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8 arrested in Tokyo after two groups clash over hate speech against Koreans

45 Comments

Police said Monday that eight people were arrested in Tokyo's Okubo district on Sunday after two groups clashed over recent outbursts of anti-Korean hate speech in Tokyo.

TV Asahi reported that the groups faced off between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and started fighting, using umbrellas and then their fists. Police moved in and arrested four members of "Zaitokukai" (Citizens Against Special Privileges for Zainichi), including their leader Makoto Sakurai, 41, as well as the leader of the anti-protestor group Kenji Kubo, 48, and three other members.

Police said that about 200 anti-Korean protestors faced off against 350 anti-protestors belonging to a group called Resistance Troops Against Those Who Discriminate (レイシスト人種差別主義者をしばき隊).

There have been several anti-Korean outbursts in Okubo this year, fueled by territorial and historical disputes between Japan and South Korea.

© Japan Today

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45 Comments
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Is is not about racism!!!!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I assume the Zaitokukai are required to receive permits to protest in Shin-Okubo, which is a place where Koreans and Zai-nichi Koreans are known to live and do business. They harass people in their neighborhood, and make Korean restaurants lose business.

I would be interested to know who issues the permits, and what is the line of authority above those who issue the permits.

An public anti racist showing may do something to help the feelings of the people who live and work there; but true justice requires the Zaitokukai no longer receive permits to protest in Shin-Okubo, or other areas where Koreans are known to live and work in high density.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I hate racism and racists. But in another article we have Koreans having Japanese flags taken out of French and European restaurants.

I can’t condone the act of racism towards Koreans here, but I certainly can’t condone the acts of Koreans who are having Japanese flags taken out of restaurants and bragging about it online as if they are heroes.

L. Spiro

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Tmarie,

No one argues that uyoku are not backed by the yakuza and many yakuza are of korean decent. If you can read japanese search for 日本皇民党 on google.

Of course not all right wingers are Koreans. We all know that . Just check it out.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

What special privileges do you suggest they are entitled to?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Peter is right. If you don't believe I'm sure you can find some books About it.

Or perhaps the poster/s who claim this could post some links/books about it. Burdon of proof is on those who make such claims.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

but why should zainichi continue to get special privileges? they've been here long enough, they should either become japanese citizens or be subject to the rules all other foreigners are subject to.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Racism sucks!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Tmarie

Peter is right. If you don't believe I'm sure you can find some books About it.

Anyway, both of these groups area pain in the butt. The anti racist group are not freedom fighters . No different than the racists .

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

There's no such thing "Zainichitokken" at all, priviledge granted rights for long term resident Korean, these are all fabrications. One more thing, seems here's someone who somehow says something which only published or put up on Japanese Netouyo using forged sites, written in all Japanese, which means only Japanese capable individual could have read these ugly forgeries, I wonder why is here someone who knows it, if some of your Japanese friend ever told you, the friend is definitely a Netouyo, quite not worth to be with, anyway, it's not relevant with any of disdrimination ongoing, whether Yakuza or right winger has included Korean or not, it's just a police matter when it matters, not concerns with Zaitokukai's violation, also not going to justify any of their performances.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

What's really bizarre is, many of the anti-Korean and yakuza right-wingers are themselves of Korean descent, but father back

Do you have any proof of this? You post this a lot but I have not see anything that woudl support your claim.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The police refused to rein in the Zaitokukai, who were driving business out of the area with their bullyboy tactics. So the cops are responsible for that mini-riot occurring in the first place -- but of course they knew that would eventually occur. Instead of invoking the relevant laws, social order is controlled in Japan by means of police fiat. It's a typical example of how the "master puppeteer" manipulates things behind the scenes in order to achieve its ends.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

These Japanese protester see things from their own perspective. There are significant number of people in Japan and Korea that have hard time reconciling the past. It has unleashed the hostility of threatened Japanese who realize the country is changing in ways that make them less powerful and less important than they always thought was their right. The fact that there is no place for this kind of act in Japan. Unfortunately, there are grievances among angry young people out there, not just in Japan but throughout the world. Things will improve for Japanese and Korean people when they work together to support each other in meaningful ways.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

What's really bizarre is, many of the anti-Korean and yakuza right-wingers are themselves of Korean descent, but father back

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

CH3CHOJUN. 17, 2013 - 06:24PM JST I think this "hate vs hate" thing will go nowhere but to more hate until things get uncontrollable. Japan and Korea may learn something from the civil right movement in the US.

I remember the "traditionalist skinheads" (think ska, Vespas, beer) versus racist skinheads clashes of the 1980's. Fighting back was the only way to reclaim the streets from those goons. When ordinary Japanese rise against the thugs in their midst--watch out. It'll be over before you know it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

White_Shinobi, I saw your video. It is just amazing. The anti-racist guy was constantly shouting such things like, "You are crazy," "You are lunatic," "You cannot even fight against us," "The Emperor is a wimp," in Japanese. He then turned around and said, "No racism, no hate speach." in English, showing his Yakuza style tatoo around his neck.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

By rascist protest group I meant the Zaitokukai idiots.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Tokyo needs to silence the Zaitokukai if they want the chance to host the olympics.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

The entire rascist protest group should have been blasted with a fire-hose and arrested.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Kudos to these people standing up to the grubby little racists - in particular that filthy fascist Makoto Sakurai. Nice to see that the fascists were outnumbered and outgunned. Give these frustrated, overweight and violent black-van scum hell!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If someone is here legally and paying taxes, and a permanent resident... I can't see how it's fair long term to not allow them those rights. Surely legal residence parting with large parts of their salary, perhaps for generations surely should be allowed at least to have a say in local elections?? Can't see the harm..

Ultimately one day Japan will have to allow dual citizenship like most other developed nations and this problem will begin to go away..

It's 2013 people :-)

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I'll be grateful if foreign people in here, are not going to misunderstand Shibaki-tai, or taking Zaitokukai's totally prejudiced stupid allegation and discrimination against Koreans to be world wide usual, or not a big deal, or something like that. There's a lot of stories or circumstances around this awful racism, just as you people often says "it's a long story". Shibaki-tai, they're never mobs, decent people having citizenhood, the people finally started standing against Zaitokukai after 6 abandoned years. So, I beg for the sake of the future of Japanese citizenhood, though which is very unmatured yet, it'd be glad if there's no misunderstanding happened with them.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

When will Japan get some anti-racism laws? Long overdue. There should be no need for a civilian group to have to "defend" folks from racist jerks. There marches should not be allowed and these jerks should be charged with hate crimes.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Discrimination is bad, but I don't believe the Zaitokukai supports the discrimination of non-Japanese. If Korean nationals are taking advantage of the system, then it needs to be investigated and dealt with. And Rights groups need to make this known through peaceful demonstration. Most of the readers here are overreacting to media hysteria.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Racist draws his umbrella into a sword-fighting position .... Anti racist counters with his umbrella.... Take this you scum! ..... You fight like a sissy! ....

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It's good to see a response to the fascists. I recommend a good egging next time they pass through Shin Okubo.

1 ( +3 / -3 )

I live near where this happened yesterday... I got a chance to meet some of the freedom fighters... I took some video of the event too...

http://youtu.be/e6vX1YlOacM

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

No, not "hate vs hate" that kind of thing, Mr.Noma the leader of Shibaki-tai, or other weighty members have got guts to take "hate agaist Korean" into themselves, even Noma has tweeted "When you wanna say die to somebody, do it toward us instead of Korean"why, why should they, only because of citizenhood, that's it, as the way I understand them. I'm a tiny Japanese citizen, since this profile has no function to put my detail up, search me with "Nancy blab" please when anyone like to be in touch, there's a blog in Ameba I'm running.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Sensato

Anti-racism Strike Force. ^___~ That sounds like a new Japanese film. I can't wait to see the umbrella fighting scene. 笑  hmmmm Special Privileges for Zainichi, okay what special privileges?!?! Isn't it true that Zainichi people can't even obtain a passport?!?! Even if they wanted to they can't leave Japan, that sucks, Japan is great and all but being stuck there seems like a punishment. Racism wherever it is, never ceases to amaze me, one of the most ridiculous things in life. Being of mixed blood myself, I'm no stranger to it. ~____~

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The Association of People Who Use Mafia Style Violence Against Racist Groups...has got to be THE most accurate reading...c'mon, you know it's true.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I think this "hate vs hate" thing will go nowhere but to more hate until things get uncontrollable. Japan and Korea may learn something from the civil right movement in the US.

Zaitokukai defines itself as an anti-discrimination group just as KKK, IRA or this Korean group defines itself as an anti-discrimination group. "Good guy vs bad guy" may be a little too simplified view of the issue.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

There have been several anti-Korean outbursts in Okubo this year

"Several" is an understatement. These anti-Korean protests happen almost every Saturday/Sunday in the Okubo/Shin-okubo area.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

An umbrella fight? Only in Japan!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Makoto Sakurai is a worm. Must have been bullied hard in school.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Anyway you translate it, good on these anti racists!! Down with the J version of the KKK!!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Your translation is better and more memorable CH3CHO, but it looks like we are too late.

This group (レイシストをしばき隊) has an 'official' bilingual J-E website, with profanity throughout, where they come up with a more edgy translation for the name (can't be written on the JT thread). Their About Us page ends with, "Fight back against racism, by any means possible."

Just my opinion, but I think it is a shame that they take such a grating approach because it brings them down to the level of the Zaitokukai. A level-headed message would be much more effective in the long run.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Sentaro, OK, then it should have been translated as "Troops for Whipping and Beating Racists".

Shibaku is by no means a good word. It is mainly used by Yakuza mobsters near Osaka. If a business leader or a politician ever uses that word, he/she is most likely kicked out of office by the end of the day. I have no idea why the group chose that word.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@CH3CHO

What a strange way of translating. Shibaku means unlawful use of violence. Their name should have been translated as "Troops for Lynching Racists".

The Kenkyusha dictionary defines shibaku as "striking/hitting hard with a whip or stick." (むちや棒で強く打つ。たたく。)

Given that definition, I think I would translate レイシスト人種差別主義者をしばき隊 as Anti-racism Strike Force.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

"Troops for Lynching Racists".

Well, it rolls off the tongue far better than "Resistance Troops Against Those Who Discriminate".

7 ( +6 / -0 )

"Resistance Troops Against Those Who Discriminate"

What a strange way of translating. Shibaku means unlawful use of violence. Their name should have been translated as "Troops for Lynching Racists".

1 ( +5 / -4 )

shame that the police had to arrest the anti-protester leader when he deserves an award for standing up to racist trash like he and many others did.

22 ( +26 / -4 )

Get all the Koreans, give them all 10,000 yen and then send them all packing back to North or South Korea (they can choose), problem solved.

Moderator: If you ever post garbage like this again, you will be leaving us.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Go RTATWD!!! how can we support?

11 ( +13 / -3 )

Ha ha, I love that the racists are outnumbered by the anti-protesters.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

"Resistance Troops Against Those Who Discriminate"

I think I like these people.

36 ( +37 / -2 )

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