, forgive me I can not write a few thousands example in one day in entire US 50 states. Many State is larger than Japan. Don't you know?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Gloobalwatcher; Why you need examples? Read about USA crime prosecution in Wikipedia.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

This is my guess. I think Hashimoto is planning to be more famous than Ishihara. After all, he created Ishin-no-kai and he was supported by LDP and Komeito when he became Osaka Governor. Ishihara lost front line talks, Hashimoto is successful. Asahi will not badmouth him no matter what Hashimoto says. He has funs from his TV show era, too. He is young and so his funs are younger too. Ishihara? His noble funs are dieing out. Otherwise I can;t think why he talks funny day after day. Some Japanese people might be thinking Hashimoto is trying to enhance Japan;s honor. Mr. Abe has to be careful on Hashimoto. Forget Yasukuni and concentrate on Japanese industrial growth,

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

virgo: There's a big problem with you argument that "if you understand Japanese...", because even Japanese are against what Hashimoto said. Are you suggesting THEY don't understand Japanese? Like I said, the idea that his comments were mistranslated or misinterpreted is just the usual BS excuse when politicians have gone too far. How about the Okinawan women who demand an apology? Did they misunderstand his 'mistranslation'? Give it a rest.

Yubaru: "So you are calling Hashimoto a racist against his own race. Interesting concept."

I dare you to say that to Hashimoto and watch his response. Better yet, say it to Nishimura. You are correct, of course, in terms of the blood ties and ancestry, but then that's part of what this is all about -- they would never admit it, and would rather deny it, by force if necessary.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

nigelboy: "And this is what Hashimoto stated last August as well. Does Korea want to continuously deal with the ghosts of the past or deal with their current problem which is the current sex trafficking sexual slavery overseas?"

Why some comments which are directly related to the thread are 'Off topic' but comments that are actually off topic remain is beyond me. nigelboy can do NOTHING but deflect the wrong-doing of Japanese politicians or the former Imperial Army and actually blame it on the victims of rape, or the victims of prostitution, conveniently forgetting that where prostitution exists there is demand despite laws against prostitution. Men go to prostitutes to cheat and/or get off when they cannot otherwise, so we blame the women?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Great. Now if they'll just oust Hashimoto...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Like it or not, and unfortunately so, this is all going to blow over....until the next time!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I dare you to say that to Hashimoto and watch his response. Better yet, say it to Nishimura. You are correct, of course, in terms of the blood ties and ancestry, but then that's part of what this is all about -- they would never admit it, and would rather deny it, by force if necessary.

I would love to have the chance, one on one, no media, no one else around, and see what he has to say!

Never happen, but nice to dream!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

John ConstantineMay. 18, 2013 - 09:16AM JST He also angered the U.S. by suggesting that American troops based in southern Japan should patronize legal adult >entertainment establishments to reduce sex crime there.

Oddly, back when two US servicemen abducted AND RAPED A 12 YEAR OLD Japanese girl in Okinawa, the Commanding US officer made effectively the same statement. Which angered Japan.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Ishin-no-kai members: If you guys are browsing here, if really want ishin such as Meiji Ishin people change feudal system to modern Japan, it is time you people should create a new party that will not have Hashimoto or Nishimura type goofballs. forget about Hashimoto;. You people have to gain people's trust and work for Ishin now. The title of party could be anything. Just don't destroy you people's Ishin spirits. Or maybe try to join LDP?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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