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Unfriendly relations

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Anti-Japan protesters tear a banner depicting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a rally in front of the Independence Gate in Seoul on Thursday. The rally was held to denounce Abe and demand an official apology for Japan's war crimes during the World War II and Japan's Takeshima day.

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I imagine that Abe san is quite amused by this bird-brained behaviour by the Koreans, a good laugh to help kick-start his day.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

It's their "national" sport.

11 ( +27 / -16 )

Japan needs to declare neutrality in the Korean Civil War. Tell the Americans they can not use their bases in Japan to support the southern Korean faction. No reason for Japan to put itself in harms way for people that hate them.

-30 ( +11 / -38 )

Disgusting .... It makes you wonder how many koreans who choose to live in Japan feel the same?

1 ( +12 / -11 )

The frustration of the disputed island Takeshima from those protesting South Koreans were totally unnecessary, south korea has controlled that island and their men stood on that island! They should change their strategy and argues something now they dont owned: The 'Tsushima strait' or better known as the 'Korean strait' should belongs to RoK and sending ships, planes to take actions.There will better hit the nerves of Japanese nationalists like Shinzo Abe and they shall never sleep tight or ignoring you! Day by day's real actions will notifed them your demand is NOT a game! The present South Korean's demonstrations and their tearing the Japanese flag, the photo of Japan PM etc....these were pointless actions!

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Yuri that hate is both ways and also a broad generalization as most people don't hate or even have a problem with each other, all the the East Asian nations need to learn to let go of the past and realize that if they can work together more they can all be successful. By the way, the North Koreans hate Japan just as much as the USA and would be more than happy to see this country is ashes too. Its not correct to call it a civil war considering they have been two separate nations for 60 years.

14 ( +18 / -4 )

Ah, let them have their fun. We were all young and hot-headed once....

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Koreans committed "war crimes" along with the Japanese. A few were even tried and convicted at the Tokyo Trials. Definitely the most hypocritical country in Asia.

-1 ( +17 / -18 )

some of these people are paid by PRK to drive wedges and not support peace and friendship, business or trade to instigate and open old wounds that heal slowly.. I never hear any of these people who feel wronged.. to show any compassion for Habakusha..

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

OssanAmericaMar. 29, 2013 - 08:08AM JST Koreans committed "war crimes" along with the Japanese. A few were even tried and convicted at the Tokyo Trials. Definitely the most hypocritical country in Asia.

Well, last time I checked, it wasn't the Koreans that invaded and colonized Japan from 1910 to 1945. I could've sworn that it was other way around. Can you clarify?

0 ( +10 / -10 )

These old men are so pathetic. It's embarrassing for Korea to have their elderly people who should know better to behave so stupidly. It just shows that not everyone gets wiser as they get older.

17 ( +22 / -5 )

Why am I not surprised? Korea is split in two with a dividing wall because of Korean aggression and hatred. Even against each other. At least the Japanese live reasonably peacefully with each other. How many other nationalities still have a dividing wall between warring compatriots?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

The rally was held to denounce Abe and demand an official apology for Japan’s war crimes during the World War II and Japan’s Takeshima day.

Good for them...! The International Community isn't going away Japan...

The Sooner you face the music Japan, the sooner, this will all be behind you....

Those that do not learn from History are doomed to repeat it...!

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

Korea is split in two with a dividing wall because of Korean aggression and hatred. Even against each other. At least the Japanese live reasonably peacefully with each other. How many other nationalities still have a dividing wall between warring compatriots?

These morons, know not of how Japan became what it is today...

By Chance...? No MacArthur and the U.S. Military Put you on the road to where you are now, and have provided you with literally every, including the shirt on your back....

This is why history is so very very Important...!

It would be funny, except there's another 100 Million Japanese that believe what he's espousing....

You're Welcome, oh ignorant one...

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

TigersTokyoDomeMar. 29, 2013 - 08:21AM JST Why am I not surprised? Korea is split in two with a dividing wall because of Korean aggression and hatred. Even against each other.

The ultimate blame would have to rest on your Japanese Manchurian Army that pretty much didn’t do it’s job just a few days before Japan’s surrender. The Japanese army just let the Russians steamroll over them in Manchuria and Korea. If we’re going to talk about the who’s responsible for the division of Korea, we need to go back to Potsdam 1945, when Truman was desperate to end WWII, and used Korea as a pawn and inevitable spoil of war to induce the Russians to enter the Pacific war against Japan. And even though Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb effectively precluded Russian participation, Russia nonetheless was entitled to occupy everything north of the 38th Parallel in accordance with the terms of the agreement, which still stood. The division would only became justified and rationalized much later as the emergence of North Korea was linked to the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I hope if I say, "Huh! So much for the Asian Century!", it will cause embarrassment and indignation resulting in more mature behavior. I can tolerate the resulting hatred as long as I don't have to look at these pictures anymore.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Well, that's gotta give Mr. Abe a good boost for his public image in Japan!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sfjp330Mar. 29, 2013 - 08:14AM JST "OssanAmericaMar. 29, 2013 - 08:08AM JST Koreans committed "war crimes" along with the Japanese. A few were even tried and convicted at the Tokyo Trials. Definitely the most hypocritical country in Asia."

Well, last time I checked, it wasn't the Koreans that invaded and colonized Japan from 1910 to 1945. I could've sworn >that it was other way around. Can you clarify?

Korea was annexed in 1910. That wasn't a "war crime". It was colonization. There were over 240,000 Koreans serving in the Imperial Japanese armed forces, far in excess of any recruitment quotas which weren't implemented until the ending years of WWII in any case,

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Japan needs to make a cleaning in “gaimusho”. Japan has donated over 70 billion dollars to korea by IMF and ODA. I wonder why Japanese people are so moron!

6 ( +9 / -3 )

@OssanAmericaMar. 29, 2013 - 08:08AM JST

Koreans committed "war crimes" along with the Japanese. A few were even tried and convicted at the Tokyo Trials. Definitely the most hypocritical country in Asia.

May I remind you that the crimes of WWII in Asia were masterminded by Imperial Japan and as I had being repeating, the Japanese had finesse their crime to art form stealth mode so they can hide their sneaky schemes with locals, Koreans as you mentioned here to do the dirty infantry men's work. This way your Japanese friend manage to convince you Japan is the good guy and Korean conscripts and other Asians like Taiwanese used as front men to kill other Asians in South East Asia are the bad guys! You can be sure they don't tell you this in the Japanese history books.

So go on, man up Japan, apologize to Korea just like any other advance nation do to show sign of maturity and deep responsibility and remorse. Comfort women too!

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Aggressive race. At war with each other and wanting war with Japan. Fortunately, since 1945 the Japanese have learnt the art of diplomacy and non-aggression.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

These guys are like an angry girlfriend. No matter how many times you apologize it's never enough.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

ossan:

It was colonization.

You sound like an advocate for colonization

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

LOL.. it's just about a dozen or so mostly old Korean men. Nobody else cares, certainly not the younger Koreans under the age of 50 really care anymore about what Japan does. They target Japanese politicians and their government. But it's really not that bad compared to the racially charged hate marches that happen daily in Shin Okubu, with hundreds of young, old, men, women, girls holding up hate signs, calling for extermination of Koreans marching in the middle of the town in the middle of the days - an everyday normal occurrance in Tokyo.

-13 ( +6 / -19 )

Well, last time I checked, it wasn't the Koreans that invaded and colonized Japan from 1910 to 1945.

The annexation of Korea was not a straight out military invasion. The Chinese and Russians were also interested in controlling that part of the world too. They lost, otherwise Korea might be Chinese or Russian territory now.

And if you bothered to check yourself, you'd see that were some Koreans who were glad to help the Japanese take over the country.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Once again, history according to only Japan. The military draft system by the Imperial Japanese, of unwilling Koreans were already well documented by historians. Only the Japanese still cling to this.

Korea was annexed in 1910. That wasn't a "war crime". It was colonization. There were over 240,000 Koreans >serving in the Imperial Japanese armed forces, far in excess of any recruitment quotas which weren't >implemented until the ending years of WWII in any case,

-10 ( +11 / -21 )

@Chin$Sailor

International Community?

Oh, you mean the Koreas and China? The other 180 odd countries don't feel the need to act the same way. Let's be grateful.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Chucky,

Take what you just wrote and replace "Old Koreanmen " with "old Japanese men".

It is exactly the same situation. You think most of the youth here care? Come over and talk to a few.

For your information it's Shin-OkubO and no, those protests are not an everyday occurrence. Just like how they are probably not an everyday occurrence in Korea. Stop exaggerating.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Why stop at $70 billion? Go higher, $300 billion, $1 trillion. Of course the figures keep going upwards everyday by people at 2ch who are experts at coming up with fake figures. Hard to take you guys seriously.

Japan needs to make a cleaning in “gaimusho”. Japan has donated over 70 billion dollars to korea by IMF and >ODA. I wonder why Japanese people are so moron!

-21 ( +2 / -23 )

Asia today is somewhat frightening. It bears many similarities to Asia in the 1930's.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Nobody else cares, certainly not the younger Koreans under the age of 50 really care anymore about what Japan does

B.S. whenever there's a one of those "korean school kids show their feelings" projects online, maybe 10% of the drawings are "kill japan" or "dokdo is korean" type stuff.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

chuck3176, young people don't care? Really? Then why do elementary school children draw pictures of Koreans shooting Japanese or the whole Japanese archipelago on fire? You may not want to believe me, but pictures don't lie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0skE1rsspc

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Japan needs to declare neutrality in the Korean Civil War. Tell the Americans they can not use their bases in Japan to support the southern Korean faction. No reason for Japan to put itself in harms way for people that hate them.

brilliant! do you also eat soup with a fork?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I love these threads, every patriot from its own country playing his own style, Chuky, china sailor, spf330. This Patriotism is just a simple game, just like a Sport. Maybe we should have this game in the Olympics.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Korea should get over themselves and look to Japan as a friend (at least politically).

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Tony EwMar. 29, 2013 - 09:43AM JST @OssanAmericaMar. 29, 2013 - 08:08AM JST Koreans committed "war crimes" along with the Japanese. A few were even tried and convicted at the Tokyo Trials. >Definitely the most hypocritical country in Asia.

May I remind you that the crimes of WWII in Asia were masterminded by Imperial Japan

Oh so Koreans, Taiwanese and other "colonials" had no brains?

and as I had being repeating, the Japanese had finesse their crime to art form stealth mode so they can hide their >sneaky schemes with locals, Koreans as you mentioned here to do the dirty infantry men's work. This way your >Japanese friend manage to convince you Japan is the good guy and Korean conscripts and other Asians like >Taiwanese used as front men to kill other Asians in South East Asia are the bad guys! You can be sure they don't tell >you this in the Japanese history books.

They don't tell you that in ANY textbooks anywhere because it's pure hogwash and you're wishful fantasy.

So go on, man up Japan, apologize to Korea just like any other advance nation do to show sign of maturity and deep >responsibility and remorse. Comfort women too!

Japan has apologized countless times to all Asian nations. Even to China which has yet to apologize to Republic of Korea,Australia,Belgium,Canada,Colombia,Ethiopia,France,Greece,Luxembourg,Netherlands, New Zealand,Philippines,South Africa,Thailand,Turkey,United Kingdom,United States,Japan,Denmark, Italy,Norway,India,Sweden for killing UN troops on the Korean Penninsula.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Did current president Park Geun-hye's father serve in the Japanese Imperial Army willingly or unwillingly?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Anti-Japan protesters tear a banner depicting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a rally in front of the Independence Gate in Seoul on Thursday.

Independence Gate was erected in 1897 by Koreans to commemorate its independence from China thanks to Japanese victory over China at the first Sino Japanese war in 1895. It is rather a strange place to do this kind of anti-Japanese demonstration.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

bicultural, it was an isolated case that happened over 7 years ago. There was an uproar, and the pictures were taken down few days later. Since then a lot has changed. Japan is no longer a big fascinating subject for Koreans (maybe more of the older Koreans tend still cling on to the old thinking). Maybe there will be a dozen or so group of old men who hold protests in front of Japanese embassy on few occasions that may make the headline in Japan, but if you go around South Korea, you won't find any hostility towards Japanese people. On the contrary, most Koreans are very friendly and welcoming of the Japanese people. Whatever the protests that fewer and fewer old Korean protesters have over Japanese issues, largely stays in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul. On the other hand, Japanese both young and old hate marchers against Koreans grow by the day, and their frequency is now everyday. Yet very few Japanese media even bother to cover this story. It's the same Japanese media that are so eager to cover a few cases of anti-Japanese protests in Korea.

chuck3176, young people don't care? Really? Then why do elementary school children draw pictures of >Koreans shooting Japanese or the whole Japanese archipelago on fire? You may not want to believe me, but >pictures don't lie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0skE1rsspc

-17 ( +0 / -16 )

On the other hand, Japanese both young and old hate marchers against Koreans grow by the day, and their frequency is now everyday.

Where are these marches?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A dozen or so old 60+ Korean men protests in front of Japanese embassy, and a huge front page news appears in Japan.

But when 500+ Japanese young and old, men and women, hold an anti Korean protest by marching through middle of Tokyo, which happens everyday in far larger scale.... Japanese media dead silence. The crickets are chirping.

Pot calling the kettle black.

-16 ( +2 / -17 )

Everyday anti-Korean marches you say?

Please post source, pictures, anything.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

BTW I've been living in the middle of Tokyo for four years and I've never once seen anything like you describe.

Not once.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Shin Okubo for lunch and its as peaceful as ever. Look at all the young Japanese kids swooning over Korean food and culture. Where are these so called 500 strong protests that occur everyday?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

chuck3176, anti-korean protests everyday you say? Yes, the uyoku (extreme right group) have gone on a few marches in Shin Okubo and Shibuya spouting off hate speech as usual and you can easily find articles on that if you google "反韓デモ." However, you will also find that 有田芳生 (politician belonging to the Democratic Party of Japan) has called on them to stop their protests.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I do understand the media in Japan won't report on these protests and sweep anything negative on Japan under the carpet, but this is ridiculous. Why you guys can't use computers to look them up?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8HZrMpQDWk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0aVy9ARQlE

It's the Japanese haters themselves who proudly uploads these videos. They upload thousands of videos like this everyday.

Guarantee you, you won't see the same level of hatred toward Japanese people in Korea, that you see in those videos. Nobody in Korea are marching and shouting "Japanese cockroaches get out of Korea!" or something.

-12 ( +2 / -13 )

Why use a computer when I am sitting in said place having a coffee? There are not protests here everyday. Why don't you come over and have a look? Instead of using the internet as a gauge?

Take the preaching down a few notches, will ya?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Guarantee you, you won't see the same level of hatred toward Japanese people in Korea, that you see in those videos. Nobody in Korea are marching and shouting "Japanese cockroaches get out of Korea!" or something.

Oh really?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bLxh9UVUoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg7aQyypnXY

2 ( +4 / -2 )

For chucky,

**On Thursday, about 20 former South Korean soldiers trained to infiltrate North Korea killed a species of pheasant similar to Japan’s national bird in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul, in protest at the territorial claim.

The group, which appears frequently at protests aimed at Japan, then beat the dead pheasants with hammers and hacked them with knives so their blood would run on Japanese flags that carried pictures of Japan's prime minister.**

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9fa_1216314802#lf8rHORhFJG8QpZT.99

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Tokiyo. If people here are preaching how evil and bad the Korean people are, why can't I counter with another alternative point of view? Why do you consider that as a preaching? You cannot possibly expect Japanese media to run many stories on Korea everyday (to almost at an obsessive level), and not expect a comment from one Korean guy, do you?

-13 ( +2 / -14 )

@OssanAmerica

Oh so Koreans, Taiwanese and other "colonials" had no brains?

Huh? Ever heard of duress? Subtle treats to their families? Bribes? Rewards to do the dirty work? It's like ' use your brain and you won't come back alive. That is the subtle message the Japanese masters hint to them. Clever simplistic talk, this is exactly like why Japan ranked no 4 in world liars list, trying to whitewash her dirty acts by diversion. You are learning fast from your buddy!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

chucky3176.

I remember reports on 2 protests in the Shin-Okubo area by rightwingers in the media here. As for daily occurrence I am sure the ten-thousands of Japanese that go through those areas daily would have made it known by now. As well as my Korean friends in Tokyo.

Go and visit those areas and see for yourself.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Chucky I am simply saying both sides are blowing it out of proportion.

And not every post up there is saying how evil and bad Korea is.

I happen to like Korea, like I said, it doesn't concern young kids these days, just like you said it doesn't bother Korean youths.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Once again, history according to only Japan. The military draft system by the Imperial Japanese, of unwilling Koreans were already well documented by historians. Only the Japanese still cling to this.

Once again, your comment shows that you only see the Korean side of history and adamantly refuse to accept the fact that the Korean governemnts have whitewashed parts of their history, too.

But when 500+ Japanese young and old, men and women, hold an anti Korean protest by marching through middle of Tokyo, which happens everyday in far larger scale.... Japanese media dead silence. The crickets are chirping.

Stop fabricating "truths." It is funny that a dozen people in Seoul is ok but 500 in Tokyo is a huge number - all "facts" brought up by you to justify the Korean nationalists and point a finger at the Japanese seem illogical and sometimes ridiculous.

And, uh, no. Anti-Korean demonstrations in Tokyo do not happen every day - only a couple of times a year after there have been provocations from the Korean side. The huge part of young and old Japanese do not care at all about anti-Japanese demonstrations. If anything, most of them say, "oh, these Koreans again..." and they go on with their everyday lives.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

What do you expect with a ring-winger PM? Abe is not actually receptive of history.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

bicultural, yes literally everyday now at Shin Okubu, there are protest marches slotted right on schedule. I'm not that far off the mark. The schedules are around the clock, at least twice every week, the last time I heard. The marches at Shin Okubu started back in 2011, when Japanese were protesting that the Koreans were controlling the Japanese TV stations to bring Korean pop culture. In one report to the Korean media, the Korean shop keepers said that the harassments lately were getting to be much more numerous and even beginning to turn violent, that they have lost 50% of their sales. I hope Japan gets the Olympics and let everyone in the world see what's going, that will be such a proud moment for Japan. Of course the Japanese media will try their best to hide it from foreigners.

It"S ME", you're so far off the mark that you don't even know it. Only "two" protests at Shin Okubu? lol...

If the protesters have a beef against Korean government, doesn't it makes sense they be protesting in front of the Korean embassy? After all, what can those helpless Zainichi small businessmen can do to change anything?

It's not just the small group of extreme right wing, you can see how ordinary Japanese talk about themselves when the subject of Koreans comes up (which is more and more often), right here.

http://www.japancrush.com

-13 ( +2 / -14 )

Chucky.

Umm, I have Clients in Shin-Okubo and go there 3-4 times a week, those protests must always happen on the days I don't visit and none of my clients see them either.

Like I said visit the area yourself, maybe we can meet.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It"s ME, either that or you're willfully blind.

Upgrayedd, once again, why are you bringing up old outdated news that features several old men who are going way overboard? At least they're not hurting anyone other than themselves. Do you honestly think that is an accurate representation of an average South Korean in 2013? And people here vehemently defend Japan saying those thousands of Japanese marching in anti Korean number of hate fests are not the average Japanese. ummm.... the odds of seeing anti Korean protests in Japan are thousands time higher than seeing couple of old Korean men killing some pidgeons or chopping off their fingers to make a political point.

-15 ( +2 / -16 )

You really have no idea what you are talking about if you really think there are daily anti-Korean marches going on in Shinjuku.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

And I wonder what the group "Girls Generation" thinks about this subject....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The only marching going down in Shin-Okubo is hundreds of thousands of Japanese people marching over to their favorite Korean restaurant or Korean beauty or k-pop shops.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

OssanAmericaMar. 29, 2013 - 08:08AM JST Koreans committed "war crimes" along with the Japanese. A few were even tried and convicted at the Tokyo Trials. Definitely the most hypocritical country in Asia.

sfjp330Mar. 29, 2013 - 08:14AM JST Well, last time I checked, it wasn't the Koreans that invaded and colonized Japan from 1910 to 1945. I could've sworn that it was other way around. Can you clarify?

sfjp - one example is a fairly common statement heard from Australian prisoners of Japanese POW camps in WW2, that Korean guards were far more brutal towards prisoners than their Japanese counterparts, and they wanted many of them put on trial.

The post-colonial nationalist line in Korea seeks to promote a myth that Koreans only collaborated with the Japanese because they were either forced to or were 'evil traitors'. The truth is, in the late 19th Century, many Koreans saw how Japan had modernized so fast that the Europeans didn't dare mess with them, and actively sought Japanese help to strengthen their nation in the same way - rather than remain a feudal tributary vassal to a backward and brutalized China or be annexed by Europeans (in their case the Russians via Manchuria).

Certainly, many things the Japanese did during the Colonial Period in Korea were reprehensible and are well documented, but its also a fact that many many Koreans actively supported the Japanese regime. When the Japanese saw the writing on the wall months before the WW2 ended, they began putting the mechanisms in place to hand the keys of government over to the Koreans - which US and USSR intervention completely messed up when they divided the country.

During the Colonial Period, the Japanese put in place the basic infrastructure Korea needed to develop a modern industrial economy (some of the biggest 'chaebols' in Korea like Samsung got their start under the Japanese) and educated many Koreans at Japanese universities in the skills needed to administer a modern nation. When the US occupied South Korea, it sidelined the local independence movement, and kept the Japanese administrative, industrial, and military infrastructure (and the Japanese-trained Koreans running them) in place to maintain social order (like they had in Japan).

The anti-Japanese sentiment by older Koreans is sadly not just reserved for modern Japanese, but also for the 'traitors' who worked for the Japanese (which partly explains why 650,000 Koreans chose to stay in Japan after WW2 ended). 60 years after Liberation in 2005 the witch-hunt continued with the ROK government passing laws to strip 'pro-Japanese collaborators' and their blameless descendants of their property. Throw in the ROK vs DPRK hate, and it's clear Koreans have a lot of soul searching to do.

Fortunately, most young people in Korea seem to be turning their backs on this kind of outdated nationalist hysteria, and it's about time their elders did too (especially the politicians who continually pander to the extremists).

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

If South Korea was wise enough to blame present Japan occupied the "Tsushima strait' which is known as 'The Korean Strait' in S.K., that will bring them a stronger argument to gain more support instead of digging old wounds some 100 years ago about Japan's colonial brutality!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

@ letsberealistic

You will find exactly the same phenomena happening in ANY war, French helped the Nazis, Japanese helped the Americans, Americans helped the Japanese - nothing unusual about Koreans supporting the Japanese during it's annexation at all.

I "think" you are agreeing with me. In any case, I'm not saying that Japan was right to annex Korea, but I'm sure we will both agree that wars are never that straight forward.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Chucky, the event is held not every day but 4 weeks at Shin-Okub"o" on Sunday. I assume this behavior is one of Korean Uriginal custom and needs known to the world well.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@SecularBeast

Fortunately, most young people in Korea seem to be turning their backs on this kind of outdated nationalist hysteria, and it's about time their elders did too (especially the politicians who continually pander to the extremists).

I hope so. I've know a lot of Japanese who met Koreans and Chinese abroad, usually studying English, etc. I'm happy to say, despite some friction, most made friends with each other. Who says young people aren't wise?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Well, it makes perfect sense that it's old Koreans demonstrating -- they are the ones who actually lived through the Japanese occupation and experienced Japan's brutality and exploitation first hand. And before starting in on the usual blame-shifting and lying about Korea, ask just why there is so much bad feeling about Japan in Korea. Try and explain the horrifyingly cruel and degrading manner in which the murder of Korea's Empress Min by Japan was carried out. Explain why the assassins' descendants journeyed to Korea to formally offer their apologies. Explain why there was a special torture chamber in the basement of the Japanese governor-general's offices in Seoul, and why 19-year old Yoo GwanSoon was beaten and mutilated to death by the Japanese police merely because she expressed support for Korean independence, why she was cut to six pieces. Sure, there are probably custom-made phony excuses in Japan for all of these issues, but the good thing is that the only people who believe them, or pretend to believe them, are Japanese and weeaboos. The rest of the world knows and speaks the truth. I'm glad Japan is taking a turn to the extreme right these days; the longer that foolishness goes on, the more people will turn against Japan, but the Japanese don't even realize it. Oh wait, in Japan that's called going back to teaching correct history, isn't it -- no wonder the saying "A lie told a hundred times becomes the truth" is Japanese in origin. I guess we'll find out in a few years if that really works, or if the Japanese are merely fooling themselves and alienating everyone in the process.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

I'm glad Japan is taking a turn to the extreme right these days

Did you have forgotton Shinzo abe?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

There are anti-Korea protests in Japan as well. Big deal. Did people here just magically forget the protests calling for the genocide of Koreans?

There was even a pathetic protest because FujiTV was showing korean content. Get over it. Anyway, I'll stop here cuz JapanToday doesn't allow free speech in the comments.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

"And, uh, no. Anti-Korean demonstrations in Tokyo do not happen every day - only a couple of times a year after there have been provocations from the Korean side. "

Just like Japanese politicians visiting Yasukuni without removing those Class A war criminals right? Just like changing the history textbooks claiming some territories as Japan right? White washing history in their textbooks for their younger generations to read am I right? Denying the existence of comfort women and saying they were all volunteers am I right?

Looking the other way and ignoring the facts will make the problem worse, my friend.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@slowguy2

The fact is most people don't care. Terrible things happened and some people literally got away with murder.

But, and I think a lot of people feel the same way, is that Japan has been singled out as some kind of monster, when other countries have done dreadful things too and yet (almost) nobody cares.

Basically, looking at the news where people are still fighting due to what happened decades ago, those countries are invariably backwards compared to those which put the past behind them and move on. America and Japan, France and Germany - these are classic examples of former enemies that enjoy deep and friendly relations with each other. I'd love to see the same happen with China and the Koreas cooperating with Japan.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

slowguy2

Well, it makes perfect sense that it's old Koreans demonstrating -- they are the ones who actually lived through the Japanese occupation

1945 was 68 years ago. The people in the photo do not look like in their 70's.

ask just why there is so much bad feeling about Japan in Korea.

Because Koreans do not learn the true history.

Try and explain the horrifyingly cruel and degrading manner in which the murder of Korea's Empress Min by Japan was carried out.

You should distinguish fiction from reality. What you saw on TV drama is not always true to the facts. If you think she was raped before murdered, bring up an evidence.

Explain why the assassins' descendants journeyed to Korea to formally offer their apologies.

They are not THE assassins. They were part of the soldiers who were at the palace when the murder took place. They did not know what was going on in the palace. They apologized because they were at the palace. It was Dae Weon Kun who masterminded the murder.

Explain why there was a special torture chamber in the basement of the Japanese governor-general's offices in Seoul, and why 19-year old Yoo GwanSoon was beaten and mutilated to death by the Japanese police merely because she expressed support for Korean independence, why she was cut to six pieces.

There is no such torture chamber in Governor General Building. She was convicted for organizing illegal violent demo, and sentenced 3 years in prison. She died in Seodaemun Prison. She was not mutilated. Here is a link to Korean news paper Chung Ang Ilbo translated into Japanese by the newspaper company itself. "Many exaggerations of Japanese atrocities against Yu Gwansun" http://japanese.joins.com/article/426/24426.html?sectcode=400&servcode=400

3 ( +3 / -0 )

OssanAmerica

oh so Koreans, Taiwanese and other "colonials" had no brains?

What a very simplistic comment. Maybe some research on your behalf would be a good idea. Yes some Koreans and Taiwanese where as bad in there behaviour as the Japanese. But what was the reasoning behind their actions. If they didnt carry out Japanese orders to beat, kill people they themselves fell victim to Japanese brutality. Many good books go into these cases on l would recommend is called "sandakan" it is a book that details the Japanese murder of thousands of Australian POWs. The book also details the Korean guards actions during these crimes and how if they did not treat the prisoners bad,y the Japanese would see that as a weakness and execute the Korean guards. So for your to merely say oh they where as bad as the Japanese is none sense.

Japan has apologized countless times to all Asian nations.

Yeah and what a joke those apologies have been on one hand they apologise and on the other they deny their activities. On one hand they say sorry but then they have displays in their museums on how they where the victims. They say sorry yet gloss over the disgusting actions they performed. Yes the Japanese have apologised in generic terms but you ask a Japanese about places and events like sandakan, the tol massacre, the Stanley hospital massacre, the Thai Burma railway, the wake island massacre etc and they will not have a clue what you are on about. They like to have their generic "we are sorry" but that's it.

Even to China which has yet to apologize to Republic of Korea,Australia,Belgium,Canada,Colombia,Ethiopia,France,Greece,Luxembourg,Netherlands, New Zealand,Philippines,South Africa,Thailand,Turkey,United Kingdom,United States,Japan,Denmark, Italy,Norway,India,Sweden for killing UN troops on the Korean Penninsula.

I'm sorry but the ones that should apologise for this is one person and that person is Douglas MacArthur, he was the reason the Chinese entered the war, his actions caused the issue, he went against his own military and president in his actions, he threatened nuclear attacks on china, he invaded up to their border then wondered why they actively entered the war. Bt yes the Chinese do need to apologise for their actions once they did enter the war.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Slowguy2

Because Koreans do not learn the true history.

NO ONE learns the true history, American, British, Japanese, Chinese, Korean history books are ALL biased to make their own countries look heroic and blameless.

But, you know what? As soon as the exams are over, the kids have forgotten all of it.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

EastAsiaForeigner, is this what you call the account by a Russian eye witness? http://koreaweb.ws/ks/ksr/queenmin.txt

It does not say, "she was stabbed repeatedly with katana swords and her body was dragged outside where she was burned."

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Back on topic please.

China which has yet to apologize to Republic of Korea,Australia,Belgium,Canada,Colombia,Ethiopia,France,Greece,Luxembourg,Netherlands, New Zealand,Philippines,South Africa,Thailand,Turkey,United Kingdom,United States,Japan,Denmark

Why should China apologise to all the above countries? The Korean war is a war not atrocities! NO atrocities has done to their POWs and no WMD has been used to those combatants! All POWs were repatriated under the red cross. The Korean war was a 'gentlemen's war' instead like those savage feudal wars has carried out by Japan! Here is a list of countries must apologise to China back in AD1900, the attack on Peking during the so called boxer rebellion: United States, Russia, japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy and Austria-Hungary! Their armies looting and arsons over Peking and the imperial palace, those war conducts were the worst of ever seen in moden times! About the Koreans, they belongs to another category as they suffered due to a Japanese occupations and racist rule! The hate Japan was due to japan's glorifying their colonial rule was introducing civilizations to the Korean peninsula which was totally not true!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The problem is, up until now, apologies for WW2 crimes by Japanese government officials and the emperor have been basically limited to "acts by Japan have caused damage and suffering to other Asian nations."

Abe needs to express regret for specific war crimes committed by Japanese troops, including the subjugation, murder and rape of Chinese and Koreans. And the Chinese and the Koreans need to accept this, and MOVE ON AND START BUILDING A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH JAPAN.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The reality is hatred goes both ways. If hate is one way then it's not hate it's selfishness with big inferior complexity. Koreans do hate Japanese government for obvious reason, they have been humiliated under Japanese rule for around 35 years then Japanese still haven't really apologized sincerely and closed the chapter rather Japanese government have been resiliently have been provoking with Takeshima and other disputes and then Seoul tries humiliate Tokyo with Comfort women. This won't stop until Tokyo forgets Takeshima otherwise Seoul will pull out another card such as Tsushima, the problem is Tsushima wasn't even Japanese territory with begin with nor it was Korean. Even Okinawa wasn't part of Japan. Japan have been gaining a lot of territory when Korea was at weakest. Now that Koreans got their land back, they want retribution so they will chase Japan down anywhere they can. The hope is anti-Japanese sentiment is dying in Korea but in Japan takes opposite direction more & more young Japanese are turning into anti-Korean. This isn't clearly good sign for Japan. There's no need for Japan to stand with hardline attitude against to closest neighbor specially dealing with 1910-45 issues, The whole problem started with Moscow & Washington, they've divided up Korea and let Korea to bare all the blames. This is what we're facing now. What would you do just forget everything? No. It's time for Japan to show some peace, after all Japan occupied Korea and a lot of Koreans suffered under hands of Japanese puppets and officials.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Like children....Just apologize already.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I might add few more points:

I under stand this is do with bad feeling between Japanese & Koreans but why we have foreigners trying to stir up fight between Japanese & Koreans when younger generations don't seem to care. I smell rats here probably Chinese or Taiwanese or even Russian and American expats. For these expats communities in Seoul and Tokyo, if you don't under stand then please leave, Chinese, Russian and Americans are more guilty than Japanese or Koreans in this matter. The real threat for Japan & Korea isn't themselves, it's China, Russia and America. They're the real enemies of Japan & Korea. There's no time & energy to waste when China & U.S is trying to create war between Korea & Japan. At least Japanese and Koreans can talk each other out, trying talking with Chinese & American nutcases, they will try to kill you.
0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not limited to Koreans, People who don't like Japan originally may become anti-Japan protests. They would be mind-controlled by the leaders and therefore protesters may be increasing. Their performances are deplorable. I hope that all of human being in the world are friends.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

After all those years that passed, their hearts still remain ''unforgiving''.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Unfriendly relations. The solution is very easy. How about returning the hundreds of thousands of looted cultural artifacts of Korea and China. Some of them were grave robbed from royal tombs apparently. Japan should quit the apologies. It's unproductive. The solution was always staring in Japan's face... they just chose not to use it.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Once again, history according to only Japan. The military draft system by the Imperial Japanese, of unwilling Koreans were already well documented by historians. Only the Japanese still cling to this.

The compulsory draft for Koreans was implemented on September of 1944 and the establishment of the training occurred during Jan-July of 1945. Hence, those Koreans who were "forced", majority did not see any action.

As stated previously, the number of Korean applicants surpassed the quota as much as 60 times in 1942. In fact, there were cases of Korean men committing suicide because they were not accepted. (1940 article) Hence, the term "willing" is an understatement.

http://ameblo.jp/kamen110/entry-11235859270.html

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The cold case: Why did emperor Hiroito and the Japanese royals were never punished from Imperial-era of both the colonial and war atrocities? There was the source of hatred from neighbours!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

As stated previously, the number of Korean applicants surpassed the quota as much as 60 times in 1942. In fact, there were cases of Korean men committing suicide because they were not accepted. (1940 article) Hence, the term "willing" is an understatement.

What's the point ? they didn't served Republic of Korea but were all put under IJA and SERVED the emperor. Just like Japanese-American served under U.S and thus they were American. You don't see anyone go around and claim that "Japanese nationals served the U.S military during WWII"

A great number of various European nationals were also in the Waffen- SS which was under Hitler command not their respective exile governments

The fact is most of them were gang pressed into registering. Funny how Japanese application didn't have the "NO" option

Failing to taking the account that the Japanese rejected so many of those "application", i wonder why they didn't trust hundred of thousand Koreans with firing arms and assigned them in labor unit or guarding POW. Must be that if they did most of them would run off and joined Chinese guerrilla

We all see see how Japanese version of a "volunteer" in work when they created the INA.

Almost ridiculous that claiming Indian troops fought for India or Algerians troops fought for Algeria during WWII, when they served their respective colonial government or even that their compatriots supported the war

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You don't see anyone go around and claim that "Japanese nationals served the U.S military during WWII"

Because Japanese nationals, as well as ethnic Japanese U.S. citizens, were forced into internment camps during WWII.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What's the point?

The point being is that they don't get to jump off the same side of the fence as Japanese.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Wait you guys are going way too far.In Seoul,Korea I have seen a Korean man wearing a cap with a Japanese flag on it at a subway station on it and not a single Korean bothered him with hinomaru flag on it.And on another occasion again in Seoul,Korea I saw an Asian male wearing a jacket with a Japanese flag on it which was quite visible even to people meters away and also this time Koreans left him alone.I thought Gee!! Koreans have learned how to tolerate the foreigners even the most hated Japanese flag emblem.By the way Koreans say they dislike Japanese and vice versa but I think deep at heart good people from both Korea and Japan want real and genuine peace with each other.Let's Call It A Day Shall We!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Also surprised to hear what former U.S. Marine in Okinawa told me that he thinks back in the old years S Koreans were seen as being far more anti-American than even the Japanese or Okinawan people which doesn't mean both of them are always pro-USA 100% either.Sounds strange even for a Korean like me because I would have thought in logical terms it should be the S Koreans who are grateful to Americans who helped Seoul to fight communists during the Korean War.

What really SHOCKED me was when a Japanese hibakusha A-bomb victim said in his own words "I don't hate America" and nobody in Japan is demanding a U.S. Government apology for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Korean "comfort women" who were raped by Japan's army which included also Koreans whether they were coerced or volunteered constantly demand Japan's PM to apologize to them.The A-bomb survivors suffered far more than those comfort women and yet the ones who were afflicted with great pains such as A-bomb attacks show greater power of endurance than the women raped by soldiers.What a paradox it was!!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I live in Nishi Shinjuku, and every weekend there are right-wingers marching by with angry signs and anti-Korean/Chinese slogans. Once they even dragged a effigy behind them in the street. There are crazies everywhere...

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I dont get why so many comments are voted down for no reason? What is with that? As for chucky3176 I have never seen any of these daily marches you have mentioned... I find it really hard to believe.

Korea and Japan need to really sit down and mend this problem once and for all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yep seeing those too, darn disgusting.. slogans saying Korean get out of here in shin ookubo, atleast every saturday... and its not just old men... I always ask people about me, how are they not disgusted by this and why it is not stopped.

So whatever claims japanese might have regarding protests there... its same or worse coin here....just never get covered in the news for some unknown reason

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@chucky3176Mar. 29, 2013 - 11:38AM JST

A dozen or so old 60+ Korean men protests in front of Japanese embassy, and a huge front page news appears in Japan.

But when 500+ Japanese young and old, men and women, hold an anti Korean protest by marching through middle of Tokyo, which happens everyday in far larger scale.... Japanese media dead silence. The crickets are chirping.

Pot calling the kettle black.

Hi chucky3176, I appreciate your insightful posts of Japanese society! Great to know you exposes Japanese politics and news reporting. I think it shows Japanese authorities practices biased democracy to look good to the world, meaning no better than China! The more negative votes we get the more Badge Of Honor we achieve for telling our side of the story. You now hold the world record for most negative votes in one posting. Congratulations!

I read somewhere those protesters are tech savvy folks and they must be the ones that award us the negative points! The crickets are indeed chirping in Japan when it suits them fine. Keep it up!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

*

demand an official apology for Japan's war crimes during the World War II

It has been done already. How many times Japan needs to do that? Japan has already also paid $800,000,000 cash when the average collage graduate monthly salary was about $65 in Japan. And $5,300,000,000 asset without any condition. The treaty between Korea and Japan states'' Everything is resolved perfectly and forever''. If any issue occurs,solve lawfully at ICJ. Signed by the father of today's Korean president in 1965. So Korea would not get any more apology from the past..

0 ( +1 / -1 )

While not having any proof at all ....

I can't help but consider what has been suggested by others that a lot of the agitation in Japan and Korea is being stirred up by stealth agence provocateurs from the DPRK. After all, they did kidnap a number of Japanese and do have a following amongst some of the zainichi Koreans who live in Japan ... and they do have so-called defectors now living in the ROK.

It helps the DPRK keep Seoul and Tokyo divided and distracted (Beijing as well).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Koreans committed "war crimes" along with the Japanese. A few were even tried and convicted at the Tokyo Trials. Definitely the most hypocritical country in Asia.

What in the heck are you talking about...? Let's not get into this, "Well, they did it too, so we're all even..."

No They Didn't! And Korea Has NEVER Ever Committed Atrocities (Aside from perhaps Individual acts, NOT Condoned by the Gov't) You're out of your mind, if you think Korea is even in the same league with Japan...

Japan committed atrocities from the early 1900's until 1945 (until they were forced to stop at the barrel of a gun) And the only country that you could even compare them to is, Nazi Germany, and They made the Nazi's Look like Amateurs at Killing...

So, please, before you spout off, about what you heard some Japanese rightest say, pick up a history book, any History Book here in Asia, (not the Japanese white-washed version) But pretty much any other country here in Asia, and read it... Please!

There's just Too Much ignorance here in Japan... The Japanese are calling everybody and their brother, War Criminals, Except themselves! It's Ludicrous, a page straight out of The Karl Rove Republican Hand Book! "When you yourself are a Murderer, Accuse the Victim of Child Porn!"

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Japanese girl calling for massacre of Koreans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oOW6QJfeoo&list=LLqMHbxAJcsWazUzGHx8DIkg

0 ( +3 / -3 )

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